Chapter 237 - Infinite Mage

"Shirone." This was the worst possible situation. The reason no danger was detected at the banquet was due to the demonstration by Ataraxia. Most of the neutral factions had become favorable towards Orkamp. However, this led Zion to draw his real sword. There was only one reason he went so far as to tell lies that would soon be uncovered and separate Amy, and it was obvious. He planned to settle everything tonight. 'I thought the atmosphere was fine, and he'd just let it go, but I didn't expect Zion to move personally. That's why no intel came through.' This was no time to waste. With the attendant just now leaving Vincent’s quarters, it had likely been over 20 minutes since Shirone and Amy parted ways. Reina activated Sound of Silence, a skill of Schema Hearing. As her auditory perception sharpened, she began collecting even the most trivial sounds from the palace. Following Shirone's tracks now would be too late. Wherever she picked up on high decibels, that would be the center of the incident. @ Amy followed Zion into the gallery in the underground. It was unclear whether the silence was because the underground of the palace was always this quiet or because Zion had taken prior measures, but not even an ant crawled by. Considering the banquet would run late into the night, it was also time for the servants who weren’t on duty to be asleep. Amy actually considered this a fortunate situation. Although Zion was royalty, his actual combat abilities were on par with noble peers of his age. Given her elite magical education since childhood, she could subdue him if the opportunity arose. Thus, the silent space was advantageous for her. She wouldn’t have to worry about prying eyes while she dealt with Zion. 'If possible, I might even...' Harming someone was distasteful, but with Shirone's parents captured, such thoughts were a luxury. Zion, wearing a gentlemanly smile, entered deeper into the gallery. Amy noticed a double-door entrance, and thought the same as Shirone. 'Breaking through would require saving at least two of my spells.' Yet those thoughts dissipated upon seeing the leisurely setting of the gallery. It was a room filled with an array of collected items. She couldn’t tell the exact purpose of each object, but they weren’t tools for torture or harm. Amy examined the northern display, the only one potentially useful as a weapon. While an expert could judge the sharpness, the sword on display visibly emanated a keen edge. "Where are Shirone’s parents?" she demanded. Zion smirked playfully. "Parents? Hmm. Do I need to know details like that?" Amy's expression turned icy. "Did you deceive me?" Zion checked the time. The next hour marked a pivotal period for their plan. The lack of a fixed assassination time was strategic due to their limited numbers. While some variability was inevitable, it also allowed for flexibility in managing unforeseen events. ‘One hour left...’ The thought suddenly seemed regrettable. Amy was genuinely an exceptional woman. Spending even a fleeting hour with such beauty wouldn’t be wasted time. In any case, by lingering here, Xenoger and Arius would handle the task. He merely had to accept the Ataraxia that would come rolling in. "I'm sorry for lying. But I trust you understand. To entice a beautiful woman, a little harmless deceit is sometimes necessary." Amy didn’t care for his words. Having been deceived first, she felt justified in her rudeness as she retorted. "I'm leaving. I’ll decline any future engagements like these." "Really? Can you say that after seeing this?" Zion said, opening his fist to reveal a necklace with an ornate cross pendant dropping down. Its craftsmanship alone indicated it was expensive. However, Amy scoffed. She couldn’t guess how many fell for such tricks, but the Karmis family was well-regarded in the Kingdom of Tormia. Even if he offered diamonds, she wouldn’t bat an eyelid. "What are you doing now? Do you think you can win me over with something like this?" Zion, expecting such a reaction, approached with a mocking grin. "Just something like that? Why don't you take a closer look?" Amy eyed the pendant dubiously. Royalties wouldn’t carry alloys, so it must be pure gold, and a cursory assessment suggested it required melting down roughly 500 gold coins. In the center was an embedded pearl, intriguingly displaying a metallic iron hue. It was far removed from the beautiful luster of a natural pearl. Its form was perfect, but it wasn’t an ornament a woman would wear for their beauty. 'What exactly is this supposed to be about...?' Suddenly, Amy recalled a memory from a book she read. A pearl with an iron color, known as a pearl from the celestial clam of the Alcantyra deep sea. Geologists reported that the Alcantyra trench held the world’s deepest ocean. Untouched by light and with incredible pressure, it was beyond the reach of fishermen, requiring national-scale magical operations to access. The clam’s durability, enduring deep-sea pressure, was rumored to create a chemical substance harder than diamond. In other words, it was one of the hardest materials in the world. The pearl’s flawless sphere granted it endless industrial applications. While there weren’t many buyers, the book described how celestial clam pearls could replace bearings in ancient weaponry, each priced no less than 2 billion. This made them a currency substitute in inter-kingdom transactions when transporting vast sums was unfeasible. 'So, this is a celestial clam's pearl...' It's believed that ancient weaponry remains because it's crafted from the firm stones of heaven. However, no matter how ancient a weapon, its operating components had to wear out. Replacement parts required at least the durability of the celestial clam’s pearl. A bearing alone was valued at 2 billion gold. The extent of the budget the kingdom poured into maintaining the ancient weaponry became glaringly evident. 'Hah, it's all over now.' Zion assumed that Amy's silence indicated inner conflict. Naturally, why wouldn't she be? What he offered wasn't just a mere jewel; it was currency used in transactions between nations. "You certainly have good taste. Most nobles use diamonds as tokens of marriage because their hardness symbolizes unbreakable love. But this is the pearl of the celestial clam, even harder. It's something only the direct line of royalty can use as a gift. What do you say, shall we promise our future with this?" Zion prepared to place the necklace around her neck with a smug smile. He wouldn't usually tempt any woman with a celestial clam's pearl. Even if she were genuinely remarkable, handing over a pearl worth 2 billion gold was madness. But he wouldn't mind giving away all the objects in this room, not just the 2 billion gold. Once Shirone was dead, Amy would be finished anyway. "From the moment I first saw you, I was smitten. Will you accept my heart?" Finally, Zion delivered his earnest confession. Amy simply watched him blankly. For some noblewomen, the scenario of Theraze's kin, the first prince of the Kingdom of Kazura, proposing with a celestial clam's pearl would be a dream come true. Yet, Amy found it odd that she felt no thrill. She genuinely remained unfazed. Upon hearing Zion's confession, her first thought was to return to Shirone. "I'm sorry. While I'm grateful for your feelings, I can't accept such burdensome gifts." Zion was taken aback. He'd never encountered a woman so calm in the face of a celestial clam's pearl. Most nobles would grasp at such an opportunity, considering 2 billion practically rolling into their laps. Even if uninterested in him, most would reach out when a hand was extended. Thinking he couldn't retain Amy otherwise, Zion decided to play a stronger card to captivate her completely. "Then how about this? Bear my child. You could become part of the royal family." Amy's expression filled with disbelief. 'This brat...' While nobles often had arranged marriages, royals took it a step further, believing their lineage held tremendous value. Perhaps there was some truth to it. Even now, there were countless women eager to bear a prince. But Amy had no desire to become royalty. Zion's words were nothing short of an insult. "I'm leaving. I don't think there's anything more to discuss with you." Amy walked towards the door without waiting for a response. "This is unthinkable!" Zion, driven by wounded pride, yanked Amy's wrist forcefully. She quickly pulled back, the grip so strong her wrist stung. 'A prince showing such disgrace...' Amy clasped her wrist and glared at Zion. "What are you doing?" Though her tone carried emotion, Zion was the truly enraged one. "How dare you reject me? You, a mere noble!" Amy felt as if she'd been hit with a fresh insult. Even among Tormia's royalty, the Karmis family garnered respect. But instead of feeling intimidated, it grounded Amy in reality. He wasn’t just any royal; he was Theraze's son. 4. Proposal of Theraze(4) "Didn't you follow me expecting this? Do you know what an honor it is to enter my bedchamber?" "I told you no." "Arrogant, aren't you? Don’t know your place." Zion clenched his teeth but then regained his smile as if a new idea struck him. "Fine. Then as royalty, I command you. Attend to me tonight." "No. No matter how royal you are, I am a noble of Tormia. I don't follow foreign commands." "Oh, really? So you're saying you're all that? How about this then? If you don't come to me tonight, I will wage war on Tormia." Amy looked at Zion in disbelief. "Do you think I can't? Kazura will fall into my hands. Once I become king, Tormia will be my first conquest. Your actions will lead to your country's downfall." While not impossible, it wasn’t an entirely outlandish claim. If Zion became Kazura's king, Theraze would spare no effort to expand its power. Zion mistook Amy's slow nod as a sign of resignation and smirked. But as she looked down, her voice, now icy, echoed. "Go ahead and try." "What?" "If you want war, then go ahead." "You must be kidding. Are you trying to provoke me?" For a noble to speak so disrespectfully to the first prince was outrageous. Yet compared to Amy's declaration that she wouldn’t even flinch at war, it was a minor offense. "Did you think I was joking? You'll regret it." Unable to hold back her laughter, Amy retaliated. "You're delusional. Become a king? Don’t flatter yourself. Your position as the first prince is shaky at best." "You insolent...!" "Sure, the Empress Theraze would give me pause. But you're not going to be an emperor, are you? Do you think someone as incompetent as you scares me?" Zion's eyes blazed with murderous intent. He had never been so blatantly disregarded in his life. His mindset shifted. He decided Amy wouldn't die. He’d ensure she remained alive, just enough to witness Tormia reduced to ashes and tears of blood flow from her eyes. "Are you sure you can take responsibility for those words?" "Responsibility? No, I won't take responsibility for anything. Even if war breaks out because of me. If you dare invade our kingdom..." Amy's eyes glowed a fierce red. "Then I shall stand and fight as one of its people." Confronted with the fierce resolve from Amy's burning gaze, Zion flinched. It felt as if his blood was freezing over. Who would have thought that behind the blushing girl at the banquet lay such an indomitable spirit? 'They say mages are peculiar creatures...' Amy approached with eyes wide open. "What are you plotting? Why did you bring me into this room?" Judging from the circumstances, it didn’t seem Zion brought her here just to possess her body. It wasn’t in his nature to use Shirone’s parents as leverage just for such a purpose. 'In the end, it ties back to Shirone somehow, but why...' Amy's lips quivered as the realization struck. Zion wasn’t the main concern. Theraze and his faction were intent on settling things tonight. She had to find Shirone as soon as possible. Entering the Spirit Zone, the door’s location became clear through synesthesia. 'Could this door be unlocked from inside?' She remembered it could be, but the door had been locked. Amy, fully prepared to cast Fireball, was lying in wait for an opportunity. The moment Zion's face twisted like a beast, she dashed for the door. "Armand!" The cursed sword defied inertia and flew to Zion's hand. Without pause, Zion swung and hurled the blade. Thanks to the Spirit Zone, Amy sensed the sword's trajectory and twisted her body. With a thud, Armand embedded itself in the door. Without the Spirit Zone, it could have been fatal. 'So he's really aiming to kill. He intends to see this through to the end...' Zion wore an irritatingly smug expression. Given her skills, cornering her should have been an opportunity, yet he didn't look rushed. Amy quickly realized why. The cursed sword, Armand. From the sword lodged in the door came a sinister aura she had never felt before. The very notion of that grotesqueness being so close was horrifying. "Do you think you can get away with this? I'm a recognized figure in our kingdom too." "The Karmis family, huh. They are indeed formidable. But if Shirone dies, everything ends." Assassination is one of the most efficient means of toppling power. Not because the deceased held significant value, but simply because the dead cannot speak. If Shirone were to die, those alive could fabricate countless scenarios. Shirone’s spirit might wail in the underworld, but would have no voice to claim its injustice. 'I have to get out, no matter what.' Amy bit her lip, gathering her wits. The taste of iron from her bitten lip slightly dulled the repulsion from the cursed sword. 'I'll count to three and then make a move.' Zion stretched out his hand, causing Armand to return unexpectedly. Amy frowned at the unforeseen turn. Blocking her escape only to recall the sword made little sense. And she doubted Zion could face her with a sword in a fair fight. She scrutinized Zion with wary eyes. He showed no signs of tension as he stood there with the sword. Could it be he’d secretly honed his sword skills? Yet, his ensuing words contained no hint of such a profound twist. "What a pity. You could've spent an electrifying night for the first time in your life. Instead, you’ll die a virgin due to some pitiful noble pride." "I won't die at your hands, but if I were to become a vengeful spirit, I swear you'd be first. If you see me in your dreams, you can believe in an afterlife." Zion’s face contorted in anger. Mages with nothing but words were tough to outmatch verbally. In the end, show of force was the ultimate remedy. Satiating himself with thoughts of Amy’s dire future, Zion raised Armand vertically close to his body and chanted. "Golden Armor." With a metallic clang, Armand's blade shattered and spread open like a spider's legs. The hilt detached, and the pommel and grip separated. It resembled the barebones structure of a building, with a red fibrous material, akin to biological tissue, seeping out like oil. The sensation was far nastier than what Amy had felt through the Spirit Zone. Around the central red jewel, Armand morphed into a giant spider-like form. The scene unfolded to something even more dire. The blade, now tens of legs, began to envelop Zion from head to toe, as if swallowing him whole.