Chapter 118: Shadow Circle
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 118: Shadow Circle
The secret principle Lucy had proposed was precisely this.
A Red Circle is formed based on emotion. Because of this, the core circuit is always singular; unlike a Blue Circle, it cannot be replaced or replicated by other methods.
However, Ferda found himself in a rare predicament: two distinct emotions were clashing within a single mana circuit.
‘I will divert that interference... into another circle.’
Having solidified the visualization in his mind, Ferda immediately delved into the process. He focused entirely on the sensation of the Shape of Shadow.
‘Concentrate everything into the shadow.’
It was a realization similar to that of a master of transformation who once dreamed of becoming a butterfly. He tricked his mind into believing his physical body was an illusion, and that the silhouette clinging to the floor was, in fact, his true self.
Finally, Ferda became the shadow.
‘Now, I manifest the circuit.’
In his shadow form, his physical body did not circulate mana. Therefore, he had to proceed with the cultivation method for creating a 1st Circle from scratch.
Ferda summoned his negative emotions—the moment of deepest regret in his life.
It wasn't hard to pinpoint. It was the moment Valdrova had torn out her own heart. He absorbed every detail of that memory through his five senses.
Then, he felt a sensation like a whisper stroking his ear.
Why do something so foolish?
The voice had already seen through his intentions.
I am not trying to hurt you. I want to help you.
Ferda answered the voice.
“No matter what you say, I cannot let you have your way.”
Even if a moment comes when you cannot protect what you wish to protect?
“Yes.”
If you do that, only regret will remain once more.
“It doesn't matter.”
Ferda had already made up his mind. Even if he were to suffer for a lack of strength, he would no longer remain a prisoner of his past self.
I understand.
But do not push yourself too hard.
If you desire power, I will give it to you at any time.
Always remember—I am always within you.
The moment he felt the voice detach itself, something black and viscous began to surge within his shadow body. The hand that had been driving the circle was now stirring the interior of the shadow, forcing it to flow.
While maintaining that flow, Ferda focused, molding the energy as if shaping pottery.
The process was like walking through a field of thorns. He had to draw out his darkest emotions without being overwhelmed by them. At the same time, he had to constantly brainwash himself so that he wouldn't perceive his physical body for even a second.
If he lost focus for a single moment, he would die.
Despite the sensation of his mind being gnawed away, he pushed himself to the absolute limit.
‘I have someone who needs to be happy.’
That sense of mission was enough to keep Ferda going.
After a long while, he felt the circle, which had been flowing wildly through his shadow, stabilize into a constant form.
Ferda opened his eyes.
He saw his shadow stretched long by the candlelight behind him. Within it, a circle was rotating, colored in a hue deeper and darker than the shadow itself.
‘So this is what she meant.’
The advice had been cryptic when he didn't understand it, but now he realized how accurate it was. Two emotions and two circuits that could interfere with each other—depending on the emotion, they would move independently without mixing.
If the Shadow Circle moved, it was an emotion to be wary of. If the original circle moved, it was an emotion he could trust.
Ferda shrank his shadow body and pulled it back toward his physical form. The newly settled circle followed. He placed it beneath the original mana circuit situated in his Dantian. He felt them engage and move together, like gears supporting each other's motion.
‘My mana capacity has increased as well.’
With the addition of this secondary circle to his existing 4th Circle, his mana capacity reached a level close to the 5th Circle.
It was an anomaly. Mathematically, adding a 1st Circle to a 4th Circle shouldn't result in the capacity of a 5th. Usually, one would need at least a 3rd Circle to approach that level.
For a 1st Circle to be equivalent to a 3rd...
‘It means this emotion is that intense.’
What was forged from Ferda’s regret was an emotion that had once reached the 9th Circle—the realm of a Demigod.
‘I must not grow this circle until I reach at least the 5th Circle.’
He would nurture his affection but suppress his regret. He would control them both to achieve a balance that could serve as his strength. It would be a far from easy path.
However, Ferda felt a sense of relief deep down. Since the power was now visible and tangible, it meant he could exert control over it. The situation was much better than when everything had been vague.
This was a unique power that only Ferda could possess.
Ferda decided to call it:
‘Shadow Circle.’
* * *
After a bitter winter that felt as if it would last forever, sunlight full of vitality finally beat down upon the ground. In the heat warming the earth, green sprouts peeked their heads out, offering prayers to the grace of the morning sun.
The followers of Alte looked down at the green vegetation and offered short prayers of their own. It was a greeting of gratitude, acknowledging that the period of hardship had passed and Alte’s blessing had arrived.
Spring had come.
The refugees, who hadn't strayed from their stoves for months, enjoyed the sunlight for the first time in a long while, and a new vitality returned to the streets.
Ferda conducted the quarterly settlement with Isabella, the administrator.
“The primary construction of the village is complete,” she reported.
Primary completion meant that all buildings immediately necessary for a functioning village were finished. The secondary phase would involve building expansions and zoning, while the third phase would be full-scale fortifications, such as the castle walls.
“Were there any setbacks?”
“As there is a reason for proceeding in stages, naturally, a few setbacks occurred.”
It was expected, as they had prioritized the wall construction, which had been pushed to a later stage.
“When we were planning the walls, didn't we assume a population ten times our current capacity?”
“We did.”
“Based on my current findings,” Isabella continued, “we are in a situation where we must put the brakes on population growth.”
Capping population growth meant they could no longer accept refugees.
“Petitions from the nobility have begun reaching the Empire. They claim we are poaching their people.”
“That is an undeniable fact.”
It was exactly what they were doing. They had accepted almost every refugee who came their way. The reason for accepting them wasn't simply out of charity during the winter. When spring arrives and labor is needed, even the smallest helping hand is vital.
“Some nobles are even demanding the return of the refugees.”
“Absurd.”
“I couldn't agree more.”
Ferda was not a philanthropist. He drew in those without a penny to grow the population specifically to breathe life into the city. With more people, merchants would flock, and as they gathered, rumors would spread.
“Should I write a letter telling them it's out of the question?”
“I would venture to say that is the worst possible move,” Isabella advised coldly. “The fact that they have written petitions means they have already grown into a significant faction. What we need now is to break their momentum. Sending a letter would only create a target that makes the current outcry even more violent.”
“Then assassination is the answer.”
“...Are you serious?”
“It was a joke.”
Isabella blinked. She hadn't expected the word 'joke' to come out of Ferda's mouth, and no matter how she looked at him, he hadn't looked like he was joking.
Ferda could roughly see the 'flow' Isabella was talking about. Having lived a life buying resentment, he knew where this kind of public outcry would lead.
‘The Empire.’
The Empire would not be pleased to see the Archduchess's territory growing so rapidly. They wouldn't just stand by; they would find some way to check Valdrova. Or, they could paint a negative image of Ferda, suggesting he was instigating wars to create refugees just to absorb them.
“What do you think we need right now?”
“Connections, of course. Political issues require a network.”
That was the thing Ferda was worst at, second only to manual labor.
“For connections, don't we have Count Consilus?”
“Count Consilus is a fine man, but his support is limited to the Far East.”
Just as a village chief is only a leader in his own neighborhood, he is just another stranger elsewhere. Consilus had always said the same—that it would be wise to become close with someone who holds great power within the heart of the Empire.
At the time, it sounded like a distant story to Ferda. He hadn't expected to be building a village in his own front yard like this.
“I believe you have already attended the Grand Council once as Regent. Is there no one you became close with there?”
“Someone I became close with...”
He went back to that day and tried to recall the people he had met. A smooth bald head seemed to shine as brightly as the sun in his memory.
“There is President Bernard of Escoleia.”
“President Bernard lacks the influence to be a reliable backer.”
If anything, Ferda was the one who had to lead him.
“What about the Iorga Magic Tower, which was declared an ally?”
“They have influence, but their principle is fundamentally not to interfere in human politics. Unless it's a matter related to the Demon Race, they won't move.”
It was only natural. They always insisted that human affairs should be settled by humans.
“Ideally, we need someone within the Empire. Someone who can at least act as a deterrent when the Empire tries to stifle our progress.”
Someone like that. Where would such a person be?
Just as Ferda was thinking that, Ruri, the maid who was busy cleaning, approached.
“A guest from the Empire has arrived.”
* * *
The person who had traveled along the Imperial highway was a knight.
He bore the mark of the Imperial Guard and was adorned in silver and gold, his entire presence screaming of high status. However, being a knight himself, Ferda knew exactly what role he had come to play. He recognized it by the owl feather attached to the knight's helmet.
‘A courier.’
He was a messenger who delivered letters written by those of Imperial blood. It was a high-ranking position that could never be ignored.
“I greet the Consort of the Great Fire! I am Aren, a knight of the Imperial Guard.”
“Welcome to Valdrova Castle. For what purpose have you come?”
“I have come to deliver a letter from the Imperial family.”
The knight took out a box he had kept in his breast pocket. Inside lay a letter, carefully packaged.
If he had come to announce an imperial decree, it would have been high-quality paper rolled on golden rods. This meant it was a personal matter from the Imperial family, not the official stance of the Arken Empire.
‘Sending such a letter...’
Perhaps because of his conversation with Isabella, the first thought that occurred to Ferda was that this might be a useful connection. He broke the seal and read the contents.
“If it isn't too private, may I ask what it says?” Isabella asked.
Since Isabella was the one handling all the headaches, he shared it willingly.
“Someone from the Imperial family is coming here suddenly.”
“Do you mean they are arriving as soon as tomorrow?”
“In a week.”
In the Empire, where every second is precious, and considering the person was a VVIP of Imperial blood, a one-week notice was indeed sudden.
Which member of the Imperial bloodline would it be?
Ferda looked at the signature at the bottom of the letter. His slightly excited heart sank, and he clicked his tongue as soon as he saw the name.
“It is a letter from the Imperial Princess.”
Olivia Arken.
Unlike the Princes who held succession rights, she could not directly express political views.
“A hollow shell, then,” Isabella remarked.
She was right. But even a hollow shell was something. To the starving Ferda, he needed anything he could get his hands on right now.