Chapter 65

Episode 65

Count Apellai felt a chill run down his spine. The young mage’s eyes were filled with madness.

But he was also curious.

What was going on in the mind of this youngest court mage, hailed as the prodigy of the Magic Tower?

“A good idea? What is it?”

“Prince Arthur can no longer wield a sword. So, we just need to give him something else to wield.”

“Ha, I didn’t know you had a penchant for wordplay.”

“I’m not joking. There’s a real solution.”

Muon gestured for him to sit. The Count, figuring he had nothing to lose, sat down and took a sip of the wine Muon poured for him.

“Our goal is for Prince Arthur to become the Crown Prince, right? And eventually, the Emperor of the Empire.”

“That’s right. But you’re not forgetting the Empire’s tradition of succession, are you? It’s common knowledge that all emperors have mastered the Bellatrix swordsmanship.”

“Hehe. Every rule has exceptions. And exceptions are created by those with power.”

If the young man before him wasn’t a mage, the Count would have kicked him, telling him to shut up.

“Stop beating around the bush. Get to the point.”

“I’ve been conducting an interesting experiment recently.”

“At the Magic Tower?”

Muon nodded. He took a large gulp of his wine.

“It’s highly confidential.”

“Are you sure you should be telling me this? I have a long-standing relationship with the Tower Master.”

Mana flickered in Muon’s eyes for a moment. The Count chuckled and said he was just joking.

Muon continued, “I’ve always wondered why so few people can sense mana. If you’re not born with the talent, can you never become a mage? What secret prevents humans from sensing mana from birth…?”

Count Apellai sighed. It sounded like the lament of a mad scientist.

“I’m not interested in your research. I have more important matters to attend to. I need to meet with the head of House Enceladus tonight. He seems to be up to something.”

“I’ve found a partial answer. A way for someone without talent to become a mage.”

“…What?”

The Count was stunned. Muon’s fragmented words connected, forming a plausible hypothesis.

A terrifying hypothesis.

“Are you serious? You’re saying someone without talent can become a mage?”

“That’s right. According to my research, even Prince Arthur can become a mage.”

“That’s…”

No, there was no need to deny it.

If he couldn’t wield a sword, he would be completely out of the running for the throne. But magic was different. It was worth a try.

The Count, who had been cornered, felt a surge of exhilaration as the wall blocking his path crumbled.

“The reason why all previous emperors mastered the Bellatrix swordsmanship was because it was easier than becoming a mage. And magic is practically taboo in the Empire, so it was naturally overlooked. But if a member of the Imperial Family could use magic, things would be different.”

“I see… That makes sense. A mage… But how can you turn someone into a mage? I heard that even sensing mana is extremely difficult.”

“Do you know how mana flows through a mage’s body?”

Muon asked, then activated his mana as if to demonstrate. A mystical blue mana gathered in his chest and spread outwards.

*Swoosh*

*Buzz!*

“Mana emanates from the circle in the heart, and it flows through the mana circuit. Simply put, there are blood vessels for mana.”

“So, you’re saying that you can’t become a mage without a mana circuit.”

“You’re right.”

“Are you saying you can create one artificially?”

“Creating one artificially is impossible. But transplanting an existing one is possible.”

“…!”

It was an unheard-of method.

The mana circuit was an organ. Transplanting it was extremely dangerous.

What was even more chilling was that Muon’s research was more dangerous than he had imagined.

The idea of transplanting body parts was something you would only see in black magic.

The Count felt repulsed, but he had to admit that there was no other way to salvage the situation he and Prince Arthur were in.

“Explain the transplantation process in detail.”

“First, we kill a healthy mage, carefully extract their mana circuit, and transplant it.”

“How did you conduct such an experiment that involves harming a mage?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

The stench of evil grew stronger, but the Count was willing to step into the mud.

“What’s the success rate?”

“I’ve performed four transplants so far, and only one was successful.”

“What happened to the successful subject?”

“I killed him, of course.”

He was a cold and cruel mage. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such trivial matters.

“What will happen to Prince Arthur if the transplant fails?”

“He won’t die. He’ll become half-crippled… But does it matter? As long as it’s not us, right?”

“Give me some time to think.”

“Certainly.”

The Count watched the young mage pour himself more wine and drink it, lost in thought.

It was a poisoned chalice.

‘Even if the transplant is successful and Arthur becomes Emperor… Muon will use this as leverage against me.’

It had been a project that spanned twenty years.

It had consumed not only time but also a fortune. He had come this far, driven by his father’s dying wish to elevate their family.

After much deliberation, the Count realized he had gone too far to turn back.

“I’ve made my decision. Do as you please.”

“I’m glad you made a quick decision. Then, I’ll contact you when I find a fresh ingredient. I’ll leave it to you to convince Prince Arthur. Please do your best.”

***

The day of our return to the Dukedom was approaching.

We were originally scheduled to stay in the capital for another week, but the Lady ordered us to leave early.

On our way back to the mansion after finishing our business at the palace, the Lady said she had taken care of everything and that we didn’t need to worry.

I was relieved that the mastermind had handled it, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

I had severely injured a member of the Imperial Family. Anything could happen before we left the capital.

“Are you busy?”

A rough hand reached through the open door and knocked lightly. It was Jericho.

“Come in.”

Jericho entered and handed me a luxurious envelope.

It was sealed with the Imperial Family’s crest.

“Prince Karma sent a letter.”

It was the news I had been waiting for.

The Lady had said she had taken care of things, but she hadn’t told me how. So, I needed someone to relay the message.

In a way, I had fulfilled Prince Karma’s expectations.

I opened the letter and read it.

“What does it say?”

“It says there was a discussion about me injuring Prince Arthur. His Majesty personally presided over it. Don’t worry. It seems they concluded that the duel was legitimate.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. You have no idea how worried I was when I saw that scoundrel’s hand fly off.”

I chuckled and burned the letter.

The burning paper contained another important detail that I hadn’t told Jericho.

It said that we would meet again soon.

It didn’t specify when or where. But one thing was clear: I had formed a connection with Prince Karma, the future Crown Prince.

Whether it would be beneficial or detrimental remained to be seen.

“And the engagement has been completely canceled. It seems House Enceladus supported us.”

“Really?”

“It’s just a guess, but I think the Lady personally intervened. Even though House Enceladus is our rival, they would cooperate if their interests aligned.”

“That’s true. If House Kalisto became related to the Imperial Family, it could disrupt the balance of power. If that’s true, the Lady is truly amazing!”

She was more than amazing.

I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a transmigrator, a goddess, a demon lord, or a dragon.

“This concludes our mission in the capital. Good work, Jericho.”

“Oh, I didn’t do much. It was all you, Inspector.”

“Where’s Selendis?”

“She’s probably training. She seemed motivated after your duel. I think she’s doubled her training intensity.”

“Don’t you train?”

“There’s a saying that geniuses don’t need to train.”

I chuckled and organized the documents. I had to inform the Lady about the news from the prince.

The Lady was spending a leisurely afternoon reading a book she had brought from the Dukedom.

She greeted me warmly as I entered.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you. I apologize for interrupting your studies. I have something to report.”

“Go ahead.”

I relayed everything Prince Karma had written, including the part about meeting again soon.

“I see. The prince is very considerate. I should thank him.”

“I’ll write a reply. But what do you think will happen when the news of the broken engagement reaches the Dukedom?”

“You can guess, can’t you?”

She was right.

Duke Kalisto would be secretly pleased, even if he expressed regret outwardly. He must have been losing sleep over the thought of sending his precious daughter to a scoundrel.

The problem was the Duchess.

I knew she had been boasting about her future son-in-law in social circles for a long time, driven by her lust for power.

She would surely be furious.

And I was also concerned about Lady Rosalyn, who had spat venomous words at me at the banquet.

As the Duchess’s maid, she must have already reported the incident.

“Don’t worry too much. Everything will work out in the end.”

“Yes, my Lady. Then, I’ll take my leave. Please rest well.”

“We’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow. Back to the Dukedom. Prepare accordingly.”

“As you command.”

Back in my office, I summoned Selendis and Jericho.

“We’re returning to the Dukedom the day after tomorrow. I called you because there’s something I need you to do before we leave.”

“Tell us.”

I pointed to a location on the map spread out on the table.

“I’ve chosen a different route back. We’ll have to pass through Caribe. I need you two to leave tonight and investigate the monster activity there.”

“Is this an official mission?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Hmm, so you’re saying something’s going to happen.”

“It’s more likely that nothing will happen.”

I couldn’t shake the image of the Lady calmly sitting in the carriage amidst the monster attack.

If my intuition was right, there was something there.

Crucial evidence that could reveal her true identity.