“You misunderstand the Progenitor. If we unleash our ancestor, the one who founded our Magic Nation, it will bring chaos and ruin to the world. Do you still intend to revive the Progenitor?”
“No! That’s not it! The Progenitor will construct a world for magicians, by magicians! They will eliminate everyone except us superior magicians and create an ideal paradise for magicians alone!”
“And you wish to be the King of such a world?”
“I have the power to do so. I’ve spent a long time and am confident I’ve surpassed the magicians of that era. I have no intention of losing to even a Court Mage. Therefore, it is inevitable that I, the most superior magician, shall become King!”
“Heh…”
Rasmus chuckled. No, it wasn’t just him. Almeida, who had been watching the unfolding events, also let out an irrepressible snicker.
“What’s so funny? What’s funny about it!”
“Well, I’ll admit you’ve become a superior magician. But you’re not exactly the strongest magician, are you? You were just defeated by Jared a moment ago.”
“………”
At the boy’s words, the old man gritted his teeth so hard they felt like they would shatter.
“I saw it. Almeida’s proud disciple, pushing beyond his limits, defeated you. He is superior to you as both a magician and a human. You should bow your head and beg him, ‘Please, become King.'”
“Rasmussssssssss!”
The old man, extending one arm and with bloodshot eyes, screamed and lunged at the boy. However, he was blocked by an invisible wall and pitifully tumbled to the ground.
“Thank you, Almeida. You’ve always protected me, both now and in the past.”
As the boy approached the moaning old man, whose fingernails had all been torn off, he revealed a silver, egg-shaped vessel in his hand.
“Th-that is…”
“It’s the containment device that should hold the Progenitor’s soul.”
“Give it to me!”
“Before that, I’d like you to answer a question. Depending on your reply, I might give it to you.”
The boy, reaching out a finger stained red, proposed to the old man who craved the Progenitor, a smile never leaving his face. The girl standing by showed no sign of scolding him, and the old man was slightly bewildered.
“You opposed the revival of the Progenitor so vehemently, yet now you’re considering handing them over? What are you thinking?”
“It’s none of your concern. But if you can obtain it based on your answer, it would be convenient, wouldn’t it? Since Almeida is here protecting me, you can’t take it by force. In that case, shouldn’t you cooperate even if it goes against your wishes?”
“…Very well. Ask your question.”
The old man, now broken, nodded briefly. The boy then asked.
“When and where did you learn of the Progenitor?”
“What?”
“It’s a simple question. Five hundred years ago, no, for more than that, our Royal Family has kept the existence of the Progenitor a secret. Yet you, who was merely a Magician, learned of the Progenitor, betrayed your country, and destroyed it. So, when did you learn of the Progenitor’s existence?”
“That is…”
“You can’t answer? Then I will. The Progenitor told you about their own existence. Do you understand? You were made a pawn for the Progenitor’s revival.”
“T-that’s impossible! The Progenitor made me a pawn? Ridiculous, there’s no way that could happen!”
Lucas raised his voice, as if to hide his agitation, but Rasmus calmly continued his questioning.
“Then let’s move on to the next question. Why have you been able to live for five hundred years?”
“What?”
“I transformed into a demon through forbidden arts. Almeida also succeeded in extending her lifespan by independently absorbing Magic Power. So, what did you do?”
“I… I didn’t do anything.”
The old man’s agitation grew. He recalled that he hadn’t done anything regarding his lifespan. He hadn’t even thought about it. It was as if he didn’t need to worry about his lifespan.
He hadn’t used the Royal Family’s secret technique of demon transformation, nor did he have any unique skills. Lucas, who was an ordinary Magician at best, likely wouldn’t have known or been able to implement a method to extend his lifespan.
“Why have I lived so long?”
“Unfortunately, you were chosen and charmed by the Progenitor. You’re not the first. In history, there have been many victims of the Progenitor. Their lifespans extended, and they awakened to power as Magicians. You’ve already been granted power by the Progenitor.”
“I’ve already been granted power by the Progenitor?”
“Yes. You’ve been granted power by the Progenitor to your limits. Everyone was like that. Unfortunately, even if you try to free the Progenitor, you cannot gain any more power than this. You cannot become King either.”
“I-impossible… there’s no way that could be true…”
If Rasmus’s words were true, then everything he had done of his own volition had been under the Progenitor’s control. The power he was meant to gain, the status he desired, all of it would remain a dream.
“Don’t mock me! Do you know how much time and effort I’ve invested waiting for this day! That I’ve been manipulated by the Progenitor! No! I, with my own will, intended to release the Progenitor and seize the world!”
“Then I have some regrettable news for you.”
He gently placed the silver vessel before Lucas. And then,
“The Progenitor who was in this vessel is already dead.”
He delivered the fact that was enough to plunge the old man into despair.
