Reborn as the Head of the Stolen Mage Family

Chapter 60

A rather random and bold question.

Moreover, it was quite an impertinent remark for a family's tail to make to the First Knight Commander.

But Tares looked at me for a moment and fell into thought.

He wasn't trying to scold me, but seemed to be seriously choosing his words for an answer.

‘The more I see him, the more surprising he is.’

I realized that this pause was not to filter information to be revealed to a tail.

It was a deliberation to be more careful in giving an answer that would reveal his own beliefs.

I didn't know what beliefs he held, or what story he had, but I could be sure.

That Tares would not answer my question with a lie.

"Eddie, do you remember the words you answered to His Lordship's question in the main hall of Shainborough?"

"Yes, I remember. You asked why I chose Kirhausen."

"Yes. At that time, you answered simply 'because it's Kirhausen' without any particular embellishments. My answer to your question is the same."

"……."

A much heavier answer than I had expected.

I thought for a moment.

Would Tares allow me to take one more step forward from here?

As a mere tail, I had already crossed the line with the First Knight Commander.

But as Tares had said, if not now, I didn't know when I would be able to have a private meeting with him again.

In the end, I let out the question that had been wandering in my head.

"It's strange……."

"What is?"

"That Kirhausen, a 'magic' powerhouse and not a 'swordsmanship' one, received such a blind choice from you, Commander. Do you have a special connection with the Kirhausen family?"

"...I didn't expect you to ask such a thing, but to answer, I suppose you could say so. To be precise, my respect for the former head of the Kirhausen family was the reason for my choice."

The former head of the Kirhausen family.

A phrase that suggested numerous fatal possibilities.

"I see. Thank you for answering even though it was an impertinent question."

"If your attitude had been insolent until now, I would not have answered. And……."

Tares' voice dropped to an even heavier tone.

"I also judged that you are not a child foolish enough to carelessly speak of today's conversation."

"...I hope I can see you again."

"The same goes for me. It seems it will be at least two months before I return, so I hope nothing happens between you and Marcel during that time."

Two months.

My gaze once again glanced at the transport ship standing in the center of the landing field.

Knowing the duration of the mission made it even stranger.

‘The family's First Knight Order is going on an external mission that takes two months, and they are sent off on a non-official family transport ship…….’

Moreover, the preparations to leave for that mission were made very quickly and quietly within the family.

If I hadn't eavesdropped on the conversation between Furas and Tares through the Tracker, even I wouldn't have known that the First Knight Order was leaving.

This must mean that this mission was related to Kirhausen's top secret.

‘I don't know who they are escorting, but it's highly likely to be entangled with the family's secrets.’

While organizing my thoughts, I naturally concluded the conversation with Tares.

With a powerful gaze, the two of them once again solidified their mutual promise to keep silent about what happened today.

My footsteps returning to the mansion were as heavy as the thoughts that had multiplied.

Thump, thump, thump…

Tares was also unable to easily shake off the lingering feelings of the conversation.

He stopped his steps for a moment and turned back to look at my retreating figure.

‘I felt it last time too, but that child is no ordinary person.’

I had not yet seen enough from Eddie to build trust.

But for some reason, a constant sense of unknown déjà vu made me want to continue the conversation with Eddie.

‘This strange interest is the first since that person. A strange child.’

Tares left the landing field and returned to the First Knight Order's armory.

As he continued to inspect the weapons, he let out a smirk—a laugh originating from interest.

***

That night, I stayed awake late and examined the surrounding energies.

‘Got it.’

After confirming that the energies of all mana users in the mansion had quieted down, I took out my wand.

Swish- Swoosh-

"Fiona Robella."

Once horizontally, once vertically.

After drawing with the wand and chanting the spell, the Pantheon's Gate appeared.

I walked in without hesitation, not even bothering with the closing and disappearing gate.

Outside the window of the Pantheon I entered, a storm raged again today.

Rumble, crash-!

Whoooooosh-!

However, the inside of Pantheon's Laboratory was as quiet as my own composure.

The only noise filling the lab was the sound of chalk moving on its own on a giant blackboard.

Every time the chalk passed over the blackboard, the contents I had organized in my head were transferred onto it.

"Hmm……."

I watched the busily moving chalk for a moment, then grabbed it and finished writing the sentence.

[Who was the former head Tares respected? Ivan? Me?]

If it was Ivan, Tares could become a great enemy.

But Tares was too great a person to be handled by a vessel as small as a thimble, like Ivan.

Then the only remaining option was myself from my past life…….

But no matter how much I thought about it, Tares was not in my memory.

‘It's a memory from my old age, not that long ago, and if he was a person with the potential to become that great, he would have surely remained in my memory…….’

It was then, as I was pondering over this unexpected riddle.

Chirp, chiiirp-!

The cry of a bird was heard from not too far away.

I lifted my head and looked at the lab window.

I could see a blue-feathered bird flying with powerful wingbeats, completely undaunted by the fierce storm.

It was Leodimir's messenger bird, ‘Bex’.

I went outside the lab to greet Bex.

Bex circled once above the head of me, who had come out to meet it, and then landed softly on my outstretched arm.

Not a single drop of water was on its brilliant blue feathers, which resembled its master's eyes.

"It's been a while, Bex. You've worked hard coming all this way."

I smiled, stroking Bex's head.

Then, as if in greeting, Bex slowly bowed its head towards me.

My reunion with Bex was also after 30 years.

Bex, Leodimir's messenger bird and companion mystic.

Mystics, descendants of ancient magical beasts and highly intelligent creatures with magic, are inferior to the demi-human beastmen but possess brilliant minds and long lifespans.

Bex, who had protected Leodimir's side even in my past life.

Bex was a mystic over 50 years old.

"I'm sorry for returning alone, rejuvenated, Bex. I saw the pictures of your chicks in Leo's office."

Chirp-

"Yes. It was good to see them growing up well. I'm glad."

I spoke lightly and opened the leather case Bex was wearing.

Inside were a letter and the Caliptus' Eye.

Vrooooom-

As it came into my hand, the Caliptus' Eye resonated in response to my magic.

The purity of the secret art's magic was much higher than before.

It meant it had been used that much, and was useful enough to be returned safely.

I was satisfied and returned the Caliptus' Eye to its place.

Then, with a much more relaxed heart, I read the letter.

The letter summarized what Mercury had found out through their investigation.

The main contents were about the whereabouts and use of the Mana Bloodstones, and a story about a hair-raising situation.

As I had worried, the investigation process was not easy.

The general content was as follows.

[It is said that assassins wearing mana-detecting items from Pasquier guarded the path along which the head of the house and the Mana Bloodstones moved. It was a great fortune that I withdrew Mercury at the right time, as you advised, master.]

Saying so, Leodimir conveyed his gratitude at the end of the letter, saying, ‘If it weren't for the Caliptus' Eye, I would have lost my disciples.’

Knowing what it felt like to almost lose a disciple, I too was relieved.

The rest of the content was all satisfactory and promising.

However, the postscript at the end made my expression darken a little.

[P.S.: Kenneth's letter was delivered, but there has been no reply from Gianni yet. It seems he still needs time to accept this situation.]

After reading the postscript, I nodded my head.

It was disappointing, but I had expected it.

Not only had the antagonistic Jasper taken Noah, but that Noah had also been afflicted by the Nymph's Venom.

What must Gianni, who must have developed more ill feelings towards Jasper, be feeling right now?

‘Still, I hope he changes his mind soon.’

With Bex perched on my shoulder, I returned to the lab.

"What are you doing? Move."

I slyly urged the chalk that had been playing around.

At its master's command, the chalk began to move busily again, transferring the contents of Leodimir's letter onto the blackboard.

With the addition of the letter's content, quite a few empty spaces were finally filled.

I put the letter I had prepared in advance into Bex's leather case and stroked its head.

Then Bex flew outside, its blue wings shining brilliantly.

And in the place where Bex had left, the blue feathers left by its wingbeats scattered.

Looking at the fallen feathers, I gave a slightly bitter smile.

"Seeing that old fellow, I'm keenly aware of the passage of time."

***

Two days later.

The Kirhausen's First Knight Order left Shainborough in the middle of the night for an external mission.

A secret mission that was hushed up not only from outsiders but also within the family.

I drank tea on the balcony and watched the black transport ship that quickly melted into the night sky.

In my head, the request Tares had made at the landing field came to mind.

"Please, even if Marcel's coldness makes it hard for you… I hope you will endure and remain by his side."

A biased request solely for Marcel's sake.

There was now no reason at all to grant it.

I had already gotten everything I could from Marcel, and had succeeded in making my name known in the magical world.

Now, all I had to do was proceed step by step with the plan to conquer Kirhausen and uncover its backers.

‘But…….’

Tares was the only person who had cared about my feelings of being used for Marcel's sake.

I was a little flustered with myself for being uncharacteristically swayed by such a thing.

And Marcel…….

‘Well… if he makes the right choice, I could probably cheer him on.’

Once the plan was on track, Marcel would now be put to the test and face a rough future.

I quietly prayed that Marcel would make the right choice in that situation.

That I would not have to include that pitiful and pathetic guy in the list of those to be judged.

‘So at the very least, I hope you live up to the expectations of the one who wishes for your true well-being.’

Sending my wish along with the white steam rising from the teacup, I let out a small sigh.

I could feel Marcel on the floor above.

He was conscious of me being outside and didn't come out, but had left the window open.

A naive figure who wanted to greet Tares but couldn't muster the courage.

I pictured that figure in my mind and drank the rest of the tea.

‘From now on, stewing alone won't get you anywhere.’

I deliberately closed the balcony window with a sound.

Then, a moment later, I felt Marcel coming out onto the balcony.

It was a consideration to let him at least exchange a greeting with Tares through eye contact.

And a few hours later.

I woke up again and moved quickly along the completely darkened outer wall of Shainborough.

I entered Marcel's room without a sound.

Approaching the sleeping Marcel, I hesitated for a moment before stretching out my hand as if I had made up my mind.

Hwaaaaaa-

And I completely withdrew my magic that was inside Marcel's body.