Chapter 31

# 31

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"…What?"

Nikan initially wore an expression of confusion at the sudden, unbelievable story. Then, his eyes gradually widened.

"Is that really true?!"

Edward nodded with a serious expression.

"It's true. I was on my way back after treating my younger brother."

"Oh, my goodness…!"

Nikan's hands trembled slightly in disbelief at the situation.

Unable to calm his emotions, he pressed his lips together and rubbed his face with both hands.

He managed to calm himself down with a deep breath.

His eyes were red and bloodshot.

"How is that possible?"

"The method is simple. A high-ranking mage extracts the patient's mana, creating a temporary vacuum, and then implants new mana."

Nikan countered anxiously.

"But if all the mana is extracted, won't a surge occur?"

Although a mana reflux patient is not a mage, they still possess mana, so such an action could lead to a surge.

In fact, a similar experiment had been conducted before, and the patient with mana reflux had surged and died.

"It's fine as long as a mage skilled in control maintains the patient's mana flow connected to themselves during the process."

And that was a particularly excellent field for mental domination mages, which was also Edward's specialty.

Nikan urgently pleaded.

"Save my daughter, save my daughter Vivian!"

"It won't take long. Let's go to Lady Vivian together."

The decision was swift, and the execution was even faster.

The fact that mana reflux could strike without warning and at any time made it so.

And then…

"It was successful!"

The treatment was successful.

Vivian's mana flowed as it should, like blood.

Since mages could read the flow of mana, Nikan naturally knew this. His eyes welled up.

His daughter's illness, which had always been a sore thumb, was cured.

He had thought that he would only be able to see Vivian grow to adulthood before she passed away, but now she was healthy.

He hugged his daughter tightly. The intense doubt that had plagued him since yesterday evaporated.

Vivian, nestled in Nikan's arms, asked innocently.

"Daddy, does that mean Vivie's illness is all better now?"

"Yes… It's all better. Vivie is now very healthy."

Vivian smiled lovingly.

"Hehe, great! Vivie is healthy!"

Nikan smiled gently and stroked Vivian's soft, pink hair like cherry petals.

This child will become the empress.

'After all, I don’t fail.'

"Vivie, I have some business at the palace. I'll bring back a beautiful teddy bear to celebrate our Vivie on the way back."

"Yay! Daddy is the best!"

Nikan released his daughter from his embrace and left Vivian's bedroom with Edward.

This great discovery needed to be reported to the emperor immediately.

Before suggesting that Edward join him in his carriage to the palace, Nikan looked at him with a grateful gaze.

"Thank you very much. You saved my daughter."

"I just did what needed to be done."

Nikan had always highly regarded Edward's composure and lack of fuss.

Seeing Edward remain calm even in this moment increased his admiration.

'Such a capable person deserves to be mine.'

While Nikan was contemplating some plan, Edward ran his finger over a ring under his glove and then spoke.

"What will you do with Lady Navia now?"

"Ah, Navia…"

Nikan had just been considering betrothing Navia to Ares.

But that was impossible, as it was originally Vivian's position.

'Should I just kill her like this?'

Since Udo didn't like her either, keeping Navia around seemed unwise.

At that moment, Edward suggested.

"How about sending Lady Navia to the Esselred Dukedom as their successor?"

Nikan, who had never considered this, looked bewildered.

"The Agnes Dukedom is the wealthiest in the empire. But it is indeed lacking in military power."

Nikan clenched his teeth for a moment.

The Agnes Dukedom had enough money to hire many mercenaries and had consistently produced powerful water mages, but it couldn't compare to the Dufman Royal Family, which could conscript soldiers.

Even the royal family was hesitant in front of the Esselred.

That was the power of knowledge.

Magic could be strengthened through research.

The Esselred had harnessed all kinds of knowledge to create a new dimension of power, which led to the formation of a powerful military force.

"There is no one who can match the Esselred in magic. They say their magical studies are a century ahead of the entire empire."

A deep jealousy rose in Nikan's eyes.

The Esselred, which had become the most powerful of the three great duchies solely through the results of their research, was a more dangerous place than any other house.

Edward lowered his voice.

"But look at the Esselred now. They have declined."

The Esselred, who had achieved brilliant accomplishments, had started to falter at some point and had completely fallen with the current head of the house.

Still, it was undeniable that their army remained formidable.

"The current acting head of the Esselred Dukedom, as you know, is Theorban Alvin."

The baron who is one of the few in the empire to rival stupidity.

"Given that he is acting as the head… can you not easily guess the state of the Esselred?"

"Indeed."

"The other vassals of the Esselred have also lost much of their influence due to long periods of seclusion."

Edward revealed his precise plan.

"If Lady Navia, who becomes the successor of the Esselred, marries into the Udo estate, you will naturally have the power of that house in your grasp."

Edward's whispers were alluring.

Nikan quickly calculated in his mind.

'Leaving Navia with the Udo estate until it stabilizes is not a bad idea. When Udo is older, he will understand how useful Navia is.'

If everything went as planned, it would be perfect, but there were issues.

"That sounds ideal, but there are two problems."

Edward had already guessed as much.

"Yes. Whether the Esselred will accept this and the risk of the empress making Lady Navia a princess consort with the same intention."

"It won't be difficult to send Navia to the Esselred. If the emperor offers to forgive the disloyalty of the Esselred head through this, they will have no choice but to accept."

"You are right."

"But if the royal family covets Navia, that will be a definite problem."

Edward smiled calmly, drawing out Nikan's true thoughts.

"Do you really think that would be a threat to the Agnes Dukedom?"

Nikan remained silent, drawing a line with his lips.

As Edward said, he didn't think he would lose.

No, he couldn't lose.

'Navia is a chess piece I have raised.'

And if Edward continued to manage Navia as his vassal, the game was already won.

Becoming an emperor is never without risk.

He had already faced countless dangers and overcome them.

This time would be no different.

"Ha ha, well. You’re really scolding me for just one complaint."

"That's because the Agnes Dukedom is a great house."

Nikan smiled contentedly and said to Edward.

"Perfect timing. I was going to the palace today anyway. You should come with me. If I report this great achievement to His Majesty, he will certainly grant you a title."

Edward only slightly bowed his head.

This treatment was not his discovery but Navia's, so the praise didn't make him particularly happy.

"Would you consider becoming a vassal of the Agnes Dukedom, Mr. Spencer?"

It was a sudden rise to prominence, something that in the past he would have accepted without hesitation.

Edward couldn't readily agree.

For some reason, he hesitated.

So he first expressed his humility.

"That would be too much for me."

"No, it wouldn't. How could such a position be too much for someone of your talent? I will offer you the best conditions. Think about it carefully."

"Thank you."

At that moment, a servant informed them that the carriage was ready and they could leave at any time.

The servant added.

"Oh, and Lady Navia has just woken up."

Edward, though not in a hurry, quickly said.

"Then I will check on Lady Navia's condition before we head to the palace."

Nikan, understanding that checking her condition referred to mind control, nodded quickly.

"Please do."

Edward headed to Navia's room, guided by the servant.

The ring on his finger had already disappeared.

#05.

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Escape