Time passed, and before I knew it, summer vacation was coming to an end.
Time really did flow aimlessly.
It seemed like Aslan had managed to survive just fine on his own.
I hadn’t even seen him.
I just hoped he and Yuria were happily getting along.
The ones who had stayed in Plant had been living the easy life.
I left the role of the Saint to Bernoa and entered the main building of the Ashtar Magic Order.
I had originally planned to come a little earlier, but with the expedition and various other issues, I was delayed.
“Of course, I knew you would come!”
Kise greeted me with a salute, accompanied by a few of my aides.
In the Magic Order, I was nothing more than a student, so what was all this?
“I was always going to come.”
“Welcome!”
“Ah, I get it, so don’t get too excited.”
Kise looked like she was about to die of happiness just from seeing me here.
The smile forming on her lips was amusing.
“Was it the thrill of having won against the Magic Tower in their rivalry?”
“But why is that person here?”
Kise’s gaze shifted toward Syria.
“Of course, Syria had come along since she was one of my aides. As for Claire, it was a bit tricky to keep her by my side, so Syria was taking her place instead.”
“Is there a reason she shouldn’t be?”
“Well, isn’t she from the Magic Tower?”
“Magic Tower girl? Ha. Says the flat board.”
At my words, Kise’s eyes flared with anger.
A woman’s chest size was always a sensitive topic.
“Are you picking a fight with me?”
“And who picked a fight first, oh flat one?”
“Stop fighting, you crazy idiots.”
It seemed these two weren’t fighting because of me but rather for the pride of the Magic Order and the Magic Tower.
How annoying.
Besides, even though I said I was joining the Magic Order, my status was already more than enough.
“Well, I did join the Magic Order, but—”
“But what? Don’t tell me you’re leaving soon?”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, which was a bit unsettling to see.
I did plan to stay in the Magic Order, but I also had to maintain my connection with the imperial capital.
After all, I was the Taesa.
There wasn’t much time left until the Founding Festival.
The nomadic chieftains might come to the empire, so I would have to keep traveling between the Magic Order and the imperial capital.
“No, it’s not that. I just wanted to let you know in advance—I’ve already been registered as a court magician. To be precise, the emperor has named me the ‘Imperial Magic Instructor’—the Taesa.”
So yeah, that was where my life was at now.
“In other words, His Majesty decided to establish the position of Imperial Magic Instructor as the Taesa, and the Taesa also serves as a court magician?”
“That’s right.”
I was stuck holding multiple ridiculously burdensome titles.
“Our dear Olivia’s future is looking bright. Meanwhile, all I get is this? Oh, how amazing.”
Syria wriggled her body slightly as she leaned in beside me.
In some ways, I had already achieved my goal.
But still, I wanted a grand title like Grand Mage.
To get that, I would probably have to make a name for myself on the battlefield.
Either way, both the emperor and the military were clearly preparing for war.
But there was a problem.
***
[So, is that brilliant princess preparing for war?]
[Ah, Saint, don’t mention war. It might unsettle the people.]
[No, but we need to be prepared.]
[I don’t know what Mother is thinking, but for now, keeping quiet is best for Ashtar as well.]
The princess’s response was strange.
She wasn’t just vaguely preparing for war—she seemed to be deliberately hiding it, as if she wanted the empire to suffer losses.
If even the emperor knew about it, there had to be something going on.
The emperor might be incompetent, but he wasn’t stupid.
Which meant… war was definitely coming.
“What the hell are those lunatics thinking?”
‘Could they be planning to cede part of the empire’s territory to the White King?’
Judging by how Amelia was rushing to supply firearms to the army, that didn’t seem to be the case.
‘Or were they just trying to get better weapons? Or maybe they planned to use the White King as a test subject for new weapons?’
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Anyway, I’ve decided to participate in the Founding Festival.”
“Isn’t that a festival? Everyone participates.”
At Kise’s question, I shook my head.
“No, not just that.”
“Don’t tell me… the Grand Tribal Assembly?”
That’s right.
Syria had guessed it.
***
The Grand Tribal Assembly.
A long-standing tradition where the leaders and key figures of the northern nomadic tribes, including those from the plains, gathered.
It was both a meeting to maintain friendly relations and, in imperial terms, a major policymaking body, akin to a parliament.
The assembly had also mediated conflicts between warring tribes.
Or sometimes arranged marriage alliances.
In other words, it was a crucial gathering that fostered unity among the nomadic tribes.
The history of the Grand Tribal Assembly began to shift when the Ban Tribe, through the conquest of Kart, founded the Armeria Empire.
The Ban Tribe absorbed the royal family of Kart and established the empire, shaking the foundation of the assembly.
Once the strongest faction within the assembly, the Ban Tribe had wielded enormous influence there.
Then they went and founded an empire.
The tribes that had participated in the assembly became divided over whether future meetings should be held in the empire or on the plains.
Small tribes like the Ribelt Clan, who had become part of the empire’s aristocracy, naturally supported holding it in the imperial capital.
Some tribes still insisted on holding it on the plains, but in the end, they were forced to yield to the empire’s overwhelming power.
After the empire was established, the Ban Tribe no longer saw the assembly as a political body for the nomads but rather as a tool for governing them and asserting their influence.
Just as they had feared an uprising from another powerful tribe, they ensured the assembly remained under their control.
“Yeah, that Grand Tribal Assembly.”
“Hmm. Now that I think about it, Ashtar was also historically a major pillar of the assembly. So it makes sense for Olivia to go, especially since you’re the Taesa.”
Yeah, given my status, attending was natural.
“Now that I think about it, don’t the strongest warriors from each tribe compete in martial arts duels at the Grand Tribal Assembly?”
“Probably?”
“Oh-ho.”
The smirk forming on Syria’s lips made me want to punch her.
“What’s with that disgusting smile, Syria?”
“I think I know why the emperor called you. And as the representative, no less.”
‘How did she know something I didn’t?’
”No way. Hold on. The best warrior from each tribe steps forward at the Great Clan Assembly?”
As far as I know, even the Empire officially appoints a representative every time the Great Clan Assembly is held.
‘So, does that mean I have to participate in it?’
Well, the Ashtar clan is a noble family within the Empire, so technically, I could qualify as the Empire’s representative.
No, that can’t be right.
No way.
“Don’t say ominous things.”
“Otherwise, there’s no reason to send the Grand Chancellor. A Saintess, a Grand Chancellor, and a mage from the Ashtar Mage Corps. Wow. Quite a diverse group, huh?”
“Ugh, shit.”
I can already picture how this will turn out.
“If this happens, doesn’t that completely erase the reason I came here?”
“Wait a second. The Great Clan Assembly involves archery, doesn’t it?”
“And?”
“They use bows and swords, not magic. But you…”
‘Is Kise underestimating me too much?’
Unfortunately for her, I know how to use them.
“Oh my, didn’t you know? Olivia is quite skilled with the bow. Skilled enough to be a representative.”
“Huh? What?”
“Of course. Her archery skills are enough to make countless noble archers kneel before her.”
That was before you came.
“Where the hell did you even hear that?”
“What kind of bullshit is that?”
Wow, hearing Kise say “bullshit” is something else.
“Is she that shocked?”
“No, it’s true. I’m pretty good at archery.”
“No, how could this be possible?”
‘Why does he look so surprised?’
“Atlerina was quite a good teacher.”
“Ah… I see. Then, you must be good at magic too, right?”
“Has she never seen me use magic?”
‘Wait, now that I think about it, have I ever properly shown my magic in front of Kise?’
I didn’t take her with me during the attack on Crad Castle, so I guess not.
“Well, obviously. That’s why I’m in the Mage Corps. Let’s go inside.”
“By the way, this girl is really—”
“Why are you picking a fight again?”
Seriously. Kise turned to Syria, as if bringing up an already settled matter. But this time, she shook her head, as if that wasn’t her intention.
“No, I meant, on what grounds is someone from the Magic Tower here?”
“I just said I came as Olivia’s attendant from the Magic Tower.”
Right. The Ashtar family had improved relations with the Magic Tower after the last expedition.
The biggest reason? Syria had joined Olivia in reclaiming Crad Castle.
She had protected Olivia and helped defeat one of the Four Heavenly Kings, Berna.
Thanks to that, even within Ashtar, Syria was highly regarded.
Especially by the Ashtar military, who revered me as a Saintess.
They treated Syria like a loyal retainer to the Lady of the house.
Naturally, Ashtar couldn’t easily refuse the Magic Tower’s requests.
And since I, the Lady of Ashtar, declared that Syria would stay by my side, who would dare oppose it?
Who would dare question the Saintess who avenged Eldakrad, the hero of Ashtar itself?
Besides, she wasn’t here to attend the Mage Corps lectures anyway.
“No, but really.”
“I said I’m Olivia’s attendant. What are you gonna do about it?”
Olivia’s attendant.
“Ugh…”
“Well, at least she won’t be participating in the classes. She’ll just be assisting Olivia.”
That’s fine.
One troublemaker is enough—me.
“If Syria starts causing issues too, things will get annoying.”
“That’s my role—”
“Aren’t you the head of the Mage Corps?”
“Ugh. That’s exactly why—”
Wow. Kise is sneakily trying to favor me.
Seriously, all the well-known women in the Empire have gone insane.
They’re all fond of me.
Ah, but Kise is a special case.
“Wait, the head of the Mage Corps is showing favoritism toward Olivia? I’m Olivia’s attendant, so it makes sense that I only focus on her, but you?”
“Ughhh…!”
“Stop. You’re going to make her cry.”
Kise’s face twisted in such a pitiful way.
“Seriously, Syria, you’re too ruthless.”
“Kise, take it easy.”
“Why are you only saying that to me?”
Ugh.
“You’re the real problem. You’re too much.”
“You were close with the First Olivia. I’m different. But if I mention the First Olivia, things will get complicated.”
“Syria, you too. Remember, you’re from the Magic Tower. Even if Ashtar is friendly toward you, you don’t know how the Mage Corps will react.”
“Got it.”
Syria pouted but nodded.
“Just stay by my side and act like a dollmaker.”
Even if she was from the Magic Tower, here she was coming as a dollmaker and my attendant.
So, rather than being seen as a mage, she’d be seen as a dollmaker.
Her title as the strongest battle mage should be limited to the Crad battlefield.
Yes. That’s for the best.
Otherwise, there will be chaos in the Mage Corps.
Some might challenge Syria and end up completely wrecked, and the reputation of the Mage Corps would take a hit.
So, we compromised before that chaos could break out.
But at the time, I was too relaxed.
‘Maybe I was getting too comfortable in my status as a Lady and a Saintess.’
“What, just because you’re a Lady, you think that settles everything?”
“Yeah, they call you a war hero and all, but wasn’t that just Ashtar’s army doing all the work?”
“Exactly! My father even supplied provisions for Ashtar’s army!”
Not everyone in the Mage Corps viewed me favorably.
This reminded me of the nightmare of Atlerina.