Yuuki wasn't particularly interested in political maneuvering.
What truly caught his attention was the former Wizard King, Conrad Leto, who had also possessed the ability to wield different types of magic. Recalling the subtle shift in Mereoleona's expression when she mentioned this man, Yuuki couldn't shake the feeling that the previous Wizard King was anything but ordinary.
"What was his magic?" Yuuki asked, looking at Mariella with curiosity.
"All I was able to uncover is that his magic was called Key Magic. As for its specific abilities or further details, the information available on the black market is extremely limited."
"Your subordinate also infiltrated the Royal Library to investigate, but the records there are just as scarce—almost as if someone deliberately erased them."
Mariella lowered her head as she reported quickly.
Key Magic?
A flicker of surprise passed through Yuuki's eyes. From the name alone, it was hard to imagine how such magic could allow its user to wield multiple attributes.
But Yuuki knew well that some magics couldn't be judged by name alone.
Take Vanessa's seemingly ordinary Thread Magic—who would have imagined it could extend into the power of fate itself? If Thread Magic could evolve that far, then developing Key Magic into something capable of handling multiple attributes wasn't impossible.
After all, Conrad had been a Wizard King. He was never going to be a simple figure.
Perhaps feeling that three days of investigation had yielded too little, Mariella continued with a note of guilt in her voice:
"Your subordinate believes the royal family should possess more detailed records. If you would grant me more time—"
Yuuki chuckled lightly and waved his hand.
"This is already enough for me."
Then, as if recalling something, Yuuki asked suddenly,
"How did the former Wizard King die?"
"Ten years ago, due to illness," Mariella replied after a moment's recollection.
Yuuki's eyebrow lifted slightly. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
He suddenly remembered—the current Wizard King, Julius, had taken office ten years ago as well.
If Julius were truly as he appeared on the surface, Yuuki wouldn't have suspected him. But Yuuki knew better than anyone the man's true identity and purpose.
It was impossible not to be suspicious.
Was the former Wizard King's so-called "death by illness" connected to Julius?
"Lord Yuuki," Mariella added respectfully, "it's said that when the previous Wizard King disappeared, the Clover Kingdom's national treasure vanished as well—the imperial-grade magic tool known as the Imperial Sword: Elsdocia."
"That sword is the symbol of successive Wizard Kings. It's said that the current Wizard King Julius encountered considerable trouble because he lacked the Imperial Sword."
Surprise flickered across Yuuki's eyes. His interest in the former Wizard King deepened even further, and he looked at Mariella with curiosity.
"You found this out as well?" Yuuki asked.
"No," Mariella shook her head. "It was something Professor Fanzell once mentioned."
Yuuki nodded inwardly.
After all, the ones who know you best aren't always your friends—but your enemies.
As the Clover Kingdom's greatest rival, the Diamond Kingdom had clashed with generations of Wizard Kings. The intelligence they possessed was likely more detailed than what some Clover nobles even knew.
"You don't need to investigate this matter any further," Yuuki said softly. "You've only recently mastered Spatial Magic—spend more time training it."
If the former Wizard King's case truly involved Julius, then it wasn't something Mariella should continue digging into.
"Yes," Mariella replied respectfully.
She then glanced out the window, a chill creeping into her tone.
"Lord Yuuki… should we deal with him?"
"Finral of the Black Bulls?" Yuuki smiled faintly and shook his head. "No need to worry. He's just a small fry."
Over the past few days, Yuuki had long noticed Finral tailing him. Relying on Spatial Magic, the man's concealment was far too crude—hard not to notice.
Just as Yuuki had suspected earlier, Yami had likely sensed something amiss through ki, and that suspicion had spread.
Still—
Yuuki wasn't afraid of Yami taking action. In fact, if Yami didn't act, that would be cause for concern.
Perhaps it was time to make contact with the Black Bulls under the guise of a mysterious individual.
That thought flashed through Yuuki's mind as he waved his hand.
Mariella bowed deeply, then vanished using Spatial Magic.
Yuuki rolled his shoulders and sat cross-legged on the bed, entering meditation. With a single thought, silver mana surged forth, coating his entire body in a visibly tangible layer of Mana Skin.
At first, the silver glow had been nothing more than a thin film.
Now, however, his Mana Skin had thickened to nearly two fingers' width.
It was as though his entire body were wrapped in flowing mana.
This was the result of countless injuries endured in exchange for progress.
The room fell silent.
Only Yuuki's steady breathing remained—along with the pale silver Mana Skin, continuously shifting between red, blue, brown, and green.
Fire, water, earth, and wind.
In a normal environment, natural mana was far harder to perceive than in a Strong Magic Region—but among it, these four basic attributes were the easiest to sense.
The next day.
The tavern suspended business, as Rebecca had fallen ill.
In a modest yet immaculately clean room on the second floor, Rebecca lay on the bed with a pale complexion, a damp towel resting on her forehead.
Marco, Luca, and the other siblings hovered anxiously at her bedside.
Click.
The door opened, and Yuuki entered, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup.
"Yuuki-niisan!"
"Yuuki, how is Sis?"
"She'll be okay, right?"
The moment Yuuki appeared, it was as if the children had found their pillar of support.
Yuuki set the bowl down on the table beside the bed, then raised a finger to his lips in a gentle shh.
The children immediately covered their mouths.
"Don't worry. Your sister's fine—just a mild cold. She'll recover soon," Yuuki said patiently.
Only then did the children finally relax. After a few gentle words from Yuuki, they quietly left the room one by one.
"Cough…"
Rebecca coughed softly, her voice weak.
"This is my fault… The tavern just opened, and now it has to close because of me."
Yuuki shook his head.
"How could this be your fault? You took on most of the work these past days—of course you'd wear yourself out."
As he spoke, he picked up the bowl of medicine.
"I'll drink it myself," Rebecca said, her already pale cheeks flushing faintly at his gesture.
Yuuki paused, then nodded. "Alright."
Leaning against the bed, Rebecca accepted the bowl and sipped the medicine slowly with a spoon, her head lowered.
"Get some proper rest," Yuuki said gently. "Business can wait—your health comes first."
"The tavern won't suffer from closing for a day or two."
"Mmm…" Rebecca murmured softly, nodding almost imperceptibly.
Once she finished the medicine, Yuuki took the empty bowl and stood to leave. After all, it wouldn't be appropriate to linger in a young woman's room.
"Yuuki…"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"No need to be so polite."
Leaving Rebecca's room, Yuuki stepped into the tavern hall. Just as he was about to organize the accounts, he noticed a figure lingering across the street, near the entrance.
Yuuki's eyes narrowed.
"Marco, you all watch the tavern," Yuuki said. "I'm going out to buy some ingredients. Take good care of your sister, too."
"Don't worry, Yuuki-niisan! Leave it to us!" Marco said proudly, puffing out his chest.
Yuuki ruffled Marco's hair, then left the tavern, quickly blending into the bustling street.
The figure across the way followed suit, melting into the crowd as well.
At that very moment—
Not far from the tavern, Finral was chatting up a passing girl with a wide grin, completely unaware that Yuuki had already slipped away.
"Did something happen?" Yuuki asked calmly as he walked along with the flow of people.
"Lord Yuuki," said a member of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, following half a step behind him, "there's news about the brothers you asked us to investigate."
Hearing this, Yuuki's eyes lit up.
Finally.
He had searched for a long time without results. By the timeline of events, those brothers should have appeared by now—but the timing was still suspiciously coincidental.
"Where?" Yuuki asked evenly. "Take me there."
Within minutes, guided by the Eye of the Midnight Sun member, Yuuki used Spatial Magic to arrive at a secluded valley.
Standing atop the uneven terrain, Yuuki sniffed lightly.
There was a faint scent of blood in the air.
"Are you sure it's here?" Yuuki asked coldly, frowning.
The Eye of the Midnight Sun member behind him shuddered instinctively and failed to answer at once.
Seeing this, Yuuki immediately understood.
Someone had deliberately lured him here.
And as for who that someone was—Yuuki didn't need to think long.
"Come out, Sally," Yuuki said coolly, his gaze settling on a pitch-black cave along the valley wall.
"Heeheehee—so you figured it out!"
A familiar laugh echoed from within the cave.
Sally hopped out, grinning broadly as she looked at Yuuki.
(End of Chapter)
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