Chapter 14
On the eve of my final battle with the Mage Emperor King, I spent the night in a shabby cabin with Renia. During that time, she told me many things.
Not just simple childhood memories, but also stories about major events
“When the Mage Emperor King’s army invaded, Benheim had no choice but to fall helplessly.”
Renia explained in detail how the Benheim family was destroyed.
“There were traitors within the family. They disabled the protective magic engraved over the territory, and the Mage Emperor King entered the core of our lands without resistance. It all happened too fast to respond.”
According to her, dark mages had long since infiltrated Benheim.
They opened the gates in coordination with the invasion and destroyed the defensive spells carved into the uppermost floors of the magic tower.
“If only my father had been alive and well, he could have held them off somehow. But the moment the Mage Emperor King stepped into our territory… my father was assassinated.”
“Assassinated? A great mage, taken down that easily?”
“Yes. Because the assassin wasn’t just anyone… it was someone he trusted.”
“Who was it?”
At my question, Renia’s eyes turned ice-cold.
“My uncle.”
“Your uncle?”
“Uncle Markel… that man was a traitor. The moment the invasion began, he stabbed my father in the back with a poison-coated dagger. If it weren’t for him, Benheim could have held out at least half a year longer.”
Her eyes burned with vengeance as she bit her lip.
She told me many other things as well—names of collaborators within the family, and the identities of hidden dark mages.
Every word was etched clearly into my mind.
I didn’t know why she had told me all of this.
But it was undoubtedly connected to my regression.
Just like now.
“What… are you saying?”
Stern’s bewildered voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I looked up.
His face was twisted in disbelief.
“Are you saying my brother, Markel, is a dark mage?”
“Yes. He is working with them.”
“That’s nonsense. Markel is my brother—the backbone of Benheim. For him to be a dark mage… think carefully about the weight of your words, Reagan.”
Of course he wouldn’t believe me.
To convince him, I needed evidence.
Fortunately, I knew one uncomfortable truth he couldn’t ignore.
“Lord, as you know, I once met a mage from Benheim. That mage gave me a pendant and told me several things. Including that your daughter would be attacked.”
“…Don’t tell me.”
“Yes. The same mage also told me that man is a dark mage.”
Stern’s expression hardened.
After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly.
“…Is that the truth?”
“Yes.”
“If this turns out to be a lie… you will stake your life on it.”
“I am only stating facts.”
The monocle on Stern’s eye gleamed.
Now that I had some understanding of magic, I could tell—it was an artifact. Likely one that discerned truth.
“It appears to be true.”
As expected, Stern let out a heavy sigh.
“Then can you present evidence?”
“Evidence…”
“Even if I believe you, without proof, it cannot be accepted as fact.”
I had no physical proof right now.
Only Renia’s words in my memory.
But if what she said was true, Markel would have left something behind.
“Yes. I can prove it.”
Stern sighed again, then looked toward the direction Markel had left.
“Very well. I will give you a chance. But if my brother is proven innocent… you will pay with your life.”
“As you wish.”
I had already wagered my life once.
Doing it again made no difference.
We eaded to the main house.
Servants stared in shock at the sight of an outsider walking beside the head of the family, but Stern ignored them.
“This is Markel’s private study.”
He led me to the innermost room where the main house connected to the magic tower.
“He spends most of his time here. He won’t return until sunset. Find proof here.”
“…By myself?”
“You said you could prove it.”
Stern leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.
So this was a test.
I scanned the study.
It looked like any ordinary mage’s room.
But dark mages were cunning.
They hid their identities with extreme care.
There was no way it would be easy.
Still—
“…Let’s see what I can do.”
Unlike before, I now had a new mana core.
And the skill to fully utilize it.
More importantly, I had fought countless dark mages before.
Whatever tricks he had, I could handle them.
“First…”
I exhaled slowly and took a deep breath.
Circulating mana through my body, I sensed the ambient energy in the room.
Mana sensitivity.
One of my specialties.
“As expected… it stinks.”
Hidden within the mana was a faint but unmistakable corruption.
A disgusting trace unique to dark magic.
Ordinary mages wouldn’t notice it.
But I could.
Tap.
Following the trace, I placed my hand on a book.
Among dusty shelves, this one alone was spotless.
“Bingo.”
Click.
Pulling it triggered a hidden compartment behind the shelf.
Inside was a small box, sealed with unmistakable dark magic.
“….”
Stern’s expression hardened.
Even this alone was enough to accuse Markel.
But I went further.
“Lord, may I have some blood?”
“What do you mean?”
“You share blood with him. This seal seems to respond to it.”
Though displeased, Stern drew a ceremonial dagger and cut his palm.
Drops of blood fell onto the seal.
Crimson light flared.
“A blood mage… I see.”
The seal broke open.
Inside were stacks of letters.
I picked one up.
[Moon Cycle Day – Graveyard – Benheim’s Daughter]
Three short phrases.
That was enough.
Stern read over my shoulder and let out a deep sigh.
His face twisted like never before.
After a moment, he spoke.
“…Reagan. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“Markel.”
His eyes turned cold.
“It’s time to meet my brother.”
Markel von Benheim was working in the magic tower when he received the news.
“My brother is here?”
Stern rarely came in person.
But as head of the family, his summons couldn’t be ignored.
Markel went down to the first floor.
“Brother, what brings you—… hm?”
His expression soured when he saw me standing beside Stern.
“Why bring this lowborn here? Outsiders are forbidden from entering the sacred tower.”
“SACRED tower? How amusing.”
Stern scoffed.
Before Markel could react—
Thud.
A small box dropped at his feet.
“…Th-that is…”
His hidden box.
Why was it here?
“One who brings dark magic into Benheim has no right to speak of sanctity.”
“….”
“Explain yourself. When did you learn blood magic? When did you begin associating with them?”
“…B-brother…”
Cold sweat ran down his back.
“Ho…?”
There should have been no trace.
No reason for Stern to search his study.
So how?
“…No, this isn’t the time.”
He had to survive.
Fight?
Impossible.
Even with dark magic, he was nothing before a 7th-circle archmage.
Beg for mercy?
That hope shattered immediately.
“I’ve read your letters. You were behind Renia’s attack.”
“….”
“You dared touch my daughter. Speak. Who is behind you?”
There was no escaping now.
Markel stepped back—but the exit was blocked.
“You…!”
“Lord Stern isn’t finished speaking yet.”
I stood in his way.
Reagan.
The outsider.
“…It was you.”
His teeth ground together.
Everything made sense.
“Because of you!”
Blood dripped from his clenched fist—
Flash.
And transformed into a crimson spear that shot straight at me.
