Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Imperial Recognition (2)
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On the day the imperial palace of the Philius Empire came under attack, the white spear hurled by the 5th Prince pierced straight through the Shadow Emperor.
The unbelievable sight left everyone stunned, and word spread like wildfire from the mouths of those who had witnessed it firsthand.
The Crimson Tower Lord was no exception. While he was escorting the 3rd Prince to safety, a top-grade mage from the Crimson Tower who had remained at the banquet hall relayed the news.
"It was definitely the Spear of Sacrifice."
His stern face and grave tone left no doubt that he was speaking the truth.
"The Spear of Sacrifice just appeared out of nowhere?"
Though his reaction betrayed disbelief, the Crimson Tower Lord—master of the Flame Shower, Berenus Kyle—knew the mage before him well enough to trust that he wouldn't lie about something this critical.
This was a man with deep knowledge of the Spear of Sacrifice, enough to lead the search for it.
"This is unexpected..."
"I agree, my lord. Who would have thought the 5th Prince, infamous as a wastrel, would uncover the Spear of Sacrifice..."
"Watch your words. You know full well the mood in the imperial capital right now."
The Crimson Tower Lord shot a cold glare at the top-grade mage, who had muttered under his breath.
"In the imperial capital, His Highness the 5th Prince is a hero. Even His Majesty the Emperor knows it well. If you want to live long, choose your words carefully."
Not long ago, the prince had been nothing more than a wastrel.
But starting a few months back, changes began to emerge, and now, after saving the Emperor at the banquet hall, his standing had soared.
He had especially won the favor of those loyal to the Emperor.
With justification now on his side, the Emperor had begun openly protecting the 5th Prince—unlike in the past—and no one in the capital dared speak ill of him anymore.
"Moreover, Ilais. If His Highness the 5th Prince truly wielded the Spear of Sacrifice, then you know we must uphold the Two Thousand Years' Oath. It would be unwise to harbor ill feelings— you'd only hurt yourself."
"What exactly is this Two Thousand Years' Oath that has everyone so on edge?"
"It is an oath we must remember and honor without fail."
Berenus offered no further explanation, leaving Ilais—the top-grade mage and leader of the Crimson Tower's elite scouting team—frustrated and helpless.
There was no one else he could ask.
"Remember one thing, Ilais. If His Highness the 5th Prince truly possesses the Spear of Sacrifice, the Crimson Tower must stand behind him."
"Pardon? Are you serious?"
Ilais was stunned. He hadn't expected the Crimson Tower Lord, Berenus Kyle, to drop such a bombshell.
"Dead serious."
"If we withdraw our support, His Highness the 3rd Prince won't take it lying down. And isn't he close to His Highness the 2nd Prince as well? In the worst case, the assassins could be unleashed."
It was common knowledge that the 3rd Prince, backed by the Imperial Tower and Crimson Tower, was tight with the lord of assassins, the 2nd Prince.
"The Crimson Tower hasn't sworn any oath of loyalty yet. We've merely been 'supporting' him."
"His Highness the 3rd Prince won't see it that way. With the Azure Tower siding with His Highness the 5th Prince, he'll feel even more urgency. He might interpret it as a provocation. Even so, will you honor the Two Thousand Years' Oath?"
The top-grade mage Ilais asked earnestly. His voice was steady, his face set, and the air hung heavy and cold.
"Even if the Crimson Tower falls, we must uphold the Two Thousand Years' Oath."
Ilais fell silent at Berenus's reply.
"I need to confirm it myself."
"M-My lord? You don't mean..."
"Exactly that. I'll meet with His Highness the 5th Prince and see for myself."
With his mind made up, action followed swiftly. Without even bringing Ilais or a single attendant, he headed straight for the 5th Prince's Palace.
The 5th Prince's Palace was swarming with Imperial Knights dispatched by the Emperor and nobles eager to meet the man who had pierced the Shadow Emperor with that white spear.
Seeing the endless line of nobles stretching from the main gate, the Crimson Tower Lord let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
With that many nobles, it would be tough to get word in through an Imperial Knight or servant.
"As long as I don't cross the inner wall."
Figuring fewer competitors if he scaled the outer wall, he vaulted over without hesitation.
As expected, far fewer had crossed the main gate's threshold.
A select few, mostly high-ranking nobles.
Of course, the grand lords had all aligned with the 1st or 2nd Prince, so those gathered here seemed insignificant even to Berenus Kyle.
"Crimson Tower Lord, Sir Berenus Kyle."
A sharp yet resonant baritone made Berenus whirl around in surprise. Before him stood a knight in light armor.
'He sensed my presence?'
And he'd been tailed to boot. Shocked that he hadn't detected it himself, the Crimson Tower Lord sized up the knight.
He looked like any other knight—middle-aged—but one odd detail stood out: the spot where his left arm should have been was empty.
'The captain of the 5th Prince's guard from the banquet hall?'
Sure enough, a badge on his chest marked him as captain of the imperial family's personal guard.
'A one-armed man commanding a high knight as guard captain... the 5th Prince has been hiding his fangs.'
Berenus swallowed dryly. The high knight before him radiated a fierce aura, as if ready to draw his sword at any moment.
'To this degree...'.
High knights weren't commonplace, but he'd encountered a few.
Compared to them, this 5th Prince guard captain's presence was sharper, colder.
"Follow me."
"You knew I was coming?"
No answer. Gestain, captain of the 5th Prince's guard, simply turned and strode into the palace.
"What a humorless fellow..."
Muttering to himself with a short sigh, Berenus followed in Gestain's wake.
No conversation passed between them. The Crimson Tower Lord tossed out a few questions, but Gestain marched on mechanically.
Soon, they reached a side door in the inner wall, guarded by two armed retainers.
Recognizing Gestain's face, the guards swung open the heavy iron door.
"His Highness the 5th Prince awaits."
Gestain led Berenus to a reception room inside the palace. Stopping just outside the door, he spoke.
'The 5th Prince, Raymond Philius, is inside?'
That was Berenus's interpretation, and without hesitation, he flung open the door.
As expected, Raymond was there.
Raymond lounged on a sofa, wine glass in hand, with the Azure Tower Lord, Risefield Dior, visible behind him.
"You're later than I expected."
Berenus tensed at Raymond's curt words.
This young prince, a wastrel not long ago, read the currents perfectly.
It didn't feel like bravado. The guard captain waiting inside the inner wall was proof enough.
'Far more formidable than I imagined.'
Berenus realized he needed to reevaluate the 5th Prince as he slowly closed the door and observed proper etiquette toward royalty.
Had he still been a wastrel, it would have been simpler, but the 5th Prince was now the hero who saved the Emperor.
Thus, Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle showed utmost courtesy.
Compared to the past, when no nobles even visited, it was a tearjerker of a turnaround.
Raymond smiled in satisfaction and spoke.
"Raise your head, Crimson Tower Lord."
His voice was gentle yet carried just the right weight. As Berenus Kyle slowly lifted his gaze, he was struck once more.
Five years ago, the 5th Prince had been frail; after his third consort's death from illness, he'd become a wastrel.
Berenus had seen Raymond in his wastrel days and knew the rumors weren't exaggerated.
Yet the 5th Prince now bore no trace of that man.
He'd slimmed down, and a subtle mana aura emanated from him.
The chaotic air of old had been refined.
'He's changed so much.'
How many shocks had today brought?
'Hiding his claws all this time?'
But it was mere speculation; the truth eluded him.
"Have you come to honor the Two Thousand Years' Oath?"
"You even knew that, Your Highness...?"
His tone held surprise, but this time, he didn't falter much.
With Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior at his side, Raymond had likely heard about the oath easily.
'If he truly possesses the Spear of Sacrifice, he's more than qualified...'
But if not, Risefield would answer for blabbing about the oath. First, though, confirmation was needed.
As the Crimson Tower Lord opened his mouth cautiously, Raymond struck first.
"You want to see the Spear of Sacrifice, right?"
The changes went beyond looks and power. Impressed inwardly, Berenus nodded, prompting Raymond to rise from the sofa as Risefield stepped back.
"I can't summon it often, so get a good look."
Extending his hand and channeling life force, a pale white energy flowed out, forming the spear.
Even using minimal life force—just enough for the spear's outline—the ancient relic's majestic aura poured forth thickly, making Berenus's heart race.
"No doubt about it—the Spear of Sacrifice."
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus murmured softly.
The oath handed down through generations. Like Risefield, Berenus remembered the teachings of past tower lords.
'Well, Crimson Tower Lord? What will you do?'
A faint smile played on Raymond's lips as he watched Berenus agonize between the 3rd Prince and the Two Thousand Years' Oath.
He'd resolved to follow the oath, but finalizing it wasn't easy for Berenus.
The Crimson Tower Lord tried to mask his expression, but as time passed, his inner turmoil showed.
"Sir Berenus Kyle."
Risefield's calm voice cut in. He stared at Berenus with a stern face.
"We must remember the Spear Knight of Terror. Did not the founding tower lords swear the oath before his body?"
Berenus bit his lip until it nearly bled at Risefield's words.
Raymond's smile sharpened.
The old man was performing better than expected. Berenus's conflict neared its end—it was time to drive the wedge home.
"Crimson Tower Lord, Sir Berenus Kyle."
"Yes, Your Highness. This old man hears you."
"Have you already forgotten who preserved the Crimson Tower and Azure Tower all this time?"
No, you haven't forgotten. You're just turning a blind eye.
"Urk..."
Berenus bowed his head.
He recalled boldly telling top-grade mage Ilais that he would uphold the Two Thousand Years' Oath.
Less than an hour ago. And now, was he about to take the coward's path?
He whipped himself inwardly.
"Your Highness the 5th Prince!"
Raising his head with resolve, he raised his voice.
"I am no coward."
He had decided. Now to prove it. He roughly tore the badge bestowed by the 3rd Prince from his robe.
His temperament was as fiery as the rumors said.
"This is my resolve."
"Come now, Sir Berenus. That's not necessary..."
"Sir Risefield. Word of my arrival here has surely reached His Highness the 3rd Prince by now."
"Indeed. With His Highness the 2nd Prince's shadows aiding him."
Ending the brief exchange with Risefield, Berenus turned back to Raymond.
"The Crimson Tower remembers the Two Thousand Years' Oath! And from this moment, we solemnly declare our intent to uphold it!"
Today, Raymond gained the high mage Berenus and the Crimson Tower.
"The assassins tailing the Crimson Tower Lord confirmed he entered the 5th Prince's Palace."
A cold-faced man bowed before 3rd Prince Aloken Philius and reported.
He was a seasoned assassin sent by the 2nd Prince's orders to aid Aloken.
"Whew... Good thing I had surveillance on my own men, or I'd have been stabbed in the back proper."
Aloken remarked.
Ever suspicious since childhood, he'd naturally ordered his subordinates watched once the 2nd Prince provided assassins.
But he had no inkling that those surveillance reports also went to the 2nd Prince—a tragic irony.
Young Aloken had reached senior mage level through sharp intellect and mana affinity, but regrettably, he blindly trusted his brother, 2nd Prince Deneb Philius.
And that blind trust was repaid with endless scrutiny.
"Do you know what was said at the recent court conferences?"
"I have not heard."
The black-clad assassin shook his head at Aloken's question. Court conferences weren't his domain.
"They're saying Raymond should be named crown prince."
"That won't happen."
"No, it won't. But that's not my point."
He drained his full wine glass. Despite downing the strong liquor in one gulp, his discomfort twisted his lips.