Became the Unjust Contract Slave of the Archamage’s Book

Binaeril couldn’t determine if she was telling the truth or not. He couldn’t tell if she was simply teasing him or if she had a peculiar fetish for drifters. Nonetheless, Vivian Dux introduced him to various people, facilitating conversations. While Binaeril was busy greeting everyone, a middle-aged nobleman approached him and extended his hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

Binaeril, caught off guard, shook his hand.

“My name is Viktor von Schiller.”

Schiller. Binaeril recognized the family name. The Marquis of Schiller, who had employed Dominic Schiller, stood before him.

“I’m Binaeril Dalheim.”

Maintaining his composure, Binaeril introduced himself.

“I know. Junior Baron Dalheim.”

“How do you know me?”

“Didn’t the Regent introduce you just now?”

“Oh, right.”

Binaeril glanced around the people surrounding the Marquis of Schiller. One person he expected to see was missing.

“Did you come alone?”

“Why, are you looking for someone?”

Naturally, he was looking for Dominic Schiller. Vivian, standing nearby, interjected.

“Of course, he’s looking for Sir Dominic. He’s quite famous among people our age.”

“Ah, our captain. Captain Dominic couldn’t make it. He’s somewhat injured.”

The Marquis of Schiller replied, staring at Binaeril with a peculiar look in his eyes.

“He recently went out on a witch hunt and suffered a severe injury.”

Vivian asked in mild shock.

“What? Sir Dominic, the Witch Slayer? What kind of mage could do that?”

“Don’t be surprised. Apparently, it was a very young mage. A young boy mage. About… the same age as Sir Binaeril here, perhaps?”

There was a hidden message in his words.

“Oh, come on. There’s no way a mage of Sir Dominic’s caliber could be taken down by someone of similar age. Unless it was a professor from Elfenbine.”

“That’s something we can’t be sure of.”

The Marquis of Schiller gave Binaeril a meaningful smile.

“…Right. We can’t be sure.”

He was clearly hinting that he knew Binaeril was the one who injured Dominic. Yet, it was a mystery why he wasn’t revealing Binaeril’s identity as a mage in front of others. This was a psychological game.

“It seems you have a lot of respect for the Platinum Knight, Your Lordship.”

“Of course. He’s the captain of our Schiller Knights.”

“Then you must want to catch the culprit who injured Sir Dominic?”

“That’s right.”

“But can such a skilled mage, who managed to defeat the renowned Sir Dominic, be captured so easily?”

Vivian, sensing the strange tension between the two, held her tongue.

“…Do you think I can’t?”

“No, no. I was just asking. Just curious.”

“I will definitely capture that mage and make him kneel before me.”

“Without hearing his side of the story?”

“What story could a mage have? Surely you’re not sympathizing with mages in the Empire?”

“I might be. After all, I’m not from the Empire.”

Binaeril smiled, watching the Marquis of Schiller’s expression slowly harden.

“It seems I’ve been away from Her Highness for too long. It was a pleasure talking to you. My duty is as a guard, after all. Farewell.”

Binaeril gave a slight nod to Vivian and returned to Rike’s side.

“How was it, Binaeril?”

Rike asked softly as he returned.

“Overwhelming. I’ve never greeted so many people before.”

“Hehe. Banquets are always noisy and tiring.”

Most of those who had come to greet the two princesses had already left. The slow sound of string instruments filled the hall, and as the initial excitement died down, the atmosphere became calmer. The banquet was in full swing, and as people drank wine like water, they began to get noticeably tipsy.

Viktor von Schiller approached Rike and offered her a glass of wine.

“Congratulations on your return to the capital, Princess.”

“Thank you, Lord Schiller.”

“In that case, may I offer a toast?”

“I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not accustomed to drinking.”

The Marquis lightly clinked his glass against the one Rike held.

“Everyone, please listen to me for a moment.”

The attention of the room turned to the Marquis.

“The Regent has said that today’s gathering is to celebrate the return of the Second Princess to the capital.”

People nodded and raised their glasses high.

“The Second Princess has not appeared at many events, including banquets, due to her poor health in childhood. It is truly delightful to see her in such good health now.”

A few impatient people nodded and clapped their hands. But the Marquis’s main point was just beginning.

“Those who return usually bring stories with them. If it’s not too much to ask, may I inquire where the Second Princess has been all this time?”

“Tut.”

Binaeril clicked his tongue quietly, making sure others couldn’t hear. The Marquis of Schiller knew Binaeril was a mage. He likely also knew that Rike had been staying at the Mage Tower. This was his way of trying to put her in a difficult position.

“Lord…”

Charlotte tried to intervene, but the Marquis raised his hand to draw attention again. As an experienced noble, he was excellent at controlling the conversation.

“None of us here know the exact illness the Emperor suffers from. As loyal subjects, it is distressing not to be informed of our sovereign’s condition. If we are also ignorant of the circumstances of the princesses, how secretive must the royal family be? If it is not a shameful matter, please share your tale with us, Princess.”

Though his words were polished, he was essentially saying that if there was nothing to hide, she should openly reveal where she had been.

“Marquis Schiller. Are you questioning the royal family’s integrity? My sister has no obligation to report her whereabouts to you.”

The Regent, Princess Charlotte, interjected to avoid a difficult response. At that moment, Rike raised her hand to stop the Regent.

She nodded, indicating she would speak for herself. Rike trembled slightly, taking a deep breath. Only Binaeril and Sylvia, standing nearby, could sense her tension. Finally, Rike opened her eyes and met the Marquis of Schiller’s gaze directly.

“I have met many people.”

“…People?”

“Yes. I have met and lived with various people across the Empire and beyond.”

“For example…?”

“People from small villages on the eastern border, street urchins, other races, and students gathered from around the world.”

“Are you saying you traveled to broaden your horizons? During such a critical time when the Emperor is gravely ill?”

“Because one day, when my father passes away, my sister, the Regent, and I will rule these lands together.”

This time, Rike took the initiative, asserting that the throne belonged to her and her sister, not someone like him.

“And in truth, the journey was short. For most of the time, I stayed in Elfenbine, learning magic.”

A quiet shock rippled through the crowd. Neither Binaeril, Sylvia, nor the Regent Charlotte had expected her to make such a bombshell statement. Even the Marquis of Schiller looked mildly surprised as he reiterated her words.

“Did I hear you correctly? Elfenbine?”

“No, you heard correctly. I stayed at Elfenbine, drawn by fate.”

The older nobles who remembered Princess Friederike’s childhood were taken aback. The second princess was not originally like this. She had difficulty speaking in public and had grown up sheltered due to her frail health. Now, she stood with the dignity of a full-fledged princess, openly declaring herself as a mage, something the Empire’s people despised.

“…Is that answer satisfactory, Lord Schiller? If so, please, step back now.”

The Regent Charlotte stepped in, ensuring the Marquis couldn’t continue his questioning. Though he had much more to say, he retreated for now. He wasn’t foolish enough to press the princess further in such a setting. However, not everyone was satisfied with this resolution. A rash young noble stepped forward as if passing the baton from the Marquis.

“Second Princess, learning magic… does that also apply to Sir Sylvia, who serves as your guard?”

Suddenly, the focus shifted to Sylvia.

“In that case, may I have a duel with Sir Sylvia? I mean no disrespect to Your Highness’s abilities…”

“Haa…”

Rike sighed loudly enough for everyone to hear. ‘Who are you kidding? Your face is full of doubt,’ she thought. The young noble clearly aimed at Sylvia because he couldn’t directly challenge the princess. Sylvia looked at Rike, seeking permission. Having served as the princess’s guard and dealt with scornful gazes from envious noblemen, she saw this as an opportunity. A chance to put the arrogant young nobles in their place.

“Well, if a woman knight who was knighted early is too afraid of challenge, I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”

A cheap provocation. But Binaeril knew Sylvia well. She was particularly vulnerable to taunts.

Snap!

Sylvia was always straightforward with her emotions.

If Rike couldn’t hide her emotions due to her inherent purity, Sylvia seemed to have no intention of hiding hers at all. She stood there, fists trembling, eagerly awaiting Rike’s permission.

“Alright! Let’s do this.”

But the response came from an unexpected place.

“Sister?”

Regent Charlotte suddenly intervened in the situation.

“My sister, along with these three here, are all certified mages who graduated from Elfenbine.”

“So, you’re telling me Sylvia and Rike are mages, and even that junior baron?”

“Well, well, the grand city of Essen has truly become a den of mages.”

As Binaeril’s identity was revealed, the crowd turned their disapproving gazes on the three mages.

“Here’s what I suggest. Binaeril and Sir Sylvia, along with… your name is?”

“Paolo Amguier, Your Highness.”

“Yes, Sir Nobody.”

“It’s Amguier.”

“…Yes, Sir Nobody.”

“No, it’s Amguier… Never mind.”

“Why don’t Sir Nobody and another person team up for a 2-on-2 duel? Most of you have never seen real magic before.”

The crowd quickly became intrigued by the Regent’s suggestion. Few had actually encountered true mages, despite the rampant talk against them. The chance to witness a magical duel up close was too enticing to pass up.

“Shall I take your agreement as a yes from both sides?”

“Agreed.”

Paolo, Binaeril, and Sylvia all agreed in unison.

“Are you sure about this, sister? You don’t even know how strong Binaeril and Sylvia are.”

Rike seemed the most anxious.

“Oh, look at you. Don’t you trust the skills of your own guards?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then let’s just watch. I want to see for myself.”

“No, I’m worried they might hurt the others too much…”