IWMHWD 49

Chapter 49 – To Forecast Delrim
December 19, 2023

Rozenbler let out a light chuckle as he spoke.

“I was actually looking for you, Cordelia. So this is where you were.”

“Me? Why?”

“There was a commotion at the Mage Tower. You said you’d step out for a moment and never came back. I barely stopped them from sending people out to search for you.”

“R-Really?”

“And I never imagined you’d be with Leonard like this. Oh, by the way—did Count Abrams come to the capital with you too? You two seemed pretty close last time I saw you.”

“You.”

As Rozenbler chatted amiably with Cordelia, Leonard became highly alert and pulled her behind him.

“How many times have you even met my disciple? Don’t act so friendly.”

“Acting friendly? That’s harsh. Are you upset that I’m treating Cordelia kindly?”

“And who the hell are you to be treating my disciple kindly? Are you harboring some shady ulterior motives?”

“Ulterior motives? It’s pure goodwill.”

They’d exchanged only a few words, but Leonard’s reaction was overly sensitive.

Rozenbler was dumbfounded and amused at how Leonard was acting—as if someone might mistake him for a jealous husband.

He had known Leonard all his life, but he had never seen him behave like this toward anyone.

“Anyway, since you caused such a loud spectacle with those fireworks, I imagine everyone’s dying of curiosity.”

“Actually, just before you got here, I received a summons from the palace.”

“Already?”

Leonard picked up the elegant letter from a silver tray and dropped it on the table. It bore the silver stag emblem of the royal family.

“His Majesty, ever the idle one, seems desperate to confirm whether I’ve truly come back to life. He’s demanding I come to the palace immediately.”

“When are you planning to go?”

“Tomorrow. The letter says to come as soon as the sun rises.”

“That soon? Well, I suppose His Majesty isn’t the type to let something this amusing pass him by.”

As the two men conversed, Cordelia stared curiously at the letter with the silver stag. It was her first time seeing the royal family’s seal up close.

Leonard’s gaze shifted toward her.

“So you get ready too.”

“…Ready for what?”

“We’re going to the palace tomorrow. Prepare yourself.”

“Yes. Underst—what? The palace? Tomorrow?”

Cordelia had heard bits and pieces from Baron and had mentally braced herself a little, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so suddenly. She floundered, mouth agape.

“I don’t even know proper court etiquette…”

“No one’s going to pay attention to your manners. They’ll all be too busy staring at my face.”

“Uh, I don’t even have proper clothes.”

“Ask Anna. She’ll find something suitable.”

She ran out of excuses. Cordelia fidgeted nervously with her fingers.

Just a month ago, she’d been living in the backwoods of Abrams, and now she was suddenly going to the royal palace. The thought of messing something up terrified her.

“Do I really have to go?”

“Of course. You need to show your face and make it clear that you’re my disciple. Is there a problem?”

“It’s just… I’m not good with formalities, and I don’t even know how to bow properly. I’m worried I’ll only cause trouble for you…”

“Cordelia.”

That’s when Rozenbler called her name gently, his tone soft and reassuring.

“His Majesty isn’t a difficult person. As long as you mind basic etiquette, you’ll be fine. And more importantly, you’re going as Leonard’s disciple. Even if you mess something up, Leonard will take the fall for you.”

“Really?”

He added the last part playfully, but somehow, hearing it made Cordelia feel a bit more at ease.

As her expression noticeably relaxed, Leonard suddenly grabbed her wrist and stood up. Caught off guard, she stood up too.

“What is it?”

“You. Go back to your room.”

“Right now?”

“When I say go, go. We’re heading to the palace early tomorrow, so go get some sleep.”

Leonard took her by the wrist and led her to the door. Just as she was about to leave, Cordelia remembered why she had come in the first place.

“Oh, right! Master, is it really okay for me to use that room?”

“Why? Don’t like it?”

“No, it’s just… it’s so nice. I was wondering if I’m allowed to use it.”

“Unbelievable. I give you a good room, and you’re still not satisfied? It’s an empty room with no owner—just use it.”

After sending her away, Leonard sat back down in front of Rozenbler and warned him sternly.

“Don’t flirt with my disciple, Rozenbler Elfenbaum.”

“What? Flirt? Are you serious? That’s absurd.”

“Absurd? Did you already forget what you said to my disciple?”

“What did I say?”

“Don’t play dumb. You said you’d become her teacher. That you were interested in her. I heard everything—Cordelia told me.”

“Oh, right.”

Rozenbler recalled the conversation belatedly and chuckled softly.

“Well, I thought you were dead. How was a junior mage supposed to survive the Mage Tower alone without a mentor?”

“Now that I’m clearly alive, don’t even speak to Cordelia.”

“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

Rozenbler thought he was joking and laughed heartily, but Leonard’s expression didn’t change. Rozenbler stopped laughing and asked seriously,

“Wait… you’re not serious, are you?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Fine, fine. Got it. Guess people without disciples are destined to be lonely.”

To be fair, a mage’s first disciple does hold special meaning. But Leonard had never shown any interest in taking on disciples before—whether things went well or not. Rozenbler had never imagined he’d change like this.

“You know Lydia was really worried about you, right?”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why? Did you forget she likes you?”

“Still?”

Leonard replied indifferently. Rozenbler looked disappointed at his apathy.

“That’s cold. Everyone in Forecast Delrim knows Lydia’s had a long-time crush on you.”

“I know. But how long is she going to keep following me around? Isn’t she an adult now?”

“Sigh…”

Rozenbler had known Leonard a long time, but when the topic turned to his sister, even he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

They’d fought more than once over this issue, so Rozenbler let out a short sigh and changed the subject.

“Anyway, what are you going to do about Maximilian? Did you send out a pursuit team?”

“No.”

“Not yet? Last I saw, he was on the Wilas Archipelago. Should we send people that way—”

“No need. He’s here in this mansion.”

“He’s here? You’ve already caught him?”

Instead of answering, Leonard motioned with his chin toward a large box in the corner of the room. Rozenbler looked puzzled—until realization struck.

“Wait, don’t tell me Maximilian is in there? He’s not a beast—you can’t just transport him like that!”

“Well, beasts don’t kill their own siblings, so he’s definitely worse than one.”

Leonard replied nonchalantly. Rozenbler glanced between the box and Leonard’s face, then shook his head in disbelief.

“So he’s still alive. What are you going to do—execute him at the Atilay estate?”

“No. I’m going to hold a trial.”

“A trial? You’re going to convene the Council and put him on trial? Why?”

It was a fair question.

A trial meant dragging things out—sometimes for up to three years—through tedious legal proceedings.

Sure, the evidence was solid, and he’d likely get the death sentence, but it made no sense not to eliminate such a dangerous person immediately.

Leonard’s lips curled into a sly smile.

“I want to give Maximilian a taste of living hell.”

“I get what you mean, but what if he uses magic to escape?”

“He can’t anymore. I used him as a medium for soul transfer magic.”

“…You’re unbelievably ruthless.”

For a mage, being unable to use magic was equivalent to a death sentence. Keeping him alive in that state was truly cruel—just as Leonard intended.

Maximilian, trapped in that box, was probably wishing for death by now.

“And there’s one more thing that’s bothering me.”

“What is it?”

“I think Embley was backing Maximilian.”

“Embley? The Embley family sided with Maximilian? Why would they get involved in Atilay’s succession?”

Among the Eight Sacred Houses, there was an unspoken rule: never interfere in another house’s succession.

“Besides, we’re talking about Leonard Atilay himself.”

“Exactly. That’s what’s so strange. What were they thinking, siding with Maximilian?”

“Even if they wanted you dead, what would Embley gain from it? Did Maximilian promise them the entire gold mine?”

Leonard didn’t respond. He simply leaned back and crossed his legs. Rozenbler had a flash of insight.

“You’re holding a trial because of Embley.”

“Among other things.”

Leonard nodded subtly. If he just killed Maximilian, he’d lose the link to Embley.

But if he held a trial, he’d gain official authority to investigate them.

And forcing Embley to stand trial would publicly disgrace them.

He was willing to take a small risk to bring Embley to the gallows.

Every choice comes with responsibility. Now it was time for Embley to pay for meddling in Atilay’s affairs.

“Huff, huff.”

“Can you stop that?”

“I-I can’t help it—I’m nervous!”

Cordelia’s breathing grew faster as they approached the royal palace. No matter how hard she tried to calm herself, it didn’t help.

To think she would become a mage and meet the king of Erche… If someone had told her that a year ago, she would’ve asked if they were crazy.

And yet, here she was—living a dream.