It was solely due to the quest notification that Lia noticed the Altar’s movement.
[Main Quest: Altar (1)]
No matter how low the strength of the Altar was, they couldn’t be ignored even if the system had fallen into chaos. This was because they had chimeras that had been transfused with monstrous blood. Therefore, as soon as Lia received the notification for the quest, she gathered everyone inside the barrier.
“…Ah!”
Lia stuck to the barrier like a barnacle and looked down at the group of Altar wizards that finally appeared. The second half of the main quest was about this fanatic group, the spirit of the ancient era, and the evil referred to as the cause of the collapse of the continent. Of course, even the greatest evil in the world was considered justice by those that believed in it.
Goooooooo…
The dark energy that the wizards of the Altar were releasing was a hundred times rougher, sharper, and more heinous than mana.
“Tho… those guys!”
Lia was about to warn them with a loud shout, but Deculein stopped her as she acted pathetically.
“It’s nothing to make a fuss about.”
“Why?!”
“Because it’s nothing.”
What do you mean nothing?! Lia was frustrated. Of course, this Professor’s stubborn personality wouldn’t go anywhere…
Gaaaaaaah—!
Their energy was condensing as it continued to boil. All their energy was focused on one point of high pressure and heat. Lia could feel the chilly energy, and with it, the promise of death.
“N…”
No! When she was about to shout-
Tak—
The dark energy disappeared. No, there was at least a trace left in the feeble smoke drifting up.
“Pfft.”
There was a quiet laugh.
“…?”
Lia looked at Deculein, her brow furrowing.
“Hahahaha—“
He burst out laughing. It wasn’t a loud laugh, but considering that it was Deculein, it could be considered wild.
“…”
The Altar down below looked taken aback for a moment. It was just for a moment. They picked up the dark energy again and performed the technique. Deculein spared them a glance.
Bzzzzzt—!
There was a spark in the air. Then-
Bzzt—! Bzzzzzt—!
There was a series of sparks, like turning off and on a stun gun or like a mosquito burning to death in an electric fly swatter.
Tadadadak— tadadak—!
Lia, who was deep in thought, belatedly realized what this was: Magic War. It was usually a battle of destructive magic, so it may not suit this outrageous situation right now. But Lia knew.
Bzzt! Bzzzt!
What was happening now, no, what Deculein was doing now was instantly calculating the magic being used and dismantling it. He interfered before the magic was even completed by calculating the technique and circuit of the magic circle as it formed. The so-called Mana Interference technique.
However, this kind of battle was usually impossible because it was more advantageous for the magic-user. The defender must break down the core of the technique by knowing the attacker’s magic, the technique and circuit, the logic, and the combination and see through it entirely, all in a matter of seconds.
Bzzzzt—!
Bzzt—!
Therefore, this scene wasn’t something any wizard could create, but Lia had seen this before. There was a similar scene in the scenario with Archmage Demakan. In his first appearance, he revealed the dignity of an Archmage by dismantling all the techniques thrown around by the various magic schools.
But, how could Deculein…
“Ah! Dark energy!”
Lia shouted without realizing it. She could smell their dark energy swelling on the edges of the barrier.
Dark energy, Deculein’s, and Yukline’s characteristic. That blood was the kind that demons found most revolting. They were a special family with a power that transcended itself the moment it received dark energy. Then…
Did Deculein have an instinctive and animal-like sense even for magic made by dark energy? So now, the instant he had insight into the magic, he could completely dismantle it…
“Dark energy? So, it’s the blood of Yukline.”
Next to her, Ihelm chimed in. He smirked as he watched Deculein.
“Well, the Yukline has that tradition. They become stronger or something when they are facing demon-like opponents.”
It wasn’t a tradition. Lia scowled at Ihelm before glancing back at Deculein. In the past, she came to her own conclusions that Deculein was a villain. Not a three-dimensional villain, but a villain that was flatter than anyone else on the continent, someone who had no room for enlightenment or reformation.
…The concept of Deculein inside the scenario, that prejudice against him, had made her negligent to think of this until now: What if Deculein turned to our side? What if he could be used for good? He was innately close to being invincible against dark energy.
No, just looking at him now.
Bzz—bzzzzt—! Bzzzzt—!
The sparks began to subside; the Altar wizards had used all their dark energy.
“Is it over already?”
So, in other words, at the very least, Deculein was not close to being invincible against dark energy—
“Well, it’s my fault for expecting something from guys who gave up their humanity. Less than insects.”
—No, he could be invincible.
“…It’s no fun at all. These lunatics have lost their minds. Pathetic trash who are worse than clowns. Who would dare, with such a half-wit magic system….”
Of course, after taking in the dark energy, he appeared way more violent than usual.
“You are outstanding.”
Then, Deculein glanced over.
“…Hm, hmm. Hmm! That’s right! Bring it on!”
Lia cheered him on, then lowered her eyes.
*****
At a ceremony in the Royal Palace. Silence consumed this place, holding magnificence and great dignity. It was as if the whole world had lost its color, and the rain that followed had darkened the hearts of those within.
“…If you had not forced them to defend.”
The purpose of today’s ceremony was to hold a meeting and oversee state reports. Sophien shook her head as she rifled through the documents from all over the continent.
“The fall of the Empire must not have been an exaggeration.”
Her subordinates kept their mouths shut. A lot of them, including Romellock, who had opposed Deculein’s prediction last fall had their heads down. It was certain now that this migration was the most dangerous in the history of the Empire.
“Your Majesty, shouldn’t you send the Knights to support those territories who are suffering the most? Also, there are enough supplies at the Yukline-“
“I won’t listen to any of you.”
Sophien shut them down.
“Based on this report and the current situation, I will personally decide on rescue and support, in whatever shape or form.”
These fucking bastards, except for a few, would decide on supporting their hometowns, their friends and families, and so on.
“But, Your Majesty…”
The moment when Romellock rebelled again…
“Your Majesty!”
Beyond the door, the Imperial Knight Lawaine and the Imperial Court Wizard Geor appeared.
“Your Majesty! There’s big trouble!”
Lawaine and Geor intruded on the ceremony. Sophien sighed.
“Go ahead.”
“I, Lawaine, think that last night’s mana tremors were strange, so I investigated the palace’s garden and the outer walls. But!”
Rising, he showed a torn piece of a robe. Sophien knew it at a glance. It was a fragment that Rohakan left on purpose.
“I found a piece of the robe that was caught in the railings and found it suspicious, so I requested for Lord Geor to analyze it…!”
“Are you saying there is an intruder in the palace right now?”
Romellock frowned and asked. The knight nodded and replied with a more serious look.
“Yes, but it is even more serious than that. There’s no time for this, Lord Geor?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Not long after this robe was discovered, someone’s mana was still lingering around. I, just in case, compared this mana with a sample of a criminal’s mana stored in the Palace….”
Geor, swallowing nervously, looked around. Those around him wore mystified faces, but they were afraid of the shock that his next words would bring.
“…It was Rohakan’s.”
Almost everyone began to murmur among themselves. Romellock, who had a connection with Rohakan, trembled and went pale.
“…Your Majesty, the palace has been invaded by Rohakan.”
Sophien nodded calmly. Her ministers were usually slow, but they noticed it quickly this time.
“Your Majesty, what should we do? You have to make a public statement first; then we need to strengthen the defense of the palace-“
“Just leave it alone. There’s no need to add chaos at the Imperial Palace to the already pressing matters of the continent.”
Sophien cut Lawaine off. Then, Romellock bowed.
“But, Your Majesty! If it’s Rohakan, he will take advantage of this chaos and-“
“Romellock, are you just spitting out whatever you can imagine? I can’t be beaten by someone like Rohakan.”
Sophien stood.
“But, a wizard should deal with a wizard.”
Rohakan. He didn’t have much life left, but that didn’t make his sins disappear. No, he wouldn’t want to be forgiven just for that reason. So, he must have left this on purpose.
“Deculein will deal with him after the migration. He was kind enough to leave his clothes behind, so if an adventurer wizard uses simple tracking magic, he will be easily taken care of.”
Sophien left the conference. Many knights and wizards were trailing behind her. Soon afterward, after arriving at her bedroom, she laid down and looked up at the pile of documents and paper stacked like a mountain on her desk.
“…”
She stared up at the ceiling and repeated what Rohakan said to her. Those words that she had never even thought of even after living hundreds of years.
“…Are all those around you unhappy?”
Everyone around me is unhappy? Indeed, she lived a life that scattered unhappiness, but that fucking bastard who had never experienced life with only death and pain…
“Are you listening?”
Sophien smirked and looked at the snow globe on the table.
“…Keiron.”
It was hilarious to be concerned about these things after living for hundreds of years, but she still repeated it.
“Do I make people unhappy?”
…But, whether Rohakan’s words were true or not, the future he spoke of would not come true just by telling her about it.
“…I can’t love. That guy. There are no planned emotions in this world.”
Sophien knew it better than anyone else. There had never been a day that was the same no matter how many times she came back. The tiniest variable, the very small act on Sophien’s part, made huge alterations. So, the nonsense of Rohakan could be prevented even if it was true…
Tap tap— tap tap—
There was some sort of signal rattling against her window. Sophien climbed out of bed and looked out.
“Oh! I can see Your honorable Majesty!”
An adventurer was looking at her from the garden. She smiled and handed over a letter.
“Your Majesty~, this is a letter from Professor Deculein.”
*****
In the North, Reccordak, at night.
Under the starry skies, I was standing as a night watch.
Zzzz… zzz…
At the bottom of the barrier, Epherene was lying down and sleeping, and Louina and Ihelm were playing cards together. This was the last calm before the storm.
I checked the performance of the Great Tiger Robe while I had the chance.
——— 「 The Great Tiger Robe」 ———
◆Information
: The finest robe made from a Great Tiger’s leather.
: All effects have been upgraded by [Midas’ Hand].
◆Category 3333: Treasure ⊃ Robe
◆Special Effect
: High-Level Magic Resistance
: High-Level Physical Resistance
: High-Level [Tiger’s Energy]
[Midas’ Hand: Level 4]
Magic resistance and physical resistance weren’t that uncommon, but the [High-Level] was special. That was usually an option with an asking price of a few million Elnes. But more importantly, [Tiger’s Energy]. This option-
“Professor Deculein~?”
A voice broke my attention and drew my eye over. Ganesha.
“We are going to go now~. Is it okay if we leave?”
Next to her were Leo and Lia. I firmly shook my head. Ganesha smiled brightly.
“Then~? What are you going to do?”
“…I, Deculein, am proposing a mission to the Red Garnet Adventurers as the Head of the Yukline.”
“Oh~, I was worrying over when you’d do it. We don’t work for free~.”
I took out my checkbook and handed it over to her. Ganesha’s eyes turned to Elnes when she saw the amount.
“Oh my! This much~?!”
“How much… how much is it?”
“I want to see it, too!”
Lia and Leo were greatly surprised after seeing how long the number was.
“Did you achieve your goal over there?”
The Adventurer group had repeatedly traveled between the barrier and Annihilation, looking for something.
“I heard you are going to the hospital. It seems that the herbalist wants some medicinal herbs.”
“…”
Ganesha carefully picked up the check.
“Did the hybrid get hurt?”
Then, the adventurers’ expressions hardened. Lia pouted her lips and looked at me.
…That expression was unbearable. I turned my gaze towards Ganesha.
“…Isn’t the word hybrid only used for beasts?”
“Ganesha, I am holding back my anger right now. You should just be grateful that I didn’t look for him and kill him.”
“…”
There was some heat in my voice. Ganesha tilted her head slightly, then scratched the back of her neck and feigned a cough.
“Ehem. Okay~, sure. Well, the Professor is the one who buried a lot of Demon Blood alive just because they have dark energy flowing in their blood. Carlos… no, that child is a little hurt. But, we will fix him. We will also use all of this money for that.”
“…”
“So, can you please just let this slide~?”
Ganesha flapped her pigtails and spoke. I looked between Ganesha, Leo, and Lia before nodding.
“I won’t do anything.”
Whiiiiiing—
A chilly wind swept through my hair and fluttered my robe.
“If you can’t fix him, I will do everything I can to kill him. The same is still true right now. If he appears before me, I will surely kill him.”
“…”
Their expressions were a bit stiff, but Ganesha soon nodded.
“Yes~. Well then, we will prepare for the mission first~.”
Ganesha went down the barrier. Then, Leo followed after her.
Lia, who was left, was still staring at me.
“I…”
“Get lost.”
“…Yeah.”
Lia went down the barrier hurriedly. I watched her leave and shook my head; then, I took out a book.
[The History of the Imperial Family]
I read while I waited for the last battle’s approach.
…Reccordak’s air was endlessly cold.
