Chapter 86

- Empire of Empelus, High Mage's Perspective -

Before me stand the slaves, their faces tense.

The lives needed to repair the cracks in the magic stone.

It is a necessary ritual to restore the magic stone to its original state.

However, there is something indescribable spreading in my chest.

I have welcomed this day without grasping the answer to that feeling.

The number of slaves is 100 for the first round, and the number will increase depending on the state of the cracks.

All of them are the products of forced reproduction by the slaves in this country.

They were born to become slaves.

They are used as disposable warriors and research subjects, and as the lowest class to perform the most menial jobs, constantly forced to be born in this country.

In this country, that is the norm.

The citizens know, but no one cares about the slaves who are below them.

On the contrary, more people think it is necessary if it improves their lives.

Those who objected have all been publicly executed as examples.

Now, even if they feel something in their hearts, no one will raise their voice.

This is the kind of country it is.

Gathered are those under 15 years old.

They are thrown into the magic circle with knife wounds on their arms, treated like objects.

Due to the slave's curse, they cannot refuse; only their expressions convey a sense of tragedy.

I sense the presence of the High Mage next to me.

Investigating the cause has only wasted time without any results.

Eventually, the king will be angry.

The magic circle begins to glow black.

Sighing, I turn to leave the room.

From now on, vines will emerge from the magic circle and stab the slaves one by one.

Then, the slaves will be pulled into the magic circle.

I can imagine the same scene as before.

I have seen it countless times.

Just as I am about to step out.

A white light assaults the room.

The brightness causes screams to be heard from all directions.

What has happened?

Waiting for the light to fade and my eyes to adjust, I look around.

"...What..."

The voice of the High Mage.

Indeed, what has happened?

The mages around the magic stone are lying on the ground.

The slaves look around in wonder, seemingly unharmed.

I check, and it appears that not a single slave has lost their life.

I try to call out to the High Mage, but he is staring at something.

Following his gaze, I freeze.

Something indescribable is bound to the magic stone.

A shape I have never seen before.

I don't know what it is, but I can understand that it is not just a simple matter.

A groan reaches my ears.

Turning my gaze in the direction of the sound, it seems to be coming from the fallen mages.

I rush over and call out to them.

They look at me with a very frightened gaze.

Slightly bewildered, I notice the knights rushing into the room, having sensed the abnormality.

I feel a bit relieved at their presence.

The knights give instructions and move the mages.

At that moment, the mages seemed a bit strange, and I make a mental note to investigate later.

I arrange for the slaves to be returned to their original positions and try to calm the situation.

However, there is nothing I can do about the magic stone.

I need to explain to the king.

But, no one will probably be able to give an accurate explanation of what happened.

Only that something has happened to the magic stone is clear from its state.

...

The king's face turned pale at the High Mage's report.

The revelation of the mages' memory loss.

The High Mage's wide-eyed face and the unusual silence that descended on the audience chamber.

This country has made a mistake.