A Mountain of Problems
“There are plenty of cases—regardless of gender—where people get nervous before a wedding… but I don’t think that’s what we’re dealing with here.”
“Oh? Have you experienced that sort of thing, Vice-Commander Bellows?”
“Don’t tease me, Miracca.”
“Pardon me.”
After finishing his light-hearted exchange with Miracca, Vice-Commander Bellows turned back toward us with a serious expression.
“There’s not much time left before the wedding. Normally, these matters should be left to the couple to resolve themselves, but… hmm.”
His voice trailed off. Understandably so.
The problem isn’t just that Lillian is anxious. It’s that she’s a member of the prestigious Glaberson family—a house with great influence over the Magic Corps—and her fiancé is Wesley, a rising star within the Knights Order.
As he said, outsiders shouldn’t interfere. Still, with the status of both families, any kind of conflict would be a disaster. And yet, avoiding one seems increasingly difficult.
And then there’s the fact that Lady Alyssa McCreed, heiress of the McCreed Duchy—the very house that employs the Glaberson family as its exclusive magical support—has also expressed deep concern over this issue.
And if she’s worried, then so is Lord Doyle, who always stands by her side.
For their sake, too, I want to do everything I can to ensure this is resolved peacefully.
That said… what really gnaws at me is the issue with the Glaberson family and the Goethel Mana Mines.
Maybe that’s actually the bigger problem here.
The Tryon family is steadily moving forward with plans to build a new mining town there, with the support of the McCreed family.
Lady Alyssa is heavily involved in that project—so much so that it’s practically a symbol of the future partnership between the two houses. They’ve worked side by side, building this dream together with great affection.
That’s precisely why letting it fall apart is out of the question.
As Vice-Commander Bellows pointed out, this isn’t just some private issue. It affects the entire Abbott region.
“Vice-Commander Bellows… about that rumor concerning the Glaberson family—how credible is it?”
“Hard to say. But it’s true that the duchy has been in repeated discussions with them.”
“I see…”
So the fact that talks are happening is certain.
But whether those discussions are about the Goethel mines or something else remains unclear.
If I could figure out what they’ve been discussing, maybe I’d have a way forward.
If only there were someone close to either family… someone who might let something slip.
“… Ah—”
Of course.
There is someone.
That little genius magician who’s currently living at our station.
What do you think about this chapter?
