Interlude Hazen
Bardyst Holy Kingdom, regardless of being one of the few small countries on the continent, was very economically prosperous. Amongst all that, the Capital of Veybar boasts a liveliness to the extent of being called the『Four Big Cities』. These 30 years, despite being exposed to the threat of the large southern country, Delshar, and the northern Girsus Alliance, the country had never been dragged into the flames of war. The vicinity of the country’s borders being surrounded by mountain ranges and having a geographical advantage also play a part, but the main factor was, the fact that the Great Magician called Hazen＝Heim is residing in Veybar.
A single greatly remarkable figure, deters even the threat of a large country. The truth that, normally, can only be described as impossible, more so than a heroic tale, had turned into a target of fear. Touted as the greatest Magician in history for approximately half a century. The fact that he summoned the Warrior Angel Liplareuran, which is touted to be the strongest that a human’s level can summon, and buried tens of thousands of Dark Magician in a single night. The fact that with the summon of the Aberrant Demon Lochiel, which is said to be the most sinister, he led a single country to its demise. The fact that he fused Holy and Dark and came up with the Holy Dark Magic, which shattered the traditional magic principles. His legends, they have no end to it if you were to count them.
Despite having an old body that has already lived for more than a century, with his charisma that still knows no deterioration, all kinds of talented Magicians from the continent come to apprentice under him. Due to his charm, Bardyst Holy Kingdom had become the country where the continent’s prominent Magicians reside.
Such a number one famous old man on the continent was, taking a nap in the middle of the magic theory he’s still working on, in a posture where he’s about to slip down the chair at any time.
“Sensei……Hazen-sensei. Please wake up”
While showing a fed-up expression, a young boy whose stern eyes are his characteristic shakes and wakes the old man up. As if to denote his meticulousness, his robe, which is dyed in white, doesn’t even have a single wrinkle.
“……Lloyd huh”
His figure that answers and slowly stand up, while making a mildly dazed expression is, very much unlike the figure of someone who’s touted to be the greatest Magician on the continent.
“It is, about time. Well, if it’s you, it’s probably no big deal even if you’re a little late though”
An audience that’s taking place in Lagisteria Castle, the main castle. Since it’s Hazen, who possesses the most authority on the continent, they’ll probably wait for him as long as it takes, starting from the King, but they also know that he’s not an old man who behaves like that. That, is not because he’s a man of character. It’s because he knows there’s nothing to be gained, just by doing something like that.
“I was having……a little dream. Let’s go, shall we”
He mutters, opens the door, and walks down the corridor.
“What were you dreaming about?”
“I’m at this age. I too have as many past regrets as any other person”
……no, ever since he placed this cheeky Lloyd close by his side recently, he came to recall the things of the past more. About a jet-black-eyed young boy, who had already been around, since several decades ago.
“Haa……I think there is nobody, who completed everything they wished as much as you though”
“That’s……not true”
While muttering in an inaudible voice, he casually opens the door, so casually that one can’t imagine that it’s the throne room.
At the centre is, a man who’s sitting back on a golden throne made of brass. Hair dyed in blue, dauntless facial features, and still young in his 20s, but regardless, all the retainers were respectfully observing his every single move. His name is Raizer＝Barjest. The young Holy King who, three years ago, ascended to the highest position in this country, he is.
Raizer stood up without even taking a glance at Hazen and raised the treasured sword he wore on his waist up high.
“It will be a tough war like never before……against the large country Delshar next. However, there is no defeat for us Bardyst Holy Kingdom!”
The retainers respond collectively with an affirmative roar and place the grip of the sword on their chest. At that over the top intensity, Hazen＝Heim, who’s waiting beside King Raizer, was honestly impressed. The retainers, they all adore this young King, and they’re scrambling to be the first to achieve an accomplishment. Bardyst Holy Kingdom is a completely militarized country. In recent years, they’ve been proactively invading other countries, and they’ve broken through the western Sarroots Country, the eastern Kimomi Kingdom.
Overwhelming charisma and tenacity.
At that time, Hazen held an absolute belief.
‘Without a doubt, this King will unify the continent’
“Hazen-sensei. Do you have any advice?”
“‘Sensei‘……I am honoured”
He lowers his head and kneels to King Raizer. The sight of the greatest Magician in history, paying his respect and complying, strengthened all the retainers’ deification of the King even more.
“Please don’t lower your head. Please, be like how you were when you were my tutor”
By no means is he buttering up to him; the young King lifts the old man’s shoulders and makes a smile.
“……when I first met you, I could not completely suppress my shivers. My eyes for people, unexpectedly still has its use huh”
The future that the old man, who’s touted to be the greatest Magician in history and said to have accomplished every achievement, looked towards was, the continent’s peace. He went around searching for a vessel that can unite this continent, where nations gather and scuffle, where wars waged in blood between the countries continue.
And then, Hazen came across it in his lifetime.
“I shall give it my everything, so that I can live up to Sensei‘s expectations”
King Raizer’s answer was filled with confidence.
When he retreats from the throne room, one person is waiting beside him. Lloyd, unhappily, and then, begrudgingly, stares at the old man.
“Hazen-sensei, is it really alright?”
“Aah……go and prepare”
“I do not think, that that King has that much value though”
“You’re going too far……control yourself”
“……excuse me”
“Fuu……Lloyd, when you look at that King, don’t you feel anything?”
“Nothing. Hazen-sensei too, you won’t even give that person the time of day if he wasn’t the King”
“……haa”
At the young boy who speaks overly frankly, he can’t help sighing and feeling disappointed. It’s something that’s commonly found amongst his disciples; they only judge based on their ability as a Magician. Even though being like that is important for somebody who is a King.
“More importantly, please quickly teach me new magic. You too, since you don’t know when you’re going to die, you have to raise a successor, right?”
“……and that, will be you?”
“Am I wrong? Are you saying that there is somebody other than me who can succeed you?”
The young boy puffs up his chest slightly proudly.
“……mediocre”
“Wha……”
“Lloyd……you are, a genius, but mediocre. If I have to say, a very typical genius. You’re inadequate to replace me”
Hazen＝Heim’s students are, all in all, excellent and brimming with talent, but by no means did he see it that way. That is, because none other than he himself is a genuine monster. Lloyd, too, undoubtedly has the capabilities sufficient to be a remarkable figure of the generation. However, when compared to himself, he ends up finding him vastly inferior no matter what.
“……”
The prideful young boy, looks down with his shoulders shaking.
“Know your limits. Accepting your own capabilities is important as well. Besides, you need to polish your character rather than your magic; that’s what I think. I wish you’d follow Lioar’s example a little”
Lioar＝Sergey. Lloyd’s senior and too is undoubtedly a genius. It’s just that, unlike the egoistical Lloyd, he doesn’t display much interest in polishing his own talent. Even though it’d be just right if the two, who are on the completely opposite end of the spectrum, combined and divided into two. The strongest Magician whose days he thinks of the matters after his death and laments as such increased recently, he is.
“……a fellow like that. Even though I’m far more talented”
“Haa……go already. Listen up, alright? Do exactly as you are instructed”
“……”
Without answering the old man’s words, the young boy left. At that childish behaviour, he can’t help but smile bitterly unconsciously.
“Good grief……『the worse the child is¹』is well said”
Him placing Lloyd by his side despite him being immature mentally is, not only because of that danger. Unconsciously, he feels his heart is being healed by that adorableness that carried a tinged of rebellion.
“……talent huh”
One person.
When Hazen discovered the one and only young boy, who has the possibility of surpassing himself, he had the same shivers as with King Raizer……no, he had even more shivers than that. The young boy, who’s more cheeky than Lloyd and immature mentally, violated a taboo as though that of a miracle and became the worst monster in history.
If possible, he wishes for Lloyd to not walk the same path.
Hazen sighed and walked forward.
