Expansion

The news that Porla’s faction fell in one moment shook the world.

With much attention focused on Illumina now, a strong throne candidate’s elimination naturally acted as an effect highlighting the frontrunners.

Especially, Yuliana gained the greatest benefit from Porla faction’s downfall.

As much as Vans was receiving all kinds of investigations at the capital, she judged a board most advantageous for Yuliana who had relatively many external activities to recruit helpers had been laid out.

Actually, Yuliana recruited those who’d taken hostile relationships with Porla’s faction.

While thoroughly rejecting Porla’s existing merchant groups, she filled those positions with other merchant groups and drew out their support.

‘No matter how excellent in military might, if funds don’t support it, one suffers hardship. There’s no law saying the military provisions incident won’t happen again.’

Among those merchant groups, Rio’s merchant group that Pernok planted was also included.

Not knowing this fact, Yuliana gladly accepted the abundance of supplies Rio’s merchant group possessed. And she also smoothly promoted a meeting with the new mage association head.

“I’m Yuliana Al Illumina. It’s an honor to meet magic’s inquirer, Ruin Agnes.”

“Flattering this old face. You said you have words to tell me regarding Wanstein?”

“I think the culprit who toyed with our fleet and the association is the same, so I want to share wisdom.”

“Illumina’s judgment? Or Tyr’s?”

“You know investigations of Vans and Porla are entering in Illumina now.”

“Since our association also commissioned His Highness Porla’s arrest, I know very well.”

“From the start, Porla and Wanstein’s relationship was close. If there’s no particular problem between those two, where might forces be that could target us and the association?”

“Are you speaking of Rakis?”

Yuliana nodded with a smile.

“At first, I didn’t view Rakis as the culprit based on the Sky Piercer alone. I only suspected and raised caution. But with Porla’s downfall and Association Head Wanstein’s death, the structure became clear.”

“Right. Though we couldn’t rule out the possibility of Wanstein’s self-directed drama, since he died, now even the slim possibility disappeared. However. On our side, there are quite a few who think the situation of mages’ magic power and magic disappearing is Tyr’s doing……”

“If you wish, I can introduce the mage who devours Magi. We’re innocent.”

Ruin nodded and turned his gaze to the left corner.

“That person?”

Then a masked man backed by shadow appeared.

‘Indeed, worthy for His Highness to pay attention.’

The magic power he possesses is at most level 5.

But ominousness spreading from his heart as the starting point extends to his entire body.

Only Magus-level can feel that identity.

‘A peculiar constitution where magic power rapidly rises beyond the body’s limits.’

It was a very troublesome type that shapes that magic power and attacks.

Because Jan truly possesses the possibility to face hundreds of thousands of troops alone.

“I didn’t introduce Jan to the previous association head.”

“May I interpret introducing him specially to me as meaning you want support for the competition?”

“I’d be grateful if you would, but I heard you, association head, have considerable disgust toward Illumina’s royals. I won’t make unreasonable requests. Won’t you check our mutual enemy?”

“Hehehe, you want me to keep an eye out for Rakis?”

“I’ll arrange for the association branch in Tyr to return to operating normally.”

“In exchange, your side will gain momentum for front line base construction.”

When Ruin grinned, Yuliana also smiled back and answered.

“You’re accurate. I think mutually being wary of each other’s enemies and joining hands to advance forward is the only good plan to dispel nations’ and factions’ misunderstandings.”

“Are you confident of handling the 13 Lords?”

“Jan is an existence that makes the impossible possible.”

“Hehe, young people’s confidence always looks reckless and brilliant.”

Ruin met eyes with Jan.

Tyr’s treasure completed by combining innate talent with constitution.

‘It’ll be difficult to reach S2, but he can inflict quite a blow on the 13 Lords’ subordinates.’

Pernok is also gathering other forces.

Before Rakis formally deploys the 13 Lords, if there are forces to turn their gaze, he’ll welcome it.

“I can’t promise to reveal a hostile relationship with Rakis. The association is newly organizing, and Rakis’s side is also sending people. However, I’d like to continue good relations with Tyr so situations like the mining site or fleet don’t occur in the future.”

“Will you join us?”

“However, as much as the association was rejected in Tyr, you must do your best to restore the previous relationship.”

“Don’t worry. From today, the association’s influence will grow not only in Tyr but also in Illumina.”

“Hehehe, I’m glad we communicate well. I’ll leave means to contact me directly. If problems occur on the front lines, please contact me immediately.”

If by chance a 13 Lord gets caught, he can eliminate them together with Jan borrowing Tyr’s name.

Yuliana doesn’t know at all the fact that she’s now being used as means to check Rakis.

‘Those who get drunk on visible power often collapse quickly.’

Like Yuliana who unhesitatingly reveals desire packaged with the word passion and covets Ruin’s power.

‘This person also isn’t a king’s caliber. Then, what will you do about Vans, Your Highness?’

Recalling Pernok’s words that he’d handle Vans directly, Ruin rose from his seat.

He became convinced that since Yuliana’s capabilities faced directly weren’t worrying enough, he could entrust her to ‘Rio’ from now on.

“I hope front line base construction goes well according to Tyr’s wishes.”

“His Majesty will also be grateful for the association head’s gracious words.”

Ruin grinned and grasped hands with Yuliana.

* * *

Pernok was meeting people mentioned as next lords of Bolano Marquis territory and other count territories.

To a loyal retainer who stepped down and withdrew from his position after the previous king’s death, Pernok spoke without hesitation.

“The domain that became vacant due to this incident with Prince Porla will probably become yours.”

The elderly marquis answered while stroking his beard.

“I’ve been far from politics for a long time.”

“Did someone even threaten to kill you if you got involved?”

“Isn’t it something like a custom continued from the previous generation?”

“For fleeing scared, your magic power is sharply refined.”

Marquis Dallio was a 7th level mage, and had overseen various administrative duties at the castle.

The fatal weakness of this marquis with reputation high enough that not receiving a single domain would be strange is having no family to inherit his title.

During the previous king’s competition, his family was killed by opposing factions.

He’s someone who pushed treatment of opposing royals more harshly than anyone due to that fury.

Now that new throne candidates appeared, Marquis Dallio left the royal castle without regrets.

Though he showed resolute intentions of not wanting to be involved in factional disputes, magic power doesn’t lie.

He’s still a capable person not bad to dive into active duty.

“Wouldn’t it be good to have at least one self-defense measure?”

“You’re anticipating the duke will make a proposal.”

“Not at all. As you know, Your Highness, I have no one to inherit domains. No matter how well I cultivate a domain, eventually another person will seize what I accomplished and continue the generations.”

“If inheritance is your worry, I’ll solve it.”

“Pardon?”

“Take an adopted son. A 6th level mage at that.”

Marquis Dallio’s brows twitched.

“Surely, you’re not speaking of the mercenary?”

“Hahaha. You said you weren’t interested, yet you know very well.”

“Even if I don’t want to hear it, recently your rumors are shaking Illumina, Your Highness. Your subordinate guild masters too.”

“Then I won’t speak long. Give your castle to a capable person with courtesy and manners.”

“Even if you’re a prince, there are lines that must be kept.”

“Then will you let the name Dallio become obsolete as is?”

“That’s……”

“When you who have neither children nor relatives die, Dallio will disappear. But if you accept my proposal at least, the name Dallio will shine together with me. While inheriting Bolano Marquis territory at that.”

Marquis Dallio couldn’t easily open his mouth.

The name Dallio has pride in accompanying Illumina’s history through ancestors’ generations.

If it disappears as the price of choosing the previous king, he has no face to see ancestors after dying.

“Will you kill me if I refuse?”

“Why would I? You’ll temporarily govern Bolano Marquis territory anyway until a new lord is decided. And when appropriate personnel are decided, you’ll be buried in the countryside again. Why would I worry about a time-limited life?”

Pernok smiled and gazed at Dallio’s wavering pupils.

“I don’t care if you refuse. I’ll definitely take Bolano Marquis territory, and the personnel after you will definitely become my confidant.”

“Then why are you making this proposal to me?”

“I heard you’re quite proficient in administrative work. I want to buy that talent.”

“By taking an adopted son?”

“You continue the Dallio name, and I obtain Bolano Marquis territory and knowledge in administrative work. Isn’t it a decent deal?”

“But that person is your confidant, not our family’s heir.”

“Blood inevitably thins through generations. But names remain eternally. Do you think Dallio lacks that much value?”

“That’s……”

“I’ll visit lord candidates of castles I toppled one by one from now on. And I’ll make similar proposals like now. Adopted sons to those whose bloodlines ended. I’m thinking of establishing solid connections by having those I want to deepen relationships with even take live-in sons-in-law.”

“……You don’t resemble the previous king at all. He had none of the harsh aspects Prince Pernok has.”

“I don’t call the person who abandoned me father. I don’t want to be connected either. But too many good talents were attached to that foolish fellow.”

Pernok rose from his seat.

“Whether you’ll disappear from history bearing your family name, or grasp my hand and enjoy glory in posterity. Think carefully until Flemyr’s proposal comes.”

And Pernok left the mansion where silence had descended. He met civilians mentioned as next lord candidates and made various proposals.

There weren’t many extreme cases like Marquis Dallio, so most discussions proceeded related to political marriages.

After finishing preliminary work, treatment discussions for the vacant marquis and count territories proceeded under Flemyr’s leadership.

Flemyr raised candidates from those buried in the countryside considering experience, reputation, and governance.

No one objected.

They were people who’d withdrawn fearing politics after the previous king’s death anyway.

Because they had confidence that if they extended hands to those without affiliation, they’d definitely respond.

But their expressions distorting didn’t take long.

“What? Marquis Dallio took whom as adopted son?”

“A mercenary. An A-rank guild master named Jad……”

“Look at this crazy bastard! A mercenary as adopted son? A mercenary!?”

Nobles who came to govern other count territories were the same.

They began forming ties with Pernok’s confidants.

From their position, Pernok was a renowned S-rank guild master, the only one avoiding chaos in the competition, and appeared as someone craving forces more than anyone.

If they secured positions beside Pernok now and advanced together, expectations mixed that they might seize great important posts later.

Not themselves but their children.

Grandsons or granddaughters.

Political marriages with Pernok’s confidants inevitably lead to meaning enjoying glory through generations.

Senile politicians joined hands with Pernok.

Naturally, all guild masters came to occupy positions including northern castles and marquis and count territories rising to the south.

Flemyr acquiesced to Pernok’s rapidly swelling forces.

‘Hinting was everything. Making it his own is His Highness Pernok’s capability.’

Unlike other royals, Pernok’s appearance containing together the contradiction of not violating rules while advancing boldly begins becoming increasingly vivid in his head.

‘Looking at Princess Yuliana’s faction being quiet, it seems he joined hands with that side too, but what on earth are you hiding to push forward work so confidently?’

Passion temporarily forgotten in living gradually bloomed.

Perhaps because he watched Porla’s undignified appearance.

Expectations rise that something might be accomplished together with Pernok.

‘You’re even grasping the investigation team……’

Favor toward Pernok seeps through investigation team reports where personal emotions shouldn’t enter.

The person who possessed nothing, was called a bastard, and was miserably abandoned was already manipulating the kingdom’s flow at will.

* * *

And there was one more person who detected the rapidly rising flow.

A person who, though not of Illumina, watches greed blooming amid chaos.

The person called Rakis Empire’s War God.

Chris Van Astein.

He who sat on the terrace reviewing a messenger’s report quietly set down his teacup.

He who drew in his head the domains Pernok seized as a huge boundary line muttered lowly.

“……He’ll devour Illumina before long.”

Soon he who rose from his seat left the terrace.

An adjutant had already followed behind him.

“Summon the 13 Lords.”

“What is the agenda?”

Chris said indifferently.

“The disposal of Pernok Al Illumina.”