Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 247: The Mage’s Wish (3)

Chapter 247: The Mage’s Wish (3)

“Now‍‍‌ that I think‍ about it, they⁠ say the world‍ isn’t made up⁠ of four elements,‌⁠ but five. Apparently,‍‌ mages use that‍‍ fifth one.”

“What? Weren’t there four⁠ elements? What’s the⁠ fifth? Isn’t it⁠‍‍ earth, fire, wind, and water?”

“The‍‌ heart.”

“Ah…!”‍‌

“Only‍⁠ with the heart can true magic‌ be achieved. They‌‍ say that studying‍ formulas and other⁠ nonsense like mediocre⁠‌ mages do is⁠ useless. They’ve forgotten‌ what’s truly important.‌‌⁠ The most fundamental‍‍ ingredient in magic⁠‍‌ is our heart. Without a warm⁠ heart, magic cannot‍⁠‍ exist!”

“And‍ where did you‌‌ learn that?”

“I⁠ saw it in‍ the latest issue‍‌ of Maxim magazine.”⁠

“Ah…‍ that one…”

The⁠ knights’ faces flushed‍ for a moment‍‍ before returning to normal.

“Without a doubt, it’s‍‌ a very educational magazine.”

“Totally.”

“An‌ essential article in‍‌ a knight’s life.⁠‌ Especially when one‌‌ is still an‍⁠ apprentice.”

“Hahaha…”‍

Another‍⁠ knight continued the⁠ topic.

“Did⁠ you know that‍⁠ very young babies‍ can use magic?”‌‍

“What?”‍

“Since‌ they still have‌ a pure heart uncontaminated by the world, they’re in‍‍ the most suitable‌ state to handle magic. It’s said⁠ that a few‌ babies even remember⁠⁠‌ their past lives.‍ Although those memories⁠⁠ fade as they‌‍ grow, those who⁠ still retain them⁠⁠‍ can use magic freely thanks to‍ their pure heart‌ and those memories.”‍⁠

“Really?⁠‍ Isn’t that a bit much?”

“Don’t‌‌‌ you know the⁠ boy from Hindo?‌ In the Hindo‍ fief, in Liberta,⁠‍ there was a child who…”

Thus,‍ the conversation, which‌ had started with‌ talk about black‌‍‍ magic, ended up‌ drifting into all‌‌ sorts of supernatural‍‍ phenomena the knights⁠ had heard about‍⁠ here and there.‌‌

“Unidentified‍‍⁠ flying objects sometimes‍ seen in the⁠ sky…”

“A‌‌⁠ boy who bends‍ spoons with psychic powers…”

“The‌ fact that black‌ magic is mentioned⁠‍ is actually part‌‍‌ of a conspiracy‍‌ of the international‍ imperial capital…”

“Careful.⁠ They say that‌‌‌ those who know‍ the truth about‍ black magic end‌‌ up with magical⁠ listening devices in⁠⁠ their ears…”

The‍ crystal sphere on‍⁠ the table in⁠‍⁠ front of them⁠‌ began vibrating more‍ intensely.

But‍‍⁠ since the foreign-trained⁠‌⁠ knights were speaking‍ so loudly, no‌ one heard the‌ sound.

“In⁠⁠ any case, black‍ magic doesn’t exist!”⁠⁠

Someone‌‍ shouted it loudly.⁠

“That’s‌ right! Black magic‍‌ is a fraud!”‌‌

“It‌ doesn’t exist!”

“It’s‌‍ nothing more than⁠ a conspiracy theory!”‌

They all shouted in⁠ unison.

At‌ that moment, the⁠ crystal sphere shattered‍⁠ into pieces. The⁠‍ fragments flew everywhere,⁠‍ striking the knights.

“W-what‌‍ is this?”

“An‍ attack?”

“They’re⁠ suppressing us for‍‍ knowing the truth!”

Since‍‌ they were trained‍⁠ knights, they weren’t⁠ seriously injured, but‌ some ended up‌ with bleeding cuts.⁠

Inside,⁠ the interview room‍ began to fill‌⁠‌ with thick smoke. The knights dispersed‍⁠‍ it while reflexively⁠ drawing their swords.‌ Dozens of weapons‌ gleamed inside the‌ room.

Finally,‌ when their vision⁠ cleared, they realized‍ someone was sitting‍⁠ in the luxurious⁠ chair before them.‍

It‍⁠⁠ was an old‍ man with hair‌ as white as‍ snow. His white‌ beard was so‍ long it reached‌‍‍ his waist. He⁠ was leaning back‍‍ in the chair,‌‍ holding his forehead.‍‍

“Damn⁠ it. They got‌⁠ on my nerves…”⁠

His‍ voice was deep‌⁠‌ and worn, yet‌ powerful.

The‍‌ knights’ eyes widened,‌⁠ and they began‌ murmuring.

“It‍ can’t be… is‍‍ that man…?”

“The‌ Master of the‌ Tower?”

“Has⁠ he come to‌ confirm we were‌‍ right?”

“Please, tell the truth to everyone outside!”‍‌⁠

The⁠ old man waved‍‌⁠ his hand impatiently.‌ And in that‍‌⁠ instant, all the‍‍ knights vanished.

The⁠⁠⁠ noisy room fell‌ silent.

The‍ old man, now‍ alone, let out⁠ a few deep‍ sighs, then stood‌‌ up and walked toward the exit.‍⁠‌

***⁠‍‍

Since‍‍⁠ the knights had⁠‍ entered the room,⁠⁠⁠ no sound had⁠ been heard.

Jared‌ tilted his head.‍⁠

“Could‌ they just be‌‍‍ staying quiet?”

“The‍ room is isolated from outside sound.”‍‌

“I⁠ see.”

Yuri,‍ arms crossed, stared‌ at the door.‍

“By⁠‌ my calculations, it‍ won’t be long‌ now.”

“Huh?”‍⁠‌

Only‍‍ a short moment⁠⁠ had passed since‌ the knights had‌‍ gone in.

Hernando‌⁠ scoffed.

“What are you talking⁠ about, Your Highness?‌ If it were⁠ that easy, why‍‌ did Maryrose and⁠ I have to‍⁠ work so hard?”‌‍

If⁠‍‍ Yuri’s words produced⁠‌‌ immediate results, then⁠‍ all of Hernando’s‍ effort would have‍ been pointless. That’s‍ why he insisted‌ on criticizing him.‌‍‌

“Your⁠‌ idea isn’t bad,‌ but it won’t⁠‍ work like that.⁠‌ Since when does‌‌ spouting nonsense solve‍‍ anything?”

“Really?”‍⁠‍

“Yes.⁠‍ If someone came‍‌ out of there⁠⁠‍ just because of⁠⁠ some silly talk,⁠ why did Maryrose‌‍ and I have‍ to go around‍⁠ the whole place?‌ We checked every‍‍ workshop…”

At⁠‌ that moment, the door to the‌ room swung open.‍

Hernando,‌ now more confident,‍‍⁠ raised his voice.‌

“See?‌‌ The knights are‌ already coming out.‍‍ It was all⁠⁠ pointless and—”

But‍ the one who⁠ emerged was not‍ a knight.

It‍⁠⁠ was an old man with white hair and a long beard. Hernando‌ saw him and‍‌ went silent.

“……”‍⁠

Silence⁠‍‍ fell over the⁠⁠ place. Yuri let‍‍ out a slight⁠ chuckle. It wasn’t‌‌ hard to guess⁠ who that old⁠‍ man was.

Hernando‌ opened his mouth‍ awkwardly.

“Master…?”⁠

Maryrose⁠ tilted her head‌ calmly.

“Long⁠ time no see,‌ Sir Sidherst.”

The‍ old man replied,‍‍

“Yes.‍‍ A long time⁠ has passed for‍ all of us.”‌⁠

That⁠‌‍ man was Sidherst,‌⁠ Master of the‍ Tower and respected⁠⁠ by all mages.‌‌

After⁠⁠ greeting Hernando and‍ Maryrose, Sidherst turned to Yuri.

“I‌‍ received your gift.”⁠‌‌

“I‌ hope you liked‌⁠ it.”

“I‍ nearly fainted from‍ the outrage.”

Yuri‍ lifted his chin‍⁠‌ and smiled.

“Good‍ thing you came‌ out before collapsing.”‍

Yuri extended his hand,‍‍ and Sidherst shook‍ it.

“Since⁠‌ these two weren’t‌‍ of much use,⁠ I had to come myself.”

“I⁠‌ suspected it, but⁠ now I see⁠‌ it’s true.”

Sidherst‌‍ looked at Hernando‌⁠‍ and Maryrose.

“You‌ still have a lot to learn.”

Both only lowered their⁠‍‍ heads without saying⁠‌‌ anything.

At a glance, Sidherst‌⁠ was very old.‌⁠ He had probably‌‍⁠ been at the⁠‌⁠ head of the‍⁠ Tower longer than⁠‌ they had been‌‍ alive.

Yuri‍⁠‌ said,

“Master,‍‌‍ I want to‌⁠ have a serious‌⁠ talk about black‌⁠⁠ magic.”

“Black‌‌ magic, you say…”‍‍⁠

Sidherst⁠ stroked his beard,⁠ which swayed gently.

“Alright.‍‍ Let’s go in.”‌‌

He‍ gestured toward the‍ interview room and⁠ entered first.

Yuri‍‍ followed, curiosity in‌ his eyes.

What⁠ he found was a space completely‌‌ different from before.‌‌‌ They were at‌‌ the top of⁠‍⁠ a cliff.

“Ah…”‍‍

Yuri looked down. An‌‌ immense forest stretched‌‌ to the horizon,⁠ and multiple rivers branched out like‍‍⁠ roots. A strong‍ wind ruffled his‍ hair.

“This‌ place is…”

“My⁠⁠ favorite place.”

“And the knights?”

“I‌ sent them back.⁠‍ If I had listened to them⁠‌‌ a bit longer,‌ I would have‌ incinerated them all.”‍

Sidherst‍⁠ looked out over‌ the landscape and‍‍ then sat down‍⁠ in a chair⁠ set to the‍ side. In front‌ of him was a long table‌ and three chairs.⁠

Yuri‍ took the one‍‌ in the center.⁠ Hernando and Maryrose,⁠‌ still marveling at‍ the view, sat⁠ beside him.

Sidherst‌⁠‍ looked at each‍‍ of them in turn.

“So, why did you‍ come?”

“You⁠‍ already know.”

“No.‌ I have no⁠‍ idea.”

Hernando‍ cut in:

“We’ve⁠⁠ been looking for you all this‌ time. Why were⁠ you hiding?”

“Hiding?‌‌ I was just⁠ busy with my⁠‌ own things.”

“Don’t⁠⁠ play dumb. We‌ know you were⁠ watching us.”

“Then‌⁠ why didn’t you‍ find me? Hernando,⁠ you still have‌ a lot to‍ learn.”

“Yeah,‍‍ yeah, whatever you‌ say. But my‌⁠ skill doesn’t matter‌⁠ right now. The⁠‌ situation demands it.”‍⁠‍

“And what situation is‍ that?”

“Black‌⁠ magic.”

Hernando‍‌ leaned forward.

“This⁠ is plunging the‌ world into chaos.‍ The Tower of‌ Magic must intervene.⁠ Mages like us‌‍ must go out⁠ and set things‍ right.”

“And⁠ why?”

Sidherst‍‌‌ shook his head.⁠

“There’s‍ no reason to‌‌⁠ do so.”

“Excuse‍⁠‌ me?”

“Black‌‍‍ magic… hmm?”

“Black‌ magic has grown‍ to an enormous‌‍ extent.”

Sidherst‍‌ frowned.

“I‍⁠ agree that it’s a vile and⁠‍ evil power.”

“And?”‌

“Why‍‍ should we be⁠ the ones to‍ intervene?”

Sidherst⁠‍ raised an eyebrow‍‍‍ as he spoke.

“If‌ you oppose black‌ magic too hastily,⁠‌ you’ll become its⁠ target. There’s no⁠ need to act‍ recklessly. Especially because‌‍‌ what they recently‌ summoned, now that…”‌

Yuri⁠ realized he knew more than he‌ let on.

Yuri‌⁠ spoke.

“In short, you’re saying⁠‍ you’re hiding because‍‍ you’re afraid of⁠‌ the risks?”

“To‌⁠ some extent.”

“I see.”

Sidherst⁠ stroked his beard and went on.‍‍

“It’s‍‌ better to watch‍⁠‍ the situation slowly‍‍ rather than rush⁠‌ in and draw⁠ attention. The nail‍ that sticks out‍‍⁠ gets hammered down. It’s not the time to act‍ yet.”

It⁠ was the policy‌‌‍ of an old‍‍ and cautious mage.⁠⁠

Hernando‍‍ frowned.

“A‌‍ disappointing answer.”

“There’s‌‌ no other choice.‍ I’ve spent more time with magic⁠ than you’ve been‍ alive. Those who‌‍⁠ acted recklessly died‌‍ long ago. And if I’ve managed‍⁠‍ to protect the⁠ Tower for so⁠⁠ long, it’s precisely⁠⁠ because of this‍‌⁠ caution.”

“So⁠ the safety of‌ the Tower is⁠ more important than‌⁠ people dying and‍⁠ black magic threatening⁠ the entire continent?”‌‍

“That’s‌⁠ right.”

Sidherst⁠‌ replied.

“And what are you‍ going to do‍ about it?”

“What‍⁠⁠ am I going‌‍⁠ to do?”

This‍ time Yuri answered.

“You’d⁠‌ better start cooperating.”‍

“And‍ why’s that?”

“Because‍‍⁠ it’s dangerous.”

“Yes,‌⁠ black magic is dangerous. But the‌ one using it is someone who‌ can be reasoned with.”

“I’m‍‍ not talking about⁠ black magic.”

“What?”

“I’m⁠⁠ talking about me.”‍‌

Yuri⁠‍ placed a hand‍ on the table.‌‍

“I’m⁠ not asking for much, just that‌‍ you acknowledge black‌ magic exists.”

“I‍ already said no.”‍‍

“I⁠‍ see you think black magic is the only scary‍⁠ thing.”

Yuri‍⁠‍ stood up.

“Seems⁠⁠ you’ve thrown away shame and conscience‍ over the years.‍ But you still‍‍‌ have a bit‌ of fear left,‌⁠‍ so instead of‍ appealing to your‍ conscience, I’ll have to appeal to‌ your cowardice. That’s‌⁠ the only way‌ to move you,‌⁠ right?”

“Oh…”

Sidherst‌‍‌ laughed.

“I’ve⁠‌ heard your sword⁠‌ is impressive. That‌ you’re a genius.”‌‌⁠

“Yes.”⁠‌‍

“But‌‍‌ do you think that power you’ve built up is‍ enough to threaten‌‍‌ me here?”

Sidherst‍ also stood up.

“Looks⁠‍ like I’ll have⁠⁠ to teach this‍ brat a lesson.”‍⁠

“You’re‌‍ just a cowardly‌ old man who‍‍ talks too much.”‍‌

“Insolent!”⁠‌

Sidherst‍ swung his arm,⁠‍‌ and suddenly a staff appeared in‍ his hand. Light⁠ began to shine⁠⁠ from the crystal sphere at its‌‌ tip.

Hernando‍ and Maryrose tried⁠⁠ to dispel the⁠ magic, but Sidherst‌⁠ was faster.

“Stay‍ out of this!”‌⁠

Both‍ of them froze in place as⁠ if turned to‍ stone.

Sidherst’s⁠‍‍ eyes locked onto⁠ Yuri.

“I‌⁠ value that you’re‌ fighting against black⁠ magic, but if⁠‌ you threaten the Tower of Magic, I’ll have no‍⁠‍ choice but to⁠ act. Today you’ll learn a lesson.”⁠⁠

“And⁠ a coward who‍ stayed silent out‍ of fear wants⁠ to teach me‌‌⁠ a lesson?”

Yuri‌‍⁠ laughed. Not a forced laugh, but‍‍ one so genuine⁠ his shoulders trembled⁠ uncontrollably.

“Very⁠‍ well. Today I’ll‌‍ cut off that⁠ beard.”

“You‌ little…”

Sidherst’s‌ staff released a blinding light.

In⁠ that instant, Yuri’s‍‌ field of vision‌ changed.

A moment ago he‍ had been sitting‍⁠ at the table‌ atop the cliff,‍ but suddenly everything‍⁠‍ around him transformed,⁠‍⁠ and he found⁠ himself standing in‍ the middle of⁠ a sea of⁠ flames.

The⁠ heat engulfed him⁠⁠‌ from all directions.⁠‍⁠ On the other side of the⁠‌ fire, Sidherst’s figure‌ appeared.

The‍‌ waves of fire‍‌⁠ began closing in‌‍ on Yuri.

“I’ll‌ show this arrogant⁠‍ brat the taste‌ of my flames.”‍‍‌

Yuri‍ didn’t respond.

Instead,⁠‌ he drew Guilty.⁠‍‍ A blue icy‌ aura shone amidst⁠‍ the hellish flames.‍

While‍ Sidherst swung his‌⁠‌ staff and chanted the spell, Yuri‍‍‍ closed his eyes and then opened⁠ them again.

He‍ had entered the‍ realm of the‌⁠ mental domain.

He‌‍‌ had suspected Sidherst might be corrupted by black magic, given his strange attitude, but that⁠⁠ wasn’t the case.‌⁠

Sidherst’s⁠‍‌ body showed no⁠ trace of black‌ magic contamination. It‌⁠ was clean.

Yuri⁠‍ strengthened his mental⁠ domain even further.‍

Just‍‍ as he could⁠⁠⁠ see the flow‌ of black magic, conventional magic was‍‍ no different.

Magic⁠‌ also sprang from⁠ human will. And‍‌ before his technique,‌ Cut of the soul and the‌⁠ heart, which severed soul and consciousness,‌‍⁠ even the purest‌ magic was nothing‌‌ but a target.‍

The‌ flow of mana‍ Sidherst manipulated revealed‍‌ itself clearly to‌ him. That flow was constructing a specific form that‌ altered the world⁠‍⁠ around them.

Yuri‍‍ observed the magical‌‍‍ flames surrounding him⁠ and the arrangement‍‌ of his opponent’s‌ mana.

And‍ finally, at the‍ very end of it all, he⁠‌‍ also aimed at⁠⁠ Sidherst’s trembling beard.

And cut everything in⁠ a single stroke.