Ian, sensing something unusual about Adrian’s demeanor, decided to use a pre-prepared response for such situations.
“Brother, you know I lack any talent for magic. I asked Deus if there might be another way for me to use magic since I heard he was the top disciple of the Magic Tower.”
Deus, also noticing Adrian’s odd behavior, quickly agreed with Ian.
“Adrian, you know that if someone deemed incapable of using magic could somehow do it, it would be revolutionary, right? There’s nothing more thrilling.”
Deus continued, carefully observing Adrian’s reaction.
“Since he’s your beloved brother, I felt I should pay extra attention.”
“I understand your intentions, Deus. However, you need not spend too much time on Ian. Sometimes false hopes can lead to greater despair.”
Despite Adrian’s cold words, Ian maintained a calm demeanor.
“My brother isn’t wrong. As Deus and I discussed, the chances of such a miracle occurring are slim.”
Deus noticed a faint smile flicker and then vanish from Adrian’s face when Ian mentioned the low possibility of success. It felt unlike the Adrian he knew.
“Ian, there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Brother, there’s no need for formality between us. Ask me anything. Or shall we move somewhere more comfortable? I can serve you some tea.”
Ian suggested tea time to gauge Adrian’s hidden intentions, but Adrian declined with a shake of his head.
“Let’s have tea another time. What I want to know is whether you came up with the ideas for the Detector, Scanner, and Pad yourself. I’m surprised that someone with no magical talent could conceive and develop such things.”
Adrian’s skeptical tone about Ian’s achievements heightened Ian’s suspicions about his brother. Not offering congratulations but rather doubting him, Ian answered in a practiced, casual tone.
“Actually, it’s more accurate to say I discovered them rather than invented them.”
“Discovered?”
“Yes, I was really lucky.”
Adrian, who usually would have accepted this explanation, still looked unconvinced. Ian added, feigning resignation.
“Please keep this between us.”
“Of course. Who would I tell?”
“I stumbled upon Deus’s lab while searching for ways to use magic.”
“Ah, you mean you entered this great magician’s lab.”
Deus put on a smug expression, playing along.
Adrian, impatient, interrupted Ian.
“So, you’re saying Deus made them at your request?”
“Brother, would Deus simply create whatever I asked?”
Deus pouted at Ian’s words, but Adrian, knowing Deus’s personality, nodded in agreement.
“So, when I entered Deus’s lab, there were already devices like the Detector.”
“So everything you’ve shown the Emperor was Deus’s work?”
“Yes, Deus made all of it.”
Adrian alternated his gaze between Ian and Deus. Ian continued.
“Brother, as you know, I have no talent. I just visited the Magic Tower out of desperation and was lucky to find these devices.”
When Ian finished, Adrian, fixing his gaze on Deus, spoke with slight annoyance.
“Deus, why didn’t you tell me about these inventions?”
Deus, looking baffled, responded.
“Adrian, I don’t know why you’re upset, but I was just locked in my room doing research. I had no idea it would have such an impact.”
“Brother, if my actions troubled you, I apologize. It was just good luck.”
Adrian, seeing their genuine expressions, softened his tone.
“Since you insist, I suppose I must accept it. The morning air is chilly, so go back inside.”
As Adrian walked away, Ian and Deus both realized something had changed in the once kind and supportive second prince.
***
Duke Blake learned that the First Prince had wiped out Frank’s faction the night before. He asked one of his Shadow Squad subordinates.
“What about the ledger?”
The masked, black-clad figure replied.
“We confirmed it was burned.”
“Good work.”
As for the underworld cleanup crew, Blake thought it would suffice to cultivate new candidates. Occasionally, these cleanup crews overstepped by trying to create ledgers, but they never escaped his grasp.
With the potential threat eliminated, Duke Blake turned back to his documents, feeling much more at ease. Small pebbles, if not dealt with promptly, could indeed become troublesome.
Just as he was about to immerse himself in work, unexpected news came from his servant.
“Duke, Prince Adrian is here to see you.”
“The second prince?”
“Yes, sir. Shall I show him in?”
Since visits from the second prince were rare, the duke pondered for a moment. The servant, seeing his hesitation, asked again.
“Should I tell him to come back later?”
“No. Even if he’s one of the minor suns of the Empire, it would be rude to turn him away. Show him to the parlor.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the servant left, Duke Blake called for the intelligence officer of his Shadow Squad, Oyoung.
“Oyoung.”
A man, now with a different appearance and wearing a black mask, appeared before the duke and bowed.
“Yes, sir.”
“The second prince is here to see me. Do you have any idea why?”
“This morning, the second prince and the third prince had a conversation in front of the third prince’s palace.”
“Do you know what they discussed?”
“I could sense a considerable amount of mana from the stranger with them, so I couldn’t ascertain the details.”
“Very well. I want a summary of the third prince’s movements after my meeting with the second prince.”
“Yes, sir.”
The black-clad figure disappeared, and the duke headed to the parlor.
‘What does the second prince want?’
Seeing Adrian seated in the parlor, the duke bowed and greeted him.
“I greet the second prince. What brings you here so suddenly?”
“You must be busy, asking about my intentions without offering tea.”
“My apologies. I was surprised by your unexpected visit since you rarely seek me out. As one gets older, even minor surprises can be unsettling.”
Adrian got straight to the point without any pleasantries.
“Stop harassing Ian.”
“Your Highness? What do you mean? How could I harass the third prince?”
“With recent events, Ian has become a thorn in your side, hasn’t he?”
Duke Blake remained silent at the direct accusation.
‘The usually reticent second prince is now defending the third prince in front of me?’
Blake was curious about Adrian’s actions, especially after his morning meeting with Ian.
“How could a mere noble like me consider a royal prince a thorn? If the third prince’s actions benefit the Empire, I merely follow.”
“Don’t lie. Will you deny that Ian has been catching the Emperor’s eye more than my brother lately? Can you be at ease with that?”
Instead of being offended, Duke Blake’s curiosity grew at the second prince’s straightforwardness.
‘Could he have struck a deal with the third prince?’
The second prince, who once wouldn’t dare speak up in his presence, was now baring his teeth.
“How could I have such a biased perspective? What matters most to me is that the most capable prince becomes the crown prince.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if Ian became the crown prince?”
“Would that be a problem?”
Adrian’s sardonic smile made the duke raise an eyebrow.
“Understood. Then please don’t interfere with Ian’s actions.”
The duke, finding Adrian’s aggressive tone suspicious, decided to throw out a bait.
“I will do as you wish. But there is something I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
“Have you heard the rumors that Ian has been spending time with the Magic Tower, where you are affiliated?”
At the mention of the ‘Magic Tower,’ Blake noticed a fleeting smile on Adrian’s face.
“My friend is close to my brother, so I’d prefer if you didn’t touch the Magic Tower.”
“May I know who this friend is, so I don’t make a mistake?”
“Deus, the Magic Tower’s top disciple. The tower master values him highly, so you shouldn’t harm him.”
Seeing Adrian freely mention a name, Duke Blake’s suspicion turned to certainty. If he genuinely wanted to protect that magician, he wouldn’t have revealed the name so easily.
“Why don’t you tell me the real reason for your visit? I genuinely care about the royal family.”
“I already told you. Just don’t interfere with Ian and Deus. They are very dear to me.”
His long political experience told him that Adrian was lying. His words and demeanor suggested he actually wanted the duke to keep an eye on Ian and Deus.
“I understand Your Highness’s opinion.”
“I’m glad you do. I’ll take my leave now.”
After Adrian left, Duke Blake thought to himself.
‘Could this be jealousy?’
Some people don’t feel any inferiority to those who have always been better than them. But they can’t stand it when someone they deem inferior starts doing better.
Thinking he might have found a good strategy, Duke Blake called for Oyoung.
Cliche Novel 