Field Trip (3)

He couldn’t use magic to move in the dark forest. He hadn’t been aware of it before, but now he couldn’t reveal himself to the giant that waited to kill Fran.

‘It’s useful, but not being able to hide the light is a big disadvantage.’

In the last manuscript, magic was for healing or research, so it didn’t matter if it glowed.

‘There weren’t wizards in the previous version who snuck out to meet extremists in the middle of a forest at midnight.’

Fortunately, he had taken the path before, so it wasn’t difficult to navigate. The two boys walked lightly on their feet, quieting their steps. Both of them were light in body, so, fortunately, they could move silently. Kleio, moving with Perception, could hear the conversation between the two men before they even neared the beech tree. They were working on a plan to catch Fran. Fran, unaware, continued to follow Kleio closely. Stopping, Kleio lowered his voice and whispered to Fran.

“We’re almost there. If I came with you, they’ll notice, so you’re better off going alone. But don’t move too far away; I can’t protect you if you’re out of my circle.”

“…I am also a wizard who can open a circle. I can use [Defense].”

Fran’s great pride wouldn’t let him listen even after coming this far. Or perhaps he didn’t want to believe that his colleagues would try to kill him.

‘Besides, the 2nd level [Defense] magic isn’t all that great.’

“Please listen to me this time. If nothing happens, there will be no need for magic.”

“…”

“If your co-workers do something, however, I can stop them.”

Only then did Fran move past Kleio, as if convinced.

‘Whew, he’s hard to deal with. He hates me for protecting him.’

Since he had used Editor’s Authority, it felt like it had been a long night for Kleio. A thousand years of exhaustion weighed down on him, but he tried to cheer himself up as he pursued Fran.

.

.

.

The result of the night meeting under the beech tree was obvious. If it weren’t for Kleio’s defensive magic, Fran would’ve been killed once more. Fran used his unique skill, and a mark in the shape of a trumpet glowed on the back of his hand. The two men were agitated by his sharp questioning as he asked if Melchior had promised them something. However, their egos, driven by the desire to live, was stronger. Fran was looking straight at them as Big Feet Bill swung his ax.

Kwaaang!

The light of ether flashed out, deflecting the weapon.

‘It would’ve been the same if I weren’t here! Damn it.’

“Fuck, why are you doing this?!”

“Look around you!”

Bill didn’t back down as he lowered his posture, aiming a blow at Fran’s right arm instead of his neck. Fran’s skinny arm would be cleaved right off had it been properly hit, but Kleio spared no ether from his magic formula. Flames splattered as the ax that collided with the shield was broken. The blade ricocheted off, embedding itself in the trunk of the beech tree. Paul ran forward with a dagger, but his attack fared no better. A moment later, the two men swore and ran away.

‘What babies. They were so cruel earlier, but some defense magic will scare them off?’

Only Fran was left under the tree, his back looking terribly lonely. He wasn’t even wearing a coat, but Kleio held back as there was something he needed to notice. Thinking about his feelings of betrayal and that his precious talent might be hurt, Kleio waited. It was so cold that he wondered if he might need to use magic by the time finally Fran turned back to him, his face firm.

“Let’s go in.”

The way back felt longer than it did going there. Upon returning to their room, Fran plunged into the chair by the window, and Kleio sat down on his bed but didn’t sleep. His heart was still racing. It wasn’t the first time he saw a body, but he still wasn’t used to it. It was fortunate he was able to save Fran.

“…I made a lot of enemies. I didn’t know how to hide my true feelings, about all the emotional ups and downs, but Robert always embraced me like that… until he died.”

‘Is it confession time…?’

His expression serious, Kleio listened intently. It was something he had no choice but to listen to.

‘I need to know how the oldest son of a count has arrived at this point.’

“Robert committed to the revolution of the Carolingian republic, but after the establishment of the revolutionary government, he was ousted and returned to Albion… Originally, he was a noble of Albion. He’s been the leader of our group, the People’s Flag, for the past twenty years. He was my tutor.”

Kleio mentally clicked his tongue.

‘No, the Republican ideology is fine, fine… But why did he make you a full-time activity and quit science?! Even as an activist, you can continue your research!’

Kleio felt resentment toward Robert’s successful teachings.

“After Albion’s creation of the Commonwealth Center, the group has almost collapsed. Most of the moderates compromised and fell into parliamentary power. After that, Robert soon became the center of the organization.”

Twenty-two years ago, a revolution had broken out in the kingdom of Carolinger, the queen was executed, and a republic was established. Albion, which bordered the Republic, also had a surge of abolitionist and republican forces.

‘So I thought the parliament was formed to calm those complaints…’

What Fran was talking about was the unrecorded history behind the manuscript Kleio read.

“The Flag was organized in a way that supported the establishment of trade unions. Since the current system represents only the wealthy, the main goal was to expand their control. But a few years ago, the radicals began to gain a weird power.”

‘Wonderful…’

It didn’t seem like it had happened by accident. It was a conspiracy that Melchior could make up.

‘Planting a few radicals wouldn’t be too difficult for the crown prince’s ability.’

“The extremists of the Flag eventually tried to assassinate Melchior in Lundane. Of course, that failed. Robert was against terror until the end, but he took responsibility. He evacuated my comrades and lured the secret intelligence service to him.”

Fran swallowed dryly, finding the next words more difficult to say. Kleio prepared him a cup of water, then he continued to tell his story.

“The people who were arrested were thrown out the gates of the royal palace, but Robert walked back out, being sent off by the prince without injury.”

“!!!”

“Everyone thought Robert betrayed them.”

‘Wow… Melchior, you’re really vicious.’

If he did that, his colleagues would’ve had their doubts about Robert.

“The organization was completely over. I was moved here, which is more difficult for outsiders to invade than the science academy. I was in charge at this age… It was to reduce the damage of one person taking responsibility.”

Kleio nodded. He had no answer that would comfort Fran.

“Even that is being used in this way.”

Fran put the cup down and stared out the window, seeing some scene playing in his memory.

“I watched Robert as he exited the back gate of the palace. He smiled as he knelt and kissed the back of the prince’s hand.”

“Then…”

“I don’t think he betrayed us. He would’ve chosen death over that. He had already lost his arm, defending his beliefs. He wrote an open letter criticizing the dictator Viktoire Morrow, and it was chopped off in response as Robert was left-handed.”

It was a very bloody realistic 19th-century political history that this eighteen-year-old boy in front of him was describing as truth.

“But I was a coward. When Robert was criticized, I didn’t defend him. People were angry with him for breaking his oath and selling out his comrades. Hearing all that, they asked Robert only one thing. ‘Did you kneel to Melchior?’ He wouldn’t lie, so he said yes. Sometime later, he wrote a note then threw himself into the Tempus River. His body was never found.”

“What did the note say?”

“‘Never be alone with Melchior Riognan. I hope that you will suffer nothing that will break your will without your knowledge.’ I knew it then; Melchior did something that no one could notice.”

Kleio was surprised at Fran’s near spot-on speculation.

“After that, I was sick and lost for ten days, with this damn thing on the back of my hand.”

Regret and guilt-filled Fran’s face, and Kleio watched him with a heavy heart.

‘That skill isn’t brainwashing; it can’t change the mind of someone who rejects it…’

“But why did you help me? Even if I didn’t die today, I’ll die someday or lose my will. Melchior is aware of me, so you won’t be safe either.”

“That’s… You have more important things to do. I can’t let you be sacrificed this way.”

“What the hell do you mean? What do I have left?”

“The final challenge of processing tiplaum…?”

His sincerity spilled out unintentionally. Honestly, he didn’t know what to lie about here.

‘I saved his life, so I need him to take this seriously.’

“Hah, why are you so obsessed with tiplaum?”

“As long as we can keep the ether active, tiplaum will be of invaluable use. It’s a mineral that will make huge profits. Is there anything more important to a merchant than money?”

“I can’t tell if you’re a noble or a snob.”

“Probably the latter. There’s not a hint of nobility to me; I’m the son of a merchant.”

“Why are you so hostile to Melchior?”

“Because I have sided with Arthur.”

Fran seemed to hesitate at the unexpected answer. Kleio wouldn’t be able to hide his standing with Arthur forever, so it was worth revealing here if it would buy him some trust.

“…Another disgusting royalty.”

“I don’t think so… Arthur won’t forcefully break the will of others nor force them to obey. That’s what he hates the most.”

“How are you sure?”

“I look into the future. Still don’t believe it?’

Just a few hours ago, his life had been saved thanks to that.

“My father was a commoner born in the slums.”

Kleio remembered what Dione had told him before and used that information now.

“My father’s title as baronet was bought with money; everyone knows it. The elders among the nobles would never elect someone like him as the secretary of commerce. But does a businessman of his skill get a seat? It’s impossible in the current government.”

‘Let’s attack his left-wing ideas with elements from Kleio’s origin!’

“Arthur is also born from a commoner, so he is the person who will make the best world for me. There is a future that only he can achieve. I saw it.”

Fran, his arms folded, remained silent for a long moment. He had enough time to jump from the third floor, climb the mountain, do a few laps, and return. He wanted to scream by the time Fran finally opened his mouth.

“For activating tiplaum’s ether, the most effective catalyst for engraving the formula…”