Modified Magic Lamp (S-)
- Can contain foreign entities.
- Enchant: Enhanced Sealing Ability
Aiden poured mana into the modified lamp to activate it. The infinite hexagram drawn beneath it blazed with dazzling light.
Split Messenger (U) was a soul imprint that manifested an avatar by using part of the doppelganger Irumokwi’s body as a cost. As the inability to view its character sheet proved, the avatar was treated not as a living being but as a foreign entity.
In other words, this modified lamp could absorb and imprison Irumokwi’s clone.
Shuuuuuu…
A strange attractive force began pulling Irumokwi in. Still in mid-flight, she sensed the anomaly and glanced back at Aiden.
“What the—?”
Her eyes, upon spotting the clearly extraordinary lamp, flashed for a brief moment with greed and curiosity.
‘A sealing-type spell is enchanted into it? Preparing something like this means they figured out I was a clone ages ago.’
If they planned to trap her clone inside the lamp, the next step was obvious: they would use coercive measures to extract information about her main body. Given her deep grudge with that demonic sword, it made perfect sense.
She let out a mocking laugh.
“Sorry, but I have no intention of getting caught here…”
In an instant, Irumokwi’s body reverted to its original doppelganger form before transforming into a magnificent eagle with a wingspan of over two meters.
Doppelgangers could mimic the traits of any living creature depending on the rank and level of their shape-shifting ability. Naturally there were strict conditions and penalties, but even this clone exceeded level 60. She could transform into most creatures in this world… even certain fantasy species.
The knowledgeable priests widened their eyes.
“That translucent body you can see through, those massive wings… Could that be…”
“Bedrpolnirwa!”
It resembled the legendary bird said to have once soared across the skies of the northern continent in ancient times.
The ‘Bedrpolnirwa’ that Irumokwi had become was a fantasy species whose entire race was born with the Free Flight (A) trait. Ordinary magical restraints could be ignored outright as it ruled the open sky.
Just as the trait suggested, Irumokwi’s wingbeats were slowly carrying her out of the lamp’s range of influence.
That was when Chesa moved.
<Icicle> <Elemental Bullet>
Bang bang bang bang!!
A barrage of multicolored elemental bullets and ice spears scattered through the air. Irumokwi weaved nimbly through the cavern, dodging every single one.
“How annoying…”
Aiden frowned.
The Holy Nation’s knights were blocking the entrance, but that alone would not be enough.
Irumokwi also possessed the High-Speed Regeneration (A) trait. With Estriel—their best pursuer—currently afflicted by Recognition Needle (U), if she decided to break through while accepting some damage, stopping her would be difficult.
Moreover, this was Irumokwi’s workshop. The vast mana stored in the <Memorize> magic circle all converged on her.
“…<Kinetic Collapse>!!”
The instant the large-scale spell linked with alchemy activated, not only part of the ceiling but the thick layer of earth above it vanished entirely. Sunlight poured through the newly formed hole. At this rate, Irumokwi would escape.
But—
Kwa-kwa-kwaang!!
Something massive suddenly slammed into the already precarious ceiling, causing it to collapse completely. It was none other than the enormous aerial ship.
“Ugh…?! Machine God Tribe…!”
Irumokwi, who had been flying toward the exit, was struck by Restinel and smashed into the ground. Metal debris from the ceiling then rained down indiscriminately. The priests and knights scattered in panic to avoid it.
Aiden stood in the middle of the chaos wearing a wide grin.
“Restinel!”
「Self-recovery complete. I detected my contractor’s bio-signals and came immediately, Master.」
“Good thing I installed the sensor function. Perfect timing.”
Aiden gave the lamp a light tap.
The lamp’s suction on Irumokwi intensified. Shuuuuuu… The bird’s body reverted to its amorphous slime form, which was then compressed and drawn into the lamp’s opening.
“You… insolent…!”
Before long, Irumokwi’s clone body was completely absorbed into the lamp. Aiden swiftly closed the lid. The lamp shook violently.
=Aaack, what is this?!
“It’s a prison that provides a measured amount of mana as meals whenever you want. Where else in the world would a prisoner receive such generous treatment?”
=Let me out right now!
The newly imprisoned Irumokwi protested furiously. When Aiden blocked the spout because her chattering was too loud, her voice disappeared entirely.
Finally able to breathe, Aiden surveyed the devastated underground cavern.
“…It’s finally over.”
The moment he muttered those words, he saw his clan companions and the Holy Nation’s priests approaching with bright expressions. Aiden raised the lamp and walked toward them.
Three days passed.
The Praszkeak Guild had been completely annihilated, and the residents of Servante cheered wildly upon hearing the news.
The most important figure, Yustasio, remained unconscious.
Having lost both arms, he had been struck in the head by Ray and Epio and had yet to regain consciousness. Clara and many priests from the Life Church were present, but holy magic was poison to him now that he was half-fused with the demon’s core, so they could not treat him recklessly.
Dorothy spoke.
“Interrogation is impossible for the time being… but we have more than enough physical evidence that he was the boss of the Praszkeak Guild. The empire will not be able to deny it at this point.”
“There were so many things I wanted to ask him… but it can’t be helped while he’s drifting in and out.”
It was a shame, but with Irumokwi’s clone now imprisoned in the lamp, there was no major issue. She would know the details of Yustasio’s ambitions and Terpartizan.
“Care to tell me what you were planning while secretly operating inside the Wiblet Empire?”
The problem was that this wench refused to open her mouth, content to sit inside the lamp and waste mana. Still, Aiden already had a solution in mind, so it was not something to worry about right now.
Linia approached and said,
“Young Master! It is time for your audience with His Imperial Majesty.”
“Right. We should handle the immediate matters first.”
Aiden headed for the imperial palace.
As master of the Blispiel Clan, he entered the audience chamber together with Dorothy, the Holy Nation’s representative.
There, the emperor, several high officials, and Second Prince Salvador were waiting.
Aiden wondered what the emperor felt after losing his exceptionally talented heir. When he stole a glance at the imperial visage, it looked haggard yet resolute.
It was not heartless to be cold toward blood kin in this situation. It was painfully obvious that Yustasio had intended to overthrow him and seize the empire if given the chance.
They offered the emperor a simple bow.
“The reason We have summoned you today is that there is one matter We wish to negotiate.”
The emperor, who had finally spoken, continued.
“Haa… We are well aware of what the Holy Nation has been thinking. You will surely demand permission to establish church branches. To be direct—We have concluded that the Wiblet Empire may accept this request.”
“This humble one is deeply moved by Your Majesty’s profound insight.”
“However, there is one condition. The fact that the crown prince was a demon contractor must be thoroughly concealed.”
“You wish for Yustasio Wiblet Leonor’s death to be treated as an accident?”
At Dorothy’s question, the emperor nodded. After a brief moment of thought, she replied,
“Revealing the identity of a demon contractor in full detail would undoubtedly cause great turmoil across the central continent. We will accept your proposal.”
Establishing church branches was already a sufficient achievement. Even as a saint, however, she could not decide such an important matter on the spot. The matter must have already been discussed within the Holy Nation.
As expected of the emperor of Wiblet, Eliodoro had apparently discerned the Holy Nation’s intentions over the past few days.
Diplomacy truly was a stage of endless deception.
“Though it may be presumptuous, this one has one more request, Your Imperial Majesty. As proof of friendship between our nations, we ask that one of the imperial princes be sent to the Holy Nation for study abroad.”
“Hmm…”
It could be interpreted as taking a hostage. Yet the empire had suffered a decisive loss in these negotiations, and the emperor fell into thought.
“…Study abroad, you say. Then a young prince would be best.”
“Yes. If possible, we hope to receive His Highness the Eighth Prince under the care of the Circulation Church.”
“Oieir? That frail child?”
The emperor tilted his head slightly, surprised by Dorothy’s suggestion.
Taking a physically weak member of the imperial family was something anyone would hesitate to do. If anything happened to him during his studies, the Holy Nation would be blamed regardless of the cause.
“This proposal is made after fully considering every problem that may arise from escorting His Highness Oieir.”
“Hoh…”
In truth, the suggestion to bring the eighth prince had come from Aiden. The boy was a possessor of Reverse Veins (A)—the very person Estriel had abandoned an assassination mission to retrieve in the original story.
“He was born with a talent that the mainstream sects of the Circulation Church regard highly. He would be the perfect bridge to narrow the distance between our nations.”
“Hmm… If that is truly what you desire…”
“We thank Your Majesty for your boundless generosity.”
Having finished her business, Dorothy stepped back.
The emperor now turned his gaze to Aiden.
“I never imagined we would meet again under these circumstances… but it is good to see you once more, Aiden. Or should I call you Master Stroke?”
“Ahem… Please address me however you prefer.”
“Very well. If there is anything you desire, speak.”
Hmm… There really is only one thing.
After a brief pause, Aiden opened his mouth.
“If it is not too much trouble, I would like the opportunity to visit the Lacroux family.”
“Hmm.”
The destruction of the crown prince’s palace was thoroughly concealed.
The emperor’s personal ‘shadows’ moved swiftly, using appropriate threats and incentives to silence the loose-tongued maids.
Restinel’s destruction of the guild house was likewise spread as a rumor that the Wiblet imperial family had personally taken action to exterminate Praszkeak.
Of course, no matter how thoroughly they covered their tracks, leaks were inevitable. Any organization with information-gathering capabilities on par with Iron Mask would have little trouble uncovering the truth of the incident.
“…And so, the Praszkeak Guild has been completely dismantled. There are still believed to be several demon-worshipping groups within the empire unrelated to Terpartizan, but once the church branches are established they will likely vanish entirely. This will also make it much easier for our clan to expand its influence inside the Wiblet Empire!”
“Thank you for the report.”
Linia handed over a neatly organized document.
Having steadily grown while consuming A-grade elixirs like water, her Super Secretary (B) trait had evolved into Ultra Secretary (A).
As the current scene proved, the secretary line was the perfect trait for assisting one’s master. This was exactly why Aiden always kept Linia—who offered almost nothing in combat—by his side. Everything from household chores to paperwork became effortless.
After roughly handling the documents, Aiden leaned back in his chair.
“So most of our business in the empire is finished…”
While he was finally enjoying a moment of leisure, the awaited visitor arrived at the residence.
“I am Ugo, a magic knight serving His Highness the Grand Duke. I have come to escort you to the House of Lacroux, Master Stroke.”
“Welcome, Sir Ugo.”
It was time to visit the Lacroux family—one of the continent’s foremost magical houses.