Chapter 73…………………….
As Roziana stepped inside the tent and pulled back her hood, Marie—who had been waiting in advance—rushed over at once.
“Your Highness! Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Your eyes are so red.”
With worried eyes, Marie quickly adjusted her mistress’s disheveled appearance.
“My face must look a mess, right?”
“Not at all—you look beautiful as always~.”
“Beautiful? Please. It’s just because I cried my eyes out over something ridiculous.”
“Something ridiculous?”
“I’ll explain later. For now, Marie, help me change.”
“Yes! Right away!”
Before long, Roziana was dressed in a violet gown that matched her eyes and draped with a warm shawl. Thanks to Marie, she now looked elegant and dignified, as if she had just arrived from the palace itself. In this polished state, Roziana went to meet her brothers. It had already been seven hours since the first round had begun.
“More time passed than I realized.”
She must have been trapped in the illusions for quite a while.
After all, hadn’t she clung to that rock she mistook for As’s corpse and wept for ages?
The thought of her pathetic display made her want to shrink with shame. Thankfully, no one but Asterios had been around to see.
“Welcome, Rozi. You made it back quickly.”
Inside the luxuriously decorated tent—furnished like a reception room—the Crown Prince Alex and Prince William greeted her warmly.
“Yes, Brother Alex. And Brother William, you’re here too.”
“Of course. I came with him. But Rozi, your eyes and nose look red. Are you sure you’re not cold, or feeling unwell?”
The two brothers fussed over her tenderly, worried she might have caught cold in the dawn mountain air. Their care warmed Roziana’s heart once again. Knowing she had family who always supported her and stood by her side gave her such strength and happiness.
“I’m alright. Thank you for your kindness, Brother William.”
Roziana smiled, her beautiful eyes crinkling. Like her, her brothers were growing rapidly, both in power and stature. At times like this, she was deeply grateful for it. Truly, she preferred them as older brothers rather than younger siblings.
When Roziana drew nearer, both brothers’ expressions softened even more.
“Come, sit. It’s early for breakfast, but let’s share a light meal while we wait.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Following Alex’s lead, the three sat at the prepared table. Simple breakfast fare awaited them: a tiered plate of sandwiches, desserts, and fruit.
“Has anyone passed the first round yet?” Roziana asked after their meal, lifting a teacup that smelled richly of jasmine.
“Not yet. But since it’s been some time since the start, they should begin coming down soon.”
“They said it takes about six hours round-trip, right?”
“Yes. But that’s only if you wear an artifact that prevents illusions and climb without rest. Usually, it takes much longer.”
“An artifact against illusions?”
Roziana hadn’t heard of such a thing. Her brothers took turns explaining.
“Yes, it’s something the Tower Master mentioned.”
“He said he has an artifact that’s completely unaffected by the Secret Fog’s illusions.”
If one could avoid falling into illusions, they could reach the summit faster than anyone.
“Then the Tower Master will be the first to return, won’t he?”
“Quite possibly.”
“But since only he has such an item, everyone else will take longer.”
“That’s true. Still, why hasn’t he returned yet?”
By their reasoning, Tower Master Edwin should already have reached base camp. Roziana’s words made both Alex and William exchange curious looks.
“Strange. Maybe it’s just slower because it’s a night climb?”
“Could be. Or perhaps…”
William trailed off, and Alex’s expression grew thoughtful and serious.
“There may have been trouble among the contestants. Climbing alone is different from climbing while competing with others.”
William nodded in agreement.
“Yes, I think so too. After all, this is a contest.”
Competition could easily lead to conflict—either by hindering others or by being hindered.
From the mountain’s base, no one could know what the participants were facing in the darkness above.
“All we can do is hope they return safely.”
“Yes. That everyone returns safe.”
Though dawn was breaking, the Secret Fog still blanketed the mountain thick with mist and shadow, swallowing up the seventy-some contestants.
“As… please, hurry back safely.”
Roziana set down her teacup and clasped her hands tightly together.
“I should have reached the summit long ago…”
Edwin fiddled with his earring. The single magical earring on his ear hummed faintly, resonating with the forest.
He had been confident he would not succumb to the illusions—thanks to the artifact. But what delayed him was the darkness: he had simply lost his way.
“At least I wasn’t with anyone.”
No one must ever know. Had he traveled with others, rumors would spread that the Tower Master couldn’t find his way in the mountains. How disgraceful.
He had climbed without concern, even leisurely selling healing potions to other contestants for the Tower’s profit.
“To think I strutted about so smugly…”
And yet he had gotten lost. Without the illusions, the pitch-black mountain and heavy fog had made every path look the same. He had wandered for quite some time.
“Those poor fools seeing illusions must be in absolute hell.”
Edwin twisted his lips into a grin. Clearly, many would be eliminated in this first round. Even he, the Tower Master, was struggling.
“As expected, Emperor Leodian doesn’t do anything lightly.”
After all, the contest had begun in the late evening. It was clear the Emperor’s intent was to weed out the weak from the very start.
Contestants needed stamina for the climb, strong will to resist illusions, and still had to complete the trial within 24 hours—or it meant nothing.
Checking the pocket watch in his coat, Edwin saw that eight hours had already passed. Dawn was breaking.
“Once the sun’s up, traveling will be much easier.”
Participants would soon be able to pick up speed.
Just then, from below, a short blast of the horn echoed.
The first contestant had passed.
Several faces flashed through Edwin’s mind. Likely the Pontiff with his strong divine power. Or perhaps Mephisto.
“That Asterios fellow looked completely wrecked… I doubt he made it.”
Edwin had wondered if he’d even survive the first round, given his condition.
“In any case, I’d best step up my pace.”
The horn stirred his competitive spirit, burning it bright.
Then another short blast followed.
“Another already?”
Short blasts signaled a new finisher. Long, repeated blasts were reserved for emergencies, summoning all contestants back down.
“Well, it wouldn’t be any fun if I were the only one to pass.”
Edwin strode forward, gazing at the brightening sky through the fog. The summit was close, and the descent would be much faster. He could very well be the third to finish.
At that moment, he sensed another presence ahead.
“Ah, Tower Master.”
The voice belonged to Izeph. Edwin narrowed his eyes at the man.
“You… your name was Joseph, wasn’t it?”
“…It’s Izeph, sir.”
He bowed respectfully, holding in his hand a magic stone that only appeared at the summit.
“Coming back from the top, I see.”
The illusions of the Secret Fog were caused by these very stones, whose power disrupted the mind to ward off intruders.
“Yes, sir.”
“Weren’t you climbing with Duke Tenebres?” Edwin asked, surprised he was alone.
“The Duke said it was safer to go separately—illusions of one’s companion can be especially dangerous here. By chance, have you seen him on your way?”
Edwin shook his head.
“Perhaps he was the one we heard the horn for just now. You’ll see him at the base soon enough. Be careful on your way down.”
With a wave, Edwin strode toward the summit, while Izeph bowed again before hurrying down. After eight and a half hours, the mountain’s entrance came into view.
“I hope His Grace is alright.”
He still worried for Asterios, who had looked so unwell.
For Izeph, the first round hadn’t been particularly difficult. The mountain was dark and foggy, yes, but he had not seen a single illusion.
Instead, he had seen something else.
It had distracted him all throughout the climb, slowing him down.
At last, when Izeph arrived at the mountain’s entrance, the Crown Prince himself came out to greet him and offer congratulations.
Izeph became the third contestant to pass the first round and received Prince Alex’s seal. Around his neck, the chalk medallion was marked with a golden dragon.
“Congratulations.”
“It is an honor, Your Highness.”
After the brief ceremony, a chamberlain led him onward.
“Those who pass will rest here before departing for the secondary palace.”
The tent he was shown to glowed warmly, already lit from within.
Inside, two familiar faces awaited him.
