Chapter 126…………………………………..
Ripples
A few days later. Promeus’s headquarters.
Those who had been urgently summoned began filling the seats one by one.
Normally, someone would have complained about being called without notice—but today, everyone remained silent, holding their breath.
Once it was confirmed that most had arrived, someone impatiently spoke up first.
“So… you’re saying both the kidnapping target and Lowell’s group are heading to the Etvalga villa?”
“To be precise, the target has already entered. Lowell is expected to arrive soon.”
“Isn’t the villa quite far from the capital? Train service has been reduced, so we should still have some time.”
“We don’t know how long it’ll take. For all we know, that bastard could enchant a carriage with flight magic and come straight here.”
It was good that they had discovered their movements, but not being able to pinpoint the timing was a major problem. If they miscalculated, they might have to adjust the entire schedule of their plan.
Uneasy murmurs spread through the room.
Then, a firm voice cut through the noise.
“There’s no need to worry. He won’t be moving alone. Since he has companions, he won’t do anything reckless. Planting surveillance at the train station will be enough.”
“Then… we just monitor arrivals and departures, and check the timing.”
“It’s a quiet area. Any outsider will stand out.”
“If we compare it with the transportation leaving the capital, we might be able to narrow down the schedule.”
With a direction finally given, solutions began appearing one after another.
But the biggest issue lay elsewhere.
“It’s going to be harder to extract the hostage now. No matter how you look at it, Etvalga and Lacroix aren’t even comparable.”
“At least it’s not their main estate… but why now, of all times?”
“We chose a relatively easier target to avoid Etvalga, and now things have gotten complicated. Are we going to abandon this?”
Someone clicked their tongue and asked casually.
Several pairs of eyes shifted toward Rigma.
With a serious expression, Rigma slowly shook his head.
“No. If anything, this is a good thing. He hasn’t arrived yet, so security will be lax.”
He slid a sheet of paper across the table—the report that had just been delivered—and continued.
“According to what our observer overheard, it doesn’t seem like they’ve noticed anything. It looks like nothing more than a sudden whim—a runaway.”
“If that’s true, it could be the perfect opportunity!”
“Exactly. With the owner absent, it may actually be easier.”
But even as he said that, Rigma’s face remained unsettled.
Ever since hearing the report, a question had been creeping up the back of his mind.
‘But why move now, after holding out in the capital all this time?’
The area where the villa stood was known only for being quiet. Nothing else about it was special.
At least… not that he remembered—
“Wait… I’m sure there was something around there…”
A vague memory brushed past his thoughts.
Muttering to himself, Rigma dredged up an old story he’d once heard long ago.
* * *
It was when Rigma had first entered the royal palace.
As someone appointed to oversee magical affairs within the palace, understanding the situation across the kingdom was essential.
But grasping the entirety of a kingdom with such a long history couldn’t be done in a day or two.
So Rigma stared tensely at the map spread before him.
The senior official assigned to train him was an elderly man, skilled at dealing with people.
Having spent much of his life within the palace, he knew exactly how to soothe a nervous young mage.
“Ho ho, don’t be so tense. It’ll take time to adjust, and until then, I’ll help you.”
“Th-thank you! I’ll do my best to learn.”
“You can’t absorb everything in one go. So let’s start by simply getting familiar.”
The old man smiled warmly and pointed to one corner of the map.
“Let’s begin by learning about regions through stories. Oh—this is a good one.”
Following the gesture, Rigma’s gaze moved.
It was such a small area that he might not have noticed it without an enlarged map.
“Do you see it? A very small and very quiet place.”
“Yes… it seems so.”
“Nowadays, it’s recognized as a peaceful resort lined with noble villas. But in the past, it was fairly famous. Do you know why?”
“…Because the scenery is beautiful?”
“That’s not wrong. But there’s another answer that fits better.”
“What is it? I’ve never even heard of this place…”
While Rigma pondered, his tense shoulders had relaxed without him realizing.
Satisfied, the old man answered in an exaggerated tone, hoping to amuse the young mage with an old legend.
“A story from ancient times. This place was once the lair of the guardian deity of the Magic Kingdom—the Gold Dragon.”
“R-really? Other than the founding myth, almost nothing is known about the Gold Dragon…”
“Well, that’s only natural. Those who remember are disappearing.”
Seeing the young man’s interest, the old man cheerfully continued.
“His greatest deed was the blessing he bestowed upon the kingdom. That’s why little else is recorded.”
“To be honest, it’s so distant that most people treat it as mere legend.”
“Haha. Still, I believe he truly existed. Isn’t that more romantic?”
Then the old man lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret.
“There’s an even more legendary tale. His blessing wasn’t only for the kingdom’s prosperity.”
“There was more?”
“I’ve heard that those who served beside the First King were also given something… a legendary artifact containing the dragon’s power.”
“Ah! Those who served beside the First King… do you mean Etvalga, the founding heroes?”
“Ho ho. Well, I’m not an Etvalga myself, so I can’t say for certain. I’m only telling you there are rumors. A dragon artifact… surely that would interest a student of magic, wouldn’t it?”
Even the old man didn’t truly take it seriously.
After all, a region filled with noble villas would naturally have plenty of treasures.
But stories like this made young people’s hearts race—and that was enough.
Later, intrigued, Rigma searched through various documents.
But all he found were a few scattered records mentioning the existence of the Gold Dragon’s “gift.”
Soon, buried beneath increasing workloads, the matter was forgotten.
* * *
Now, the fragments of the past clicked into place.
Rigma’s mind spun rapidly.
‘Etvalga is one of the only founding families still standing. If the story about the Gold Dragon’s artifact is true… and they’ve been guarding it all this time?’
It wasn’t completely absurd.
Rigma could be certain—he had personally searched countless sources.
Still, questions remained.
Even if such an artifact had existed, there was no guarantee it still remained.
And no one knew what power it might possess.
‘Everything was always described so vaguely…’
They said it was given to loyal retainers so they could correct the king in times of crisis.
But nothing about its form or abilities survived.
‘Still… isn’t it worth confirming?’
If it was something meant to resolve crises, it must be tied to real power.
And if it was bestowed upon the “Magic Kingdom,” then the possibilities were endless.
Having reached a conclusion, Rigma spoke.
His command was swift and absolute.
“It seems there’s something we need to confirm at that villa. I will go personally.”
The ripple caused by those words was immense.
Uneasy murmurs rose, but Rigma remained firm.
“We may find the key to victory there. So… begin preparations immediately.”
All mouths snapped shut at once.
Then someone, eyes wide, asked:
“You’re moving right away? But isn’t it earlier than planned?”
“If I’m right, what we gain there will be beyond comparison. Even if it isn’t what we expect, it can still be used another way.”
Rigma wasn’t acting recklessly.
He knew the legend could be exaggerated.
‘Even if there’s nothing… the legend itself is real.’
Mages’ faith in the Gold Dragon was unwavering.
Even obtaining a symbolic relic would be perfect for stirring public opinion.
And Rigma’s position gave him the power to spread and embellish truth as needed.
‘Besides… Lowell wouldn’t visit a place like that for no reason. There must be something.’
If timing overlapped, a full-scale battle could erupt.
So resolve was necessary.
From his pocket, Rigma pulled out the familiar vial and poured it into his mouth.
Gulp.
As the liquid slid down his throat, boiling mana surged… then settled.
That sensation—
As if the world lay beneath his feet.
A massive core of power anchoring itself in his heart.
‘As always… drinking this makes me feel at ease.’
Gathering his strength, Rigma smiled in satisfaction.
