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“How dare they make the heir of the Ducal House do such menial chores?”
Philod Ahen had only recently learned that his father was dealing with mages.
Herbert Achen had been thorough enough to hide the fact of the contract even from his own son.
However, in the current situation, even Herbert had no choice. He had to call his son, who was returning to the Achen Ducal Castle, and thus borrowed the power of a mage.
Philod, who had been procrastinating because he hated the idea of being scolded upon returning to the castle, had been utterly shocked to see his father's face inside his bathwater.
'Gah, what is this!'
[You damn brat. The Emperor has summoned that girl to the capital. Join the knights heading to the capital and bring that girl with you.]
'F-Father?'
Anyway, and so, following his father's orders, Philod was currently on his way back to the Wind Rock Monastery after joining the Emperor's knights.
“I should have held onto that girl for at least ten months.”
By 'that girl,' he meant Licht Ahen's wife—in other words, Philod's aunt.
No one had known that the previous Duchess had been pregnant, and now, twenty years later, Philod found himself in a very awkward situation.
Regardless, Philod needed water to speak with his father.
The power a mage can use is determined by the power of the demon they have contracted with.
However, generally, that power is channeled through water. It was likely for the same reason that plagues spread through water.
Philod had only recently realized that this was why there was always a basin in Herbert Achen's bedroom at the Achen Ducal Castle.
His father's mage had strictly warned Philod, 'Never let the medium be touched by the hands of others,' but it was impossible for him to carry that heavy water all the way from the well.
Of course, it was not Philod's concern that the well was located right in the inn's courtyard.
'I can just have the servants fetch it and pour the water in myself.'
Even just pouring the buckets of water the servants brought into the basin was incredibly tedious.
The surrounding area was a complete watery mess due to the water Philod had spilled. However, looking at it once it was all poured, he felt quite proud.
'Is this the reward of labor that the Church of Eridrahan speaks of?'
If Eridrahan heard this, he would likely collapse from sheer disbelief. Regardless, Philod looked at the still water in the basin and spoke.
“Hey. Not yet?”
The water began to ripple slowly.
[Noble one. Did you seek us?]
“Uh, yeah. Well. Um.”
Philod cleared his throat. It was to hide his fluster.
The mages' method of communication, where the voice echoed from the water and sounded from all directions, was something he could not get used to, despite having experienced it several times.
He couldn't understand how his father had managed to interact with such creepy things for twenty years.
“Nothing... happened, right?”
The other party chuckled softly. Realizing how foolish his question sounded, Philod's face flushed red. He snapped.
“I mean, my father said you lot would have something prepared!”
It was true. Not long ago, the mages had released a magical beast with the head of a wolf in front of the monastery, but they failed because of Rahan.
They had made the excuse to Herbert that 'the one we serve has not yet recovered their power on the surface.'
However, the Emperor had summoned Iris Achen, and a hurried Herbert had been pressing the mages.
'Do you understand, Philod? I am in the capital, so I cannot communicate easily with those things. You must command them in my stead.'
The Foldenbach Empire had fought against mages. In the Imperial Capital, including the Imperial Palace, all sorts of devices had been installed to block mages.
Since Holy Relics were placed throughout the Imperial Palace, Herbert naturally struggled to communicate with the mages.
'Even the Prince has stepped forward. Iris Achen must die before she reaches the capital. Specifically, before she encounters the Prince.'
Yes. There was one more thing Philod could not understand.
Among the Imperial knights who had set out to bring Iris Achen, Prince Elio was mixed in, disguised as a knight. And he did so without anyone knowing.
'Why on earth would someone as high as a Prince do such a thing?'
Even Herbert didn't know. Prince Elio claimed it was for a 'change of pace,' but what insane Prince would leave the capital for a change of pace in the middle of a succession struggle?
Regardless, the Imperial knights were on edge because of this, and consequently, Philod felt even more intimidated.
Normally, he would have acted haughty as the heir of the Ducal House, but as long as a Prince was among the party, there was no room for Philod to act out.
'I just can't understand how the heads of the Imperial family work.'
Anyway, the important thing was that the mages had to deliver.
If Prince Elio and Iris Achen met, House Achen would no longer be able to play their tricks recklessly.
“How is the removal of Iris Achen progressing?”
[Aha...]
The mage let out a groan that could have been admiration or something else.
It was because Philod's direct question, asked without a shred of caution, clearly showed that he was far inferior to Herbert.
However, Philod took the mage's hesitation as stalling and lost his temper.
“We've already entered the Grand Duchy! You must know it'll be too late by the time I arrive!”
[The thing is.]
The mage chose his words carefully.
[It is certain that the one I serve is gradually regaining their power. However...]
“However, what?”
[Did you happen to know? That Rahan Norwich also serves an Underground Creature.]
“What's that?”
The words transmitted through the basin could not convey a sigh. Thus, Philod did not realize the other party was lamenting his stupidity.
[The noble beings we refer to as the Great Ones.]
“What? Rahan Norwich is also commanding a demon?!”
Philod shouted in panic. It was something he hadn't even considered.
[It is not unusual. As the Church of Eridrahan declined, the one we serve also awoke, so it is only natural that there would be another noble being...]
“Then isn't that a huge problem?”
A panicked Philod pressed for an answer.
“Even so, is a demon something that can be commanded so easily? Don't tell me, those rumors that he's the child of a demon were true...”
[We do not know the inner details. There are so many diverse beings sleeping beneath the earth...]
“I know there are multiple demons! And that there's a hierarchy! But the demon you lot serve must be stronger, right?”
[Of course. That said, it is true that it will take a bit more time.]
The mage trailed off as if troubled. Philod, growing impatient, became angry. It was absurd.
Were these bastards just making excuses to prioritize their own goals?
In truth, a long-held desire of the mages was mixed into this plan.
Along with the death of Iris Achen, the mages wanted to dismantle the Wind Rock Monastery.
This was because the Wind Rock Monastery was a symbolic place, like a victory monument of the Empire that had defeated the last mage, and it housed a Sanctuary.
Regardless, from the perspective of House Achen, this was ridiculous. A mere monastery could be left alone until they grew even more powerful.
“You lot, you know that removing Iris Achen comes first, right? Don't tell me you're plotting something else...”
[Noble one. How could that be? We also view the Wind Rock Monastery as an enemy, but we have not forgotten the value of the payment we received. Fortunately, a storm will soon...]
“Then just do your job!”
Just as Philod burst out in irritation.
“Wow, Philod Ahen. You're raising something interesting.”
Philod nearly fainted at the sudden voice.
It was Prince Elio.
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