Chapter 125: The Red Sun

Frace Therondia answered Duke Alito and then completed the spell formula.

Caldein, who recognized the spell, was startled.

‘Fog Wall?’

It was a 2-circle magic that created fog.

With the quickly formed spell formula, fog spread around Frace.

It was clearly meant to block their field of vision.

Caldein tried to stop it, but it was already too late.

The thickening fog filled the secret chamber.

Whoong! Whooong!

Even though King Laskan and Trine tried to scatter the fog with sword wind, it was useless.

“What did he do to the Fog Wall?”

“I believe that’s the case!”

The fog didn’t budge even with wind.

At the same time, they felt the presence around them disappear.

“Where is the passage?”

“I’m certain the passage was this way…….”

Tap! Tak―!

Instead of the passage, their hands brushed against pillars or tables.

The ‘Fog Wall’ magic had even made them lose their sense of direction.

“Your Majesty! What shall we do?”

“Gh…! To think he could use such a troublesome magic. We search for the passage first.”

They had to find the passage somehow.

With that answer, the two continued to wander in confusion.

In that moment, a murmuring voice leaked from Caldein Flavan’s lips.

“Anti Restriction.”

The spell formula had already been completed.

As the magic manifested, the fog filling the surroundings scattered like sand and vanished.

“What is this……? It wasn’t fog?”

“It is a magic fused from the 3-circle ‘Mirror Illusion’ and the 4-circle ‘Energy Curtain.’ That is why thinking it was merely a 2-circle ‘Fog Wall’ and trying to counter it would have been useless.”

“Oh-ho… such a thing is possible?”

That was why even the sword techniques infused with the aura of two Swordmasters were ineffective.

Amazed, King Laskan and Trine looked around.

They found the passage again, but the traces of Duke Alito and Frace were already gone.

“Magic is truly mysterious and wondrous. What you see is not everything.”

“He really was an outstanding mage. But…… wasn’t he originally only a 2-circle mage when he served as the royal tutor for the Third Prince’s magical studies?”

King Laskan recalled the approval he had given in the past.

Yet if he could dispel the magic of the Royal Mage Division’s commander, it meant his level was nearly equivalent.

“He was, at that time.”

“And now?”

“He is currently 5-circle.”

“Heooh……! Impressive. In any case, it seems we must pursue Duke Alito now.”

As the two tried to run into the passage, Caldein blocked their path.

King Laskan was taken aback by the action.

“Why do you stop us?”

“Master said to intervene only up to this point.”

“The one you speak of—do you mean Raion?”

“That’s correct.”

“Patrick must have been acting on Raion’s orders when he sent us here. But to stop us here…… Does that mean he has already prepared another method?”

“All things follow the Master’s will. We simply obey.”

“Hahaha……!”

King Laskan laughed like that and sheathed his sword.

Duke Alito and Frace ran down the long passage with Berkrun.

Even then, they did not let down their guard toward the rear.

“How much farther?”

“Just a little more.”

Before long, light leaked in from the end of the passage.

Their speed gradually slowed until they finally stepped out of the passage.

Bright light poured in from all directions.

The secret chamber’s passage was connected to the southern forest of the Royal Capital.

The surroundings were filled entirely with trees.

“We finally arrived.”

“Where are we?”

“The Shadow Forest on the south side of the outer citadel.”

It was a forest where thick, towering trees cast deep shade, hence being called the Shadow Forest.

“So this is where monsters appear.”

“I will check the surroundings.”

Frace’s right-hand man, Berkrun, formed the spell formula for the 2-circle wind-element magic ‘Wind Arrow.’

Fortunately, no monster presence was felt.

Then Duke Alito sat on a tree trunk placed to the side and spoke.

“We’re far enough.”

“Shouldn’t we move quickly? His Majesty and Sir Trine may arrive at any moment.”

“I activated the mechanism that collapses the entrance as we came. It should be completely sealed by now.”

As expected of a secret chamber, there were unusual mechanisms installed.

Knowing this well, Duke Alito had already taken care of it.

“Is someone coming here?”

“They should be. And though our grand undertaking failed, I am not finished. You and I can still seize this kingdom again.”

“As you said, are you planning to cross into the Edina Kingdom through the Kingdom of Rozarin for now?”

“That is correct.”

“But then, who exactly is coming?”

He meant the individuals who supported the rebellion.

Frace grew increasingly curious about who they might be.

To that, Duke Alito glanced at the sun in the sky and answered.

“I made preparations beforehand. They should arrive soon.”

Time passed.

As the sun dipped slightly, the bushes rustled.

Rustle. Rustle.

The shrubbery shook, and two men poked their faces out.

“Ugh! Took us forever to find!”

“So this is the place.”

At their appearance, Duke Alito slowly rose.

“Are you the ones Stain Craven sent?”

“You must be Duke Alito. I am Harold.”

“It’s Parcian.”

The two were Harold and Parcian, who had previously fought with Raion in Clarman.

At their appearance, a smile spread across Duke Alito’s lips.

“Well done for coming. Stain sent high-level personnel.”

“Could it be that these are…… Swordmasters?”

As a mage, Frace read the aura they possessed.

Reacting to that, Harold spoke.

“So you are Frace Therondia, Commander of the Royal Mage Division of the Canel Kingdom.”

“Is this the person said to be a 5-circle mage?”

Frace’s brow twitched at Parcian’s arrogant tone.

“He has a sharp tongue.”

“They are skilled enough to match it. Please understand.”

“Understood, Duke.”

Meanwhile, Parcian glanced around cautiously.

His nerves were tightly wound.

“You should restrain yourself. And our goal is not the royal capital but to ensure these people escape.”

“If we fight again, we can win!”

Parcian had felt humiliated by his previous defeat to Raion.

He had recuperated and gritted his teeth, seeking revenge for that encounter.

That was also why he had accepted this mission and come to the Canel Kingdom.

Yet, he had been holding back due to Harold’s restraint.

“Why is he acting like that?”

“There is an enemy of ours here.”

He did not speak Raion’s name aloud.

Of course, Harold also knew Raion’s true identity as the Third Prince of the Canel Kingdom.

“An enemy, you say……? Is there such a person?”

They were facing two Swordmasters.

Being an enemy capable of standing against two Swordmasters naturally raised greater questions.

Of course, curiosity about the nature of such a being was inevitable.

“There is no particular reason to tell you.”

“Seems like a sensitive question.”

“Enough of the useless chatter, Harold. Shall we depart now?”

He intended to settle the humiliating past, but the mission given by their leader, Stain, came first.

“How do you intend to move? Have you prepared horses?”

“Guests of such importance require more than mere horses. Preparations have been made so that they can travel comfortably.”

Harold pulled a stick-shaped object from his cloak.

Frace’s eyes widened at the sight.

“Could it be an artifact inscribed with a teleportation spell formula?”

He had sensed the magical power emanating from it.

The 5-circle ‘Teleport’ magic was difficult to inscribe into a spell formula.

Naturally, it was extremely expensive and rare to obtain.

“However, there is a problem.”

“What problem do you mean?”

“This artifact is limited to two users. And there is one each for me and my companion.”

At the moment, the party consisted of Duke Alito, Frace, Harold, Parcian, and Berkrun—a total of five.

Once that was calculated, Berkrun’s eyes shook.

“Sir Frace! I……!”

Shwaaak! Pshuk!

In an instant, Parcian’s form disappeared and reappeared behind Berkrun.

At the same time, Berkrun grabbed his neck with both hands and collapsed to the ground.

“Hey! This fellow is my right-hand man! Couldn’t you have just stayed hidden and come to Dior later?”

At Frace’s indignant shout, Parcian only twitched his ear as if hearing nonsense.

Harold stepped in front of him to respond instead.

“He has instructed that no one should pursue him. Besides, people are unpredictable.”

“Though I might doubt it, he was a 4-circle mage I personally trained. Do you know how hard it is to find someone like that?”

“I apologize, but given the circumstances, it cannot be helped.”

Harold’s brow was slightly furrowed, indicating he could not entertain a long discussion.

At this point, Duke Alito stepped forward slightly.

“Enough, everyone. I truly apologize. Speak properly to them, and they will provide a new recruit.”

“Hrm……!”

“Now, let’s get ready. You ensure Sir Frace’s safety.”

Parcian, wearing a displeased expression, pulled the artifact from his cloak.

Beside him, Harold approached Duke Alito. All that remained was to activate the artifact.

At that moment, as Harold prepared to recite the activation spell, a chill ran down his spine.

Shwaaaaaak!

A sharp gust of wind was heard.

Sensing danger, Harold pushed Duke Alito aside and dodged.

Fwap! Crack! Crack!

In that instant, the magical power in the artifacts they held overflowed.

Startled, Harold and Parcian threw the artifacts away.

Simultaneously, the artifacts, which had been releasing intense magic, exploded in midair and vanished.

Bang! Bang!

“Who the hell is that!”

Parcian shouted, his face twisted in anger.

Beside him, Harold drew his sword, tensed and ready.

The forest remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

Everyone swallowed and scanned the surroundings.

Then, a voice echoed through the forest.

“Should I say I’m glad to see you, or that it’s been a while?”

“…This voice?”

“That guy!”

Parcian clenched his teeth, recognizing him immediately.

Harold beside him did the same.

Of course, Duke Alito could also easily identify the owner of the voice.

“The Third Prince……!”

“You ran in such a hurry, only to end up here, Duke Alito.”

Thud. Thud.

Raion stepped through the bushes, revealing himself.

At his appearance, Parcian attempted to rush forward, but Harold quickly blocked him and stepped ahead.

“I did not expect to meet you again, Your Highness, the Third Prince.”

“Harold, was it? You ran off in a hurry then, and now we meet again. Did Stain Craven have Duke Alito rescued in order to protect some royal interests?”

Even though Duke Alito was a traitor, the assets and profits of his enterprises did not vanish.

Stain Craven judged there was much to gain from Duke Alito and assigned this mission to the two of them.

But even that was under Raion’s control.

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