Chapter 37

The Mad Duke Beruze.

Not only the Church faction but also the noble families of the mage faction call Duke Beruze by this name. The epithet "mad" has come to be used not only by the nobility but also by the common people.

However, the people of the Beruze territory hold great trust and affection for this epithet, which the nobility use with contempt.

The difference in perception originated from an episode concerning Duke Beruze that took place ten years ago.

Back then, the Beruze duchy had fallen into ruin due to the influence of refugees from the Kleinzelt earldom turning to banditry. At the time, efforts were underway to restore order and industry.

Duke Beruze had devoted all his efforts to the reconstruction after inheriting the title, but there were those among the people who took pride in the success of the reconstruction, attributing it solely to the efforts of the common folk.

One such person openly criticized Duke Beruze in the town where the lord's manor was located. He loudly proclaimed that the duke had been of no use and even went so far as to graffiti the wall of the manor with a depiction of the duke sucking his thumb, his gaze directed down towards the town. The implication was clear: "Just sit there and watch."

Most nobles, if so insulted, would have flown into a rage and had the instigator executed. It would not have been out of place to have the body dismembered and displayed throughout the town. Indeed, for a noble who values the dignity of their house, this would have been the normal response.

Upon hearing of the situation in the capital, Duke Beruze immediately returned to his territory.

Seeing the mural on the manor wall, he flew into a rage and had the culprit brought to the central square of the town, where he said:

"Give it a title, fool."

It seemed that these words were spoken from the heart, for when the culprit timidly gave the mural a title, Duke Beruze laughed heartily. Later, the culprit received a set of paintbrushes and paints.

The other noble houses, seeing Duke Beruze's uncharacteristic response to being mocked, held him in contempt.

The people of the duchy, however, were moved by his broad-mindedness in laughing off the insult and sending the culprit art supplies, and they held him in high regard.

Since then, Duke Beruze has been known as the Mad Duke.

Upon hearing this story from the Pig Lord, Sora immediately broke free and approached Duke Beruze.

The Pig Lord tried to bring him back, but his bulky body prevented him from catching up, thanks to a group of children standing between them.

"It seems the duke is angry. Is that alright?"

Sora returned a genuine smile, his eyes testing the waters.

"I heard the story from ten years ago. The Mad Duke Beruze."

"Hmm. And what of it?"

Seeing that Sora's smile was not mocking, Duke Beruze became even more intrigued and urged him to continue.

Duke Beruze was testing Sora, to see if he was a typical noble. He was testing whether Sora had the capacity to understand the true intentions of the duke, which had eluded the dignity-obsessed nobles and the narrow-minded commoners.

Sora performed a small act of respect with a familiar smile.

"I would like to see the paintings once created in the Beruze duchy. 'Various' paintings."

"…Hehehe."

Duke Beruze placed his hand on his forehead and laughed quietly.

His first true understanding came from a child not yet seven years old, the son of the Pig Lord, Kleinzelt.

Duke Beruze thought that perhaps he had truly gone mad since that day ten years ago.

But at the same time, he thought that it was precisely because he had gone mad that the current state of the Beruze duchy existed.

He even felt it was something to be proud of.

"Yes, come to my manor anytime. I will show you 'various' paintings."

Therefore, Duke Beruze recognized Sora as an equal and extended his hand for a handshake. Sora's small hand accepted it.

On that day ten years ago, Duke Beruze had struggled to suppress the joy that welled up within him upon seeing the mural in the manor.

Who could have imagined, from the desolate duchy and the exhausted people at the beginning of his reign, that there would come a day when the people would have the leisure to mock their lord in such a way?

For Duke Beruze, the mural in the manor was a symbol of his achievements, proof that he had rebuilt the duchy.

It was only natural that he recognized Sora, who had shared in that joy.

Therefore,

"Duke Beruze is in pain."

Sora's words brought Duke Beruze back from the past to the present.

Sora's face, reflected in Duke Beruze's eyes, was serious.

"Are you having trouble with the forestry city incident?"

Duke Beruze's eyes widened slightly.

Duke Beruze knew that Sora had stopped at the forestry city on his way to the capital.

However, it was surprising that a seven-year-old child could bring up a concern that even a capable noble would need to analyze calmly.

Duke Beruze tried to imagine who might have given Sora this information, but no candidates came to mind.

Before Duke Beruze could press the matter, the Pig Lord forcibly took Sora away.

Duke Beruze watched the small figure of his understanding companion as he recited the words whispered at parting.

"Until we meet again, soon…."

Just as Duke Beruze and Sora parted ways, Lazzette was in a café in the capital with Sania and the others.

"Are magic books really that expensive?"

It was natural for Lazzette to ask Zess with some doubt. Since arriving in the capital, they had been searching everywhere, but even the cheapest magic book was priced at an amount that could cover a year's stay in a high-end inn in the capital.

"It seems the Church has been buying them up and treating them as banned books."

Zess, looking dejected, scratched his head as he explained.

Magic, by nature, has a strong military connotation.

Therefore, magic books are not readily available on the market. Additionally, many fakes are mixed in.

As a result, the magic books that can be obtained are often simple ones used for everyday tasks like heating or as paperweights. These require precise magic arrays to activate and lack offensive capabilities, making them unsuitable for the battlefield.

"Lord Sora would surely understand… right?"

"No way."

Zess instantly shattered Sania's hopeful speculation.

In reality, Sora would be delighted to use magic, no matter how trivial.

The group, who had only seen Sora's usual arrogant attitude, never imagined that he had such a childlike desire to use magic.

"Let's search one more time. If we can't find a suitable one, we'll consult Lord Sora."

Lazzette steered the conversation, and everyone agreed.

Together, they left the café and stopped in front of a merchant guild.

"Why is there a store here?"

Lylu glared at the guild's sign, her brows furrowed.

Even if she couldn't read, the sign was familiar, and the name of the guild was easy to guess.

The guild's name was Wooddora.

Five years ago, this guild, which had caused a shortage of firewood in the town through a lottery, was their sworn enemy.