Year 141_Keireki Era_Summer/02
Luluciette Castle.
Currently, Count Biumode, who has personally taken command of the campaign, sits upon its throne.
His face betrays his irritation, as if something was gnawing at him. His dull, listless eyes drift toward the scenery outside the castle.
Count Biumode.
His birthday, which should have been a grand celebration, passed quietly on the campaign trail, spent in the saddle of a horse. He turned 33, adding another year to his life.
He is a man who chooses silence not out of a natural quietness, but to suppress the dark emotions brewing within him.
However, he was not always this way.
Born as the eldest son of the Biumode family, he grew up without want or hardship. As a child, he was a mischievous brat who delighted in causing trouble, even to the point of being sacrilegious.
Back then, his antics still had a certain charm to them, almost endearing in their innocence.
By the time he reached his late teens, his wild behavior had subsided, and he began to devote more time to his studies.
Though his title was that of a count, the concept of a king to whom nobles like him owed fealty had long since faded into history. In practice, he was akin to a king himself, his territory effectively a sovereign nation.
As the "Count-King," it was only natural that he would strive to bring prosperity to his land. Occasionally, he would mutter such thoughts aloud, and those around him felt reassured about the future of the Biumode lineage.
To gain more knowledge, he immersed himself in the study of Petition—a form of sealed supernatural abilities.
He believed that Petition would bring wealth and stability to Biumode.
This conviction took hold in his early twenties, a time when his name began to circulate not just as the heir to the Biumode earldom, but also as a researcher of Petition.
Petition involves sealing unique, one-time supernatural abilities—essentially "superpowers"—through specific processes and techniques. Those with the right aptitude can replicate these sealed abilities.
Once acquired, some Petition activate automatically or spontaneously, without the need for a verbal trigger. Others cannot be deactivated at will.
Because of this, Petition is subject to extremely strict handling protocols.
However, it was precisely his privileged position that allowed him to bypass these restrictions and take an interest in a particular Petition.
In the cathedrals and Petition Guilds, there are many Petitions that have never been used—abilities for which no suitable candidate has ever been found.
The one that caught his eye was said to govern knowledge itself.
The original wielder of this ability was a man whose mind had been consumed by his own horrifying psyche, leading him to commit numerous crimes.
The sealing of his ability into a Petition was seen as both a form of punishment and something he had desired.
In any case, the man lived so far in the past that the truth is difficult to ascertain.
Though his ability remained in the form of a Petition, it was strictly sealed within the Biumode Petition Guild, as all who attempted to use it had their minds burned away.
It was after coming into contact with this Petition that Count Biumode's eyes took on their current dull, lifeless appearance, and he ceased to prioritize the stability of his domain.
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"What of Lord Luluciette's movements?"
"He has retreated to the satellite city of Pensik and shows no signs of moving at present.”
Reported one of his vassals in response to the count's question.
"Has there been any change in the arrival of the Tuiknok army?"
Tuiknok is a city located to the northeast of Luluciette. The distance between the two is not so close as to be called "neighbors."
Given the unfamiliarity of campaigning in another lord's territory, Count Biumode inquired about the possibility of delays.
"None, I believe. At least, as of the last communication we received."
As the vassal answered, the Petition rooted within the count whispered something to his heart.
No one else could hear its voice.
"... It's amusing to dream of even the smallest probabilities," murmured Biumode, a faint smile forming on his lips.
None of the vassals present noticed.
Perhaps only Yalbatzi, who was patrolling Luluciette, might have caught the subtle change in his expression.
"Did you say something, My Lord?"
"No, pay it no mind. I will return to Biumode ahead of schedule. Assign Yalbatzi as my escort. Ensure the preparations for the handover are completed within the next few days."
His sudden change of plans was nothing new.
His vassals, accustomed to such shifts, accepted the order without complaint.
"It is a shame I will not be present to see the matter with Lord Luluciette resolved," he muttered quietly.
Once again, there was no one present who could truly understand the meaning behind his words.
What do you think about this chapter?
