Episode 126
The inner workings of the Blue Mage Tower’s secret society, the Sorceress Council, remain shrouded in mystery.
Even the Empire and the Red Mage Tower have yet to fully grasp the true nature of these masters of deception and lies. Not even the Black Duke, who knows all the Empire’s secrets, nor Dale, could have predicted any connection between the York family and the Sorceress Council.
The Empire is not ruled by “humans.” Yet, it’s not as if these non-human entities are united under a single cause.
Vampires, succubi, and countless other strange races are locked in a constant struggle beneath the surface, a battleground for the survival of their species.
The true nature of this world, endlessly shifting alliances around “shadows and gold,” is that lifelong enemies or allies are nothing more than convenient illusions.
After concluding talks with the Marquis of York, the “Black Prince” returned to the Lancaster Duchy.
The women of the York family carry the blood of succubi. Using this demonic heritage and wisdom, the York family rose to become one of the Empire’s most powerful houses, solidifying their undeniable influence.
The true rulers of the Empire, those who cannot be called human. There’s a reason they are known as the “Witches of York.”
At least, this much was known to Dale and the Black Duke as insiders of the Empire.
However, even Dale was taken aback to learn that these women were also among the rulers of the Blue Mage Tower.
Despite their apparent allegiance to the Emperor, as evidenced by their reliance on the Imperial Sword and the Holy Sword, the York family was clearly aligned with the Emperor’s faction.
As agents of the Blue Mage Tower, which is built on the foundation of deceit and manipulation, they did not hesitate to use the power of the Imperial family and the Red Mage Tower to achieve their goals, even the Holy Sword was not exempt.
“The Holy Sword was destined to fall. The Empire no longer needed it.”
Titania was confident that Dale and the Shadow Court would once again triumph over the Holy Sword.
Her only miscalculation was the timing—it happened much sooner than she anticipated.
Caught between the alliance with the Lancaster family and the proposal from the York family, Dale’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
Yet, there was only one decision he could make.
A room in the Lancaster Ducal Castle.
“Prince Mikhail.”
“Ah, Prince Dale. You’re back sooner than expected.”
Mikhail Lancaster glanced up from his desk.
“Fortunately, it seems the war will conclude sooner than anticipated,” Dale said.
“The York family has offered to surrender after the capture of the Holy Sword and the collapse of their strongest warriors.”
“Interesting.”
“They propose to accept Prince Mikhail’s succession and take the eldest son, Prince Richard, as a son-in-law.”
“That’s quite fortunate.”
Mikhail smiled without showing much emotion.
“To think you could so easily neutralize the threat of the York family. Truly a feat worthy of the ‘Black Prince.’ And we, the Lancaster family, are ready to fulfill our ‘alliance.’”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“As I mentioned, I intend to fulfill my duties as the ‘heir of Lancaster.’”
Mikhail smiled, savoring the title that would soon be his.
“So, you allied with the Red Mage Tower?”
It was then that Dale, without hesitation, asked, “Did you use their power to brainwash your brother and frame the York family to secure your succession?”
”…”
Mikhail remained silent, an ominous silence.
“I found life rather dull,” Mikhail finally spoke after the silence.
“With talent in swordsmanship and the best lineage, I was born with everything. It was just a matter of walking the path of success laid before me. Even as the second son, not destined to inherit the duchy, it didn’t matter. I was given so much that I had nothing to desire.”
He had chosen a life of supporting his elder brother Richard, the future Duke, following the path laid out for him.
“At least, until then.”
”…”
“When my sword, once hailed as the greatest talent in the Empire, was defeated by the ‘Black Prince’s’ blade.”
That duel at the fight club changed Mikhail’s life.
“I realized I was a ‘frog in a well.’ Even the young successor of the Red Mage Tower was no exception.”
Mentioning Ray Uris, Mikhail chuckled bitterly.
“And to face the world beyond the well, I realized I couldn’t continue with such petty methods.”
“Is that why you allied with the Red Mage Tower?”
“Yes.”
“So, you’ve finally obtained what you desire.”
Mikhail nodded silently. Then, almost instinctively, his hand moved to the hilt of his sword, ‘Peacemaker,’ which was now aimed at Dale.
“Do you think my sword can reach you now?”
“As you can see, it already has.”
Dale replied nonchalantly.
“Doesn’t this world seem trivial to you, Prince Dale?”
“Not at all.”
Dale laughed, as if the notion was absurd.
“It wasn’t me who underestimated the world, but you, Prince Mikhail, from the start.”
Mikhail remained silent, and Dale continued without concern.
“I’ve fulfilled my promise, and now it’s time for the heir of Lancaster to fulfill the alliance.”
The northern demon territory under the rule of the Saxon Viscount. The plan was to use the Lancaster family’s power against it.
“The alliance will be honored.”
Mikhail Lancaster nodded solemnly.
“Moreover, the Red Mage Tower has agreed to lend their flames in accordance with our ‘Great Demon Alliance.’”
“That’s reassuring.”
Dale nodded, unsurprised.
“But before that, the York family must pay for brainwashing your brother and turning him into a puppet.”
Mikhail’s ambition to secure the Lancaster succession was easily blamed on the York family’s actions.
“Does that mean you won’t end the war?”
“No, we will accept the York family’s surrender.”
Mikhail smiled.
“One war ends, and then it’s our ‘Lancaster’s turn.’”
“Are you declaring a territorial war against the York family?”
“Prince Dale, you’ve played your part admirably. Once the York matters are settled, I swear to fulfill the obligations of the Great Demon Alliance.”
One war had ended, and another was about to begin. But the upcoming conflict was no longer Dale’s concern.
“Understood.”
Thus, Dale turned away without hesitation. Not a hint of reluctance.
“As you said, Prince Mikhail, this is no longer my concern.”
That dawn.
“Follow me, proud knights of St. Magdalena!”
Despite the late hour, a loud voice announced a surprise attack.
It was an unexpected maneuver that neither Lancaster nor the York family anticipated.
Having received information from Dale about the location of the captured Holy Sword, they gathered all their remaining knights for a rescue mission. Yet, their numbers barely reached a hundred.
“Did they really come?”
Even though Dale had anticipated their movements, he was still taken aback when they appeared.
To charge so boldly into the trap set by the Shadow Court and Dale.
“Unbelievable.”
Master Baro clicked his tongue.
“That pig’s son isn’t just any fool; he’s a first-class idiot.”
It was then that Dale addressed Master Baro and the shadow assassins preparing in the darkness.
“Master Baro.”
“Ready to take their heads.”
“No, don’t.”
Dale’s command was unexpected.
“Capture the enemy commander, Philip, and inflict enough damage to force the rest to disarm.”
“Are you planning to ransom them?”
“There’s something better than ransom.”
Dale fell silent, watching the reckless charge of “Mad Philip” towards a small town in the Lancaster Duchy.
It didn’t take long for the situation to be resolved.
Making the desperate Philip realize the situation and surrender was another matter.
“Prince Philip.”
Dale addressed the kneeling genius of defeat.
“You…! Once again, you’ve trapped me with your cunning and deceit…!”
“Ah, thank you for the flattering compliment.”
Dale snapped his fingers as if it were someone else’s problem.
Swish!
The blade of the shadow assassin sliced toward the captured knights of St. Magdalena. A mere hundred or so knights, without even a holy sword or an aura master among them.
“Eek!”
Yet, that foolish act turned out to be an unexpected boon for Dale.
“Later, just before the end of the ‘First War of the Roses,’ Prince Philip will rescue the holy sword with an ‘unbelievably clever and bold strategy’ and safely return to the lands of York.”
Dale continued speaking.
“In the upcoming ‘Second War of the Roses’ between York and Lancaster, his name will echo throughout the empire.”
For a moment, Philip tilted his head, not quite grasping Dale’s words. But Dale pressed on, undeterred.
“And we’ll bind Philip and place him where the holy sword is kept, then slip out of Lancaster’s duchy before dawn.”
“Are you suggesting we return to the Duchy of Saxony?”
“We need to make it appear that way to Lancaster. But we won’t be going back just yet.”
Dale answered Master Baro’s question.
“From now on, we’ll fight for the House of York.”
”…What?”
Master Baro asked, incredulous.
“After handing victory to the Lancasters, you’re now planning to switch sides and join the Yorks, whom you just crushed?”
“Mikhail Lancaster has been playing me from the start. The very pretext for this war was a sham.”
It wasn’t York who had brainwashed and ensnared Lancaster’s eldest son, Richard. It was Mikhail Lancaster’s ambition to seize the position of heir after Dale’s defeat.
“Can I really go back to the northern lands after being stabbed in the back like this and sleep soundly?”
“The one who stabbed you in the back will be the one sleeping soundly.”
Master Baro chuckled as if it were none of his concern.
From the beginning, Dale had been nothing more than a puppet for Mikhail. And the battle between the red and white roses, Lancaster and York, was far from over.
Dale had no intention of continuing to dance to Mikhail’s tune.
However, the ‘Black Prince,’ who had already made a name for himself as Lancaster’s champion, couldn’t simply switch sides to York like flipping a coin. Officially, the ‘Black Prince’ would withdraw from future battles, and it wouldn’t be Dale fighting for York.
“From now on, don’t call me the ‘Black Prince of Saxony’…”
It would be the role of ‘Philip,’ the eldest son of the count’s family, allied through a betrothal to Catherine, the second daughter of the York family.
Looking at Philip, who was struggling in front of him, Dale spoke calmly.
“Call me the ‘Genius of Defeat,’ the ‘Scoundrel of the Count’s Family,’ Philip.”