episode_0257

Episode 257

The royal magicians of the Lustier Kingdom are generally recognized as the strongest magicians of their time. It is a position that is like the shield of the royal family and is given the role of protecting the royal family along with the knights.

I never once thought that he would be a threat to me. Although it was a short period of time, he was my magic teacher and a strong helper during Juliana’s time.

But what was in front of me now was undoubtedly Monaz herself. The blue magic chain that bound my hands and feet was undoubtedly created by his mana.

If I think about it, I might have suspected it a little sooner.

When I battled Aela right here, I was clearly wearing Monaz’s pendant around my neck. However, in my desperate crisis, the kingdom’s strongest magician did not provide any help.

What on earth was he doing then?

I asked, glaring at the illusion of Mana.

“What are you doing, Monaz?”

Monaz looked embarrassed at my question. It did not look like the face of the person who committed this treason.

“I am sorry for using such rough means. However, among the means I have, this is the only one that can suppress multiple people at the same time.”

“Why…what is the reason?”

“Please forgive my disloyalty that I cannot tell the princess about. But this is something that must be done.”

“Is that reason important enough to risk treason?”

Even as we spoke, the walls surrounding us were getting thicker. As if one layer wasn’t enough, there were several layers of barriers, completely blocking not only the entrance but the entire room.

However, Monaz still looks embarrassed. It seemed like he was choosing his persuasive words carefully.

“I think there is a misunderstanding. I have no intention of engaging in treason or anything like that. Rather, this… is strictly for Lustier.”

It did not appear to be mockery or provocation. It was a blurry illusion of mana, but even faith seemed to be visible in his expression.

“Is it not treason to imprison the current princess and queen and bind them with magic with hostile intentions? That’s an unusually novel theory for you.”

“I had no choice. If I had been a little late, the princess would have touched taboo history.”

Taboo history.

The name Enekra had completely disappeared, as if it had been erased from Lustier’s history. Traces of it could be found in relatively recent records. This is what was discovered during Masker’s investigation.

A person in a position to have access to the records of the Knights Templar. Those who are plotting to erase Enekra from Lustier’s history. They were very close.

“It was you, Monaz. Also, relevant information was erased from the records of the Knights’ subjugation. No, should I say you guys?”

“Yes. To be exact, not just me, but all the court magicians of all time have participated in that mission. Discarding history that no one should see. That is one of the roles we inherited from our predecessors.”

“Does your father know this too?”

“No, not even His Majesty the King knows. I hoped that the princess wouldn’t know if possible, but…”

As I talked to him, I was trying to figure out the magic that was imprisoning me.

Not only does it have physical binding power, but it also seems to have the property of resisting external mana.

Monaz is currently sending mana remotely from the palace, which is incredibly far away, to deal with us. Even as a novice mage, I could clearly see that his skills were great.

However, it is not without weaknesses. First of all, although the precision and concentration of magic was great, the total amount of mana implemented here was relatively small. The mana that Monaz can use is limited to that which can be transferred through the pendant.

Perhaps this binding magic that is currently controlling the room is at its limit. This means that if this chain is somehow unraveled, a gap will be created.

In the meantime, I just have to dispose of this pendant hanging around my neck, which is the passage through which magical power is transmitted. However, the specific operation to get there had not yet emerged.

If so, there was a need to take some more time.

“What do you think its hidden history is? Why are you going to such great lengths to keep me from finding out?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Yes?”

“It is enough to know that there is no need to know. It is a harmful object to Lustier.”

“How do you know it’s harmful without even seeing the content?”

“Because that is the will that came from the invitation. I just follow it.”

This is ridiculous. I had no idea this guy was such a stubborn person.

“What if I had seen this first? What were you planning to do at that time? If it were to protect the royal family, would you have eliminated me too?”

Monaz shook her head vigorously, as if it was no surprise.

“It can’t be! They would have simply erased your memories. Oh, of course, even if you didn’t see it, you still have to erase the memory.”

“Because I found out your identity and your hidden role as a court magician?”

“Yes. There are many good things in the world that you don’t know about. It is no exception for noble royals.”

The moment I was about to refute Monaz’s words, a sharp laugh erupted from the side.

“Keuheu, keuhuh, ahahahaha!”

It was Aila. Aila had thrown off her mask of obedience and was laughing in a piercing voice.

“It’s really funny. Are you protecting Lustier without knowing anything? You don’t even know what’s underneath the luxurious cushions you’re sitting on? It just makes me sick, foolish magician.”

“Because there are people like you, witch, we have to bury her in the darkness even more. If you don’t bring it out, it’s as if it doesn’t exist.”

For the first time, Monaz showed her displeasure. From his perspective, who had to hide his past history, Aela, who was acting secretly as the head of the Black Goat Society, would have been the biggest thorn in his eyes. The opposite would also have been true.

This made me even more curious. What is the truth that Monaz and other royal magicians have kept secret, even from the king?

I spoke to Aela, who was glaring at Mana’s illusion with eyes full of hatred.

“Stop it, Ayla. Because no one here will want to hear your voice anymore.”

Aila wriggled her eyebrows in displeasure at my cold words. However, he soon adopted an attitude of submission and lowered his head.

“Yes, sorry, master. I interjected presumptuously. I will quietly keep my mouth shut.”

Monaz and Eila. If I had to break it down, I’m closer to Aila’s side right now. Because I had no intention of giving in to Monaz, who was trying to hide the truth like this.

But even so, there was a clear intention in only reprimanding Aila.

The moment Aila let out a sharp laugh, Rika and Carmel’s eyes also turned to this direction. And when I warned Aila just now, I gave them a faint glance.

With this, preparations are complete. All that’s left is to do it before Monaz notices.

I ordered Aela.

“Sing, Aila.”

The command of the Absolute Obedience Order reflects my intention. Even if it does not contain specific instructions, it is designed to act in the direction I intended.

‘Sing’ is an extremely simple command. However, Aela followed my will and spread the power of the grimoire into her voice as a beautiful melody.

“le–ji–ah——!”

As soon as my command was given, Rika, Carmel, and I all covered our ears. Although the communication was one-sided, it seems to have been successful. Although it was not possible to completely escape the effects by covering one’s ears, it was possible to reduce its effects.

The only one who got it right was Monaz.

“K…Ugh…! Oral grimoire…!”

Until now, the pendant had been transferred between Monaz in the faraway royal palace and here.

It’s mana and voice. In that case, Aila’s song, which combines the two, could also be delivered while maintaining its magical effect.

Monaz also knew that Aela had such means. However, I did not expect that Aela, who seemed to obey me, would use it to the extent of getting all of us involved.

I covered my ears as quickly as I could, but I felt dizzy. I feel nauseous, as if my stomach has turned upside down.

What Aila was asked to sing is a magical song that causes disease in those who hear it. Monaz, who heard that without any defense, was in a state that could not be compared to me.

Mana’s illusion flickers as if in pain. Monaz was holding her chest and gasping. It was visible that the chains of mana that were holding us down were also becoming less dense.

Without missing that moment, Carmel activated her magic.

“Avar Tia.”

Black mana spreads like a dark cloud around Carmel. The mana chain that touched it swelled like a blister and burst. I’m not sure, but it seemed to be a type of magic that destroys things by forcibly injecting mana of a different nature.

The moment my body was free, I suppressed my nausea and threw the pendant around my neck at Rika with all my might.

“Rika!”

Rika also would not have been able to completely avoid the influence of the song of disease. But even so, Rika’s movements were far beyond those of an ordinary person. The sword in the scabbard instantly split the flying pendant into two pieces.

“Ah…”

Monaz was clutching her chest with a hopeless expression, looking at us who had escaped from her magic. It seemed as if there was some mana remaining in the illusion and it did not disappear immediately.

“It seems that it will be difficult for you to fulfill your mission this time. What would you do? Would you even fly here?”

“No, that would be impossible.”

I don’t know what type of disease it is, but it looks quite painful. Monaz was breathing heavily and visibly stumbling. Still, you won’t die. Because the royal doctor is great.

“When you return to the royal capital… please let’s talk.”

“I understand. I hope you stay healthy.”

Like the TV turning off, Monaz’s welcome faded away in an instant.