Chapter 375 – The Grand Duke and Marlene

“It seems we can see it now,” I announce to everyone while comparing the map with the terrain and the city’s location. The crystal panel shows Grand Duke Debonnis’s territory in the distance.

The large river that ran alongside the highway passes through a water gate in the outer wall—flowing right through the center of the city, dividing it into eastern and western districts. It appears they’ve constructed large stone bridges to allow travel between the two sides.

The houses have a unified appearance. The arrangement of buildings and the layout of roads are orderly, and from above, one can tell this is a city built with considerable planning.

The central part of the city is likely Grand Duke Debonnis’s residence.

They seem to have diverted the river in a circular path to create a moat, building the castle on land surrounded by water. Though it’s quite large in scale, it harmonizes with nature—there’s even what looks like a small forest within the grounds. The castle walls are covered with reddened ivy, giving it an aged, dignified appearance.

“It’s a large city,” Grace remarks.

“For Verdgar, this is the largest stronghold in the south. It’s a place governed by a Grand Duke who holds significant influence over the regional lords,” Rosemary replies. Just as Princess Stephania and Marquis Fobrester were positioned in the north, important strongpoints are managed by high-ranking nobles with close ties to the royal family.

As we reach the outer wall, I see Princess Stephania calling out from the deck to a soldier standing in a watchtower. The soldier exchanges some words with Princess Stephania, salutes, and sees us off.

Princess Stephania soon returns to the bridge.

“Grand Duke Debonnis says he doesn’t know the size of the airship, so if possible, he’d like us to land in the castle’s inner courtyard. If that’s not feasible, he requests we dock at the eastern stadium.”

“Understood,” I nod at Princess Stephania’s words. Grand Duke Debonnis had been notified in advance that we’d be heading south by airship. It seems preparations for our reception are in place.

The eastern stadium—that must be it. A massive cylindrical structure made of stone. What’s commonly called a colosseum. In ancient times, it was an arena. Nowadays, I hear it’s used for soldier training, competitions, and theatrical performances.

From the perspective of securing the Sirius, he probably wants us to head to the stadium.

“I can see the Moon Temple nearby too,” Claudia says, looking around the stadium area. Hmm. In that case, it might be good to stop by the temple before heading to the castle. Let’s establish a teleportation base before going to Grand Duke Debonnis’s castle. First, we’ll direct the Sirius toward the stadium. The townspeople are peeking out from their houses, looking surprised or waving at us. Judging by their reactions, rumors about the airship seem to have spread to the south to some extent.

As we approach the stadium, I notice the guards. They must have secured the area around the stadium in preparation for the airship’s arrival. We dock the Sirius in the circular plaza.

“Shall we go then?” I say, leaving Ignis, the wyverns like Lindwurm, and Corulis behind as lookouts on the airship, and also asking Alpha to stand guard as I disembark.

“Mm. We’ll be off then,” I say, and Auria, Princess Stephania, and Princess Adriana exchange smiles and waves with Corulis, who pokes his head out from the deck.

Perhaps influenced by Corulis, Lindwurm, Saphir, the other wyverns, the Earth Dragon, and even Alpha stick their heads out. I wave back, and Lindwurm and Alpha seem satisfied, closing their eyes as if nodding before pulling their heads back in. Elliot, Mercedes, Chester, and the others do the same.

Well, since Corulis is a familiar, it’s reassuring that I can check on him or give instructions if I’m concerned about his condition.

“I’ll leave Ambrum on the ship, so he’ll take care of feeding the wyverns and Corulis,” Rosemary says.

“Thanks, that helps,” I reply to her.

We board the carriage that came to meet us and head toward Grand Duke Debonnis’s residence. On the way, we stop briefly at the Moon Temple to set up Claudia’s teleportation magic for future travel. Claudia is used to this by now, so it only takes a moment.

We get back in the carriage and continue to the castle. Crossing a large stone bridge to the western district, we travel along the riverside boulevard until the carriage arrives at the castle. We cross the drawbridge over the moat and enter inside the castle walls. Even after entering the castle grounds, the carriage continues onward.

Eventually, we stop at—a garden with small waterways and a fountain. Beside the fountain, there’s a staircase made of white stone. Above it, I see a white gazebo made of the same material. The atmosphere of the garden, colored by autumn leaves in the twilight, is quite serene… The sound of water creates a soothing, calming space.

“It’s a garden with a lovely atmosphere…” Ashley murmurs as she looks around after getting out of the carriage. Marlene nods at her words.

“I’m glad you like it,” says an elderly man who appears from inside the gazebo atop the staircase. It’s Grand Duke Debonnis Bartwhistle.

“This is Grand Duke Debonnis. It’s been a while,” I say.

“Mm. Otherworld Ambassador, it’s good to see you well. You’ve come a long way,” Grand Duke Debonnis says quietly as he descends the stairs. There, Princess Stephania, Rosemary, Marlene, and others exchange greetings as reunions. Those meeting him for the first time introduce themselves.

Once everyone has finished introductions and greetings, Grand Duke Debonnis nods.

“The welcoming banquet will be held later. Why don’t you rest in the gazebo over there for a while?”

Having no reason to refuse, we follow Grand Duke Debonnis. We climb the stairs and reach the gazebo. The spot, situated at a slight elevation, seems to have been built beside an artificial pond.

Beyond the handrail, one can see clear water stretching out, with fish swimming in it.

“This is a place my late wife loved,” Grand Duke Debonnis says with a quiet smile. Meanwhile, the maids efficiently prepare tea on the table set up in the gazebo. Once the tea is ready, Grand Duke Debonnis speaks.

“Good. You may withdraw until further orders. Tell the guards not to approach this area for a while.”

“As you wish,” the maids bow and leave.

In the garden as dusk approaches, Grand Duke Debonnis lowers his eyes slightly. His demeanor overlaps with when I met him at the royal castle before—somehow lonely, or perhaps giving a tired impression.

“First… I must apologize to Marlene,” he says.

At this, Marlene blinks in surprise. Grand Duke Debonnis kneels on one knee before Marlene and bows his head.

“If only my brother Albert were here too, it would be even better. In the past, I voiced opposition to His Majesty Melvin’s marriage to your mother. While foreign royalty or high-ranking nobles might be one thing… to take a daughter who isn’t a noble as his wife, I said.”

Marlene’s eyes widen in shock.

I recall hearing that Grand Duke Debonnis values history and tradition.

“My apologies. My attitude and words may have been a remote cause for you being targeted by Roy. I’ve been regretting—if only I had given my blessing, or if we had reconciled with the ducal house… perhaps something would have been different.”

He’d been regretting. Since after the attempted assassination of Marlene, perhaps? The reconciliation with the ducal house would be after we learned Roy was the culprit.

Still, the minor argument he had with Prince Josiah likely happened because Grand Duke Debonnis believed that valuing tradition itself wasn’t wrong, and he had acted on that belief until now.

Indeed… for the Verdgar royal family, history and tradition are more than just nominal—they’re crucial. There’s talk that a king from several generations ago neglected his duties, causing the labyrinth to expand and the old mine tunnels to form, and Grand Duke Debonnis must know about that. Passing down what the royal family should preserve for future generations to ensure the country’s stability is important… I suppose.

That’s why Grand Duke Debonnis opposed the king taking a woman who was a shrine maiden apprentice as his consort. Those words might have worsened Albert and Marlene’s standing in the royal palace.

Hearing this, Marlene closes her eyes for a moment, then looks straight at Grand Duke Debonnis and speaks.

“…That’s not it. That person… he just wanted to become king so he could do as he pleased.”

Grand Duke Debonnis’s eyes widen at Marlene speaking.

“He didn’t care at all about the things Grand Duke Debonnis holds dear.”

So it’s different, Marlene shakes her head.

“You—your words…” Ah. Grand Duke Debonnis didn’t know Marlene had regained her speech. His reaction is probably the flip side of having been concerned about Marlene.

“Mother said… she was happy. Being with Father, Brother, and me,” Marlene states clearly while looking at Grand Duke Debonnis.

Roy held territory near the southern border and likely relied on Grand Duke Debonnis for various matters, but inwardly, he didn’t respect him. That guy was thinking of becoming king himself and wielding Verdgar’s military power to exert influence. That couldn’t possibly align with Grand Duke Debonnis’s desire to protect the country’s peace through history and tradition.

And… regarding Marlene’s mother’s circumstances, she said she was happy regardless of her position in the royal palace. So Marlene is saying it wasn’t Grand Duke Debonnis’s fault.

Then Marlene looks at me.

“Whether someone was happy or not… isn’t something others can decide,” I say.

Marlene gives a small nod at my words and offers a gentle smile. It’s the same as what I said about my life with Mother and Grace.

“Exploitation of the situation… huh,” Rosemary murmurs. The discord between the Grand Duke and the Duke… was certainly exploited by Roy. He even tried to frame Rosemary.

But that guy seemed to be after the magical power he could steal by sealing Marlene’s voice. Marlene knows this. So she turns to Rosemary too, smiles, and shakes her head. Rosemary’s eyes widen slightly, and she hides her face behind her feather fan, but she embraces Marlene’s shoulder and strokes her hair.

“Whether one is happy or not… cannot be decided by others, it seems,” Grand Duke Debonnis mutters, closing his eyes as if savoring my words after watching the two… then he opens his eyes again, looks squarely at Marlene, and says.

“…I see. Even so, the fact remains that I worsened your mother’s standing. For that, my behavior was rash and disrespectful. I’m sorry.”

Marlene gives a small nod to Grand Duke Debonnis, who bows his head once more—accepting his apology. Grand Duke Debonnis bows once again, then turns to face me.

“Ambassador, allow me to express my gratitude. The Duke and I have personalities that don’t mesh well, and our families have had petty disputes over trivial matters since long ago. To my shame, during that incident, we suspected each other’s factions as the culprits. You cleared those suspicions and captured the real perpetrator.”

“Your words are too kind,” I reply with a bow.

“Actually, when I first met you, Ambassador, I was shocked.”

“How so?”

“I found myself thinking—what am I doing, sending someone like you to the front lines of the battle against the demons? I… wish to reconcile with the Duke.”

“That… would surely please His Majesty Melvin.”

“I hope so,” I say with a smile, and Grand Duke Debonnis shows a slightly relieved smile in return.

“Tonight, we have prepared a banquet. Before you head south, I hope it will help you rest your minds and bodies a little. Though it’s a modest affair, please enjoy yourselves.”

With that, Grand Duke Debonnis bows.