The Ring of Iphrashia.
It is one of the few artifacts that exist in this other world.
The ancient elves discovered the two essences possessed by the World Tree.
The source of light that stretches upwards: Sephirot.
And the roots of chaos that grow downward: Klirot.
The High Elves crafted the Ring of Iphrashia to balance these two forces.
The purpose of the ring was for the wearer to absorb Klirot’s chaos and transmute it into Sephirot’s light.
And there’s Rudine’s Ten Thousand Deaths Blade.
This is a fragment of chaos that broke off from Klirot.
The Ten Thousand Deaths Blade emits an aura of death, a forgotten trace of chaos.
That’s why the Ring of Iphrashia was necessary – it’s the only artifact that can purify these traces of chaos by absorbing them into mental energy.
To summarize…
“Sort of like a human charger, I guess.”
The ring absorbs Rudine’s Ten Thousand Deaths Blade and converts it into mental energy.
Rudine wants to control the blade, and I need to compensate for my depleted mental energy.
That’s why we need each other.
Of course, it only absorbs the energy and cannot provide a fundamental cure, but it’s effective enough for control.
“Just putting it on will do?”
I examined the ring sitting in my palm.
The thin branch of the World Tree glowed with a soft blue light.
I slowly slipped the ring on.
The moment I did, a strange vibration spread from my fingertips throughout my body.
It felt as though it was resonating with something.
I clenched and then opened my fist to check the status.
Outwardly, there seemed to be no difference, but my depleted mental energy was gradually being replenished.
At this rate, I should be back to normal in a day.
“Good.”
Indeed, this object was worth the effort to find.
Since it’s an essential item for using runes, it was a significant acquisition.
Though the condition of staying near Rudine exists.
Even so, it’s a great advantage not having to wander around to absorb other runes.
“Time to head back.”
After camping for several days to get here, that day was approaching.
A day that a district overseer could never avoid…
The day to be evaluated on the state and administrative achievements of the area being managed, and to report on the progress made.
That concludes the matters at hand.
All that remains is to return to the office.
“Let’s go.”
“…Yeah.”
Walking behind Luke, Rudine recalled what just happened.
Especially the mysterious ceremony he performed.
The rotting, twisted giant tree emitting an unusual energy.
Whatever it was, it was clearly not an ordinary tree.
“Strange.”
Luke, who obliterated the legendary upper-tier Demon Beast in the blink of an eye.
There was no intense battle – it was outright dominance.
Truly, strength beyond standard measurements.
I have no idea what kind of power he’s wielding.
Everything is unknown.
Nothing can be pinned down, and there’s nothing ordinary about him.
At first, I was just following him out of curiosity.
After all, it was the first time I’d met a man trying to save me.
It was mere idle curiosity, but he knew about the madness I’ve hidden my whole life and offered to help me control it. That’s how we got to where we are now.
It’s the same here.
It’s absurd how he moves around as if he knows every detail of this place.
I didn’t think much of his sudden actions until now, but as time went on, a peculiar feeling began to grow.
“…What is it?”
There’s just no pinning him down.
That ceremony just now too.
He muttered incomprehensible words, the fresco glowed, and an unknown voice penetrated my ears, echoing in my mind.
[O pilgrim burdened with Iphrashia’s duty. May the grace of life bless thee, true ruler of great magic.]
The content was equally incomprehensible.
The only thing I could make out was…
“…Lord of Magic.”
The strange voice in my head clearly referred to Luke as such.
Lord of Magic… really, it’s an absurd title.
As far as I know, there are only two beings who could bear such a title.
One of the more famous species being…
“Dragon kin?”
Dragon kin.
The great race that inherits the forgotten will of the gods.
…Really? I’ve heard they usually mix with humans in human form.
If, by chance, the strange energy he normally handles turned out to be dragon power and those incomprehensible incantations were actually runic commands… no, wait, dragons went extinct, right? Half-blood maybe?
“…”
“…”
How long had we walked like that?
When we reached the cliff we’d descended, the man who’d been walking ahead turned around.
“Rudine.”
“…Yeah.”
“Hop on.”
Rudine blinked twice then obediently climbed onto his back.
On the mountain road at the border between the Empire and the Windfred Duchy.
The only road connecting the Karail Baron territory to the Empire’s greatest Magic Realm, Blackmore.
Inside the roughly rocking carriage, two men were chatting casually.
“The road is a real mess.”
“Isn’t it supposed to be an uninhabited area in the first place? You understand, right?”
The wrinkled man spoke, and the skinny man chuckled.
The latter was Kraten, the Chief Inspector of the Empire’s powerful Domestic Affairs Bureau.
Who would’ve thought that Kraten himself would have to make such small talk with…
“Tsk, what’s the point of managing this Magic Realm?”
Arda Merdaile.
A high-ranking minister of the Empire.
“Isn’t this an area with many disappearances?”
“A sane human being wouldn’t voluntarily enter a Magic Realm.”
“Haha, true. Still, since there’ve been so many reports, even the upper management is concerned.”
“Tsk, what good does assigning just a district overseer do…”
The wrinkled man clicked his tongue and muttered.
“We just keep doing what we’re supposed to, right?”
That’s right.
Evaluate the state and administrative achievements of the managed area, and receive a report on recent developments.
“Right. Proper management of this Magic Realm isn’t really expected anyway…”
“So why not use that as an excuse to pull the guy out and send in the special ops team?”
“Hehe, good idea. We have the perfect justification this time.”
“After this matter concludes, I’ll try to make contact with the Special Ops Commander. They probably won’t overlook this.”
Special Ops Commander Derek Baldwin.
There isn’t a member of the royal family who doesn’t know about his interest in Blackmore.
His obsession with Blackmore is that well-known.
But things changed with Luke Richter’s appearance.
From nowhere, this man was appointed manager and is now famous for assassinating the Shadow Alliance head.
We were already taking steps to remove him, but now that he’s become so well-known, even that is becoming difficult.
If we thoroughly investigate his administrative performance this time, there will surely be something we can use against him.
Using that as leverage, we can drive him out, and the situation will turn back in our favor.
“We’ve arrived.”
The carriage driver opened the door.
The two men got out and followed the guards who’d arrived earlier along the path.
However…
“The road is clean.”
The road, which was a mess until just now, became neatly organized as soon as we passed the entrance.
Walking on it posed no issues at all.
Furthermore…
“…Signposts?”
There were signposts guiding the way along the path.
It was as if this place was a tourist attraction, marking every branching path.
And further still…
“What are these signs…”
Odd signs were placed at regular intervals along the way.
The contents were equally bizarre.
Ranging from random statements like “You’re not alone,” to warnings cautioning about Demon Beasts, and even jokes that deflate enthusiasm, to provoking messages challenging you to capture Demon Beasts.
“Amazing work.”
“Right?”
After walking for a while…
“…Hold on.”
The leading guard stopped.
Following the guard’s gaze, there were strangers far off in the distance.
“Are there people here?”
This is a Magic Realm.
An ordinary person shouldn’t be wandering about.
“Who are they?”
“I don’t know. The energy they’re giving off isn’t ordinary…”
“So they’re not regular people?”
“Yes, at the very least, they’re at least of the Master level.”
Master level or higher.
A level of power that the Royal Family can count on one hand.
Not just one, but many of them.
What are high-level warriors of that caliber doing gathered in this Magic Realm?
As they were confused about it…
“Are you here to see Sir Luke?”
The approaching ones said…
“Ah, that’s right…”
“You are from the Royal Family, I see.”
“…Yes.”
After asking about the visit’s purpose…
“Please follow us.”
“???”
…They began guiding the way.
“Who are you?”
“Subordinates…”
“Whose?”
“…We serve Sir Luke.”
They are members of the Execution Agency under the Council of Lords Arcan.
However, for the last five years, the Lord directly ordered them to serve Luke Richter and instructed them to treat him as they would the Lord, so they gritted their teeth and gave that answer.
Unaware of these behind-the-scenes details, the visitors…
“…Hm.”
Were at a complete loss.
And thoroughly confused.
