The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce - The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce chapter 24

24

***

A man with gray hair quickly scanned through the report.

Then, he glanced at the sample brought from the site before taking a closer look.

Despite being left at room temperature in a frozen state, the ice had not yet collapsed.

This meant that the freezing magic had reached a considerable level, so it wouldn’t thaw easily.

‘It froze quickly. That’s why the body couldn’t react.’

The man deduced several facts just by observing the sample.

The speed at which the target froze, the situation given to the target, the concentration of mana in the magic, the precision and the degree of integration.

It was a highly refined spell, and it seemed that the target was cut down purely by the coldness.

‘The usual method involves creating ice with coldness and then attacking… but this one utilized the coldness itself.’

Magic, as it is called, involves converting the mana inside the body into a specific attribute and then constructing a form.

Of course, there’s a method that uses only a specific attribute, but without a form, it quickly disintegrates.

That’s why specific attributes are used to shape weapons like arrows or spears and then utilized as attack magic.

However, this magician did not adjust the coldness before releasing it, and it was already imbued with immense power.

“‘It’s a truly frightening talent. I’ve never seen a magician like this before…’

The man was impressed by the level and quickly flipped through the report.

Although he had exceeded 50 years of age, he was only looking to the future, which was uncertain.

There were many magicians who were considered above average, but none had been considered a genius. However, it seemed that he had just discovered a genius among geniuses.

“‘I’ve heard that he’s a noble, isn’t he… Hmm?’

Agnes’s Empire’s only great magician, Alauine Rebbahar, was reviewing the report and quickly found the desired sentence.

This user of magic was an Alter Rediant, and it was confirmed that he was the youngest son of the Rediant noble family, inheriting the bloodline.

He was a member of the noble family with the highest title, and as the son of the North Duke, he was expected to reside in the capital.

“‘Why did he come to the capital? There must be a reason… Ah…’

Alauine found additional information and involuntarily raised an eyebrow.

As the Alter Rediant, he had promised to marry the second daughter of the Ileneat Duke family, and it was inferred that he was residing in the capital as a result.

Even if he was a noble’s son, it was difficult to deal with him, let alone a family of great influence.

“‘This is an opponent who is not easily underestimated. In such an environment, there will be no regrets.’”

Alauine put down the report, deep in thought.

As a normal noble’s son, he could probably be persuaded.

However, the Alter Rediant had exceeded the standard, and even the title of great magician might not apply to him.

In the end, it seemed that he had no choice but to hope that the Alter Rediant would voluntarily become a magician.

“‘I’ll have to go and see. I can’t just let this go.’”

As a magician and a master of magic, he couldn’t leave such a talented individual unattended.

From noble mtl dot nete

If he was well-trained, he would become a magician who could stir up the world, and if he was lucky, he might even inherit the title of great magician.

He didn’t have an heir, and it was a hassle, but if he had such talent, he would probably be accepted as his disciple.

“‘I’ll have to leave an heir before I retire or not.’”

***

Alter was walking quietly around the mansion as usual.

Brilliant had left for the knight’s order, and Ileneat was probably at work in his office.

He probably wouldn’t be busy with his noble’s son’s personal matters, as he was busy solving the problem of his commoner lover.

“‘I don’t think I’ll be having a nosebleed now.’”

He had had nosebleeds regularly just a short while ago.

It was only recently that things had finally returned to their original state, and Brilly could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“I might really die if I use magic just a few more times.”

Alter laughed at himself, yet he took it quite seriously.

The power of magic was indeed formidable, and even pure-blooded vampires couldn’t withstand its chill.

Naturally, the physical toll on his body was bound to increase.

“It’s a bit too early to die. I haven’t even turned 20 yet.”

Before he knew it, Alter had become attached to his own life.

Fragile as he might be, unable to do anything on his own, he was still alive and breathing.

That’s why he was trying to improve his condition in any way possible, all the while avoiding death.

“The price of gold keeps rising. The pure-blood vampire is dead… and it’s about time for the prince to start moving.”

Alter stopped slowly, basking in the warm sunlight.

Most things were going according to plan, but some variables had been added.

As time passed, he would inevitably deviate from the original work, perhaps even leading to unexpected outcomes.

“There’s something I need to finish before breaking off the engagement…”

Chasing away his drowsiness, Alter belatedly noticed someone.

Cadeon had walked out of the mansion and was now approaching him.

He should be focused on his duties right now, so why had he suddenly appeared?

“You always take a walk around this time. Isn’t it boring to walk alone?”

“What’s there to be bored about? It’s just a walk, after all.”

“Would you care to join me today?”

“I’m fine. As long as you’re not too busy.”

“When it’s busy, it’s busy, and when it’s leisurely, it’s leisurely. Isn’t that how life goes?”

Cadeon answered calmly and took the lead.

Alter followed behind, glancing at Cadeon cautiously.

“How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thanks to your consideration.”

“What consideration? It’s an affair of my family, so as the head, I must resolve it.”

“…I imagine you must have been quite worried because of me.”

“I won’t say I wasn’t worried. How could I face the Duke of the North if you were hurt? I have to marry my daughter to you, after all. There can’t be any problems.”

From that moment, Alter couldn’t shake off his doubts.

By now, he must surely be planning to break off the engagement.

But why mention his marriage to Brillié in this situation?

“Weren’t you after the sun?”

“I haven’t given up yet. It’s just… I’m not only thinking about one sun.”

“Is it related to the water you mentioned before?”

“Indeed. For a flower to grow, it must be buried in the soil and receive water. So, one cannot just look at the sun.”

“…”

Alter swallowed his silence and cautiously shifted his gaze.

Even that response had strayed from his expectations.

But from the standpoint of someone responsible for a family, it was a perspective worth considering.

“Just as I have a flower I wish to nurture, your father is no different. It’s just that our methods of nurturing are different.”

“…”

“So, I hope you can stay here comfortably during your time in this place. That’s the only way to save face for your father.”

Cadeon, as the head of the Elenath Dukedom, had pushed for a political marriage with the Northern Duke.

This meant that the family’s prestige was at stake, and due respect had to be maintained for the daughter’s fiancé.

Even if a broken engagement was considered, the marriage was still scheduled, so it was crucial not to stir up controversy needlessly.

“Does your statement relate to the recovery of my health?”

“Of course. There’s nothing more I could wish for than the fiancé of my daughter to regain his health.”

“In that case, may I make a request?”

“Speak.”

“I would like to receive treatment directly from the Sanctifier… Could you arrange a meeting for me?”

The Sanctifier was an entity that encompassed both the clergy and the paladins of the Semerunne Order.

Effectively treated as a direct paladin of the Holy Sovereign, they were proven in both the qualities and abilities of a cleric.

A Sanctifier, being exceptionally skilled in holy laws, would naturally contribute to healing Alter’s physical ailments.

“Hmm… I see. I’ve been considering it too. The Northern Duke gave up because he couldn’t bring the Sanctifier, right?”

“Yes. That’s what I heard too.”

“Understood. I’ll see about arranging a meeting.”

Cadeon nonchalantly gave his firm answer as if it were no big deal.

For Alter to meet with the Sanctifier alone would involve considerable time and expense.

However, with the power of a prominent family behind him, arranging a promise with the Sanctifier was not difficult at all.

“Indeed. I must try my best. Only then… might my thoughts change a little, right?”

Kadeon had long coveted power, but recently, he had been looking beyond to other aspects.

His daughter achieving a title comparable to Sword Saint, a force to check the crown prince, the potential harbored by his daughter’s fiancé.

Thus, he had somewhat let go of his obsession with the sun to survey the clear waters and the fertile lands.

“Alter Radiant. If you can become clear water… would there really be a need to break off the engagement?”

***

Allaune, as an Archmage, formally requested an audience with Alter Radiant.

Not long after, she received a letter from Alter Radiant in response.

Allaune visited the Ilenath Ducal residence, satisfied with the outcome yet composed.

“I am Allaune Levhardi. Though called an Archmage, I wish to be treated as a mere mage.”

“The youngest son of the Radiant Grand Ducal family, Alter Radiant.”

The two exchanged light greetings as they settled in the drawing room.

Alter had some inkling of why the Archmage wished to meet him.

But as he was yet unable to master magic, he could only offer a predetermined response.

“Thank you for making the time. I thought it would be difficult to meet given that you are a scion of the Grand Ducal family.”

“Not at all. It is my honor to meet with the Archmage.”

“Ha… Honor? Hardly. After all, I am but a mere mage. The title of Archmage is nothing but a peculiar talent, isn’t it?”

“But it’s not a title just anyone can obtain. Just as the empire’s foremost swordsman is called Sword Saint, the title of Archmage is also given to the most outstanding among mages, isn’t it?”

“All mages walk an equal path; how can one speak of superiority? That’s why I referred to it as a peculiar talent.”

“…”

Only then did Alter realize what Allaune was trying to say.

The title of Archmage was meaningless, a mere designation put forth by the royal family.

Hence, she intended to focus on the essence of being a mage rather than being swayed by the title.

“Since you must be busy, Alter, I’ll get straight to the point. By chance, I investigated a magical beast that had been struck by your magic. I surmise it was a unique case, thus requiring the Archmage’s opinion. It led me to the conclusion that I must meet with you.”

“…”

“Now that I have met with you, I will reveal my intention. I wish to take you on as my formal apprentice. I don’t lack for students, but you, Alter, seem to be an exception. Perhaps… do you consider taking on the title of Archmage?”