Became the Unjust Contract Slave of the Archamage’s Book

Angelo Yulio, the dean, waited for Binaeril in his study. Sitting idly, he began to notice the familiar scenery of his office.

“…You’ve been busy.”

He was always busy. Dean Yulio was always busy, is busy, and will always be busy. Such is the nature of the position of dean at Elfenbine. However, he felt that this year had been particularly hectic compared to others.

“Well, it’s understandable.”

He couldn’t help but smile as familiar faces came to mind. A gray-haired boy from the east with a slightly sullen look, the princess he cherished like his own child, and her perpetually angry guard. Each of them, when taken individually, were modest and quiet students. But together, quiet days were rare.

“Haha.”

Dean Yulio chuckled, thinking of his students. It had been a long time since he had heard his own laughter. So, he laughed loudly on purpose.

“Haha, hahaha!”

His laughter echoed dryly in the quiet study.

“Just when I thought I was getting attached, time has already passed again.”

Students who came from far away and left for distant places. He thought he was too old to take on more students. He no longer wanted to invest his emotions in people.

“Do you have some good news?”

Taking advantage of his musings, Binaeril Dalheim appeared.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“Hello, Dean.”

Binaeril buttoned up his coat and greeted him politely. Dean Yulio, who was staring at him, felt that Binaeril had grown a bit taller.

“Yes, sit down.”

He had called Binaeril because of the assignments given to official mages. Mages who passed the Scala were divided into two main groups. They either became regular mages officially dispatched on assignments contracted by Elfenbine or wandering mages who roamed the world.

Regular mages were dispatched on assignments with various supports from the tower, while wandering mages did not receive such support. Most students chose the stability of the former, and this made Dean Yulio feel somewhat uneasy.

First, let’s get to the point.

“So, what are your plans?”

“I’m still considering. I could stay at the tower, but it also seems beneficial to leave and gain experience.”

Binaeril had his own plans. He had to uphold his contract with Veritas. The promise to search for the pages.

“Are you planning to become a wandering mage? That’s not a bad choice. It will be a good experience. I used to roam the entire continent alone in my younger days.”

Dean Yulio eagerly seized on Binaeril’s words. If Binaeril chose the latter, it would ease the burden on his mind somewhat.

“If that’s your wish, I have a request for you.”

“What is it?”

“This isn’t an official assignment from the tower. Naturally, there won’t be any support from Elfenbine. But it’s important.”

Binaeril had a rough idea of what he was about to propose.

“Please help the princess.”

As expected. Everything the dean prepared was related to her. The sudden attack on Scala by Rike, the reason Dean Yulio started mentoring Binaeril—all of it was because of her. He had sensed that something was wrong with the empire’s situation involving Rike.

Dean Yulio looked slightly uncomfortable. He seemed hesitant to recommend a choice that was far from safe.

“This isn’t a request without compensation. You’ve already helped her a lot. As much as possible, I’ll cover the necessary expenses and supplies…”

“I’ll do it.”

“Huh, what?”

“I’ll do it. Whatever it is. I assume it’s a mission that involves going west?”

To the west lay the capital of the Albrecht Empire. Officially, diplomatic relations between Elfenbine and the Albrecht Empire were severed. It wasn’t an officially requested support mission, and it was unlikely to yield any rewards. Binaeril understood why the dean was personally asking him for this favor. But it didn’t matter at all. Regardless of the circumstances or what problem Rike might be facing, Binaeril needed to leave anyway, and Dean Yulio had shown him kindness. That was reason enough, wasn’t it?

“Without even hearing the details?”

Binaeril nodded with a smiling face. Dean Yulio looked at Binaeril with a proud gaze.

“…Thank you.”

The mission Dean Yulio explained was as follows:

The emperor, who had been bedridden for a long time, was in critical condition. The empire was currently balanced between Charlotte, Rike’s sister and the regent, and the noble faction opposing the succession of the royal authority to her. The apparent peace was due to a treaty that guaranteed the regent’s authority while the emperor was bedridden.

“But if the emperor were to pass away now…”

“The noble faction would start to move.”

“That’s correct.”

Hans Brante, the emperor’s personal physician, was a close associate of the royal family and a prominent figure of the royalist faction. Although he controlled information about the emperor’s health, even a fool wouldn’t think that the emperor, who hadn’t been seen for a long time, was getting better.

“The emperor has been ill for five years, ten years now. The noble faction must be thinking their time is approaching.”

“What if they don’t announce the emperor’s death?”

“Impossible. No matter how much you control the information, you can’t silence every courtier. It will be discovered soon enough.”

“If the emperor dies, what exactly are you worried about?”

Dean Yulio exhaled deeply before answering.

“There will be many conflicts over the position of the next emperor. The noble faction will either put forward their own candidate or demand a transition to a noble republic. In any case, it’s unlikely they will respect the two princesses.”

Binaeril felt that his question wasn’t fully answered.

“But… what does that have to do with you, Dean?”

“Hmm?”

“Is it because of a personal connection with the princesses? You’re not from the empire. To be blunt, this is another country’s affair. Why are you going to such lengths…?”

Whether it was the Albrecht princesses, the noble faction, or the royalists, it was all ‘someone else’s business’ to Dean Yulio. Binaeril still didn’t understand why he was so intent on helping Rike.

“…Binaeril, do you know why I stay at Elfenbine?”

The dean brought up an old story. It was one Binaeril hadn’t heard before.

“I was a renowned mage. During my wandering years, I earned enough gold coins to live comfortably for a lifetime. So why did I become a professor at Elfenbine?”

“I don’t know.”

“I believed that magic could save people. I spent my life using magic that way. But it wasn’t true.”

Binaeril listened silently.

“The emergence of demons dismantled the existing powers of the world. People no longer believed in nations or kings. They believed in those who saved them. But in that void, the power of magic took its place.

Magic, the church, demon hunters, and knights. Many forces clashed, aiming for the power vacuum. I only wanted to protect one thing. At the very least, this miraculous power called magic, and Elfenbine, should be a relief organization that does not seek power.”

Binaeril swallowed. It seemed like too grand a goal for one person to bear.

“Do you think being the dean of the tower means I can do everything? No. The council of elders is a mess, and the professors are all self-centered. I have too few supporters. But if the empire, with which relations have been severed, respects and supports my cause…”

“And if they do?”

“I want to make Elfenbine a completely neutral place. The tower master knows my intentions and has placed this old man in a key position for that reason.”

“Hmm…”

“Helping the two princesses is because of that reason. To be honest, I’m using you for my purpose. It’s a dream I can never achieve alone. Do you understand now?”

It was highly political, very personal, and an extremely grand plan. Binaeril couldn’t resent him for saying he was being used. The dean’s goal was not selfish.

“Please help. I beg you.”

The legendary and simultaneously very old mage, revealing his white crown, bowed his head to the mage of the next generation. Binaeril felt a solemn sense of responsibility and couldn’t respond.

***

Once Binaeril’s decision to accompany was made, preparations for departure were swift. Rike and Sylvia were in no position to waste even a day. They were already prepared. 

A group of people unaccustomed to long journeys, the three of them seemed to compete over who could carry the largest load.

“Binaeril, do you really like books that much? Why are you bringing that old book?” Sylvia picked up Veritas and shook it.

“Books are food for the mind. And why are you bringing a tea set? Are you going for a picnic?”

“The princess likes tea.”

“And where are you going to get tea to brew?”

“I packed that too.”

Since everyone would carry their own belongings, Binaeril didn’t argue further. However, Dean Yulio didn’t find their packing reassuring.

He ran a hand down his face and said, “…Cut your luggage in half.”

“All three of you.”

Reluctantly, the three had to leave behind valuable items. Even after reducing their loads, they ended up with backpacks reaching their waists.

“This won’t do. Take these.”

Dean Yulio handed them three leather pouches, fit for holding coins.

“These will lighten your load. They have magic for weight reduction, space expansion, and security. Complex enchantments. Each one could buy a decent house.”

“Wow, thank you, Master!”

After transferring their items and further sorting their luggage, they finally looked like proper travelers.

“Why do I feel so uneasy?”

“Don’t worry, Dean. I’ll guide them well.”

Sylvia, the oldest among them and experienced in camping, patted her chest confidently.

Dean Yulio, with an expression like he was leaving his children by the water, grabbed Rike’s hand and said, “Princess, please be careful.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Don’t follow strangers.”

“Oh, come on. Do you think I’m a child?”

“In my eyes, yes. And always, always be wary of people.”

Dean Yulio was the only one seeing them off. His tender, old face made it hard for them to leave. They crossed the gates of Elfenbine with the hearts of wanderers.

“Let’s go. To the west.”

The boy and the girls began their journey westward, towards the empire, towards the setting sun. The sun, blessing the young travelers, still shone brightly above their heads.