The Feybrad family — said to be the driving force behind the neutral noble faction, the so-called fourth power in the current war of succession.
The eldest son of that family's head — a young man by the name of Chrono von Feybrad.
"Of course, my father is still active. It's just... he's terribly reclusive and overly cautious. So in his stead, I take on the role of gathering information and sizing people up."
"Reclusive... is it? Forgive me if this is rude of me to ask upon our very first meeting, but is that acceptable for a noble...?"
"Haha, your concern is perfectly valid. However, there are advantages to it as well. By deliberately excluding my own subjective bias and gathering only impartial information, one can reach conclusions unclouded by assumptions or preconceptions. That is how the Feybrad family has assessed the political landscape and the people within it. In a sense, I serve as my father's 'eyes.'"
"...And so you've managed to unite the neutral nobles. At this point, no one would dream of doubting your father's capability — or yours, for that matter."
"I'm honored, Princess Liliana. Though if I had one complaint... it seems I'm the spitting image of my father in his younger years. Every time I meet with an old noble, they exclaim, 'The Feybrad family has gotten younger!?' and make a fuss about it."
In stark contrast to the middle-aged noble from before.
He began the conversation with light small talk designed to ease the tension.
Yet even amid the casual banter, his reddish eyes never once lost their keen, watchful gleam. Quietly — and without missing a single detail — he was sizing them up. Ermes could feel it clearly.
And Ermes understood.
This young man who called himself Chrono was, without a doubt, no ordinary person. From his earlier conversation with the other noble, Ermes had already gained a rough picture of his character as well.
He was — if one had to put it into words — the very embodiment of "reason."
A being who pursued ideals with rationality, methodical logic, and an unwavering commitment to principles.
That temperament was likely something he had honed precisely because his position demanded an extraordinary degree of delicacy — that of leading the neutral noble faction.
What beliefs such a temperament was rooted in, Ermes wondered, though that was a matter for another time.
And now, this very individual had taken an interest in them. At someone's behest, he had arranged this meeting to evaluate them properly.
It was undoubtedly a situation that called for caution — yet at the same time, it was an opportunity.
Because, conversely, if he could present an "ideal" here that was convincing enough to earn this man's support —
Because there was a chance that a massive fighting force — one that even Yurugen, head of the neutral noble house, would stamp his seal of approval on as too formidable to ignore — could become their ally in one fell swoop.
"Well then, now that the mood has warmed up. — May I hear what you have to say?"
Perhaps sensing that their minds were made up, Chrono posed the question.
In response, Ermes and Liliana first turned to confirm with Yurugen behind them. As though he had perfectly anticipated the question down to its very content, Yurugen nodded immediately.
"It's all right. He's someone you can trust. ...You may speak freely."
That was right. Before this young man, pretenses and half-truths held no sway — surface-level facades were seen through in an instant. The depth of wisdom and observational acuity he possessed, enough to fulfill the role of a great noble's "eyes" — their exchanges since arriving had already convinced everyone of that.
Therefore, they should speak. The information they had kept hidden from outsiders, fearing it would cause confusion — or had deliberately kept under wraps. The contradiction at the heart of this country, which formed the very core of their purpose.
Namely —
The truth of magic.
That.
"Well then, if you'll permit me the presumption of going first. ...I'll begin by explaining how what is known as 'Bloodline Magic' truly came to be."
With those words, quietly and dispassionately, Ermes began to speak.
"............I see."
After receiving the full explanation —
Chrono ... true to expectation, and true to hope — nodded with an expression of quiet understanding.
At the very least, he showed not even a shred of the inclination to dismiss it out of hand, the way other nobles would.
"Certainly, there are many experiences that can be explained by that logic. ...I understand. I can't very well declare it 'the truth' when the information is still far too insufficient — but at the very least, I can say with certainty that it is a thesis worthy of consideration."
From Ermes's perspective, the response to his thesis was a perfect score. If Chrono had unconditionally affirmed it with "How fascinating — that must be the correct understanding of magic!" he would have been no different from any other noble. In the thoughtfulness of understanding just how dangerous a hasty declaration could be, he truly stood apart.
And then, pressing further, Chrono posed his question.
"Then, based on your understanding of magic ... you of the Third Princess's faction ... Your Highness Liliana —
What is it that you want to do?
?
"
Here it comes, she thought.
It was the very core of who they were—the very "ideals" that Chrono sought.
And this was something Ermes simply could not answer in her place. He glanced at the girl beside him, silently asking "Are you alright?"—but Liliana fully took in his concern and turned forward with eyes brimming with resolve.
And so, she began to speak.
...Perhaps. At first, she thought it was nothing more than a single-minded determination to deal with the crisis looming over her family.
But then, during that time, she had met Ermes. He had taught her magic, and she had glimpsed hope. From there—
the coup d'état
had swept her up in its tide, hammering home just how naive all her assumptions and fantasies had been.
—Even so, she had picked herself back up. And from there, she had seen so many things.
The true feelings of this nation. Its very truths. The thoughts of the people, and the thoughts of the nobles—things she could never have seen by remaining cooped up in the Royal Palace.
And... the burning passion her beloved master had taught her, still blazing in her heart.
Her knowledge, gained at the end of all of that. Looking back once more at the footprints she had left behind.
"...First, let me state this clearly. In this country—"
The girl declared.
"—
Bloodline Magic
is..."
"The system"
"itself"
"was flawed"
"from the"
"very start."
""
A conclusion so cruel it would make enemies of every noble alive.
Fortunately, that noble—who was, moreover, a duke's heir, Chrono—showed no sign of taking offense and quietly asked in return.
"…Why do you believe that?"
"…Surely, at the very, very beginning—when our ancestors first created 'Bloodline Magic'—they weren't thinking about any of this. Their sole intention was to pass the fruits of their work on to their descendants as"
"a gift,"
"nothing more. That is what I believe."
But there were two things they could never have imagined.
One of them was that what they created would become a curse that bound their own descendants… Perhaps this could have been avoided. Had they possessed a deeper mastery of magic, they might have been able to ease that curse in some form.
But the other—this was surely something no amount of effort could have led them to foresee. It was—
"'To be given immense power unconditionally from birth, stronger than those around you, without any effort.' In a world where such a thing exists, in a country where such a thing exists—"
"—"
"telling them not to fall"
"—is what they ask, and"
"it is truly impossible."
"—And if there existed magic that completely and utterly denies that effort, even though effort is already painful enough—"
"magic"
"—then many people would simply lose the will to keep trying. Both those who have been given abilities and those who have not."
Perhaps, even so, there are those who can still push forward.
People who refuse to be content with what they were given, who never give up even when confronted with utter despair. No matter how much blood they cough up, no matter how badly they are hurt, they never stop reaching for what they desire—such strong, magnificent people must surely exist.
Ermes would undoubtedly be at the forefront of such people. Katia and Sarah are likely in that same realm as well. They are unquestionably the ones who drive this world forward.
—But.
Those who can be like that are surely the minority. For most other people, it is simply not so.
Lilianna learned this from her confrontation with the former Niina... with a "normal girl."
People like Ermes surely never give that a second thought. Whether others push forward or not—for better or worse—they simply continue walking their own path.
And that, in itself, is a wonderful thing. A pioneering path that deserves to be cheered on.
...But. Lilianna is royalty. She is someone who should stand above both those who can push forward and those who cannot—not because she is forced to, but because it is the way Lilianna herself wishes to be.
And so she declares once more. Her desire, her ideals, the royal path she has chosen to walk.
"Therefore, with my master's help—I shall turn all Bloodline Magic into General-purpose Magic."
"!"
Even Chrono's eyes widened at those words.
"And thus—through the effort of every individual—a nation that affirms the pursuit of magic, where not everything is decided solely by the circumstances of one's birth."
"...Of course, the circumstances of one's birth will still matter to some degree. There will be differences, however slight. But they will surely no longer be as absolute as before. Just a little more will be something that effort can bridge."
"I... wish to grant everyone just a little more—"
"the right to keep trying."
"I wish to grant them—"
Having poured out everything in one final breath, Liliana let out a long exhale.
After a brief silence, Chrono posed a question.
"I... appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. That said, having organized what I understood from Your Highness's words in my own way, there is one thing I'd like to confirm."
"Yes."
"Your Highness intends to—abolish the privileges of all nobles. Is that correct?"
"!"
The fact that the person before her was a young girl made no difference. The question left no room for evasion, and it was thrust straight at Liliana.
"Other nations may be a different matter, but in this country, the sole condition for being a noble is the inheritance of Bloodline Magic. For better or worse, that is simply the way things are, and it cannot be changed."
"..."
"If I understand correctly, should Your Highness's grand ambition come to fruition, the gap between Bloodline Magic and General-purpose Magic will cease to exist. That would mean the collapse of the single greatest pillar supporting the nobility's status. Whether new nobles would then emerge, or an entirely new system would take shape, I cannot say—but at the very least, virtually all nobles of the current order would lose their standing."
"Is it correct to understand, then, that Your Highness intends to do—precisely that?"
Yes—this was the question coming from the heir to a ducal house. In other words, from the person who stood to suffer the most should it come to pass.
Ermes, who had been listening involuntarily, glanced toward Liliana—but even so, she showed no sign of losing her composure.
She answered calmly.
"...In the final analysis, yes."
"Then—"
"But it will not happen 'immediately.'"
Liliana cut in before Chrono could continue.
"I... cannot hope to match my Master, but because I use the same magic as she does, I understand. What I have just described is something that absolutely cannot be accomplished overnight. It would require years... or possibly decades, even over a hundred years. It could well become an undertaking on that scale."
"...I see."
"Nothing changes overnight. And whenever you try to change something, a corresponding amount of power must be devoted to it. In this case... by imposing the burden of learning General-purpose Magic on the people, the nation's strength will weaken. That is why—"
Harboring unmistakable wisdom within her youthful beauty, Liliana fixed her gaze upon Chrono without a shred of fear.
And at the very end, she spoke with resolute conviction.
"To all of you nobles — during that time, I ask that you continue to serve as the shield of this kingdom, just as you always have. While the people grow stronger... while this nation's power is being raised, and perhaps even after that—
—
Born
unconditionally
with power—
that is
the privilege
you carry.
Put it to use and become a 'stable' force for the kingdom's defense."
"—
"...I cannot guarantee what lies far into the future. But at the very least, for as long as I sit upon the throne... for as long as I am king — and so long as you fulfill your duties properly — I swear to uphold your rightful privileges.
...So... what do you say...?"
Having delivered her final words, did her strength finally leave her?
In the end, Liliana's confidence wavered just slightly — a faint tremor seeping into her voice as she posed the question.
Chrono stared at her in astonishment for a long moment... then broke into a soft smile.
"—Your Highness, your grand ambition has been duly heard and understood. ...I recognize it as a truly noble vision."
He affirmed her words, his tone warm and gentle — matching his expression perfectly, with no hidden reservation to be found.
"!"
"Of course, I can't make a decision right away... but honestly, I'm truly glad you gave me this opportunity to hear you out."
"Y-Y yes!"
Liliana's face lit up, practically glowing.
There was no doubt about it — Liliana's 'philosophy' had genuinely earned his understanding.
As for why Chrono had said he 'couldn't decide right away,' Ermes understood the reason as well. Because—
"—Now then. You're next, Ermes."
He could clearly feel Chrono's gaze, his awareness, turn toward him.
"I know it's disrespectful to speak so bluntly before Her Highness... but if I'm being honest, I find myself more interested in you.
You must be the key figure who transformed Liliana Highness into who she is now — so this time, would you mind letting me hear what you have to say?"
"...Understood."
This time, it was his turn to be tested.
Having grasped this correctly, Ermes let out a slow breath and began to gather his thoughts.
...I'll keep to myself the fact that I wondered, "Is this kid really only eleven years old...?"
Next time — Ermes's philosophy battle. Stay tuned!