IYAMD: Episode 72

Serez returned to his usual calm demeanor and a kind smile appeared on his face.

“I feel like I’ve told you multiple times to guide me to the Tower Master.”

The Mage Tower was a round structure with a hollow center. Ascending the spiral stairs, one could find the research rooms of mages on each floor.

Amid the noise, a few people looked out and their angry voices echoed loudly.

“What is this madness?! The Mage Tower is outside the Emperor’s jurisdiction!”

“Is the Empire finally drawing its sword against the Mage Tower?”

Among those causing the commotion, a few had already started forming hand signs to cast spells. Serez walked toward the center of the first-floor hall and looked around. He saw a few mages on each floor.

Some looked like they had just woken up, while others, like Emileo who was buried in papers, had dark circles under their eyes. Most were elderly mages with stern expressions, making it hard for him to even think of arguing with them.

“Well, I expected there wouldn’t be many young mages, but this is worse than I thought. It feels like we should start choosing their coffins right now.”

At Serez’s words, the mages’ faces turned red.

“You must be desperate to die, huh? Fine, let me show you…”

One mage began chanting, forming hand signs. Behind him, Serez felt the tense atmosphere from the knights.

“Lord Hastings, should you not avoid this?”

“Where to?”

“What’s the point of avoiding? If we can’t kill the dragon, we’ll just extend our lives by a few days. Rather than that, I’d rather die here.”

Besides, that mage won’t be using magic strong enough to destroy the tower. Surely, there must be a way to avoid it.

With this thought, Serez nonchalantly glanced upward.

He saw a fireball forming in the mage’s hand. But, what was it… it was slow and small.

He strongly felt that it wouldn’t even be worth trying to shoot that at a dragon.

Just as he was thinking this, a sigh softly came from the top floor of the tower.

“Send the guest up, Melburn.”

A tired voice from an elderly man on the second floor replied.

“Are you just going to let that arrogant fool go? The Emperor’s aid acting this way—I can’t stand this, Master.”

Before Sereze could speak, the old man on the upper floor spoke first.

“We’ll listen to the situation and then decide. Send him up, Melburn. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Yes, Master.”

A mage named Melburn approached the railing and began chanting. After a long time of gesturing in the air, when the spell was completed, a blue light surrounded the spot where Serez stood.

A complex magic circle appeared beneath his feet, and at the same time, Serez body began to float.

As the magic circle rose, Serez staggered for a moment before steadying himself and muttering a curse.

“Ah, damn it. This is ridiculous.”

The magic circle ascended faster than expected. Serez soon arrived at the 12th floor and, upon landing, simply bowed toward the Tower Master. He placed his hand over his chest and gracefully bent his waist. The Tower Master sighed and smiled wryly.

“Come on in.”

Serez followed the Tower Master into what appeared to be his research room, where the old man offered him a seat.

“So, you’re the Emperor’s chief aide? Who was the Emperor again? Betonia, was it?” Serez smiled wryly in his mind. Even though the Mage Tower had distanced itself from the Imperial family, the tone of someone with no title speaking so arrogantly was unbearable.

“He was the Emperor three generations ago.”

“Ah? Has it already been that long? Haha.”

The Tower Master was an old man with entirely white hair. His eyebrows, which extended down to his cheeks, and his long white beard, which reached his chest, only emphasized his age.

At that moment, Serez wondered if this frail old man would be of any help. He swallowed a sigh that had been caught in his throat before replying.

“The current Emperor is His Majesty Marsilia Serentio Arhen. I am his chief aide, Count Serez Hastings. I have come to request support on His Majesty’s orders.”

The old man, looking like he was around 200 years old, chuckled and then asked,

“It’s been a long time since the Mage Tower and the Imperial family broke ties. Even after being refused last time, you come again to request support?”

“Even though the Mage Tower is outside the Empire’s jurisdiction, it’s undeniable that most of the mages here are from Arhen. If the Empire’s survival is at stake, they should naturally respond to the Emperor’s call as citizens of Arhen, not just as mages.”

Serez folded his arms and crossed his legs. The Tower Master continued to stroke his long white beard, still chuckling.

“Once a mage enters the Tower, they give up their identity. Even if most are from the Arhen Empire, it’s debatable whether they are truly citizens of the Empire.”

Serez smirked and replied,

“That’s just wordplay. If the mages who entered the Mage Tower had their names erased from the census, that might be one thing. But as long as they are still registered in the Arhen registry, they are bound by their duties as Arhen citizens. According to Imperial law, the erasure of a name from the census only happens when someone is dead or has been missing for more than five years. But from what I see here, it’s not the dead whose names have been erased, but those who are about to die.”

Serez spoke quickly without pause, his lips curling into a sly smile.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten that the land you’re squatting on is directly under the Emperor’s rule. The Mage Tower has been under the Emperor’s direct control since the first Emperor. The Imperial family has never once ceded ownership of it. Are you telling me you didn’t realize the Imperial family had been turning a blind eye all this time?”

As he laughed, the Tower Master’s expression stiffened, clearly realizing the seriousness of the situation.

“I should’ve realized it earlier. It’s thanks to the friendship between the first Tower Master and the first Emperor that you’ve been allowed to stay here.”

At Serez’s pointed words, the old man cleared his throat in displeasure.

“Seems like you’ve got a sharp tongue, Count. Do you even know where you are? Do you want to feel the consequences of running that mouth? Just because you speak doesn’t mean your words are meaningful. With your position, shouldn’t you be more careful with your words and watch the situation?”

Serez shrugged and chuckled, uncrossing his arms and placing his fingers under his chin.

“You’re the one who should be careful with your words, Master. I’m here as the Emperor’s representative, having received His Majesty’s permission. So, I’m the one who deserves the proper respect, not you.”

“Do you think you can suppress me, the Master of this Tower, with the Emperor’s status?”

Serez squinted and smiled faintly.

“You’re deluded. How have you been hearing my words? Open those ears wide and listen. If you’re claiming this place isn’t under Imperial rule, show me the paperwork to prove it. Prove you’re not one of the Empire’s citizens. Throwing around words without evidence is nothing more than the logic of a thief.”

The Master’s wrinkled face turned a deep red as he cleared his throat repeatedly. Serez didn’t waste time with further arguments and got to the point.

“I received a report that a dragon has appeared in the Deto Mountain. His Majesty the Emperor plans to confront it for the safety of the Empire, and he requests the Tower’s cooperation.”

While Serez spoke, the Master’s face paled drastically, his expression shifting dramatically. It was such an extreme change that Serez couldn’t help but think that perhaps the Master’s only talent was his ability to change his facial expressions.

“The Emperor said this would be the last time he politely requests cooperation. His Majesty will no longer tolerate the Tower’s indifference.”

“After living here for over 700 years without paying a cent, it’s time for rent to be settled.” Serez wanted to threaten the Master, telling him that if he didn’t help, the Tower would be swept away, but he merely relayed the Emperor’s words.

Even if the Master refused, Serez didn’t have the immediate means to strike the Tower. The Emperor had to defeat the dragon, and when he returned to the capital, the nobles would be waiting for him at the council.

Serez had just received word earlier today that the council had been scheduled. He had been contemplating how to inform the Emperor, and in the meantime, he had received the Emperor’s instruction to deliver the message.

Seres had been debating all day how to convey the date for the council to the Emperor.

September 11th. When Serez received the date, he realized that the Archduke had a hand in setting it.

It was the day the Emperor had been crowned ten years ago, the day the crown had been placed upon his head. On that day, the Archduke had declared he would depose the Emperor.

…

As Jaha opened his eyes after his exercises, the green energy surrounding him slowly faded as Marsilia withdrew his power. He sat down and met Jaha’s gaze.

“Do you think it’s working?”

Jaha nodded quietly. His divine power had certainly been a great help to Jaha. Just moments ago, Jaha had succeeded in opening all the meridians in his body.

Before entering the meditation state, Jaha had been able to circulate smoothly his inner energy. But once he entered that state, the connection between his Ren and Du^[1] meridians had been blocked, and his inner energy flow had been disrupted.

Additionally, his meridians felt distinctly narrower than before, and even with breathing exercises, he felt much less efficient.

So Jaha had asked Marsilia to inject divine energy while he did the breathing exercises, and Marsilia had willingly agreed, leading to the current situation.

Marsilia smiled at Jaha’s response, and Jaha, in turn, lost his words at the soft gaze and smile he received. For some reason, it was hard for him to meet his gaze. When Jaha lowered his eyes, Marsilia’s gentle voice caressed his ears.

“I’m glad I could help.”

His low, soft voice made Jaha’s eyes close involuntarily. Through his heightened senses, he could feel the delicate gaze on him. When Jaha realized where Marsilia’s gaze had stopped, he opened his eyes.