The Marquis's Routine Is Ruined
Marquis Sebes had a routine. After finishing lunch, he would recline in a comfortable armchair and listen to the lute played by the musician he employed. Then, while savoring the sensation of his personal barber shaving his beard, he would nap for thirty minutes. It was a habit he had never once skipped since becoming a marquis.
Thud. Thud. Thud!
“What is it?”
Marquis Sebes, jolted awake by the footsteps, turned his head. It was one of the spies he had hired. The spy, sweating profusely, spoke urgently.
“Crown Prince Cain has begun protesting fiercely after hearing that Ascal Erindale has been imprisoned!”
“That was expected. We have countermeasures in place, so don’t worry.”
Framing Ascal Erindale and throwing him into Zlart Prison was something Marquis Sebes had naturally anticipated would provoke Crown Prince Cain, who held him in high regard.
But Marquis Sebes was a man who orchestrated schemes like this as easily as eating meals.
If they presented fabricated evidence, even the Crown Prince would find it difficult to press the matter further.
Marquis Sebes smiled darkly and lay back down. Today’s nap was sure to be a deep, satisfying one.
“What now?”
This time it was a different spy.
“Duke Senestia and Princess Julia have begun advocating for Ascal Erindale!”
“That’s a bit troublesome. But it’s still manageable.”
Marquis Sebes frowned.
No one knew better than he did that the words of the powerful carried real weight.
In this era, a single statement could turn innocence into guilt, or guilt into innocence.
Crown Prince Cain, Duke Senestia, Princess Julia… Just what kind of backing did a mere fifth-grade official have that made it this formidable?
“His Majesty is on our side. That fact remains unchanged.”
Did it?
In truth, even as he said it, he felt a twinge of doubt.
Originally, he had planned to ride the momentum and execute Ascal Erindale immediately. But the Emperor’s reaction had been lukewarm at best.
Cough. Execution… seems a bit much. Cough.
Marquis Sebes had spent years sweet-talking and manipulating the Emperor with every flattery imaginable.
He had naturally assumed this matter would proceed just as smoothly, but the Emperor’s passive resistance had limited the outcome to merely imprisoning the thorn in his side.
But what kind of place was the prison Ascal had been sent to?
It was Zlart—the Empire’s most notorious, brutal prison.
The chances of Ascal emerging from there unscathed were practically zero. To be absolutely certain, the Marquis had even contacted Warden Cheshire.
<Ascal Erindale is ‘adapting very well’ in Zlart.>
A satisfying reply.
Imagining Ascal laboring under the scorching sun, Marquis Sebes smiled.
This time, he would surely enjoy a refreshing nap.
Thud thud thud thud thud!
Three spies burst into the Marquis’s chamber at once.
Unable to endure it any longer, the Marquis shot to his feet.
“Enough! What the hell is all this commotion! If it isn’t a real disaster, I’ll have your heads!”
The spies exchanged glances before shoving one another forward. The one pushed out had no choice but to speak first.
“The entire Evaluation Department has gone on strike! They’re protesting in the plaza, demanding Ascal Erindale’s release!”
“The Cat Tribe is joining them! More than half of all the Cat Tribe members in the Empire have gathered in the plaza!”
The Marquis’s face turned beet red as he roared.
“Disperse them by force!”
The spies, seeing his fury, quickly fled the room.
The Marquis panted heavily for a while before glaring at the one spy who hadn’t left.
“Why aren’t you going?”
“Well… the White Magic Tower has discovered incredible magical properties in the Jewel Frogs.”
The Marquis’s eyes widened.
“What? How?”
“How should I know?”
The spy replied flatly, then pulled a single sheet of paper from his pocket.
“What is that?”
“My letter of resignation. Working with you has been absolute shit. Let’s never run into each other on the street.”
The spy left.
Now fully awake, the Marquis muttered calmly.
“We’re fucked.”
The White Magic Tower.
A gathering of those who belonged to no one, swore loyalty to no one, and devoted themselves solely to the study of magic.
“So, my long-silent disciple suddenly shows up and says, ‘This frog seems to have something special about it, so please investigate it thoroughly’?”
Berman, the Tower Master of the White Magic Tower, looked at his disciple with clear displeasure.
While magic towers generally valued practicality, someone of Berman’s age naturally came to value etiquette. No matter how noble his disciple’s status, this request had crossed a line.
Berman tapped his staff against the desk, and a soft rug appeared on the floor.
“Julia. Come here and sit for a moment.”
It was time to impart some valuable lessons to a disciple he hadn’t seen in quite a while.
But Julia refused her master’s teaching.
“There’s no time for that, Master. Every second counts.”
“What did you say?”
A vein bulged on Berman’s forehead.
“Do you truly see me—this Berman, the Master of the White Magic Tower, wielder of the White Staff, and one of only three Archmages on the continent—as some trivial figure you can dismiss after delivering a mere errand?!”
In an instant, a massive illusion formed behind Berman.
Overwhelmed by the pressure only an Archmage could exert, Julia bit her lip.
“Yes. You were the first to awaken, you receive the respect of countless mages, and even kings come to you for counsel. But right now, all of that is far less important than this.”
Berman had secretly begun to feel mollified by her earlier words.
But at Julia’s final statement, he frowned slightly and tapped his staff again. The massive illusion and the rug on the floor vanished instantly.
“So. These ridiculous frogs you brought are that important, are they?”
Ribbit.
The terrified Jewel Frogs croaked inside their cage.
“Then let’s do this. I will stake my honor on thoroughly investigating these Jewel Frogs. If they possess the value you claim, I will overlook your rudeness and listen to your story with full attention.”
Berman spoke with cold eyes.
“But if they hold no such value, Julia—even you will have to pay the price. You will be excommunicated from the White Magic Tower, and you can expect no further favor from me. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master.”
Julia bowed her head deeply.
Seeing his disciple’s face, Berman sighed.
“For now, go rest. Your face is in no condition to be seen.”
Even to Berman, who had little interest in such things, Julia’s appearance was shocking. How long had she gone without sleep? Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her lips were pale and dry.
“Thank you, Master.”
“Sigh… That brilliant child, what could possibly drive her to push herself this hard?”
Berman picked up the cage containing the Jewel Frogs.
A deal was a deal, and a promise was a promise.
No matter how much he cherished his disciple Julia, once an oath had been spoken, there was no taking it back.
“Why in the world is this acting as a catalyst?”
⟨ ARCHMAGE BERMAN ⟩
Berman broke into a cold sweat.
Warden Cheshire of the impregnable prison Zlart examined the inmate roster with a troubled expression.
“What is this? This prisoner named Jerob—his records are strange. None of them match up.”
ASCAL ERINDALE — Market Manipulation
JEROB — Murder
These were the most recent admissions. Jerob had entered right after Ascal.
“Moreover, for a murder charge the records should be precise, yet the person this man supposedly killed died a long time ago. Something is off.”
One of the guards, Cheshire’s close aide, stroked his chin seriously as he looked at Jerob’s name.
“Jerob. This man has been sticking to Ascal Erindale whenever he gets the chance. It’s almost like he’s waiting for an opportunity to be alone with him.”
“……!”
Jerob. Identity unknown. Entered immediately after Ascal. Constantly seeking opportunities to be alone with Ascal.
Even a fool could see what it implied.
“Ascal is in danger! Move immediately!”
He could not let the benefactor who had perfectly secured his retirement and future home die in a place like this. Cheshire grew frantic.
Thud!
The moment Cheshire arrived at the exercise yard, he saw a figure spin once through the air before slamming cleanly into the sandy ground.
“Ah… I’m already too late……”
Behind it loomed the massive silhouette of a giant.
It was Jerob.
Cheshire covered his face with both hands.
It was already too late.
He had allowed his benefactor to be killed.
“What brings you here, Warden?”
“Ah. Teacher Ascal. I came because it seemed like you might be in danger……”
Cheshire’s eyes widened as he confirmed who was speaking.
Ascal was doing gymnastics, perfectly fine.
Then who just collapsed?
Cheshire checked the fallen man.
It was just an ordinary violent criminal.
Foaming at the mouth, he was hovering between life and death.
“Send him to the infirmary.”
Cheshire ordered the guard.
After the criminal was carried away on a stretcher, Cheshire let out a sigh of relief. At least Ascal was safe.
“What happened? It looks like there was an altercation between prisoners.”
“Hehe. That guy charged at Ascal, so I played with him instead.”
The one who answered was Jerob.
It seemed Jerob had protected Ascal.
Cheshire looked up at Jerob’s enormous frame.
“Ascal. Let’s play cat’s cradle.”
“Sure.”
And then, completely at odds with his massive size, Jerob plopped down on the ground, pulled out some string, and began playing cat’s cradle.
It was puzzling.
Just who in the world was this man named Jerob?
Dark room.
The leader of The Spider unfolded a crumpled letter. The handwriting looked like a child’s—blurry in places and difficult to read.
The leader narrowed his eyes and struggled to decipher the letter.
<Just as you said. I’ve arrived at the prison. Prison life is surprisingly enjoyable.>
“Hmm. So Jerob has successfully infiltrated. Forger, your contribution was significant.”
“That was easy as pie. Though, the Empire isn’t stupid—they won’t let it last long.”
At least the infiltration phase was a success.
Jerob was a member of The Spider. While not particularly intelligent, his raw strength surpassed anyone else’s. It wasn’t for nothing that he was a giant half-blood.
“Has the assassination succeeded?”
“I’m reading it now.”
<Found the person you mentioned. Black-haired man. Looks smart. Ascal. Approached him.>
“Heh. So Ascal’s luck has run out here. Once he’s caught Jerob’s eye……”
<But Ascal. He wasn’t a bad person like you said. He’s kind. It’s fun being with him. I like Ascal more than you guys now.>
“Jerob, you bastard—surely not!”
<From now on, I’m going to stay with Ascal. This is goodbye. Bye-bye.>
“What did Jerob say? Leader. Did he succeed in the assassination? Tell me quickly.”
“The Spider still has six legs left.”
“What does that mean, Leader? Leader!”
The lights in the dark room went out.