Chapter 32: The Sleeping King

As expected, the young man was indeed Potic, the 1st Prince of the Raco Kingdom.

Gaon glanced at the knight beside him.

The knight was staring at Gaon with a shocked expression.

Gaon, in turn, was slightly surprised by the knight’s reaction.

He sensed me?

Gaon hadn’t deliberately concealed his aura, but for someone who wasn’t a Swordmaster to notice him was unexpected.

Could he be a Swordmaster?

Gaon carefully reexamined the knight’s aura.

The knight flinched, and Gaon realized, He’s just got sharp senses.

No matter how he looked, the knight wasn’t a Swordmaster—just someone with unusually keen perception.

“…I am,” the knight said, snapping out of it and introducing himself. “Muratone, Knight Commander of the Raco Kingdom.”

“…!”

Potic looked slightly surprised, as if he hadn’t expected Muratone to be so polite.

Calming his surprise, Potic turned to Gaon.

“First, I’d like to apologize, Gaon-nim. My visit has likely complicated things for you. I’m sorry for that.”

Potic bowed deeply, his voice filled with sincerity.

“But I had no choice. This was the only way to set things right.”

His voice carried desperation, but Gaon didn’t care for it.

This guy knows what he’s doing and still acts like this?

To Gaon, Potic seemed cunning.

That made his actions all the more infuriating.

He must have known the consequences of showing up here in person, yet he did it anyway.

The 2nd Prince doesn’t seem that sharp.

If the 2nd Prince, Beltic, was clever, he’d see through Potic’s tactics.

But if he wasn’t, he’d grow suspicious—wondering if Potic had revealed the truth about the Hedin Mercenaries or if he’d already been compromised.

Potic’s intelligence likely drove him to come here himself.

At that moment—

“Your Highness,” Muratone interrupted as Potic was about to continue.

Potic looked puzzled, and the two exchanged a glance, communicating silently.

Potic then turned to Gaon with a flustered expression.

“The matter I originally intended to discuss was about the Hedin Mercenaries.”

“Sounds like that’s changed,” Gaon replied.

“Yes. I heard from Alberto that Galico’s servant, Carvin, was caught tailing you. I have something important to tell you about that.”

“…?”

Gaon was puzzled.

The Hedin Mercenaries were a more critical issue for Potic, tied to the succession struggle.

Why bring up something seemingly unrelated?

He knows something.

Gaon was certain Potic had information.

He waved his hand, and a barrier enveloped just the two of them.

Muratone flinched at the sudden barrier but did nothing, standing silently.

“Speak,” Gaon said.

Potic, with a bitter expression, began, “Our kingdom is currently being infiltrated by an unknown force.”

“…!”

Gaon’s eyes gleamed.

An unknown force—clearly the Abyss.

“The King discovered their existence and tried to eliminate them, but he failed. He was betrayed by someone he trusted.”

Potic gritted his teeth.

“And he was cursed, falling into an unending sleep. He’s not dead.”

“Are there red spots all over his body?”

“…!”

Potic’s eyes widened in shock.

“H-How do you know? What kind of curse is it?”

“I know it. And how to cure it,” Gaon replied, nodding.

Potic’s eyes grew even larger.

How…

They had invited renowned sorcerers, including a 5th Star High Sorcerer, but none could identify the curse.

How could Gaon, a mage, know about it?

“C-Can you treat it? I’ll get whatever you need!”

The question of how Gaon knew wasn’t important—what mattered was that he could cure it.

“Before that…” Gaon trailed off.

Potic swallowed hard, and Gaon continued, “Who’s the traitor? And if the King tried to eliminate the force, he must have some idea who they are. Where’s the list?”

“The traitor is Galico, the head of the palace magic corps. He’s the leader of this unknown force. It was like entrusting fish to a cat.”

“…!”

Gaon’s eyes sharpened.

He had wondered whether Galico was part of the Abyss or merely in a deal with them.

Now, it seemed clear.

“Only Muratone, Alberto, and I know this. Galico doesn’t know we’re aware. As for the list, only the King knows it.”

“Then we need to cure the King first.”

“Please tell me what materials you need, and I’ll get them as quickly as possible.”

“No materials needed.”

“…!”

Potic was stunned.

Even a 5th Star sorcerer couldn’t identify the curse, so they assumed it was formidable.

Yet Gaon claimed he needed no materials?

“Can you do it right now?” Gaon asked.

Potic could likely see the King alone, but bringing Gaon was another matter.

“…Yes, it’s possible. But Galico will notice.”

“That’s fine. He’s going to die anyway.”

Gaon smirked.

If Galico was with the Abyss, he was already marked for death.

Whether he noticed or not didn’t matter.

“Then we can go now. Will you come?”

“Let’s do it. And…” Gaon paused.

Potic swallowed again, but Gaon continued, “No, I’ll discuss that with the King. Let’s go.”

“Understood.”

Gaon dispelled the barrier and sent a message spell to Rotes nearby.

[I’m heading to the palace. Once I leave, destroy the purple crystal orb in my room. It’ll activate a magic circle, so don’t leave the inn.]

Truthfully, Gaon didn’t fully trust Potic.

He could be with the Abyss, and this could be a trap.

But the situation had changed.

Gaon’s earlier concern was Galico scheming with the royals if they were uninvolved.

If the royals were connected to the Abyss, he could simply tear the inner castle apart.

Rotes nodded, and Gaon turned to Potic.

“Lead the way.”

Potic began walking, and Gaon followed.

They boarded Potic’s carriage and headed for the inner castle.

“May I ask how long it’ll take to lift the curse?” Potic asked.

“I need to see it myself. At most, a minute.”

“…A minute? For His Majesty’s curse?”

Muratone, who had been silent, interjected in shock.

Potic smiled and confirmed, “Yes.”

“Oh…” Muratone let out a soft exclamation.

Gaon added, “I’ll take thanks after it’s done. But there are likely knights and mages at the King’s residence. Any issues?”

“Yes, at this hour, they’re all my people. But…”

“Galico will find out?”

“Yes.”

As they spoke, the carriage slowed.

They had reached the inner castle.

It didn’t stop, though.

“Loyalty!”

The knights guarding the entrance shouted.

The carriage sped up again after passing through.

Creak…

Soon, it stopped at the King’s residence.

Gaon stepped out, scanning the area with his senses.

As expected of the King’s residence, it was guarded by six Sword Expert knights, three 4th Circle mages, and thirty regular soldiers.

“Your Highness,” a knight guarding the main gate greeted.

“I’m here to see my father,” Potic replied.

“Yes, understood.”

The knight didn’t react to Gaon’s presence.

“Let’s go,” Potic said, leading the way.

Gaon followed him through the corridors to the King’s chambers.

There, he saw King Raize Raco’s face, covered in red spots.

To others, it might look like a severe skin condition, but Gaon could see the faint sorcery energy in the spots.

Removing the spots wouldn’t lift the curse—they’d regenerate.

The source inside the body had to be destroyed.

“I’ll start,” Gaon said, placing his hand on Raize’s body.

He injected Pacheongi and began searching internally.

Soon, he smiled.

Found it.

He located a mass of sorcery energy evading his Pacheongi.

Gaon burned it away with Pacheongi, then removed all the red spots and withdrew his hand.

“Done.”

“…What?”

Potic couldn’t help but question.

Gaon had said it would be quick, but seeing it happen so fast was jarring.

Was the curse really lifted?

At that moment—

“Ugh…”

Raize let out a groan.

“…!”

“…!”

Potic and Muratone stared at Raize in shock as he opened his eyes.

“…Potic? Muratone?”

Recognizing them, Raize spoke weakly.

“What’s going on…”

He flinched upon noticing Gaon and asked warily, “Who…?”

Instead of answering, Gaon told Potic, “Explain the situation.”

“Yes, one moment.”

Potic began explaining to Raize.

After hearing everything, Raize trembled with rage and shouted, “That ungrateful wretch!”

His voice was filled with fury.

It was understandable—Galico had received immense support, only to betray him.

The anger must be overwhelming, and he’d need time to vent.

But Gaon had no intention of waiting.

“King Raco.”

“Yes?”

Having learned from Potic that Gaon was no ordinary figure, Raize suppressed his anger and responded calmly.

“I came here to kill Galico. Also, I’d like to see the list of that unknown force.”

Ugh…

Galico let out a low murmur.

It’s time for a report.

Carvin always sent regular reports, even if there was nothing to say.

But it was long overdue.

Did something go wrong?

It seemed Carvin had run into trouble while gathering information.

At that moment—

Knock knock.

“Master, it’s Marin,” came an excited voice.

Galico’s furrowed brow relaxed as he said, “Come in.”

Creak.

Marin entered, his face brimming with excitement.

“What is it?”

“The 1st Prince seems to be planning something with the King.”

“…What?”

“He met with Gardion Tower mages and returned with a golden box, heading to the King.”

“…!”

Galico was stunned.

It was completely unexpected.

The curse…?

Galico shot up and asked Marin, “Did the 1st Prince say anything else?”

“He said the King would awaken and told me not to tell anyone. Are you going to His Majesty? If you go, he might suspect me…”

“Stay here. I’ll handle it.”

Galico left the room, heading for the King’s residence, thinking, Potic, you fool!

Raize must not awaken, not even for a moment.

The throne should go to the 2nd Prince.

Whatever Potic was planning, it had to be stopped—even if it meant killing him.