The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

38

***

Alter found himself increasingly devoted to reading.

He had to find a way to remove the curse, so he needed to acquire knowledge through books.

Amidst this, the abundance of books related to magic made them impossible to ignore.

‘I haven’t even become an apprentice yet, is it too much to send me?’

Alter looked at the books on the shelf and then turned away.

Alraune had given him numerous books, insisting he should at least master the basics of magic.

Most were about the theory of magic implementation, and among them were books that enhanced the concentration and volume of magical power.

It seemed that Allawune was intent on raising himself as a magician by any means necessary.

“There are books that aren’t available in the market. As expected of a great wizard, is there nothing you can’t obtain?”

Alter admired the authority of the great wizard but harbored a faint doubt.

Even if not himself, someone else could become the successor to the great wizard.

Was it necessary to go through such a troublesome process, using his own treatment as a condition?

“Since my mother was a disciple of the great wizard… perhaps I’ve inherited the talent?”

Alter had hardly heard any stories about his mother from his father.

Of course, he hadn’t asked directly, but there seemed to be a reluctance to share.

Perhaps his father had yet to shake off his feelings for her.

“So, if she hadn’t married, she could have become a great wizard herself?”

Alter suddenly reflected on his mother and then shook his head.

As faint as Alter Radiant’s presence was, information about his mother was almost impossible to acquire.

Moreover, a considerable amount of time had passed since her death, so there wouldn’t be many who knew her.

“But the current great wizard can use two attributes… In the end, it seems like he would have passed it on.”

Allawune may have humbly downplayed his skills, but in reality, he must have reached a considerable level.

After all, magicians who handle multiple attributes are exceedingly rare, and the more attributes one needs to learn, the more time and effort it requires.

Filling that gap with only talent and luck, Allawune might indeed possess a genius-level talent.

“Such a person fought the Frost Witch to a draw, didn’t he?”

The Frost Witch is known to roam the northern territories, and few have actually seen her.

She is often regarded as a myth passed down as legend or considered an illusion created by magical beasts.

But if the great wizard himself has verified her existence, then the credibility increases significantly.

“She must be strong enough to engrave a curse on the heart.”

From there, Alter derived new suspicions.

Whether killing the Frost Witch would dispel the curse, whether the Frost Witch had her own unique method of lifting curses, whether he could kill the Frost Witch himself.

Right now, removing the curse was the most important thing; the Frost Witch was merely a secondary issue.

If the curse remained, he would suffer until death, regardless of the Frost Witch.

“It would be difficult alone… but if the great wizard and the Sword Saint joined forces, wouldn’t it be possible?”

The great wizard alone couldn’t guarantee victory in battle against the Frost Witch.

But if the Sword Saint were to join, even the Frost Witch wouldn’t dare to rampage.

Of course, there has been no precedent for two such powerful figures cooperating, so a suitable cause would be necessary, wouldn’t it?

“Or perhaps a Sanctifier could step in. Sanctifiers aren’t just for healing, you know.”

The four Sanctifiers are direct knights of the Holy Sovereign, and among them, some possess overwhelming military power.

They are indeed the Holy Sovereign’s agents, the Order’s judges, and depending on the situation, they may even intervene in the Imperial Army’s battles.

In other words, if the Holy Sovereign deems the Frost Witch a dangerous monster, a Sanctifier could be dispatched.

“But I’m not sure if everyone will step forward. There’s no particular reason to fight, is there?”

Currently, the Frost Witch has vanished, and she hasn’t caused any harm to the Agnes Empire.

A Grand Mage might cooperate if it’s to lift a curse, but beyond that, there’s hardly any connection to be found.

Using the Northern Army is an option, but unproven reasons cannot be adopted as grounds for mobilizing the troops.

“Would killing the Frost Witch really put an end to it?”

At this point, nothing could be certain.

After all, considering the target of the curse, the Frost Witch was the most likely suspect.

Moreover, the curse was intricately crafted, making it difficult to counter, and the caster’s death did not guarantee the curse’s removal.

Given the unfavorable conditions intertwined, a cautious approach was necessary.

“How can we find her when we don’t even know where she is? Searching across such vast lands?”

The northern region is covered with vast snowfields, and the mountains are sparsely connected.

One wouldn’t get lost near the front lines, but beyond that, monsters and barbarian tribes roam.

Even if we trace back, considering the rapid climate changes and the vast territory, it might become more dangerous.

“It would be better to hope that the Grand Mage finds the curse-lifting spell.”

It was the safest, most realistic method, and one that could be assured.

Once the curse-lifting spell is established, there’s no need to entangle with the caster of the curse.

After the curse is lifted, the restrictions on magic would disappear, allowing one to wield appropriate force.

“If the curse is lifted, I’ll have to become an apprentice as promised… but I have to learn magic anyway, right?”

It’s better to receive teachings from an experienced master than to learn magic alone.

If it’s the Grand Mage, he would be worthy of being called the best teacher, and he would have accumulated deep knowledge and wisdom.

In the midst of this, suddenly becoming the Grand Mage’s successor might just establish one’s own standing.

“Hmm… Is it bad to be too fast? If the curse disappears now, there’d be no reason to break off the engagement.”

Alter pondered for a moment before showing a subtle expression.

Breaking off the engagement was one of his goals, but it wasn’t as important as eradicating the curse.

Delaying the lifting of the curse just for the sake of breaking off an engagement would be foolish.

“Then perhaps it would be better to marry Brillié.”

By this point, I can’t afford to pay attention to every detail about the male lead.

The closer I get to Brillié, the more troublesome he seems, but as his fiancée, I can’t openly be hostile.

Besides, the conditions given to the male leads have changed, so perhaps it’s okay to view them from a different perspective.

‘The prince is unresponsive… Hillis hasn’t changed. Lang stopped being jealous, and the vampire is already dead.’

I should keep an eye on the prince, but he seems even more peaceful than in the original work.

Hillis can be left as is, and the vampire no longer needs to be considered.

In the current situation, I suspect Lang might not be emotionally shaken over Brillié.

‘I’ll have to be careful with Lang. It’s about time for the phantom thief to start making moves…’

The phantom thief is a criminal who commits theft, but his targets are limited to corrupt nobles and royals.

He’s often kind to commoners, never stealing even a single coin from them.

That’s why he’s sometimes called a righteous outlaw, yet he’s still a highly wanted man with a hefty bounty on his head.

‘What did he say when he came to the duchy? That he came to admire the beauty of the prosecutor’s daughter?’

Alter showed a grim expression at that phrase.

No matter how frivolous one’s conduct may be, could that tone be considered proper?

It doesn’t seem like Brillié will be threatened, so maybe it’s okay to leave things be for a while.

‘Maybe I’ll wait a little longer. It doesn’t seem like a breakup is imminent.’

***

Lang gasped for breath but swung his sword relentlessly.

If the enemy isn’t right before him, he doesn’t fight with all his might.

But this opponent couldn’t be underestimated, and he had to be overcome.

Only then could he earn the title of Sword Saint and elevate his meager honor.

“…Your swordplay is sloppy. It’s not like you.”

The middle-aged man lightly deflected Lang’s sword and murmured calmly.

Despite clashing with all his might, the blade never reached its mark.

Normally, he would have at least grazed his opponent’s clothes, so what was making him so impatient?

“Heave… If I swing my sword in my usual way… Huff… Will anything change?”

“A sword lost in rage is bound to run wild. Such reckless swordsmanship is for third-rate knights.”

“Hoo… Even if I swing it calmly, I can’t land a single attack, so what’s the point?”

“Haven’t I told you time and again? You and I differ in experience. Even if our talents are similar… I’m ahead in the way I wield magic.”

The middle-aged man looked at Lang, not even breaking a sweat.

I am fully aware of when and how I should act.

Yet, the greenhorn prosecutor, while endowed with exceptional qualities, lacked the sense and experience for actual combat.

That’s why he could do nothing but rage, unable to reach me.

“The Sword Saint received his title at the age of twenty-eight. Would you say he had accumulated experience by then?”

“Look here. You’re only twenty-four. Not only are you green, but you can’t even withstand the dew at dawn. And you dare talk to me about age?”

The current Sword Saint, Megalexer Yoldaker, gave an incredulous, indifferent look.

After all, this green boy was rapidly enhancing his swordsmanship and the concentration of his magic, not befitting his age.

In fact, compared to when I was young, he might even be considered to have reached a higher realm.

Yet, despite this, he only engages in petty acts, wanting to become a Sword Saint right away.

“Twenty-eight is too late. Are you telling me to wait until then?”

“You only speak nonsense, really. Do you think you can live this world as you wish? You’re just a part of this world. Do you intend to defy the natural order just because you’re a bit talented?”

“Isn’t it by defying that one reaches the pinnacle!”

Lang shouted vehemently as he charged at Megalexer.

Only by obtaining the title of Sword Saint now could he hope to persuade Duke Ilenat.

After Brillié’s annulment, if he wants to secure her place beside him, he must prepare in every way.

But if he can’t overcome this hurdle, even the faintest chance will disappear.

“Tsk tsk… You rise by following the current, you fool.”

Megalexer sighed as he effortlessly dodged Lang’s wooden sword.

Then he counterattacked, but Lang managed to block it.

Yet, as if he had anticipated it, he calmly pushed him away.

“Chasing the peak while going against the grain…”

Megalexer seized the moment Lang’s stance faltered and swiftly struck with his wooden sword.

Lang tried to defend hastily, but his body wouldn’t move as he wished.

In the end, Lang was exposed to the sword strike and had no choice but to roll on the ground.

“Ugh…”

“Get a grip, you idiot. If you’re a prosecutor, handle your sword like one, not obsess over titles. With such methods, you won’t become a Sword Saint even past thirty.”

“Ugh…”

Lang tried to get up immediately but collapsed again.

Just as the Sword Saint had said, at this level, he couldn’t achieve anything.

He had swung his sword, consumed only by his longing.

But how could one surpass someone stronger than themselves?

‘Is my desire to possess Brilliére an obsession? To think my affection could crumble to this extent…’