The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 76: Those Who Dwell Near Ink Become Blackened (7)

Even when classes were over and lunchtime had arrived, Astrid still wasn’t free. 

Eranya and Violet weren’t the only ones; Veracien had appeared out of nowhere as well. 

Surrounded by the three, Astrid and Leopold found themselves bombarded with endless questions as they huddled around the table in the dining hall, turning the scene into what felt like an interrogation.

“Hey, why in the world did you try to do something like that there?”

“I told you, it wasn’t like that…!”

Even when the questions could have been asked in a more tactful manner, Eranya bluntly hurled direct and colorful queries without hesitation.

“So, what does this whole thing about looking for a new Crown Princess mean? Do you two have feelings for each other or not?”

Astrid couldn’t bring herself to answer Violet’s sharp question. It wasn’t something that had concluded yet; in essence, it was still ongoing.

Over the past few days, Akemilla had remained out of sight, Emilie appeared but was always in a hurry to leave after class, and Violet, who had clearly expressed no interest in the Crown Princess selection process—at least as far as Astrid was concerned—had remained distant.

For these three noblewomen, the Crown Princess competition was still ongoing. At least, that was how it appeared. 

Thus, Violet’s question wasn’t entirely off the mark, but things had gotten messy to the point of awkwardness.

“It’s a bit of a pity, though. I couldn’t help but think it might have been a rare chance to witness the union of a man and a woman unfold before our eyes.”

While nibbling on her fried rice with a smile that seemed far too pleasant, Veracien made this brazen comment. It was hard to believe she could say something like that with such an innocent expression.

【Seriously, if you were watching from outside, shouldn’t you have noticed something was wrong? Does that cursed nun even possess any actual divine power?!】

‘I don’t know either…’

No matter how one looked at it, if something so outrageous was happening inside, shouldn’t she have stepped in to stop it? The fact that Veracien had been cheerfully enjoying herself, thinking it was an opportunity to observe, was baffling.

“Speaking of which, Sister Veracien.”

“Yes?”

It was Leopold who finally cut through the conversation. Had he not stepped in, Astrid would have continued to be bombarded with questions. 

Although Eranya and Violet looked dissatisfied, they reluctantly closed their mouths as Leopold spoke up.

“When you were watching from outside, did you notice anything strange?”

“Strange? What do you mean?”

“Hmm.”

Leopold, having finished his meal, placed his spoon down on his metal tray. A sharp clinking sound echoed briefly.

“Don’t you think it’s odd? Even you, Eranya, or you, Violet, should find it strange.”

“What is?”

“What’s strange?”

The direction of the conversation shifted. While Astrid had been the target of a barrage of questions, Leopold’s inquiry turned the tables.

“Even if we’re talking about young men and women full of vigor, it’s not common sense to engage in such acts in a training ground, is it?”

“Well, yeah, that’s true.”

Eranya scratched her cheek awkwardly, prompting Leopold to fix his gaze on her, silently urging her to continue.

“…Because it’s Astrid?”

“W-what are you even saying, sister…!”

“Did you think Astrid would come onto me, and I’d just go along with it?”

“No, no. Leopold, you’re a man of common sense.”

“What kind of image do I even have…”

【What else could it be? A libertine, of course.】

Astrid’s face contorted into an expression of despair, but Leopold merely glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before turning back to Veracien.

“Sister Veracien, were you alone outside the training ground?”

“Hmm… Yes, there was no one else around. Eranya showed up later while I was watching.”

Leopold stared intently at Veracien as she spoke. To him, the most suspicious person at the moment was Veracien. 

She had been alone, and Eranya had only appeared after the commotion inside had already begun. That meant Veracien had been by herself until then.

This made Veracien the prime suspect. It wasn’t a conclusion requiring brilliant insight or deductive reasoning—it was glaringly obvious.

However, accusing Veracien directly would be a poor strategy. Leopold glanced at Astrid, who was looking increasingly distressed.

Astrid needed to remain unaware. She had to graduate from the academy in peace, oblivious to these peculiar events. The engagement had to proceed as planned.

Leopold didn’t know how far these anomalies surrounding the academy would go, but he was determined to handle them before they escalated further. Without Astrid’s knowledge.

The determined expression that briefly crossed Leopold’s face vanished so quickly that no one noticed it.

“I see. It seems something unusual occurred, perhaps involving magic… or even sorcery. It would be wise for everyone to stay vigilant.”

“Oh dear, could yesterday’s incident have been caused by magic?”

“It Must Be So”

Leopold couldn’t help but feel troubled by Astrid’s exceptionally weak resistance to magic. 

The very thought sent chills down his spine—what if, in his absence, she fell victim to something like yesterday’s spell again?

Leopold resolved once more to address her susceptibility to magic. It wasn’t something that could be ignored.

Leopold skipped his afternoon classes and was now seated in a reception room within the main building. For an ordinary cadet, skipping class would be unthinkable. 

While the academy prided itself on treating all students equally, that ideal didn’t extend to someone like Leopold, whose family financially supported the institution.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness,” greeted the visitor.

“Yes, it has indeed. Please, have a seat.”

Leopold gestured with a friendly smile toward a sofa near the back of the room, directing his guest to sit.

The visitor was Baizik von Jorgien, a marquis of the empire and the master of the Magic Tower in the eastern regions. 

Known as a pioneer who combined magic with practical life, Baizik was often referred to as the “Mage of Magic Engineering” and was the developer of the Magic Bracelet.

Baizik’s appearance was as striking as his reputation. Tall and thin, with small round glasses, he gave off an impression of sharpness and nervous energy. 

However, his light laugh softened his presence as he sat across from Leopold.

“I heard from my daughter.”

“Ah, yes, my lord.”

The upcoming test of the Magic Bracelet was scheduled to take place over the next few days. 

While the equipment would undergo a thorough safety inspection in the laboratory, today’s meeting was more of a casual chat between Leopold and Baizik.

“I heard you’ve initiated quite an intriguing competition.”

“Ah, you must mean the Crown Princess selection.”

Leopold hadn’t expected Emilie to share even such trivial details with her father. If it had reached Baizik’s ears, it was likely that other influential figures had also heard about it. Smiling faintly, Leopold mentally noted this.

“Emilie seems to be taking it quite seriously.”

“Does she, now?”

He hadn’t realized Emilie had meant her words that day in the dining hall. Adding her name to his mental list of matters requiring careful attention, Leopold nodded.

“Now that you’re twenty, Your Highness, isn’t it time to stop playing such childish games?”

Baizik’s gaze sharpened behind his glasses. Despite the rumored discord between Baizik and his daughter, Emilie, as a purist mage and a proponent of theoretical magic, it was clear Baizik didn’t want her dragged into what he saw as a ridiculous competition. The idea of his daughter getting hurt over something so frivolous displeased him.

However, Leopold wasn’t just anyone. He was the Crown Prince. Baizik had to tread carefully. Leopold wasn’t someone he could casually reprimand or dismiss.

“I assure you, my lord, I will ensure that Lady Jorgien’s name remains unblemished. After all, isn’t this competition simply a fleeting pastime of the young? There’s no need for senior figures to concern themselves. Please, rest assured.”

Even under Baizik’s piercing stare, Leopold didn’t waver. I am the Crown Prince. What could he possibly do about it? Leopold thought. 

Baizik’s status as a nobleman and an ally of the empire was significant, but it didn’t grant him dominion over Leopold.

Leopold had made a promise to handle matters well. That should be enough.

“But, my lord, as someone who has reached the pinnacle of magic and magical engineering, I do have a question for you.”

“Ask away, Your Highness.”

Baizik’s demeanor shifted. As a father, he had challenged Leopold earlier, but now, as a mage, he turned his attention to the prince’s inquiry. 

Watching Baizik’s expressions change so fluidly, Leopold couldn’t help but inwardly click his tongue in mild exasperation.

“There are individuals who are unable to resonate with mana from birth, correct?”

“Yes, there are. It’s rare, but it does happen.”

Baizik nodded, acknowledging that he had not only heard of such individuals but had encountered them before. 

These were people unable to feel or use mana, rendering them incapable of accessing magic’s benefits. It was, in fact, for such individuals that Baizik had pioneered his field of magic engineering.

“Would it be natural, then, for such individuals to lack resistance to magic as well?”

“Of course. If one cannot resonate with mana, then resisting a construct of mana—magic—would be impossible. It’s the natural order.”

Baizik regarded Leopold curiously, as if asking why he was bringing up such an obvious topic.

Finally, Leopold carefully posed his question.

“Would it be possible to create a magical artifact, similar to the Magic Bracelet, that grants resistance to magic simply by being worn?”

“A device that provides magic resistance, you say… Given how few people need it, there’s no such thing available on the market. But,” Baizik smirked meaningfully, raising his hand to tap his temple, “it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Such a concept does exist. Right here, in my head.”

If you need it, I don’t know why, but you’ll have to pay the appropriate price.

Baizik smiled once more as he finished speaking.