RODH Chapter 75

75.

“Argh!”

With the force of the blow, Michael went sprawling across the floor.

I was gasping for breath, my mana drained away.

Michael muttered,

“I just… I just want to dream happy dreams.”

“Leave me out of them, eh?”

I leapt to my feet.

But Michael grabbed at my skirts, dragging me down again.

“Let go of me!”

His hand, cold as ice, clamped around my ankle.

The moment his palm touched me, my mana began to drain again.

“Uugh!”

It was sucked out so fast I felt dizzy, sick to my stomach, on the verge of vomiting.

I kicked Michael’s head away and staggered to my feet, running.

“Don’t go, no!”

Michael nearly crawled after me.

At that pace, he couldn’t possibly catch me.

But then—

“Ah!”

A black, shadowy mist blocked my way.

It was like the great iron fence around the imperial palace. I desperately searched for a way through.

Then Michael’s voice came.

“Young Lord Ruben… you can’t escape. Now that you’ve stepped into my dream, you’ll live out your fate—drained of mana until you die.”

Ah. So this was the prickling in the back of my neck.

I cursed, deciding first to expose what Michael really was.

“What the hell are you? What kind of magic is this?”

Michael, already back on his feet, smiled brightly.

“Can’t you tell? Dark magic. A very kind magic that devours every last drop of life mana.”

“Shut that filthy mouth, you bastard.”

“Young Lord, you speak so harshly.”

“Better harsh words than pretty ones while doing evil.”

I stalled with words, buying time.

There had to be a magic circle somewhere.

If I could touch it, I could turn this crisis into an opportunity.

‘I will go wherever that path leads.’

‘I can only hope that oath wasn’t a lie.’

I circled the fence until I finally spotted it—a tiny magic circle.

The barrier itself was practically woven from it.

I fixed my eyes on Michael, the one who had driven me to near death, and muttered,

“You’re done for now.”

The moment my hand touched the circle, a shock of mana being drawn out shook me.

And then, enormous leaves coiled around me.

The plant wrapped me into a great cocoon before it stilled.

And then—

“Ian, are you safe?”

My trump card.

Mana Master Alvis appeared.

“That bastard—no, that wretch drained my life energy. Be careful.”

“He wields dark magic.”

Of course. Alvis.

Michael looked shaken by Alvis’s sudden arrival.

Naturally so.

The difference in mana was overwhelming—far beyond what Michael could ever absorb. And now such a man stood against him.

“Uncasting.”

At Alvis’s single word, the barrier collapsed.

“Lock.”

“Argh!”

A massive chain infused with blue mana wrapped around Michael.

He struggled, tried everything to break free.

But Alvis’s cold words crushed his will.

“These chains nullify magic. Sir Michael, this is the end.”

“Hhhhk…”

Bound in chains, Michael began to cry.

I wanted to smack him across the face—crying after what he’d just done?

But bound like a helpless worm, there was no way I could land a punch.

“Alvis.”

“My lord Ian—heavens.”

He looked visibly flustered at the sight of me in a dress once the spell unraveled.

I explained quickly, so he wouldn’t misunderstand like that idiot Seor.

“It was just a disguise, to sneak in.”

“You were after Michael, then?”

“Honestly, no. I only followed him… and the bastard sucked out my mana.”

I told him as well about Michael’s talk of sweet dreams.

Alvis answered,

“This place is a world made of mana.”

“You can create an entire space out of mana?”

“With dark magic, yes. It manifests one’s desires as reality.”

Alvis took my hand and glanced down sorrowfully at the bare back of it.

“It seems I still haven’t recovered from the shock.”

When I had died, two things had vanished.

Lucian’s necklace, and the amulet mark etched on the back of my hand.

Alvis’s voice trembled slightly.

“May I leave a mark again? One that will protect you.”

That kind of mark, I would gladly welcome.

“Of course.”

At my eager reply, Alvis smiled faintly.

He inscribed the mark once more as he branded it into my hand.

This time, it was very small.

“It’s tiny now.”

Curious, I asked, and he smiled kindly.

“It is a powerful protection spell. It is bound to my mana. Whenever you’re in danger, I will appear.”

“What?”

“Wherever, whenever.”

“……”

I’d rather not, actually.

I wondered how I was going to fend off this alpha who seemed increasingly fixated on me.

A wizard’s goodwill was one thing—but I didn’t need his heartfelt affection.

“Alvis, I think you might be—”

Before I could finish, the sound of hurried footsteps came.

Seor and Bain.

“Ian, Ian!”

“My lord—hnghh—my lord!”

“Ah.”

It felt like ten years’ worth of exhaustion suddenly crashed down on me.

* * *

Because of Michael, the Holy Festival became utter chaos.

Priests of the Glass Torna Church were dragged away one after another, accused of using sinister magic in the name of the god of love.

“Leave not a single one alive.”

Those who could use or teach dark magic were executed on the spot.

But Michael alone was spared.

It was thanks to Peter’s plea.

“I will take his punishment in his place. Please pass judgment on me.”

The Emperor stroked his chin and asked,

“Do you truly wish to be punished?”

“Yes.”

“If you are punished, there will be a hole in the Imperial Guard.”

“I will find another suitable man.”

The Emperor sighed and shook his head.

“You know well that’s not what I mean, Sir Hubert.”

“……”

“I owe your father a great debt. If I drove him to his death and then killed even his sons, what would Allen think of me?”

“He would think you a fair man. So please, punish me.”

“You stubborn fool.”

Instead, the Emperor ordered Michael to be confined under house arrest and stripped Alex of his holy knight’s title.

And to Peter, he granted leave.

“This is a family matter. Resolve it as best you can. I am not so idle as to busy myself with another house’s affairs.”

Peter knelt on one knee and sheathed the sword in his hands.

“Then I will take my leave.”

“Yes. Rest well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Peter departed, the Emperor summoned Seor.

And he gave him generous praise.

“That den was one I had intended to clear out eventually. You seized the tail at just the right time.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty. But there is something I must tell you.”

“What is it?”

“This was not my doing alone.”

The Emperor’s golden eyes flashed.

“The young Lord Ruben, then.”

“How did you—”

“I had someone watching.”

“Why, Your Majesty?”

“Does that anger you?”

“…No.”

Seor recalled Ian, who had avoided his eyes and insisted nothing was wrong.

So it was because his father had set spies on him.

Foolish boy!

As Seor silently blamed himself, the Emperor said,

“He is a clever one. A valuable asset who will aid the Empire.”

“Indeed.”

“Do you still wish to make him crown princess?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor considered the balance of power.

The Ruben house and the imperial family were already closely bound.

If this tie were strengthened further, the elder nobles would never stand idle.

“What am I to do with this.”

“Please give Ian to me.”

“Hah. This is not a child’s game of dolls, but the choosing of the one who will stand as crown princess and lead the Empire with you.”

“Which is why you must give him to me.”

“Does he love you?”

“That…”

A mocking smile tugged at the Emperor’s lips.

“Seor, as I have said before—love is like the wind, vanishing in an instant. If you let such things sway you, how will you ever sit the throne?”

“Forgive me.”

“Enough. It is my fault, for raising you too naively.”

In the end, Seor left the audience chamber with neither information nor a clear answer about the betrothal.

Later, in the garden of the side residence.

It was winter, so flowers bloomed only within the greenhouse.

Seor wandered its paths, lost in thought.

‘Your Highness, what is this greenhouse for?’

‘Isn’t it obvious? It’s for growing flowers. Don’t bother me.’

‘I—I’m sorry…’

Had he been cold for too long?

Ian still had not opened his heart to him.

When he heard Ian had once again received a protective mark from Alvis, Seor had wanted to beg for one himself.

“Ian… Ian…”

His thirst for what he could not have grew deeper still.

Then came news from the ducal residence.

Ian was ill and would not be attending the birthday celebration.

‘I meant to confess that day!’

He cursed the indifferent heavens.

Seor spent long hours wondering what to do about Ian’s absence, and how he might confess his heart.

And at last, he found a way.