Chapter 154

Episode 154

Karma was inwardly surprised. He hadn’t expected Eldritch to be so blunt.

This meeting was convened because the Emperor had delegated full authority to Karma regarding the investigation and handling of the recent incident.

Not just this incident, but the Emperor had entrusted Karma with most matters, big or small.

This meant that Karma was set to become the crown prince and inherit the throne.

Eldritch’s mention of the Magic Tower’s existence was to discuss matters after Karma ascended to the throne.

Karma’s mind sharpened.

“Inconvenient? What do you mean?”

“Exactly as I said. It’s not a recent development that Your Highness is wary of the Magic Tower. This incident hasn’t been fully investigated yet.”

“Silence! Are you questioning my investigation and that of the church?”

“Then allow me to ask, how did Prince Arthur become a magical experiment subject? I’ve never heard of mana circuit transplants being possible.”

Count Apellai frowned and gestured with his eyes, but the old mage ignored him.

It was Eldritch, not the Count, whom he wanted to grab by the collar.

“Let’s assume everything Your Highness claims is true. The important question is who initiated the experiment. I urge you to consider that the outcome of this investigation could change drastically depending on the answer.”

“Initiated the experiment? How could the outcome change?”

“Unfortunately, Prince Arthur suffered a serious injury during a duel. He could no longer wield a sword due to the aftereffects. In that situation, it’s more plausible that Prince Arthur himself desired power rather than Muon forcefully conducting the experiment.”

The room buzzed with murmurs.

Until now, they had been suppressed by Prince Karma’s authority. This was the first time a counterargument was raised.

And it was a plausible one.

Karma clenched his fists. He no longer considered Arthur his brother, but he felt disgusted by the insult to the Imperial Family.

“Hmph, an interesting argument. Very well. I’ll respond in your own way. Let’s assume your claim is true. Even if Arthur desired power and wished to become an experiment subject, wouldn’t a loyal subject try to stop him? Your statement reeks of elitism. It feels as if the Magic Tower is lording over the Imperial Family.”

“…How could I harbor such impure thoughts? You misunderstand.”

Having successfully swayed the crowd back to his side, Karma pressed on.

“The mages of the Magic Tower can freely conduct their research and training without worrying about their livelihood. Especially the court magicians. Have you ever considered why that’s possible? Without the support of the Empire and the Imperial Family, the Magic Tower wouldn’t even exist!”

The prince recalled past history.

Before the current Empire was established, there were countless challenges from nobles. Factions emerged, the church gained power, and there was a time when the Magic Tower was worshipped.

The current order was established because an emperor emerged who could maintain stable domestic affairs and balanced diplomacy.

‘I can’t miss this opportunity.’

The prince wouldn’t let the Magic Tower’s blunder slide.

If he failed, he wouldn’t be able to subjugate the Magic Tower again during his reign.

“Your Highness, I can endure your reprimands, but I cannot bear the denial of the Magic Tower’s existence itself. Please calm your anger.”

Eldritch backed down. Karma finally calmed down and sat back in his seat.

Completely crushing the Tower Master was unnecessary.

It was important to corner him just enough to make him obedient.

“His Majesty will personally handle the conclusion of this matter. However, Duke Eldritch and all the mages in the Imperial Palace must reflect on their actions.”

“As you command.”

The commotion subsided, and Minister of Internal Affairs Scala stepped forward.

“Your Highness, I’m curious about Duke Kalisto’s demands. I believe it’s more important to discuss that than to argue about right and wrong. The Margrave of the North is acting suspiciously. It would be dangerous if both the north and south were to fall into chaos simultaneously.”

“I’ll discuss that with His Majesty personally. You should all focus on your duties.”

The meeting concluded.

Prince Karma immediately headed to the Emperor’s quarters. It was time to gauge the Emperor’s intentions.

Just as the prince was about to enter the Emperor’s quarters, magical power erupted from one side of the Imperial Palace.

*Buzz!*

An invisible barrier unfolded. No sound could be heard from beyond it.

The only beings who could use magic in the Imperial Palace were the court magicians.

Muon had disappeared, and Silidrian was dead.

In other words, the only court magician left in the Imperial Palace was Eldritch.

“What trickery is this? Confess, or I’ll take your life right here!”

The archmage’s roar echoed, but it couldn’t penetrate the transparent barrier.

Count Apellai’s knees trembled.

But he held his ground.

“C-Calm down. This won’t solve anything.”

“It seems words won’t work. I already know you’re close to Muon. I heard you were involved in this incident?”

“G-Gah… It’s just a rumor! I’m innocent…!”

Apellai insisted on his innocence.

At that moment, a sound of the barrier breaking came from behind. A powerful aura surged.

*Whoosh!*

It was Olaf, the Empire’s Swordmaster, who broke through the barrier.

“Duke Eldritch! What are you doing in the sacred Imperial Palace!”

Eldritch barely managed to suppress his surging mana.

“Doesn’t the Magic Tower have the right to investigate as well? We need to restore our tarnished honor.”

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs has been acquitted. It was Prince Karma’s direct order. You should know that pursuing this further is reckless.”

“…”

If it weren’t Olaf, he would have ignored him. No, he wouldn’t have even been able to enter the barrier.

Eldritch’s cold gaze pierced Count Apellai.

“Count, if you know where Muon is, it’s best to confess now… The church is involved. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, you understand what that means. This won’t end with just us.”

“I-I know that. But I truly don’t know! I want to ask you, does the Magic Tower really not know?”

“Are you questioning us?”

“No, it’s just frustrating! Why are we fighting amongst ourselves when we should be joining forces!”

The Sage of the Magic Tower still found the man before him suspicious. But without evidence, he couldn’t press him further.

If Olaf reported this strange conversation to Karma, he would be in trouble again.

Eldritch turned around, his robe billowing.

“Stay quiet from now on. If you ever contact the Magic Tower again, I won’t forgive you.”

“…Understood.”

“Sir Olaf, the Magic Tower will be closed from today. Inform His Highness.”

Upon returning to the Magic Tower, Eldritch ordered its closure. No one could leave without permission.

* * *

“The palace is in an uproar.”

Emperor Felipe was taking the medicine the elven priest had made. Karma knelt before him.

The Emperor was also a Swordmaster.

He had sensed the commotion in the Great Hall and Eldritch’s outburst of magical power. Yet, he remained calm.

“There was some commotion during the meeting with the ministers to discuss this incident. I summoned Duke Eldritch and reprimanded him severely.”

“Were there any results?”

It was an expected question, so Karma answered immediately, “No.”

“You can’t say there were no results at all. The church seems quieter than expected. How did you persuade them?”

“The vassals of Kalisto helped me.”

Prince Karma made a clever move. He could have taken credit for persuading them, but he revealed that the people of Kalisto supported him.

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction after hearing the explanation.

“Well done. It’s a good sign that the church isn’t making a big deal out of it. We can resolve this smoothly. But my son, the Magic Tower won’t crumble as easily as you think.”

Karma’s heart sank. It felt like his thoughts had been read.

“The Magic Tower has been under the protection of the Empire and the Imperial Family for a long time. It won’t be easy to dismantle the foundation built over those years.”

“Your Majesty, are you saying…”

“The Tower Master must be involved in this incident to some extent. Even if Muon is eccentric, he couldn’t have hidden all his actions. The Tower Master must have condoned some things.”

Karma had suspected as much. The problem was how quickly they could secure evidence.

At that moment, Olaf rushed in with urgent news.

“The Magic Tower has closed its doors?”

“Yes. Duke Eldritch left a message for me.”

Olaf saluted after his report and left. The conversation between father and son resumed.

“Your Majesty, if you permit me, I’d like to share my plan.”

“Speak.”

“I intend to use this opportunity to reform the Magic Tower. Now that their authority has been compromised, it’s the perfect time.”

The Emperor set aside his empty cup and looked at his son.

“Ultimately, I believe their authority stems from their value. I intend to temporarily lift the restrictions on magic to dilute the Magic Tower’s reason for existence.”

“Lift… the restrictions.”

The Emperor stared at his son for a long time after uttering those words. His expression seemed as complex as his thoughts.

“Can you handle that? Even I couldn’t do it.”

The phrase “couldn’t do it” carried a lot of weight.

Lifting the restrictions on magic wouldn’t just diminish the Magic Tower’s authority. It would also threaten the Imperial Family.

That’s why no emperor had ever lifted the restrictions.

Yet, the prince had a strange experience.

The moment he heard the Emperor’s worried words, he thought of someone.

That person was O’Brien von Walker.

The Inspector of the Lucius Inspection Unit, known as the Magic Swordsman.

“…I can do it. With the help of those who support me, I will lead this revolution to success. And I will bring further prosperity to the Empire and the Imperial Family.”

“You haven’t proven anything yet. There’s no news from the north, and you didn’t resolve the south on your own, did you?”

It was true.

The prince wanted to earn the crown prince position with his own strength. So he revealed a strategy he hadn’t told anyone, not even Olaf.

“I have a plan to resolve both the north and south simultaneously.”

“What is it?”

“There’s a trustworthy vassal in House Kalisto. I’ll use him to settle the south and quell the unrest in the north.”

The Emperor didn’t understand.

But after listening to his son’s explanation, he realized it made sense.

“Very well. Do as you wish. But remember, you only have one chance…”