Chapter 65
—Second Demon Cult Church Branch to Conquer: Ignis Branch.
"Now, Yuka, this branch is led by a man named Ignis. Unlike Mitra, he’s no pushover."
"Ah, so Mitra really was weak, huh?"
"Did he look strong to you?"
"Not at all."
"Exactly. Back to the point—Ignis is a fire-specialized demon. Don’t let yourself get burned."
"Fire magic? Who’s stronger, him or Lady Cecelia?"
(By the way, I’d heard that Lady Cecelia—Lord Albert’s older sister—was also skilled in fire magic. I wondered how they compared.)
"My sister."
"Cee-Cee."
"Instant answer."
(Note: "Cee-Cee" was Lady Cecelia’s nickname, used only by Lord Minato. Apparently, the two were childhood friends.)
"My sister’s epithet is ‘Inferno’—literally, a hell of flames. Few can withstand it. She’s practically a fire-wielding monster."
"That’s a more hardcore epithet than I expected. Sounds like something a grizzled old mage would have."
"Cee-Cee’s flames are beautiful yet terrifying—supreme fire magic. Watching her incinerate a horde of high-tier magical beasts was almost… awe-inspiring."
Lord Minato’s description painted quite the image. This ethereal beauty (and mother of two) was a walking hellscape? Just how intense was she?
"Albie~? Yuuka-chaaan? Did you say something just now? Hmm~?"
"Eeek…!"
The pressure radiating from Lady Cecelia behind us sent Lord Albert and me trembling in unison. Turning around cautiously, we were met with a smile—but her eyes were dead cold. Was that fire flickering behind her, or just my imagination?!
"N-no, I was just saying how cool your epithet is, Sis! Right, Yuuka?!"
"Y-yes, absolutely! Only Lady Cecelia could pull it off!"
Lord Albert and I scrambled to shower her with praise. Getting charbroiled by a relative’s magic was not on my to-do list. Lady Cecelia sighed and shrugged, exasperated.
"No need for flattery. I’ll admit, it’s not the cutest epithet."
"Well, as Yuka said, it’s more about power than elegance for a woman…"
"True. It’s cool, but maybe a bit much for Lady Cecelia…"
*"But you know~" Her mood flipped instantly as she leaned into Lord Minato. "It matches Minato-kun’s! His epithet is ‘Frost Prison’ since he’s a water mage. Having similar names makes me happy, so it’s fine~"
"We’re a matching set, Cee-Cee. Makes me happy too."
Lady Cecelia nestled against Lord Minato, beaming like a lovestruck girl. Her smile was pure sunlight. Anyone could see she adored him.
"Lady Cecelia, may I ask you something after we crush this church?"
"Hmm~? What is it, Yuka-chan?"
"Could you teach me how to deepen marital intimacy?"
"Ooooh! You’re curious about that too? Of course! Let’s have a girls’ talk later!"
"Girls’…? You and Yuuka… as ‘young maidens’…?"
Oops. Lord Albert just stepped on a landmine. Questioning a woman’s self-proclaimed youth is taboo—whether she’s a mother of two or a reincarnated office worker in her thirties.
"...Got something to say, Albie?"
"N-nothing!"
"Even Albert’s no match for Cee-Cee, huh?"
Lord Albert shook his head so hard it might’ve flown off, drenched in cold sweat. I’d never seen him like this. What happened between him and Lady Cecelia? Meanwhile, Lord Minato watched them fondly. This guy’s really laid-back.
"A-anyway, back on topic. Ignis may not be on Sis’s level, but his fire magic is formidable. Stay sharp."
"Understood."
"Ignis, huh~? He’s always picking fights for some reason~. Wonder why~?"
"You know him, Lady Cecelia?"
"Acquaintances, I guess? I mostly ignore him—too much hassle."
"Did something happen?"
"Hmm, not really? Minato-kun, any ideas?"
"Jealousy and envy, probably. Started after he saw Cee-Cee’s fire magic."
"Ugh… how annoying~"
Lady Cecelia groaned, utterly disinterested. Whatever Ignis felt, her disdain was palpable.
"Oh well. Let’s wrap this up fast so we can chat, Yuuka-chan!"
"Looking forward to it!"
If Lord Minato was right, Ignis might’ve been hung up on Lady Cecelia—but her eyes were only on Minato. Poor Ignis.
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