The Royal Magic Academy, Boundary Fusion Phenomenon Research Bureau.
This bureau, established fourteen years ago, is the newest division within the Academy. As its name suggests, it is designated as a specialized institution focused on boundary fusion phenomena. However, in reality, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe it as the private bureau of its former director, Viole Ella Mucare Hatano.
To put it more bluntly and unceremoniously, it was a place where the so-called “Heavenly Bell Witch” leveraged the kingdom’s resources solely to reunite with her family—a rather selfish and high-handed operation at its core.
That said, it wasn’t entirely devoid of benefits for the kingdom.
For one, having the continent’s most powerful mage, the “Heavenly Bell Witch,” affiliated with the bureau was a significant political and strategic asset. Additionally, as the bureau operated entirely on Viole’s personal funds, it incurred no financial burden on the kingdom. Furthermore, the various facilities developed for detecting and pinpointing boundary fusion phenomena contributed immensely to the kingdom’s advancements in magical technology.
And beyond that—
Since her goal was achieved last year, the Boundary Fusion Phenomenon Research Bureau has shifted its focus dramatically.
The bureau now collaborates on monitoring the “Void Forest” near Sidera Village, and by extension, the “Divine Will’s Broth” contained within it. In other words, the bureau has begun contributing to the prevention of the emergence of a “Demon King,” effectively steering itself into a role that safeguards world peace.
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Sidera Village—Boundary Fusion Phenomenon Research Bureau, Sidera Branch, Office.
Seralinde Mucare, the branch director, let out a sigh as she stared at the towering stacks of approval documents and reports.
「…Phew.」
She unconsciously rubbed her stiff shoulders.
Still, the bulk of her tasks involved approving requisitions and ordering supplies, so compared to her days in the royal capital, the work was light enough to hum along to. Back then, she had been bogged down with negotiating and handling friction with other bureaus, attending ceremonies and meetings, and managing politically charged duties. Many of the complications caused by her niece—Viole’s ambitious plans—had fallen on Seralinde to smooth over and bring to a soft landing.
——In that sense, looking after my niece hasn’t really changed.
She smiled wryly to herself.
Since arriving here, Seralinde’s work could be summarized as one overarching mission:
Supporting Viole, who had relocated to the depths of the Void Forest, and by extension, the Hatano family.
The details were varied—managing Viole’s personal assets, coordinating and dispatching support supplies, and maintaining the systems monitoring the Void Forest. All of these tasks were tied to the Hatano family, meaning her role essentially revolved around assisting them.
「I’m sorry for making you so busy, Grandma.」
—— So.
Had she heard her sigh?
The guest in the office hung her head apologetically.
Seralinde looked up and smiled.
「This isn’t something you need to worry about. If anything, it’s work I enjoy.」
「But you seem so tired…」
「Viole… Your mother, you know, has always been like this—pushing all her troubles onto me. It’s true that it can be exhausting and makes my shoulders ache, but… I’m happy for it.」
After swiftly signing off on the authorization forms, she turned her gaze toward her grandniece, Sui, who was sitting shyly on the sofa.
「There, all done. Sorry to keep you waiting.」
「Grandma, tired? Mint massage shoulders!」
「Oh my, would you? That would make me very happy.」
Mint, who had been brought along by Sui, jumped to her feet and clung to Seralinde’s waist. Seralinde stroked her head and hugged her back.
「Come, sit here!」
As Mint beckoned her, Seralinde moved to the sofa. Mint then slipped behind her, small hands reaching up to grasp her shoulders.
「Like this?」
「Yes, just a bit stronger would be good.」
「Like this?」
「Ah… Yes, that’s perfect. It feels wonderful.」
Mint’s small hands kneaded her shoulders with a steady rhythm, squeezing and releasing. The earnest way she worked made Seralinde’s eyes soften involuntarily.
「She sometimes massage Mother’s shoulders, too. She seems to enjoy it.」
「When me squeeze like this, hard parts get all soft and squishy!」
「Oh my, Mint, you’re so clever.」
「Mufufu.」
The Alraune born with the magical power of the Hatano family was a being not of human origin, yet her heart was no different from that of a human child—gentle, cheerful, and adorable.
What’s more, as she grew, Mint had absorbed some of Seralinde’s magical power, making it a part of herself.
…She had accepted Seralinde as family, too.
「That’s enough now. My shoulders feel so much lighter. Thank you, Mint.」
「Uuuuu!」
「You’re a genius at shoulder massages, Mint.」
Her once heavy and stiff shoulders now felt as light as feathers, and her mind seemed sharper, too. Even the massage parlors in the royal capital couldn’t compare.
It wasn’t favoritism for her granddaughter—no, Mint was likely using some kind of magic unconsciously.
Mint skipped around to Seralinde’s side and plopped herself down beside her, leaning in to rest against her.
「What a little sweetheart you are.」
「Ehehe…」
The unwavering trust of a small child—how warm, comforting, and joyful it was.
Seralinde’s cheeks softened into a gentle smile.
「Thank you for the wine, Grandma. It seems you’d been preparing it for me for quite some time.」
Sui cast a tender gaze toward Mint and spoke.
「It’s fine. Honestly, I wish I could have been there on the day, but…」
「You were busy, so I couldn’t ask for the impossible. Besides… in this world, it doesn’t really have to be the exact day, does it?」
With a playful smile, he crouched down, reaching into the backpack at his feet and pulling out a wine bottle.
「That’s…」
「Yes, the one Grandma arranged for me.」
It was a twenty-year-old Nertep, a wine from Sui’s birthplace and his birth year. The bottle was more than half empty, hinting that his family had enjoyed it together last night.
And then Sui—her beloved niece’s son—
Gazed at her with a shy yet expectant look.
His dark eyes gleamed as he asked,
「I was hoping to share it with you too, Grandma. Do you think it’s inappropriate while you’re working?」
「Well…」
「If it’s not a good time, I can come back after you’ve finished.」
「No, in that case, let’s call it a day for work.」
Seralinde stood up and walked over to the cupboard, retrieving two wine glasses meant for guests.
As she held the glasses, her gaze briefly fell on a wine bottle stored in the back of the cupboard—the one she had opened last night.
It was the same twenty-year-old Nertep she had given to Viole. Seralinde had chosen it so that, even while far away, she could celebrate Sui’s birth with the same wine as his family.
She had quietly drunk it alone in her study.
「…It seems our thoughts reached one another.」
「Grandma?」
「It’s nothing. Let’s have some snacks prepared. And milk for Chocola.」
「Snacks! Grandma, really…?」
「Bark!」
「It wouldn’t be fair for only Sui and me to enjoy something delicious. We must take our time together with everyone.」
After closing the cupboard, she placed the wine glasses on the table, patted Mint and Chocola on their heads in turn, and entrusted the attendant waiting outside with the task of bringing snacks and milk. Then Seralinde gently kissed the top of Sui’s head.
「Sui, congratulations. May you continue to be healthy and happy.」
「Thank you. I will live healthily and happily… and of course, with you by my side, Grandma.」
Sui’s bashful, childlike smile was endearing. To Seralinde, it seemed as though no matter how old Sui became, he would always look like this in her eyes—just as her niece, who outwardly appeared older than Seralinde, still did.
When the snacks and milk arrived, Mint’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Chocola wagged his tail enthusiastically. They all toasted, and Seralinde tipped her glass at the same time as Sui. As the warm alcohol spread through her chest, it was accompanied by a different kind of warmth—one that came from the heart.
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