I Married Because I Wanted To Live A Normal Life

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰ 

The man could only be released after signing a pledge to keep everything he heard in the recent conference a secret.

Although he could have waited in the designated separate waiting room, which also served as a reception room, for his family to meet him, he decided to take a moment to enjoy the breeze and moved towards the nearby garden.

When he arrived at the palace, the sun that had been shining on the top of his head was already tilting.

The grass around him was dyed crimson and swayed low in the wind, and the man simply watched it silently.

He had expected his mind to be in disarray after it was over, but he felt an unparalleled calmness.

The man, Hisch, could only think of one person he had been constantly concerned about at that moment.

His wife, who had humbled herself before the prince, with even her voice trembling…

“Mr. Hisch Ensis.”

Someone called his name. He wondered if it was someone who had come to greet him, but the two men looking at him were strangers.

He had seen them in the conference room. One of them was someone he knew by name because the prince had mentioned it.

Magnus. And the other one, he wasn’t sure who it was, but seeing that he was wearing a loose robe like Magnus, he thought he might be another wizard.

“I have something important to discuss with you, Sir Hisch, which is why we’ve come.”

Had anyone ever come to him for a ‘private conversation’ before? Hisch opened his mouth with a reluctant tone.

“…I’m not sure if I deserve to hear that.”

“No, this is something that can only be told to Mr. Hisch.”

Magnus gave a faint smile and observed the man in front of him.

The man had slightly sun-kissed and somewhat rough skin. Compared to those who had lived an unethical life, there was a certain elegance about him, but the gaze in his eyes, filled with a hint of curiosity, was unmatched in innocence compared to those who frequented the palace.

“I want to talk about the ‘research’ that was mentioned earlier.”

“…..”

The man with black hair looked at him without saying a word.

“I know that the prince’s sudden mention of it must have surprised you, but I followed you here in the hopes that you would think positively about it.”

“…..”

“As someone who has recently manifested their abilities, I thought you would be even more curious. For example, questions like ‘What is this strange ability? How can I use it? What is the origin of this ability?'”

The man spoke with an oddly fervent voice.

“Just as plants need water to grow and iron needs fire to melt, even our magic requires mana as fuel. But what exactly is this ability?”

“…..”

“To have a power that can be used without any cost. And to be a complete power in itself, without the need for constant honing like magic. If used well, couldn’t it benefit anyone, just by the fact of its existence?”

Magnus exclaimed in wonder.

“All those questions are things that us wizards have been researching for a very long time.”

“…..”

“And if Mr. Hisch could provide us with a little cooperation, perhaps we could finally grasp the key to that secret.”

“….I…”

Hisch slowly opened his mouth.

“I have already mentioned this to His Highness, but I have never considered this ability a blessing… In fact, I am not even curious about its origins or anything like that. I’m sorry.”

Magnus inwardly clicked his tongue at his words. This is what an ignoramus is who doesn’t pursue knowledge.

However, with a goal in his mind, Magnus soon interjected into Hisch’s words.

“I don’t deny that I understand your sentiment, but if this secret is revealed, it would be a great contribution to Kleinin itself.”

“…..”

“It would be an opportunity for ordinary people who cannot manipulate mana to have a special power. It would be the ability to protect oneself without anyone’s help.”

As the man slightly lowered his head, Magnus mistakenly thought that his words had touched his sympathy and spoke up.

The key to their long-standing curiosity was right in front of them. And it was not a haughty nobleman with high pride, but a man of such modest disposition. It seemed like a better opportunity than this would not come.

“Currently, countless people in the kingdoms are suffering because of the monsters. Your power, Mr. Hisch, would be more desperately needed by the weak commoners than anything else!”

The man glanced up with a somewhat bewildered expression, but still shook his head slowly.

“I’m sorry, but I…”

Seeing the man speak with a voice squeezed out as if enduring pain, Magnus drove the wedge into his conflict, sympathy, and confusion.

“If I may, Mr. Hisch… Even if you refuse, this matter will not be resolved. The situation in Kleinin is that desperate.”

“…..”

“It is a bit worrisome, but if Mr. Hisch refuses, I wonder if this demand will be directed to another high noble. Let’s see, except for the heirs of each family, who are precious individuals…”

Hisch looked up and looked at Magnus.

“For example, the princess of Catlan… It might be proposed to someone like her.”

At this, Hisch’s eyes widened slightly. Magnus inwardly chuckled.

Of course, even in such a desperate situation, it would be unthinkable to offer the princess as a mere experiment.

Even though he was a member of the nobility, Magnus didn’t think that a commoner like Hisch, who stood before him, would be able to consider such political maneuvers.

Magnus, who conveyed his veiled threat as cautious advice, exchanged glances with his colleague.

Even if Hisch Ensis didn’t agree immediately, if these words lingered in his heart as genuine advice, there was plenty of room for them to take root.

The two made a slight gesture and looked back at the man.

Then, hesitating at the sight before them, they took a step back.

“Ah…”

The man with black hair blinked and spoke.

“To my wife.”

The man muttered as if whispering.

“To Liddell…”

The reason the wizards were astonished was not only because of the man’s indifferent tone, but also because of what was happening under his feet.

The well-groomed garden, just like the evenly grown grass, was spreading out in a pure white color around the spot where the man stood.

Whether he knew or not what was happening beneath his own feet, Hisch silently met their gaze.

The man with trembling eyes, his deep and pitch-black pupils, seemed as if they could suck everything in.

“But hearing this conversation, I am not sure I can guarantee that I’ll cooperate with you… There is no assurance that you won’t make unreasonable demands to Liddell.”

“M-Mr. Hisch.”

“Can those who are resorting to such coercion be satisfied with just me…?”

The man spoke slowly, as if organizing his thoughts, and took a step forward.

With each step he took, everything that had blossomed beneath his feet turned to ashes and disappeared. Magnus swallowed hard.

At that moment, a line from the report he had just read flashed through his mind.

‘Unable to control the ability.’

“I am prepared to sacrifice anything for the sake of my wife.”

The man said.

“I wonder how far you are willing to sacrifice to know the truth of this ability…”

The power of the high nobility was merely a trace compared to the records of the past. It could be useful but not overwhelmingly powerful.

But what was this power in front of them? This power that seemed to absorb the vitality of the surroundings without any flow of mana or incantation.

‘He should not be provoked any further.’

Even the user himself couldn’t control it, so if they provoked him any further, who knows what might happen.

“Mr. Hisch, it seems that there is a misunderstanding…”

Magnus quickly spoke up.

“We are just here to offer advice and… to inform you of the seriousness of this matter… Coercing you… is something we are not here for…”

“…..”

“You seem to be very agitated at the moment. Please calm your mind, and it is fine if you forget about our conversation. W-We have busy matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave…”

In a fluster, Magnus and his colleague quickly fled from the scene as if running away, and Hisch quietly watched their retreating figures.

The man stood still in that spot, then suddenly lowered his gaze to look at his own feet.

And then, as if the strings had been cut, he knelt down and slumped down, covering his face with both hands.

“Ha…”

He knew that his hands were trembling. But Hisch tried to remain calm. He took several deep breaths, swallowing his saliva and exhaling. Yet, his restless heart couldn’t be calmed.

He was afraid.

He was frightening.

In his field of vision, he saw ashes of gray and withered grass in the distance.

Hisch knew that if he took a step, he could wither and kill everything in this garden.

No, not just the garden. If he kept walking endlessly, he knew that he could destroy everything that came into contact with him until he circled the world. He could not provide any evidence, but he could sense it as if it were the truth.

Even those people earlier. If he had only made up his mind, perhaps without a sound…

Just like before…

  Hello, everyone! It's Eica here~ Thank you for taking the time to read my translations.I apologize for being absent for a rea~lly long time and for the future sporadic updates. My classes and busy schedule have made it difficult for me to translate at a faster pace.Despite my shortcomings in translating, I hope each and every one of you will have a great time reading this.If you come across any mistakes, feel free to comment below or reach out to me on Discord.You can support me on Ko-fi, and I would appreciate it if you could rate this on NU. I value your feedback, and even though I may not respond, please know that I read and eagerly anticipate each and every comment.Once again, thank you, everyone! Happy reading!