***
-So, this has been inside the royal palace the whole time?
Banios frowned.
Through the screen, a corpse could be faintly seen. Ruel shielded Leo’s view with a blanket.
“These bodies appear older than those in the Kran Kingdom. It’s been at least 3 months to 2 years since their deaths,” Cassion, observing from the screen, remarked.
While Aris went to check the magic circle located in Cyronian, Ruel contacted Banios to verify the magic circle. Instead of his usual communication device, Banios used a visual communicator to display the magic circle to Ruel.
Grit.
There was a sound of gritting teeth from Banios.
-Are you implying Red Ash orchestrated this?
-I feel like I want to puke right now.
Insisting on taking direct action as a prince, Banios led a few knights towards the secret location in the royal palace that Ruel had disclosed. Breaking the barrier required royal proof, just like in the Kran Kingdom.
Ruel felt relieved that there were no new corpses visible, suggesting they had successfully eradicated Red Ash. Perhaps this was the handiwork of Huan, who was currently imprisoned.
-Are you talking about that magic circle?
Banios adjusted the screen for Ruel to see clearly. Once the image stabilized, Ruel clenched his fist. It was the same magic circle he had encountered in the Kran Kingdom.
“Yes, that’s indeed the magic circle. Thank you, Your Highness.”
-I’m glad to have assisted. You seem occupied now, so contact me later.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
The communication was cut off. Ruel let out a long sigh. The magic circle was also in Leponia.
‘Cyronian must be the same if that is the case.’
Ruel awaited Aris. If there was a magic circle in Cyronian, Aris would soon arrive.
Knock. Knock.
At the knocking, Ruel glanced at Cassion.
“It’s Aris.”
As soon as the door opened, Aris approached Ruel with a serious expression. Just by looking at his face, Ruel could guess, but he asked for confirmation.
“How did it go?”
After taking a breath, Aris replied, “It’s the same magic circle.”
Ruel breathed out softly. Ultimately, the magic circle existed in all three kingdoms. Without encountering Hikars in the Kran Kingdom, they would have had no idea about the ticking time bomb and might have all died together.
“What about Leponia?” Aris inquired with a tense look.
“It was identical.”
“It’s truly dreadful.” Aris’s forehead creased deeply. “Ruel-nim.”
Ruel nodded, inhaling Breath at Aris’s words.
“I’ve discovered a way to dispel the magic circle.”
Even with the announcement of having found a method, Ruel didn’t act hastily. If it were truly certain, Aris wouldn’t be looking at him with such anxiety. Though he had found a method, it was definitely still unstable.
“However, it’s uncertain whether it can be successfully dispelled. I apologize.”
As expected. Even with Aris’s apology, Ruel maintained a composed expression.
The idea that such a powerful magic circle, capable of destroying a kingdom, could be unraveled overnight was absurd. Finding a method was already something to be thankful for.
“As Ruel-nim heard in the secret location of the Kran Kingdom, whether it’s a barrier or a magic circle, if we fail, an explosion of corresponding magnitude will occur.”
Regardless of the success of dispelling the magic circle, the outcome would be similar. Understanding this, Aris paused before speaking.
“That’s why I ask for a bit more time to proceed with caution.”
“We have only one opportunity.”
Ruel pondered, looking troubled. The successful dispelling of the magic circle was crucial. Even with Nehils keeping a close watch on the Great Man’s movements, failure would trigger the magic circle. Thus, as Aris said, they had only one chance.
Amidst a prolonged silence, Leo, appearing puzzled, interjected.
—If you’re in trouble, just ask.
“…?” Surprised by Leo’s unexpected remark, Ruel looked down.
—This body will ask Aris if it’s in trouble! Aris will ask your uncle if he’s in trouble! And Ruel… um.
Leo beamed, looking at his front paw. His eyes widened as he counted the people Ruel usually asked. Ten people had already passed.
—Oh no, this is bad! This body can’t count anymore.
Leo quickly hugged his tail.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already asked my uncle…” Ruel halted abruptly, a realization dawning on him, and he began affectionately rubbing Leo’s belly.
“Well done, Leo!”
—This body?
Leo was taken aback, but he smiled warmly under Ruel’s touch.
‘There’s Mayre.’
Ruel’s lips curled upwards. Why had he overlooked Mayre? Although her background before becoming a guardian was unknown, she had lived during the era of the Great Man, hadn’t she?
“Cassion.”
“Yes.”
“Connect me to Drianna.”
Currently, Drianna was at the Spirit House.
“Understood.” Cassion replied and took out the communication device and infused it with his aura.
-Ruel-nim! You look like you’ve lost weight! I hope you’re eating well.
As soon as the communication was established, Drianna expressed her concern for Ruel.
“Drianna.” When Ruel called her in a serious voice, she too wiped the smile off her face. Behind the screen, Jan discreetly waved his hand.
-Yes, Ruel-nim! Ah, if you’re talking about information related to the magic circle, Aris would know more in detail than I do. I’m currently researching the Spirit House and helping Miss Mayre investigate the rampage of the monsters.
“Mayre is there?”
-Yes. She’s here right now. I’ll switch to her immediately.
As Drianna hurriedly ran, the screen shook violently. She gently roused the soundly sleeping Mayre, who appeared more blurred than before.
-What’s happening? Did you conduct some strange experiment again?
-W-What do you mean by a strange experiment! What are you saying in front of Ruel-nim!
Drianna blushed in embarrassment.
-Ruel?
Mayre rubbed her eyes awake and gazed at Ruel on the screen.
-Hello.
Mayre waved at Ruel.
“Mayre, I apologize for waking you, but could you examine the magic circle Drianna is showing?”
-Magic circle…?
Mayre’s eyes widened slightly, but she soon smiled as if recalling something.
-Since becoming a guardian, I no longer rely on magic, but I’ll take a look anyway.
Drianna rummaged through her belongings and retrieved a piece of paper with the magic circle drawn on it, showing it to Mayre. Initially appearing somewhat drowsy, Mayre’s eyes widened in alarm upon seeing the magic circle, and she clutched the paper tightly.
-R-Ruel. Where did you find this?
“Do you know about it?”
-Of course! I sealed this when I was still human, so it could never be used again! But it has resurfaced!
A strong fear was evident in Mayre’s eyes.
“It was the work of that guy.” At Ruel’s calm words, Mayre’s gaze shook.
-This was the work of the Great Man?
“Yeah.”
-Has he stooped so low as to meddle with this?
Mayre stared at the paper with disbelief.
“Stooped low?”
-This… this is one of the magic circles used by our former enemies.
Mayre was referring to the enemies they fought when the Great Man was still a hero, striving to protect the peace of the world.
“If that’s the case, you must know how to dispel it.”
-It’s not as simple as it sounds. That magic circle is incredibly intricate…
“Wait a moment, Mayre.” Before delving into the discussion, Ruel wanted to address Mayre first.
“Mayre.”
-Yeah, I’m listening.
“The rampage of the monsters was caused by the Great Man manipulating the body of the dead Setiria.”
Mayre looked at Ruel with a blank expression. It seemed Drianna was the one eager to speak out or unable to hold back, rather than Mayre. Sёarᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
“I will handle it upon my return to Leponia, so you can rest assured.”
-Okay.
Mayre nodded, her face reflecting a blend of joy and sorrow. Was she joyful yet saddened? Or was she saddened by the fact that a once-comrade, the Great Man, had fallen so far? Ruel couldn’t tell how she felt right now.
“Aris.” Ruel passed the communication device to Aris, who accepted it with a bewildered look. While Ruel was not entirely unfamiliar with the subject, he preferred the expert beside him to receive the information directly.
“Share what you know and focus on finding a solution.”
“Understood.” Aris finally nodded, determination gleaming in his eyes.
While Aris conversed with Mayre, Ruel signaled to Cassion. Noting Ruel’s slightly furrowed brow, Cassion pulled out painkillers instead of snacks. It seemed like the pain was resurfacing after a period of calm.
“Please lie down for a moment,” Cassion advised as he prepared the painkillers and water.
“I intend to.” Ruel promptly settled onto the bed.
“I’ll call Fran.” Cassion said before handing over the painkillers.
“No need. I can manage.”
It wasn’t just him who was suffering; Fran and Tierra were in the same boat.
They were ordinary people without any strength. It was only natural that they couldn’t withstand the cold sea like him.
After taking the painkillers from Cassion, Ruel turned to Aris. Aris’s face was radiant, seemingly brimming with joy as he filled in the gaps of the magic circle he hadn’t fully understood yet.
‘Alright, this side is done.’
Ruel shut his eyes momentarily as a surge of pain hit.
—Does it hurt?
Leo patted Ruel’s head.
“I can bear it,” Ruel replied, inhaling Breath before turning to Cassion. “They’re monitoring Prince Adea and Prince Treitol, correct?”
“Yes, they are. And if you give the signal, the shadows will act immediately,” Cassion confirmed.
“Let’s wait for now,” Ruel decided, despite his unease about Adea and Treitol being in the Kran Kingdom.
‘Now, let’s think carefully about what I might have missed.’
Ruel closed his eyes again and pondered cautiously.
Banios, Huswen, Adea, Ganien—all the pieces that he could move were playing their roles as they should. What about the Great Man? Did he really not know about the situation? Numerous questions piled up in his mind.
‘Let’s think in reverse. Imagine the worst-case scenario in my mind.’
The worst scenario would be what the Great Man desired. The first worst-case thought was the activation of the magic circles implanted in the capitals of each country.
‘If that were to be prevented, what would the next worst thing be?’
Ruel felt Leo’s soft fur as he considered each possibility.
‘War.’
It was the obvious course of action. Fighting against the Great Man was inevitable.
‘My death.’
It was a truly dire possibility, yet it was also a situation the cornered Great Man might initiate, making it quite likely.
‘And a situation where my body is taken by him.’
Since Ruel did not know the specific method the Great Man used to seize a body, it was possible that he might find himself caught off guard. There were various other scenarios to consider, but Ruel opened his eyes. He had no idea where to start preparing or how to proceed.
‘What if I can’t resolve this question even after meeting the king?’
Ruel took a deep breath and set those thoughts aside. First, he needed to ensure this farce played out properly. He was already looking forward to tomorrow.
***
“Damn it. I thought I was really going to freeze to death.”
Ganien, shivering uncontrollably in the frigid dawn, felt as if he might succumb to the biting cold. The falling snow and biting wind only added to his misery, the weight of his armor pressing on him like frozen iron balls. Despite the need for realism, the situation seemed utterly absurd to him, tempting him to grab Ruel and shake some sense into him.
“I’m sorry,” Ganien muttered, casting a sympathetic glance at his subordinates, who were also drenched and trembling.
“Oh, it’s nothing! Ah, I can still bear it!”
He felt sorry for his subordinates, who were shaking even more from the cold and forced themselves to persevere. It was about time they were discovered, but everything was unusually calm.
‘Whoever’s ordering the search near the sea, we’ll be dead if they find us. How can they search like this?’
Ganien gritted his teeth. They weren’t even looking for someone’s pet. If it weren’t for them, someone would likely have already died. Reluctantly, Ganien decided to increase his presence to help them be found quickly. As soon as he showed his presence, it was as if someone had been waiting and quickly approached.
‘Ha. So they knew and just chose not to look for us.’
Ganien frowned in annoyance. But that feeling didn’t last long.
Hick.
Ganien was taken so off guard by the identity of the person who revealed themselves that he hiccuped.
“M-Master.”
It was Sien. Sien looked at him with a distinctly disappointed expression, which only heightened Ganien’s unease.
“Sir Croft.”
At Sien’s cold voice, Ganien felt as if the icy wind that had been hitting his body moments before was nothing at all. Something was off. No matter how much he had messed up, Sien shouldn’t be this angry.
“Are you saying you abandoned your friend and survived alone?”
With a voice sharp as a whip, Sien’s words made Ganien realize that he was serious.
“Wha…?”
In an instant, Ganien was so taken aback that he forgot he was supposed to be acting and widened his eyes in shock.
“I did not teach you to leave your friend down in the sea while you crawled up here alone!”
In a tone mixed with genuine resentment and disappointment, Ganien inwardly sought Huswen.
‘Your Majesty, this is not right!’
Ganien felt terrified at the situation, whether Huswen had forgotten to speak to Sien or simply hadn’t done so.
“M-Master, it seems His Majesty has been—”
“Quiet! How dare you try to make excuses with that filthy mouth of yours!”
Sien pushed Ganien back with a menacing expression and said, “Go back into the sea and find the culprit or Lord Setiria!”
“Master, please listen to me!” Despite Ganien’s continued pleading, Sien dragged him and threw him back into the cold sea.
Splash!