Chapter 4

“It was five years ago.”

Hazabut began speaking the moment he entered his chambers, without preamble.
Dumaine sat down on the backless chair Hazabut indicated with a gesture.

“I don’t know what you’re about to tell me, but… is this something already decided from above?”

Hazabut paused to look at him.

Hmm, so he’s not a fool.

Hazabut had a strong tendency to look down on swordsmen. Not out of narrow-mindedness, but because the glory and greatness of mages were etched into his very bones. To him, all non-mages were lesser. He had never shown this openly, so most people remained unaware.

“His Majesty the King has entrusted me with full authority on this matter.”

“I understand.”

Since the king had said so, Dumaine had no argument. What he wondered was why, among all the Sword Masters of Widav Kingdom, he had been chosen. Perhaps he merely fit certain conditions.

“This mission requires someone discreet and someone who never betrays trust. Among the many Sword Masters, Sir Dumaine, you alone fit every condition. That is why you were chosen.”

Dumaine’s skills were a little above average compared to the other Sword Masters of Widav. If ability alone had been the deciding factor, they could have easily chosen someone stronger. That suggested this mission wasn’t excessively dangerous. Still, curiosity made him ask,

“Were any other Sword Masters chosen?”

Hazabut shook his head.

“You are the only one, Sir Dumaine.”

“Understood.”

Dumaine nodded. Since it was a task delegated by the king, and Hazabut—the Tower Master—held both authority and responsibility, there was no refusing. This was the king’s command.

“All details must remain secret. Listen carefully.”

“Yes.”

Dumaine disliked this room. Just being in the same space as a mage whose temperament clashed with his own made his skin crawl.

Hazabut repeated himself, the same words he had begun with.

“It was five years ago.”

Five years earlier.

Crash, bang.

Loud noises echoed from the Magic Tower early in the morning.

Rising high into the sky at the center of Widav’s capital, the Magic Tower was both the kingdom’s proud symbol and a vital part of the city’s defense.

It maintained the magical barrier. From this tower, the entire capital of Widav—called Wiv—was encased within a protective dome of magic.

Every morning, the mages residing in the tower gathered to pour their mana into the crystal orb housed inside, sustaining the barrier. Naturally, all who lived here began each day with a solemn heart, believing it an act of devotion to the kingdom.

The Magic Tower naturally instilled responsibility, pride, and loyalty into its mages. Because of that, they were proud of themselves and believed they were indispensable to the Widav Kingdom.

And yet, on such a solemn morning, noise echoed through the tower.

“M-M-Master!”

The culprit behind the commotion burst through the door. Having tripped and fallen on the way, his elbow was bleeding badly, but he didn’t seem to notice—or care. His eyes were locked onto the mage before him.

“Master!”

“What is it?”

Hazabut stared at the disciple who had just ruined the freshness of the morning. The man, now entering middle age, was already a genius mage with a sharp mind and powerful mana sensitivity, having reached the level of a 5th-class mage.

“I’ve discovered it!”

“What have you discovered that you barge in like this?”

Hazabut frowned slightly at his student’s shrill voice. Even at this age, he still acted like this… He often came bragging about this or that strange finding, though most of it was unimpressive. Still, occasionally he stumbled across something intriguing enough to spark Hazabut’s magical curiosity, so he never dismissed him outright.

“Well, Master. Until now, the existence of the Demon King’s Temple was uncertain. But I’ve confirmed that it does indeed exist here on the Arkanis Continent. What’s more, I’ve identified its location.”

The disciple spoke clearly, steadied his tone, and waited proudly for his master’s reaction—only to be met with sudden fury.

Thud!

Hazabut sprang to his feet and seized his student by the collar.

“Wh-What? Kaedes! Is this really true? Are you certain?”

“Ghk—y-yes, it’s true—oooof—!”

Strangled, Kaedes could barely speak, but he forced the words out. Realizing what he was doing, Hazabut released him, ashamed of the unseemly outburst. He sat back down, steadied his breathing, and spoke again.

“Phew… Very well. Explain how you discovered it.”

Kaedes began recounting the events that led to his discovery.

“A year ago, an acquaintance of mine ventured into the Desert of Death. He lacked certain materials for developing new magic. Out of curiosity, I cast Wizard Eye to secretly observe him. At one point, the image in the crystal sphere suddenly vanished. I thought it was a simple mana disturbance, so I rechanneled the flow—and the vision returned. That’s when something appeared, something invisible before. A building. When I tried to guide my spell closer, the mana flow grew unstable, and…”

The explanation went on for five minutes. Hazabut summed it up in a single breath.

“So you stumbled upon it by chance in the Desert of Death. When mana interference stopped you from approaching further, you contacted the mage who had already gone there, but he couldn’t find it. And after ten months of effort, you finally located it. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right, Master!”

His disciple’s eyes gleamed with pride.

“And this mage, where is he now?”

“Eh? If you mean the one I mentioned, he’s currently at the palace.”

“I see. So he was a palace mage?”

“Yes, exactly.”

The head of the palace mages was none other than Rohad, a 7th-class mage and Hazabut’s close friend.

“Bring him here at once.”

“Yes, Master.”

The disciple hurried out to summon the mage. Not long after, the man arrived.

“I was told you wanted to see me.”

His name was Hanum, a 4th-class mage, the same age as Kaedes.

“Sorry to trouble you when you must be busy.”

“Not at all. Compared to the Magic Tower, the palace is actually quite relaxed.”

That much was true.

“I’ve heard a report from my disciple. I’d like you to explain everything in detail.”

“Understood.”

Hanum carefully recounted the events, describing them with precision. Since he had been involved, he knew much of it already.

“…And that’s how it happened.”

“Who else is aware of this?”

“I only reported it to the Court Chief Mage.”

“And no one else?”

“No.”

“A sensitive matter indeed… You already understand without me saying it. Make a Mana Oath.”

“A… what?”

Cold sweat broke out on Hanum’s forehead.

“You will swear that aside from Court Chief Mage Rohad, you have told no one of this—and that you will never speak of it again.”

“…I understand.”

Hanum had nothing to hide, yet he felt uneasy. There was something heavy about it. Still, as it was the Tower Master’s command, he had no grounds to refuse.

He drew a magic circle and performed the Mana Oath.

Particles of light swirled around them. They flowed into every corner of his body, but most gathered and churned around his heart. From there, light spread into the air, scattering and coiling back together in a beautiful spiral pattern.

By the time it ended, long enough for a cup of tea, the oath was complete. Hazabut and Kaedes were included as witnesses in the binding.

“It’s been a long time since I performed one of these. Not easy at all.”

Hazabut wiped the sweat from his brow. Even for a high-ranking mage like him, the Mana Oath was bound by laws beyond magical skill. There was no escaping its toll.