The moment the curse was lifted, Ascalon’s level rose by a whopping four levels.
‘Not a bad result.’
Evan watched the curse melt away from the Phoenix’s egg, satisfied.
Crack!
The egg pulsed, repeatedly contracting and expanding as if it had a heartbeat.
Then, it began to emit a tremendous amount of energy in all directions.
[Affinity with Flame has increased.]
Heat filled the space, and Evan withstood the Phoenix’s fiery presence.
Rumble!
Each time the egg expanded, massive waves of energy surged outward.
Evan squinted his eyes as he watched.
Crrrk!
Cracks began to spread across the surface of the egg.
Suddenly, all the mana cores in the Magic Tower were sucked into the Phoenix’s egg.
Snap!
As the shell shattered into pieces, a massive bird composed of pure flame emerged.
Screeeech!
The Phoenix let out a roar and fixed its gaze on Evan.
[Mythic Power, Friend of Divine Beasts is now active.]
[Affinity with Phoenix has reached 100%.]
The Phoenix approached Evan and bowed its head.
“Do you remember? It was another world, but we were together there quite often.”
Evan gently stroked the Phoenix’s head.
At that moment.
[Would you like to collect the Phoenix into Ascalon? (Y/N)]
A message appeared, indicating he could seal the Phoenix into the sword.
Evan accepted without hesitation.
There was no reason to leave it here, anyway.
As Ascalon radiated a crimson light, it began absorbing the Phoenix.
[Phoenix collection is complete.]
[Ascalon’s Blooming of the Flame Sword has been added.]
‘Flame Sword?’
Just from the name, it seemed to be a fire-attributed sword. It looked like an ability that made good use of the Phoenix’s characteristics.
Evan decided to try out Ascalon’s blooming power once.
[The currently collected divine beast is the Phoenix.]
[Would you like to bloom the Flame Sword? (Y/N)]
“Yes.”
The moment Evan accepted, Ascalon’s appearance began to transform.
Flames burst from the blade, and searing heat radiated into the air around him.
[Level: 1]
[Type: Two-handed sword]
[Effect: If you stab the Flame Sword into the ground, you can summon the Phoenix. The summoned Phoenix can act within a 10m (+level) radius of the Flame Sword and will burn all evil-doers. The sacred flames of the Flame Sword are imbued with the power of purification.]
[Etc: A flame sword infused with the sacred fire.]
Evan’s lips curled into a smile as he gazed at the Flame Sword.
‘I can directly utilize the Phoenix itself.’
However, it didn’t seem usable in an offensive way.
The Phoenix couldn’t move beyond a certain radius from the sword.
And with a sword burning so flamboyantly, there was no way enemies would simply ignore it.
‘It should be really useful for holding a position ahead of time, defending a spot, or protecting something important.’
For Evan, who had many things to protect, it would prove versatile in many situations.
And then, the second ability of the Flame Sword—the power of purification.
If it could cleanse magic energy, pollution, or any sort of harmful substance, that would be quite significant.
Purification was one of those indispensable elements.
‘With this, I have a solution for all the deadly threats.’
Evan stopped the blooming of Ascalon and canceled the summon.
‘It’s about time to leave.’
Beyond the transparent wall, he could see all the mages and officials in the Magic Tower in a state of panic.
Right now, all mana supply in the Magic Tower had been cut off.
Every facility stopped functioning, and all the spells that were active had been canceled.
Important experiments were wasted as well.
For the mages, this was nothing less than a disaster.
Of course, Evan didn’t care.
These people were close aides to the king.
If anything, they were enemies and could never be counted on as allies.
‘To be honest, I’d like to destroy the Magic Tower as well. But even this should be fatal enough.’
The mana core had vanished without a trace.
It meant the Magic Tower could no longer fulfill its role.
Now, this tower was nothing more than an ordinary building.
Feeling satisfied, Evan turned to leave.
Meanwhile, the high-ranking officials of the Magic Tower were at a complete loss, trembling with fear.
“Wh-what on earth happened?!”
“The Mana Spring just vanished out of nowhere. There’s no trace at all.”
“Th-this is going to ruin the entire Magic Tower!”
“Recover it somehow! My vital research is at stake!”
To those who had used the Magic Tower for decades, this was like a bolt from the blue.
“That’s not even the problem! What will we do if His Majesty learns of this?! Get to the bottom of this immediately!”
“H-how am I supposed to do that?! I don’t know anything either!”
The Magic Tower’s shutdown didn’t simply mean losing access to their magic research and facilities.
Every ecosystem centered around the Magic Tower was about to collapse overnight.
The kingdom’s greatest advantage—centralized teleportation and distribution—was now gone.
For example, transportation businesses run through the Magic Tower, and equipment manufactured there.
Given the astronomical trade values, the damage was near irreparable.
On top of that, the Royal Territory, which relied on the Magic Tower’s products, would now have to import them from outside.
This would be a critical blow to the Royal Palace.
“This won’t do. We must cover this up as much as possible.”
“B-but is that even possible?”
“For now, let’s move to shut the Magic Tower down temporarily and procure the Magic Tower’s products from elsewhere.”
“Is that supposed to be a solution?!”
“Keep your mouth shut if you don’t want your head to roll. I know some merchants we can squeeze for supplies. Just make sure the Royal Palace gets its deliveries on time, and keep it under wraps. As for magic transmitters, borrow some from other towers and make do.”
They were patching things together in a desperate attempt to buy time.
Though it was like holding onto a ticking time bomb, there was no other choice.
No one could object.
If the king got angry, no one knew what kind of wrath might descend.
The Tower Master and everyone else agreed to the plan.
“For now, let’s assume the Mana Spring is only gone temporarily. Find a solution as soon as possible.”
“Y-yeah… Let’s do what we can for now, and maybe we’ll find a way in the meantime.”
They all thought this vaguely, but each was ready to run away if it couldn’t be resolved soon.
***
The towering spires of the Royal Palace reached for the sky.
A magnificent and grand palace came into view.
It felt similar to a European palace from the previous world.
Model towers adorned with gold and golden statues were placed everywhere.
Evan and Delian passed them by and entered the heart of the kingdom.
A maid, her hair braided back, greeted Evan and Delian.
“The Count Kerthen Household is waiting for you. His Majesty’s audience will begin soon, so you should hurry.”
“Yes, we’ll go at once. Please lead the way.”
At Delian’s words, the maid gave a bright smile and began to guide them.
She led them to a large, ornate room.
It was filled with golden decorations, clearly in line with the king’s tastes. It seemed to be a waiting room for guests.
There, Clyd was seated, reading a book.
The maid withdrew, leaving Delian and Evan to enter the room.
“Father, we’re here.”
Delian addressed Clyd.
Clyd closed the book and looked up from the table.
“We’ll be heading to the Audience Chamber soon. Steel your hearts.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Delian’s eyes became determined.
He swallowed nervously, showing his anxiety.
In contrast, Evan showed no particular reaction. He just nodded silently.
Evan was rather curious about the so-called king.
He wanted to know the truth about the plots currently unfolding.
‘Is that man really behind such outrageous acts? Or is he being manipulated from the shadows?’
He still didn’t have all the details.
This was the chance to see the king in person and judge for himself.
At that moment, Clyd lowered his voice and spoke cautiously.
“I met with His Majesty briefly before you arrived.”
Clyd’s expression was filled with tension.
Even he couldn’t completely hide his feelings this time.
It looked as if he’d seen something truly shocking.
“His Majesty has changed greatly. Do not, under any circumstances, incur His Majesty’s displeasure.”
Clyd warned them.
“His Majesty… no, I’ll speak more of this later.”
He broke off.
He looked as if he was wary of his surroundings.
For Clyd to be this cautious, something serious must be happening.
***
After a while, the maid returned.
“His Majesty is summoning you. Everyone is gathered.”
“Understood.”
Clyd replied, and led Evan and Delian to the Audience Chamber.
They walked down a corridor adorned with a red carpet and lavish decorations, stopping before a certain door.
The symbol of the Lupes Royal Family was inlaid with gold on the door.
Clack!
Soon, the door opened, revealing the Audience Chamber within.
A red carpet ran down the center.
The checkered floor created a clean and elegant atmosphere.
At the far end, the kingdom’s banners hung to either side, and a golden chandelier adorned the Audience Chamber.
And at the very end, on the raised dais, sat the magnificent throne.
Seated there, gazing down at them with a commanding air, was the king.
Black eyes.
Dusky brown hair.
His hair was long enough to reach his shoulders.
Perhaps due to neglect, it was disheveled, but atop his head was a dazzling crown.
His eyes were cold and indifferent, betraying no emotion.
There was a certain mediator-like presence about him, yet an even more overwhelming pressure.
‘The current king, Ruphes Alpherion.’
Evan recalled what little he knew of him.
‘A tyrant. A madman who purged even his own family for power.’
Such thoughts only made Evan more aware of the man’s madness.
Clyd entered the Audience Chamber first, with Delian and Evan following.
On both sides, others who had arrived earlier were already waiting.
Some familiar faces were among them.
‘Adman, Reveshu.’
All the founding families had been summoned.
Heirs from each family stood with their heads of house.
Two of the houses had formed an alliance.
Now, only one family remained.
A young man with spiky blond hair stood apart.
An unfortunate heir who lost his father and became the head of house at a young age.
‘Marx Lodge, Count. No need to go far to meet him.’
Evan decided to seek him out as soon as the audience ended.
Clyd took his place in the Kerthen Family’s designated spot.
Evan and Delian followed and stood behind him.
Of the four great families, the representative was Duke Rohim Reveshu.
He stepped forward and addressed the king.
“Your Majesty, all the houses have assembled.”
The king said nothing and simply watched.
An odd, heavy atmosphere filled the chamber.
Time seemed to freeze, the tension so thick it felt as though everything was encased in ice.
Then, a deep voice echoed out.
“I do not like the look in your eyes, Lodge.”
The king spoke to Count Lodge, his tone flat.
Silence fell over the chamber once more.
Delian looked nervously at the king, while Evan tried to use his Mystic Eye to check the king’s status window.
At that moment—
“Do you feel it? Bow down.”
Your neck is too stiff. How dare you hold yourself like that before me? Did your father teach you nothing?
As Alpherion spoke, a powerful force suddenly pressed down on Lodge.
For a moment, Lodge seemed overwhelmed by something unseen.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
He smashed his forehead to the floor with all his strength, blood flowing from his brow.
“I despise arrogant fools more than anything.”
At the sudden turn of events, Evan narrowed his brows and used his Mystic Eye to inspect Lodge’s status window.