Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Marianna stood silently for a while. Finally, she said, "Alright, my child. Since you already know, what do you think of all this?"
"Do you want the truth?"
"Of course!"
Paul shrugged. "Unbelievable, or perhaps... absurd!"
"Absurd?" Marianna frowned, displeased. "Is that how you perceive the cause your mother has devoted herself to?"
"Don't you think..." Paul chuckled. "The so-called myth of the war between humans and demons was merely a series of conflicts between primitive tribes in ancient, unenlightened times?"
"As for those so-called mysterious celestial phenomena, they're mere coincidences. Or perhaps... as long as you're willing to stretch things far enough, you can connect any two occurrences in the world."
"Or maybe... it's just an excuse—a pretense for spellcasters to step out of the shadows and into the sunlight."
Marianna smiled faintly. "And why not? If spellcasters can stand in the light without fear, our family wouldn't have ended up like this."
"That's true," Paul agreed. "But I think achieving that requires normalizing spellcasters, integrating them with ordinary people. Magic should become as common as writing, martial arts, or even shoemaking and sewing. Yet the methods of the Arcane Order seem to emphasize making spellcasters more extraordinary. It's just swinging from one extreme to another."
Paul's words momentarily angered Marianna. Comparing the great art of magic to the mundane skills of common folk seemed almost sacrilegious.
However, she quickly composed herself and found an explanation for her son's perspective.
Poor child. He must feel slighted. Born of the same mother, yet his brother showed exceptional magical talent and stayed by her side, while he had no such gift and was left behind.
Yes, her son must be venting some feelings of resentment, perhaps even harboring a tinge of jealousy.
As a mother, she had to understand him. Poor child.
"What's wrong?"
Her son's question snapped her out of her thoughts.
She instinctively reached out and held his hand, speaking with a trace of pity. "Poor child."
Paul: ???
Marianna was about to comfort him further but stopped, worrying she might hurt his pride. Instead, she decided to change the topic.
"Paul, I need to ask you for something."
"Go ahead."
Marianna said, "The world may become chaotic in the near future. However, the Northwest Bay remains a tranquil haven. On Aldor's political map, this region has always been insignificant. If the Arcane Order can truly extend its reach here, I believe I can protect the Northwest Bay from external interference. So, please, don't involve yourself in external affairs. Live peacefully here and continue the Grayman family line."
Paul smiled. "I understand your point."
But that was impossible. With the economy growing, the Northwest Bay was increasingly interconnected with the rest of the kingdom.
As he pondered how to explain this to her, Marianna continued, "The orc army is about to enter Aldor. If the royal family commands you to send troops, you must find an excuse to refuse."
"What did you say?"
Paul jumped up from his chair, his face full of shock.
Marianna became serious. "I can't give you detailed information, but the orc army will arrive soon—that's certain. But don't worry. As long as you stay in the Northwest Bay, nothing will happen."
Paul forced himself to calm down.
"Ah, this is hard to believe. My dear mother, it's difficult to imagine that the impenetrable Watcher's Fortress, standing at the entrance of the Gabella Valley for nearly a thousand years, could fail to hold back the orcs."
"The orcs have other ways. In any case, they will enter the kingdom's northeast." Marianna spoke casually, not realizing the significance of her words.
Paul's mind raced.
Other ways? By sea? Impossible! Then it must be...
The Rocky Mountains?
Could there be a secret passage unknown to the world?
Moreover, if his mother knew this, then the Arcane Order must also know. Were the orcs' invasion and the Arcane Order connected to Gabella?
He suddenly thought of the southern rebellion. According to what Derson had said, that too was secretly instigated by the Arcane Order. Perhaps they intended to plunge Gabella's north into chaos as well.
Ultimately, it would serve the Arcane Order's goal of uniting humanity across the continent.
Paul smiled. "Thank you for the warning, Mother. I don't want to trouble you, but can you share how soon this will happen? Six months? A year?"
Marianna hesitated for a moment. "From now, I'd estimate no more than a quarter."
There was no time to waste!
Paul glanced at the clock. "I just remembered I have some urgent matters to attend to. Shall we continue this conversation later? I understand you've been traveling, and you might need some rest."
Marianna hesitated. "But I want to spend more time with you. I'm sorry, my child. I... can't stay here for long."
Paul appeared regretful. "But staying for a few days should be possible, right?"
"Just a few days!" Marianna agreed, driven by a sense of guilt.
Paul smiled. "I'll visit you every day, Mother. Don't worry... about my brother. Philip will take good care of him. Goodbye for now!"
Before Marianna could reply, he turned and left the study.
Hearing Paul's hurried footsteps, Marianna felt a twinge of unease.
Paul, now rushing through the halls, felt even more troubled.
Although this world had a concept of nations and ethnicities, they were largely objective descriptions and lacked any deeper emotional or spiritual significance.
But for Paul, who combined his past-life knowledge with his current identity, those concepts carried immense weight.
Perhaps other lords could ignore what happened beyond their borders, but Paul could not, especially when he had the ability to act.
The southern rebellion was one thing—an internal conflict within Aldor.
But the orcs from the grasslands? That was an entirely different matter.
Paul summoned several attendants. "I need all government department heads and military officers ranked captain or higher to convene at the manor immediately."
Seeing the urgency on their lord's face, the attendants quickly went to deliver his orders.
Two were left behind.
Paul instructed them, "I need two letters written at once—one for Crystal Glare and one for the Watcher's Fortress."
(End of the Chapter)
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