The trail of the Magic Elixir abruptly ended in a remote mountain region.Despite deploying numerous agents to scour through the mountains, no suspicious facilities were uncovered. Considering all of the agents were specialists in reconnaissance, this lack of findings was particularly odd.
The Defense Bureau concluded that the area must be shrouded by high-level Illusion Magic and sought assistance from the Purple Magic Tower, requesting the dispatch of a skilled mage. The exact details of the mission were kept confidential, with the request only specifying the need to dispel the Illusion Magic. A considerable commission fee was attached to the request.
Since the Purple Magic Tower’s Master was busy chasing after her love, she had left a bot as her stand-in. This led to a council meeting at the Tower, held without the Master, to determine who urgently required research funds.
“Please, let me go⋯⋯ my wallet is dying⋯⋯ Euheukheuk .”
Illusion Wizard Melburton, who had once earned a fortune from the artifact『Melburton’s Field of Reduced Accuracy』 but ended up broke because of his lavish spending. He volunteered for the mission, but…
“Do you think a third-year has enough experience for this⋯⋯? Back in my day, we didn’t even dream of leaving the tower until we had five years under our belts.”
“⋯⋯Isn’t that just because all of them were shut-ins?”
“A third-year talking back⋯⋯? Do you want to have a taste of short shorts?”
Melburton was swiftly pushed aside by I-love-hologram-shotas Luce, a 6th-year Illusion Wizard veteran. In general, seniority correlated with power. It was the same with ambition and strength
After being obliterated by the Crazy Wizard’s butler army, Luce devoted herself to walk the lonely path of creating the ‘Illusionaryl Boyfriend,’ becoming the Purple Magic Tower’s leading researcher in 『Hologram』magic.However, she couldn’t replicate the insane power structures that used belief as a source of energy.
She succeeded in imbuing physical strength into her holograms by harnessing various mana batteries, elixirs, and her own belief. The result was this:
“My darling⋯⋯ there’s a perception filter, an illusion overlay, and something else I think. Wooong , Luce doesn’t quite get it. What do you think, darling?”
- My love, the last one’s a trap. Dispelling it will trigger an alarm.
“As expected of you, darling, you’re the best⋯⋯! It’ll take a bit of time, but we can slowly melt through the outer layers.”
- With the power of our burning love, right?
It was so cringe that it would make anyone watching squirm with a searing wave of second-hand embarrassment. Clinging to her short-shorts-wearing hologram butler, Luce began dispelling the Illusion Magic in the mountains layer by layer. The look of happiness on her face was visible even through her thick glasses.
Two agents chatted as they observed the scene from a distance.
“Ugh, why did we have to come all the way out here just to witness this cringe-fest⋯⋯ Weren’t we supposed to summon only one person from Purple Magic Tower, senior?”
“We did summon one person. And it’s still just one person.”
“⋯⋯Excuse me?
“It’s just one person.”
Creeep──!
The agent shuddered as he grasped the horrifying truth.
===============================================================
While Illusion Magic was being dismantled in what felt like a one-person drama, Pure Knight and Envers waited nearby in the forest. Once the exact location was confirmed, they would be dispatched alongside the Capital Knight Order.
The mission had two clear objectives: total destruction and intelligence gathering.
As the Capital Knight Order took on the role of the brute force, creating chaos and leveling the entire area, the elite team consisting of Pure Knight and Envers would infiltrate discreetly to secure valuable information. That was the core of the plan.
Envers Redburn looked around with excitement.
Just ten meters away, he could see the members of the Capital Knight Order inspecting their gear. They were wearing their iconic power suits, their signature armor.
One figure, in particular, stood out among them. Towering at over three meters, the giant exuded an overwhelming aura, a monstrous presence even while standing still. It was the Commander of the Capital Knight Order.
It was Envers’ first time seeing someone who had reached the Sublimation level. Or maybe it was his second time; after all, he couldn’t quite gauge the level of Heavenly Demon.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
He had the unsettling feeling that the Commander was glaring at him, but that was probably just his imagination. Why would the Commander of the Capital Knight Order even spare a glance at Envers, whom they had never met?
Meanwhile, Magical Girl Pure Knight was mentally running through the same simulation for the third time.
Let’s stay calm. I just need to calmly clear up the misunderstanding. I couldn’t speak properly back then because I felt like I’d been hit over the head with a sledgehammer, but⋯⋯.
That night—when Roderus was caught in a critical dilemma—Pure Knight had spent hours under the covers, thinking, before finally arriving at a simple solution. It was so straightforward that he blamed himself for not realizing it sooner.
I won’t make any mistakes this time. I’ll restore Roderus’ honor. Let’s go, Hye-in, please watch me⋯⋯!
Slap slap.
Pure Knight slapped his own cheeks to psych himself up, then rose from the stump and approached Envers. He spoke the words he had rehearsed in his head.
“It seems there was a misunderstanding⋯⋯ I’m not in a romantic relationship with Roderus, nor am I seducing him. We’re just cooperating with each other.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?”
“Yes, in fact, your brother⋯⋯ has rebelled against the family. I found out about this and approached him for help. So basically, he’s not some lecherous man caught in a trap. Do you understand?”
“Ah, well, uhm, okay.”
The explanation was so clear that it would be enough to earn me a scholarship! Pure Knight silently congratulated himself. He deserved a blueberry cake as a reward after this.
But reality had other plans. Envers, after a moment’s thought, responded with an unexpected counterattack.
“⋯⋯Then why did you not say that earlier?”
“Because, I panicked⋯⋯.”
“If it’s just cooperation, what’s there to panic about? And even if it is, how do you explain the clothes in the closet and⋯⋯ the kiss mark I clearly saw on my brother’s neck?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Envers stared at Pure Knight, who was now stumbling in shock. Up until this point, it seemed like Pure Knight had been seducing his brother, but based on this flustered reaction, maybe Pure Knight had feelings for him as well?
Going so far as to make excuses to restore Roderus’ honor and the sheer embarrassment on Pure Knight’s face made Envers 100% sure of it.
If it wasn’t just seduction but mutual feelings, then there was no reason to interfere. In fact, he might even have to root for them
“Haha, if things turn out well, I suppose I’ll be calling you sister-in-law.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯!!”
Pure Knight thought. Did I just get hit by a Stygian Arrow of Mind Destruction?
As he struggled to figure out how to clear up this misunderstanding, the word sister-in-law caught Kim Ruru’s attention. What did he mean by sister-in-law?
Thud. Thud.
The ground shook under the weight of a power suit approaching with heavy steps
“Ah, it’s the Commander of the Capital Knight Order. I am Namgoong Cheonghwi, and⋯⋯.”
“She’s mine.”
“?”
“Oh Dae-soo is mine”
The voice, distorted through the power armor, echoed ominously through the forest. Kim Ruru wrapped an arm around Pure Knight’s waist, pulling him close. A moment of stunned silence fell over the woods.
The members of the Capital Knights shared a collective thought: So, the Captain’s been chasing after the ‘Blue Rose’ all this time, and now they’ve fallen for each other! Poor Team 3 Director Ronald, this would shatter him!
Oh Dae-soo? Dae-soo. It was a name that remained in Envers’ memory. Was it when he passed by a dessert cafe in the capital? The short girl had called out to a woman on the other side with that same name.
Envers was deep in thought. Then does this mean⋯⋯.
Pure Knight was in that relationship with the Commander of the Capital Knight Order.
Pure Knight was in that relationship with Roderus.
And the woman, Oh Dae-soo, from the dessert cafe, was in a relationship with that short girl. They had even kissed.
Something he had suspected but hadn’t fully realized before clicked—Pure Knight and Oh Dae-soo were the same person. The body shape, the movements—it all matched perfectly.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯!!”
Everything fell into place. All the confusion, the suspicions, they pointed to one conclusion. Roderus wasn’t to blame—it was this cunning『Blue Rose』 fox who had been stirring up trouble everywhere!
Envers carefully said with conflicted emotions.
“⋯⋯Eum, could you stop seeing Brother Roderus? I will get the information instead of him. I will also be the one to try to recruit him.”
“⋯⋯Sure.”
Roderus swore not to betray Roderus.
===============================================================
Fine, screw it. I’ll drop the transformation and be done with this.
All I need to do is explain that Crazy Wizard cursed me, forcing me to transform into a woman. That would clear everything up. The misunderstandings, the accusations—they would all vanish.
If things got even more convoluted, the mess would only grow. Pure Knight was biting off more than he could chew. Cutting ties required real resolve, and Roderus 『steeled 』 himself.
“Actually──”
Before he could continue, a Defense Bureau agent came running in, shouting.
“The Illusion Magic has been dispelled!”
“⋯⋯Stay behind after this, Envers Redburn. I need to speak with you.”
“⋯⋯I, I already have a fiancée. I look for no trouble.”
“You fuckin──”
You bastard.
Pure Knight nearly whacked his brother’s head with his magical wand. No matter how bad the misunderstanding was, there were things you should say and things you shouldn’t.
Had it not been for the imminent operation, Pure Knight would have said ‘I am Roderus’ and smashed Envers’ head in. But for the sake of the mission, he had enough self-control to keep his rage in check.
And that restrained fury became his strength.
The illusion concealing the facility evaporated, revealing a staircase leading deep underground. Nearby, they also discovered traces of wagon tracks.
Descending to the first basement floor, they found what appeared to be a living quarter large enough to house a hundred people. Neatly arranged beds, supplies, and a well-stocked food storage area filled the space.
Naturally, there were also enemies since it was a living area. Hooded figures clad in black drew their weapons one by one, preparing for battle.
“W-Who are you?!”
“Enemy attack!”
“How dare you come here⋯⋯!”
“Shut up, you peasant fuckers──!!”
Pure Knight roared as he charged forward. 『Ribbon Rope』 lashed out in all directions, binding the enemies by their arms and legs, pulling them helplessly together.
Smack! Thud!
With their balance thrown off, his magical rapier struck with precision. The blade was swift, sharp, and exact, closer in technique to the movements of an assassin.
Envers found that scene strangely familiar.
The strike team pressed forward, cutting down every obstacle in their path. As they ventured deeper into the underground complex, they overwhelmed any resistance. Although there were a few tough opponents, none were above the Metamorphosis level.
There were no signs of Dark Magic users either.
Pure Knight furrowed his brow. Something wasn’t right. A chilling sense of unease crawled up his spine.
They finally reached the fourth basement floor.
At the center of a massive chamber, there was an ominous altar. The stench of blood filled the air, and mummified corpses lay strewn about.
The remnants of powerful mana still lingered.
The Wizard of the Purple Magic Tower adjusted her thick glasses before speaking.
“⋯⋯This, I don’t know the purpose of this altar, but it seems to have been activated⋯⋯ roughly a day, or perhaps half a day ago. Darling seems to think so too.”
“So, are you telling me they’ve already escaped? In just half a day?”
“Truly unfortunate. If only we had arrived just a little earlier⋯⋯.”
“No, Envers. Don’t dismiss this as mere bad luck. This⋯⋯ means there was an internal leak. They already knew we were coming.”
Where had the leak come from? The Defense Bureau? The Capital Knight Order? Or maybe even the Purple Magic Tower, with whom they had been working?
“More importantly, if they knew we were coming, why did they leave people behind?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
It was a valid question.
If they’d left personnel behind instead of emptying the facility⋯⋯ it was bait. Had the place been completely abandoned, they would have advanced with far greater caution.
So this was the source of the ominous feeling ⋯⋯!
“⋯⋯It’s a trap. Prepare yourselves!”
Rumbleeee.
The entire facility began to shake violently, and a ominous crimson light started to pulse from the altar.
===============================================================
『Noose Engraving Despair』, Duke Maximus Redburn, closely examined the chessboard. The white pieces were in a dangerous position, caught in the black’s trap.
The white queen was powerful but had a glaring weakness. She couldn’t fully control her power, especially in confined spaces where her strength would cause collateral damage.
Even if she unleashed her abilities, her allies would be caught in the destruction. Either way, the situation favored him.
The Duke lifted a black pawn.
Aaaaaaack──!!
The souls bound to the chess pieces wailed, their cries like a twisted symphony and a vast ocean of mana surged forth. Fragments of information flashed before his eyes.
He could perceive all that he knew and deduce the rest through mana. The path to success was slowly coming into view.
Would today’s meticulously crafted plan be enough to kill the 『Blue Rose』 and injure the Captain of the Capital Knights?
The mass of information swirled and twisted, merging into a final, elegant form—a single, beautiful number.
98%.
Yes.
The Duke held near-total control over the battlefield.
His Metamorphosis(羽化) was called 『Lantern of Foresight(豫知燈籠)』.