The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 172
Falling Soul (2)
The earth was tilted and darkness had fallen.
And during that time, the thoughts that had been going on since daytime did not stop.
It was because of the content of the intelligence sent from the underworld.
‘The Lady in Black Robe.’
A person of interest who has been appearing frequently at the 4th Prince’s Palace recently.
Of course, its identity could be clearly known without having to hear an explanation.
“It looks like he’s starting to move the warlocks in earnest.”
“hmm.”
I nodded slightly at George’s words and stroked my chin.
The negative dimension mana handled by the black magician is easier to handle than other elements of mana in certain fields.
Its potential can be maximized by stimulating negative emotions, and sometimes even directly engaging in power, as was seen in the slash-and-burn village.
So, there would be no reason for them to waste such manpower on the Holy Empire.
But this time, it was different from what had appeared in the Hwajeonmin village.
“Unlike before, the fact that they are actively using black magicians means that they no longer have the luxury of hiding it.”
“Are you saying that you are no longer even aware of the eyes of those around you?”
“okay.”
As the chaos surrounding the Federation Empire grows, it is not good for them to have the dark magicians’ presence revealed to the public.
But if you start moving while taking that risk… … .
“Hmm.”
The fingers that had been stroking my chin suddenly stopped.
“It’s urgent, but to be exact, everything has already been prepared.”
The true ambition of the bastard that has been hidden until now.
It meant that the moment for it to come true had arrived.
The corners of my mouth twisted in a bitter way.
“It’s obvious.”
I took out some items the size of a finger joint from the drawer and placed them on the desk.
Just looking at it brings about an eerie feeling. It was the source of the power of those who had been captured from the slash-and-burn village.
“It’s a pill that the hardliners artificially created… … that induces negative emotions.”
“okay.”
A pill made by sacrificing living humans.
As mentioned earlier, stimulating negative emotions can be a means to maximize human potential.
Just like I did in the first Warlock’s Hideout.
The idea was that if I could control it and make it my own, the emotion called ‘anger’ would become a nutrient for growth.
In that sense, this was an object that gave me more power than anything else.
“He will try to use this to clean up the inside.”
“Are you saying you will suppress the chaos by force?”
“okay.”
“Isn’t this a situation that can be resolved with just one pill?”
“No. That’s not true.”
I immediately denied George’s words, frowning in disgust.
“If you don’t prepare, they won’t stop you. Never.”
The tragedy this will bring.
As someone who had experienced the war before the return, this was something I knew well.
Perhaps the Fourth Prince will instantly take control of the interior and rise tall again to his original position.
“But it wouldn’t be fun if it were that easy.”
Bam-
I drummed my fingers on the desk and muttered coldly.
Why did they have to move the first prince, who was useless to anyone?
Wasn’t it just to maximize their confusion and pressure the Fourth Prince?
If such a first prince were to collapse in vain, it would be putting the cart before the horse.
“Then, the key is how to make the First Prince move in this situation.”
At that moment, George looked at me with serious eyes.
As before, moving the guy was incredibly easy. And he was relying on me more than anyone else.
Naturally, there was only one thing we had to do.
“okay.”
Now that the atmosphere has been heightened, let’s make them fight in earnest.
So that the internal chaos and damage can somehow increase.
“I think he might still be useful.”
I stroked my chin with the most bitter cynicism I could muster.
It was a very pleasant situation.
Perhaps the Fourth Prince never thought that I would have this.
In that case… … this time, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to mix in a little lie.
“Let’s try to make it big one last time.”
firewood.
To be precise, the value of the First Prince was exactly that much.
* * *
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The first prince was wandering around the inn room with a serious expression on his face that he had never seen before.
At first glance, it looked like he was moving aimlessly, lost in thought, but it was clearly a movement waiting for someone.
‘……crow.’
It was none other than the main character of the spy story that had been kept secret until now.
So it was natural for me to feel impatient without realizing it.
‘What kind of gift will you bring me this time?’
These guys who had been keeping their identities a secret until now suddenly asked to meet in person, saying they had something to tell me.
I don’t know if that is truly a sign of loyalty, or if it is just a means to demand compensation for what has been done so far.
However, the fact that they said they had something to ‘convey’ was significant.
‘If you dared to keep me waiting, then there must be a reason.’
The intelligence they have brought us so far has been enough to slightly undermine the position of the 4th Prince, who was under the protection of the Emperor.
It was slowly and continuously eaten away at.
But this time, there is something precious that I have to give you in person?
To the extent that it had to be given secretly, even by meeting in a place like this?
It seemed that he also knew that it was by no means light.
It was even stranger to be told not to expect anything like this.
‘If I can find out their intentions and gain their loyalty… …!’
Ssuk-
“… … !”
At that moment, subtle movements began to be detected through the gap in the open window.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Majesty.”
And the moment the voice was heard, something like joy appeared on the First Prince’s face.
The appearance of an information book with his whole body covered by a black hood and clothes.
Surely, it was the ‘crow’ that had been waiting.
“Kuuuuu!”
The original intention of uncovering their purpose and identity had long since disappeared.
The first prince immediately approached the crow, his eyes sparkling with desire.
“Are you sure you know the person who will deliver the item to your guy?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“What on earth did you bring? Take it out and take a look!”
It was a desire so thick that it was transparent.
However, as if it had expected it, the crow silently took out a pouch and handed it to the First Prince.
“This is… … .”
pill?
The first prince opened the pocket and looked inside, his voice trailing off.
The crow, seeing that sight, slowly opened its mouth.
“It is a crystal created by the power of black magic.”
“……what?”
“It’s a pill made from a living human body.”
“What, what?!”
Chorus!
The first prince was startled and hurriedly stepped back.
The contents spilled onto the floor because the pocket was missed.
The first prince’s face was distorted with anger.
“How dare you let me hold something like this in my hands! What on earth are you thinking!”
“It is evidence that the Fourth Prince is carrying out inhumane human experiments.”
“What, what did you say… … .”
Inhumane experiments, what on earth do you mean?
The first prince, who did not understand the situation, asked back in a bewildered manner.
“… … !”
But soon he realized the situation and opened his eyes wide and looked at the crow.
It was because he remembered why this suspicious man had come looking for him in the first place.
“Surely that woman… … .”
“Yes, that’s right.”
A woman in black robes who frequented the 4th prince’s room.
The one who created this was none other than the 4th Prince and his black magician.
“K, kehahaha!”
A burst of madness began to pour out of the prince’s mouth.
The eyes that looked at the pills scattered on the floor were soon filled with only a flash of desire rather than anger.
“That’s right… … That bastard even brought in negative power… … !”
The moment I confirmed it, the situation was basically over.
The first prince looked at the crow urgently.
“The pill he made with black magic… … It must have definitely been made with human ingredients, right?”
“Yes, the Fourth Prince is conducting inhumane experiments on his own people.”
“Okay, very good.”
As always, I never thought this ‘crow’ would lie.
So then the next thing was up to him.
“4th Prince, the time has finally come to take your leash!”
As if I had finally found what I was looking for.
The first prince began to pick up the pills with a face full of joy.
The sight of him desperately trying to collect what he had thrown away was closer to madness.
And there was someone watching the scene from afar.
“Hide lies in the truth, and control people from your seat.”
The eerie voice coming from under the bandages was muffled by the fedora pulled down low.
The man slowly stood up from the roof he was sitting on, tugging at the corners of his lips.
“As expected, if you make an enemy out of him, he will be in real trouble.”
Well, that makes him more trustworthy.
It was the moment when the thoughts I had heard until then turned into conviction.
The man slowly disappeared from the spot.
* * *
Meanwhile, Esteban’s palace was bustling with activity as the King’s birthday approached.
“There should be no hitch in the preparation.”
“All right.”
It was a birthday that doubled as a coronation.
As it was a place where even foreign envoys were visiting, Marquis Vidor’s eyes were scanning his surroundings more seriously than ever.
This was to the extent that even the smallest details had to be personally checked.
“Your Majesty, here is a list of countries that have agreed to send envoys.”
“Well, I’ll check.”
The Marquis accepted the documents brought by the palace servant.
Then he nodded at the first name he saw.
“As expected, Arendelle has decided to send an envoy.”
It was natural, considering that the relationship between the two countries was now virtually like a blood alliance.
The only regret was that the royal family did not visit, but this could not be helped considering public perception.
“Hmm, the rest of the countries… … um?”
At that moment, the Marquis, who was looking over the list, tilted his head.
The servant who saw the sight asked cautiously.
“Is there anything wrong?”
“No… … That’s not it.”
The Marquis waved his hand as if it was nothing, but his eyes were still fixed on the list.
‘Are you saying that Magia is sending an envoy too?’
Magia, the kingdom of wizards.
It was a country that had no particular contact with Esteban, and it was a place where envoys had never visited before.
Moreover, the only contact I had with them was the meeting with the Archmage at the Continental Congress.
‘His Highness the Crown Prince passed on to them the ancient magic formula.’
Rather, if they had ill feelings, they would have met for good reasons, so sending an envoy might have been a strange thing.
The Marquis asked his servant, still wondering.
“Is there a letter from Magia?”
“Oh, please wait a moment.”
The palace servant who had been running so busily soon returned with a letter decorated with ornate patterns.
“Here it is.”
“Um. Please wait a moment.”
The Marquis took it and examined the contents of the letter.
“Hmm… … .”
But there wasn’t much content there.
There was also a content that blamed the forced passing of ancient magic formulas, which was almost like a forced sale. And there was no content related to the operation of magic either.
‘So you’re saying he was just an ordinary envoy after all?’
As the Marquis was putting away the letter with such a puzzled look, a familiar color decorating the letter suddenly caught his eye.
“… …Amber?”
Something that may at first glance appear to be close to vermilion.
One day, it was exactly the same color as the ‘questionable’ jewel that had arrived at my superior’s door.
A furrow slowly began to form between the Marquis’ eyebrows.
