Chapter 10

(Why is Claudia here...?)

Noah was about to call out Claudia's name but immediately clamped his mouth shut.

Seeming to understand, Claudia smiled and said, "Good boy." His uncle, taken aback by Claudia's sudden appearance, shouted at her.

"What are you doing here, you!"

"Me?"

Claudia smoothed her wind-tangled hair with her hand and calmly introduced herself.

"Ardelheit"

"Huh..."

Noah looked up at Claudia, whose eyes shimmered with a rainbow of colors.

Her eyes were like a mosaic of all the gems in the world, their fragments scattered. The meaning behind those eyes was known to no one in this world.

"Ardelheit, you say? This is a masterpiece."

His uncle, ruffling his hair, twisted his lips into a distorted smile.

"The legendary witch who lived five hundred years ago! The one who, despite being praised by people, took her own life at some point. Are you claiming to be that witch?"

"…Suicide?"

Noah gasped at the word, something unimaginable coming from Claudia.

However, Claudia only smiled and did not refute it. Instead, she ignored his uncle and looked down at Noah.

"Poor thing. You're a mess."

Even if he were scolded or harshly reprimanded, it would be justified. Or perhaps, it would be a fitting punishment to be killed by her here.

But to Noah, who had braced himself and looked up at Claudia, unexpected words were directed.

"I've come to fetch you, my servant."

"…What are you talking about?"

Noah was greatly perplexed by her smile.

It was as if she was forgiving him.

"There's no way you didn't realize. I betrayed you and used your magic..."

Claudia raised her index finger in front of Noah's lips.

"So what?"

Her right hand was extended towards his uncle.

It seemed she had created a transparent barrier with magic to protect him from his uncle's spells.

"Of course, punishment is necessary. You asked that man for something you should have asked me for."

"…Why would I tell you?"

"Why not?"

"He is the current king of Remiricia."

And Claudia, despite everything, was a princess of Abianoya.

Involving a princess of a great nation in an attack on the king of another great nation could lead to a major international issue.

"I can't burden you any further."

"Heheh..."

"…What's so funny?"

Noah thought he was stating a very reasonable reason, but Claudia only chuckled.

"What a cute reason."

"What?"

"Still, you're a fool. As long as the servant contract isn't broken, you are still my servant. So..."

And Claudia, with a beautiful smile, concluded.

"You should prioritize me over the country."

"Wh-What!?"

It wasn't a joke or a lie.

Noah could feel that she was speaking from the bottom of her heart, and he was taken aback.

"A stray puppy I picked up is much cuter than a country I have no attachment to."

"…You..."

"Didn't I say? In this life, I only do what I want."

With a snap, the magical barrier disappeared.

His uncle, who had not interfered in the conversation, seemed to be wary of Claudia. Despite his mocking tone, he must have sensed something.

(Ordinary people can't tell the difference in magical power. But Claudia's power is clearly on a different level.)

However, Claudia had a weakness.

Her body couldn't withstand the magic.

"You were talking about your 'sister,' right? Did you come to save her?"

Claudia, who had only heard part of the conversation, received a short answer from Noah.

"She's already dead."

"...I see."

Claudia's eyes, which seemed to be of every color, seemed to waver slightly towards red.

Then, she walked towards his uncle, her long, translucent purple dress swaying.

"Let me introduce myself again, King of Remiricia. I, Ardelheit, will take this child."

"Quite confident, aren't you? Just because you claim to be the legendary witch, do you think you can take him from me, who was said to be on par with the first king of Remiricia?"

"The first king of Remiricia..."

Claudia sighed, looking nostalgic.

"That's a lie. You are nothing compared to Rinaldo."

"…What?"

"Your magical power, your handling, your sense—everything is so inferior that it's laughable. Besides, you have no potential for growth."

Then she looked at Noah, as if showing off a prized possession.

"On the other hand, Noah has great potential. Equal to, or even surpassing Rinaldo."

"Shut up and listen...!!"

His uncle, scratching his head furiously, glared at Claudia.

"Don't call him Noah. He is Leonhardt, my slave!!"

"There is no such slave. Noah is my servant."

"Hmph...!!"

A chill ran down Noah's spine as a wave of killing intent rose.

He knew his uncle's spell was coming even before the incantation began.

"Destroy my enemy with fire!"

"..."

A more powerful ball of flame roared and charged at them.

Noah jumped in front of Claudia, ready to protect her, but he didn't even have time to draw his sword.

"Scatter"

"!!"

With a sound like popping bubbles, the flames vanished instantly.

It was a powerful spell, yet she had dispelled it in an instant, without using water or ice.

As if his uncle's magic was nothing but an illusion.

"Impossible..."

Claudia took a step forward, her heels clicking.

"Was that really a spell you cast to attack me?"

"Impossible... Impossible, it's the highest-level magic... I poured half of my magical power into it, giving it that much power..."

"Half of your magical power? To only have that much power with that much energy spent..."

Claudia said, with a voice that clearly showed her disdain.

"—You're terrible."

"Shut up!!"

Vines wrapped around his uncle's mouth, preventing him from starting his incantation.

(Wordless casting?)

Noah's eyes widened at the vines that had appeared out of nowhere.

(She can use magic without any incantation, not even a single word...!!)