Book 6 Chapter 16

Chapter 140

Two golden roses intertwined on a lilac background, that noble emblem embroidered on a vigorously fluttering flag, symbolized the Marquis Page family.

The prestige of the Page family, whose ancestor was Emissa Page, the progenitor of magic and cherished by Kalenden as his own daughter, was not inferior even when compared to the five Elector families.

But why on earth is the Page family now…?

"What are you doing right now?"

Seigen, quite displeased that his magic duel had been interrupted, shouted.

His opponent was Madelia Page, the current leader of the Magic Alliance. No matter how much of a magic saint he was, born into a powerful family, he should not commit such disrespect merely out of simple anger.

However, at present, all justification and cause were on Seigen's side.

"This fellow is a traitor who drew a sword against the Empire, are you protecting a traitor now?"

"That's right."

For a moment, Seigen couldn't believe his ears.

What now? He said 'that's right'?

Not only Seigen, but everyone present began to whisper blankly. The most shocked were the mages who had supported Madelia as the leader of the Magic Alliance.

"What is this…?"

"The head of the Page family and leader of the Magic Alliance…?"

"Did she say she was defending a traitor…?"

Does that mean the Page family orchestrated this rebellion? If so, the impact of this event on the Empire would be akin to a natural disaster.

As Madelia Page led her cavalry down the hill, only the sound of horse hooves filled the silence, where not even a cough could be heard.

The cavalry formation, waving golden roses, soon arrived at a point where the ground had been distorted by powerful mages, and surrounded the boy and girl as if to protect them.

Perhaps overwhelmed with joy, Kasena laughed wildly and ran forward, but.

"Mom, Mom! I have so many stories I want to tell you! You know, I──!"

Madelia merely cast a cold glance at her daughter, whom she hadn't seen in almost half a year, and then turned her horse's head back towards the Imperial army.

"What is it? Mom's acting strange."

She asked the Magic Royal Guards and knights, who knew her quite well—having served Kasena since childhood—for the reason, but they also gave no answer, as if they had conspired.

"Mom? You said Mom?"

Seigen's eyes widened when he saw Kasena's face, her lilac hair clearly revealed, having taken off her hood at some point.

'Kasena? No way, that child should be dead. If it's really Kasena, then that black-haired person must be…'

At that moment, Aki's two eyes, which had been fixated on the ground (her 'Abat Gauge' gradually decreasing when Rain wasn't by her side, causing her to burst into tears when it reached its limit), were filled with tears.

"W-w-waaahhh…!"

In this situation, no one could stop Aki's crying. Except for one person, Rain.

As Rain, who had rushed over, took Aki from Kasena and patted her back, she stopped crying as if nothing had happened.

"Don't cry, there, stop. You promised to be super strong, so what will you do if you cry every chance you get?"

"Uuhhh…"

"Stop the tears! How long have we been apart, anyway?"

That peculiar sight made those around them harbor strange—perhaps valid—questions.

'What is it?'

'Lady Kasena has a baby?'

'When on earth did she give birth?'

Without time to ponder such strange questions, the situation abruptly began to escalate to a climax.

As Madelia's cavalry intervened, the Imperial army immediately began to surround them in a crane-wing formation, and Griffion, perhaps judging Rain and Kasena to be in danger, began to lead his warriors down the hill.

Yorhan, the Imperial Minister of War, who was in overall command of the Imperial army beside the Prince, shouted with a face tinged blue with bewilderment.

"Count Madelia, what you are doing now is a clear act of treason! If you do not stop the advance of those beasts, you will have to prepare for bloodshed!"

"Wait, just a moment!"

As the situation he had so dreaded was about to unfold in an instant, Rain felt a fear that made his entire body freeze.

"Shut up! You traitor, if you don't stop those beastly scum, this time I will launch a full-scale offensive and lay waste to the entire area! Do you understand?"

No sooner had the order been given than the archers again nocked arrows to their bows, and now even boulders were loaded onto the field catapults.

In that situation where his mind was going blank from hyperventilation and everything around him seemed to slow down, for some reason…

Barzen's last smile came to mind, and his head grew cold.

"…They are not beasts."

This shouldn't happen, it really shouldn't happen… He realized at that moment that he couldn't suppress his emotions with reason.

300 years ago, when mages looked down on and disdained me, I wasn't particularly angry, but Lista once raged like fire.

At that time, I wondered why Lista was so angry… but at this moment, I vaguely understood his feelings then.

"What did you say?"

"I said beastfolk are not beasts!"

"What nonsense are you spouting…?"

"Though they have a bit of fur and an appearance similar to beasts… that is not a curse, but a blessing! It is a testament to the great sacrifice they have made, having dedicated themselves to our humanity!"

At that angry cry, echoing throughout the swamp, the advance of the beastfolk warriors miraculously halted.

Because until now, there had been no one.

A human who spoke of the beastfolk like that, a human who raged on behalf of the beastfolk against other humans… The warriors felt their eyes well up.

"Nonsense! Everyone in this land knows! What kind of beings those beasts are!"

"Apologize for insulting their honor. If you do not… I will have no choice but to oppose you."

In the instant the boy's eyes coldly gleamed, an absolute presence was unleashed, and the air, no, the entire atmosphere froze.

From beyond the swamp, the cries of ancient demonic beasts fleeing in terror could be heard… and the soldiers gripping their weapons felt a cold shiver as their hands grew cold, even holding their breath.

The fear felt by the mages with high magic sensitivity there was practically panic.

'What is that…?'

'A dragon…?'

The manifestation of a transcendent being beyond the horizon of perception, infinite magic, the absolute source, rising like a cliff behind the boy, taking the form of a dragon, transcending the realm of time.

Unlike the mages, who were drenched in cold sweat and whose breathing grew ragged, the Minister of War, who couldn't perceive that transcendent magic, shouted vehemently.

"Oh really? Go ahead and oppose me! The Empire is currently in a situation where order is collapsing under the ceaseless threat of the Abyss, and we cannot accelerate that crisis by even allowing beastfolk entry!"

"……!"

"In a situation like this, where we don't know when an incident like the Black Spot may occur again, there will be no compromise, even if our opponent is the Page family, and as the shield and sword of the Empire, I will annihilate you here and now!"

No sooner had that order been given than the archers immediately tried to draw their bowstrings… but what?

They couldn't be drawn.

The bowstrings were several times heavier than usual. As if pulling on an iron lump rather than a string.

"Apologize quickly! They're not beasts! They're humans just like us!"

This was because invisible fingers were pulling the bowstrings in the opposite direction, and Archer Lord Leoren, who immediately grasped the reason, raised his surprised eyebrows.

'Area-of-effect telekinesis control?'

Controlling the bows of such a large number of archers with telekinesis?

In that instant, the rune Kasena Page drew in the air had strokes that neither Madelia nor Seigen had ever seen before. It even looked like a simplified form of dragon tongue.

What on earth was that power, and when did that child become capable of using such a force?

"Their very bodies are symbols of a curse, what utter nonsense are you spouting!"

The Minister of War was dumbfounded by how defiant the traitors were, and he let out a scoffing laugh and shouted. The boy immediately retorted with an impassioned shout.

"For fourteen hundred years, the beastfolk have protected the seals beyond the Wall on behalf of humanity! They could have crossed the Wall anytime they wanted! Why on earth would they have done that? In that cursed land where there is nothing but cold and the dead!"

"……!"

"You also spoke of the danger of the Abyss, and you are right! If humanity's wisdom and the beastfolk's strength are combined, wouldn't we be able to cope with future dangers more effectively?"

"What…?"

"The Abyss is awakening, and the age of dragons is ending! Humanity must unite as one before it's too late!"

He had lost control to his emotions and buttoned the first button wrong, but even now, he had to speak clearly.

With reason and rational judgment.

He had to persuade their intellect, not appeal to their emotions.

"What is it?"

"Are the beastfolk becoming allies?"

As bewildered whispers began to rise throughout the ranks, the Minister of War gasped for breath.

"Minister of War, it wouldn't be a bad idea to hear him out, would it?"

No sooner had Archer Lord Leoren subtly suggested it than the Minister of War's face flushed red and blue.

"Sophistry, sophistry! Don't be swayed by such words! Don't you know that the Abyss always entices people's hearts and then devours their souls!"

"……!"

"The moment beastfolk are allowed into Imperial land, the same slaughter as during the Black Spot incident will begin! It will be too late then! Here, by His Imperial Majesty's command, you must all be annihilated!"

And then, suddenly, as he raised his baton, standard-bearers everywhere raised their flags.

The signal for a full-scale charge… as the infantry uniformly advanced with spears and the knights drew their swords from their scabbards, chilling, instantaneous metallic sounds of metal scraping against leather erupted.

He truly thought this was the worst. Fighting the magic saint was meant to draw attention before having a conversation.

Unable to suppress his emotions for a moment, was the situation truly unfolding into the worst-case scenario of fighting the Imperial army…? Just then, as Rain bit his lip.

"Stop, I will listen to what he has to say."

That voice, clear and distinct, echoed through the situation that had reached the threshold of chaos, bringing all confusion to an immediate halt.

Crown Prince Lyda Aijin.

No sooner had the young prince raised his hand than all the soldiers, one by one, withdrew their sweat-drenched hands from their weapons, awed by his regal dignity.

"Your Highness, to hear him out…? You must not be swayed by the sophistry of one who serves the Abyss!"

Disregarding the Minister of War's urgent shouts, the Prince rode his horse to the front of the ranks. Immediately, thirty cavalrymen, including Archer Lord Leoren, followed him.

And Madelia, who had waited only for this moment, rode her horse towards the Prince.

In the silence, Lyda and Madelia finally stood face to face at the midpoint. Madelia was the first to show respect with a bow of her head.

"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Count Madelia. Yes, can you explain what is happening right now?"

"That is not something I can tell you. That child, Rain Ludwig, would be able to tell you."

Prince Lyda's gaze went over Madelia's shoulder, towards Rain Ludwig, who was cradling Aki.

Rain Ludwig… So I didn't see wrong after all. But for what reason would he lead the beastfolk down and commit treason?

At those words, the eyes of the magic saint, who had by then gone to stand behind the Prince, also widened.

'Rain Ludwig? That old Scorge's grandson, whom I saw about 10 years ago, grew up that much?'

Seigen had often heard rumors that the heir to the Ludwig family had gained fame in <Delighten> no less than his grandfather and father.

But what is it?

He had also heard that the heir to the Ludwig family had died in the Black Spot incident and that a funeral had even been held.

'No, that kind of thing doesn't matter. I don't care if he's a ghost.'

The problem is how he reached a level where he could use Brain-Blood-Rejection at such a young age… The magic duel with him was truly a fantastic time. Could we not do it one more time? Without any interruptions.

"Does that mean even you, Count, do not fully understand this situation?"

"That is correct."

"But you protected him?"

"Yes. Not only that, but I, and the Page family, will take full responsibility for everything Rain says to Your Highness, promises, and guarantees."

Prince Lyda simply couldn't believe those words, so he had to retort.

"Count, are you serious right now?"

To take all responsibility…? Rain Ludwig hasn't even said anything yet? It could be called a blank check.

No, it could even be called a life-threatening guarantee…

But Madelia also knew the true nature of the beastfolk. Because it was written in Emissa Page's diary, secretly passed down only to the heirs of the Page family.

"I am well aware of Rain Ludwig's character, skill, and insight. He is absolutely trustworthy."

"……!"

"He would not have brought the beastfolk for something like treason. There must be a profound meaning. Please listen and judge, Your Royal Highness."

Hmm…

Lyda stroked his chin for a moment, appearing to be lost in thought, then finally nodded his head.

"In that case, call him over. I will listen and judge."

Rain, who had barely managed to lull Aki wrapped in a swaddling cloth to sleep, advanced before Madelia and the Prince without a moment to catch his breath.

He performed a courtly bow for the first time in a long while, but perhaps because he was holding Aki in his arms, his movements were awkward and clumsy.

The mages of the Special Magic Corps tried to point that out, but Lyda raised a hand to stop them.

"It's been a long time, Rain Ludwig."

As the Prince took on a welcoming tone, Rain couldn't help but be bewildered. A long time?

"It's natural that you don't remember. But I distinctly remember you. It was during the <Delighten> final exam."

"It is an honor that you say so."

"So? You are currently branded as a conspirator who incited beastfolk to cross the Wall and rebel against the Empire. I knew you had died during the Black Spot incident, so why did you do this?"

The Prince's eyes, which had seemed friendly, had now grown sharp as if pointing a knife at his chest. Although it was something he had been aware of after hearing it from adventurers, being interrogated by the Prince made him feel as if his neck was on the guillotine, suffocating him.

He had to proceed carefully and calmly. Because his opponent was the Crown Prince of the Holy Human Empire.

"Treason? That's preposterous. You know that I, and my family, have no reason to commit such an act…"

"That's why I'm asking you now. Why you didn't hesitate to use rebellious rhetoric to try and bring beastfolk into Imperial territory."

"Your Highness, if I may be so bold, beastfolk are not cursed beings. They are beings for whom Your Highness should express gratitude on behalf of the Empire."

In that instant, everyone gasped. What did that fellow just say to the Imperial Prince? Isaka of the Special Magic Corps shouted.

"Such insolence─!"

"─I will speak. Stand back."

"But, Your Highness!"

"Do I have to say it twice? You all step back about fifteen paces. I will speak alone."

Awed by the Crown Prince's dignity, the guards, including the Archer Lord and the magic saint, had no choice but to retreat fifteen paces.

"I should express gratitude to the beastfolk on behalf of the Empire?"

"That is correct."

"Let me hear your reason once. I will judge whether it is impertinent or not after I listen. Now, try to enchant me, mage. Just like back then."