“Quattro’s Captain, have you found something?”
It was only a moment, but Kurt didn’t miss the flicker on Theo’s face. Meanwhile, Theo was facing a dilemma. The only other person who knew about the laboratory was the Yellow Tower Master, and it wasn’t his secret to disclose. However, if the king wasn’t made aware, he might agree to Mujak’s conditions. It wouldn’t matter too much if Austen got their hands on the laboratory, but the Andras Empire was a different story.
I can’t stay silent.?
As long as Andras’ excavation team occupied the site, he wouldn’t be able to infiltrate it. Moreover, he didn’t like the tricks of the Austen Kingdom, which had tried to kidnap Ellenoa. So, this was a reasonable choice which would block both Andras and Austen.
Theo spoke up. “Yes, Your Majesty. I thought I remembered seeing it somewhere and realized I recently heard a story about these ruins.”
“Hoh.”
. ｂ𝚍ｏｖ𝚕．𝚝
“What?!” Mujak’s face fell. Was his information worthless? His position would be substantially worse if Theo’s words were true.
A pleased expression appeared on Kurt III’s face as he nodded. “Interesting. Continue.”
“Sorry, I won’t be the one telling you.” However, Theo had no intention of assuming responsibility for this. “Can I leave it to another person from now on?”
“Hrmm? Can I ask why?”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Theo turned to look at Para behind him. “This was told to me by the Yellow Tower Master. In that case, Superior Para, his disciple, is the best person to explain this.”
“The Yellow Tower Master? Is this true, Superior Para?”
Paragranum’s true nature flickered across her face for a moment, but the grimoire disguised as a girl bowed politely. “… Yes. Captain’s words are true, Your Majesty.”
“Then, the details, please,” Kurt said.
As Meltor’s finest listened, Para began to explain, “My teacher once told me that alchemy, the magic that forms the foundation of the Yellow Tower, is a legacy from the Age of Mythology, passed down from the great alchemist, Paracelsus.”
“The great alchemist, Paracelsus…”
“Yes. The Yellow Tower’s alchemy originates from Paracelsus’ teachings. This location should be where his legacy is stored.”
Mujak jumped up. “Nonsense!”
Kurt III reacted, “Veronica!”
It was instant. Before Mujak could blink, flames emerged and wrapped around his neck. Even swordmasters were vulnerable with Veronica around. The whip, made of Hellfire, could kill him instantly. If Kurt III had reacted even half a beat later, Mujak’s head would be rolling on the ground.
Gulp.
Mujak gulped as he realized how close he’d come to death. Veronica dismissed Hell Fire just before it reached his neck. The attack was simply a warning.
Without missing a beat, Para continued, “It’s unbelievable but true. It’s easy to prove after seeing the ruins.”
“… What does that mean?”
“The ruins will be a six hundred meter wide dome made of a silver-white metal. Even a sword master’s aura won’t be able to scratch the metal easily.”
“H-How do you know that?” Mujak couldn’t deny it. He had seen it firsthand.
A silver structure rising in the middle of the desert… was a mystery which couldn’t be reproduced with the techniques of this age. The girl had nailed the description perfectly.
“It looks like her words are true.” Kurt noted Mujak’s reaction and grinned. “Now, if this is the only information you’ve brought me about Andras, don’t you think the price is much too low?”
“… What more do you want?” The cornered Mujak eventually lifted both hands. Aiding Austen would cost at least hundreds of thousands of gold. There was no way the information he had could cover this price.
“Write a contract.” Kurt was grinning widely, but his eyes were like that of a ferocious predator. “You will escort Meltor’s investigation team to the site and not ask for any shares in what we find. Besides, doesn’t our Yellow Tower Master have the right of inheritance in the first place?”
“It is in Austen’s territory!”
“You can’t deal with Andras. Also, you seem to still be mistaken. This isn’t a negotiation.” The monarch’s eyes and voice were iron. “If you can’t accept it, you’ll be restrained and imprisoned, where you can wait quietly until this is over.”
“Kuk…!” Mujak’s head dropped.
They had inflicted this on themselves, from their attempt to kidnap the high elf to their unauthorized entry into the capital. Despite knowing that the conditions were unfair, Mujak was forced to sign a contract with Kurt. It was an ending caused by his recklessness.
***
Mujak’s mission ended there. He signed the contract stating he would escort the investigation team and was then dragged out. Mujak wouldn’t be able to do anything until the investigation of the ruins was over.
The fainted Janissaries were also taken out.
“Phew, it’s finally over.”
“I wanted to fight…”
Of course, everyone here was scared of being caught up in Veronica’s fight.
Kurt raised his hand to stop the chattering. “Then I will select the investigation team to be sent.”
Since a conflict with Andras was inevitable, this wouldn’t be a typical investigation. As such, it was natural to recruit people with excellent combat capabilities.
“Veronica, you go.”
“Is it finally my turn? Although, I’m definitely better than Blundell in a desert.”
She was right. As a magician dependent on moisture, Blundell’s firepower was weakened in the desert. On the other hand, the environment would be good for Veronica. The heat of the desert would only add to her strength instead of harming her.
However, Kurt didn’t end there.
“Quattro, do you want to participate?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. If you send us, we will surely capture the ruins.”
“Good, go and investigate with Veronica.”
This was an opportunity to see a set of ruins from the Age of Mythology. Setting aside the artifacts Para was supposed to give him, he would be loath to miss such an opportunity as a magician. Moreover, Andras had a debt to pay.
However, an unexpected topic came up.
“Your Majesty, what about the guests from Elvenheim?”
“What about them?”
“According to Quattro’s captain, Lady Ellenoa’s two escorts are master level. Perhaps we should seek their help.”
“No, we can’t.” Kurt opposed it right away. “They are Meltor’s guests. We can’t ask them to fight for us, and the desert is harmful to elementals. It would be impolite to ask them to accompany the investigation team.”
“Uh, you’re right. I was too short-sighted.”
The court official stepped back with shame, while another official spoke up.
“Your Majesty, when will the investigation team depart? The Annual Magic Contest just started.”
“That’s right. The enemies won’t imagine we would move immediately. The team will head to the Meuse Desert as soon as the preparations are complete.”
“Yes, Your Majesty’s words are correct.”
Everyone nodded, and the emergency meeting ended. They were tired from preparing for the Annual Magic Contest and the previous night’s banquet, so they were quick to take their leave. Only the Quattro members, the Tower Masters, and Kurt remained in the room. The conversation wouldn’t be serious from then on.
Blundell stroked his white beard and spoke to Kurt first, “Five people. No, isn’t it six if we add the person from Austen? Your Majesty, is six people enough?”
“Ha? Don’t you believe in my skills, old man?” Veronica scoffed.
Blundell muttered, “I would feel more relieved if you went alone…”
“What do you mean?”
Blundell was a man who looked foolish and carefree on the outside. However, Sylvia was now on the team, so he was worried. Theo looked at the two great magicians tiredly. They were both closer to natural disasters than humans. Anyone caught in a fight between the two would probably die quickly.
However, Veronica’s hand shot out like lightning and grabbed Theo.
“Eek.”
“Since the kid is also a master, don’t we have enough strength? Isn’t that right, old man?”
“H-He is still not fully a master…”
“Ah, he hasn’t learned Sorcery yet.” Veronica remembered.
Meanwhile, Theo was trying to figure out how to extricate himself gracefully.
Fortunately, Veronica quickly let go and spoke cheerfully, “Well, it’ll take one or two days to get there. I’ll teach you Sorcery along the way. It will be easier to understand coming from me than from Orta.”
“Cough, certainly, but…”
“Right.”
The other two Tower Masters agreed to let Veronica teach Theo Sorcery. Theo didn’t know what they meant by Veronica being a better teacher than Blundell or Orta. Theo was still very unfamiliar with the realm of Sorcery.
At that moment, Kurt, who was watching them, opened his mouth, “Veronica, Orta.”
“Huh?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Tomorrow is the dawn.”
Kurt spoke suddenly, but the two of them understood the meaning of his words and nodded. Kurt III was looking toward the end of the war which had lasted for centuries, and this ruin would be a cornerstone of the fight.
In ten years, or maybe sooner.
The long, long war between the Northern powers was reaching its end.