Chapter 120

Freyer had always believed the Empress had a specific reason for targeting him. However, through the intelligence gathered by Jaybil, he began to notice a subtle shift in the Empire’s political landscape. It appeared the Empress was moving to place the Crown Prince on the throne by leveraging the power of Duke Idarand’s house.

 

“……There should have been an easier way. Why choose such a difficult path?”

 

They were the ones who had attempted to poison the Emperor several times already. There was more than one strange inconsistency.

 

“Is my brother simply following those orders without question?”

 

Suddenly, the communication device on Freyer’s desk vibrated, and a frantic-looking Jaybil materialized in the air. Jaybil’s complexion was dark; he surveyed Freyer’s surroundings through the connection and let out a heavy sigh.

 

— Your Highness! News has reached us that Percival Baimery has been captured and imprisoned.

 

“Percival?”

 

The Empress was practically handing the throne to the Crown Prince on a silver platter. Yet, Percival had been arrested.

 

“The reason?”

 

— ……It seems he was imprisoned on charges of illegal mining and possession of a magic stone mine.

 

Freyer fell into deep thought regarding the location of the Baimery Merchant Guild’s magic stone mine in the Kingdom of Shutra.

 

“It shouldn’t have been a mine located near the Imperial border.”

 

— It is reported that following the recent discussions regarding the ruins in the Abris Volcano region, a portion of that territory has been incorporated into the Empire.

 

It was an incomprehensible move. What was their goal?

 

Now that he, the Second Prince, was officially declared dead, there was no reason to seize Lilithia—the woman he loved. The sudden imprisonment of Percival felt suspicious.

 

— ……You must make a decision on how to proceed. It is said that the official execution date for Percival Baimery will be announced soon.

 

“Time is tight.”

 

Derek, who had been listening to the conversation, offered his opinion.

 

“In my view, this seems like a trap to lure Lady Lilithia Baimery back to the Empire.”

 

What were they plotting by summoning Lilithia? Freyer could no longer let the Crown Prince proceed with his plans.

 

“We will break Percival out of the dungeon as quickly as possible.”

 

It was just as Freyer gave the order to Jaybil with a cold, settled gaze.

 

“Is what I heard true…?”

 

Lilithia’s trembling voice reached them, making Freyer feel as though his heart had been hollowed out.

 

“Lilithia…?”

 

“Is it true what you said—that my father is locked in a dungeon?!”

 

Jaybil gave a quick bow and disconnected the communication. Freyer rushed toward Lilithia, attempting to steady her.

 

“What you heard is correct.”

 

“Why? How?”

 

When Freyer remained silent, Lilithia pressed him again for an answer. He finally spoke with a heavy heart.

 

“The news is that Percival was taken on charges of unauthorized magic stone mining and supply.”

 

Freyer caught Lilithia as her strength gave out and she began to collapse.

 

“I will get Percival out of that dungeon, so….”

 

He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence with “don’t worry.” Breaking a prisoner out of the Imperial dungeon was a heinous task with a slim chance of success. He recalled the structure of the palace dungeon: a ten-story building accessible only with a pass, guarded by alternating shifts of knights and sentries on every floor. If one entered through any path other than the main gate to avoid detection, an amplification spell would echo through the entire palace, alerting the knights immediately.

 

“It’s a massive shock, I know. But Lilithia.”

 

Freyer’s comfort did not reach her. Her face pale, Lilithia staggered and turned away.

 

“I have to go to the Empire…. Right now.”

 

 

***

 

 

The guild’s business was no longer the priority. I quickly packed my bags, but as I came down from the second floor, Winnie and Sir Derek stopped me.

 

“My Lady! Please, calm down.”

 

“Lady Baimery. His Highness is preparing a way to rescue Baron Percival from the dungeon.”

 

“I’m going to see my father. Let go of my hand.”

 

The news of my father’s arrest had left my mind cold and sharp. No other thoughts could find space; the only thing filling my head was the absolute necessity of returning to the Empire.

 

“If you go now, you’ll be captured too!”

 

“He’s my family. I can’t just ignore this, Winnie.”

 

“My Lady!”

 

Winnie blocked my path with her arms outstretched.

 

“You can’t! You know that illegal magic stone mining carries a death sentence!”

 

“That’s exactly why I have to go.”

 

I knew it all too well. I had scoured countless books on mining while searching for our own magic stone source.

 

“We will travel together by horse,” Freyer suggested, holding his head as if in pain, but I shook mine.

 

Traveling by horse would take three days. I didn’t have the luxury of that kind of time.

 

“I’m going to use the Gate.”

 

“The Gate is even worse! My Lady!”

 

“Lilithia. That is out of the question.”

 

Despite the urgency, their refusal to let me use the Gate made me feel like I was going to explode.

 

“My father is in prison! As his daughter, I can’t pretend I don’t know. We’re out of time!”

 

My eyes began to burn with tears.

 

My father—the man who gave me love. It was the first time in my life I had felt a parent’s devotion. He was someone who put his children first and believed in me completely. He was the kind of man who would throw off his shoes to run toward any family trouble; he was naive and gullible at times, but he had dedicated his entire life to the family. I could not turn my back on him.

 

“But…”

 

“Why! Why are you stopping me!”

 

Everyone looked at Freyer. He let out a long, weary sigh and spoke.

 

“Because if you use the Gate, you might lose your life.”

 

“Are you trying to scare me right now?”

 

Freyer squeezed his eyes shut and began an explanation that sounded like nonsense at first. I blinked slowly as I listened.

 

“My constitution…?”

 

“Your body cannot discharge mana. If excessive mana accumulates inside you, it becomes life-threatening.”

 

“So that’s why.”

 

The magic lights around me, the way my vision blurred because of Nazlee’s bracelet, the way I collapsed after using a Gate—it all made sense now.

 

And the reason why I, who wasn’t even sick, had to keep taking medicine; the reason why Freyer had included only Winnie in the previous Gate travel and kept me with him—it was all for me.

 

“It was unavoidable to protect you. So, I will find the best possible way….”

 

“I’ll find the way myself.”

 

I understood he was worried about my life. But right now, my father’s life was on the line. I couldn’t hesitate just because I was afraid of collapsing from a Gate.

 

“I will go to the Empire and find a way myself.”

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Lady Lilithia Baimery!”

 

“I heard that the medicine I’ve been taking was to stabilize my constitution.”

 

Freyer nodded. I gripped my bag tightly and replied firmly.

 

“I will see for myself whether my body is unstable or not. I’m going to the Gate right now.”

 

 

***

 

 

Unable to stop Lilithia, Freyer rushed to find Scarlet.

 

“You called so urgently, and this is what you want? To ban her from using the Magic Tower’s Gate?”

 

“You can do it.”

 

“Freyer. Even if I’m a princess, I don’t mess with the Magic Tower. Do you know why?” Scarlet spoke sharply, her expression sour. “Because there is no one more insane than a mage when you provoke them.”

 

Looking at the people trying to hold back Lilithia as she prepared to dive toward the Gate, Scarlet watched her with curious eyes.

 

“Lilithia has a lot of grit.”

 

“I’m asking you for a favor.”

 

Freyer looked at Lilithia with a distressed gaze and spoke in a low, cracked voice.

 

“To hear the great Freyer ask for a favor… is it finally time for me to die?”

 

“I’m serious.”

 

“But sorry. I can’t help you this time.” Scarlet tapped Freyer on the shoulder and gave a languid smile. “Don’t worry. Nothing is going to happen.”

 

“I’m afraid she’ll get hurt.”

 

Freyer’s heart felt like it was being torn to shreds, fearing that her proximity to him was putting her in danger.

 

“Nothing happened in the Kingdom. And the Kingdom is overflowing with mana-infused items.” Scarlet pointed toward the streetlamps and magic lights. “Besides, if exposure to excessive mana were going to cause a problem, she would have collapsed at the banquet.”

 

Countless mana items were used at the banquet. Even the accessories worn by the noble ladies were magic tools.

 

“The mask Lilithia wore was a magic tool, too.”

 

At Freyer’s request to protect her, Scarlet had given Lilithia the enchanted mask she had intended to wear herself.

 

“Shouldn’t she have at least a protection spell to keep her safe?”

 

“…….”

 

“You should protect your own woman. Why do you always ask me?”

 

He had been paralyzed by the fear of losing her. Freyer suppressed his emotions and nodded slowly. Realizing something, he immediately started walking toward Lilithia. Scarlet clicked her tongue and let out a sigh.

 

“Good grief. Because of that idiot, Lilithia is going to have a hard time.”