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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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“Fire Blast!”
The trigger word for advanced magic burst from Raymond’s mouth.
As the incantation ended, the surrounding mana surged. A spark infused with mana appeared near a massive boulder, then—whoosh!—it spread in all directions and exploded.
Boom!
A deafening roar erupted, but the boulder only cracked slightly.
The power was far too weak to be considered advanced magic, yet a bright smile spread across Raymond’s face.
His gaze then turned toward the Red Tower Master.
“Red Tower Master. Is this enough?”
At Raymond’s words, Red Tower Master Berenus Kyle stepped up to the boulder and examined the traces of mana.
Indeed, the mana was lacking for advanced magic.
“This should be sufficient talent for flame magic. You are worthy of inheriting the Red Tower’s secrets.”
Berenus spoke. Unlike the Blue Tower, the Red Tower’s secrets had minimum conditions to be passed down. Those were resistance to flame magic and talent.
[Those without qualification who covet it shall not escape the baptism of fire.]
That was how the Red Tower’s secrets were described in the novel ‘Empire of the Dead’.
It was said that even the Third Prince didn’t dare seek the Red Tower’s secrets out of fear.
Since the Blue Tower never supported him, the only secrets the Third Prince acquired were those of the Yellow Tower.
“You’re really going to give me the Red Tower’s secrets?”
“They must be passed to someone eventually. Wouldn’t it be best to offer them to you, Fifth Prince?”
Berenus replied. He had already left the Third Prince’s camp to side with the Fifth Prince. For his own survival and to preserve the Red Tower, the Fifth Prince had to take the throne.
It wasn’t strange that he had decided to pass the Red Tower’s secrets to Raymond, who had proven himself worthy.
“With the Red Tower Master actively supporting me, I feel reassured.”
“I have no choice but to be active. My life quite literally depends on you, Your Highness.”
“That’s true.”
Raymond gave a faint chuckle and nodded.
“However, do not take this lightly, Your Highness. The Red Tower’s secrets are not something easily obtained, even if they are passed down.”
Today, Red Tower Master Berenus Kyle’s voice was chilling. Raymond couldn’t hide his tension and swallowed dryly.
And so began his hellish training.
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“Blue Tower Master, did you call for me?”
The door opened. With a clear voice, Desia, whose eyes were the color of the sky, stepped lightly into the reception room.
“You came quickly.”
“It’s improper to keep one’s superior waiting. But it seems you arrived even earlier, Blue Tower Master.”
“Marquess Crayer offered me some fine tea leaves. I was enjoying the view outside while passing the time.”
“You seem quite relaxed.”
With that brief exchange, Desia pulled a chair and sat across from Blue Tower Master Lysfield Dior.
“How are things going?”
Lysfield poured tea into Desia’s cup and asked gently.
After the Blue Tower elder Philid was expelled, she officially became the Blue Tower Master’s disciple.
But it was the Fifth Prince who provided her with mana cultivation techniques and training methods.
It was because Raymond knew better than anyone what she needed to become a great mage.
“Yes. Using the mana cultivation method His Highness taught me, I think I can reach the next level sooner than expected.”
As a major supporting character, Desia Helly’s background was more detailed than others. So Raymond knew exactly what was required for her to become a great mage.
With someone by her side who knew the setting, her growth was bound to be rapid.
“Hoho. To already speak of reaching the level of a top-class mage…”
Lysfield could only marvel. He wasn’t particularly close to Desia, but he at least knew she wasn’t foolish enough to chase empty hopes.
“To see the peak of that level in under four years since beginning your mana journey… If the Mage Tower Alliance hears of this, the Yellow Tower Master might try to dissect you.”
“That’s a morbid joke. But of course, both His Highness and you would protect me, right?”
“Of course. The Blue Tower’s influence is greater than the Yellow Tower’s. They won’t be able to lay a finger on you.”
“And just so there’s no misunderstanding, it’s been three years and six months.”
At Desia’s final light-hearted remark, Lysfield chuckled and shook his head.
Even geniuses take over five years to become high-ranking mages. But she was approaching the top level in less than four years. If rumors spread, other mages might feel a sense of inferiority.
“Where is His Highness?”
“I believe he’s with the Red Tower Master.”
At Lysfield’s question, Desia responded. Even without further explanation, it was easy to guess that the Red Tower’s secrets were being passed down.
Not long ago, when he met Berenus Kyle, the man had expressed positive views about passing down the secrets.
“His Highness will soon reach the level of a high-ranking mage as well.”
Raymond, who hadn’t even walked the mana path for a full year, was aiming for a level that even geniuses take over five years to attain. His talent was truly extraordinary.
“How is His Highness as a teacher?”
“I think you know His Highness’s talent better than I do, Blue Tower Master.”
To Lysfield’s subtle question, Desia smiled slightly and answered.
“Hm. Yes. His Highness and I do share a special connection.”
Lysfield nodded, pleased. It felt like only yesterday that they first met in the Imperial Palace’s 7th Treasury Room, and now so much time had passed.
Recalling those recent memories, Lysfield let a faint smile touch his lips.
“I should get going now.”
“Is something the matter?”
“It’s about time His Highness finishes today’s training.”
He hadn’t expected her to know the exact time Raymond would finish his training.
Leaving behind a slightly surprised Lysfield, Desia quietly stepped out of the reception room.
“I—I’ll come with you…!”
The training hall where Raymond and Berenus were training wasn’t far from the main building.
After hurried steps, they arrived at the training hall, which was in complete disarray.
Smoke of dark crimson hue was lazily rising from pits scattered here and there. At the center stood Raymond, and about 5 meters away was the Red Tower Master, Berenus.
The moment Lysfield stepped into the training ground, he felt the turbulent surge of mana.
“Could it be already…?”
The Fifth Prince had ascended to the rank of a high-level mage.
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Luck was on his side. The setting book did mention that mastering both the Red and Blue Towers’ secrets would have interactions, but he hadn’t expected this extent.
“Your Highness the Fifth Prince, congratulations on reaching the rank of a high-level mage.”
As he finished organizing his thoughts, Lysfield approached and bowed his head. While it was a joyous occasion, he didn’t feel elated.
Instead, his mind was as calm and serene as the sea. Perhaps it was because, compared to the level of enemies he would face in the future, this wasn’t a significant achievement.
“Your Highness, congratulations on reaching the high rank.”
This time, it was Desia. The Red Tower Master merely sent a trusting gaze without opening his mouth.
Raymond wiped his face roughly with the towel Desia handed him and, with a slight smirk, spoke.
“Desia, at this rate, won’t you be overtaken?”
At his light jest, a clear smile spread across her lips.
“No need to worry about that. I’ve decided to speed up a bit as well.”
A brief answer without lengthy explanation. But Raymond could easily tell that she was referring to aiming for the highest rank.
“That’s quick.”
Just as the protagonist in the novel, Richard, had done, he had recommended suitable magic books and mana training methods for her and given some advice.
Yet, to think she was already on the verge of the highest rank; it was an astonishing growth rate.
“Compared to Your Highness the Fifth Prince, I’m still lacking.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You’re fasting, correct? Sir Cron has invited you to a dinner banquet. You should change and attend.”
At Desia’s words, Raymond nodded. It was necessary to form and maintain an amicable relationship with Cron, the official successor of the Marquess Crayer family.
“It seems attending the banquet will have to be postponed.”
At some point, Gestain appeared beside him and spoke in a low voice. His expression was unusual; something had clearly happened.
“What is it?”
“The heavy cavalry of the Free Isiria Kingdom has moved south. Three infantry units of the border army have been annihilated, and two outposts have been lost.”
The actions of the heavy cavalry are akin to the Free Isiria Kingdom sounding the trumpet of the vanguard.
They are the first to move before a full-scale war begins, aiming to assess the enemy’s strength. Therefore, they never move lightly.
To mobilize the heavy cavalry, who are slow to move, a provocation of higher intensity would have been necessary, but this was unexpected.
“A military meeting is to be held soon. The Marquess Crayer wishes for Your Highness the Fifth Prince to attend as well.”
Given that it was a territory adJaycent to the Black Mountains and the border, it was inevitable to react sensitively to such issues.
Moreover, the fact that they requested the Fifth Prince’s attendance at the territory’s military meeting indicated
the depth of Marquess Crayer’s trust in Raymond.
“Inform them that I will attend.”
“As you command.”
Eventually, the time came. Rather than a meeting to discuss immediate countermeasures, it was more of a session to receive information about the situation in the Black Mountains.
The messenger from the border army detailed what was happening at the border and in the Black Mountains for 30 minutes.
“The situation in the Black Mountains is worse than expected.”
Once the border army messenger finished his briefing, those gathered in the conference room began to discuss countermeasures. The first to speak was one of the commanders of the Marquess Crayer family’s knight order.
His name seemed familiar, but not recalling exact information suggested he was a minor character among extras.
“Shouldn’t we send reinforcements to the border?”
Someone cautiously inquired. This time, it was a noble leading one of the ‘vassal families’ that had sworn allegiance to the Marquess Crayer family.
Since the Border Army had sent an additional thousand troops to compensate for the losses in the Black Mountains, the argument was that minimal reinforcements should be sent to fill the gap at the border.
“To whom should we entrust the command of the army?”
Marquess Crayer spoke. He had not fully recovered from his injuries. The remaining task was to select a representative from the vassal families.
Just as discussions were about to begin in the serious atmosphere, Raymond took a step forward and spoke.
“I will go as well.”
“That is unacceptable, Your Highness!”
“Currently, the heavy cavalry is in the Black Mountains!”
As expected, Marquess Crayer was aghast and raised his voice.
“Rest assured, I am not asking for command of the territory’s forces. I will merely accompany; the command can be chosen from the vassal families.”
He hurriedly added this to avoid appearing as if he coveted the command of the Marquess Crayer family’s forces, but judging by the reactions of Marquess Crayer and the vassal families, it seemed unnecessary.
They expressed concern for the Fifth Prince’s safety, saying the current Black Mountains were too dangerous, instead of insisting on retaining command.
“If by any chance, Your Highness intends to go to the Black Mountains because of the vanguard flag, I beg you to take back your words!”
Marquess Crayer, despite his body not yet fully recovered, raised his voice with veins bulging in his neck.
From that sight, a genuine sense of concern could be felt, and a faint smile spread across Raymond’s lips.
“If the nobles in the capital criticize me over the vanguard flag, I will be your shield!”
The smile on Raymond’s face grew more vivid. Though he was considered a benefactor to the family, he hadn’t expected this much trust, that someone would willingly act as his shield.
‘Having someone worry about me… it feels better than I thought.’
As Raymond merely nodded with a small laugh, seemingly unbothered, Marquess Crayer let out a short sigh, as if frustrated by the response.
“Sighing won’t change anything, Marquess. My decision remains the same.”
“Your Highness… I don’t know if you’re aware, but I spent my youth in the north with His Majesty the Emperor. So, I remember what His Majesty was like when he was young.”
To others, it might have sounded a little out of place. But Raymond didn’t interrupt. He quietly looked at Marquess Crayer and listened.
“When I see Your Highness the Fifth Prince, I see the young Emperor of those days.”
Reading the flow of the conversation, Raymond could already guess what would come next. Since he knew the novel’s setting, it wasn’t hard to predict.
At last, Marquess Crayer slowly opened his mouth to continue.
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