316 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 316 "Pardon? I'm sorry, but I can't share that information." The knight guarding the entrance of the separate palace politely declined the sudden question from the princess. ‘Why is she asking about that superhuman? Especially one who usually stays away from His Majesty?’ It wasn't just an ordinary suspicious question. I'll report this to Commander Viktor as soon as he comes to take over. The knight made a mental note, maintaining a smile on his face. However. "Could you please reconsider?" In that instant, an unseen, faint gray magic flowed into his eyes. The knight's gaze turned vacant, and he began to spill everything he knew. "Lord Delyrc or Sir Stormblade aren't usually in the capital. And the one who stays away from His Majesty in the capital is Sir Clayton. He's engaged in important research, so he hasn't left the Magic Tower recently." "Ah, I see. Do you happen to know of any other superhumans? Besides the ones you've mentioned, excluding the Grand Swordmaster and His Majesty?" "……All of our kingdom's superhumans are accounted for with those names." The princess nodded with a firm expression while observing the knight's puzzled eyes. 'Still a secret within. McLain, there's definitely something more.' After organizing her thoughts, Luisa smiled at the knight again. "Where might Sir Clayton be?" "At the Magic Tower. It stands tall east of the palace." "I see. But can I enter the tower?" "Right now, no one except His Majesty is allowed in." Even better. "Thank you. Please forget all my questions for today." With a wink and a bright smile, she triggered the magic. Instantly, the clarity returned to the knight's once-vacant eyes. "Oh, Princess. Greetings." The knight greeted the princess, seemingly just noticing her. "Where may I escort you?" "Oh, no need. I've just come out for a breath of fresh air." "I see… Alright." A breeze at the separate palace entrance rather than the garden? His doubtful expression was evident, but Luisa merely smiled and turned away. The knight didn't notice how her expression turned fierce the moment she turned her back. "Are you sure about this?" "Hiding anything more is pointless anyway." In Luisa's hand was a gray stone the size of a fist. As she clenched it, it shattered with a crisp sound, emitting a blue light. Simultaneously, a gray magic only those with identical power could feel began flowing from her heart. The sealing magic contained in the top-grade magic stone had been released. Wooong. "Elder, I believe you didn't have permission for this." Luisa frowned slightly at the words of Jun, her loyal bodyguard. An ally and subordinate; yet, if she went against the Tower Master's orders, this loyal subordinate would promptly become an internal whistleblower. Being aware of this fact, she naturally recalled the Tower Master's order. An order that had crushed her self-esteem ruthlessly. – I cannot permit it. Time may take longer, but there's a surefire way. Leave the follow-up to another elder. "I'll follow the orders. But even if I leave, I must leave a gift behind." Whether it was seeing through the magic or because it naturally unraveled with the 'power of destiny,' she didn't care. The fact that it wasn't her deceiving, but rather being deceived, was a significant blow to her pride. She simply couldn't back down quietly. "Isn't there no need to step forward personally? There must be simpler methods." "Let's make it certain." Indeed, as Jun pointed out, a soul wizard at the level of an archmage had countless ways to instigate events using humans. For instance, if she could mesmerize the knights of the separate palace to attack her, an international dispute would immediately ensue. However. "A simple large disturbance would draw too much attention to my status. If another incident compounded on it, I might end up trapped here." Moreover, minor disturbances like conflicts among the knights or attacks by common soldiers and attendants who couldn't even approach the king were not satisfactory. The master's magic was also not omnipotent, and the side effects needed consideration. The decline in intelligence of those brainwashed was just one of many side effects, so it was better to avoid any potential tails if possible. "But isn't it too risky?" "For me?" Luisa's response was filled with unwavering confidence. Throughout the history of the tower, those who reached the level of a 6th-circle expert before thirty were rare. That confidence was not unfounded. It was also why it was considerably harder for her to suppress her injured pride. "In a mere few years, someone who only reached the level of archmage well past fifty—can they truly handle me?" A mere 6th-circle beginner elementalist had no chance against a more advanced mage, especially a soul wizard specialized in dealing with humans. That was the pride of those who learned the magic of the Kassel Magic Tower, and it was their common sense. "Well, that's true, but…." "A sorcerer of the kingdom attacking key figures of the royal palace. Whether successful or not, wouldn't it paint a fascinating picture?" "You mentioned there’s someone at the palace who can counter our magic. What if that happens to be the sorcerer…?" From Jun's standpoint, he wasn't privy to all information about the 'Fate Changer.' However, due to the mission's nature, he was given a vague explanation that someone like that existed, so his reasoning was understandable. "No, it's not them." With Luisa's assertion, Jun could say no more. "Even in the worst-case scenario, my identity won't be revealed, so you needn't worry." With those words, Luisa's entire body became a misty gray cloud, melting seamlessly into thin air. And then. – Forgotten who I am? All that remained was an ethereal voice, like one heard in a dream. A presence that vanished completely. Jun knew all too well that it wasn't truly Luisa who vanished, but rather his own senses and mind inducing disarray. It was the tower's signature magic, crafted to evade the imperial pursuit—a magic perfected after a long and grim history. And its wielder was no less than an archmage. ‘Unless you’re a monster who can see mana with your eyes, you’d never find them.’ And such monsters only existed in legends. Jun comforted himself with this thought, easing his troubled mind. * * * "Take it easy, Master." "No. I've already promised His Majesty to show results by the end of this month. There's no time to rest." Victoria sighed softly at the sight of her mentor with bloodshot eyes. "Well, then I'll at least bring you something to eat. You should have something." "Yes, understood." Despite saying that, her mentor remained fixated on the intricately engraved magic circle. Victoria was indeed proud of the results she had contributed to, but she couldn't help but worry that her mentor was pushing himself too hard. Perhaps feeling her gaze, her mentor spoke with a trace of humor without lifting his eyes from the magic circle. "I feel I've done too little compared to you. I must at least work hard to maintain my dignity in front of His Majesty." Victoria could only sigh again, recognizing the stubbornness in those words. ‘At the very least, I should make sure they eat timely.’ Victoria's pace quickened as she turned away. ‘Hmm?’ While hurrying downstairs in the tower, Victoria suddenly sensed something incredibly out of place. No, she saw it. ‘Gray mist…?’ In the corner of a staircase leading further down the tower, a collection of gray mist lingered, like fog. This was definitely not natural mist. Thinking this, she drew upon her mana, and it became even clearer. ‘Mana? No, it's similar but different… could it be magical power…?’ The moment that thought occurred, her previously swift steps slowed naturally. As she cautiously approached the strange gray mist, she realized there was something inside it. ‘A person…!?’ Squinting at the gray mist, she faintly perceived what looked like the shadow of a person. Even with her eyes enhanced by mana, it was barely visible as a blurry shadow, but it was unmistakably a human form. A limitation due to her inability to see beyond mana into magical power. ‘A mage?’ And just as the form's head seemed to turn towards her— Victoria acted swiftly, pretending to gaze elsewhere with a calm demeanor, naturally averting her eyes. Despite her composed appearance, her mind was in turmoil. ‘An intruder!’ An intruder at the level of a mage, no less. Realizing this sent her heart pounding audibly in her ears. Should she return to alert her mentor? No, turning suddenly might provoke an unforeseen reaction. Within mere seconds, an array of thoughts rushed through her mind, but fortunately, her steps remained steady as she continued towards the shadow. And in that brief moment, she made a resolute decision. This was 'our' Magic Tower. A place where a mage could exceed their limits, a perfect space to manifest peak combat power. The moment Victoria reached the step right above the shadow— With subtlety yet fierce intent, she willed the mana within her in sophisticated rearrangement. Woong. Soon, a section of the stone staircase transformed into a large spear that pierced through the shadow. Zhiiing. Boom! Simultaneously, she realized her attack had failed. – So, you noticed…? A dreamy voice echoed as the fog dissipated. Nothing remained within. But she also saw it. The gray magical power swirling around the shadow that had now somehow ascended the stairs above her. The magical power converged — Krakk. Rumble. Suddenly, from beneath Victoria’s feet, dark crimson thorny vines erupted, feeling like the space itself shattered. Six twisted tendrils lunged at her with the speed of lightning. "Where do you think you're going!" Victoria’s shout summoned a figure from the wall, standing in human form. Within the narrow corridor, faced with a formidable opponent, this was the only golem she could summon with concentrated power. Her most potent spell stood firm against the thorny onslaught. "Bind it!" Her resonant command vibrated through the staircase, as the walls closed in, trapping the shadow from all sides. "Intruder! You won’t escape easily!" Her heart's circle spun fervently, exerting full might to suppress the enemy. Rumble, rumble. Thud. Thud. Her golem tore through the black vines, asserting its power over the heaped earthen rubble. Crunch, crunch. Yet. Boom! With an ear-splitting boom, the enclosing walls crumbled, and her golem was sent flying. Rumble, rumble. – How absurd. The alien voice rang chillingly. Amid the broken walls, cold moonlight cascaded over her adversary. In the moonlit glint, Victoria saw, and a groan escaped her lips involuntarily. A slim figure, with two horns curling from the forehead, crowned above. Despite the lithe frame, a granite-like gray skin exuded strength. And enormous bat wings unfurled wide from its back. Adorned in eyes glowing with the burn of black flames, the figure was identical to a creature she'd only heard of in myths. “A daemon?” As if in acknowledgment, a black mist unfurled from the figure’s hand, swiftly enveloping Victoria.