Chapter 87: Bloody Prince (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: Bloody Prince (2)
Word was spreading among the Imperial agents that a nickname had been coined for Esid.
“Calling him the ‘Bloody Prince’ seems a bit much. It’s not like there was an actual bloodbath.”
The Bloody Prince? That sounds like a tyrant…
“If it had actually been a bloodbath, a nickname like that wouldn't have stuck. Just what on earth did you do?”
Faced with Uncle Aeryun’s accusation, I had no choice but to plead my innocence.
“It wasn't me, okay?”
That gruesome scene was the work of Maxcep, the Terror of Dark Mages. Even I couldn't have manufactured a catastrophe that horrific.
“…I heard the reports, but did he really do that all by himself?”
“I don’t know the first thing about magic.”
Maybe if it’s just clicking an artifact, but I’m truly clueless when it comes to actual spellcasting.
“I suppose. But the Imperial Magic Tower concluded that this whole thing makes no sense…”
“What doesn't?”
“How should I put this…”
After pondering for a moment, Uncle Aeryun offered an explanation that even a magic layman like me could understand.
“Simply put, it’s a matter of probability.”
“What probability?”
“Spatial magic operates on incredibly complex principles. Even after centuries, those high-and-mighty mages at the Tower haven't fully deciphered it.”
“That’s just how those Magic Spammers are.”
“…Be that as it may. Anyway, while the principles are complex, there’s no magic as well-organized in its execution and methodology as spatial magic.”
Other types of magic varied slightly depending on the Magic Tower. Even within the same Tower, it differed by school. Within the same school, it changed depending on the master who taught it, and it could even vary based on the individual student’s aptitude.
“Because they can afford to be different.”
As long as the core components were correct, magic tended to succeed even if it deviated slightly from the original formula. Of course, those minor differences were what separated a master from an amateur, but it didn't hinder the actual use of the spell.
“But spatial magic is different.”
If you don't do exactly as instructed, it either fails to trigger or results in a massive catastrophe. Because of this, every minute detail of spatial magic tended to be shared and documented meticulously.
“In other words, if you don't know it at all, it won't trigger. If you get even a part of it wrong, a disaster occurs.”
And isn't that exactly what happened this time?
“One might think so, but if that were the case, all the Dark Mages should have suffered the same fate.”
Either everyone’s heads should have popped out, or everyone should have been summoned feet-first. However, the spatial magic Maxcep used resulted in everyone being summoned in completely different, mangled forms.
“Maybe he just winged it?”
“I refuse to believe someone like that got into the Academy as a mage.”
“Why not? At first, you were so confident the Academy could never be breached, but now you act like it was inevitable.”
“Hey, that was…!”
Uncle Aeryun grimaced, then let out a long sigh.
“Regardless, the Magic Tower seems to think there’s a mastermind behind this. The Intelligence Bureau is moving in that direction as well.”
“A group intentionally trying to wipe out Dark Mages?”
“That’s one possibility. Or it could be internal strife.”
“Internal? I thought Dark Mages were all individualists.”
“They are, but they’re divided into broad factions. There are those who purely study magic. Those intoxicated by the power of dark mana. Those who sold their souls to dark magic to seek revenge against a powerful enemy. And then there are the fanatics who worship the Evil God and the Demon Tribe. They aren't as cohesive as the factions in the Magic Tower, but they do form groups when a reason to gather arises.”
As expected of the Empire, where Dark Mages pop up whenever they’re bored. The only person in our Kingdom who could categorize Dark Mages to this extent would be Boradori.
…But I don't think that punk ever mentioned this to me.
After hearing the progress of the case from Uncle Aeryun, I went straight to find Boradori.
“Oh, that?”
“Do you know what it is?”
“I didn't expect it to come up this early… but why the face?”
“What face?”
“The face of someone about to punch me.”
Oh.
“So you do know!”
“Gah!”
Since he seemed to know, I started by giving him a light smack.
I think I have a general idea of what he’s thinking. He’s likely hedging his bets. If he spills all the information at once, his usefulness might run out. So, while he shares the important milestones, he holds back the process, revealing it only when necessary to prove his value.
The problem was…
“Why do you never tell me before it happens?”
It’s useless if he only explains it as an epilogue after the event has already occurred.
“I’m being framed!”
“Want another hit?”
“I’m serious?!”
Boradori raised both hands, looking like she was about to cry.
“What’s so unfair?”
“I told you! I didn't expect it to happen this early! This isn't a story that was supposed to come out now!”
I nodded at the protest of Boradori—the original work purist who had, in fact, single-handedly destroyed the original plot. If something that was supposed to happen much later in the original work occurred now, it wasn't necessarily Boradori’s fault.
“The problem is that this wasn't a sudden occurrence!”
“Ouch!”
Boradori shut her mouth as I gave her another flick to the forehead. She’d already admitted that the scenario had been accelerated by years since the Holy Kingdom Restoration, so talking about variables now was nonsense.
“So. What’s the deal?”
“After hitting me all you wanted…”
“Should I start deducting from your salary this month?”
“It’s a part in the latter half of the Academy arc where a supporting character among the Dark Mages with a tragic backstory appears…”
I listened quietly as the story began to flow naturally.
“So, in short, it’s a faction war between Dark Mages?”
“Yeah…”
“The Demon faction and the Human faction… Isn't dark magic demonic in origin?”
“That comes out later too. If you trace the roots of dark magic, it is indeed the magic of the Demon Tribe. But eventually, a human known as the First Dark Mage appeared and adapted it for humans. That person was involved with the Demon King in the past… but strictly speaking, they’re in a traitor position.”
“What kind of story is that? Don't the readers complain when side stories like that pop up?”
“I told you, the author was great at pacing. At first, it was just a 1,000-character explanation, but it was mentioned bit by bit after that. Later on, tons of people were begging for a sequel or a side story about it.”
Based on Boradori’s explanation, the original author must have been quite talented.
“Back to the main point. So, there was a faction of Dark Mages who followed the demons—the source of dark magic—and a faction that followed the First Dark Mage…”
“And?”
“Originally, they didn't know.”
“Didn't know what?”
“Which faction the others belonged to.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It is.”
According to the additional explanation, it was partly because Dark Mages are individualists. Furthermore, since demons were beings that only appeared in myths, the faction following the First Dark Mage simply thought the others were just a bit too obsessed with myths and legends.
“But a demon was summoned, wasn't it?”
The balance began to crumble with the appearance of our Mellon.
“On top of that, among the fanatics who claimed to hear the voice of the Evil God, it was revealed that some were actually hearing the voices of high-ranking demons.”
The people thought to be lunatics were actually prophets. As such rumors began to spread through the dark magic world, discord erupted among the Dark Mages.
“Then, the story between the first demon and the First Dark Mage somehow got out, and a civil war between the Dark Mages began.”
Dark Mages were the type of people who wouldn't hesitate to turn the colleague sitting next to them into a sacrifice if things went south.
“So, once the civil war started, they began backstabbing Dark Mages from different factions without hesitation. That’s one of the sub-stories that runs from the latter half of the Academy arc to the beginning of the demon appearance arc.”
I nodded after hearing the whole story.
“I’ve got the gist of it.”
The picture was clear now.
“Exactly! This is where the Dark Mage sub-male lead appears!”
Boradori nodded along, as if my guess was correct. However…
“He’s a Dark Mage, but he gets a redemption arc?”
“A tragic past comes out, so opinions are split fifty-fifty. Anyway, he gets killed by a demon in the end.”
“They really kill them off without hesitation.”
“Sub-male leads in this story are usually treated pretty poorly.”
Apparently, there were so many male lead candidates that anyone with a 'sub' title usually died or disappeared.
“I’d better be careful not to become a sub-lead.”
“Don't worry. You’re already the most likely candidate for the main male lead!”
“…I haven't lowered my hand yet, you know?”
“I told you everything?! Gwah!”
Knowing full well that wasn't the reason, I gave him another flick as he tried to make excuses.
Due to the schemes of the wicked Dark Mages, our Prince Esid had gained the dishonorable nickname of the Bloody Prince, but it was still fine. That was because…
“Will this be enough?”
“It is more than enough.”
I still had cards left in my hand.
“Hmm. Since you saved my daughter… a request of that level is nothing.”
“If that’s the case, our Canine Tribe will help as well.”
“Thank you.”
As I watched the retreating backs of the Canine and Wolfkin chieftains, Bell—the catalyst for this whole mess—tilted her head.
“By the way, who is Esid?”
“There’s someone who solves everything.”
“If a male says that much, he must be an incredible person!”
“Indeed.”
He is a very incredible person. A man who achieves everything without doing a single thing.
#3 RoFan Male Lead Alliance (Disbanded)
Esid had given up on explaining himself, but that was only to his brother and the Imperial agents.
“Right. So that’s how it was.”
“I knew I could trust you!”
Their expressions said they didn't believe him at all, but Esid simply let out a deep sigh and nodded.
“Yes. That’s what happened.”
Since he had no intention of becoming Emperor, his brother and the agents didn't matter as much. But the frenemies in front of him were people he would have to live with for at least the next three years. No, perhaps they would know each other for much longer than that.
Feeling that might be the case, Esid had done his best to explain himself. He finally managed to convince his comrades by pointing out that they had been together the whole time—when would he have had the time to commit such an act?
“I mean, for some reason, I heard that even if you just sit still, you can influence the entire Academy, Esid.”
“…Does that even sound logical to you?”
Esid looked at Asran with an incredulous expression. Asran gave an awkward laugh, but then…
“Hmm.”
“Here he is.”
“……?”
Everyone froze at the sudden appearance of the Beastkin.
“So you are Esid.”
“We have heard much about you.”
They walked straight up to Esid and suddenly bowed their heads.
“……?”
Before the bewildered Esid, they shouted their gratitude loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Thanks to you, my daughter was able to escape the clutches of the Dark Mages.”
“The grace shown to a friend is grace shown to us. We of the Canine Tribe shall never forget your kindness, Esid!”
“……”
Wait, who are you people?
Esid was about to speak, but then he saw the expressions on his friends' faces—who had already backed away to a distance—and decided to just give up on everything.