CHAPTER 96
CHAPTER 96
The Regent Empress Dowager?
“I apologize, but we did not arrange this opportunity easily. We cannot withdraw without gaining anything.”
“If you insist that much, then I suppose I have no choice but to accept.
Hmm… though I must say, I am not very confident in my magic. Please don’t be disappointed if I fail to meet expectations.”
Saying that, Idnia picked up her black iron wand.
“So before the duel, we do that, right?”
“To the glory of the God of Magic, Tris Megistus—!”
“Ah, so we do. Well, the God of Magic isn’t part of the Trinity, after all. Then—to the glory of Tris Megistus!”
Idnia and Linser brought their wands to their hearts and paid respect to the God of Magic before beginning the duel.
“I’ll give you the first move. Go ahead.”
“Very well….”
Idnia began summoning a spirit.
Her fire spirit, Handgun, appeared—
But at the same time, Linser’s spell followed.
“—Banishment!”
The summoned spirit was instantly dismissed.
“….”
“When summoning spirits, you should cast a protection spell first. Otherwise, they’ll be dispelled in a single banishment like that.”
“Thank you for the lesson. Then…”
This time, Idnia cast Wind of Frost.
A wind from the ice spirit realm that could both freeze objects and directly attack opponents.
“….”
Linser took the spell head-on.
Frost formed over her body, thin ice clinging to her skin, yet she simply crossed her arms and endured it. As she exhaled, the frost melted away, leaving her completely unharmed.
It seemed she had resistance to low-tier magic.
“You’re really only using beginner spells. Are you truly unfamiliar with magic?”
“I’ve only been learning magic for less than a month. I told you not to expect much.”
“I didn’t expect much, but this is beyond that. It almost feels like you’re making a mockery of this duel.”
Assuming Idnia wasn’t being sincere, Linser cast another spell.
Two massive ice golems formed before her.
“I won’t let you treat this as a joke any longer. Don’t blame me if you die.”
The golems charged forward.
‘As expected of opponents meant for Season 2… their magic far surpasses academy students.’
Idnia calmly cast a shield.
She placed it low and slid it forward.
The charging golem stepped on it, lost balance, and toppled over.
“What? A simple shield spell should be breakable!”
Linser was shocked at its unexpected durability.
Meanwhile, the second golem swung its fist—
But Idnia reinforced her wand with a shield, forming a massive blade, and cleanly severed the golem’s arm.
“….”
“As a mage, I don’t think I can match you. Shall we say you’ve won the duel and end it here?”
“Ah… I underestimated you. My apologies.”
Linser’s eyes gleamed, and sharp horns emerged from her head.
“I said let’s stop!”
Idnia dashed forward, kicking the fallen golem.
The shattered ice fragments flew toward Linser.
She quickly deployed a barrier—
“Boil the water!”
Idnia’s spell activated.
The ice began to boil violently, erupting into a massive pillar of steam.
“—!”
Linser was engulfed in scalding vapor and staggered back.
“Th-That’s unfair… throwing objects in a mage duel—”
“Technically, it’s your summoned object. But yes, I lost. This is your victory, Linser.”
“But…!”
Linser tried to object, but her hands trembled.
‘Even with magical defense, that steam blast… it was too hot…’
As she hesitated, someone dropped between them.
It was Kamain.
“Ha! Linser, you lost! You should’ve challenged her to a real fight, not a mage duel!”
“No… I can’t accept losing to such basic magic…”
She looked frustrated.
By duel standards, she had technically won.
But in reality, she had been overpowered.
That made it worse.
“Enough. Idnia Katche Betelgeuse—this time, let’s have a real fight!”
Kamain’s eyes burned as horns sprouted, his body enlarging, a tail and flaming wings appearing.
A true demonic form.
“So this isn’t limited to magic?”
“That’s right! Why limit yourself? Use everything!”
“…Understood.”
At that moment, Idnia released her Tyrant Art.
“Eh?”
Kamain froze in shock.
“Let’s begin.”
“Y-Yeah!”
He charged—
But Idnia struck his head with a hand like an axe.
“Guh—!”
CRACK!
He slammed into the ground.
“Not… yet—”
“Of course.”
She kicked him into the air—
Then grabbed his ankle mid-flight.
‘Wait… no way…’
She swung him and smashed him into the ground.
THUD!
The earth shook.
Then she flung his body toward Linser.
“W-Why me?!”
Linser caught him with magic, stumbling back.
“K-Kamain?!”
“Is he dead?”
“W-Wait—”
She checked his pulse and cast healing magic.
“He’s… alive.”
“That’s good. Though I expected him to endure more.”
“….”
Linser was speechless.
‘Even a troll would die from that…’
Idnia brushed off her hands casually.
She had expected stronger resistance, given they were supposed to be later-stage enemies.
‘Still… I’ve taken the initiative.’
“Will you continue, Veras? It’s your turn.”
“I decline. There’s no need to embarrass myself.”
Kais and Veras appeared.
Kais healed the injured and turned to Idnia.
“That is the Tyrant Art of Tyrant Yurik. Truly magnificent.”
“Yes. I am the sole heir of Duke Draken Katche Betelgeuse.”
“We value spirit over blood… but still, that lineage is admirable. Join us, and your power will find its rightful place.”
“I am my father’s daughter.”
“Are you? You know it too. That great spiritual truth runs deep within you.”
“….”
Idnia pushed aside her thoughts.
“Answer my question. Who are you fighting for the throne?”
Kais replied.
“Prince Cesar… and his regent empress dowager—the one your people call the Saint, Flora.”
“…What?”
Idnia froze.
Flora.
Her mother.
Officially dead.
But in truth—alive.
And now—
The Regent Empress Dowager of the demon realm.
Fighting a succession war.
‘Wait… what? Why didn’t I know this…?’
Then she realized.
‘I only played up to early Season 3…’
Her mother—
The former Saint—
Was now ruling the demon world.