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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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On the day the royal family of the Philios Empire was attacked, the Fifth Prince hurled a white spear that pierced through the Shadow Emperor.
Everyone was astonished by the sight, which was hard to believe even with their own eyes, and rumors quickly spread from the mouths of those present at the scene.
The Red Tower Master was no exception. While he was evacuating with the Third Prince, the highest-ranking mage of the Red Tower, who remained in the banquet hall, reported this.
“It was undoubtedly the Spear of Sacrifice.”
His stern face and serious voice left no doubt that he was speaking the truth.
“The Spear of Sacrifice suddenly appeared?”
Though it was hard to believe, Berenus Kyle, the Red Tower Master and master of the Flame Shower, knew that the high-ranking mage before him would not lie about such a significant matter.
He was also someone deeply knowledgeable enough to search for the ‘Spear of Sacrifice.’
“This is unexpected…”
“I agree. Who would have thought that the Fifth Prince, known for his recklessness, would find the Spear of Sacrifice…”
“Watch your words. You know the current atmosphere in the imperial capital, don’t you?”
The Red Tower Master coldly admonished the high-ranking mage, who was muttering almost to himself.
“Right now, the Fifth Prince is a hero in the imperial capital. His Majesty the Emperor is well aware of this. If you want to live long, you’d better choose your words carefully.”
Not long ago, he was merely a rogue prince.
But a few months ago, he began to change, and now, after saving the Emperor at the banquet, his status had risen significantly.
He especially gained the favor of those loyal to the Emperor.
With a legitimate reason, the Emperor began to officially protect the Fifth Prince, unlike in the past, and now no one in the imperial capital could speak of him with disrespect.
“Moreover, Elias, if it is true that the Fifth Prince used the Spear of Sacrifice, you know we must fulfill the Two Thousand Year Oath. It would be unwise to harbor ill feelings.”
“What on earth is this Two Thousand Year Oath that has everyone so anxious?”
“It is a covenant we must remember and uphold.”
Berenus did not elaborate further, leaving Elias, the high-ranking mage and leader of the Red Tower’s chief exploration team, feeling frustrated.
He couldn’t ask about it elsewhere, which only added to his frustration.
“Remember one thing, Elias. If it is true that the Fifth Prince possesses the Spear of Sacrifice, the Red Tower must stand behind him.”
“What? Are you serious?”
Elias was taken aback. He never expected the Red Tower Master, Berenus Kyle, to make such a bombshell declaration.
“I am serious.”
“If we withdraw our support, the Third Prince will not stand idly by. Moreover, he is close to the Second Prince. In the worst case, assassins might be mobilized.”
It was well known that the Third Prince, supported by the Yellow Tower and the Red Tower, was close to the Second Prince, the lord of assassins.
“The Red Tower has not yet sworn allegiance. We were merely ‘supporting.'”
“The Third Prince will not see it that way. With the Blue Tower standing behind the Fifth Prince, he will feel even more urgency. He might see it as a ‘provocation.’ Are you still determined to keep the Two Thousand Year Oath?”
Elias asked seriously, his voice heavy and his face stern, the air cold and oppressive.
“Even if the day comes when the Red Tower is destroyed, we must keep the Two Thousand Year Oath”
Berenus’s answer left Elias speechless.
“I need to confirm it.”
“Red Tower Master? Surely you don’t mean…”
“I do. I must meet the Fifth Prince and confirm it myself.”
With his mind made up, he acted swiftly. He headed to the Fifth Prince’s palace without even taking Elias or any attendants with him.
The Fifth Prince’s palace was crowded with royal knights sent by the Emperor and nobles who came to meet the owner of the white spear that pierced the Shadow Emperor.
Seeing the long line of nobles from the main gate, the Red Tower Master sighed deeply and shook his head.
With so many nobles, it seemed difficult to announce his presence through the royal knights or attendants.
“As long as I don’t cross the inner wall, it should be fine.”
Thinking that the competition would be less if he crossed the outer wall, the Red Tower Master climbed over it without hesitation.
As he expected, there were not many nobles who had crossed the threshold of the main gate.
Most of them were of high rank, but not of much value in the eyes of Berenus Kyle, the Red Tower Master.
“Red Tower Master, Sir Berenus Kyle.”
Startled by the sharp yet heavy voice, Berenus turned to see a lightly armed knight standing before him.
‘He sensed my presence?’
Being followed was a bonus. The Red Tower Master was surprised again by the fact that he hadn’t detected the knight’s presence and scrutinized the knight before him.
He looked no different from other knights, a middle-aged knight, but one peculiar thing was the empty space where his left arm should be.
‘Is he the captain of the Fifth Prince’s guard I saw at the banquet?’
Sure enough, the emblem symbolizing the captain of the elite guards was on his chest.
‘Even with one arm, to employ a high-ranking knight as the captain of his elite guards, the Fifth Prince was hiding his fangs.’
The Red Tower Master swallowed dryly. The high-ranking knight before him exuded a fierce aura as if he might draw his sword at any moment.
‘To think it would be to this extent…’
High-ranking knights were not common, but he had seen a few.
Compared to others, the aura of the Fifth Prince’s guard captain was sharper and colder.
“Please follow me.”
“Did you know I was coming?”
There was no answer. The Fifth Prince’s guard captain, Gestain, turned silently and walked into the palace.
“Not a very entertaining fellow…”
With a mutter and a short sigh, Berenus began to follow Gestain.
There was no conversation. The Red Tower Master asked various questions, but Gestain walked busily like a machine.
Eventually, the two reached a side door of the inner wall guarded by two armed guards.
The guard, recognizing Gestain’s face, opened the tightly closed iron door.
“His Highness the Fifth Prince is waiting.”
Gestain led Berenus to a reception room inside the palace. He stepped back from the door and spoke.
‘Does that mean the Fifth Prince, Raymond Philios, is inside?’
Berenus took it that way and opened the reception room door without hesitation.
As expected, Raymond was there.
Sitting leisurely on the sofa with a glass of wine in his right hand, behind him was the Blue Tower Master, Lysfield Dior.
“You’re later than I expected.”
At Raymond’s brief remark, Berenus tensed.
Until recently, this young prince, once considered a rogue, was accurately grasping the flow of events.
It didn’t seem like mere bravado. Just seeing the elite guard captain waiting inside the inner wall made it clear.
‘He is more formidable than I thought.’
Berenus thought he needed to revise his assessment of the Fifth Prince as he slowly closed the door and showed the proper etiquette to a royal.
If he were still a fool, he would have kept it simple, but the Fifth Prince was now a hero who saved the Emperor.
The Red Tower Master, Berenus, showed the utmost courtesy.
Compared to the past, when there were no visiting nobles, let alone courtesy, it was a development that could bring tears to one’s eyes.
Raymond smiled with satisfaction and spoke.
“Raise your head, Red Tower Master.”
His voice was gentle yet carried a certain authority. Berenus Kyle, the Red Tower Master, slowly lifted his head, once again surprised.
Five years ago, the Fifth Prince was frail, and after the Third Empress passed away due to illness, he became a rogue.
Berenus had seen Raymond during his reckless days and knew that the rumors were not exaggerated.
But the current Fifth Prince bore no resemblance to the person he had seen back then.
He had lost weight, becoming lean, and a subtle aura of mana emanated from his body.
The chaotic atmosphere of the past was now orderly.
‘He’s changed so much.’
He couldn’t count how many times he had been surprised today.
‘Was he hiding his claws all along?’
But that was just speculation; the truth was beyond his knowledge.
“Have you come to fulfill the Two Thousand Year Oath?”
“You knew about that too, Your Highness…”
Though his tone seemed surprised, he wasn’t greatly shaken this time.
With the Blue Tower Master, Lysfield Dior, by his side, he assumed it wouldn’t have been difficult for Raymond to hear about the Two Thousand Year Oath
‘If he truly possesses the Spear of Sacrifice, he is certainly qualified…’
If not, the Blue Tower Master, who spoke carelessly about the Two Thousand Year Oath, would have to be held accountable. But first, it was necessary to confirm whether the Spear of Sacrifice was genuine.
Just as the Red Tower Master was about to speak cautiously, Raymond preempted him.
“You want to see the Spear of Sacrifice, don’t you?”
It seemed that not only his appearance and strength had changed. Berenus nodded in admiration, and the Fifth Prince stood up from the sofa while Lysfield stepped back.
“I can’t bring it out often, so take a good look.”
As he extended his hand and channeled his life force, a hazy white aura flowed out, forming the shape of a spear.
Even though he used only a small amount of life force to maintain the spear’s form, the majestic aura unique to an ancient relic flowed out thickly, making Berenus’s heart race.
“It’s undoubtedly the ‘Spear of Sacrifice.'”
Berenus, the Red Tower Master, murmured in a small voice.
The promise that had been passed down through generations. Like Lysfield, Berenus also remembered the teachings of the previous tower masters.
‘So, what will you do, Red Tower Master?’
Raymond’s lips curled into a faint smile as he watched Berenus, who was torn between the Third Prince and the Two Thousand Year Oath
Though he had decided to follow the Two Thousand Year Oath, solidifying that decision was not easy for Berenus either.
The Red Tower Master tried to hide his expression, but as time passed, his inner thoughts began to show on his face.
“Sir Berenus Kyle.”
The calm voice belonged to Lysfield. He stared at Berenus with a stern face.
“We must remember the Spear Knight of Awe. Didn’t the first tower masters make a promise before his corpse?”
At Lysfield’s words, Berenus bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
Raymond’s smile grew more pronounced.
The old man was doing better than expected, so Berenus’s conflict seemed to be nearing its end, and it was time to drive in the wedge.
“Red Tower Master, Sir Berenus Kyle.”
“Yes, Your Highness the Fifth Prince. This old man is listening.”
“Have you already forgotten who allowed the Red Tower and the Blue Tower to be preserved until now?”
No, you haven’t forgotten. You’re just ignoring it.
“Ugh…”
Berenus lowered his head.
He recalled himself confidently telling the high-ranking mage, Elias, that he would keep the Two Thousand Year Oath
It was less than an hour ago. And now, was he about to take the path of a coward?
He chastised himself.
“Your Highness!”
As if he had made up his mind, he raised his head and spoke loudly.
“I am not a coward.”
He had made his decision. Now it was time to show his resolve. He roughly tore off the emblem given by the Third Prince from his robe.
Just as he had heard, his personality was fiery.
“This is my resolve.”
“Oh, Sir Berenus. There was no need to go that far…”
“Sir Lysfield. The information that I came here has probably already been conveyed to His Highness the Third Prince.”
“That’s true. His Highness the Second Prince’s shadows are aiding His Highness the Third Prince.”
After a brief conversation with Lysfield, Berenus’s gaze returned to the Fifth Prince, Raymond.
“The Red Tower remembers the Two Thousand Year Oath! And I solemnly declare here that we will fulfill it from now on!”
Today, Raymond gained the high-ranking mage Berenus and the Red Tower.
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“The assassins tasked with tailing the Red Tower Master confirmed that he went to the Fifth Prince’s palace.”
A man with a cold demeanor reported, bowing before the Third Prince, Aloken Philios.
He was a skilled assassin sent by the Second Prince to assist Aloken.
“If I hadn’t put surveillance on him, I would have been blindsided.”
Aloken said.
Being suspicious from a young age, it was almost predetermined that he would instruct the assassins sent by the Second Prince to monitor his subordinates.
However, he was blissfully unaware that the surveillance reports on his subordinates were also being sent to the Second Prince, which was truly unfortunate.
The Third Prince, Aloken, was intelligent enough to reach the level of a high-ranking mage at a young age and had an exceptional affinity for mana, but unfortunately, he had an inexplicable blind faith in his older brother, the Second Prince, Deneb Philios.
And the reward for that blind faith was endless surveillance.
“Do you know what was discussed in the court meetings over the past few days?”
“I have not heard anything.”
The assassin in black shook his head in response to Aloken’s question. The court meetings were not his area of responsibility.
“There are talks about whether Raymond should be appointed as the crown prince.”
“That won’t happen.”
“Yes, it won’t happen. But that’s not what I want to talk about.”
The wine glass, once full, was now empty. Despite having downed the strong drink in one go, his mood seemed sour, as his lips twisted.
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