She Decided Not To Get Revenge

The 34-year-old Minister of Exploration and the 16-year-old assistant to the Minister of Administration. 

They were, of course, brothers who could not be called two years apart.

‘Shouldn’t there be fewer years between them than Luke’s entire life?’

While Miro erased his expression for a moment, as if he had heard a sudden bluff, Shaurillin responded calmly while drinking tea.

“I thought so, Isaac. I’m not talking about it but I know that Luke’s age has stopped, and that period has been quite long.”

“How did you come up with that idea?”

“Luke was an adult yet immature boy, and he seemed to have seen too much of the world’s history to be a boy, but he also seemed to have yet to quit believing in the world. When you revealed Luke’s age, you gave a peculiar face, and Luke Mandera looked strange, as if he had never been considered a child as a whole topic of care. Looking at the differences between the two… He’s presumably assessing his age based on the time he deserves, whilst you’re probably experiencing his age on your own and comparing it to the time he lived.”

“That’s right.”

Isaac Mandera sighed and sipped a little more tea. After a little silence, he spoke again.

“I had to freeze him when he was thirteen and I was fifteen, about seventeen years ago. That seemed to be the only way at the time, and I knew there was a slim chance of success, but if I didn’t even attempt, I wouldn’t be able to go back. Because it was obvious that ice magic would kill people, I had to look through a variety of books.”

“In reality, while it may not be common in human land, it is not uncommon in Alves. It is usually utilized for those who have curses, scars, or morbidity and need to slow down the progression. Is there any relation with the disappearance of Count Mandera while I was away? I’m not going to inquire until you tell me what problem Luke was having at the time.”

“That’s right.”

Shaurillin responded slowly. Isaac’s face tightened slightly, and he glanced down at the teacup with lonely eyes. The white fairy gave him a kind smile as he looked at him.

“Elves are not very close to ice or fire magic, so they are far away, but Alves, who can precisely regulate freezing, melting, and biological responses, occasionally accept such therapy. As a result, I understand how profound it is. Perhaps you did your best, but it was too harsh and heavy for a 15-year-old to perform. I would have had to put forth a lot of effort.”

“Do you think so?”

“From a human standpoint, that may have been reckless and heinous brutality.”

In other words, he’s still a fairy, and that won’t change. He is well-versed in a multitude of precedents that are not unusual, if not frequent, among the Alves.

“…….”

Isaac lowered his head and closed his mouth, as if he was chewing on his words. Miro watered several pots by the window while Shaurillin gazed out the window at the cold morning breeze. Isaac’s golden eyes shook like the sun in the tea water before returning to Shaurillin. Shaurillin took his gaze off the terrace and returned it to Isaac only after Isaac’s gaze returned.

“Is it a confession?”

“It was a bit like that.”

“I don’t think it was a story that you could’ve confessed easily, Isaac.”

“Well, I’m not sure. If I had discovered another way, I believe Luk’s life would have been different from what it is now, and I believe it would have been a peaceful life away from the informal labor of the administrative minister. Of course, Luke will be upset if I decide whether his life is peaceful or not.”

Isaac stated this, and then quietly concluded with a kind and bitter smile.

“It must have been me who stole his 14 years and forced him to live my age, and that will not change.”

Shaurillin can confirm that it will most likely not be a major issue in Luke Mandera’s life. However, he did not provide such words of comfort. Even if some guilt is only imagined, it will linger a lifetime.

Isaac, who appeared to have accepted the High Elfs’ quiet as consideration, inquired softly, giving a brief warm glance as if he had experienced a warm welcome. It was a question posed in order to shift the conversation to a little different issue.

“Do you know much about Alves?”

“Ahahaha.” Shaurillin laughed for a moment, hung his finger on his teacup, and answered.

“It was difficult for people to imagine. It’s not that I don’t understand why. I don’t think it’s that important, so I don’t have to talk about it, but I’ve been held captive to a dazzling palace like obsidian in the blue mountain range, although for a little period of time. I received King Ilinai’s personal order while being there.”

“Oh…”

Isaac Mandera also exclaimed faintly and lukewarmly, as though it were an unexpected reality. But, after a few seconds, he bowed his head quietly, as if convinced.

“As a result, the prime minister may have broadened his knowledge by developing an interest in the outside world and other races. Spending time in diverse locations and cultures from where you live is usually a good approach to broaden a person’s understanding.”

Isaac Mandera added kindly and quietly with his always sad idea. Just a tiny bit of humor.

“In the end, he came to the land of man.”

Elves that were not hostile to Alves were quite uncommon. The Elf had been outcast by the outside race, and Isaac had no idea. In truth, the Elves and Alves fought a lengthy war to create rivers and mountains out of blood and flesh. Shaurillin Inborgia was well aware of his unique background.

As a result, Isaac’s statements came out as really pleasant. Shaurillin reacted generously with a gentle smile.

“I don’t know if that’s the case.”

“By the way, if it’s “just a moment”…? For some reason, it doesn’t seem like the moment I thought it would be.” Isaac looked jealous and asked kindly. “Now that you’ve learned a lot about Alves, you must have stayed there for a few years, right?”

“…….”

Shaurillin rolled his purple eyes for a moment, unsure how to respond to a young man who had no sense of space between Elves  as well as humans His eyes traced a thin arc, and his fluttering loosened like a butterfly. He came up with an answer quietly.

“I stayed for about six decades.”

“…….”

“Because the ages of humans and Elves are measured in different ways.”

“…….”

Isaac drew an awkward smile with a face that appeared to be at a loss for words, then said clearly, messing up his lovely golden hair for a moment.

“Since it’s a different country, administrative laws are different.”

“That is an interesting notion.”

Shaurillin also gave him a moment of willingness. He flexibly drew another topic.

“By the way, Isaac. I’ve been wanting to ask you something.”

“……? Please speak.”

“Katlena was well aware that she was the type of person who would never ‘let go’ of anyone who got in her way or sucked her blood. Even before her return, there were rumors about her, and the things she looked at after my return told similar stories.”

Shaurillin glanced at his lavish desk.

“Regardless of going far, she celebrated my return for the job.”

“Because the administrative minister is a person who values ​​efficiency.”

Isaac, who may not have been very sympathetic to Katlena, nonetheless made a clear assertion.

“Many things have happened with her, but we cannot deny that there is a system that can return because of the current administrative minister.”

She is capable, and the individuals under her direction are more capable than he is.

She is also one of the few aristocrats who have made him realize that the true competency of those in positions of authority stems not from individual talents, but from the ability to manage groups.

“Katlena Agreta is even a wizard of state who has lost to a great administrator, but her “group” and thoroughness as the head of it now have the power to make nine government offices run around.”

“Since I get the same evaluation from you, you suspect that I’m biased.”

Shaurillin, who had put down the teacup and rubbed the rim, asked softly.

“Then, in the 15 years I was gone, who had fooled the defense and continued to wear unjust clothes simply for their own advantage, despite their consistent deception, are still unpunished? What else did persons who wielded authority and profited from abilities that were inappropriate for their abilities do? I believe I can only pose this question to you because I haven’t worked it out yet. I hope you are not upset. I’m asking because I believe I can act responsibly only if I know whether they’re Katlena Agreta’s companions.”

“I  will not be her collaborator.”

Isaac Mandera, who had reached a conclusion, rubbed his chin with a tough face for a while without questioning whose story it was.

“There are a few people I can think of, but if it’s correct to think of the people I think of… They can’t be solved since they can’t be helped. Those who have been rolling in a noble society for a long time must have ties and trust in some form, and if they try to meddle with them incorrectly, they will suffer a backlash from strong and solid collective checks. When it comes to pedigrees, Mandera is not in the best of situations.”

Isaac, who was quietly narrating, looked at the face in front of him, smiled bitterly, and said.

“Well… I couldn’t have done it during the Prime Minister’s tenure, but for the past 15 years, there has been no overwhelming speaker in Roschodur’s administrative system, and the aristocratic society has been truly communist. Until Katlena Agreta, a new powerful figure, took her position.”