“No. I will not cooperate with you.”
Aiden was slightly taken aback by the unexpected answer, but he masked his surprise with a cough to lighten the mood.
“That’s surprising. Didn’t you want revenge?”
Aiden knew that Gerard considered Julian a mortal enemy.
Even before their relationship completely soured, Gerard could never have liked Julian, an outsider who rolled into their lives.
“For someone like you to tuck his tail between his legs…”
“How dare you…”
Gerard’s displeasure was evident in his response to Aiden’s taunt.
If Gerard also refused, it would be nearly impossible to confront Julian alone, so Aiden had to keep provoking Gerard’s desire for revenge to bring him into the fold.
It didn’t matter whether he used Gerard and discarded him afterward or kept him as an ally.
Even if Gerard exploded in anger, it didn’t matter.
Using that anger would only increase the chances of dealing with Julian to the point where even Gerard’s absurd attitude would be tolerable.
As the intense anger gradually subsided, Gerard, feigning calm, expressed his refusal more subtly.
“Even if I were to cooperate with you, I see nothing to gain from someone without a clear vision.”
“What?”
Aiden also knew this.
There are no perfect alliances. This was a tug-of-war for mutual benefit.
However, Gerard’s words a moment ago carried no ulterior motives.
It merely implied, “Even if I join you, we can’t kill Julian.”
“So, you’re completely backing down, Gerard?”
If his intention was purely to take control of the conversation, Aiden would have clicked his tongue in contempt.
If he had thought of extracting more information, he would have readily offered some.
However, Gerard purely meant, “You can’t defeat Julian.”
Aiden’s displeasure doubled.
The shortsightedness of Gerard, who used to be a ‘Bishop,’ was revolting.
To think he once held the same position as someone like this.
“If you’re always standing tall, you’re just asking to be killed.”
“Will you continue living like this? Running away, endlessly running, what can you possibly gain?”
“I’ll rise when someone with more influence than you rises.”
Someone with more influence than him?
Only two people came to Aiden’s mind.
Archbishop Eleanor and the Grand Archbishop Tenellon.
Though temporarily, Eleanor could be considered on Julian’s side.
The fact that she had remained silent and inactive so far was proof of that.
“His Excellency the Grand Archbishop favors Julian.”
“Soon, Lord Tenellon will also open his eyes. If he realizes that…”
Gulp.
Aiden heard Gerard swallow hard.
“If he realizes that Julian is the ‘Black Knight.'”
Julian, the Black Knight?
“That’s insane.”
“That’s beyond delusional.”
Aiden clicked his tongue at the thought.
“Do you have any evidence? If all you have are baseless suspicions, you won’t be able to convince Lord Tenellon, let alone me.”
“I have no evidence.”
Of course… it’s delusion.
“But I have strong convictions.”
“People say you were the ‘Black Knight’ yourself.”
Gerard glared at Aiden with bloodshot eyes.
“The Black Knight belonged to the ‘Nameless Gang,’ and you owned that private militia, didn’t you? The Black Knight’s actions ultimately cornered ‘Pintel’ and provided you with a new opportunity, didn’t they?”
“That’s a trap laid by Julian!”
“If Julian were capable of such a grand plan, he would have already noticed that you and I are talking like this.”
Aiden sneered and looked at the trembling Gerard with disdain.
“Although your behavior is surprising, I too know that Julian is skilled in deception. Still, the fact that you believe in his ‘skill’ makes you look like a fanatic.”
Seeing Gerard filled with fear and dread, Aiden took a step back.
“I didn’t expect our conversation to end this way, but I don’t need a dog with its tail between its legs.”
“You didn’t expect this, huh…”
Gerard’s expression changed, and he sneered. To anyone watching, he might seem deranged. His emotions were quickly shifting from anger to fear, to sneering, to resignation.
“Thanks to your words, I’m even more certain now. Aiden, you will die at Julian’s hands.”
Aiden, stunned by Gerard’s blatant curse, didn’t respond. He simply left the filthy street and boarded his carriage, which then began to move.
“Kill Gerard.”
The coachman’s eyes flickered briefly at the dry but forceful command, then returned to normal.
“And contact Felkor. Tell him we need ‘materials’ for the research, so he should look for children in the slums.”
***
A large man, who had once bared his teeth at me during our first meeting and greeted me with a punch, had come to see me. He pointed to the scar on his eye, a remnant of our first encounter, and lamented over the grudge it caused.
Though he had exceptional skills befitting his rank of ‘Monsignor,’ he was easily intimidated by my presence.
“Th-that’s right. How could I have brought false information to Sir Julian?”
Now, this man was wagging his tail in front of me. I never thought I would end up associating positively with him. Truly, you never know what life will bring.
“Hmm…”
I let out a short sigh, and the giant before me, Felkor, flinched slightly.
He had brought information about Aiden. Though his words didn’t seem false, it was my job to be skeptical.
After all, weren’t we adversaries? Even if I had broken his pride once, I didn’t think he would submit so easily.
“Sir Felkor.”
“Y-yes!”
“You’ve made a wise decision. As I mentioned before, Sir Aiden has not properly assessed your abilities.”
But is there any need to be harsh now? Whether he has truly changed his allegiance or not, it’s better to keep him on side. Death is swift, but obedience lasts.
“So, what information have you brought?”
Besides, it’s worth hearing what news he has.
“It seems Aiden is seeking children from the slums for his research.”
Felkor spoke formally, hands neatly clasped together. I was still not used to speaking so politely, and it seemed even more unnatural for him.
“Children…”
I trailed off. The thought of using children who hadn’t even had the chance to bloom as experimental subjects for personal gain was revolting.
“What should we do? I think it’s fine to let him search for children for now.”
Felkor’s inhumane suggestion continued, oblivious to my inner disgust.
No, you bastard, that’s not okay!
As I pondered for a moment, a good idea came to mind.
“Let’s leave it alone for now.”
“Leave it… you say?”
“Yes.”
“But if there’s no result over time, Aiden will…”
“Don’t worry.”
I smiled more broadly than ever.
“It won’t take long.”
***
After Felkor left, I headed to the Magic Tower as promised to Meyer.
It was to prepare a ‘Resonance Stone’ to locate Aiden’s laboratory.
‘For that, I need the cooperation of the Magic Tower.’
In truth, obtaining the Resonance Stone itself wasn’t that difficult.
‘As a member of the ‘Closed Eyes,’ if I request it, they would naturally think it’s for hunting demons and give it to me.’
But.
‘My goal is to secretly obtain the Resonance Stone without anyone knowing.’
It might be overthinking, but if I make a move, the Secretary’s Office will record the Resonance Stone’s removal. If the ‘Dawn Society’ finds out, Bishop Aiden might access that information and discover my intention, right?
To bypass all these procedures, I have to negotiate directly with one of the ‘Three Sages’ supporting the Magic Tower.
That shouldn’t be too difficult.
‘The Pure White Flugel.’
Full name, Flugel Koranoia.
He is the mentor of ‘Agnes,’ who survived to the final list of the 4th Prince’s Guard.
He is the closest to what I consider a ‘wizard,’ and at the same time,
‘He’s a lunatic obsessed with magic.’
That’s the public opinion about ‘Flugel.’
An irritable old man who sacrificed his entire life solely for ‘magic’ and ‘knowledge.’
This old man, who has lived for over 150 years thanks to magic, is astonishing not only because of his age.
‘To dedicate oneself entirely to magic…’
Cough!
Damn, I couldn’t help but cough.
The ‘Manual of the Flowers.’
You’ve probably heard of it at least once somewhere.
He is the man who actually practiced what was only talked about.
In other words,
He is a eunuch.
Poor guy…
But I admire his incredible mental strength.
The determination to easily cut off his own body for the sake of ‘magic.’
From a Confucian perspective of ‘the body, hair, and skin received from parents,’ he could be called unfilial.
Isn’t the reason why the Empire praises him as a ‘sage’ and calls him ‘pure white’ actually out of sympathy?
‘Hmm… that could be…’
Anyway, the only one who can somewhat rein in that irritable old man is Meyer, who is beside me now.
A genius born of the times.
A wizard with a definite style.
A prodigy who proudly showcases his abilities among the many outstanding talents.
Don’t they say that geniuses inspire each other?
To ‘Flugel,’ that person is ‘Meyer.’
“Ahhh… I saw something I shouldn’t have.”
Meyer, who was following me, muttered.
“Look at those hermits who are so engrossed in magic, they’ve never experienced social life even a bit!”
“Be quiet.”
“They probably don’t even know how to put on shoes! They’ll try to solve everything with magic and make a fool of themselves!”
I brought my face closer to the boisterous Meyer and gestured for her to be quiet.
With a very bright smile.
Meyer gulped and nodded.
Sure. You don’t want to die, right?
‘Besides, you’re a wizard too!’
I wanted to say, but she hasn’t yet gone through the ‘official’ procedures to become a wizard.
In other words, she hasn’t received any formal education.
So, while she can wield ‘magic,’ she doesn’t consider herself a ‘wizard.’
‘In that sense, this is also an elitist mindset.’
It’s like she’s drawing a line, saying, ‘I’m different from you!’
Well, it doesn’t really matter to me,
“So, who is it that I need to see at the Magic Tower?”
“There is someone. A distinguished person.”
I answered Meyer’s blunt question vaguely.
Meyer, showing a slightly dissatisfied expression, soon turned her gaze to the towering peak of the Magic Tower.
A place where wizards gather to practice high-level magic and exchange knowledge and wisdom.
Looking at such a place, she could only say,
“If I jump from the top, I’ll die, right?”
What on earth is living in this girl’s head?
“Have you ever imagined researching magic at the top of that tower?”
“Dying seems like a better option.”
Meyer uttered a harsh critique.
Yeah, enjoy the moment.
You’re about to become a graduate student there.
***
In truth, Korund was aware that the superiority complex based on the purity of blood had transcended its historical roots and taken on a new meaning.
The once pure blood of wizards had begun to show signs of ‘impurity.’
However, the moment they denied their roots, the purity they had so staunchly advocated would become meaningless.
Despite this, wizards continued to uphold ‘pureblood’ principles.
“Allowing a half-breed into our domain is unthinkable.”
Whether the blood is impure, thin, or pure.
The moment one calls themselves a ‘pureblood,’ a connection is formed.
“What do you think? It’s obvious that if we stay like this, our position will become precarious.”
Using that ‘connection,’ Korund decided to overthrow Julian.
“Though Eleanor has taken the position of Archbishop, his current presence is so imposing that he can dismiss ‘Archbishops’ as trivial.”
As per Aiden’s plan.
“Indeed, his skills are formidable. He accurately grasped my intentions and caught me off guard last time.”
Following Aiden’s plan, he contacted other bishops to form a new faction aimed at overthrowing Julian.
“It was an incredible fear.”
Korund recalled the incident at the Arena.
The face looking up at him with a smile that seemed to see through everything.
The emotion he felt then could definitely be described as ‘fear.’
“At the same time, I thought that if we don’t deal with him now, there will be no place for us anymore.”
Saying this, Korund looked at the man in front of him.
A proponent of ‘pureblood’ ideology who shared his peripheral problems.
At the same time, a fellow wizard and someone in the position of ‘bishop.’
“Pintel, you can understand me, right?”
The man, who had been silently listening to Korund, slowly lifted his head.
With a very cold and furious expression.
Cliche Novel 