The meal was nearing its end.
Initially, the constant tension between Rie and Yuni made the food stick in my throat, but as time passed, I got used to it and was able to finish my meal normally.
After eating, I set down my utensils and looked at Rie.
"What have you been up to lately?"
"Well, I'm swamped. Between learning Royal studies, studying magic, and with the war going on, I barely have time to breathe. Plus, I have some other things I'm working on."
"Other things?"
Then Rie pointed at me with her finger.
"Something about the Astria family heir."
I was surprised to hear Rie was concerned about the Astria family affairs.
"Your father is rushing the succession race. If that happens, your chances of losing increase significantly. You haven't solidified your support base yet, and your spatial magic is still unrefined."
"...That's true."
"Don't worry. I'm not just helping you for the sake of it. I'm considering the overall political situation. If the Astria family easily falls to Ian, it would put me in a difficult position as the future emperor."
"Difficult?"
Certainly, if I inherit the Astria family, the emperor's position would be significantly strengthened.
But there seemed no reason for her to be troubled if I didn't become the head of the family.
The noble faction and the emperor's faction within the Astria family had always been in conflict.
Nothing would change, and it wouldn't be a big problem.
"Soon, there will only be one ducal family left in the empire."
Rie's words made me tilt my head in confusion.
"Why? What about Duke Ophillius?"
I didn't know much about Duke Ophillius, but I was aware that he was a central figure in the emperor's faction.
"Duke Ophillius is retiring soon. Without a successor."
A successor.
The ducal family had no one to inherit it.
"What about Duke Ophillius's son?"
"Duke Ophillius doesn't have children. Not even an adopted son. He might have relatives, but in reality, they couldn't wield the same power if they inherited the family."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})This was news to me.
"Most people probably don't know this. Duke Ophillius never talks about such matters, and being a deep thinker, people assumed he had a plan."
"Then why..."
"I talked with my father separately, and he said he was considering passing it on to one of the relatives. It seemed like a decision made because he didn't want to appoint an unsuitable person as the successor..."
Expectations for the Ophillius family were high.
Being a central family of the emperor's faction and one of the only two ducal families in the empire, it was natural.
In such a situation, since Duke Ophillius hadn't married, he should have brought in a capable adopted son to meet the expectations.
But there seemed to be no one who caught his eye, leading to the current situation.
"So, what happens now?"
"If he doesn't find a suitable person among his relatives, Duke Ophillius will be the last of the Ophillius family."
"..."
"It might be for the best. Imagine if some unsuitable person took that place and started abusing power. It would only be a headache."
Rie shrugged nonchalantly as she spoke.
"Anyway, it looks like you'll definitely have to inherit the Astria family now."
"I'm the senior, so I guess I'll have to inherit it~," Yuni interjected from the side.
I was indeed trying my best to be in a position to inherit it, but it felt like a huge burden was placed on my shoulders.
"Besides, have you noticed anything unusual about your father's movements? Anything related to necromancy?"
"We're trying to find out, but it seems difficult to uncover."
If we made any strange accusations here, it could lead to an internal war.
Perrian believes we are unaware of their necromancy.
If they realize we know, it could immediately spark an internal conflict.
"Hmm..."
Rie sighed and stroked her chin.
"Setting that aside, what was discussed in yesterday's meeting?"
"Oh, that too."
Rie clapped her hands.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"Time magic was brought up in yesterday's meeting."
"Time magic?"
"Who taught Aryandor time magic and swordsmanship. Where did it originate?"
Time magic?
"...By any chance, who brought it up?"
"Your brother. Ian Astria."
I narrowed my brows.
The distortion of space that occurred here yesterday.
Ian, who brought up such a topic at that time.
I thought deeply.
There was a meeting at the Royal palace yesterday, so people wouldn't have been wandering around.
It was unlikely that someone sneaked in.
It was a gathering of the empire's power players; an intruder wouldn't stand a chance.
Then...
"Rie, Yuni."
I cautiously opened my mouth.
"Can you find out who attended yesterday's meeting?"
The person who used time magic must have been among those who attended yesterday's meeting.
"You've worked hard today."
"Ha, haven't you worked harder? Coming all this way."
"No, not at all. Duke Ophillius, you are getting on in years, after all."
McDowell and Cromwell were talking at Duke Ophillius's residence.
"That's true... That's why these days, even a single meeting leaves me sore all over. Hahaha."
Duke Ophillius laughed as he spoke to McDowell.
Despite being well over 70, he remained in politics.
The two great ducal families of the empire: the Astria and the Ophillius families.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})If Duke Ophillius, without an heir, retires from politics, it would disrupt the empire's balance.
That's why he remained in his position as a chancellor, at least until a successor was found.
But it was already too late to find and appoint a successor now.
Unlike the Astria family, the Ophillius family hadn't really passed anything down.
While the Astria family had always been responsible for the empire's military power, the Ophillius family represented the empire's spirit.
The Astria family passed down spatial magic to their children, but the Ophillius family only had a spiritual legacy.
In the current situation, whoever becomes the successor will not be recognized as the Duke of Ophillius.
Suddenly inheriting the family, it was hard to claim that they carried on the spirit of Ophillius.
The spirit of Ophillius was an endless loyalty to the royal family, the charisma to lead the nobles of the empire, and the wisdom that seemed to know everything. To possess all these was to embody the spirit of Ophillius.
Now, finding such a capable person was not easy.
Therefore, those around were deeply regretful.
If Duke Ophillius retired from politics, the spirit of Ophillius would cease to exist.
The spirit that had loyally assisted the emperor and even earned the respect of the noble factions.
"I should probably retire soon myself."
"Even if you say so, you're still healthy, aren't you?"
"Healthy? I'm nothing but an old man with the day after tomorrow on his mind."
Duke Ophillius chuckled in response.
"Tired from the overnight meeting, I'll retire now. McDowell, please show Cromwell to a place to rest."
Despite being a ducal residence, the Ophillius estate was modest, with only one maid.
Therefore, McDowell had to personally guide Cromwell.
"Understood. Please go in."
Duke Ophillius, receiving their greetings, entered his room.
Once inside, he took a letter from his pocket.
"Hmm..."
The letter was addressed to Aryandor.
Duke Ophillius stared at it for a moment before throwing it into the fireplace.
'Aryandor.'
As he repeated the name, wrinkles deeply furrowed Duke Ophillius's face.
'The future cannot be changed.'
Thinking this, Ophillius moved towards his bed.
Knock, knock─
A sound came from the window.
Turning his head, Ophillius saw a man outside.
Slowly, he walked over and opened the window.
"What brings you here, Robert?"
Robert stood at the window.
Despite the height of the second floor, such a height posed no problem for Robert.
"You could have just entered the estate, I would have opened the door. Why come this way?"
Robert, stepping through the window, bowed his head.
"I apologize. There are people below who shouldn't know I'm here."
"Cromwell and McDowell?"
"Yes, those two."
Ophillius looked puzzled.
Robert was known to be on good terms with both of them.
Yet, he had come for something that needed to be kept secret.
"So, what brings you here?"
At Ophillius's question, Robert spoke.
"I've come to know the truth."
"...The truth?"
"More precisely, the past."
Robert spoke with a steady gaze.
"Aryandor, he's the one you raised, isn't he?"
At Robert's words, Duke Ophillius's expression hardened.
