Chapter 411

Words : 2188 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

“It wasn’t a complete mess.” “Is that so? It seems Professor Rudger handled it well.” The President spoke casually, as if she had already heard the news. Given Elisa’s information network, she probably had already grasped the situation. Still, Rudger gave the expected answer as usual. “I didn’t do much. Others helped, and we resolved it safely.” “Which others?” Elisa no longer told him to stop being modest. Instead, she playfully asked who could have helped Rudger so much~ “Magician Roina Pavlini.” “Ah. Roina.” It was unexpected, yet somehow fitting. If a 6th-rank magician like Roina Pavlini stepped in, it makes perfect sense that Rudger received help. “But given her personality, I doubt she took the lead?” Elisa threw out a sharp question. While Roina Pavlini was excellent as a magician, she showed lacking behavior in other aspects. It was so severe that it made people think, ‘Ah, so this is the minimum needed to become the youngest 6th-rank.’ “There were other magicians too. From Derek Olson to Sempas.” “Aha. All quite capable people. But those who caused trouble must have been extraordinary too.” “Yes. Still, we ended it safely. Though there was some damage, considering the scale of what happened, it was nothing short of a miracle.” There actually was something that could be called a miracle. After all, the Earth Elemental Lord, never before observed, had revealed itself. Naturally, President Elisa had received this news faster than anyone. “The Earth Elemental Lord. I wonder if the world is coming to an end.” “I think the Elemental Lord actually prevented that end.” “That’s why it’s surprising. A transcendent being of nature appearing like this. I’m sure next year’s Night of Mystery won’t be disbanded; rather, more magicians will flock to it.” They say after rain, the ground hardens. A historic-level incident almost caused the Kasar Basin to collapse, but the Earth Elemental Lord appeared and stabilized the ley lines. A modern-day miracle descended in an extremely dangerous situation. It would be strange if magicians weren’t going crazy over it. “For something like that, Professor Rudger, you don’t seem particularly moved.” “Just because we know such a being exists and observed it doesn’t change anything.” That’s just how Elemental Lords are. It wouldn’t be strange for them to appear suddenly anywhere, and even if they disappear, there’s no way to find them again. From the start, moving through the earth like swimming with that huge body completely transcends physical laws. Even fish make splashes when they jump out of water, but Elemental Lords don’t even do that. Literally, they move silently like sinking into a swamp, and don’t even leave traces. How could anyone track such a being? If one had to guess where it stays, while maybe not in the planet’s mantle, it would at least be in the crust. ‘But saying it’s in the crust doesn’t narrow it down at all.’ This entire land is practically the Earth Elemental Lord’s field. As a joke, it wouldn’t be strange if its nest was right under this Leathervelk. From Rudger’s perspective, humans trying to track traces of such an Earth Elemental Lord seemed rather foolish. “Professor Rudger, you seem skeptical about research on Elemental Lords?” “It’s only natural. Just because a being that was never observed before showed itself once, isn’t it strange to harbor unnecessary hope?” “But that’s what magicians do – getting excited and harboring futile dreams.” “I can’t deny that.” “I’m sure cities around the Kasar Basin will put out all sorts of advertisements. ‘Kasar Basin – Where the Earth Elemental Lord First Appeared.’ Don’t you think they’ll use catchphrases like that?” “If the Earth Elemental Lord was more sociable, it would have filed a lawsuit.” “Hehe. What’s that supposed to mean?” Elisa laughed, thinking Rudger had made an amusing joke but Rudger was serious. People don’t know how intelligent Elemental Lords are. Just because they derived from nature itself doesn’t mean they lack will. Rather, they possess intelligence that surpasses humans. Just at that one moment when their eyes met, Rudger could feel it. The Earth Elemental Lord was fundamentally good-natured. You could say it had firm convictions like solid rock. It even showed sympathy while watching Belkart who had done all those things, which says it all. That’s why it’s more dangerous when such a being becomes angry. Elemental Lords can cause natural disasters if they want to. And naturally, earth-related natural disasters mean earthquakes. If it kept causing earthquakes while staying hidden underground, the only city that could survive on the continent would be “Isla Machina,” the headquarters of the New Magic Tower. ‘Of course, after this incident, it’s unlikely it will show itself again.’ However, the future couldn’t be certain. “Let’s talk about something else. Did you know? Recently, the Kadatushan ducal family increased their funding to Theon.” “Is that so?” “Thanks to that, we can provide better quality education to Theon’s students. Isn’t that fortunate?” Though she said it like that, there was obviously a hidden meaning. By specifically mentioning Kadatushan, she was suspicious about what kind of deal Rudger and Duke Heiback had made. No, this wasn’t even suspicion but certainty. The timing of Rudger heading to the Night of Mystery and Kadatushan’s increased funding was too coincidental to hide. From the start, Duke Heiback had no intention of hiding it. He had practically announced ‘I will sponsor Theon this much’ for all to see. “Well, while it’s good that we’ve developed from a relationship where we just shook hands but might betray each other at any time to now being solid allies, don’t you think some prior notice would have been necessary?” Elisa asked that with sharp eyes. It was closer to a slight complaint than an interrogation. From her position as Theon’s President, even if it was good news, not hearing about it beforehand was quite annoying, especially considering the scale of the matter. Even with surprise gifts, when you suddenly receive something too big, you feel more bewildered than happy. Rudger thought about it and felt it had been too much, so he apologized sincerely. “I’ll be more careful in the future.” “I’m not trying to rebuke this incident. Just thinking that if something similar happens again, it would be good to give some notice.” Elisa spoke with a smile, but her expression couldn’t hide her fatigue. It seems she too had been having headaches from various recent matters. Rudger nodded, saying he understood. “If something like this happens in the future, I’ll let you know in advance.” “Thank you.” “Then may I tell you something now?” “...Now?” Elisa’s eyes widened in surprise. She had just asked for prior notice, and now suddenly? Elisa calmed herself down. “Alright. Let’s hear it first. What is it?” Whatever it was, she thought it wouldn’t compare to becoming closer with the ducal family. That was Elisa’s assumption and judgment. Seeing her reaction, Rudger briefly pondered how to answer. Seeing him pause, Elisa felt a strange unease. Why is this teacher acting like this? Suddenly? Rudger, who had been uncharacteristically hesitating, finally seemed to gather his resolve and spoke. “The Kingdom of Yuta wants to request collaboration with Theon regarding natural resource mining.” “What? Who exactly said that?” Rudger took a breath before answering. “The Queen of Yuta said so.” * * * President Elisa said she had much to think about and dismissed Rudger. In the end, Rudger had no choice but to return to his quarters. Since he had finished reporting to the President, it seemed okay to rest for today. Just as he was about to take a break with that thought, a contact came. ‘Hans?’ Given the late hour, it probably wasn’t just a greeting. Rudger turned on the communicator. “What is it?” [Brother. It seems you need to come urgently.] Asking him to come without any explanation was abrupt but Rudger didn’t feel irritated or angry about it. For Hans, who usually wasn’t like this, to speak this way meant it was that important of a matter. Rudger got up from his seat. “I’ll be right there.” Rudger put on his coat and headed to U.N. Owen’s hideout. When he arrived at the hideout adjacent to Royal Street, all the executives were gathered. Hans, Alex, Pantos, Seridan, Bellaruna, Arpa, and Violetta too. It was strange enough that everyone who usually acted independently unless called was gathered, but their expressions and attitudes showed clear signs of tension. From their appearance, Rudger instinctively knew that someone quite unusual had come. “Brother. You’re here?” Hans came forward as representative to welcome Rudger. “Who exactly came that you called me separately like this?” “Well...” “No, never mind. I’ll just meet them directly anyway. So, is the guest in the reception room now?” “That’s right.” When Hans nodded, Rudger didn’t hesitate. Coming to the hideout meant they knew our information, and if so, there were some people he could guess. As expected, when Rudger opened the door and entered, he met eyes with a man who was blowing on hot coffee to cool it. The handsome man with brilliant blonde hair smiled warmly upon seeing Rudger. “It’s been a while, Mr. Rudger.” “Sir Pasius.” Knight Pasius, who belongs to the Royal Guard and simultaneously operates in the empire’s shadows, had personally come to the hideout. ‘If Pasius came, that means...’ Rudger glanced at the person sitting quietly beside Pasius. Though their face wasn’t visible due to a deeply pulled hood, the overall body line indicated it was a woman. Rudger naturally sat down facing them. “Is it alright for the Empire’s princess to leave her position so carelessly?” At those words, the woman sitting opposite pushed back her hood. For a moment, it felt as if the room’s scenery brightened. Hans, who had been carefully observing who it might be, swallowed and widened his eyes. “Ah, First Princess Eileen...nim?” Hans hurriedly added the honorific, belatedly realizing he had spoken her name too casually. Pantos had been mindful of Pasius as the guest, not the person who came with him. They had called Rudger thinking it was just someone unusual, but to think it was the First Princess. Even the other executives who usually showed little interest in worldly affairs had eyes as big as saucers at the First Princess’ appearance. Bellaruna’s reaction was particularly spectacular, as someone who found high-ranking people uncomfortable. “Your, your esteemed presence in such a humble...” “You, you idiot! You said it backwards!” Hans frantically covered Bellaruna’s mouth in horror. “Stop.” Even that small commotion was cleanly settled by Rudger’s single word. Eileen watched the scene with an amused look. “Are these the subordinates you’ve gathered? Though I don’t know their abilities, they at least pass in terms of personality.” “I don’t think you came all the way here in person just to discuss such matters.” Rudger found it very suspicious that Eileen came personally. While it might have been unavoidable in the past when she was wandering alone without real power, she was different now. She might become the next Emperor of the Exilion Empire. Such a person came here with just one guard? And secretly at that? Even if that guard was a Master-level knight, it seemed too careless. “What happened to the elves in the capital?” “I actually came to discuss that, along with matters concerning the Lumensis Order. It seemed too unclear to discuss through long-distance communication.” Eileen said this while crossing her arms and nodding at Pasius. Used to her commanding attitude by now, Pasius shrugged as if it couldn’t be helped. “First, based on the information provided beforehand, we confirmed that the elves secretly crossed the border. Most stayed outside the capital, but a few snuck into the capital.” It was because the capital’s defenses were unusual due to the aftermath of the recent terrorist incident. They were in the process of stabilizing things somewhat, but the elves had secretly snuck in during that gap. The fact that they were Shade Warden trackers, who are impossible to find when they decide to hide, also played a part. “We succeeded in reclaiming the mansion they took after killing innocent citizens. Afterward, those bastards started watching internal movements from outside the capital while being cautious.” With a Master-level knight watching with burning eyes, even elves would think twice before acting recklessly if they had any sense. “That’s when the previously quiet Lumensis Order made their move.” “...Made their move?” “Yes. Whether planned or coincidence, they contacted the elves.” The Lumensis Order that pursues only humans and elves from pureblood families who consider only elves supreme, two organizations that were beyond water and oil, closer to fire and ice, had come face to face.

Chapter 411

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