A Genius Boy Who Was Exiled From His Family Home for “Not Being Able To Use Magic” Becomes a Witch’s Apprentice and Masters All Magic in the Right Way. This Is How You Use Your Magic, You Know?

Chapter 162.3. Renegotiation

The Count was captured and confined within Sara’s barrier. This treatment seemed appropriate, both for extracting information and for the upcoming talks with the soldiers.

“…”

While handling the aftermath, Hermes noticed Liliana, who was deep in thought, looking down.

…Somehow, he understood what she was thinking. He approached her and gently placed his hand on her head.

“…Master?”

“You don’t need to worry about being called a failure or a puppet of the royal family.”

Liliana widened her eyes, likely surprised that he had guessed her thoughts. Hermes gave a wry smile and continued.

“Indeed, there’s not much you can do right now. But what we see in you is your potential. There’s no need to focus on what you can’t do at this moment.”

“But… still…”

Even so, she couldn’t accept her position and knew there wasn’t much time. Sensing her concerns, Hermes continued.

“That said, if you want to catch up quickly… let me offer you some advice, just like a master would.”

With that, he gave Liliana a hopeful look, and then said one thing.

“Find your own magic.”

“My… own?”

“Yes. You’re like me, someone with no innate magic, yet you can handle the [Emerald Tablet] just like I do.”

He paused, then spoke in a tone that imitated his own master’s, just slightly.

“—But that doesn’t mean you need to do things the same way I do.”

“…That…”

He repeated something Rose had once told him.

“It’s not in a bad sense. No one can ever do exactly what someone else does. My master, too, uses the same magic, but her approach is a little different from mine.”

“Eh…?”

“Just like that, I want you to find your own way to use the [Emerald Tablet]. —Something like how you used [Intercept] when we escaped the capital. That, I believe, will become your path… in many ways.”

It was advice for someone still lost in finding a clear path as a member of the royal family. Hermes gently combed Liliana’s hair with his hand, which was resting on her head, while she absorbed his words.

“…And also, I’m very happy that you trusted me so much, saying you’d be fine even if you were deceived.”

“—Huh?”

“As long as you trust me like that, I will never abandon you. So, please don’t worry… just find your own way.”

Her words, spoken with unexpected kindness, caused Liliana to lower her gaze, embarrassed, trying to hide her happiness.

“That’s why… I’ve been saying, don’t spoil me!”

Despite the words, she pressed his hand on her head with both small hands and rubbed her head against him like a small animal.

As he allowed Liliana to do as she wished, Hermes turned in the opposite direction and faced Jurgen, who was watching the pair with a smile.

“By the way, Duke.”

“Hm? What is it?”

Jurgen tilted his head with a smile. Hermes, in a slightly reproachful tone, responded.

“Duke—You knew everything from the start, didn’t you?”

At those words, Katia and the others, who had been working on other tasks, turned to look.

“You knew the Count was in league with the church, and that he had no choice but to act this way. …Also, the negotiations were probably more suited to you, Duke. It was a crisis for our faction, but you’ve been awfully quiet about it.”

“Ah… um, are you mad?” “Just a little. Well, I kind of understand why you were silent, so I’m not really blaming you.”

Seeing Jurgen raise his hand with genuine regret, Hermes gave a half-glare.

“Sorry. I stayed silent knowing what was going on. The reason is just like you guessed… I wanted you all to figure it out yourselves.”

Everyone stopped and listened closely.

“You must have realized by now, right? The church had already planned to cause a rift, anticipating that we would rely on the Count.”

“…”

“Dealing with an organization is like that. They use every trick in the book, and sometimes they’ll take unexpected actions without hesitation. Naturally, don’t expect the kind of self-centered or forceful tactics we’ve dealt with before. This enemy is unlike the ones we’ve faced so far.”

They all nodded, understanding. While they had managed to avoid disaster this time, they knew it could have been a turning point.

“In the future, something might happen when I’m not around. That’s why I wanted you all to handle it yourselves this time. …Sorry.”

“Oh, father… I understand your intentions. And, as long as you explain everything properly, I won’t blame you.”

Jurgen, who had apologized honestly, was reassured by Katia, who seemed slightly taken aback.

“Anyway… next, it’s the negotiation with the soldiers. If that’s the case, we’ll handle it from here as much as we can. But—if it gets too dangerous, please step in.”

Katia, speaking with a slight pout, made her request, and Jurgen, giving a wry smile, raised his head.

Then, having overcome this challenge, they all took their first step forward.