13 (20)

Early in the morning, thirty ships entered from the western wall of Kayani. On one of those ships was the Archmage Euclid. He was a member of the Mage Tower’s Traditional Council and a prominent figure counted among the Thirteen Sages. Standing in the sea breeze, Euclid looked upon the developed city. Magnificent large wooden galleys sailed with their sails unfurled, conducting trade, while several small but swift warships patrolled the waters against pirates.

The captain who had been guiding Euclid approached him and spoke politely.

“This is Kayani, Mage.”

The captain knew that he was a mage, but he did not realize that he was one of the greatest minds residing at the very top of the Mage Tower—a sage among sages. He merely spoke respectfully because elderly mages were objects of reverence. Among sailors, there was even a rumor that if a mage took offense, he might play tricks on the ship.

“Kayani… Kayani. It is a more beautiful city than I expected.”

Euclid said this to the disciple who accompanied him, and the disciple agreed.

“It is quite a developed port city.”

Euclid had come here somewhat impulsively, but now he felt fortunate about his choice. If the city governed by Louis was already of this scale, then the ducal domain itself must be even larger, and there would likely be at least two more commercial cities like this one.

‘He has money.’

‘But how interested will he be in Magitech?’

Euclid wished to take revenge through results against those who had called him a liar. He had prepared several ideas. He had also brought a few blueprints to secure investment from Louis. However, he was also filled with anxiety. If things went wrong with Louis, he would have to return to the Mage Tower—and those people would likely imprison him.

The ship lowered thick ropes. Once the gangplank was lowered, Euclid and his disciple stepped down. After they disembarked, an unexpected sight awaited them. Several figures were lined up in a row, all wearing mage robes.

“Master.”

“Could it be… Arimeus?”

“Yes.”

“My… how long has it been?”

“About fifteen years, I believe.”

Around Arimeus stood a crowd of mages. It seemed that nearly every mage connected to House Orsini—including the mages within Louis’s domain—had gathered here.

‘So that is the Sage of the Mage Tower.’

‘Impressive.’

‘If even Lord Euclid chooses to rely on Duke Louis, then Duke Louis’s influence will become even more terrifying.’

‘I cannot even sense the end of his mana.’

“Allow me to introduce them. These are the mages who serve under Duke Louis and my family.”

“Oh, I see. There are many promising young ones here. However, I have a question.”

“Yes, please ask anything. But first, please step into the carriage.”

The carriage was both splendid and practical. It was a six-horse carriage—something that ordinary dignitaries would find difficult even to ride in.

“This is…?”

“Duke Louis instructed us to treat you with the utmost hospitality. We will serve you faithfully.”

The one who answered was the sturdy coachman seated atop the carriage. After stepping inside, Euclid cleared his throat and then asked Orsini Arimeus, who had followed him in.

“What kind of man is Duke Louis?”

“Haha… You ask that before speaking with the disciple you haven’t seen in fifteen years?”

“That blunt personality of yours hasn’t changed. Still, tell me. It is very important. Magitech must spread across the world.”

“I was joking. Duke Louis… He is a monster. A young lion, the incarnation of war, the proxy of God, the one blessed by the Pope, the defender against the Inquisition of heresy. The conqueror of half a land. All of these things happened in the blink of an eye. Ever since he gained his territory, events have unfolded one after another. Do you think that was coincidence? No. I analyzed him thoroughly. I sensed the anomaly from the moment my younger brother befriended him. He is a talent that might appear once in a hundred years—if even that. And absurdly enough, he is also a deranged architect. Yet he is also a Sword Expert. Can you believe the things I have described? It is difficult even to explain, because he embodies such enormous value. I would tell you more, but surely now you understand why I pressed you so urgently to come.”

Euclid looked into his serious eyes and recalled the eccentric, harshly critical young man he once knew. His disciple Orsini Arimeus, despite being a noble from a remote frontier, had been absurdly strict in his judgments. That standard had even applied to Euclid himself, and fifteen years earlier their conflict had grown so severe that Arimeus returned to his family home. Euclid had been inwardly displeased, but since Arimeus’s words had not been ill-intentioned, the passage of time only deepened his fondness.

‘So much time has already passed.’

Euclid remembered his disciple’s eyes from the time when he had nearly vanished after losing all hope in his youth. But now those eyes shone fiercely, almost blazing.

“I can hardly believe it. If what you say is true, then he must indeed be one of the rare talents in the world. However, until I see him with my own eyes, I cannot allow myself to relax.”

“That is fair. He is extraordinary, but he has not yet given a definitive answer. Still, he clearly has great interest in Magitech. More importantly, the region he conquered recently contains Black Water.”

“I heard. I have only read about it in documents, but the thought of seeing it makes my heart race.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With Duke Louis’s support, Magitech must bloom. As Duke Louis grows stronger, other nations will inevitably take interest as well. Every action he takes already draws the attention of neighboring countries.”

“What is he doing now?”

“He is forming an alliance with Atila.”

“Atila…? I do not recall such a person.”

“Ah, that is understandable. He is the man who burned the Kingdom of Gaimer to the ground in four months. Gaimer has fallen. In its place now stands Atila, king of the Huns. Duke Louis was invited by Atila and is currently exchanging views with him there. He will first return to the ducal domain before moving north. After all, you will want to see the Black Water with your own eyes.”

“Indeed. Have you seen it yourself?”

“Only a sample, but I received it. I have it with me.”

Arimeus took out a small round bottle from inside his robes. Inside was pitch-black liquid. It had no smell and flowed like water, yet it contained mana. Euclid became excited—so excited that he snatched the bottle from his disciple’s hands.

“Th… this is…”

“I only received a portion. Much more is pouring out.”

“…It can be done.”

“Your Grace.”

Ah… morning already.

“Your Grace.”

“I hear you.”

Louis rose from the bed in the chamber. The bed was soft, filled with long, smooth fur of some unknown leather. Light streamed through the shutters, announcing the start of a new day.

“Shall I bring your meal?”

“Something light.”

“Yes.”

Louis stretched his body. The traces of the previous night were scattered everywhere. The dancer had worn a mask, but he knew who she was. She had been passionate—and had left her marks.

‘She asked me to keep it secret… I suppose I should honor that.’

It was obvious who she wanted the secret kept from. Soon the meal was brought inside. Boiled sausages and apple stew at a pleasantly warm temperature. Several plums were also placed on the table. The sausages were thick and firm with elasticity.

They reminded him of her thighs from last night.

Louis began eating.

Today it was time to return. The one he had long awaited meeting was Euclid.

‘Now the real work will begin.’

Having completed preparations for a new era, Louis felt filled with anticipation.

The previous night, Atila had asked his subordinates whether Louis had slept with a woman. They answered that he had—and added that Louis seemed very satisfied.

Atila’s ambitions toward the north continued to grow, while Louis departed with preparations for a new era and the ambition to become a king.

‘It would be unwise to start another war for the time being.’

He needed to prepare Magitech and meet Euclid. For several days he had felt it in his skin—his sword training had stalled, and even his mana capacity seemed to have stopped growing. To advance further, he would need a new trait.

As Louis pondered this, he realized he had plenty of points available.

He wanted to spend fifty thousand points to unlock the Tier-5 trait Rebirth. Thanks to the Golden Age effect, both food and finances were abundant anyway, and since he lacked science points, there was nothing else he could pursue for the time being.

‘I cannot suppress my curiosity about how my body will change.’

In truth, that curiosity was the biggest reason. The description said that even bones and constitution would change, but he could not imagine how.

In the end, Louis unlocked the trait.

‘Hmm…? Did it work?’

‘W… what?’

Louis suddenly felt dizzy, and then collapsed.

Not long after Louis lost consciousness, Anok—who had been guarding nearby—noticed something was wrong.

“Your Grace!!”

He rushed over and then froze in shock.

“Wh… what is this mana…?”

At his loud shout, Mihoff, who had been resting nearby, appeared almost instantly.

“What happened? An assassin? I sensed no such presence…”

She too was left speechless at Louis’s transformation.

‘What is this? Enormous mana is gathering around His Grace.’

Anok checked Louis’s pulse and spoke.

“His body is fine. He’s breathing well, no injuries anywhere—and what do you mean assassin? Do you take me for a fool? He’s simply fainted. This mana seems to be the cause, but I have no idea what’s happening. It looked like he was absorbing a mana stone as usual…”

“Could that be the problem? I’ve never heard of such a training method.”

“That might be it. This is worrying. Go fetch Spessart.”

They needed the most knowledgeable mage available.

Louis’s skin was peeling as if shedding its outer layer. Filth and impurities poured out, producing a foul smell. Anok felt as if he might go mad from the sudden situation.

‘What on earth is happening? This cannot be. If the gods wish to take Duke Louis, then take me instead.’

At the same time, cracking sounds echoed as if his bones were being reconstructed. Something fundamental was changing. Like something from legend…

“Wait… could this be Rebirth?”

Among swordsmen there had long been a whispered rumor. It was the ultimate stage every swordsman yearned for. When a Sword Master pushed his body to the extreme and attained enlightenment, his physical structure would be rebuilt.

Historically, it had happened before. Each time the phenomenon appeared, it was called Rebirth.

Anok struck his head repeatedly, trying to dismiss the thought as nonsense, yet he struggled to recall the nearly forgotten legend. Only then did he realize that the symptoms matched exactly what Louis was experiencing.

‘Rebirth triggered early by a training method…? It is not entirely impossible.’

Louis was moved to a tent, and the soldiers fell into chaos. Soon Spessart, Akiteia, and Ferdinand rushed in one after another, their faces filled with urgency, to examine Louis’s condition.

“What on earth is happening!”

“That is… it occurred very suddenly.”

While Mihoff was explaining roughly what had happened, Anok stroked his chin and said,

“It appears to be… Rebirth.”

“What?”

The one whose eyes widened the most in shock was Ferdinand. As a Sword Master, he understood the phenomenon better than anyone and longed for it himself. Rebirth was said to accompany rejuvenation and extended lifespan. For someone who had already reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, it was a realm impossible not to covet.