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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: A Macabre Demonstration
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Then die.

At the same time, in the snow-covered highlands on the Republic's border.

In front of a peculiar three-story building built atop a sheer cliff, a man and a woman caught their breath.

“So, we’re back at the Magic Tower again.”

Bilov, an intelligence officer for the Republic, chuckled softly at his subordinate’s jocular remark.

“Get used to it. You’ll be coming here often from now on. Though, our Archmage will be operating outside the Tower for a while.”

“Since Comrade Chairman accepted Archmage Seraile’s demands. High-density resin, brass pins… animal hides, magic-storing stones, things like that. What on earth is she planning to make?”

“We don’t need to know. Just do as you’re told. Put your curiosity aside and watch your words in front of Archmage Seraile. If what happened last time occurs again, I won’t be able to defend you anymore.”

As Bilov delivered his warning, the subordinate nodded.

Seeing his subordinate’s stiff posture, Bilov opened the Magic Tower’s door and stepped inside.

Clearing his throat, Bilov called out loudly, mindful of Seraile, who he presumed was on the third floor.

“Archmage! It’s Bilov! I’ve come to fetch you at the appointed time! If you haven’t finished packing, I can help…”

CRACK!

Before Bilov could finish speaking, the floor in a corner gave way.

“What the…”

A flustered Bilov approached the collapsed section of the floor, revealing a staircase leading down to a basement.

His subordinate, who had been staring blankly, spoke up.

“...I had no idea there was a path to the basement on the first floor.”

“This is new to me too.”

“Huh? You’ve never seen it before?”

“I’m not the building’s caretaker; I’m just here to relay messages from higher-ups. It’s only natural I wouldn’t know the building’s layout.”

When Bilov chided him, the subordinate nodded, realizing he had a point.

Bilov hesitated for a moment, then descended the stairs.

It seemed clear that he was meant to descend, and he judged that hesitating would be impolite.

As he and his subordinate descended, hands on the wall, Bilov stopped before a door from which light seeped out.

Bilov took a deep breath and opened the door, revealing an indoor garden.

Butterflies fluttered amidst a riot of flowers blooming in vibrant, kaleidoscopic colors.

Just as he wondered how such a thing was possible underground, a humming sound drifted to his ears.

He turned his gaze toward the sound and saw Seraile, watering the flowers with a watering can.

“...Archmage?”

When Bilov cautiously called her name, Seraile stopped watering the flowers.

Seraile set the watering can down on the floor and turned around.

Below her pure white hair, crimson eyes blinked.

As Bilov froze, their gazes meeting, Seraile arched an eyebrow, as if vexed.

“What are you doing? If you called me, you should speak.”

Only then did Bilov snap out of it, clearing his throat and hastily speaking.

“Ah. My apologies. To get straight to the point, Comrade Chairman has accepted the Archmage’s demands. Comrade Chairman stated that all possible conveniences will be provided, and all necessary materials will be prepared at the highest quality. Furthermore…”

Bilov snapped his fingers, and his subordinate, who had been standing beside him, stepped forward.

The subordinate held up a thick briefcase he was carrying and opened it.

Inside the briefcase lay a military uniform and a lieutenant colonel’s insignia.

“To ensure your comfort while operating on the front lines, Comrade Chairman has decided to bestow upon the Archmage the rank of Army Lieutenant Colonel. This is a gift from our Republic, and we hope you will graciously accept it.”

“What about accommodation? I despise places without hot water.”

“We are currently searching for the best accommodation available locally as well.”

Seraile, hearing Bilov’s words, smiled with satisfaction.

“Good. You’ve done a decent job preparing this time. In that case, I suppose I should demonstrate my abilities to you, shouldn’t I? It would be best to report to your superiors that my skills haven’t rusted.”

Seraile raised her hand, and a burst of light erupted above it, followed by a pistol dropping down.

Just as he wondered what she intended to show them, Seraile raised the pistol and pressed it against her temple.

“Archmage?”

With a flustered Bilov before her, Seraile smiled and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet fired, and Seraile’s head exploded.

Blood splattered outwards in a fan shape, instantly dyeing the garden flowers crimson.

Blood spattered onto Bilov’s face as well, but no one paid it any mind.

“Uh, ah…?”

His subordinate, seemingly unable to comprehend the situation, stared blankly before collapsing to the ground.

“Ah? Ah?”

It was only natural for someone to struggle to maintain their sanity after witnessing a suicide right before their eyes.

Bilov, too, could only stare blankly straight ahead, unable to understand why Seraile had committed suicide.

Just then, one of the doors connected to the garden opened, and a burst of laughter erupted.

“Ahahaha! Look at those idiotic faces! They actually thought I died.”

Bilov turned his head to the side and saw Seraile, perfectly alive.

He was so flustered that his thoughts wouldn’t connect.

Bilov, whose mouth was agape like a goldfish, managed to stammer out words with difficulty.

“...Archmage? What on earth just happened?”

“Can’t you tell even after seeing it? That wasn’t me who just committed suicide; it was a doll.”

“A doll, you say?”

Seraile chuckled and nodded.

“Yes. One of the reasons Comrade Chairman grovels to me is because of this puppetry. It’s classified as top-secret, but I’m telling you this specially, just you two.”

Seraile, speaking as if they should feel honored, walked toward the doll lying on the floor.

The pooling blood created a puddle, making it indistinguishable from a real corpse.

“If you understand, could you help me move the doll? This doll is more expensive than your lives, you know. Now that the show’s over, we should recycle the remaining parts, shouldn’t we?”

At Seraile’s words, Bilov quickly nodded.

“Understood. And… on behalf of Comrade Chairman, I would like to express our gratitude once more. I will be sure to report to higher-ups the Archmage’s benevolence in wishing to serve the Republic.”

“Huh? What’s he talking about?”

Seraile made a sulky face, as if displeased.

“I don’t care if the Republic collapses or not. The only reason I’m helping you is because my curiosity about Daniel Steiner, that man, has pierced the heavens.”

“...Brigadier General Daniel Steiner, you mean?”

“Yes. You know I always listen to the stars, right? But it’s truly strange. Even the stars can’t define what kind of person Daniel Steiner is.”

Though not perfectly, Seraile could discern people’s fates through the stars.

She could roughly know what kind of life a person would lead and what kind of end they would meet.

However, Daniel Steiner’s fate was a blank (空白).

It was as if fate itself didn’t exist for him; he was moving toward an unpredetermined future all on his own.

What’s amusing is that the fates of those entangled with Daniel Steiner were also changing.

Unprecedented and without parallel.

A monster that defies heaven and earth, devouring fate.

That was Daniel Steiner, as Seraile saw him.

“If the stars can’t define him, I want to define him myself.”

An alluring smile played on Seraile’s lips.

“Daniel Steiner’s fate, that is.”

The next morning.

The Imperial Capital’s Old Town Cathedral.

Click-clack—

Arno, who had been sleeping on a bench-style pew in the cathedral, slowly opened his eyes.

The intense light streaming through the stained-glass windows made him instinctively squint.

Click-clack—

Even so, the sound of footsteps continued to draw closer.

Wondering who it was, Arno sat up and saw Daniel walking toward him.

Daniel’s expressionless face felt a little frightening.

Maintaining his silence, Daniel walked over and abruptly knelt about ten paces from Arno.

“Your Highness Arno.”

A tremor was discernible in his voice.

“I have found the evidence Your Highness spoke of and examined all past memories. Your Highness’s words were true. Her Majesty Sylvia, the current Empress, was not of the former Emperor’s bloodline.”

Hearing Daniel’s words, Arno brightened and rose from his seat.

Having just woken up, he stumbled for a moment but quickly regained his balance and exclaimed.

“Yes! You are right! I am the only one who inherited my father’s blood! Arno von Amberg, alone! Do you understand my words now? That Sylvia, that bitch, is a monster?”

Daniel bowed his head deeply, as if feeling guilty.

“That is correct. I have served the wrong sovereign until now.”

Thinking things were unfolding more easily than expected, Arno let out a laugh.

“Then this will be easy. Daniel Steiner! Hero of the Empire! For the sake of the Empire, use this evidence to enthrone me as Emperor! If you do, I will give you everything!”

Daniel shook his head.

“I have no need for wealth or glory. I merely seek to right a wrong. But, Your Highness Arno. Are there others who know this truth besides us?”

Arno paused to think at the sudden question, then replied.

“Before I told you, only the physician and I knew. The physician died while being tortured by me, so now it’s just you and me who know.”

“Is that so.”

Hearing Arno’s answer, Daniel rose to his feet.

Arno, whose gaze unintentionally met Daniel’s, felt a surge of tension.

It was because eyes like a beast of prey were glaring at him.

His sleepiness vanished instantly.

‘...Something’s wrong.’

The air felt as if it had grown heavy.

In the silent space, Daniel slowly advanced toward Arno.

It was the moment Arno, cornered, took a step back.

“Then…”

As if to say the performance was over.

“If you die, then no one will be able to approach this truth.”

Daniel quietly delivered his verdict.

Chapter 238