Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel - Chapter 327
Chapter 327:
The noise of footsteps reverberated loudly in the area.
The moist atmosphere of the underground, devoid of sunlight, could easily induce unease.
Nevertheless, the team strolling through the cellar displayed no signs of discomfort.
This was not solely due to the torches hanging in various spots, which helped freshen the musty air.
The faces visible amidst the bright flames exuded anticipation and enthusiasm rather than apprehension.
“Will things proceed smoothly?”
Leading the way with a torch in hand, Logan grinned at Viktor’s query.
“Given Count Clayton’s assurance, it will undoubtedly go well.”
“Indeed. It must go smoothly. Considering the hefty sum invested so far…”
The hefty, sturdy minister, sporting lush sideburns, wore a concerned expression that contrasted his size.
Just as Logan was about to reply, a sharp voice cut in from the side, scolding Dwain.
“It’s merely about activating what already exists. The chances of failure are minimal.”
“…That makes sense.”
Despite Damian agreeing with Logan, Dwain simply sighed in response.
“I truly hope so. The funds poured into this experiment are substantial…”
“Dwain, if you persist with that, I might just curse you. If things go awry, we might need to start from scratch.”
“What did you say?”
The significant budget already invested could potentially be squandered.
For the finance minister, there could be no worse jest.
Dwain’s scowling face as he glared at Damian appeared even more intimidating, perhaps due to the torch’s shadows.
Waving his hand dismissively, Damian chuckled.
“Haha. Let’s stay positive. Good vibes only. If you keep fretting, you’ll only get more wrinkles.”
“You, kid. Half of these wrinkles are a result of you and His Majesty’s foolishness…”
“Hey, that’s going a bit too far. I’m not to blame here!”
“…What’s with this familiar and unpleasant feeling… Ah, you’re starting to resemble Rick?”
“Rick? How could you make such an extreme comparison?”
“Now that’s an unfair analogy.”
Logan chuckled as the two bantered back and forth.
It was true that Damian had undergone a significant transformation from his past self.
However, as warm glances were exchanged, Logan’s expression hardened as his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Due to the sensitive nature of the issue, only three individuals were present.
They included Viktor, an exceptional figure transcending the role of a guard knight and a crucial asset to the nation, Dwain, responsible for overseeing the finances in this venture, and Damian, entrusted with classified information due to his position.
‘Moving forward, unless it’s at the level of a legion commander or exceptional individuals, we must maintain secrecy.’
Among ordinary individuals lacking special abilities, these two would be the sole individuals informed about the operation.
Logan had gleaned much from the numerous trials they had faced, unbeknownst to him; he stood firmly beside them.
His trust in them had solidified.
However, ever since learning about the magic of the Cassell Magic Tower, he couldn’t shake off the concern, distinct from trust.
– “Let’s join hands for now. I have no allegiance to uphold if stabbed in the back.”
The extent to which he could trust Luisa’s words remained uncertain.
Truthfully, it could also signify her intention to draw closer while remaining in Grande.
He felt the need to contemplate special security measures for the two of them.
At least until a concrete plan came to mind.
“I’ll reiterate once more. Both of you, starting today, must update me on your status at least once every three days. And do not go near Prince Luisa, confined in the perfumed palace.”
For some reason, he found himself compelled to cleanse his mind with his own aura, a contradiction of sorts.
“……Yes.”
“I understand.”
Fully aware of the gravity of the situation, both nodded without further banter despite Logan’s repeated cautions.
In the current cultural climate on the continent, officials lacking abilities faced disdain.
However, they comprehended the weight of the responsibilities they carried.
Observing their demeanor, Logan furrowed his brow.
‘The news from the temple also weighs heavily on me…’
Once a thought crossed his mind, worries began to pile up endlessly.
Though cognizant that the timing and place were inappropriate, Logan made the decision to inquire.
“Damian. Since Pope Austin declared support for the Empire, have there been any significant changes?”
“…The Holy Kingdom doesn’t appear to have changed notably as of yet.”
“The Holy Kingdom?”
At Logan’s subtle emphasis on the term, Damian turned to face him.
“Actually, I intended to provide a report with documentation following this inspection. About that…”
Damian swallowed nervously and proceeded cautiously.
“I received word that Prince Baros set off for the capital and Noviens.”
“What?”
“The exact motives behind his visit remain unconfirmed. Count Phillip is focusing on Noviens, but for now, we should simply monitor how things unfold.”
“Hah…”
A sense of unease settled deep within.
‘There’s nothing he can do.’
The sudden changes within the temple were far too abrupt.
By openly defying the temple’s principles, where Pope Austin had pledged to disregard worldly influences, it was now nearly impossible to predict the temple’s future actions.
Lost in thought, reminiscing about a former close acquaintance often referred to as the Saint.
“What about Bishop Ilia? Have you succeeded in reaching out to her?”
She might possess insights regarding the shifting dynamics within the temple.
“I actually dispatched someone to establish contact, but after the Pope’s inauguration ceremony, she ceased all external communications upon entering seclusion.”
“What?”
At this moment?
The response to his unspoken query was straightforward.
“The temple asserts that the Saint deliberately opted for isolation to consolidate the new pope’s authority.”
“Um…”
That explanation seemed plausible enough.
The primary advocate for purging the corrupted clergy and reforming the temple.
Furthermore, strictly speaking, the reverence accorded to the title “Saint” far outweighed that of Bishop Austin, who only enjoyed fame within the Capital.
If such a Saint frequently intervened from the outside, it could indeed diminish the standing of the newly appointed Pope.
Hence, it wasn’t beyond reason.
Nevertheless, it only elicited a resigned sigh from him.
“This timing is remarkably coincidental.”
“…As the new Pope assumes office, key figures within the order are being reshuffled. With Count Philip’s support, we’ve managed to embed several agents in Noviens. We should soon gather more detailed intelligence.”
“Very well. Inform me promptly if any revelations surface. Initially, verbally.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Your Majesty, it appears we’ve nearly reached our destination.”
“Ah…”
As they continued discussing the political landscape within the temple, they unexpectedly arrived at their destination.
The area where Viktor illuminated with the torch gleamed with an almost azure-white light, rendering its significance inconsequential.
“Your Majesty!”
“The Majesty has arrived!”
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”
Upon entering the underground plaza, the mages seemed to bow their heads in unified reverence.
Among them stood Clayton, Victoria, Greek, Enan, and Truth.
The elite mages of the Golem faction had congregated to inspect what appeared to be an expansive magic circle spanning a radius of 300m.
At first glance, there seemed to be too few individuals to scrutinize such an immense magic circle.
During the moment the white and blue mana light radiated, the figures of the scattered mages were barely discernible.
Yet augmenting the personnel posed a challenge, prompting Logan to greet the mages with a wry smile as they bowed their heads.
“Thank you for your dedication, Count Clayton.”
“It’s nothing. Reactivating an existing magic circle has been a significant learning experience for me and my disciples. Moreover, Ria plays the most crucial role, so the task hasn’t felt overly burdensome for us.”
“Ria?”
“Yes. Her responsiveness appears to have surged significantly following ‘that incident.’ Undoubtedly, she’s an exceptional child. Especially in terms of attributes.”
Attributes?
Though curious, Logan prioritized Victoria’s abilities at this moment.
“Oh, I see.”
Setting aside the inquiries swirling in his mind, Logan scrutinized the complexities of the glowing magic circle.
However, constrained by his limited knowledge, he could only discern that the vast magic circle comprised multiple overlapping five-pointed stars.
Even if he professed familiarity with ancient runes, deciphering the magical language posed a different challenge, rendering even a small portion beyond his grasp.
“Were there five grand magic circles?”
Noting Logan’s distant gaze, Clayton swiftly caught up with him to elucidate.
“Yes! Four of the five circles have been analyzed.”
“What about the remaining one?”
“Ah, that’s the rather peculiar magic circle; it seems we’ll require more time for it.”
Given the enigmatic expression on Clayton’s face, gauging the duration proved challenging, but Logan nodded with a smile.
“Hmm. Well, four is better than none. Let’s hear the explanations.”
Merely sensing the magic emanating from the grand magic circles provided reassurance, even if he didn’t grasp the exact capabilities involved.
If these were installed at the frontlines of castles and fortresses, combating the Empire would become considerably more manageable.
“Yes. Firstly, the outermost blue magic circle pertains to fortifying city walls and facilitating automatic repairs. The second serves as a defensive magic circle to repel external magical assaults. As you’re likely aware, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, that magic stone we replaced…”
“Yes. We bolstered its efficacy by replenishing runes and adapting to a millennium of deterioration. With consistent upkeep, it should function flawlessly for another thousand years.”
“Splendid. And the other three?”
“One focuses on vitality maintenance. It mitigates exhaustion and aids in recuperation for all subjects within the castle.”
“Vitality maintenance?”
“If activated correctly, it should provide nearly a 30% surge in stamina and recovery for all subjects. There will be variations among individuals, naturally, but for regular soldiers, barring knights and extraordinary individuals, I estimate it could benefit up to 100,000 individuals.”
“Huh?”
“Even factoring in knights and extraordinary beings, I believe we could fully extend it to our current legion. What’s even more astounding is that, even if the number of subjects surpasses that, it remains effective, though the impact diminishes.”
“To any quantity?”
“Yes. Theoretically, there’s no restriction on the number of subjects. The effects will diminish, however.”
“Diminished effects notwithstanding, if it remains applicable…”
Initially appearing trivial, even a first-circle spell seemed significant, given its reach across Grande’s capital, it felt utterly preposterous.
Moreover, a grand magic circle that operates continuously as long as mana is supplied via magic stones.
Even as a mage, it surpassed the capabilities of an individual.
“Impressive.”
“Yes. It’s truly remarkable. The notion of a single magic circle uniformly enhancing the life force among diverse entities remains a mystery we’re still unraveling. Simply studying this could rival the achievements of the grand mages of yore…”
“No, no. There’s no need for me to delve that deeply. What about the other magic circles?”
“Ah… Haha. Another applies a weakening effect to opposing forces, specifically targeting adversaries. It wasn’t initially intended for humans, so presently, we can’t gauge its potency.”
“Ah…”
Logan could vaguely deduce the implications.
“It was a spell designed to combat non-human races.”
“Yes. It’s devised to weaken all non-human races.”
A millennium ago, humans ranked among the feeblest factions traversing the continent.
Dwarves, elves, lizardmen, orcs. And even the mythical dragonkin and dragons, existing solely in legends.
Without a doubt, the incomprehensible and absolute beings, the dragons, were not to be trifled with.
Other races possessing intellect comparable to humans often spearheaded civilization on the continent.
While humans were so feeble that most individuals struggled to overcome a mere beast, with lifespans notably shorter than others.
Yet amidst these human ranks, exceptional grand mages emerged across generations from these less fortunate beings—the once thriving race—upholding the species’ name.
Those archmages forged alliances and occasionally across generations, erected cities to shield the feeble humans while constructing grand magic circles.
One such city was today’s Grande.
A millennium back, during the Great Migration, five grand mages united to safeguard humans from the vast influx of alien races.
This legendary city was indeed Grande, established by the five grand mages and featuring five magic towers and five grand magic circles.
The city stood as a point of pride for Grande and a beacon of hope for all humans in the eastern region of the continent.
Though some of those symbols of pride appeared antiquated in this era.
“The final magic circle targets solely non-human entities, huh…”
A despondent sigh escaped Logan’s lips, echoing Clayton’s shared sentiment.
“Regrettably, it seems these racial magic circles have become outdated in the modern world.”
With that realization, Logan’s thoughts veered towards a different quandary:
‘Why specifically would they craft a magic circle tailored to opposing races…?’
It remained a bitter truth, yet he couldn’t entirely grasp the rationale behind it.
“After all, it’s aimed exclusively at non-human races…?”
An uphill battle loomed; while several factors could lead to triumph, pinpointing the exact one could plunge the situation into an almost insurmountable conflict.
This was no trivial matter.
Yet Logan didn’t overlook the faintly peculiar tone in Clayton’s voice.
“In that case, what about the ultimate magic circle?”
The final circle revolved around classifying targets for ‘vitality’ and ‘debilitation,’ presenting a significant conundrum.
“In ancient times, merely distinguishing between humans and foreign races might have sufficed. However, during the ongoing human civil wars, it has become a significant challenge for the magic circle to differentiate allies and foes. Particularly when considering the populace within Grande, which surpasses anything fathomed in ancient times.”
“Ah…”
He grasped the inherent complications.
The magic circle intended to weaken non-human races not only proved impractical but paradoxically posed a critical vulnerability, jeopardizing the vitality circle as well.
If that vitality circle deemed ‘humans’ as beneficiaries, it would inadvertently strengthen adversaries too.
Promoting further bloodshed only increased the likelihood of bloodier conflicts.
Yet, Logan discerned the subtle inflection in Clayton’s voice.
“That ‘was’ the case?”
At this pointed inquiry, Clayton smiled.
“Fortunately, Ria managed to discover a solution.”
As Clayton gestured, the approaching Victoria stepped forward.
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