elapt1c/ElapticAI-512 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Anything to report on the empire? Thane addressed my father-in-law, Dole Fran ois. Assisting with political matters per request of the current Bauer government, Dole had tagged along to report to Thane, too.
Now would be a good time to explain the governmental structure the Bauer Kingdom had settled on.
Thane was the king of Bauer. He represented the kingdom and had both official and ceremonial duties to uphold as part of his position. The executive power, however, lay entirely with the government, the current chancellor of which was Irvine Manuel. It was similar to the system of government used in Japan and the United Kingdom in my old world.
As a quick refresher for those who forgot, Irvine Manuel was the younger brother of former Resistance leader Arla Manuel, and he had formerly served as treasurer for the Resistance. Arla was technically part of the new government as well, but she only served as an honorary advisor and didn t take on any real duties. Her job had ended with the triumph of the revolution.
A parliament had been established, with the members all voted to power by the citizens now granted universal suffrage. You might remember how Claire fought for women s right to participate in government. Well, she was ultimately successful, and there were now female members of parliament, if only a few.
The Spiritual Church served as Bauer s judiciary, as it always had. That said, a vote of no confidence had been passed against the judges in other words, the clergy somewhat limiting the influence of the Church.
And that was the gist of Bauer s current state of governance. Now, back to the story.
The empire is as uncompromising as ever. Dorothea is being stubborn to the end, Dole nonchalantly said. He had been a harsh man, but he had mellowed softened, even. Still, you can t judge a book by its cover. He remained a frighteningly capable politician despite his genial demeanor.
Of course, that wasn t all he had going on for him.
Dole continued. It s merely a rumor, but I ve heard word that the recently exiled Princess Philine, of the reconciliation faction, has been assassinated.
I couldn t believe my ears. Philine was assassinated?
Father, is that true?! Claire asked.
It s unconfirmed, but a lock of her hair was sent to the imperial family. The blood was confirmed to be hers by magical tools, he answered.
That can t be Claire was dismayed, and who could blame her? We might only have known Philine for a few months, but we were close friends. How could she not feel anything?
I tried to comfort her. Miss Claire, I m sure Philine is all right.
B-but
Trust me.
My words didn t ease her worries completely.
This is a significant blow to reconciliation efforts with the empire, Thane said. That being the case, how likely do you believe the empire is to accept our demands at the summit?
At best, around thirty percent, Dole answered. Queen Manaria is capable, but she sorely lacks experience. The same can be said for Irvine. Dorothea is much shrewder than both of them.
Hmm
Bill should be able to perform, however. We should let him take the lead at the summit.
Who is this Bill, Father? Claire asked.
Oh dear, I seem to have used his nickname by accident. I meant William. You ve met William before, Claire. The king of the Alpes.
Ahh, His Majesty William, Claire said. The two seemed acquainted with the Alpecian king especially Dole, who had a nickname for him.
But before we continue, I think it would be best for you two to head home, Dole said.
Huh? Why, Father? How are we supposed to prepare if we don t know what s going on? Claire asked.
I wondered the same thing as well.
His next words surprised both of us. There s nothing to prepare for. You won t be attending the summit.
Huh? Claire said.
Bauer has relied on your help far too much. As your father, I can no longer turn a blind eye.
He went on to explain. You ve both been far too involved in our political affairs. You were even before the revolution. Not only is it not in Bauer s best interests for you to be such lynchpins, but as a father, I can t stand to see my daughter and daughter-in-law exploited any further.
I agree with Dole, said Thane. You two have done enough. We couldn t possibly ask you two to do anything else.
But we came to the empire of our own volition! To create a better future for May and Aleah! We can t just stop now! Claire protested.
I understand how you feel. But practically speaking, there is no need for either of you to be at the summit. Leave this to the political experts, Dole said.
But Claire frowned.
Claire, you ve done enough. You can live your own lives now. No in fact, I m sorry. You should have been living your own lives long before now, Dole said with sincerity.
This was just my speculation, but I believed Dole was afraid that Claire would end up like him. He d been involved in politics since he was born, which had led to him masterminding a revolution in a way that should have ended with his execution. Now, even after the turmoil of the revolution, he still couldn t escape the world of politics. I believed he didn t want her to endure the same hardships.
Let s do as Master Dole asks, Miss Claire, I said.
Rae
There are ways for us to help outside the political realm.
Indeed, Dole said. You are both intelligent and adept at magic, and you can study at school and raise your daughters. Isn t that a good enough life already?
When he said it like that, it sounded like archaic gender roles of the variety that society forced on women but perhaps that was the life Dole himself wished he could have led.
I shall take my leave! Claire declared.
Ah, wait, Miss Claire! I shall take my leave here as well. I chased after Claire, who stormed off, feelings clearly hurt.
Forgive me, I heard Dole murmur as I left. Even if the world were to need you both, I would still wish for your safety instead.
Those words were probably what he truly wanted to say to her.

***

Thank you for taking the time to come, the middle-aged man said as he prepared us tea.
Not at all, Mr. Torrid. Rather, I m sorry we didn t visit earlier, Claire said.
It had been a full day since Dole told us to withdraw from political matters when Mr. Torrid called us to him. He had arrived around the same time as Thane and the other attendees of the summit.
Torrid Magic: One of the world s few multi-casters and a brilliant scholar of magic. He had once been a researcher at the empire s Department of Magic Technology, but he had left after his inhumane experiments led to the discovery of what he called forbidden magic. He was currently the principal of Bauer s Royal Academy.
As for why such a man would want to return to the empire
I see So you ve opened it, then, he said, a pained but somewhat resigned look on his face.
Back when Philine was trying to gather support for her reconciliation efforts, we had opened something he left behind known as the Box of the Forbidden. It supposedly contained the culmination of the inhumane research he had conducted and, in his own words, was best left unopened. Of course, we had opened it anyway.
I cannot apologize enough for what we did, Claire said. Even if we believed it to be necessary, we still went against your wishes.
Thank you. But perhaps this was simply meant to be. Human curiosity knows no bounds. I m sure someone would eventually have discovered the same things I did, even if you hadn t opened the box. He smiled weakly. I ve returned to the empire to set things right. I doubt they ll extend me a warm welcome, but that research is simply too dangerous. I must warn them.
Warn them? Claire asked.
Come to think of it, didn t the letter you sent us contain a warning? Something about being watched, I said, remembering the missive we d received after asking him how to open the box.
I cannot go into detail, he said. I don t want to see you two dragged into this.
Can t you, please? Claire asked. Right now, we need all the power we can get.
Ms. Claire, you are more than powerful enough. I doubt there are many in this world who can best you or Ms. Rae when it comes to magic. He addressed us in that way because he insisted on treating us as fellow teachers of the Royal Academy.
But the demons remain leagues above us, I said. Miss Claire and I have been made painfully aware of this fact many times already.
By human standards, Claire and I were certainly powerful. But the Three Great Archdemons were far stronger than us. Even if you claimed Aristo and Platos had run circles around us because we d been half-spent at the time, we d fought Socrat at our best and hadn t so much as scratched him. If Dorothea hadn t been there, we would all have been wiped out.
We needed to be stronger.
I don t mean to be unreasonable, Claire said, but we simply cannot remain as we are if we are to protect those dear to us like May and Aleah.
Please, Mr. Torrid, I said, can t you teach us something that will allow us to become stronger? Anything that can help will do, even that so-called forbidden whatnot you fear so much.
He pondered quietly for a while. Minutes passed before he finally said, Have you two ever wondered just what magic is?
I m sorry? I asked, caught off guard. Just what kind of question was that?
The ability to cause phenomena through the usage of magical power to activate magic stones perhaps? Claire answered.
An exemplary answer, Ms. Claire. Then for you, Ms. Rae. What is this magical power? he asked.
Um a power each person has that corresponds with their magic aptitude? I asked, unsure.
Precisely, he said, to my surprise. Then to go one step further, where does this power come from?
Huh? Well, it comes from the body, does it not? Claire asked.
That answer isn t wrong, but it is hardly the whole story. There exists a step just before it forms in the human body.
And that is ? I pressed.
His expression stiffened suddenly. To continue the discussion beyond this point will take us into heretical territory. To know is to live being watched by the Church.
Huh? The Church? I asked. What did the Church have to do with this? And what did he mean by watching?
This world has secrets, he said. I learned but one of those secrets, and I have been monitored by the Church ever since. I fear they might be watching us at this very moment.
I hadn t a clue what he was talking about.
But it didn t matter.
I don t care. If it gives us the strength to protect our daughters, I will do anything, Claire said.
I feel the same way, I said. Claire and I had the resolve. How could we protect those we loved if we weren t prepared to brave a few dangers?
You two remind me of my daughter, Mr. Torrid sighed.
The one who died during your research?
Rae! Claire rebuked.
So you knew, he said. Yes, my research killed my very own daughter. She couldn t bring herself to abandon the pursuit of truth, believing what lay beyond would bring happiness to many.
He looked at us with pained eyes, as though the image of his daughter were overlaid upon us. I m sorry. I m afraid I cannot tell you after all. I just know you would follow the same path she took, and I do not wish to see any more victims.
Mr. Torrid, please! Claire begged.
Forgive me. This conversation ends here, he said with finality when suddenly there was a knock at the door. Hm? Who is it?
My name is Lilly Lilium. Do you mind if we talk a bit?
Lilly? Why would she be visiting Mr. Torrid? I wondered.
Claire seemed to be wondering the same thing. But Mr. Torrid s reaction was far more severe.
Th-the Church?! he exclaimed. The color drained from his face, and sweat beaded his brow. He regarded the door with an air of great vigilance. What does the Church want with me?
Mmm how about you let me in first? Lilly asked.
State your business!
Right How about I came because I heard Rae and Miss Claire were here?
I was about to reflexively respond when Mr. Torrid stopped me.

Anything to report on the empire? Thane addressed my father-in-law, Dole Fran ois. Assisting with political matters per request of the current Bauer government, Dole had tagged along to report to Thane, too.

Now would be a good time to explain the governmental structure the Bauer Kingdom had settled on.

Thane was the king of Bauer. He represented the kingdom and had both official and ceremonial duties to uphold as part of his position. The executive power, however, lay entirely with the government, the current chancellor of which was Irvine Manuel. It was similar to the system of government used in Japan and the United Kingdom in my old world.

As a quick refresher for those who forgot, Irvine Manuel was the younger brother of former Resistance leader Arla Manuel, and he had formerly served as treasurer for the Resistance. Arla was technically part of the new government as well, but she only served as an honorary advisor and didn t take on any real duties. Her job had ended with the triumph of the revolution.

A parliament had been established, with the members all voted to power by the citizens now granted universal suffrage. You might remember how Claire fought for women s right to participate in government. Well, she was ultimately successful, and there were now female members of parliament, if only a few.

The Spiritual Church served as Bauer s judiciary, as it always had. That said, a vote of no confidence had been passed against the judges in other words, the clergy somewhat limiting the influence of the Church.

And that was the gist of Bauer s current state of governance. Now, back to the story.

The empire is as uncompromising as ever. Dorothea is being stubborn to the end, Dole nonchalantly said. He had been a harsh man, but he had mellowed softened, even. Still, you can t judge a book by its cover. He remained a frighteningly capable politician despite his genial demeanor.

Of course, that wasn t all he had going on for him.

Dole continued. It s merely a rumor, but I ve heard word that the recently exiled Princess Philine, of the reconciliation faction, has been assassinated.

I couldn t believe my ears. Philine was assassinated?

Father, is that true?! Claire asked.

It s unconfirmed, but a lock of her hair was sent to the imperial family. The blood was confirmed to be hers by magical tools, he answered.

That can t be Claire was dismayed, and who could blame her? We might only have known Philine for a few months, but we were close friends. How could she not feel anything?

I tried to comfort her. Miss Claire, I m sure Philine is all right.

B-but

Trust me.

My words didn t ease her worries completely.

This is a significant blow to reconciliation efforts with the empire, Thane said. That being the case, how likely do you believe the empire is to accept our demands at the summit?

At best, around thirty percent, Dole answered. Queen Manaria is capable, but she sorely lacks experience. The same can be said for Irvine. Dorothea is much shrewder than both of them.

Hmm

Bill should be able to perform, however. We should let him take the lead at the summit.

Who is this Bill, Father? Claire asked.

Oh dear, I seem to have used his nickname by accident. I meant William. You ve met William before, Claire. The king of the Alpes.

Ahh, His Majesty William, Claire said. The two seemed acquainted with the Alpecian king especially Dole, who had a nickname for him.

But before we continue, I think it would be best for you two to head home, Dole said.

Huh? Why, Father? How are we supposed to prepare if we don t know what s going on? Claire asked.

I wondered the same thing as well.

His next words surprised both of us. There s nothing to prepare for. You won t be attending the summit.

Huh? Claire said.

Bauer has relied on your help far too much. As your father, I can no longer turn a blind eye.

He went on to explain. You ve both been far too involved in our political affairs. You were even before the revolution. Not only is it not in Bauer s best interests for you to be such lynchpins, but as a father, I can t stand to see my daughter and daughter-in-law exploited any further.

I agree with Dole, said Thane. You two have done enough. We couldn t possibly ask you two to do anything else.

But we came to the empire of our own volition! To create a better future for May and Aleah! We can t just stop now! Claire protested.

I understand how you feel. But practically speaking, there is no need for either of you to be at the summit. Leave this to the political experts, Dole said.

But Claire frowned.

Claire, you ve done enough. You can live your own lives now. No in fact, I m sorry. You should have been living your own lives long before now, Dole said with sincerity.

This was just my speculation, but I believed Dole was afraid that Claire would end up like him. He d been involved in politics since he was born, which had led to him masterminding a revolution in a way that should have ended with his execution. Now, even after the turmoil of the revolution, he still couldn t escape the world of politics. I believed he didn t want her to endure the same hardships.

Let s do as Master Dole asks, Miss Claire, I said.

Rae

There are ways for us to help outside the political realm.

Indeed, Dole said. You are both intelligent and adept at magic, and you can study at school and raise your daughters. Isn t that a good enough life already?

When he said it like that, it sounded like archaic gender roles of the variety that society forced on women but perhaps that was the life Dole himself wished he could have led.

I shall take my leave! Claire declared.

Ah, wait, Miss Claire! I shall take my leave here as well. I chased after Claire, who stormed off, feelings clearly hurt.

Forgive me, I heard Dole murmur as I left. Even if the world were to need you both, I would still wish for your safety instead.

Those words were probably what he truly wanted to say to her.

***

Thank you for taking the time to come, the middle-aged man said as he prepared us tea.

Not at all, Mr. Torrid. Rather, I m sorry we didn t visit earlier, Claire said.

It had been a full day since Dole told us to withdraw from political matters when Mr. Torrid called us to him. He had arrived around the same time as Thane and the other attendees of the summit.

Torrid Magic: One of the world s few multi-casters and a brilliant scholar of magic. He had once been a researcher at the empire s Department of Magic Technology, but he had left after his inhumane experiments led to the discovery of what he called forbidden magic. He was currently the principal of Bauer s Royal Academy.

As for why such a man would want to return to the empire

I see So you ve opened it, then, he said, a pained but somewhat resigned look on his face.

Back when Philine was trying to gather support for her reconciliation efforts, we had opened something he left behind known as the Box of the Forbidden. It supposedly contained the culmination of the inhumane research he had conducted and, in his own words, was best left unopened. Of course, we had opened it anyway.

I cannot apologize enough for what we did, Claire said. Even if we believed it to be necessary, we still went against your wishes.

Thank you. But perhaps this was simply meant to be. Human curiosity knows no bounds. I m sure someone would eventually have discovered the same things I did, even if you hadn t opened the box. He smiled weakly. I ve returned to the empire to set things right. I doubt they ll extend me a warm welcome, but that research is simply too dangerous. I must warn them.

Warn them? Claire asked.

Come to think of it, didn t the letter you sent us contain a warning? Something about being watched, I said, remembering the missive we d received after asking him how to open the box.

I cannot go into detail, he said. I don t want to see you two dragged into this.

Can t you, please? Claire asked. Right now, we need all the power we can get.

Ms. Claire, you are more than powerful enough. I doubt there are many in this world who can best you or Ms. Rae when it comes to magic. He addressed us in that way because he insisted on treating us as fellow teachers of the Royal Academy.

But the demons remain leagues above us, I said. Miss Claire and I have been made painfully aware of this fact many times already.

By human standards, Claire and I were certainly powerful. But the Three Great Archdemons were far stronger than us. Even if you claimed Aristo and Platos had run circles around us because we d been half-spent at the time, we d fought Socrat at our best and hadn t so much as scratched him. If Dorothea hadn t been there, we would all have been wiped out.

We needed to be stronger.

I don t mean to be unreasonable, Claire said, but we simply cannot remain as we are if we are to protect those dear to us like May and Aleah.

Please, Mr. Torrid, I said, can t you teach us something that will allow us to become stronger? Anything that can help will do, even that so-called forbidden whatnot you fear so much.

He pondered quietly for a while. Minutes passed before he finally said, Have you two ever wondered just what magic is?

I m sorry? I asked, caught off guard. Just what kind of question was that?

The ability to cause phenomena through the usage of magical power to activate magic stones perhaps? Claire answered.

An exemplary answer, Ms. Claire. Then for you, Ms. Rae. What is this magical power? he asked.

Um a power each person has that corresponds with their magic aptitude? I asked, unsure.

Precisely, he said, to my surprise. Then to go one step further, where does this power come from?

Huh? Well, it comes from the body, does it not? Claire asked.

That answer isn t wrong, but it is hardly the whole story. There exists a step just before it forms in the human body.

And that is ? I pressed.

His expression stiffened suddenly. To continue the discussion beyond this point will take us into heretical territory. To know is to live being watched by the Church.

Huh? The Church? I asked. What did the Church have to do with this? And what did he mean by watching?

This world has secrets, he said. I learned but one of those secrets, and I have been monitored by the Church ever since. I fear they might be watching us at this very moment.

I hadn t a clue what he was talking about.

But it didn t matter.

I don t care. If it gives us the strength to protect our daughters, I will do anything, Claire said.

I feel the same way, I said. Claire and I had the resolve. How could we protect those we loved if we weren t prepared to brave a few dangers?

You two remind me of my daughter, Mr. Torrid sighed.

The one who died during your research?

Rae! Claire rebuked.

So you knew, he said. Yes, my research killed my very own daughter. She couldn t bring herself to abandon the pursuit of truth, believing what lay beyond would bring happiness to many.

He looked at us with pained eyes, as though the image of his daughter were overlaid upon us. I m sorry. I m afraid I cannot tell you after all. I just know you would follow the same path she took, and I do not wish to see any more victims.

Mr. Torrid, please! Claire begged.

Forgive me. This conversation ends here, he said with finality when suddenly there was a knock at the door. Hm? Who is it?

My name is Lilly Lilium. Do you mind if we talk a bit?

Lilly? Why would she be visiting Mr. Torrid? I wondered.

Claire seemed to be wondering the same thing. But Mr. Torrid s reaction was far more severe.

Th-the Church?! he exclaimed. The color drained from his face, and sweat beaded his brow. He regarded the door with an air of great vigilance. What does the Church want with me?

Mmm how about you let me in first? Lilly asked.

State your business!

Right How about I came because I heard Rae and Miss Claire were here?

I was about to reflexively respond when Mr. Torrid stopped me.