Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Royal Welcome and Uninvited Guest
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“Did you expect me to come?”
“I thought you might.”
The Mage Tower trio had entered the sewers without following proper procedures.
They must have falsified the documents, and a competent guardian wouldn’t miss that.
“I had a rough idea, but could you explain it simply anyway?”
“Of course.”
Damian detailed everything that had happened so far.
From the moment the chimera vanished, he’d suspected the trio and set a trap for them in reverse to secure them.
“You knew all this, so why didn’t you tell us?”
“I didn’t want to bother you busy guardians unnecessarily.”
If the guardians had gotten involved, the trio would have abandoned their plans. To root them out completely, he hadn’t told anyone.
“What’s this tube?”
“It looks like an ancient relic. No idea why it’s in the sewers, though.”
When he applied force to the lid, the tube opened unlike before. Inside lay the staff and Book of Hell—Vav—he’d seen in the pure white space.
A blue glow flickered in Dennis’s eyes. But he detected nothing unusual. The tube had served its purpose.
“The sewers aren’t technically under the Mage Tower’s jurisdiction, so you won’t claim ownership of these, right?”
“No. They belong to the first discoverer.”
Dennis and the guardians woke the Mage Tower trio and bound them with mana restraints.
“““….”””
The three couldn’t lift their heads. Once caught by the guardians, their lives in the tower were effectively over.
While Dennis kept watch over them, the other two guardians prepared a teleportation spell.
The sewers were overloaded with mana, so imprecise teleportation could be dangerous.
“Investigate these three thoroughly. Especially check if their minds have been tampered with.”
“What do you mean?”
“Doesn’t it seem off? Even rotten Mage Tower wizards shouldn’t act this impulsively.”
Their thinking was rotten, sure, but it felt less like personal deviance and more like someone pulling strings.
“Thanks for the advice.”
Once the spell was ready, the group teleported to the Mage Tower plaza.
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“Lord Dennis? And isn’t that Damian Renekht?”
There were three guardians, plus Damian and Agnes, who’d caused a stir the day before.
With three in restraints being escorted behind them, attention was inevitable.
“I’ll transport this wizard to the hospital.”
One guardian took Dylan and flew into the sky.
Dylan still hadn’t woken. Damian’s treatment ensured no major issues, but he’d need at least a day’s rest.
‘I’ll have to deliver the chimera myself.’
Just as he turned toward Cadrel’s lab, Max’s body shuddered violently ahead of him.
“Grrrrrr—!!”
Yellow drool leaked from his gag, and his eyes bulged with bloodshot veins.
‘What’s wrong with this guy?’
Something was wrong. He moved to respond immediately.
Crack. Suddenly, Max’s wrists twisted and snapped.
“Gaaahhhh!!”
His eyes rolled back—he’d lost his reason. His remaining arm glowed purple as he charged at Damian.
“Lord Damian!”
Agnes shouted and drew her sword. Dennis’s eyes glowed blue as he stared at Max.
Slash! Slash! But Max never reached Damian. Blades of fierce wind severed both his arms.
Max collapsed, blood pouring out. Dennis subdued him as another guardian staunched the wounds.
“…Was this really necessary?”
Dennis turned toward the direction of the attack. A man and woman hovered in the air, looking down at him.
“You’re the one talking strangely, Lord Dennis.”
“Shouldn’t you be grateful instead?”
The 3rd Prince, Boris von Edbalt.
The Princess, Erewin von Edbalt.
At the arrival of the empire’s noblest blood, everyone present bowed their heads.
“That bastard.”
Boris, now on the ground, pointed at Max.
“What would happen if he faced formal judgment?”
“I can’t predict exactly, but at minimum, he’d be expelled from the Mage Tower.”
“Right, expelled.”
This time, Erewin spoke. She even flashed Damian a playful smile amid it all.
“Then he’d fall under imperial law… Attempting to harm a royal should cost him his life, don’t you think?”
“Ending it with just two arms is practically mercy.”
“He doesn’t have hands anymore anyway.”
The crowd in the plaza nodded.
They didn’t know the full rights and wrongs. But there was no reason to pick a fight with the royals over one criminal.
Dennis disagreed, though. As a guardian, he couldn’t condone private sanctions.
No matter who their father was, this was the Mage Tower.
“Regardless, he’s still a Mage Tower wizard. We’ll send a formal letter on this.”
“Feel free.”
“We’ll be waiting.”
Boris and Erewin replied with smiles. But the moment Dennis turned away, their eyes sharpened.
‘No connection yet, it seems.’
He’d wondered if Dennis had already sided with the orthodox faction, but not yet.
“Is it over?”
“Let’s go. No point lingering and getting dragged into something weird.”
“Three royals in one place. Never thought I’d see the day.”
The situation wrapped up. The plaza crowd dispersed one by one.
‘Someone’s definitely behind this.’
He wasn’t sure Damian was the target. But stirring chaos in the tower was clear.
“We’ll conduct a thorough investigation. Contact us if anything comes up.”
Dennis bowed his head.
Damian was safe, but it was his failure as a guardian.
“Ahaha, little brother. I heard the rumors, but I still can’t believe it. Never thought I’d run into you here at the tower.”
As Dennis left, Boris laughed heartily and extended a hand.
“Long time, Brother Boris. And thanks for the help just now.”
“What help? A brother in danger—you do what you have to.”
Unlike with Arkin, Damian had few conflicts with 3rd Prince Boris.
They hadn’t spent much time together, and Boris was smarter than Arkin, so he’d bullied Damian subtly.
“You were just a baby last time I saw you.”
Erewin sidled up and poked Damian’s chest.
“Now you’re all grown up.”
Her eyebrows arched like crescent moons. Goosebumps prickled Damian’s skin at her flirtatious gesture.
Erewin had put Damian in awkward spots many times.
She’d insist on bathing together despite their ages, or sneak into his detached palace bedroom one night to share his bed.
Of course, Anna and Felix always took the blame whenever issues arose.
‘Abigail’s making moves.’
Setting Erewin aside, Boris showing such brotherly affection meant the Empress was behind it.
“Long time no see, Miss Agnes.”
“You two look perfect together.”
“Agnes Schubert. It’s an infinite honor to meet the 3rd Prince and Princess.”
Agnes bowed deeply, but Boris and Erewin waved it off with jokes.
“We’re not at the palace. No need for formalities even here at the tower.”
“Right. You’ll be family soon anyway.”
Family.
He nearly scoffed on reflex.
Neither side saw Damian as family, and he didn’t see them that way either.
“Speaking of which, Damian. Something happened today, but if you’re free tonight?”
“We prepared a welcome party for you two. Come casual.”
What was their goal? Butter him up to join the orthodox faction?
If so, big mistake. He had no intention of compromising with Michael, Rubia—or them.
“Thanks for the invite. I’ll be there. Agnes, you okay with it?”
“Of course, if you’re going, Lord Damian. I’ve swung my sword enough today—no need for sparring.”
“Perfect.”
“See you both tonight.”
Afterward, Damian and Agnes headed to Cadrel’s lab to check on Dylan.
“That damn thing’s causing trouble for everyone.”
Sunken eyes and a irritable demeanor. But young for a tower physician.
The chimera had been returned by another student and secured in its cage. Damian and Agnes were served tea in Cadrel’s room.
“Strictly speaking, those three were the problem.”
“No Dylan, no incident.”
“So you’re blaming me too?”
Cadrel waved it off.
“No. He causes issues so often, I’m on edge. Sorry. No penalties for Dylan, so don’t worry.”
“I took a quick look—great facilities. Curious how the chimera escaped. Or rather, how those three pulled it off.”
“…Yeah, me too. Thanks again for the help. Busy with the conference now, but I’ll repay you properly soon.”
A subtle dismissal.
Nothing to gain right now anyway. Simmer Cadrel slowly—rushing could backfire on Damian.
“Lord Damian, do you suspect Cadrel too…?”
Agnes trailed off, reading his intent.
“The guardians like Dennis will uncover details.”
As lab head, his tacit approval was nearly required for the trio to free the chimera.
A strange tension permeated the tower. Someone’s scheme was afoot.
* * *
Back at Ezekiel’s mansion, the two rested until evening. The owner still hadn’t returned.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes, Lord Damian.”
Damian and Agnes changed and headed to the welcome party venue.
One of the tower’s many spires—they’d booked the entire top floor.
“There come the guests of honor.”
“Hang on, friends. Everyone, attention here.”
Stepping onto the rooftop terrace, bright lights and beautiful melodies welcomed them.
No musicians—magic animated instruments playing automatically.
At Boris and Erewin’s signal, the partygoers raised glasses. Damian and Agnes received theirs from attendants.
“To the Mage Tower’s newest member, the unpredictable wizard and disciple of Ezekiel. Wielder of green flames, proud scion of the royals. My dear brother, Damian Renekht.”
“And his fiancée, Agnes Schubert. Cheers!”
“““Cheers!!”””
Few attendees, but all noteworthy.
‘Faces I haven’t seen in a while.’
In his past life, power players active in the orthodox faction.
They’d abandoned the tower to join the Empress’s forces—talent scouted early by Boris and Erewin.
Mostly high nobility, unlike the reformists heavy on commoners. The orthodox were strict on bloodlines.
“An honor to meet you.”
“Welcome to the tower.”
“Your beauty is… uh, I’ll stop there.”
Varied faces, but it evoked the Arnesian cruise banquet.
Of course, their treatment of Damian was far more cautious now.
Thanks to his achievements and skill.
“So, it started with that duel against Arkin. You did great. He needed a beating. Kept groping your maid too, right?”
“Mother spoiled him rotten. You’re the older brother, but no manners.”
Chats flowed as the party warmed up. Sunset yielded to starry night sky.
“Damian. Join us on a job.”
Boris leaned on the railing and broached it. Erewin cozied up to continue.
“Demon worshippers stirring up the east lately. Demons in this era? Ridiculous. Time to show royal might.”
A subjugation force to purge them—tower wizards and outside mercenaries together.
“Not tough. But meaningful if you join.”
Boris and Erewin spoke as if success was assured. To them, demon worshippers were just dim fanatics.
But Lidocaine’s children and eastern worshippers weren’t pushovers. Unexpected experts abounded.
‘I’ll use this too.’
They’d think he was helping, but really, Damian was borrowing their power.
“I’ll join.”
“With Miss Agnes too? Even better. Right, Erewin?”
“Totally. Much better optics.”
Start in a month. Details via letter.
“About that.”
A purple streak slashed the night sky. No one immediately realized it was lightning.
“I’d love to hear more details.”
A cold finger traced Damian’s jaw. Fragrant scent from behind—native eastern flower.
He knew who without turning. Damian closed his eyes, gathering thoughts.
Rubia de Clarent.
The mistress of purple thunder leaned in with a smile.