Forsaken Priest of the Hero's Party-Chapter 98: Ominous Peace

“Tower Master. I have a favor to ask.”

The Emperor spoke, but it was well-known that the Tower Master of the Magic Tower was no ordinary person. For as long as anyone could remember, the Magic Tower had remained neutral in continental conflicts, its true loyalty reserved for wealth instead of any nation.

During wars, the Tower would sell magical items to both sides, making substantial profits.

“Please command me, Your Majesty.”

The Tower Master spoke respectfully, but it was understood that he was not beneath the Emperor. The power of the Magic Tower was such that even the Emperor’s orders barely affected him. He might consent in the palace, yet once away from its confines, he could effortlessly ignore any command without repercussion.

The Emperor was well aware of this and had no intention of antagonizing such a powerful entity without preparation.

“Tower Master. Previously, we discussed creating a city in the southeastern part of the empire for the Magic Tower. That city, Orphiel, is still administratively part of the empire’s territory. So, I am entrusting you with the position of mayor of Orphiel. What do you think, Tower Master?”

The Tower Master’s eyebrow twitched slightly, and he paused to consider the Emperor’s true intentions. In reality, Orphiel was already under the Magic Tower’s control, its allegiance to the empire little more than a formality for tax purposes.

The mayor appointed by the central government held no real power and was simply a figurehead.

Bestowing the mayoral title was not a substantial advantage, yet it was hardly a setback either. It was an acceptable offer, and the Tower Master quickly understood the Emperor’s reasoning. He nodded in acceptance.

“I gratefully accept Your Majesty’s kindness. May I go to Orphiel to train magical personnel?”

“You may.”

“My gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace knows no bounds.”

The situation became clear. Despite the volcano in the Cidatel Republic, some people seemed determined to clash.

The Tower Master, whose ties spanned both the Empire and the Holy See, recognized the escalating tensions. The Emperor’s side appeared calm, but things were happening beneath the surface. Diplomatic talks with the Archbishops had faltered, and the maneuvers of the Holy See grew increasingly dubious.

Although the Tower Master preferred to stay uninvolved, he was pragmatic enough to know that when push came to shove, he would back whichever side ultimately prevailed.

“Master, how did the talks go?”

“Disciple, the Emperor wants us to stay out of the Empire’s turmoil.”

Gerald, the old wizard, inquired of his senior disciple. Beyond the palace walls, the Tower Master’s casual disregard for addressing the Emperor as “Your Majesty” was perfectly acceptable.

“So, a struggle is indeed looming?”

“Most likely. The Emperor made it clear—if we won’t take his side, we should leave the Empire.”

While some saw an opportunity to side with either the Emperor or the Holy See, the Magic Tower had little to gain from such alliances. They preferred to stay neutral, observe, and profit.

“Even with the Calderan volcano about to erupt, they’re still fighting. Master, do we have any plans? The Cidatel Republic is a key client, its collapse would spell disaster.”

“It’s too late. The Holy See doesn’t care, and the Emperor can’t do anything. The Magic Tower has no reason to take responsibility, and even if we did, it wouldn’t matter.”

The Tower Master accepted reality. His magic was strong, but their enemy was the immortal bird that had incinerated three Masters. No matter how much they sacrificed, victory would be pyrrhic and the losses devastating.

The Holy See had abandoned the Cidatel Republic, instead scheming against the Empire. The Emperor knew, and stopping them was his priority.

Just as one wouldn’t rush to save another’s house while their own was threatened, the Emperor quietly prepared for the Holy See’s attack while pretending not to notice. Observing from the periphery, the Tower Master had a clear view of the unfolding drama, even when the principal players remained blind to it.

He had no intention of warning the Holy See. If he had to choose, he preferred the Empire’s victory.

Though not without flaws, the Empire at least adhered to reason. Its limited power prevented arbitrary rule, and the people’s pursuit of profit made them easy to understand and negotiate with.

The Holy See, however, was different. Ruled by gods, their stance shifted like leaves in the wind, changing at the whims of the goddesses.

They were the most unreliable of partners, and the Tower Master was determined to prevent them from amassing continental control.

“The Empire and the Holy See must have hidden trump cards, but we can’t let them play them while we step in. The Republic is finished. It can’t be saved.”

The Magic Tower thrived in a balance of power. Interference was unnecessary when others were already mobilizing for conflict.

That day, the Old Man Tower Master left the Empire with his key wizards. The official reason was Orphiel, but he wanted no part in the coming war.

A storm was silently gathering within the Empire, though few had noticed.

“That disciple of mine is still prickly. Not even a word to his master... He never kept in touch anyway, so I’m not worried.”

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A true master stays calm even in chaos. Unburdened and untroubled, the Tower Master resolved only to observe.

* * *“Why...?”

And how...?

The moment their swords clashed, Ardein felt something strange. Mana from the dragon veins surged into her, and her enhanced circuits absorbed it flawlessly.

Ardein had more power, yet the fight told a different story.

She advanced with her sword ablaze with dragon-form ki, yet rather than pushing Rayman back, their blades danced in a bewildering circle. She struck in a straight line, yet her movements veered off course.

She exerted brute strength like a bear dancing while the ringmaster reaps the reward, but Rayman dictated the flow.

Rayman’s sword bore no hint of mana-reinforced ki, yet he deflected her attacks with effortless precision.

“Your Highness. Sometimes, to gain something, you must first let go.”

Rayman lifted his free hand toward the very edge of her sword, where golden dragon-form ki blazed with intensity.

Ardein’s eyes widened. Dragon-form ki was pure destruction. Even she hesitated to handle her own blade when it pulsed with that power, for without impeccable control, it might sever her palm or erupt violently.

Yet, as Rayman’s hand made contact with the blade, the ki dissipated—there was no explosion, no cut, merely an eerie, unnatural calm. The dragon-bone sword had failed to cut mere human flesh.

Rayman let out a hollow laugh. He hadn’t lied. It was only when Grimu restricted his mana that the truth of it all became clear. If he hadn’t grasped that sword, he still wouldn’t know.

“Your Highness’s power is immense, yet charging forward like a rhinoceros’s horn will only hurl you about with no gain.”

“Lord... Madlen?”

The princess changed her tone.

Now understanding why the Emperor held him in such high regard, she asked with newfound respect,

“Have you come to enlighten me, my lord?”

“His Majesty said you’d be troubled after your love interest left. I replied that if you try to grasp everything, you might end up with nothing.”

He sighed.

“Your Highness, it is impressive that you attained the rank of Master so young, yet you remain deficient. Despite your strength, you merely get tossed about, you charge forward, but even that is done poorly.”

This was only about her swordsmanship, her combat style.

But was that all there was to it?

A sudden wave of shame washed over the princess.

Those words seemed to sum up her entire life.

“I wish to seek the master’s teachings.”

Unlike the former Finance Minister, she now bowed and asked politely instead of obstinately holding her head high in ignorance.

“Well, Your Highness’s level is already so high that this old man doesn’t know what advice to give. Even if I offer some, take it with a grain of salt, there are as many paths as there are people, and ultimately, you must choose your own.”

“But if I may share my thoughts, Your Highness is quite greedy. You try to grasp everything, so you hesitate. Dragon-form ki is versatile, and the sword is close to all-purpose, but can a person be all-purpose, too? You must give up what needs to be given up and specialize. One can never have everything.”

“And from my perspective, your combat relies solely on overwhelming foes with raw mana strength. This approach will falter against a truly stronger opponent. You must refine your style through experience and study.”

Rayman left those words and silently sheathed his sword before departing. Alone, Ardein pondered them for a long time. You must discard what needs to be discarded. People can never have everything they want...

Looking back, there were so many things she wanted to have. craved political power to outmatch Edmund and wished for Kyle’s unwavering presence to bolster imperial authority, yet she feared inciting his resentment.

She couldn’t achieve everything at once. In trying to, she ended up with nothing. She couldn’t stop Kyle from leaving or following him. She hesitated, reaching out only to pull back.

But I don’t know.

Her mind insisted that sacrifices were necessary, yet she found herself unable to relinquish anything. If advice could transform a person so effortlessly, every individual would be a sage.

The complexity within her heart deepened, and she sighed heavily.