Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Empire's Light's Disguise
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Rattle, rattle, rattle...
Rikal sat in his chair, his legs shaking uncontrollably.
And beside him, his aide Hannon watched him with trembling eyes.
'Pl-please, let nothing happen...'
Hannon prayed fervently to the gods once again today.
This time too, Hannon had no choice but to accompany Rikal to the Illusion Tower.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. So, what brings you here this time, Your Highness?"
Riot, the illusion mage, brought out some tea.
He wore a sly smile, like a fat merchant pleased with a deal.
"...Slurp. What the hell is this sugary water?"
"It's called mix coffee. Regular coffee with heaps of milk and sugar added."
"Typical illusion mage nonsense, messing with coffee now too. Slurp."
Rikal grumbled as he quickly drained the cup.
'He likes it.'
Hannon knew Rikal enjoyed the milk coffee but kept it to himself.
Instead, he made a mental note to prepare coffee loaded with milk and sugar whenever Rikal lost his temper in the future.
"So, what's the business? I'm busy."
"...Slurp."
Rikal downed several cups of mix coffee without saying a word.
Hannon had no idea why Rikal had come to the Illusion Tower this time either.
"...Clear the room. Hannon, wait outside."
"Of course. Rain, could you take everyone upstairs?"
Hannon had no choice but to obey and stepped outside.
He worried what Rikal might do, but it was better than defying him and dying.
"I'll bring another cup of coffee."
Riot went to fetch more coffee.
The other illusion mages headed upstairs too, leaving Rikal alone on the first floor.
The tower fell silent.
-...But isn't that Empire's Light user actually a guy?
"...!!!!"
The faint words came from the stairs.
Rikal overheard snippets of conversation from the illusion mages heading back to their rooms.
He held his breath instinctively, eavesdropping.
-Nah, no way. He's not a pervert; why would he do that?
-Still. Otherwise, there's no reason not to join the expedition party.
-Or maybe from the nickname and all, he's royalty? Being imperial, he's just being cautious.
-Even the Emperor said he wants to join the expedition. But could he be imperial? No way, the Third Prince?
"!!!!!"
Rikal jumped to his feet in shock.
But he sat back down immediately.
The mages on the stairs had glanced at him oddly.
-Come to think of it, didn't he come here before saying he'd been harassed by some jerk? Was he the cleric back then?
-Nah, no way the Third Prince is Empire's Light.
-But if he is, that's creepy. Acting like that in-game while being him? "Hawaawa-?" or whatever.
Giggle, giggle.
The illusion mages laughed among themselves as they entered their rooms.
They must have thought he couldn't hear, but Rikal caught every word.
Normally, he would have exploded in rage.
But this time, he couldn't—because he really was Empire's Light.
'Di-did they figure it out? How the hell did they guess that far?'
Panicking in a way unlike himself, Rikal broke into a cold sweat.
"Have another cup. So, what's the real business?"
Just then, Riot returned.
He still wore that irritating smile.
The reason Rikal had come to the Illusion Tower this time was none other than the expedition party.
Not to reveal his identity, but to commission an artifact from the illusion mages.
An artifact that would disguise his appearance with illusion.
With it, he planned to change his look and join the expedition.
"A-hem... I'd like to commission an artifact."
"An artifact? Doesn't Your Highness already have Maple Leaf Tale?"
"Not that. I mean one that changes my appearance with illusion. The Illusion Tower can do that, right?"
"It's possible, sure."
Only illusion magic could pull off something like that.
He'd considered a disguise suit from an assassin guild, but it wouldn't hide an adult man's build.
Empire's Light was a cute girl's persona.
To conceal even his physique, illusion magic was the only way.
"What do you plan to use it for?"
"Th-that's none of your business. Just make it."
"Fine... So, what appearance? I need a model for the illusion."
"Uh, something... small and cute... girl-like?"
"Small and cute... And?"
"Bright impression, dressed like a commoner or minor rural noble."
"Hmm. No one can know your identity, right?"
"Exactly. But not too poor-looking."
"Of course. Gotta look like someone who splurges on cash items."
"Yeah, plenty of money, but obscure border noble so few know... Wait. What?"
"Pardon?"
"Splurges on cash?"
"Yeah. You splurge a ton, don't you?"
Riot beamed at Rikal.
His clear, wide eyes held an inexplicable madness.
Rikal's body began to tremble, terrifying visions flooding his mind.
"N-no way, you..."
"You're Empire's Light, right, Your Highness?"
"U-uaaaagh!"
His heart plummeted.
Rikal screamed and toppled backward.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In truth, I'd half-expected something like this.
Empire's Light—that is, Third Prince Rikal—was an early user always ranking high.
Considering he'd reached 4th job as Bishop and his level, he should have joined the expedition long ago.
Yet Empire's Light hadn't.
I knew it was because of his identity as the Third Prince.
With offline strategy meetings now mandatory, he'd have to reveal himself in person.
To join, Rikal needed to hide his appearance, but using a body double would mean someone knowing his secret.
So, it was a natural conclusion he'd come to the Illusion Tower for an illusion artifact to disguise himself.
As expected, Rikal showed up and ordered an illusion artifact to change his appearance.
"You're Empire's Light, right, Your Highness?"
"U-uaaaagh!"
Rikal toppled spectacularly at my words.
His panicked face was pretty amusing.
"Don't worry. No one else knows."
I wanted to tease him a bit first.
That's why I'd asked the illusion mages earlier to talk where Rikal could hear and then leave.
Of course, I didn't outright say Rikal was Empire's Light.
They might have guessed, though.
"H-how... how did you..."
"Eh, just a hunch. And it was right."
"D-don't lie! You tricked me..."
"Calm down."
As Rikal reached for his sword, I held out a brooch.
It was an artifact that transformed the wearer into a cute girl like Empire's Light.
I'd made it in advance, expecting him to show.
"Figured you'd come, so I prepared it. Bonus: it disguises your voice too."
I activated the artifact to demonstrate.
Brilliant light burst outward, and my appearance began to change.
I'd added magical girl-style transformation effects for fun.
"It changes you perfectly like this! But physical contact might give it away, so be careful!"
I mimicked Empire's Light's speech.
The pre-set magic would make my voice sound bright and cute to others.
But it was all illusion.
My body remained physically the same.
A handshake would let them feel my large hand, not Empire's Light's dainty one.
Rikal stared at me blankly from the floor.
"...Something like that. What do you think?"
"Uh, uh, yeah. Well made. Matches the Empire's Light I imagined... Wait, no!"
"Don't worry. I won't tell a soul. But..."
Before Rikal could regain his composure, I shoved a contract paper at him.
It was like a sales agreement for the transformation artifact.
Of course, the price was absurdly high for one artifact.
Sell it expensive, and I'd keep the secret—for now.
Couldn't discard a golden ticket like this easily.
"Selling it at this price. With a secrecy clause, of course."
"Hey, that's way too expensive!"
He'd have to pay out of pocket this time.
Using imperial funds would expose the artifact's purpose.
"Take it or leave it. You can afford it, right?"
"Grr..."
Expensive, but within what I figured Rikal could handle.
I didn't know a prince's allowance exactly, but given his cash spending in-game, he had it.
"Fine. But if you tell anyone, you're dead."
"Sure, sure. Kill me and you'll never play Maple Leaf Tale again."
"You bastard...!"
Rikal raised a trembling fist, then lowered it.
Instead, he stamped the contract and snatched the artifact.
"I'll transfer the money through the central bank."
"Yes, please do."
He wouldn't stiff me. That would expose his secret.
"Want to test it? I'll explain how to use it."
"...Sure."
I taught Rikal how to use the transformation artifact.
Moments later, flashy effects accompanied his change.
"Good. To undo, stop supplying mana. For long transformations, bring mana recovery potions."
"Got it."
Empire's Light's perky, fresh voice replied.
"Practice your speech too. Like you do in Maple Leaf Tale."
"...I'll handle that. Shut up."
Rikal slumped, reality hitting him, but the artifact made his voice cheery.
"One more time: if you reveal my identity..."
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the tower door.
Hannon must be out front.
Another guest?
"I'll check. For now..."
I was about to say undo the transformation.
But the door opened first.
Rikal hadn't undone it yet.
"Sh-shit, Hannon—"
Rikal started to yell at his aide but clamped his mouth shut.
It wasn't Hannon who'd entered. He'd already seen Rikal as Empire's Light.
"Pardon the intrusion. Are you the illusion mage Riot?"
A platinum-haired man asked politely.
His face resembled Rikal's but far more upright and noble.
Behind him, Hannon trembled.
"B-brother...?"
Rikal beside me muttered softly.
"Yes. That's me."
"Pleased to meet you. I am the Empire's First Prince, Leo Leonius."
"...Pardon?"
Leo Leonius—the First Prince and Crown Prince.
The true "Empire's Light," the next Emperor.
It made sense Hannon couldn't stop him.
But why was he here?
"I heard Rikal was here, but he's not."
"Ah... The Third Prince is in the bathroom."
I'd promised to keep his secret, so I lied.
Rikal exhaled in relief.
If he'd undone the transformation sooner, this wouldn't have happened.
Or maybe the First Prince barging in without waiting was the problem?
Either way, neither brother was normal.
"I see. I didn't come for Rikal anyway. Mind if we talk...? Huh?"
Leo spotted Rikal—or rather, Empire's Light version—and furrowed his brow.
His eyes fixed on her intently, as if scrutinizing.
Leo slowly approached the transformed Rikal.
"Pr-Prince? What's wrong...?"
"Could you be... Lady Empire's Light?"
"Wha—h-how...?"
"It is you! I never dreamed I'd meet you here... Good call visiting the Illusion Tower."
"Pardon?"
Leo's words made no sense.
Rikal and I were both baffled.
"Are you really Empire's Light? The famed user from Maple Leaf Tale, the strongest Bishop, Jebit?"
Leo asked with eyes full of anticipation.
I glanced bewilderedly between Leo and Rikal.
I had no clue what was happening.
The burden of reply fell to Rikal.
Leo and I held our breath, waiting.
A brief silence swept the tower.
Then, Rikal made his choice.
"Hawaawaawa-? You know me? The Empire's Crown Prince knows little old me—such an honor-!"
...That was Rikal—no, Empire's Light's—decision.