Intervention

Rakis Empire’s supreme council, the 13 Lords’ assembly, opened for the first time in 5 years.

While the 13 Lords who gathered after a long time maintained silence, sharp heel sounds were heard.

The nobles’ gazes moved following the sound.

When Chris wearing a pitch-black coat sat at the head seat, heavy pressure weighed down the round table.

“The meeting begins.”

He didn’t even ask trivial greetings.

Chris was always like this.

His sharpness that precisely pinpointed only core points sometimes made nobles embarrassed.

But today at least, the nobles also tightly shut their lips and focused on Chris.

“The agenda is the disposal of Pernok Al Illumina. The possibility of the new dynasty he’ll create.”

When the nobles’ gazes gathered with eyes desiring explanation, Chris snapped his fingers.

The adjutant spread Illumina’s map on the round table.

“When Vans was trapped in the capital and Porla was disgraced, Pernok devoured half of Illumina. He bound nobles together while adopting the resolute methods of political marriage and adoption.”

Breia raised his hand.

When Chris nodded, Breia voiced a puzzled question.

“Still, it’s at most a few castles. In the end, whoever becomes king will rule.”

“Pernok secured the power to refuse that.”

“Power?”

Chris looked at the map indifferently.

“The people and land that are the nation’s foundation. Having already secured the two most important things, whoever becomes king can’t touch Pernok. The moment he tears off land like this and splits it in half, Pernok will possess vast territory receiving Rezhen’s support.”

“Kekeke, you’re very worried, duke.”

Following the ominous laughter, Chris turned his head.

It was Marquis Gram, an S2 Magus like Breia.

“Wouldn’t it be fine to have Vans topple him?”

“Vans alone is too much. Even if we attach several of you, it’ll be difficult.”

When he spoke decisively, the nobles showed surprised eyes.

Because it had been a long time since they saw Chris praise someone this much.

“He’s merely an S-rank guild master. Just a single force with the title Magus.”

“He was reborn from bastard to S-rank guild master and now devoured half of Illumina. Looking at no problems arising, it seems Illumina’s Duke Flemyr is also beginning to leave neutrality.”

Chris spoke decisively.

“A Magus possessing both the reputation and drive not included in our calculations from the start. If we pass over it easily, not only Vans but we’ll face another border.”

“Isn’t that a forced assumption?”

Breia carefully presented an opinion.

“Competition is progressing. In Illumina that values tradition, independence is the same as the word rebellion. It’s hard to think Prince Pernok would do such a thing at the point when competitor Porla fell.”

“Such a thing?”

“Founding a nation. Isn’t that what you’re claiming now, duke?”

“We must think of the worst and move, marquis.”

Breia who faced Chris’s indifferent expression let out a groan.

“Pernok was a bastard abandoned in Illumina. His affection and loyalty toward the nation are naturally crawling at rock bottom. Power was given to such a person. He’s not even making effort to find clues. Pernok is fundamentally a different breed from Vans. If Vans believes in the throne, Pernok knows better than anyone where the nation’s power originates.”

“Are you saying the qualities of a wise ruler?”

“No.”

Chris who glanced at Pernok’s domain spoke decisively.

“He was born with the essence of a plunderer who profits from chaos. Commonly such people are evaluated as figures who lead the era like His Majesty.”

“……!”

“Either cut the sprout.”

“Or wouldn’t it also be good to shift from Vans?”

When Gram asked with a smile, Count Buckingham answered as if he’d waited.

“Now I see the two marquis who dislike Prince Vans want to seize a new card.”

“Kekeke, Count Buckingham. Whatever hand we join, if it connects to the nation’s benefit, wouldn’t that be a very good situation?”

“However, marquis. This is a matter connected to trust. Also, Illumina’s legitimate line is Vans.”

“That’s not the only problem.”

Viscount Pollio who’d been watching the situation spoke carefully.

“Recently Tyr is establishing a new border on the front lines. That fortress is very large and grand, so they’re confident even Magi can’t easily pierce it. And the new mage association head Ruin Agnes is also concerning. That person hasn’t decided a clear path yet. While Rezhen has Zayl and Salavan fighting fiercely, the Holy Kingdom is silent.”

The reason the 13 Lords had only lent their names to Vans without moving until now.

“If we stir up one place, other places will point blades at Rakis. Of course Vans is intelligent, but it’s questionable whether he has value worth facing all nations.”

“Interesting.”

Everyone’s gazes gathered on Chris.

“Hasn’t the attention that used to be on Illumina now shifted to monitoring Rakis’s movements, as if we could be attacked at any moment?”

“……”

“Someone profiting from this chaos continues making a board advantageous to themselves. And that spark is now blazing brightly in Illumina.”

The way to lead chaos is only to eliminate variables.

“Advance or retreat. If we must choose one, Rakis should advance now. That is His Majesty’s will.”

The 13 Lords who recalled the majesty of the person called Hegemon Emperor nodded with heavy expressions.

“We’ll take some risks. Even if a situation comes where we give up one of our castles, we won’t care. Imprint the empire’s dignity on all those things threatening us.”

Chris looked around at the nobles and spoke indifferently.

“I permit freedom.”

* * *

Vans who finished all investigations exited the royal castle after one month.

Vans sent a cold gaze to Flemyr who personally saw him off.

“I heard Porla completely collapsed.”

“We’re still investigating even now.”

“Did you side with Yuliana?”

“Investigating and punishing those with suspicions is the role I was assigned.”

“We’re in the middle of competition.”

“That’s also for national interest. If you perform opposing acts, I must decisively dismiss you.”

“So, will you punish me too?”

“Since it was revealed you have no suspicions, Your Highness, be careful so the same thing doesn’t happen again. The kingdom’s eyes and ears aren’t only on you, Your Highness.”

“I’ll clearly remember those words.”

Vans turned his body sharply.

“Gyaaaaaah!”

A scream rode from the torture chamber and stabbed Vans’s ears.

‘Porla collapsed, Yuliana achieved her intentions, and Pernok widened his domain further.’

After leaving the royal castle to find one clue, too many things seemed to have happened, so Vans’s anger surged.

Refusing even servants who came to greet him, Vans walked the main road thinking about who might be the mastermind of this incident.

Vans who was caught in thoughts until returning to the mansion felt an unfamiliar presence and placed his hand on the sword hilt.

“It’s me, Your Highness.”

“Count Buckingham?”

An unexpected person was sitting in the study.

He was the ally Vans first received introduction to from Chris in Rakis.

“You’ve become very haggard while I haven’t seen you. Flemyr’s interrogation seems to have been rather excessive.”

“Did news…… reach even Rakis?”

“Are you speaking of the interrogation?”

“All matters related to self-luminescent crystal.”

“The duke knows everything. And he summoned all 13 Lords.”

“He opened the council assembly?”

“The agenda is the disposal of Pernok Al Illumina. And the extermination of all forces that side with him or are hostile to Rakis. Or vigilance and warning.”

“……!”

“Until now, the 13 Lords merely remained in supporter roles. You know the reason?”

Vans nodded.

It was to not come to the front and give justification for other nations’ invasions.

Because great powers each had something hidden, and it acted as variables even Rakis couldn’t anticipate.

When they continued colliding with variables and were ground down, the Holy Kingdom’s possibility of provoking Rakis was very high.

In the end, remaining as supporters was to profit from the benefit of not consuming Rakis’s forces while devouring Illumina.

“The duke decided to take risks.”

“That’s……”

“Intervention was permitted to the 13 Lords, and autonomous action was granted.”

Vans’s eyes widened as if torn.

‘The 13 Lords move by each one’s will.’

All nations’ Magi are bound to take responsibility for those actions.

Rakis is the same.

However, the current emperor set somewhat exceptional rules, which is autonomous action.

An aggressive method where if it’s a form benefiting the empire according to each 13 Lord’s judgment, the nation will endure even if they wage war.

Autonomous action is a unique form of Rakis granting free authority for war.

“Will you make all nations into enemies?”

“It means we’ll use the chaos.”

“Pardon?”

“Someone unknown is leading this board. Since it’s not clearly revealed now, if we hide our names and act, who will suspect and attack whom?”

Vans’s shoulders trembled seeing Buckingham’s smile.

Though he’d forgotten momentarily, this person is also a member of the 13 Lords.

The war madness lurking behind disguised calmness.

“We’ll only thoroughly eliminate revealed variables of each nation.”

“Are there some in Illumina too?”

“Pernok.”

Buckingham grinned.

“The baron and I will handle the sprout of rapidly rising forces. You can rest assured and focus on the competition, Your Highness.”

* * *

Tyr Kingdom’s front lines.

Jan who was examining the completing position felt something unfamiliar.

The sight of a patrol soldier disappearing as pure white powder was captured where his gaze stayed.

‘Magus?’

The place the white powder flew from was a forest about 1 kilometer from the position.

Though it was a far distance, Jan definitely felt it.

That the person who turned the patrol soldier to powder was calling him.

Boom!

Jan kicked off the watchtower and dove into the forest.

And when he reached the center, a pure white world where even trees were covered pure white unfolded.

A person like a clown painted pure white was waiting inside.

“You’re not Tyr’s renowned Magus. Nevertheless, if you’re a capable person who accurately backtracked my magic…… the only person capable of such a thing in Tyr is the mage who devours Magi.”

“Are you from Rakis?”

“Would knowing have meaning?”

When the clown, Viscount Pollio, clapped his hands together, the pure white powder spread everywhere rode the wind and flew toward the front lines.

“There won’t be anyone to hear anyway.”

The moment Viscount Pollio split his bright red lips long.

WHOOOOSH-!

The pure white powder swelled uncontrollably like an ocean and swept over Jan.

* * *

After blankly watching the dark clouded sky and returning to the association, Ruin spoke graciously.

“Everyone may withdraw now.”

“Pardon?”

“The weather isn’t good. Since heavy rain might pour, you may leave work early today.”

“Ah, yes! Thank you, association head.”

Ruin who watched all association members leave went up to the association head’s office.

A white-haired old man wearing rags-like clothes was grinning.

“Kekeke, indeed the association head position isn’t for anyone. Did you feel my presence from that far away?”

“That appearance, amber pupils, S2 magic power…… Are you Rakis’s Marquis Gram?”

“I’m honored the new association head knows me.”

“What business brings you from Rakis?”

“Seeing you sent out association members, you know I came to fight. Don’t worry, unlike other 13 Lords, I like something called dialogue.”

There was nothing known about what Magus Arts Gram deployed.

When Ruin finished preparing to deploy Magus Arts anytime while being wary of the sudden uninvited guest, Gram spoke with a smile.

“You’re supporting Prince Pernok, aren’t you?”

“What nonsense out of the blue?”

“Isn’t the reason the association specifically gave Pernok justification to strike Porla because of a cooperative relationship? Probably, you’re pondering when to join. So, shall I make one proposal?”

“Stop the nonsense……”

“I’ll help Prince Pernok.”

Ruin’s words cut off as if he’d activated magic.

“People all think Rakis supports Vans, but the reality is different. At least Breia and I don’t support Vans.”

“……”

“Eyes full of doubt. Well, it’s an old story, but Chris stole the duke position I should’ve had long ago. From that time, I began liking work opposite to Chris’s actions.”

“Just for that reason, you’ll help Prince Pernok?”

“His Majesty promised to raise the title of whoever achieves the greatest merit in this competition. But didn’t most of the 13 Lords flock to Vans? Why should I share merit with idiotic bastards?”

Gram shook his head.

“Rather, if I choose another person and connect it to benefit Rakis, I can monopolize that merit alone, can’t I? In that respect, Prince Pernok is a very ideal figure. Because he’s showing potential to shake alone a board where all forces are decided. How much must it be for that Chris to highly praise Pernok?”

At the words that Chris designated Pernok, Ruin’s heart instantly sank.

He wanted to quickly inform that the world’s strongest Magus is aware of Pernok.

But Gram’s proposal was very attractive, so it was difficult to easily dismiss.

“In the end, you’re also a member of the 13 Lords. How will you reverse what’s already decided?”

“The 13 Lords’ autonomous action was imposed. That means we can do anything as long as it becomes the nation’s benefit. I want to join hands with Prince Pernok and strive for each other’s benefit. Even if I can’t drive out Chris, can’t I meet the moment when one more new duke is born!”

Gram rose from his seat spreading both arms.

The emotion revealed in the smile mixed with ecstasy was definitely jealousy.

“How can I believe those words?”

“Just say anything. I’ll prove I’m a person with intentions to join.”

Ruin asked coldly.

“If you bring the head of one 13 Lord, I’ll consider it.”

“Oh……”

Though he responded to nonsense with impossible words, Gram rather grinned.

“Would that be enough?”

A group unhesitatingly revealing greed where the nation’s benefit connects to their own benefit.

The world called the 13 Lords madness.