Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 222

Episode 222 To the Grave (2)

Kwakwakwakwang!

A loud explosion echoed through the city of Arsen.

People fell to the ground or staggered as the sound hit the ground. Coffee cups and cakes strewn about the cafe bounced to the floor, and glass broke or cracked.

For a moment, it seemed as if an earthquake had occurred, and the wealthy class who were enjoying their leisure time immediately hid under their tables. The vibration and shock were so strong that they thought that.

At the center of the explosion, only ruins remained.

… … Thud!

Debris from the building fell down.

Verden, who appeared from underneath, looked around. Fernet's tavern had collapsed beyond recognition.

Only a small crater remained where Hans had been just now. There was no blood to be seen, as if he had disappeared.

“Ugh……!”

Fernet, covered in dust, followed Verden. Blue was hiding in her arms.

Verden grabbed Fernet's arm and lifted him up.

“Are you hurt?”

“Ah, yes… thanks to you. But what the heck happened?”

“It’s magic. It looks like Hans Deichel brought the trap with him when he escaped the ruins.”

“Huh, is it a trap? No, what kind of relic is it that has this kind of magic…….”

Verden narrowed his eyes.

I remembered the identity of the magic just before.

'7th level magic <Great Explosion>.'

The highest level of magic among the 1st tier basic magics, <Magic Explosion>.

It is a type of attack magic that condenses magical power to its limit and explodes without any complicated process. It is not a fire type.

The fact that this area hasn't become a sea of fire is proof of that.

Magic without distinct properties is simple in structure.

So, although its performance was weaker than that of magic of the same level, there was no reason to look down on it.

Although it is not comparable to elemental magic specialized in destructive power, the power of magic in the 7th tier is extremely threatening no matter what.

'If there had been even a little delay in responding, it would have been dangerous.'

A nervous sigh escaped.

Even Verden, who has high magic resistance, will be seriously injured if hit directly with his bare body.

Karans, Blue, and the Forest Spirit would have been dead or nearly so, and Fernet, let alone survived, would not even have been found dead like Hans.

I looked from left to right.

Near the tavern, people are seen with minor injuries or in shock. Fortunately, no civilians appear to have been caught in the explosion.

We can only say that it was fortunate that there were no serious injuries or deaths as there were no people nearby.

'What would have happened if I hadn't offset the shock in advance?'

The result is as obvious as day.

The explosion of magical power must have blown this street away, beyond the tavern.

Considering the population density of Aserne, the casualties would have been at least three digits. It was a terrorist attack that was no different from siege magic being used in the middle of the city.

'If I had destroyed the magic circle, there wouldn't have been any problem, but… … .'

That couldn't be possible.

The level of the magic circle was high, and the time given was short.

There are few people in the world who can follow Verden when it comes to magic circles. Especially when it comes to destroying magic circles.

It was the result of cutting away life in order to destroy the magic circle of the Transcendent One, back when it was only the first rank.

From Verden's perspective, this magic circle was fatal.

A trap that sleeps so silently that even wizards like Hans can't notice it, and then explodes when he dares not do anything about it.

Even if you realize it midway, you can't escape if you don't destroy it.

It was like a death sentence.

It is a trap of extinction that will not let any intruder live.

'Is this the tomb of the Demon King?'

Even though I have never seen it in person, I can feel firsthand how dangerous it is. I once again think that the phrase “ancient ordeal” is fitting.

But Verden had no intention of looking forward to the future.

Even if there were more dangerous traps than this, I wasn't afraid at all. It would be different from the explorers or the other challengers of the ark.

It was confidence and conviction, not arrogance.

Verden turned his head after finishing his thoughts.

Fernet was leaning here and there, rummaging through the rubble.

“It’s definitely around here… Ah! I found it!”

Fernet smiled brightly as he discovered the intact documents.

Even though his beloved tavern was completely destroyed, he didn't seem depressed. It was a stark difference from a few months ago when he was elated and depressed by every incident.

“The tavern is gone. Is it okay?”

“Huh? Oh, I was surprised, but honestly, my first thought was ‘Why now?’ There’s no civil war in the kingdom. Compared to what Asher has done so far, one building is nothing.”

Fernet shrugged.

“And the documents containing important information are still intact. Some of them seem to have been lost, but since I have my informants, it shouldn’t be difficult to recover them. I think we’ll just rebuild them now.”

It was not an empty boast, it was sincere.

His mental power has become stronger. Could we consider this a kind of growth? Now, it may be impossible to shake Pernet's mind with low-ranking mental magic.

“I'll pay for it.”

“Even if you don’t do that… Really?”

“The explorers broke the contract. So there’s no reason to pay the 700 million elk for completing the quest. No one will receive it anyway.”

In addition, he disposed of the black magic book he had been keeping.

The customer, Matapju, bought it at a high price as Verden wished. It wasn't just because he had a lot of money, but also because he liked Verden.

If you add up all the money you have, you can more than pay back the 2.5 billion elk you borrowed from Dyna Bank.

Even if it was a magic book registered with someone else's magic power, the price would be in the double digits. Rebuilding a building in Aserne was no easy task.

“Ahem, if you put it that way, I would appreciate it.”

Her lavender hair sways.

Fernet's eyes were no longer looking at the ruins, but at his newly built tavern.

“By the way, what about the aftermath? It’s going to be quite complicated since it’s an explosion in the middle of the street.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. I can easily cook up the leaders of Aserne by myself. Besides, there seems to be little damage to anything except my tavern, so it should all calm down in a few days.”

Information about Fernet.

She is the eldest daughter of the Kingdom of Gray.

“Then where should I stay?”

“I didn’t really have a chance to tell you, Asher, but there are safe houses all over Asern. They’re where my informants usually stay. And if you need anything, you can get help from Marquis Esperenza, so don’t worry about it. But what are you going to do now, Asher?”

Of course, the answer is set.

“We will go to the ruins that the explorers found.”

“If you look at that trap just now, it looks incredibly dangerous…….”

“That’s right. Because it’s the Demon King’s tomb.”

“Aha, Madou…….”

… … The Demon King?

For a moment, Fernet covered his mouth.

The Demon King? That Demon King?

The blue sapphire that was shown to the explorers was an artifact related to the Demon King? Ferne, who had been unfazed by the disappearance of his building, became violently shaken.

Verden spoke to her, who was sweating profusely.

“It’ll probably take quite some time this time. So if you need anything before then, let me know in advance.”

No voice came out.

Ferné nodded in response.

Verden looked at the rubble piled up beside him.

“Carans, are we there yet?”

“It’s almost over, brother!”

Karans emerged from the rubble.

The reason it appeared late was because the face of deception was removed while using spirit magic. It required a kind of waiting time before it could be used again.

Karans, who had hidden the forest spirit inside his robe, approached me. His movements were light and swift, like those of an elf. He shook off the dust.

“It was almost dangerous. If my brother had called me later, none of us would have been safe. Thank you, brother. But why did you call me?”

“I need your help.”

“I’ll help in any way I can. But if possible, I’d like to go somewhere outdoors.”

Karans' eyes lit up.

It was a trust in one's own kind, unique to elves. There was also a glimpse of a desire to relieve the stress that had built up from living in a city with many people.

“That’s the kind of place our destination is.”

“Oh, Nature! Where is it?”

Verden turned his head east.

“Eastern Swamps.”

The next destination has been decided.

* * *

There were four great dukes in the Kingdom of Estyria.

Among them, Duke Liviant became independent and established a duchy, and Duke Rubinelian was accused of rebellion and had all his servants killed.

As a result, only two dukes remained.

1. The Duke of Dosramd who supports the prince.

The Duke of Devon, who supports the 2nd Prince.

Both were distant relatives of the Estira royal family. Of course, there was no familial love between them.

Who will be the first to grab the mouse, who will be the first to trample on someone? They were obsessed with only desire, and each supported different princes accordingly.

But it was a loyalty that could be abandoned at any time for the sake of vested interests.

The Duke of Devon himself brought out tea and cake.

As the customers are customers, the handmade products are expensive.

The Duke of Devon gestured from his seat.

“Thank you for accepting my invitation. These are special cookies prepared for this occasion. I guarantee you will like them. Now, eat them quickly before they get cold.”

“Thank you, His Excellency the Duke of Devon.”

Nigel, the eldest son of the Duke of Doslamd, took a sip of tea.

The luxurious aroma spread throughout my mouth, and it went down my esophagus and settled into my stomach. It was the kind of tea that made me feel relaxed and at ease.

“Whew, this is really warm tea.”

“I’m glad you like it. Well, let’s have a constructive conversation now.”

Their meeting is unofficial.

There was no benefit to be gained by dragging out the matter for too long. They both knew that very well.

Nigel asked.

“Good. I was wondering what your Majesty’s business was.”

“Kuhaha, don’t pretend not to know when you already know. Is there any other reason why I created this place for you? It’s to convert.”

Abandon the 1st prince and support the 2nd prince.

That was the Duke of Devon's business.

Nigel tilted his head.

“Conversion. That is indeed questionable. Shouldn’t that be something you should be talking about with your father, His Highness the Duke of Doslamd, rather than me?”

“Do not underestimate our intelligence. We know that you have long since completed your preparations for the succession to the ducal throne. And Duke Doslamd is too old to rule the house. So the real head of the family is you, Nigel.”

“Haha, when you say it like that, doesn’t it make me sound like an unfilial son waiting for his father’s death?”

“Am I wrong?”

"well."

Nigel narrowed his eyes.

The momentum changed. A serpentine gaze swept over the Duke of Devon.

“Anyway, I understand your Majesty’s intentions. Certainly, in the current situation, if the Dosramd Dukes support His Highness the Second Prince, His Highness the First Prince will be at a great disadvantage. In particular, politically, he will be overwhelmingly defeated.”

“You know very well.”

“Isn’t that obvious? If you do it right, you can make a big profit. So, what is the price for converting?”

Nigel is the vessel of a politician.

The fact that Duke Dosramd had his own power before he died is proof of his ability. If he lingers, he may suffer great losses.

The Duke of Devon was quick to offer a price.

“If the second prince succeeds to the throne, I will give you the territory that the Rubinellian Dukes once ruled. And I will hand over the mining rights to the magic stone mine and gold mine that I discovered last year. I am also willing to greatly reduce taxes according to the agreement.”

“Kolok, oh my, that’s quite a high price to pay.”

If the deal goes through, Nigel will become a duke with unprecedented power.

But I wasn't really attracted to it.

Even if the first prince wins, there will be considerable vested interests.

Then the Duke of Devon whispered.

“And this is my personal thing… If you take the initiative, I will let you get your hands on the doll as well.”

"doll……?"

“Yeah, doll.”

Nigel's eyes widened.

Because there was only one person in the kingdom who could be called a doll.

“As you know, the Second Prince’s sexual and possessive desires are very strong, but the moment he gets his hands on one, his desires quickly subside. Then what happens to the abandoned doll? Whoever gets it becomes its owner.”

“Then, Coloch, Princess Silis…….”

“Yes, it will be yours. My sons will be jealous, but what can I do? It is the way of the world that those with ability take more. Isn’t that right?”

They already have the money and power.

Then the one who is interested is the woman. The doll princess, Silis. She is the most beautiful and noble woman the kingdom can have.

“If His Highness the First Prince succeeds to the throne, the princess will go to another noble or another country. You and the princess are related by blood, even if it is small, and His Highness the First Prince hates incest, so it is clear that you will not be able to even lay a hand on her. Ha, as a man, don’t you think that is such a pity?”

It's a shame. It's such a shame.

Money, power, women. What nobleman would turn down the opportunity to have it all?

Greed seethed in Nigel's heart.

He was also a human with the blood of the Estyrian royal family.

“That’s right, gulp, gulp! That’s a price I can’t refuse.”

“Would you like to make a deal?”

“I am, kolok, kolok. Yes, kolok! Kolok!”

The cough gets worse.

Nigel shrugged his shoulders, gasping for breath.

“Oh. Did you swallow your saliva wrong because you were so surprised? Let’s get some tea before it gets worse.”

“Go, thank you… Gulp! Gulp!!”

Clang!

The teacup fell from my hand.

Nigel, holding his throat with a ragged breath, coughed repeatedly.

“Cough! Hick. Hick. Cough! Cough!”

"……uh?"

Something is strange.

It was too loud to be a simple commotion. Nigel raised his head in front of the Duke of Devon, who was taken aback.

Blood was flowing from his facial features.

“Me, Nigel?”

“Wow!”

Sticky blood spills onto the table.

The amount of bleeding was close to a lethal amount. Nigel quickly took a deep breath, his chest heaving, and his voice cracked.

“S, save me…….”

Crunch!

My head was stuck in a pool of blood.

There was no longer any sound of breathing. The two bloodshot eyes stared blankly into space. It was an instant death that could not be helped.

No, it was poison.

“No. What the heck is this…….”

The Duke of Devon's hands trembled.

Her shaking eyes were filled with confusion.

Given the circumstances, it seems that Nigel died from drinking tea… or rather, from the poison in the teacup. That’s why I couldn’t understand it.

It was the Duke himself who had prepared the refreshments, and he had no intention of killing Nigel.

Someone intervened.

'The Third Prince? Or someone else? Wasn't this place supposed to be a secret in the first place? And more importantly, when? How did you know I would choose the poisoned cup?'

I don't know.

My head is complicated.

“……No, that’s not the problem right now.”

The reason Nigel died comes later.

The problem was the aftermath that would result from his death.

He is none other than the next Duke of the Doslamd family.

Such a nobleman died, and in front of the Duke of Devon, who supported another prince.

'If we're not careful with this… … .'

The Duke of Devon swallowed, his face pale. His throat felt so dry it almost felt like it was going to burst.

'Oh, I have to sort this out somehow.'

Finding the culprit is not important.

The issue is who died and who was with them. The moment this fact is discovered, no one will listen to the Duke of Devon's excuses.

Politics was an effect rather than a cause.

We need to dispose of Nigel's body and cover up any traces.

Fortunately, this is an unofficial meeting. Their meeting will not be revealed to the public.

If only you could keep your mouth shut properly.

The Duke of Devon, who had regained his senses like a duke, immediately took action.

“Kkaaaak!”

“Ahhhhh!”

They cremated Nigel's body and killed the escorts he brought.

Finally, the Duke of Devon himself cut down his own entourage from behind, leaving not a single one of them behind, not knowing who was involved in the crime.

Uncooled blood dripped down the blade.

Now only the Duke of Devon knows of Nigel's whereabouts.

It was a perfect cleanup.

So the duke returned, pretending not to know, and heightening his wariness of others.

And a few days later.

The Duke of Devon is accused of being the culprit behind Nigel's disappearance. The witness is one of Nigel's escorts. He is apparently the man who was killed in front of the Duke.

Clouds of war began to gather over the kingdom.

* * *

Tracking inside the swamp is very difficult.

A damp, unpleasant terrain. Footprints sink into puddles, and the tangled mess erases any artificial traces.

Even more so if it is a terrible swamp that has been designated as off-limits.

That's why Verden alone is not enough.

Since we had no idea where the explorers had gone, it was hard to gauge how much time we would waste.

But it's different with Karans.

Guardian elves who have made a contract with the forest spirit can communicate with nature and obtain information.

He was the ultimate tracker, unmatched by anyone, in tracing the footsteps of explorers who entered the swamp.

Verden, Karans, and the forest spirits who left Aserne stood at the entrance to the eastern swamp.

Even though the sun was high in the sky, it was dark inside, and bugs of unknown kinds were flying around. The rotten stench made me grimace.

'It's worse than a cave where no light enters.'

It's the worst environment.

Verden blocked his sense of smell.

But Karans would be different.

Because elves are a race that loves nature.

Then, Karans asked.

“Brother, is this the nature you were talking about?”

"however?"

“This is not natural.”

Karans became serious.

It was an unexpected regional discrimination.