Volume 17 Chapter 22 Once, He Was A Court Magician Iii
"Ms. Estelle, it's my fault...because I'm weak, I..."
Bernard knelt before her, his body on the ground.
"I'm so sorry..."!
He hated his own uselessness.
It hurt that he was safe while the person he cared about was injured.
"...Stop that. Get up, Bernard-kun"
Estelle smiled bravely.
"Don't worry about it. This happened because I was weak"
She had bandages wrapped around her body.
──In yesterday's battle, Bernard and Estelle had been defeated by a monster.
Estelle had been seriously injured, and Bernard had tried to fight the monster, but he realized halfway through that there was no chance of winning, so he chose to retreat.
Barely alive──.
The two of them had managed to escape.
But the price was high.
According to the healing magician, Estelle would have aftereffects in her right arm and right leg.
Even healing magic isn't all-powerful.
She could no longer wield her sword as she used to.
Her genius swordsmanship would never be unleashed again.
"Ugh...grrr..."
Bernard stifled his sobs, his voice hoarse.
"It's because I'm...weak...I couldn't protect Ms. Estelle..."
"Don't say that. As long as we're on the battlefield, I knew this could happen and I swung my sword...no, I *was* swinging it"
The fact that she used the past tense made Bernard's eyes widen.
"I realized. Maybe it's God's will"
Estelle smiled.
"You know, it's about time a knight retired and settled down"
"Eh...?"
"The other day... I was actually proposed by Count Geera. 'Let's officially become a couple,' he said."
Estelle gives a shy smile.
She had a happy smile.
Although it is a political marriage, the individuals are attracted to each other.
It was the face of a woman in love that she never showed to Bernard.
A bitter pang of jealousy welled up in Bernard's chest, but he forced it down and managed a smile.
"Is that so... Congratulations...!"
"Thank you. If you'd like, come to the wedding."
"...Yes. I would love to..."
Bernard desperately tried to keep his smile intact.
Enduring the loneliness and sense of loss surging within him──
* * *
A few days later, Bernard was hit with a sudden proclamation.
"Bernard Zola. You are hereby exiled."
Marcello, the Minister of Internal Affairs, smirked as he declared this.
"What...!?"
Bernard stared at him in shock.
He didn't fully grasp what he had just been told.
"Did you not hear me? I said 'exile.' You are being expelled from the Uralis Kingdom court──essentially, you're fired."
"W-why!? I haven't done anything to deserve this──"
"Violation of duty regulations."
Marcello stated coldly.
"Uralis Kingdom court magician, rank 4, Bernard Zola, you have been exploring dungeons within the kingdom and repeatedly slaying monsters in violation of your duties. After years of continuing unauthorized activities and failing to dedicate yourself to your responsibilities, you are deemed unfit to serve as a court magician and are hereby exiled──this is an order from Her Majesty the Queen."
"W-what!?"
Bernard trembled with rage.
"Don't be ridiculous! I've been hunting monsters to protect the people of Uralis. If it weren't for me and Ms. Estelle fighting, the citizens would have suffered greatly!"
"That's the domain of the knight corps and the magic division."
"They weren't doing anything, so I stepped in──"
"Hmph, sounds like you just wanted to spend time with the vice captain of the Estelle Knights──oh wait, she's retired now and is Countess Geera, isn't she? There are even testimonies that you were infatuated with the Countess."
"W-wha...?"
Bernard was left speechless.
It was true that he had feelings for her, but he had never confessed that to anyone.
He already knew Estelle was engaged - he was just going to cause trouble if he confessed his feelings.
Besides, even if she wasn't engaged, it was impossible for a clumsy, straightforward guy like me to make a love confession...
"Why were you two alone 'defeating monsters,' but what were you really doing?"
"Y-You scoundrelll!"
Bernard flew into a rage.
He raised his fist and punched Marcello, sending him flying.
"Ugh..."
Marcello was blown away.
"Hmph, interesting."
He wiped the blood dripping from his mouth and stood up.
"Then, as an additional order - leave the palace."
"What?"
"You may have thought you were hiding your feelings, but it was obvious to those around you... at least to me."
"Ah...!"
Bernard turned pale.
Certainly, he had intended to keep his feelings for Estelle hidden, but it seemed that he had been found out.
If so, it was inevitable that he would cause her trouble.
After all, the likelihood of the expulsion being overturned was slim, and Bernard himself had grown weary of the Uralis court.
He had often thought about quitting.
And with Estelle's impending marriage, his sense of resignation had slowly grown.
Of course, it was a love that was never meant to be reciprocated, but still, somewhere in his heart, he had dreamed.
Maybe Ms. Estelle secretly thinks about me, he thought.
But reality isn't a fairy tale.
No matter how hard a mortal like Bernard struggles, he can't become a genius.
A love that's out of place will never be rewarded, and Estelle will marry someone suitable for her.
"...I understand. I will leave the palace."
Bernard bit his lip and groaned, then turned his back on Marcello and walked away.
"Oh, Bernard."
Marcello called out to him from behind.
Too exhausted to even turn around, Bernard kept walking.
"Why do you think I noticed your feelings?"
"What?"
Bernard's feet came to an abrupt halt.
"Alright, I'll tell you since it's the last time. You're not coming back here, are you?"
Marcello gave a small laugh.
"I've been wondering too, about Estelle──"
"Huh...?"
"It's an unrequited love. I was actually jealous of you."
Looking back, Marcello had a self-deprecating smile on his lips.
"At least you got to be by her side. I couldn't even manage that──"
With a snort, Marcello walked away.
"That guy..."
Unable to sort out his feelings, Bernard stood there, rooted to the spot.
* * *
During the Uralis Kingdom era, there were many bitter memories──and the sweet memories of youthful love, intertwined.
In the end, that love was shattered too, so maybe it was just another bitter memory.
After that, Bernard turned to adventuring. After wandering through several guilds for about a decade, he arrived at 'Blue Crystal.'
He was from a minor guild, a B-ranker, but he excelled as their ace.
Nevertheless, he knew his own lack of talent and limits, so he never boasted.
He knew his place.
That's why, when a young man named Rain Garland joined 'Blue Crystal' and he learned of his abilities, he could honestly acknowledge him as number one.
He seemed like a likable young man, and his strength deserved sincere respect.
His role wasn't to be the ace.
It was to support an ace like him.
That's what Bernard thought──.
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