After the [Family Banquet] concluded, just as Solitär and the others were preparing to return to the guest rooms to rest, Fíliya suddenly discovered something interesting.
So, she signaled Solitär to take Aura and Linie ahead, while she herself ignored the maid's reminder and directly followed that figure.
Fíliya skillfully blended into the moonlight, trailing her target to a cemetery.
"Hm? Coming to a place like this in the middle of the night... what is that old guy Denken planning?"
Fíliya murmured, her eyes twinkling with curiosity as she moved a little closer.
But it was this very approach that got her caught red-handed immediately.
"Lady Fíliya, this is tentatively my private time, is it not?"
Denken stopped before a seemingly unremarkable tombstone, then turned around to look in the direction where Fíliya was hiding.
"? Caught, huh... Strange, I thought I hid pretty well."
Since she was already exposed, Fíliya simply stopped pretending and slowly walked out from behind the tree.
"In terms of mana concealment, you have indeed achieved perfection. Even Lady Frieren could not do better than you."
No, no, no, you're flattering me too much. That fellow Frieren can obviously do it perfectly well.
Fíliya retorted in her heart but did not speak these words aloud. She was more curious about how Denken had discovered her.
"What you lack, on the contrary, is the most basic, technical stuff. For example... although you suppressed the sound of your footsteps very well, there was still a faint sound when your shoes contacted the turf... And also, your intent to track was too obvious; for an old bone like me, it was easy to notice."
"Therefore, when you track someone else in the future, it would be best to mask your intentions a bit."
Denken explained in a calm tone.
Tsk, tsk...
At this, Fíliya couldn't help but applaud him.
Look at that, this is what you call professional. As expected of an [Imperial Court Mage] who rose to power from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
"Alright, I'll remember that. I'll definitely put it to use next time!"
Fíliya nodded seriously.
"So then, what exactly is the reason that led you to track me? I am nothing more than a boring old man."
This time, it was Denken's turn to ask.
"That's something I should be asking you. Instead of preparing to rest after the banquet, you came to this kind of cemetery in the middle of the night... What do you want to do? Could it be you know [Magic to Converse with the Dead]?"
As Fíliya spoke, she crossed her arms over her chest, observing Denken's reaction with a scrutinizing expression.
"Magic to converse with the dead, is it...? It would be wonderful if such a thing actually existed."
Denken's tone shifted, sounding as if he were lamenting.
Hm?
Fíliya immediately raised an eyebrow. From Denken's tone, she sensed the flavor of a [Story].
"Is Lady Fíliya interested in hearing a story?"
Denken spoke slowly.
Here it comes.
Fíliya revealed an expression that said 'I knew it,' and then, with great emotion... nodded.
"No interest."
"That was a matter from decades ago..."
Denken continued rambling in a tone as if he were talking to himself.
"No, do you listen to people? I said I have no interest."
Fíliya attempted to interrupt Denken's casting, but the effect was minimal.
Sigh... forget it. It's still early before bedtime anyway, so let's listen to the story. I hope this old geezer can keep it short.
Seeing that her prevention failed, Fíliya could only helplessly prick up her ears.
Fortunately, Denken's story wasn't actually that long.
He simply spoke about how he grew up with Lord Glück's daughter, a young girl named [Lektire], and how they came to know and love each other. Of course, there were some other small details interspersed.
For example...
"Hah? Macht was your teacher?"
Upon learning this information, Miss Fíliya froze in place.
"Yes. My entire grasp of magic was forged under Macht's guidance... Actually, at the start, I was very resistant to a demon's teachings. But when I thought that if I could accept the guidance of a Great Demon... perhaps I could grow rapidly, and then be qualified to marry Lektire."
"Lektire was the type to be sickly and weak since childhood... So, in order to cure her, I chose to join the Imperial Army. While stepping up to high positions, I accumulated wealth and reputation, and at the same time, I never gave up looking for a way to cure her... But before I could succeed, she had already passed away. In the end, everything I did was in vain."
As Denken spoke, a touch of regret flowed from his eyes again.
"Oh? Couldn't tell you were such a pure romantic."
Fíliya teased, then thought of a question she cared about.
"Then why not come directly to the Magic Association? Although The Empire is also a place with great power, when looking for a magic that can [Cure All Diseases], shouldn't you prioritize thinking of our side? Come take the exam for First-Class Mage, then make a wish to Serie, asking her to bring out some magic to cure your wife."
Regarding this question from Fíliya, Denken was slightly stunned. It wasn't that he hadn't thought of this, he was just somewhat helpless.
"First-Class Mage... you really must be joking. Lady Fíliya, you always lack a bit of self-awareness... A distinction held by only forty or fifty people across the entire continent is not so easily obtained. Becoming a First-Class Mage in your early twenties, like you and Miss Fern, is simply unheard of. On the contrary, joining the army in The Empire and spending a dozen years climbing to a high position was much more realistic..."
"Although I never considered myself a weakling... I am still very clear about the insurmountable chasm between myself and true geniuses."
"Is that so."
Fíliya nodded, then asked again.
"Then I don't quite understand your actions... Since you couldn't take the exam when you were young due to insufficient strength, why risk it all now at this age, with one foot in the grave? Even Serie couldn't possibly produce a magic for [Resurrection of the Dead]."
"Moreover, you've put yourself on the fire to roast... The identity of [Imperial Court Mage] means you must obey the Empire's orders, but... the identity of [First-Class Mage] implies you have an obligation to accept missions from the Magic Association's side... Aren't you blocking yourself at both ends? It will definitely be hard to explain when you return to The Empire later, right?"
Fíliya's words pierced straight into Denken's heart. Of course, he knew that what he did wasn't a wise choice. But this was one of the few times in his long life that he genuinely wanted to do something from the bottom of his heart.
"I just... wanted to come and sweep her grave, that's all."
Denken's words surprised Fíliya slightly. It was indeed an incredibly simple, yet compelling reason.
The Golden Land, Weise, has been sealed for decades. No one is allowed to enter this area... unless they become a First-Class Mage.
So, did Denken take the First-Class Mage exam just to return to his hometown and sweep his wife's grave...?
____
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