Chapter 26
The next day, the atmosphere in Benheim was chaotic.
The hunting festival, which was supposed to last three days, had been stopped on the first day. On top of that, the fact that dark mages had infiltrated Benheim had been revealed to everyone.
As if that wasn’t enough, rumors began spreading that Kaiden, the head of the Lucen family, had gone into a rage. It was no surprise that the people of Benheim were trembling with anxiety.
“Everyone, pay attention.”
In the middle of this situation, Stern gathered all the important members of the family and its retainers in the grand hall of the territory. Standing at the head, his expression was more serious than ever.
Everyone swallowed nervously as he began to speak.
“As you have all heard, last night’s hunting festival has left an indelible stain on Benheim’s thousand-year history.”
His heavy voice filled the hall.
“Beron, a former elder of Benheim, laid his hands on forbidden dark magic and conspired with traitors within the family. He also brought in outside forces to target the heirs of both Benheim and Lucen. This is a grave act of treason against the family.”
After a brief pause, Stern spoke firmly.
“Therefore, by my authority as head of the family, I have executed Beron and all dark mages within Benheim on the spot.”
Murmurs spread like waves.
The retainers’ faces showed shock and fear. This was the kind of situation that could lead to a bloody purge within the family.
But Stern remained calm and continued.
“However, cutting off rotten branches is not the time for relief. This is not a problem limited to Benheim alone.”
His voice remained steady.
“For hundreds of years, Benheim has protected the order of magic from the threat of dark magic. The fact that they have infiltrated even the heart of our family means their reach has already come close to the great magic houses… and it is a clear sign that the dark mages, who have been silent for decades, are beginning to rise again.”
At those words, no one dared to breathe loudly.
The rise of dark mages.
Those words were enough to remind everyone of the nightmare war that had once covered the continent in blood.
“In response, Benheim will convene the Grand Magic Alliance Council at the end of this year. There, we will officially address this matter and draw our swords against the dark mages.”
The Grand Magic Alliance.
Even I, who wasn’t deeply familiar with the magic world, knew of it.
It was the name used to refer to the five great magic families recognized by the Imperial Magic Academy.
The council was not usually called during peaceful times, but in matters that could affect the fate of the empire, a family head could summon it by their own authority.
Stern von Benheim calling for the council meant one thing—it was not just an internal issue, but a declaration to treat this as a problem for the entire continent. In other words, it was a declaration of war against the dark mages.
‘Smart.’
Watching from a distance, I clicked my tongue.
Instead of simply exposing and purging internal corruption, he was using it as a reason to take control of the entire magic world. At the same time, it strengthened unity within Benheim.
It was an efficient and sharp decision.
As expected, the worried expressions of the retainers quickly brightened.
“As expected of the lord! A wise decision!”
“With Benheim stepping forward, those dark mages will tremble in fear!”
Just as the mood was calming—
“Wait.”
A man with long red hair stepped forward into the center of the hall.
Wearing the white uniform of Lucen instead of Benheim’s black robes, it was Kaiden Lucen.
“It seems your internal issues have been handled well. Congratulations. However, there is still one matter that remains unresolved.”
His snake-like gaze turned toward me in the corner of the hall.
“The matter of responsibility for stealing Lucen’s secret technique.”
The hall fell silent.
The head of Lucen was directly pointing at me, a foreign mage of Benheim, and demanding accountability.
And the accusation—stealing a unique magic formula.
The retainers looked uneasy.
“Responsibility… Kaiden, do you really wish to crush a young talent like this?”
“This is not about that. Lucen’s sword magic is our pride, passed down from our ancestors. Touching it is the same as insulting Lucen.”
“He is the boy who helped your daughter, Petra. Must you treat your benefactor so coldly?”
“I have heard everything from Petra. I am grateful. However, public and private matters must be separated. Unlike Benheim, Lucen is not so soft.”
“Then what do you intend to do with Reagan?”
“He is still young, so I will not demand his hand. Instead, destroy his mana core.”
Destroy my mana core.
That was no different from a death sentence for a mage.
Behind Kaiden, Petra looked at me with tearful eyes.
I simply looked at him calmly.
‘Renia was right about him.’
A man ruined by incompetence.
A believer in mage supremacy, bloodline superiority, and authority.
The reason he was acting like this wasn’t just because I copied Lucen’s magic.
He hated the fact that someone like me—a commoner—could do it.
To him, magic was a privilege reserved for noble bloodlines.
But he wouldn’t be able to destroy my mana core.
“Responsibility… Kaiden, you are making a serious mistake.”
“What?”
“You are pointing your blade at a member of Benheim. If that boy were my son Arno, would you say the same?”
“That is meaningless.”
“No, it is not.”
Stern stepped down from the platform and walked toward me. He placed his hand firmly on my shoulder.
Kaiden’s eyes narrowed.
“Because Reagan is no longer an external mage.”
“What do you mean?”
“Since everyone is gathered, I will formally introduce him.”
Stern tightened his grip on my shoulder and looked around at the gathered people.
“Reagan von Benheim.”
“…!”
“This child is now engaged to my daughter Renia and will become a son-in-law who carries the future of Benheim.”
A cold silence fell.
Even greater shock filled the hall than before.
Not only Benheim, but even the Lucen members were stunned.
It was absurd—someone of unknown origin suddenly becoming engaged to Benheim’s precious daughter.
“…What… what are you saying?”
Even Kaiden looked back and forth between me and Renia in shock.
Renia turned her head away, embarrassed by all the attention.
“…Are you in your right mind? You would give your daughter away just to protect a commoner?”
“Watch your words.”
Stern’s gaze turned sharp.
“Children are not tools, Kaiden.”
“….”
“I am simply a father who wishes for his child’s happiness. They chose each other, so I allowed it. My daughter’s happiness matters more than the family’s pride.”
Kaiden frowned deeply.
“So, will you still insist? You are asking me to destroy the mana core of Benheim’s future son-in-law. If you continue, I will consider it a challenge to Benheim’s authority.”
“…Are you serious?”
“I am. If this continues, it becomes an issue between Benheim and Lucen. Then I will have no choice but to raise this formally at the council.”
At the mention of the council, Kaiden’s expression darkened.
In the end, he clicked his tongue and picked up his cloak.
“…I will leave.”
“A wise decision.”
Stern smiled.
“However, Benheim must take responsibility for hunting down the dark mages behind this.”
“Of course. But Kaiden, you may want to look within Lucen as well. Just like Benheim, there may be worms under your roof.”
After a moment, Kaiden sighed and nodded.
“…I will keep that in mind.”
He left the hall with Petra, followed by the rest of Lucen.
Once the outsiders were gone, all eyes turned to me.
“F-Father… what you said… was that serious?”
Arno broke the silence, his face pale.
“Of course it was. Do you think I would joke in a place like this?”
“B-but… this is strange… Reagan isn’t even a noble…”
“He will be.”
“…He’s only been here two months…”
“That is enough time to prove himself. Haven’t you received help from him as well? Even this hunting festival—without him, who knows what would have happened?”
“…That’s true, but…”
Arno’s voice faded.
Stern smiled faintly and placed his hand on Arno’s head.
“I understand it’s hard to accept. But we are family now. And Reagan will be your brother-in-law, so treat him well.”
“B-but Renia…”
“She agreed as well.”
Arno turned to me, demanding an explanation with his eyes.
I shrugged.
“Take care of me, brother-in-law.”
“I’m not your brother-in-law!”
Arno shouted.
Not long after, unable to endure all the attention, I slipped out of the hall.
The engagement would definitely become a huge topic inside and outside the family.
“What a headache.”
Now I would be living in the main house, which meant facing the retainers more often.
Just thinking about their sharp gazes made my head hurt.
“…Hi.”
As I walked through the hallway, pressing my temple, a girl with golden hair peeked out from the corner.
It was Renia.
“Did you run away too?”
“Yeah. If I stayed, my brother would’ve nagged me to death.”
“Yeah, he looked like he was about to collapse earlier.”
She giggled.
“Want to take a walk? I said I’d show you the main house yesterday. You need to get used to living here now.”
“Sure.”
We walked together through the main house.
Paintings and decorations filled the halls. It was far more luxurious and complex than the annex I had been staying in.
“That’s my brother’s room. You must knock before going in, or he’ll get angry. And that’s my room. You have to knock there too.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever need to.”
“Knock.”
“…Fine.”
After walking for a while, I asked casually.
“Renia.”
“Yeah?”
“Why did you agree to the engagement?”
That was what I was most curious about.
Stern had his reasons, but Renia was different.
To her, I should just be a suspicious outsider.
“Hmm…”
She stopped and thought.
“I guess… because it seems fun?”
“Fun?”
“Yeah. It’s only been two months, but a lot of things happened with you. You beat my brother, changed mana methods, fought dark mages. It was interesting. I thought maybe more things like that would happen.”
Just curiosity.
Compared to the Renia from my past life, who had lost even her smile, it was such a simple reason.
But—
‘That’s a relief.’
I liked the bright smile she had now.
It gave me one more reason to defeat the Magic Emperor.
“Oh, you smiled.”
She poked my cheek playfully.
Then she leaned closer with a mischievous grin.
“So… you fell in love with me at first sight?”
“….”
I sighed.
Knowing her personality, she would tease me about this for years.
