Chapter 65…………..
“Oh, there he comes.”
“It was an honor just to greet the Tower Lord and be able to buy potions.”
Half the people had their eyes fixed on the master of the Magic Tower.
“Now that I see him, I can understand why he’s called the ruler of the Demon Realm.”
“If only he weren’t a dark sorcerer, I’d want to befriend him.”
“On the contrary, that makes me all the more curious.”
Half the group cast furtive glances at the Demon Realm’s foremost figure, showing their interest.
In an instant, the ones drawing all the attention and becoming the center of the conversation were Edwin and Mephisto.
Among them, Mephisto couldn’t hold back a faint laugh.
The ridiculous reason was that Neir, having gorged himself on most of the men gathered here, was now rolling about in his room, rubbing his full stomach.
Edwin, unaware of such circumstances, only saw Mephisto’s expression and sneered, glaring at him.
“Looking pretty relaxed, huh? Was the preparation that easy?”
It was Edwin who spoke first.
“Secret Fog? Hardly even worth preparing for.”
Mephisto threw the words at Edwin, though his eyes were fixed far away on Asterios. His gaze was sharp.
The worms Neir summoned had picked up only useless chatter and merely fed him sweet dreams, providing no real information at all.
Sigh. I brought him along to be useful, but he’s nothing but dead weight…
Neir, whose only hunger was satisfied, had already fallen into a deep sleep by the time Roziana, worried, rushed to the annex to seek him out.
While Asterios was spending an intimate time with the princess, I had to endure hearing nothing but Neir’s moans from inside the room.
Neir, now a succubus who could freely feed on men’s essence, had been panting and moaning in delirium the whole time, while Mephisto simply rubbed his forehead and thought of Roziana. Luckily, the annex rooms were well soundproofed.
Through his insect monsters he confirmed that, once Asterios left, the princess’s complexion had improved greatly. Of course, it was precisely because of Asterios that Mephisto burned with rage again—but since Roziana was safe, he let it go.
Thus, Mephisto was in a very foul mood.
I was already itching to pick a fight with someone…
And so, Edwin’s casual remark only stoked the fire. Naturally, Mephisto’s irritation turned toward him.
“I’m fine. But Edwin, I’d be worried about you. Didn’t you lose something there last time? A pair of earrings, wasn’t it?”
“Tch.” Edwin’s nose twisted at the jab, and he took the bait.
“They weren’t lost. They were broken.”
The memory of that incident surfaced again, and Edwin’s expression grew more and more grim.
Not only was he unable to forgive Mephisto for stealing the cage, but remembering what happened when he encountered Asterios in Secret Fog only made him angrier—especially since back then Asterios had been Tenebres.
To think that the one who destroyed something I treasured as dearly as life itself was my own best friend!
Beguiled by his closest friend, the earrings—the medium—were broken. Because of that, he couldn’t block Mephisto’s attack and lost the cage.
As Edwin’s resentful eyes shifted to Asterios—
Huh?
…What’s wrong with him?
Even at a glance, his condition looked poor.
No way… was he actually done in by that petty succubus?
As Tower Lord, he was well aware some wretched monster had already swept through the annex. But under normal circumstances, a succubus would be nothing to Asterios.
Quite a talent, to get on my nerves like this.
On the eve of the competition, seeing him stumbling and weak like the other candidates was absurd.
Mephisto’s gaze followed him again. Overwhelmed by jealousy, he had no generosity to care about Asterios’s health, but now he noticed his pale face.
“Hmph.”
Mephisto smirked, intrigued, but Edwin strode straight toward Asterios.
“Here. Drink this.”
“Hm?”
Edwin pulled out a small vial filled with shimmering green liquid and held it out to him. Asterios’s eyes fell on the bottle.
“It’s a special recovery potion from the Tower.”
“This kind of thing…”
“Before you say you don’t need it, look in a mirror. Your dark circles reach the floor.”
He didn’t know why Asterios was still staggering even after reclaiming the Broken Chalice, but Edwin understood Tenebres’s temperament.
Surely the Chalice had some other purpose.
“Don’t let yourself get shaken by someone’s scheme. Endure until the end. Because I want to face you fair and square, all the way. Tenebres.”
That was Edwin’s way of looking out for his friend.
That was his kind of friendship.
Just then, the white-haired man beside Asterios greeted Edwin politely.
So this is… Izeph?
His pale, calm face and neat attire stood out at a glance.
Thin but firm—that was the impression he gave.
So it’s true he became the princess’s man. He’s not wearing priestly garb, and he’s with Asterios.
That a former priest was now participating in the contest was unexpected.
Edwin turned his eyes back to Asterios and spoke curtly:
“But where’s that foolish sage of yours?”
He put particular emphasis on the word sage. It felt strange, as though the fool who was always wandering nearby was suddenly missing. Looking around, he spotted two men in white clerical robes at a distance.
“Or perhaps he came ahead of us?”
He was about to approach them when the assembled candidates split into two lines as the chamberlain appeared. Soon, the man shouted loudly:
“Everyone, your attention please!”
Candidates and attendants—nearly a hundred people—gathered around him.
“There are no major changes from the notice given earlier, but one piece of news must be delivered before departure. As of now, twenty-two candidates have withdrawn due to loss of vitality.”
At the unexpected announcement, the candidates murmured and the air quickly stirred.
“Twenty-two? Weren’t there only six or so before the banquet?”
“Sounds like more collapsed in the meantime.”
“Or maybe they’re just pretending out of fear? You know, since the first round is a fight for your life.”
“That explanation makes more sense.”
Either way, the fact was that the number of competitors had dropped.
“For the rest, please be mindful of safety. As you have entered voluntarily, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents or dangers you bring upon yourselves. In emergencies, press the jewel at the center of your choker, and the Imperial Knights will come to your aid as swiftly as possible.”
The chamberlain once more reviewed the key rule: candidates could seek help from the knights, but of course, anyone who failed to clear the round on their own would be disqualified.
“Then, I wish you all good fortune!”
As he stepped aside, Graham the Holy Emperor and the sage Daniel, standing at the head of the group, immediately drew notice.
Though dressed in white like priests, both men also wore chokers like the other candidates.
“Depart! Mount your horses or carriages!”
Knights and attendants called out, assisting the candidates. Everyone would travel together from the palace to the entrance of Secret Fog, where the first round would begin at once.
“Return safely!”
“Good luck!”
“Be sure to pass and come back!”
Cheers rose from the central palace, where people waved farewell. Among those encouraging Graham and Daniel were elders and wounded men they had once healed.
Emperor Leodian, Empress Ariana, and the two princes, along with Roziana, stood in the palace lobby, seeing off the departing group.
As she waved at the retreating procession, Roziana turned and bowed to her parents.
“Father, Mother. I’ll prepare and head out as well. My two brothers, I’ll see you at the foot of the mountain.”
“Yes, Rozie. Go well.”
“We’ll see you soon.”
“It’ll be cold at the mountain’s base, so dress warmly.”
“I will, Brother William.”
With her parents’ smiles and her brothers’ warm words behind her, Roziana wasted no time turning and heading to her room.
I need to hurry.
The distance between her and Asterios was growing with every moment.
For Asterios to truly fight properly, I need to be close by.
Naturally, she was worried. Since she knew he was weaker than usual after she had drained so much of his mana, she was even more concerned.
By rule, the princess could not go all the way into Secret Fog. However, the royal family and the knights were to wait at the foot of the mountain to encourage the candidates and confirm those who survived.
She, along with Crown Prince William and Prince Alex, would leave in about four hours to reach Secret Fog. Even at top speed, the mountain was tall enough that the round trip required at least six hours.
The princes and princess would take turns verifying the first-round survivors. The chokers of those who passed would bear the imperial seal.
By schedule, Roziana was last. So she planned to remain as close to Asterios as possible until her turn came, then descend to the mountain entrance.
I hope Asterios clears the mission before it’s my turn.
Her lips tightened anxiously, when Mari quietly approached, handing her comfortable clothes.
“I’ve prepared everything for you to leave right away, Your Highness.”
That brought her back to herself.
“Ah, thank you, Mari.”
She hadn’t expected she would worry about Asterios this much.
She changed clothes and followed Mari straight to the stables.
“I’ll follow shortly.”
“I’m counting on you, Mari.”
By now, Asterios’s horse and the candidates’ procession had vanished from sight. Pulling her cloak tight to hide her face, Roziana mounted the prepared horse. A pale face flashed before her eyes, and she swallowed hard. She gripped the reins tighter.
“Hyah!”
Her steed kicked off the ground, cutting through the wind as it sped away.
