Beginning

Tyr was wrapped in unprecedented tension.

Because an S2 Magus who came from the Mage Association was wearing a cold smile.

“Where’s Her Highness and why did you come, Marquis?”

Marquis Morfo couldn’t not know the hostility hidden in the polite speech.

“I handle all diplomacy.”

“Can you take responsibility for all conversations held here?”

“As much as needed.”

“I sent one letter to Her Highness. Do you know its contents?”

Morfo nodded with a heavy complexion.

“It’s a regrettable matter, but….”

“How dare you!”

When Wanstein widened his eyes, ominous mana swept through the space.

Though Morfo was also an S1 Magus that Tyr took pride in, he broke into a cold sweat.

“Even knowing about my disciple’s death, a mere marquis comes forward to try settling matters?”

“Your words… are excessive.”

“The association’s numerous mages lost mana! Tyr’s insignia was discovered there! How will you explain this!”

When Wanstein roughly threw a torn piece of cloth on the table, Morfo glanced at it and spoke calmly.

“It’s someone’s slander.”

“I want a definite answer.”

“How can we speak accurately about something we don’t know either? I rather suspect another party’s scheme to drive a wedge between Tyr and the association.”

“Drive a wedge?”

“If we’d struck the mining site, would we have left the mages alive?”

When Wanstein smiled thinly, Morfo’s complexion paled.

Mana constantly swept in and pressed him.

“We wouldn’t have left any traces. Tyr isn’t a careless nation like the association head thinks.”

“That’s right. Tyr was always thorough. In the competition to determine Illumina’s previous king, you were probably entangled with Rakis too?”

“…It’s a past matter. But since you dig up the past, let me say one more thing—Tyr now has a solid royal succession system, so we pay no attention to anything besides supporting Princess Yuliana.”

“Then how will you explain the mana loss situation?”

“I don’t know well. If you wish, shall we form a joint investigation team?”

“If you’re so confident, bring that mage who devours Magi to this place.”

“I don’t understand at all what you’re saying….”

“If you hide it, I’ll judge it as your doing.”

Morfo asked while resisting the pressing mana.

“Do you look down on Tyr?”

“I’m forcibly suppressing the grief of losing a disciple right now.”

Wanstein flashed his eyes.

“If you refuse, the association will permit nothing related to Tyr.”

“Do as you please. It’s an absurd threat now between parties competing with each other.”

“Then, may I judge this incident as Tyr’s doing?”

“If forcing things is the association’s tradition, do so. The entire world will laugh.”

“Marquis, I’m saying I’ll personally examine this incident’s grievance if you bring that monster, so why make things complicated?”

“If we yielded to threats, we wouldn’t be Tyr. I’ll also say this lastly. Her Majesty the Queen said this incident has suspicious corners, so both sides should consult and handle it amicably. Do we really look like novices who’d leave traces?”

Wanstein kicked his seat and rose.

“From today, the association will not help with anything related to Tyr.”

“I’ll convey that.”

When Wanstein turned around, Morfo collapsed.

He didn’t know how long it had been since he reached Magus and felt this tense.

‘The Time Magus, a monster counted among the world’s top ten.’

Morfo wiped his cold sweat and headed to the royal castle.

A headache came thinking about how to deal with Wanstein’s anger.

* * *

When Wanstein left the castle gate, Pedson followed.

“Those detestable guys are ignoring second’s death!”

“It might not be Tyr.”

The anger Wanstein showed in the reception room had completely disappeared.

It was an indifferent expression to the point Pedson found it puzzling.

“But, didn’t you press the marquis so hard?”

“I wanted to confirm the existence of the mage who devours Magi. Shouldn’t we also find out what Tyr’s secret weapon is for Prince Porla’s sake?”

“Then does master believe the marquis’s words that they didn’t kill second?”

“Words of cunning old folks who engage in politics should flow in one ear and out the other. But there’s one clear thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Tyr isn’t careless.”

There’s no way they’d make traces while leaving cloth scraps.

Because he’d experienced how meticulously they move when Tyr was entangled with Rakis.

“Of course, Tyr isn’t enjoying its former heyday, but we can’t push in coldly either.”

Because he still hasn’t seen the monster Tyr has hidden.

“However, Master!”

“Second’s death is also very regrettable to me. If the culprit is caught, I’ll take the lead to tear them to death. But first, the current times are flowing too tumultuously to just put emotions first.”

Wanstein recalled the variable that interfered with Illumina.

To the point he admired it immediately upon hearing that scheme that swallowed four territories at once.

“Besides Vans, forces that will threaten Prince Porla are interfering. Our task is to enthrone Prince Porla and construct the ‘Tower’. So, until Tyr’s suspicious corners are resolved, just stay on guard and devote efforts to the throne war.”

“…Understood.”

“If the culprit appears, they’ll surely show themselves in the competition. If it’s Tyr, I won’t hesitate. Even if Porla tries to stop me, I’ll go to war with Tyr.”

Wanstein’s eyes examining Tyr’s royal castle became cold.

“Refrain from hasty conflicts until the true culprit is revealed and continue observing Tyr. Make sure to report even trivial things to me.”

* * *

At the same time, Rio was examining several ships cutting across the sea.

It’s Tyr Kingdom’s supply transport fleet.

[Cleaned up the mining site.]

Ruin’s signal was transmitted.

It’s time for this side to move too.

“What you must do is simple.”

Rio smiled and spoke to the children looking at him brightly.

“Hand over supplies dropped from that fleet to the Scale Tribe so they don’t get wet with seawater.”

“Yes!”

When the Origin children stepped on water, they began floating.

Because heterogeneous races with red and blue scales were supporting them from below.

“Clan Chief, please.”

Scale Tribe clan chief Krade revealed himself beside Rio.

He who crossed the Wailing Strait was looking at ships floating on gentle waves like children’s toys.

“I don’t mind breaking the fleet. But I can’t accept the command not to kill. There are many dangerous humans there.”

“If it’s hard to control, do as you wish.”

“But, human. It’s strange.”

“What is?”

“Why did the great chief just give orders to attack? To shake a tribe, the best method is to proudly reveal that tribe’s strength.”

“We already used that elsewhere. It’s burning fiercely because of that right now, and if we attack the fleet there, what result do you think will unfold?”

Krade, who’d been pondering, answered carefully.

“They’ll add more fire but won’t know who did it.”

“Right. That’s what’s important. If we leave insignia here, both sides will think the simultaneously occurring incidents are too coincidental and intentional. They’ll judge that another force, not the two nations, drove a wedge. But if we just sweep through silently, they end up suspecting forces hostile to them from the start.”

“Will it work as intended?”

“At least I’ll make sure Lord Pernok isn’t suspected. If the association or Tyr Kingdom suspect a third party, I’ll make it become the Rakis Empire.”

Rio clapped his hands together and smiled brightly.

“Lord Ruin and we shake great powers, and Lord Pernok massacres royals. These two things must occur simultaneously to take over the kingdom without major mishaps.”

“I roughly understand what you’re thinking.”

“Hahaha, don’t feel pressured. It doesn’t matter if the plan goes wrong. Just that fleet sinking has considerable value.”

Tyr is a nation with special transportation technology using ships.

To shake them, there’s no choice but to use the sea.

Therefore, Pernok passed the authority to command heterogeneous races to Rio.

Right now at this place, thousands of Scale Tribe elites including Krade had arrived.

“Clan Chief, you must also be acknowledged for your abilities to occupy a big position. If you don’t want to fall behind the Horn Tribe, you’ll have to work hard.”

“Even without saying, I’m prepared to sacrifice my life for the great chief.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Rio’s smile deepened.

“Then please prove it. I want to properly see the Scale Tribe’s abilities as ocean hunters.”

Krade entered the water wordlessly.

And shortly after, numerous bubbles rose from various places.

Rio’s eyes widened seeing red and blue scales already filling the sea.

In an instant, they approached the fleet and.

Crash!

In one moment, they gnawed the fleet’s bottom.

“This is the Scale Tribe….”

He’d judged it would be fast if it took 1 hour to clean up the entire fleet.

But the moment Krade burrowed under the hulls, everything ended.

With just one scratch from thousands of Scale Tribe’s claws, the hulls easily broke apart.

Bwooo-!

Urgent horn sounds echoed from sinking hulls and mages came forward.

But what could mages falling into the sea along tilting hulls do before the Scale Tribe?

Scale Tribe who learned methods to control mana from Pernok devoured sunken enemies faster than even enhancement-type mages.

Rumble!

And Origin children transported supplies loaded on the fleet to the Scale Tribe.

They held supplies above water so they wouldn’t get wet and moved toward the Horn Tribe on land.

Horn Tribe members with massive carts made by Tunnel Folk fully loaded with supplies moved to hideouts.

The time it took for all situations to be organized was merely 20 minutes.

“Human, what’s next?”

Krade, who surged from the blood-stained sea, asked indifferently.

Rio smiled and asked back.

“If ships loaded with such mages come out to sea, how many ships can you handle?”

“With just the tribe members here now, 30 ships are possible. But if I bring all tribe members, tens of times that number doesn’t matter.”

Rio couldn’t hide his soaring lips’ corners.

“Good. Since Clan Chief’s will is so exceptional, I can’t hold back either.”

“What will we do now?”

“Continue plundering enemy supplies from here. If there are Magi, avoid them, but if you can sufficiently suppress them, sweep them away.”

Rio smiled brightly.

“Just drive them until they crawl on the ground from hunger.”

* * *

Pernok looked into the noisy garden.

“Are you crazy? Attacking Tyr now?”

“I’m the one curious if Tyr’s mental state is sound. How could you kill the association head’s disciple!”

Thanks to Ruin and Rio provoking two forces, ripple effects began reaching even the royals.

“I said it wasn’t our side!”

“Fleet attack? Does it seem like the association head would do such a cowardly thing!?”

“If not you, then who? What? Are you saying Rakis suddenly infiltrated the sea? You want to say that?”

“It’s not us. We already asked! When the association’s situation is already ominous, where would we have the capacity to turn to the sea!”

On one side an insignia, on the other side doubt.

In situations made to look like retaliation, unclear matters make you suspect the opponent.

But Ruin and Rio haven’t even started yet.

From now on, more things will be gnawed away and disappear, yet the two forces are trying to comb through each other like catching lice.

‘The urgent one would be Yuliana’s side.’

The fleet attack is both a device to trigger conflict between forces and a decision to create supply disruptions.

Much food was being transported on the fleet Rio destroyed.

Since that void must be filled, Tyr is in a position where they must borrow hands from various nations.

“No need for long talk. Restore it immediately!”

“Hmph, the association head threatened me not to deal with Tyr at all. Why don’t you try persuading?”

“You, are you saying that not knowing what that food means?”

“I know well. It’s military provisions forcibly gathered as taxes when public sentiment is already ominous from drought, isn’t it? But why are you taking that out on me!”

“Seawater surged and fire flickered. If not mages’ doing, then what is it?”

“Are mages just one or two? Haa, really so frustrating I could go crazy!”

“Where are you going!”

“I have nothing more to say! If you’re dissatisfied, go argue with the association head! Just bring older sister’s fiance! That guy who devours Magi or whatever!”

Porla left his seat and Yuliana anxiously bit her lips hard.

‘Rakis won’t do good deeds for Yuliana who’s a competition opponent either. If even Porla turns away, Yuliana who became short of food will go to Rezhen where there’s no drought.’

There, Rio will make contact with the military provisions stolen from Tyr.

The preliminary work to infiltrate deep into Tyr will be finished.

[I’ll sever the relationship between Yuliana and Tyr.]

Expecting what results the maritime operation that started from those words would bring, Pernok returned to his room.

A letter from Kelt had arrived.

[To our beloved patron. I’ve found where that riddle means.]

Under the earth where life’s greenness sprouts, I leave the kingdom’s proof.

Kelt accurately solved the clue to the treasure Bamont left.

[When Bamont Al Illumina ambitiously proclaimed world conquest, numerous nomads gathered on green earth.

They praised that the soil contained there brings down heaven’s energy and founded a kingdom—that place was precisely Tyr.

Earth where greenness sprouts.

That place is soon Tyr Kingdom’s capital Barad.

It means the royal palace built upon it.

Looking into it in detail, there’s a special place that’s been preserved like a holy site in Tyr’s royal palace.

Perhaps that place might be the riddle’s exact location.]

Pernok turned his gaze to the scale.

The subject he should actually ask is now sleeping inside the scale.

The mass of lingering thought called Bamont falls into sleep after a certain time passes, no matter how much spiritual power Pernok breathes into him.

“Tyr….”

It seemed impossible for Pernok, a competition opponent, to enter.

But recalling the desperate Yuliana, one method came to mind.

“I’ll have to destroy there first.”

When something unidentifiable causes cracks among great powers, the privilege to freely play with this chaos was permitted only to Pernok.

Military power, food, clues.

Everything everyone wanted, Pernok was now gripping in his hands.