-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Northern Grand Duchess, Sword Genius
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Count Heilron.
Heilron August.
A middle-aged man with black hair, whose age was hard to pin down—somewhere around his forties, probably.
The man commonly called Count August, the Northern Grand Duke.
But... a count who's also a grand duke? Doesn't that clash?
The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't know the details.
Anyway, in a romance fantasy world like this, they probably tossed logic out the window.
Best to gloss over it.
Regardless.
The figure before me was the commander guarding the North, the North's protector.
The man popularly known as the Northern Grand Duke.
'Oh. I know this guy. I've seen him before.'
The classic Northern Grand Duke from romance fantasies.
Cold and icy.
Yet kind to his own people.
Like an ISTP type, roughly.
Ah, my ex was an ISTP. Thinking of her out of nowhere pisses me off.
'But.'
The Northern Grand Duke I faced in person was somehow different. Not brutally cold-looking or anything.
His blue eyes were striking, but that was about it.
He had a thick beard, sure, but I didn't get that rugged Northern man vibe.
Still, a noble was a noble.
'A count.'
The kind of person who could cause a scene anywhere and walk away scot-free.
Someone I wouldn't dare look in the eye. But right now, I was facing him head-on.
Because.
"So you're... the adopted son of the 8th Circle Archmage Elise Sessris, whom even His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Empire and the Pope of the Holy Kingdom fear, and whom no one dares keep by their side?"
"..."
Count August had just explained in detail why I was allowed to stand before him.
Oh, wow.
'My mom is one badass, huh?'
Cancel calling her a crazy bitch.
My one and only parent. My one and only hope.
A god.
She was far more incredible than I'd imagined.
'Elise Sessris.'
I didn't know the name, but the title before it mattered.
'8th Circle Archmage.'
One of only two on the continent.
An 8th Circle mage, a being called a god among wizards.
She appeared in the original story too.
Not in the main 60 episodes, but mentioned in a few lines.
-Rachel, I hear an archmage is visiting the Empire this time.
-An archmage?
-Yes, she's quite playful, so be careful not to get on her bad side. Even the Emperor doesn't treat her lightly.
A figure even the Emperor couldn't treat lightly.
Whether that referred to Elise or not.
'Anyway.'
The point was, this powerhouse had brought me here personally.
That's what mattered.
"Yes, my lord. I am the adopted son of that legendary figure... the one whom even His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Empire and the Pope of the Holy Kingdom fear, and no one... uh, what was it again?"
"Whom no one dares keep by their side."
"Ah, right. Yes, that one. That's me."
"...I... see."
I puffed out my chest a bit.
Damn, this orphan kid made it big. A month ago, I looked like death warmed over. Mom's the best?
'Wanna be a filial son so bad.'
Screw being unfilial.
If I saw her again, I'd have to give her a big smooch. Totally doable.
The moment she handed over that letter with the seal, the count wanted to see my face right away.
Wait, what is this? Did my life just get lit? Is that it?
Excitement bubbling up. This shitty romance fantasy world.
Yeah, this is what being a transmigrator is about.
"...I've received the letter of recommendation. I had no idea she adopted a son."
Count August eyed me with genuine curiosity.
That sly gaze from the old man was starting to make my stomach turn when.
"So, a mage, then?"
"Yes. A mage."
"What circle... no, foolish question. First Circle, I assume?"
"Correct."
"Impressive. To awaken a circle at your age. If it's not rude, how many days did it take?"
"Ah."
I answered right away. I had it prepared.
-Just say three days or so.
Because I'd been briefed.
"Three days."
"...Pardon, three days?"
Actually five hours and change, but I lied and said three days.
Don't know why, but that's what they told me to say.
'Isn't three days too long?'
They said it'd work if I just went with it.
How hard could it be? But then I worried it'd make me seem too incompetent.
"...A genius."
"Pardon...?"
Count August said it like he was truly amazed. A genius? Me?
"Me?"
"Haha... Judging by your reaction, Elise didn't tell you. Of course. To be adopted by her, you'd need talent like that."
"What do you mean?"
"It takes most mana users over a month on average to awaken a circle. But you did it in just three days...? A tremendous genius."
"..."
Oh.
'What? Was that actually hard?'
I just picked my nose and locked it in, basically.
And that's a month-long ordeal for others?
That's huge, right?
"With talent like that, Mana Sickness must have hit you hard too."
"Yes. Almost... "
Died. I was about to say that when.
"At least a week of bedridden fever, I'd wager."
"...Yes, something like that."
This felt off too, so I adjusted.
Two near-death experiences in a month... reduced to a week's fever?
It deviated sharply from what I'd gone through.
'This.'
Maybe.
'Am I an absolute genius?'
A fuzzy sense of pride welled up in my body.
"...For such a being to grace the North in person leaves me at a loss. Truly welcome."
"Aw, shucks."
"The letter checks out. With this seal, no need to verify identity. We'll proceed as written. Schedule starts tomorrow, so rest well today. Butler."
"Yes."
"Show young Ruin around."
"Understood. This way."
"Until next time."
I followed the obvious butler grandpa and said goodbye to the count before heading out.
A transparent mirror appeared the moment I stepped outside.
My reflection in it.
Black hair, green eyes glowing faintly.
In this world, black hair and green eyes were somewhat rare.
Not the best-looking, a bit fierce impression.
I couldn't hold back a laugh at the sight.
"Hey."
I waved at the mirror.
"They say I'm a genius."
"...?"
The butler gave me a weird look, but whatever.
'Fuck yeah, happy life in this world starts now.'
With this killer talent and knowledge of the world's norms, time to enjoy happy life.
This was the buildup for that.
Ah, can't contain the hype.
'Tomorrow, the mighty sun shines on me.'
The air felt utterly luxurious.
A day passed with those thoughts.
"M-Mage! Do something! Shoot anything!"
"Uwaaaah!"
In the midst of the unfolding hell.
I whispered quietly.
"...Ah, fuck."
Romance fantasy my ass.
"...Was this a dark fantasy?"
It didn't take long to snap out of delusion and face reality.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Kwarung-!! Boom-!!
-Kyaaaah!!!
-Uwaaah! Block it!
-Swords up!! Don't let them through!
-Damn it! Too many!
Red liquid splattered across the pristine white snowfield.
Blood from monsters and humans alike.
What loomed ahead was probably an Ice Troll. Easily over four meters tall.
Swords didn't pierce it.
The club it swung crushed humans effortlessly.
Those who couldn't block with shields had their bodies smashed.
'What the hell-.'
My body froze at the scene.
People were dying. And it wasn't just the Ice Troll.
Other beasts behind it too.
Magical beasts.
Assaulting the Northern wall without respite.
They screamed from the frontlines.
-Hold the line---!!! Don't let them through!!
The Northerners swung swords at the beasts.
Then.
Something flew at me.
What? I widened my eyes and—
Bang-!!!
The man who appeared blocked the attack with his shield.
"Ngh! Get it together!!"
"...!"
His shout snapped my head clear.
Cold air rushed into my lungs.
"Huff... ha."
"Mage! Snap out of it! Do something! Ngh! Anything!"
Kwaang-! The man staggered from the beast's attack.
Even his shield had limits.
'Do something?'
My heart pounded at his words. Anything?
'But I-.'
I didn't know magic.
I wanted to do something, but I knew nothing.
I hadn't learned anything.
'Why am I even here?'
Why was I here? Memories fuzzy.
They told me to rest a day, assigned me a room. Slept on a good bed with good pillows, happy.
Ate delicious food, lay comfortably.
Next day.
-Mage. You must join the subjugation.
Dragged here by sudden visitors at my door.
'And now-.'
This happened.
Kwaaaah---!!!
Screams.
Violence.
Blood.
Chaos.
-Damn it! We're losing ground!
-Why a troll...!!!
That Ice Troll.
Its appearance plunged everyone into despair.
Kwaduk.
Attacks continued.
"Guh!"
"Hans! Damn it!"
The man guarding me fell to a beast's attack.
A person died. Right in front of me.
"Hold!"
"Hang on! Reinforcements soon!"
Shouts couldn't pierce the winter chill.
The troll was too strong to boost morale. And I did nothing.
Could do nothing.
My scrawny, frail body couldn't even lift an iron sword. Called a mage, but no spells.
Awakened a circle for what?
No thoughts came. Just terror. In helplessness.
People kept falling.
Then.
Krrrugh-!
"...!"
The beast eyed me.
kyarruk. krrrugh.
Drooling.
It knew weak prey well.
"...Ugh... no... "
Legs locked. Knew to run, but couldn't.
kyaaaah-!!!
Beast charged. Unknown beast about to rip my throat.
"Ugh!"
I shut my eyes.
Shlak-!!
A chilling sound followed.
"...Ugh...?"
No pain.
What? Cracked an eye.
"...Hah!"
Something ahead. The beast that tried to eat me—dead before me.
Cleaved in half.
"This...?"
"Out of the way."
Thud!
Someone shoved past me.
A voice cold as snow ahead.
A white-haired woman with blue eyes.
She swung her bloodied sword.
kyaaaah-!!!
Frontline beasts shredded in seconds.
"Milady...!"
"The Grand Duchess is here-!!"
"Reinforcements!"
The desperate situation flipped instantly.
The woman moved with flowing white hair.
Something rippled on her sword.
Pure white light enveloped the blade.
It massacred the beasts.
Kraaaaaah--!!!!
All nearby beasts routed.
The Ice Troll that took dozens couldn't fell—neck severed in under a minute.
"..."
On the snowfield.
The woman, drenched in beast blood, sheathed her sword.
Ching.
Cheers erupted around.
"Aah, we're saved...!"
"Grand Duchess... thank you...!"
Amid the cheers, she brushed back her hair.
Beautiful features came into view.
"Good work. Tally the dead and wounded, prepare to withdraw."
"Yes, ma'am...!"
People moved at once.
As it ended, realization hit—my legs gave out, I collapsed.
Thud. Cold snow against my butt.
"Haa... ha... haa."
Ragged breaths escaped feebly.
Dizzy. Like I might puke.
Barely holding on when.
"The mage, right."
The blue-eyed woman stood before me.
I looked up.
"...!"
Her eyes—had to flinch.
Like oceans captured within.
Reflected in those pretty eyes.
"...Tch."
Pure, biting disappointment.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[◆ Encountered the Northern Sword Genius.] [◆ Favorability -4. That's contempt level.] [◆ Congratulations!] [◆ A key character has recognized you.]