The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

55

***

The Frost Witch barely managed to escape the Archmage and return to her hideout.

She had anticipated a formidable opponent, but he was even more powerful than expected.

Moreover, she was bound by pain due to the serious injuries inflicted on her.

“Ah… To be bested by a mere human… Argh!”

The Frost Witch leaned against the ice wall, looking at her left arm, which was nearly severed.

The Archmage had unleashed powerful magic, most of which she could evade.

But it was a mere ruse, and eventually, she allowed an attack to get through.

Her left arm was instantly scorched, and a fierce brand was etched upon it.

“With this… tormenting me… and trying to track my location… Ugh…”

The Frost Witch tried to shove ice into the vanished part of her arm, attempting to erase the pain.

However, the branded magic did not disappear, and only an unquenchable flame continued to rise.

Knowing her own traits, she must have deliberately left a semi-permanent flame.

“You must have come to remove the curse. The very bane that made me kill my own… Ahh…”

The Frost Witch trembled all over as she recalled Uriel’s last words.

No matter what you do, you cannot win my heart.

My death will not be the end, and you will meet your demise because of this curse.

“No… You’re wrong… Just this much won’t… make me… perish!”

The Frost Witch defiantly cried out as she conjured sharp blades of ice.

And then, she severed her remaining left arm and threw it away.

Having replaced various body parts with ice before, the left arm would undergo the same process.

From noble mtl dot come

“Hehe… heehee… If you destroy my heart… the curse will vanish. But… ugh… it won’t end there.”

The Frost Witch began to regrow her left arm, laughing wickedly.

The blood flowing out soon ceased, and slender ice sprouted from the severed area.

Given enough time, this ice would replicate the shape of her left arm and even take over its functions.

“Curses are tenacious. Until my longing is fulfilled… it won’t disappear.”

Finally free from pain, the Frost Witch slowly closed her eyes.

Once human, now the memories of those times are no longer clear.

Always the object of hatred, she chose to become a monster, breaking the taboo.

She came to realize precious emotions too late, but even those were rejected by the other.

“I wished to never be forgotten… but I never thought I’d end up like this…”

She had hoped her existence would be etched into Yuriel’s memory.

Whether it was a bond or a curse, as long as it remained, that was enough for her.

Thus, she tried to restore Yuriel’s original form with the curse, but in the end, even that was in vain.

“Even in your dying moments, you won’t look at me. Your mind must be filled with that child.”

That child had even stolen the curse meant for Yuriel.

Why was it so greedy, having barely survived at the cost of Yuriel’s life?

Yet, that child continued to monopolize Yuriel’s attention, tormenting her to this day.

“The things I should have had… you took them all… I can’t let you live.”

For the Frost Witch, the battle with the Archmage was meaningless.

Whether she won or lost, the outcome would not change.

She just wanted the Archmage to realize his own mistake.

“Try your best. In the end, I am destined to win. Hehe… keeheehee…”

***

Alter found himself facing an unexpected guest in the drawing room.

He hadn’t made any prior arrangements, and the guest had visited the duke’s mansion on a whim.

But given the guest’s renown and power, recognized by the emperor, he had no choice but to treat them as an honored guest.

“So, you’re Alter Radiant? Hmm…”

Megarexer examined Alter slowly, standing before him.

He was so strikingly handsome that one couldn’t help but be drawn to him.

One would think that with such beauty, he could easily tempt any woman in an instant.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Alter Radiant, the youngest son of the Radiant Ducal family.”

“I heard you were here, so I thought I’d drop by for a visit. It would have been a bit troublesome if you were out.”

“…Who told you about this?”

“I heard it from the Archmage. He asked for some help, so I said I’d meet with you first before deciding.”

“…”

Alter fell silent, pondering the words Alarune had spoken.

To exterminate the Frost Witch with the Sword Saint and the Holy Priestess by his side.

Perhaps the Sword Saint had grown curious after hearing about him from Alarune.

“You said you were cursed… Is that true?”

“Yes. It’s not contagious, but I had to bear it alone. It has gotten much better recently with the ritual.”

“The Frost Witch cursed you?”

“Yes. That’s what I believe.”

“…Do you know? I once pointed my sword at your mother. It was so audacious, it was almost unbelievable.”

“…?”

Alter listened intently, though puzzled by the statement.

It meant that the Sword Saint had once attempted to attack his mother.

But since he didn’t say he struck her, perhaps it was just a threat before backing down.

“It was a situation where I had to capture or kill. I didn’t want to, but I had no choice. Capture was impossible, so I tried to strike quickly. But then… your mother said she would try to persuade him.”

“…”

“I warned your mother and sheathed my sword. Not long after, he surrendered. Thanks to her, innocent citizens were spared.”

“…”

“I was a bit surprised. To end with words what had to be done with a sword… Isn’t that remarkable?”

Megarex kept looking at Alter and then finally noticed the remnants of Uriel.

That was the first and last time he met Uriel.

He hadn’t recognized it for a while, but the atmosphere and impression were unmistakably hers.

“I don’t owe your mother anything. I don’t bear any grudge… In fact, she only interfered with my work. Ah, really. Life is indeed unpredictable.”

“Are you saying all this because of me?”

“Yes. That you are Uriel’s son… Isn’t it strange? Even the Archmage is working hard for you. Usually, people call this fate.”

Megarexer showed a flicker of interest at finding himself in such a situation.

He had once been impressed by Yurial’s actions, and recently, he had been approached for cooperation regarding Yurial’s son.

It was Yurial’s established connections that now reached his offspring, shaking the world around them.

“Honestly, I have no reason to help you, but I just found one. This situation has gripped my emotions, so let’s see what can be done.”

“Does that mean… you will assist the Archmage in vanquishing the Frost Witch?”

“That’s the plan. Not just for Yurial’s sake, but the Archmage’s dignity must be preserved.”

With that, Megarexer rose from his seat and promptly exited the drawing room.

He must have made up his mind before coming here.

He simply wanted to revisit the sensations he felt back then, being Yurial’s offspring.

‘Perfect timing for my boredom. Time to cut loose after a while.’

***

Upon arriving at the Cathedral of Ergante, Allawune faced the second Saint.

Among the four Saints, the first and second possessed superior martial prowess.

The third specialized in healing rites, while the fourth was a scholar researching the doctrine and origins of the rites.

Therefore, to garner cooperation for the Frost Witch’s subjugation, one had to approach either the first or second Saint.

“Yurial Astille… It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name. I’ve already looked into the matter concerning the noble family’s offspring.”

The second Saint of the Semerunne Order, Ronit Reneize, recited calmly as he regarded Allawune.

Officially, it might be a request for cooperation from the Archmage, but in reality, it was an intrusion into personal affairs.

Of course, with the actual existence of the monster known as the Frost Witch, there was a justifiable reason to present.

“I am aware of the connection with Yurial Astille.”

“While it’s true we are connected, I consider it a bad relationship. She has tarnished my honor.”

Ronit answered coldly, recalling the events of that day.

His judgment had not been wrong; had he pressed on, the enemies would have been annihilated.

But Yurial had halted the Order’s advance, and in the end, she managed to evacuate many citizens to safety.

This prevented potential casualties, but he was reprimanded and even lost his command authority.

“It was an honor bound to be tarnished. It ended honorably only because Yurial intervened.”

“That’s why I dislike her. Always interfering, she becomes a nuisance to anyone.”

Initially, he had tried to keep his distance from Yurial.

Even if she was right, in the end, it only brought him loss.

But looking back, it was jealousy born from his own stubbornness, nothing more than pride trying to ignore the truth.

“I said I don’t like it, not that I hate it.”

“… Because I cannot hate it. It has awakened me from my arrogance, so I regard it as a benefactor. But it’s true that I don’t like its personality.”

“There is no fault in the child. If Uriel died in place of her child, what would you do?”

“It’s an action befitting of her, so I have nothing else to say.”

Upon hearing that Uriel’s child was frail, Ronit selected outstanding priests and dispatched them.

Yet, the cause remained undiscovered, and according to the order’s rules, it was impossible to send the sacrament outside the cathedral.

Therefore, they had no choice but to send a letter stating that one must come directly to the cathedral.

“I recently attempted to exterminate the Frost Witch but ended in failure. This time, I am determined to kill her, and I hope for the sacrament’s cooperation.”

“Does killing the Frost Witch make you a hero?”

“Indeed. The verification is complete.”

“It’s difficult to leave the cathedral with the status of a sacrament. Wouldn’t it be possible as a cardinal or archbishop?”

“I want to put an end to this once and for all. I’ve also requested the Sword Saint’s assistance, so the Frost Witch won’t dare oppose.”

Upon hearing the word ‘Sword Saint,’ Ronit could tell that the Grand Mage’s resolve was firm.

Sword Saint, Grand Mage, Sacrament.

Each was a paragon in their respective fields of swordsmanship, magic, and holy rites.

To command all of them was essentially a declaration of crushing the enemy.

“… Not as a sacrament, but due to our bad karma with her, I will step forward. Bad karma is still a connection, isn’t it?”

“Can you persuade His Holiness the Pontiff?”

“I will obtain permission directly from His Holiness. If I mention the subjugation of the vile beast and the curse of Alter Radiant, His Holiness will not ignore it.”