Chapter 29 (1/2)
Chapter 29
… The northern part of the empire was largely divided into the Northwest, the North, and the Northeast, and three families governed each of the territories.
Their main duty was to defend against external enemies. The ‘Freyden’ were the most famous since they had the warrior’s shrine, and the ‘Dahman’ family in the north boasted a reputation that was second to none.
“Salute! I hope the Bercht conference goes well!”
On the platform of Harlan, Dahman’s capital, the palace guards saluted Glitheon, who nodded with a smile.
“Thank you. Make sure to deliver the goods to Count Dahman.”
“Yes, sir!”
The train station was further north of Harlan, which was already a northern territory. Sylvia looked at the snowflake at the tip of her nose.
“It’s snowing in April.”
Glitheon smiled, thinking how cute Sylvia was. “Well, we’re in the North, after all. Come. It’s time to go.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll leave you behind if you move too slow, my lady~”
“Shut up.”
Their party boarded the train not long after.
The VVIP cabin was half the size of a standard room. Equipped with not only a bed but also a sofa, carpet, desk, and chairs, it was more than just cozy.
“How long until we get there, dad?”
“It’s 6 hours to Harlan, then another 3 hours from the platform to the mountain range,” Glitheon replied as he sat on the sofa. The ‘platform’ the Bercht express train used was simply called the ‘platform’ since there were no villages or renowned locals around it to be named after. Only the platform was there.
Upon arriving there, one would need to change trains to head straight to Bercht.
“What was the classified information about?” Sylvia placed her writing materials and notes on top of her desk as she raised a question.
“An ambush.”
Sylvia’s eyes widened as she sat down behind the desk. “You’re supposed to inform the others.”
“Notifying them doesn’t mean the enemies won’t attack. If I revealed it, they’d have to come up with another plan, which would definitely cause unnecessary bloodshed since it was formulated in a rush. It’s only right that wizards deal against wizards.”
Sylvia looked like she didn’t understand. Hence, Glitheon further elaborated with a smile. “Bercht has always been like this, child. It was actually even more perilous 15 years ago. Attending the conference itself was a war.”
“Why?’
“Because Bercht serves as a great honor and memento for prestigious families. Just attending it engraves the names of the 12 Traditional Families and the 8 Exemplary Families.”
Fifteen years, twenty years, seventeen years.
Since the interval between each summon was so long, Bercht’s authority had reached the heavens before it could even be held more than enough times to normalize it. Hence, being allowed to attend it was considered a clear indication of a family’s power, nobility, and magical prowess.
“However, Bercht has special rules.”
Families who didn’t attend the conference even though they were summoned wouldn’t be invited again. In the event of a deficit in numbers during the conference, a new family would be summoned before proceeding. If the deficit were from the 12 Traditional Families, one of the new families would be selected as part of the new tradition.
“What do you think is the best way to bring down the 12 Families?”
“…”
Sylvia immediately understood. “Won’t you be punished for such an act?”
“Hahahaha.” Glitheon laughed loudly. At times like this, he sometimes wondered if he had been too overprotective of his daughter.
She had to learn of the world’s cruelty anyway, so he thought it would be better to start now.
“Which of the 12 Families have been part of the tradition since the beginning, child?”
“… Ah.”
“Exactly. If we’re to be punished, then the others would have to be sanctioned as well. This is why in the end, no legal action can be taken against us, and why death on the way to Bercht and while at Bercht is considered a magic related death by nature.”
It’s only during such moments that the leaders of each household could go after each other’s throats legally. After all, during the summons, the sophistry of ‘the victim is a fool’ became the right logic.
This phenomenon was even worse in the past.
In order to join Bercht and for their names to be born anew, many spotless families were shut down.
The Riwaynde Family, led by Ihelm, was one such case.
“Compared to the past, we’re in an era of peace right now. Of course, Bercht’s authority is still absolute. Dzekdan, its new leader, however, hates conflict, so he came up with ways for families to cultivate their reputation while also removing the need for us to feel as pressured and cautious towards being summoned.”
“…”
“It can’t be denied that it’s still riddled with perils, though.”
Sylvia nodded, and Glitheon laughed silently. Syrio, beside him, smirked as he looked out the window.
Chiiiiiiiiiii—
The sound of the mana stone burning echoed seemingly endlessly as the train moved. Using that noise to her own advantage, Slyvia sat behind the desk and began studying and reviewing Deculein’s class.
Reflecting on every word he said, she did her best to understand his lessons and apply them to the mana in her body. She soon pulled out another note, however.
It was her art notebook.
She drew something by scribbling her pencil. Unknown to her, her drawing had eyes. They were blue, and tears dropped from them.
*****
I was working on an item in the separate building of the mansion.
[Geork Suit Jacket]
[Geork Suit Vest]
[Geork Suit Dress Shirt]
Geork was the most famous tailor on the continent. Nonetheless, I used [Midas’ Hand] on certain parts of it.
My current actions were no different from arming myself heavily for Bercht.
Efficient armor that provided a wizard with great defense was extremely limited throughout the world, considering artificially produced artifacts had a lifespan, and infusing magic into products proved difficult to accomplish.
That was why even though many magic books were in the prestigious Yukline Household’s possession, they didn’t wear many artifacts.
What if I donned armor instead?
The magic infused in the armor might interfere with my magic. Hence, I decided to coat my suit with [Midas’ Hand] instead.
——— [Geork Suit Jacket] ———
◆ Description:
– Customized overcoat made by Geork, the best tailor in the continent.
– Its durability has been increased dramatically by [Midas’ Hand]
◆ Category: Apparel ⊃ Suit
◆ Effects
– Low-intermediate Physical Resistance.
– Low Magical Resistance.
[Midas’ Hand: Level 3 ]
—————
Physical resistance at mid to low levels was comparable to steel. It wouldn’t tear even if a sword were to try to slash through it.
By now, I had used up about 24 thousand mana in the last two days to strengthen my equipment, so I was certain they finally offered me adequate defense.
Knock knock—
“Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
Yeriel. She immediately opened the door and came in.
“You’re going like that? You’re not going to wear this?”
Yeriel bluntly handed me a trench coat. It was a ‘treasure’ that transcended artifacts, called the [Ancient Yukline Trench Coat].
“Were you saving that for times like this?” The kid seemed worried about me.
As soon as I thought about that, she brusquely snapped.
“Don’t be mistaken. It’s just that it’ll make it hard for me to succeed the throne if you die before the turnover.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”
“I just said that I wasn’t worried, didn’t I? If you get killed unceremoniously and abruptly, the Bercht conference will be delayed, and my coronation will become more difficult to realize…”
Yeriel stopped talking for a moment before sharply asking me a question. “More than that, don’t you have anything to say?”
“Not really.”
“… Really?”
“Thanks for the trench coat.”
Yeriel shrugged and soon shook her head. “Not that. I mean about Bercht… Ah, forget it. Do what you want with the Bercht conference or whatever. I’m leaving.”
Turning back gruffly, Yeriel opened the door, only to find Roy in front of her, standing with a guest behind him.
“My Lord, Allen has arrived.”
Yeriel shot a glance at Allen, who was hunching down. “Who are you again?”
“Ah, I’m Allen, Head Professor Deculein’s Assistant Professor.”
“… Ah~ So it was you, huh? I see.” Yeriel alternately looked at him and me as if something about him dissatisfied her.
“Good luck. Traveling with that person will most likely exhaust you like you’ve never felt before, so make sure you keep an eye out for your mental health whenever you’re around him.”
Allen bowed at Yeriel as she exited the room before he came inside.
“What’s the plan, professor?”
“We’ll depart tomorrow afternoon, so get ample rest for now.”
“Yes, yes. As you command.”
Allen’s face wasn’t comfortable despite his answer, though. The dark circles around his eyes seemed to have grown even bigger. That was only natural, though, since he hadn’t slept a wink since last night.
“Allen.”
“Yes?”
“Take this.”
Using psychokinesis, I handed him the [Protection Robe] that I bought last night.
It was an artifact with excellent performance, which was why even though it only had a 2-week lifespan, it was still priced at 30,000 Elnes.
“I-I even get to have this—” Allen suddenly burst into tears.
“Stop crying. You might make me angry if you cry in front of me.”
“Oh, yes, yes! I apologize!”
My mysophobia didn’t even allow tears. And snot made me feel repulsed.
Allen quickly held back his tears and carefully wore the robe. Seemingly overwhelmed with emotions, his eyes reddened again.
“Rest in your room.”
“O-okay. I’ll be waiting!”
I still had a lot of things to do.
In addition to the [Ancient Yukline Trench Coat] that Yeriel gave, at least five wooden steel were waiting to be strengthened by [Midas’ Hand].
“Until my mana regenerates…” I took out a book.
[Ertrand Martial Arts, Intermediate]
It was a publication written by the martial arts legend ‘Ertrand,’ who often charged and dominated through the front lines with his skills.
The cost of finding this intermediate-level item alone cost almost 500 thousand Elnes.
Still, I found it worth it, considering it was the ultimate martial arts made out of the accumulation of every other martial arts’ positive points.
I started to move my body according to the content.
*****
Allen and I left for the road at 2 PM on a Saturday. Roy and my attendants sent us off, and Yeriel had already returned home.
After seven hours, we finally arrived at ‘Giden’ station, where we immediately rode the express train to Dahman’s capital, Harlan.
Reaching our destination, we first had dinner and bought books the [Man of Great Wealth] found notable and striking. Only after that did we ride the train again for 6 hours to the north.
It wasn’t until Sunday morning that we arrived at the Bercht platform.
“Wow….”
Allen was in awe, which was only natural. Even I had never been to a place like this before.
Snow stretched all the way to the horizon outside the station, but its exterior was rather warm and cozy. The platform itself was no different from a small village.
I saw five restaurants with quite a few people in them. There were also hotels, a simple hospital, and even a magic store.