The hot southern sun shone down on the Everglow territory. Though it was late spring, the heat here felt like the middle of summer. All eyes were on the count.
Count Ludwig Everglow stood alone on the running chariot. He held the reins in one hand and was forming a spell in the air with the other.
"Inertial Frame, Adjust, Project."
As he finished the incantation, three spears of flame flew out, each tracing a different trajectory. They did not waver, even on the speeding chariot. Thud- Thud- Thud!
They struck three targets on the training grounds simultaneously.
Fwoosh~!
The area around where the spears hit burst into flames.
Waaaaah-!
Clap clap clap clap clap! Cheers and applause erupted from the family mages who were watching the training. Ludwig stopped the chariot with a satisfied smile.
"As expected... it's incredible."
The new ballistics, founded on calculus. The stable mobility secured by the Upperhills Workshop's suspension. And finally, Principia, which established the mechanics of different inertial frames.
The knowledge Isaac had disseminated created a synergy the more it was combined. It was still too early to apply it to general circle magic, but just the enhancement of the count's secret spell was a great achievement. The failures of the past flashed through Count Ludwig's mind like a phantom. -'Your Excellency!
Calculation is impossible from this point on!' -'Then shouldn't you at least find an approximation?' -'We are already doing our best in that regard...' -'I know, I know.
I've already received the report that the last time you went home was three days ago.' -'Then...!' -'But I have been researching for three weeks without going home.' -'You'll have to work hard, won't you?' -'Yes, sir!' It was worth working himself to the bone to complete it.
'With this, I'll be able to chase down and wipe out the rebel cavalry...' Ludwig, having dismounted from the chariot, handed his helmet to a young mage. The mage who took the helmet had eyes full of reverence.
The practice was over, and it was time to return to his original duties. After finishing his training and returning to his office, a letter was sitting on his desk. 'Is it from my daughter?'
Ludwig remembered the letter Gwendolyn had sent before leaving for the north. 'Your only daughter chose the latter option: to travel north with a man, rather than to live disguised as one.' He didn't know the exact circumstances... but he supported his daughter's decision.
He had been a little upset that she had informed him so bluntly, but it was fine now. Because she had sent him a letter like this. Ludwig smiled warmly and checked the sender's name on the envelope.
[Gray Fortress Command - Marques] His smile vanished.
"It was about work..."
The letter was not from his daughter. When on earth would he receive a letter from his daughter? This one was from a junior colleague who had once served as his aide.
Ludwig read the letter. It contained a detailed report on the recent operation to suppress the Guides of the Lantern in the north, and about a mage under the alias 'Howard Wallowitz' who had been at the center of it all. Howard, of all names.
"Who in the world is that... ah."
The latter part of the letter contained the speculation that 'Howard' was likely Isaac Upperhills.
"As expected... it's that fellow again."
It seemed Isaac, under that alias, had written a new Combat Mage Field Manual for the search party.
"A field manual..."
Ludwig picked up the book lying next to the letter.
[Combat Mage Field Manual: Search Party Edition] "This is it."
As if possessed, Ludwig turned the pages.
Rustle, rustle.
For a long while, only the sound of turning parchment filled the office.
Rustle.
"Wow... what is this now."
Rustle, rustle.
"This is absurd."
Rustle.
"Did he... really devise such a system all by himself?"
Thud.
Ludwig closed the manual, feeling like his head would spin if he read any more.
"That fellow. I thought he was only brilliant with basic theory..."
This field manual had convinced him. Isaac knew just as well as any combat mage what was truly important in a real battle. A new magic system that could theoretically divide all combat magic into 'loading' and 'firing'.
It was an unbelievable concept. For a combat mage, the ability to 'finish conceiving a spell at the desired moment' was just as important as the ability to 'conceive a spell well'. Take shooting a bow, for example.
For an archer, knowing when to release the string is just as important as the ability to draw it quickly and accurately. In this respect, Isaac's magic was like changing every spell from a bow to a crossbow. Once loaded, the archer could decide at will when to fire.
They could wait with ease until the perfect moment to strike arrived. 'Of course, more research will be needed, but...' If used properly, the success rates of reconnaissance, search, and infiltration would rise significantly.
Haaah...
Ludwig let out a deep sigh.
Thud.
Ludwig placed the field manual on his desk and stared blankly at the office ceiling. He imagined how the battlefields of the future would change. By the time the pattern on the ceiling had become completely familiar to his eyes, Ludwig snapped back to his senses.
"... I should finish my work before I think about it."
He was still in the middle of reading his junior's letter. There would surely be something to handle regarding this matter.
[... Furthermore, he is disguising the new manual he devised as if it were created by a person with the alias 'Howard'.]
Ludwig nodded his head.
"As expected... he avoids the poisoned chalice. Wise."
Various noble families take turns assuming command of the northern front. This is because the central government is always wary of the emergence of new powers. In this situation, Isaac aimed only for the reform of the military without increasing his own influence within it.
"At this rate, His Majesty the Emperor himself might make a move."
Not in a bad way, but in a good one. He might even take Isaac under his wing. Thinking of that future, he felt a certain regret.
"Should I have been more aggressive?"
The image of Isaac's face, whom he had met at the capital villa, lingered in Ludwig's eyes. To show such results... with that innocent face, as if he knew nothing... 'If I had succeeded in recruiting him back then...'
Wouldn't the southern rebellion have been completely suppressed by now?
"By now... it's probably too late."
Ludwig turned his eyes back to the letter.
[In respect of the author Isaac's intentions, I intend to submit this to my superiors without removing the alias. Could I ask for your assistance?]
Ludwig immediately picked up his quill. There was no need to hesitate. This matter would be pushed through, no matter what.
Time passed, and the day came for the caravan to return to the Gray Fortress. It was time to go back to the capital. Gwendolyn and I packed our things and decided to join the caravan.
Unfortunately, Sir Valerius would be returning separately. The cleanup of the remnants was almost complete, but he said he wanted to investigate the 'Black Heart' that the High Priest had swallowed. Gwendolyn was already in the carriage.
But I still hadn't managed to leave the fortress main gate. It wasn't that I was intentionally late; there were some circumstances. 'It's a bit tough to get through...'
Cheers could be heard from the left and right of the path I walked.
"Master Howard! Please don't go!"
"Thanks to you, I found my brother! Thank you!"
"I'll never forget this kindness for the rest of my life!"
The squad members I had been indebted to, other soldiers whose faces I had barely learned, and even the people rescued from the Guides of the Lantern. They were all chanting 'Howard's' name in one voice. Though it wasn't my real name, my heart swelled with emotion.
Yes, this is it. When someone is leaving, it's customary to hold them back with such regret. Not like someone who sends you off so coolly.
It was a little hard to suppress a smile. But within the crowd, there were also people quietly observing my every move.
"What are those people doing?"
At my question, Sarah, who was standing beside me, answered awkwardly.
"Agh, jeez... they're still at it..."
"At what?"
"There's been a strange debate going on in the unit lately."
Sarah continued with a sigh.
"About who's stronger, 'Isaac Upperhills' or 'Howard Wallowitz'."
"... Excuse me?"
"Those people... they're on the 'Isaac faction'... so I don't think they can send Master Howard off with a smile."
What is this nonsense? Sarah's face gradually turned red.
"We tried to stop them somehow, but there was nothing we could do."
"I see..."
Well... they certainly don't have much to do.
No, wait.
It's only natural, since there's not much to entertain themselves with on the front lines.
"Once Sir Valerius returns, we were planning to reveal that you two are the same person... but with things like this, I'm not sure if everyone will believe it."
"It'll probably die down on its own."
Sarah chuckled at my carefree response.
"I'm envious of how you never seem to have any worries, Mr. Isaac."
"Do you think so?"
"Personally, I wish you would stay on the northern front rather than at the Magic Tower."
Sarah's eyes glinted strangely.
Oof.
A shiver went down my spine. 'I can never be a soldier...!' As I took a step back, Sarah continued.
"But... I'm sure there are things you can only do at the Magic Tower, so I'll give up quickly."
"That's a relief."
As we walked, we had already reached the front of the carriage. Just before I boarded, Sarah spoke to me.
"Our unit plans to try and reform the entire combat mage corps, based on the field manual."
Sarah smiled brightly.
"And I will do my best to see my sister's case through to the end."
"Both are good goals."
A smile formed on my face as well. I said to Sarah.
"I wish you the best of luck."
"Yes. Please watch over us from the capital."
Soon, the carriage departed, and I gradually grew distant from the people. -"Come again someday!" -"Wallowitz!
Wallowitz!"
Beyond the endless cheers, Sarah gave me a sharp, formal salute. Starting with her, the members of her squad began to salute one by one. Seeing that, the commander also smiled and raised a salute.
The salutes spread like a wave. Since everyone next to them was doing it, even the staunch 'Isaac faction' followed suit and saluted. I stopped my awkward waving and quietly saluted them back.
I continued until the carriage went over the hill and they were out of sight. As soon as we crossed the hill, Gwendolyn, who had been waiting inside the carriage, spoke with a smile.
"Miss Sarah... she's really brave."
"Pardon?"
"She saluted even before the commander made a move. She could get in trouble for that, you know?"
"Oh... that was quite a resolve."
I wouldn't have been able to do it.
"Perhaps she was so taken with Mr. Upperhills that something like that didn't even cross her mind."
Considering Sarah's usual behavior, I thought that might be possible. Gwendolyn asked me.
"Once you return to the capital, what are you planning to do?"
"Me? Hmm..."
I replied that I wanted to try devising 'gravity magic'. Of course, it would have to be magic that used only the law of universal gravitation, not aided by general relativity like before. It was still decades too early to introduce general relativity.
'Tampering with gravity without relativity...' The physicist in me was screaming 'absolutely impossible', but the mage in me thought it was worth researching. Magic that grants virtual mass, like 'fireball' or 'spears of flame', already exists, so maybe I could apply that?
Gwendolyn looked flustered at my answer.
"You have no intention of resting at all...?"
"This is what I do while resting. My real work is something else."
I took a letter from my pocket and handed it to her. Gwendolyn's eyes widened in surprise after checking the sender.
"This is... a letter from Her Highness the Princess, isn't it?"
"You'll be even more surprised when you read the contents."
Gwendolyn carefully read the full text of the letter. Her eyes grew round as she read it.
"You're having... an audience with His Majesty the Emperor?"
"That's what's happening."
It seemed that the favor I had been building up with the imperial family was finally paying off.
[... Thus, His Majesty the Emperor wishes to personally commend you for your contributions and grant you one wish. You are to decide upon a matter to request of His Majesty and come prepared on the day of the audience.]
After all, I had just gotten a free pass from His Majesty the Emperor himself.