Intervention 4

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"My wife?"

The duke was momentarily taken aback, then his eyes softened as he said, "In my heart, she is certainly the most perfect woman in the world."

Hearing her husband praise her like this, Helen felt a wave of sweetness in her heart. She resolved to do everything she could to help him through this difficult time, even if it meant exposing her identity as a spellcaster to the world.

Marianna smiled and said, "That's too broad. I mean, what is her true nature? Is she kind or evil, lenient or harsh?"

Cabre replied seriously, "If Helen were evil, I can't imagine who else in this world could be good."

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt himself captivated by the flame-like crimson eyes of Marianna. Although it felt strange to use the word "captivated," in that moment, the duke indeed felt something gripping or binding his soul.

A few breaths later, that sensation faded away.

However, Duke Cabre did not suspect that the witch before him was up to something, because his understanding of spellcasters—of course, this understanding came entirely from his wife—was that spellcasters needed to prepare meticulously before casting spells. They needed materials, runes, magic circles, and at the very least, had to recite incantations or perform gestures. In short, there was always a long list of preparations. But this lady Marianna was visiting the court of Eaton for the first time, so she could hardly have set up anything in advance—of course, he wouldn't suspect his wife would coordinate anything with her, even if she were the mentor of his wife—and she hadn't said anything strange or made any unusual gestures. Therefore, he did not doubt Marianna.

Cabre attributed his peculiar feeling to Marianna's unique aura—a blend of extreme beauty and lethal danger, an indescribable quality. Also, her pair of rare crimson eyes—indeed, the duke had never seen this eye color on anyone else in his life.

Marianna said, "Your Majesty, I can see from your attitude that deep down in your heart, you have already dispelled the prejudice against us spellcasters. However, there is something that has sealed your heart."

"What is it?" Cabre asked, curious.

"Cowardice!"

"Cowardice?"

Duke Cabre became somewhat angry. Even if she was considered his elder, how could she slander a brave knight and a just lord like this?

He took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry; I don't feel any cowardice within me."

"No, Your Grace." Marianna said confidently. "It is precisely because of your cowardice that you do not dare to go against the prejudices of the world—even though deep down you do not agree with these prejudices. You can only continue to deceive yourself with self-suggestions like, 'Although I understand spellcasters very well, there are still some lingering doubts deep in my heart that I have yet to resolve,' in order to numb yourself and find a connection between yourself and the masses."

"Marianna!" Helen raised her voice to her mentor, surprised at her own boldness.

"Please do not slander my husband like this; he is a noble soul with an honest heart, and he is not as unworthy as you say."

"No, dear."

The duke raised his hand to stop his wife's defense, as if something within him had been awakened.

"Marianna is right; I am indeed a coward. I am indeed a timid person."

"When the church rampaged against spellcasters in the name of witch hunting, I hesitated, even though I knew in my heart they were good people."

"When the fanatic mob overwhelmed reason with ignorance, I hesitated, even though I knew their actions were unjust."

"Even now, when resisting the church, I disguise it under other pretexts, yet I do not dare to point out their most unjust actions—those irrationally harming innocent spellcasters."

"I have deeply betrayed my knightly code. I should have upheld justice and protected the weak, yet time and again, I pretended to be blinded by the world's prejudice, until I eventually believed it myself."

Duke Cabre's emotions flared; he tugged at his hair, his face showing immense frustration.

"Helen, I don't deserve your love."

"No, dear." Duchess Helen held her husband tightly, trying to calm him down.

"I know you have your difficulties. The forces you face are too powerful, something you—no, we—cannot resist."

Although Helen corrected herself in time, it still hurt her husband.

Marianna spoke up at the right moment, "Your Majesty, now is an opportunity."

Cabre looked up at her. "An opportunity?"

"Yes, an opportunity to practice the true justice that lies deep in your heart, a chance to eliminate your regrets."

The duke looked at her, hoping she would clarify her words.

Marianna's eyes sparkled with light. "In the name of the nation, publicly acknowledge the existence of spellcasters while also recognizing their rights as equal to those of ordinary people. Let spellcasters walk freely under the sun without fear of being inexplicably arrested or harmed."

"Allow spellcasters to stroll down the streets, enter taverns to drink, sit in theaters to watch plays, and… join your army."

"In short, they should have the right to do everything that ordinary people can do."

With the prior context, the duke was not overly shocked by Marianna's suggestion.

However, Helen asked, puzzled, "If we do this, won't Eaton be attacked by other countries?"

She even imagined a scenario where coastal nations and the church united to attack Eaton.

"Now is the best time!" Marianna explained. "The church's oppressive policies have stirred up a strong sense of rebellion among the coastal countries, affecting rulers and common folk alike. It's similar to how adults telling children not to do something makes them want to do it even more. Once the war ends—regardless of which side wins—and both parties ease their tensions, this rebellious sentiment will dissipate. Such a good opportunity might not appear again for hundreds of years."

"When Eaton is the first to acknowledge the legal status of spellcasters, the shock among the allied nations is guaranteed. However, spellcasters have never acted against these nations' interests, while the church is genuinely oppressing them. What choice they make is naturally self-evident."

"Especially when spellcasters can assist you, Your Grace, in achieving victories on the battlefield against a great enemy like the church. Those nations are likely to follow Eaton's example and recognize the status of spellcasters to recruit them into their own armies."

(End of the Chapter)

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