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Chapter 69
Do It If You Want
“Do it if you want. But take responsibility for the consequences.”
“We must never allow the mages’ mana to be exploited.”
Regina’s voice seemed to whisper in his ears, reminding him of the precautions she had put in place on the barrier.
But seeing the magic circle acting differently than intended, Linjas knew someone had tampered with it.
It has to be Herace.
No one else could be suspected. Linjas’ eyes darkened with a lethal glare.
“There’s a traitor among us.”
The corps members, having seen the young mage attempt the act, exchanged wary glances.
Even comrades they had fled with could no longer be trusted. Fatigue and suspicion showed on every face.
Linjas’ low, chilling voice dropped to the floor.
“If you cut off all contact with the palace mages and don’t harm your comrades, I’ll let it slide. But I don’t expect you to keep spying for someone committing such acts.”
Everyone understood his unspoken warning: anyone caught like the mage trapped in the magic circle could end up in a state of neither life nor death.
This is outrageous.
The heir of an empire of mages treating them this way.
“This place is dangerous. Move somewhere else. Do not touch the magic circle.”
“Yes, sir.”
Even as the determined corps nodded, Linjas remained uneasy.
Berto was just a young mage. If he were to betray the corps so completely, there had to be a collaborator.
I need to remember when I first brought him in.
New mages always needed a sponsor. First, he had to find that sponsor, then work upward.
No rest for him now, he thought with a sigh.
Is the Commander really dead? Leaving these rookies behind?
News of Regina collapsing quickly reached the Imperial Palace.
Conrad, presiding over a council meeting, immediately ended it upon hearing the whisper from his chamberlain.
He left the palace and headed straight to the Empress’ chambers.
The intimidating aura of the Swordmaster spread along his path.
Limutan hurried after him. All servants quickly bowed at the sight of the emperor’s fearsome expression.
The path is too long.
Conrad thought a new road should be made between the Imperial Palace and the Empress’ chambers.
He asked the chamberlain stationed outside her room:
“Where is the Empress?”
“She is with the palace physician.”
“Open it.”
The answer implied she was still unconscious.
Following his command, the doors opened, revealing a flurry of activity inside.
Bowls of water and wet cloths.
The palace physician directed the maids with precise gestures, all under Conrad’s watchful eyes.
He strode to the bed.
“Rena.”
Regina’s eyelids did not move.
“What happened?”
His sharp gaze rested on the palace physician.
“She suddenly vomited blood and collapsed. We don’t know why. She has a fever, but it’s not enough to prevent her from opening her eyes…”
“Is it her mana?”
“If it is, I cannot solve it with my skills alone.”
The physician wiped sweat from his forehead, signaling that magic was beyond his realm.
Conrad raised an eyebrow.
“There’s not a single doctor here who can treat mages?”
“If we search the archives, we might find records of doctors who treated mages before.”
Conrad’s jaw tightened at the thought.
Even in an empire of knights, mages existed—but medical care for them had barely developed.
“My master researched injuries and illnesses related to mana and aura. We can check his records too.”
“…Leave it to the palace physician.”
“Yes, sir.”
For now, it didn’t matter that the cause was unknown.
Conrad’s presence alone could help stabilize Regina’s mana.
If her mana flowed properly, most ailments couldn’t affect a mage.
But if she collapsed while I was absent…
The thought was unbearable.
Conrad waved everyone out.
“All of you, leave.”
Servants quickly exited, afraid to even breathe under the Swordmaster’s ominous aura.
Even Limutan left, leaving only Conrad and Regina.
He removed his jacket, ignoring the jingling decorations.
He unbuttoned his shirt, then stripped it entirely.
“Regina.”
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.
Her indoor dress separated them slightly, so he tore it away.
The exposed skin allowed him to carefully touch her.
“Open your eyes.”
Conrad whispered in her ear.
The soft, distant voice made her eyelashes flutter.
Finally, her eyelids moved, revealing faint blue eyes.
“Are you awake?”
“…Why…?”
Not much time had passed since she collapsed.
Her face was pale and unfocused, so Conrad gently stroked her shoulder, careful not to over-stimulate her.
His tenderness was filled with affection.
“Conrad.”
Regina felt her mana begin to flow again as it touched his.
Her upset stomach slowly settled.
It would take time for her mana to fully normalize.
It’s almost like a second life.
She thought about why records of such mana exchange were only kept in the palace.
Other mages should have access to it as well.
Lost in thought, she shivered at the memory of why her mana had collapsed and why she had lost consciousness.
“Why did this happen?”
Conrad’s quiet question carried certainty, not curiosity.
He already seemed to know the answer but wanted her to say it aloud.
Regina hesitated.
Should she tell him about the gap in the barrier or keep it secret?
Her hesitation lasted only a moment.
She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them.
“I heard from my subordinates about the magic barrier.”
“Something happened there?”
“I heard people from the Permang Empire crossed into Fredericks.”
“Oh, that.”
She struggled to speak, but Conrad replied as if he already knew.
Regina’s eyes widened.
She tried to lift her still-weak body, but Conrad held her firmly.
“Did you know?”
“Of course.”
As emperor, how could he not know what was happening in Fredericks?
Flustered, Regina nodded.
