The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 43 (Part 2):

“Are there fish in there? What had you so focused?”

“Ah, I was just thinking about a few things.”

The princess gave me a brief glance before turning and walking over to the chairs and table.

“I can’t sleep. Come over here and keep me company.”

I couldn’t use magic in front of her.

I followed her and sat down across from her.

“What’s troubling you?”

“Well, what reason is there for sleeplessness? I’m just worried about whether I made the right choice.”

“Choice?”

“Yeah. Choosing Count Fruits. I’ve never made such an overt move before.”

I tilted my head in confusion.

“Choosing Count Furst is considered an overt move?”

“He destroyed the Crown Prince’s ship, didn’t he? Thanks to that, the Crown Prince, who was trying to make a fortune and gain power through his New Continent business, is in a miserable state.”

If she joined hands with such a count, it’s tantamount to a declaration of war.

“It’s going to be tough for you from now on.”

“Yes. That’s why my head feels heavy.”

In the meantime, maids had prepared refreshments. It seemed the princess had requested them in advance.

I looked at the refreshments and took a bite.

As expected, it wasn’t good.

“It doesn’t taste good, right? As a mage, this level can’t be delicious.”

The expanded senses due to magic have a big impact on taste.

Cheap sweetness disguised as good taste tasted as bitter as medicine.

The princess made the comment nonchalantly and then picked up a piece herself, smiling as if it were delicious.

Is she trying to hide being a mage with every little thing like this?

I asked,

“You seem to know a lot about mages?”

The princess smiled slightly and said,

“I’m close to one. Well, he gave up magic, though. Oh, you know him too. Priest Hansis. I met him earlier today.”

How convenient of her to bring it up.

I said calmly,

“Is that so? I’ve met him once too. I didn’t know you were close to him.”

“It’s rare for a priest who serves a god to learn magic, so it’s unusual, right?”

“Well, yes. Magic is often seen as defying the natural order created by the gods.”

“Well. That might be part of it, but he said something different.”

“What did he say?”

Princess Elisabeth just smiled and ate another biscuit without answering.

Soon, she took out a transparent jewel from her pocket.

“Here, this. I heard you asked Priest Hansis for it? He said to give it to you since I’m staying here.”

The moment I saw that jewel, I instinctively knew.

It was the same material used to create my magic book.

It was twice as big as what Dorma had. With that much, I could probably even make a staff.

“Huh, seeing your eyes light up, it must be quite a treasure. Though I don’t really understand.”

I looked at her.

“I didn’t think you’d really bring it. It must be very precious?”

“It is. It’s one of the treasures of the Franche royal family. Actually, I brought it personally at Priest Hansis’s request.”

“You personally brought a royal treasure? Your relationship with Priest Hansis must be quite deep.”

“Yes, we’re lovers.”

I couldn’t help but cough as I choked for a moment.

“W-what? Really? A priest and you? H-how?”

“I’m joking, of course. Did you really believe that?”

“……”

She crossed her arms and said,

“Anyway, Priest Hansis said that if you receive this, you should work for Duke Balkan from now on. He told me to make sure you say it with your own mouth.”

I was overcome with a strange feeling.

Because of this, I raised my head and looked at the night sky.

Countless stars.

Behind them, in the deep darkness, it felt like someone was watching me.

An enormous red eye, big enough to swallow the world.
—
“A high level means having greater influence. The things I want to happen will happen more often, and the things I don’t like will happen less. In simple terms, you could say your luck improves.”

“It’s best for you two to stay together, away from me.”
—
I lowered my head again and looked at the princess.

“Tell him I’ll work for Duke Balkan.”

The princess smiled slightly and said,

“Ah, and I’m leaving right away. Tomorrow morning.”

“Didn’t you say you’d stay for three days?”

“There’s nothing more to do. I finished the contract yesterday, and I’ve met everyone I needed to meet today. And tomorrow is technically the third day, strictly speaking.”

“It’s a shame you’re leaving like this.”

“I know. I’m too disappointed. That’s why I wanted to tell you something today.”

“What is it?”

“Now that you’ve become a mage, you’ll gain powerful abilities in the future. Especially if you work under Duke Balkan. I wonder if you might try to take revenge for your family.”

Is she testing me?

When I didn’t say anything, the princess leaned forward slightly and continued,

“When the time comes, I’ll help you with your revenge. I’ll personally deliver my father and his subordinate nobles who exterminated your family to you. If you kill them all, it will be much easier for me to seize the throne.”

I crossed my arms.

“Is that why you told me all the secrets of my family?”

“Yes. I wanted to let you know that you and I are on the same side. That we can help each other for our respective goals.”

In other words, she’s suggesting we kill the King of Franche together.

The princess was too young at the time to have been involved in the extermination of the Prejean family. Therefore, there’s no reason not to join hands with her.

But I must be cautious.

The princess is not a trustworthy person yet.

The fact that she’s hiding her identity as a mage, and that she used mind magic on me, leaves no room for trust.

I finished my thoughts and said softly,

“I’m sorry, but I don’t particularly want to take revenge for that incident.”

“Why?”

“It would be hard for an ordinary person to understand. As you learn magic, you tend to become detached from worldly affairs.”

Princess Elisabeth stared at me intently, and I didn’t avoid her gaze.

She soon got up from her seat.

“You’re less interesting than I thought. I’m getting sleepy. I’ll head in now.”

“Sleep well. Ah, please make sure to relay the message to Priest Hansis.”

She waved her hand with her back turned, then suddenly stopped and turned her head to say,

“By the way, about that ring. Is it really your mother’s keepsake?”

“Of course not. How could I have kept something so expensive-looking after becoming a slave at such a young age?”

Princess Elisabeth’s eyes wavered for a moment.

“Right? Yes. That didn’t make sense.”

I grinned.

“This is a wedding ring. I’m married, you see.”

The princess’s expression became puzzled for a moment. Then she soon smiled as before and said,

“I see. So that’s why…”

She chuckled once more and quickly left the terrace.

I stood there for a while, and after confirming that her presence had completely disappeared, I walked to the fountain.

“Alright. Let’s get started then.”

I looked at the water’s surface and recalled the water magic spell.

Dangun

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