#110. The True Magician
Between the Yakum Kingdom and the Ingot Empire, numerous letters had been exchanged, a tense game of nerve-wracking diplomacy between those trying to start a war and those trying to prevent one.
The Yakum Kingdom insisted that the disappearance of the Second Prince had nothing to do with them, arguing that they had treated him with full hospitality during his visit.
Still, since they couldn’t completely deny any responsibility, they sent gifts as a gesture of goodwill and requested reconciliation.
Yet the Emperor stubbornly insisted on starting a war based on a logic that made no sense.
“If he were truly intent on starting a war, he would have already mobilized his troops.”
While these drawn-out letters about war continued to be exchanged, winter arrived.
“Your Highness, is the room not too cold?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Velia adjusted the shawl draped over her shoulders and gazed blankly out the window again.
She hadn’t expected to see this view again.
Outside, the palace garden was completely covered in white.
The snowfall was so heavy that stepping outside was impossible. Snow had piled up to the waists of grown men, and it was still falling.
“This snow is relentless.”
“It is. I hope it stops soon…”
“But thanks to Your Highness’s preparations, it’s fortunate that we can manage even with this sudden snowfall,” the maid said with a small smile.
“How are things at the Central Palace and the First Prince’s Palace?”
“They seem to be managing fine as well. Apparently, everyone prepared for winter well in advance this year, as if by some unspoken agreement, so there are no major problems.”
“That’s a relief.”
Velia nodded lightly.
“We may be able to endure this, but I worry about the empire’s people.”
“The ones flocking to the clinics seem okay, but it’s the ones who can’t reach them that worry me.”
Across the empire, only around thirty clinics had been established.
Even with these, it wouldn’t be enough to help everyone. Additional clinics had been built, but there were still regions without any, and in areas with heavy snow, simply reaching a clinic could be a problem.
“Still, at least the royal court instructed regional lords to prepare for winter in advance. Hopefully, it helps.”
“Will the lords provide food?”
“The Emperor personally ordered that the welfare of the people be attended to. If deaths from the cold and snow increase, it would be as if they disobeyed the Emperor’s order. Nobles would want to avoid that at all costs. Even if their intentions aren’t sincere, they’ll at least give the appearance of helping.”
The maid let out a small sigh as she looked at the snow-covered window.
“Let’s hope that’s enough.”
The royal court had undoubtedly anticipated the snowfall and would take some action. As expected, when the cold wind intensified, letters were sent to each region in the Emperor’s name.
These letters instructed that resources be provided to ensure the people could survive the winter comfortably, and the messengers reportedly conveyed the Emperor’s orders verbally as well.
‘More than just providing relief through clinics, they want the empire’s nobles to show their benevolence to the people.’
Velia let out a short, bitter laugh.
It was clearly meant to counteract her and Khalid.
“Regardless, if even a single life can be saved, it’s a good thing.”
Velia stretched her stiff body, then returned to her desk and resumed reviewing documents.
Knights and soldiers were working together to clear the snow and keep the roads passable. Many members of the palace guard were taking turns to help with the work.
‘There will be more snow for at least another two weeks. And when it stops, the cold will be harsh. So we need to spread soil on the roads before that…’
The snow accumulating was one problem, but what came after was worse.
When temperatures dropped sharply, melting snow would freeze into ice, making the ground more dangerous than even heavy snowfall.
But spreading soil ahead of time could prevent slips, so once the snow stopped, that task had to be done immediately.
Sigh…
It felt as though the work would never end.
Velia pressed her throbbing temples.
A knock on the door made her look up, and there stood Khalid, leaning against the doorway with a charming smile.
“Khalid.”
“Busy?”
“No. What brings you here?”
Recently, they had less time together due to numerous matters demanding attention. During the day, Khalid was constantly busy with work, and once finished, they each had their own tasks to attend.
So he wouldn’t have come to her office simply to see her.
Velia sent the maid out and faced Khalid. He reached out, embraced her, and buried his face in her shoulder, speaking in a low, troubled voice.
“I haven’t seen your face in a while. I’ve lost my drive.”
These were mentally exhausting days.
Yet holding Khalid brought her a small sense of calm.
“Just hang in there a bit longer.”
“And are you doing alright?”
Velia let out a light sigh and smiled.
“Alright? No, not at all. There are times I want to give up everything several times a day.”
But both she and Khalid knew that wasn’t an option.
“Same here. It’s truly exhausting.”
Khalid carried Velia to the sofa, sat down, and after a brief pause, spoke heavily.
“They won’t let us have even a single day of rest.”
“…Is something wrong?”
“The situation in the East is troubling. It seems they plan to use the war as a pretext to hurry the appointment of the Crown Prince. They want to settle this before winter ends.”
While Velia worked for the people’s welfare, Khalid investigated the secrets behind the potential war with the Yakum Kingdom.
Evidence showed that secret negotiations had already taken place, and the ongoing events were part of prearranged plans.
It was clear what they wanted.
They were planning something while Velia and Khalid were distracted by the threat of war.
And it was highly likely connected to determining the next Emperor.
“I suspected they were scheming, but the timing seems a bit early.”
“The Emperor has been in contact with them while acting as if he intends to start a war. It seems he wants a definite confirmation of support for Raoul.”
“Did the Duke of Errington say he’d arrive in spring?”
Velia bit her lip.
“Spring is too late. Send the letter immediately telling him to come to the palace as quickly as possible. The Duke of Tessa is in the West, so in the central region, the only one able to counter them is the Marquis of Caprie. We’re at a serious disadvantage.”
Velia’s expression grew serious.
The House of Canterip was too powerful for the Marquis of Caprie to oppose. Furthermore, even nobles with enemies in the East and South supported Canterip.
Currently, Khalid had the backing of only the Marquis of Caprie and his knights in the capital.
They lacked the necessary support.
“So…”
“Yes?”
Khalid laughed awkwardly, then spoke.
“The Duke of Errington seems set to arrive at the palace tomorrow.”
“What?”
According to Khalid, the Duke of Errington had been instructed in a letter to come to the palace immediately after winter and had begun preparations to do so.
He never intended to come in spring, traveling from the North to the imperial capital through heavy snow. The letter he sent indicated he would briefly rest in a nearby village before heading to the palace the next day.
“Good heavens! The North must have far more snow than here. How on earth…?”
“Velia, have you forgotten that he’s a magician?”
At Khalid’s words, Velia’s eyes widened with realization. Then, slightly puzzled, she asked:
“I know he’s a magician, but what level are we talking about? To move through all this snow, he’d need an enormous magic stone or something.”
“The Duke of Errington can use magic without a magic stone.”
“That’s true of other magicians too. Magic stones act as mediums and amplify magic. That’s why everyone sets magical formulas on their stones.”
Havvy of the Magic Tower was a prime example. She was a genius who developed ingenious magical formulas and various magical tools.
But Khalid shook his head.
“No, Velia. He’s a true magician who can use magic directly.”
“What do you mean…?”
Khalid frowned, seemingly unsure how to explain. But he didn’t struggle for long.
“Have you ever read an ancient text?”
“Of course. I’ve read almost every book in the Ronica Kingdom library. Some were ancient texts.”
“Have you read about the magicians described in those texts?”
“…But that’s just legend.”
Velia couldn’t bring herself to say more.
Ancient texts described a world completely different from the present.
They spoke of magicians who cast spells using natural elements and knights who manifested energy from their swords, surpassing human limits.
It all sounded like wild, old legends. Yet Velia couldn’t bring herself to dismiss them entirely as nonsense.
‘I also went back in time and relived things.’
She knew Khalid had used the Duke of Errington’s power to turn back time.
They made the impossible possible. So, the claim that the Duke of Errington was a true magician from ancient texts seemed entirely plausible.
“I’m not saying that the magicians of the Magic Tower aren’t real. But the Duke of Errington is different—he’s the magician from the ancient texts.”
“…Is there anyone else who knows this besides you?”
“No one.”
Khalid’s answer was firm.
“He accidentally discovered a very old book in the palace library and, after reading it, taught himself magic. He’s a one-of-a-kind genius.”
Velia began to understand why the Duke of Errington had relinquished the throne and gone north.
He had no desire for power.
‘…He’s someone who seeks the truth of the world.’
So, the throne was unimportant to him. Traveling to the harsh North was likely to facilitate his research.
Velia let out a wry laugh.
“Then he must have used elemental magic to clear his path through the snow, just like the magicians in the legends.”
“Hahaha. Maybe he even breathed fire along the way.”
And Velia would soon realize that this was not a joke—but the actual truth.
