Chapter Forty-Three: The Promise

The Holy Empire, though ranked among the Four Great Empires, possessed the smallest territory of them all. Some even claimed it was unworthy of the title “Empire,” arguing that its current standing was inseparable from the support of the Holy See. However, this did not mean the Holy Empire was a mere puppet of the Church. The founding emperor himself was a devout follower of the God of Light and maintained an excellent relationship with the Holy See, which ultimately led them to their present stature. This was also why the headquarters of the Holy See was established within the imperial capital.

To ordinary people, the Holy See, as the earthly representative of the God of Light, was an unassailable colossus. Even the other empires, at best, could only ignore its presence; no one dared harm a member of the Church, nor did anyone dare attempt to win them over, for who could guarantee that inviting the Church in would not be akin to welcoming a wolf into the fold? In the end, who would truly hold power?

But the founding emperor, Kaysk, harbored no such suspicions. He trusted his own judgment of people. How could such a warm and benevolent Church ever perpetrate those kinds of deeds? Time proved his choice correct. For generations, the emperors and popes enjoyed excellent relations, and together, the Holy Empire and the Holy See grew ever more prosperous.

Just a year ago, the only Archmage on the Sacred Continent emerged, and the people of the Holy Empire were thrown into a fervor, for this Archmage was born within their very nation. From then on, whether soldiers of the Magic Corps or common folk, all felt a sense of superiority when encountering foreigners.

“Does your country have an Archmage? What? No? I can’t hear you—could you answer a little louder for me?”

This was a common taunt among the magicians of the Holy Empire when facing rival nations, and that year marked the Empire’s zenith.

But the good times were short-lived. Barely a year after her rise, the Archmage fell victim to a vile curse. None was more distraught than His Majesty Kaysk XIII, the reigning emperor. He searched far and wide for renowned healers and remedies to cure Mayuna, but every attempt ended in disappointment. At last, he could only watch helplessly as Mayuna departed alone.

News of Mayuna’s incurable condition quickly spread across the continent, fueling Kaysk XIII’s fury. This was clearly a human conspiracy. Though he could not discern how the perpetrator had cursed the Archmage, the culprit must be found. Yet even now, there was not a single clue.

“Mayuna, have you healed yourself? Or did you use some strange magic?”

Kaysk XIII’s face softened into a relieved smile. In truth, he had watched Mayuna grow up, more or less. His own unruly daughter had been inseparable from her since childhood, and he had grown used to their closeness. It was not until Mayuna became a Saint of Magic that he truly took notice of the white-haired girl. To think she would become the first Archmage in history.

“Your Majesty, greetings. The magic that cured me is called ‘infusion.’”

Mayuna bowed politely to Kaysk XIII. In truth, someone of her stature no longer needed to observe such formalities, but she chose to address him as Tinasia’s friend, expressing the courtesy due her friend’s father.

“Is there really such a spell? Can you teach me how to control the flow of magic? I want the entire nation to learn it!”

The emperor’s heart burned with hope. If this unknown magic could cure a curse even the Pope could not heal, did it not mean it surpassed divine arts? If such a spell could be acquired, it would surely be of immense use.

“Unfortunately, only he knows this magic. No one else can learn it.”

“Hello.”

Ruby, seeing that he had at last attracted the emperor’s attention, imitated Mayuna’s gesture and bowed as well.

“So, you’re the one who saved Mayuna? Excellent, truly excellent. Tell me, what do you desire? So long as it is within my power, I shall grant it—land? A title?”

In Kaysk XIII’s eyes, Ruby was no doubt a promising young genius magician. He smiled kindly at Ruby, making his generous promise.

“I want to…” Ruby had just begun to say he wished for the residency stone to become a citizen, when Mayuna, swift as ever, lunged over and clamped a hand over his mouth. Unable to break free, he could only let the Archmage girl have her way.

“He says he hasn’t decided yet, Your Majesty. As long as you remember your promise today, that will suffice.”

Mayuna grinned at Kaysk XIII. She still remembered all Ruby had done for her, and it was only proper for him to seek some reward now.

“In any case, I’m glad you’re back. Mayuna, I hope you’ll attend the morning audience tomorrow, so that everyone will know you’re still alive. Your identity is too unique—even if I announce it myself, few will believe it.”

Kaysk XIII stared in a daze at Mayuna’s smile before speaking. Had this child ever smiled so easily before? It didn’t seem so. She had rarely smiled in the past, and after Yura’s death, her expression had only grown more solemn.

“I’d rather not, Your Majesty. I returned this time just to see the Pope, and will soon be leaving again. You know I’m ill-suited to politics—the world is wide, and I wish to wander.”

Mayuna glanced at Ruby and refused plainly. The emperor’s proposal reminded her of her earlier life in the capital: forced to attend endless banquets against her will, enduring hollow flattery. She’d much prefer flicking Ruby on the forehead to all that.

“It’s only natural you feel that way. I won’t demand you remain in the capital, but surely you could make an appearance? When the Beast Tide comes, you won’t stand by and do nothing, will you? At that time, everyone will know you are alive.”

“I still don’t think I’d like to,” Mayuna muttered.

“Yura moved half my treasury just to speed up her beloved disciple’s training…”

Seeing Mayuna unmoved, the emperor resorted to emotional blackmail.

“Oof!”

“She cleaned out all the nation’s magic crystal mines for her dear disciple’s advancement…”

“Ugh…”

“And for…”

“Enough, I agree! Please stop.” The emperor’s words were like a tightening curse, making Mayuna’s head throb. She knew her teacher was hardly the type to go easy, and all she had done was for her sake. The debts were hers to repay.

“That’s settled, then. I have matters to attend to. Tinasia, take good care of your friend.”

Having achieved his aim, the emperor gave Ruby a friendly nod and departed—there were many people who needed to be informed of Mayuna’s survival.

“Mm,” Tinasia replied, turning her attention to Ruby. In her earlier excitement, she’d nearly forgotten that this man had saved her friend. She must thank him properly.

“Mayuna, is the Beast Tide real?” Ruby tugged at her hand. The emperor’s mention of the Beast Tide had caught his interest. He’d heard the rumors before, but Dris was such a small border region that tales of magical beasts pouring forth from the Forest were usually just told to frighten children at night—no one had ever actually witnessed it, so the stories seemed dubious at best.