Genius 28

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Chapter 28. My Feelings

"....Eh?"

Katia got caught off guard.

Summoned to the office and informed by Jurgen, Hermes momentarily froze at the concise report. Jurgen's face, as he spoke, showed signs of fatigue, but there was little visible agitation on the surface.

Lately, tensions with the Aster faction had been high, and he was likely preoccupied with handling that. Despite the weariness etched on his face, he continued calmly.

"He says, 'There's suspicion that Sara von Hartman attacked with magic, attempting to push her off a cliff to kill her.'"

"──Katia-sama wouldn't do such a thing."

"Indeed. So, this is undoubtedly a false accusation. Probably, it's a setup orchestrated by the Aster faction to legally capture Katia."

"But──"

To that extent.

Would they really go that far?

"Katia wasn't the one who attacked. Even if someone managed to catch Sara off guard, some limited magic users could harm her. Most likely, the culprit is either from the Frembleed family── either Zenos-dono or Chris."

"Then, can't we prove her innocence by examining magical traces?"

"...Unfortunately, that's difficult too."

Jurgen showed a hint of irritation.

"Sara was taken to the palace for treatment immediately after Katia got captured. The pretext is probably not a lie. Because──"

"The magic used during treatment can overwrite the magical traces left during the attack."

"Exactly. His Highness Aster is not foolish. He would have promptly arranged for a healer who could act."

"...Sorry. If it were under the jurisdiction of the law, they wouldn't get away with tampering with evidence where my influence reaches."

And Aster would once again make it true with his own voice.

The surrounding nobles would unquestioningly agree with Aster, just like they did then, and Katia's reputation would again plummet.

No, it might not stop there. They should consider preventing any further rebellion entirely.

This damned country.

"....Is there no other way to prove her innocence?"

"It's not impossible. Fortunately, there were witnesses to some extent. If we diligently gather testimony and evidence, we might find a loophole somewhere."

"Then,"

"But──that would take too much time. His Highness would likely punish Katia before we can prove her innocence──or even execute her."

"Ugh! In that case, we'll buy time. Even if we have to forcefully take Katia-sama out──"

Hermes suggested without hesitation, but Jurgen fell silent for some reason.

"....Hermes-kun,"

With a somber expression, he questioned.

"Do you really... have the intention to help Katia?"

"Yes?"

He was about to answer naturally.

"Sorry, that was a poorly phrased question. I meant to ask if you have any benefits in helping Katia."

"...What do you mean?"

"I know you feel indebted to Katia. But, honestly, I think you've already repaid that debt more than enough from an outsider's perspective."

"..."

"And if you go further, you might get involved to a point of no return. Into the darkness of this capital."

Jurgen looked somewhere distant with an expression as if he were recalling a place not here, not now.

"I think you understand by now, but this capital is a terrible place."

He repeated words he had heard before.

"They say 'magic is everything'. but the reality is even worse. Many nobles cling to magic simply out of fear of losing their current comfortable positions."

"..."

"They believe that they are different from commoners, clinging to magic because it's the most straightforward way to explain that difference. They don't analyze or evolve what they believe is given by the gods, but instead, they just pull each other down within the confines they've set. It's like hell inside a birdcage."

He chuckled lightly, feeling like he might have exaggerated too much.

"...And, your 'mentor' got tired of it and left the capital."

"!"

"I think it was a wise decision. Honestly, I even envied it."

Once again, Jurgen seemed to be convinced of his mentor's identity.

"You've been disowned by the Frembleed family, and don't even possess Bloodline Magic. In other words, you have no reason to be bound to the capital more than 'her.' If you stay like this, you'll only get involved in unnecessary things and perhaps stray further from your goal of 'creating new magic,' right?"

"That's..."

"Don't worry, I'll somehow manage Katia. Proving her innocence might be difficult, but I'll find a way to avoid her execution. And Katia surely won't blame you."

He peeled away one reason after another and then, at last.

"...But. Even so, if there's a reason for you to help Katia, I want to know. Sorry, but given the situation, we can't involve someone who isn't fully committed."

With hope in his voice, Jurgen spoke.

"..."

After a brief silence, Hermes, unusually, spoke.

"...Certainly, the capital is a terrible place."

He began with agreement from Jurgen.

"I've come to understand that in a short time. It's no wonder my mentor left, and if I had known this, I might have done the same when I first arrived. The Duke must have seen much worse and felt despair."

"..."

"But, it's too early to give up. I felt that way just now."

First, Katia. She isn't bound by magic. Not in the sense of bloodline magic, but in a mental sense.

And there are those like Sara who question their principles without opposing them directly.

If they exist──perhaps, the capital is changing.

That's what he thought.

"The Duke likened the capital to 'hell inside a birdcage.' So──I want to break that cage."

"!"

A defiant smile reminiscent of his mentor.

After expressing the genuine feelings born within this life in the capital. He concluded.

"...Well, I said all that, but that's why I want to help Katia."

With a nonchalant expression, he spoke.

"...'Because I wanted to help'. Is there really any other reason needed beyond that?"

"..."

Almost instinctively, Jurgen burst into laughter.

"Indeed, for 'you,' that's the ultimate reason. Quite selfish, I must say."

"Isn't it? My mentor used to tell me that often, 'You really are unexpected.'"

"Haha, indeed, your appearance and demeanor seem devoid of desire. But, perhaps your vector of desire differs from others'──hmm. Come to think of it, you've been like that from the start. Yeah, that's why I can trust you."

Jurgen raised his head.

"I understand. I'll bet on you. As you said, we need time to prove Katia's innocence. There's no time for conventional methods. Use all your power to rescue Katia, who's imprisoned, by any means necessary."

"Yes."

"And... this is a concern, but according to rumors... Katia didn't resist much when she was captured."

"Huh...?"

"If she realized it was futile, that's fine, but... depending on the situation, there might have been something in her own heart. It might be more troublesome than expected. But please."

Lastly, Jurgen bowed his head with the expression of a father thinking of his daughter.

"I've been restricting the use of magic unnecessarily considering your influence... but let's lift that restriction. Use 'all the power you allow' and rescue Katia no matter what."

"! ...Understood. I will definitely do it."

And so──the monster of the capital, who had mastered the strongest magic, began to move towards the rescue of Katia with all his might.

After Hermes left the office, Jurgen muttered to himself while staring at the closed door.

"...How dazzling."

Without any ulterior motives or calculations. But, not lacking in reasoning either.

Someone who acted solely based on their own feelings.

That was the boy named Hermes whom Jurgen saw.

Truly, dazzling.

Because it was something they couldn't do in their time.

"So, you've passed that on to the next generation, Rose. ...In that case, I'll also bet on that radiance."

Recalling the figure of his beautiful friend who ran through the capital with his future wife, Theta, during their childhood.

Jurgen also stood up from his desk to fulfill his duties.