Chapter 194

The Eternal Empire.

Another name for the Empire, one of the two superpowers on the continent.

It was a fitting title, considering the empire’s long history of 2,000 years, the oldest on the continent.

Remisis, the imperial capital, was also the continent’s largest city, having enjoyed prosperity for 2,000 years.

The imperial palace stood tall in the heart of the capital.

The scale of the palace was truly massive.

Hundreds of buildings and 10,000 rooms.

The saying that it was endless was no exaggeration.

In a luxurious room deep within the vast palace, a handsome man with blonde hair and jade-green eyes sat.

A chessboard was placed before him, and a middle-aged man with glasses sat opposite him.

It was a scene of a chess match, plain to see.

“Hmm…”

The middle-aged man with glasses frowned, deep in thought.

His expression alone revealed the difficulty of the game.

But eventually, he moved his hand, as if resigned.

However, he fidgeted with his hand above the chessboard, still struggling to make a decision.

“Hmm.”

Tap.

Finally, he moved a piece and placed it on the board.

The blonde man, who had been watching him, spoke,

“You’re known as a renowned chess master in the Central Continent?”

“Y-Yes… Your Highness.”

The middle-aged man’s answer revealed the identity of the blonde man.

The First Prince, Adolf Peresia.

Along with the First Princess, Oscar Peresia, he was one of the two pillars in the line of succession.

He had been a genius since childhood, known as the “Golden Boy of the Imperial Family,” and his talent was said to be on par with that of Oscar, the “Flower of the Imperial Family.”

The problem was that.

Being on par.

In other words, not surpassing her.

That was the reason for the frustrating succession situation that Adolf found himself in.

“Indeed, so they say.”

Adolf moved his hand.

Tap.

He moved a piece without hesitation.

At that moment,

“G-Gasp…”

The middle-aged man’s expression crumbled, and a groan escaped his lips.

A perfect checkmate.

He realized that there was no way to salvage the game.

“…I-I lost.”

His voice trembled as he admitted defeat.

His pride had been wounded.

Even the prince, hailed as a genius, wasn’t a chess expert.

On the other hand, he had spent decades in this field, eventually earning the glorious title of chess master, a specialist.

And yet, he had been utterly defeated, so it was natural for his mental state to collapse.

“Disappointing.”

“Gulp.”

Adolf’s words pierced him like a dagger.

His already shattered pride was being torn to shreds.

“You’re not even a warm up. My opponent is not at this level.”

“Ugh. Wh-What do you mean…”

“You may leave.”

It was a clear dismissal.

The middle-aged man was dragged away by the attendants, humiliated and practically chased out.

“Haha, he couldn’t even provide a moment’s amusement?”

Someone standing next to Adolf spoke.

An old man.

His eyes were clouded, as if covered in fog, with no focus.

It was clear that he was blind.

He supported himself with an ebony cane in one hand.

Despite his less-than-perfect physical condition, the aura he exuded was extraordinary.

He had the air of a sage who had seen it all.

“Heh. Finding amusement is more difficult than one might think, Teacher.”

Even Adolf, the prince, addressed the blind old man as “Teacher.”

It was a title that not just anyone could receive.

No, it was a title that only one person could hold.

Galbraith, the “Blind Sage.”

No one knew how Adolf had managed to invite him out of his long seclusion in the Ashen Forest.

But everyone knew one thing.

That he was Adolf’s teacher and closest confidant.

Although he had no title or land, no one in the political world could deny that he was a key figure in the prince’s faction.

“You’re right. However, it seems the next guest will relieve Your Highness’s boredom.”

Galbraith said with a faint smile.

“Ah, is it that guest?”

“Yes.”

“Then I can look forward to it.”

Adolf chuckled and straightened his posture, which had been leaning back casually.

“Next.”

Click.

As soon as the prince finished speaking, the door opened.

A woman with tanned skin, her hood pulled low, was ushered in.

She walked towards the prince, showing no signs of nervousness.

Then she crossed her legs and sat down on the opposite chair as if she owned the place.

It was an act that couldn’t be described as simply bold or arrogant.

It was something only a person who was out of their mind would do.

It was an act that could be considered an insult to the imperial prince.

However.

“Hahahaha.”

Adolf burst into laughter instead.

He had the expression of someone who had finally found something interesting.

“Is it okay for you to just walk in here so casually?”

“Why should I sneak in like a rat?”

“Haha, you’re right. You’re an elf, not a rat.”

At his words, the woman frowned and threw back her hood.

Pointed, jet-black ears were revealed.

She was the very image of the dark elf who had almost clashed with Max and his companions in the Central Continent.

Natasha, the dark elf.

It was her.

“Dark elf.”

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Adolf chuckled and continued,

“So, what brings you here?”

“I’m here to keep my promise.”

“Oh, a promise. Which part?”

“To always inform you before we do anything within the Empire’s territory.”

Natasha said clearly.

Adolf nodded.

“Ah, that’s right. So, where are you talking about?”

“Diotes Island.”

The prince’s eyes narrowed at the name of the island.

“The place with the ruins.”

The ruins of Saint Lepheria.

It was imperial territory, but also a holy ground for the religious order.

As part of their education, students from Lepheria Academy visited the ruins once every few years.

“Why that place?”

“I don’t think I’m obligated to answer that.”

“Hmm, you’re right. You’re right.”

Adolf chuckled.

“But as far as I know, my dear little sister is also scheduled to visit that island this time.”

He said “dear,” but there was no affection in his voice.

It was cold and dry.

It clearly showed how Adolf felt about his younger sister, Princess Oscar.

“Is that right?”

Adolf asked Galbraith.

Galbraith answered immediately.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So they say. Then I can only assume that you’re finally trying to live up to my expectations.”

“We are not an organization that moves to meet your expectations, Your Highness.”

Natasha retorted sharply.

But she left a lingering note in her next words.

“However, we can help you. As a transaction.”

A transaction.

Yes, it was a transaction.

There was no way there would be noble trust between a mysterious dark organization and the First Prince of the Empire.

The only thing that could exist between them was a transaction.

A transaction where both sides could gain something from each other.

“Haha, ruthless, but I like your straightforwardness.”

Adolf laughed.

This wasn’t their first transaction.

They already had an ongoing deal.

The balance of power between the First Prince’s faction and the First Princess’s faction.

Adolf’s side wanted to tip that balance in their favor, but there were limits to what they could do openly.

They had to stick to methods that were acceptable in the eyes of the public.

That wasn’t enough.

They needed underhanded tactics.

The Red Rain organization played the role of that tool through their transactions.

In this way, the First Princess’s faction was being chipped away, bit by bit.

By Adolf’s requests and the Red Rain organization.

“Anyway, I sense the smell of blood in this matter. Is it just my imagination?”

“You still have sharp senses, Your Highness.”

Natasha didn’t deny it.

Blood.

This matter definitely required blood.

Whose blood it was didn’t matter.

“Heh, heh, heh. Then there’s a good chance of an unfortunate ‘accident’.”

“By all means.”

Natasha said with a sneer.

“And with Your Highness’s cooperation, the chances will increase even further.”

“It’s not a dangerous cooperation, is it?”

“Why would we ask you for something like that? We never do anything to harm a good business partner.”

“Reassuring.”

Adolf smiled wickedly.

“Then tell me more.”

“That is…”

Natasha began to speak.

* * *

A dark room, dimly lit by a single candle.

People in black robes sat in a circle.

At the head of the table sat an old man missing an arm and a leg.

The old man spoke,

“The time is near.”

“Time?”

“What time are you talking about…?”

“The cursed secret archive.”

The eyes of the people in black robes widened at the old man’s words.

“Th-The secret archive?”

“D-Did you find its location…?”

The eradication of dark magic during the era of Saint Lepheria.

It was something that was only possible because of her, who was revered and praised as the miraculous savior of humanity.

Dark mages, who were considered heretics by the Saint, the religious order, and the magic towers, couldn’t withstand the pressure.

It was from that time that they began to barely survive in the shadows, hiding their identities.

But the most devastating thing was.

That all the dark magic books, which were the source of their knowledge, were burned.

Even high-level dark magic disappeared.

The path to greater heights was cut off.

But.

The dark magic books weren’t actually burned.

They were sealed in a secret archive.

Finding its location was a long-cherished dream of dark mages.

And the old man began to talk about the secret archive.

“I found the location a few years ago. However.”

The old man narrowed his eyes.

“It can only be accessed for one day, once every ten years. That’s why I haven’t said anything until now.”

“O-One day?”

“Wh-What do you mean…?”

“It means that the seal can only be broken on that one day.”

With those words, the old man began to explain.

The location of the sealed secret archive.

How to break the seal.

And other details.

But the expressions of the people in black robes darkened as they listened.

“D-Diotes Island?”

“I-Isn’t that imperial territory?”

This matter was top secret.

They had to eliminate anyone who might see or hear about it.

But if it was the territory of the superpower, the Empire, it wouldn’t be easy.

Moreover,

“Ugh… If it’s an island, it’ll be very difficult to get in and out.”

Someone groaned bitterly.

Moving a large number of people would inevitably attract attention.

Especially if it was an island that could only be accessed by boat.

And even if they managed to get in without attracting attention, there was another problem.

Succeeding in their mission was one thing, but getting out after completing it was another.

If they were caught by the Empire, all the dark mages who had entered the island could be massacred.

“Don’t worry about getting in and out of the island.”

But the old man said calmly.

“Yes?”

“Do you have a plan…?”

“We have a collaborator. They will help us get in and out of the island. We…”

The old man’s eyes sharpened.

“We just need to focus on the secret archive. Without anyone seeing or hearing us. That’s all.”

* * *

Preparation is always crucial.

Especially if it’s a dangerous place.

I packed a few scrolls I had bought from Carson, the black market merchant, into my bag.

They were items that could be very useful in certain situations.

I also reviewed the plan repeatedly.

It was only natural.

The situation was bound to be different from when I was the protagonist.

There were things I could do, and things I had to leave to the protagonist.

That’s why I had made even more thorough preparations for any unexpected variables.

‘I have no choice but to trust him.’

I couldn’t cover an island of that size by myself.

To begin with, the locations of the accommodations for the third and second years were at opposite ends of the island.

The third years were in the north, and the second years were in the south.

It was because the ruins they were supposed to explore were located in different areas.

That’s why I had to trust the protagonist.

Moreover,

It was also essential for the growth of the protagonist and his companions.

‘The goal is…’

Naturally, the annihilation of the enemy.

The problem was the casualties on our side.

The best scenario would be zero casualties, but that was impossible.

There were limits to what I, a mere student, could do.

I had no authority to stop this expedition, nor did I have the ability to save everyone.

And of course, I didn’t have the ability to warn everyone about the danger and how things would unfold with some divine speech.

I had to face it with my own strength.

The strength of my companions would also be helpful, but I couldn’t rely on them too much.

Because it could hinder their growth potential.

Especially if those companions were strong ones like Riviera or Elaine.

In the end, the best course of action was,

‘Unavoidable casualties are inevitable. I’ll focus on what I can do.’

I told myself.

I checked my Marcus Bow and arrows one last time, and then my Turtle Sword.

The peace was over.

What was coming was a time of blood and darkness.

I would overcome this first major crisis with flying colors.

Determination filled my eyes.