Chapter 135
－Emperas Kingdom: Senior Mage's Perspective－
Tension runs through the mages gathered before the magic stone.
The magic stone, which had shown no response no matter what we did, gave off a vibration.
A chill runs through me at the thought that another attack might be beginning.
A memory everyone wants to forget, yet cannot.
Fear of that memory builds.
The magic stone vibrates several times, but shows no further change.
The question 'Is everything all right?' hangs in the air.
The tension in the room eases when I hear someone sigh.
It seems I had unconsciously been holding my breath; when I exhale, the strength leaves my body.
I sit down on the floor, grateful that nothing happened.
I look at the magic stone.
We have devoted a great deal of time and manpower to investigating the magic stone.
I have even read through documents from the past, but still don't know what kind of monster this magic stone came from.
No matter how advanced a magical analysis we conduct, it yields no results.
We cannot even determine the magic stone's attribute.
We don't even know how to investigate it further.
But we have no choice but to continue investigating.
That is because it is the king's order.
"If you don't want to die, bring me an answer."
Those words weigh heavily upon me.
I have already resigned myself to death.
Considering everything that has happened, I suppose death would be deserved.
I have driven many people to their deaths with my own hands.
I have proposed various things to the king, even while knowing that many people would die.
Now, I feel as though I am being crushed beneath the weight of my sins.
That girl would surely ask what good it did to say that now.
Having enjoyed so many benefits from the magic stone throughout my life, I have no right to forgiveness.
But my subordinate mages are different.
Many of them have committed no sins like mine.
The mages here now hold considerably lower ranks.
Not long ago, many mages were executed for treason.
For mages of even lower rank, death is too heavy a price.
Is there no way I can somehow save them?
I gaze at the statues of the Three Gods enshrined in the corner of the room.
Please, tell me.
Tell me an answer that will satisfy the king and make him relent.
An answer that can save the lives of my subordinates who have committed no crimes.
I turn my gaze toward the door of the room.
The door is locked from the outside, and a knight is stationed there to monitor us rather than protect us.
Normally, the knight on duty would come inside to keep watch, but apparently they are afraid of the magic stone.
After all, no one knows what might happen.
We have lost all freedom concerning the magic stone.
To be free of this room, we need an answer.
But only the answer the king demands will do.
Any answer other than the one the king demands is forbidden, and if we carelessly say one aloud, treason awaits us.
Our entire families will be judged guilty of the same crime.
In the oppressive atmosphere, I reread the documents concerning the magic stone.
Even knowing the answer I seek is not there, I cannot stop.
If everyone stops, every mage and family member here will die.
I don't want to cause any more deaths.
One of the knights enters the room.
The knight is here to deliver a report on our results so far and our policy going forward—though I doubt it will mean anything.
The Mage Commander sitting beside me looks terribly pale.
Perhaps I look much the same.
The result of the meeting is the same as always... No, today we need to report that the magic stone vibrated.
Still, it was only a vibration, so we don't know whether it is good or bad.
Given the magic stone's condition, it can hardly be called a reassuring report.
I look at the magic stone.
The cracks have spread until the stone is almost split in two.
Once it splits completely... we will have to report it.
When that happens, I will go and report it to the king.
Surely, that will be my final task.