My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 44
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 44.
* * *
Viscount Artisina guided me to the gates of the Imperial Palace without a second's hesitation.
There, the Imperial Knights were gathered, carefully discussing the situation.
When they saw me and the Viscount, they came towards us with brisk steps.
"Mage, the person behind you-”
"Princess Skyla of the Kaerun Duchy." The viscount announces, "Send someone at once to report to the Crown Prince. Tell him that the princess herself has come to see him personally."
"Yes? And where are you going?"
"To the ballroom."
Without missing a beat, he led me to the ballroom.
The knights of the duchy along with Phoebe quickly followed.
"What exactly happened?" I asked, walking hastily to match his stride, referring, of course, to Lancer.
But he sighed heavily and murmured, "You mean me? I was very sad when I was abandoned by the Princess."
"I'm not really interested in your autobiographical story, Viscount."
He glanced at me at my cynical comment.
‘Your refusal is restrained and sophisticated, Princess, just my type.’
This mage just seems to like everything I do. I sigh.
"I'm not in the mood to banter with the viscount. When did Lancer go on a rampage?"
"Did you say he’s on a rampage?"
"Yes."
As I nodded, a subtle thought crossed over him.
‘Rampage? Rampage as in a rampage of magic power? A magic power rampage caused by his emotions? Wouldn’t that mean Lancer was trying to commit treason?’
"Treason? Of course not!"The shock I got from his thoughts made me exclaim aloud.
The viscount stared at me in astonishment. "Princess, that... have you been reading my thoughts?"
Oops. I f*cked up. The Viscount was thinking something nonsensical in his head, and I had unwittingly pointed it out as soon as I heard it.
I quickly pretended to be innocent and spoke politely. "Reading thoughts? I'm far from a mage, I can’t have such an absurd ability."
"...I see."
‘No way, the Princess is the... No, I don't think so.’
His stride slowed a little as he said that. He must have realised that I'm not as tall as he is so I can't run as fast. He has good manners.
"Now that you mention it, I'm a little more convinced."
"Of what?" I ask, dodging a shard of stone that falls to the floor. This place is littered with broken pieces of the imperial wall even though we're a distance from it.
"At first, the imperial knights thought Lancer was rebelling against the Crown Prince, so they mobilised an army immediately to kill Lancer."
What, kill him?
My eyes widened when I heard that. I never imagined that the situation would be this serious.
The viscount hastily added, as if to reassure me. "Of course, I advised the Crown Prince that Lord Lancer wasn’t that type of person. It makes no sense that a silent man would suddenly commit treason."
"Good job."
‘Aha, I got praised by the princess!’
The viscount was excited inside but nonchalantly spoke. "The Crown Prince had a similar opinion to mine."
"A similar opinion?"
"Well, perhaps Lord Lancer drank too much and went on a rampage after a heartbreak."
He drank too much and went on a rampage after a heartbreak…
I was reminded of Hubert, who was abandoned in the Kaerun Duchy.
Duke and Duchess Soli said they couldn't leave him alone, so they stayed at the mansion with him.
"I'm sure the viscount knows that Lancer is an archmage."
"Of course."
"And being from the Hebnia Kingdom, I'm sure the viscount also knows what that means."
I've always known this but archmages are ironic.
They possess powers that transcend the capabilities of ordinary humans, but their weakness is themself.
Archmages could be easily swept away by their emotions, and their inability to control them and it eventually led to their deaths.
"What do you think I should do now, Viscount?"
"What?"
He tilted his head at my question, which came off as a surprise. He didn't seem to quite understand the intent of my question.
"Should I live as Lancer's comforting being forever?"
"Ah..." A small sigh escaped his lips as he finally caught on.
But no answer followed.
I don't think he knows either. I mean, if even I don't know, how can anyone else?
I followed him to the ballroom in silence. The carriage ride here was quick, but the walk towards the ballroom now takes quite a while.
After about a dozen more minutes of walking, the ballroom came into view.
"Is that where the Lancer is?"
"Yes, it is."
The ballroom was deserted. Most of the servants and knights seemed to be assigned to renovating the walls.
Why didn't anyone try to stop Lancer?
When I turned to the viscount with this question, he explained as if he'd been waiting for me to ask.
"I deliberately didn't put them here, because I thought the imperial knights would be overwhelmed by his power…"
"Thank you." I expressed my sincere gratitude, I could feel his genuine concern about that.
I wonder what would've happened if the knights had been sent into the ballroom.
The more agitated Lancer's magic is, the more unstable it becomes and there would be chances of him unintentionally harming someone.
"My lady." Phoebe called out, "Do you intend to enter there alone?"
"Yes."
"It could be dangerous. I'll come with you."
"I'll accompany you too, my lady."
I shook my head at the offer from Phoebe and Lewis.
"I don't want either of you to be hurt by accident."
"But..."
"Even if Lancer is a little out of his mind right now, he won't harm me. Plus, Viscount Artisina is going with me."
"Wait, huh? Me?" The unexpectedly named viscount blinked like a goldfish.
I smiled brightly. "Yes, viscount. You will enter the ballroom with me."
"Eh? So it's okay if I get hurt?"
"The viscount is a mage who specialises in healing."
"Even so! You know what happened to me last time when I met Lord Lancer!" I could feel Phoebe's ears perk up at that moment.
'What? Has that butter Viscount met Lord Lancer?'
Oh, she doesn't know that Lancer was in the carriage as a butterfly.
I quickly offered a bribe before Viscount Artisina could spout more nonsense, "I'll make sure to return this favour later by inviting you to the duchy once."
He stared at me in disbelief.
"Are you trying to bribe me right now?"
"Yes."
"Alright! Excellent deal! I'll lead the way!"
'I'll have to ask her to show me around her room, nice!'
Thank goodness he's easier to handle than I thought.
And with that, the viscount and I made our way into the ballroom. Phoebe and the knights sent me off with anxious looks.
"Viscount."
"Yes, my lady."
"Do you know a stun spell?"
His expression distorted slightly at that.
"I've never heard of a spell with such a ridiculous use. It's not like I'm a cat who knocks its prey out by slapping them with the palm of my hand..."
"Really? Then what about sleep magic?"
"Oh, that's possible, but... I used too much magic earlier, I don't think I can use any again right away."
Maybe my expectations were too much. Though, that doesn't matter. There was only one reason I wanted to take the Viscount with me anyway.
"If either Lancer or I am seriously injured, please treat him first."
"..."
The viscount seemed momentarily at a loss for words.
"...Do you mind if I ask why?"
"Yes."
Cutting him off, I pushed open the door to the ballroom.
The moment I stepped inside, a blinding light flooded my vision. It was so intense that I couldn't help but let out a small groan.
What is that?
I squinted, unable to see clearly.
It was then,
"Princess, there!" Viscount Artisina standing beside me whispered urgently, "There, in the centre of the hall, is Lord Lancer!"
I whipped my head in the direction he pointed.
He was right. There, curled up in the centre of the hall, was Lancer.
He's hugging his knees and keeping his eyes fixed on the floor and didn't seem to notice we had entered.
And the light that was now piercing my eyes was emanating from him.
What the hell, why are you self-luminous?
"What is that..?"
"It's what happens when your magic reaches its peak."
The Viscount quickly answered my question.
"Peak?"
"Yes. It's when your magic power is nearing its limit and is on the verge of exploding. I haven't seen this in a long time. Be careful..."
Despite his warning, I rushed towards Lancer.
My eyes hurt from the bright light, which was so bright that I couldn't see properly, but I didn't stop my stride.
"Lancer!"
"...Skyla?"
At my call, Lancer slowly raised his head.
His face was blank. He could only stare impassively at me as I approached him.
It was different. He wasn't the same Lancer who usually beamed and sprinted towards me when he saw me.
My heart throbbed and ached as I witnessed the change with my own two eyes.
Why? How did he end up like this?
Was it because of me? Because I didn't accept his feelings?
"Lancer."
I took a step towards him. When he saw me, he shook his head. I wondered if he was trying to say I shouldn't come closer. But I walked on, turning a blind eye to his sign of refusal.
"...Don't come."
A cracked voice came out of his mouth.
"I don't want to."
"It's dangerous... don't come near me."
"Don't pretend to be dangerous. It's not scary at all, but rather cringe-worthy."
I snorted, sounding deliberately nonchalant.
"You broke the walls of the palace outside, didn't you? Did you think about how much it would cost to repair that? Are you that rich?"
I uttered nonsense that wasn't even in my mind, just to ease the situation.
"Skyla, I'm..."
"Let's go home." I said, stopping in front of him, "Also, turn off the lights on your body. I can't see your face because of it."
I frowned slightly. He looked up at me with a blank expression and then lowered his head again.
I sighed and leaned down in front of him, "Lancer."
"..."
"Don't ignore me. I got out of bed to pick you up."
"...I'm sorry."
"No, you shouldn't be sorry, I should be."
He buried his head in his lap. Then, the light that had been radiating from him began to fade a little.
Is he starting to calm down?
"...Why are you sorry?"
"Just that, maybe I should've danced with you. Maybe then you wouldn't be so pouty."
"..."
"Would you like to dance now?"
"... Don't treat me like a kid."
"Then don't act like a child."
Forcing myself to hide my nervousness, I locked eyes with him.
"Let's go back now, Lancer."
I knelt on the floor and held out my hand to him.
It was ridiculous. Why was I telling him off?
I'd rejected him only half a day ago, yet I'm now standing in front of him, brazenly scolding him.
Even to myself, I'm selfish.
Still, I knew better. I could never accept his heart.
Because to love someone who was born an archmage is…
"Princess! Up there!"
The viscount, who'd been watching from behind, called urgently.
The moment I lifted my head,
A beam of blue light was stretching from Lancer's body towards me.
It was a burst of magic power.
Before I knew it, I was engulfed in it.