Kyle Blake moved with a diligence unmatched by anyone.
He personally saw to the well-being of the miners participating in the new mine's exploration. Not only did he arrange for wizards and doctors, but he also visited the homes of those who were reportedly beginning to show symptoms.
The reports were accurate. Their symptoms were consistent with "frost poisoning."
However, this was more severe than any poisoning seen before. A wizard from Blake Castle theorized that the caster was the source.
"We've taken all possible measures, but for now, the priority is to prevent the brand from spreading further." The wizard's face flushed, and he coughed, seemingly humiliated by his perceived incompetence. But Kyle had no intention of blaming him. He simply patted the wizard's shoulder, encouraging him to keep working hard.
'Frost addiction' was, of course, forbidden magic. Its exact principles were unknown, but when a subject was enchanted, a blue brand would appear on their body. This brand would then expand over time, spreading cold air throughout the body. The body temperature would gradually drop, causing unbearable pain as the cold spread, eventually leading to death as the heart froze. It was dangerous and malicious magic.
Fortunately, few people could properly use this forbidden magic. Also, if one used another's magic to drive it away, the brand could be erased. So, if treatment was received from a wizard in time, a life could be saved.
'But this time, it's different.'
Even the most skilled personnel had been dispatched, yet no one had been able to completely remove the brand. Fortunately, they had prevented it from worsening. Considering that this magic wasn't directly cast but hidden in a bomb and spread indirectly...
"It's possible the tycoon moved it himself," Kyle muttered, annoyed.
"That's what I think as well."
Kyle tilted his head at the familiar presence behind him.
"Sir James."
James Russell was instrumental in establishing the Blake estate. Kyle trusted him deeply and had personally appointed him as the leader of the Blake Knights.
"There's nothing amiss with the nearby patrols. I also checked around the castle walls."
"Good. I'm glad you did."
"By the way, I don't understand why someone of this skill level would suddenly come down to the new mining area. So abruptly..."
"It's not the first time they've fought us over this cold land," Kyle's voice was filled with contempt. "The snowy mountain area should now be classified as a danger zone. For the time being, I won't allow anyone to leave the territory, and I'll also advance the supply schedule."
"I accept your orders, Your Highness."
"Let's return to the castle."
The explosion at this new mine could be interpreted in many ways: a declaration of war, a show of force, or an attempt at containment by the mages. This wasn't the first time they had resorted to such insidious tactics. However, their targets weren't knights or soldiers, but miners—people close to ordinary citizens. Kyle couldn't hide his displeasure; his face contorted in a grimace. This was a place to work, to provide for those with nowhere else to go. It was only natural that Kyle, the lord of this land, would be disgusted by lawless wizards who looked down on life.
"How's your son doing?" Kyle changed the subject, hoping to lighten the mood.
James replied with a grin, "Isn't no news good news? Let me see... He'll be ten soon. I wonder who he resembles more." James jokingly tried to add a few more words but stopped. His voice sounded unsure as he quickly offered excuses. "Still, I hear from them about twice a year."
"Now that we've officially begun trading with the top merchants, it'll be easier in the future."
James, the third son of Viscount Russell, married Baron Castanets' younger sister and had a son with her. Thanks to this connection, even in unstable times, he had successfully fostered trade between the Blake Territory and the merchant guild.
"You should go down there more often and play the role of a father," Kyle urged in a softened voice. "No matter how much you decided to take the Castanets' surname, your child must be lonely."
"What about being a knight? It may sound cruel, but we can't put knights in danger just to soothe a child's loneliness." James had as strong an attachment to Blake's estate and the Order as Kyle did. At first, they were pushed to the north, almost as if relegated, but before they knew it, it had become a valuable home. Everyone had complicated circumstances, so Kyle didn't force them. He just hoped that the subtle disconnect between James and his family would someday resolve.
"Tomorrow." After a little more chatter, they reached the vicinity of the castle. "How are the preparations for your departure?"
"Done. We've completed the arrangements so we can move as soon as the sun rises tomorrow morning." James added with a slightly worried voice, "But... Your Highness, are you truly alright?"
"Live long enough, and you'll see. I didn't know there'd be an article worrying about me."
"No, that's not it. It's the demon mathematician." The knight's cautious voice continued, "He is unclear and suspicious in many ways, but His Highness seems to trust him, so I've never had an issue with him. I thought his devotion to the territory was no different from ours."
"Yes."
"But, Your Highness. This is not something that can be resolved by trust alone."
James's words made sense. This new mine exploration shouldn't be seen as a simple problem. They could encounter a mage, and if that happened, battle was inevitable. Objectively, Shu wasn't capable of accompanying the Templars. At most, he was about the skill of an apprentice driver; he was someone who needed to be protected, not a force in an emergency. Not only James, but other knights would think so too. However, the reason they didn't express their dissatisfaction was their respect for Kyle's judgment.
"It was a choice I wouldn't have made if I'd told you normally."
"…That's certainly the case." Kyle nodded in agreement.
If it were anyone other than Shu, he would have strongly opposed their joining the expedition. Misjudging someone's strength didn't just stop at losing that person; it could endanger others. However, Kyle had decided to take Shu with him, and it wasn't because the proof Shu had shown was sufficient.
"Not everything is what it seems," Kyle said firmly.
There were many variables concerning Shu: instances like turning into a demon beast, a snack with a special function, an eye that could separate the core of a demon beast, or the occasional blue defensive magic. However, he couldn't tell James honestly. He didn't want Shu's abilities to be used in any way.
James, walking a step behind, studied Kyle's expression and nodded.
"I see."
Shu must have special abilities that James didn't know about. Or perhaps Kyle wanted to protect him at all costs. Either way, the fact remained that he had to trust his lord. James tried to push his worries to the deepest part of his heart.
"Where is he now?"
"I imagine he's in regular training. It's time for him to finish. Would you like to go see him?"
Kyle considered Shu special, so, of course, James thought he would. However, Kyle's answer was completely opposite to James's expectations.
"It's okay."
"…Yes?"
"If you're going to check on the training grounds, tell him to come up as soon as he's done."
"I understand. So, where… should I go?" Before James could ask anything more, Kyle quickly moved ahead. He strode up a couple of stairs and disappeared from James's sight in an instant.
"…Does he not want to see him suffer?" The knight leader looked at Kyle's retreating back with a puzzled expression, then headed to the training grounds to check on the knights who were sweating profusely during their drills.
James noticed the young man breathing hard in the middle of them and resumed his paused thought.
"Mr. Shu."
"…Ah, Knight Commander. Please feel free to speak during training."
Unlike the knights, who had undergone basic training for a long time, Shu's muscles weren't as defined. The training must have felt overwhelming, but Shu kept his mouth shut and held back his complaints.
"His Highness the Grand Duke has returned."
"Really? He said he was going out of the castle."
"He just came back."
"Where does he want me to come?"
"He didn't say…"
Shu waved his hand excitedly, as if he had guessed where he was going. "It's from the afternoon of the day... Oh, the sun's already setting. When did time pass like this? I think I know where to go, so I'll just head in."
"Rest well. You have a difficult schedule to handle starting tomorrow."
"Sure."
Shu bowed his head and dragged his feet out of the training grounds. No matter how James looked at it, Shu's legs seemed to be shaking, and it seemed pitiful that he managed to endure it.
By the way, do the two of them have a separate, secret meeting place? He didn't even tell Shu where to come, so how did he know so exactly? James touched his chin and fell into thought.
'Alternatively… what exactly is their relationship?'
"Hmm…" I sighed as I climbed the stairs.
After wasting time wandering a few times, Kyle was usually more inclined to specify the exact location when he called me. We usually met in the study, but today I wasn't asked to come to the study.
Then the answer was obvious.
"No matter what, I should pretend he called me to the study! If rumors spread that he's calling me to his bedroom!"
As I waved my arms in the air in indignation, a blue system window appeared in front of me.
[If you don't tell me, no one will know! (/▽＼)]
"Argh!" I clutched my head, indignant. Yet, my steps were steadily moving toward Kyle Blake's bedroom.