Chapter 271
Chapter 271
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 271
Chapter Title: Therase's Bloodline (4)
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Even past midnight, Orcamp couldn't bring himself to leave his study. Sitting at his desk, his face buried in his hands, he replayed the conversations from today's dinner, sentence by sentence.
Had he misspoken? Had he provoked Therase? What variables might his words create in the future?
This daily ritual of dissecting his own words was utterly draining and exhausting.
But he couldn't afford a single mistake.
Until he had a card to play against the empress, he had no choice but to be careful, and then be careful again.
A voice came from behind Orcamp.
“You summoned me, Your Highness.”
A man in his mid-thirties emerged from the veil of darkness. His slender eyes seemed to be perpetually smiling, and he was an effeminate man with seven piercings lining the helix of his ear.
Morrigan Arius.
Known to the world by the moniker 'Grave Robber,' he was a mage and an Unlocker who had opened his Immortal Function.
He was one of the Seven Sages of Magic belonging to the Black Line, and his recognized skill in Scale Magic had led to him being scouted by the Kazra Kingdom five years ago.
Unlike the Red Line, the Black Line had no association, and thus no ranks or hierarchy.
While some formed organizations like the Seven Sages of Magic, it was common for members to operate individually, like Arius the Grave Robber. Furthermore, most of them were criminals wanted by various nations.
There were mages who caused trouble in the Red Line and fled to the Black Line, but they were small fry compared to the perpetrators of mass slaughter who swarmed its ranks.
Anyone with a modicum of fame had a bounty starting in the hundreds of millions, so much so that there were even guilds in the Red Line dedicated solely to hunting Black Line members.
Nations associated with the Black Line faced international criticism, but given Kazra's political situation, it was unavoidable.
Even after ending the civil war through a political marriage with Therase, many elements of political instability remained.
Neighboring countries would not stand by and let Kazra grow, and internally, he had to contend with Therase's faction.
With foreign powers checking his efforts to strengthen the Red Line, it was a natural step for Orcamp to reach out to the Black Line.
“What of the matter I assigned you?”
“It has been handled successfully. You can assume most of the confidential information has been extracted. Therase will likely not notice a thing.”
“I see.”
“It is time to move to the next stage. I've been watching him, and he is fine material indeed. Just as you'd expect from Your Highness's son, perhaps?”
Orcamp sighed, feeling a sense of self-loathing. It was ludicrous how he had callously abandoned his son, only to bring him back now that he had found a use for him.
Arius offered consolation with a serpentine smile.
“Do not worry. It's not as if you're killing him, is it? There will be no problems.”
“That boy… he said he wants to leave the royal castle.”
Arius's slender, slit-like eyes opened slightly. A sharp glint, like starlight, flashed in his revealed pupils.
“I see. Well, Unlockers have little interest in the secular world. They are a breed that wanders in search of the strange, the wondrous, and the intangible.”
“Like you, you mean?”
Arius's moniker was the Grave Robber. But what he excavated was not gold or jewels.
“Well, something like that. In any case, nothing changes. Shirone isn't what's important; Ataraxia is.”
Orcamp's expression twisted. Why did it have to be that boy? No, this was clearly an opportunity. If he let this chance slip by, he would never escape Therase's grasp.
Orcamp would never forget the moments of humiliation he had endured, treated like a male prostitute after his marriage to Therase. He was plagued by nightmares, often waking up drenched in a cold sweat.
After crushing a man's spirit to its very core, she had left like the wind, planting only two obstacles in her wake: Zion and Uorin.
Therase has a plan to swallow the world.
One of the key operations was the multinational army, Valkyrie, organized to oppose Heaven.
The army, comprising a total of 24 nations, was large enough to destroy a small kingdom in three days, and Therase was its leader.
The reason the Kazra Kingdom had grown so rapidly in the last 20 years was also thanks to receiving a stake in Valkyrie.
But Orcamp did not believe the kingdom's growth would last. Zion was growing up well. And his surname was Therase, not Orcamp.
Eventually, Therase would devour Kazra, just as she had devoured him long ago.
Then one day, an intelligence report arrived. News that a student at a magic academy in the Tormia Kingdom had used an ability from Heaven.
He immediately launched an investigation, and a shocking truth was revealed. The boy was Shirone, the son he had abandoned 18 years ago.
Orcamp felt as if the heavens were on his side.
Even within Valkyrie, the army opposing Heaven, those who could wield Heaven's abilities were extremely few.
According to experts, Ataraxia was the ability of an archangel and ranked as Triple-S in the ability classification system.
Throughout its past and present, not a single person in Valkyrie has ever been able to wield a Triple-S ability.
And that Shirone was his own flesh and blood. If he could just enthrone Shirone as the first prince, he would have a weapon against Therase.
Not only would his standing within Valkyrie be strengthened, but there was also a non-zero chance of driving Therase's bloodline out of the Kazra royal castle.
Having finally made his decision, Orcamp asked.
“Can you replicate Ataraxia?”
“It's my specialty. Leave it to me.”
“I don't want to harm the boy. I want him to live the life he desires.”
Of course, it was a lie.
The only reason he had summoned Shirone was to use the power of Ataraxia to keep Therase in check.
In that respect, the existence of the Orcamp bloodline was also a risk factor that could incur Therase's wrath.
Replicating the information of Ataraxia and sending Shirone back was the best outcome for now. No, if he hadn't summoned him in the first place, he wouldn't have had to worry about Therase.
Upon hearing the news of Ataraxia, Arius had once infiltrated the Alpheas Magic Academy. But it seemed the Red Line had its share of quick-witted individuals, as the black box had already been destroyed.
Ultimately, the only person in the world who could wield Ataraxia was Shirone, and so, as a last resort, he had no choice but to summon him to the royal castle.
“It's not like we're stealing it. It's a good thing, so we're just asking to share. A son can do that much for his father, can't he?”
“If Shirone refuses the position of heir, I have no intention of forcing him. But we absolutely need it.”
Arius nodded confidently.
“Do not worry. Allow me to meet Shirone during the paternity test tomorrow.”
Orcamp turned his head, puzzled.
“The paternity test? All the ministers will be present to observe. It's a verification of the royal bloodline; there's no room for tricks.”
“Of course. I have no intention of interfering with the test either. After all… it's best to be certain about such things, haha. But there should be an opportunity before the test, wouldn't you say?”
Only then did Orcamp understand and nod.
The test would be conducted under strict supervision, but before it began, he should be able to approach Shirone quietly.
“I'm counting on you.”
“Rest easy. Everything will be fine.”
With those words, Arius dissipated like smoke. It was a trademark of those who wielded Scale Magic.
The study door opened, and Eliza entered. Her expression was grim, as if she had overheard their clandestine conversation.
“What is it, at this late hour?”
Eliza clasped her hands and pleaded.
“My dear, he is our son. I don't know what this is about, but please don't put him in danger.”
“There's no need to worry. It's just… a political matter. Don't concern yourself and go back.”
“How can I not worry? Don't you feel any guilt? Please, don't break his heart any further!”
Orcamp's face contorted into a fearsome scowl.
“Guilt? If we hadn't abandoned the child, Kazra would have become a vassal state of Yakma. I would have been beheaded at the guillotine, and you would have become a plaything for foreign officials. Is that what you truly wanted?”
Eliza's face turned pale as she shuddered. She knew better than anyone what happened to royalty who lost a war.
She never wanted to experience such a fate.
Eliza returned to her room without a word. She would continue to enjoy her current life. She had no intention of giving up her position as queen, where she could obtain anything she desired.
@
A village 14 kilometers from the Kazra royal castle.
Armin of the Luminous Eyes, the Eternal Contemplator, was staying in a small village called Toshka, carrying out a special mission.
Of course, his profession as a painter was still valid. Though he had lost his eyes, the Luminous Eyes that filled his sockets allowed him to see the other side of the world.
The charcoal moving across the canvas drew lines as rough as his emotions.
Today, for some reason, he was not pleased with his handiwork.
A work of art inevitably contains the artist's spirit, and as the drawing neared completion, only his troubled heart stood out.
“Huuu.”
Armin stopped his hand and set down the charcoal.
Due to the nature of his work, he both received and disseminated information from all over the world. To the average person, the world might seem peacefully asleep, but beneath the surface, countless currents of turbulence were forming.
‘Shirone…’
Recently, among those active in the Abyss, the most talked-about figure was, without a doubt, Shirone.
When he first started reading the article about Shirone in *Spirit Magazine*, Armin had been pleased.
He thought that the outstanding talent he had sensed back then was finally beginning to shine.
But the moment he realized what the magic circle introduced in the article was, he was shocked.
He didn't know how Shirone had obtained the ability of an archangel, but it was an event worthy of the attention of world leaders.
And yesterday, he had gathered intelligence that Shirone had received an invitation from the Kazra Kingdom.
The report claimed he was the son Orcamp had lost 18 years ago.
He couldn't verify the rumor's authenticity, but if it were true, the Kazra Kingdom's choice was brilliant.
For Shirone, on the other hand, it was a dangerous affair.
The Kazra Kingdom was a nation under the influence of Therase, the leader of Valkyrie and empress of the Kashan Empire.
It was a current far too massive for Shirone, still an incomplete mage, to be swept up in.
“What are you doing? You said you were busy today, but you're not even painting.”
Keira came in, carrying groceries she'd bought at the market.
Legally his wife but in reality his warden, she narrowed her eyes at the sight of Armin lost in thought.
“Hm? Oh.”
Armin hastily snapped out of his thoughts and picked up the charcoal, but he couldn't escape Keira's sharp eyes.
Even if she weren't so perceptive, she too was a figure active in the Abyss. She would surely have a good idea of what Armin was thinking.
“…”
Without even putting down her shopping basket, Keira waited for Armin to confess.
But he just kept moving the charcoal as if nothing was wrong.
The fact that she couldn't tell what he was thinking because a cloth covered his eyes was the second most irritating thing about dealing with him.
“You're not thinking of doing something foolish, are you?”
Armin's hand froze. He frowned in displeasure and turned to Keira, retorting.
“Something foolish?”
“About Shirone. Of course, we must keep an eye on him, but this is not for us to interfere in. It's an order from above to stand by until the Kazra Kingdom reaches its own conclusion.”
Armin carelessly threw down the charcoal and stood up.
“The Kazra Kingdom is involved with a mage from the Black Line. You, of all people, should know their capabilities. Shirone is an important figure to us as well. By the time a conclusion is reached, it will be too late.”
“That's all the more reason why you can't. The higher-ups are strictly controlling any conflict with the Black Line. It's better to leave it to the Red Line this time as well.”
“This isn't something to be taken so lightly. The reason they took Shirone is…”
Keira's gaze turned cold.
“Armin, I'll say it again: do not act rashly. This is an order from a superior, not a colleague. If you don't follow my instructions, I'll have no choice but to bring out the Concordat Pact.”
Armin clamped his mouth shut and glared at Keira. If he disobeyed her orders, the people he loved would be harmed. Naturally, Shina's name was on that list.
The Luminous Eyes hidden beneath the bandage emitted a cold light, and Keira felt a chill run down her spine.
But she could not bend her will.
They had been avoiding friction with the Black Line for 40 years. To break the balance of power now would only bring about a greater disaster.
Armin sighed, walked to the window, and surveyed the scenery outside. Winter was approaching, but the sun still shone down on the world with great strength.
“...So this is how you're going to play it?”
“I have no choice. It's my job.”
Keira forced a cold tone. As a mage herself, she didn't want to torment a man who had reached the pinnacle of time magic like this.
But the Concordat Pact was valid with the higher-ups. It was not something she could decide, and so she had to persuade Armin by any means necessary. It was all for his sake.
Armin shot back coldly.
“To ensnare me, to bind me, to restrain me—is that your job?”
Keira's expression was slightly aggrieved.
“Yes! If you're angry, then curse at me. I'll take whatever insults you throw. But until the order comes down, you can't go anywhere. That is my job.”
Armin's breathing grew ragged.
Feeling as if a wild beast were growling, Keira quickly put her right hand inside her clothes.
In a one-on-one fight, Keira would be at a slight disadvantage. But she had an ace up her sleeve.
The Concordat Pact held in her right hand could be activated at any moment.
“Huuu, this is too much.”
Armin let out a long sigh, ending the tense standoff. He walked over to the table and gently stroked a flower in a vase.
A flower, forcibly plucked by someone and trapped in a glass vase. Perhaps his own situation was not so different from this flower's.
“Keira…”
Armin's voice was melancholic. As if understanding his feelings, Keira's expression softened, and she approached him.
“Armin, I'm sorry. But…”
“No one can bind me.”
At that moment, Armin turned to Keira and spoke. Then he swiped his hand, knocking the vase to the floor.
Keira's gaze reflexively moved toward the vase.
‘Ah!’
For a split second, she lost sight of Armin. By the time she realized it, a time-reversal field had already been activated.
The falling vase stopped in mid-air, and Keira, unable to turn her gaze away, froze like a doll.
In the frozen time, Armin was nowhere to be seen.
(End of Volume 11)