“Hello? Fran-chan? How’s it going over there?”
“Eek! I-I’m definitely studying! I haven’t been slacking off!”
“No, no. You can relax when you’re back home. Smart businesspeople know how to switch gears and take proper breaks during their time off.”
“R-Really? Well, if that’s the case, I’ll take a break… Are you sure? You’re not really angry, are you?”
“I’m not mad at all. Spend some peaceful time with your family.”
“Yay!”
“…Since once this country falls, there’s no guarantee your family will survive. You should see them while you still can.”
“Nooooooo!!!”
Francis Klein here…
A noble mage from the prestigious Marquis Klein family.
The Klein family has existed since the days of the “Holy Compool Empire,” the predecessor to the Kingdom of Biltria. Our origins trace back to the Crown Clan, who lived in the northern-central regions of the continent.
The Crown Clan, possibly due to living in places with strong sunlight, had dark skin and red hair.
The Crown Clan’s king was appointed as a noble after submitting to the emperor at the time, and thus, the Klein Marquis family was born.
We’re an ancient family, renowned for our bravery.
And I, Francis, have been studying military science and politics from a young age, as well as training as a mage. I am a genius!
…Or at least I should be. But lately, haven’t I been facing nothing but awful situations????
This isn’t right, is it? Something’s wrong! So wrong!!!
But if I try to complain…
——— “Oh! Fran-chan, do you want me to bully you? How adorable, not saying it outright but still asking for it! Just as you wish, I’ll torment you all night!”
“…Eek!!”
Just thinking about it is terrifying!
I’ll die! He’ll really kill me!
Even if he doesn’t, something horrible will happen!
So, do you think I can oppose him? Impossible! As frustrating as it is, he’s a real genius—so strong and scary!
There’s nothing he can’t do, as far as I’ve seen. Even though military tactics are supposedly not his specialty, he came up with such nasty strategies that our military tactics teacher, Mr. Kruzhes, was left speechless.
It’s strange for a nobleman to work in the kitchen, but he can make delicious, beautifully arranged dishes…
Even with magical assistance, he can build fortresses, construct buildings, and do business…
He knows how to use a sword and is skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
And above all, his magic!
In every aspect, his techniques are like divine works!
Just being able to learn a fraction of them makes me, as a noblewoman, feel like I’m getting an invaluable education worth selling myself for…
Truly, his abilities are incredible.
Unlike magic up until now, it’s far more logical and practical…
I can’t explain it well, but it feels like a completed form of magic.
Most central nobles, who rarely deploy their mages on the battlefield, probably wouldn’t understand this though.
My family, the Klein family, has repeatedly fought on the northern front against the Adon Magic Empire, as well as on the eastern fronts against Domainia and Binial, following royal orders.
While the royal family and other noble houses are strong, they don’t lead from the frontlines often, and certainly don’t like taking on the dirty work of commanding infantry or serving as rear guards.
But in terms of warfare techniques and battle experience, only the Carenheit Margrave’s family can rival ours.
It might seem like we’re just being saddled with the fighting, but there are reasons for it.
The royal family’s and upper nobility’s secret magic has overwhelming destructive power and range, making direct conflicts difficult. Even if you fight them, there’s little to gain.
The Klein family is one of the few houses that consistently sheds blood, so we have a considerable amount of influence in the country. For instance, if we threatened to withdraw our troops from the frontlines, everyone would have to make concessions. Though, we can’t do that often, as it would damage our credibility…
But the Klein family has always been a martial family, famous for our prowess in battle. It’s our duty to fight. We can’t allow the honor of our ancestors to be tarnished in our generation.
From our family’s perspective, always on the frontlines of wars, his magic was truly revolutionary.
The Klein family originally developed a strategy using earth magic to move the soil, dig trenches, and hide soldiers who then attack with arrows and magic—this strategy is known as ‘trench warfare.’
We defend against cavalry charges with walls of earth bristling with steel spikes, while our forces fire arrows and magic from a safe distance. It’s a surefire tactic for the Klein family.
So, our family had always been open to adopting new strategies and techniques, unlike some of the other noble families who prefer flashy charges.
His knowledge and magic fit right in with us.
For example, his “Far Talk” magic, which eliminates the need for messengers, is now an indispensable technique for receiving reports from far away.
“Flash” is useful for blinding enemies in an instant.
Practical spells like “Salt Production” and “Filth Removal” were especially needed on the hellish frontlines.
Moreover, his combination of magic and ‘ballistics’ has greatly increased the accuracy of long-range attacks, while his teachings on ‘medicine’ have significantly reduced casualty rates.
Yes, he is a scoundrel, a villain, no doubt.
But he is stronger, smarter… and more terrifying than anyone.
A being beyond the reach of any power, untouchable, a bottomless abyss. A true, impenetrable darkness.
I doubt I will ever encounter someone that frightening again, now or in the future.
That’s why I admire him and follow him.
As I’ve said many times, I’m a woman of the martial tradition.
There’s no way I wouldn’t be drawn to a man as overwhelmingly strong as him.
When I think about it, Exus really is an outstanding asset.
Despite everything, neither I nor my family have been killed.
He’s even allowed me to share his knowledge with my family, as long as I report the results.
He’s arranged for my personal care, and he’s even taught me his secret techniques.
He’s a noble with both the magnanimity and harshness of a ruler.
A man who possesses both the ‘fear’ and ‘forbearance’ of a true leader, someone truly worthy of serving…
I feel bad for my family who serves the royal family, but I’ve already found joy in serving and submitting to him..
