“Lukard Kingdom?” Abyss 3rd Division Head Kemmel Sevika.
The “Sevika Ducal Family,” the family of Kemmel Sevika, was a family under the Lukard Kingdom and the real power family of the kingdom.
Gaon had told Graxios to prepare a pretext to clean up the 3rd Division including Kemmel.
In other words, the “preparation” Graxios mentioned now was clearly referring to the “pretext.”
“Yes, we’ve made contact with the crown prince of Lukard Kingdom.”
“Does he know everything?”
“It doesn’t seem so. He thinks the Sevika Family is trying to usurp the royal family.”
“Is the crown prince in the kingdom?”
“No. He’s staying at Lude Tower.”
“……At Lude Tower?”
Gaon asked back with a slightly surprised face.
Why was the crown prince of Lukard Kingdom at Lude Tower?
“They say they’re conducting a business that stakes the kingdom’s fate with Lude Tower. Upon checking, this business was also led by the Sevika Family. It seems like Abyss’s scheme.”
“Hmm.”
Gaon let out a groan and fell into thought.
Should I clean up the 3rd Division before Eon Kingdom?
Originally, Gaon’s plan was to finish things at Gardion Tower, stop by Varta Kingdom, then handle Eon Kingdom.
But after hearing the story, it seemed he needed to change the plan.
It seemed better to stop by Lude Tower, meet the crown prince, then go straight to clean up Lukard Kingdom.
Having revised the plan, Gaon finished his thoughts and said to Graxios.
“I’ll wipe out Abyss’s 3rd Division in Lukard Kingdom by tomorrow at the latest, or the day after. And entrust the support for Lukard Kingdom to Lude Tower, and provide for any shortages.”
“I receive the order.”
Hearing Graxios’s answer, Gaon waved his hand.
Then, two semi-transparent curtains appeared in the empty space.
They were much larger curtains than the nine previously created, for Graxios and Balversa.
“Go in.”
“Yes!”
“Yep!”
At Gaon’s words, the two headed to their respective curtains with sharpened eyes.
And then, glasses containing elixir entered the curtains.
Balversa and Graxios immediately took the elixir.
“……!”
Gaon sharpened his eyes.
And for good reason, as Gaon had hoped that at least one of the two would “awaken eyes.”
But for both, the elixir seeped into their eyes.
Both had awakened eyes.
At this level, I can stop worrying altogether.
Graxios and Balversa would enter the 8th Circle this time.
In other words, Gardion would have two 8th Circle mages and nine 7th Circle mages.
Even including the human side and the demon world side, there would be no mage force stronger than Gardion Tower.
On top of that, the two 8th Circle mages had even “awakened eyes.”
The possibility of falling for Abyss’s schemes was close to zero.
There was no need to worry at all anymore.
A while later, Graxios finished cultivation first, and Gaon entered the curtain.
“Start right away.”
Lude Tower Master Mild’s office.
Mild put down the letter and muttered.
“This is bewildering no matter how many times I look at it.”
The report contained unbelievable, hard-to-believe stories.
Namely, the birth of new archmages.
And not just one or two.
That’s why it was even harder to believe.
How hard is it to overcome the wall, yet archmages are born in droves?
But the source of the story was the Tower of Fire, Tower of Wind, and Alter Tower.
On top of that, it was done by Gaon.
Having seen Gaon in person, Mild couldn’t not believe the birth of new archmages.
No, to be precise, even if others didn’t believe, Mild wanted to believe.
And for good reason, as just before, contact came from Gardion Tower.
That Gaon would visit soon.
Lude Tower was also affiliated with the alliance founded by Gardion Tower, like the Tower of Fire, Tower of Wind, and Alter Tower.
Of course, due to what they had done, their influence in the alliance was minimal.
Honestly, it was to the extent that it could be seen as a lord-vassal relationship rather than shoulder-to-shoulder.
But that was the same for the Tower of Fire.
In other words, the reason Gaon was coming to Lude Tower had a high probability of being the same as the three towers Gaon had visited before.
No, it was certain.
Otherwise, why order to gather the 6th Circle mages?
Mild fell into thought.
Who among the 6th Circle mages affiliated with Lude Tower had the potential to rise to archmage.
Just then.
Knock, knock.
“His Highness the Crown Prince of Lukard Kingdom has arrived.”
A voice came with the knock.
Mild, who had been lost in thought, came to his senses and answered.
“Escort him in.”
Creak—
At Mild’s answer, the door opened, and Crown Prince Parso entered.
Parso’s complexion was not good.
It was full of fatigue, like someone who hadn’t slept for a long time.
“Oh dear, was the bed uncomfortable……?”
Mild stood up and asked with a face full of concern.
“Ah, no. The bed was very good. Thank you for your concern.”
Parso answered in a startle.
At Parso’s answer, Mild continued with a kind face.
“If you need anything at any time, please let me know.”
“Ah, yes.”
“First, please sit! What would you like to drink……?”
“I’d like herbal tea, please.”
At Parso’s answer, Mild signaled his attendant with his eyes.
And continued the conversation again.
“Is it perhaps about the business? Or…….”
Mild trailed off.
And continued in a very quiet voice.
“Is it about internal matters of the kingdom?”
“It’s about internal matters.”
Parso answered with a bitter face.
“You said to wait, but I can’t wait forever. If this continues…….”
Parso trailed off, and anxiety appeared on his face.
Parso’s complexion, already bad due to fatigue, worsened even more due to the anxiety.
“I understand. I know the situation too. But don’t worry too much. Soon, someone who can solve all the problems will come.”
At Mild’s words, Parso couldn’t say anything.
He wanted to ask when exactly they were coming.
But it was a being Mild used honorifics for.
It wouldn’t be an ordinary being.
If he brought it up unnecessarily and even a small problem arose?
Ugh.
Parso could only let out a groan inwardly.
Just then.
Creak.
The door opened without a knock.
Mild glanced at the door.
And flinched, then jumped up from his seat.
Parso, with a puzzled face at Mild’s reaction, turned his head to look at the door.
……Who is it?
A young man with thick black hair was entering.
It was a man he was seeing for the first time.
But judging by Mild’s reaction, he wasn’t of ordinary status.
Just then.
“We greet Gaon.”
Mild greeted politely.
And through Mild’s greeting, Parso, learning the man’s identity, stood up with a surprised face.
“We, we greet Gaon.”
At Parso’s greeting, Gaon turned his head to look at Parso.
“Crown Prince of Lukard Kingdom?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
At Gaon’s question, Parso flinched and answered.
And Gaon continued with questions.
“How much do you know? Do you know that Kemmel, the previous head of the Sevika Ducal Family, is an executive of the demon world forces?”
“……!”
Parso couldn’t answer the question.
He just looked at Gaon with a surprised face.
And for good reason, as it was too shocking a story.
“……I, I didn’t know that.”
Parso, soon coming to his senses, answered.
“I thought it was just usurpation of the throne…….”
“Hmm, I see.”
Gaon nodded as if he understood.
“Anyway, I’m thinking of going straight to Lukard Kingdom now to clean up. Everyone colluding with the demon world. Not just Kemmel, but the royal palace as well.”
“……What should I do?”
Parso, who had a surprised face, as if when, calmed his surprise and sharpened his eyes.
“Write a letter, with content entrusting everything. And something to prove your identity.”
“Is that all I need to give?”
“Yes, that’s enough.”
The capital of Lukard Kingdom.
The heart of the Sevika Ducal Family where Abyss’s 3rd Division was located.
“Hmm…….”
3rd Division Head Kemmel let out a low groan.
And put down the report, checking the time.
“……”
Kemmel, having checked the time, let out another groan.
And while looking at the next report, said to the air.
“Adir.”
Sssslk!
At Kemmel’s call, Adir slowly revealed himself from the floor.
“Is the crown prince still at Lude Tower?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t it seem like he’s staying at Lude Tower too long?”
“It seems so.”
“Is the business talk something that takes this long?”
“He went with all preparations. It’s time that should have ended long ago.”
“Then it means there’s another purpose…….”
Kemmel trailed off and turned his head to look at Adir.
“Where are the members waiting?”
Originally, he would have sent them in for surveillance.
But Lude Tower was affiliated with the alliance founded by Gardion Tower.
And Gardion Tower had that “Gaon.”
Not knowing what schemes were set up at Lude Tower, he didn’t send in the members.
“They’re waiting in the adjacent village. Shall I deploy them?”
Adir asked while gauging the mood.
“……No, never mind.”
Kemmel shook his head.
And continued with a sudden thought.
“What about the prohibitions? Did everyone accept?”
Originally, few in the family knew of Abyss’s existence.
But the grand plan was imminent.
Time was running out.
So Kemmel had ordered Adir.
To place prohibitions on all blood relatives and reveal Abyss’s existence.
“Except for the second grandson, everyone has accepted.”
“Why Talien?”
“He refuses to the end. He tried to kill the blood relatives, so he’s imprisoned.”
“Hmm…….”
Kemmel let out a low groan and fell into contemplation.
I thought maybe…….
The second grandson Talien had an exceptionally strong sense of justice.
He couldn’t stand injustice.
Talien’s sense of justice helped the family, but on the other hand, it was bothersome.
Wondering if it would become a problem when the time came later.
And as expected.
Talien became a problem.
No choice.
Even as time passes, Talien won’t change.
In other words, he can’t take Talien along.
Having finished his thoughts, Kemmel said to Adir.
“Handle it.”
“……Understood.”
Swish, swish.
Adir answered, and Kemmel waved his hand.
Then, just like when he appeared, Adir disappeared into the floor sssrlk.
And Kemmel focused on the report again.
A while later from that.
“……!”
Kemmel flinched.
Not because of the report.
Swaaak! Clang! Crack, craaack!
Along with an energy wave, glass shattered, and cracks appeared on the office ceiling, floor, and inner walls.
Kemmel hurriedly raised energy to create a protective barrier.
And at the same time, the ceiling began to collapse.
Debris from the ceiling fell patter, patter onto the barrier.
What is this!
Kemmel looked at the debris bouncing off the barrier and piling up around, flustered.
What was this sudden event?
Soon, Kemmel cleared the debris and went outside.
And looked at the central mansion where the energy wave started.
Kemmel, having checked the central mansion, couldn’t say anything.
And for good reason, as the central mansion was not visible.
Instead of the mansion, a huge crater was visible.
As if a meteor had struck.
Kemmel suddenly thought.
……Is this a dream?