Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 218

Episode 218: The Glass (2)

The Marquis of Esperance had three children.

Among them, Kalia is the youngest and only daughter, with two siblings older than her. She is characterized by her red-tinged hair and eyes, in keeping with the family's bloodline.

“Right now, everyone except me is studying abroad, so we live overseas. If we count from today, it’s already been over two years.”

It is unusual for a high-ranking noble family.

If you are the eldest and second sons of a Marquis family, especially at that age, it is common for you to focus on establishing your position within the family rather than pursuing education.

There are roughly two cases where this is possible.

'The successor to the Marquis has already been decided, or there is no competition for succession at all.'

Kalia nodded at Verden's thoughts.

“To be exact, I would say that both of us fall into this category. The kingdom basically follows the principle of primogeniture, and unlike my eldest brother, my second brother and I aren’t particularly interested in the title of Marquis.”

Even barons shed blood to inherit lands and titles.

No matter how low the class, a noble is a noble. The privileges are a fruit that is difficult to give up.

And the Marquis of Esperance is at the top of the kingdom.

In such a family, the complete absence of power struggles would be a blessing for the Marquis. As a parent, he would never want this to be revealed among his brothers.

“Still, it’s surprising that even the eldest son, who is the heir, went abroad to study. No matter what the Marquis does, it won’t be easy to gain the loyalty of the nobles under him.”

“It’s entirely the fault of the Kingdom of Estyria. Asher, you should know very well what kind of people are in power and in authority in this kingdom.”

A nobleman steeped in corruption.

There even exists an underground city called Loafra. Its power is so great that even the Marquis must sign a non-aggression pact.

It's a pain in the butt to talk about the royal family.

“There’s nothing to learn in such a kingdom… That was my eldest brother’s opinion, and my father, after much thought, decided to respect it. The result was studying abroad. And my second brother, who was also a magician, also happened to be interested in that area, so he joined us.”

First, to manage the family, to the Arnak Empire in the Western Continent.

Second, for the development of the family and for myself, I went to the magical city of Birente in the Western Continent.

“Both of them have proven their abilities and are treated as VIPs. I don’t know what to say, but… it’s true that they both possess both outstanding talent and continuous effort.”

“…….”

“The first brother was a natural leader, and his swordsmanship was not lacking, following in his father’s footsteps. And the second brother is evaluated to have inherited the blood of his mother, a magician, and will eventually take the place of Grandfather Edmon.”

As a pillar to support the writer.

“Compared to him, I am… neither here nor there.”

Kalia shook her head.

I put down the dishes while stirring the chicken.

“Asher, honestly, what do you think? Do I look like a nobleman or a knight?”

"that……."

I thought about Kalia's actions.

The image of a knight holding a sword was drawn naturally.

“If you ask anyone, they’ll say the latter. There aren’t many nobles like me who fulfill their noble duty and always lead the knights to the front lines. On the other hand, my brothers are people who are more suited to nobles. They prioritize practicality but don’t overlook other things either.”

For example, if a nobleman had committed a serious crime, Kalia would have immediately arrested him after obtaining clear evidence.

As it has been so far.

But brothers are different.

They will use evidence as an excuse to pressure the nobles and take advantage of them. This is a natural thing in the aristocratic world made up of politics.

Depending on the use, it could produce much better results than dealing with criminals. If it were none other than Kalia's brother, that would be obvious.

For her, who was more suited to being a knight than a noble, it was a difference she couldn't keep up with.

“It’s difficult for me. It’s neither taking advantage of weaknesses nor leaving corrupt nobles outside.”

Kalia turned her head.

The patrons of the tavern were visible below the railing. The sounds of laughter and chatter lingered in my ears.

“Do you remember the conversation we had on the plane? That, the one about hoping the world would become a little bit cleaner……”

“I remember.”

It was time to go and subdue the glory of the corpse.

“I said that it was the right path I had chosen. No matter how far the destination was, the results of my actions would not be meaningless. I said that confidently, but…… Phew, this is the first time I’ve revealed it to someone, so it wasn’t all that sublime. In fact, it was more vulgar.”

Kalia lowered her gaze.

“I lacked the qualities of a nobleman compared to my brothers. It’s a self-evident fact. The only thing that made me worthy of being considered a nobleman was the fact that I was the only daughter of a marquis.”

Since she was not bad looking, she was a perfect fit for a political marriage. Knowing this, Callia had been preparing herself for it since she was young.

However, the family she was born into was the Marquis of Esperance.

A lofty position where there is no need to force marriage.

The vassal families were already bound by an unbreakable loyalty to money and power.

Moreover, the Marquis and Marchioness of Esperance are very fond of their children.

There was no way they would marry Kalia off to such corrupt nobles. Naturally, the royal family would be no exception.

“That doesn’t mean I can’t form relationships with nobles from other countries. The royal family is very wary of outside interference. Even the Luas religion is against it, so there’s no way I’d stand by and watch the daughter of a Marquis enter into a political marriage with someone from another country. What would be left for me then?”

Verden's gaze turned to Kalia's hand.

There were calluses on the palms of his hands.

“Is it a sword?”

“Yes, it’s a sword. I trained and trained the talent I had. While thinking about what I could do for my family, I thought the answer was fame.”

The Marquis' daughter personally punishes criminals.

It was truly groundbreaking and more effective than expected in the kingdom. Now, even the nobles are very reluctant to do it.

Baekgang Kalia.

She was praised for her righteousness.

“……It was a rewarding job. Catching criminals and saving innocent citizens. When I saw people smiling happily, my dark thoughts lightened and my heart filled with pride.”

but.

“Every time the name of Marquis Esperensa is mentioned, I feel a thorn stuck in my throat, and my heart feels very uncomfortable. After all, the reason I trained as a sword was to make my own place within the family……”

I want to make the world clean.

It was an ideal, made with good intentions, to cover up inferiority complex.

Purpose and goodwill.

Each of these values conflicted with each other.

Kalia was wandering in between.

“Then, someone appeared who might give me an answer.”

“Is that me?”

“Yeah. Asher, it’s you.”

For Kalia, Asher was a first.

At first, I thought he was just a wizard with great talent.

Until I witnessed his unprecedented moves.

He took the Orb of Command from the second great ban of the kingdom and single-handedly destroyed the undead that Kalia could not resist.

And in Roafra, he rescued the brother and sister who were illegal slaves and confronted Wintert. This time, he even challenged the Transcendent and showed himself to be acknowledged by the Magic Tower Lord of Dark Warton.

Overwhelming wizard.

One is to carry out one's own will without being swayed by power.

'… … is free.'

That's how it felt to Kalia.

Unlike her, who is obsessed with herself.

That's why I created this space.

I felt like the wizard in front of me would be able to give me the answers I need right now.

So I ask:

“Asher, why did you save your siblings?”

I hope this will be the first and last question.

* * *

In a tavern full of noise.

Verden looked directly into Kalia's eyes. They were extremely serious.

'It wasn't unimportant.'

It's not a question that can be easily answered. Maybe not for others, but at least for Kalia, who is trying to find an answer.

Verden recalled Kalia's question.

Why did you save Charlotte and Aiden?

There are several reasons.

Because the sight of the siblings reminded me of my past as a test subject at the Magic Tower. Because the word test subject that Luying Costa mentioned touched a nerve.

And because I didn't want the two of them to go through the same situation as me, where no one helped them.

It is this complex.

Then purpose and goodwill.

Which of these two is Kalia wandering in?

Within, Verden answered.

“It will be close to the goal.”

“……Is that so.”

Kalia's expression turned sour.

Hana Verden hasn't finished speaking yet.

“And there is definitely good will there too.”

"what?"

Kalia frowned slightly.

“If it’s good intentions with a purpose… isn’t that hypocrisy?”

“So is it good, hypocrisy, or evil to build a reputation for the Marquis?”

"that……."

Kalia was speechless.

Of course, it was impossible to distinguish between good and evil. The world is too complicated to look at from a dichotomous perspective.

Verden asked.

“Has Lady Kalia ever truly regretted punishing criminals and saving people?”

Naturally, Kalia took his hand.

Although she is empty-handed, she can clearly feel the grip of the sword. The relief of those whose lives were saved, and her own state of mind when swinging the sword.

“……No, there isn’t.”

“Isn’t that enough?”

Looking back, I have no regrets.

If that's the case, there's no reason to wander. Even if I go back to the past, I'll do the same thing.

The important thing is not to have regrets.

Verden filled Kalia's glass.

She, who had been watching silently, asked one last time.

“Then have you ever truly regretted it?”

"doesn't exist."

Not even once after the reversal.

Verden declared without hesitation.

The firm answer echoed softly amid the tumult of the tavern.

Kalia stared blankly at Verden, her chin resting on her fingertips.

A strange color appeared in his bloodshot eyes. His skin looked flushed, perhaps because of the intoxication or the dim lighting.

She slowly pulled her lips away.

“……Calia.”

“……?”

“Call me Kalia from now on.”

Verden blinked.

Kalia smiled at that reaction.

“Isn’t that strange? You unilaterally saved my life, but after all, we are in the same life and death. And you, who challenged the Transcendent One, wouldn’t care about your noble class. I think it’s only natural that you would talk…….”

Kalia lifted her glass and held it out to me.

It was a sudden suggestion, but it didn't matter. Raising the voice was just a formality.

Verden took a sip of his drink.

“Okay, Kalia.”

braided.

Their glasses clinked together.

The night deepened in the royal capital.

* * *

At the same time, the Estrian throne.

The third prince, Evers, was drinking alone with a disheveled appearance. He felt his stomach burning because he didn't have any other food, but he didn't care.

He emptied the bottle of alcohol and slammed the desk.

A servant came in straight from outside.

At the same time, a glass cup flew next to my head.

“Your Majesty…… Ugh!”

Clang!

A shard of the cup grazed my skin.

Fortunately, it didn't hit my eye. As I carefully wrapped the stinging skin, the third prince shouted.

“The wine is empty now! I told you to bring it before! Why, do you find my appearance funny too!”

“That, that’s not it…… I’ll call you Colonel right away!”

The servant left in a hurry.

Evers clenched his fist as he clicked his tongue. Without alcohol, the reality he had long since forgotten came back to him.

'Oh my god, oh my god… … !'

Evers joined hands with the Glory of the Corpse and was the one who helped cause the undead incident.

It was definitely going very smoothly until a few months ago. With the power of the Warlock, he was quickly catching up with the 1st and 2nd Princes by putting forth a combination.

That's what it was.

“These damn bastards are swindling me!”

bang!

The glory of the corpse.

He promised to make a contract with a powerful undead, but disappeared as soon as he received the goods. It seems he ran away because of the pursuit of the Marquis of Esperenza.

In fact, Nosa was already dead, but Evers didn't know.

As for the Glory of the Corpse, it was a name unknown to anyone except those directly involved. Not even the King of Estyria knew.

In that case, there was no possibility of finding out the inside story with Evers' already poor information capabilities.

So, Evers can't help but think that he was hit in the back of the head.

'And who would have thought that would be possible… …!'

Evers was reminded of the Dark Warton's magic tower.

A spell that revives the dead and allows them to converse. If the Magic Tower Master himself comes forward and investigates the inside story, the culprit of the undead incident will be revealed to be Evers.

If that happened, it would literally be the end.

It was clear that the prince and all would be dragged out to the streets and executed.

'But apart from not getting caught, the situation is the worst.'

The succession to the throne will be decided between the First and Second Princes.

If you continue to act like this, you will most likely lose your head. You have to bet everything on choosing one person with the remaining strength.

“Your Majesty, here is a drink…….”

“Get out of here!”

I received a new bottle of alcohol and drank it straight up.

'Brother Rotnil is also powerful, but… … it's more likely that he'll join Brother Balugna.'

Because Bintert is behind.

He made a decision, wiping the corner of his mouth.

Since your life is on the line, you should stick with someone who has a better chance of winning. Exile and banishment are issues to think about later.

“Ugh…….”

Did you drink too much?

Suddenly, drowsiness came over him. Evers staggered towards the bed and fell to the floor. He lost consciousness immediately.

And after a while, a person appeared from the darkness.

1. Princess Silis.

She placed her hand on Evers' head and spoke softly.

“I hope this nightmare becomes reality.”

Whispers filled with malice.

Silis' appearance was just like a 'witch'.

The storm has already begun.

* * *

The blacksmith shop of the Marquis of Esperance.

The furnace that glowed day and night and the ceaseless sound of metal.

The sound of hammering, which shook the air and woke up plants and animals, was gradually dying down.