Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 224

Episode 224 Identification

The interior of the ruins, revealed by <hint>, was smooth without any sharp edges.

Although old dust had settled, there was no damage at all, as if it had been built just yesterday. It constantly compensates for external impacts below a certain level and ignores the ravages of time.

It is a characteristic of architectural technology that originated from the Magic Kingdom and utilizes magical power.

‘… … It’s quiet.’

Verden arrived at the bottom of the stairs.

The door was wide open. Inside, a wide hallway was visible. On the floor, footprints from a while ago were clearly visible among the dust.

Traces of explorers.

There is no sign of life.

He calmly looked upward.

The symbol of the Magic Nation. The supreme octagonal star, which is the highest magic circle that encompasses the essence of magic circles and is a symbol that represents knowledge itself, appeared in the field of vision.

It's the tomb of the Demon King, so there's nothing strange about the decoration.

Most wizards would nod in agreement, and then hurriedly crawl into the tomb.

But Verden's keen eye caught one question.

'The grooves carved into the wall and the octagonal star connected to the grooves… It doesn't look like they were carved simply for the purpose of using it as a mural.'

It is so detailed and detailed that it can be used right away.

Verden drew on all the knowledge in his head to interpret the meaning.

The supreme octagonal star.

One of the highest level magic circles that the current Verden cannot implement on his own. This magic circle contains the power of 'control'.

It is a kind of control device that can control all magic circles connected to it as desired, except for magic circles of the same level.

Why would they put such an octagonal star at the entrance?

While I was lost in thought, a hypothesis crossed my mind.

'Is it some kind of switch?'

A device for passing qualified or authorized persons.

If that magic circle is connected to the security magic circle, then it is quite possible to interpret it as a lock guarding the tomb.

For example, unless you activate that octagonal star, the trap inside won't disappear.

Of course, there are some parts that don't make sense.

If the hypothesis is correct, then the door should be locked. But if you think of it as a lock, then there must be a key.

The tomb of Verden and the Demon King.

There was only one thing at that intersection.

I took out a blue sapphire from my space bag.

Verden, who approached the entrance, cautiously raised his arm. The relic and the octagonal star began to approach. At that moment, an unprecedented magical power began to flow out from the relic.

'Did Gasil get hit?'

My faith has grown a little stronger.

Finally, he brought the relic into contact with the control device. Then, the octagonal star began to move, and magical power began to flow along the groove.

Boom! Boom!

The tomb shook twice, then became quiet.

It was a different reaction than I expected, but it was clear that something had changed.

The magic power that remained in the octagonal castle and the blue light that formed on the blue sapphire where there was nothing were undeniable evidence.

And that light is leading Verden somewhere.

The listener's words come to mind.

────If you interpret this relic, the path will be revealed.

'Is this the way?'

Looks like I found the right answer.

Verden walked with a certain sense of satisfaction. Following the relic’s intended direction, he passed through the door and walked down the hallway.

I can feel that it has a slight slope.

There were three forks in the road along the way, but the direction of the light was never confused. As expected, no traps appeared either.

It feels as if the grave is welcoming me.

'But the bodies of the explorers are nowhere to be seen.'

At some point, countless footprints disappeared.

It was most likely hit through another passageway, but… … it was strange that there was no bloody smell at all, so it was hard to say that that was the case.

According to Hans' testimony, it must have been quite a disaster.

In the meantime, we reached the end.

“…….”

If it's wide, it's wide; if it's small, it's a small room.

There is a circle in the center that is large enough to fit dozens of people.

Next to it stood a device, containing an artifact similar to the one Verden was holding in his hand.

The difference is the presence or absence of light.

There are also relics that have lost their light rolling around under the device.

'There are three numbers in total.'

In other words, it means that three challengers of the ark have come here.

Verden followed in their footsteps.

He removed the used relic and put in a blue sapphire. It fit perfectly, without the slightest misalignment.

Hooooooooo.

The sound of magical power resonating through space.

The light of the relic grew stronger, and countless lines of magical power began to appear in the circle at the center.

A sophisticated magic circle that exudes complexity and difficulty just by looking at it. As soon as it is completed, a unique purple light flashes.

Space travel.

“Is there really a separate tomb?”

Somewhere where three came and three did not return.

Verden, who had taken a look at the previous relics, quickly climbed onto the magic circle.

When we recognize people, the light becomes stronger.

At that moment, a considerable amount of magical power filled the area, and a purple flash suddenly engulfed Verden.

… … .

The magic circle and Verden disappeared without a trace.

The relic that had served its purpose fell into darkness.

* * *

The Royal House of Estyria, Esnoren.

In the splendid conference room, the first prince, Valgna, and the second prince, Rotnil, had a fierce confrontation.

“Are you really crazy, daring to instigate an assassination?”

“Oh, it’s a misunderstanding, brother!”

“Shut up! Are you going to evade your duty when there is a witness? And if you are going to say such things, you should at least reveal the circumstances of the Duke of Devon first. But you and the Duke did not respond to the Duke of Northramd’s reasonable demands in time. Do you need to say more?”

“……I don’t know about that.”

"then!"

Boom!

A veiny fist struck the table.

“Bring me the head of the Duke of Devon, who killed Nigel, the eldest son of the Duke of Northramd, immediately, before something worse happens.”

It was a chilling warning.

But that couldn't be done.

If the Duke of Devon, the father of the second queen and the central figure of the second prince's faction, were to be killed for this reason, the damage would be irreparable.

Rotnil answered, biting his lip.

“There is insufficient evidence. How can you kill the duke based on the testimony of a single escort knight? Whether that is true or not has yet been determined…….”

“So it’s perjury?”

“But why would the Duke of Devon kill Nigel? He would have no incentive to take the risk and commit assassination in this situation.”

“Nigel is the clear heir to the throne. With the Duke of Northramd’s life waning, his influence on my faction is by no means small. I believe his motives are sufficient.”

“That’s just your opinion.”

“Then bring me the circumstances at that time.”

“…….”

“As expected, you can’t answer.”

Valgna stood up from his seat.

“Rotnil, you will soon regret what happened today.”

A voice full of anger.

The sound of footsteps grows distant.

Rotnil, left alone in the conference room, let out a deep sigh and hurried back to call the executives together.

Among them was the Duke of Devon himself.

“Why on earth… why on earth are you doing that?”

“It wasn’t me, Your Majesty! No, I did clean up the mess… but it was someone else who killed Nigel. Someone!”

“Don’t you know who that person is! And if you were going to clean up after him, you should have done it properly! Why did you spare one of the guards!”

“That, that… was definitely dead. I saw it die with my own eyes, and I even disposed of the body… why is it like this….”

The Duke of Devon covered his forehead.

My head felt like it was going to burst. My mind was so confused that it felt like my vision was distorted.

Rotnil felt dizzy at the sight of the Duke who had lost his sense of despair.

At that moment, a voice was heard from the side.

“Brother Rotneil, it was probably you who killed Nigel.”

3rd Prince Evers.

The youngest prince who joined the faction a while ago through Rotnil's persuasion. The air was stirred by his words.

“Why did Brother Valgna…….”

“If you think about it, isn’t it obvious? In a situation where you are being pushed back politically, the only thing that the older brother has over the younger brother is force. Since he has Wintert, who rules the huge underworld, on his back, he has created a pretext for civil war.”

“My, civil war? But sacrificing Nigel would have been too much.”

“Don’t you know that your eldest brother only cares about himself? And the second son of the Duke of Northramd is also capable, so he’s a better choice. In fact, he’s more to your taste.”

“…….”

“Even without Nigel’s escort, my eldest brother would have brought other evidence. He would have used it to create a favorable situation, whether it was a civil war or the execution of the Duke of Devon. Since things have already turned out this way, I think my eldest brother has achieved his goal. If you had told me earlier, I could have responded more strongly than I did now.”

“Umm…….”

“Then what should we do?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Evers smiled sinisterly.

“You have to hit the player before he gets hit.”

“What? Ha, but…….”

“You must never be dragged around by your eldest brother’s line. If you lose even once, it will literally be the end. Would that arrogant eldest brother let us, who are a thorn in his side, live? Isn’t he the kind of person who would personally cut off our heads to make sure we die?”

“That’s…… true.”

“You have to win at all costs. Since Abamama won’t care anyway, there’s no one to say anything. Remember, if you don’t draw your sword first, you’ll start by cutting off your limbs one by one.”

“……Yeah, that’ll be it.”

“I have a few weaknesses in your faction that I can start with. If done well, it could be as fatal as cutting your Achilles’ heel. That’s what I mean. What do you think, Brother Rotnil?”

Gulp.

Rotnil swallowed.

The Duke of Devon also looked convinced. He may have wanted to believe that it was not his fault, but that he had fallen into the First Prince's trap.

Soon Rotnil made a decision.

“……Okay. Evers, I’ll leave it to you.”

That answer signaled the start of a civil war.

“Yes, brother.”

Evers smiled confidently.

His eyes were hazy, as if he were dreaming.

* * *

The deepest part of the castle.

An old man sits on the throne from decades ago. His cheekbones and ribs are exposed. He is trying to recover his deteriorating health a little with various magic items and medicines.

Before him, Leonil, the head of the court magician group, prostrated himself.

“Your Majesty, Prince Valgna and Prince Rotnil are pointing their swords at each other. I believe that if this continues, great damage will be done to the kingdom. What will you do?”

"damage……?"

The King of Estyria slowly opened his eyes.

There was a flash of madness, filled with murderous intent and stubbornness.

“Who cares who inherits the throne? I am the one who rules Estyria! Leonil, is this the time for you to care about such things?!”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“You do your experiments! Yeah, how did those experiments turn out? How much longer do I have to wait, how much longer! How long must I remain the king of this small territory!”

The king went mad.

Leonie answered quietly without moving an inch.

“Now we just need to find one with a unique trait. The Dark Lord has located its whereabouts.”

“Huh? You mean the trash in the gutter?”

“He is a wizard named Asher who recently visited the capital. If we can secure him, you will be able to become the king you have longed for.”

“Really? Really? Even if you know that, why don’t you bring him right away?!”

“I need money to give to the king of the underworld, but it’s a matter of handling the national treasury…….”

“Money and everything else is overflowing, so take it and spend it right now! It’ll be filled up by taxes anyway! Who would say anything if I use my kingdom as I please! By the way…… Hahahaha!”

The King of Estyria clenched his fist.

The sound of ecstatic, mad laughter echoed through the air.

“Finally. It’s finally my turn to reclaim my glory…! As a great conqueror who will forever remain in the history of the kingdom!”

An ordinary king with nothing outstanding.

His incompetence was well known to foreign countries, and the high-ranking nobles secretly looked down on him. It was humiliating.

But he changed.

During the war with the Republic of Veldirn, he had a glimpse of the ruler's seat thanks to the help of 'Gluttony'. The nobles who were an eyesore lowered their heads, and other countries watched and murmured.

A sense of superiority I've never felt before.

The intoxication of that victory was… … something I would never forget for the rest of my life. As a result, the ordinary king became the embodiment of madness.

It is the obsession of an incompetent person who has briefly tasted great power.

It is truly so insignificant.

No matter what he does, he is ultimately an incompetent king.

'Now I'm even stupid.'

Still, it was worth using.

Thanks to that, I was able to attain the status of a transcendent being.

Leonie twisted the corner of his mouth.

“It will surely come true as you wish.”

There was no subject.

* * *

Hwaaaaah!

Verden, who had moved through space, immediately felt his senses tense.

The magical circuits of the entire body were activated to respond to all kinds of dangers. Golden light flowed from the Orient crystal.

'There is… no trap.'

Verden turned his head carefully.

The light from the magic lamp fixed to the ceiling brightly illuminated the darkness. There was nothing else, and all that could be seen was a passage leading somewhere.

Just then, a sound was heard from the hallway.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The sound of metal hitting metal.

When viewed at intervals, it appears to be a stride.

Eventually, its identity was revealed.

“……Golem?”

It's literally a golem.

It was a strange golem with limbs attached to a straight body, but it was small enough to barely reach Verden's waist.

In no way was it created naturally.

The golem often approached Verden at a brisk pace.

A blue ring-shaped light flowed out from what was thought to be the head.

'Does it have an eye function?'

There is only one pupil.

Verden named it the One-Eyed Golem.

Magical power flowed from the golem's eyes and examined Verden.

I flinched for a moment, but tried not to resist. The magic power was too small to feel any danger.

Only enough to use 1st tier magic.

That was when.

[Race. Unrecognizable. Not identical to registered appearance.]

“……?!”

A sound came from the golem.

Sentences and words with clear meaning. It was almost like a human voice.

I've never seen anything like this.

While Verden was shocked, the one-eyed golem continued speaking without paying attention.

[Acceptable variables. Checking the following variables… … Beep! An error has occurred!]

The golem's eyes turned red.

[Magic power cannot be measured.]

[Magic nature cannot be specified.]

[Limited hierarchy cannot be measured.]

[Same variables as registrant. Check important variables. No errors. End of variable check.]

[Beep. Identification confirmed.]

The red eyes turned green this time.

The golem tilted its body back and looked straight at Verden.

[Welcome, Your Majesty the Demon King.]