Then Die
Then Die
At the same time, on a snowy plateau in the remote borderlands of the Republic.
In front of a bizarre three-story building constructed atop a sheer cliff, a man and a woman were catching their breath.
"We've come to the 'Magic Tower' once again."
At his subordinate's lighthearted remark, Republic intelligence agent Bilof let out a low chuckle.
"It's a place you'll be visiting often, so get used to it. Well, our Archmage will be operating outside the tower for the time being, after all."
"Since Supreme Council Comrade accepted Lady Seraile's demands. High-density resin, brass pins... things like animal inner membranes and mana storage stones. What on earth is she trying to make?"
"We don't need to know. We just have to do as we're told. Set aside your curiosity and watch your tongue in front of Lady Seraile. If something like last time happens again, I won't be able to cover for you anymore."
When Bilof issued the warning, his subordinate nodded.
Seeing his subordinate's stiff expression, Bilof opened the tower door and stepped inside.
After clearing his throat once, Bilof, conscious of Seraile on the third floor, shouted loudly.
"Archmage! It's Bilof! I've come to escort you at the appointed time! If you haven't finished packing yet, I could help..."
Kung!
Before Bilof could even finish speaking, the floor in a corner collapsed.
"What the..."
A flustered Bilof approached the collapsed section, revealing a staircase leading down to a basement.
The subordinate, who had been staring blankly at the sight, opened his mouth.
"...I never knew there was a passage to the basement on the first floor."
"This is my first time seeing it too."
"Excuse me? Your first time?"
"I'm not the building manager, I'm just the messenger from the higher-ups. It's only natural I wouldn't know the building's layout, isn't it?"
When Bilof rebuked him, the subordinate, realizing it was a fair point, nodded.
After a moment of deliberation, Bilof descended the stairs.
He judged that it clearly seemed like a signal to come down, and that hesitating would be discourteous.
Descending alongside his subordinate while groping the wall, Bilof stopped in front of a door where light was seeping through.
Taking a deep breath, Bilof opened the door, revealing an indoor garden.
Amidst fluttering butterflies, all manner of flowers were blooming in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Just as he was wondering how such a thing was possible underground, he heard a humming sound.
Turning his gaze toward the source of the sound, he could see Seraile watering the flowers with a watering can.
"...Archmage?"
When Bilof cautiously called her name, Seraile stopped watering the flowers.
Setting the watering can down on the floor, Seraile turned around.
Beneath her pure white hair, crimson eyes blinked.
As Bilof froze under her gaze, Seraile frowned as if she found his reaction irritating.
"What are you doing? If you called for me, you should speak up."
Only then did Bilof come to his senses. He let out a dry cough and hurriedly opened his mouth.
"Ah. My apologies. To get straight to the point, Supreme Council Comrade has accepted the Archmage's demands. Supreme Council Comrade stated he will provide convenience in every possible area, and that the required materials will also be prepared at the highest quality. Furthermore..."
Bilof snapped his fingers, and the subordinate beside him stepped forward.
The subordinate lifted the thick briefcase he was carrying and opened it.
Inside the briefcase were a military uniform and the insignia of a lieutenant colonel.
"To make it easier for you to operate on the front lines in the future, Supreme Council Comrade has decided to grant you the rank of Army Lieutenant Colonel. As it is a gift from our Republic, we hope you will accept it gladly."
"And my quarters? I absolutely detest places with no hot water."
"As for your quarters, they are currently searching for the finest place locally."
Hearing Bilof's words, Seraile gave a satisfied smile.
"Good. You've prepared decently this time. In that case, I suppose I should prove my abilities to you as well, shouldn't I? It would be best to report to the higher-ups that my skills haven't rusted."
As Seraile raised her hand, a burst of light erupted above it, and a single pistol dropped into her palm.
Just as he was wondering what she was about to show them, Seraile raised the pistol and pressed it to her own temple.
"Archmage?"
In front of a bewildered Bilof, Seraile smiled and pulled the trigger.
Tang!
The bullet fired, and Seraile's head burst apart.
The blood, fanning outward, instantly dyed the flowers of the garden.
Blood also splattered onto Bilof's face, but no one there paid any attention to such things.
"Eh, ah...?"
Unable to grasp the situation, the subordinate, who had been standing there dazed, collapsed onto the floor.
"Ahh? Ah?"
Having just witnessed a person commit suicide right before his eyes, it was only natural he struggled to maintain his sanity.
Bilof, too, couldn't understand why Seraile had killed herself, so he simply stared blankly ahead.
It was then that one of the doors connected to the garden swung open, and a burst of loud laughter escaped.
"Ahahaha! Look at those stupid faces! They actually think I'm dead."
Turning his head to the side, Bilof saw Seraile, alive and perfectly unharmed.
He was so bewildered that his thoughts couldn't connect.
Mouth gaping like a goldfish, Bilof barely managed to squeeze out some words.
"...Archmage? What on earth just happened?"
"You saw it and still don't get it? The one who just committed suicide wasn't me, it was a doll."
"A doll, you say?"
Seraile chuckled and nodded.
"Yes. One of the reasons our Supreme Council Comrade grovels before me is because of this very puppetry technique. It's classified as top secret, but I'm telling you two as a special treat, alright?"
Speaking as if she had every right to be proud, Seraile walked toward the fallen doll.
Thanks to the blood that had poured out, a puddle was forming, making it indistinguishable from a real corpse.
"If you understand, could you help me move the doll? This one doll is worth more than your lives. Now that the show's over, the remaining parts should be recycled, right?"
At Seraile's words, Bilof hastily nodded.
"Understood. And... on behalf of Supreme Council Comrade, allow me to express our gratitude once more. I will be sure to report to the higher-ups the benevolence of the Archmage, who seeks to serve the Republic."
"Hm? What are you talking about."
Seraile wore a sulky expression, as if she found his words distasteful.
"I don't care whether the Republic falls or not. The only reason I'm helping you people is because my curiosity about that man, Daniel Steiner, has pierced the heavens."
"...You mean Brigadier General Daniel Steiner."
"Yes. You know I'm always listening to the stars, right? But it's truly strange. Even the stars couldn't define what kind of person Daniel Steiner is."
Though not perfectly, Seraile could grasp a person's fate through the stars.
She could roughly know what kind of life that person would lead and what kind of end they would meet.
However, Daniel Steiner's fate was a blank.
As if fate itself didn't exist for him, he was moving alone toward a future that had not been predetermined.
The funny thing was that the fates of those who got entangled with Daniel Steiner were also changing.
It was an anomaly without precedent.
A monster that denied the heavens and earth and devoured fate.
That was the Daniel Steiner that Seraile saw.
"If the stars can't define him, then I want to define him."
An alluring smile played around Seraile's lips.
"Daniel Steiner's fate, that is."
*
The following morning.
A cathedral in the old town of the Imperial Capital.
Ttokak─
Arno, who had been lying asleep on a pew in the cathedral, slowly opened his eyes.
The intense light pouring down from the stained glass made him frown instinctively.
Ttokak─
Even in the midst of that, the sound of military boots was steadily drawing closer.
Wondering who it was, Arno raised his upper body and saw Daniel walking toward him.
Daniel's expressionless face felt slightly terrifying.
Maintaining silence as he walked, Daniel suddenly dropped to his knees at a distance of about ten steps from Arno.
"Prince Arno."
A tremor could be felt in his voice.
"Following the evidence Your Highness spoke of, I have viewed all the memories of the past. Your Highness's words were the truth. Her Majesty Selvia did not inherit the blood of the late Emperor."
Hearing Daniel's words, Arno's face brightened as he stood up from his seat.
He staggered briefly from just having woken up, but quickly regained his balance and shouted.
"Yes! Your words are correct! The only one who inherited Father's blood is me! Arno von Amberg alone! Do you understand my words now? That Selvia, that bitch, is a monster!"
Daniel bowed his head deeply, as if feeling guilt.
"That is so. I have been serving the wrong lord all this time."
Thinking that things were resolving more easily than expected, Arno let out a laugh.
"Then the conversation should be simple. Daniel Steiner! Hero of the Empire! Use that evidence to install me on the Emperor's throne for the sake of the Empire! If you do, I shall give you everything!"
Daniel shook his head.
"I have no need for wealth and glory. I am merely seeking to correct what is wrong. But, Prince Arno. Is there anyone else besides us who knows this fact?"
At the sudden question, Arno thought for a moment before answering.
"Before I told you, only the physician and I knew. The physician died while being interrogated by me, so now only you and I know."
"Is that so."
Having heard Arno's answer, Daniel rose from his spot.
Arno, who unintentionally met Daniel's gaze, felt a surge of tension.
Because a pair of eyes like a wild beast was staring him down.
In an instant, all drowsiness vanished.
'...Something is wrong.'
It felt as if the air itself was pressing down heavily.
In the space where silence continued, Daniel slowly walked toward Arno.
It was the moment Arno, feeling cornered, took a step backward.
"In that case..."
As if the play were over.
"If you die, no one will be able to approach this truth."
Daniel pronounced quietly.