I Captured the Enemy Who Tried to Kill Me - Chapter 31
Luias peeked his head out cautiously.
Of course, the boy had things to do as well.
‘I’ve neglected you too much.’
That’s what his stern-looking master said before giving orders to the other wizards.
‘What are you all doing? From now on, teach Luias properly.’
‘Yes, yes! We will do so!’
His master was too busy to spend all day teaching him theoretical knowledge.
Even though he saw the wizards sighing reluctantly after receiving that order, he was still happy.
His master was clearly looking after him, despite him being an awkward imperial prince.
Tomorrow was also the day his master promised to take him to the imperial palace to meet His Majesty, his brother.
As Luias felt his small heart pounding, he noticed something and tilted his head.
‘Hmm? Is that Master’s cat?’
There was no way he couldn’t recognize that distinctively plump figure.
The small boy glanced around and quickly ran behind the cat, making sure no one was watching.
“Meow.”
This special cat had an indifferent expression, yet sometimes showed emotions almost like a human.
‘I wish I could speak.’
He crouched down and tried to put his hand on the cat’s head, but got hit by a soft paw and smiled brightly.
Looking at the fluffy tail, he clenched his fist, and the cat placed its tail on his hand with clear reluctance—just like his master would.
‘Seems grumpy but is actually kind.’
But was it his imagination?
Luias tilted his head in confusion.
Somehow, he felt an unusual energy coming from the cat.
Although the boy was only half a wizard, unable to speak and thus unable to chant spells, he was still a wizard.
He knew how to sense energy and gather it in his body.
In fact, he was better at this than other wizards.
For a moment, the cat’s vertically slit eyes moved sharply.
And then…
“I have no choice meow.”
“…!”
Luias’s eyes widened in shock.
Did it just… speak?
Proving this was no illusion, the cat tapped Luias’s chubby hand with its tail.
“This is our secret meow. Understand meow?”
Luias’s head nodded frantically, his eyes still wide with surprise.
Was this a miracle?
Or was it because it was his master’s cat that it was special too!
Seeing the boy’s cheeks flush pink, the cat sighed once more.
“My name is Lucy meow. You should take today’s conversation to heart and be careful meow.”
Luias tilted his head and blinked, not understanding what the cat meant. The cat then whispered in a gentle voice, sharing what seemed like a secret.
“You are a variable meow. You are the first life that child saved meow.”
Who was “that child” referring to?
“But destiny isn’t completely averted just because you escaped it once meow. It’s too early to feel safe, that’s what I’m saying meow.”
He couldn’t understand what it meant.
While he kept blinking and tilting his head like a puppy, the cat hissed in apparent annoyance.
When Luias smiled brightly at that, too, the cat did a somersault with its plump body and landed on his shoulder.
Staggering under the heavy weight, the cat raised its claws and tapped Luias’s forehead.
Blink.
What was that? It felt like something cool had just passed through him from head to toe.
“I’ll help you once meow.”
The cat yawned widely, clearly considering its task complete.
“I’m sleepy meow. Catch me meow.”
The black cat leisurely climbed down his body and settled in his arms. Luias hugged it tightly, feeling his heart pounding.
A secret between them.
‘I won’t be able to tell my brother!’
It was the moment the young prince finally made his first friend.
***
—The Emperor has discovered our organization.
—The drugs and witnesses have fallen into their hands! What are we going to do about this!
—There are rumors that the Emperor and the Duke have joined forces. If the two groups become close now, wouldn’t that be troublesome?
It was certainly a serious matter.
It would be problematic if the organization were exposed at this point.
There was still much to be done.
Being checked by both wizards and Awakened Ones was extremely disadvantageous.
Then, the most powerful person among those gathered.
“Let’s do this.”
The one closest to their noble and great leader spoke.
“Fighting can always be restarted. Besides, don’t we have the perfect bait?”
—What is it?
A target that could explode like a bomb if touched.
“The apprentice of the Magic Tower’s leader.”
—Oh… Indeed!
The figure who was precariously balancing the relationship between the wizard and Awakened One factions.
None other than the mute prince, Luias.
“Yes. Instigate a fight between the wizards and Awakened Ones. And using the mirror we’ve newly created, make sure that Luias is harmed by magic.”
—Perfect!
If they did that, the two groups, already full of distrust for each other, might finally split completely this time.
“Also.”
It would be troublesome if the Emperor noticed something and started investigating.
No matter how powerful, an Awakened One without an Indoja was nothing more than an unleashed monster cub.
“We should also prepare a gift for the Emperor. If we leave him alone, that hunting dog might trample our territory, so let’s manifest the great power on this occasion.”
The person wearing black gloves raised their lips into a smile, resting their chin on interlocked fingers.
“By bringing down the leader whom the monsters worship.”
—Ohhh!
Everyone gathered there for some truth, for the true world, all worshipped his confident attitude.
Oh, the Gate.
Such foolish people.
It wasn’t something to fight against.
It was their blessing given by heaven!
“Let’s imprint on them that the Gate is our power. The center of power in this world is definitely not the monstrous Awakened Ones and Indojas, nor the wizards who covet them!”
—Excellent! Anything. I am prepared to sacrifice even my life!
—We worship and praise. We have waited for this moment. Everything is for our great Moon!
—We shall cut off the Emperor’s head!
The air trembled, and the space where they were gathered shook with uncontainable excitement.
Soon. Very soon.
Chaos would descend upon the world, and the ecstasy of foolish people shedding blood would unfold.
They were apostles solely for that moment.
***
Hehehe.
I laughed silently and buried my face in my interlocked hands.
“Where did that fat cat go? How can it call itself my guide when it acts like this!”
S**t.
I messed up my hair in frustration.
I had gained another ultimate skill.
‘Again, I mean.’
Suppressing my anger, I looked ahead and saw the status window flashing, displaying the explanation of the magic I had acquired.
[Spear of Fire]
What a simple name.
I narrowed my eyes and read the description.
Summon a spear of fire to annihilate the enemy before you. Can be used three times a day. Be cautious about using it more than that. May cause internal injuries resulting in blood vomiting. Huh?
A hollow laugh escaped me.
I was already writhing in pain as if my lungs were being torn apart from teleportation magic, so what would happen if I used this?
And what exactly does “annihilate” mean here?
“Ugh. This is driving me crazy, really.”
I needed to test it before the demonstration, but I was afraid of the aftermath.
Anyway, it was fortunate to have gained an attack spell.
Though I’m not sure if I could use it during a magic duel.
‘No, I should make it usable somehow.’
I stared at the Emperor’s unusually quiet status window today.
Naturally, the events from earlier today came back to me in vivid color.
The eyes that glared at me with contempt, no different from usual.
The expression that suspected I might have committed some evil deed.
‘That’s how he always looked at me. It’s nothing new.’
But why am I dwelling on that moment, hoping that status window won’t change?
I let out a deep sigh.
“What am I doing?”
Lately, I felt like I had lost my way.
Was it because I had seen another side of that man who sweetly called me his match…
“Ew! Yuck! Ptooey!”
I slapped my cheeks repeatedly.
It hurt like hell, and it snapped me back to reality.
“During the day, I am the leader of wizards, Duke Ariel, and at night, I am just a temporary Guide!”
The flashing status window felt like it was mocking my confusion.
Tsk, I clicked my tongue and threw myself onto the bed, thinking about the fat cat that hadn’t returned tonight.
Somehow, I felt like I was going to have a nightmare tonight.
