Chapter 134
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Archmage Dukes' Gathering
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"The Archmage Dukes are looking for a mage to serve as an 'offering'."
"An offering?"
I focused intently on Yi Soo-ah's story, completely on edge.
Her tale, to put it simply, was a clichéd one.
"That's right, an offering. It all started with the mages' 'realms'."
Yi Soo-ah's story began with realms.
"You know that the eight Archmage Dukes at the pinnacle of the mage world have all reached the peak of the 9th tier, right?"
I didn't, actually.
I had a vague idea, but this was the first time I'd heard the specifics of the Archmage Dukes' realms.
If the Archmage Dukes were at the peak of the 9th tier, that meant there were currently no human mages at the 10th tier or higher.
I recalled the realms of the gallery users.
I didn't know the exact boundaries for Yudong and Gonik.
But from their posts, even they seemed to be around the peak of the 10th tier or the early 11th tier.
That made sense why the gallery users utterly dismissed the Archmage Dukes.
"We've trained for ages to break into the 10th tier but failed. After countless studies, we discovered one way to reach it."
"Is that the offering?"
"Exactly. By offering a 'sacrifice', we can obtain the information needed to ascend to the 10th tier."
"But that sounds off. Wouldn't that be taboo magic? It's a stretch to say it defies causality, but..."
Taboo magic defies causality, accumulating entropy as the price.
The method Yi Soo-ah described was ambiguous in terms of defying causality.
But it definitely felt immoral, hardly in line with the noble laws of magic.
"It's not taboo magic. The 'offering' has to be the reincarnation of a great ancient mage. The Archmage Dukes are closely examining candidates for those reincarnations."
"..."
Was this what Harisha meant by 'candidate'?
A reincarnation of a great ancient mage...
Something felt off, but I kept listening for now.
"The ancient mage's soul within the reincarnation needs to awaken to a certain degree, so someone at Ian's low realm can't be used as an 'offering' yet. That's why they usually wait until the tier rises."
"You called it an 'offering', so does that mean the reincarnation gets sacrificed?"
"Yes."
Yi Soo-ah stated it with conviction.
But for some reason, I couldn't quite buy it.
For one, I couldn't imagine magical realms advancing that way.
And even if it were possible, I doubted how 9th-tier Archmage Dukes could have uncovered such a method.
Even if the method existed, could the Archmage Dukes fully comprehend the process of offering the 'sacrifice'?
Above all, Yi Soo-ah's story contradicted parts of Harisha's.
Harisha said the Archmage Dukes' goal was to overthrow the world.
To stifle mage growth so no one could surpass them.
To maintain their supremacy forever.
But according to Yi Soo-ah, the Archmage Dukes had no such aim.
They were simply seeking to advance from the 9th tier.
The method was merely immoral.
Of course, Harisha could be wrong.
She'd only speculated based on personal investigation.
Either way, the nagging discomfort and sense of wrongness wouldn't fade.
I wanted to tear my hair out.
"...I get it for now. So that's why the Archmage Dukes approached me—I'm one of the reincarnation 'candidates'."
"Yes. But for now, think of yourself as a 'candidate' among candidates. Your realm is still too low, Ian."
This matched what Harisha had said.
They wouldn't approach me yet because my realm was low.
"Then did Your Excellency approach me because I'm a 'candidate' too?"
"No, that's not my purpose. As I said, your current realm makes it impossible to judge if you're an offering."
"Then why? And why did you say that once I heard the story, I'd choose to become your retainer? From what you've told me so far, if I really am the reincarnation, doesn't that mean Your Excellency would use me as an 'offering' too?"
"No. I'm different."
Yi Soo-ah had clearly said that before the selection exam.
That after hearing the Archmage Dukes' goal, I'd want to become the Ilimost family's retainer instead.
Yi Soo-ah cleared her throat with a hem-hem and brushed back her hair as she spoke.
"First off, you shouldn't mention this story anywhere else."
"Pardon?"
"The other Archmage Dukes wouldn't want their plans exposed to the world. Some would quietly eliminate any mage who uncovers them."
Yeah, that figured.
In mage society, the Archmage Dukes were practically revered as kings.
Ascending tiers via offerings was hardly noble by any standard.
And they'd want to keep it hidden for various reasons.
Just look at how Harisha got severely scolded as a child for eavesdropping on such talks.
That explained why Harisha was secretly investigating the Archmage Dukes' plans.
If word got out she was doing it, her life would be in danger.
If I was under surveillance too, I'd need to be careful.
"So why tell me? Your Excellency wouldn't want it spread either."
"Yes, that's the point. I'm different. I actually oppose offering 'sacrifices'."
"...Why?"
"Because it doesn't feel right."
Yi Soo-ah smiled brightly.
The sense of wrongness lingered.
"I'm an Archmage Duke, but I don't agree with the others' goals. I go along with them on the surface, but my real aim is to stop them from finding the reincarnation."
"So why?"
"Because it's not right. No matter how desperate, there's no justification for sacrificing even one person."
Maybe because I'd heard she did charity work, this rang true.
Even if an Archmage Duke craved the 10th tier, doing it by sacrificing someone was wrong.
And to prevent that, Yi Soo-ah was maintaining her position as an Archmage Duke.
It lined up somewhat.
Yi Soo-ah's actions differed from the other Archmage Dukes anyway.
"I think Ian has a high chance of being the reincarnation. That's why I want to keep you out of the other Archmage Dukes' hands."
"I understand."
So she wants to make me her retainer for protection.
Under her watch, I'd be safe.
But it was still hard to believe.
"I have business soon, so take your time to think it over?"
"Got it."
With that, I left Yi Soo-ah's room.
I was shown to the room I'd stayed in on the first day.
"Fuck... why is this so headache-inducing?"
The story had gotten even more complicated.
My head throbbed.
And that subtle sense of wrongness during my talk with Yi Soo-ah.
The parts clashing with Harisha's story.
On a broad level, they were similar in a way.
The Archmage Dukes might target me in the future, so be cautious.
This wasn't something I could solve thinking alone.
I opened the gallery.
Yi Soo-ah quickened her pace.
Being late wasn't an issue, but it could spark unnecessary suspicion from the other Archmage Dukes.
They all knew she'd brought Ian along.
Sure enough, they'd grill her about it today.
But she had a prepared excuse.
She'd laid the groundwork for it over a long time.
Above all, it wasn't yet time for the Archmage Dukes to fully suspect Ian.
Victory always favors the swift-footed.
Yi Soo-ah praised herself for pulling this off.
"Hoo... haa... heup... hoo... hoo..."
Before entering the Archmage Dukes' banquet hall.
Yi Soo-ah paused, pulled something from her pocket, and inhaled its scent deeply.
It was like a mountaineer breathing through an oxygen mask at high altitude.
But what she'd taken out wasn't an oxygen mask—it was a pair of square men's briefs.
Stolen secretly from Ian's laundry.
Yi Soo-ah tucked it back into her pocket after a moment and headed inside.
"Greetings to Her Excellency, the Ilimost Archmage Duke."
A member of the Whitepost family greeted her at the massive door.
This was the North.
Rumble...
The enormous door emblazoned with a wolf emblem slowly began to open.
Inside loomed a huge round table where five grand mages sat.
"Knew you'd come."
"Soo-ah never misses a gathering~"
"The North is too cold. I told you to avoid meetings at Whitepost."
Yi Soo-ah responded nonchalantly and took her seat.
"It's been a while since six of us gathered."
"Your fault. What's the occasion for gracing the North today?"
"I've told you countless times, I'm actually the youngest. Still acting immature? We're not those reckless kids anymore."
"Drop that tone, tsk."
"Enough chatter. Let's begin."
Whitepost Archmage Duke barked in a low voice, silencing the group.
The Archmage Dukes chuckled or clicked their tongues before quieting down.
"Let's get to it. We're all here for the same thing, right?"
Floridel Archmage Duke Cheonoa Floridel spoke impatiently.
"Still immature, harassing young mages indecently. Maintain some dignity as an Archmage Duke."
"Hey, old man, wanna die?"
"I said I'm younger."
A neatly bearded middle-aged man next to Cheonoa spoke to him.
With his square, angular face and serious expression, he was Perryhill Archmage Duke Mugo Perryhill.
Unlike the others, he rarely lived in a youthful body.
He could reverse his physical age if he wished.
But Mugo had maintained a 'dignified' appearance since becoming an Archmage Duke.
"Makeo and Victor are absent."
"They rarely show anyway."
"Thought Victor might come after so long. Hmm."
Legoboomer Archmage Duke Phailer Legoboomer stated matter-of-factly.
Rascallet Archmage Duke Misca Rascallet giggled coyly.
"Participation is voluntary. Their loss."
Even Whitepost Archmage Duke Waite Whitepost.
Adding Yi Soo-ah made six Archmage Dukes in total.
And they all shared the same goal.
The 'Silent Dragon' that had suddenly appeared recently.
And the fact that the Silent Dragon was showing interest in the academy.
Meaning one of the current academy cadets had caught the Silent Dragon's eye.
"I think the cadet who drew the Silent Dragon's interest is a prime candidate. What do you all think?"
"Agreed."
"Don't we all have professors planted at the academy? You've all checked already—spill it plainly."
Mugo and Phailer said.
It was true.
But no one volunteered information first.
The Archmage Dukes seemed united in purpose.
But upon closer look, each had slight differences.
Silence hung over the round table for a while.
"Sigh... if no one's talking, I'm out."
Cheonoa said boredly.
He hadn't shared any info either.
"We all need to find the candidate anyway. Same goal, so why hide?"
Misca echoed similarly.
She hadn't said anything either.
Then Mugo spoke.
"By the way, Soo-ah. Heard you joined the subjugation festival."
"Yeah, went personally?"
"True. Don't tell me you..."
The arrows turned to Yi Soo-ah.
Her bold move had drawn the attack as expected.
"Did you find the candidate, Soo-ah?"
"Doesn't seem so. Academy cadets are still too young, right?"
"Then why go in person?"
Yi Soo-ah naturally denied it.
The Archmage Dukes knew cadets at academy level couldn't be identified as candidates yet.
Knowing that, they didn't press harder.
Still, her personal involvement remained suspicious.
Yi Soo-ah took a breath and gave her prepared answer.
It was prepared, but not a lie.
"I found a kid I want to marry."
-...?
The Archmage Dukes stared blankly at Yi Soo-ah's sudden confession.
It wasn't easy to make the pinnacle rulers show such expressions en masse.
"W-what? You're finally getting married, Soo-ah?"
"Hah... congrats for now. But marrying a cadet...?"
"Yes."
"Damn, you bitched at me for messing with young ladies, but you had the same intent? Makes sense, young is best."
The Archmage Dukes reacted in their own ways.
Why Yi Soo-ah hadn't started a direct line remained undisclosed.
But the mood sank again.
"Don't tell me the one you're eyeing is that kid in the castle right now?"
Waite asked sternly.
Of course, they knew Yi Soo-ah had taken Ian.
Even if they couldn't scout inside another Archmage Duke's castle, they'd tracked him up to then.
Ian was a 'candidate among candidates' all Archmage Dukes were watching.
"You all knew? So sneaky. Yes, Ian Isaac. That kid."
"You didn't figure out he's the candidate, did you?"
"No way."
"Then why him? We've been watching him too."
"My type."
"Reports say he has lots of girls around him like Cheonoa..."
Perryhill sighed the deepest.
The professor from Perryhill was Ian Isaac's class advisor.
The reports suggested he was worth watching, so Yi Soo-ah snatching him at that timing was suspicious.
"Soo-ah. Be honest. Did you learn something?"
Waite asked coldly.
Yi Soo-ah replied calmly.
"No way. If he really were a 'candidate', none of you would hold back anyway, right?"
"True enough."
"Hmm... sorry about that then, Soo-ah."
"Congrats on the marriage."
"But what if this Ian rejects you? Heh."
"N-no way!"
Yi Soo-ah bristled at Phailer's words.
But doubt crept in.
As a supreme Archmage Duke—and single—men lined up for her; she assumed marriage was hers if she wanted.
If Ian refused...
Yi Soo-ah shook her head vigorously.
No way. It couldn't happen.
Unfortunately, she had no further plans.
The Archmage Dukes' meeting ended after a few more exchanges.
Yi Soo-ah had fooled them as planned.
They'd likely leave Ian alone for a while.
At least until his realm shot up to the 8th tier.
'I'll never let him slip away again.'
Yi Soo-ah was certain Ian wouldn't refuse.
She'd scared him plenty. Any cadet that age would tremble at tales of being offered as a sacrifice.
With his low realm, he'd crave protection.
Plus, the chance to become a coveted 'retainer' among mages.
Any young mage would jump at joining an Archmage Duke house.
And she was beautiful.
She'd confirmed his male reaction.
She'd even said he could pass the exam and forgo retainer status if he wanted.
But Yi Soo-ah had arranged everything to make refusal impossible. To keep him by her side.
As long as no one stronger than her existed for him to rely on.
Ian would bend to her will.
Then slowly close in on marriage.
Finding Ian early was luck.
If she secured him now, she could protect him this time.
It wouldn't take long.
Flip it this way, flip it that way...
"Heh heh heh heh...!"
Yi Soo-ah let out a sinister chuckle.
She pulled out Ian's briefs again and inhaled deeply.
Then she returned to Ilimost Archmage Duke Castle.
Time to hear Ian's decision.
But,
"Sorry, but I'll have to decline."
Ian refused nonchalantly.
"...Pardon?"
"And I'll go to the Founding Festival alone."
Rumble—
Yi Soo-ah's world crumbled.