"Speaking of which, the first time I saw an image of you was back in the Empire."
Fíliya spoke again, and Flamme's attention refocused on this young person.
After all, this young person named Fíliya had just mentioned something she 'cared' about.
The Empire—this was the nation Flamme had served her entire life. For that greatest unified human nation, she had made immense contributions.
She had built the Empire into the nation with the strongest magical atmosphere and power on the continent, leaving behind numerous precious magical theorems and corollaries for future generations. She was the founder of modern human magic.
Someone like her would naturally care about what her country had become a thousand years later.
"It's rather strange, you know... Of course, it was only after seeing your true appearance that I belatedly realized how odd it was."
Fíliya said slowly, one hand propping up her chin.
"There's a statue of you in the Imperial Capital today, but it clearly depicts a rugged, muscular, long-haired man... Before seeing your real face, I also thought you were a man... Don't you find it strange? Why would the Empire distort the appearance of a figure as renowned as you, preventing people from knowing what you truly look like? They even got your gender wrong. It's just too strange."
Fíliya's tone held a note of complaint, clearly feeling indignant on Flamme's behalf.
But upon hearing this, Flamme showed no anger at all. She simply looked calmly into Fíliya's eyes.
That gaze, which seemed to pierce right through her thoughts, made Fíliya slightly uncomfortable. After all, most of the time, she was the one looking at others with such a gaze.
"Fíliya, you're quite an interesting child. To pretend you don't know when you already have the answer in your heart, is that it?"
Flamme said with a light chuckle.
"Huh? I thought I hid it pretty well. As expected of you, Flamme..."
Fíliya scratched her head in slight embarrassment. It was the first time someone had seen through her act.
She considered her acting skills to be excellent; even that Serie couldn't see through her little schemes.
Since she'd been found out, there was no point in keeping up the pretense.
Fíliya thought to herself before speaking.
"Yes, the Empire is certainly doing it on purpose, intentionally distorting your image to elevate the 'Great Mage Flamme' onto a pedestal, ultimately turning you into a 'harmless symbol.' They can borrow your name when they need it, and it's convenient to cast you aside when they don't... Hmm? Wait a minute."
Fíliya suddenly realized something.
"So, you actually foresaw that you would be 'symbolized' after your death?"
"That's only natural. To become a person whose name goes down in history is to accept the fate of being manipulated by others after death."
Flamme's smile didn't change in the slightest, still conveying her open-mindedness.
"But you still did so much for the Empire, leaving behind so many magical theorems. From these theorems, future generations of mages have drawn nearly infinite inspiration and developed countless spells. Did you love that nation so much?"
"Hmph... Rather than saying I loved the Empire, it's more that I loved the people there, and my disciples, of whom I am so proud... Of course, I knew that after my death I would become a harmless symbol for others to use.
But I also knew my theorems would certainly influence those who truly love magic, and that is enough. Fíliya, tell me more about the world today. Since the Demon King has been vanquished... has the world now welcomed peace?"
Flamme's eyes sparkled. For someone like her, awakened from a thousand years ago, there was nothing she was more curious about than the current state of humanity.
Fíliya didn't need to think about this question at all. She quickly replied in a calm tone.
"The current situation is undoubtedly good. After the fall of the Demon King, humanity rapidly reclaimed most of its lost territory. Now, only a very small number of the Demon King's remnants are still resisting.
In the last 80 years, all aspects of human culture have developed rapidly, and the quality of life has improved to an unprecedented degree. In that sense, it is undoubtedly 'peaceful.' But I can't help but feel that this kind of 'peace' will be difficult to maintain."
Flamme observed the young person before her with great interest. She was truly curious to hear what insights Fíliya had on such a 'grand' topic.
"Hmm, the Empire you knew has actually fallen apart. The current Empire, though it shares the same name, can only be considered a 'corner' left over from that vast nation of the past."
This sentence from Fíliya only made Flamme raise an eyebrow slightly. Her heart was certainly not unmoved, but that was all.
She never harbored the illusion that the nation she knew would last forever. Long ago, while she was still alive, she had already witnessed the fall of many nations.
"And this current Empire, while it played a huge role in the fight against the Demon Race, is now showing some troubling signs that have begun to appear in the country."
Fíliya continued, while Flamme remained in a listening posture, not interrupting.
"The Empire has established an organization called the 'Magic Special Operations Unit.' This group's work is almost exclusively focused on combat against 'people.' And beyond that, there seems to be an even more mysterious and powerful organization.
I encountered some of their members when I was in school; they are almost always mysterious figures disguised as market vendors or roadside drunks. As far as I know, quite a few promising mages have died at their hands.
In short, whether it's the 'Magic Special Operations Unit' or that more mysterious organization, what they have initiated is a hunt against their 'own kind.'"
"At the same time, a school of thought aiming to 'sever magic' has emerged within the Empire. For you, who single-handedly laid the foundation of modern magic, is such a future what you would wish to see?"
As Fíliya spoke, she observed Flamme's reaction.
After hearing her words, a fleeting look of loneliness indeed flashed across Flamme's face.
"So it's developing in that direction... After a brief period of 'peace,' what comes next is human infighting... Fíliya, you're trying to tell me this, aren't you."
"Yes."
Fíliya nodded obediently.
"Therefore, I would like to introduce you to my idea."
Saying this, Fíliya began to explain her ideals to Flamme.
At first, Fíliya was a little worried that her ideal of 'remodeling the Demon Race' would be met with strong resistance from Flamme.
But unexpectedly, Flamme listened to her entire explanation with a calm expression.
However, once Fíliya had finished, Flamme revealed a smile that even Fíliya found to be somewhat inscrutable.
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