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Chapter 37: A Life Like a Fly
The magical investigator, Yuren, turned his gaze to Ferda, suspicion evident in his eyes.
“Apologies, Regent, but may I ask where you obtained this?”
Ferda replied calmly, “It was found in the estate of Count Consilus. Apparently, a foreigner tried to hide their identity but was caught by the guards.”
“And that heretic?”
“They bit their tongue and died before any interrogation could take place. The body was burned to prevent any magical effects after death.”
The burning of the unclaimed body was for this very reason.
“You did well. Those filthy dark wizards don’t die peacefully, even in death,” Yuren remarked with a click of his tongue, frustrated at not being able to investigate further into the demon worshippers.
However, the response had been flawless, leaving no room for complaint.
“That said, someone capable of this level of demonic language… it seems there’s someone very dangerous within the Empire.”
“Is this a serious matter?” Olivia asked, concern etched on her face.
Yuren nodded.
“Yes. Based on the understanding of these symbols, it must have been a dark wizard who has reached at least the 5th Circle.”
“What does the 5th Circle mean?”
“I am a Master Mage of the 5th Circle myself. However, a 5th Circle dark wizard is as dangerous as a 6th Circle Archmage. They can draw upon the mana of hell and use it as their own power.”
“A 6th Circle wizard! So they’re on par with the Grand Archmage…” Olivia exclaimed.
Indeed, most renowned dark wizards, past and present, were at the 5th Circle. To obtain power beyond the 6th Circle, they often paid a heavy price.
‘Just like the shadow magic book I’m looking for.’ Ferda thought briefly before pushing the thought aside to avoid revealing his intentions.
“If we don’t act swiftly, the Empire will fall into chaos,” Yuren warned.
“That’s terrible…” Olivia bit her lip in distress.
“If such a powerful dark wizard exists, wouldn’t it be difficult for them to even enter the Empire? How is it possible they’re here?”
“That… I can’t say for sure. No security system is perfect, after all,” Yuren replied, tilting his head, clearly puzzled.
“But if they were a follower capable of this level of language, they should’ve been detected long ago…”
The Empire’s security always prioritiJed the most significant threats. While smaller issues might slip through, the entrance of a 5th Circle dark wizard should have triggered an immediate alarm. There was no clear explanation.
Of course, this was natural.
‘A wizard of that level wouldn’t be in the Empire’s capital,’ Ferda thought. Someone fluent in such advanced demonic language would more likely hide in a small village than risk exposure in the capital.
The source of the demonic text? It came from Mori. Her mind contained the “Library of All Things,” which included a dictionary of demonic language. She had merely translated and written the text as Ferda instructed.
‘Though the evidence is fabricated… the demonic text and its content are real.’
“The dark wizards were hiding in the sewers, planning attacks against the Empire.”
The Empire’s underground sewer system was vast. The first Emperor had designed it to match the grandeur of the capital. Its underground complexity even surpassed the city above.
However, construction projects rarely go as planned. For example, underground reservoirs meant to stop flooding were left unfinished because they were too expensive and the area had stable weather. Instead of filling them in, walls were built, and they were left to rot. Many similar abandoned spaces could be found in the Empire’s sewer system.
Ferda knew one of these places—a location erased from maps over time. It had become a refuge for outcasts, a hidden gathering place for insurgents planning to terrorize the capital. While above-ground operations to root out such threats were frequent, descending into the sewers was rare.
This time, knights and a magical unit surrounded the area, preparing for a swift assault. Speed was essential. Any delays could lead to casualties, turning the operation into a drawn-out battle.
The magical unit prepared silence and disruption spells, while the knights were ready to neutralize the incapacitated dark wizards.
A worker guiding the team stopped in front of a wall and pointed.
“This is it. Beyond this wall is the entry point.”
“Alright, step back. Howard!”
“Yes, sir!”
A massive knight armed with a war hammer stepped forward. His plate armor and chainmail barely contained his bulging muscles. With a mighty swing—
BOOM! The wall crumbled instantly.
“Ahh!”
“What’s happening!?”
“What’s going on?”
Confused voices filled the air from within. Amid the chaos, the knights charged, shouting.
“In the name of the Light!”
“For His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Glory to the Emperor!”
“Blessed be the Light!”
What followed were screams.
“Arghhh!”
“Aaaah!”
The cries of men and women alike, punctuated by explosions and the sound of metal clashing and tearing flesh.
Ferda waited outside, listening to the battle rage on. Though he couldn’t see what was happening, the outcome was clear.
Soon, the lead knight emerged and saluted the magical investigator, Yuren, and the knight commander.
“Reporting in! The knights are unharmed. We’ve executed 45 resisters and captured 12 alive.”
“And the escapees?”
“There’s one, likely the leader, based on their position on the platform.”
“You fools! How could you let the most critical target escape? They could be a 5th Circle dark wizard!”
“My apologies! But they ran away without their things. They won’t get very far.”
“Fine. What about the confiscated items?”
“We’ve secured them in the back.”
While some knights might be tempted by valuable loot, no one dared to touch the dark wizards’ belongings. No matter how precious, such items were often cursed and could cost someone their life.
“Good. That will suffice,” Yuren said, smiling faintly.
Having observed everything, Ferda stood.
“May I go in?”
“Of course. This way.”
As a regent and the one who had reported this matter, it was only fitting that he received a respectful welcome. Yuren cleared the way, and Ferda stepped inside.
He stood before the bloody aftermath of the knights’ massacre. Ferda took note of each figure as he walked by.
“Dark magicians are here, but most of them are just impoverished commoners.”
Tattered tents, misshapen pots, and spoons. People who hadn’t had a proper meal turned to the dark magicians, who at least fed them.
“Though that’s a reason in itself.”
There’s nothing more valuable than the soul of someone who finds hope in the depths of despair. These people were destined to become sacrifices.
Ferda walked over their corpses and headed for the leader’s room. Unlike the rest of the underground reservoir, it was relatively well-furnished, with various magical items scattered about.
“There’s a forbidden book here,” Yuren said, looking at a book on the desk. Its cover, made from human scalp, seemed to scream in agony.
The moment Ferda saw it, he knew what it was.
“Necromancy of Gamigin.”
Gamigin, the demon of undead legions. (The demon of undead legions is a powerful, dark entity that commands and controls armies of the undead, such as skeletons, zombies, and spirits. It is often associated with death, destruction, and unholy power.)
This book belonged to necromancers empowered by his magic. The leader who possessed it would eventually reach the fifth circle of magic and launch a rebellion against the empire.
“But they fail,” Ferda recalled. Their uprising relied on piling up bodies in the sewers, blowing them up, and creating chaos. While they caused many deaths and raised legions of undead to disrupt the city, their efforts ultimately backfired.
“They were useless in the end.”
The necromancers underestimated the knights’ strength and alienated the public through acts of terror. Instead of weakening the empire, they unintentionally target its unity.
“So it’s better to deal with them early.”
If they couldn’t weaken the empire, they were of no value.
“Sir! What should we do with the captured demon worshippers?”
The survivors were visibly starved and demoraliJed, looking up at Yuren with desperate eyes. But Yuren gaJed back with hatred and disrespect.
“Take them all to the imperial prison! The fate of those who reject the Emperor’s light and embrace dark magic must be made clear!”
“Understood, sir!”
There was no mercy in his judgment. The impoverished captives, terrified, began to plead.
“We didn’t truly worship demons! We were just starving!”
“Please, give us another chance! Show mercy in the name of the Light!”
“Silence! How dare heretics use the name of the Light!?”
One of them, who spoke out, was struck down.
“At least spare my child! I beg you, my lord!” A woman holding her infant pleaded.
Yuren knew these people weren’t true demon worshippers. They were victims of hunger, forced into desperate decisions. But the empire had many subjects and more reasons to punish than to pardon.
“Lives as insignificant as flies,” Ferda thought.
Whether exposed and killed by knights or left to die under dark magicians, their fate was sealed. Ferda didn’t feel sorry for people caught in situations they couldn’t control.
Meanwhile, Yuren, holding the necromantic book, seemed to savor its texture before realizing Ferda’s gaze. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I must have looked like I was enchanted by dark magic just now, ha-ha…”
“Somewhat,” Ferda replied flatly.
“Ha-ha, my apologies. I was just excited to add another success to my lacking record.”
Realizing his slip, Yuren quickly wrapped the book in silk, following standard procedures for handling cursed artifacts. He then turned to Ferda with a smile.
“Thanks to your report, Sir Regent, the citizens can sleep soundly tonight.”
“Don’t mention it. I act out of self-interest, after all.”
“A good deed for the empire is a good deed nonetheless, ha-ha!” It was obvious he was trying to smooth things over.
“So, is there anything you can do for me?” Ferda asked, his tone sharp.
Yuren, realizing the need to show proper gratitude, thought for a moment before offering a suggestion.
“You’re a mage yourself, aren’t you, Sir Regent?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, wouldn’t you enjoy visiting a place mages consider a treasure trove?” He smiled slyly.
“How about a tour of the sealed archives?”
Ferda’s plans were finally beginning to take shape.
The empire’s archives were located beneath the imperial palace, guarded by layers of security and magic. Without Yuren’s accompaniment, Ferda would never have set foot there.
The archivist greeted Yuren with a salute.
“Sir Investigator! Thank you for your hard work.”
“You’re doing a fine job as well. I’ve got confiscated items to store in the sealed archives. Log it, please.”
“Understood. But, the gentleman with you…” The archivist hesitated, glancing at Ferda—a young man with gray hair and blue eyes, standing silently with his hands behind his back.
Yuren intervened.
“This is the Regent, fiancé to the Eastern Prince and acting authority in the East.”
“I-I see…”
“So, treat him with due respect. Understood?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll keep it off the record.”
The archivist closed his ledger without making any entries.
“A flexible young man,” Ferda remarked.
“Ha-ha, of course. In this line of work, a little flexibility goes a long way. Besides…” Yuren smirked.
“Being flexible isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
Soon, they moved to another room where a massive stone door stood, with a crystal orb embedded at its center.
“This is the Orb of Truth. Are you familiar with it?”
“It’s the device that glows green only when truthful answers are given, correct?”
“Exactly. A precious relic from ancient times.”
As the crystal recogniJed their presence, it began to glow blue. Yuren confidently approached and placed his hand on it.
A deep, commanding voice echoed through the room.
“Do you swear you do not follow demons nor abide by their will?”
“I swear.”
“Do you swear your entry into this archive is not driven by personal desire?”
“I swear.”
“Do you swear loyalty to the Empire?”
“I swear.”
As Yuren completed his oaths, the blue light shifted to green.
“Verified.”
Yuren removed his hand and gestured to Ferda.
“Your turn.”
“Must I do it too?” Ferda feigned ignorance, though he already knew the process well.
“Of course. If the orb doesn’t verify you, you can’t proceed. Or perhaps…” Yuren narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering within them.
“Is there something you’re hiding?”
Ferda shook his head.
“Just wondering if my ambition might trip me up on the second question.”
“Ha-ha, as long as you’re not planning to take anything, you’ll be fine.”
Though rudimentary, the system had its uses. Ferda placed his hand on the Orb of Truth, recalling his past experiences with it. He had tried this three times before, each resulting in failure and the orb glowing red. In the end, he had simply destroyed it to gain access.
Ferda was well aware of his nature: driven by personal ambition and disloyal to the empire. Yet, with unshakable confidence, he placed his hand on the orb.
“Do you swear you do not follow demons nor abide by their will?”
The commanding voice pressed down on him, as if judging his very soul.
“I swear,” Ferda answered, undeterred.
— Do you swear that your entry into this warehouse is not due to personal desires?
“I swear it.”
— Do you swear loyalty to the Empire?
“I swear it.”
After the three questions, the smoke inside the sphere swirled.
Shortly after, the blue light turned green.
— Verified.
Yuren withdrew his hand and looked at Ferda.
“Could you place your hand here?”
“Do I have to do it as well?”
Ferda knew, but pretended not to. It was more natural that way.
“Of course. If you enter this room and are not verified by the Oath Sphere, you will not be able to pass. Or perhaps…?”
Yuren narrowed his eyes.
It was the same look he gave to demon followers.
“Do you have something to hide?”
Ferda shook his head.
“As I am quite an ambitious person, I fear I might fail the second question.”
“Haha, don’t worry. As long as you’re not thinking of taking something from here at all costs, there will be no problem.”
It was still a rudimentary method, but effective.
‘He had done it before.’
He had tried about three times, but all had ended in red, failing.
In the end, he simply destroyed it and entered by force.
Ferda was that kind of person.
Someone full of personal desires, who also felt no loyalty toward the Empire.
And yet, fully aware of that, he calmly placed his hand on the Sphere of Truth.
— Do you swear not to follow demons nor obey their will?
The solemn voice fell upon Ferda, as if trying to crush him.
