Chapter 38 - Damn Reincarnation

Eward Lionheart

Four years ago, Eward's eyes had sparkled at the magic Lovellian showed him. He had possessed a pure passion and curiosity for magic. Born a legitimate son of the Lionheart main family and burdened with excessive expectations, Eward had been far more interested in reading and magic than in swinging a sword or exerting his body.

But interest did not guarantee talent. It was a common occurrence. Most people had little talent for the things they loved and wanted to do.

And so they were betrayed. The more they loved and hoped, the more they despaired at a reality that fell short of their ideals.

What Eward had experienced was neither particularly cruel nor rare. It was simply commonplace. Eward had been passionate and curious about magic. He had loved it.

But magic had not loved him back.

* * *

It was late at night, but Gilead did not wait for dawn. He arrived in Aroth's capital shortly after midnight and immediately headed to the Red Tower.

He was not the only one to visit the Red Tower at that late hour.

On the Red Tower's highest floor, a man wearing dark glasses sat alongside Lovellian and Eugene.

"A pleasure to meet you."

Balzac Ludbeth.

He was a great black mage who had held the position of Black Tower Master for decades. Rising from his seat, he bowed his head to Gilead.

"My name is Balzac Ludbeth."

"... Gilead Lionheart."

Gilead inclined his head slightly despite glaring at Balzac. Then he briefly glanced at Eugene.

Theonis, who had come with Gilead, could not bring herself to bow. Chewing her lip, she glared at Eugene and Balzac.

"... How dare you sit here?"

She could not contain her surging emotions. Her only son. The son who should become head of the main family. Four years ago, she had let him leave her embrace because he preferred magic to martial arts and seemed to have an aptitude for it.

Now she was told that this son had tried to take up black magic. Theonis could not possibly accept this horrible reality.

"Please calm yourself," Lovellian said morosely. "... The Black Tower Master has nothing to do with this."

"Nonsense!" Theonis shouted. "You said Eward tried to take up black magic! Yet the Black Tower has nothing to do with it? Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"The Black Tower does not oversee every black mage in Aroth."

Balzac sat down and continued.

"The black mage responsible for this unfortunate incident... is called Gevid, but he does not belong to the Black Tower. He belongs to the Mages' Guild."

The Mages' Guild was the world's largest community of mages. Its prestige, however, did not match its size. Unlike the guild, which accepted anyone capable of using magic, a magic tower would only accept those with exceptional ability.

"Strictly speaking, I am a member of the guild myself, but that does not mean I consider Gevid one of my own. Surely that is only natural?"

Balzac pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and glanced at Lovellian.

"The Red Tower Master and I are not one family simply because we are both mages and guild members."

Lovellian nodded silently. Indignant, Theonis tried to say more, but Gilead raised a hand to stop her.

"Then why are you here?"

Gilead's voice was icy. The Black Tower had not been involved in this matter. Then why had he come? His barely veiled anger chilled the air in the room.

"To accept a measure of responsibility."

But Balzac was not intimidated. Gilead was the head of the Lionheart main family and one of the strongest men on the continent.

The same was true of Balzac. Decades earlier, he had been considered a candidate to become the next Blue Tower Master. Now he was one of the three legendary black mages who had entered into direct contracts with the Demon King of Incarceration himself.

"Gevid does not belong to the Black Tower, but as its master, I intend to take responsibility for the trouble he has caused."

"Responsibility?"

"Taking up black magic and arranging a contract are not things one can call 'crimes.'"

Hundreds of years ago, merely learning black magic had been enough to have someone condemned and killed. After the pact between Vermouth the Great and the Demon King, however, learning black magic had become a matter of personal freedom.

"Nevertheless... I would like to respect the Lionheart family's position."

"That is hardly pleasant to hear," Gilead snapped. "It sounds as though you are offering to bow your head when you need not, for the sake of Lionheart's prestige. Have I understood you correctly?"

"Yes."

Balzac made no attempt to deny it. Gilead clenched his fist with a crack. His intensified bloodlust made the room tremble. Assessing that bloodlust, Eugene glanced at the goose bumps on his forearm. He had felt killing intent of that magnitude countless times in his previous life. Yet his reincarnated body flinched before it.

"I am under no obligation to take responsibility for this. Please understand that."

Terrifying bloodlust engulfed Balzac, but his face remained serene at its very center.

"Yet I intend to do so. I am a fellow black mage, and I have no desire to make an enemy of the Lionheart family over this incident."

"If you truly mean that, why don't you get down on your knees?" Theonis demanded sharply.

Balzac rose without hesitation.

"If that is your wish."

"Enough. There is no need to go that far."

As Balzac began to kneel, Gilead shook his head firmly.

"... I appreciate your willingness to accept responsibility you need not bear. My concern, however, is that you might conceal what happened under the pretext of taking responsibility."

"The drug offenses will be dealt with under Aroth's law. There is nothing for me to conceal. Everyone who was in the drug den will be imprisoned in Aroth."

Balzac paused and looked at Gilead.

"Would you perhaps prefer to behead them yourself?"

"... I find that remark insulting. I merely wish to see Aroth's laws properly enforced. As a foreigner, what right would I have to place myself above its laws?"

"That was discourteous of me."

"What will happen to the succubi?"

"Their business is not illegal. Nor could the hallucinogens used in their establishment be classified as narcotics... but they will face sanctions for mishandling them."

"Then what responsibility are you taking?" Theonis snapped.

Balzac sat down again and answered.

"It has been decided that the incubus who contracted with Gevid and attempted to contract with Lord Eward will be beheaded."

"... What?"

"Baron Olpher the Benevolent. An incubus in the service of Duchess Giabella. The duchess was not involved in this affair, so she cannot be held responsible... but Gevid, who was directly involved, will be beheaded."

Balzac raised a hand. At the movement, Gilead leaned slightly toward Theonis to protect her in case anything happened.

It was an overt display of wariness and distrust, but Balzac took no offense. Still serene, he drew a finger downward through the air.

Pitch-black flames flared into the empty space.

"... His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration has personally sent a message."

Eugene restrained his body before it could react involuntarily. He controlled his anger. Nothing good would come of betraying a reaction here. Instead of his restrained body, his mind raged.

The Demon King of Incarceration.

One of Helmuth's two Demon Kings. In his previous life, Eugene had failed to conquer that Demon King's castle.

"His Majesty says he is profoundly dismayed that the family of his dear Vermouth has been subjected to such unpleasantness."

His dear Vermouth.

Those words turned Eugene's stomach. He wanted to leap from his seat and seize Balzac by the collar. He wanted to tell him to make that Demon King of Incarceration he served stop spouting bullshit and keep his fucking mouth shut.

Eugene was not the only one whose expression twisted at those words. Gilead bit down hard on his lip and glared at Balzac. Ignoring the look, Balzac continued.

"He therefore says he will personally behead Olpher the Benevolent and, should you wish it, send his head directly to the Lionheart family."

"That will not be necessary," Gilead snapped, his expression contorted.

"... Then I shall inform him that the beheading alone will suffice."

With that, Balzac stood.

"Once again, I bow my head in apology. I know these measures will not assuage your anger, Lord Gilead, but please understand that neither the Black Tower nor His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration wishes to offend the Lionheart family."

"..."

"Then... I look forward to our next meeting under more pleasant circumstances."

Balzac left. Before stepping out of the room, he glanced once at Eugene. Eugene felt his gaze but did not bother to look back.

A brief silence followed.

"... I will take Eward back to the main estate."

Gilead finally spoke. Rubbing his taut cheek, he let out a long sigh.

"I have... imposed terribly upon you, Lovellian. All of this is my fault."

"No. Had I disciplined Lord Eward more firmly, this would not have happened."

Lovellian sighed as well. He shook his head, then bowed to Theonis.

"I am sorry."

"... Eward... What is my son doing?"

Theonis's eyes were filled with bitter resentment. She held Lovellian responsible for Eward's mistakes. Had he accepted Eward as his disciple, had he taught him devotedly as a proper teacher should, Eward would never have strayed like this.

He lacked the talent to become a disciple? What did that matter? Her son—Eward—could not possibly be lacking.

"I told him to rest in his room."

"Gilead."

Theonis turned away from her glare at Lovellian.

"Surely we don't have to take him back to the main estate? Eward... hasn't actually taken up black magic. He was merely going to try."

"..."

"He has made a mistake, so he won't do it again. He might even learn from this and work harder. So..."

Theonis had no choice but to be desperate. Cyan and Ciel were at the main estate. While Eward had been away in Aroth, they had earned the household's approval. An eldest son returning in disgrace could never earn that approval now.

That was why she had sent him to Aroth. Since he could not win recognition at the main estate, she had wanted him to find it in Aroth. She had hoped her son would become the Red Tower Master's disciple, associate with other outstanding mages, and gain connections and power unavailable to him at home.

He had to remain in Aroth, whatever it took. If he became Lovellian's disciple, if he grew with that foundation toward becoming an archmage, this scandal would be dismissed as something trivial.

"Given the right circumstances, Eward can do well. He has talent. You know that, don't you? Ever since he was little, Eward has loved reading and magic—"

"Enough."

Listening was painful for Gilead. He knew very well how Eward had spent his time in Aroth. Those four years had been empty and worthless. Despite all the accommodations and support he had received, Eward's magic remained at the Third Circle.

Considering he had handled mana since childhood, his ability was dismal. He was a Third-Circle mage in name only. In reality, his understanding of magic and his actual skill fell short even of that.

"... In Lionheart's three-hundred-year history, the main family has never produced a black mage."

"H-he only did it because he's young."

Theonis's eyes trembled. Instead of answering immediately, Gilead looked at Eugene.

"... I am sorry, Eugene. Would you step outside?"

"Yes."

Eugene found the conversation just as uncomfortable to listen to. As he rose, Theonis glared at him.

"... I asked you to get along with Eward. I told you to look after your older brother...!"

"Theonis."

Gilead glared at her, his eyes wide.

"Eugene has done nothing wrong. Why are you persecuting him?"

"If that boy had stopped Eward...! If he had quietly smoothed things over instead of resolving them like this..."

"Not another word!"

Gilead shouted. Standing silently, Eugene considered saying something to Theonis, but instead simply bowed his head.

"I'll excuse myself."

Giving her more reason to dislike him would only be a nuisance. After Eugene left, Theonis glared at the closed door and exhaled heavily.

"... I spoke out of turn. But Gilead, please reconsider."

"My decision will not change. Eward may be my son, but what he has done has sullied our family's name. I cannot possibly leave him in Aroth."

"What place is there for him at the main estate?!"

Theonis did not plead. Consumed with resentment and anger toward her husband, she spat out her words.

"You've done nothing for Eward. All you've ever cared about is that damned Anisilla and her children, and an adopted son who doesn't share a drop of your blood...!"

"... Do you truly believe that?"

Gilead could no longer muster anger. He looked at Theonis with sorrowful eyes.

"I have granted everything the children wished for. He wanted to learn magic, so I sent him to Aroth..."

"If you truly cared about Eward!"

Theonis sprang to her feet. Breathing hard, she looked from Lovellian to Gilead.

"You should have forced the issue and made Lord Lovellian accept Eward as his disciple...! If you were worried about him going astray, you should have sent someone to watch and control him...!"

"Please."

Gilead sighed deeply and covered his face with both hands. Watch and control him? Hadn't Eward left the main estate for Aroth precisely because he hated that? Gilead had trusted his eldest son. Having spent his entire life under scrutiny and the weight of expectations, surely he could manage on his own in Aroth. Gilead had chosen to believe that.

The reports of him associating with succubi and demons.

He had known. If it had ended there... he could have tolerated it.

But not black magic. Not drugs.

"Please do not bring any more shame upon Lionheart... upon me."

"Shame? Don't be absurd. If we return to the main estate like this, I'll be the one so ashamed I'll want to die."

"I do not think remaining in Aroth would be good for Eward, either. If he still wishes to pursue magic, he can do so at the main estate..."

"If you insist on taking Eward away, then I will go with him to my family's home."

Theonis would not yield. If they returned to the main estate now, everything would fall apart. Eward would be pushed aside by the twins, and Theonis by Anisilla, until both were nothing but figureheads.

"I will never leave Eward at the main estate. I'd rather let him study magic at my family's home, free of oppression."

She meant it. Theonis did not want to suffer Anisilla's ridicule. There was still time before the contest for family head. Somehow, Eward had to develop enough power to secure his position in the succession. Returning to the main estate now would leave him no chance of turning the tables.

"... If that is truly what you want."

Gilead closed his eyes. He could no longer judge what was right.

"... If Eward wants it as well, do as you wish."

He could say nothing else.

* * *

"Lord Eugene Lionheart."

Balzac stood farther down the corridor. Though he had left the room first, he had stayed to wait for Eugene.

"Given the circumstances, we had no opportunity for a relaxed conversation."

"I have no desire for a relaxed conversation with you, Black Tower Master."

Instead of bowing, Eugene tilted his head at a defiant angle, making his displeasure plain. Balzac chuckled at his reaction.

"You do not seem to like me very much."

"It's not just you. I dislike all black mages."

"Is that so? I understand. Three hundred years may have passed, but public opinion of black magic remains poor."

Balzac shrugged as he spoke.

"As a black mage, I find that unfair. You may find it less credible coming from me, but I have done nothing wrong."

"Even if you haven't, there are plenty of evil black mages in the world."

That was an undeniable fact. Black mages who violated taboos such as human experimentation still existed. Aroth's laws and the Black Tower severely punished such transgressions, but in this vast world, there were black mages who sought to evade those stern laws and stray from morality.

"That is not limited to black mages."

Balzac smiled, baring his teeth.

"Mages are a breed that readily abandons morality to satisfy their curiosity and desires. In terms of sheer proportions, immoral 'mages' likely outnumber immoral black mages several times over."

"That may be true, but..."

"Lord Eward is no exception. He was a 'mage,' not a black mage. He merely tried to use black magic as a means to satisfy his desires. He did not even succeed... but it was his own desires, not black magic, that led him astray."

"What do you want me to say?"

"I am asking you not to hate me, even if you hate black magic."

Chuckling, Balzac approached Eugene and extended his hand.

"I have heard about you, Lord Eugene. Your performance at the Bloodline Succession Ceremony has been famous for years... and I hear you have recently made great strides in magic."

"I wouldn't call them great strides."

"The Red Tower Master himself wrote you a recommendation to Akron. Your achievements are significant enough to warrant recognition."

Eugene did not take the offered hand. Balzac lowered it smoothly and looked at him.

"I could not say this in there, but the 'responsibility' I have agreed to bear includes something for you as well."

"... What do you mean?"

"It will be difficult to secure admission to Akron with the Red Tower Master's recommendation alone. The other tower masters and mages will reject you on the grounds that your qualifications are insufficient."

"So you're offering to write me a recommendation as well?"

"I am greatly interested in your talent. Though that is not the only reason..."

Balzac glanced at the closed door before continuing.

"My relationship with the Red Tower Master was already poor. I bear him no ill will, but he dislikes me simply because I am a black mage. And now this incident seems likely to earn me the Lionheart main family's hatred as well..."

"And that's why you're offering me a recommendation?"

"Yes, to be frank. If I write you a recommendation and lend support to the Red Tower Master's opinion... well, that alone will not make him like me, but at least he might stop disliking me, wouldn't he? It would also demonstrate my goodwill toward the Lionheart main family."

"If you write it, I'll accept it."

Eugene answered with narrowed eyes. He disliked black mages, but he had no intention of rejecting what they offered merely on that account.

"That doesn't mean we can become friends, Balzac."

"It is enough that you do not dislike me any more than you already do."

Balzac stepped back with a smile.

"That was what I wanted to tell you. I apologize for keeping you."

"Were you really not involved in my brother's troubles?"

Before passing Balzac, Eugene asked him outright. Balzac burst into laughter.

"I take tremendous pride in being a black mage."

His eyes flashed behind his glasses.

"An incompetent black mage brings shame upon black magic merely by existing. Even a legitimate son of the Lionheart main family would receive no opportunity from me unless he showed brilliant talent. Is that answer sufficient?"

"Yes."

What a pathetic bastard.

Remembering Eward's streaming tears, Eugene clicked his tongue.