**Chapter 100: The Fanatical Minister’s Underhanded Schemes**
Rodel and his two companions advanced across the vast plain. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings, focused solely on moving forward. However, if he continued on this path, he would soon trespass into the depths of the plain—specifically, the territory of the fearsome beast known as Subnock, the ruler of this land.
“Honestly… that foolish prince is going to get himself into trouble,” a man observed from a distance, letting out a sigh. He was a middle-aged man cloaked in black, hiding among the trees scattered across the plain. Occasionally, he would employ illusion magic to silently follow Rodel from behind.
(The king must be worried… he’s about to step into a magical wilderness. In a way, it makes my job of watching him worthwhile.)
This man was one of the Court Magicians, a subordinate of the king, Rodel’s father. Due to Rodel’s declaration of participation in the Magic Hunt Festival, he had been dispatched as a watchful eye to ensure no trouble arose.
(And, as expected, he’s about to venture into a restricted area… He certainly doesn’t disappoint in the worst way.)
If Rodel continued on his current course, he would inevitably enter Subnock’s territory—a colossal monster known for decimating exploration parties. Such a provocation was unthinkable.
(I almost wish I could use this opportunity to feed Prince Rodel to the monsters… but no, that would be too reckless.)
The watching magician sighed again. The king had neither disposed of Rodel nor confined him to the Detached Palace, as Rodel was a significant source of potential conflict. If anything were to happen to him, the Queen Dowager’s faction and neighboring countries could easily take action. The king was cautious, knowing that Rodel’s death could have unpredictable consequences.
“For now… I suppose I should stop that foolish prince.”
If things continued as they were, Rodel would soon cross into the forbidden zone. He needed to be halted before that happened, even if it required force. The watching magician stepped out from the shadows of the trees, preparing to confront Rodel.
“That cannot be allowed.”
However, before the magician could reveal himself, a chilling voice echoed from a disturbingly close distance.
“Wh-…!?”
Startled, the magician braced himself, but before he could react, he felt a sharp blow to the back of his neck. A powerful impact surged through him, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to utter a sound.
“Cough…”
Lying on the ground, the magician coughed weakly. Struggling to lift his head, he found himself staring into the face of a familiar man.
His eyes widened in shock as he called out the name of the figure standing before him.
“You… Marquis Eiger…!”
Berlio Aiger. He was Rodel’s guardian and a leading figure in the Queen Dowager’s faction. Once a renowned magician in his youth, he had effortlessly taken the magician by surprise, despite being one of the elite chosen by the king.
“To think a mere old man could sneak up on you… The standards of the Court Magicians have truly fallen,” Aiger sneered, looking down at the fallen magician. His eyes, though vacant, glimmered with a disturbing light. It was a gaze that seemed to peer into an abyss, reflecting a madness that was both unsettling and profound.
“To obstruct the will of His Highness Rodel, favored by the esteemed Queen Dowager, is an act of disrespect. A mere subject of the king should know their place.”
“Y-you can’t… are you really going to defy the king…?”
“The king is of no concern to me. Every word from that esteemed individual is absolute. To oppose her is unforgivable!”
As he uttered these blind, fanatical words, Aiger raised his hand. A spear of ice, about a meter long, materialized in his grasp. He directed the sharp tip toward the fallen magician, his lips trembling with anticipation.
“All is as the great Queen Dowager desires…”
“Stop…”
Without mercy, Aiger brought the ice spear down. A wet, sickening sound echoed as blood splattered across his face. The magician’s body went limp, and a dark crimson stain began to spread across the ground.
“Now, Prince Rodel. Please, do as you wish. It is all in accordance with the will of the Queen Dowager. Everything is destined to fall into its rightful place…”
Aiger wore a blissful smile, his gaze drifting away from the lifeless body. Ahead, Rodel, accompanied by his two companions, continued walking deeper into the plain, oblivious to the watcher’s fate. As he observed Rodel’s retreating figure, Aiger deeply bowed, lowering his head in reverence.