Published: July 4, 2025
Four advisors who had fled from the teahouse in the square.
They split into two groups and ran straight to Administrative Island, successfully escaping into their respective ministries.
Port and Harbor Department.
Advisor to the Vice Minister of Ports and Harbors, Ronfan, and Advisor to the Minister of Ports and Harbors, Zoe.
The two raced up the stairs and entered Ronfan's advisor room, locking the door behind them.
Finally, they caught their breath there.
For a solid five minutes, neither of them spoke a word.
As they steadied their heavy breathing, they tried to sort out what had happened.
The first to speak was Ronfan, the owner of the room.
"It was an attack using a talisman..."
"Ah, it was floating near the ceiling. It must have been a wind attribute magic attack," Zoe added, nodding.
"Who could have done it…"
"If we think logically, it must have been from the Grand Duchy."
"Why target us…?"
"I don’t know."
Both Ronfan and Zoe were unsure of why they had been targeted.
Indeed, they had been trying to uncover the ongoing conspiracy by the Grand Duchy.
But to put it plainly, that was all they had done.
They had not yet taken any significant action.
Nor had they engaged in any subversive activities.
So why were they targeted?
Especially in such a conspicuous place.
"I think I’ll stay at the Port and Harbor Department for a while," Zoe murmured.
After all, the ministry had various anti-magic and anti-sorcery defenses installed.
The level of alchemy in the Free City of Kubevasa was quite high.
One of the reasons they had been able to repel threats from the Grand Duchy and the Federation until now was indeed the high level of alchemy.
"That sounds good. I’ll do the same. I’m still a bit shaken," Ronfan, the advisor to the vice minister, decided to stay in the ministry as well.
Considering all possible scenarios, this was the safest place.
"However, even so..."
"Hmm?"
"The magic that blocked that attack... was it a magic barrier? I wonder who it was."
"Who knows... It’s probably a mage belonging to the special defense agency..."
"Since we were saved, should we send some alcohol to the special defense agency?"
"Gift exchanges between officials are prohibited."
"Seriously... what a tense world we live in," Ronfan pointed out with a wry smile, while Zoe shook his head in lament.
It seemed that in any society, things were harsh.
"You fools! How can you not handle the situation with the advisor properly!"
"I apologize."
In the office of the second secretary at the Duchy of Atinjo Embassy.
Second Secretary Zuluma was scolding the sorcerer who had failed in his task.
Without knocking, a man entered the room.
"Your Excellency!"
Zuluma hurriedly knelt and saluted.
Of course, the sorcerer who had been reprimanded also turned to face the man who had entered while still kneeling.
"Zuluma, don’t be so angry."
Duke Helb said with a wry smile as he took a seat on the reception couch.
Then he continued speaking.
"What was important about this incident was that a government official or someone similar was attacked in front of the public. It’s not a problem if we fail."
"Yes! I understand that, but..."
Zuluma bowed his head, beads of cold sweat dripping from his forehead at the Duke's words.
"Well, it would have been better if they had ended up as a gruesome corpse. But there’s not much difference. By the way, you are... Zaban, right?"
"Y-Yes! You even know my name, Your Excellency..."
"Of course, I know. You specialize in wind attributes, right? I’ve heard you are quite skilled for your age. I’d appreciate it if you could remember this failure and work harder."
"Yes! Thank you so much!"
The failed sorcerer, Zaban, bowed deeply, his young face flushing with excitement.
Anyone could see he was thrilled.
And it was only natural.
The pinnacle of sorcerers in the Duchy of Atinjo, and one of the top sorcerers in the southern continent, not to mention the younger brother of the lord of the realm.
It was not an exaggeration to say he was someone whom almost all sorcerers in the Duchy admired, and he knew Zaban's name and had encouraged him.