Chapter 45 – In which family ties are made

“Then, it’s truly regretful, but I need to steer our conversation’s topic to the adoption of those three..”

Scarlen waved towards the three siblings, who seemed to try to discreetly leave the room, but Sangria was keeping an eye on them this entire time, so their attempts were rather unsuccessful.

“As much I believe in Our Lord’s infinite power, I don’t think those three can truly be adopted like this.”

Vern turned to Crimo, who seemed to be slowly recalling something about ‘adoption’.

The Archmage stared into the eyes of his younger sibling, visible under the mask, with a blank face for a second.

“...”

“...”

About ten seconds later, Crimo turned to Scarlen and said:

“I’m the law.”

“... Well, if My Lord says so, then maybe he can do it. But as your aid, I must ask My Lord, is it really safe for them to be adopted by Archmage’s family?”

“I also hold similar concerns, but for Young Master to take such drastic measures means there must be some reason.”

Sangria, who stayed silent until now, also added a word and looked at Vern.

Vern sighed and then waved his hand towards Cuprit.

“This guy admitted to knowing magic in front of me.”

The faces of all the people in the room, including Cuprit’s twin sisters, turned dark as they understood the significance of the problem.

All faces excluding Cuprit’s, who rather turned pale and his eyes started to jump around.

He didn’t seem to quite understand what was the problem, but he knew that he was in trouble.

“... Tsk, I told you to watch your words.”

“This time you’re really a culprit, baby boy.”

The twin sisters mumbled, and then stepped forward, hiding Cuprit behind their back.

“It appears we underestimated the significance of the problem.”

“Please excuse our previous behavior. It’s an honor to meet Lord Archmage, as well as, Lesser Lord Mage.”

Suddenly, the chaotic energy and confusion that the twins exuded was gone, and it was replaced by sharp and serious demeanor.

They appeared like people, who lived their entire lives in the mud and knew how to use that mud to drown a threat.

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Crimo and Sangria moved subtly closer to Vern, and Crimo spoke:

“Yes, nice to meet you. Can I ask for the names of the three of you?”

His atmosphere also changed. Now he appeared like a ruler, exuding a subtle pressure at those before him, and this tone was elegant, but cold.

It somehow reminded Vern of the moon.

“Our names are Durio and Rambeta. And this rascal's name is Cuprit.”

The sisters introduced themselves and Crimo nodded.

He pointed at the sofa.

“Let’s sit down.”

While everyone was taking their seats, Cuprit quietly asked Durio.

“Is it really that bad?”

But his sister only pressed her lips into a thin line and didn’t answer him.

The one who answered was Crimo:

“To tell Mr. Cuprit the truth, it’s not really bad right now, but could become really bad in the future.”

It appeared that he had truly amazing hearing.

Crimo glanced at Vern, who was sitting beside him.

“Of course, it depends if my little brother doesn’t plan to prosecute you here and now.”

There was a strange tension put on ‘my’, but Vern ignored it and sent a reassuring smile to Cuprit.

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to do that, but you’ve put me in a troublesome situation by stating that.”

“Yes?”

“Cups, Mr. Crow here is Lesser Lord Mage. He has an obligation to enforce and uphold the law, and the law says that you’re an illegal practitioner of magic, and you must be punished.”

Rambeta explained.

And Vern added:

“I could ignore it, but in the current situation, it’s very possible that this place and all of its employees will be raided.”

“Oh, I’m glad Young Master is aware of that.”

Vern ignored Scarlen, while Crimo gave Scarlen ‘a look’.

“You may not be in physical danger, but all of you will be thoroughly investigated. That means that someone may find out about Mr. Cuprit’s knowledge of magic. And they won’t be nice about it.”

It was highly possible Vern would see Cuprit’s name on the list of people to be sent to prison or be executed if the person who reports him will be an especially nasty one.

“Neither I, as Lesser Lord Mage or Crimo, as Archmage, can help you if you’re reported through official channels. We have to uphold the law as your sister said.”

“… You don’t seem to be very good at it, Sir.”

Cuprit glanced at the snake mask that Vern was still wearing.

And was promptly slapped in the back of the head by Durio.

“Mr. Cuprit. As far as you should be concerned you have never talked or seen Mr. Crow besides that one incident in the identification booth.”

Sangria added advice to the slap with a good-natured smile. Though that smile looked a bit scary for some unknown reason.

“… Yes.”

Cuprit accepted the two unspoken advices and threats, and shut his mouth.

“Now that I know you’re an illegal practitioner I can’t just turn a blind eye, so I have to find an excuse for you to have a reason to know magic. And the easiest method is for you to enter a magic-related family.”

In Purplus, the power and laws centered on the temples and the servitude towards those higher than you.

In Flavun, the power circulated around the noble titles and merits, and its laws tended to center on military power and money.

In Rubrun, the pillars of power were guilds and clans, and what held a society together were strong family laws.

Clans were a one powerful family and subsidiary, thinly blood-related families.

And guilds were no different from ‘contracted family’. The moment you signed up with them, you were bound to them for your entire life.

The ‘families’ shared their benefits with all of their members, so a ‘family’ that was magic-related were free to spread magic knowledge among their members, but nowhere else.

So if Cuprit was adopted by Archmage’s family, he could freely learn magic.

“… That said, it appears that I got too excited.”

Now that Vern reflected on it, being a member of Archmage’s family was even more dangerous than being a rogue practitioner.

“Change of plans. You’ll be adopted by Master Sangria.”

Vern pointed at Sangria, who was sitting behind him (he was standing at first, but Vern made him sit down).

Sangria blinked.

“Young Master?”

“You’re from a magic family, so if you adopt them there won’t be any problems.”

“But my family…”

Sangria grimaced and then changed what he wanted to say.

“Young Master, I’m younger than them.”

“I always believed in Master Sangria’s outstanding abilities and talent.”

“Young Master, I believe that doesn't fix the problem of age.”

“Don’t worry. Even a child of a high enough position can adopt someone according to law. I checked.”

“… Young Master, why were you checking that?”

Sangria’s gaze seemed to scream ‘You planned to go around adopting people all along, didn’t you!?’.

But he didn’t have a choice in this situation.

“Hmhm. I think we can agree to it?”

“That’s not a bad deal, but I would request a proper contract.”

“And we wish to maintain our job here if possible.”

Durio and Rambeta, who listened with expressionless faces, finally smirked.

It appeared they were willing to accept that ‘deal’ for now at least.

They quickly got to drafting an ‘adoption contract’ and Sangria soon got over being forced to adopt three people older than himself, and devoted his full attention to the contract.

With Scarlen, who was the siblings' employer, and Crimo, the Archmage, the contract was soon finalized and the siblings were officially adopted by Sangria.

Vern was a little regretful, but also happy to get rid of the threat that was hanging above those siblings’ heads.

But his heart ached a bit when he observed their interactions.