Smile

Riverside.

The magic power of the Ordinary Attack Magic dissipated in mid-air.

A brown-haired boy dressed in aristocratic attire held a staff, the jewels on which were still emitting white smoke.

"Take a break, Lord Duncan, your concentration has dropped." Macht stood behind the boy. "No need to be in such a hurry. Even Demons couldn't easily shoot through rock from that distance."

This is the truth, because only a few Demons know "Killing Magic." Most Demons spend their lives studying only one type of magic, and most of these magics are slow, have a large killing range, but weak penetration.

The boy didn't speak.

A magic circle once again materialized at the tip of the boy's staff.

This time, the Ordinary Attack Magic did not dissipate at all, precisely piercing through the distant rocks.

"... Not bad." Macht smiled.

The boy turned around, a hint of satisfaction appearing in his somewhat gloomy, half-closed eyes. "... Well, let's rest for a bit."

The sound of horses' hooves rang out.

Macht placed his right hand on his chest and bowed to Gluck, who was alighting from the carriage, and his daughter.

The boy turned to look at the girl.

The girl has pale golden eyes and long, silky, straight blond hair that reaches her waist. The hair is spread down delicately, which complements the soft lines of her face and adds a bit of tranquility and classical temperament. She is wearing a loose dress, which is very harmonious with the atmosphere by the river.

She smiled, spread a cloth on the ground, then knelt down and took out a basket filled with various snacks—but not many desserts.

Desserts are a luxury these days, let alone in this remote, fortified city.

The boy also knelt down, ready to enjoy the picnic.

But more than the food, he preferred looking at the smiling girl in front of him.

Far away.

"It seems Duncan doesn't believe me."

"That's why I felt comfortable introducing you to him. After all, you're too good at deceiving people." Gluck lit another cigarette, but deliberately avoided the two children. "A person needs goals to live. Even a life for revenge is much healthier than kneeling sadly in a church."

The boy took a bite of his sandwich, his gloomy eyes looking at the girl with a different expression.

The boy seemed lost in thought.

The boy's lips unconsciously curled up slightly, without him even noticing.

I never thought I'd see that child smile again.

"You're that child's teacher, and also his enemy." Gluck took another drag of his cigarette. "Let's just leave it at that."

"As you wish." Macht still placed his right hand on his chest, a gesture he had made countless times.

"Speaking of which, does Miss have feelings for Lord Duncan?" Macht asked calmly, watching Lektüre excitedly talking to Duncan.

"Her? How could that be?" Gluck smiled confidently. "You really don't understand humans."

Duncan was 12 years old and still training with Macht, with Lektüre always by his side.

Duncan was 14 years old. In the study, Macht was pointing at something in a magic book. Duncan sat in a chair looking at it expressionlessly. Behind him, Lektüre's long golden hair had grown even longer. She stood behind him, hugging Duncan, and looked at it with him.

Duncan was 16 years old, and he still hadn't won a single sparring match against Macht, but his Defensive Magic was often able to defend against Macht's full-force Killing Magic, and Lektüre would always apply medicine to his injured body.

Duncan was 18 years old. He served in the military, had killed countless people, and had been on the verge of death countless times, but in the end, he always won. It is unknown what the source of this power is.

Duncan was 20 years old. He and Lektüre were dining together on that familiar high platform, with Macht standing beside them, his right hand on his chest as always.

"My daughter, Lektüre, is engaged to Duncan." Gluck, still with his back to people—no, to the devil—looking out the window, said, "Now, Duncan is officially a member of the Gluck Family."

Macht smiled.

Gluck saw Macht's expression through the window.

What kind of laugh is that?

"Just the same old smile." Macht placed his right hand on his chest, smiling. "My judgment back then was indeed correct." He actually wanted to say, "I'm thinking of something happy," but he didn't.

"I don't remember."

"If Duncan hadn't made a name for himself in the military, this marriage probably wouldn't have happened," Gluck said, turning around. "It's all thanks to your excellent guidance."

"This is the result of Duncan's hard work." Macht remained motionless.

"I have bad news for you." Gluck sat down in his chair. "You've probably heard. Remnants of the Demon King's Army attacked the northernmost part of the Northern Plateau. A single Demons single-handedly breached that rock-solid fortress city."

"All the citizens were brutally murdered, and we were unable to obtain any information about that Demons."

Do you have any leads?

"What do you think?" Macht said, but he thought it was probably Solitär.

"I suppose not, but the public doesn't think so."

I think so too.

"Only powerful Great Demons have the ability to do these things, such as Macht from the 'Golden Land,' who was once one of the 'Seven Sages of Destruction.'"

"Yes, so public opinion is on the side of the nobility." Gluck took a drag of his cigarette. "I can't refuse their demands."

"Have you decided to execute me?"

Do you think we can do it?

Macht smiled but didn't say anything.

Gluck produced an exquisitely crafted stone ring. "Those guys gave me this."

"The Dominating Stone Ring." Macht remained expressionless. "One of the magical artifacts created by the sage Ewig. I never expected to see it again."

"Not only that, rumors are circulating in the city that as long as you use Macht's power, you can obtain endless wealth." Gluck turned his back again to look out the window. "Honestly, I have to admit, these nobles are quite capable outside of politics, each displaying their unique talents."

"They successfully garnered popular support, which isn't surprising, given that their ability is 'golden'."

"Those cunning fellows came up with this plan to control you."

"Control him by ordering Macht to 'Obedience' the people of Weise. Utilize security devices to prevent him from acting 'malically,' and manage him accordingly."

"Macht, what do you think?"