Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: There Are No Stairs You Can Only Climb
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Hilario fell deep into thought after hearing Richer's story.
"Indeed, it would be impossible to openly search for information on spatial magic."
"That's right. Even my disciple couldn't find it, and if I, a War Mage, went looking for details on spatial magic, it would raise suspicions just the same. But if you, my teacher, were the one searching for it, no one would bat an eye."
Hilario was the sub-tower master of the Magic Tower. If anyone saw him looking into spatial magic materials, they would simply assume it was just one of the resources he needed.
"Understood. I'll look into it. While I'm at it, I'll check for any materials on Gates too. That said, all you'll probably find on Gates are myths and folktales."
"Thank you. Whatever turns up will be fine."
"However, it could be dangerous for your disciple to wander around the imperial capital."
"What do you mean?"
"Because the imperial family is feeling the pressure."
"You mean the conflict between Kaiso and Volterio? If anything, wouldn't that make it safer?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Isn't it well-known that Otherworlders prioritize the safety of their own people?"
"And?"
"If the Empire lays a hand on my disciple, the Otherworlders might intervene directly in the war. Everyone knows that, right?"
"True. But that's too shortsighted a view."
"Does it change in the long term?"
"Yes, and it's glaringly obvious. The current conflict between Kaiso Kingdom and Volterio Kingdom is clearly taking on the shape of a proxy war. Between the Empire and Kaiso Kingdom... or perhaps the Empire and the Otherworld."
Richer nodded.
"I know."
"As long as Otherworlders are backing Kaiso Kingdom, it will eventually conquer Volterio Kingdom, sooner or later. And their next target will be the Empire."
"How could Kaiso Kingdom possibly target the Empire?"
"You're thinking like a War Mage, so you dismiss Kaiso Kingdom as insignificant. Can you be certain that a Kaiso Kingdom receiving endless technology and near-limitless resources from the Otherworlders couldn't threaten the Empire?"
"..."
"In the end, it will boil down to a proxy war between the Empire and the Otherworld. The Otherworlders just won't be the ones shedding blood. Sooner or later, Kaiso Kingdom will bare its fangs at the Empire."
"Even so, does the Empire have any reason to threaten my disciple?"
"Think coldly and logically. Put yourself in the imperial family's shoes. To them, your disciple is nothing more than prey walked right into their grasp as a variable they can use. As you know, intelligence about you bringing an Otherworlder disciple into the capital would have reached them long ago."
"What do you think the imperial family might do to my disciple?"
"I can't say exactly what actions they'll take. But they won't just leave him be. The imperial family knows full well that, just as Volterio Kingdom is crumbling under Kaiso, the Empire could crumble under the Otherworld."
It was a convincing argument, even to Richer's ears. Everyone knew Kaiso Kingdom was slowly pushing back Volterio Kingdom.
But Richer, who knew better than anyone just how weak Kaiso Kingdom truly was and how mighty the Empire stood, had never even considered the possibility that Kaiso might target the Empire. Despite these glaring signs.
Looking back, it defied common sense for Kaiso Kingdom to challenge and defeat Volterio Kingdom in the first place. There had been a powerful wake-up call to shatter his preconceptions, yet Richer had still failed to open his eyes.
A dark fog seemed to cloud Richer's vision. Hadn't he dragged his disciple straight into the jaws of death? He shot to his feet.
"Thank you, Master. I need to leave right now."
Hilario held up his palm to Richer.
"But we don't know exactly how urgent the situation is."
"What do you mean?"
"There are reports that imperial spies are making contact with the Otherworlders. The level of danger will depend on the outcome."
"Contact for what purpose?"
"Simple. To get them to choose the Empire over Kaiso Kingdom. The Empire has far more territory and resources. If the Otherworlders are rational, the odds are high they'll abandon Kaiso and side with us."
It was a persuasive point. If negotiations went well, Tae-jin wouldn't just be safe—he'd be treated as the Empire's most honored guest. Not what Tae-jin wanted, but he'd become a symbol of peace.
On the flip side, if talks broke down, Tae-jin could be in danger. Even that wasn't a sure threat, though—the Empire might opt for other options instead of gambling everything.
Richer wavered between the two possibilities.
"Do you know when we might hear the results of these backchannel talks?"
"I don't. My connections are thin, and I don't have ties to intelligence. But it's been about four days since I heard they were planning contact."
Four days. That didn't give much to go on. Hilario spoke to Richer again.
"I'll gather whatever materials I can in the next three days, maybe two, and pass them to you. Whether you leave today or wait for the materials is your call."
"Understood."
Richer bowed to Hilario and rose from his seat. The greatest gift from his master wasn't the materials on spatial magic or Gates.
It was the broad perspective on the current state of affairs—the finest lesson his teacher had ever given him.
"Stay safe, and come back once this blows over. In my old age, the only amusement I have left is the occasional visit from a disciple."
"Take care of yourself. And go easy on the sweets."
"Got it. I've already cut back lately."
Richer grinned and stepped out the door.
Tae-jin returned from the library only when closing time arrived, having merely skimmed book titles. The library's collection was vast, and he didn't have the luxury to hunt down every single lead.
When materials were overwhelmingly abundant, it was best to invest time upfront in selecting the most essential ones. Proper preparation saved time in the long run—a hard-earned truth from Tae-jin's university days piecing together assignments from scraps.
Even if he hadn't graduated thanks to getting trapped beyond the Gate.
The paper in Tae-jin's hand was filled with reference numbers for the books he'd selected that day.
From now on, each library visit would mean checking off one from the list. With a real chance of returning home in sight, his mood lifted.
After a bit of wandering, he arrived home to find Elder Richer waiting with an unexpectedly grave expression. Had visiting his wife's grave stirred some sentimentality?
"I'm back. Why the long face, Elder?"
"Hey, Tae-jin. Let's talk."
"What consultation at this hour? Job offer for an unemployed ex-War Mage?"
"No joking. This is serious."
His tone was light, but Elder Richer's face was deadly earnest.
"What's going on?"
"It's like this..."
Richer gave a concise summary of his conversation with Hilario.
The Empire attempting contact with Korea, and how Tae-jin's fate would hinge on the outcome. Their discussion had been long, but the key info for Tae-jin was brief.
"That's the situation. What we do next is your call. It's your safety on the line."
"So, basically, the Empire might roll out the red carpet—or lock me up somewhere?"
"Exactly."
"And it takes two or three days to get those high-level materials from the sub-tower master?"
"Yes."
"Elder, you said intelligence already reported that I crossed the border with you, right?"
"Yeah."
"Doesn't that mean the situation's already out of my hands?"
It was what Richer had anticipated. But unwilling to face the reality, he hesitated before responding.
"What do you mean?"
"Once intelligence confirmed us, we can't just slip away whenever we want, can we?"
Even if Tae-jin decided to bolt now, the odds of evading intelligence and crossing the border unscathed were slim.
Richer just didn't want to admit it. After all, he'd lured his peaceful disciple into this death trap.
"...You're right."
"One path's already closed off. We have to bet on the Empire-Korea talks going well—or at least on them not threatening me if they fail. The dice have been rolled without us knowing."
Richer nodded.
"Plus, the Empire controls nearly half the continent's land. They hold more than half the knowledge built up by continental civilization. In a situation where even full support might not get us past the Gate, the chances of finding Gate-level knowledge while dodging the Empire, Kaiso Kingdom, and Korea are next to nothing."
Tae-jin took a sip of water, his throat dry, then continued.
"Bottom line: without leads from inside the Empire, my odds of getting home drop to zero. With the dice already cast, no point agonizing now. I can't reroll them. Just make the best of what's given."
Tae-jin's logic was sound. Richer nodded silently.
Pavilion, Renata, and Garam, listening nearby, wore expressions of 'Since when was this kid so eloquent?'
Finally, Tae-jin added one more thing.
"Whatever happens, it's not your fault, Elder. The day we fled Gate Frontier City, I went in with eyes wide open. Don't blame yourself."
Tae-jin grinned at Richer. His disciple, usually all goofy faces, now flashed a reliably trustworthy smile. All Richer could do was smile back.