Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: The Autonomous Magic Circle
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"I'll come again soon."
With a promise of future visits, the Empress departed.
She even left words forgiving all of today's rudeness.
"Whew."
Only after she left the shop did I finally manage to catch my breath.
The chills running down my spine still hadn't fully subsided.
"Really dodged a bullet there."
If I'd been even a little sloppy, I wouldn't have satisfied the Empress, and she would've hanged me for treason against the imperial family.
I'd found a world line where I didn't end up as morning dew on the execution ground.
On top of that, a platinum coin worth 100 gold.
"Long live Her Majesty the Empress."
To think she'd hand over such a huge sum.
An emperor's generosity is on another level.
I pocketed the money with those thoughts.
'Even an emperor who rules over all has her worries and desires.'
Stimulating her desire to be dominated had been the key to this illusion's success.
I let out another sigh of relief, stroking my chest.
I tidied up the clothes she'd worn and did a final check of the laundry.
With urgent tasks done, I turned my gaze to...
"What the hell is going on?"
The magic circle, culprit of this incident.
It was clearly just a magic circle capable only of the calculations needed for simple illusion magic.
I'd added various features to the magic circle over time.
To boost efficiency, I'd layered on extra circles; to increase mana capacity, I'd attached a battery.
Adding the saintess's divine power had greatly improved efficiency.
In that process, to enhance analysis, I'd added computation and calculation formulas.
'I did add related formulas to include surrounding characters...'
Excluding the 'A' character I performed, I'd added other figures—extras, basically—with personality traits and snippet reactions and lines.
Of course, that still wasn't enough for full self-awareness.
'It's suggested things to me before, but mostly just handed over calculation results.'
Recommend this, recommend that.
Pick one as the administrator.
It mostly posed options like that, rarely choosing on its own with self-awareness.
Ultimately, the choice was mine; I'd just select from its recommendations.
But to choose on its own...
'Was it because a succubus used this magic circle?'
Or because of that unique imperial power when the Empress used it?
I couldn't pinpoint the reason.
Too many possibilities.
'Come to think of it, the saintess's power, my magic knowledge, and the succubus's authority all reside in this circle.'
The hero's power and imperial authority were inferences, really.
Since they used our magic circle for illusions.
They must've been somewhat exposed to their powers, leading to variations like with the saintess's divinity.
'It means there were changes I didn't catch.'
If my hypothesis held, this circle contained every ability on the continent.
It'd be weirder if it hadn't gained self-awareness.
"...How could such a change even happen?"
I'd never heard of a magic circle's performance altering from power exposure.
'If we're going by that, it should've been from the moment it gained self-maintenance via the saintess's divinity.'
I stared at the magic circle, pondering.
"What should I do with you?"
Wait for Master to return and consult her?
Or solve it myself?
Tough call.
One wrong touch, and a new bug could pop up...
'Even so, no other mage would offer meaningful help.'
Not even Master Meiko.
A magic circle gaining self-awareness was unprecedented.
Like an AI or something.
"Hmm..."
I looked at the powered-down circle.
"What made you pick that scenario?"
No answer, naturally.
A shut-down circle couldn't respond.
"Whew, whatever. Let's figure this out later."
I still needed to sort out the circle.
I'd exhausted myself soothing the Empress, body and mind worn out.
Questioning it would have to wait until I recovered.
"Need some rest. I can debug your glitch after."
I stretched, yawning wide.
"Investigation will reveal something."
Yaaawn.
Final cleanup done.
"Boss?"
Prelia returned.
I'd sent her out to dodge the Empress, and now she cautiously asked.
"All done?"
"Ah, Prelia."
The now-docile succubus employee blinked her purple eyes at me.
"I saw the Empress leaving from afar. Her expression was oddly sparkling—must be the Demon King, er, Boss, working his magic?"
I nodded at her excited tone.
"Satisfied a guest who came for illusion magic."
Prelia murmured in admiration upon hearing me.
"You fooled that picky Empress. Must've been tough with her Eye of Truth... As expected..."
Her eyes brimmed with envy.
Good when employees admire the boss.
"If you'd been there, it'd all be exposed."
Me employing a demon, no less.
"Got it. Of course!"
Prelia clasped her hands, nodding vigorously.
"Anyway, closing shop today. Rest up, see you tomorrow."
"Yes! Got it!"
She headed upstairs.
"Oh, right. Prelia."
"Yes, Boss?"
"Did you touch the magic circle while I was gone?"
"Of course not. How dare I mess with the Boss's stuff? Never happened. Don't worry."
"Alright, good."
She went up to her second-floor room.
Confirming her ascent, I sighed and headed home.
Just a light rest for today.
Back at the imperial palace, the Empress surveyed her greeting retainers.
"Enjoy your outing, Your Majesty?"
The lords who'd come to welcome the long-absent emperor bowed.
"Marquis Silvesta, Duke Lorion, Count Beletaon too. Were you waiting for Us?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
All major imperial nobles.
The five great houses propping up the empire with the imperial family.
From Philippe Count defending the north to Midgard Duke in the south.
All five houses gathered in the throne room—an unusual event.
Marquis Silvesta spoke calmly to her question.
"We've received reports of monster activity in the northern Ice Mountains. Via ice owls operated by Count Philippe."
"Ice Mountains. Heard the news. But is it big enough to mobilize all five houses?"
Even in the last decade, they'd moved together only twice.
Once for the Demon King's descent, once for the oracle-guided hero's return.
All appearing at once meant the Ice Mountains issue could shake the entire empire.
"Information that hasn't reached Us?"
Count Philippe bowed at her query.
"It's legend, but they say a dragon dormant for centuries lurks in the Ice Mountains. If the tales are true and it's stirring the monsters..."
If true, an empire-wide threat.
But.
"Did you summon everyone over a legendary dragon?"
"...Still, better safe. After decades of suffering from the Demon King's descent, preparation is wise."
"Other nobles agree?"
"If it threatens imperial peace, we must prepare fully."
Few had shattered the empire's peace thus far.
From the founding emperor to the third.
After unifying 70% of the continent post-conquest wars, external threats were scarce.
Internal betrayals and rebellions were the few crises.
The biggest blows came from the Demon King's forces tormenting generations.
Without this era's hero, the empire would still be in brutal attrition war.
Post-Demon King war, nobles grew hyper-vigilant against non-human external foes.
Except confirmed allies like elves, dwarves, some beastkin.
Hence the great nobles' wariness of a potential legendary dragon.
The Demon King's descent.
Thereafter, the empire harbored fear of calamity-like enemies.
"Prepare a related budget proposal and report. Attend the meeting with the Prime Minister, Knight Commander, and Defense Marshal."
"Your benevolence is profound."
Ascending the throne, the Empress squeezed her eyes shut.
Better when she thought nothing, entrusting all comfortably.
Max, dominating her, was already missed.
If unaware, perhaps.
But having tasted the bliss of submission, the slothful happiness it brought—the Empress still vividly recalled Max's embrace.
Prelia lay on her fluffy bed tonight, seeking sleep.
A succubus needing essence at night sleeping then? Absurd, right?
But after Max's thick semen, she felt no hunger from essence lack.
Plus, barring Max's VIPs, she handled regular guests.
A waitress who'd heard by chance.
Saving weeks of pay for fun money; she gifted pleasant illusory climaxes.
Noblewomen, merchant bosses, etc.
She activated the illusion circle for non-VIPs Max skipped or used her charms.
Feeding on their essence this way, no need for nocturnal wild hunts.
She'd adopted a very healthy(?) schedule: mornings up, nights down.
Expected a comfy night tonight too.
Rustle.
Midnight rustle woke bed-bound Prelia.
Rubbing sleepy eyes, she heard first-floor noises again.
"Boss...?"
At this hour?
Not his type for late-night visits.
In pajamas, she trudged downstairs.
Rustle rustle.
Suspicious sounds from the dark workshop.
Hah, hnng.
Lewd moans too.
Not a man's.
'Boss with a guest?'
Not at this hour.
She cracked the door, asking the shadow.
"Wh-who...?"
"Eeek!"
The startled mystery woman made Prelia yelp too.
"Kyaaah!"
"Wh-who are you?"
"You're the one sneaking into our Boss's shop? Who are you?"
Prelia hurriedly lit the lights.
There, a blue-haired woman sat atop the magic circle, tiny dildo in hand.
"I-I'm Meiko, Max's master..."
Finishing, she hastily hid the hand with the dildo.
"The Boss's master...?"