I Captured the Enemy Who Tried to Kill Me - Chapter 19
“Luias.”
Kaisis thought.
The words that the head of the magicians, Duke Ariel, would inevitably say were predictable.
“May I bring Luias with me, Your Majesty?”
“What?”
For the past few years, magicians had been persistently claiming:
‘We can enter the Gates too!’
‘Give us a chance, a chance to experiment!’
‘Magic is a human challenge achieved through endless trial and error and experimentation!’
Such things.
He especially expected her to demand an investigation around the Gates.
But suddenly Luias?
‘Is this really Duke Ariel? Has she gone mad? Or has she eaten something wrong?’
When he stared at her accusingly, she repeated with certainty, confirming he hadn’t misheard.
“Yes. I was indeed referring to my disciple.”
***
[Character identity is wavering.]
I frowned as the expected warning appeared before me.
“This is absurd. You were the one who said he couldn’t be brought into the imperial palace, Duke.”
“Yes. Let’s just say trust has been built over time. Since the child cannot hide his desire to see his brother, I thought I might show some consideration for once. Every time I see him, his frailty bothers me.”
[Character identity is wavering!]
[Character identity is wavering!]
I mentally gritted my teeth at the warning that appeared twice.
Ah, wait.
I’m trying hard to act like the disagreeable Duke right now!
“In truth, I didn’t even need Your Majesty’s permission.”
“Oh?”
“Because Luias, before being Your Majesty’s brother, is my disciple and a magician belonging to the Magic Tower.”
“And so?”
Looking at those arrogant blue eyes that seemed to say ‘go ahead and try,’ I lifted my chin stiffly.
Hoping to appear as the endlessly cold, callous, and disagreeable Duke Ariel.
“Nevertheless, I thought I would mention it to you, Your Majesty. For the sake of peace and well-being between magicians and Awakened Ones.”
I smiled nonchalantly and asked with my eyes.
So, will you permit it?
***
I handled it well.
I definitely handled it well, didn’t I?
Why is the emperor glaring at me like that?
Afterward, Luias will happily spend time with his brother, Your Majesty. He returned safely, too. I even promised to bring Luias to visit more frequently.’
Of course, that night.
I deliberately delayed responding to the emperor’s call, ignoring the system window that kept sending noisy alerts.
‘He won’t go berserk immediately.’
If he were deliberately using his power violently to summon me, it would be wise to be cautious as he might have set some trap.
‘Only a fool would walk right into it.’
So the next day.
I, who sadly had to report to the imperial palace daily, immediately faced the emperor.
‘Why are you glaring at me like that!’
It was no illusion that those fiercely raging blue eyes looked more menacing than usual.
‘What a venomous human.’
Just looking at how tangled his energy was made me frown involuntarily.
Ah, the current location was the detestable Deharock Empire’s noble council chamber.
So like this…
“So! Are you saying we magicians are at fault now? Creating tools to measure Gate values is a kind of innovation!”
“Who would be happy with you lurking around right before a Gate bursts open! If the air inside spreads like poison, are you asking us to protect you too while we’re in chaos!”
“That’s why we want to do research, you damned—!”
“Damned? Where do you think you are, using such vulgar language, you bastard!”
“Did you just call me a bastard!”
They were fighting so loudly that my eardrums might burst.
They seemed to have forgotten that the empire’s emperor and a duke were sitting before them.
Did they drink during the day or what?
‘My ears hurt. How long do they plan to keep fighting?’
Of course, I know that’s how things are set up, but this is too much.
It feels like they scream loudly every time they face each other.
Are they Tom and Jer—what was it? No, at least those two are cute!
‘Should a nation’s elites behave like this?’
And why is one of those elite leaders…
‘Why is he looking at me so unpleasantly?’
The emperor looked extremely tired.
So much so that the Awakened Ones sitting around him looked visibly uncomfortable.
But with that face, the emperor only glared at me.
I, who had many things to feel guilty about, was desperately pretending to be unfazed.
‘I want to go home.’
Today again, I desperately wanted to leave work. Why did the male lead become my boss!
At that moment, Kaisis, who had been glaring at me with bloodshot eyes, opened his mouth.
“Magicians, your request is for magic demonstrations around the Gates, correct?”
A terrible silence fell.
Those who had been shouting like a pack of dogs all stiffened and looked only at Kaisis.
Especially the Chief Magician, who had been passionately arguing about the treatment of magicians on my behalf, even raising veins in his neck, froze like a statue.
“Y-Yes?”
“Indeed, your argument has merit. If the energy of the Gates could be measured in advance, we could detect it before it reaches saturation. The preparation process would also be shortened.”
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“Very well. I permit the magicians’ demonstration.”
“…!”
The magicians wore expressions suggesting they thought this man had gone mad today.
The Awakened Ones stared at the emperor with wide eyes, as if feeling betrayed.
And I sensed something ominous.
‘Why are you looking at me while saying such things?’
What is he trying to make me do now?
“However, there is one condition.”
My ominous premonition became reality.
“Duke, it would be best if you take the lead.”
I almost hiccupped.
What did you say, you damn male lead?
“What did you just say, Your Majesty?”
“Why such an expression, Duke? You should be pleased. I am personally granting what you have been consistently requesting.”
Only then did the magicians properly understand, and joy began to spread among them.
Sparkling gazes all poured toward me at once.
Family Head. We believe only in you, Family Head!
It was what the magicians who followed me around like goldfish droppings said several times a day.
Damn it. Damn it!
“How strange. Do you have reservations? I’m asking you, the great Grand Magician Duke, to demonstrate for uncertain matters. The most excellent person should take the lead for safety.”
My heart throbbed painfully.
Could it be that this person has started to suspect something?
Why such an abrupt order?
The terrible thing was that there was only one response I could give to such words right now.
Before the magicians and Awakened Ones in the council room could give me strange looks.
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Looking at the man who wore a peculiar expression, clearly having predicted I wouldn’t welcome this.
“I will try.”
I, a fraudulent Grand Magician who couldn’t use any magic, had no choice but to say that!
But the emperor went even further.
“Of course, it’s not possible right away.”
Looking at the sighing magicians, he said spitefully.
“We’ll proceed after reviewing your research again in two months. And before that, it wouldn’t be bad to promote a competition between Awakened Ones and magicians.”
This son of a—
Our eyes met again.
The emperor smiled.
“This time too, Duke, you will set the example.”
“……”
“Why no answer? Don’t tell me you dislike it?”
Whatever the emperor was thinking, one thing was clear now.
“How could that be? It’s an honor that you’re finally giving magicians a chance, Your Majesty. The magicians will do their utmost not to disappoint your expectations and interest.”
That person had noticed my reluctance to step forward and deliberately said such things to torment me.
That was clear.
***
“Your Majesty! Why did you make such a decision? Those creatures will certainly become arrogant and run wild.”
“If they ever start clamoring to enter the Gates, you know. They cannot enter.”
While listening to the worried Knight Commander and the knights following behind him, Kaisis narrowed his eyes.
‘Clearly.’
He saw the woman walking away, indifferently ignoring the words of the magicians, filled with joy and excitement.
But was it merely an illusion that her retreating figure seemed to stagger, lacking strength?
‘While all magicians were pleased, only she reacted differently.’
He clearly saw her tightening her lips, like someone who never wanted such a situation.
Though he didn’t know the reason, he could tell.
‘Hillaria, Duke Ariel.’
The empire’s Grand Magician.
An arrogant noble.
His political opponent and enemy.
An unmistakable and tiresome connection.
…That woman was strange.
