Son of the Witch
After spending a day at the Colton family manor, it was time to move out the next day.
"What am I supposed to do when we get there?"
I asked as I boarded the prepared carriage. Elaine and Iris were already inside, and Colton was riding along too.
Our destination was none other than the Imperial Palace. The heart of the capital Lehart—and the true sub-male lead of this original world. In other words...
The home of the emperor, the real sub-lead instead of France.
...The emperor.
One of the few truly important characters from the original I could actually picture. Personally, he was my top pick. One of the rare normal ones, you could say? Well, maybe not exactly.
-The empire exists for its people. Without them, the empire has no reason to be.
-What's the point of a sword with nothing left to protect?
-Rachel. Don't worry. I'll protect you.
-To think the imperial palace was home to such filth. Now it's the emperor.
Those were lines spat by the guy who was crown prince back then, now the emperor. When I first read them, I thought, What the fuck is this bullshit? But as the story unfolded, he grew on me. A hearty, charming guy with a warm side. That was my impression at the time.
I wonder how he turned out.
I never obsessed over who he'd end up with in the original. You could tell at a glance anyway. I knew he'd pair off with France and Rachel regardless.
Guess he got married the fastest.
Judging by Banheil and Delvin's ages, the emperor's side probably tied the knot first. Makes sense—he's the emperor, after all. Gotta pop out heirs like rabbits. That's just common sense, right? Yeah, common sense. I'm jealous.
...Huh.
I nodded, shaking off the random thoughts, when—
"Not much to do, really."
Colton answered my question. What had I asked again? Oh, right—what to do when we got there.
"Just confirm the state of the divine relic, and one more thing..."
"One more?"
"The tower masters have come to witness your chantless casting firsthand. Handle that, and we're done."
"...Pardon?"
What? Tower masters?
...Why?
My eyes widened at the mention of tower masters coming to see my chantless magic.
Tower masters?
I think they existed?
I vaguely remembered a few from reading. Five towers, right? Like mage guilds or companies. Or maybe just clubs. They seemed impressive, anyway.
That was my take back then.
But digging deeper into this world revealed a lot more.
First off.
There are five magic towers in the empire: Blue, Red, Gold, White, and Green. Each tower master is at least a 6-Circle mage, affiliated with the empire and operating under the emperor's orders. Their status? On par with the imperial knight commander. Marquis-level at minimum.
These are some fucking powerhouse nobles.
I'd heard mages start at baron rank. Marquis? That's next-level badass. Right below Colton the duke.
And these big shots are gathering to see me?
Chantless casting must be the real deal.
Chanting looked so tedious anyway. Muttering incantations? You've got better things to do.
Plus.
Beyond chantless casting itself...
They're probably coming because of Mom anyway.
Elise Sethris. One of two 8-Circle archmages on the continent. A freak who doesn't even take orders from the emperor. The son of that? They'd come just out of curiosity.
...This is gonna pull so much aggro.
Heavy pressure. I'm not the attention-seeking type.
"So, I just stand there quietly?"
"Who knows."
"Pardon?"
"Can't predict what the tower masters might try. But."
Colton looked at me.
"Whatever they do, I'll guarantee your life."
"...Whoa."
What a badass line. Almost fell for Grandpa there. Nah. This body's first love is reserved for busty, stacked beauties.
I wanted to ask if he'd overlook whatever the emperor said, but held back.
That's crossing the line.
I knew from the original that Colton was loyal to the imperial family. Pushing that far was impossible.
Tower masters and the divine relic, huh.
Who knows what'll happen.
Heading to the imperial palace? Kinda epic.
Not just anywhere—the imperial palace. In the original, they popped in like it was their backyard. But after a month as an orphan here, I get it.
...How the hell do you even get into the imperial palace?
Nobles are hard enough to glimpse. Entering the emperor's domain? That's beyond promotion—it's legendary. No wonder folks kowtow forehead-first to the emperor.
In modern terms, it's like sneaking into the Blue House. You'd brag about it at every booze-up for life.
Nice.
Good call learning magic. I'm set for life.
I was about to grin at the thought when—
"By the way."
Colton looked at me.
"Heard you met my granddaughter."
I reacted instantly.
"Ah, yes. I did."
Colton Mirai. Daughter of the original novel's protagonists. She looked a lot like France's illustration.
"She was wandering around in a maid outfit."
"..."
Colton went silent for a beat. A flicker of distress crossed his brow.
"She must have unique tastes. I think that's fine, personally."
Everyone's got their kinks. Maid fetish? Not bad. Though I'm more into school uniforms. Anyway.
"...How was she?"
Colton asked me again.
Huh? How was she?
"...Pardon? The maid outfit?"
"No. My granddaughter."
"...Uh... She was pretty?"
Nothing specific came to mind. Oh, but pretty was a fact. She really was.
Main character family kid—'course she's cute.
"Hmm."
My compliment didn't land? Colton tilted his head.
What? What answer were you fishing for?
"That's all?"
"...Should I break down her features one by one? I'll give it my best shot."
"No, that's not what I meant."
Then what? Don't leave a guy hanging.
I stared at him, exasperated. If not that, what?
Wondering, but it seemed pointless.
"That'll do."
What'll do...? Cryptic end to the convo.
Super awkward, but couldn't push further. The carriage rolled on toward the palace, my tension barely easing before we arrived.
The imperial palace was enormous. Laughably dwarfing every noble castle I'd seen so far.
"Oh man, this is fucking insane."
I couldn't help but gawk. People live here? It's that big?
Never fully shown in illustrations, so I figured, how big could it be? But...
"Insanely huge."
And not just size—beauty too.
I stared in awe as we moved along. The paths stretched forever...
In past life terms, like the distance between two stations?
If the whole center was palace, it was just massive. Sightseeing alone was entertaining.
The carriage halted at some entrance.
Screech.
Door opened; we all disembarked.
"Greetings, Duke Colton."
Golden knight. Plate armor emblazoned with the imperial lion emblem. He bowed properly.
"Harrington."
"Here to escort you."
"Not guarding the emperor?"
"Haha..."
The man chuckled lowly. I shivered slightly at his presence.
This guy's aura is no joke.
Heavy power. Way different from Mirai or Iris.
"...No way. Sir Harrington...?"
Iris recognized the man Colton called Harrington.
"Who is he, Lady Iris?"
"...The imperial knight commander."
"Imperial Knight Commander."
Even the name screams elite. Oooh. That's why he guards the emperor.
"Also the closest to Sword Master."
"Just stepped away for a schedule. He'll return shortly."
"Slipped out again."
"...Haha..."
No denial. Yeah, he bolted.
The emperor ditched duty?
That guy?
The Lehart emperor I knew wouldn't. Something off.
Maybe age changed him.
People change.
Then Harrington eyed me.
"That must be—"
"The witch's son."
Witch's son, huh. Blunt intro.
"...I see."
Harrington stared hard. Wariness in his eyes.
Why the guard?
"Uh, Sir Harrington?"
"Yes?"
I asked curiously.
"Do you hate my mom?"
"...!"
He flinched.
"...No. What do you—"
"Really? Everyone seems to. Same reaction."
"...Well."
Colton spoke as Harrington looked awkward.
"Few in the palace like your mother."
"Oof. That's sad."
What does Mom even do? With her temper, yeah, probably.
Harrington looked troubled. Then Colton asked,
"If the emperor's absent, do we wait?"
"...No. The tower masters await in the council chamber. His Majesty heads there directly."
"Then to there."
"This way."
Harrington led; we followed.
At some unnamed building,
"Only two may enter."
Iris and Elaine blocked at the door.
"We'll escort you separately. Lady Hailron has a schedule."
They headed off. Iris looked unsurprised—probably briefed.
Where to?
Palace schedule. Curious, but council first.
Tower masters.
The real-deal mages inside. What vibe?
I anticipated.
"Duke Colton and Mage Ruin entering."
Voice echoed as we entered. Announcer unknown.
Hummm.
Huh.
Body reacted instantly. Air felt different.
What is this?
Looked up. Flowing mana in the air. Space thick with it.
Like...
Milky Way?
Ceiling mana vivid. Milky Way? More like rainbow. Previous beauty paled; this was prettier.
Five distinct colors.
Body stiffened.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Heart quickened with intent.
"Ruin."
Colton called.
"Yes."
No soul in reply. Mine was on the ceiling.
"What are you looking at?"
What? Dunno. What is that?
"...Rainbow."
"What?"
Step.
I moved slowly. Dumb answer, but followed the flow.
From beyond that door. Couldn't ignore; sought the source.
Instinct led there.
Vrrr.
Vibrator shook, ignored.
Want it.
Only those energies in sight. They stirred toward me, but held position.
Couldn't take. Not yet.
"Tower masters inside?"
"Gold Tower Master entered moments ago."
"All present... They care deeply."
Voices faint.
Reached door.
Creeeak—
Something beyond. Five gazes. Five energies. Owners stared.
"Hello?"
Greeted amid stares. Their eyes shifted oddly as I drank in the flows.
Captured density, beauty within.
Couldn't hold, but did. Or could.
Devour it as you will.
All will be yours in the end.
Reeeeen—!!!
Rings bound to heart moved. Desire to contain? Or seize? Unknown.
Just... everything there.
Clink.
Clank.
Sound.
"Huh?"
By the time I noticed, two rings had become three.