The Annual Magic Contest had been three times as prosperous this year. It didn’t mean that the magicians participating in the contest were more superior than usual. It was the same event, but it was three times more prosperous because more people had visited Meltor.
It was because the symbol of Elvenheim, High Elf Ellenoa, was in Meltor. It had become very difficult to see elves since the founding of Elvenheim and the abolition of slavery. Some people even doubted their existence.
The unrealistic beauty and presence of the high elf, who had appeared at the opening ceremony, were enough to convince them of the truth. Major figures from all over the continent had come to Meltor, so the news spread quickly.
– A high elf from Elvenheim has come to Manavil!
– Buds sprout wherever she walks!
– It is a sign that the balance between the Northern powers will collapse!
– She has a deep relationship with Meltor’s young hero!
Rumors spread, and ships and carriages in the Central Continent headed to Meltor in droves. If even one of the rumors was true, then this was an event that could be a turning point in history. They might not have any influence on it, but they couldn’t just sit still.
Some came with the purpose of trying to trade with Elvenheim. Someone else steered their ship with the intention of making a mark on Meltor. There was also someone who took a carriage just to see the high elf’s beauty. And another who crossed the border to explore the North.
As the major powers moved for their own reasons, the procession following them increased in number. One person grew to ten, ten to a hundred, and then to the thousands. The guards at Meltor’s checkpoints were busier than ever, and a lot of gold poured into the treasury.
.
The Annual Magic Contest lasted for a fortnight, and the city didn’t sleep until the morning of the last day of the contest finally came.
However, the atmosphere of the palace was heavy.
“… Treasurer, please report the result of this Magic Contest.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the treasurer answered and walked forward. “The number of visitors at this year’s Magic Contest was triple compared to last year, so the logistics have increased nearly fivefold. However, half our budget is enough to complete most of our current national plans.”
“What about the trade inquiries from other countries?”
“Three from Austen, two from Soldun, eight from Kargas. There are also four from the Lairon Religious Kingdom…” 𝙚𝙙𝙤𝒗𝒆𝒍．𝒄𝙤𝙢
Kurt’s eyebrows twitched, and he shook his head when he heard the name Lairon. Magicians and religious figures didn’t go well together. The Lairon Kingdom would try to convert their magicians, and diplomatic relations might worsen.
“Dismiss all requests from Lairon.”
“I will follow Your Majesty’s words.”
The treasurer moved back after replying, and Kurt turned to the chairman of the Magic Society next.
The chairman of the Magic Society understood Kurt’s meaning and quickly opened his mouth to speak. “The recruitment of magicians has gone smoothly. There are a total of two hundred and fourteen magicians who put their names on the conference list, and one hundred and seventeen magicians have been chosen to be naturalized. Among them, there are forty five people who have achieved higher than the 4th Circle. This is a little over twice that of last year.”
“Not bad. What is the distribution to each Magic Tower?”
“It hasn’t been decided yet. I don’t think it can be determined until after the Red Tower Master returns.”
That was natural. After all, it was the privilege of a Tower Master to endorse the membership of a magician. Even if the elders dealt with a Tower Master’s duties in their absence, they couldn’t make a decision about personnel.
However, Kurt III couldn’t help frowning. “Yes, we don’t have the Red Tower Master.”
At this point, the people present understood Kurt’s thoughts and acted carefully. The investigation team had gone to claim the ruins and had yet to return. Kurt had thought nothing would go wrong because Veronica was present, but worry was starting to gnaw at him with every day they didn’t come back. He wasn’t worried about Veronica. After all, since they were both pillars of the kingdom, he was one of the people who knew her best. There were only a few things that could threaten Red Tower Master Veronica.
If she were buried by an earthquake, she would break the ground and pop out. If she were swept away by a tsunami, she would evaporate the water. Everyone knew in their hearts that anyone from Andras had died. The problem was with the four magicians, Quattro. If any of the prospects who were marked as successors to the Tower Masters died, it would be a horrible loss for Meltor. Moreover, this expedition included the hero, Theodore Miller!
“White Tower Master.”
Orta replied, “Your instructions, Your Majesty?”
The man whose presence was always concealed revealed himself near the throne. Had he just entered? Perhaps he had always been present.
The scary thing about the White Tower Master was that they couldn’t know for sure. He could never be pinned down and was known to have defeated one of the Seven Swords. Orta was the key behind a massive purge when Kurt had just been crowned. Even now, the nobles still called him a grim reaper.
“Did you do what I instructed?”
“Of course,” Orta replied coldly as he detailed, “I have completed the elimination of twenty shadows at the border of the Meuse Desert, as well as seventy six operatives. I continued to monitor the situation, but no more people showed up.”
He was emotionless despite talking about killing almost a hundred people. Even if the people had been experts of Andras, they hadn’t even gotten a chance to use their Aura Abilities. The results of Orta’s guerrilla tactics were truly miserable.
Orta had cleared up the outskirts of the Meuse Desert at the king’s command. Kurt had been worried those on the outskirts would disrupt the return of the investigation team.
“… But why is there no news yet?” In the end, Kurt couldn’t help expressing his impatience.
The king had made the call. He had been the one who had dispatched Veronica and Quattro. Kurt had the qualities of a king, and his choices were never bad. When the results weren’t particularly good, they weren’t terrible either. He hoped that his choice wasn’t wrong this time.
“Your Majesty!” At that moment, the door opened, and Blundell hesitated to continue speaking.
“Blundell, what is going on? It isn’t like you to hesitate.”
It was as Kurt said. Blundell’s white beard and hair were soaked with sweat, while his always relaxed face was filled with confusion.
Blundell shouted, “Your Majesty should come out and see it personally!”
Everyone turned toward each other in confusion, while Kurt stared down at Blundell blankly. He rose from the throne with a questioning expression.
“Guide me.”
***
Blue scales shone among the white clouds as a dragon flew above Manavil.
A soldier at the watchtower had spotted the spectacular sight first. He couldn’t believe what he had seen and pointed upward. The guard, who was seeing a dragon for the first time in his life, didn’t know what to do. He belatedly reported to the guard captain, who contacted the royal palace and the Magic Society.
However, Blundell moved faster than anyone else.
To think that a dragon appeared right now! What the hell is this?
He was truly feeling Veronica’s absence. Blundell stroked his white beard anxiously, but he didn’t have an answer. There were no records of Meltor ever angering a dragon.
No, isn’t there one?
Theo had fought a sea dragon in the Pirate Archipelago, so he might’ve made an enemy of the blue clan. However, Aquilo’s case was different. The blue dragons were a thoroughly individual clan. Moreover, even if they had a relationship with someone, they only communicated with that person and didn’t show much interest in anyone else.
So, why had a dragon come to Manavil?
“… I still don’t understand,” Blundell muttered. Meanwhile, the king and other nobles were dismayed by the sight.
As sunlight reflected off its blue scales, the dragon swimming in the sky was beautiful enough to make anyone lose their minds. It might be strange to fly with a wingless body, but flying itself wasn’t impossible for a sea dragon.
In order for wings to carry a draconic body, the surface area of the dragon’s wings had to be six times its current size and its body two thirds lighter. Fundamentally, a dragon’s ability to fly was due to its own magic power. Red dragons emitted hot air to fly at high speeds, whereas blue dragons controlled atmospheric moisture to steer in the air. Although a blue dragon couldn’t match a red dragon’s flight speed, it was far more elegant in the sky.
… Of course, there were people who didn’t agree with that.
“It feels like an earthworm wriggling! Don’t wriggle around and speed up more!”
Aquilo’s tail twitched.
「This is the fastest I can go! Do you think that a sea dragon can fly at high speeds?」
“Aren’t you a pureblood dragon? I can fly faster than you!”
「Then get off! If it wasn’t for the boy, I wouldn’t even let you ride!」
“Fine!”
Veronica jumped off Aquilo’s back without any fear. They were hundreds of meters above sea level. A human would disintegrate on impact, but Veronica was far more robust. She didn’t even need any magic as she landed.
Kwaang!
The marble shattered as the crowd ducked for cover.
“Uwaaaaack!”
“It is the dragon’s preemptive strike!”
“W-What is it?”
“Blue Tower Master, what should we do?”
As she looked at them, Veronica sighed, “Phew, they are going nuts.”
She waited patiently for the competent ones to calm down, which was taking a second.
“C-Cough! The Red Tower Master has returned!”
“You went through a lot of trouble. Did it go well?”
Veronica ignored them. “I have no time to talk to you guys. Where are His Majesty and the tower masters?”
She found Kurt and the Tower Masters nearby, who seemed rather stunned. After all, Veronica had just fallen from a dragon in the sky. It was understandable that they needed an explanation.
However, Veronica interrupted them, “Just a moment, Your Majesty. Everyone else is on the wriggling worm, so let’s wait until they’re all present to talk about it.”
“W-Wriggling…?” Kurt looked up at the sky with a strange expression after hearing the world’s strongest species being called a wriggling worm.
The dragon in the distant sky was getting closer.
Huuk!
It only took a few moments for the dragon to land, and robes of four different colors flapped in the wind as Quattro landed on the ground. Then with perfect timing, Veronica and Quattro bent on one knee before the king. The appearance of the blue dragon behind them was really spectacular. Five voices overlapped as they spoke simultaneously:
““We, Red Tower Master Veronica and the four members of Quattro, have captured the ruins of Meuse Desert in Your Majesty’s name and have returned.””