The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

37

“The western region?”

Cadeon showed a puzzled expression, somewhat surprised.

When discussing mines, the east and southeast are usually mentioned first.

The north faces severe cold just a bit further up, and the south is cultivating large-scale agriculture through fertile lands.

But the west, filled with tall mountains and trees, is typically sourced for timber.

“There are gold mines buried in the western region too. They just haven’t been found yet.”

“If you say it hasn’t been found, how do you know about it?”

“… Would you mind taking a look at this map for a moment?”

Alter spread out the map he had brought and pointed somewhere in the eastern region.

Cadeon examined the location closely and then opened his mouth.

“Isn’t that the eastern mining district?”

“Correct. And… this here is the southeastern mining district. Don’t you think there’s a feature between the two?”

“A feature? What do you mean?”

“We overlap the directions the entrances of the mines along the mountain range are facing. That means the gold mine is right at the center.”

“…?”

Cadeon, caught in the bizarre logic, inadvertently checked the entrance of the mine.

Just as Alter had said, when the directions were drawn in a straight line, there was a part that overlapped all at once.

Although the distance was quite far, it was somewhat plausible if it was said to have spread from the center.

“Based on this, we can assume that the gold mine is located in a mountain range that can be entered from any direction. If we apply the same conditions to the western region, the appropriate mountain range does appear.”

“Hmm…”

Cadeon watched the map closely but did not readily believe the words.

It was too simple an idea, and there was no guarantee that a gold mine would be found.

Perhaps it would be better to purchase the mine as a face-saving measure for the duke’s family.

“Or we could try mining in advance… but if gold is found, the price of the mine will go up.”

“That would be more reassuring. As you suggest, we could try mining. If it turns out to be a gold mine… what would you want in return?”

“… I would like you to give me a piece of land on the outskirts of the capital.”

Alter had been eyeing that land from the beginning.

No one cared about it now, but its value would increase later.

If he sold the land at that time, he could make a fortune.

“Land. You’re not planning to farm, are you? Do you have a purpose in mind?”

“I’ve never had something of my own in my life. If I had land, I could build a villa, couldn’t I?”

“A villa on the outskirts of the capital? That’s an interesting idea.”

Cadeon found the idea quite intriguing, yet he did not take it lightly.

Alter was a noble who had seen through his intentions from their first meeting.

If he was that thoughtful, perhaps he had a special intention for both the gold mine in the western region and the land on the outskirts of the capital.

‘It’s a strange proposal, but there’s no reason not to accept it. I’m curious about the outcome…’

For Kadeon, Alter was nothing more than a process to seize the ultimate power, his body frail and bound by a curse.

Yet, he caught the attention of the Archmage belatedly, and even shook Brillié’s heart.

If he showed this much potential in such a short time, perhaps a little cooperation wouldn’t hurt.

“Do as you please. Not everyone can make use of the opportunity given.”

***

Brillié was on a dangerous mission for the first time in a while.

The task was to exterminate all the werewolves that had appeared in the capital.

It was an urgent matter, so much so that the security forces and guards were deployed, and even the renowned knight orders had surrounded the area.

It was essentially an order from the military high command to handle it swiftly.

“The imperial army was attacked, or so I heard…”

Brillié divided the ranks and personnel, each taking charge of their own area.

The initial response was somewhat delayed, causing the encirclement to expand.

Moreover, they had to fight the enemy while also preventing people’s access, which was troublesome in many ways.

“To think this mess started with an experiment on a werewolf… sigh…”

Brillié harbored considerable dissatisfaction with the mission, but that didn’t mean it could be neglected.

Being part of the knight order, one must faithfully fulfill their original purpose.

Moreover, to maintain the honor and trust of the knight order, the accepted mission had to be completed without fail.

“It always seems to involve a mage when things escalate.”

Brillié looked around with a displeased expression.

Of course, not all mages commit evil deeds or engage in illegal activities.

But when an uncontrollable accident occurs, a mage is invariably involved.

It was as if among the mages, there were those who were particularly out of their minds.

“How did they manage to bring a werewolf into the capital?”

Although Brillié had a rough idea, different from what he thought, about how it was done.

Perhaps they had bribed the guards or smuggled it in covertly, using cunning methods.

With money, anyone could abandon responsibility, making it impossible to prevent such problems.

“This isn’t why I became a knight…”

Brillié felt desolate but showed no sign of it.

He was now patrolling the designated area with his unit members.

As the deputy commander of the knight order, he had to set an example, but how could he show an impure attitude?

“Still, these days are somewhat bearable. It’s not boring anymore.”

Brillie suddenly thought of Alter and let out a chuckle.

Despite being three years younger, he was putting on airs like an adult.

At their first meeting, he brought up breaking off the engagement, and he would often collapse from overthinking, leading to mistakes.

It was frustrating, but looking at his face, it was impossible to hate him.

“He is handsome, indeed. And quite adorable.”

Alter was always surrounded by a serious aura, but when he himself was criticized, he seemed quite flustered.

Even so, he was considerate of her position and would step forward against adversaries.

But as a delicate yet dignified fiancé, she had no choice but to treat him with care.

“There are some worrying aspects, but… we can understand each other well enough.”

Brillie had become somewhat accustomed to Alter’s personality and actions.

As long as he behaved quietly on a regular basis, taking good care of him shouldn’t pose any problems.

“I’ll have to think about what to do after we get married…”

Brillie suddenly felt an alien presence and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Two, no, three presences were rapidly approaching.

Considering the speed of movement and the nature of the presences, she suspected werewolves might have appeared.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

“Raaargh!”

With Brillie’s cry, a ferocious something revealed itself.

Brown fur wrapped around its body, long curved claws, fangs peeking through its snout, and eyes filled with wildness.

Three werewolves were howling as they charged without hesitation.

“Haah… Everyone, hold your positions.”

Brillie coldly muttered as she glared at the creatures.

If they were strong individuals, they would act cautiously with intelligence.

But if they only rampaged, they would be easier to confront.

“Grrr… Argh!”

The werewolf in the middle had its side slashed open and collapsed on the spot.

It was aware of the incoming attack but couldn’t avoid it.

It was just a momentary flash that translated into a sword strike.

“One down.”

Brillie seized the opportunity and thrust her sword forward.

The thick leather met the blade, but soon, magic manifested, burrowing deep.

It severed muscles along the veins, and even the bones began to crumble.

When she retrieved her sword, the werewolf’s head was rolling on the ground, severed.

‘The others…’

Brillie checked their position and immediately threw herself into action.

The remaining two had recognized their powerlessness and were charging at the members.

She needed to dispatch them quickly before any injuries occurred.

“Grrr…”

The second werewolf, sensing Brillie’s approach, stumbled backward unwittingly.

At the same time, the members swarmed in, and a flurry of spears and swords followed.

Brillie slashed through the mangled creature, delivering a final death.

‘Now for that one…’

Sensing danger, Brillie immediately rushed towards the last werewolf.

Had she not reacted swiftly, one of the members would have been clawed.

But her hasty move made her stance unstable, and her sword clashed with the claws, shaking violently.

“Argh!”

Brillie lost her grip on the sword handle, and the werewolf lunged, jaws wide open.

Yet, without panic, Brillie drew the dagger from her waistband.

It was a gift from her fiancé, precious, but now was not the time for sentiment.

“Ugh… Grrr!”

Infusing the dagger with magic, Brillie counterattacked.

The werewolf collapsed, its jaw torn away.

Not only that, but the wound quickly froze over, and ice shards began to spread.

“Uh… Ugh!”

“…?”

Brillie, puzzled, looked down at the werewolf.

Its jaw was completely frozen, not even blood flowed.

The creature writhed in agony, while the members silently observed.

“Oh… Using an expensive weapon, aren’t you? That one’s enchanted, isn’t it?”

“What are you saying? You can’t get that kind of power with just attribute enhancement.”

“Then are you suggesting the vice-captain used magic or something?”

“Not at all. I saw him wielding a dagger.”

From noble mtl dot come

“Psh. He probably left it to some decent mage.”

“Hey. Even mages who specialize in attribute enhancement can’t do that.”

“Do you know anything about magic? You talk too much for a swordsman.”

“I don’t want to hear that from someone as ignorant as you.”

“You wield a sword just like me…”

Brillie seemed to ponder for a moment before picking up the fallen sword.

And with one swift motion, she beheaded the werewolf, ending the battle.

‘How was this created? What did they do?’

Even Brillie couldn’t comprehend the performance of the dagger.

Occasionally, other knights used weapons with attributes, so she could guess the extent of their power.

Originally, they didn’t possess such impact; it was merely the addition of an attribute advantage.

But how did Alter engrave such a powerful attribute?

‘They say he has a talent for magic, but to this extent…’

Brillie suddenly remembered that Alter had been in contact with a grand mage.

Surely, the grand mage must have recognized Alter’s potential and approached him first.

He had instantly frozen vampires, and even the attribute-enhanced dagger contained immense magical power.

Perhaps Alter’s body harbored transcendent magical power.

‘If the curse is lifted, he might truly become a grand mage. Then, would I become the wife of a grand mage?’