Chapter 60
In the conference chambers with a long table, everyone arranged themselves appropriately as Rai took his seat expressionlessly. Following this, the mage sitting in the front row lowered their head and began the report.
“The seal on the prison door where Hicks was held was determined to have been broken due to the aftermath of a 7th-level Judgment. Afterward, Hicks used teleportation magic. It seems he was heading towards the royal warehouse at that time.”
“And before that?”
“…When we arrived, the seal was already broken, so we couldn’t precisely determine the previous situation. However, we found strange traces on the prison wall where Hicks was held.”
“Strange traces?”
Rai’s eyes narrowed. The wizard with red hair hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“We need to investigate further for the details, but it seems to be traces of forbidden magic.”
“Forbidden magic? Hicks should have been sealed inside with his mana suppressed, right?”
“That’s correct. That’s why it’s even more peculiar. Someone other than Hicks used magic inside the prison, and the traces indicate forbidden magic.”
The mage paused, seemingly hesitating. It was as if they were concerned that their statement might have significant repercussions.
Rai said expressionlessly, “Speak.”
“It was a vortex pattern.”
Rai’s brow twitched slightly. If it was a vortex pattern left on the wall…
“Could it be dimensional magic?”
“…According to the traces, that seems to be the case.”
A moment of confusion swept through the chambers. If it was dimensional magic, wasn’t that considered the highest level of forbidden magic? Even the Tower Lord himself only dealt with managing open dimensional gates.
‘Someone used dimensional magic in the Mage Tower’s underground prison?’
Rai, who seemed lost in thought for a moment, spoke again.
“I’ll personally confirm whether it’s dimensional magic. Investigate thoroughly—there may be someone on the inside involved.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Oh, and…”
As if something had occurred to him, Rai added.
“Send a letter to the Imperial Knight Commander. Inform him that the person who committed the murder was Hick, a prisoner in the Mage Tower’s dungeon. Also, tell them that he escaped due to the Tower Lord’s negligence.”
One of the mages looked uneasy and said, “Do we really need to disclose the details? I heard that the knights were keeping an eye on other suspects… If we convey that it’s an escapee from the Tower, the royal family will surely use it as a pretext to demand something else.”
For a moment, Rai’s gaze turned cold, but the mage who made the statement remained oblivious.
“Are you suggesting we should use the person the knights were after as a scapegoat?”
“Not exactly a scapegoat… I’m suggesting a plan of action that might be more favorable for the Tower.”
“Absurd.”
Rai sneered and tapped the desk with his fingers a couple of times. Then, he forcefully slammed the desk with his hand.
“You’ve made two mistakes. Are you aware?”
“What…? I just made a suggestion…”
As the mage hesitated, Rai stood up and approached the wizard slowly.
“Did you know who that scapegoat would be?”
“…I heard it was a student from the academy.”
“Really? Which student?”
“I don’t know that much…”
“It’s the elves I brought with me.”
“What? …Oh, I didn’t know.”
Rai continued, “What Hicks wanted was for that elf to be exposed as the murderer. That way, he could strike at me and Mage Tower. And now, you’ve asked me to give Hicks what he wants.”
The mage, upon realizing the gravity of the situation, turned pale and knelt.
“I was wrong, my Lord! I didn’t know it was that elf…”
“That’s right. You confidently spoke based on shallow information. That was your first mistake.”
“I apologize, my Lord! I didn’t think it through.”
“And…”
Rai lowered himself to look the kneeling mage in the eye, lifting the mage’s chin. The mage’s eyes widened in terror.
“Your second mistake was seeking to turn this Tower into a lowly place that’s willing to sacrifice the weak to protect its own reputation.”
Having finished speaking, Rai lightly stood up and said, “Banish him from the Mage Tower.”
“Tower Lord! Please give me another chance! Tower Lord!!”
Ignoring the wailing mage, Rai exited the conference chamber.
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