ATPL 33

Abelard waved a hand dismissively at the look in Elliot’s eyes, which clearly said, “How could you possibly forget about Rezaie?”

“Well, I have the Dragon Knight Commander who knows everything about the continent right next to me.”

“…”

“Especially since he’s the second son. With how domineering the First Princess is, it’s enough to know that she’ll be the one taking the throne there.”

Perfect!

Having said his piece, Abelard turned to Elliot with a smug expression. Elliot raised one eyebrow and replied calmly.

“The Magic Guild of Rezaie belongs to that second son.”

“Ah?”

“Though he’s known for being timid despite his immense magical talent, his business skills are even more impressive.”

The magical city of Rezaie couldn’t have been established without the Dragon Lord.

As everyone knows, magic belongs to dragons, and all mages borrow their magic from them.

“Ah, I know about that. The Dragon Lord takes a fee, right?”

“Yes. Though ‘fee’ might not be the most accurate word.”

All miracles on the continent originate from dragons. More precisely, magic is created when the dragons’ unique power interacts with magical energy to produce new effects.

To explain it simply, it’s like mixing oil with raw eggs to make mayonnaise—something entirely different from eggs.

“In the old days when there were few mages, the Dragon Lord would only take one gold coin per person for their entire lifetime, but that’s an ancient tale.”

“These days, the Dragon Lord takes magical power directly.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard the amount the Dragon Lord drains from imperial mages is no joke. That’s why the imperial court’s mage expenses are enormous.”

Since the days of the gold coin, mages have charged others for their services. That tradition continued, and these days, it’s considered normal to charge a fee for magic.

Abelard tilted his head, recalling the mages who always complained, “These days, the Dragon Lord drains us dry—we’d rather just pay him in gold!”, all while charging huge fees themselves.

Why complain? Magic power regenerates after one night’s sleep. Money doesn’t.

“The Magic Guild of Rezaie expanded rapidly after meeting Lord Cesar. That’s also when his name started gaining recognition.”

“Sure, but what does this Cesar have to do with her?”

“Well…”

Elliot looked back down at the letter with a conflicted expression.

“There’s a report claiming that Anais Fleur committed violence and extortion against Lord Cesar…”

Violence and extortion…

The words hung heavily in the air between the two men.

Violence… extortion…

Abelard narrowed his eyes.

“She seems like someone who’d do that.”

“What exactly do you take Lady Fleur for…?”

“I’m a victim of her violence, aren’t I?”

“That was self-defense, my lord.”

Elliot’s retort was sharp. Abelard cleared his throat, conceding the point.

“Anyway, the report says her actions were so extreme and malicious, they were reported to the Dragon Knight Order…”

“Well, isn’t she malicious?”

“To be honest, while her exchanges with Lord Abelard may be a bit informal and irreverent… it’s mutual.”

Abelard felt a flare of annoyance but quickly shut his mouth, remembering how he’d treated Anais himself.

“And you must admit those remarks are far from malice, violence, or extortion.”

“Well, there are all kinds of young ladies at the institute. I suppose she’s just… known for being a bit wild.”

Elliot offered a faint smile at Abelard’s half-hearted defense.

“I assume you’re thinking it was the possessed one?”

Elliot responded with a slight smile to the Crown Prince’s remark.

“Yes. Anais has a one-year memory gap, and the report dates back to last year. But if this is true, it could become an international issue. We need to investigate it.”

“They are quite an… ambiguously prestigious family.”

The phrase “ambiguously prestigious family” was apt. They were relatives of the Belfast royal family and wealthy, yes—but truly influential? Not exactly.

“As it happens, I’ve heard Lord Cesar has been staying in Reims for nearly six months.”

“Hmm. Strange for someone who’s supposedly been a victim of violence and extortion to stay in the same city…”

“Even though he’s known to be timid, Lord Cesar is a magical genius. Unless the possessed one found a way to restrain him.”

Atlas also suspected the report was linked to Possession Subject 33.

He had included some recent information about Cesar Rezaie and suggested they check it out—especially since he was currently staying at the most luxurious inn in Reims.

“For someone who carries the fate of the continent, you really do associate with quite the crowd.”

“Including yourself?”

“How embarrassing.”

Abelard scratched the back of his neck at Elliot’s teasing response.

“Anyway, it’s late. Let’s get some rest…”

Just then, as they looked out at the sunset through the window, something glittered near the entrance of the mansion.

Could it be a reflection?

Elliot instinctively pushed Abelard away from the window and pressed himself against the wall—an instinct born from years as a knight.

But something was different.

The sparkle at the mansion entrance didn’t resemble a blade’s reflection. Instead…

Flutter flutter.

Something gave off a faint, laughing sound. Elliot narrowed his eyes. Abelard clicked his tongue as he leaned in for a better look.

“What is that?”

Glittering, fairy-like beings were fluttering around the entrance, surrounding someone.

And within that radiance, a single man was walking toward them.

Elliot’s hand slowly moved away from the weapon at his waist.

“This saves me the trouble of seeking you out.”

Cesar Rezaie.

It was a face Elliot recognized from memory.

“And I suspect the contents of that letter were mistaken.”

“How do you know that?”

Elliot didn’t take his eyes off him as he answered.

“…Because he’s smiling.”

* * *

At that moment, Anais was in shock.

“A secret engagement? Anais?”

Judy nodded emphatically.

“Yes. The young lady was secretly engaged. And… against her will.”

Anais’s face turned pale.

“And with Lord Cesar Rezaie…?”

“That’s what I heard…”

Judy looked away. Anais couldn’t stop herself from yelling.

“I don’t even know that person!”

Cesar Rezaie was quite famous. Among his generation, his fame stemmed from the Rezaie Ducal family becoming a model for child education.

They were descended from generations of magical prodigies and known for producing sharp, quick learners.

The First Princess was renowned for her governing skills. She would inherit the city-state of Rezaie, while the second son managed the guild and grew the national treasury. What more could any parent wish for?

“From what I know, you met him in Reims, my lady…”

They said Number 33 had come here last summer.

It wasn’t unusual for the Fleur family to vacation in Reims, so Judy didn’t think much of it.

But that year, Anais’s behavior had been different. She brought a few servants and went out constantly from the moment she arrived.

“I heard you were doing some kind of business…?”

Anais clutched her head. It seemed she’d been trying to run a scam in Reims too, not just in Belfast.

Judy went on.

“You met many people, and I think that’s when you met His Grace. Though I’m not sure.”

“Then why did Anais become friends with you?”

Judy covered her mouth with both hands, looking delighted.

“Wow, you’re saying the young lady and I are friends!”

Her excitement was obvious. Anais forced a smile.

“Yes, we’re friends. So, why?”

“Ah, well… you asked if there were any good jewelers nearby. This area’s known for gems, you know. It’s close to the Grand Duchy of Neuze…”

Gasp. Anais caught her breath.

Number 33 must’ve planned to convert all of Anais’s money into jewels and disappear.

Though the location of those jewels was still a mystery…

Asking about jewelers—

This might be a lead. A chance to recover that money.

“Tell me more!”

Anais unconsciously grabbed Judy’s wrist.

Judy let out a startled “ah” as she was pulled forward, but held her ground.

What now? Anais eyed her, only to see Judy fidgeting with the bonnet, avoiding her gaze.

“Well, how would I know about jewelers? You were disappointed, remember…?”

What Anais thought was a lead vanished in an instant.

She glared. Should she snatch the bonnet?

“…Is that all?”

“Actually, my lady… you didn’t ask for anything else for a while, but then one day you called me privately for a favor.”

“What was it?”

As if Anais would’ve asked anything of someone who didn’t even know about the jewels! Anais asked, barely hiding her disinterest.

Judy fiddled with her fingers as she spoke.

“Well… you asked me to be a witness to your engagement with Lord Cesar…”

At that moment, someone called out from the doorway in a loud voice.

“Anais, my love.”

What was this eerie and unfamiliar voice saying something so outrageous?

Anais hurriedly put her mask back on.

And when she turned around, she froze in place.