Chapter 28: Westward
Angelo Yulio, the headmaster of Elfenbine, waited for Binaeril in his study.
As he waited, the familiar surroundings of his study ca into focus.
"...I've been busy."
He was always busy. Headmaster of Elfenbine was a position that demanded constant attention. But this year had felt particularly hectic.
"Well, it's understandable."
He chuckled as he thought of the faces that had made this year so lively: the spiky-haired boy from the East, the princess he had co to care for like his own, and her perpetually angry bodyguard.
Individually, they were quiet, modest students, but together, they rarely had a dull day.
"Haha."
Thinking of his students, Yulio couldn't help but laugh. It had been a long ti since he had heard his own laughter. So he deliberately laughed louder.
"Haha, hahahaha!"
The dry sound of his laughter filled the quiet study.
"Just when I started getting attached, it's already ti for them to go."
Students who ca from far away were destined to return. He felt he was getting too old to take on new students. He didn't want to get too attached anymore.
"Good news, I suppose?"
His musings were interrupted by the arrival of Binaeril Dalheim.
"Oh, you're here."
"Hello, Headmaster."
Binaeril buttoned his coat and greeted Yulio politely.
As Yulio looked at him, he felt Binaeril had grown taller in just a short ti.
"Sit down."
Yulio had called Binaeril in to discuss the assignnts for newly graduated mages. Those who passed the Scholar's Exam were typically divided into two paths: those who took on official assignnts for Elfenbine and those who beca wandering mages.
Official mages received support from the Mage Tower, while wandering mages did not. Most students chose the stability of the forr, so Yulio was slightly concerned.
"I wanted to ask about your plans for the future."
"I'm still deciding. I could stay at the Mage Tower, but traveling and gaining experience also seems appealing."
Binaeril had his own plans. He had a contract with Veritas to fulfill, involving the search for certain pages.
"Do you intend to beco a wandering mage? It's not a bad choice. It'll be a good experience. I traveled the continent alone in my youth."
Yulio was relieved to hear Binaeril considering this path. It ant he could ask for a favor without feeling too guilty.
"If that's your decision, I have a request."
"What is it?"
"This isn't an official assignnt from the Mage Tower, so you won't receive support from Elfenbine. But it's important."
Binaeril had a feeling he knew what Yulio was going to ask.
"Help the princess."
Of course. Everything Yulio did seed to revolve around her. Rike's sudden Scholar's Exam, Yulio's guidance of Binaeril—everything pointed to her.
Binaeril had sensed that sothing was amiss with the Empire's situation regarding Rike.
Yulio seed a bit uncomfortable. It was clear he hesitated to ask Binaeril to take on sothing so uncertain and potentially dangerous.
"I'm not asking for nothing. You've already helped her a lot. I'll cover your expenses and supplies as much as I can..."
"I'll do it."
"What?"
"I'll do it. Whatever you need. I assu it's a mission to the west?"
The Empire's capital lay to the west. Officially, Elfenbine and the Albrecht Empire had severed diplomatic ties. This wasn't an officially sanctioned mission, nor was there guaranteed compensation. Yulio had asked Binaeril personally.
But none of that mattered. Regardless of the situation, Binaeril needed to leave, and Yulio had shown him kindness.
That was reason enough.
"You're agreeing without even hearing the details?"
Binaeril smiled and nodded.
Yulio looked at him with pride.
"...Thank you."
Yulio explained the mission. The emperor, who had been bedridden for a long ti, was in critical condition. The Empire was in a precarious balance between the regent, Rike's sister Charlotte, and the noble faction opposing her succession.
The peace held by a treaty ensuring Charlotte's regency was fragile.
"But if the emperor dies..."
"The nobles will make their move."
"Exactly."
The emperor's physician, Hans Brante, was a close confidant of the royal family and a prominent royalist. While he controlled the information about the emperor's health, it was clear the emperor's condition was worsening.
"Five years, ten years. The nobles are waiting for their mont."
"What if the emperor's death isn't announced?"
"Impossible. Controlling information is one thing, but you can't silence everyone in the palace. It will leak soon enough."
"And when the emperor dies, what exactly worries you?"
Yulio sighed deeply.
"There will be a struggle for the throne. The nobles will either push for a representative or demand a transition to a noble republic. Either way, they won't respect the two princesses."
Binaeril sensed Yulio's answer was skirting his question.
"But... what does that have to do with you?"
"Hmm?"
"You don't have personal ties with the princesses. You're not even from the Empire. Why go to such lengths...?"
Albrecht's princesses, the noble faction, the royalists—none of these directly concerned Yulio. Binaeril couldn't understand why Yulio was so intent on helping Rike.
"...Binaeril, do you know why I stayed at Elfenbine?"
Yulio began an old story Binaeril had never heard.
"I was a renowned mage. I had earned enough gold to live comfortably for the rest of my life. Why would I beco a professor at Elfenbine?"
"I don't know."
"I believed magic could save people. I spent my life using magic to help others. But that wasn't the case."
Binaeril listened intently.
"The appearance of monsters disrupted the existing power structures. People no longer trusted nations or kings. They believed in those who saved them. But in the power vacuum, magic beca a new form of power. Magic, the Order, monster hunters, and knights—all these forces clashed."
"I wanted to preserve one thing: magic, this miraculous power, and Elfenbine should remain a neutral humanitarian institution."
Binaeril swallowed. It was a grand vision for one person to hold.
"As headmaster, I can't do everything. The Mage Tower's council is a ss, and the professors are self-centered. I lack supporters. But if the Empire, which has been isolated, recognizes and supports my vision..."
"Then...?"
"I want to make Elfenbine a completely neutral place. The Mage Tower's leader understands this and has kept in my position."
"Hmm..."
"Helping the princesses is part of that goal. To be honest, I'm using you for my purpose. It's a dream I can't achieve alone. Do you understand now?"
It was highly political, personal, and ambitious. Binaeril couldn't hate him for it because it wasn't selfish.
"Please help. I ask this of you."
The legendary yet aged mage bowed his white-haired head to the next generation.
Binaeril felt a sense of reverence and couldn't respond imdiately.
Once Binaeril's involvent was decided, preparations for the journey were swift. Rike and Sylvia were ready to go, wasting no ti. They were like a team of travelers competing to pack the heaviest load.
"Binaeril, do you love books that much? Why are you bringing that old book?"
Sylvia picked up Veritas and shook it.
"Books are food for the mind. Why are you bringing a tea set? Going for a stroll?"
"The princess likes tea."
"And where will you get the tea leaves?"
"I packed those too."
Knowing they would each carry their own load, Binaeril refrained from further comnts. However, Yulio looked uneasy.
"Cut your luggage in half."
"All three of you."
The stern command forced them to reluctantly leave behind cherished items. Despite reducing their packs, each still carried a load up to their waists.
"This won't do. Take these."
Yulio handed them three leather pouches ant for coins.
"These will lighten your load. They're enchanted with weight reduction, space expansion, and security spells. Each one is worth a small fortune."
"Thank you, Master!"
Transferring their items and further trimming their loads, they finally looked like proper travelers.
"Why am I still so worried?"
"Don't worry, Headmaster. I'll guide them well."
Sylvia, the oldest and most experienced camper, thumped her chest confidently.
Yulio grabbed Rike's hand, his expression that of a parent sending their child away.
"Princess, please take care."
"Yes, Master."
"Don't follow strangers."
"Oh, co on. I'm not a child."
"You'll always be to . And be very careful with people."
Yulio was the only one seeing them off. His anxious expression made it hard for the three to leave.
But with the spirit of wanderers, they crossed Elfenbine's gates.
"Let's go. Westward."
The young travelers began their journey.
Westward, to the Empire, towards the setting sun.
The sun, blessing the young travelers, shone brightly over their heads.
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