The Proposal.
I leave the ministry, feeling the cold creeping into my hands. Winter will be here soon, and with it, many things will change.
The next big event should be Anastasia's invitation, but with all the changes happening, who knows if it'll even occur.
I watch people walking by, noticing how everyone keeps moving forward.
If I want to protect them, I need to grow stronger. I need to turn Irlam and its people into a force to be reckoned with. I have to make them wise, capable of creating their own inventions.
Mathematics has a lot of potential for progress, but I don't really know them as well as I should.
The pure sciences are beyond my understanding, so I can't help much in that regard. I've laid down some basic rules, but I don't even know all of them or how to fully prove them.
"Mayor, my apologies for the delay," says the man in the carriage, smiling as he steps down to open the door for me.
There are several carriages that work as public transport, though some are reserved solely for military personnel; the military base is quite far from town. It's also more organized this way.
The carriage is large, about the size and length of a bus. It might be a bit over the top, but it's the best option. Once the city grows, more buses will come.
I gaze out the window, trying to process all the information I have.
They're going to accuse us of transforming those bodies, claim we used cult artifacts or something from the demihuman war. Our best evidence is the demihuman Emilia froze, and the mutated captain's body she killed.
We also have samples of the liquid and can compare it to the substance Flynn used. Frey Karsten still hasn't responded to my letter, but if he sides with us, we'll have the proof we need.
Flynn's body doesn't exist, so we don't have many other options but to rely on Erick.
We arrive, and when I step out, I see that the military base is almost empty. Everyone who served in the war is taking a week off. The only ones here are those with administrative duties.
And, of course, the squadron that will accompany us to the capital.
Silence reigns, but duty doesn't wait.
I enter my office and find everything just as I left it. I place the crystal back where Beatrice kept it; she always told me not to touch it.
I try to feel the mana in the room, but I can't sense it.
I expected to feel something. This is where the physical spell for teleporting to the library was set up.
"I don't feel the connection to the lost library." I glance around, searching the shelves for the book containing the teleportation spell.
'Better try using my mana sense with my eyes closed.'
I focus, trying to detect any fluctuation of mana. The office was built with crystals that collect mana, feeding the book. If I find it, I'll just need to use spatial magic to reach the library.
The problem is, as a precaution, the book changes at random every day, and it requires at least fifty books on the shelves to work, with the spell hidden on just one of its pages.
It was easy for Beatrice to tell which one it was, but for me, still learning to use this new power, it's a huge challenge.
Time passes and—
"I can't find it…" It's been quite a while, and I still can't see it.
I guess I'll have to keep training. No rush for now. The most pressing matter is the situation with Erick.
Knock! Knock!
Captain Bright opens the door, giving me a military salute.
"Good morning, General!" Bright looks at me with a serious expression and quickly approaches. "Erick Costuul has already been transferred to the interrogation room, and his report is complete."
The army's treatment of Erick has been fair; they trust him and have allowed him some freedoms to observe his behavior.
"Have you noticed any anomalies?" I ask as I leave my office with him.
"No, sir. He occasionally has panic attacks, along with some screaming at night." Bright hands me a sheet. "There wasn't a single night when he didn't scream or show some change. Still, we can't rule out the possibility that a very powerful intruder slipped through."
With magic in the equation, it's hard to act with certainty. Even when nothing seems off, you can never fully rule it out.
"Is Erick's carriage ready?" I ask, and he immediately hands me the report.
We had planned to transport Erick by air, but without Beatrice, it's far too dangerous. Even if I use wind magic, flying is a different matter entirely. We'll use a balloon as cover, with two carriages traveling beneath it.
One will carry the military squadron, and the other will hold Erick.
Emilia and I will be in the balloon, so we can keep watch if anyone approaches. Her vision is unparalleled, so I can trust her. If there's an attack, she can descend quickly and strike.
In the end, she'll just have to use magic to cushion the fall with an ice ramp. She's the only one capable of that, so there won't be an issue.
Erick's carriage is basically a reinforced steel box with an air hole that activates under pressure using a wind lagmite, allowing air to flow out, and a fire lagmite on top that lowers the air density, bringing fresh air into the cabin.
This way, there's no space for anyone to kill him without breaching the steel. But even then, there's a water lagmite that will flood the cabin to protect him in case of a fire issue.
When it fills up, it starts expelling the water through a pressure-activated valve. You could call it a rudimentary sensor.
Baltazar and his apprentice built this while I was at the sanctuary. I was surprised to see their creation while recovering, but it's definitely the best way to keep him safe.
We arrive in front of the interrogation room. Bright hands me a pair of white gloves; I've always believed that the cleaner they stay, the better you've done your job.
If you get everything without a single stain, that's a job well done.
I walk in immediately and am greeted by the dim light of a small lamp. The room has no windows, and it's soundproofed with layers of iron and steel. I plan to use a metía, but it's not time yet.
In front of me is a small metal table with a tiny chair, where Erick Costuul sits. The reason I called him here is simple: I want to maintain the fear from the last time we dealt with each other.
I nearly killed him, and honestly, I still want to do it.
"Good morning, Sir Erick." I smile as I take a seat, watching his expression closely.
He looks terrified. I can tell he hasn't slept well from the dark circles under his eyes. He seems to be eating less too, though nothing too alarming. I focus, trying to see deeper into him. His mana is stable.
I don't see any signs of the turbulence someone who's used miasma in their body would show. If he were an archbishop or someone with great control over miasma, he could hide it, but I don't sense any danger from him.
"Count Marco, it's a pleasure to see you." His voice is weak, devoid of energy. His gaze is distant, lifeless. "I did what you asked. Everything I know is here."
Crusch has already verified these documents, so I don't expect any issues with the information.
"Don't worry, I didn't come here for this." For my plan to work, I need Erick in my grasp.
From the information I got from Crusch, it seemed like Erick did care about demihumans. He faked his father's stance on the matter, but he didn't share the same ideals. It was his suggestion to use prisoners with severe crimes to stop the duke from taking people from the city.
'It seems like beneath that facade, there was a hint of someone noble. My mistake.' His attempt to be captured was to obtain this information. He wanted to save his beloved and bring down his father.
'What should I do with him?'
Erick looks at me with fear, as if he's on the verge of losing his mind.
"Erick, the fate of your beloved is in your hands." I stare at him seriously, and his expression shifts from fear to anger. "Your beloved is likely alive, but there are several possible outcomes."
I need him to realize that we're his only way out.
"Harald Costuul is planning to contact you." I cross my arms, my gaze firm. "He hasn't killed your beloved because he knows she's his leverage to get you on his side."
It's common to use love to get what you want. Normally, he would have contacted you by now, but due to the heightened security in Irlam, it's highly likely he'll do it during the trial.
"During the trial, he'll propose that you betray us, use us to get what he wants." I grin at him. "And then, you'll be free."
A seemingly attractive offer, but even Erick must know what it really means. Harald Costuul is ruthless enough to commit such a massacre, which means his blood is no different from a monster's.
"You'll both die, and then they'll use you against us." That's the most logical conclusion I can come to. With all the tricks they have, this one seems the most unpredictable. "I want you to understand something first."
'Kill him!' My body screams for it, burning with hatred at the mere sight of him, the memories of my daughter flooding back.
But Betty wouldn't want me to be consumed by my mind.
I close my eyes for a few seconds, letting the hatred escape with each breath.
"They hurt us deeply, but I don't plan on killing you." I open my eyes, looking at him with determination. "I want you to take control of Costuul, but I want you under my command. You know that in Irlam, everyone is treated equally, though there are still hierarchies."
'There's no better way to gain loyalty than from an enemy who doesn't hate you.'
The legal system I'm creating will prioritize these kinds of elements.
"Only you can stop your father and save your beloved. It's up to you to make it happen." I watch him, showing no emotion. "What do you say?"
Erick stares at me for a few moments, his hands trembling, his eyes desperate for a glimmer of hope.
Honestly, I want to kill him, and I certainly don't trust his actions.
'No... I've been like this myself.' The hatred I feel for him is the same hatred that many people feel and have felt towards me.
If I want to achieve something, then I have to use him, put restrictions on him, and make his life one of servitude under my command.
By sparing his life and giving him a chance, I present myself as someone he can depend on, but to prevent him from betraying me, I must stay vigilant. It'll be easy, as we both know that friendly tricks won't work here.
That way, I won't be caught off guard by any betrayal.
Everyone has the potential to change, and this is his opportunity. Just because I'm giving him a chance doesn't mean I'll trust him, but at least he deserves humane treatment.
He focuses on the documents he's written.
My attitude won't change. I don't intend to be suddenly cordial—that would scare him too much. Being too friendly with him would also be a form of torture.
But I don't need that.
"I...," Erick seems hesitant, but the cards are already on the table. "Do I really deserve it?"
Erick looks at me, his conscience clearly tormenting him. The army showed him the horrors that followed the battle, all under the pretense of identifying the bodies of captains who were dismembered by the demihumans.
"You don't deserve it, but you certainly have the chance to change," though it churns my stomach to say it, it's a truth I have to accept. "If you want to help, make up for what you've done, start by doing the right thing. You know your father is a tyrant who deserves to pay for his crimes, so start there."
I smile slightly to give him some confidence.
"Our first step will be to rescue your beloved. That way, we can use her as evidence of Harald's treatment of demihumans." I extend my hand, looking at him seriously. "This is your last chance to man up and be a real man. Erick Costuul Fromm, are you going to stand with us or with the Witch's Cult?"
His father's involvement with the Cult is clear, even if it's something he doesn't acknowledge. By drawing this direct line between two completely opposite sides, I'm exploiting the hatred everyone has for the Cult.
"I... I'll do it. I'll be under your command." His gaze is still dull, but that's to be expected in this situation. "If there's a chance of seeing her again, it's with you. My father wouldn't let me see her alive more than once."
Erick bites his lip, gently taking my hand. I grip it firmly, and he's surprised. Erick Costuul is someone who's been mentally and physically abused his entire life.
His way of surviving is to cling to a superior, staying in the shadows until he can strike a strong blow. If they hadn't meddled with the Cult and had waged an honest war, I would have accepted his proposal.
It doesn't justify his actions, but let's see what happens.
"I'm glad, but I want to remind you of something." I pull him closer until we're face to face. I look at him with fury, squeezing his hand even tighter until he winces in pain. "If you betray us... kill yourself, because death would be a mercy compared to what I'll do to you."
Erick nods, swallowing hard. When I release his hand, he immediately begins to rub it. This isn't the ideal outcome, but I don't have much of a choice. With Crusch's security measures, there's no way he can betray us.
Reading this report will take all night. I'll have to stay up late to create the perfect plan with the information I have.
We need to manipulate public opinion and rediscover our allies.
"From now on, they won't be Roswaal's allies anymore. They'll be allies of Irlam."
I walk out of the interrogation room, hanging up my clean gloves.
Without Roswaal, I'm sure that those who had contracts with us through him would abandon us. They'll start asking for lower prices and more. But I'm not worried. If Roswaal gave me his titles, they'll have to raise my noble rank.
I know I won't become a marquis—that would be asking too much.
I just need enough to establish myself in politics.
By the time they realize we have a monopoly, it'll be too late. Emilia will already be queen, and with that, we'll control all of Lugunica—every aspect of it. Then we'll start dividing power until there's proper control over the state.
I won't leave any loose ends. The real threats aren't specific enemies; it's hunger and ignorance. These are issues that need to be addressed, but they can't be defeated with brute force, which makes them harder to manage.
It's easier to defeat Satella than to solve these problems.
If I'm being realistic, I can't stop poverty. There will always be someone poorer than someone else. I can't stop ignorance. I can't end hatred. But I can ease it, make sure the difference isn't life or death.
A poor person should be able to live without dying of hunger or thirst, should have the chance to move forward and reach the level of someone else with their own effort.
'Though, in a way, I feel like it's the struggles that make the strong.'
I have to plan this carefully.
I tighten my fists, staring ahead with determination.
"We will be the ones to change this world."
I reach the private room that was prepared beforehand. Inside is a woman—or more accurately, my personal possession. Right now, the souls of all the witches are sealed within her glintstone, which means I have plenty of perspectives on what happened four hundred years ago.
Even though only Echidna has to obey me, I can still ask the others.
I open the door, seeing her raise her eyes from a book. Her appearance has shifted from Ryuzu to the Echidna I saw during the trials. Emilia told me that, indeed, her appearance in her tomb is different from how she looks in the Castle of Dreams, mostly in terms of age.
Echidna's plans in this world won't be left unfulfilled. Losing won't stop her from moving forward.
"Good morning, Echidna," I say seriously, as she returns a calm smile.