Chapter 73

Duke Despoina's assertion made the Emperor's vacant gaze sharpen.

"No!"

"If we don't eliminate the Empress, Your Majesty will become a mere puppet."

"I warned you, didn't I? Don't touch that woman!"

Even as the Emperor shouted, Duke Despoina closed his eyes tightly and then opened them, refusing to back down from his stance.

"They have gathered around the Empress's magical knowledge and Elizabeth's status. Once we cut off the Empress, they will crumble like a sandcastle. We must act before their power grows too strong."

"……."

"Your Majesty!"

When Duke Despoina called out to the Emperor in frustration, Karl responded with a strained voice.

"……I will think about it."

"There is no time!"

Karl turned his head and glared at Duke Despoina.

"I said I will think about it!! I warn you, if you touch that woman without my permission, I will not stand idly by, no matter who you are."

Duke Despoina sighed deeply and sank into his chair.

"If it takes too long, it will be too late. The border day is approaching, isn't it? On that day, you will see. Noble families will swarm around the Empress like a pack of dogs."

"……."

"And, to be frank, do you really plan to enter with the Empress after what happened today? On that day, the Baldur family will be all over the Empress. Take Diane Poitiers as your partner."

Karl frowned and exhaled deeply.

"If you treat Diane, who carries Your Majesty's child, poorly, Your Majesty's reputation will also suffer. Besides, didn't the Empress embarrass Your Majesty greatly in the meeting today? If you invite her to go with you, it will look like you are backing down."

"I understand what you mean, so stop it."

"……And don't worry too much about Gotrop."

"……."

"If it comes to it, you can just frame someone for the Empress's assassination. Think wisely."

* * *

After the council meeting, when the Empress returned with a dark expression, Lady Gixs hid the documents she was about to present and asked.

"Are you alright?"

"……I'm fine."

Lady Gixs quickly prepared tea. Adel sat on the sofa, staring blankly out the window, then sighed deeply and muttered.

"Lord Calvin has given up his fief."

At this, Lady Gixs paused in her movement to take out the teapot, sighed softly, and quickly brewed the tea.

"It's almost the same as giving up his title. It means he can't pay the taxes allocated for this year."

Lady Gixs placed the tea in front of Adel.

"Thank you."

"As I said before, the Emperor did his best within his limits."

"Was the relationship between Lord Calvin and the Emperor not good?"

"No. The Calvin family has been known for their loyalty to the royal family for generations. They weren't a powerful family, but they have maintained their lineage without major turmoil."

"Then, what on earth…… what is the standard……?"

Adel lowered her eyes and tried to recall. Suddenly, she remembered the words Duke Despoina had said.

'……The tower calls the tower, and the tower absorbs the tower.'

"What does that mean?"

If Adel had been obsessed with destroying the tower in Gotrop, Duke Despoina had been obsessed with using the tower in Echmont for 14 years. He must know something she doesn't. The question was how to find out. While Adel was lost in thought, Lady Gixs placed the documents for her approval in front of her. Adel briefly reviewed the documents and thanked Lady Gixs.

"Thank you for all your hard work preparing for the border day in my place."

"It's not a problem. I've been doing this since the time of the previous Empress. It's a pleasure. Oh, and on the back of the documents, you'll find a dress catalog. Please take a look and choose a design you like."

The lady smiled and respectfully presented the documents, then disappeared like the wind. Adel looked at the spot where Lady Gixs had been, then took the documents and walked to her desk, muttering.

"Given the state of the country, it wouldn't be strange if it fell apart because of the towers. What's the point of this border day?"

* * *

Meanwhile, Diane, who had been locked in her bedroom since the Emperor's visit to the Ivory Palace, finally got up as the border day approached. On the day commemorating the founding of the nation, all the nobles in the capital are invited to the palace for a grand banquet. For the past three years, she had personally prepared for the border day, and when the banquet began, she would walk through the hall like the hostess, greeting people. At this time, the famous dress shops in the capital would be bustling with noblewomen, and the most influential ones would receive the dress catalogs directly from the chief designer, giving them the first choice. Diane, brushing her hair back, asked in a lazy voice.

"The catalog should have arrived. Bring it to me. I need to choose now."

At her words, Lorraine, looking troubled, fidgeted with her fingers, then sighed and brought the catalog to Diane. Diane took the catalog Lorraine handed her and slowly flipped through it. Lorraine held her breath, watching Diane, expecting her to get angry. Sure enough, Diane, who had been lying half-reclined on the sofa, suddenly sat up and flipped through the pages roughly. Her hand, which had been staring at one spot, began to tremble and turned white. She asked in a trembling, sharp voice.

"……You dare to send me this now?"

"……Yes."

At Lorraine's answer, Diane grabbed the catalog and threw it forcefully. As the catalog flew, a heavy piece of paper fell to the floor. On the paper was a note asking to indicate the priority of each design. For the past three years, Diane could choose any dress without considering priority, as she would always get the one she chose. Receiving this paper now meant that the dress shop considered someone more important than Diane. Who else could it be? Diane's eyes glinted as she hugged her belly.

'Child. You must be a son. You must be born a son and make me the Emperor's mother. Mother can only trust you now.'

Then, the baby in her belly seemed to tap her belly as if to say, "I understand." Diane, who had been hugging her belly, opened her eyes wide and muttered.

"The baby moved!"

The doctor had said it was too early to feel the baby move, but Diane was sure she could feel it.

"Yes, child. I only need you. I only need you."

Diane's eyes, as she stroked her belly, shone a piercing blue.

* * *

While Adel was busy preparing for the border day banquet, an unexpected person visited her secretly. Brunhild Alexa, a woman with striking red hair, was easily remembered by Adel due to her vivid color.

"I think I met you when I visited the Mage Corps last time."

"Yes, that's correct."

"You are the talented individual ranked second in the Striker rankings. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The honor is mine."

Instead of continuing the pleasantries, Adel waited for Brunhild to speak. There must be a reason she came secretly. Brunhild cautiously raised her gaze to meet the Empress's golden eyes.

"Can you truly destroy all the towers in the empire within two years?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Adel slowly crossed her arms.

"If I can, what then?"

"I heard you established the Tower Resistance Headquarters in Gotrop and ensured that no towers remain in Gotrop. Is your goal to destroy all the towers in Echmont, even if it means opposing Duke Despoina?"

Adel, unsure of Brunhild's intentions, did not answer rashly. Brunhild, sweating despite the Empress's silence, knew that once she had come to see the Empress, there was no turning back. The same went for her colleagues in the Mage Corps who shared her views.

"Empress, is there a possibility of a revolution in Echmont?"

"Why the sudden talk of a revolution?"

"Let me show you something first."

Finally, Adel brought a map and laid it on the table. Brunhild began to mark something on it without hesitation. Adel, standing opposite, soon realized that Brunhild was marking the towers and their mana radii. Adel was secretly impressed by Brunhild's confidence as she continued marking without hesitation. When Brunhild put down her pen and stepped back, Adel narrowed her eyes and examined the map. The pattern of the mana radii revealed a clear regularity. Adel slowly raised her head to look at Brunhild.

"Do you see it?"

"The upper towers are located where the mana radii overlap?"

"Yes, that's correct. And when an upper tower is established, the lower towers in the surrounding area naturally disappear."

"Then, what do you think is the ultimate goal of this project?"

In response to the Empress's question, Brunhild picked up her pen again and quickly marked several locations. Some already had towers, while others did not.

"Duke Despoina hopes that 1st-class towers will be established in the places I marked. If that happens……"

Brunhild picked up her pen again and began to draw a circular mana radius.

"The entire empire will be within the mana radius."

Adel recalled Duke Despoina's words from the past.

'When everything I have planned is realized, mages will finally be able to use their full power. The age of mages will truly begin. On that day, those who are not mages will become second-class citizens.'

Adel, amused by the audacious plan, said sarcastically.

"Use magic freely in exchange for living with a curse?"

"……Empress, the reason I came to see you so suddenly is that I believe we must stop the hell Duke Despoina is bringing."

Adel looked at Brunhild, then back at the map. The overlapping radii of the towers covered the empire in a terrifyingly perfect pattern.

"What madness……"

She couldn't help but swear.

"For fourteen years, he has been thinking about how to use the towers to inflate his own power."

When Adel looked at Brunhild again, Brunhild nodded.

"Are there other mages who oppose this plan besides you?"

"Yes. We have gathered this information over a long period with their help."

Adel took a deep breath, considering what Brunhild would gain from this. She wondered if it was a trap set by Duke Despoina, but the information Brunhild provided was too clear and accurate. Adel tapped the map with her index finger and asked quietly.

"Can you simplify and summarize this information so that anyone can understand it?"

Brunhild's heart swelled with excitement, realizing what the Empress meant. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time. She bowed respectfully and answered firmly.

"Of course, Empress."

After Brunhild left, Adel returned to her office to deal with another pressing matter. Lady Gixs was organizing the documents Adel had approved. When Adel sat at her desk, Lady Gixs brought the dress catalog and confirmed.

"Is this the design you chose?"

"Yes."

"Then I will send this design to the Emperor as well. Usually, the outfits are coordinated to look like a set."

"……."

The Empress, frowning and silent, made Lady Gixs tilt her head.

"Why?"

"……The Emperor will not enter with me."

At the council meeting, the Emperor openly accused Adel of ignoring him and got angry. Despoina, cornered, would not stand by and watch Adel and the Emperor enter together as partners. The Emperor would likely enter with Diane Poitiers. After a moment's thought, Lady Gixs quickly suggested a solution.

"Then, I will send this design to the Viscount Herbert's residence as well. If the Emperor brings Lady Poitiers as his partner, the Empress cannot enter alone, can she? If you enter with your advisor, you can maintain your dignity."

Despite advising her to resign from her advisor position just a few days ago, they were now entangled again. The face of Duke Baldur, who had asked her to protect her brother's honor, seemed to loom in her mind. Adel, feeling a mix of emotions, sighed and said.

"Do so. I will write a letter myself."