Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?! - CH 33

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Clawis Omnibus Worstitters/Clawis Garcia, Crown Prince of Worstitters

Rivera Hernández, Clawis’ aide/escort

Marshal Hastings Fels Worstitters, the King’s brother

Melchior Astra Solmontana, Crown Prince of Solmontana

“I would like to return to the country at once, but Melchior-dono stopped me, saying it was too dangerous. He told me to endure for now and wait for the right moment…….but in the meantime, if something happens to my father and mother…”

Cawis clenches his fists tremulously. The feeling is painfully understandable, but the Crown Prince is right. The only people Clawis has now are his close aide, Rivera, and a few knights guarding him. No matter how outstanding those knights are, they cannot do anything on their own. I think that maybe the Kingdom of Worstitters anticipated this situation and sent Clawis out of the country. Even if something should happen to the king, he can hope to rebuild if the direct descendant, Clawis, is still alive.

“What kind of person is His Royal Highness the King’s Brother?”

“His Royal Highness the King’s Brother, Hastings, is the commander-in-chief of our army. He is a man who believes that strength is justice, and has long disagreed with His Majesty, the gentle King. Now that an alliance with your country is finally becoming a reality, I think he has moved the national army to forceful measures.”

Oh, you’re a genuine beastman thinker, aren’t you? Strength is justice, which in itself is a fine way of thinking. It’s just. It’s how you use that power that’s important. Power wielded to protect the weak is justice. But power used to oppress the weak or to selfishly suppress the opponent can only be evil.

For someone who uses force to get his own way to be at the top of the national army, I can only think that they completely failed to select the right person.

“In other words, Clawis’ uncle is opposed to the alliance and wants to usurp the throne?”

“……Ah, I hate to think it, but I suppose so. Originally, the king of the beastmen country was a powerful person. This changed during the reign of King Brandt three generations ago. The king’s brother, who everyone thought would be the next king because of his strength, said that from now on, the country should be ruled with wisdom, rather than power. It was during that period that the whole country promoted exchanges with the human race.”

I see. It was right around the time of Fortis’ death. The history of the country’s current way of thinking is short. If the old ways of thinking are still in place, then there is a good chance that the usurpation of the throne will be successful. I’d like to know a bit more about the situation and the inner workings.

“I’d like to hear more details.”

“I’m sure His Excellency the Duke would know a bit more……I don’t think we will get to hear the story.”

Percival is right, it is a matter of state and country. I don’t think they can give information to a mere student so easily. Unfortunately, I don’t have a convenient magic that allows me to know the state of the beastmen country while I’m here.

“……I’m sorry, I made you listen to me.”

“No, it’s okay. Can you let me know if there are any changes or new information about what’s going on?”

“Yeah……”

I think that the problem can be solved if the marshal, who is the cause of the civil war is sent flying and driven out of the royal castle. However, I am not very bright when it comes to politics. There must be a lot of things that can’t be done with just that.

I left Clawis and the others and went to the café terrace with Percival, but I wasn’t in the mood to enjoy myself as much as I usually do.

I have seen many civil wars and wars when I was Fortis.

A parent and child who have abandoned their homeland and fled for their lives in fear of magical beasts. Young children crying for their mothers in the rubble. An old man who has lost his wife, who has been there for him for many years. After the storm of war has passed, there is only one word; misery. No matter what logic you try to come up with, it is the innocent people who suffer. For them, who live hard every day, they honestly don’t know or care what the royalty and nobility are thinking. From the people’s point of view, as long as they can live a life where they don’t have to worry about food and sleep and can raise their children peacefully, they don’t care who the king or lord is. I’ve seen how such a simple thing can be so difficult.

Evan the Swordsman left the country because of a civil war. He didn’t say much, but he did say that he couldn’t bear to be the one to torment the people he was supposed to protect.

It is difficult to steer a country. Every country has its differences of opinion. But it is not good to disturb the country. A country should not be fought over by a few royals. And if they are brothers, no matter how long it takes, shouldn’t they talk to each other for the good of the people?

But even so, I know that politics is not that simple. My thinking is very folksy and simple. But what’s wrong with a popular idea? Isn’t it those common people that makes up the majority of the country?

Unfortunately, our Kingdom of Solmontana will not be able to lend a hand to the Kingdom of Worstitters openly. It would interfering with internal affairs. As a major power, we would avoid doing anything that could give the surrounding countries the wrong impression.

But what about my position?

Clawis tried to offer up his arm instead of mine. Even though he didn’t know there was a trick with the sceptre of Caeres Ais, which is a very powerful tool. Even if he believed in Aurora’s holy magic, it was not an action that Clawis, as the crown prince of a country, should have taken. Even so, he was on our side, and Rivera didn’t try to stop Clawis.

That’s why I want to help Clawis this time.

I want to help them as a friend, regardless of the situation in my country. Adventurers can’t just turn a blind eye when their friends are in trouble.

Yes, it’s not in my nature to think about small, difficult things. I’ll do what I want to do.

“……So, have you come to a conclusion?”

I notice that Percival is looking at me with a gentle smile on his face. He had been silently waiting for me all this time, while I had been mulling things over.

“I-I’m sorry. I ended up thinking about a lot of things.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. You’re indebted to Clawis, right? I knew Sapphiras wouldn’t keep quiet about it.”

As expected, Percival really knows me well.

“I’m going to Worstitters after all. I want to return the favour to Clawis, but if the army has started a civil war, I’m sure the people living in the overrun capital are going through a lot of hardship. I’m particularly concerned about how the human race is being treated. It won’t be long before the effects of this will be felt in the provinces and surrounding countries. I can’t stand to see vulnerable people suffer. I know that this kind of thing might be seen as a cheap sense of justice, but”

“It’s fine. Sapphiras has the power to change the situation. Besides, you have the means to do something about it, don’t you?”

“Well, the only thing I have is magic.”

The only way to do it is by brute force. I’m just going to push hard with magic. In other words, I’m going to use magic to do what the Marshal did. There is no beastmen without magical power that can use magic. If you don’t like the human race, the chances of there being any magic users in the rebel army are low. Even if there were, they would be a bit old-fashioned.

“Well, if power is justice, then why not show the difference in power thoroughly? After holding down the rebel army in the royal capital, we will enter the royal castle and drag the Marshal off the throne. If the King of Worstitters declares that the rebellion has been quelled, this rebellion will come to an end. Maybe it will be over in a day.”

“……I see, a day.’

Percival gave me a subtle look, but did I say something funny? With my magic and the help of my summoned beasts, I don’t think it’ll take that long.

“But this is a matter of state, and if I act without permission, I’ll cause trouble for His Excellency the Duke, won’t I? That’s why I think I have no choice but to quit the academy this time.”

“I see. If that’s the case, I’ll go with you to Worstitters.”

“Eh? No, this time it’s different from the last time with the sceptre, you can’t go with me.”

As expected, I can’t let Percival go with me this time. Unlike me, who was abandoned by his family, Percival is a solid son of a noble family. In the unlikely event that he is expelled from the academy, even his family will not forgive him.

“My intuition is telling me to go with Sapphiras.”

“Intuition?”

Yeah. The people of Belisario have been told this for generations. Follow your instincts. When faced with a life-threatening situation or an important choice, we, the Belisario clan, will never hesitate. In fact, both my father and brothers followed their instincts, saved lives, and negotiated to their advantage. In other words, I, who have Belisario blood in my veins, have no room for hesitation. I will go with Sapphiras.”

Percival’s unwavering gaze looked straight at me.

……These are eyes that will not break no matter what you say.

I’m happy that he said he would go with me. I feel my back is itching, but as expected, I can’t act with him this time.

“Percival, I appreciate the sentiment, but……”

“Excuse me for interrupting your conversation.”

A dignified voice interrupted my words.

“Miss Aurora?”

Miss Aurora smiled and turned her eyes to me and Percival alternately.

“Sapphiras-sama, Percival-sama. We are going to hold a very private tea party in the salon. Please join us.”

A tea party at this hour? Percival and I looked at each other.