Chapter 18

Thank you for reading. This is the first episode of today.

The second episode will be at 9 PM.

The tall double doors were being opened by the guard knights.

It was a solemn room that exuded a sense of history.

The seats inside were already filled, and whispers of conversation could be heard here and there, but as soon as they entered, all eyes turned to Noelle.

She felt completely out of place.

Everyone present was a distinguished lord.

While there were some petite and slender lords and even a few female lords, they were all much older than Noelle.

The chairman of the lords' council had a familiar appearance.

Duke Luca Michelli is Theo's brother, so they look a bit alike.

Theo Michelli, the second son, has been granted the title of marquis due to his achievements.

Originally, he inherited the earldom held by the Michelli family, but it was elevated to a marquisate.

The current king's sister is married into the duke's family.

"Let's begin.

The procedures for the contract magic have been completed, haven't they?"

Luca glanced at the clerk waiting at the entrance, who nodded in response.

"Before we get to today's agenda, there is very important information that must be conveyed at this meeting.

This information is necessary before selecting the crown prince.

While lords from old magical families know about it, many of the current council members do not.

I will distribute the documents."

At Luca's words, the clerks immediately moved into action.

The lords lowered their eyes to the distributed documents.

"The documents contain records of the country's dark age. Since most of the current generation is unaware, I have had them distributed.

Incidentally, the numbers and statements in the documents have been verified as true.

They detail the fates of lords who tried to amass wealth by enslaving magicians and the royal family members who supported them."

Noelle looked at the documents distributed to her as well.

This was something she had learned in modern history at school.

However, the documents contained much more detailed and tragic information.

The notes included numbers and dates.

A clerk who seemed to be in charge of the explanation began to read aloud.

"A lord who illegally bound four magicians as slaves.

In the case of the Barnt Earl's family:

After starting illegal activities, the number of magical beast attacks in the territory increased fourfold.

Natural disasters such as heavy rain increased by 60% compared to previous years.

Landslides doubled.

Thieves began to hide in the increasing number of abandoned houses.

The lord's wife and eldest son died of illness.

The second son died in an accident.

The lord's chronic illness worsened.

The entire Barnt family died, leading to the extinction of the family.

Next example:

In the case of the Ados Marquis' family:

The beautiful daughter of the Ados family was chosen as the crown prince's fiancée.

The Ados family deceived five magicians into becoming debt slaves.

Despite complaints being filed with the royal palace, the royal family ignored them.

The young lady married the crown prince.

After the illegal confinement of the magicians, no rain fell in the territory.

An epidemic spread.

The lady and her children died from the infection.

The royal palace intervened to save the Ados family.

The king and crown prince contracted an incurable disease.

The disease caused a decrease in magical power and intense pain as if their hearts were being torn.

The entire Ados family died. The lord's younger brother, who tried to succeed, died from a disease that caused his body to rot.

The Ados family became extinct.

The crown prince's fiancée, who had not conceived in five years, was exposed for adultery and died in an accident.

Next, the case of the Yoster family:

Four magicians were deceived into becoming debt slaves.

From that day on, the territory suffered from land subsidence and an increase in centipede-type magical beasts, leading to a complete loss of harvest.

Repeated heavy rains washed away bridges within the territory.

The lord's children died in accidents, and the young lady died of illness.

The lord's wife committed suicide.

The lord was half-eaten by a centipede magical beast.

The entire Yoster family was wiped out, leading to the extinction of the family.

Next, the case of the Garnes family..."

The tragic fates of these families were read aloud.

During that time, an incurable disease that caused intense pain like torture spread among the royal family.

It was not an infectious disease, but it was so common that it could only be described as an epidemic.

The lords were silent, their breathing barely audible.

Only the clerk's voice could be heard.

Noelle was also shocked.

She had learned about this in class, but it was not as detailed or tragic.

After finishing the reading, the clerk stepped back.

Luca spoke again in a stern voice.

"There is a tradition among magician families.

Our country was built and protected by magicians.

In 1622, a magician was appointed as king, and the Anzela Kingdom was established.

Many magicians sacrificed their lives to reach this point.

The magicians who protected the country were blessed by the national deity.

A prophet found a spirit stone, which is used in the royal scepter.

The national deity told the prophet that this is a country of magicians.

The national deity promised to be with the magicians who protected the country.

As long as the Anzela Kingdom remains true to its founding, the blessing will be given.

Otherwise, the national deity's blessing will be lost."

The council members murmured at the chairman's words.

Those who murmured were lords from non-magician families.

"That's ridiculous.

It sounds like a curse, and there must be a culprit!

It was probably a curse from a captured magician," one lord shouted.

"Have you even listened to what I said?

I mentioned that magicians were treated as slaves for years.

If they could curse, they would have escaped, you fool."

Luca's reprimand made the lord sweat.

"But, according to what you said, it sounds more like a curse than a blessing."

"Indeed, you called the national deity's blessing a curse.

What do you think, sir?"

As a magician and historian, Luca would normally let such foolish lords serve as examples of what happens without the blessing.

--- But, I was asked to do this.

I have to reform this one too.

It's frustrating.

He was asked by the prime minister and Prince Jules to educate the lords, but Luca himself thought the country's collapse was inevitable.

Many magicians and researchers lack political skills.

As a result, the magicians of the past were tricked by ruthless lords.

The national deity seems to be on the side of the magicians.

What is known is essentially circumstantial evidence.

"Then, if you call it a curse, do you know the definition of a curse?"

"Definition?"

"Do you not even know the meaning of 'definition'?"

Luca frowned.

"I know the meaning of 'definition'!"

"Is that so.

But, let me refresh your memory.

A curse is a phenomenon where bad luck or disasters are inflicted through some kind of magical means.

In other words, it must be 'inflicted.' A curse, that is.

If a curse is inflicted, there must be some trace of it.

Otherwise, it cannot cause strong phenomena like disasters or diseases.

Do you understand?"

"I, I understand!"

"Especially with disasters, a very strong force is at work.

If it were a strong curse, there would be some trace left, such as a cursed object or a magical mark, including a curse or suggestion.

The lords who suffered from bad luck searched for it desperately. Many thought like you.

But, they found nothing.

They simply died from a series of unfortunate events. It was just bad luck.

Incidentally, there were others who died like the lords.

The royal family.

They died in intense pain, losing their magical power. No healing or medicine worked.

They could not even alleviate the pain.

Their magical power, a divine gift and a blessing, simply faded away.

What other reason could there be?

The healers and magicians of the time concluded that the blessing had been lost after thorough investigation.

What do you think?"

"It's not just a... disease, is it?"

The lord answered as if asking a question.

"I said it was thoroughly investigated!

Think about it.

Even a baby can complain!

As a lord, can you not think before speaking?"

Luca was actually quite short-tempered.

But, the lord who spoke without thinking was foolish.

The lord finally answered in a weak voice, "I will retract my statement."

"Although we wasted some time, let's move on.

This country is not in the best condition, as everyone knows.

During wartime, we struggled to secure provisions.

Water was generated by magicians. Everything depended on magicians.

The national deity had a deep connection with the magicians who built the country.

The national deity bestowed blessings and magical power on the inhabitants of this land.

If they lose these for some reason, they must take responsibility for the consequences.

Disasters, diseases, and unfortunate accidents—all must be borne by themselves. That's all there is to it.

Do you understand so far?"

Luca asked for confirmation, but the atmosphere did not allow for interruptions.

No one could say anything.

"Next.

Our country has been on a downward slope. It became evident about 50 years ago.

Exploitation of magicians began, and their numbers drastically decreased, leading to the government's intervention, but it was too late.

First, the royal family was corrupt. At one point, a queen was even chosen from a family of criminals.

There was no proper education. Those who should have known better became the crown prince or king and died young.

It was a just punishment.

As you know, the current king is suffering from a disease that causes him to lose his magical power.

The king's illness began after he married the queen. That unintelligent queen.

If such a person was to be the queen, the king's younger brother should have been given the throne.

As a result, the king is about to die.

You also know that the queen's family has been destroyed. They all died.

The last surviving uncle of the queen is now a low-ranking soldier in the borderlands.

His funeral might be held next year.

To ensure that the lords here live long and healthy lives, I will share one more piece of information."

Luca picked up the documents.

The lords also looked down at the distributed documents.

"These documents are short and easy to read.

About 50 years ago, there was a crown prince who was connected to a family of criminals.

He was actually the second prince.

He spread rumors, discredited the first prince, and was chosen as the crown prince.

He suffered from a disease that caused him to lose his magical power for 30 years before dying.

At the time, many members of the lords' council received bribes from the second prince's faction.

They all suffered from the same disease for 20 years before dying. The 20 years were bearable because they had less magical power than the crown prince.

They fought with intense pain as if their hearts and organs were being torn for 20 years.

I will tell you the clearest cause of the national deity's wrath—selecting the crown prince.

The selection must be done correctly.

Furthermore, the crown prince must choose a bride who is recognized by the national deity.

It's very clear.

The head of the royal management office, who approved the current queen, also died from the disease that causes the loss of magical power.

Approach the selection of the crown prince with the proper mindset.

Mistakes are not allowed.

I disclosed this information to prevent ignorant choices.

Be prepared. Do you understand?

Now, let me introduce the young lady standing next to the deputy leader."

In the heavy atmosphere, Noelle stiffened when suddenly called out by Luca.

She felt resentful about the timing but managed to put on a social smile befitting a noble lady.