episode_0245

Episode 245 Black Magician (3)

The Empire’s communication system is very well-organized. It is called the best on the continent in terms of speed and stability because it is delivered directly and there is no fear of being interrupted by any interference. Thanks to this, news can be delivered to the capital, the center of the Empire, at once.

Of course, the person who created this system is the first Emperor, Kiran Tianis.

And Ariel, who had just heard the news delivered from each territory, frowned. Her once furrowed brow did not ease with time. You could tell from that how much stress she was under.

Ariel tapped her fingers on the end of the armrest and muttered.

“I was wondering why it was so quiet. I should have paid more attention….”

Ariel blames herself. There is a deep sense of disgust in her voice.

I understand why she’s acting like that. Ariel was the Emperor of the Empire, and she loves the Empire. But the moment the black magicians became quiet, she felt relieved, so it was understandable that she would react like that.

However, there was no need to be so self-loathing. In fact, the black magicians had been quiet for a while, as if their organization had collapsed.

Moreover, the damage was less than expected for an attack on the entire Empire. This was thanks to the situation in the Arden territory and the fact that the Imperial Family had been going around dealing with black magicians until recently.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not your fault.”

“That’s right. The gods have always said that black magicians are always troublemakers. So much so that even the Empire’s first emperor couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Thank you both. It gives me strength.”

Ariel looked down with a much-improved expression. At the end of her gaze was a rectangular plate, and letters were rising above it.

Kiran also made that, and the content delivered to the central communication system appears on it in real-time. In simple terms, it is similar to a tablet PC. Of course, Kiran made this too.

“Certainly, the damage is small, and the number of reported enemies is significantly less. It’s only about half the number that has been discovered so far. Is this some kind of last-ditch effort?”

“It could be. They’ve gone up against the Imperial Family and Arden, the entirety of the Empire. The damage to those guys must be significant.”

“But….”

Ariel seemed troubled, as if something was bothering her. After a while, she spoke her mind.

“Is there any reason to disperse their forces? Unless the other side is stupid, they should know it won’t work.”

That’s right. It’s true that the black magician bastards are strong, but at the end of the day, they’re just a gathering of black magicians. On the other hand, the Imperial Family is the Empire itself. The difference in the power of the group and the limitations is clear. So, it is reasonable to conclude that attacking separately was a misjudgment.

“Then there may be another intention.”

“For example… a reason to attract the attention of the Imperial Family?”

I nodded.

“That’s right. Usually, this kind of tactic is more likely to be aimed at drawing our attention.”

“Then, while preserving our forces….”

“But you never know.”

I interrupted Ariel.

“That might be what the other side wants. It could be a trap. Trying to slowly reduce the Empire’s power. Or maybe it’s just an intention to instill these thoughts.”

“Haa, this is giving me a headache….”

“Black magicians are originally those kinds of guys.”

Cunning. That is the word that represents black magicians. There is a reason why they have survived until now. There is a reason for it.

“Don’t think too hard. Unless a being appears that twists providence itself like a god, we can handle it well enough.”

In the end, they were just black magicians, and the limitations of their plans were set. So, unless a being who has reached the realm of transcendence appears, we can solve it well enough.

“Of course, we’ll have to accept some damage, but don’t worry too much about that either.”

Ariel nodded slightly at my words. Judging from her expression, she seemed to have made up her mind.

“Okay. First….”

Then the door burst open. It was Evan, the one person we had been waiting for. He had been receiving teachings from Kiran recently, so he had been going back and forth to the Imperial Palace like me for the past few months.

“Is it black magicians again? Wow… this is really disgusting.”

He complained as soon as he came in. He was having busy days learning magic from Kiran, taking care of academy matters, and solving Ariel’s requests.

“Evan, you came at the right time.”

“Welcome, Evan.”

“It’s been a while, Evan!”

“Greetings, Brother! Saintess!”

He finished his short greetings.

“But where is it this time? I hope it’s somewhere relatively close.”

“Don’t worry about that. More importantly, how is your body? Are you okay?”

“Haha, I’m fine. I’m just tired from being scolded by Kiran, but my body is fine.”

“Thank you always, Evan. Like Kyle, you help us every time.”

“Hey~ what’s so difficult about this much of a favor between us.”

Anyway, now that Evan had arrived, Ariel spoke to him.

“Evan, I want you to patrol the vicinity of the capital with the Imperial Knights and deal with the remaining stragglers.”

“Oh, that’s simple.”

“There are many areas where they have appeared unexpectedly, but the number is small.”

“I’ll do that.”

Evan’s task was decided. Then Estella opened her mouth.

“Evan, Evan.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“If you’re okay with it… would you like to go with Elena?”

“Gasp! I would be grateful if you would do that!”

I clicked my tongue inwardly at their conversation. I think he’s quite crazy about women.

“…Don’t look at me like that, Brother. I can hear everything now. And you’re not one to talk to me about that.”

“Shut up, you little brat.”

I passed over the guy who doesn’t know the grace of the person who raised him.

“What should I do?”

“I want Kyle to go to the Talos region.”

“That’s where Lana’s family is.”

“Yes. The area is one of the key locations, so it seems that many black magicians have gathered there.”

“I understand.”

The Heitald family is not a weak family, so the damage will be small, but they will not be able to perfectly protect the area around it. So, it would be good to go and help.

Then Estella raised her hand and shouted.

“I want to go too!”

“Do as you please.”

Since she looked like she would follow anyway, I just allowed it. Others may find it strange, but I can’t stop her from doing good deeds.

I’m going to Lana’s territory, and Evan is going to the vicinity of the capital. Our directions have been decided. Of course, Ariel, as the Emperor, must remain in the Imperial Palace until this situation subsides and issue orders. That is what a monarch does.

“Then I’ll go first!”

Evan shouted and left the room. It’s a pretty urgent situation, and he looks excited at the thought of going with Elena.

“I’ll be going now too.”

“Be careful, Kyle.”

“Hehe, don’t worry! I’ll bring Oppa back safely!”

Who is going to bring who back safely? I’m the one who has to protect her. And she says such things without knowing who is being protected.

“Stop standing there. Go quickly.”

I ruffled Estella’s hair. Her pure white hair rose busily and scattered wildly.

“Don’t touch my hair…. It’s all messed up. Ugh, I liked the hair Oppa did for me….”

“I’ll comb it for you again later, so get up quickly.”

“Is that a promise?”

Estella smiled brightly. Looking satisfied, she got up from her seat. After that, she left the room as Evan had done.

I wonder if the academy will be okay?

‘Still, just in case….’

I molded magic into a new form and sent it to Tianis. I hope this magic doesn’t ring.

***

The rumor that black magicians had appeared quickly spread throughout the Empire. They appeared in various parts of the country, so it was stranger not to know. So much so that the rumors even reached the remote corners of the countryside, where news is the slowest to arrive.

As a result, the Empire’s major cities, including the capital, the center, were buzzing with talk of black magicians. Naturally, Tianis Academy, which is attached to the capital, was also noisy about this.

“There hasn’t been a quiet day lately because of the black magicians. Well, I’m glad the lectures have been canceled.”

“That’s right. I heard my parents were slightly injured too.”

“Are they okay?”

“Well, for now. They were only injured in the process of escaping, so there are no major injuries.”

Since black magicians appeared so widely, news that family or close friends had been injured was also conveyed to the students. Still, most of them were relieved to hear that the Imperial Family had stepped in to deal with it in advance.

However, the students could not help but feel anxious as they heard the news of the black magicians again this time. Of course, there was faith that Ariel Tianis, the current Emperor, who was a friend until recently, would solve it well.

Just like she has been doing so far.

Therefore, the students cheered slightly at the situation where classes were canceled until things calmed down. Their minds were filled with thoughts of what to do today.

Two students who were returning to the dormitory were also walking with such thoughts. Their steps were as light as if they had wings.

But at that moment, a thin black thread that was barely visible to the eye touched their heads. Then, the eyes of the two students momentarily lost their vitality before returning.

After that, the two stopped in their tracks and stared at each other.

“Where are the other guys?”

“It’s about time they came. We’re the very first.”

The characteristic voices are the same, but the tone is somewhat different. If someone else had heard this short conversation, they would have felt something was wrong, but there was no one to suspect their conversation.

“Follow it properly. So that we aren’t suspected.”

“I understand. Seriously. Well, is this good enough?”

“Yes.”

After the two, similar phenomena occurred in various parts of Tianis Academy.

Black magicians. The ones of higher realm were possessing Tianis students.

“Where is the Saint?”

“I heard he just left the capital?”

“Good timing.”

To think that he left when they just infiltrated the academy. To them, the Saint Kyle Arden was the biggest obstacle. If he was still in the capital, this plan would fail 100%.

“The time was after lunch, right?”

“That’s right.”

That was the time the operation would begin. There was time left until then since it was the time after the first lecture ended.

“Then….”

“Let’s hide until then.”

So, the two quietly disappeared.

There is one reason why they infiltrated Tianis. It was to meet a black magician who was active here. And they, and the other black magicians, would remember today for the rest of their lives.

The noble sacrifice of her who protected the future of the black magicians.