Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: The Spark Ignites
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"First, while many came from other departments, due to capacity limits, we've only allowed entry to the heads of the Alchemy Department, Darkness Department, Necromancy Department, Combat Magic Department, Spirit Magic Department, Elemental Department, Taoism Department, Medical Department, Slave Management Department, and the Merchant Union representative. And then..."
"Just what in the world happened?"
"How did you handle the mana to make it shoot up into the sky like that?"
"Accidents should be kept within reasonable limits to be overlooked, but this one, frankly... was incredibly dangerous. You must explain."
"Given that it's the Dina family, it's not that they lack skill. What kind of accident did you cause? What exactly?"
"Because of you lot, the ley line's mana has decreased! This is a fairly large ley line here, you have to use an extraordinary amount to drain it! Damn it!"
"What are you going to do about the experiments we lost because of you?"
The department heads swarmed the Dina family mage who had gathered them, launching strong protests. The Dina family mage, at a loss for what to do, tried to calm them down.
However, the four people who could be called Beonald's party—from the Alchemy and Elemental Departments—quietly watched and conversed among themselves in very low voices.
"Meheheheheh, it seems they still haven't caught on about 'Divine Magic.' What do you think, Department Head Arjen?"
"It's normal not to be interested in what another family researches, so it's natural they don't know. I only learned about it thanks to that friend of mine."
"Meheheheheh, anyway, things are about to get really interesting. I was so~ bored outside of research."
"I suppose a huge uproar is about to break out."
Amidst the clamor, the department heads, who had finally followed the Dina family mage into the mansion with the hole in its ceiling, were all seated in the grand conference room. The Dina family mage began to explain the incident in detail.
"Currently, the family head and Mage King, Darion Dina, is busy overseeing the cleanup at the family's research site. To explain the cause, we presume it was an incident caused by the runaway of the 'magic formula' connected to the underground laboratory's ley line and the mana stones stored there."
"Tsk tsk... Unbelievable. For such a basic mistake to come from the Dina family, a renowned magical lineage..."
"As this is still a presumption, we cannot speak more definitively. In any case, we will discuss compensation plans with each department after swiftly resolving the incident."
"Surprisingly trivial."
"This is simply unbelievable. A mistake that shouldn't come from the Dina family... Hmm..."
"Could someone from the outside have interfered? Or... is the Dina family plotting something?"
"Normally, King Darion would have come right out when we department heads arrived... Today is suspicious."
Buzzing, buzzing...
These were not department heads who would simply accept such an explanation presented before their eyes.
Though their specializations differed, they were all talents with professional knowledge regarding mana and magic. They had sensed that the Dina family couldn't possibly make such a simple mistake.
"Are you planning some other shady scheme?"
"Give us a proper explanation. What research were you conducting, exactly? The Dina family?"
"After Darken Dina, the only one in the family who handled celestial magic, died, King Darion's magical specialty is different, isn't it? What's going on? Even if we don't know the details, we should at least know roughly what kind of research it is so we can prepare in case something goes wrong, right?"
'Good. The atmosphere I anticipated.'
Beonald watched with a faint smile as the atmosphere grew heated.
However, this overheating wouldn't last long.
Since the Dina family had already promised ample compensation, they only intended to show enough indignation for the sake of face before backing down. The moment the heated atmosphere reached its peak, Beonald gave Arjen a look. Arjen nodded and opened his mouth.
"'Divine Magic' research, is it...?"
"Department Head Arjen, what do you mean by that?"
"Exactly as I said. 'Divine Magic,' research into magic aimed at approaching 'Truth.' And I heard that performing it would allow one to change all the rules of the world. The Dina family's... long-cherished wish."
"How do you know that?"
"Though it's a discarded name, I am still a 'Neumel.' Our ancestor, Alterio von Neumel, made a deal with the first Mage King, Darken Dina. It wasn't recorded, but the fact has been passed down orally."
At Arjen's words, everyone recalled that he was from the 'Neumel' family, once a prestigious alchemy lineage and the family of Beonald von Neumel, and showed understanding.
Since the history of Darken Dina and Alterio von Neumel joining hands was also true, it wasn't strange at all that he knew.
"'Divine Magic'? That's..."
"Wait, but if it's 'Divine Magic,' isn't that... forbidden research?"
"I've heard of it. A higher-level magic that changes the rules of 'Truth'..."
"As far as I know, it's different from magic that uses mana to manifest..."
"Then doesn't that mean our research and magic could become useless overnight? Mehehehe~"
Buzzing, buzzing...
The department heads gathered here were all experts in their respective fields and individuals with excellent magical knowledge. The moment the keyword 'Divine Magic' appeared, they thrashed about like fish biting bait.
Professor Gemini also subtly joined in, fanning the flames, so the heat that was about to cool down blazed up again, and everyone began seriously condemning the Dina family.
"...As you know, in this 'Tower of Truth,' any research activity is tolerated. However, that is only limited to the extent that it does not infringe upon the research of other departments. I believe we have no choice but to speak up in this case, as it is serious."
"Hmm, that's right! A state where things researched by others over decades, centuries, can be changed in an instant! We absolutely cannot let it be."
"No, no... What nonsense is that? Didn't we walk the path of magic to reach 'Truth'? Truth is something that ultimately changes anyway. Isn't it our duty to accept better logic, theory, and magic when they arise?"
"That is nothing but arrogance. How can something constantly changing be truth?"
Buzzing, buzzing...
Just as the fire was about to ignite, it was as if oil had been thrown on it; the department heads' conversation grew louder and louder.
However, it wasn't just one-sided criticism of 'Divine Magic' research; there were also voices in support. The Necromancy and Darkness Departments, already researching taboos and unconcerned with others' gazes, faithful to eliminating sanctuaries for research, along with the Combat Magic Department, which would welcome any powerful magic, and the Slave Management Department, which likes to side with the stronger party, supported this side.
"So you intend to watch the Dina family become the rulers of magic?"
"Isn't that precisely a taboo that could break the world's harmony?"
"Think about what could happen with that arrogance. What if one day the sun suddenly disappears? Meeeeh~ Isn't that terrifying?"
"Necromancy and black magic are no joke either, but still, this is on a completely different level..."
And the other department heads, of course, issued statements opposing 'Divine Magic' research, citing various reasons.
The only one not raising his voice was the Merchant Union representative, a layman in magic, who was at a loss for what to do.
In any case, the debate raged on with heated voices. With no Mage King, the cause of this situation, to mediate, only the Dina family mage tried to somehow calm the situation. But Beonald, who had sown the chaos, gave Arjen and Gemini a look, instructing them to ignore it.
'...Now, the oil has been sufficiently poured. All that's left is to light the fire.'
Amidst the escalating debate, the disciples and parties who had come with each department head raised their guard, each placing a hand on their weapons or staffs.
They all knew it too.
If a fire broke out here now, it would go *Boom!* and that would be the signal for battle.
If that happened, not only here but the entire 'Tower of Truth' would become a battlefield in an instant.
'The first to eliminate should be... the Necromancy Department, of course.'
Thanks to the nature of the Necromancy Department, most of the faculty were 'Liches,' and among them, the Lich who held the position of department head was one everyone respectfully called 'Arch Lich, Rasit.'
Having lived for a long time, his magical prowess was unquestionably top-tier among the department heads here, making him the primary target for containment and elimination, not only for Beonald but for the other department heads, who were thoroughly on guard.
'...Good thing I came prepared with countermeasures for soul sight.'
Beonald fiddled with the magical tool he had brought from his 'nest' while looking at him.
This time, since he had to thoroughly conceal his identity, he had also meticulously prepared countermeasures against those who see not the exterior but the soul.
"We need to communicate to have a conversation! What exactly are you trying to do? So we should just leave it be?"
"That's nothing but arrogance! What's the difference from an evil god?"
"W-wait a moment. If you do this here... with words! You must resolve this with words...!"
...!
The Dina family mages urgently tried to intervene, but by the time the debate had turned violent, stopping it was already a difficult situation.
As one person gathered mana, the other department heads also raised their staffs and gathered mana. Realizing it could no longer be stopped, they began the battle using magic here without anyone having to say it.
The sides naturally split between the departments supporting 'Divine Magic' and those opposing it. The first to receive concentrated attacks was the Necromancy Department Head.
Mana was gathered almost simultaneously, but the first spell cast was a pillar of flame and magma.
Professor Gemini of the Elemental Department. Normally, he would have used a spell without incantation to restrain and then look for an opening, but this time, though his incantation was peculiar, he cast a high-level spell faster than anyone else.
"As expected of Professor Gemini, the 'High-Speed Incantation' user."
"Mehehet! Meheah!"
"I know. I'll respond immediately."
'...How do they understand that?'
Beonald found it strange that everyone except himself understood Professor Gemini's crying-like speech and moved accordingly, resolving to definitely learn it himself, and watched as the pillar of fire disappeared.
However, the opponent was also formidable; Necromancy Department Head Rasit emerged unscathed, spreading white flames and enveloped in mana.
"Damn!"
"Undead summoning? Block it!"
"Spirits, lend me your strength!"
"I knew this would happen! Good thing I brought talismans!"
Thus unfolded a magical spectacle worthy of the term 'magic war.'
Mana swirled violently, undead were summoned from the ground, spirits revealed themselves in the sky, and a full-scale battle among department head-level individuals began.
The Dina family mages finally gave up on stopping them and activated barriers to prevent the damage from spreading, while also monitoring to ensure no one left the mansion, lest this war not end with the department heads present here and turn into a civil war within the Dina Kingdom.
'Huh? Lord Beonald?'
"Mehehehehet! Focus, Selina!"
"Ah! Yes!"
And in the midst of this complicated situation, Beonald and Arjen had already secretly slipped out of this battlefield long ago, when the large pillar of fire appeared.
The place they headed to was the laboratory underground in this mansion. With Beonald leading the way, having roughly mapped the route using the magical book bait, they descended towards the destroyed underground of the Dina family mansion.