Chapter 12

The Greatest Mage of Rohadin.

Until just a moment ago, Charlotte did not fully grasp the meaning of that title. Having only read about Erhen’s magic in The Glorious Rebellion, she could only vaguely imagine what it might be like. 

While she might understand minor spells, the magic that immobilized the Emperor’s army in an instant or cast a wide-area barrier upon entering the Imperial Palace—these were things she could only faintly picture, never having seen them with her own eyes.

But now, witnessing his magic up close, she fully understood.

The Greatest Mage of Rohadin.

The reason Erhen was called that was not merely because his magic was vast in scale or visually stunning.

It was his precision. The meticulous calculations that allowed for no margin of error.

The flames engulfing the building came to a halt as if time itself had stopped. The chandelier on the verge of falling from the ceiling and the shelves hanging precariously on the walls also froze in place. 

Inside the building, the only things that could move were living beings.

“Those who haven’t escaped yet… twenty-five, no, twenty-six.”

As Erhen spoke, multiple orbs appeared around him. The blue orbs, resembling the color of his eyes, formed in various sizes. With a snap of his fingers, Erhen sent the orbs swiftly into the building.

The pillar of water that had risen behind him descended carefully, avoiding the people on the street. The streams of water split into multiple paths on the ground and entered the burning building. Starting from the first floor, the water began to extinguish the flames one by one.

“……”

“……”

The once bustling night market fell silent in awe of his magic.

While the people of Rohadin were accustomed to using magical devices, most had never seen such grand magic. In an era where magic was in decline, mages were rare, and those capable of wide-area magic were typically researchers stationed in royal academies.

Under the bright lights of the night market against the dark sky, everyone held their breath, mesmerized by Erhen’s magic.

“They’re coming out!”

The silence was broken by the shout of a man.

And he was right. Through the windows of the building, the orbs began to reappear one by one. Each orb contained a person who had been trapped inside.

The orbs, floating in the air as they exited the building, slowly descended to the ground. Once they touched the ground, they vanished without a trace, releasing the people they carried.

“Emilia!”

“Mother!”

“Oh, thank the heavens!”

The people who emerged from the orbs were covered in soot, but fortunately, none were seriously injured. They each returned to the arms of those who had been searching for them.

Those who had been watching Erhen’s magic with bated breath exhaled in relief.

The fire brigade arrived around that time. Upon taking in the unbelievable scene before them, the fire chief quickly approached Erhen and saluted.

“Are you His Grace, the Duke of Rosenheim?”

“I am.”

“I am Ben Roisger, Fire Chief of Heringen City’s Fire Brigade. Your Grace, thank you so much for your assistance.”

“There’s no need for thanks. Do your job.”

What would have taken the fire brigade hours to accomplish—extinguishing the fire and rescuing the trapped—Erhen had completed in mere minutes.

In an age where mages were rare, and none could perform such magic without any preparation, it was no wonder Ben recognized the Duke of Rosenheim immediately.

After bowing to Erhen, Ben stepped back and began issuing instructions to his team.

Erhen’s magic finally dissipated. Though the raging flames had been subdued, the fire brigade formed a line to extinguish any remaining embers.

“Commence extinguishing operations!”

At the deputy fire chief’s command, the team entered the building in sequence. Some remained outside to tend to the injured. While Erhen’s swift actions had ensured there were no fatalities, there was still much to be done.

Around this time, a small murmur began to spread.

“Isn’t that Viscountess Lintz over there?”

“Yes, right next to that mage!”

“Who is that mage? He looks like a nobleman.”

“Was there a mage in Heringen capable of such magic?”

Amid the commotion, someone recognized Charlotte.

As people began to identify her and speculate about the mysterious mage’s presence in Heringen, their gazes converged on her. There was nothing good to be gained from drawing attention here.

Startled by the murmurs, Charlotte grabbed Erhen’s arm.

“Your Grace, let’s go.”

She muttered softly, her face still pale from the shock.

“Alright.”

With a snap of his fingers, Erhen redirected the crowd’s attention back to the scene of the incident. While the nearby guards would have cleared a path for them if needed, Erhen preferred to avoid unnecessary complications.

Retracing their steps, they left the market and entered the narrow path leading home.

The glowing streetlights along the road sparkled just as they had when Charlotte and Erhen had first headed to the market.

As the tension that had gripped him eased, Erhen staggered slightly.

“Are you alright?”

Charlotte quickly reached out to steady him.

Having cast a near-wide-area spell without fully recovering, his fingertips trembled faintly. It was clear that Erhen had used almost all of his magical energy.

Without thinking, Charlotte clasped his hand with both of hers.

The magic she had witnessed up close was truly extraordinary. People would only remember its brilliance. Charlotte was no exception—until she had seen him casting it.

Even with both her hands, she couldn’t fully envelop his. Yet, she hoped her warmth would reach his cold hands, even just a little.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine, and I know it.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“I shouldn’t have brought you out.”

Charlotte grumbled in frustration.

She had insisted earlier that he focus solely on recovery, yet here she was, having pushed him to do the opposite just hours later.

Even though Erhen’s magic had been an act of goodwill for everyone, she couldn’t help but feel upset.

“What should I do?”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t get to eat your fried chicken.”

Charlotte burst into laughter at his words.

As much as she wanted to scold him for joking at a time like this, she couldn’t help but laugh at his attempt to lighten her mood despite his exhaustion.

Looking at Erhen, Charlotte spoke honestly.

“Still, Your Grace, you were amazing.”

“Only after the divorce do I hear such compliments.”

“It’s because we’re divorced that I can say it.”

As always, she didn’t back down. Erhen smiled helplessly at her unyielding nature.

For a moment, Charlotte found herself entranced. Even in his usual stoicism, his face—illuminated by the moonlight—was dazzling. But with a smile, he was even more radiant.

A man like a sculpture crafted by the gods. I’m glad I saved him.

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead!”

Her thoughts were interrupted by Erhen. Startled, Charlotte hurriedly composed herself.

He hesitated briefly.

“Can’t we do something about the title ‘Your Grace’?”

“…But you’re the Duke, so what else would I call you?”

“I wish you’d use something more comfortable.”

“Hmm, how about… ‘Ex-husband’?”

Though she joked, the issue of how to address him was a tricky one for Charlotte as well.

Before the divorce, she had called him by his name without hesitation. After all, they had been married, even if it was a contractual arrangement.

But now, their relationship was difficult to define.

A year had passed since their divorce, yet they were living together under royal orders. From Charlotte’s perspective, Erhen was someone she needed to keep alive, no matter what.

Given the circumstances, the easiest choice was to use his title. After all, Charlotte herself had been granted the title of Viscountess Lintz.

Erhen looked at her and said,

“That’s not comfortable.”

“Do we really need a comfortable title for our relationship?”

“It’s just how I feel.”

Why is he so stubborn about this?

Still, since he had gone through so much trouble for her today, Charlotte decided to humor him.

“What should I call you, then?”

Without hesitation, Erhen replied,

“Erhen.”

Her hands grew warm where they held his.

During their marriage, calling him by his name had been second nature. But now, with him looking at her with such an earnest expression, it felt strange.

It must have been the serene night and the atmosphere created by his handsome face. That had to be it. Charlotte prayed for the fire within her to subside.

“How could I casually call you by name, Your Grace…”

“Erhen.”

He repeated firmly.

“You used to call me that just fine, didn’t you?”

Erhen urged her gently, almost pleadingly.

Blushing, Charlotte clamped her mouth shut. Lowering her gaze, she said nothing, and he waited patiently.

“…Erhen.”

With a resigned sigh, Charlotte closed her eyes tightly and gave him the answer he wanted.

Though it had been two years since she last uttered his name, it felt sweeter than sugar.

“Yes. Not ‘Your Grace,’ but Erhen.”

At her words, Erhen smiled brightly.

Why does he look so dazzling just from hearing his name?

Under the shimmering moonlight, his radiant smile was so captivating that Charlotte had to take deep breaths all the way home to calm her racing heart.