It was entirely thanks to the quest that Lia noticed the Altar’s movement.
[Main Quest: The Altar (1)]
The Altar’s forces cannot be ignored, no matter how low-ranking they are, no matter how disorganized their system still may be. For every last one of them is a kind of “chimera,” having implanted demonic beast blood vessels into their own bodies.
Thus, the moment Lia received the quest notification, she gathered everyone within the barrier. There was not a second to spare.
“……Ah!”
Clinging to the barrier like a barnacle, Lia looked down at the host of the Altar that had finally appeared.
The fanatical group responsible for the latter half of the main quest.
The specters of the ancient theocratic age, and the evil of an era that cried out for the continent’s destruction.
Of course, they would think themselves righteous, but in the world where people lived, the greatest evil had always been, and could only be, a righteousness that believed only itself to be just.
Goooooooo……
The demonic energy emitted by the Altar’s mages. A force hundreds of times rougher, fiercer, and more vicious than mana came surging in like a whirlwind.
“Th-those bastards!”
Lia tried to warn them with a shout, but Deculein stopped her as if she were being pathetic.
“There is no need to make a fuss.”
“Why not?!”
“Because it is nothing.”
How was that nothing!
Lia was frustrated. As expected, this damned professor’s stubborn personality hadn’t gone anywhere……
Kwaaaaaaaa—!
Their demonic energy boiled and condensed. They were focusing all that energy into a single point of high pressure and high heat.
Lia felt a chill from that demonic energy.
It was not far off—a premonition of death.
“No…….”
Way!
Just as she was about to shout it.
Pft—
The demonic energy in the distance vanished. No, at least traces remained. Powerless smoke, like gunpowder soaked by rain, wavered faintly in the air.
“Pft.”
A small scoff reached her ears.
“……?”
Lia looked at Deculein with a bewildered expression.
“Hahahaha—”
He burst into laughter. It was not such a loud laugh, but considering that the person laughing was Deculein, it was practically maniacal laughter.
“…….”
The Altar in the distance seemed briefly flustered as well.
Truly only “briefly.”
They raised their demonic energy again and unfolded a magic formula. And Deculein simply stared at them.
Crackle—!
Then sparks flew in midair.
Not just once.
Crack—! Crackle—!
Sparks followed one after another.
Like someone turning an electric shock device on and off, or like mosquitoes burning to death on an electric swatter, tak-tak-tak— tak-tak-tak—!
How many minutes did that uneventful situation continue?
As Lia wondered over it, she belatedly realized.
A magic battle.
A magic battle usually referred to a destructive clash waged with magic, so it might not seem suited to such an absurdly static situation.
But Lia knew.
To begin with, those crack! crackle—! sparks could not be explained unless that was what they were.
What was happening now—no, what Deculein was doing—was the immediate calculation and dismantling of magic.
Calculating the formulae and circuits of a magic circle even before the caster, and obstructing the completion of the spell.
So-called mana interference.
That, too, belonged to “magic battle” in the textbook sense.
However, since the defending side—that is, the caster of the magic—was almost always overwhelmingly advantaged, such a battle was normally impossible to establish.
After all, the defender had to discern, in a mere instant, through intuition and theory, the countless possibilities of the magic the attacker intended to cast—its category and type, formulae and circuits, logic and composition—and emit mana to collapse the “core” of the spell.
Crackle—!
Crack—!
Therefore, this magic battle was a scene that would be difficult for any mage to realize.
But Lia had seen it once before. In fact, there was a scene similar to this in the scenario.
The Archmage Demakan.
His first appearance. A scene that revealed the dignity of an “Archmage” by dismantling every formula of the magic schools that were about to wage a magic war.
But how was Deculein doing that……
“Ah! Demonic energy!”
Lia shouted without realizing it. Sniff, sniff—she even smelled it. The demonic energy of those bastards was surging around the edge of the barrier.
The defining trait of Deculein, and of Yukline, was demonic energy.
A bloodline that pathologically loathed the demonic, and was most threatening when facing demons.
A special house that, the moment it accepted demonic energy, unleashed power that far surpassed its original body.
Then, could it be?
Was Deculein also displaying an instinctive, animal-like sense toward magic composed of demonic energy? Was that why, right now, the moment he saw magic imbued with demonic energy, he perceived it and dismantled it all……
“Demonic energy? Ah, you mean the Yukline bloodline.”
Ihelm chimed in beside her. He smirked as he looked at Deculein.
“Well, true. Yukline did have that tradition. Something about growing stronger when facing demon-like things.”
It was not a tradition but a fact. Lia glared at Ihelm, then looked back at Deculein.
At that moment, she came to a certain realization.
“Deculein” was a villain. Not a complex one, but a villain more two-dimensional than anyone else on this continent. There was not even the slightest room for him to blossom or be reformed.
……That sort of concept—or prejudice—of “Deculein in the scenario” had kept her from thinking this way until now.
But what if Deculein turned to our side?
If we could at least make use of him in a good direction?
He was, at least when it came to dealing with “demonic energy,” close to invincible.
No, look at him now.
Crack— crackle—! Crackle-crackle—!
The sparks that had been flying madly were now slowly dying down. The Altar mages’ demonic energy had run out.
“Is it over already?”
In other words, to say it again.
When it came to dealing with “demonic energy,” Deculein was not merely close to invincible.
“Well. I suppose it was my fault for expecting anything from the likes of you, wretches who gave up being human and could not even become insects.”
—He might be invincible.
“……That was not enjoyable in the slightest. Madmen whose minds have snapped. Mere trash worth less than clowns. With such a foolish magic system, how dare you face anyone……”
Of course, after accepting demonic energy, he seemed to become faaar more violent than usual.
“Your trash-talking ability is outstanding too.”
At that, Deculein glanced this way.
“……Aha. Ahem. Hm! Right, right! Know your place before you attack!”
Lia played along and lowered her gaze.
* * *
The grand hall of the Imperial Palace. Silence settled over that place of dazzling, weighty dignity.
The whole world seemed drained into achromatic tones, devoid of vitality, and the drizzling rain dyed the hearts of the retainers dark.
“……Had we not forced them to prepare their defenses.”
The purpose of today’s grand assembly was a meeting and a report on state affairs.
Looking over the documents sent in from all across the continent, Sophien shook her head.
“It would not have been an exaggeration to say the Empire might have fallen.”
The retainers shut their mouths. In particular, the faction of the theocratic faction, including Romellock, who had opposed Deculein’s prediction before winter came, merely bowed their heads until their necks might break.
Because it had now become clear.
This southern advance was the strongest in the Empire’s history.
“Your Majesty. How would it be to send support from the Imperial Knights first to the most troubled and suffering territories? In addition, from the Yukline merchant group, sufficient supplies—”
“We will not listen to you.”
Sophien silenced the retainers.
“Based on these reports and the current situation, We shall personally decide the form, degree, and location of rescue and support.”
These damned retainers, with the exception of a few, would surely decide support according to their hometowns, or the houses of their friends, or some such nonsense.
“Your Majesty. However……”
Just as Romellock was about to subtly raise another objection.
“Your Majesty!”
Beyond the open doors of the grand hall, Gawain of the Imperial Knights and the court mage Georg appeared.
Both of them wore expressions far too urgent and aghast to reprimand them for the sudden interruption.
“Your Majesty! A grave matter has occurred!”
Gawain and Georg prostrated themselves in the grand hall. Sophien spoke as if sighing.
“Report.”
“This subject, Gawain, found last night’s mana disturbance strange no matter how much I thought about it, and investigated the Imperial Palace gardens and inner walls. However!”
Gawain rose and showed a torn piece of robe. Sophien understood at a glance.
It was a trace Rohakan had deliberately left behind.
“We found a piece of robe torn after being caught on the bars, and finding it suspicious, I requested Sir Georg to analyze it, but……!”
“Are you saying there was an intruder in the Imperial Palace?”
Romellock asked, frowning. Gawain nodded and answered with an even graver expression.
“Yes. But there is something even more serious—no, this is not the time, Sir Georg?!”
“Yes. Your Majesty. Since not much time had passed since this robe was discovered, someone’s mana had not yet fully vanished and was still partially attached to it. This subject, thinking it might be possible, compared this mana with the criminal mana samples kept by the Imperial Palace……”
Gulp. Georg swallowed and looked around the grand hall. The retainers still wore faces lost in the fog, but he feared the shock his next words would bring.
“……It was Rohakan.”
Everyone’s eyes widened. Most of the retainers let out groans bordering on shrieks. Romellock, who had connections to Rohakan, turned pale and trembled.
Gawain said,
“……Your Majesty. Rohakan had infiltrated the Imperial Palace.”
Sophien nodded calmly. Her retainers were always late to realize things, but this time they had caught on fairly quickly.
Perhaps the abilities of the Gawain and Georg duo were quite outstanding.
“Your Majesty. What should we do? First, we should announce a large-scale bounty and strengthen the defenses of the Imperial Palace—”
“Leave it be. There is no need to add disorder within the Imperial Palace to an already urgent continent.”
Sophien cut off Gawain’s words. Then Romellock bowed his head.
“However, Your Majesty! If it truly is Rohakan, if Rohakan takes advantage of this chaos to harm Your Majesty—”
“Romellock, do you intend to utter such irreverent words based on mere imagination? We will not be bested by the likes of Rohakan.”
Sophien rose. Right now, she did not want to say anything.
“However, it would be proper for a mage to face a mage.”
Rohakan. That man claimed his life would not last long, but that did not absolve his sins. He, too, would not wish to be forgiven for such a reason.
That must be why he had gone out of his way to leave behind this one shedding of skin.
“When this southern advance is over, entrust it to Deculein. Since the man kindly left a piece of his garment, preserve it well, and attach one adventurer-mage skilled in tracking magic to him; he will take care of it.”
Having ended it so, Sophien left the grand hall. Countless knights and servants followed behind her.
Soon, upon arriving at her bedchamber, she glanced at the mountain of documents and reports piled up, then lay down on the bed.
“…….”
She stared blankly up at the ceiling.
And she repeated the words Rohakan had spoken to her.
Words she had not once thought of despite living for over a century.
“……Are all who accompany Us unhappy?”
Those who accompany me are unhappy.
When I myself have lived a life stitched through with unhappiness.
When that damned bastard has never died hundreds of times. When he has never experienced a life of nothing but death and pain.
“Are you listening?”
Sophien smirked and looked somewhere. At the snow globe on the table.
“……Keiron.”
It was laughable to worry over this after having lived for over a century, but still, she repeated it once.
“Do We make people unhappy?”
……However.
Whether Rohakan’s words were true or false.
The future he spoke of to me is, by the very fact that he spoke it to me, a future that will no longer come to pass.
“……There is no way I would love him. We, that man. Predetermined emotions do not exist in this world.”
Sophien knew that better than anyone.
Even through hundreds of regressions, there had never been an identical day. Even the tiniest action by the tiniest variable called Sophien had caused enormous changes.
Therefore, Rohakan’s nonsense, even if it were true, could be sufficiently prevented……
Tap tap— tap tap—
At that moment, a signal touched the window. Rising from the bed, Sophien looked down there.
“Ah! I behold Your noble Majesty!”
An adventurer was looking up at her from the garden. He smiled broadly and held out a letter.
“Your Imperial Majesty~ A letter has arrived from Professor Deculein.”
* * *
The North, Reccordak at night.
Beneath a curtain studded with stars, I am standing night watch.
Zzz…… Zzz……
On the floor of the barrier, Epherene lies asleep, while Louina and Ihelm are playing some kind of card game with each other.
The eve of the storm.
What might well be my last, belated moment of leisure.
I checked the performance of the “Great Tiger Robe” as well.
──“Great Tiger Robe”──
◆ Information
：A top-quality robe made from the hide of a great tiger.
：All effects have been enhanced by “Midas’s Hand.”
◆ Category
：Treasure ⊃ Robe
◆ Special Effects
：Superior Magic Resistance
：Superior Physical Resistance
：Superior Tiger’s Aura
[Midas’s Hand: Level 4]
────────
Magic resistance and physical resistance might look common at a glance, but the word “Superior” made them special. Superior options were usually found only on armor worth several million elne, while this was, quite literally, nothing more than a robe.
And above all, the “Tiger’s Aura.”
This option, which was close to magic—
“Professor Deculein~?”
A voice sounded just then. Since it belonged to the very person I had been looking for, I turned that way without another word.
Ganesha.
“We were thinking of heading out now~ Would it be all right if we left?”
She had Leo and Lia at her side.
I silently shook my head. Ganesha smiled brightly as well.
“Then~? What is it you intend to do?”
“……I, Deculein, as the head of Yukline, propose a mission to the Red Garnet Adventuring Party.”
“Ah~ I was worried when you were going to ask. We don’t work for free, you know~”
I took a checkbook from inside my coat and handed it to her. When Ganesha saw the amount, her eyes widened as her pupils turned into elne (∃).
“Oh my! This much~?!”
“How much, how much is it?”
“Me too, me too, I wanna see!”
Lia and Leo were also startled when they saw the length of the number.
I asked the noisy trio something else.
“Did you achieve what you wanted in the Land of Annihilation?”
This adventuring party had been repeatedly going back and forth between the Wall and the Land of Annihilation.
Most likely, they had been searching for something.
“I hear you’ve been going to the hospital as well. It seems you have your eyes on the herbs dug up by the herbalists.”
“……”
Ganesha silently tucked the check away.
I asked in a single sentence.
“Was that mongrel injured?”
At that, the expressions of the three adventurers stiffened. Lia stuck out her lips and glared at me.
……That expression is difficult to endure.
I turned my gaze away and looked at Ganesha. She said,
“……Isn’t mongrel a word you use for beasts~?”
“Ganesha. I am holding back my anger right now. He ought to be grateful enough that I have not yet sent men to find him and beat him to death.”
“……”
A small heat entered my tone. At that, Ganesha also stealthily turned her head away. She scratched the back of her neck and cleared her throat.
“Ahem. All right~ Yes. Well, you are someone who buried all those Jeokgwe alive just because a tiny portion of demonic energy flowed through them. Carlos…… no, that child is a little ill. But we’re going to cure him. We’ll use all of this money for that too.”
“……”
“So, I was wondering if you might look the other way, just a little~?”
Ganesha said, her twin tails fluttering. I looked in turn at Ganesha, Leo, and then Lia, before nodding.
“There is no need for looking the other way or anything of the sort.”
Whoooosh—
A cold wind blew in and swept through my hair. The hem of my robe fluttered. Amid that chill, I said,
“If you cannot cure him, I will stake everything I have to kill him. That remains true even now. If he appears before my eyes, I will kill him without fail.”
“……”
The trio’s expressions stiffened slightly, but soon Ganesha nodded first.
“Yes, yes~ Then we’ll start preparing for the mission now~”
Ganesha descended from the Wall. Leo followed after her.
And……
Lia remained, still looking at me.
Receiving that gaze, I said,
“Um—”
“Get lost.”
“……Yes.”
Lia hurriedly jumped down from the Wall. I quietly followed her retreating figure with my eyes, then shook my head and took the book from inside my coat again.
“History of the Imperial Family”
Reading it page by page, preparing for the final battle that was not far off, I steadied my heart.
……The air of Reccordak was endlessly cold, and the fragile night that seemed as though it might shatter continued on, still with me.