An Arranged Marriage with an Enemy - Chapter 1.2

Unfortunately, mages were rare in any era. Although they were supposedly more common than swordmasters, the comparison was meaningless considering that there were never more than five of those across the whole continent within a generation.

One could not become a mage if they were not born with mana, and even being born with it was not a guarantee that they could use it.

In its entire history, the Ferdinand family had never borne a single mage, and understandably so, because mages generally came from families of mages. However, problems arose when there was no mage in the land and they had to be recruited via the Magic Tower.

“What? Thirty percent more? Isn’t this just a robbery?” Kaon exclaimed, itching with annoyance—the request for increased salary and improved conditions might as well have been demanded with a knife in hand. “They’re asking us to build a branch of the Magic Tower here? On the eastern part of the land? Have they gone mad? At this point, this is basically asking for autonomy in someone else’s territory.”

His outrage was not just because he was a Ferdinand. Objectively speaking, such requirements were excessive.

Ferdinand had met their demands last year, and even the year before that. The incentives were also raised each time!

‘Ignorant bastards…’

“Please read through the entire proposal.” Leonida observed her resentful younger brother, shaking her head.

Kaon obeyed, looking back down at the papers. As he read on, his jaw tightened and his eyes turned cold.

“…So if we let royal knights garrison in our land, they’ll provide support for the royal mage? And then we have to grant them an equal share of the mana stones?”

The document was a proposal from the king himself.

At first glance, it seemed benevolent, the words praising the Ferdinands’ efforts against monsters and recommending that they accept assistance. In reality, though, letting in any of the Royal Knights was practically welcoming their interference; it would be no different from letting in an informant. Not only that, but the matter of the mana stones was…

Mana stones were obtained from the corpses of monsters, and they were extremely valuable due to the low probability of finding one. Their family was already supplying the Magic Tower with stones in exchange for dispatching a high-ranking mage—and they didn’t even ask for an equal share.

“This is…”

Both the Magic Tower and the Gaius Royal Family were in a frenzy over Ferdinand. Since Kaon’s parents’ passing three years ago, there had been a void that Leonida was struggling to fill, one that many people tried to take advantage of.

Kaon ran a hand through his hair as he set down the folder. “Why does it have to be Ingelos? There are other mage families out there.”

“Because we share a somewhat similar situation.”

He came to understand why his sister had suggested something so ridiculous and extreme. They needed mages on their side who would not be swayed. He didn’t know what exactly was going on, but if the Ingelos family was having the same troubles, then they would be the best partner to cooperate with.

“Is there really no other way?”

Rationally, Kaon understood, but he hated the idea of marrying an Ingelos, and that she would be a mage.

Love and romance didn’t feature in his dreams, but it still didn’t seem like a good choice to spend the rest of his life with someone he disliked on a fundamental level.

“There may not be any.”

“Fine! If that’s the case, then…”

“Raise your sword, Kaon.” Dark brown eyes that resembled their father’s stared back at him solemnly. “Knock me down and take my seat. Our uncle wants it too, so there are probably no objections to that.”

“Leo.”

“Or maybe there’s a way for me to marry the Ingelos family’s third son. I heard he was turning nine this year? I suppose a twelve-year gap is fine, so long as I wait ten more years.”

That made even less sense. As common as arranged marriages were, it was very rare to have such a large difference in age.

“In that case, I’ll have to step down, and Uncle will have to take over as your deputy until your coming-of-age—a position that will surely delight him.”

Kaon bit his lower lip.

Leonida looked exhausted.

He was well aware that their uncle was aiming for the lordship of the estate, and well aware of his sister’s efforts to stop him.

In Kaon’s eyes, Leonida was best-suited for that seat despite the opposition of their adult relatives, who didn’t like the idea of a woman leading a knight family. Even now, she was still not officially acknowledged as anything other than a deputy head, a proxy.

Nevertheless, he was confident in his sister, who was responsible, dedicated, perceptive, and disciplined. For all of their sakes, she was the only true candidate for the succession.

He, on the other hand, had neither the desire nor the ability to be one.

“What should I do…?” Kaon murmured to himself.

Thoughts tangled in his head and made him dizzy, and then they were resolved at once. After a long sigh, his decision was made.