A dark figure pulled out a bundle of papers from his bosom and spoke to the Duke.
“Your Excellency, these are the recent activities of the Third Prince that you requested.”
Duke Blake swiftly skimmed through the documents handed over by Oyoung, who was in charge of information within the Shadow Unit.
“The Third Prince has been meeting with different individuals each time.”
‘The person he mentioned was someone called Deus, the chief disciple of the Magic Tower Master, if I recall correctly.’
“Yes, Your Excellency. All of them are presumed to be related to the Magic Tower, but we were unable to accurately identify their true identities.”
“What’s the likelihood that illusion magic was used?”
“To cast illusion magic, one would need to be at least a 5th Circle mage. There aren’t many people who meet that criterion.”
“How about this person, Deus, the chief disciple of the Magic Tower Master?”
“If he is indeed the chief disciple of the Magic Tower Master, it’s definitely possible. However, as far as we know, Deus has been close to the Second Prince, Adrian, and doesn’t seem to have any separate relationship with the Third Prince.”
As Oyoung continued his report, Duke Blake stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Oyoung, I want you to investigate what the Third Prince is doing with Deus at the Magic Tower. Also, dig deeper into this person named Deus. See if he has any weaknesses we could exploit.”
“How much priority should I place on this task?”
“Consider it just below our grand plan.”
Upon hearing the Duke’s order to prioritize the matter just below the grand plan, Oyoung nearly questioned the significance of the Third Prince. Though the Third Prince had been making waves recently, he didn’t seem important enough to warrant such attention.
Seeing Oyoung hesitate to respond immediately, which was unusual, Duke Blake chuckled.
“Why, do you think I’m being overly cautious about the Third Prince?”
“My apologies, Your Excellency. I allowed myself to think, which was inappropriate. I will carry out your orders.”
“No need to apologize. For someone who deals with information like you, the more you understand the purpose and background of a task, the better you can perform. I’m not looking for subordinates who blindly follow orders like golems, you know.”
Hearing Duke Blake’s willingness to explain, Oyoung immediately bowed his head to the ground in apology.
“I’ve been disrespectful.”
A shadow who serves his master must not question his master’s orders. Having been trained this way, Oyoung prostrated himself flat on the ground.
Duke Blake smiled with satisfaction at Oyoung’s display of knowing his place.
“Originally, I didn’t want to pay much attention. But twice now, the Third Prince has become an obstacle in my path. The very same Third Prince who was infamous as a scoundrel. Do you know how our family has managed to maintain our position all this time?”
Despite the Duke’s question, Oyoung kept his head bowed.
“Contrary to what the history books might say, our family started as mere barons. How did a baron’s family rise to such success? We framed those who tried to frame us, and eliminated those who sought to betray us. And now, it seems it’s the Third Prince’s turn.”
Even though Duke Blake’s words could cause a significant stir if they were leaked, Oyoung remained prostrate.
“Stand up.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency. Is there anything else you would like me to do?”
Oyoung’s words made Duke Blake recall the conversation he had just had with Adrian.
“Assign more people to the Second Prince. This Second Prince, who has always been timid in front of me, suddenly told me in a confident voice not to touch his younger brother. It’s clear that there has been some emotional change. If things go well, he might become a ‘good’ card for us.”
“I will do so.”
At the Duke’s gesture for him to leave, the dark figure disappeared as if he had never been there.
Left alone, Duke Blake slowly reflected on the conversation he had with the Second Prince.
The smile he had when the word “Magic Tower” was mentioned, the excessive defense of the Third Prince that seemed unnaturally forced.
If the Second Prince’s actions were meant to make him notice something, it might be best to follow along with his intentions.
After finishing his thoughts, Duke Blake called for the attendant outside.
“Your Excellency, did you call for me?”
“Find out how many high-grade and top-grade mana stones I currently have available.”
“I will do so.”
High-grade mana stones could be obtained if one had enough money, but top-grade mana stones were notoriously difficult to acquire unless you were royalty.
Duke Blake frowned at the thought of meeting the Magic Tower Master after such a long time.
The stingy and eccentric Magic Tower Master had always been unpredictable. Sometimes he acted in a way that benefited the Duke, and other times in a way that favored the Emperor.
Still, with the high-grade and top-grade mana stones he had prepared, even the Magic Tower Master would likely accept his proposal.
Duke Blake was curious about what kind of expression the Third Prince would have when he realized the gift that awaited him.
***
After finishing his conversation with Adrian, Ian returned to his palace, but he couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling in his chest.
It reminded him of something his senior had once said when he worked in the strategic planning team in the past.
Sometimes, in the rush to meet project deadlines, you overlook the warning signs that arise in the current situation.
In such cases, it’s crucial to address those warning signs, even if it takes more time.
Ian took out his notebook from his desk and began categorizing the key information needed for his upcoming decisions.
What he currently had.
What he needed to obtain.
Opportunities.
Risks.
‘The most urgent thing to obtain is the power to support me openly, isn’t it?’
It would be best if the First Prince’s side found out about Irelia being his personal guard as late as possible.
Knock, knock.
“What is it?”
“Your Highness, Deus is here.”
“Let him in.”
Deus entered the room with a somber expression and spoke to Ian.
“Ian, we’re in big trouble. I might not be able to leave the Magic Tower for a while.”
Hearing that Deus might not be able to leave the Magic Tower at such a critical time, Ian steadied his mind.
‘Has something happened to my all-purpose mage?’
Ian asked in a calm voice.
“What do you mean all of a sudden? I’ve prepared a proposal that will set your research ablaze with passion.”
“Well, the old man—no, my master—came back and suddenly declared that the Magic Tower is closing its doors.”
The Magic Tower, closing its doors out of the blue?
Even though the Emperor had granted the Magic Tower a significant level of independence, it was still rare for them to abruptly declare a lockdown.
‘Something’s going on. But who could it be?’
“It doesn’t make sense for the Magic Tower Master to suddenly do this unless he’s lost his mind.”
“Well… my master is a bit crazy. Maybe I should say he’s eccentric? Hmm, what should we do?”
As Deus wore a gloomy expression, Ian slowly approached him and pretended to console him by placing his right hand on Deus’s right shoulder and giving it a gentle pat.
When Deus looked at Ian with eyes full of emotion, grateful for the encouragement despite the disappointing news, Ian, without a moment’s hesitation, put him in a headlock.
“Ow, Ian, I can’t breathe! What are you doing?”
“Deus, seeing you so down makes me feel down too! How can you be so glum when we have so much work to do? Are you just looking for an excuse to slack off and avoid developing the ideas I’ve planned?”
“Ian! That’s not what I meant at all!”
Despite Deus’s excuses, Ian only tightened his grip.
“Ian! You don’t understand my master’s stubbornness. It would take something like five years’ worth of budget from His Majesty the Emperor to change his mind.”
‘Hmm, a money issue…’
Ian knew that the Magic Tower Master was notoriously stingy. For him to do something so out of character, someone must have satisfied his greed.
“Ian! I’m really going to die here!”
“Shall I see if you really do?”
As Deus started coughing, Ian released the headlock.
“There’s got to be a reason the Magic Tower Master is doing this. Was there anything suspicious recently?”
“Hmmm… Honestly, predicting my master’s behavior is pointless. As you know, apart from His Majesty the Emperor, no one in the Empire can control him.”
“Then, has there been any recent visitor to the Magic Tower?”
Deus, realizing something, quickly cast a spell to check the visitor log device he had secretly installed in the Magic Tower.
It was a device he had developed with mana stones he received from Ian to avoid the nagging of his master, who disapproved of his research into magical engineering.
As Deus began to check the faces of those who had visited the Magic Tower, he paused as if he had found something.
“Hmmm, this person… their face looks familiar.”
“If it’s someone from outside the Magic Tower, I might know them better. Show me.”
Deus cast a spell to project the face of the person he had seen to Ian.
“You don’t recognize this person?”
“Is he famous? He does look somewhat familiar but also doesn’t at the same time.”
Seeing Ian’s puzzled expression, Deus pondered for a moment before confidently stating.
“I’m pretty sure this is someone I’ve never seen before.”
At Deus’s confident attitude, Ian sighed deeply.
“That’s Duke Blake.”
“This is the Duke Blake I’ve only heard about? Now I see why they call him the old fox.”
“Deus, since you’re now working with me, shouldn’t you start memorizing the faces of key figures in the Imperial Palace?”
“Ian, using my talents for something like that is a waste of energy. Why should I bother remembering the face of an old fox?”
“Deus.”
At Ian’s low, commanding tone, Deus shook his head vigorously.
“Sigh. Alright. So, the old fox came to the Magic Tower, and now the Tower is in lockdown. That means there’s a high chance Duke Blake has figured out our connection.”
“Exactly. But what’s more important is that Duke Blake moved personally. What does that mean? It means that something I did seriously bothered him.”
In the original work, whenever Duke Blake moved personally, the target would soon be erased from the story.
‘This… I’ll have to live each day like it’s two.’
“Hmm. How did he find out… I’ve been using illusion magic to change my appearance every time I came here to prevent something like this.”
At that moment, both Deus and Ian thought of ‘Adrian,’ whom they had met early in the morning.
Deus trusted his friend but asked Ian in a slightly probing tone, just to be sure.
“Ian, you’re not thinking of Adrian, are you?”
Ian almost said “yes” but hesitated.
In the original work, Adrian had always looked out for his younger brother until the day he died. Though he tried not to suspect him, the uneasy feeling wouldn’t go away. It felt like when Director Park stole credit for the project Ian had poured his heart into.
“Ian, you’re not seriously suspecting Adrian, are you? That’s going too far.”
“Then why did you think of Adrian as well? Isn’t it because you had the same thought as me?”
Ian’s words hit the mark, causing Deus to cough awkwardly.
“Ahem, ahem. It’s not proper for a mere mage to get involved in matters between brothers.”
Seeing Deus take a step back, Ian smirked.
“Deus, the important thing now is getting you out of the Magic Tower.”
“Do you have a way?”
“I’ve prepared for this.”
At Ian’s confident response, Deus smiled brightly.
“As expected, I can only rely on the Third Prince.”
“Well, when you want to bring in an excellent talent, you have to prepare in advance. After all, the other side won’t just sit back and let you take them.”
Deus let out a sigh of relief at Ian’s confident words. It was a good thing he had come to see Ian right after hearing about the lockdown.
“Deus, I need to confirm one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Your master, he’s really stingy and sensitive about the budget, right?”
Deus nodded repeatedly at Ian’s question.
Seeing Deus’s vigorous nodding, Ian grinned widely.
Money was no problem; after all, his subspace pocket was overflowing with gold coins.
Cliche Novel 