Chapter 81
Figures in black robes and masks gathered around the round table. Among them, only one did not conceal his face.
“It is almost Rishan Week, Your Majesty.”
It was the Emperor.
At the man’s words, another man nodded.
“This year, the Rishan will see especially severe outbreaks of monsters. It’s the ‘Luna’ that only appears once every ten years, even during a total eclipse.”
“Then it might show itself.”
“The King of Monsters, yes.”
For a moment, the room fell silent. The Emperor, listening, lowered his gaze and spoke.
“The Ethernium of Illusions is surely embedded in the heart of the King of Monsters.”
“Since an unknown mage stole the Healing Ethernium hidden in the Cloris Guild’s treasury, the only Ethernium left in our hands is the Cursed Ethernium. We must obtain the Ethernium of Illusions at all costs.”
A strange silence fell at that moment. No one had anticipated an attack on the Cloris Guild.
Moreover, the assailants took only the Ethernium and left untouched all other treasures.
“How did they know that the Cloris Guild had Ethernium? Only our organization knew that.”
“…Either someone is conspiring with outsiders, or someone knows of our existence.”
“If there’s a traitor working with outsiders, they must be eliminated. And if someone knows of us…”
“We must find and eliminate them.”
At these words, the masked figures nodded.
“Sir, are you managing the Cursed Ethernium properly?”
The eyes of the masked men focused on one spot—a man wearing a red mask.
He nodded.
“Of course.”
“Then what is the meaning of placing a curse that can only bind one person on an unknown slave, and that slave even escaped? Does the True Name still not work?”
The man, frustrated, asked, and the red-masked figure nodded.
“It seems a new name was created. One truer than the original.”
“Then it’s useless! We should lift the curse and place it on a new person. For example…”
The man glanced subtly at the Emperor and continued with a smirk.
“Duke Kreiman, for instance.”
The Emperor’s gaze sharpened. He glared at the man, but the man didn’t care and shrugged.
Another man stopped him.
“Blue, do not provoke His Majesty.”
“What do you mean by that? Provoking the Emperor? Anyone who hears you would misunderstand, White.”
At his sly words, the man called White turned his head.
Blue, Red, Black, White.
These were the colors of the masks they wore, also serving as aliases to conceal their identities from potential leaks.
When White didn’t respond, Blue looked at Red and said:
“Isn’t it so? If we enslave Kreiman, His Majesty’s concerns would vanish, and the continent could be unified more efficiently. His military strength has already been revealed once, hasn’t it?”
It was Black who replied.
“Duke Kreiman is dangerous. We don’t know when he might turn his blade on us. It’s better to kill him than leave any chance.”
“During this Rishan Week, though… It’s almost annoying, Your Majesty. You know what state Duke Kreiman is in during Rishan Week, yet you still send him to the Monster Extermination Corps.”
“……”
The Emperor said nothing. A man who had once crossed the Emperor’s cold gaze finally spoke.
“That slave possessed immense magical power. We lost him through negligence, but if we can learn his alias, we can enslave him again.”
“Then what? You still can’t find him.”
“We can.”
Red’s gaze dropped. He recalled the boy sold as a slave in his youth.
Those amethyst eyes staring at him without a scream even as the slave seal was placed.
“That boy will try to reclaim my heart at all costs. He will obtain the Ethernium of Illusions and try to kill me. So he will appear again during Rishan Week. I will find him.”
“Ah, here we go again. The instinct of ownership. I don’t know who he is, but he’s a poor fellow. And of all people, Red has claimed him.”
“You talk too much, Blue.”
Black scolded him, and Blue clicked his tongue in irritation.
“Anyway, Red will go after that slave, but who will go after the King of Monsters?”
Blue asked, but no one immediately answered.
Collecting Ethernium was extremely complicated, and a single mistake could bring the organization’s punishment.
The Cloris Guildmaster was also a member, but after losing the Healing Ethernium, he was currently suffering a terrible punishment.
Seeing that no one volunteered, Blue shook his head in frustration.
“Fine. Then I’ll go. I’ve wanted to face the King of Monsters for a while, and I also want to observe Duke Kreiman. Oh, if I happen to kill him by mistake, I won’t be responsible, Your Majesty.”
Blue glanced at the Emperor, who nodded expressionlessly.
“Do as you wish.”
“Good. Since I have permission, shall we prepare now?”
Even with the Emperor still present, Blue rose first. As he flicked his robe, he vanished instantly.
Once Blue disappeared, the others also vanished one by one.
Finally left alone, the Emperor surveyed the empty round table, then rose and left the room.
“Your Majesty.”
The waiting chief steward bowed. The Emperor ignored him and walked swiftly, followed by the steward.
A moment later, the Emperor sank into his chair, looking weary. The steward quickly approached, removing his cloak and wiping his face with a clean towel.
As he turned to bring a drink, the Emperor stopped him.
“Wait. Take my sword with you. It’s heavy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Although always tired, the Emperor never removed the crown from his head, so the steward hesitated but carefully placed it aside. The Emperor tilted his head back as if relieved of weight.
After the steward left, the Emperor chuckled softly.
“I am clearly the Emperor, yet not truly an Emperor.”
Even after committing the horrendous act of rebellion, he had managed to become Emperor thanks to the organization controlling central politics.
It was they who had first offered him a hand, promising to make him Emperor.
“I have no regrets for taking their hand.”
Without them, becoming Emperor would have been impossible.
“But this kind of disregard is hard to tolerate.”
The Emperor lowered his gaze.
Their greatest driving force was Ethernium.
However, after losing the Healing Ethernium, the only remaining one was the Cursed Ethernium.
“The Ethernium of Illusions, huh.”
He recalled the discussion from the meeting and then smiled.
“Perhaps this is the chance to eliminate Duke Kreiman and seize the Ethernium as well.”
The Emperor lifted his head and looked at the sky.
The moon was slowly waning.
“Jack, are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m coming down now.”
At that, I caught sight of Jack and couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Wow, Jack. It suits you so well.”
“…Thank you.”
Jack blushed shyly at my compliment. I looked at him with affection.
He was now wearing a boy’s suit. The reddish-brown suit fit him perfectly.
‘Jack had insisted on refusing, though.’
Since this was a competition for noble children, it was worth the effort to ensure he wouldn’t be disregarded.
Soon, the children gathered around Jack. The most excited was, of course, Cloan.
“Brother! You look amazing!”
“Really?”
“Yes! You’re the best, as always!”
Following Cloan, Ren and Edi approached.
“Brother, you look so cool.”
“Yes, you’ll be the most impressive there.”
“Ren, Edi, thanks, even if it’s just flattery.”
“Flattery? No, really. You’re the coolest guy I’ve ever seen.”
“For today, I’ll admit it.”
Normally, Cloan would have protested, “What about me?” but today she agreed with Ren.
I was thrilled, so the children would naturally be proud of Jack in his suit.
Finally, Rodi took Jack’s hand. Jack looked at Rodi, who smiled brightly.
“To Rodi, Jack is always the coolest.”
“Thank you, Rodi.”
Jack smiled and patted Rodi’s head. Rodi giggled at the gesture.
“The carriage is ready. Jack, have you come down?”
“Yes, Master.”
At that moment, Leonard entered. He glanced over Jack once and smiled in satisfaction.
“As expected, my protégé resembles me and is quite handsome.”
“You flatter me, Master.”
Sometimes I think Leonard is just as doting as I am.
