Chapter : 105
But at the same time, it was also true that I wondered if there wasn’t a faster way to break the curse.
Since the keyword of the current curse was “God Prua,” perhaps there might be useful information if we visited the temple.
“Wouldn’t there be something in the records room of the Grand Temple?”
“I was thinking the same. Since it’s a divine curse, maybe it could be lifted if we prayed to God Prua.”
My eyes met my master’s. That meant one more place we had to go.
“It’s better if we don’t bring Everett.”
“I agree.”
If we brought Everett, the next Grand Minister, it would be easy to access the records room, but the problem was that his mind would be at risk.
If he were brainwashed again upon returning, the same thing would just repeat.
“First, let’s enter the imperial palace to check the emperor’s condition, then head to the temple. We were planning to meet the Pope anyway.”
“So you want to confirm whether His Holiness participated in this matter?”
While Ryder was preparing the artifact to break the brainwashing and collecting evidence, we couldn’t just sit idly by.
We needed to confirm whether the Pope knew of Owen and Grand Minister Valentia’s crimes and deliberately turned a blind eye.
“But will His Holiness even be at the temple?”
I worried that Pope Kirsen might have already left on his next pilgrimage. After all, he spent more time away from the Grand Temple than inside it.
“That’s why I checked as soon as we arrived.”
A ray of light slipped between the library shelves and reached my master, shimmering like a mirage.
“So he’s here.”
As always, my master was perfect. I felt immense pride being his disciple.
Before we prepared the magic circle to head to the imperial palace, a small commotion occurred.
“No! Master, how can you activate the magic circle yourself?!”
I gasped in alarm and tried to stop him, but once my master had begun casting, it was impossible to halt him.
Why would someone who needs to conserve magical power act like this? What’s wrong now?!
There wasn’t even a moment to ask.
“It’s just my selfishness. Don’t worry about it.”
Before I could ask what he meant by that enigmatic remark…
“Long time no see.”
“Finally, you’ve arrived, Themis! The Archmage, welcome to the imperial palace as well.”
The steward and Aria greeted us.
Aria smiled as she welcomed us, but somehow her expression carried a trace of discomfort.
‘Something must have happened with the emperor… I’ll ask later.’
Our eyes met, and we nodded silently, promising to meet again later. Sometimes, just a glance is enough to communicate between friends.
“His Majesty is waiting for you in the audience hall.”
Aria guided us toward the emperor as if nothing had happened.
My master and I focused all our attention to maintain the light and darkness we had summoned without using the staff. My master’s light blended perfectly with the sunlight, while my darkness merged seamlessly with his shadow.
Since magic was strictly restricted in the imperial palace, we couldn’t afford to reveal that we were using it.
I kept my darkness controlled and stole a glance at my master.
‘His illusion magic is holding up well too.’
Even ordinary people with sharp senses can detect magical power, so the illusion surrounding my master had to be cast far more subtly and intricately than usual.
“Enter. The emperor said he has something to discuss with the Archmage. I’ll wait here.”
Aria pointed inside the audience hall.
My master was the first to want to see the emperor, but the situation felt delicate.
“Then I’ll wait here…”
“No, you’ll go in too, Themis.”
I hesitated, but my master blocked me firmly. Since I already felt uneasy about him entering alone, I reluctantly followed him.
Inside the audience hall, the emperor, perched on his magnificent throne, turned to face us with delight.
“Oh, Archmage. It’s been a while. I had something to say anyway, so the timing of your arrival is perfect.”
The dark shadows under his eyes and the near disappearance of his gleam made him look frightening.
The slight curl of his lips made him resemble a vile villain. His speech was oddly slurred, and he shook his legs nervously.
He had deteriorated significantly, both outwardly and mentally. He exuded the aura of a tyrant who could kill anyone at a moment’s whim.
‘Still, I must be polite.’
I bowed and greeted him formally, using the long, respectful phrasing appropriate when meeting the emperor.
When I raised my head, the emperor, Sandroa, slowly turned his gaze toward me, as if just noticing my presence.
“It’s been a long time, Your Majesty.”
Despite my master’s brief greeting, the emperor’s eyes remained fixed on me.
“This must be the Archmage’s disciple. I thought I told Aria I wanted to speak with you alone. Did she not convey it?”
“Since she’s your one and only special disciple, I felt uneasy leaving her out. If there’s something to hear, I’ll listen as well.”
“Are you defying me?”
“Is this the first time we’ve experienced this?”
My master answered calmly to the emperor’s seemingly angry tone, showing no flinch.
“Have you forgotten the contract with the royal family?”
I tilted my head at Sandroa’s words. A contract between my master and the royal family? I had never heard of it before.
My master frowned.
“I have faithfully fulfilled the contract by assisting Princess Aria. Haven’t you seen how much her magical power has increased?”
“No, no! That’s not enough. Aria’s mana core is still unstable. She could die at any moment.”
Sandroa’s eyes gleamed as he stood up.
“Ah, yes. It wouldn’t be bad for the Archmage’s disciple to be present. Perhaps the disciple can even fulfill my command in my stead.”
“I seem to remember the contract included a clause about not overstepping boundaries.”
My master blocked Sandroa as he stepped forward toward me. His face held a cold fury, his clipped tone betraying his anger.
“Then it’s something you can do in place of me. I won’t interfere.”
“Tell me what you want, Your Majesty.”
No way could the emperor intimidate my master by using me. Unable to contain myself, I asked, and Sandroa grinned maliciously.
“It’s time for Archmage Akilan to sacrifice for Princess Aria.”
“……”
“Offer the mana core to Aria, Archmage Akilan.”
I was so shocked that I nearly lost control of my darkness.
In the original story, my master’s fate was being shaped by unexpected circumstances and people.
“Your Majesty, you know what it means to offer the mana core, don’t you?”
My mouth went dry. Why would the emperor issue such an order to my master?
“The Archmage has been living a rather dull life for quite some time. Isn’t this an honorable death?”
“That’s something my master should decide for himself.”
Any sense of fear I initially felt toward Sandroa had been consumed by furious anger. He dared command my master to die?
“Or the disciple may offer their life instead.”
“You sure talk a lot of nonsense.”
My master muttered emotionlessly as he listened. Did he just curse? I knew he usually refrained from swearing even when angry, so I doubted my ears.
When I turned my gaze, I saw my master’s eyes, devoid of any light, like the emperor’s. He whispered just loud enough for me to hear:
“Should I kill him?”
At the same time, hundreds of sun-like rays of light coiled around Sandroa’s body, constricting him.
The barrier that prevented the emperor from calling the guards outside was just a bonus.
“Ma-Master! Please calm down!”
Even my master, who never lost his composure in the palace, was different now.
“If you kill me, don’t think the Archmage will survive either…”
Sandora’s face turned pale as he stammered. My intuition screamed that if this continued, my master would actually kill the emperor.
“Master!”
I summoned my staff and tried to use darkness to detach my master’s rays of light from the emperor, but he remained immovable.
