327 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 327: The Sound of Footsteps Echoing In the underground chamber, footsteps echoed conspicuously loud. The oppressive, damp air seemed like it should make one uneasy. However, the group's demeanor as they traversed the dim basement betrayed no such anxiety. This confidence was not simply due to the flaming torches lining the walls, which slightly alleviated the oppressive atmosphere. The faces illuminated by the flickering flames bore expressions of anticipation and excitement, rather than worry. "Do you think it will work out?" Viktor, leading the way with a torch in hand, asked, to which Logan responded with a smile. "This is under the assurance of Count Clayton; of course, it will work out." "Yes, it has to. Considering how much money we've poured into this..." The imposing minister with the bushy sideburns, looking incongruously worried, added his voice. Before Logan could respond, a sharp voice cut in to admonish Dwayne. "We're merely activating something that already exists. The likelihood of failure is significantly lower." "...True." Despite Damien's reassurance and Logan's agreement, Dwayne could only manage a sigh. "Hopefully. Given how much has been spent on the experiment..." "Dwayne, if you keep this up, you're going to jinx it. If it fails, we might have to start all over again." “What did you say, boy?” Amounting to an unthinkable jest for the finance minister, the vast funds they had invested were at stake. The look Dwayne shot Damien was so dour, the torch’s shadows made his features appear even more intimidating than usual. Damien merely waved it off, offering a playful smile. "Haha, I'm just suggesting that we stay optimistic. Relax, you’ll end up with more wrinkles." “Half of these wrinkles are from putting up with your antics and His Majesty…” "Aw, that's a bit much. Even if you pin it on His Majesty, it isn't fair to fault me." “...Why does this feel so familiar and unpleasant...? Ah, you're starting to remind me of Rick.” "The chief attendant? That's a harsh comparison." “Even that insult…” Watching the two bicker, Logan chuckled to himself. ‘Damien has certainly changed from his past life.’ Though his expression softened with warmth, as his thoughts wandered off, Logan's countenance grew solemn once more. Given the secrecy required, only three people besides him were involved. Viktor, a superhuman whose capabilities far exceeded those of a mere escort knight, was present, alongside Dwayne, the finance minister in charge of dispensing funds for this affair, and Damien, trusted with sensitive positions. 'From now on, only legion commanders or superhumans will deal with such confidential matters.' Other than these two, no ordinary civilians were aware of the operation. They were individuals who had unknowingly supported Logan through many trials and tribulations. His faith in them was unshakable. Yet, after discovering the magic of the Kassel Magic Tower, Logan couldn’t help his concern, no matter how much he trusted them. —We should join hands temporarily. There's no honor in keeping promises to those who stab us in the back. How much trust to place in Louisa’s words was uncertain. Her lingering presence in the capital Grampia signified potential turmoil. Thus, special protective measures for these two would need consideration. That is, until a clear solution came to mind. “Let me remind you both once again. After today, make sure to report your status to me at least once every three days. And don't even think of going near Princess Louisa, who’s isolated in the annexe." For reasons unknown, the only way to counteract could be to use his polar opposite aura to constantly cleanse their minds. “…Understood.” “We understand.” Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, both Damien and Dwayne nodded, momentarily ceasing their playful banter despite Logan's repeated reminders. In the current cultural context of the continent, civil ministers without abilities like force or mana were often disregarded. Nevertheless, they knew full well the weight of the responsibilities on their shoulders. Still, Logan’s brow remained furrowed as he observed their determination. ‘The temple’s news is troubling too...’ Reflecting on these concerns, one's worries naturally multiplied. Despite knowing the environment and timing were not ideal, Logan voiced what was on his mind. “Damien, has anything changed since Pope Austin declared his support for the Empire?” “…The Holy State hasn't shown any noticeable changes yet.” “The Holy State?” Logan glanced at him, curious about his deliberate choice of words. “I was planning to report this with additional data after our inspection, but…” Swallowing his anxiety, Damien continued cautiously. “We’ve received reports that Prince Barros from the Empire has set off to visit Noviens, the Holy City.” “What?” “The exact purpose of the visit isn’t confirmed yet. Even Philip, the merchant guild leader, is keeping his focus on Noviens, but for now, we’ll have to see how things unfold.” “Sigh…” Logan felt a tightening in his chest. ‘There’s nothing I can do.’ The shifting dynamics of the temple were happening too rapidly. Pope Austin had quite blatantly disrupted the temple's policy of remaining indifferent to secular power. Predicting the temple’s next moves seemed nearly impossible. Suddenly, a thought came of an old acquaintance, now an honorary cardinal and recently hailed as a saint. “What about Bishop Illia? Is there any way to contact her?” Surely she would have some insight on the temple’s shifts. “We attempted to reach out, but reportedly, she’s undertaken a period of seclusion since the pope's coronation ceremony, cutting off outside communication." “What?” Why now of all times? The explanation was simple, given the questioning look in his eyes. “The temple claims that she deliberately chose isolation to solidify the new pope’s position.” “Hmm…” Perhaps that made sense. She was a key figure in purging the corrupt priests and establishing a new temple structure. Given the circumstances, the weight of the title "Saint" carried more significance than Austin, who had been prominent only within the confines of the Holy City. If such a revered figure were to frequently engage externally, it would inevitably undermine the standing of the newly appointed Pope. Although this was understandable, it still left Logan with a sigh. "The timing couldn't be more coincidental." "Since the election of the new pope, there have been widespread changes among the influential figures within the order. Thanks to Philip, our merchant guild leader, we’ve managed to embed numerous agents in Noviens. We should be able to gain a more detailed understanding of the situation soon." "Alright, good. Make sure to report any news immediately, verbally before anything else." "Yes, understood." "Your Majesty, we are almost there." "Ah..." Discussing the political climate of the temple had passed the time quickly, and before they knew it, they had reached their destination. They entered into a space so filled with blue and white luminescence that Viktor's torch seemed redundant. "Your Majesty!" "His Majesty has arrived!" "We humbly greet Your Majesty." Upon their arrival in the underground plaza, the magicians present bowed in unison as they recognized their sovereign. Among them were Clayton, Victoria, Greek, Enan, and Truce. The most elite magicians of the Golem School were gathered, meticulously examining a magic circle spanning over 300 meters in radius. Even at a glance, the team seemed woefully understaffed to cover such an enormous magic circle. When the blue-white mana sparked to life, the scattered magicians seemed to vanish in the light. However, increasing their numbers was unfeasible, prompting Logan to offer a wry smile while greeting Clayton, who bowed deeply. "You've worked hard, Count Clayton." "Not at all. We've learned a great deal by reactivating a pre-existing magic circle." "But it seems you’re quite understaffed." Clayton smiled and shook his head at Logan’s observation. "Interpreting ancient magic has been an invaluable opportunity for me and my students. More importantly, Ria has taken on nearly all the major roles, making things much easier for us." "Ria has?" "Yes. Her sensitivity seems to have increased significantly since 'that event.' She's quite extraordinary, especially her attributes." Attributes? There were many areas sparking Logan’s curiosity, but Victoria's abilities were not a priority at the moment. "Ah, I see." Logan pushed his curiosity aside for the time being, focusing instead on surveying the glowing magic circle. Despite his limited knowledge, he could discern that the massive circle was composed of overlapping pentagrams. Even with his understanding of ancient languages, deciphering the runes of magic fell beyond his grasp. "You mentioned there are five great magic circles?" Noticing Logan’s uncertain expression, Clayton quickly provided an explanation. "Yes. We've completed the analysis of four out of the five circles." "And the other one?" "It’s a rather unique magic circle, so it requires more time to understand." Clayton's expression was enigmatic, making it difficult to gauge how much time would be needed. Still, Logan nodded with a smile. "Hmm. Even four is quite significant. Please, go ahead with the explanation." While he didn't fully understand the power contained within, the aura emitting from the grand magic circle instilled a sense of reassurance. Installing these on the front lines, within castles and strongholds, would greatly aid in countering the empire. "Certainly. The outermost blue magic circle pertains to enhancing and automatically repairing fortress walls. The second is a defensive circle designed to withstand external magical assaults. These two are circles Your Majesty should be familiar with.” “Ah, those circles still maintained by replacing magic stones, which were losing effectiveness?” “Yes. We've supplemented the ancient, deteriorated circles and lost runes, vastly improving their efficiency. With proper upkeep, they should remain effective for another millennium.” “Impressive. Now, what of the other three?” “One is a stamina-maintaining magic circle that reduces fatigue and aids recovery for everyone within the fortress.” “Stamina maintenance?” “If activated properly, it could increase stamina and recovery by nearly 30% for all subjects. While the exact effects vary, it could theoretically apply to around 100,000 ordinary soldiers, not counting knights or superhumans.” “What?” “Even with the inclusion of knights and superhumans, it should fully accommodate our current legion. Remarkably, even with a larger number of people, the effect lessens but still extends to them.” “No matter how many?” “Yes. Theoretically, there is no limit on the number. The effect diminishes, however.” "Even if it weakens, having it apply..." Though it could seem like a trivial effect achievable with just first-circle magic, when considering the city-wide scale of Gran, it was an astounding feat. This was a great magic circle that, as long as magic stones or mana were supplied, could remain active indefinitely. No single magician, regardless of skill, could wield such magic alone. “Amazing.” “Yes, truly remarkable. We're still grasping how a single magic circle can uniformly stimulate life forces of varying frequencies in individuals. Just understanding this one aspect could rival historical achievements in archmage research…” “No, no. I don't need all the intricate details. What about the other circle?” “Ah... haha. Another one exerts a weakening effect on enemy forces. Though originally not designed for humans, its precise strength against them remains undetermined.” “Ah…” The implication was becoming clearer. “The magic was likely meant to combat other races?” “Yes. It’s a magic designed to weaken non-human races.” A thousand years ago, of the dominant races spread across the continent, humans were among the weakest. Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Orcs, and even races of legendary beings like Dragonkin and Dragons. The dragons, enigmatic and supreme beings, were not the only concern. There were other races with intelligence comparable to humans, each possessing several superior traits, and they had led the early civilizations as the forerunner races. In contrast, most humans of that era were so weak that they could hardly defeat a wild beast, and their lifespan was disproportionately short compared to other species. Yet, among these humans, there appeared every few generations, rare archmagi whose lifespans and powers rivaled those of other races, providing a semblance of status to humanity. These archmagi banded together, or worked through multiple generations, to build cities and create grand magic circles designed to protect weaker humans. One such city was the current Gran. Gran, the legendary city, was established a millennium ago by five archmagi to protect humans swept away by the great migrations of other races. Featuring five mage towers and five great magic circles, this city was the pride of Grandia and a beacon of hope for humans in the eastern continent. However, part of that pride now seemed irrelevant in the contemporary era. "A magic circle targeting other races, of all things…" Logan couldn't suppress a sigh of regret, and Clayton, seeming to share his sentiment, spoke up ominously. "In fact, we encountered a rather troubling issue with the last magic circle, the one we have yet to fully analyze." “Hmm?” “The final magic circle is a detection circle that categorizes targets between the ‘vitality’ boosting and ‘weakening’ circles.” “…And?” "In ancient times, it would have sufficed to divide targets into humans and non-humans. Yet now, with human wars, the circle struggles to distinguish between friend and foe. Not to mention that the population of Gran has exploded to numbers unimaginable in ancient times." “Ah…” There was a fundamental problem. The weakening magic circle targeting non-human races was effectively useless, and the vitality circle's effect was diluted by the sheer number of Gran's residents. Even if the first issue were resolved, if 'humans' within the city were meant to be strengthened, the enemy forces would also benefit, presenting a fatal issue. Such enhancements would merely make for more vigorous and bloodier battles. Logan, however, noticed the peculiar way Clayton phrased his statement. "There 'was' an issue?" Clayton smiled at Logan's perceptive question. "Fortunately, Ria found a solution." At Clayton’s nod, Victoria, who had approached unnoticed, stepped forward.