A Genius Boy Who Was Exiled From His Family Home for “Not Being Able To Use Magic” Becomes a Witch’s Apprentice and Masters All Magic in the Right Way. This Is How You Use Your Magic, You Know?

Chapter 165.2. Recruitment And Oath

“…Why?”

After the meeting, having finished the guard shift exchange, Liliana and the others returned to their temporary quarters.

While others were preparing for bed… Liliana, unable to sleep, went outside and muttered in bewilderment.

The expressions of the soldiers from the county were still stuck in her mind.

“Master is working so hard. Even though he’s been tirelessly defending the North and doing everything he can to protect this land…!”

Doubts, distrust, suspicion, and anxiety.

Expressions that made them look like they were seeing a monster.

“Why is everyone… giving him that look?”

The absurdity of her beloved master’s tireless efforts is not being acknowledged.

That was even more unbearable than her own troubles, and she shouted, her delicate face on the verge of tears.

Those words overflowed from within her.

They weren’t meant to be heard by anyone.

But──for once, someone was there to hear them and offer an answer.

“…Because they’re scared.”

A quiet voice echoed from the side.

Startled, Liliana turned her head and widened her eyes upon seeing the unexpected person there.

“…Albert?”

He was the least familiar to her among their group.

In fact, he seemed to intentionally keep his distance from her. In a way, he was the most ‘normal vassal’ with his attitude in a group that often felt a little awkward in their dynamics.

That’s why it was surprising for him to speak up in a moment like this. But what intrigued her even more was the content of his words, prompting her to ask him to continue.

“Apologies. It’s just that this topic is something I’m personally familiar with.”

Albert first apologized for his rudeness before continuing.

“A being with an incomprehensible, great power close by… That reality is terrifying to an ordinary person, more than you might think.”

“Y-yes, but──Master is properly protecting everyone in the North!”

“Yes… even so, it doesn’t matter.──’You don’t know when it might strike’. ‘If it does, you can’t do anything about it.’ As long as that fear exists, people can’t easily accept such a being.”

It’s like having a man-eating tiger in your room.

Even if it’s guaranteed not to attack, no matter how sturdy the cage is.

As long as there’s an incomprehensible being who holds the power to kill you so easily, people can’t relax.

Liliana understood that, but… she couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Albert’s tone, prompting her to ask.

“Is that… from your own experience?”

“…I’m embarrassed to admit it. I once had the same impression of Hermes. That’s why I understand. The fear… and at the same time, the thought that ‘I’d rather eliminate it before it kills me’.”

“!?”

That was.

For them, a cruel future forecast.

“Especially that man… he tends to disregard anyone who’s not close to him. More than that, he focuses all his efforts on self-improvement, progress, and his own path. Because of that, he’s hard to understand… so if you look away for even a second, he’ll probably go off somewhere no one knows.”

“…No…”

In the end, no one would be able to understand him.

He’d be left alone. No one by his side, no one following him.

Flying to unknown places, all alone in isolation.

──A being who resembled the blood-related witch that Liliana knew only through legend.

“…………Ah.”

At that moment, Liliana realized.

The situation Hermes was in now, isolated by Archbishop Johann’s hand. The end result that no one could prevent, relentlessly pushed to its conclusion──

It must be the same path that the Sky Witch Rose walked.

Liliana didn’t know much about Rose. But she knew that Rose was Hermes’ master and Jurgen’s friend. Being from the same royal family, she had more knowledge than the average person.

Because of that, she understood. This intuition of hers was almost certainly correct.

And now, Hermes,

Her beloved master, was walking down the same path──or rather, being forced to.

He was being eliminated by the hands of those who wished for him to follow this path.

If that was the case.

As his disciple──she knew what she had to do.

“…I will.”

“Your Highness?”

Her voice, filled with quiet determination, was unlike anything before.

Sensing it, Albert asked, but Liliana continued to face forward and said.

“I will… not let Master be alone.”

She had been taught, hadn’t she?

That it wasn’t enough just to be protected. That she must act to grasp what she wants.

She made that decision, and achieved a small result.

…But after that, she couldn’t do anything. She had been frustrated all this time.

So now, once again, it was time to have the courage to step forward.

And above all,

Her beloved master, the one who gave his heart, magic, and future for her.

She absolutely could not stand the thought of him leaving her side.

That strongest feeling burned within her heart.

“──Thank you, Albert.”

Turning to him, she thanked the quiet, yet earnest boy.

Though he lacked strength, it was because of his perspective that he stood out. She could tell he was worthy of being chosen by Jurgen.

Moreover.

“Thanks to you… I finally see where I must go.”

At the same time, the path that had eluded her now seemed clear.

She had left the capital, swept along, and declared that she would reclaim the throne.

…But she hadn’t known what to aim for, or where to go.

Now, light had begun to shine on that as well.

Of course, she still didn’t know what to do. There were too many things she lacked.

But… at least the next step forward was clear.

Albert, who had been stunned by her indecisive declaration, seemed to have understood quickly. He bowed again, with quiet respect.

She thanked him once more before returning to her room, now resolute.

Thus,

To ensure he wasn’t left alone. To change this country.

──The future queen begins to move.