chapter_0239

238 – Then Die

238 – Then Die

At the same time, in the snowy highlands of the Republic’s outskirts.

In front of a strange three-story building built on a sheer cliff, two men and women caught their breath.

“Looks like we’re coming to the ‘Mage Tower’ again.”

At the joking remark from his subordinate, the Republic’s intelligence agent, Vilof, let out a low chuckle.

“You’ll be coming here often from now on, so get used to it. Well, for the time being, our great mage will be operating outside the Mage Tower.”

“Since Comrade Supreme Chairman has accepted Lord Serail’s request. High-density resin and brass pins… things like animal pelts or mana storage stones. What on earth is he trying to make?”

“We don’t need to know. Just do what you’re told. Put your curiosity aside and be careful with your words in front of Lord Serail. If something like last time happens again, I won’t be able to defend you.”

As Vilof delivered the warning, his subordinate nodded.

Seeing the subordinate’s tense demeanor, Vilof opened the door to the Mage Tower and stepped inside.

Clearing his throat, Vilof called out loudly, aware that Serail would be on the third floor.

“Great Mage! It’s Vilof! I’ve come to escort you as per our appointment! If you’re still organizing your things, I can help…”

Bang!

Before Vilof could finish his sentence, the floor in a corner collapsed.

“What…?”

As a flustered Vilof approached the spot where the floor had given way, a staircase leading to the basement revealed itself.

The subordinate, staring blankly at the scene, spoke up.

“I didn’t know there was a way to the basement on the first floor.”

“I’ve never seen this before.”

“Really? You’ve never seen it?”

“I’m not the building manager; I’m just the messenger from above. It’s only natural that I wouldn’t know the structure of this building.”

As Vilof scolded him, the subordinate nodded, realizing he wasn’t wrong.

After a moment’s hesitation, Vilof decided to descend the stairs.

It seemed to clearly indicate a way down, and he judged that it would be rude to hesitate.

As Vilof and his subordinate made their way down, using the wall for support, they stopped in front of a door from which light was seeping out.

Taking a deep breath, Vilof opened the door, revealing an indoor garden.

Amidst butterflies fluttering about, all sorts of flowers were blooming in vibrant colors.

Just as he wondered how such a thing was possible underground, a melody floated through the air.

Turning his gaze toward the sound, he saw Serail watering the flowers with a watering can.

“…Great Mage?”

As Vilof cautiously called out the name, Serail stopped watering the flowers.

Setting the watering can down on the ground, Serail turned around.

Beneath his white hair, his red eyes blinked.

As their eyes met, Vilof froze, and Serail furrowed one eyebrow, as if finding it amusing.

“What are you doing? If you called me, you should speak up!”

Finally snapping back to reality, Vilof cleared his throat and hurriedly spoke.

“Ah. I apologize. To get straight to the point, Comrade Supreme Chairman has accepted your request. He will provide all possible conveniences and prepare the necessary materials at the highest quality. Also…”

As Vilof snapped his fingers, the subordinate stepped forward.

The subordinate opened the hefty briefcase he was holding.

Inside the briefcase lay a military uniform and a colonel’s insignia.

“To make it easier for you to operate on the front lines, the Supreme Chairman has decided to grant you the rank of Army Colonel. I hope you will gladly accept this gift from our Republic.”

“What about accommodations? I can’t stand places without hot water.”

“They are also looking for the best place locally.”

Hearing Vilof’s words, Serail smiled with satisfaction.

“Good. This time, you’ve prepared quite well. Then I suppose I should prove my abilities to you? It would be best to report to the higher-ups that my skills haven’t rusted.”

As Serail raised his hand, a burst of light erupted above it, and a pistol fell.

Just as Vilof wondered what he was trying to show, Serail brought the pistol to his temple.

“Great Mage?”

With a flustered Vilof in front of him, Serail smiled and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet fired, and Serail’s head exploded.

The blood sprayed out in a fan shape, instantly staining the garden’s flowers.

Blood splattered onto Vilof’s face, but no one paid any attention to it.

“Eh, ah…?”

The subordinate, seemingly unable to comprehend the situation, collapsed in shock.

“Ah? Ah?”

It was only natural that witnessing someone commit suicide right before his eyes would make it hard to maintain composure.

Vilof, too, could only stare blankly, not understanding why Serail had taken his own life.

At that moment, one of the doors connected to the garden swung open, and laughter erupted.

“Hahaha! Look at that stupid face! You really thought I was dead!”

Turning his head, Vilof saw Serail, perfectly alive.

In his confusion, he struggled to think straight.

Like a goldfish, Vilof gaped, finally managing to speak.

“…Great Mage? What on earth just happened?”

“Can’t you tell? The one who just committed suicide wasn’t me; it was a puppet.”

“A puppet, you say?”

Serail chuckled and nodded.

“Yes. One of the reasons our Supreme Chairman grovels before me is because of this puppet technique. It may be classified as top secret, but I’m telling you this as a special favor.”

Serail, speaking as if he could be proud, walked toward the fallen puppet.

The pool of blood created by the spilled liquid made it indistinguishable from a real corpse.

“If you understand, could you help me move the puppet? This puppet is worth more than your lives. Once the show is over, we need to recycle the remaining parts, right?”

At Serail’s words, Vilof quickly nodded.

“Understood. And… on behalf of the Supreme Chairman, I would like to thank you once again. I will certainly report your grace in wanting to serve the Republic to the higher-ups.”

“Huh? What are you saying?”

Serail made a displeased expression, as if he found it annoying.

“I don’t care whether the Republic falls or not. The only reason I’m willing to help you is that my curiosity about Daniel Steiner has reached the heavens.”

“…Are you talking about Colonel Daniel Steiner?”

“Yes. You know I always hear stories from the stars, right? But it’s quite strange. The stars can’t define what kind of person Daniel Steiner is.”

“…”

Serail had the ability to perceive a person’s fate through the stars, though not perfectly.

He could roughly tell what kind of life a person would lead and what end they would meet.

However, Daniel Steiner’s fate was a blank.

As if fate itself did not exist, he was moving toward an uncharted future all alone.

The funny thing was that the fates of those involved with Daniel Steiner were also changing.

There was no precedent, no example.

A monster that denies heaven and earth and devours fate.

That was how Serail saw Daniel Steiner.

“If the stars can’t define him, then I want to define him myself.”

A captivating smile graced Serail’s lips.

“The fate of Daniel Steiner.”

–

The next morning.

In the old city cathedral of the Imperial City.

Clack—

Arno, who had been sleeping on a bench in the cathedral, slowly opened his eyes.

The light streaming through the stained glass was so intense that it made him frown involuntarily.

Clack—

Meanwhile, the sound of footsteps continued to grow closer.

Wondering who it was, Arno propped himself up and saw Daniel walking toward him.

Daniel’s expressionless face felt a bit frightening.

Walking silently, Daniel suddenly knelt down about ten steps away from Arno.

“Your Highness Arno.”

There was a tremor in his voice.

“I have searched for the evidence you mentioned and have seen all the memories of the past. Your words are true. The current Empress, Her Majesty Selvia, is not a being who carries the blood of the late Emperor.”

Upon hearing Daniel’s words, Arno’s face lit up as he stood up.

Still groggy from sleep, he swayed for a moment but quickly regained his balance and shouted.

“Yes! You are right! The only one who carries my father’s blood is me! Arno von Amberg! Now do you understand what I’m saying? That Selvia is a monster?”

Daniel bowed his head deeply, as if feeling guilty.

“Yes. I have been serving the wrong lord until now.”

Thinking that things were going more smoothly than expected, Arno chuckled.

“Then the story will be easy. Daniel Steiner! Hero of the Empire! Use that evidence to elevate me to the throne of the Emperor! Then I will give you everything!”

Daniel shook his head.

“I have no need for wealth and glory. I am merely trying to correct what is wrong. But, Your Highness Arno, are there others who know about this besides us?”

At the sudden question, Arno thought for a moment before answering.

“Before I told you, only the physician and I knew. The physician died while being tortured, so now only you and I know.”

“I see.”

Hearing Arno’s answer, Daniel stood up.

As their eyes met unintentionally, Arno felt a surge of tension.

Daniel’s gaze was like that of a beast, staring him down.

In an instant, he was wide awake.

‘…Something feels off.’

The air felt heavy, as if it were pressing down.

In the silence that followed, Daniel slowly walked toward Arno.

Just as Arno, cornered, took a step back.

“Then…”

As if the play had come to an end.

“If you die, no one will be able to approach this truth.”

Daniel quietly delivered his verdict.