Episode 28
Troy’s quick response left Emperor Karot slightly startled. He hadn’t even finished his sentence before being cut off, which made it obvious that Troy had misunderstood.
“It seems our Crown Prince has a different idea than mine. I wasn’t even going to talk about marriage.”
The Emperor let out an exaggerated sigh. Troy, however, was clearly embarrassed. He had been so sure the conversation would steer toward the topic of marriage like always.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I spoke out of turn.”
“No need to be so tense. I was only teasing.”
Troy felt relief, but also a bit of frustration toward his father. It had always been this way—more than just a ruler, Karot was a father who loved mischief.
Even though he knew this, the title Emperor still weighed heavily on Troy.
“I called you today because… I’m starting to think it’s time for me to step down from governance.”
“Then…”
“Yes. You should begin preparing. Prepare to shoulder the burden of this empire.”
Troy’s eyes widened. He had always known he would one day ascend the throne—but not this soon.
And to inherit it without even having a Crown Princess? It felt like the conversation would circle back to marriage.
But the Emperor’s next words took an unexpected turn.
“As my first son and Crown Prince, I issue a royal command.”
A royal command?
“Yes. A long-standing imperial tradition.”
In the Hargan Empire, there was an old tradition within the imperial family: the reigning emperor tested his successor before passing down the throne.
The test was meant to determine if the heir could be trusted with the crown.
The method and standards of the test were entirely up to the current emperor—his word was law.
Historically, some tests were easy. Others had demanded risking one’s life.
Troy clenched his fist without realizing. He didn’t know what the test would be, and it made him nervous.
Finally, the Emperor spoke.
“Bring me a handwritten letter from the Great Sage recommending you as the next Emperor.”
Even after the sentence ended, Troy couldn’t respond. He wasn’t sure he had heard correctly.
Reading his hesitation, Karot repeated:
“You didn’t hear me properly? I’ll say it again. Bring me a handwritten letter from the Great Sage, recommending you as the next emperor.”
Only then did Troy snap out of it.
“But, Your Majesty—!”
“You’ve forgotten, haven’t you? My word is law.”
Troy couldn’t argue back. The emperor’s command was absolute.
Refusing would be the same as giving up the throne. As the Crown Prince, Troy had no choice.
“…Understood. I’ll bring it.”
“Good. There’s no deadline—but it’d be nice if you did it before I pass away.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. Troy, however, couldn’t find it funny. Karot’s laughter faded too.
“…You may go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Troy bowed and exited the imperial office. Karot watched his son’s retreating figure.
To the world, the imperial throne symbolized supreme authority. And Troy had all the qualities needed in an emperor—
Except one: the ability to embrace the people of the empire with a broad heart.
The empire included all kinds of people, even the mages of the Magic Tower.
But Troy disliked them.
He distrusted and rejected them—and if that didn’t change, even as emperor, he wouldn’t grow.
If conflict arose between the next emperor and the Magic Tower, it would destabilize the empire.
That was why Karot planned to send Troy to the Great Sage. If he learned more about the Sage and magic, perhaps he’d open his heart.
“If that happens, he’ll become a truly great ruler.”
Karot had no doubt that his son would one day become a fine emperor.
—
Troy left the imperial office, visibly shaken.
He didn’t want to deal with anything related to the Magic Tower—aside from Miel.
But this wasn’t a mere suggestion. It was a command from the Emperor himself—a trial he had to overcome to inherit the throne.
“Damn it.”
Troy immediately headed toward the Royal Magicians’ Research Tower, located in the west wing of the palace. It served as both the residence and workplace of imperial magicians.
His sudden arrival sent the mages into chaos. Someone dropped a beaker, another spilled a potion onto a research book.
The Crown Prince—visiting the western tower?
Troy had always shown hostility toward the Magic Tower. And many of the imperial magicians were graduates of that very tower, so they feared him.
They feared for their heads if he became emperor.
Trembling, they bowed low.
Then Troy’s cold voice rang out.
“Where is the Great Sage, Karlraden, currently?”
The mages all froze, blinking in disbelief.
The Crown Prince asking about the Great Sage? It didn’t seem real.
Troy hated all things magic—why would he want to know about the Great Sage?
As they continued to hesitate, Troy said coldly:
“Have you all been struck speechless?”
“S-sorry, Your Highness.”
Finally, the mages snapped out of it and began flipping through the piles of documents.
But there was hardly any information about the Great Sage. He had been retired for years, and much of the information about him was kept secret.
Just as the silence was becoming unbearable, the oldest mage stepped forward to speak.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but we have very limited records on the Great Sage in this research center.”
“Don’t sugarcoat it. Just tell me the facts.”
Trembling, the elder mage spoke again—most of what they knew had to be obtained from the Magic Tower itself.
And there was one unconfirmed piece of information.
“This is only a rumor… but several years ago, the Great Sage was said to have visited the tower.”
“Several years ago?”
“Yes. I don’t know the exact details… but that’s the most recent information we have.”
So it came back to the Magic Tower after all.
He had tried to avoid it, but to find the truth, he had to head straight into the storm.
“…Find out everything you can about the Great Sage.”
Troy issued the command and left the west tower.
He immediately ordered his servants to prepare for a trip to the Magic Tower.
Just three days after receiving the translation orb from Miel, he was going back.
He had felt happy at the thought of seeing her again—only for that excitement to be crushed by reality.
Seated inside the royal carriage, Troy stared out the window.
Ever since his humiliation in front of Miel, that moment kept replaying in his mind.
It haunted him at night, and he cursed himself for even bringing up the Great Sage that day.
“Of all topics, I had to choose the Great Sage…”
As if gifting her premium apples wasn’t enough—he had also thoroughly embarrassed himself. His confidence had hit rock bottom.
Still, he couldn’t avoid this.
This mission concerned both his future and the future of the empire.
—
When he arrived at the Magic Tower, the gates were already open.
Doer, the tower’s gatekeeper, was waiting.
As Troy visited more often, Doer had become a familiar face. Troy raised a hand in greeting and walked up.
“An honor to have you visit the Magic Tower again, Your Highness! Shall I call Miss Miel as before?”
Every time Troy visited, he asked for Miel—so Doer naturally assumed he would again.
But Troy stopped him.
“No, not today. I came because I have some questions.”
“Ah! In that case, feel free to ask me. I stand guard in the lobby, so I hear all kinds of information.”
Doer smiled brightly, but Troy remained skeptical. Still, since he was part of the tower, it couldn’t hurt to ask.
“Did the Great Sage visit the tower a few years ago?”
“So you’ve heard the rumor too! But the person who visited back then wasn’t the Great Sage.”
Doer answered with a slight frown.
“It was Miel’s father.”
At the mention of Miel, Troy’s eyes widened slightly.
It felt like he had finally found a clue.
