Zich busily visited the mansions of all the elite families that opposed Walwiss Dwayne. Even though all of the elite families’ mansions had tightened up their security due to the tense atmosphere in the city, this didn’t pose a challenge to Zich at all.
Moreover, Zich didn’t search important areas like the master room, so it was easier for Zich to infiltrate inside without getting caught. Zich only targeted areas like the pigeon carrier rooms or butler rooms where all the important letters arrived. Like this, he was able to collect many messages written in codes like this.
‘I’m sure this will help Lyla make a lot of progress with her decoding work.’
Zich heard from Lyla about the small success she made with her work. Even though Zich had no idea what the line that Lyla interpreted meant, the mere fact that Lyla was able to extract meaningful phrases from the strange letters or symbols was praiseworthy. So, while Zich ran around the city and Lyla spent her time on the desk, the conspiracy surrounding the magical tower continued to progress.
Finally, D-day arrived.
“D-day has been decided.” Orland passed a note to Zich.
Zich could see letters written in rough handwriting. A date was written on it.
“Sir, it’s in 3 days.”
“I’ve interpreted the codes you brought me.”
“Sir, does the D-day refer to the day our opponents are going to initiate a coup?”
“Yes. Coincidently, it’s been decided that an all-magicians conference will happen in 3 days.”
“Sir, that is a very amazing coincidence.”
“Yes, it is a very amazing coincidence.”
Zich and Orland looked at each other and smiled. Anyone who saw them would have thought that they looked like a group of villains planning an evil conspiracy—technically, they weren’t wrong.
Zich said, “An all-magicians conference must be different from the meetings where only the top mages gather together.”
“Yes, as its name implies, it’s a meeting where all the magicians who have even the smallest reputation gather together. Tomorrow, there will be a meeting to listen to all the magicians’ opinions and thoughts, and that’s how they plan to end this matter.”
“Sir, but the reality would be different, right?”
“Yes. However, this is a wonderful opportunity for our opponents. If they detain everyone there, they would be able to capture most of the city’s high-ranking people.”
“However, even if the master has enormous authority and power in this city, doesn’t this city still have its own mayor and officials?”
“It seems like the mayor is also attending this meeting with the other high-ranking officials.”
“For our enemies, it’ll be as if very delicious prey would be gathering together.”
“Yes, it’ll be like a feast for them.”
“Sir, so what do they plan to do? Are they going to instill a magic trap and bomb the place or something?”
“If they did that, those who instigated the coup might also get caught up in the explosion. All leaders of the coup, including Wayne Jaewick, will be participating in the meeting as well.”
“Sir, I hope that happens. It would be great if only those guys who staged the coup died.”
“I also agree.”
Zich’s words seemed to have triggered Orland’s sense of humor, because Orland began chuckling out loud.
Then Orland said, “I doubt our enemies would stage such a just and helpful trap. They probably don’t have the ability to do so either. It seems like they plan to capture everyone.”
“I guess they’re not planning to go all the way.” Then Zich thought, ‘That’s fortunate. If they were all in favor of bombing the meeting, then I’d have to intervene.’
Zich wanted to minimize damage on other people as much as possible since Lyla had also asked him to. If Orland made a conspiracy to kill people in the meeting, Zich would be forced to intervene; however, it seemed as if it would be fine if he just continued to watch Orland’s show unfold.
“You never know. Capturing someone is the same as having their life in your hands. If the captives are a hindrance to them or do something wrong, our enemies might kill the captives without hesitation.”
“I don’t know how they will deal with the consequences. Even if they grab hold of the magical tower and the city, the country won’t just let them be.”
Sunewick was not a city-state, nor did it border other countries. If the country didn’t recognize the legitimacy of the coup, they would immediately send an army. No matter how great the magical tower’s power was, it was not enough to deal with an entire country’s army. Moreover, Wayne and the resisting mages would have lost some of their power from the coup.
“Isn’t it obvious? They will make some kind of justification. A justification that will explain how they had no choice but to initiate this coup. Or if not…” Orland lowered his voice as if he was saying an important secret. “They might try to put the blame on the other side.”
“And the one trying to put the blame on others is probably the master of the magical tower, Walwiss Dwayne.”
Orland grimaced. “…There’s still a possibility that my father is being used without knowing what’s happening.”
“Of course, I have no intentions of interfering with your beliefs.” Zich smiled and said, “However, I also know that you’re the type to make strong distinctions between private and public matters. I trust that you won’t ruin our plan because of personal feelings.”
“…Yes, that won’t happen.” Orland, who had tried to get along with Zich so far, now spoke with a very displeased voice. “If we stop the conspiracy and figure out all the information about this event, my father will definitely be proven innocent. I’m sure of this.”
“Sir, I hope what you want comes true.”
‘Of course, Walwiss Dwayne is going to be innocent—but not in the way you want.’ Zich mocked Orland inside his mind.
Of course, Orland didn’t know what Zich was thinking. “Thank you.” Orland relaxed his stern expression and replied by acting grateful. Then he said, “Ah, now that I think about it, I have a favor to ask you.”
“Sir, what kind of favor is it?”
“Won’t you protect Elena?”
“Elena?”
“Elena will also be attending the all-magicians conference.”
Elena was not a reputable mage. Instead, she was part of the most esteemed family in Sunewick that had produced many masters of the magical tower, including Walwiss Dwayne. However, as someone without mana, she was not qualified to participate in an all-magicians conference. Then there was only one reason why she would be joining the meeting.
“She’s going to be brought in as a witness.”
“Yes. It will be dangerous for others, but it will be even more dangerous for Elena since she won’t be able to protect herself with magic. I’m not asking you to protect her right now. Since you are also wanted, you probably can’t do that anyway. I’m just asking you to protect her when the coup begins.”
Zich stared at Orland. Did he mean these words for real? Did he still have fatherly affections for Elena? Or was it…
‘Is he trying to protect Elena since he can still use her?’
“Why are you staring at me like that? Will it be too difficult?” Orland stared at Zich who didn’t reply right away.
Zich nodded. “Elena is my friend’s disciple. Due to the conspiracy surrounding the magical tower and some misunderstandings, our relationship has become estranged, but Lyla and I still care deeply about Elena. Of course, we will protect her. Moreover, I was the one who said that Walwiss was targeting you and Elena. I will take responsibility until the very end.”
“Thank you. If I’m not asking too much, will Ms. Lyla and your servants also help you in protecting Elena? This is difficult for me to say, but if worse to worst, the only family member I will have left is Elena. I’m ashamed to ask such a personal favor in a situation like this, but this is my life’s request.”
Orland’s expression portrayed the face of a struggling person who didn’t want to be suspicious of his father yet couldn’t fully trust him; thus, he wanted to protect his daughter at least. Any human would have sympathized with his expression. However, Zich felt no emotions from looking at Orland’s expression. He calmly analyzed the hidden meanings behind Orland’s words.
‘Hmm. He wants to take me out of the operation.’
Since Orland was completely played around by Zich’s “evidence”, it seemed as if Orland wanted to finish his plans with his own hands.
‘Well, okay. Let’s see how long he’ll carry out his show.’
“Sir, that’s fine with me. I will bring all my companions to protect Elena.” Zich nodded
“Thank you.” Orland bowed his head.
“But sir, please also know that if the situation turns awry, I will have to intervene.”
“Of course.” Orland nodded since he also knew it would be too much to ask for more.
After some time passed, the all-magicians conference commenced in the magical tower.
* * *
Over the horizon far away, the sun began to reveal its rays. The world, which had fallen under a deep sleeping spell from the night, began to wake up from its slumber. Many people and living beings began to start their day, and the world became full of life and energy.
However, there was one place in Sunewick that couldn’t join in the bright atmosphere outside. Instead, the atmosphere in the magical tower was extremely tense. It wasn’t as if there were no people in the magical tower. On the other hand, there were much more people than usual. However, everyone who had gathered in the magical tower had their mouths shut tight in nervousness. People began getting out of their carriages one by one. They were all mages who had quite the reputation.
Even though they were mages that usually locked themselves up in their research labs and sloppily ate and washed themselves, their appearances were completely different from their usual selves. They had gone back to their residences and gotten plenty of sleep. They even ate a filling meal the day before. They also washed their wrinkly and dirty robes, cleaned their staffs, and organized their hair and beards. Even though mages were usually only interested in their research, they were also aware of the tense situation in the magical tower.
At that moment, a carriage stopped in front of the magical tower. The surrounding people saw the symbol on the carriage door, and their gazes became fixated on the carriage.
Creak!
The carriage door opened, and a man got out. As soon as people saw who he was, people began murmuring amongst themselves. Even though the man also noticed people’s gazes on him, he didn’t meet their gazes. He glanced at the magical tower that stretched to the sky. He had been familiar with the magical tower since a very young age, but somehow the tower seemed a bit different today.
The man—Wayne Jaewick—lowered his gaze and stared at the entrance that was completely open. The people inside looked at him. There were all kinds of emotions on their faces: optimism, pessimism, envy, confusion, contempt, and even horror.
These were the emotions that people directed towards one of the main figures who had thrown the magical tower into chaos. However, Wayne Jaewick quietly endured their sharp gazes.
Step!
He took one step forward. At the same time, he strengthened his resolve. ‘Regardless of the results, the insurrection is happening today.’ And Wayne had no intention to be on the losing side. He stared ahead, put his chin up high, firmly pursed his lips, and walked naturally towards the entrance. In order to obtain greater power, he walked towards the upcoming battlefield.
* * *
The conference hall was enormous. While the top magicians’ conference happened at the top of the magical tower, the all-magicians conference took place in the middle of the magical tower. The entire conference hall was made from expanding the second and third floors, so it was huge. It had been made to hold various events in the tower where many people gathered together.
The conference hall looked like a large lecture room or even a stage. At the bottom of the conference hall, there was a lecture space, and the chairs stretched up to the top all around the lecture space. Many people were already seated in their seats and exchanging their thoughts. The leaders of the uprising like Wayne Jaewick had already stationed themselves in the front rows. Other mages sat together with their friends. On one side, Elena sat in her seat with an uneasy expression.
When most people seemed to have arrived at the conference hall, Walwiss Dwayne made his entrance. Silence instantly fell upon the whole area.