“Yes, the way they cut and erase it shows they have a high understanding of magic. It’s possible that the necromancers from the coalition have infiltrated Nobaren.”
Brimantia smiled.
[As expected. Let’s continue connecting the magic circles. Even if the manifestation fails…]
With a squeeze of her fingertips, the golden threads in various places tightened.
[The most important piece is kept hidden.]
* * *
One hour before the declaration of independence.
In Nobaren, regardless of which gate one started from, one would eventually reach a vast city square surrounded by tall buildings.
Right at this square, the independence ceremony was about to begin. The surroundings were packed with crowds that had flocked from various regions of the kingdom.
“……I’m going to die.”
Due to all the hard work, Dick said in a drooping tone.
Meanwhile, the relatively fine-looking Simon and Lorraine were sharing water as they stared ahead.
“Cerne’s team has safely arrived, and we’ve done all we could. Now let’s conserve our energy and get ready for the battle.”
Simon turned his head to look at Dick.
“Please check your gear, Dick.”
“My mission preparations are always okay!”
Dick jumped up energetically.
“Just in case, I’ll go check my gear one more time. You two be careful.”
“Thanks, and you be careful too, Dick.”
After Lorraine’s farewell, Dick bowed, placing his hand on his chest like a noble, and quickly departed.
Simon once again raised his gaze to the tall podium at the forefront of the square.
Thirty minutes had passed since the ceremony began.
The square was increasingly filling with people. Simon crossed his arms and smiled bitterly.
“Brimantia’s side is persistent too.”
Despite how intently they had been cleaning, additional red paint had been freshly added to the residents’ clothing. There seemed to be no magical consistency, but who knew how this paint might connect in the magic circle?
‘Well, still…’
A blood magic circle drawn in a circle wouldn’t manifest if there was even a small gap where it didn’t connect. He decided to prepare for the moment when danger arrived.
As time went by, the tension in the square began to boil over.
‘5 seconds left.’
Simon glanced at his wristwatch.
There was still no magical energy to be felt.
‘3 2 1.’
The time had come.
People began to reduce their chatter and turned to look at the podium in the square.
And then.
“They are coming!”
“Ohh! Your Majesty!”
The murmuring of the crowd instantly shifted to cheers. Someone was climbing onto the podium.
Simon’s eyes widened as he watched.
‘The King……!’
The King of Baldwin was moving toward the podium. A grand cheer erupted, and people in front of the square knelt or prostrated to pay their respects.
‘I’m sure he was dead.’
The king’s gait was weak, and his gesture of greeting the crowd seemed somewhat awkward. The royal necromancers followed behind him, supporting him as he was seated.
“Thank you for gathering like this!”
Then, one man who followed the king held up a loudspeaker crystal.
From Lorraine’s voice flowed a sense of hostility.
“……Third Prince.”
It was none other than Third Prince Henrik Baldwin.
He appeared on the podium and activated the royal unique skill ‘Dimension Link’ that he had displayed during the Rune League training camp. Wooden chess pieces moved all over, and as they raised their fists, the crowd cheered in unison.
“As my father’s strength has waned, I will deliver the independence speech in his place.”
Henrik raised his voice.
“I believe it is an infinite honor that our Baldwin has declared independence from the Dark Alliance!”
He continued to elaborate on Baldwin’s history and pride.
While his skills as a necromancer were ambiguous, he certainly had the blood of royalty, which made his oratory skills outstanding. He knew how to draw the attention of the people well.
“The Dark Alliance—!”
And finally, the crux of his speech came.
“Is exploiting Baldwin!”
-That’s right!
-Indeed!
The crowd cheered in agreement.
“We all know that we incur huge costs for the alliance! But we were thoroughly used, and despite joining the alliance, we received no benefits at all! The other three kingdoms and the alliance were too busy sucking our kingdom dry!”
The audience was ecstatic at his words.
“When the sect incident began, that true face was exposed even more blatantly! They only protected kingdoms close to them, including the Kingdom of Dresden, while they left us Baldwin unattended! They even requested our military and talents to protect other nations while they acted defensively! Do you think this is acceptable?”
The crowd erupted into fierce cheers.
“Not a single word he’s saying is true.”
Lorraine said with a frown.
“How could a member of the royal family speak such lies so carelessly to the citizens?”
“Truth doesn’t matter to Henrik.”
At that moment, Dick’s voice suddenly echoed from the communication crystal inside Simon’s pocket.
-This is disgusting to listen to. Should we start now?
“No.”
Simon shook his head.
“Let’s wait a little longer.”
And Henrik’s lies reached a crescendo at this moment.
“The Dark Alliance has crossed the line! Do you know what they have done to continue plundering us when we declared our independence to regain our freedom?”
He raised his voice.
“They sent undead to raid the royal palace of Sagarin! They aimed for the nobles gathered at the banquet! Many nobles, servants, and even my brother……! The Crown Prince has died!”
Henrik cried out in a voice filled with rage and sorrow.
At this, gasps and anger rippled through the crowd. Those whose veins were pulsing raised their heads and screamed.
“We will resist this atrocity! We will……!”
At that moment.
Simon held up the communication crystal.
“Now, Dick. Cerne, start too.”
It was time for the game to turn.