“Your Majesty the Emperor, blessed by Supreme Lord Therez——-”

“Done.”

Rashid, who had just come out of his bedroom, waved a hand at the sorcerer kneeling in front of him. The princes who had brought the wizard also held their breaths as they could see that they hadn’t been able to sleep even a wink.

“Your Majesty, this is the man I told you about last time. This is Vincent, the wizard whom Cedric called from the Mage Tower. He knows a lot about black magic.”

“…”

Rashid, who passed by without giving him much of a glance, showed interest for the first time. The loosely opened front of his red robes similar to the color of his eyes overwhelmed them in a different sense.

“Looking back, I think I said something like that.”

“Anyway, I’m worried that you’ve been feeling tired lately, so there’s nothing wrong with making it clear, older brother. According to Cedric, he is one of the most outstanding talents in the Mage Tower.”

“That is an undeserved compliment. If you think I’m the most outstanding wizard in the Mage Tower, it’s not——Oh, sorry, Your Majesty.” Nervousness made him utter such unsolicited words so he lowered his head at the Emperor’s piercing red gaze. Rashid, who turned around while tying the strings of his robe, raised his arrogant lips.

“That’s enough. It is true considering the current situation.”

“Your Majesty.”

“One of them must be my missing brother. Is that why no one is making a fuss about finding him?” Was that guy like that? Displeased with this new realization, Rashid picked up a bottle of brandy from the shelf and poured it into his glass. A bitter smile spread across his lips as if he was reliving forgotten memories while drinking strong alcohol in the morning.

“Can you use black magic then?”

“Oh no, Your Majesty! Using black magic is strictly forbidden in the Magic Tower. Even if you try, one shouldn’t learn it carelessly unless one has a natural talent and magical lineage like Prince Loam, or else it will destroy you.”

“Then, he really———”

“It’s not like that, Your Majesty! Even if Prince Loam didn’t use such magic, he has already reached the highest level. What would you do such a thing for,  anyway?” He denied it as if it was his business, saying that it was absurd. Peyton, who was watching the scene, showed a sense of pride.

“Your Majesty. Seeing as how much he’s taking sides, Loam must be doing quite well in the Mage Tower.”

“Does such a brat go into hiding with a three-year-old child?”

“…”

The Emperor’s smirk seemed brutal as he held the brandy fluttering in his goblet.

“Anyway, it’s alright. Just hurry up and catch him.”

“But I just brought him here. How about letting him see your condition, Your Majesty?”

“What about my condition?”

“… … .”

Rashid, who emptied his glass, swept his fingers through his hair. His tired complexion was uncharacteristically disheveled. Almost decadent. The sorcerer swallowed his saliva and bent his knees as if to plead. “Even though I’m not good enough, it would be difficult for the Empire if Your Majesty was affected by black magic. Even if I can’t solve it all at once, if I just know the nature of the power, I might be able to come up with a trick———-”

“No need.”

“What?”

“That person will be captured again, anyway.” Or he could be wrong. Scowling, Rashid slowly approached the window. As he stood in the bright light, his pale countenance was revealed. However, rather than simply looking tired, he looked like he was in agony that no one had ever seen before.

“To hell with you!” His ludicrous laugh passed along with the drink. The heat from the moment he entered Katherine’s house last night was still lingering throughout his body. Exactly two steps, that’s the limit.

“Why are you like that?”

A witch would always be a witch. Why were those eyes, peeking through those wet bangs, so innocent only at that moment? In any case, there was no disagreement that this was all her fault.

“If you still have time for that then you should prioritize tracking down Loam. I mean, don’t even come here.”

“The situation is not that good, Your Majesty.”

“Why?”

“According to Cedric’s message, one of the wizard apprentices in the royal palace has gone missing. It appears like he has been gone for several days, but I am worried that the traces of magic have also disappeared.”

“What’s not easy about it?” Rashid leaned back in disapproval. Even if that person was just an apprentice, he was also a member of the royal palace. It wasn’t something to be dismissed.

“I don’t think he was beaten by anyone who uses magic whether it was a higher-ranking wizard or a traitor.”

“Oh, that can’t be. All of the mages gathered in the north, including their leader, Cedric, swore blood oaths to the Grand Magician, Kerhan. If a mage broke his oath and attacked his allies, there should have been a change in his body.”

“Then, isn’t there a guy who could be exempted from that?”

“…”