Book 2: Chapter 21: Who are you guys? (1)

Book 2: Chapter 21: Who are you guys? (1)

The first test to select the heir for the position of Emperor.

In this test focused on harmony, three candidates form a team to complete their assigned mission.

In the next hour Please select your teams and submit your list.

Nobody seemed to move despite the Chief of Staff no longer talking.

They were warily looking around or

They are being choosy.

Cale smiled a bit while looking at the First Imperial Prince and the Second Imperial Princess.

It was unexpected.

The Second Imperial Princess, who had approached Mary during the opening celebration, did not contact Mary to work together.

Neither did the First Imperial Prince.

Cales group was disappointed that they could not be in the same team as the First Imperial Prince.

Human, thats disappointing! We could have learned about that confusing Dragon!

We could have learned about the first young lady of the Black Bloods as well.

I am curious about the First Imperial Prince's abilities, young master-nim.

Cale had asked Mary, who stated her curiosity about the First Imperial Prince's abilities.

Who do you want to work with?

For this test

Mary, I want to do whatever you want.

Cale wanted to do things as Mary wanted as long as it was not something that would significantly destroy their goal.

Mary and Cale made eye contact.

Mary looked into those calm eyes and recalled their conversation from last night. Cale had asked her who she wanted to team with, and

Is that okay, young master-nim?

Mary had asked if it was really okay to do as she wished.

Shouldnt we follow the will of our liege?

The moment Cale made a rare joke to jovially respond to her Mary was able to smile along with Cale.

My will.

Mary thought about what she wanted.

She wanted to work together with other necromancers and compete with them.

That was her will but she had a desire that was more important than anything else.

I saw it.

Mary had seen the burnt remains of the Duke's House of Orsena and the destroyed King's Palace. She had also seen the casualties and the uncomfortable citizens of the Roan Kingdom.

The Roan Kingdom was another hometown for her.

The Hunters. We need to learn about them, react, and fight them.

That was Marys top desire.

Of course, there was another desire that was almost at the same level as that one.

Help and protect my friends.

On, Hong, and Raon. Cale and the others Mary wanted to help her friends.

The thing we need the most right now-

Mary recalled the information about the candidates Cale had explained.

What would you like to do, my liege?

Mary responded to Cale, who asked her as if he was a proper loyal subordinate.

Ive made up my mind.

Mary started to walk. She was the first candidate to move.

Many gazes seemed to find this to be unexpected.

People already knew about Marys background so they expected her to make her subordinate move since she was a royal.

Mary stopped walking.

Human! Marys choice is interesting!

Raon's voice echoed in Cales mind and the person in front of Mary smirked.

Hooooo. Are you going to come under me?

Fourth Imperial Prince Noi.

He was the first team member Mary had chosen.

No.

Mary shook her head and answered with ease.

I am not under anybody.

What?

Fourth Imperial Prince Noi's eyebrow rose a bit and he showed his annoyance, but Marys eyes were calm as she looked at him.

You are not under anybody either.

Noi's eyes filled with an odd gaze after hearing what Mary had to say. Mary did not notice it as she continued to say what was on her mind.

You seem strong and wise. I want to work with you. What do you think?

Her mechanical voice made it sound even more trustworthy.

Hmph.

The Fourth Imperial Prince snorted but did not deny it.

Cale's eyes were sharp as he watched them.

I thought he was the typical trashy member of the Imperial family, but

The Fourth Imperial Prince had been the first to receive information and his reaction had been quite rational when the explosions happened at the palace yesterday.

He's different from how he seems on the outside.

Fourth Imperial Prince Noi was not as he seemed.

He was a bit calmer and a bit more collected.

I understand Marys thought now.

Cale was able to understand what Mary was thinking based on her decision.

It would be easy for us to gather information if we are with the First Imperial Prince, but The First Imperial Prince does not wish to be with us.

That was why, even though he seemed a bit wonky

The Fourth Imperial Prince was the first to contact us about working together and is likely to have quite a bit of information about the Imperial Palace.

Furthermore, the Fourth Imperial Prince was likely to have the same backings as the First Imperial Prince as they were biological brothers.

There should be many chances to gather information if we are with the Fourth Imperial Prince.

Cale started to smirk.

What is up with that punk?

Heni Wishrop. Fourth Imperial Prince Noi, who had been looking at this girl who was a rising star candidate for the position of Imperial Crown Prince, frowned while looking at the subordinate who was looking at her with an extremely satisfied look on his face.

Why does he have such a look on his face when he looks even younger than she does?

Heni Wishrop.

The First Imperial Prince is not the only one for me to pay attention to.

Zero thought about his reason for entering the Imperial Palace and let go of Marys hand.

Wow! I like our team so much!

He smiled brightly and walked over to the Fourth Imperial Prince's side with his sighing helpers. Marys group followed behind them as well and their whole team gathered as one.

Cale made eye contact with Mary for a moment and nodded his head.

Mary was relieved after seeing his calm demeanor and recalled some information she had heard from Sui Khan earlier that morning. Cale and the others had all heard it together.

I found the people Raon mentioned.

Raon had identified all of the people who had left the Garden of the Stars yesterday after the palace explosion and monster attack.

Sui Khan and the church sought out information on the people who left the Imperial Palace during that time.

Most went to information guilds or the factions of the respective candidates. However, there was just one person who I could not track down.

Sui Khan had an odd smile on his face at that time.

The team leader lost track of someone?

Mary saw Cale finding that to be odd and waited for what Sui Khan had to say.

Palace 9. I couldnt track down Zero's subordinate.

Why couldnt you follow him?

He left the capital.

Sui Khan added on.

Stealthily and on his own.

Basically, he did not use proper means to go through the city gates but stealthily over the city walls to leave the capital.

Okay then, lets do our best? Hahahaha!

Mary turned her gaze after seeing Zero laughing out loud.

The Chief of Staff opened his mouth.

It looks like most of the teams have been formed.

He raised his hand.

We will now move to the western edge village.

There was a scroll with a teleportation magic circle inscribed on it in his hand.

You can use the teleportation magic circle to head toward the assigned location.

Cale heard Raons voice in his mind.

Human, you just need me to use magic when you rip the scroll?

Cale's group had already learned the coordinates of where they were headed.

After Raon, Cale heard Eruhabens voice in his mind.

We cant use a magic circle scroll given to us by the enemy. I will just pretend to use it.

The Chief of Staff continued to speak.

Each candidate can teleport separately to start.

They seemed to be teleporting by candidate because each team teleporting together would be a large-scale teleportation.

Chhhhhhhhh-!

A black bird flew over and landed on Cale's shoulder. The corners of Sui Khan's eyes tiredly curled down once he made eye contact with Cale.

Cale heard the Chief of Staff's voice at that moment.

The Chief of Staffs voice was still calm.

I pray that nobody dies during this first test.

The Chief of Staff said that while smiling.

And that day, the entire capital was informed that the first test of harmony was started to select the Imperial Crown Prince.

* * *

Its huge.

Precinct 9 of the edge village.

There were a total of ten precincts following the western border of the Empire and Precinct 9 was as large as a noble's territory.

It was the largest of the ten precincts.

A rain cloud of dead mana is coming in! All members evacuate to the shelter!

Lock the doors!

Move the residents home!

It would also not be weird if this land would be eroded by dead mana and destroyed at any moment.

Furthermore, this was the edge village on the west side of the Empire that was closest to the capital.

Human, that-, that is amazing!

Cale was on the top floor of the central castle of Precinct 9, the former Lords Castle, as he looked toward the large wall to the west.

Furthermore, he saw beyond the wall

And the black rain cloud that was heading over.

Shit, we dont even have time for greetings! Cast the shield along the entire precinct immediately!

The Margrave in charge of Precinct 9 left the nineteen candidates and ran out.

Please wear the masks!

The dead clouds do not last over thirty minutes so we will escort you at that time! Please follow our guide until then!

The aides quickly approached and handed the candidates and their helpers some masks while the employees of the castle urgently closed and locked all of the windows.

This was a regular routine for those who lived in a place that feared dead mana.

Cale.

Cale heard the cheapskates voice as he looked out the closed glass window.

Plop. Plop.

Shaaaaaaaaaaa-

Black rain was falling from the black rain clouds as gusts of wind blew across.

However, the rain did not manage to land in Precinct 9.

A black half-transparent shield was cast over the entire precinct.

Around 100 black mages had cast the shield together.

Wow.

Cale quietly observed the black rain cloud, the dead cloud as they called it, while Zero gasped in admiration.

He heard the cheapskate's voice in his mind.

That rain cloud looks like itll completely disappear if you send a small fiery thunderbolt at it, doesnt it?

I know, right?

Cale had been having a similar thought.

Translator's Comments

Zero so sus.

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