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Chapter 29
In the end, the mages continued researching the usefulness of the Star Flower for another year. Eventually, Rita discovered a way to substitute the remaining petals—as well as the stem and roots—using just a single petal.
Thus, a hundred mages enhanced their abilities and stood against Eckart.
Even so, they were nothing more than flies to the guardian of the demonic sword.
Back then, the choice to be wary of the rampaging Eckart had been right a hundred times over. But now, nothing had even happened yet, and he was already being restrained so one‑sidedly.
Eckart was exceptional in many ways, but he wasn’t the type to covet the throne. Wasn’t there some way to grow closer to the Empress?
“Eckart, I’m curious—what was the Croden family’s relationship with the imperial family originally like?”
“The imperial family, huh…”
He brushed his hair back with one hand and stared off to the right, lost in thought. Just as I was about to ask if it was difficult to explain, he finally spoke.
“I was considering where to begin. Do you know why the founding duke was granted his title?”
“I’ve heard a little.”
“Then let me explain from the start. The Croden family wasn’t a ducal house from the beginning.”
His explanation wasn’t much different from the original story.
The first head of the family, Ardi Croden, was a baron. He was born with physical strength and magical power greater than most, and he bowed to no one.
Even the imperial family couldn’t deal with him lightly. Ardi’s only interest was subduing anyone who challenged him.
Because he was stronger than anyone else, people called him the reincarnation of a demon.
“But for some reason, as time passed, his magic and abilities weakened.”
Other families then banded together to bring the Croden family to ruin. At the time, the Croden family owned a red diamond mine of immense value.
Moreover, Ardi had always kept his distance from high society, and once his power waned, he was subjected to every kind of scheme and intrigue.
“To suddenly lose his strength… Could it have been dark magic used by another family?”
“That’s what I suspect as well, but our ancestors never found any clues.”
Perhaps the author hadn’t fleshed out the cause in detail. Once again, I resented the author for writing the novel solely to reach such a bleak ending.
“At the time the Croden family was facing its crisis, the Winterroad Empire also encountered an unprecedented one.”
“A rift opened in the north?”
“Exactly.”
Around that time, a massive rift opened in the north, and tens of thousands of magical beasts poured out.
The imperial family tried to suppress them using a sacred relic passed down for centuries—the demonic sword kept by the temple.
“The sword Eckart wields now.”
“Yes. The Emperor promised authority equal to that of royalty to whoever awakened the demonic sword.”
Desperate for restoration, Ardi went to the imperial family.
The demonic sword, which had never responded to anyone, responded to him.
Drawing out its power, Ardi eradicated the beasts in the north and gained strength even greater than before. As a result, the imperial family granted him the ducal title and territory in the north.
“The north doesn’t seem like land fit for a domain.”
“It meant that whenever beasts appeared, he was to take responsibility.”
Thus, in exchange for averting ruin and living a life as splendid as royalty, the Dukes of Croden guarded the north with the demonic sword.
But the Croden family didn’t know that contracting with the demonic sword came with a curse.
After the contract was made, there was no turning back. They tried to learn more about the sword, but all they found were ancient records saying it was a gift from an angel, yet demon‑like in nature.
With no way to lift the curse, the Croden family established their ducal residence in the capital, received support from white mages, and continued protecting the north.
“…No matter how much they were called heroes, the previous dukes suffered in pain their entire lives.”
“That’s correct.”
“Is there no way to avoid passing the sword down to descendants?”
“If the child chosen as heir doesn’t contract with the demonic sword before coming of age, they die. That’s the principle we learned over several generations.”
“…I see.”
I let out a sigh at such a bleak setting, fitting of a grim novel.
Like the previous dukes, Eckart became a guardian of the Empire and a collaborator with the imperial family. He earned the nickname the Iron‑Blooded Duke.
Straightening the sleeve Davion had grabbed earlier, Eckart said,
“So, as long as I am the master of this sword—”
“As long as you’re the master?”
“Cielina. Your existence is necessary.”
Sigh! In the end, it all came back to an obsession with white magic.
By the time the carriage arrived at the ducal mansion, I told him what had happened with Davion.
“His Highness the Crown Prince wants to help you.”
“That guy?”
“…Yes. He tried to secretly give me the Star Flower, but I refused in case it caused trouble later. Instead, I think we can proceed with research using just one petal.”
I discreetly took out a handkerchief and showed him the petal. He glanced at it, then gently ruffled my hair. The corners of his black eyes curved beautifully.
“Well done. As expected of my white mage.”
“W‑why are you suddenly patting my head?”
“Didn’t you touch me as well? It was praise.”
My chest felt oddly ticklish as he stroked my head. Snapping back to my senses, I put the petal away and cautioned him.
“His Highness said not to report it even if you manage to treat the curse.”
“Yes. It won’t be very difficult to keep that hidden.”
Eckart had always concealed the pain of the curse from others, and the mark could only be seen if his bare chest was examined.
“…Aren’t you curious why His Highness made that request?”
“I have my suspicions.”
So he had already sensed the mood within the imperial family.
“But Cielina—he didn’t say anything else, did he? Like asking you to treat him because he was sick or something?”
“He really didn’t!”
Apparently, one answer wasn’t enough. Still uneasy, he asked again, and while I grumbled, we soon reached the ducal mansion.
Eckart and I spread out the Star Flower in the laboratory.
An ordinary petal would have already withered, but the Star Flower retained its freshness even after a long time. From here on, my task was to devote myself to research, which meant gathering the remaining materials.
Even with one petal, there’s still a long way to go.
“First, we need to gather materials for the magic. Besides this, we’ll need gemstones from several kingdoms. Hella can obtain most of them.”
“Most?”
“Yes—except for the Orecale gemstone.”
The Orecale gemstone, also known as the Goddess’s Tear, was a rare jewel whose color changed over time. For now, it had only aesthetic value.
In the original story, it was Rita who revealed that this gemstone could replace the missing parts of the Star Flower.
Because I had read the original, I checked the calendar. The gemstone could only be obtained in a specific kingdom, during a specific period.
“Eckart, could you lend me a carriage?”
“Where are you going?”
“To the Kingdom of Orecale. I’m going to enter the magic tournament.”
Every year, the kingdom held a magic tournament and selected one winner. The prize was a staff adorned with an Orecale gemstone.
Rare and visually valuable, it was useful as jewelry or decoration, but it was extremely expensive, and even its limited distribution was strictly controlled by the Kingdom of Orecale—making it nearly impossible to obtain otherwise.
Thus, winning the tournament prize was the easiest way to acquire it.
Even aside from the prize, magic tournaments were far rarer than sword tournaments, so mages from all over—no, from many countries—gathered to show off their skills.
In the original story, Blanche also participated but did not win.
During the main rounds, she helped another contestant and failed to earn enough points, leading to her elimination. Upon hearing the news, Davion comforted her and gifted her another fine staff.
“Does Your Highness think I was foolish as well?”
“Not at all. It was a courageous act.”
I remembered that exchange. The female and male leads connected through such kind, selfless personalities.
Blanche couldn’t change her self‑sacrificing nature and always blamed herself for it. Yet instead of scolding or exploiting her, he called her brave.
That incident became the turning point where Blanche opened her heart to Davion.
But now, the likelihood of Blanche entering that tournament was slim. She already had another staff, and we hadn’t been faithfully following the original plot anyway.
I have to participate. I can’t let someone else take that staff.
The original winner was none other than Rita—Cielina’s half‑sister.
When gathering mages to oppose Eckart, Rita was already famous and recognized as “the mage who won the magic tournament.”
If I attended, I would inevitably compete with her. As I recalled those details, Eckart spoke cautiously.
“Cielina. As you know, the magic tournament involves direct combat. There is a simpler way, though.”
He smiled—a suspicious, ominous smile.
“…You’re not suggesting killing the winner and stealing the prize, are you?”
“Killing?”
“Oh—right. Of course. I jumped to conclusions.”
“Yes. I was only planning to kill them halfway.”
He looked at me with the eyes of a puppy seeking praise.
“Eckart, do you have trouble sleeping at night?”
“Are you worried about my rest? I think I’d have better dreams if you stayed by my side.”
Expecting basic morality from him had clearly been a mistake, so I changed the subject.
“Anyway, I’ll win.”
I excelled in both holy power and mana—and I was a white mage.
If Rita won in the original, that meant the other contestants were weaker than her. And I had already beaten Rita once before.
“You don’t have much experience fighting people, do you? You mostly used healing magic.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve practiced other magic whenever I could. I know the tournament format well, and I’m strong. I’ll be competing, so please prepare the carriage.”
“I’m not doubting your abilities, so I’ll gladly do so.”
I thought he was agreeing too easily—until he smiled and added,
“Of course, I’ll be going with you. If you’re ever in danger, I’ll leap down from the stands immediately.”
“Your Grace, that’s quite a long vacation.”
“My vacation already ended, so I threatened the Crown Prince one more time.”
…What? No! Is that really okay?!
