An hour passed again.
Laurentz and the others, who were waiting for more information, had finished preparing for battle.
Laurentz wore the combat uniform robe prepared by the Ducal Family over his Royal Academy uniform. For better or worse, as a magician, he could only use minimal physical combat skills, so he only carried a knife for self-defense.
Luzer was equipped with nothing more than several knives and leather gloves. Having sensed what was happening earlier, he had already completed his preparations.
Pfeil had returned to the Alway Ducal Family Villa on foot to retrieve his bow and arrows and was now ready. This was something only he could accomplish, moving lightly across the rooftops of buildings.
They quietly waited for the battle to begin in the Duke’s study.
“I have just managed to contact the Royal Palace and the Mage Association. Once Leonard Gallagher’s whereabouts are known, the Knights will be dispatched.”
Harald returned, having finished contacting the Royal Palace and the Mage Association via familiar. He seemed somewhat relieved, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It was understandable that he felt a sense of relief now that he could finally connect with the places that had been unreachable until now.
“Both the Royal Palace and the Mage Association want to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. Fortunately, it seems Leonard and his group indeed acted discreetly.”
“Discreetly, you say?”
“They attacked the Royal Academy, the Royal Palace, the Mage Association, and the mansions of nobles, but it turns out they did not harm any civilians. Fortunately, the public is living their lives as usual.”
“I see,” I understood.
I had been wondering about this for a long time. I had received information about nobles, but nothing about the common people. Taking the Alway Ducal Family as an example, their associates were not limited to nobles. There were merchant families and people they supported. I had been puzzled as to why there were no calls for help from them.
At the same time, it made sense. Leonard and his group were attempting to take over the country, but they were not a large force. Even with the Royal Mage Corps and the students of the Royal Academy combined, they numbered around two hundred. With nearly half of them already captured or defeated, they had no surplus strength. Therefore, they had to focus on their targets.
Even if they aimed to create a country of magicians, the Wethered Kingdom had far more people who could not use magic. If they tried to harm all of them, even as magicians, they would not have enough numbers.
Thus, they probably decided to act discreetly, defeat the nobles and royalty who were their targets, and simply replace them.
And currently, their attempt seemed to be succeeding.
Although they had engaged in combat in a place like the Royal Academy, where non-nobles also gathered, given the circumstances, the Academy was doing its best to conceal the situation. In other words, things were progressing conveniently for the rebel army known as the Orthodox Magician Army.
“I don’t know Leonard, but from what I hear, he seems like a capable individual.”
“He served as the commander of the Royal Mage Corps for many years, defending our country. In fact, I met him and even fought alongside him from my position as the guardian of the capital city. He was an excellent person, and highly trusted by the Royal Palace—which makes it all the more regrettable.”
“That’s why many magicians sided with him.”
“Precisely. Even those who didn’t agree with him are said to have respected him as their superior. They were made to assist in the capture of the attackers, but they will now be placed under surveillance by the Court Mages and remain on standby.”
“It’s a blow that some of the Court Mages and members of the Royal Mage Corps are unavailable.”
“But it’s also necessary to avoid sparking suspicion. They claim their innocence, but there are more pressing matters than proving it at the moment. Keeping them on standby under surveillance is a sign that we are, to some extent, trusting them.”
If they were suspicious, they could have thrown them in jail. They wouldn’t have objected to proving their innocence. The fact that they weren’t is because they are trusted for not following Leonard.
“The Court Mages will likely be assigned to oversee them, guard the Royal Palace, and act as escorts for the Mage Association. It’s regrettable that we are short-handed at times like this.”
Jared, who was destined to become a Court Mage, was in enemy hands, and some of the Court Mage Candidates had died, with only Jared remaining.
Laurentz, who was present, was being considered as a new Court Mage Candidate, but other individuals of similar caliber were already involved in the current incident, just like him.
Considering all this, there was indeed a shortage of personnel.
“If we could get Jared back, even if it doesn’t give us an advantage in combat, it would be beneficial—”
Just as the Duke was thinking of Jared, who was not present,
“Excuse me. I have received word from a spy.”
Rosa Roen, who was in charge of guarding the mansion, entered the study without knocking. She, too, was clad in combat attire, and she brought the information they had been waiting for.
