Chapter 141

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 141

Chapter Title: Frost Tiger's Semen

I posted the story I'd heard from Yuuna and Akail in the gallery.

Judging by the galrum reactions, this kind of disgusting political scheming must seem utterly trivial to archmages.

Makes sense—with their level, they could conquer the world with a single spell.

Scheming to rule the world by faking smiles to placate the masses,

while harboring ambitions to fully conquer the empire from the shadows.

To archmages, that's no more than ants.

Ants that'd get crushed underfoot with a single step.

Suddenly, I got why galrums have zero interest in worldly affairs.

Regular folks without the realm chase power and pull all this revolting crap,

but how laughable must it all seem to galrums who can have everything.

Only higher magical achievements matter.

But that's their business.

I'm just an ant—or maybe a puppy now—in front of archmages.

The galrums' consensus was to just ignore it.

Seemed right to me too—no getting involved.

I'm a mage anyway.

And there's a bigger problem right in front of me than this political nonsense.

Something related to the archmage dukes' plans that Harisha and Isua mentioned.

That could upend the world—compared to it, the crown prince's scheme is just petty empire dirt.

Yeah, exactly. Human history's probably full of this.

Can't get involved when there's greater pursuit like magic.

Best to cleanly tune out, as the galrums said.

What I seek is magic. This ain't helpful.

Though thinking of all the empire folk suffering per Yuuna... a bit uncomfortable.

But non-involvement seems the most rational, per galrums.

Yet amid all galrums pushing the archmage mindset,

one lone galrum was raging with different takes.

MagicIsNotHard even declared for the princess faction out of nowhere.

She must really like Yuuna opposing the crown prince.

Thinking back, MagicIsNotHard always posted noble-hating comments.

Seems to despise the corrupt, rotten traits of evil nobles.

This story set her off,

and Yuuna, a noble fighting it, won her over.

To MagicIsNotHard, Yuuna's the right kind of noble.

MagicIsNotHard soloing the other galrums like a boss.

Felt like old SubsidyRiceEater.

After her heroic sacrifice, red faction share in the gallery shot up.

Haven't seen her lately. Busy with research maybe.

Anyway,

Even so, doesn't change my choices much.

I'm just a mage barely entering 6th circle.

Can't even handle the imperial mage corps.

No need to join liberation army and live on edge.

Anyway, that settled it.

I opened my mouth with a heavy expression.

"Sorry."

Yuuna and Akail's tense faces fell into disappointment.

"This seems too big for me to get involved in right now. Feels distant still. Above all, I'd rather focus on training than empire politics."

"I... see. Ian's a mage, after all."

"Not saying I'll report it or anything. I'll forget what happened today. Won't tell a soul."

Just act like it never happened.

Won't affect imperial or liberation sides.

"...Got it, Ian. Thanks if you do that."

"Hold on, Yuuna. You really letting him go? What makes you trust this guy."

"Brother Akail. Ian's trustworthy."

"On what basis? If he tells Arthur-hyung..."

"Trust my eyes, brother. Ian's not that type."

"But we gotta seal his mouth at least. Otherwise..."

"Brother. Forgot what we're fighting for?"

Yuuna said sternly.

Akail finally tsked and looked away.

"Ian. If you change your mind, tell me anytime. It's a long fight. We'll be battling till then."

"...Yeah. Sorry I can't help."

"We can still be seniors and juniors at the academy, right?"

I nodded, and Yuuna smiled.

With that, the three of us exited the underground via the passage.

Other liberation members aren't royalty.

But Yuuna and Akail are—can't stay long or it'll raise suspicion.

I followed them through the passage.

Ingenious structure—when not in use, the ground collapses to seal it.

Even if imperial troops dig, they won't find it easy.

Entrances hidden all over the palace, they said.

Hit home how much effort they'd put in.

And after some travel,

I voiced a sudden question.

"So, what's the goal releasing beasts in the capital this time?"

"To rescue His Majesty. During the noisy Founding Festival, beasts in the capital would create gaps in security."

"Arthur-hyung's been keeping Father under. If we secure him and restore even a bit of sanity, we can expose Arthur's atrocities."

Well, whose fault is it the plan went poof,

Akail added.

I flinched.

From their view, I'd be hatefully loathsome.

Even if Yuuna's mild, her guts must be churning.

No wonder Akail snapped.

That's that.

But another question followed.

Too awkward to ask, so I shelved it. Decided no involvement anyway.

As if reading me, Akail spoke first.

"You look puzzled. Liberation whatevers releasing beasts to threaten people."

"Well... yeah, thought that."

Liberation army gathered to save empire from crown prince.

Releasing beasts across the capital.

Even for greater good, lotsa deaths in process.

"Beasts released in the city are all tamed familiars. They don't attack humans. Wild ones only in the palace."

"...That's how it is?"

"If beasts attack humans in the palace, they'll assume same for city ones. Send troops from palace to city. That's our window to snatch His Majesty."

"We don't sacrifice innocent imperials."

"Don't say even palace nobles dying's a sacrifice. Some blood's gotta spill."

"Can't achieve without any losses, huh."

"Not can't—learned peaceful ways won't cut it against those bastards."

Akail fiddled with the locket on his neck.

Lots happened to him.

Odd for royalty to form liberation army and do this.

But situation must warrant it. How rotten is the court?

Lotsa backstory.

Cared, but didn't pry.

"Exit via this passage. If you meet palace folk, use the excuse we gave."

"Got it."

"See you soon, Ian."

"Go."

Exited via their passage.

Remote palace corner, untouched. Returned to room safe, as said.

Next morning.

I was chatting in the gallery about yesterday's fight with Akail.

Knights way weaker than mages overall.

But low realm, fast-moving knights can get you.

Think of it as mages having way higher ceiling.

9th circle like archmage dukes already beats all knights.

Knight ceiling maybe 8.5th circle equivalent.

But 9th circle here just archmage dukes and tower lords.

Knights numerous, so they climb sneaky.

Galrums guessed and fumed.

Of course, knights can't beat archmage dukes no matter what.

Mage power exponential per circle.

Learned various knight counters too.

Highest realms mages dominate, but not me yet.

Maybe practice vs physical foes sometimes.

While chilling in my room galposting,

Arthur visited.

"...So chasing, ground collapsed—had to magic through the earth up."

"I see. Glad you're safe. And thanks. Managed to suppress thanks to you."

Used Yuuna's excuse, Arthur bought it.

Palace knights followed me into sinkhole after.

But passage collapsed mid-way, many knights dead.

Designed to crumble anytime by liberation.

Said I magicked out alive, he believed.

"Did what I could to survive. Knights' deaths regrettable."

"Agreed."

Arthur didn't seem too sad about knight deaths, despite words.

Maybe overflowing palace knights, per Yuuna.

"Anyway, cadet helped tidy up nicely. With rites too, much aid."

"Glad to help. Founding Festival status?"

"Proceeding as scheduled. Only day and change left."

Continue festival amid that.

Felt weirder post-Yuuna story.

Didn't dwell.

More important: Arthur's follow-up.

"Palace owes you unrepayable grace this time."

"No big deal..."

"Not reward per se, but decided extra elixir from 2nd vault. Any other needs, speak."

My eyes lit up.

Meant one elixir now two.

Conspiracy or not, take what's mine.

Galrums said take tiger semen if there.

Even so, tiger stuff...

"Festival end, we'll open vault. Till then."

Beast incident quelled, but still covering imperial mages' rites.

Smoothly finished rites rest of time.

Finally, Howard Max and crown prince opened palace 2nd vault.

Galrums still pushing tiger stuff.

Hoping deep down it's not there, entered.

'Raging Wyvern Jaw Oil' was there.

Not super rare elixir apparently.

Looking around more, spotted galrum-mentioned name in corner.