Ch.636Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

# The Imperial Ball Reopened After Decades

The imperial ball, reopened after decades, had set the entire Kiyen Empire ablaze with excitement.

It had been five years since Nikolai VI disappeared without a trace. With absolute power fallen silent, public attention naturally shifted to the heirs to the throne.

However, beyond the Crown Prince and the three Grand Duchesses, there was one more person who caught the attention of gossipmongers: none other than the Grand Duchess of Novo-Nikolayevsk.

She was the Emperor’s aunt and one of only two Grand Mages left in the world, Alexandra Petrovna.

“His Majesty has been on the throne for well over 60 years now. I wonder whom the Grand Duchess has in mind as the successor?”

“My goodness, watch your tongue!”

“Let’s be honest. Isn’t that what everyone has been eagerly waiting to find out at tonight’s ball?”

As massive chandeliers twinkled like stars and the gentle melody of a string quartet colored the carpet, hushed conversations were in full swing throughout the hall.

Who would succeed to the throne?

Whom did the Grand Duchess favor as the next emperor?

“Except for her opposition to the ‘Regent’ who usurped the throne, she has never voiced her opinion on political matters, officially or unofficially. If she had expressed her views, both the previous Emperor and Emperor Nikolai VI would have… felt considerable pressure in governing.”

“She knew that better than anyone, which is why she must have restrained herself.”

“Still, she is the imperial family’s elder. If Emperor Nikolai VI didn’t designate a successor on his own, he surely would have consulted Prime Minister Stolypin and the Grand Duchess. He might even have entrusted the succession to them personally.”

“Do you think she favors Crown Prince Valery?”

“Given her character that values the greater good and imperial tranquility, I believe that’s highly likely.”

Cautious whispers continued throughout the hall.

Some watched the imperial guards warily, others seemed to be probing for opinions, and still others discreetly moved away to avoid uncomfortable topics.

Flirtatious laughter and the clinking of glasses intertwined. Conversations filled with promises, ambitions, and curiosities were quickly buried in the hall’s commotion.

And at the southern balcony of the hall…

Alexandra Petrovna, who had been observing the Rayevsky Hall from behind red velvet curtains, closed her irritated eyes.

## Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

The Grand Duchess stepped back from the balcony railing after surveying the ballroom below.

Her deeply furrowed face clearly revealed her discomfort. Without hiding her feelings, she brushed back her bangs and muttered in a displeased voice.

“…How utterly ridiculous.”

While it might be in the nature of power to leave no room for weakness, surely there should be limits.

To brazenly discuss the throne and the imperial family’s intentions at an imperial event!

She wanted nothing more than to fashion those curtain ropes into a whip and lash it across such impudent fools. But she could hardly display such violence in the presence of her grandnieces and nephews and outside guests.

Alexandra Petrovna could only let out a faint sigh of disgust to calm her seething heart.

At that moment…

Someone approached her as she paced the balcony and murmured softly.

“You seem troubled, Grand Duchess.”

“…Stasha?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

It was Grand Duchess Anastasia.

As she nodded with a faint smile on her face, Alexandra Petrovna lowered her hand from the back of her neck and suddenly raised an eyebrow.

Her attitude suggested: why are you moping around here when the ball is in full swing?

In response, Anastasia approached the Grand Duchess without erasing her smile.

“You rarely join in at gatherings, avoid receiving guests… I was worried seeing you alone all this time, so I came to check on you.”

It was a counter-question: what was the Grand Duchess herself doing here?

“What exactly are you doing here?”

“At my age, do you expect me to be dancing? I’m just catching my breath because even maintaining my presence is tiring.”

“Oh my.”

The imperial ball seemed to be quite an awkward place for a 100-year-old woman.

Considering the Grand Mage’s age, even the elderly nobles who received senior treatment in social circles would still fall into the category of “youngsters” to her. In a way, it wasn’t strange that she couldn’t blend into the festivities.

Perhaps that’s why Grand Duchess Anastasia could only look at the Grand Duchess with sympathetic eyes. And Alexandra Petrovna thoroughly disliked that look.

No, it’s not that I can’t fit in because of my age. It’s just that my position requires me to refrain from frivolously laughing and dancing.

What misunderstanding has my grandniece formed to look at me with such irreverent eyes?

It was a gaze she simply couldn’t comprehend.

“Do you think I avoid social gatherings because of my age? Or is it because of the weight that comes with being a Grand Duchess and Grand Mage?”

Alexandra Petrovna folded her arms and snorted incredulously, but anyone at the event would agree that Anastasia was the one who deserved to be scoffed at.

But how could she possibly snort in the face of her great-aunt?

In the end, Anastasia made a sour expression and smoothed her dress as if embarrassed by the whole situation.

“Ah, yes… So that’s what you meant. I seem to have misunderstood.”

“Your face shows you don’t understand at all.”

Alexandra Petrovna leaned forward with folded arms, staring directly into Anastasia’s eyes. Anastasia avoided her gaze, clearly uncomfortable.

“Surely I wouldn’t fail to understand what you’ve personally explained to me, Grand Duchess. Please calm down.”

“Then why are you avoiding my eyes?”

“……”

“Stasha?”

Despite the Grand Duchess’s call, the Grand Duchess continued to avoid her gaze. There’s a limit to such brazenness. Alexandra Petrovna was so dumbfounded that she almost lost her temper.

Or rather, she was about to.

“…?”

Starting with a mutter of “You…” and extending her finger to point at Anastasia, the Grand Duchess suddenly froze in place.

As if nailed to the spot.

Preparing herself for the impending scolding, Anastasia cautiously opened one eye and called out with confusion.

“Grand Duchess?”

“……”

“…Great-aunt?”

No answer came.

Alexandra Petrovna’s attention had already shifted elsewhere. Her finger still pointed at Anastasia, but her blue eyes were directed beyond the balcony railing toward Rayevsky Hall.

The shadows of dancing couples below suddenly wavered, as if something had slipped between them.

At that moment, the imperial guards standing around the Crown Prince drew something from their waists, then raised their bewildered gazes to the balcony where the Grand Duchess stood.

The Grand Duchess’s eyes twitched ever so slightly as she watched the Rayevsky Hall.

“…Magic.”

No sooner had she whispered those words than the Grand Mage’s body cut through the air.

“Guards!”

She vaulted over the balcony railing and shouted toward the imperial guard, who immediately responded.

“The barrier has been damaged! Someone has used magic!”

“Protect the Crown Prince and the Grand Duchesses, quickly!”

“Grand Duchess Margarita is missing!”

“Find her!”

The ballroom, once filled with gentle music and laughter, instantly transformed into chaos—gasps, breaking glass, screams, and the panic of people being pushed aside.

The imperial guard, their dress cords swaying, drew pistols and magic wands and gathered around the imperial family.

“Damn it…”

Alexandra Petrovna, who had managed to leave the ballroom in an instant amid flying sparks, grimaced as she steadied herself against the corridor floor.

“…Who are you fighting, Camilla?”

*

Suddenly, a middle-aged man appeared and pointed his staff, releasing a flash of red light.

Magic.

I instantly recognized the nature of the light shot from the staff.

I didn’t know what kind of magic it was or how it was projected, but in the current situation, it could only be offensive magic.

This was especially clear since the staff was aimed at a member of the Kiyen Empire’s imperial family.

The man aimed his staff at Grand Duchess Margarita and fired his magic. A blinding flash erupted, and Grand Duchess Margarita froze in place before she could even react.

“…!”

As I pushed Grand Duchess Margarita aside to dodge the incoming magic…

The man’s head turned quickly, and he suddenly crouched and threw himself into a corner.

Immediately after…

Red flames struck where he had been, and a familiar face came flying through the fire.

“Why aren’t you dodging?!”

Camilla. Emerging from the flames and cutting through the air, she positioned herself between the opponent and me, raising a fist wreathed in flames.

“Who is that man?!”

“I don’t know! But I saw him kill the guards outside the lounge with a single blow!”

And incredibly quickly!

A death cry followed.

It was hard to believe. A magician who dispatched two or more guards before they could even react? I hadn’t even heard the sounds of combat.

But it was reality. The fact that he had entered without any resistance made it clear that he had somehow swiftly dispatched the guards without being detected by others. And that means must be the staff he carried.

The man who had dodged Camilla’s magic by throwing himself into a corner immediately pushed off the floor and took a stance.

-Ting!

As his fingers moved on the handle, the staff opened and ejected a small cylindrical object. Though I couldn’t identify its exact purpose, something similar flashed through my mind.

A projectile magical device made for those who cannot use magic.

A cartridge-type magic scroll needed to operate such a device.

As the cylinder popped out, the opponent quickly inserted a new one into the empty slot and twisted the staff shut. It was definitely a cartridge.

“We need to stop it before it fires!”

“I know—”

A hand slashed through the air. The air distorted in all directions, and Camilla’s response mixed into the flickering flames.

“that!”

A thin, slender stream of fire split the air.

Though lacking the explosive force of her usual magic, its speed and precision were terrifyingly effective.

The fired flame grazed the target by a hair’s breadth and embedded itself in the wall. The remnants of the flame scattered chaotically with a pop. The opponent, twisting his body to barely avoid the attack, swung his staff with all his might as if wielding a longsword.

-Crackle…!

Yellow sparks flew, and with a chilling sound, lightning poured forth.

The yellow sparks that filled the area engulfed Camilla in the blink of an eye.

As the magic swept through like a hurricane, sparks shot up in the air, and she appeared behind the opponent, completely unharmed without a single hair out of place.

“Where do you—!”

Camilla raised her finger to target the man, but his reaction was slightly faster.

Crouching to escape her line of sight, he stepped on the hem of her dress to immobilize her, then swung his staff at the back of her head.

-Swish!

The black staff cut through the air with a sharp sound.

Just before the steel-like weapon, more akin to a lethal instrument, could reach the side of Camilla’s head…

My kick landed in the man’s side, and in that moment, Camilla successfully avoided the attack by arching her back.

“Thank you!”

“Save the thanks for later! This bastard is no ordinary opponent!”

“I know that!”

Whatever his identity, he was no easy adversary.

Aside from his skill with magical devices, his movements were far sharper than those of a well-trained combat mage.

It wasn’t the kind of movement typical of a soldier or intelligence officer. Nor did it align with the combat style of magicians.

If I had to compare it to something, well…

His movements reminded me of knights who had now vanished into history.

-Whoosh!

Camilla twisted her waist forcefully, bursting the droplets of flame at her fingertips, and the part of her dress that the man had stepped on tore away with a rip.

Leaving behind the scorched and tattered cloth fragment, she spun in place. Her kick surged toward him in a smooth curve, with threatening flames trailing from her heel.

The opponent skillfully blocked the roundhouse kick by adjusting his grip on the staff.

The moment steel imbued with magical power collided with a leg wreathed in flames…

The man, who had shifted his grip to hold the staff widely, deflected Camilla’s leg and swung the staff like a spear.

-Whoosh!

Fortunately, his attack didn’t reach Camilla. However, the magic that shot from the tip of the staff, which had barely grazed past her, targeted her face in the blink of an eye.

“Tch…!”

Noticing the casting of the spell, Camilla escaped the line of fire with teleportation.

I took over and rushed at him, trying to forcibly take the staff.

But as if he could never surrender the staff, he continued to resist until the end.

-Crackle…!

-Crack—!!

Flames grazed clothing, and bright yellow sparks tore through embers, shattering nearby furniture to pieces.

His movements, using his entire body from shoulders to waist to legs to exchange blows with the staff, were like those of a wild beast.

When the staff was caught, he escaped with light kicks and hand techniques; when he spotted even the slightest opening, he twisted the caught staff to fire magic at me or Camilla to divert our attention, then launched fierce attacks while we were distracted by concern for each other’s safety.

Throughout all this, he fought while blocking the exit.

As if to say that no one would leave here without his permission.

“You’re too close together for me to use magic!”

“Just shoot!”

“I can’t, that’s why I’m saying this!”

We exchanged shouts while desperately trying to figure out how to stop him.

Our plan to get at least the Grand Duchess out had failed. Teleportation magic might have worked, but with the opponent blocking the path and launching fierce attacks, neither we nor Grand Duchess Margarita could escape from here.

No one knew what kind of magic he would attack us with if we created even a little distance. But recklessly firing flames could involve the people attending the ball.

We concluded that we had to deal with him up close, one way or another.

Camilla pushed off the floor to drive flames into him. Meanwhile, as I retreated from the range of the flames, the man noticed the increased distance and began to aim his staff at a target.

And at the end of that aim was neither me nor Camilla, but Grand Duchess Margarita.

“…You bastard!”

Just before the magic could be fired, I knocked away the staff by a hair’s breadth and grabbed the man’s collar.

I intended to trip him and slam him to the floor.

However, the man didn’t even flinch when I grabbed him by the collar. Instead, he recovered the deflected staff, gripped it firmly, and tried to strangle me with it.

I thrust my left arm between the staff and my neck to create space, then pushed nearby furniture with my leg and fell backward with him.

“Kuhek-“

No sooner did I feel the dull noise and impact than a turbid breath burst from the man’s mouth. At the same time, the pressure of the staff on my neck and arm was released limply.

Camilla shouted.

“His head! He hit his head on the floor!”

“I know.”

Flames flashed before my eyes. The man’s hands holding the staff were caught in the fire, and a beat later, a painful scream followed.

I climbed on top of the writhing man’s stomach and threw a punch.

Despite being hit, he still seemed full of fighting spirit, cursing and trying to push me away with his elbows and knees.

As we rolled around entangled on the floor, I grabbed a crystal ashtray from between the broken furniture. Then I struck his head with all my might.

Crash! The shattered crystal fragments decorated the formal attire and marble with red.

The man who had been hit in the head fell with a scream.

I staggered to my feet, found a large piece on the floor, and was about to mount him and pierce his carotid artery when—

—!

A fierce blue flame passed by the man’s head, turning it to ashes in an instant.

With the aftermath of the battle still not subsided, before I could grasp the situation, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“I sensed strange magic and came to see, only to find an audacious fool running amok.”

It was the Grand Duchess.

*

Though her neat uniform and beautifully tied hair exuded dignity, her voice and eyes burned both calmly and fiercely.

After incinerating the man’s head in one breath, she strode over the broken furniture to check on our condition.

“Are you injured?”

“No…”

Camilla nodded blankly as she wiped her stinging nose. Seeing Alexandra Petrovna, she seemed slightly relieved and lowered her tense shoulders.

My hand gripping the crystal fragment was already soaked with blood.

As I noticed the belated pain and tried to remove the fragments embedded in my skin, the Grand Duchess passed by her disciple who was looking at me with worried eyes.

“Your injury is deep. I’ll inform the palace healer, so get treatment without delay.”

“This much will heal with stitches.”

“Nonsense when you might have damaged nerves… Go quickly, your disciple is worried.”

It was a firm suggestion. No, at this point, it was more like a threat.

I nodded with a bewildered expression, hiding my injured hand. Seemingly quite shocked, Camilla rose from the crystal-strewn floor and approached me.

“I’m fine. Not badly hurt.”

“No, still…”

“I’m fine, really. First, Grand Duchess Margarita…”

It was then.

The Grand Duchess suddenly spoke.

“…Rita?”

A sense of foreboding swept over us. Seeing her trembling lips as she muttered in a dismayed voice, we hurriedly turned our heads back.

Grand Duchess Margarita was still in the same place.

With hideous burn marks on her face, as if struck by lightning.

Sitting on the marble floor without any movement.

Like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

I clutched my head with my bloodied hand and muttered softly.

“…Damn it.”

Grand Duchess Margarita had fallen into a coma.