I approached the underground of the castle and placed my hand on a wall that looked like any other. As I did, lines of light ran across the wall, and it opened.
I entered without being surprised by this phenomenon.
Inside was a single path of stairs leading downward. As I proceeded, I found a wooden door.
When I opened the door, I was greeted by a beautiful study.
Numerous old books were placed around, and despite no one maintaining them, the candles had a constant flame.
The person who used this room must have been lazy, as they cast a spell to keep the candles lit.
"Still, I'm impressed by your magic research, old man."
"The essence of magic cannot be fully understood even after many years."
The one who answered my words was a small, elderly man, and he was even translucent.
He sat on the desk, reading a book with a look of enjoyment. When he turned the pages, he skillfully used magic.
It's hard to imagine, but this man was once an emperor.
"That's quite a feat, considering you ended up sealed in a book due to your magic research. You're known as the Mad Emperor, you know?"
"That was a mistake. I never thought I would have my body taken over by a demon. It was a complete mistake."
The name of this old man is Gustav Reks Ardler.
He is my great-grandfather and the emperor from two generations ago.
As you can see, he was obsessed with magic research, even creating a hidden room for it. Because of this, he was possessed by a demon sealed in a book, and the demon wreaked havoc in the capital, leading to the historical record of him going mad from ancient magic research.
This is the reason why ancient magic is taboo among the royal family.
However, over time, he met me and became my teacher, teaching me ancient magic.
Now, only his spirit resides in the book, and he has no physical form. What you see is a thought form.
The seal on the book was broken when I opened it, but he has no intention of regaining a physical form. He seems to be content with his current life of leisure and magic research.
"Quite a life you have, really. Because of you, I have to hide the fact that I can use ancient magic."
"On the contrary, you can learn ancient magic because I was sealed here. My secret silver mask has been useful, hasn't it?"
"Well, somewhat."
"You're not very grateful, are you, great-grandson?"
As he said this, the old man didn't take his eyes off the book.
He read through magic-related texts and started writing down new theories and spells as they came to him. He has been doing this for a long time.
In fact, he is satisfied with this, so I don't try to interfere.
However, I have a reason for coming here, and it seems he knows it.
"You have something to consult me about, don't you? Speak up. Don't be shy."
"...My brother has been drawn into the imperial succession struggle."
"If he is competent, he will eventually be drawn in. That's the nature of the imperial succession struggle."
"Of course... Do you think it was done deliberately?"
"If I were in your position, I would. If he becomes an enemy, you can eliminate him openly."
I have been thinking about this for a long time.
The assassination of the old general forced us into a dilemma. However, even if the old general had tried to promote Leo, he still wouldn't have been a threat to my three older siblings. Yet, they resorted to assassination early on.
They might have been wary of Leo, but the real intention was probably to use him as an excuse to eliminate him by making him an enemy.
"I have one more question."
The person here is a former emperor, a winner of the imperial succession struggle. If anyone could answer my questions, it would be him. I opened my mouth to ask, but the old man answered before I could.
"If I were the second or third son, I would assassinate the crown prince. That's the answer."
"...I haven't even asked yet?"
"If it's about the imperial succession struggle, I expected you to ask eventually. I was the eldest son, but I faced many assassination attempts. If the eldest son is assassinated, it leads to a messy struggle."
"My father's investigation only found a battlefield death."
"Either it was very clever, or the emperor's close aides were involved. Or perhaps... the emperor himself was involved. In any case, it's strange for the crown prince, who was leading the succession struggle, to die in battle. Wouldn't you try to protect your brother if he went to the battlefield?"
"Of course."
"That's the answer. Many would think the same. If they couldn't protect him, it suggests a conspiracy. This is not uncommon in the history of imperial succession struggles."
The old man's words were gloomy but convincing.
If his assumptions are correct, everything that happens from now on must be seen as some kind of conspiracy.
This means the Knight Hunting Festival might also be part of a plan.
"Is there a magic to control monsters, old man?"
"Magic! Excellent! Tell me more!"
The old man suddenly turned to me, and I sighed.
He only cares about magic, so he only responds to magic-related topics.
As his disciple and great-grandson, I find it frustrating that he prioritizes magic over my serious concerns. Maybe he really is mad.
"Recently, there have been more monsters in the empire, including some powerful rare monsters. I suspect someone is controlling them."
"Hmm... It's possible to control a few monsters with magic, but there is no magic to control such a wide range of monsters."
"I see... Maybe I'm overthinking it..."
I thought the second princess, Zandra, might be involved with magic, but if the old man says it doesn't exist, it probably doesn't.
So, the increase in monsters might be a coincidence.
"Even if there is no magic, there are tools."
"Tools?"
"Ancient magical devices. They emit sounds that monsters like, attracting them. Depending on the user's magic power, they can attract a wide range of monsters."
"Such things exist?"
"According to texts, yes. It's called the 'Pied Piper.' If used skillfully by someone with abundant magic power, it can cause monsters to appear in various parts of the empire."
The people of the past developed some convenient and troublesome things.
In an era when magic was more advanced, the magical devices they created were superior to those of today. Some are excavated from ruins, and others are considered national treasures, but they can also appear unexpectedly.
"Such things exist... The Knight Hunting Festival is being held, where royals lead knights."
"Interesting. What's the prize?"
"Full ambassador. Given the situation, we can't afford to lose. But if the enemy has the flute, we have no chance of winning..."
"True. A flute that can guide monsters to any location. Unless used foolishly, the one who has it will win. However, I wouldn't make such a foolish move."
The old man stated this definitively.
I agreed with his words. I wouldn't make such a foolish move either.
It might seem like a good plan, but it's only focused on short-term gains.
If one of my three older siblings is using the magical device, I, and the other two, will thoroughly investigate them. Even in the imperial succession struggle, actions that harm the empire itself are not forgiven. The person involved will face significant damage, regardless of their claims of ignorance.
I don't think the three of them would take such a risk. Therefore,
"The one moving behind the scenes is not one of the main contenders for the imperial succession."
"True. Whether or not they are connected to the main contenders, the person who took the risk of attracting monsters to the country will not be satisfied with just the position of full ambassador."
"...Another problem to deal with."
Not only do I need to look up, but I also need to look down.
It's no longer a simple matter of winning. I need to find the person moving behind the scenes.
The Knight Hunting Festival might not just be a competition for the position of full ambassador.
"Is there a way to counter the Pied Piper?"
"Probably only by destroying it. Since it emits sound waves that only monsters can hear, it's difficult to defend against."
"Does that mean it's a waste to participate in the Knight Hunting Festival seriously?"
"True, but the same applies to the other side. They didn't know whether the festival would be held, so they must have planned to use the monsters before the festival. There's something more to it. Stay alert."
With this advice, I left the room.
■■■
On my way back to my room,
I sensed a presence behind me. As I tried to turn around, a man's voice stopped me.
"Don't move."
"...You know I'm Arnolt Reks Ardler?"
"Of course."
The man who moved behind me drew a short dagger.
I didn't expect him to act so quickly.
"I won't kill you, but you'll be out for a while."
"That's not an option."
I slowly turned around.
During this vulnerable moment, the man didn't move.
In front of me was a man in black, a typical assassin. However, he wasn't there to kill me.
"What did you do...!?"
"I stopped your movement with a barrier. I called out to avoid killing you, but that was a mistake."
He is undoubtedly a skilled assassin.
After all, he infiltrated the heavily guarded castle. However, even a skilled assassin finds it difficult to incapacitate someone without killing them.
That's why he called out to stop me, giving me time to create a barrier.
Besides, I had detection barriers around me, so an assassin wouldn't have a chance to get close.
Walking around at night without caution is practically suicide.
"Damn... You're not the incompetent prince I thought you were!?"
"Calm down. Answer my questions. You must have had help to get into the castle. Who helped you?"
"Hmph! Don't underestimate me! I'd rather die than reveal my client's name!"
"You're not denying it. That narrows it down."
Only my three older siblings can influence the castle's security.
If someone else tried to help the assassin, they would need significant preparation, which is unlikely. After all, the only reason to attack me is Elna.
"You attacked me to prevent me from participating in the Knight Hunting Festival after I was removed from Elna's favor. That was too straightforward. I was prepared."
"Hmph... The same goes for me! Take this!"
As he said this, someone appeared behind me without a sound.
It was Sebastian.
"They were acting in a group of four. The other three are unconscious, Master Arnolt."
"Thank you, Sebastian."
"What...?"
"Would I let Master Arnolt walk alone? You underestimated us."
"Damn...!"
"Now, let's get to the bottom of this. Who hired you?"
I cast a soundproof barrier and used an illusion to show the most terrifying scene to the man. I couldn't see it, but he could.
Surprisingly, this alone revealed who hired him.
"Ahhh!? Please, forgive me! Forgive me!!! Lady Zandra!!! I didn't say anything! I didn't say anything at all!!!"
"Interesting... A trained assassin by Zandra. She must be quite strict."