Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Episode 59
Prudence Loa remembered the turbulent times.
No, it would be more accurate to say he had never forgotten them, not even for a moment.
How could he forget those moments?
–Mother.
How could he forget the moment he chose the path of struggle?
–Mother?
How could he quell the burning passion in his heart when he held his mother's cold, lifeless hand?
‘The world must change for the better.’
Prudence Loa, no, just Prudence back then, dreamed of a revolution.
He was sick of the oppression by the privileged class. What kind of a mage's nation was this?
Even if magical power equated to authority, at least opportunities should be equal.
Instead of crushing the budding talents of those less fortunate, they should be nurtured and taught.
–We must fight.
Many shared Prudence's ideals. If magical power was the source of authority, then they would use that power to change the world.
–By shedding our blood, we can create a better world.
Much blood was shed.
He experienced an unspeakable sense of loss.
Comrades who burned with passion one night would be cold corpses the next morning.
–So, don’t stop fighting!!
Even so, they couldn't stop.
They had already come too far.
The bloodstained hands of their fallen comrades, sacrificed for a better tomorrow, pushed them forward.
“The path we walked wasn’t meaningless,” Prudence Loa murmured, looking at the “Outer Being” confined within Tia’s magic barrier.
“Someone will understand my actions.”
The history of sacrifice they built wasn't in vain.
“Isn’t that right?”
“…”
Prudence Loa spoke to the being standing behind him.
The being simply looked at him with pity, offering no response.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After learning from Tenebris that Prudence Loa was a revolutionary, I had a chance to speak with him. But it wasn't me who approached him.
“May I have a word?” Prudence Loa approached me as I was observing the “Outer Being.”
Perhaps mindful of the onlookers, he chose a moment when few people were paying attention.
I had been planning to talk to him anyway, so the timing was perfect.
“What can I do for you?”
“What do you see in that monster, Heir?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Is that so? If you wish to keep the secrets of those eyes hidden, I won’t pry.”
Had he noticed something about my eyes? Perhaps he knew from the start, or maybe he discerned it with his insight as an elder mage.
Just as I was observing him, he was also observing me.
It seemed I needed to be more careful.
“Since you seem unwilling to discuss the monster, Heir, let’s talk about something else.”
Prudence Loa blatantly changed the subject. This was probably his main objective from the start.
This cunning mage had created a situation where I couldn't refuse to answer.
I couldn't keep silent about the “Outer Being” forever.
Being in the same lab, I couldn't maintain a non-cooperative attitude towards the research.
If I continued to stay silent, it would be as good as asking to be expelled from the lab.
“I wanted to hear your thoughts on the history of Spellerge.”
“There’s not much to think about, considering Spellerge doesn’t have a long history.”
Indeed, Spellerge had a short history for such a powerful nation.
A nation that was practically a lawless zone couldn’t have lasted long.
It was Salem’s power that shaped the Magic Kingdom into its current form.
And Prudence Loa, who shed blood in the shadows, was probably no different.
“Yes, a short history,” Prudence Loa agreed, as if my curt response was exactly what he wanted to hear.
“We should have built our history more slowly.”
I now understood what Prudence Loa resented, and what he intended to do.
He was a ghost, trapped in the past.
He couldn’t let go of the revolution…no, he couldn’t let go of the burden he carried back then.
“History will soon be rewritten.”
“…”
“So, Heir, I hope you make the right choice when the time comes.”
Prudence Loa said with a benevolent smile.
The change in atmosphere was too perfect, almost unsettlingly quick.
“And Professor Merlin seems to be struggling, so perhaps you should assist her.”
“…I will.”
As I approached Professor Aira, who was looking bewildered in front of a glowing red magic tool, I observed Prudence Loa.
He hadn’t moved.
I still couldn't grasp his true intentions.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
There were no further conversations with Prudence after that.
–He’ll likely make his move this weekend.
Lucia’s voice came from the Tenebris communication device as it flickered faintly.
“I see…”
I didn’t know his exact intentions, but I was certain Prudence Loa would act.
So, I requested Tenebris to monitor his movements.
–Prince Oz, I know I shouldn't ask, but may I ask one question?
“If you think you shouldn’t, then don’t.”
–Isn’t it overkill to ask for the Commander’s cooperation in this matter?
She was quite adept at ignoring people.
I didn't like her attitude, but since it concerned her family, I’d let it slide this time.
“I’m just preparing for the worst-case scenario. My movements will be restricted when I fight Professor Prudence.”
–That’s what I find strange.
Lucia must have also made some deductions.
After my blatant request for information, she couldn’t possibly have not considered a confrontation with Prudence Loa.
And she would have understood the circumstances under which such a fight would occur.
–If your movements are restricted, wouldn't the same apply to Professor Prudence?
“That’s true.”
It might have been hastily erected, but it was still Tia’s magic barrier.
Even an elder mage couldn't breach it easily. It would require considerable time and concentration to dismantle it.
–So, what I’m saying is…
“You’re wondering if he has an accomplice?”
–…Yes. Otherwise, there’s no reason for you to assume the monster will be released.
“As I said before, I’m just preparing for every possibility. I can’t be certain of an accomplice. It’s just a suspicion.”
–Do you have any suspects in mind?
“No.”
Actually, I did, but there was no need to tell her.
It was just speculation.
Discreet would have figured it out even without me telling him.
The fact that he accepted this request implied as much.
“Tell your Tenebris agents to be careful.”
–Is that monster really that dangerous?
“Yes.”
Not because of its power, but because of the secret it held.
“If they have to engage, lethal force is authorized.”
–I’ll be sure to relay that message.
If that secret came to light prematurely, it wouldn’t just end with chaos.
It would be an all-out war.
Considering the enemy's power, Tia's current state, and Eleanor’s still-developing abilities…
We would likely be the ones annihilated.
With most professors engrossed in their own work and Tia absent, this was probably the only time he could act.
Saturday, 9 PM.
“Are you ready?”
“Y-Yes! I even brought sunscreen!”
“…Why?”
We weren't going on a picnic.
“Professor Prudence mainly uses fire magic, so…”
At least she wasn’t treating this like a picnic. But she was still mistaken.
“Fire and UV rays are different.”
“Oh…?”
“Well, fire does contain UV rays, so it’s fine.”
“O-Okay!”
Marie, having promised to cooperate, had cleared her schedule for me.
…Or maybe she was just free to begin with. Let’s bury that question.
I didn't want to ruin the mood by asking.
“…You remember the plan, right?”
“Attack Professor Prudence while he’s dismantling the barrier…was it?”
“Yes. Catching him red-handed will minimize complications.”
Despite her somewhat ditzy appearance, Marie remembered the key points of the plan.
“If, for some reason, we can’t subdue Professor Prudence…”
“We kill him?”
“…We run. There’s no need to kill him if we don’t have to.”
“You’re kind, Oz.”
Marie’s values were twisted.
Having come from the Underworld, she had a casual approach to death.
Considering all the dangers I was turning a blind eye to, I could hardly be called kind, but it couldn’t be helped.
“You should also try to be kind. Then you’ll make more friends.”
“Is that how it works?”
“Yes. [Death King], who was holding you back, is gone now.”
“But you have fewer friends than me, Oz.”
“…But my relationships are deeper. I have friends who will let me sleep over.”
“Are you angry, Oz?”
“I’m not angry.”
I wasn’t a child; I didn't have time for such petty squabbles.
It was time to move.
“It’s time. Let’s go.”
“You still seem angry.”
“…”
I was starting to understand why Marie had no friends. This girl was completely oblivious to the atmosphere.
[Contemplation – Activated]
I checked Prudence Loa's location with [Contemplation].
As expected, he was standing in front of the barrier containing the Outer Being.
Judging by the flow of mana, he had just started dismantling the barrier.
“Follow me, but keep your distance.”
“Wow…Oz, I can’t sense any mana from you. How did you do that?”
“Practice.”
I left Marie, who was still marveling at my mana control, and headed towards Professor Prudence.
I could conceal my mana perfectly, but my movements were only slightly muffled.
I should ask Lucia for some stealth lessons later.
Expanding my skill set was essential for survival.
I stood in front of the lab door and reassessed the situation.
Prudence Loa was still standing in front of Tia’s magic barrier.
Judging by the fluctuating mana flow, he hadn’t managed to dismantle it yet.
–Move when I give you the signal.
I relayed the prearranged hand signal to Marie and quietly opened the door.
Prudence Loa, preoccupied with dismantling the magic barrier, didn’t notice…
“As expected, you’ve arrived, Heir.”
…or so I thought.
“What…?”
Not only had Prudence Loa anticipated my plan, but the “Outer Being” was already gone.
When did he manage to take it?
Did he even have enough time?
“I assumed you would make this choice.”
The mana flow I'd been sensing was the preparation for magic.
He hadn’t been dismantling the barrier from the start.
“Now, let’s see if you have the strength to bear the consequences of that choice.”
I hadn't underestimated Prudence Loa.
I knew that, as an elder mage, his insight would be exceptional.
I had prepared for the possibility of my plan being discovered.
But…
“You’re not even trying to hide it?”
“There’s no point, is there?”
The hastily erected [Spatial Barrier] barely managed to block a powerful fire magic spell.
Advanced Magic
[Hellfire]
I hadn’t expected him to unleash such a powerful spell from the start.
“Your judgment is swift. Talent is a frightening thing.”
“It’s not talent, it’s experience.”
“Then I should be even more afraid of you, Heir.”
Prudence Loa smiled, satisfied with my curt response, and began casting another spell.