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Chapter : 35. Fate
The White Wolf Countdom — a land gripped by bitter cold all year round.
“Right, do you know that family?”
The bookstore owner’s question followed his earlier comment. Illyana gave a small nod.
“Ah, yes. Well, they were a noble family from the same kingdom…”
“Same kingdom? Oh, that’s right — Illyana, you mentioned before you were from a noble house yourself.”
“…Yes.”
The Marquisate of Segretus.
Illyana’s family — a noble house belonging to the Batenberg Kingdom, just like the White Wolf Countdom.
“Then hey, Illyana. Do you think I could ask a favor?”
“A favor?”
Illyana tilted her head slightly. The bookstore owner immediately continued.
“Do you think you could pull some strings with the Predator Merchant Group and get me some monster meat?”
“Pardon…?”
“I had the chance to try it once by sheer luck, and the taste — it was unforgettable!”
“What… Wait, hold on. You’ve eaten it before?”
“It was the best meat I’ve had in my life. I still remember the taste.”
The bookstore owner had a far-off, dreamy look, like someone reminiscing about a first love.
That alone was enough proof of the safety of monster meat.
“So what do you think? Can you help? I’ll let you borrow books for free — for life!”
“Eh… Ah, well…”
“You’re from the same kingdom! I heard nobles there often use their connections at social gatherings and such.”
“Well… that’s…”
“Can’t you do something?”
“I… I’m an illegitimate daughter…”
A daughter born of a concubine — an illegitimate child.
A legitimate child was called jeokja or jeoknyeo, and a concubine’s child was called seoja or seonyeo.
“But you’re still a noble, aren’t you?”
“Well, that’s…”
People often misunderstood — they thought all children of nobles were themselves considered nobles.
More precisely, they assumed all nobles had concubines. But that was a big misunderstanding.
In fact, nobles rarely recognized the concept of concubines.
Unlike commoners, nobles were a class that had legal and traditional privileges. Believing their blood to be “special,” they avoided mixing it carelessly.
In that sense, both the White Wolf Countdom and the Marquisate of Segretus, within the Batenberg Kingdom, did not recognize the institution of concubinage.
Monogamy was strictly upheld.
To nobles, taking multiple wives was seen as degrading and unbefitting of their status.
Only royalty, who had to ensure the continuation of the bloodline, were sometimes allowed to have a “royal mistress.”
But even then, they were nothing more than publicly acknowledged mistresses — never officially recognized as wives or family.
If that was the case for royalty, then for common nobles, it was unthinkable.
Taking a concubine was simply not allowed. The concept of illegitimate children did not officially exist either.
Any children born out of wedlock were simply labeled as bastards.
Illyana, the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Segretus, had been treated as such — like a bastard, even worse than a commoner.
Because her blood was considered to have tainted the noble house’s dignity.
Though the marquisate ranked above the White Wolf Countdom, the difference between a legitimate heir and an illegitimate daughter was like heaven and earth.
“In practice… it’s like the difference between a noble and a lowborn…”
She had only been allowed to live in the household because she shared their blood.
Even then, she had to walk on eggshells, which is why she had eventually left the family to live at the Magic Tower.
“…I see.”
The bookstore owner smacked his lips awkwardly. Then, looking deeply apologetic, he said,
“I’ve lived my whole life here in the Free City… I just ran my mouth, not knowing a thing. …I’m sorry.”
“N-No, it’s okay.”
“I was ignorant. Didn’t know your circumstances. As an apology, I won’t charge you for the books.”
“What?! No, wait! These are really expensive books—!”
“Nope. Anyone can say sorry with words.”
“You really don’t have to—”
“I won’t feel at ease otherwise. Just take them.”
“B-But still—”
“Then I’ll just throw them all out.”
He looked serious — like he really would.
Panicked, Illyana hugged the pile of books tightly.
“O-Okay! I’ll take them!! Just please don’t throw them away…”
Seeing her adamantly protect the books, the bookstore owner burst into hearty laughter.
This is why…
She liked it here.
In this Free City, everyone was equal.
No one cared if she was a concubine’s child, an illegitimate daughter, a bastard.
There was no need to walk on eggshells.
That’s one reason Illyana always stopped by Orpheum whenever she left the Magic Tower every few months.
“More importantly, can you carry all those books? If it’s too much, I can—”
“Oh, that’s fine!”
With a wave of her hand—swoosh!
The mountain of books disappeared in an instant.
“Was that… dimensional magic?”
“Yes, it was.”
“That’s high-level magic, isn’t it?”
“It is, but… once you learn the formulas, it’s not that hard.”
“‘Not that hard,’ she says…”
The bookstore owner looked stunned — even though he didn’t know a thing about magic, it was obvious Illyana’s talent was exceptional.
“Well, I’ll get going now, sir!”
“Y-Yeah. And again… I’m sorry about earlier.”
“It’s really fine! I’m not bothered at all, so don’t worry about it!”
Illyana smiled brightly and exited the bookstore.
As she stepped outside—
She was greeted by the vibrant and lively scenery of Orpheum, the cultural city.
In the central square, crowds had gathered, passionately debating something.
Judging by the snippets she caught, it seemed like they were arguing about monster meat.
And not just in the square.
The entire city was abuzz with chatter about monster meat.
“Monster meat, huh.”
It was absurd no matter how she looked at it.
And yet, the evidence and phenomenon stood plainly before her.
One of Illyana’s guiding principles was: “There is no rule without phenomena.”
If a phenomenon contradicts an established rule, it’s not the phenomenon that’s wrong — it’s the rule.
Meaning—
“I was wrong.”
The theories and knowledge she’d believed in were flawed.
It was hard to accept, but impossible to deny.
Even if the possibility is unbelievable, if it’s all that remains, it must be the truth.
“They really did remove the madness.”
The first time in continental history.
If this were reported to the academic world, it would shake not just the field of magic, but the entire continent.
Why? Because it implied that all the “impossible” things might actually be possible.
Things like combining traits of different species to create hybrid lifeforms…
Surpassing the limits of natural evolution to give rise to entirely new species…
Or even inventing new biological abilities…
All the things previously dismissed as impossible could now be reconsidered.
“I have to start researching right away!”
As a wizard and arcane scholar in pursuit of truth, her curiosity was bound to explode.
Predator Merchant Group.
White Wolf Countdom.
“Adrian Whitewolf…”
The name of the infamous scoundrel from the Count’s family.
Maybe that’s why… it felt familiar.
“What kind of person is he?”
The name etched itself deeply into Illyana’s mind.
