I'm a court magician. Recently, I’ve been worrying about the princess staring at me. - Chapter 23
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- I'm a court magician. Recently, I’ve been worrying about the princess staring at me.
- Chapter 23 - The Promise We Made
The court magicians group that serves the Royal Palace isn’t actually a department to be exact.
Their group is mainly responsible for paperwork, or simply desk work.
And there’s another division – the Forces, they are legitimate armed forces of the kingdom against threats to the peace of the kingdom.
The department is named XXX and the force is named XXX.
And, even though the Knights are armed soldiers equivalent to the armies of neighboring empires, they are not part of the Forces.
Both swords and magic belong to those who are above average in ability.
There are many aristocrats with good family connections in the Knights, but I don’t want to get too close to them. I can go to the captain directly.
And I belong to – The Royal Annihilation Force.
I’ve explained it lightly before, but I’m a slightly special case among court magicians.
I was forced to become a court magician through an irregular route.
We, court magicians, manage people who have extraordinary magical powers and are likely to pose a threat to the kingdom.
This is how the Annihilation Force is formed.
You can think of it as putting mad dogs in an unattended cage. If you can tame a mad dog with unusual methods, it will become a capable and faithful dog.
When I was recruited by a court magician, I had no idea there was such a back story. I felt like I’m being forcibly taken away rather than scouted. I even broke four bones.
Those who belong to the Annihilation Force, where unusual magic wielders are grouped together, had only one job; if there is a threat against the kingdom or a royal family, risk your life to eliminate it.
Restrained with an invisible collar, instead of having the freedom they deserve, they have to die for the country and the royal family in case of an emergency.
Despite the pledge to erase the names from memory, they rely on us in case of an emergency. It’s convenient, but can’t be helped either.
In any age, the weak are afraid of the powerful and use their wits to trap them. And in this day and age, the number of the weak is overwhelmingly higher than that of the strong.
So, the few who have power can only be at the mercy of many who do not.
◇
“… You know?”
I narrowed my eyes a little and forced out a slightly husky voice. Does she know what my job is?
No.
How did she even know the existence of the Annihilation Force? That’s the actual point.
Before, Arina-san told me that the princess should not know about the oath, so I thought she didn’t know the existence of our group.
Her Highness nodded in response to my question.
“During one of my strolls in the royal palace, I heard a rumor about court magicians… that’s when I found out.”
“Right, where else could she find it?”
The existence of the Annihilation Force is not concealed. In contrast, it is quite famous for being a completely different department from the others.
But I thought that the king of this country was afraid of us, and that his biological daughter, Her Highness, was only considerate to us because she did not know.
This is the time. Let’s open up. I don’t intend to hide it anyway.
“As Your Highness said, I belong to the Royal Annihilation Force. We are magicians who are controlled by the kingdom as a weapon. By the way, how much do you know about us?”
“Well, I don’t know that much…”
“It doesn’t matter just to know.”
How much information does Her Highness have? That’s important. I stopped to talk, because now we’re in a dangerous situation where Her Highness was targeted. We must escape to a safe place as soon as possible. I don’t know the enemy troops’ strength.
“… A group of people with overwhelming magical powers beyond the reach of other magicians. If all of them fight seriously, it will cause disaster-grade damage, isn’t it?”
“I see.”
It’s not exaggerated…I guess it’s pretty much right. I’m not lying that people other than me have overwhelming skills, and if they fight seriously, they can really cause disaster-grade damage. Especially Elto-san and Arina-san’s magic… It’s dangerous.
At least, I found out that she knew nothing about the oaths that they forced upon us. I don’t want to say her name carelessly again, so I have to make sure of it first.
“Your Highness, will you promise me one thing?”
“Promise…?”
“Yes.”
I smiled at Her Highness.
“From now on… no, at least until we are out of this mess, don’t tell me your name. I can’t go into details, but it’s very important.”
“Huh? If it’s about my name, Raize-sama, before…”
“Yes, of course I remember. However, I can’t mention your name in this situation. I can’t let anyone know that you’re here. If they find out, it’ll be quite troublesome.”
I bowed my head and lied.
Her Highness, of course, will see through my half lie.
Her Highness has a possession magic, the Mind’s Eye Apperception. No matter how small a lie is, or how she thinks of the other person, she can see through them.
It’s the only lie I can think of, or an excuse for why I don’t want her to tell me her name now.
But even if I know I’d be caught, I have to tell her. To protect Her Highness.
“ … ”
Her Highness said nothing.
She kept staring at me with a slightly shocked look on her face.
I silently apologized to her in my heart. I’m sorry that I couldn’t remember your name. That’s quite heartbreaking.
After a few seconds, the princess suddenly sighed.
“…Okay. I won’t say my name until I’m in a safe situation.”
“Thank you very much.”
“But,”
She said with a forlorn expression, putting her index finger to my mouth, efficiently blocking my words.
“When this is over, tell me the real reason, will you?”
“You might get hurt… “
“I’m prepared, if that’s the case. If you hurt someone, you should experience the same pain yourself.”
“… I promise.”
I lowered my head deeply and put my hand on my chest.
It seems that the princess is quite passionate.
I looked to the south of the royal capital and urged toward it.
“Well, let’s hurry to where the Knights are. I’ll hold you and run…”
“You don’t have to.”
I looked back reflexively at the voice I heard all of a sudden. Then I saw a sharp knife flying at me.
“… huh!”
I immediately hugged the princess and dodged. The weapon pierces the stone roof deeply. The sharpness is profound… is magic added?
I looked in the direction of the sword’s flight, and saw a tall man with shiny long blonde hair.
His clothes were similar to the ones worn by Royal Guards, a mixture of red and white uniform. On his chest was a double-sword brooch, insignia of the deputy commander of the Royal Guards.
“I knew he’d come.”
“The main performer’s entrance will surely be at the final moments, don’t you agree?”
“What? You’re lying, right?”
Her Highness gasped in shock.
In front of us was the group of vanished royal guards, who I was most wary of. I thought I had seen it coming, but I didn’t know he was aiming for a time like now…
“Arsenas Kroger…”
“I don’t have to introduce myself? That’s convenient. Long time no see, Your Highness. I’m glad you look well.”
The missing Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard – Arsenas Kroger, gave a reverent bow with a fearless smile on his lips…