[Trantor - Kiteretsu]


    [Proofreader - Kyros]


    Chapter 70


    Princess Violet was waiting for Kaylen at a neatly arranged tea table, just likest time.


    “It’s been a while, Lord Kaylen.”


    “I thought I wouldn’t see you again after graduation, but you’re still at the academy.”


    “Fufu… Of course.”


    Princess Violet added that, for certain reasons, she decided to remain at the academy for another year.


    ‘She’s nning to recruit more talent,’ thought Kaylen. As the Supreme Mage, essentially the overall representative of the academy’s magicians, it seemed Violet intended to leverage that authority.


    “Thanks to you, the power of cia has calmed down since thest finals. It’ste, but I want to express my gratitude.”


    Violet tapped lightly on the icy half-mask. In the past, cia’s power was so overwhelming that it periodically burned her body. However, after absorbing arge amount of mana during the finals, her body no longer froze.


    “You’re too kind. Does this mean you no longer need the help of fire?”


    “No. cia’s power seems to be recovering little by little. In a few months, I’ll likely need to manage it again.”


    “I see.”


    An S-rank mana suit truly is remarkable. Despite the massive amount of mana absorbed, recovery seemed this rapid.


    Kaylen briefly observed cia.


    [When my power is fully restored, I wille to find you. Until then, remember one thing: live while concealing the power of the Dragon God’s Sword as much as possible…]


    As cia hadn’t yet fully regained her strength, she remained quiet even in Kaylen’s presence. Princess Violet also seemed unaware of Kaylen’s true nature.


    “Lord Kaylen, how is life at the Tower of Fairies? I’ve heard the elves treat their Meisters with great respect.”


    “Since acquiring the mana suit, I’ve been spending most of my time outside and haven’t stayed at the tower for long.”


    “I see…”


    The two exchanged lighthearted updates on their recent activities.


    Eventually, Princess Violet emptied her cup of cold tea and moved to the main topic.


    “Lord Kaylen, what are your thoughts on our faction?”


    “…Hmm.”


    Although he had been expecting the subject, Kaylen hesitated, feigning difort.


    “I try not to involve myself in politics. I’m affiliated with the Tower of Fairies, which maintains a neutral stance.”


    “While the Tower of Fairies is politically neutral, that neutrality only applies to non-human races. It doesn’t enforce neutrality on human Meisters.”


    When he remained silent, Princess Violet continued speaking.


    “Lord Kaylen, the First Prince is the royal family’s eldest son and legitimate heir. While Duke Oine is inciting the Second Prince to engage in subversive activities, those movements are fleeting.”


    Princess Violet’s expression grew cold.


    “The scales of power have already tipped in our favor. Most of the major towers support us. The Second Prince appears to be rallying the regional nobles, but the times have changed. The noble houses no longer hold sway.”


    This was the era led by the towers. Producing and supplying mana suits, as well asmanding numerous Meisters, the towers were at the core of power.


    Although noble houses operated their own Civil Squads, they couldn’tpare to the mana suit-producing towers. With the towers’ support, Princess Violet had reason to be confident.


    “Furthermore, it’s thanks to you, Lord Kaylen, that we’ve gained even more support from the towers.”


    “Me?”


    “Yes. Because you allowed cia’s full power to be disyed during the finals.”


    It had long been widely known that S-rank mana suits were extraordinary. However, no one had yet…


    No one truly understood the extent of the S-rank mana suit’s power—at least, not until the finals.


    “Many of the towers that had previously reserved judgment have sent their support since the finals. After witnessing the power of the S-rank mana suit firsthand, they realized which side would benefit them most.”


    It was said that representatives of the towers shuddered as they watched cia’s power turn the world into ice.


    Even for a mana suit, such power...


    What surprised them even more was that Kaylen survived the ordeal. This led them to conclude that Violet, despite wielding such immense power, had enough control to avoid causing harm.


    Unaware that Kaylen had used the Abyss to absorb mana, the magicians continued to marvel at Violet and held her in high regard.


    “Lord Kaylen, if you were to support our side, the bnce of power would tilt even further. There would be no contest for the throne. The Second Prince would abandon his ambitions.”


    “I’m merely a Meister,” Kaylen replied.


    “No, your significance is far greater than that. You are the future of magic, someone with the potential to reach the sixth circle. Moreover, while the Tower of Fairies remains neutral, your influence could still sway things.”


    Princess Violet suddenly smiled, her expression meaningful.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    “Oh, something just came to mind.”


    “What are you referring to?”


    “I’ve received reports that many elves from the Tower of Fairies have recently entered the capital. It seems they frequently visit a certain mansion in the outskirts.”


    She’s even aware of the elven researchers’ movements? Her intelligencework is impressive, Kaylen thought, shrugging his shoulders.


    “They’re simply assisting me with my magic research.”


    “The fact that the elves are being sent to aid you only shows how highly the Tower of Fairies values you. And let’s not forget the achievements of the Meier Civil Squad.”


    Violet finished her statement with a smile, clearly hinting that she had investigated the Meier Civil Squad as well.


    If she’s looked into the Civil Squad, her conclusions are probably along the same lines.


    The number of dungeon portals broken by the Meier Civil Squad was staggering—far beyond what a single squad could realistically achieve. Her smile seemed to suggest suspicion that the Tower of Fairies must have been involved.


    If Kaylen could be persuaded to join, it would create an opportunity to pull the Tower of Fairies onto their side.


    After a long silence, Kaylen finally spoke.


    “You make it sound like my support wouldn’t be merely that of a single Meister.”


    “That’s correct.”


    “In that case, I have no choice but to think carefully. My affiliation with the Tower of Fairies could also be affected.”


    After prefacing his response, Kaylen paused briefly before continuing.


    “Most importantly, I know nothing about the First Prince, whom I would be dering my support for. At the very least, I would need to meet him in person before making any decisions.”


    At this, Violet’s brows furrowed ever so slightly. She detected an undertone in Kaylen’s words.


    “Have you perhaps heard the ridiculous rumors circting?”


    “Ridiculous rumors? What are you referring to?”


    “The absurd im that my brother is a simpleton.”


    Crack.


    The teacup Violet was holding froze solid in an instant. Her voice grew icy, reflecting her anger at the mere thought of such nder.


    “My brother is simply preupied with important royal matters and cannot make public appearances at the moment. Even the Second Prince must be fully aware of this, yet he has chosen to spread such baseless rumors.”


    Violet fixed her gaze on Kaylen.


    “Lord Kaylen, my brother is perfectly normal. If you wish, I can personally invite you to the royal pce so you can meet him.”


    If the princess was this confident, could Lioness’s earlier im that the First Prince was no fool be true?


    Kaylen epted the invitation. After all, it was an excellent opportunity to observe the royal pce.


    “In that case, it would be an honor.”


    “Indeed. However... there seems to be some incident involving the Dungeon Guild. Once I’ve rified the situation, I’ll personally invite you to the pce.”


    The Dungeon Guild’s directive to halt all dungeon expeditions and remain on standby applied to everyone, including those aligned with the First Prince.


    Unbeknownst to Violet, the reason for the Guild’s uproar was tied to the dungeon core Kaylen had brought. She intended to resolve the matter quickly and extend her invitation thereafter.


    “It shouldn’t take long,” Violet thought. At the time, she believed the Dungeon Guild’s heightened state of alert wouldn’t persist.


    ***


    In the situation room of the Dungeon Guild, Krundal, the branch manager, bit his lip as he listened to the report.


    “The mana signals from the dungeon portals are fading.”


    “Could it be the work of the Civil Squad?”


    “It doesn’t seem so. They’ve already withdrawn, and the mana signals are weakening simultaneously across multiple portals...”


    Krundal let out a deep sigh.


    “It’s unfolding just as the headquarters warned about—the worst-case scenario.”


    When strange runes were discovered on a dungeon core, the guild’s headquarters had issued a simple directive:


    Withdraw all Civil Squads and monitor the mana signals of the dungeon portals for one month.


    “If the portals remain stable for a month, it’s fine. But if they disappear...”


    Though headquarters had not gone into detail about what the “big problem” was, Krundal remembered the warning clearly:


    “We must not repeat the fates of Aldehar, Bn, or Cornes.”


    The three kingdoms mentioned were nations that had all fallen to monsters.


    To the public, their destruction was attributed to an inability to manage the increasing number of dungeon portals, leading to their annihtion.


    But now, Krundal began to doubt that narrative.


    “It wasn’t just the number of portals increasing... Could there have been another cause? And does this situation mirror that one?”


    Watching the fading mana signals, Krundal couldn’t suppress his anxiety.


    At that moment, a brilliant white light poured down from the ceiling.


    From within the light, three knights d in pristine white armor gradually appeared.


    “Is this the Alzass branch?”


    A clear voice emerged from within the helm of the lead knight, who was entirely obscured.


    Krundal leapt from his seat and rushed toward them.


    “Are you... Are you from headquarters?”


    “That’s correct. This is the Alzass branch, yes?”


    “Yes! I’m Krundal, the branch manager of Alzass.”


    “Good. Now, the situation?”


    “Over there...”


    The lead knight walked with measured steps toward the disy board showing the fluctuating mana signals.


    Thud. Thud.


    “Hm.”


    Without hesitation, the knight sat in Krundal’s chair, as though it were his rightful ce.


    “The situation has already progressed. Branch manager.”


    “Yes...”


    “This nation—how useful is it?”


    “Pardon?”


    How useful is the nation?


    Krundal, caught off guard by the knight’s question, couldn’t help but respond with confusion.


    "Are you saying whether it''s worth saving or not?"


    "Uh, no, I mean…"


    Krundal’s mind went nk. Worth saving?


    He recalled the mention of the three fallen kingdoms by headquarters. Was the situation truly that dire?


    "Click. Are you a citizen of this country?"


    "Yes…"


    "Then evaluate it anyway," the white knight said coldly.


    "I’ll give you one day. Determine if it’s worth saving and, if so, exin why with evidence. If not, we will withdraw."


    Krundal tried to steady his thoughts in the face of such a deration. If the white knights withdrew now, it would spell disaster. He had to keep them here, no matter what it took.


    "I’ll prepare the materials."


    [Trantor - Kiteretsu]


    [Proofreader - Kyros]