Holy Kingdom – Counterattack (1)

“Have they already started a public opinion war from the Holy Kingdom? These dogs of the Goddess are truly driving me insane.”

The red-haired youth, Ian, was banging his head on the table while nervously tugging at his hair.

Where did things start going so wrong?

Thanks to his blessed talent, his life had been smooth sailing until now. This was the first time his plans had derailed so completely, reaching a point beyond recovery.

“What’s with the sudden drama? Did you think the Holy Kingdom would just sit still? Anyway, every nation is demanding an explanation from the Magic Tower faction, so our communication network is completely paralyzed.”

The young woman sitting across from Ian sighed deeply and pushed up her glasses.

Her disheveled crimson hair and sunken eyes. The fatigue etched on her face matched Ian’s.

“Frankly, even with the Tower Lord personally intervening, managing the chaos within the Magic Tower is overwhelming. He must still be struggling.”

“We don’t have time for lamentations. I’ve grasped the situation well enough. What about the preparations you mentioned?”

“…Alright. You know direct manpower deployment is impossible, right? The only immediate support we can provide are tools like scrolls. Let me show you what I brought.”

The woman began unpacking items from the bundle on the table.

“This is a Magic Scroll, this is a Defense Artifact, I think? And also…”

The bundle clearly wasn’t ordinary, as she spent considerable time pulling out far more items than its size suggested.

“Whew… Finally done, I think. Check them first.”

She slid dozens of scrolls and various shaped objects toward Ian.

“Quite a lot prepared for something rushed.”

Ian quickly scanned the scrolls, sorting them by type.

Elemental magic. Teleportation magic. Defensive magic. Even trivial daily-life spells.

As expected of Magic Tower scrolls, the variety was impressive, but among them, Ian set aside scrolls emitting a faint glow.

“Holy Power Scrolls, no less. You weren’t completely thoughtless.”

“Essential when dealing with the Holy Kingdom, right? Of course I brought them.”

Under the Holy Kingdom’s barrier, mana usage wasn’t unrestricted. These scrolls were perfect for delivering an unexpected blow.

“A few 5 and 6-star scrolls as other usable items. Not bad, I suppose.”

“Tsk. So demanding. Given the circumstances, that’s all we could prepare immediately. You know how valuable these are, right?”

Roana shook her head at Ian’s ungrateful attitude.

Scrolls allowing powerful magic with minimal mana were worth more than most gems or luxuries.

Even for the Magic Tower producing them, this quantity represented significant loss.

“I abandoned my thesis right before publication to rush here for you. So wrap this up nicely. The Tower Lord said he’s even praying for you to resolve this personally.”

Propping her chin on one hand, Roana suddenly stared piercingly at Ian with a meaningful expression.

“Assuming the information that ‘the Pope brainwashed the Saintess and aims to control the Hero, then exploit wars between nations’ is true, of course.”

“Ha. I verified it through contracts just in case. And what better proof exists than the Holy Kingdom attacking me, the next Tower Lord?”

Ian frowned, displeased at having his information’s credibility questioned.

“Right, right. How could I doubt you? As if you’d break a criminal out of prison and pick fights with Cardinals without verifying things first.”

Though sarcastic, Roana didn’t think Ian was lying.

The Magic Tower had been monitoring the Holy Kingdom’s movements, suspecting hidden malicious intent. Ian’s intel confirmed those suspicions.

“But… doesn’t this seem beyond what one person can handle?”

She pointed her index finger at Ian’s head.

“With that brilliant mind, you must have some amazing method planned.”

“I’ve outlined a framework. I’m refining the details, so wait.”

“Hoho, acting so arrogant finally backfired.”

“…Roana. Know your limits.”

“Pfft… *snort* Sorry. Seeing your face, I couldn’t hold back.”

Roana started cackling while enjoying Ian’s irritated expression.

Within the Magic Tower, Ian’s reputation-or rather infamy-was legendary.

Current Water Attribute Head Mage Roana was one of his countless victims.

Her grievance stemmed from a trivial incident:

-Ian, do you know about the curvature patterns in water attribute mana flow?

-Curvature…? Planning to utilize mana superposition?

-You understood immediately. Water magic’s fluidity makes flow analysis tricky.

-Never had much interest in water attributes, but this is a decent research direction. Thanks for the good topic. I recommend finding another subject now-unless you want to compete with me.

-Wh-what? Wait! You’re joking!

Though Roana researched frantically all night, she couldn’t stop Ian-the greater genius-from publishing first.

One question cost her months of research as Ian stole her thesis topic.

Since then, she’d gritted her teeth at him.

“Ha… The great next Tower Lord brought this low. Worth coming all this way.”

Fate had finally stopped favoring Ian. For those like Roana who held grudges, nothing could be more satisfying.

“Well, since it’s not entirely your fault, the Tower won’t hold you immediately accountable. But better resolve this quickly.”

Swirling her finger, Roana conjured countless water droplets midair that merged into a human shape.

“The Hero’s choice is now critical. If we can’t turn things around and the Hero supports the Pope, the Magic Tower faces crisis. Then we’ll have to abandon you… like this.”

She clenched her fist, and the water figure exploded with a *splash*.

“Regardless of truth, we can’t trade you for the entire Tower.”

“…Did you come to help or provoke me?”

“Hoho, I said both already. I’m voicing what countless Tower members want to tell you. Be grateful I didn’t punch you on sight.”

“Roana, you’re crossing lines. Remember I’m your superior. Once this ends-”

-BANG!

A sudden crash drew their attention to the source.

“Ia…n…”

There stood Lena, bandages covering her body, glaring at Ian with blazing eyes.

“…Finally awake.”

“You… bastard!”

Lena lunged at Ian with a furious curse.

“Ghk?!”

Instantly tangled together, they crashed to the floor amid clattering chairs.

“What’s this about?”

“Ian, you ruined everything!”

“Wh-what’s happening?”

Faced with unexpected hostility, Roana stood up and slowly backed away.

Unaware of details, intervening wasn’t wise.

“…I get the picture. Must’ve clashed with the Hero’s party member due to your personality. I’ll report to the Tower Lord-resolve this by then.”

Waving lightly at Ian pinned under Lena, Roana vanished outside with light footsteps.

-Thud.

As the door closed, Lena and Ian silently glared at each other.

“…How long will this continue?”

“Ian, what will you do now?”

“First, calm down and release me.”

“Calm? How can I be calm? I hated you but trusted your skills. You’re trash exploiting situations, but I believed you’d keep promises.”

“….”

“And this is the result? Jade’s still deceived by the Pope, we failed to save the Saintess or get the artifact, and now we’re wanted fugitives. This is… the worst possible situation.”

Lena’s accusing voice trembled with tears.

“Be honest. Your mistake exposed the plan, right? How else would the Holy Kingdom notice?!”

“Yes. My fault. I failed to detect their surveillance-likely that Cardinal monitored me. What’s done can’t be undone, but I sincerely apologize.”

The arrogant man readily admitted his error.

Lena looked stunned by Ian’s unexpected attitude.

“…You admit fault?”

“I owe you my life from that last moment. I’m not heartless enough to ignore that.”

Ian vividly remembered their escape.

Struggling against the Cardinal under the barrier’s effects, Jade’s surprise attack was truly threatening.

“Without your intervention, we’d have been captured and tortured.”

But Ian couldn’t comprehend why Lena-who saw him as nearly an enemy-would risk her life.

“I wanted to ask since you woke. Why save me? You could’ve died-high probability of death.”

“Because it was the path to save everyone. If someone had to die… better me than you.”

“…I see. Foolish beyond stupidity.”

“Not something a survivor of that foolishness should say.”

Lena released Ian, sarcasm lacing her words as she calmed down.

Struggling up, Ian brushed dust off his clothes.

“Huff… Ready for productive conversation now?”

“Before discussing next steps, release my contract.”

“Impossible.”

His firm refusal left Lena aghast.

“Ha… Just called me your lifesaver, now this?”

“Sorry, but I saved you too. Recognize my efforts healing your mortal wounds.”

The Holy Kingdom-with more priests than anywhere-ironically offered no holy power assistance.

Ian had to use all his potions to save Lena.

“Considering potion value alone, it was costly. Your life debt is paid. And… I can’t let you reveal everything.”

A mistake driven by lust-Ian felt ashamed.

Yet unexpectedly, the pleasure from violating Lena was deeply satisfying. Seeing it as transaction payment, he felt no guilt.

But Annie must never learn this. His sister would never condone it.

“Consider it insurance. If Jade or Annie learn this, they’ll cause trouble. Ungrateful for my-”

-SLAP!

A sharp crack echoed as Ian’s left cheek reddened.

“Ian, you’re no better than the Pope, you trash.”

“What… do you…”

“Listen well. Do as you please. Rape me endlessly, toy with me-I can’t resist. But.”

Lena leaned forward, her intensity forcing a retreat from the angered Ian.

“Keep your promise to save Jade and Annie. Fulfill that, and I’ll sacrifice this body however needed. That’s the only reason I’m not killing you now.”

“Ha.”

Staring into her eyes burning with pure resolve, Ian scoffed and dispersed gathered mana.

Torture, rape, brainwashing-Lena endured it all, yet her spirit remained unbroken.

Even Ian, who always dismissed her, had to acknowledge that resilience.

“…Fine.”

Gnawing guilt finally made Ian relent.

“I’ll do everything to fulfill my promise. If you want, we’ll formalize it with a Mana Contract.”

“Finally speaking sense.”

But Ian’s next words hardened Lena’s briefly brightened expression.

“One problem remains. We’re short on time. Dangerously short.”

“…Wait. How long was I unconscious?”

“Unfortunately, quite long. Our last chance-the Hero Appointment Ceremony-is in three days.”