Chapter 405
“Crack?”

Eriponi flicked his cigarette casually and asked again. Crack? That was a word he hadn’t even considered.

When it came to the value of Cliford, naturally, one would think of its fertile lands, fresh green leaves, and the deep-hued sunsets that blanketed the horizon. The seven cities that Luswena was to claim wouldn’t be any different. So, a crack?

Eriponi looked at Eldert, wanting to confirm if he had heard correctly. Judging by Eldert’s own startled expression, it seemed he wasn’t mistaken.

“Yes. I heard it from passing mages who were treating others. They said a massive crack was stirring beneath the lands of Cliford, and the Bariel mages couldn’t use their powers freely. It seemed almost certain. Even the Cliford soldiers seemed aware of it.”

“Wait. When you say crack, you mean the one I know? The one called the root of the monsters?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“For such a crack to form, there would have to be a massive earthquake—”

Earthquake.

Eriponi froze for a moment without realizing it. Now that he thought about it, hadn’t that bastard Damon warned him first? That a great earthquake was coming to Cliford.

Eriponi chewed the end of his cigarette thoughtfully, furrowing his brow.

“This is ridiculous. Those Vargas bastards have been playing false games over Luswena.”

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself. Nothing is certain yet.”

“No. Given the circumstances, I believe him. That small fragment I found suspicious when I met Damon—it all makes sense now. They agreed to the alliance again without any other proposals because they knew the land would be corrupted anyway. Damn them all.”

Eriponi slammed his fist down on the table in frustration. The loud bang made Zaira, who was pretending to be startled, flatten herself even more.

“Your Majesty, please calm down. I will send someone to verify this. If even the Cliford soldiers know about it, it shouldn’t be hard to find out.”

The contamination of the land wasn’t the only problem. If the crack was causing the mages—especially Ian—to lose their strength, what if the rebirth of the great Flame God, more powerful than ever, descended upon Luswena?

Could the Luswena mages, who were a ragtag bunch compared to Bariel’s, withstand that? Would they have to cast forbidden spells on each and every one of their lives just to barely survive?

Eriponi grabbed his hair in irritation.

“Haah, this is maddening.”

“Your Majesty, about Minister Ian Hielo, whom we last fought alongside my grandmother…”

“Why Ian?”

“He seemed to be suffering from magical side effects. I can’t be certain, but since most mental-type magic carries side effects, it’s likely.”

Really? Eriponi recalled Ian from the prisoner exchange earlier. He looked a bit thinner but otherwise seemed normal.

If anything, he seemed sharper—no easy opponent. Didn’t he even openly ignore the king’s questions in front of everyone? That was even more infuriating.

“Does mental magic cause mental side effects?”

“It varies by spell, so I can’t say for sure. High-level magic is so rare that there’s little data. I could find out once we return to Luswena…”

Zaira lifted her head slightly.

Returning to the place where she had lived and studied with her grandmother all her life meant she could bring back the necessary information. Knowledge is power, and to face the mages ahead, that information might be crucial.

If only her grandmother were still alive—but as everyone knew, she had fallen into the abyss.

“Right now, we can’t send a single mage back to the homeland.”

But Eldert drew a firm line.

There were only two reasons Luswena was making a mark in this war: the Black Armored soldiers and the mages. Remove either one, and the balance of power would tip, changing the course of the war.

Eldert shook his head at Eriponi, signaling that it was absolutely impossible.

“Absolutely not, Your Majesty.”

“Well, if the mages are holding back because of the crack, then unless our mages step up, there won’t be any special reaction, right? The Black Armored mainly dealt with the magic swordsmen, and if Ian is suffering side effects, he’s even less likely to act first.”

“Power isn’t just about action. Merely possessing it is power. And Your Majesty, first I will verify if that mage’s words are true. Please give me some time.”

‘That one.’ And ‘that mage.’

Zaira realized she had many titles people used for her. Inside the Cliford barrier, she’d been called everything from ‘kid’ to ‘little one.’

“Well, with that Vargas mage’s head in the mix, predicting their moves will be difficult. The whole of Cliford seems unsettled.”

“Yeah. Damn that bastard. After this war, I’ll slaughter him.”

Eriponi muttered through clenched teeth.

It was all inevitable. Even if they defeated Bariel and Cliford to claim this land, Luswena and Vargas would surely fight over every last advantage.

Vargas had blatantly deceived Luswena. It was a future that could only be predicted, a path history had shown time and again.

“We should keep a close eye on how Bariel treats Vargas.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will increase reconnaissance.”

“Anything else?”

The king checked if the child had reported everything. Zaira slowly stood up from her flattened position and offered something.

“There is.”

“Good. Keep going.”

‘No one who knows their worth can be treated carelessly.’

Zaira pondered Ian’s words. The mages she had seen inside the barrier fit that phrase perfectly. Just by being mages, they shone brightly, commanding respect and reverence.

But here? Everyone under the king’s command was treated like a tool.

Zaira opened her eyes wide and paused. When no further report came, Eriponi and Eldert raised their eyebrows and looked down at her.

“I’m quite exceptional.”

“What?”

Suddenly? The two looked baffled, but Zaira spoke clearly.

“You can’t measure magical power or depth by age, but Sir Ian said I’m very outstanding. He said I shine compared to the other mages there.”

She had stretched the truth a bit, but it wasn’t entirely false. When Ian had bound her with time magic, he had insisted only her magic would work.

Eriponi chuckled softly, tilting his head to one side.

“So?”

“Just so you know, as Sir Ian is there, I am here.”

“Good. That’s very reassuring. Is that all you wanted to say?”

How amusing and cute. Eriponi smiled lightly, and Zaira just nodded briefly without a word. Then, from outside, the murmur of the troops reached them.

“Your Majesty, the Cliford barrier has opened wide.”

“The barrier opened?”

“Yes. It seems they’re sending out soldiers. You should come see.”

With a swift motion, Eriponi pulled back the tent flap and grabbed his telescope.

As the soldier said, the barrier gate was wide open. Soon, rows of Cliford soldiers marched out in perfect formation. Judging by the angle, their target seemed to be Vargas, not Luswena.

He had expected a reaction after the Bariel mages were beheaded, but not this quickly. They had just finished the prisoner exchange moments ago.

Eriponi gestured to Eldert.

“Send a messenger to Vargas. If Cliford fights Vargas, the rear and right side of the barrier will be completely exposed. That’s our chance. But if that damn crack is real, we have a lot to consider.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will send the message immediately.”

“Your Majesty, may I return now?”

Zaira dusted off her knees and straightened her back. She rolled her stiff shoulders somewhat disrespectfully, but Eriponi was too focused on the telescope to notice.

“Go. Wait for orders.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zaira hurriedly turned and left the tent, heading toward where the mages were waiting. The lingering scent of blood from Jiang’s departure still hung in the air.

“Zaira, what did His Majesty say?”

“Come here. I’ll give you some magic. Bariel didn’t do anything harsh, right? You don’t look hurt.”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Not a scratch.”

Zaira lightly leaned into the mages’ arms, then pulled away and whispered softly.

“Soon, Bariel and Vargas will clash hard.”

“Zaira?”

“Listen carefully. But Eriponi can’t move forward or back. He’s too deep in now to back out, but he’s also too angry about being deceived to fully support Vargas. And he can’t put the mages on the front lines.”

“What are you saying?”

“Just listen. Then decide.”

Zaira motioned for the mages to gather close.

“It’s best to leave the Bariel mages, including Sir Ian, to Damon. They have a clear reason to fight since their mages were beheaded. That means Luswena has to face Cliford alone. We’ll need more troops and support.”

“War is always a battle of numbers and supplies.”

“If the palace is empty, let’s go back.”

“Huh?”

The wizards blinked in surprise at Zaira’s words.

“Let’s go to the palace, bring our families, and head to Bariel. I’ve already talked things over with them. We’ll go there and study the forbidden magic. Bariel promised to help us find a way to save Grandma. We’ll keep an eye on the situation, then make our escape.”

Did the child even understand what she was saying? Desertion? And after rescuing her family from the palace, even naturalization?

As the wizards touched Zaira’s forehead, she held up her palm.

“Anyone here know contract magic?”

“Contract magic? I’ve heard of it.”

“Really? I didn’t know. Look at this.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Zaira activated her magic, drawing forth the contract etched deep within her body. Countless concentric circles bloomed from her palm, moving in perfect order to form a massive magic circle.

“This is proof we can return to Bariel. It’s a contract made with their wizards. If anyone wants to stay in Luswena, that’s fine. But if possible, let’s go together. We’re family.”

Grasping the hands of the wizards, Zaira pleaded with them. They were family, comrades, and friends who had lived their whole lives together in the forest.

Except for those held hostage, they planned to return home and hide deep in the woods. Whether that forest lay in Luswena or Bariel’s land didn’t matter.

“But do you really think that’ll work? War doesn’t just go the way you want—”

Kraaaang! Bang!

Cutting off the wizard’s protest, a thunderous roar echoed. Zaira grinned and pointed upward with two fingers. The sound came from the sky. Everyone knew exactly where it originated.

“War doesn’t go smoothly, sure. But you can make it flow the way you want. That’s what I think Sir Ian is doing.”

“Zaira, have you been brainwashed?”

The child had been taken captive, and now she kept bringing up Ian? As another wizard placed a hand on her forehead, Zaira caught it and nodded.

“Yes. I’ve been brainwashed. So no matter what you say, I won’t listen. But if there’s a chance to save Grandma, why would I refuse? So come with me. Otherwise, we’ll be crushed forever under the king’s name.”