The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

10

Lang suddenly remembered the existence of the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince had not yet had a wedding, nor had there been any news of his engagement.

Meaning, if Duke Ilenath wished, he could offer Brillie to the Crown Prince.

‘It won’t be easy. Would the Emperor allow it?’

Emperors have always been wary of powerful nobles since long ago.

If they let their guard down, the nobles might deceive the Emperor and ascend to the pinnacle of the empire.

Therefore, the strategic marriages of the direct royal family often involved less powerful or highly loyal nobles.

‘Now known as a powerful family, if they become the Emperor’s in-laws…’

Even Lang knew it was too much to hope for.

The emperor, let alone the bureaucrats, would surely oppose it vehemently.

Not to mention the nobles who were hostile to the House of Ilenath, it was bound to be an unsmooth endeavor.

“The other royal families are not worth much. The Grand Ducal family is a better choice.”

Being of imperial blood does not mean you can surpass the power of the nobility.

In fact, collateral royals often live in a pitiful state, or behave recklessly and face severe punishment.

Especially since the current emperor does not tolerate the misdeeds of the royal family, the punishment is all the more rigorous.

“There aren’t many noble families that can surpass the Grand Ducal family.”

If anything, the Northern Grand Duke had no reason to discuss marriage with the House of Ilenath.

He held the highest title, unapproachable by anyone, and he was not lacking in money or fame.

Perhaps it would have been better to choose a noble family that could be under his command and proceed with the marriage of the youngest son.

“It’s hard to understand both sides. What are they thinking?”

From Lang’s perspective, it didn’t matter what the noble families did.

He just had to perform his role as the commander of the knights faithfully.

But he couldn’t completely ignore it because Brillié was involved.

“If I now receive the title of Sword Saint, perhaps the Duke of Ilenath might…”

“We should still try to talk a little. We can’t live like strangers, can we?”

“That would be best. It must be very lonely. Someone should step in and take care of you.”

“In my opinion… She didn’t seem very lonely. She said she likes the capital because it’s warm.”

“… I think I understand what you mean. If you’re sick, being in a cold place can only make it worse. Your fiancée must be hoping for your recovery.”

“Probably so.”

Brillié nodded absentmindedly, accepting the words.

The marriage was something the family ordered, and she was staying at the duke’s residence out of obligation.

Perhaps even her frail body could harbor a modest hope for improvement.

“Hmm… Should I bring her some medicine to warm her body?”

***

Alter received the decocted medicine from the maid periodically.

It was actually a courtesy of the Duke of Ilenath, and also a show of respect to the Grand Ducal family.

Expensive medicines were procured, and there were even talks of them being personally prepared by a professional pharmacist.

“Is there any improvement? Why does it feel the same?”

Alter felt a faint heat and quietly took a deep breath.

A sensation as if boiling up from deep within was being transmitted.

It must have been that after taking the medicine, his body had subtly begun to change.

‘But I can’t just refuse what’s given to me.’

Alter harbored a mischievous hope deep in his heart.

From noble mtl dot come

To return his frail body to an utterly ordinary state.

Whether it was actually possible, he didn’t know, but for now, he was calmly giving it a try.

‘Wouldn’t it be a bit unfair to die like this?’

Of course, even if his physical condition improved, not much would change.

He would just be able to move more comfortably than before, and his magic manifestation would become smoother.

There wasn’t a particular enemy to defeat, so there was no need to be obsessed with magic.

‘If I became a great sorcerer… I could survive without a family.’

Alter Radiant was aware of his exceptional magical talent.

However, he had died young and thus couldn’t prove it.

What would happen if he extended his life and raised the level of his magic?

‘As a great sorcerer, I could match even the Sword Saint. There’s also a way to become a royal court magician.’

Even the renowned magicians within the Agnes Empire had not been granted the title of great sorcerer.

So far, only one person had continued the lineage of the great sorcerer, and with no apparent successor, he was gradually aging.

In other words, if he now obtained the title of great sorcerer, he could become a dignified and unique existence.

‘My talent is certain since I’m sustaining my body with magic alone.’

After the heat subsided, Alter immediately brought over a book.

It was written about magic, and he had also obtained other books through a maid.

He couldn’t use magic right away, but he planned to learn the theory in advance.

‘… You have to have a dream to do or not do something.’

Alter repeated the words Brillié had said to him.

No matter how poor his health was, he could still have dreams.

Even if it was a dream that would never come true, perhaps it was enough to hold it in his heart.

‘I didn’t expect to be persuaded like this.’

***

As promised with Lang, Alter visited the headquarters of the Setinos Knights.

I wasn’t particularly interested in the knight order, but since I was invited, I couldn’t outright refuse.

Moreover, Brilly responded immediately, so it seemed I was swept along somewhat reluctantly.

‘I’ll just be a nuisance there.’

Alter walked slowly across the center of the headquarters.

Members occasionally passed by, and he encountered servants doing menial tasks.

Even so, Brilly naturally greeted everyone regardless of their status.

‘He seems to be well-regarded.’

Alter quietly followed Brilly, observing the reactions of those around them.

No one showed any discomfort in Brilly’s presence.

Instead, they interacted warmly while maintaining the respect due to a superior.

‘And he’s skilled too…’

Rumors about Brilly must have spread widely among the current knights.

It was quite reckless of him to participate alone in a monster subjugation and earn accolades.

Such a feat, not easily achieved by ordinary knights, was accomplished by a noble lady, not to be underestimated.

‘Only after going that far did she earn recognition…’

“Next move!”

A resolute shout followed by a robust yell burst forth.

Alter listened quietly before belatedly spotting Lang.

Lang stood tall in front of the members, directing the training.

‘Shouldn’t someone else be handling this?’

Alter stopped in his tracks, following Brilly.

It seemed Brilly intended to wait until the training was over.

“Henon! Aren’t your legs shaking?”

“I… I’ll correct it!”

“Kenian! Can you cut down an enemy swinging like that?”

“I’ll correct it!”

“… Next move!”

Lang drove the members hard, not missing even the slightest mistake.

Alter watched the scene calmly, then was seized by suspicion.

‘Surely he didn’t call me here to train me like that?’

Alter wore a subtle expression as he began to take notice.

Perhaps Lang was trying to pressure him in front of Brilly.

If the fiancé showed any sign of weakness, Brilly would surely be disappointed.

‘If I just say I can’t do it and escape…’

“Today’s training ends here. Everyone is dismissed!”

It was only then that Lang turned around to look at the two of them.

There was a way to not come at all, but in the end, he had accepted his invitation.

He thought it might be a good opportunity to showcase Brilly’s skills.

“Was there any inconvenience on your way here?”

“There was no inconvenience. I just had to follow.”

“It’s good that you’re here. How about watching Brilly’s swordsmanship before you go?”

“What? All of a sudden?”

Brilly asked, quite flustered.

Lang, inadvertently aware of Alter, continued speaking.

“I can’t let you go back empty-handed, can I?”

“Swinging a sword alone is a bit…”

“I’ll be your opponent. If we’re going to do it, we might as well do it right.”

“…?”

Alter swallowed his silence and merely eavesdropped on their conversation.

Contrary to what he had expected, the two were preparing to spar.

He wondered if he had been overly suspicious of Lang’s intentions.

“The director will be my opponent? Then there’s no shame in it.”

“The first to be struck loses.”

“Yes, yes. It’s always been that way.”

Brilly exchanged a brief glance with Alter, then headed towards the training ground.

Alter could only watch the two of them, unable to even think of intervening.

‘As far as I know, Brilly has always lost…’

The two donned their protective gear and aimed their wooden swords at each other.

Then, without waiting for who would strike first, they simultaneously lunged with their swords.

‘Even without using magic, such speed is possible.’

Alter watched their swordplay in awe, unable to decipher every move, merely guessing the flow of their combat.

At first, they seemed evenly matched, but soon the balance was shattered.

‘The next Sword Saint is strong. There’s a physical difference, but…’

With magic added, the conditions would be nearly equal.

Yet, as knights wielding swords, such constraints are no excuse.

In real battle, it’s a matter of life or death.

‘I really don’t fit in. The heroine should end up with the hero.’

Alter felt a stark dissonance from the duel.

He couldn’t wield a sword with such ferocity.

Using magic leaves him collapsing in moments, anxious even to survive the day.

How could he ever blend in with Brillié?

‘If Lang is this formidable, how impressive must the prince be…’

“Stop right there! If you don’t, we’ll have to use force!”

“That… that b*stard!”

Shouts from the troupe could be heard.

Simultaneously, a shabbily dressed man burst into the training ground.

With his hands bound, he fled hastily, pursued by the troupe members.

“Move! Get out of the way!”

Running along the edge of the training ground, the man spotted Alter.

But instead of stopping, he couldn’t even avoid the person before him.

His only option was to push through and escape.

‘I shouldn’t move, but I might get hurt…’

Just as Alter was about to shift his position, the presence of the two vanished.

He was pulled in an instant, and the fleeing man was already rolling on the ground.

“Are you okay? You must be startled.”

Brillié held Alter away from the spot, while Lang pinned the man down, pressing him to the ground.

It happened so fast that Alter was swept up without resistance.

‘What? I didn’t see anything. Why am I being held?’