The Battle of the Capital ①

From the perspective of Ronant, appearing during the Human-Monster War ②

A tedious task has been thrust upon me.

I was performing my daily magic training, gazing at the night sky.

Recently, due to age, I feel no progress despite repeated practice.

If this continues, I shall reach the end of my life before attaining the essence of magic.

Disgraceful.

How grievous it is to be so lacking in talent.

"Master. You're still training magic control at this hour?"

"A human life is brief. To master magic, one must spare no moment, even sleep."

I do not turn to face the disciple approaching from behind.

"Your unwavering passion for magic is admirable. There is no mage in the world who surpasses you, Master."

"Hah!"

I scoff at the disciple's words, nose wrinkling in disdain.

"You understand nothing. That I, a mere being such as I am, am said to be the greatest in the world? How laughable. I merely compensate for my lack of talent through effort. I was just now dwelling on that very lack."

"Master. If you claim you lack talent, then all of us would be without talent as well."

"That is precisely my point. No matter how much one is hailed as a genius, one remains human. There exist things in this world that even gods cannot reach. Compared to those, how fragile humanity truly is."

It cannot be helped but to lament.

"Ah. I recall it clearly still. That divine presence. The one who reached the pinnacle of magic."

The figure that comes to mind is the being whom I once witnessed—the apex of magic.

A being of such artistic perfection.

Compared to that one, I am no different than a pebble by the roadside.

To a being akin to a god, all humans are indistinguishable.

Whether a stone by the roadside is slightly larger or not, it remains a stone.

“Something wrong?”

As I stood in silence, another disciple approached quietly.

The two began murmuring to each other without pause.

“Again, the master’s usual illness.”

“Ah. He’s getting on in years.”

“Perhaps he’s starting to lose his mind.”

“Hear me, you fools.”

I turned, gave them a brief glare. They deliberately shrugged, feigning innocence.

Truly, such unamusing disciples.

—No, no.

My mana control just faltered.

To be unsettled by such a trivial thing—indeed, I remain as unskilled as ever.

“Master, forgive the intrusion, but please do not speak of this to anyone but us?”

“I know my own limits.”

"Still, it's not entirely without consequence. Some of the elder generation suffered direct harm. Even if not directly affected, there are those who lost close kin."

"I understand. Do not trouble yourself with unnecessary concern."

"Still, isn't it true you were near death at that time? I find your current attitude rather perplexing."

"I was arrogant then. I was shown plainly that there is always someone above. I also learned the depth of my own insignificance. I am deeply grateful to have met that person."

A mage unmatched even among the martial empire of Lengzant.

That was my standing then, and remains my position today.

I was foolish at that time.

I never doubted that I stood at the peak of the world.

My overextended pride was shattered completely during that event.

At the same time, I learned of a境界 beyond the reach of mortal form.

"I regret being born a human."

"Master, such a statement could be interpreted as aiding the demon race, depending on the listener."

"Demonkind is not so different from humans. How pitiful. Both human and demon race are small vessels, crushing each other. Neither understands how insignificant their existence truly is."

"Master, what if someone hears this?"

"There is no one else here but us. And even if heard, what could they do? Do you believe this nation currently holds the authority to judge a foreign noble?"

I am now within the royal palace of the Analeite Kingdom.

A nation reduced to ruin from within, by the scheming of Prince Yugo.

Externally, it still maintains the form of a functioning state. No outward sign reveals its true condition. In reality, it is as if our Lengzant has already seized control.

Under the unknown ability of Prince Yugo, the nation has been reduced to a state where proper function is no longer possible.

The King is dead. The Third Prince and Fourth Prince, both innocent, have been labeled terrorists under the charge of high treason. The remaining First Prince and Second Princess are already indoctrinated.

The nobility are nearly all puppets.

The Fourth Prince managed to escape, but the Third Prince will be executed tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the engagement between the already indoctrinated Second Princess and Prince Yugo has been announced. De facto, the nation has become a puppet of Prince Yugo.

I am a contingency measure—should the Fourth Prince, who fled, ever return in an attempt to reclaim the Third Prince.

But unless he is utterly foolish, he would not consider returning to a place he knows is a trap.

He is likely fleeing, hiding somewhere in another country by now.

The most likely location is the Kingdom of Sommerle, where the First Princess has married.

In other words, there is no role for me.

"Uninteresting."

"Peace is sufficient, is it not?"

"That's right. No more dangerous missions like the last great war."

The previous conflict was a large-scale engagement.

The fortress garrisons separating human and demon territories were simultaneously attacked by demons.

At my fortress, the battle concluded when I shot through the demon commander's head. Other garrisons suffered significant losses.

Regardless, that is irrelevant to me.

The issue is that despite killing the demon commander, my level did not increase.

My current level is 78.

Legends claim that reaching level 100 allows evolution from human form—widely reported, though unverified.

But my lifespan will likely end before my level reaches one hundred.

If even defeating a high-ranking demon lord fails to increase my level, significant progression is no longer feasible.

"Though I had a slight interest in the true hero—the Fourth Prince."

The public has been informed by the church that the new hero is Prince Yugo, but the genuine hero is the fleeing Fourth Prince.

Prince Yugo was born with extraordinary strength, a monstrous being, yet the Fourth Prince appears to have been the same.

If such a being became the hero, what strength would they possess?

I am curious.

Perhaps I may yet achieve what I could not—transcending the limits of humanity.

"They say the Fourth Prince of this nation possessed power nearly equal to Prince Yugo. Prince Yugo is an outlier, beyond common understanding. Just imagining such an outlier attacking... it sends a chill down the spine."

"Hmph. Prince Yugo is indeed an outlier. I’ll grant you that. But that one—there’s no way."

"Teacher, are you seeking execution?"

"What’s wrong with saying what’s wrong? Why should you all just remain silent?"

"Yet you don’t consider that we’re being manipulated by the Prince’s suspicious abilities?"

"Are you implying I, the one with the鉴定 skill, can’t discern sanity?"

"Ah, right. Of course. How exactly did you manage to raise a skill like鉴定 to level ten?"

"So, teacher—what exactly do you find unacceptable about the Prince?"

"There’s no end to what’s unacceptable. If I must pick one, then—everything."

"Full rejection from this old man."

"The Prince's tyranny won't last long, I suppose."

"Master, if that's the case, the future of the Lengzant Empire may be sealed."

"Unknowing. I do have some affection for the nation, but pursuing the essence of magic is far more important. If the country falls, retiring quietly and living in obscurity wouldn't be so bad."

"What about us, Master?"

"That's beyond my concern. Do as you wish."

The disciples let out a collective sigh.

I gazed toward the empty sky, slightly startled.

Apparently, I had been rather foolish.

"Idiotic disciples—prepare for combat."

"Eh?"

"The Fourth Prince has arrived."

"Seriously?"

"Serious. Move quickly."

Ignoring the hurried preparations of the disciples, I began constructing the spell.

Now then, let me see the power of the hero.