Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 95: The Secret of the Demon Sword

As the carriage entered the Baylins Magic and Martial Arts Academy, Kirstin alighted, casually leaving behind a remark about attending military strategy classes when he had the time, and then strolled away as if nothing had happened. This left Darn sitting in the carriage, gazing out the window at the retreating figure, silently pondering the sincerity behind the young man's words.

Having set out early in the morning, Darn returned just as noon struck. Glancing at the sky, he lost any desire to visit the Mage Tower and decided instead to head straight back to the villa-style dormitory where he resided.

Should he go to the Mage Tower in the afternoon to draw magic circles, or meditate at home? As he stepped down from the carriage and entered the villa, Darn found himself momentarily forgetting the worries that had plagued him all morning. Just as he settled onto the long sofa in the reception room, ready to inquire about lunch, a sudden knock echoed from the villa's front door.

A moment later, a letter was brought in by his personal attendant, Nuskah. Upon seeing the signature at the bottom of the letter, Darn eagerly tore it open and began to read.

The letter was from his mother, Kliya, the governor's wife of the border province of Ruthtania. In her heartfelt words, she expressed her longing and affection for her youngest son, inquiring about his well-being and living conditions. She even stated that if Darn felt any discomfort, the loving governor's wife would immediately rush to the capital to resolve everything for her son.

Ah, mother can be quite nagging. How am I doing? Am I adjusting to the environment? Is the food to my liking? Is anyone bullying me? And, surprisingly, she even asked if I'm shy or if I wet the bed!?

With a wry smile, Darn quickly skimmed through the numerous questions that reflected his mother's love, deciding to respond only to the first inquiry in his reply. For the rest, he would fill the letter with elaborate descriptions of life in the capital and the academy's course schedule, of course, not forgetting to include greetings and expressions of longing, along with a subtle request for pocket money.

As Darn contemplated how to sweet-talk his mother in his reply and how much pocket money would be appropriate, the last line of her letter caught his eye, causing him to leap up in surprise.

By the gods! Teacher Larameni is coming to the capital! Accompanying him is Aeloria!

Reading the brief lines on the letter with great attention, Darn felt a mix of joy and anxiety. Estimating the travel time for Larameni and Aeloria, and calculating the distance from Ruthtania to Beneto, Darn's mouth fell open in astonishment.

If all goes as expected, Larameni and Aeloria should arrive in just a few days. Once they do, then Ceseta...

Furrowing his brow, Darn grimaced, realizing he no longer needed to ponder the distinction between liking and loving. What he needed to consider was how to prevent his fiancée from learning about Ceseta and how to keep his intentions of proposing to the viscountess from reaching Aeloria's ears.

What a headache! Perhaps I should attend the military strategy class this afternoon and engage with Kirstin, who seems to have a favorable impression of me. Surely, Viscount Michel wouldn't mind that I already have a fiancée! According to imperial law, I can only grant Ceseta the status of a concubine.

In the traditions of many wise races on the Isilia continent, the laws of all human kingdoms permit a man to have more than one wife. This is determined by the inheritance of historical civilization and the continuous wars occurring on the continent.

Due to the history of species and the inheritance of civilization, regardless of intelligence, it seems that males possess numerous females. Furthermore, due to warfare, the number of young men in every race and nation is less than that of women of the same age. Thus, for most beings on Isilia, polygamy is both necessary and reasonable.