The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49

 

“At this late hour, where on earth have you been?”

 

Renia hiccupped at Steren’s interrogation. He seemed displeased as he tapped the handle of his staff with his index finger.

 

I racked my brain trying to find an excuse. It would be better to say we went out for a night stroll while having some snacks together.

 

That thought was short-lived.

 

“Just in case, I asked The Dominion’s informants.”

 

Steren’s follow-up made all excuses meaningless.

 

“There was a report that you two were seen in the Orelion Entertainment District.”

 

“…”

 

So we were caught after all.

 

The Dominion’s informants. As expected of a Great Magic Family, they had eyes and ears everywhere.

 

When I remained silent, Renia hastily made excuses.

 

“Well, you see. Reagan is an adult now… and since it’s his first time visiting The Dominion, we just took a walk together.”

 

“…”

 

“Right? We really didn’t do anything bad.”

 

Renia clung to Steren’s arm and spoke in a slightly coquettish voice.

 

For Steren, who doted on his daughter, this was a hard blow to withstand. His brow twitched as if it was having an effect. When Renia looked up at him with sparkling eyes, Steren let out a deep sigh and waved his hand dismissively.

 

“…Renia. You go inside first.”

 

“What? But…”

 

“I told you to go inside.”

 

At the firm command, Renia hesitated before reluctantly moving her feet. Just before climbing the stairs, Renia carefully turned her head and said,

 

“…Um… what about Reagan?”

 

“Reagan and I have something to discuss separately.”

 

Renia seemed to think I was getting scolded because of her, so she grimaced in protest.

 

However, Steren’s attitude was firm, and even Renia had no choice but to turn away.

 

When the sound of a door closing came from the second floor, Steren rose from the sofa. He silently walked to the terrace and took in the outside scenery.

 

Orelion was a city that best fit the description of a city that never sleeps. Even though it was past midnight, the streets were bright. Steren, who had been quietly gazing at the night view, opened his mouth.

 

“The informant told me several interesting stories.”

 

“What were they?”

 

“First, the story that Renia was walking around the entertainment district. Second, rumors that someone won an enormous amount of money at the Orelion Casino. And lastly…”

 

Steren leaned against the railing and looked directly at me.

 

“The story that a mage from Rucen used magic in a back alley.”

 

“…”

 

“Do you have any idea about this?”

 

What should I say?

 

What a monster of a person.

 

He had filtered through vague pieces of information and somehow reached the core conclusion.

 

Having come this far, making excuses would be a bad move. It would be better to apologize obediently.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“Impersonating nobility, especially a Great Magic Family, is a particularly serious crime. If Kaiden had found out, he would have tried to kill you by any means.”

 

“Does the head of Rucen know about this?”

 

Steren chuckled at my question.

 

“Of course he doesn’t. Rucen, with its short history, couldn’t possibly have informants in Orelion.”

 

“That’s fortunate in this misfortune.”

 

“Well, even if he knew, he couldn’t harm you as long as you’re under Benheim’s protection.”

 

Unlike Renia’s worry, Steren didn’t scold me.

 

Instead, he sighed deeply and asked,

 

“Why on earth did you do such a thing?”

 

“Since you told me not to cause trouble, I thought if I was going to cause trouble anyway, it would be better than using Benheim’s name.”

 

“Except for the premise of causing trouble, it was indeed the right judgment.”

 

Steren smiled dryly and looked directly into my eyes.

 

“Reagan, I’m very curious about you.”

 

“…”

 

“Starting from having Benheim’s secret treasure, your exceptional talent that I’ve never witnessed before, Benheim’s mana cultivation method modified to fit your body perfectly, and even your personality that doesn’t match your age. Reagan, there are… far too many questionable things about you.”

 

Steren’s faded purple eyes gleamed in the light of the capital.

 

“I’m certain you have secrets. The fact that you don’t tell these secrets to anyone else must surely have good reasons.”

 

When I remained silent, Steren relaxed his expression.

 

“If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. But let me get one promise from you.”

 

“What kind of promise?”

 

“As Benheim’s son-in-law and Renia’s husband, can you remain an ally for life?”

 

“Of course.”

 

What’s a lifetime? I’ve already come looking for Renia even after dying once.

 

When I answered immediately, the wrinkles around Steren’s eyes curved.

 

“Then that’s enough.”

 

Steren turned his body again to look at the night view.

 

“Reagan. The reason I acknowledged you as my son-in-law is because I judged that you have the strength and will to protect Renia, just like now.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Regarding your visits to the entertainment district and impersonating Rucen, I judge that you must have had your own reasons. I won’t say anything more about this.”

 

Steren was silent for a moment. Only when I approached and stood next to the terrace did he continue speaking.

 

“…Renia is the spitting image of her mother.”

 

“…You mean her mother?”

 

“Yes. Since you went to the graveyard on your own before, you know well too, Reagan.”

 

“…”

 

“Lillian. Not just her appearance, but that free-spirited and curious personality is exactly the same.”

 

Longing flickered in Steren’s eyes.

 

“Lillian was from a commoner background, but she was more dignified and radiant than anyone else. However, because that light was too intense, she left my side early.”

 

I heard that Renia’s mother passed away when she was young. Because the elders opposed her being placed in the family mausoleum, they had no choice but to move her to a public graveyard outside the territory.

 

It was a bitter story.

 

“Perhaps because of that. Whenever I look at Renia, I see Lillian overlapping. So I’m afraid. I fear that child will also shine too brightly and lose her light early like her mother.”

 

In my previous life, Steren’s worry was never unfounded. Eventually Benheim fell, and like dominoes, the entire continent collapsed.

 

Even now after my regression, I clearly remember Renia obsessed with revenge.

 

“So Reagan, I ask you. As Benheim’s son-in-law, protect Renia.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“I don’t know why, but asking you this doesn’t give me much peace of mind.”

 

Steren smiled dryly.

 

“Anyway, for Renia and Benheim’s bright future, I should talk about the Council.”

 

The Council.

 

It seemed this was the real business Steren wanted to discuss with me privately.

 

“As you know, I visited the Imperial Mage Tower today with my son. And I happened to encounter the head of Airit.”

 

“The head of… Airit.”

 

“Yes. His condition was not normal. His complexion was as bad as a dead person’s. Until last year, his silver hair had a lustrous shine, but now it had become dull white hair.”

 

Steren stroked his chin with a troubled expression.

 

“I still can’t be certain if the rumors about the black disease are true, but it seems certain that something has happened to Airit. It can’t be completely unrelated to the incident in Rodel last time.”

 

“I think so too.”

 

I nodded.

 

The incident of Airit’s heir Yusefin being in the Black Mage Lair. The head’s rapid aging. Even the hereditary disease called black disease.

 

All circumstances pointed to the fact that some crisis had befallen Airit.

 

In the worst case, that crisis might have originated from the Archmage King.

 

As I was lost in thought, Steren turned and asked,

 

“Reagan, do you know much about the Great Magic Families?”

 

“Yes. I know roughly.”

 

“Knowing roughly isn’t enough. You’re someone who must attend the council. So you need to know more details about the five families that form the backbone of the Great Mage Alliance.”

 

I recalled the Five Great Magic Families. Along with what Renia had explained in my previous life, I also had knowledge gained from solving food, clothing, and shelter issues at Benheim in this life.

 

The Great Mage Alliance is a coalition of various magic families existing in the Empire.

 

Among them, the five largest pillars are called the Great Magic Families.

 

House of Benheim of Runes.

 

House of Rucen of Blade Forging.

 

House of Airidd of Spectral Magic.

 

And…

 

“House of Arcamen of Artifact Forging and House of Maelrn of Spirit Binding. These are the five families that form the backbone of the Great Mage Alliance.”

 

Steren continued, counting on his fingers one by one.

 

“First, you already know well about House of Benheim of Runes and House of Rucen of Blade Forging since you’ve experienced them directly. In the case of blade forging magic, you’ve even learned and are using it yourself.”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“You would have also heard about House of Airidd of Spectral Magic half a year ago in Rodel.”

 

“…I understand they use a unique magic formula that combines colors produced by refracting mana within the body.”

 

Just hearing about it doesn’t give me a clear picture. If I could see it directly, I might be able to try copying it.

 

I also have the prism that Airidd gave as a gift, so if I get the chance, I might be able to understand the structure of spectral magic.

 

“Next is Arcamen. They’re a somewhat unique family.”

 

“In what way are they unique?”

 

“Unlike other mage families, Arcamen doesn’t have a unique magic formula.”

 

A unique magic formula is a core element that differentiates magic family mages from ordinary mages.

 

The fact that they rose to the position of a Great Magic Family despite lacking a unique magic formula, which is like a family’s secret tradition, must have sufficient reason behind it.

 

“Arcamen’s mages aren’t pure mages. They’re closer to smiths, or rather alchemists. They’re more like craftsmen.”

 

In fact, the name Arcamen was one I had heard often even during my mercenary days before meeting Renia in my previous life.

 

That was because for renowned mercenaries, obtaining a weapon or armor made by Arcamen was practically a dream.

 

The shoulder guard I used in my previous life was also made by Arcamen. I certainly remember it being light and sturdy unlike ordinary armor, making it very useful.

 

“Arcamen is the most open and friendly family among the Great Magic Families, so there would be nothing good about making enemies of them.”

 

In other words, there’s no need to be particularly wary of them?

 

When I nodded, Steren continued.

 

“Lastly, House of Maelrn of Spirit Binding. They are masters of spirit magic.”

 

“Ooh…”

 

Spirit magic.

 

I had met several mages who commanded spirits in my previous life.

 

Spirit magic consumes less mana than ordinary elemental magic and has excellent flexibility, so the spirit mages I encountered on battlefields were either reliable allies or troublesome enemies.

 

“However, Maelrn’s unique magic formula differs from ordinary spirit magic. As the name suggests, it’s called spirit binding magic. Rather than simply summoning spirits and contracting with them as equals, it’s a method of forcibly binding them to serve as hands and feet. Since it’s structured completely differently from ordinary spirit magic, it’s sufficient to be called a unique magic formula.”

 

“Interesting.”

 

Forcibly commanding spirits.

 

Setting aside whether that’s even possible.

 

“But somehow it sounds similar to black magic.”

 

“Haha. Yes. I understand your concern. However, Maelrn is a family far removed from black magic. Having a history no less than Airidd and Benheim, there’s no doubt about their purity.”

 

Steren spoke as if to reassure me, but even Airidd, which already has a long history, might have colluded with black mages.

 

There’s no guarantee that Maelrn wouldn’t do the same.

 

If they come to the council, it seems I’ll need to keep a close eye on Maelrn as well.

 

Perhaps because such thoughts showed on my expression, Steren said.

 

“Reagan, I understand your curiosity, but don’t think about interacting with Maelrn.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Maelrn is a family with closed and exclusive tendencies. They rarely show themselves except during councils. To put it nicely, they’re mystical; to put it badly, you could say they’re a family with a strong sense of superiority.”

 

Then how did such a closed Maelrn get annihilated by the Archmage King in my previous life?

 

Renia didn’t explain that either.

 

Perhaps because of that closed nature, they became isolated and were defeated one by one.

 

“Anyway, these five families plus the Imperial Mage Association make six organizations that form the backbone of the Great Mage Alliance. Other small and medium magic families will also attend, but they’ll have almost no voice.”

 

“…So it’s a structure where only powerful families can speak up.”

 

“Sharp observation.”

 

At my words, Steren nodded with a bitter smile.

 

“You’re exactly right, Reagan. It sounds nice to call it the Great Mage Alliance, but in reality it’s a den of wolves desperate to check and tear at each other. Even in this council, there won’t be many families that will readily follow Benheim’s proposal.”

 

Listening to Steren’s story, the Great Mage Alliance was essentially no different from a battlefield operating on the logic of power.

 

“So remember this.”

 

Steren grasped my shoulder. Strength entered his grip.

 

“This council won’t be a noble gathering to condemn black mages and discuss continental peace. Rather, it will be closer to a demon’s battlefield where the interests of the five families are entangled. So, you must use those eyes of yours to distinguish well what will benefit Benheim and what will harm it.”

 

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Even without him saying it, I knew very well.

 

This council.

 

I had to somehow catch the Archmage King’s tail.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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