Chapter 352: The Ball (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 352: The Ball (1)
Palmalian had a hunch.
He suspected the reason Marquis Palatio was building Divine Land was so that he could eventually become a king himself.
"…War, you say?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Even so, Palmalian hadn't expected the Marquis to reveal his intent for war so blatantly. He had considered such a move a poor tactic, one lacking the true qualities of a king.
"Sigh…"
Exhaling deeply, Palmalian took a moment to think calmly. Was Marquis Palatio truly trying to start a war?
"…"
No matter how much he turned it over in his mind, he couldn't help but tilt his head in doubt. The Marquis surely had several better options at his disposal. Yet, recalling the words reported from the Marquis's son, it sounded like nothing less than a provocation for war.
"…So… tell me again. What exactly happened there?"
At Palmalian's question, Tolenis took a steady breath and began his report. He recounted every detail of his time in Divine Land without omission.
He started with the first words he heard upon meeting Marquis Palatio, moved on to the explanation from the Knight of Divine Land regarding the city's 'deficiencies,' and ended with the fact that the Marquis had rejected every single offer of sponsorship.
"…That is all, Sire."
"Nothing else was said?"
"Nothing, Sire."
"…"
Palmalian let out another long sigh. No matter how he looked at it, no matter what angle or intention he tried to read into it, the Marquis's meaning was crystal clear.
In essence: 'If you don't want war, let's keep things amicable. Hand over the money—but not the pittance you offered. I want much, much more.'
He pondered the situation seriously. Marquis Palatio was powerful. Given his incredible feats, his reputation within the United Kingdoms had soared recently.
However, even so, such blatant blackmail was not a wise move for the Marquis. No matter how strong he was, if the United Kingdoms truly made up their minds to unite and strike all at once—
If they did…
"…Hmm."
…Could they even win?
Palmalian recalled the feats Marquis Palatio had achieved thus far.
"…"
Then, he thought of those who followed the Marquis.
"…"
Yeah, it didn't look like it would be easy.
While he was lost in deep thought, a man who had been silent until now spoke up.
"Your Majesty, may I offer a word?"
"Speak."
It was Duke Pedrima, a noble who had been delivering a separate report.
"I believe it would be wise to discuss this matter in coordination with the others."
"That sounds like you're telling me to prepare for war alongside the other kingdoms. Is that correct?"
"It is."
"…Are you not underestimating Marquis Palatio's achievements?"
Duke Pedrima shook his head.
"Not at all. In fact, I doubt there is anyone in the United Kingdoms who could afford to ignore Marquis Palatio."
"Then why say such a thing?"
"Because of the future."
"…The future."
As Palmalian muttered the words, Duke Pedrima continued.
"Marquis Palatio will become a king. But—will he be satisfied with just being a king?"
"Are you suggesting—"
"I believe Marquis Palatio will desire more than that."
"…"
Palmalian fell silent for a moment. In truth, it was all a matter of possibility. No one knew what choices Marquis Palatio would actually make in the future.
However, Duke Pedrima's prediction was by no means impossible. Even if one couldn't fully grasp the Marquis's personality, he possessed enough power to make such a future easily imaginable.
Just as Palmalian was stroking his chin, lost in thought, a knight rushed in.
"Your Majesty—"
"What is it?"
"It is reported that Ashtalon has declared its intention to sponsor Divine Land."
"…What?"
The knight delivered the urgent report.
"Is that true?"
"Yes—our informants have confirmed it."
"Ahem—"
Palmalian's brow furrowed. Of course, the Ashtalon Kingdom was currently in a state where it had lost so many troops that its position within the United Kingdoms was precarious. Even if a war were fought without Ashtalon, it wouldn't be a major issue.
But the important thing was the fact that Ashtalon had declared its support. The moment this news became public, other nations might follow suit and declare their sponsorship regardless of Palmalian's wishes.
If that happened, war was essentially off the table.
‘If I hesitate here and declare support later than the other kingdoms—’
There was a high chance he would end up on the Marquis's bad side. And that, obviously, was not a good thing.
Marquis Palatio wasn't even the king of a nation yet; he merely held Divine Land. But his achievements made everyone naturally reluctant to make an enemy of him.
And so…
"…It can't be helped."
Palmalian realized it clearly. From the very beginning, there had only been one choice. He let out a deep, heavy groan.
* * *
"Tsk—"
Duke Pedrima, who had been so fervently sharing his views with Palmalian just moments ago, clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction inside his carriage on the way back to his estate. It was because of Palmalian's choice.
‘Things have gone sideways again.’
Duke Pedrima—or rather, the spy who had infiltrated the United Kingdoms twenty years ago on behalf of the Eastern Empire, Kasranoia—let out a deep sigh.
‘Why does everything keep getting so tangled?’
His head throbbed with frustration. Back when he first killed the Duke and took over his identity, he thought everything would go smoothly. The United Kingdoms were much more disorganized than the Empire.
Even though the Empire was split into four branches, this place was divided into five kingdoms and various small principalities, making it the perfect environment to incite his goal: 'war between the United Kingdoms.' At the same time, many areas fell outside the jurisdiction of the central powers, providing a fertile ground for the organizations he intended to use.
Until a few years ago, he had no doubt his plan would be a complete success. He had even cheered when the Outer Gods appeared.
…Until Marquis Palatio showed up.
‘That man… what on earth is he?’
The Marquis had repelled the kingdom's crises one after another with uncanny efficiency. And that wasn't all. Ever since he began his activities in earnest, the underworld organizations the spy had carefully planted were being dismantled one by one.
"Sigh…"
Just thinking about it made him sigh. His heart still ached when he remembered his well-nurtured underworld assets disappearing at a rate of one or two a day.
…Of course, it wasn't Marquis Palatio himself who had directly crushed those organizations. Nevertheless, the bizarre snowball effect that started with the Marquis's appearance had grown out of control, tilting his plan toward failure.
Even his daughter, whom he had been working on for years to manipulate Marquis Palatio, had failed. And now, his attempt to provoke Palmalian at the right moment had also failed.
"There isn't much time left… I have to start a war somehow within the timeframe—"
He muttered anxiously and began to draft a new plan.
"…Now that's some interesting information."
"Should we squeeze some more intel out of him?"
"I think we should."
He had no idea someone was listening to his words.
"…"
The eyes of the Elf and the Lizardman, who had come at Magrina's command to deliver a bit of punishment to Duke Pedrima for his arrogant attempt to manipulate Marquis Palatio, gleamed in the dark.
* * *
It was about a week later when Alon arrived at the Magic Tower.
"Whoa—it's huge."
Seolrang marveled at the majestic sight of the Magic Tower in the distance.
"Hey—move! It's cramped in here!"
"…"
Ryanga pushed Seolrang aside, while Historia silently turned her gaze toward the tower.
Watching them, Alon suddenly thought back to a week ago. Line and Magrina had left as soon as the partners were selected. Line had to go because she was appearing through an artifact, and Magrina, as the leader of the Elves, couldn't stay away for long.
Yutia had also stepped away for a while.
‘…She said she had business to attend to.’
With a very regretful expression, Yutia had left for Rosario, promising to meet again in Teria. In the end, Alon arrived at the Magic Tower with Ryanga, Historia, and Seolrang.
Of course, the reduced number of passengers didn't mean Alon's carriage was quiet. Seolrang and Ryanga had spent the entire journey messing with each other.
…Though their "messing around" occasionally resulted in a small mountain being blown away or an entire road disappearing.
Regardless, thanks to them, Alon reached the Magic Tower without a moment of boredom.
"…Huh?"
As soon as he saw the grounds, a strange question popped into his head. The Magic Tower should have been quiet since the Magic Society wasn't in session, yet it was swarming with mages.
‘…There are so many of them.’
It was to the point where it looked like every single person inside the Magic Tower had come outside.
"What's with them?"
"Are they homeless…?"
Seolrang and Historia muttered as they looked at the crowd. From their perspective, it was a reasonable assumption. Even to Alon, the mages standing outside the tower looked universally haggard.
Looking closer, he could see small tents pitched here and there, as if they intended to stay in this spot for a long time.
‘…Are they really homeless?’
Alon shook his head at the thought. One look at their robes made it easy to tell they were mages.
He tilted his head even further. Why on earth were mages acting like this around the Magic Tower? He couldn't understand it at all.
And at that moment.
"Gasp—!"
"It—it's a carriage."
"Wh—who is it!"
The voices of the mages reached Alon's ears.
"Ma—Marquis Palatio!"
"Gasp!"
"Marquis Palatio's carriage is here!"
"I—is it true?"
"It's true! It's the Marquis's carriage!"
The mages shouted. At their cries, the mages who had been staring haggardly at the ground all looked toward Alon as if on cue.
And then.
Thump-thump-thump-thump—
They began to sprint toward him like madmen.
"Uh—whoa—"
"Wh—what is that?"
"Boss, should I blow them away?"
Alon hesitated for a moment. Seeing hundreds of mages charging at him with desperate, sunken eyes created a terrifying sense of pressure.
As Alon debated how to respond and Seolrang seriously considered lifting her leg to strike—
"Mar—Marquis! Please hire me!"
"?"
One mage shouted desperately.
"No—no, me! I'm good! I'm great at Basic Calculation!"
"Ge—get out of the way!!! I'm a profess—no, I was a professor! Me! Hire me! Please!!"
"Please hire me! Please, I beg you!!"
"…Huh??"
They swarmed the front of the carriage as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Watching the mages clamor as if they were shouting, "I'm great at coding!"…
Alon felt his head begin to spin.