Episode 138: That Day
“Today has been quite fruitful.”
Rein Adriche smiled in satisfaction.
He had met Duke Lahart, the most talked-about figure on the continent, and had also discovered the identity of the master of nightmares.
There was no longer any reason for him to stay at the banquet hall. He had no other business there.
Step. Step.
Without looking back, he walked toward the door.
“Leaving already…?”
“As soon as he arrived?”
“He really is as eccentric as the rumors say.”
The murmurs of the gathered high nobles reached his ears, but Rein paid them no mind.
How could these primitive beings possibly understand the grand intentions of someone as great as himself? Expecting them to was absurd.
Had he ever seen a human make requests of an insect?
Had anyone ever wished for recognition from a mere beast?
Of course not. Rein Adriche was no different in that regard.
Then, just as he was about to leave, his eyes met those of a certain woman.
Her irises were the color of blood, and the moment he saw her, he instantly recognized who she was.
The Obsidian Saintess.
Francia Fervache.
The woman who would lead him to the celestial realm.
She was the most crucial person to him—the key to reaching a higher realm of existence—and his top priority.
Smirk.
Rein cast her a sly, chilling smile before stepping out of the banquet hall. With a snap of his fingers, a portal leading to the Mage Tower appeared in midair.
Before leaving, he took one last glance at the imperial palace.
The golden palace stood tall, radiating a brilliant light.
Towering spires seemed to pierce the heavens, and the intricately carved golden gates boasted the grandeur of Rozino.
A massive and magnificent palace that symbolized the empire’s power.
‘It would be quite a sight to see this place crumble, too.’
But if he had to choose, shouldn’t he target Fervache first?
After all, that would bring him closer to his goal.
Burning the empire to the ground by destroying the imperial palace wasn’t a bad idea.
But it wasn’t the most rational move either.
His true targets were Duke Lahart and the Obsidian Saintess.
Of course, even if a full-scale war erupted between the Mage Tower and Rozino, the tower wouldn’t lose.
But there was no need to expand the battlefield from the very start.
“Yes, Fervache’s domain should be the first to fall.”
His decision made, Rein let out a soft chuckle and disappeared into the Mage Tower.
***
As the banquet ended and they returned to the Lahart estate, the carriage wheels rolled smoothly along the path.
The ride was comfortable.
It was a carriage gifted by the emperor himself in celebration of his ascension to the title of duke.
Yet, a peculiar silence filled the space.
Yohan and Francia were both lost in thought.
The Master of the Mage Tower, Rein Adriche.
The most dangerous and unpredictable figure.
Though no secrets had been shared, both Yohan and Francia understood the gravity of the situation.
Rein had shown interest in them.
That alone was cause for concern.
“…You met the Master of the Mage Tower, didn’t you?”
It was Francia who broke the silence first.
“What did you two talk about? He left right after speaking with you.”
“It was just a simple greeting. He also invited me to visit the Mage Tower sometime.”
Yohan relaxed his stiff expression and smiled lightly.
“Hmm… He seems to be favoring you? That doesn’t sound like him at all.”
“I’ve heard the same about him, but I don’t think it was kindness.”
“What do you mean?”
“There was killing intent in his smile.”
On the surface, Rein appeared merely interested and somewhat amiable.
But Yohan had keenly sensed the concealed menace behind his smile.
“Was it there from the beginning?”
“Yes.”
Yohan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Those who reach the realm of transcendence become highly sensitive to things like killing intent. But the Master of the Mage Tower… his was overwhelming. It was so potent that even when suppressed, it couldn’t be concealed.”
For someone like Rein, who must have tried to restrain it, to still exude such palpable malice…
What could be the reason?
Yohan couldn’t help but be curious about what was going on inside Rein’s mind.
After all, they barely had any prior interactions.
“…I see.”
Francia’s eyes darkened. The thought that crossed her mind was the possibility that he was vaguely recalling memories from before the regression.
‘Right… When Rudbeckia regressed, the Tower Master’s mana must have returned with her.’
It wasn’t entirely impossible. If mana that had traveled back in time returned to its original owner, it could trigger the return of memories. In a way, half of the tower Master’s mind had regressed as well.
Although it was Rudbeckia’s regression that restored the Tower Master’s memories, Francia had no intention of blaming her. If anything, it was an opportunity for revenge against that man.
However—
‘…Can I really win with just artifacts?’
A vague sense of unease crept over her.
She wasn’t confident that she could kill him.
Rein Adriche was a monster among monsters, capable of waging war against an entire nation single-handedly. Compared to him, figures like Archbishop Cain or Crown Prince Fedelian were nothing.
It was true that the Gladius Luminus, the Sword of Judgment, was a powerful artifact capable of slaying transcendents—but would it even work on him? The transcendent among transcendents?
‘…I’ll think about that later. For now, I just need to keep charging Luminus’s mana.’
Francia turned to ask,
“Yohan, did you feel anything when you saw the Tower Master?”
“What do you mean by ‘feel’?”
“Like anger or frustration—any emotions like that.”
“Hmm… Not really.”
“I see…”
So, unlike the Tower Master, Yohan hadn’t recovered any memories at all? It made sense. The purity of his mana before regression wasn’t particularly high.
Most of it had likely dissipated during the journey through time, with only the faintest remnants making it through—perhaps just the emotions he felt right before his death.
“Well, don’t worry too much. Things will work out.”
Seeing Francia’s furrowed brows refusing to relax, Yohan chuckled softly and ruffled her hair.
“For now, let’s stay cautious and observe the situation.”
“…Alright.”
But just observing wasn’t exactly a great plan either. Attaching spies to the Tower Master or extracting information from him was nearly impossible. If he had already begun to move, it was probably too late.
Still, revealing the truth about the regression wasn’t an option. There was no telling what consequences that might bring.
‘What should I do…’
Francia bit her lip. The problem was that they had no control over the situation. Only she and Rudbeckia knew just how insane the Tower Master truly was.
They could use the name of Fervache to limit his actions, but that might only make things more complicated.
There was still too little information about him.
‘…For now, I’ll have to rely on the Celestial Mage’s artifacts.’
Even if keeping him under surveillance was impossible, they could at least track his movements.
“…”
While Francia made her decision, Yohan quietly tapped his fingers on the cushioned seat of the carriage.
Even though he had reassured her, he wasn’t taking the situation lightly either. In fact, he had raised his guard even higher.
‘Should I strike first?’
The Tower Master had invited him to visit the Tower.
If he went and probed him, maybe he could figure out his intentions.
It would be the easiest way—but not necessarily the wisest. The Tower was his stronghold. If he decided to kill him on the spot, it would be a disaster.
Yohan let out a short sigh.
‘…For now, I should just focus on the current situation.’
Nothing had been decided yet, after all.
***
The Lahart Imperial Mansion was busier than ever.
“Move quickly!”
“Is the table set?!”
“Today, our fate is on the line!”
Servants bustled about in the front courtyard, making preparations for his arrival.
The senior staff adjusted the uniforms of the new recruits, ensuring they looked presentable, while the administrators rushed to tidy up the mansion inside and out, working to minimize any mistakes.
Whispers and cautious footsteps echoed through the hallway.
“So the day has finally come.”
“The Duke’s father-in-law is visiting, right?”
“The Duke must be nervous too.”
“But… does he know about the polygamy?”
“Shh! That’s not something we should talk about carelessly.”
The mansion was filled with tension, but the servants’ gossip was unstoppable. Their conversation always led to one question:
[Does Duke Fervache know that Duke Lahart is a polygamist?]
It was a closely guarded secret from the outside world, but anyone working in this mansion knew the truth. The true mistress of the Lahart Imperial Mansion was not the Fervache lady but a silver-haired woman.
Everyone in the mansion was aware of it, yet the rumor never spread beyond these walls. The reason? The confidentiality contract they had all signed upon entering.
If an outsider heard about it, it meant execution.
If an insider spoke of it, it also meant execution.
It was an intimidating contract, but as long as they kept their mouths shut, they were guaranteed a salary far beyond what any other household could offer. That was reason enough for many to join the Lahart mansion’s service.
“But what if he’s actually hiding it? What happens then?”
A young new maid asked innocently. She had come to the Lahart mansion at a young age to support her debt-ridden family.
“Then this mansion will become a battlefield…”
“The Duke Fervache will probably explode with rage.”
“Well, we’d better find a good hiding spot just in case.”
The older servants nodded knowingly, folding their arms as they each imagined the potential chaos. If Duke Fervache truly didn’t know about the polygamy, what would happen once he found out?
“But wouldn’t he already know? This is a serious matter.”
“Yeah, he must have been told long ago.”
“He is our master, after all. It must have been settled already.”
Most of them believed that Duke Fervache was already aware of the situation. Keeping something this significant a secret for so long seemed impossible.
“Let’s just focus on our own work.”
“Still, just in case, we should scope out some good hiding spots.”
“Haha, the kitchen is a great place to hide.”
With lighthearted jokes, the servants dispersed to continue their duties.
However, someone had been secretly listening to their conversation—
‘So even they think this is a disaster?’
—It was Yohan.
He had only been out for a walk to clear his head, but on his way to the garden, he had overheard the mansion’s servants chatting.
And what do you know?
Even they expected a battlefield.
‘Damn it, I should have told him sooner.’
Yohan rubbed his forehead with his fingers, feeling as if cold sweat was trickling down his skin.
If he had told Duke Fervache about Rudella from the beginning, things wouldn’t have become so tangled. The Duke, being a rational man, would have accepted it.
But now, things were different. The first child was not Francia’s but Rudella’s. And on top of that, there was a possibility of a third wife—Rudbeckia.
If even the servants thought this was a disaster, it was already over.
Sure, he had been busy, and the timing had never felt right. But who could have predicted it would come to this? Yohan clutched his head in frustration.
‘Whatever. There’s no other option but to face it head-on.’
He couldn’t hide it forever.
Yohan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
If he explained the circumstances behind accepting Rudella, the Duke would understand.
As for Rudbeckia and the firstborn issue… well, he might have to endure a few blows.
“Phew.”
Just as Yohan let out a deep sigh—
Tick—
The pocket watch in his coat clicked, signaling the hour.
It was time.
Duke Fervache—his father-in-law—was about to arrived.