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"You're appointing me as Ervin's Archmage?"
Iana asked, her face filled with surprise.
Charles continued his explanation calmly.
"Archmage Mule suggested it. He said that the principle is that mages are ranked solely by their magical power."
"⋯⋯."
"In terms of magical power alone, haven't you already surpassed Archmage Mule?"
"Even so⋯⋯."
Archmage.
To Iana, Archmage was a vague dream, something for the distant future.
But now that it was about to become a reality before her eyes, she couldn't believe it.
Charles noticed her feelings and asked cautiously.
"Why? Can't you believe it?"
"Yes, the idea of me becoming an Archmage feels like just a dream."
Iana nodded, her face dazed.
"Then I'll make you believe it. Close your eyes."
She obediently closed her eyes as Charles instructed.
That's when it happened.
Charles reached out and pinched Iana's white cheek.
"Ah!"
Iana's eyes snapped open at his sudden playfulness.
"What, what are you doing?"
"I filled my personal desires while pretending to let you know it's not a dream."
Charles answered, suppressing a laugh that threatened to burst out.
"Your Highness, with all due respect, you've become a little⋯⋯ strange."
Iana glared at him and timidly questioned him.
"Aren't I originally a crazy Grand Duke? After talking with you, my heart feels much lighter."
"My heart has become heavier. Will I be able to do well?"
Worry preceded joy for Iana.
The position of Archmage came with serious responsibilities.
Charles didn't answer the question she asked, secretly hoping for encouragement.
Perhaps he also didn't trust her. Just as Iana was worrying, Charles began to speak.
"When His Majesty the Emperor suddenly passed away from illness, and my unplanned Third Imperial Brother ascended to the throne, he asked the same question as you."
"⋯⋯."
Only then did Iana understand why Charles couldn't answer.
But Charles smiled brightly and said in a confident voice.
"I believe you will do well. As I said before, if the person is different, the situation also changes."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Iana smiled softly in response. Like someone who deserved to be loved and expected.
✦ ✦ ✦
At dusk, the Imperial Army led by Carrion arrived at the northern Imperial villa earlier than expected.
Having realized Ervin's military power, he brought 500 Imperial soldiers along with a high-ranking mage experienced in fighting monsters.
After taking a bath, Carrion looked out the window at the Ervin mountain range, which appeared small in the distance.
'We'll arrive in Ervin tomorrow morning.'
Carrion felt uneasy thinking about Riel throughout the carriage ride.
"It seems Riel killed someone. With a drug called Seulanka that melted the Goddess of Pain Statue."
Riel's words overlapped with Marcel's words.
"He died. Because I didn't accept his feelings."
Carrion instinctively felt that Marcel's words were correct.
So, although he resented Riel for betraying him and going to Franz, he didn't particularly miss her.
That was because he would surely have a new mistress named Iana now.
'If I painfully drag Iana along, Grand Duke Ervin will be tormented, right?'
With the Emperor's arrest warrant issued, Grand Duke Ervin could no longer stop him.
Because that was a perfect rebellion.
Should he whip Iana in front of Grand Duke Ervin? Should he have her pointed at by many people in the middle of Rubena Square?
Carrion was thrilled just imagining it. Soon, he poured himself a drink from the bottle on the table as if to celebrate and thought.
'Iana, wait. I'll make you pay the price for betraying me soon.'
✦ ✦ ✦
The next day, at dawn as the morning light broke.
Thump, thump, thump.
Iana rushed out to the Ducal Palace with the escort knights who had arrived early in the morning.
Fortunately, Annie had taken Ru the day before, so she could move quickly in the morning.
Ahead, the red sun rose majestically over Ervin's rocky mountains.
The wind carried the scent of wildflowers, and occasionally, the clear sound of birds could be heard.
Today, when she could feel the fresh energy of life, was the day she would become Ervin's Archmage.
Her party took over two hours to reach the gates of the Ducal Palace.
A guard approached and said.
"He said that when the Archmage arrives, she should come to the laboratory."
Iana headed straight for the Spire.
As she passed in front of the main castle, she saw the servants busily decorating the platform for the inauguration ceremony.
Soon after, Iana arrived in front of Mule's laboratory and knocked on the door.
"Archmage, it's me."
Then, from beyond the door, Mule answered in a dying voice to come in.
Iana opened the laboratory door and saw Mule sitting with a gaunt face, holding a splendid red cloak.
"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
Iana asked with a worried face.
"I stayed up all night making a cloak for you."
Mule yawned repeatedly, looking very tired.
"Yes? You made that yourself, Archmage?"
"Ervin's mage inauguration ceremony has a damn tradition where the teacher gives a red cloak to the student."
"You made this in one day?"
She stared blankly at Mule in surprise.
"Never mind. Try putting it on."
Mule approached and draped the cloak with a golden emblem over Iana's shoulders.
"I thought the hem of the cloak would drag on the floor because you're small, but maybe it's because I made it? It looks pretty good."
Iana smiled at Mule's boastful words.
"I know you're just saying that because you're shy. Thank you, Archmage."
Mule waved his hand as if it were nothing and leaned back on the sofa.
"Archmage, don't you have anything to say? Like words of wisdom that will remain in my heart on such a meaningful day."
Iana's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Mule pondered for a moment, then opened his mouth with a serious face.
"Don't drink alcohol. Drunken magic is dangerous."
Iana distorted her expression and shouted.
"Archmage!"
Mule chuckled at the sight.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock on the door was heard, along with the voice of a magic trainee.
"Archmage, the inauguration ceremony is ready. And the Imperial Army has arrived at the outer castle."
"The Imperial Army arrived earlier than expected."
Iana's eyes turned sharp.
"The Imperial Army will arrive here in about an hour. Let's go down quickly."
Iana and Mule hurried towards the front of the main castle.
Flutter!
Ervin's flags were lined up along the path she passed.
In front of the platform covered with a red carpet were knights, magic trainees, people from nearby villages, and some people from District 3, who had arrived at some point.
"It's Mage Iana!"
Annie stood next to Rita, holding Ru.
She thought the inauguration ceremony, which was held in a hurry, would be simple, but it was quite grandly decorated.
Charles, wearing a white uniform embroidered with gold thread, stood on the platform.
In the form of a dignified lord and royal.
As Iana stepped onto the platform, the inauguration ceremony began.
Mule stood in front of Charles, holding the neatly folded red cloak with both hands. Soon, Charles unfolded the cloak and draped it over Iana's shoulders.
"Your Highness, please say a few words."
At Mule's words, Charles slowly opened his mouth.
"⋯⋯Someone said that the dignity of a human being comes from a good will."
"⋯⋯."
"Iana Lewis, I hope that you will become a dignified Archmage with a good will."
Charles was smiling, but he somehow looked sad in Iana's eyes.
Iana raised her left hand and said with precision, as she had learned from him yesterday.
"Archmage Iana Lewis, I will deeply engrave Your Highness's words in my heart."
Iana's red cloak fluttered long in the wind.
"I hereby appoint Iana Lewis as Ervin's official Archmage."
People's applause erupted at Mule's declaration.
That's when it happened.
Boooom.
The sound of a horn echoed through the Ducal Palace.
Soon after, a high-ranking knight who had run from the castle gates said urgently.
"A two-headed Krikan has appeared again at the outer castle!"
As Mule tried to go down from the platform, Iana took off her red cloak and handed it to Mule.
"I'll go. Archmage, you couldn't sleep yesterday because you were making the cloak."
Soon after, Iana rushed to the outer castle with the First Order of Knights led by Charles.
As they went around the mountain path, they heard the sound of the Krikan's cry along with the red flames in front of them.
Broken carriages were scattered across the field, and injured territory residents and Imperial soldiers were lying here and there.
Kuaaa-.
As the Krikan spewed fire from both heads at the same time, the blue barrier was torn apart.
"The barrier is gone!"
The mage from the capital and the Imperial soldiers with shields and swords were horrified.
Iana jumped off her horse and shouted loudly.
"Get out of the way!"
The dazed Imperial soldiers and mage cleared the way.
Iana chanted a spell and drew a semicircle, and a fire barrier rose.
The barrier grew larger and swallowed the Krikan, which was emitting intense flames.
Just as people were watching the Krikan burn white in a daze.
A familiar voice was heard from behind Iana.
"Iana, is that you?"
In the place where Iana turned around, Carrion was sitting down with blood flowing from his leg.
He stared intently at Iana as if he couldn't believe it.
Iana approached Carrion and said firmly.
"Not your ⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
"Ervin's Archmage, Iana Lewis."
Iana asked, her face filled with surprise.
Charles continued his explanation calmly.
"Archmage Mule suggested it. He said that the principle is that mages are ranked solely by their magical power."
"⋯⋯."
"In terms of magical power alone, haven't you already surpassed Archmage Mule?"
"Even so⋯⋯."
Archmage.
To Iana, Archmage was a vague dream, something for the distant future.
But now that it was about to become a reality before her eyes, she couldn't believe it.
Charles noticed her feelings and asked cautiously.
"Why? Can't you believe it?"
"Yes, the idea of me becoming an Archmage feels like just a dream."
Iana nodded, her face dazed.
"Then I'll make you believe it. Close your eyes."
She obediently closed her eyes as Charles instructed.
That's when it happened.
Charles reached out and pinched Iana's white cheek.
"Ah!"
Iana's eyes snapped open at his sudden playfulness.
"What, what are you doing?"
"I filled my personal desires while pretending to let you know it's not a dream."
Charles answered, suppressing a laugh that threatened to burst out.
"Your Highness, with all due respect, you've become a little⋯⋯ strange."
Iana glared at him and timidly questioned him.
"Aren't I originally a crazy Grand Duke? After talking with you, my heart feels much lighter."
"My heart has become heavier. Will I be able to do well?"
Worry preceded joy for Iana.
The position of Archmage came with serious responsibilities.
Charles didn't answer the question she asked, secretly hoping for encouragement.
Perhaps he also didn't trust her. Just as Iana was worrying, Charles began to speak.
"When His Majesty the Emperor suddenly passed away from illness, and my unplanned Third Imperial Brother ascended to the throne, he asked the same question as you."
"⋯⋯."
Only then did Iana understand why Charles couldn't answer.
But Charles smiled brightly and said in a confident voice.
"I believe you will do well. As I said before, if the person is different, the situation also changes."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Iana smiled softly in response. Like someone who deserved to be loved and expected.
✦ ✦ ✦
At dusk, the Imperial Army led by Carrion arrived at the northern Imperial villa earlier than expected.
Having realized Ervin's military power, he brought 500 Imperial soldiers along with a high-ranking mage experienced in fighting monsters.
After taking a bath, Carrion looked out the window at the Ervin mountain range, which appeared small in the distance.
'We'll arrive in Ervin tomorrow morning.'
Carrion felt uneasy thinking about Riel throughout the carriage ride.
"It seems Riel killed someone. With a drug called Seulanka that melted the Goddess of Pain Statue."
Riel's words overlapped with Marcel's words.
"He died. Because I didn't accept his feelings."
Carrion instinctively felt that Marcel's words were correct.
So, although he resented Riel for betraying him and going to Franz, he didn't particularly miss her.
That was because he would surely have a new mistress named Iana now.
'If I painfully drag Iana along, Grand Duke Ervin will be tormented, right?'
With the Emperor's arrest warrant issued, Grand Duke Ervin could no longer stop him.
Because that was a perfect rebellion.
Should he whip Iana in front of Grand Duke Ervin? Should he have her pointed at by many people in the middle of Rubena Square?
Carrion was thrilled just imagining it. Soon, he poured himself a drink from the bottle on the table as if to celebrate and thought.
'Iana, wait. I'll make you pay the price for betraying me soon.'
✦ ✦ ✦
The next day, at dawn as the morning light broke.
Thump, thump, thump.
Iana rushed out to the Ducal Palace with the escort knights who had arrived early in the morning.
Fortunately, Annie had taken Ru the day before, so she could move quickly in the morning.
Ahead, the red sun rose majestically over Ervin's rocky mountains.
The wind carried the scent of wildflowers, and occasionally, the clear sound of birds could be heard.
Today, when she could feel the fresh energy of life, was the day she would become Ervin's Archmage.
Her party took over two hours to reach the gates of the Ducal Palace.
A guard approached and said.
"He said that when the Archmage arrives, she should come to the laboratory."
Iana headed straight for the Spire.
As she passed in front of the main castle, she saw the servants busily decorating the platform for the inauguration ceremony.
Soon after, Iana arrived in front of Mule's laboratory and knocked on the door.
"Archmage, it's me."
Then, from beyond the door, Mule answered in a dying voice to come in.
Iana opened the laboratory door and saw Mule sitting with a gaunt face, holding a splendid red cloak.
"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
Iana asked with a worried face.
"I stayed up all night making a cloak for you."
Mule yawned repeatedly, looking very tired.
"Yes? You made that yourself, Archmage?"
"Ervin's mage inauguration ceremony has a damn tradition where the teacher gives a red cloak to the student."
"You made this in one day?"
She stared blankly at Mule in surprise.
"Never mind. Try putting it on."
Mule approached and draped the cloak with a golden emblem over Iana's shoulders.
"I thought the hem of the cloak would drag on the floor because you're small, but maybe it's because I made it? It looks pretty good."
Iana smiled at Mule's boastful words.
"I know you're just saying that because you're shy. Thank you, Archmage."
Mule waved his hand as if it were nothing and leaned back on the sofa.
"Archmage, don't you have anything to say? Like words of wisdom that will remain in my heart on such a meaningful day."
Iana's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Mule pondered for a moment, then opened his mouth with a serious face.
"Don't drink alcohol. Drunken magic is dangerous."
Iana distorted her expression and shouted.
"Archmage!"
Mule chuckled at the sight.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock on the door was heard, along with the voice of a magic trainee.
"Archmage, the inauguration ceremony is ready. And the Imperial Army has arrived at the outer castle."
"The Imperial Army arrived earlier than expected."
Iana's eyes turned sharp.
"The Imperial Army will arrive here in about an hour. Let's go down quickly."
Iana and Mule hurried towards the front of the main castle.
Flutter!
Ervin's flags were lined up along the path she passed.
In front of the platform covered with a red carpet were knights, magic trainees, people from nearby villages, and some people from District 3, who had arrived at some point.
"It's Mage Iana!"
Annie stood next to Rita, holding Ru.
She thought the inauguration ceremony, which was held in a hurry, would be simple, but it was quite grandly decorated.
Charles, wearing a white uniform embroidered with gold thread, stood on the platform.
In the form of a dignified lord and royal.
As Iana stepped onto the platform, the inauguration ceremony began.
Mule stood in front of Charles, holding the neatly folded red cloak with both hands. Soon, Charles unfolded the cloak and draped it over Iana's shoulders.
"Your Highness, please say a few words."
At Mule's words, Charles slowly opened his mouth.
"⋯⋯Someone said that the dignity of a human being comes from a good will."
"⋯⋯."
"Iana Lewis, I hope that you will become a dignified Archmage with a good will."
Charles was smiling, but he somehow looked sad in Iana's eyes.
Iana raised her left hand and said with precision, as she had learned from him yesterday.
"Archmage Iana Lewis, I will deeply engrave Your Highness's words in my heart."
Iana's red cloak fluttered long in the wind.
"I hereby appoint Iana Lewis as Ervin's official Archmage."
People's applause erupted at Mule's declaration.
That's when it happened.
Boooom.
The sound of a horn echoed through the Ducal Palace.
Soon after, a high-ranking knight who had run from the castle gates said urgently.
"A two-headed Krikan has appeared again at the outer castle!"
As Mule tried to go down from the platform, Iana took off her red cloak and handed it to Mule.
"I'll go. Archmage, you couldn't sleep yesterday because you were making the cloak."
Soon after, Iana rushed to the outer castle with the First Order of Knights led by Charles.
As they went around the mountain path, they heard the sound of the Krikan's cry along with the red flames in front of them.
Broken carriages were scattered across the field, and injured territory residents and Imperial soldiers were lying here and there.
Kuaaa-.
As the Krikan spewed fire from both heads at the same time, the blue barrier was torn apart.
"The barrier is gone!"
The mage from the capital and the Imperial soldiers with shields and swords were horrified.
Iana jumped off her horse and shouted loudly.
"Get out of the way!"
The dazed Imperial soldiers and mage cleared the way.
Iana chanted a spell and drew a semicircle, and a fire barrier rose.
The barrier grew larger and swallowed the Krikan, which was emitting intense flames.
Just as people were watching the Krikan burn white in a daze.
A familiar voice was heard from behind Iana.
"Iana, is that you?"
In the place where Iana turned around, Carrion was sitting down with blood flowing from his leg.
He stared intently at Iana as if he couldn't believe it.
Iana approached Carrion and said firmly.
"Not your ⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
"Ervin's Archmage, Iana Lewis."
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