Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Darkness-Tainted Nobles (2)
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The moment I heard the word "rebellion," a thought flashed through my mind.
Revolution.
As you know, the current Empire is divided into the Emperor's faction and the Nobles' faction, each building their own power bases.
Of course, delving deeper reveals even more subdivisions, but on a broad scale, it's these two axes.
The Emperor's faction naturally consists of nobles aligned with the Emperor.
The Nobles' faction comprises those who oppose the Emperor's tendencies.
They're not outright defying imperial edicts, mind you.
They simply criticize his decisions and clash with him in various ways.
Even so, the two factions butt heads without going too far.
After all, maintaining the Empire's structure benefits everyone involved.
That said, the very existence of the Nobles' faction is proof of dissatisfaction with the Emperor.
I'm somewhat detached from noble society, so I don't know the details, but it seems there are big and small grievances aplenty.
"But is it enough to escalate to outright rebellion?"
With no real knowledge, I couldn't make a judgment.
If I side with those causing this mess, it's a revolution against the Emperor; if against, it's just a rebellion targeting an innocent Emperor.
Either way, what could I do right now?
Following the frantic Biena downstairs, I found the whole family gathered.
It was so urgent they were discussing it in the hall, not even a room.
As I descended the stairs, everyone turned to look at me.
My sister, pale-faced, reacted first.
"Edn! This is bad!"
"I heard, Sis. So, what's the plan?"
"We're just starting to talk about it."
As I approached my sister, Father spoke up with a grave expression.
"For now, the safest option is to stay put. Take a step back from this situation."
"But can we really maintain neutrality?"
Mother's face was as pale as my sister's.
She glanced worriedly at me and Sis as she spoke.
In this scenario, we kids were prime targets, after all.
Whether from the Emperor or the nobles.
We're young, can use magic— the Emperor might drag us into the suppression forces.
Conversely, the nobles might target our Emperor-aligned family.
"What do we do?"
"I think staying put is best."
Sis?
My sister, her pallor somewhat eased, stepped forward.
"Even if we're on the Emperor's side, no one will fault us for staying neutral. Our territory's been thriving lately, but we're still not central nobles, right? Isn't that so, Father?"
"True enough."
Father nodded, convinced by her words.
Not just Father—Mother too.
But I couldn't easily agree.
My instincts told me this decision meant nothing.
Still, with the family consensus in a family meeting, I couldn't refuse.
In the end, I agreed too, and a few days later...
"Edn Rlangbur, hear this! By imperial decree, you are mobilized to suppress the rebels! You are appointed as staff officer to Lieutenant Colonel Ritern, commander of the 1st Provisional Magic Battalion."
I was suddenly dragged into the military.
Damn rebels!
**
In the end, I was conscripted by imperial decree into the provisional forces.
Father tried to block it, but what was done was done.
As imperial nobles, we have a duty to mobilize in emergencies anyway.
But why me and not Father?
As I inwardly cursed the Emperor, I learned the reason upon arriving at the garrison.
I met a man who looked about forty.
His face was covered in scars from a lifetime of battles and hardships.
This was Lieutenant Colonel Ritern standing before me.
He flipped through the papers in his hand and spoke in a stiff tone.
"Master's degree from Aper Academy. Developments in printing technology, mana and magic stone engines at the time. Above all, the revolutionary development and commercialization of mana crystals. Quite the illustrious record. And lately, mass-produced golems and improved engines too."
Ah, so it was my own doing.
The imperial family held me in high regard, appointing me as this colonel's staff officer.
This situation said it all.
They must think I'm an exceptional mage.
But it's just science and engineering with a dash of magic—I'm no mage.
Ah, so that's why staff officer?
As I spun wild theories in my head, Colonel Ritern flashed yellowed teeth in a grin and offered a handshake.
"I'm Ritern Pentin, lieutenant colonel. Call me Ritern Colonel casually."
Was he being considerate since I'm no soldier?
No reason to refuse, so I shook his hand.
"Edn Rlangbur. Pleased to meet you, Colonel Ritern."
"Think the military's a joke? Calling me like that?"
Pardon?
I flinched in shock, and Colonel Ritern burst into laughter.
"Kidding, kidding. By the way, I love that fountain pen you made. So convenient."
Whoa, that startled me.
My heart skipped a beat.
I barely managed a smile without showing it.
"Thank you. Glad you're enjoying it."
"Good. Oh, I know you're no soldier, so speak freely like now."
He patted my shoulder once and handed me a stack of documents.
I took them and looked at the cover page first.
It simply read: Current Situation Summary.
"Everything's outlined there—the present state and front lines. But I'll give you a choice."
"A choice, sir?"
Colonel Ritern nodded, fixing me with a serious gaze.
I straightened up, and he continued.
"Only now. If you want to desert, do it now. I'll turn a blind eye."
Desertion encouraged by a superior officer himself.
How was I supposed to react to that?
Honestly, when he said it, I nearly nodded immediately.
I was dragged here against my will, after all.
Without noble obligations and imperial decree, I'd be holed up at home until this blew over.
Of course, my gut had foreseen I wouldn't escape it.
As I sat silently, he seemed to take it as refusal.
He grinned, baring yellowed teeth again.
"Fine. Better to fight than desert—"
"There's a reason you called me, right? Tell me, and I'll stay."
Interrupting him, his eyebrow twitched.
He might think me rude, but better than misunderstanding.
Honestly, I doubt they summoned me just for my flashy record.
Appointing a rural noble like me—not even central—as battalion staff officer right off? No way.
Staff officers need to sync with commanders, and a non-soldier plopped here? Unheard of.
No parachute drop like this exists.
Realizing my point, the colonel sighed and nodded.
"Yeah. As you guessed, the rebels did something odd."
"What?"
"They made weird golems using your mana crystals and mass-produced golems."
Pardon? What did you say they made?
He stated it flatly in his usual stiff tone.
I, on the other hand, was flabbergasted.
So, what exactly was this weird golem?
I demanded details, and with a sigh, he took back the documents and flipped to a page, showing it to me.
"See for yourself."
I took the papers again and looked at the open page.
I couldn't hide my astonishment.
"Wow, these lunatics."
"Yeah. Total madmen."
It went beyond weird golems.
This was a clear challenge aimed at me.
Irritation surged, and I crumpled the papers without thinking.
Now I had reason to hunt down the rebels.
**
Before Edn was conscripted by imperial decree, the black mages who assaulted the capital directed their test subjects with precision.
The dark blue robes spurred the test subjects into a frenzy.
They targeted living quarters first.
Places with food, like markets, were wrecked.
"Grraaah!"
"Run! Call the guards! No—mages and knights!"
The capital's nobles clearly fell into two categories.
Those panicking and fleeing chaotically.
And those binding the test subjects with magic while summoning the capital garrison.
With the imperial palace nearby, messengers were dispatched there too.
If the messengers arrived in time, imperial mages and knights could be called.
The Magic Tower was there too—support from them was possible.
Of course, the black mages anticipated this.
The capital strike was mere smokescreen.
The real goal: conceal rebellions erupting across the Empire.
Inevitable discovery, but delayed as long as possible.
"And wreck the capital while at it."
A clear, feminine voice—unlike usual—emerged from beneath the dark blue robe.
Normally altered by black magic, but with no listeners now and focus elsewhere, she dropped the disguise.
At her gesture, a test subject swung its arm per her will.
One flick, and buildings flew.
Like a conductor, she hummed and gestured freely.
Finally, the imperial knights arrived.
They grasped the situation instantly.
"Black magic! Don't get charmed—stay sharp!"
The knight commander's booming voice echoed as clashes erupted everywhere.
Test subjects initially pressed the knights but soon fell one by one.
Mages ignored test subjects, targeting her—the black mage.
"Tch. Annoying."
Clicking her tongue, she retreated, directing one test subject.
It ignored fighting knights, charging the mages.
"Crazy—stop it!"
"Damn black mage!"
Imperial mages turned, blasting magic at the test subject.
It staggered briefly before kneeling and collapsing.
Meanwhile, the dark blue robe slipped away, preparing to exit the capital.
"Faster response than expected. Why?"
She tilted her head, unaware.
A black-robed experiment had raised the alert level.
Venta—no, Freng's doing; the capital was on high guard.
Prior prep meant swift evacuations and responses.
Even knowing wouldn't have stopped the raid.
"Might as well test the toy on the way out."
She snapped her fingers; thick darkness rose from the ground.
It coalesced into three golems.
Edn's mass-produced models, but vastly altered.
Mana crystals embedded everywhere, ferocious forms.
Black magic influence: dyed purple.
"Those are..."
An imperial mage recognized them, frowning.
Channeling mana, he glared fiercely at the tainted golems.
"A gift."
Grinning, she gestured; golems lumbered forward into a charge.
Thud-thud—the ground shook, alerting the knights.
Aura cloaking their bodies, they closed in instantly, swords swinging.
Clang—!
"Ngh...!"
Knights blocking the heavy charge exploited openings.
Mages assisted, beginning the golem subjugation.
The dark blue robe watched awhile, then strolled away humming casually.
Like someone out for a neighborhood walk.
Thus, she raided the capital and escaped nonchalantly.