Chapter 57 : Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Magical Research Department (1)

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When I asked Labella about increasing mana density and demonic energy, she countered with a question about my interest in the new Demon King.

I was startled but didn’t show it.

Labella was the head of the magical research department and an imperial princess.

Though the Adjak family had only learned certain information through Derix, it wasn’t surprising that Labella knew it too.

But her immediate mention of the Demon King caught me off guard.

My lengthy preamble for conversing with royalty felt awkward in retrospect.

“Yes, that’s right. I became intrigued after learning that demonic energy is primordial mana. I also want to know more about demonic energy to defeat the new Demon King.”

I no longer hid my intentions.

Staring into Labella’s dark eyes, I stated my purpose clearly.

She had told me to ask her directly if I had questions.

Labella rose from her seat and walked to a bookshelf that filled one wall of her office.

She pulled out several books without hesitation.

One, two, three, four.

Each book was taken from a different shelf, as if she knew exactly where to find them among the countless volumes.

“In ‘The Origin of Demonic Energy’ by Luphtel Atob, there’s research on demonic energy.”

Luphtel Atob?

My eyes widened.

He was one of the final five in Adjak’s expedition, a grand mage.

Luphtel, a court mage of the imperial palace at the time, had joined the expedition.

“Luphtel-nim claimed that ‘while demonic energy and mana are distinct concepts, only by increasing mana’s purity can one overcome demonic energy.’”

I nodded, listening intently to Labella.

The book Luphtel wrote right after returning from the expedition, penned over 300 years ago, was filled with hypotheses still accurate today.

While the expedition members could fight demons, only Adjak could strike the Demon King.

Luphtel attributed this to Adjak’s dense mana.

The next book, and the one after, were also by Luphtel.

After returning, he devoted his life to studying demonic energy.

As a result, he managed to analyze it to some extent.

Luphtel also distinguished between the demonic energy of the demons fought during the expedition and the demonic energy forming the Dome.

Before the expedition, demonic energy was a fixed force.

A demon’s rank depended on how much demonic energy the Demon King granted.

But after the expedition, the nature of demonic energy changed.

The Dome surrounding Myeolji was made of demonic energy, but it had different properties.

Luphtel attributed this change to the birth of a new Demon King.

Without being influential enough to alter demonic energy, the primordial force, unchanged since the beginning, wouldn’t have shifted.

“According to Luphtel-nim’s analysis, the new demonic energy is inferior to the previous one. Likely because the new Demon King is less powerful than the previous one.”

This was good news for me.

Beheading the Demon King as Adjak, even in a game, had been incredibly difficult.

“But surprisingly, while the original demonic energy remained unchanged for thousands or tens of thousands of years, Luphtel proved the new demonic energy evolves daily, increasing in density.”

Information even Derix didn’t know kept pouring in.

I listened closely to Labella’s explanation of the new demonic energy.

“I’d like to know more about Luphtel-nim’s research on the Dome’s demonic energy.”

Labella flipped through the texts, showing me key information and comparing it to her current findings.

The new demonic energy, rooted in the original, was evolving.

Over 300 years, its density had gradually increased.

Humanity thought the Dome around Myeolji ushered in an era of peace.

But in reality, it gave demons time to hunker down and evolve.

The thought that demonic energy was growing denser even now darkened my mind.

Labella seemed to share the sentiment.

“That’s why the Demon King can never be defeated. Overcoming the source of our mana is hard enough, and right now, the new Demon King and his followers are growing stronger.”

Labella declared.

But this time, she was wrong.

Adjak surpassed the demonic energy of a Demon King who had lived since the Mythic Era and severed his head.

No matter how much the new Demon King’s demonic energy evolved, preparing with the mindset to overcome it was more important than giving up.

“No, we can defeat even the new Demon King. It’s time to end it completely, so no more generations arise.”

I spoke with conviction.

For the first time since we met, Labella smiled.

“Haha, perhaps.”

Covering her mouth lightly as she laughed, Labella added meaningfully,“As Adjak’s successor, you might just defeat the Demon King.”

It wasn’t surprising.

I hadn’t thought Labella, who knew so much, would be unaware of the prophecy among demons.

She continued without pause.

“The Empire is also interested in you, the one who inherited Adjak’s power.”

“Is that so? I had no idea.”

“You seem to have known. You’ve deliberately avoided anywhere the Empire’s reach extends.”

I’d already sensed the gap in information between Labella and me.

Resolved to be honest, I spoke truthfully.

“It’d be a lie to say I didn’t notice. But I also know I can’t oppose the Empire forever.”

Labella smiled again, then made a subtle offer.

“Would you, Polarin-nim, consider pledging loyalty to the Empire?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Loyalty, plain and simple. If you vow to dedicate everything to the Empire, it will welcome you with open arms.”

“…I’ve been an imperial citizen since birth.”

“No, the Adjak family resides in imperial territory but has never taken the Empire’s hand.”

Labella’s tone turned cold, as if her earlier warmth had never existed.

I couldn’t tell if she was here as the head of the research department or as the Fourth Princess.

“Words alone are enough. Just pledge loyalty. The Empire will provide you with information on demonic energy, magic training, equipment—everything. If you wish, we’ll open the imperial vault.”

Her voice carried authority, each word imbued with the dignity of a master mage.

“No matter how much the Adjak family supports you, it can’t compare to the Empire’s backing. You know that, don’t you?”

Honestly, it was tempting.

Living in the lower autonomous regions, I hadn’t received much help from the family.

What support had I gotten?

Until the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I’d fought for my life.

But faces came to mind.

Eidon, waiting at the inn; Kiyot, Siriel, Keldric, Nofen, Tayon-nim, Hike-nim.

The family’s material support was minimal, but I’d gained many trustworthy people.

“So, what will it be? Will you pledge loyalty to the Empire? If you do, you’ll get what you want.”

I steeled my resolve and met Labella’s gaze.

The faint smile on her lips had vanished.

Though her face was usually expressionless, I sensed an inexplicable unease in her current expression.

Without hesitation, I answered.

“I’m sorry, but pledging loyalty to the Empire would be difficult.”

Beyond emotional reasons like not betraying my family, something felt off.

This world held mysteries I didn’t yet understand.

A casual verbal pledge could bind me in ways I couldn’t foresee.

I watched Labella’s reaction after my refusal.

“Very well. So be it.”

She accepted my rejection with surprising calm, making no further attempts to persuade me.

“Was that offer made as a princess?”

Labella nodded and replied,“Yes. I left the palace, but the duties of an imperial princess don’t vanish.”

“Will there be consequences for my refusal?”

“Hmm, perhaps. Not entirely, I suppose? It’s not my domain, so I can’t say for sure.”

“….”

“But as the head of the magical research department, I’ll say this: there’ll be no repercussions here.”

That was enough.

I came here to research demonic energy, and now I know books on it existed, thanks to Labella.

I couldn’t back down without gaining that knowledge.

But why was the Empire baring its teeth at the Adjak family?

With Myeolji unstable, why would the Empire stir conflict?

I couldn’t understand.

“That’s all I need. Thank you.”

“For what? The magical research department can’t afford to be at odds with Adjak’s successor.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s no secret, so I’ll tell you. Who do you think founded the magical research department?”

I didn’t know.

But given her mention of Adjak’s friend and those books, I had a guess.

“Luphtel Atob-nim?”

“Correct. Luphtel-nim didn’t return to his magic tower after the expedition. He founded the research department and devoted himself to study, mostly on demonic energy.”

“I see…”

“And the head of the research department inherits Luphtel-nim’s will to continue that research. In other words, I’m essentially his successor.”

But from what I remembered, Luphtel and Adjak weren’t that close.

The mage who was Adjak’s confidant during the long journey was from Thunderstrike Tower and didn’t return alive from Myeolji.

Labella, unaware of this, extended her hand to me.

“Let’s do well, shall we? As successors of great heroes.”

She smiled as she offered her hand.

Whatever the truth of Adjak’s era, it didn’t matter.

Since everyone who needed to know recognized me as Adjak’s successor, I should use it to my advantage.

I reached out and shook her hand.

Labella, pleased with the handshake, smiled.

Though I rejected the Empire’s offer, I felt closer to her.

“But the Adjak family doesn’t have much time.”

“Not much time?”

“The Empire has decided to unite humanity once again.”

The Empire’s unification of humanity.

That happened a thousand years ago.

The Empire conquered all neighboring nations in a great war to unite them.

“Are you saying… a war is coming?”

“Yes. The Empire believes it’s time to unite humanity again.”

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