“Us?”
Beric tilted his head.
You and me? And the mages here?
Akorella quietly muttered while nibbling on the brooch with her front teeth.
“There hasn’t been any research on the Rift at Bariel either. If it’s everything that uses and contains mana, does that mean our very existence could be problematic?”
“Hmm, I don’t think that’s it. Didn’t Clifford have mages in previous generations? If so, it would have been more natural for incidents to occur then rather than now.”
“Then is it the use of mana? When activated, it stimulates the power below the crust and connects with the earthquake to burst? Is that right, Lord Ian?”
“That seems reasonable. That’s why Burgos deliberately mobilized monsters for the war. Of course, while they’re using that force, monsters contain mana just by existing. Unlike us who need to activate mana. So they brought monsters to provide continuous stimulation toward Clifford’s crust! Ah, this must be the answer.”
“Us?”
Beric tilted his head.
You and me? And the mages here?
Akorella quietly muttered while nibbling on the brooch with her front teeth.
“There hasn’t been any research on the Rift at Bariel either. If it’s everything that uses and contains mana, does that mean our very existence could be problematic?”
“Hmm, I don’t think that’s it. Didn’t Clifford have mages in previous generations? If so, it would have been more natural for incidents to occur then rather than now.”
“Then is it the use of mana? When activated, it stimulates the power below the crust and connects with the earthquake to burst? Is that right, Lord Ian?”
“That seems reasonable. That’s why Burgos deliberately mobilized monsters for the war. Of course, while they’re using that force, monsters contain mana just by existing. Unlike us who need to activate mana. So they brought monsters to provide continuous stimulation toward Clifford’s crust! Ah, this must be the answer.”
“I vote for that too. And if mages intervene and activate mana, it’s essentially adding acceleration. It’s a scheme to draw out as much of Gaia’s power lurking beneath Clifford as possible.”
“Then does this mean Burgos knew we would come over to this side?”
“No. This is when you use the term ‘killing two birds with one stone.’ They probably would have mobilized monsters even if we hadn’t come. The alliance relationships became complexly intertwined, and now we’re here too – they must have thought it worked out well.”
“Wow, two birds with one stone? If mages use their power, that’s good, and if not, they can devour them and advance to Bariel? That’s efficient. Hmm. I’ll give them that.”
As this new perspective on mana emerged, the mages couldn’t hide their excitement as they chattered among themselves.
This was understandable – without mana, they would have been mere ordinary humans. Since this was an opportunity to take one step closer to understanding mana’s origins, they couldn’t hide their instinctive curiosity.
Bang bang!
“Now, now, don’t all speak at once – one at a time!”
When the general slammed the table, the mages suddenly stopped and looked at them.
“We’re done talking though?”
“Yes. The end.”
“So what is the conclusion?”
“We don’t know. We just made guesses. Don’t ask us for answers – ask Lord Ian.”
At the mage’s nod, everyone present, including the general, turned to look at Ian.
Ian raised an eyebrow while sipping his tea. He had only been appointed for barely half a year. Though he was Minister, it seemed quite amusing to him that the Ministry of Magic would demand answers from someone like him.
“Lord Ian. Please explain it properly.”
“Everything everyone said is correct. For Gaia’s power crouched beneath the crust to erupt, it needs continuous stimulation from above the crust as well. Including the existence of monsters, the power of mages, and sword mages of similar caliber – when things of the same properties are activated, even with the same earthquake, the scale of the Rift would become much deeper.”
“Eh? Me too? Really? Then should I not use my power?”
“Using White Horn among numerous monsters must have been for such reasons as well.”
It was useful in every aspect. It had explosive power, contaminated fertile soil, and furthermore, if they didn’t act quickly as it hid below, it would reproduce in an instant.
“Th-then does this mean the mages can’t help us going forward?”
At the general’s question, Noah pressed his forehead. While it seemed they needed mages’ power to counter the synthetic monsters, doing so could ultimately bring catastrophe to Clifford itself. They couldn’t move forward or step back.
“We can help. Though I don’t know when the earthquake will occur, everything has its limits, doesn’t it? Burgos will try to exceed that, and we just need to participate within the bounds of maintaining it.”
“Can that degree be estimated numerically? Can it be defined?”
When Noah muttered sharply with an edge to his voice, as Clifford’s fate hung in the balance, how could they continue the war with such vague criteria? The atmosphere froze as if cold water had been poured on it.
“If even Bariel hasn’t conducted research on this, how does Lord Ian know so much and make such definitive statements? If these are statements based on intuition-“
Even though the mages were helping Clifford, this was an unacceptable matter. The nation’s fate and historically accumulated heritage were at stake.
Noah barely swallowed his words and chose appropriate ones.
“There could be problems in the relationship between Clifford and Bariel. As allies, let’s think of each other’s countries as our own. We cannot make gambling-like decisions based on invisible thresholds. Please understand our position.”
Though the distinction between superior and subordinate was clear, given the gravity of the matter, Noah’s side couldn’t simply be led by the mages either.
Ian tilted his head while setting down his teacup.
“Of course, Your Highness. We have been moving for Clifford’s sake without a single misstep until now. It was our subordinate who saved Prince Noah-“
Noah glanced sideways. The mage who had saved him in Barki Village avoided his gaze. Since he had disobeyed orders to remain uninvolved and saved Noah, reporting about it had been necessary. Though Ian had simply passed it off with a “well done” without much comment.
“It was our mages who responded to the synthetic monsters.”
“Yeah yeah. Look at the rotting stench on our mutt!”
If not for them, the Clifford and Burgos camps would have been walking quite different paths.
Ian smiled while methodically pointing out their meritorious deeds. It was like a warning to stay put since not only the Rift but the mages too had their limits.
“Though it’s true there was no research at Bariel, that doesn’t mean there are no records. The Imperial Palace has numerous…”
Ian paused. Just as he was about to say there were numerous historical records and documents, he suddenly remembered Romandro.
Hadn’t Romandro been dispatched to restore temples damaged by earthquakes before coming down to Bratz? He seemed to recall hearing other minor earthquake news, but couldn’t quite remember. As Ian furrowed his brow, Beric crossed his arms and shouted:
“And Ian knows everything! …sir! If it were the king, I think he would have trusted and left it to him right away, huh? The prince is really picky, seriously. I was just over there having a really hard time facing the Burgos guys, you know? Why? Because Ian told me to! Why did Ian tell me to? Ah, to help Clifford!”
Kwang!
Though he seemed to be trying to help Ian by interjecting, his words were quite strange. The mages looked up at the ceiling as if enlightened, while only Akorella kept fiddling with her brooch while shouting.
“You’re being ridiculous! I saw you laughing while cutting them up!”
“Didn’t you see me throw up? The smell inside that monster was really-“
“Ah, quiet, quiet. Lord Ian and the prince are talking.”
Please, let’s keep those two crazy people quiet. As the mages pulled them back and made them restrain themselves, Ian crossed his legs and lifted his chin.
“If you wish for us to withdraw from the front lines, we will do so immediately, Your Highness. Just give the word.”
“…That wasn’t my intention. If there has been any misunderstanding, please don’t take it to heart.”
“Of course. However, there is one thing we should formally document in writing.”
“What is it?”
Prince Noah’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. At Ian’s gesture calling for paper, a Clifford officer moved.
“A contract stating that you acknowledge mages’ support could accelerate the Rift, and that even if a Rift occurs in Clifford, you will not hold Bariel responsible.”
“If Clifford becomes submerged by monsters, it’s obvious that the bordering Bariel would be in trouble too, so why do something like this.”
“Even if the world overflows with monsters, Bariel at least will be safe. That is our reason for existing. You asked us to understand Clifford’s position, didn’t you?”
Huh? That statement?! Beric immediately shouted, remembering something Ian had said before.
“So Clifford should understand us too and sign the contract! …sir!”
Ian frowned along with a smile. When he covered his lips with his hand signaling to be quiet, Beric kept winking one eye while backing away.
“If you sign the contract, as you said, we will consider ourselves ideal allies and devise strategies for Clifford’s maximum benefit. This contract poses absolutely no problems for you, Your Highness – no, for Clifford, does it?”
Face reality. If Gaia’s calamity is crouching beneath Clifford, they need the mages’ help all the more.
“…Indeed. I was somewhat discourteous.”
“Not at all. Anyone could react similarly in such an extreme situation as war, with the rage of losing subordinates.”
But a leader must not. Ian swallowed his following words and smiled brightly. Then, with an elegant gesture, he pointed to the bottom of the paper for Noah who had picked up the pen.
“And one more thing.”
“…”
“During the war between Clifford and Burgos, limited to the current battle, if we achieve positive results through our mages’ help, please give compensation to the Ministry of Magic separately, not to Bariel.”
“Compensation? What kind?”
The mages perked up their ears too. But Ian just tapped the paper with his fingertip as if to say ‘just write it.’
“I will tell you that when the time comes.”
“That’s too vague an answer.”
“I will also give you the right to refuse, Prince Noah. However, let me choose the date I make the proposal. I haven’t decided what to ask for yet.”
Noah frowned as he looked Ian over. Given his glib responses, he seemed to have some scheme in mind, but it was impossible to know what.
But if there was a right to refuse, couldn’t any deal be prevented regardless of what it was? You could simply refuse, after all. Noah fiddled with the pen suspiciously before proceeding to write out the contract.
Swish.
All while not knowing that his siblings had revealed the date of the next curse manifestation.
Prince Noah thoroughly signed the document before holding it out to Ian. His expression said that now that he had done everything asked, let’s see that brilliant strategy – one that could subdue Burgos while minimizing impact on Gaia’s Rift.
“Hasha.”
“Yes?”
“Detail the appearances and information of the necromancers and each tribe’s heirs deployed to the front lines. We will subdue them first. This should benefit Astana as well.”
They had a bitter relationship from fighting in the north. If they could eliminate other forces’ leaders with Hasha’s help, this was not only an opportunity to build Astana’s position internally but also a good chance to absorb the surrounding areas that would be thrown into chaos after losing their leaders.
Hasha naturally took the pen from Noah.
“Of course. Though the formation and positions change somewhat, most necromancers will be near the synthetic monsters. However, none are hiding outside the army, and like me, they’re wearing regular soldier attire, so finding them won’t be easy.”
“No. Since I took you prisoner, they will think your identity has been exposed. They’re likely to change clothes and leave the formation. So recognizing faces will be crucial.”
“Hmm, that could be true. First, look at this.”
Hasha moved the pen quickly while jogging his memories. Noah, watching from the side, turned to Ian and asked.
“What do you plan to do after identifying the necromancers? Since we’re making weapons that can counter synthetic monsters anyway, it seems we just need to cut open the monsters’ bellies.”
“Mana power is essential to cut open those monsters’ bellies. So if we can eliminate them using only military force, that would be best. For Clifford.”
Ian snapped his fingers while considering something.
“And we need one prisoner to naturally send back to Burgos. We need a pretext to send them back to the Burgos camp without suspicion through an exchange with Hasha…”
Tak tak tak!
Just then. Footsteps from outside.
Soon, a soldier appeared holding a rolled-up letter and shouted.
“Your Highness! A letter from Burgos! They say they have Lady May as prisoner!”
Noah’s eyes widened at his words. Tak! Akorella and Beric snapped their fingers as if things had worked out well, and Ian nodded too.
“This works out perfectly. We now have an appropriate person for the exchange.”