Master of the brave.

Cornelia, who visited the Human Resources Bureau of the Imperial Court Mage Corps, signed up to show us materials describing, among other things, the background of the Court Mage Superiors when lightly put in words of labor to the Bureau members who are welcomed by the Director-General or below.

Before it became eighteen and I was involved in official business, there was nothing particularly questionable if I wanted to know about those who served in the empire, and it was immediately gathered and brought to me by the Bureau General.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Your Highness. This document summarises the personnel relations of the Court Mages."

"Is it okay if I take this material out of here?

"Of course it is. All these materials belong to His Majesty the Emperor and hence to the royal family. If this material is of any use to Your Highness, we will not be more honored to have compiled these together."

"Thank you. Bye."

When Cornelia nodded and Wynn, who had refrained behind him, and Locke, who had returned from the Knights, received the documents, he decided to rent an appropriate room at the Imperial Palace to view the materials there as they were dropped off at the Bureau Outing. I rented the room because I can't get a lock in the rear palace where Cornelia's private room is.

"When I asked you to lend me the materials at the crest house, you had the attitude to look for a huge number of departments on your own..."

"That's right. Your Royal Highness and Rock are strange by comparison."

"Hehe... I'd be happy to help at all"

Cornelia said with a little joy.

Mary, Cornelia's maid of honor, prepares tea for the four of us. Then Winn and the four of Leticia, Cornelia and Rock, without saying a word, searched for the written documents concerning Raymond Van Hoffmine.

Soon,

"I found it. Maybe this guy?

Locke raised his voice as he sat in the front of Wynn examining the material. And let Winn try to pull out a piece of paper.

The paper was certainly proof that a person named Raymond had been enrolled in the Court Mage Corps seven years ago. It says the date, origin, etc. of his reign as court magician.

"- As Mr Poulat said. This man is also Raymond Van Hoffmine. Since just after the incident seven years ago, you've moved a little bit of local nobility."

"Oh, I found it too"

Cornelia, who was sitting next to Locke and checking the roster, background, etc. of the current court magician regiment, also let him spread a piece of material in the center of the table.

"We also have the name Raymond Van Hoffmine here. The decree seems to have been activated this time in the form of a transfer from the local territory to the Imperial Capital, not as a new court magician."

"... what is this all about?

Rock roars with his head when he listens to Cornelia.

Raymond, whom Wynn and Leticia met as children, was certainly a magician with the power he deserved as a court magician.

He couldn't have fooled the position of court magician because he was here to support him as commander of as many as five knights. Four knights have died in battle against Verdalos, but they were also the strength the knights deserved.

It was in the seventh year of the Imperial Calendar that Raymond was appointed as a court magician. He seemed to be a young man named Weak Crown XVIII. Raymond's age when he fought Verdalos was twenty-seven. He will now be thirty-five years old.

"The Raymond Mage I met at the Imperial Palace didn't look very thirty-five."

"I also looked like I was only in my mid-twenties at best."

Like Winn, Mary nodded, who had met Raymond in person.

"Where did you do that sketch you took to the Glades before?

"This is it."

Cornelia pours narcotics to the lock.

A sketch of the Wizards kept in the Court Wizards.

It's painted on joining the group, borrowed when investigating in the Glades, but Raymond's face looks youthful and very unlikely to be thirty-five years old when he sees that painting.

"But it's the court magicians under His Majesty the Emperor? You'll be doing background checks, and you can't scam your background?

Rock's point is fine.

It is unlikely that the court magicians will apply for the less obvious of their origins.

"Brother, over here. Look at this."

Leticia pulled out a piece of paperwork for Winn and gave it away.

It was an inventory of the family structure, assets, etc. of the Viscount Hoffmine family, held by the House of Lords.

"Raymond has an older, separated sister. His name is Monica Van Hoffmine. Age is twenty-four -"

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

The Great Library is built inside the Imperial Palace.

As he continued to turn the page at a fierce rate while standing in front of the bookshelf, he was suddenly called by a woman from behind.

"Lord Raymond Magic Instructor"

"Yeah? What is it? I don't care what you do for me."

Raymond looked back, closing the book that was turning the page, whilst pounding his tongue slightly, and cut the words when he saw the woman who was standing.

"Raymond - No, Lord Monica Van Hoffmine, right?

"Emperor... Your Highness"

Cornelia in the lead, and Wynn and Leticia, Rock, stood behind it.

"I want to ask you something. Are you sure?

"... Yes"

To Cornelia's words, Monica nodded when she dropped her shoulder, laughing as if she'd given up everything.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

For Monica Van Hoffmine, her age away brother Raymond was an admirer.

My older brother, who was over ten years old and away, was an brilliant man who by the time Monica was willing, was already expected to be appointed court magician.

It was seen from around us with certainty that he would no doubt be elected not only as a court magician, but also in the seat of only one sitting officer in the history of the Viscount Hoffmine family, known as the prestigious one as the magician.

Under the influence of such a brother, Monica also studied hard to aspire to be a court magician again.

Monica also had high expectations from around, especially because she read her books fast and the talent outweighed her brother.

Nor did he doubt that he could be a court magician, just like his brother.

Admitted to the Shimrg Knights School and mastered the qualifications of Associate Knight.

And from there, I studied madly to death to qualify as a court magician.

Five degrees, I dropped the test.

That's all in the primary exam, too.

I had knowledge.

Written exams can be described as perfect.

However, the ability and precision of magic in practice did not reach the passing line for becoming a court magician.

Having dropped his fifth exam, Monica decided to return from Shimrug in the Imperial capital to her hometown Viscount Hoffmine.

Fortunately, the Viscount Hoffmine family has an English genius named Raymond, his brother.

Because where one Monica has fallen off, there is no shaking position that the Viscount Hoffmine family is a prestigious magician.

Monica had spent her days teaching magic to children who would open private schools in her hometown and aspire to be future magicians.

One day like that...

The wind and sun felt good about the day.

As I carried my chair into the shade and opened and read the book as usual, the shadow inadvertently shook.

"I am, Monica. You look good."

"Brother!"

Raymond, my brother, who lectures at a university in the Marquis of Cliffdorf, hasn't been back in about a year.

"As always, I keep reading books. Hey, Monica."

"Your brother's fine."

Raymond chuckled after tongue-in-cheek tiny as a little bird sounded.

This tongue beating is Raymond's habit.

When I was reading the book, he started to tongue me all the time as I was tongue-in-cheek, cheek, tongue-in-cheek.

Speaking of which, his father had a similar habit.

I remember when Monica was a young girl, when her mother peeked into the library of the house and heard her father and brother tongue-in-cheek, "That's a weird habit with all the parents and children," she laughed.

Monica laughed small with a cough.

I wave small to Raymond for nothing with a strange look on his face.

Raymond sat back in the chair that was opposite Monica, taking out the two cups he had in his hand and the pottery bottle and pouring out the contents.

"Souvenirs. It's orange juice. It's delicious because it was chilled."

When I put my mouth on the cup he poured me, the refreshing acidity and sweet juice with a cold and good aftertaste spread through my mouth.

"Delicious."

"Shit, right? I bought it because there was a fruit juice sale just in front of the house and it looked delicious."

Raymond also sounds deliciously throaty and drinks up at once to Monica, who had a full smile as she drank the juice.

"You're building a private school to teach children magic and academia?

"Yeah. Because I have nothing to do, even if I'm caged in the house"

"No, I think it's a good thing. It is never a bad thing for the people to acquire knowledge. If kids learn, they'll have lots of ways to go in the future."

With that said, Raymond poured me all the rest of the juice in Monica's empty cup.

"By the way, brother, what's wrong with you today? What about college?"

"Next time, Simlug's gonna call me back."

"Really!"

Monica let her face shine.

A letter arrived stating that one day my brother, who was well on his way to birth in Teito as a court magician, suddenly moved to the noble territory of the province. I was also worried it would be a left-hand transition, but a magician who would become a seating officer

If so, it is also important to go around the local territory and make connections.

My brother would surely be the latter, I believed it was okay, but it seemed that he was going to be called back to the Imperial Capital by circling the province just as he believed.

That means we're on track to birth.

"I thought I'd been relocated around the region for the past few years, but Maisen, the head court magician, called me back."

"Congratulations, brother"

"Ha, thanks"

Seeing her brother's face laughing like a light, Monica looked back at herself suddenly caught in pity.

"Why am I so different compared to my brother? I've taken five exams and fell, and I can't live up to my expectations..."

I sighed deeply.

"Really?

Raymond tilted his neck as he smashed his tongue.

"On the contrary, I think Monica is more amazing.

Sure, I'm probably a successful magician, and I think I'm better than Monica in that field, huh?

But I think I'm no match for Monica in any other field. "

Monica was surprised when her admiring brother's tone became foolish.

"That's not true. When your brother gets serious and studies, I can't believe the knowledge I've acquired."

"If I'm serious about studying, maybe not even half Monica's strength.

Before I finish studying a book, Monica will probably acquire three times that knowledge. "

From Raymond's point of view, I thought my sister was far better at reading and remembering books a few times faster than people.

It's just that there was a slight lack of magic to be a court magician.

"I was impressed the other way around when I heard Monica was teaching magic and academics to children. I think you're more meaningful and fit than going for a court magician."

"Is that right?

"Shit. It's a job that lets kids dream about the future. Because I wasn't allowed to live that way."

Monica was surprised.

I didn't think my admired brother thought that way.

Now it's as if my brother didn't want to be a court magician.

"Um, your brother..."

"Raymond."

It was when Monica opened her mouth to ask her brother that.

From a short distance, there were those who spoke to their brother.

It is the man with the gray hood in his eyes who has been calling out - Viscount Raynard, his father.

"Oops, Dad's calling, so I should probably go."

"Yeah."

Raymond stood up smashing his tongue small, stroking his sister's head.

"By the way, I'm just dealing with the kids, what do you think? Is it time you found someone nice?

"Huh! Hey, brother!

"hahahaha, joke joke"

Chip, laughing furiously as he exchanged tongues, Raymond walks out to the mansion alongside his father.

"Well, we'll talk about it again at dinner."

Once he looked back, Raymond waved loudly to Monica.

Monica also waves a small hand back to the brother and smiles.

And - that was Monica's look, Raymond's last appearance alive.

Father and brother not showing up at dinner table.

Though he could not be a seating officer, his father, Reynard, is also an excellent magician, who contributed to the Empire as a court magician until he succeeded the Viscount's governor again.

Since I have been immersed in research so often, Monica had dinner with her mother, while regretting that she and her brother could not join her at the table.

"Monica? I'm sorry, but could you carry this to Raymond with your father?

I could tell her to carry it to Monica when she made a sandwich for the two of them my mother left caged in an underground lab.

If it's a sandwich, it can be eaten between studies.

Monica took a sandwich and a bottle of wine to moisturize her throat onto two basins and went down to the lab in the basement.

And open the door...

From there on out, I don't really remember.

The smell of backward blood.

The figure of his brother Raymond, who was letting him lie on his back on a platform like a sleeping table, with a distressed look on his face, and had his heart ripped out.

When Monica heard the sound of the chirp removed or the cracking of the plate, her mother ran down, peeking inside and screaming -.

And my father, Raynard Van Hoffmine, disappeared from that night.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

"My father's lab had lost many precious books of magic."

Monica wasn't talented enough to be a court magician, but she had an extraordinary memory.

He almost remembered the title of the book that was lined up in his father's room.

But those books were not available in the general bookstore.

I couldn't even find a local lord or a rich run library.

But if it was a book being touched on about those magic books, I could find a few.

And I learned from those books the suspicion that my father, Raynard, was studying the magic of contraindications.

Brother, didn't Raymond get killed as a subject of that Raynard experiment?

To obtain that certainty, Monica cut her long hair, dressed as a man, impersonated Raymond and went to Simlug.

Because if you are a court magician, you can take advantage of the Empire's largest library of books in the Imperial Palace.

Besides, it was necessary to hide the fact that the Viscount Principal had killed his son.

If Raymond doesn't serve in the Imperial Palace for how long, even though he has been invited by the court magicians, there is also a risk that any one of them will be sent to discover the situation.

Because of those circumstances, Monica decided to impersonate Raymond.

Fortunately, it was a friend of mine from the Knights School who helped me dive into the Court Demon Legion.

The court magicians belonging to the Empire count a total of 300.

Of these, about fifty are packed in the Imperial Capital, and others are in the position of lecturers in each aristocratic territory of the Empire in the form of outpostings, as well as in private schools built all over the place.

Raymond was also a lecturer at a school built by the Lords of the Region. Shortly before returning to Imperial City, he was a lecturer at a university in Kleifdorf territory, the home muscle.

With seven years, few would remember Raymond's face.

Regardless of the top ten court magicians who have been given a seat called the Seating Officer and have been admitted to attend the Emperor's meeting in front of them, otherwise court magicians tend to cage in the laboratories they are each given for research, and only a limited number of people have face-to-face knowledge.

And Monica, thanks also to her collaborators, was able to dive into the Court Demon Legion as Raymond.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

When I first saw the Knights School using the Old Imperial Palace, I was also impressed and overwhelmed by the size of its buildings and grounds, but Monica was also impressed when I first served in the Imperial Palace.

On white marble, high ceilings.

People dressed in the majesty of what appears to be the nobility of the throne, bureaucrats, servants and court knights standing in fortifications serving the Imperial Palace.

Monica's heart, dressed as a man and impersonating Raymond, was beating hard because of anxiety about when the disguise might be seen through.

The Imperial Palace was huge anyway.

It's a long way to the lab given to Monica as Raymond.

Large leather bag swollen up in bread.

Although not so wealthy, Monica's arm, still the princess of the Viscount family, was completely paralyzed by the weight of the bag.

The servant hasn't brought one because he left it to his hometown to take care of his mother, who collapsed after seeing his brother's mutilated body.

I was tired, anxious and nervous and wanted to cry.

It's hard to ask someone to help you, because they're about to reveal who you are.

Lower the bag once in the hallway and exhale loudly.

Monica opened her eyes wide as she was rubbing her hand, which had become paralyzed, trying to take a short break.

A young man in a nostalgic knight's school uniform. Inside the Imperial Palace, it was clearly floating from its surroundings.

If you look closely, the young man's face is also soft and gives a simple impression.

You don't look noble.

He's younger than Monica, and he definitely wouldn't even know Raymond's face.

Then...

"Hey, you there!

Monica accidentally spoke up.

- I'm sorry, could you help me carry my bag?

Trying to keep the words going, Monica froze with her mouth open.

Beside the young man who looked back, a samurai supposedly of high rank refrained.

He hid in the shadow of a young man and could not see from Monica's position.

Monica, who realized the presence of the samurai after speaking up, learned a hurry in her heart.

"It doesn't seem aristocratic, but being able to come into the back of the palace belongs to the knight's family? Just fine. My squire just missed it and it was difficult."

I remember the tone of the advanced aristocratic boys I used to see in Imperial Capital when I went to Knights School and act with desperation.

"Look at this vast and magnificent palace. That's where His Majesty the Emperor lives. But this vastness is causing me a little confusion right now."

"Huh."

Suddenly Monica spoke to me, and the two young men and the maid had a facetious look on their face.

"I've been serving as a court magician since this spring, but I was just tired of carrying heavy baggage to my room. As you can see, I'm a grader. I'm not used to hard work. I'd like you to lend me your servant."

"Servant...... Huh!? A servant, yeah!?

"This one is a squire of Her Royal Highness, and the orders of others, no matter how aristocratic..."

"Hey, I'm glad you made it through. Right from day one. Late will be bad."

By a samurai with an unpleasant look on her face, although I was surprised that the identity of this man's seemingly good young man was a squire of Her Royal Highness, I pretended not to hear it and let it happen once and for all.

"So carry my stuff."

"So..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

It makes me nod in a big motion so much that I think it might be a big one myself.

Monica's heart was beating so hard that she thought they would hear her from earlier.

My legs were trembling heavily.

I knelt to deceive and took the hand of a samurai.

"Of course, I'm not saying it's just that. You're late in introducing yourself. My name is Raymond Van Hoffmine. Even if it looks like this, this house of mine is the family of the Viscount that brings you to that Marquis Cliffdor house. It would be very advantageous if you were close to me. You're so beautiful."

The main family name for the Viscount Hoffmine family, the Marquis Cliffdorf, will also be given.

The Viscount family is a country aristocrat, but the Kleifdorf Marquis is the family of a great sealed lord who boasts a trend even in the imperial capital.

It won't even be extra prying.

It seemed to borrow the authority of a tiger, and I didn't like it sincerely, but I couldn't help it.

The face of the samurai is praised.

I was sweating on my palms because of nervousness.

"Okay. His Royal Highness Viscount Hoffmine. We will carry your luggage."

"Oh, Master Wynn."

"I don't mind. His Royal Highness Cornelia doesn't seem to be returning yet, and we will return as soon as we carry your luggage."

Monica, who felt like praying, was about to lose all her body power unexpectedly in relief.

But in a hurry, when he pulls his loose face tight and stands up, he tells the young man known as Wynn, as he manages his arrogant attitude.

"Treat it politely. Don't think about stealing what's inside? Those who are not noble have bad habits."

"My Lord Viscount Hoffmine, I was wondering if that would be a little too much mouth. There is no such person to work such indecency within this palace!

(Shit...... a little too much?

To the harsh tone of the samurai, I thought Monica had done too much.

"I'm fine."

The young man called Wynn said with a smile.

"How can you thank your servant?" I'll put it up, so you better stop it. Nevertheless, what is my squire doing? This is why we can't use civilians. "

I'm starting to think it's too much, but I can't stop acting if I get here anymore.

Speaking of which, I didn't hear your name.

I freaked out inside, but even tried to turn my hand around the lady's shoulder with a hand as if I was used to women, but I was lightly shrugged.

"Oh, hey..."

"Because I have work to do, too. It would be helpful if you let him go early."

To say just that, the samurai gently meets Monica and returns to the hallway.

(Done!

Screaming delight in my heart, I turn back to Wynn.

"So, which way would you like to get lucky?

Looking serious, he waited for me with Monica's heavy bag, without expressing his anger in his attitude to Monica's repeatedly unpleasant demeanor.

"This way," Raymond stood in front of Wynn and walked out when he pounded his tongue a little.

(Sorry, sorry, sorry...)

Repeated apologies in my heart.

(We'll definitely go apologize to him later)

After that, Monica's life at the Imperial Palace as Raymond began.

Almost all of the books published in this imperial capital are covered by the Great Library in the palace, which is the object.

As every day Monica went to the Great Library, and the days of reading and fishing from one end continued as she searched for the books evoked from her memory.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

"So you've been calling me..."

Winn shrugged when he heard the story.

"That's when I thought it was weird. The Imperial Palace has a servant who takes care of the aristocrats who joined it. If it's your first job, we'll have someone to show you around."

"It's not necessarily because that person hasn't read his brother's body book. As far as possible, I was acting to avoid it."

"Who are you to help Monica?

"It's me."

"Brother......"

It was Alfred who quietly came into Cornelia's room to answer Cornelia's question.

Mary, who had refrained from doing so, gives a deep salute, and Win and Rock also rush up to salute.

"Me and Monica are in sync with the Knights School."

Monica lays her eyes down and lowers her head small.

I'm gonna nod to that girlfriend. In Alfred's eyes, there was a gentle light.

"Is that why you could easily dive into the Court Mage Corps..."

Rock muttered in a small voice.

If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince helps us, it must certainly be easier to dive in.

"That said, Raymond Van Hoffmine shall be exempted from the obligation to attend meetings, etc. by special order from me. To sidestream the information coming up from the Knights. That's all I could do."

Cornelia glances a little at Alfred, who groans with sorrow.

It was unusual for my brother to honestly cage these emotions into words.

"No, that help is enough. Your Highness..."

Monica thanked her with her hand on her mouth. There were tears in those eyes.

"I see. Is that why you saw her in the Glades?"

She was investigating on her own feet when she heard that kidnappings were rife, not only in Imperial City, but also in the Glades.

Monica nods and turns back to Winn.

"... Win squire. You answered this before when you were asked what books you would read to me. I'm studying the Demon King and the Demon Nation."

Winn nodded.

It was definitely when we met at the Nanbu field in the Imperial Palace.

"Many of the books that disappeared from the library were written about the Demon King, and the Demon Nation. Did you know that? that the Demon King once manifested himself by entering a human body."

"Sure, King Sein."

That's what Leticia told me before.

"My father could have been looking into the matter. into a vessel called the flesh of man, infusing the higher dimension of life -"

"That's from that Sarah Ferrule..."

Cornelia put her hand on her mouth in surprise.

Winn and Leticia exchange their gazes.

I don't think it has anything to do with the Legacy Robbery of Konrat Heisenberg, which King Lyon Prince [Kensei] Raul was talking about.

"I thought so, too."

"Why aren't you being dealt with?

"The Viscount Hoffmine family is a famous family connected to the Marquis Cliffdorf family. When it comes to the study of demon kings and demons, it is not so rare as the study of demon leaders. We need clear evidence to bring this to justice."

"If you mean clear evidence, what about the charges for the murder of your son?

"In doing so, the Viscount Hoffmine family will certainly be crushed, but those behind it will not be reached"

Yes. Answering Cornelia, Alfred looked around at everyone's faces.

"I still need clear evidence. So I'm sure Lloyds will let you know anyway, but orders will be given to you, including Cornelia. No, you should say a favor to Lord Leticia. But before you do, let's at least clean those lurking in the darkness of the Empire."