Chapter 74: Imperial Magic Research Institute
The Subarokia Grand Empire had become militarily weakened as never before.
The cause was the Revolutionary Army Rebellion. It began in the eastern vassal state of Eldorado Kingdom and had now allied with many other vassal states.
Absorbing economic power, military strength, and knowledge one after another, it had become a massive organization.
Enough to entertain the possibility of confronting the Grand Empire's army head-on.
Of course, that required the Grand Empire to weaken and the Revolutionary Army Rebellion to strengthen.
"So, it looks like this country's time is almost up."
"Yes, indeed."
Shu and Iris were at their residence in the imperial capital, discussing their future.
The territory of the Subarokia Grand Empire had not yet been invaded. However, the Revolutionary Army Rebellion had formed alliances with most vassal states and turned against the empire, exerting not only military pressure but also undermining it from within. Among the nobility, there were even those preparing for betrayal, confident that the Revolutionary Army Rebellion would emerge victorious.
Rumors about this had reached Shu, who carried out assassination missions as the "Grim Reaper." Therefore, he believed that the Subarokia Grand Empire would collapse soon.
"It seems that even the Holy Grinia is getting involved with the Revolutionary Army Rebellion."
When society descends into chaos, the underworld emerges.
The Black Cat, a dark organization, was also active. Naturally, Shu, as the "Grim Reaper," had executed numerous assassinations, earning a substantial amount of money. With that money, he bought information from the Black Cat and gained various knowledge.
"Takame" was an executive in charge of Black Cat's information, but information could be acquired from sources other than him.
"That country is quite zealous in spreading its faith. They've probably promised the advancement of the Demon Cult in return."
"The Revolutionary Army Rebellion has it tough. Even if they work hard to achieve the revolution, the Holy Grinia might swoop in and take over."
"That country is capable of such things. They have a clairvoyant mage, you see."
"Perhaps it's an investment for them."
The Holy Grinia was a major power in the east. It advocated the teachings of the Demon Cult, and all surrounding countries had adopted the Demon Cult as their state religion. The doctrine asserted that individuals chosen by the magical deity El Magia, known as "Magic Wielders," should rule humanity.
A controlled and egalitarian society was the Holy Grinia's goal. Its leadership aimed to unify the continent through the Demon Cult.
Compared to the formidable Subarokia Grand Empire, the Revolutionary Army Rebellion, an amalgamation of disparate ideals and interests, was more susceptible to manipulation.
"It would be troublesome if the entire continent fell under the Holy Grinia's influence."
"It would make our lives quite challenging."
"That's right. I had planned to let the empire and the Revolutionary Army Rebellion fight a bit longer, but I may have gone too far."
Shu earned money by being a member of the Black Cat. To allow the underworld organization to thrive, a nation was necessary. He had intended to pit the Revolutionary Army Rebellion against the Subarokia Grand Empire, but due to Shu's actions as the "Grim Reaper," the empire's power had significantly diminished.
The Holy Grinia in the east was also meddling in the background, so the Grand Empire was on a path toward collapse in the near future, as Shu had predicted.
"Before it falls, we should gain more power."
"What are you planning? Magical research?"
"No... we'll take it."
Shu summoned a shadow spirit.
The jet-black serpent was a shadow spirit, and it produced documents from its mouth.
"This is information about the Grand Empire's magic research institute, bought from the Black Cat. We'll steal the records of magic from here."
"Is it safe?"
"It should be. Recently, the main forces have been sent off to war against the Revolutionary Army Rebellion. Awakening Magic Users haven't been deployed yet, it seems."
"Even with your abilities, Shu, you might not win if there are multiple Awakening Magic Users, right?"
"Well, that's true. I've only fought young Awakening Magic Users until now."
Awakening Magic Users had surpassed the limits of growth. In other words, the more time passed, the stronger they became.
Shu had fought two Awakening Magic Users: Celster Altrain and Lut Rayvan. These two were relatively young Awakening Magic Users, and their strength was only moderate.
In the Grand Empire and the Holy Grinia, there were Awakening Magic Users who had lived for over a hundred years. It was unclear if Shu could defeat opponents like that.
"For countering Awakening Magic Users... I think I can manage with Death Magic, but it uses a considerable amount of magical energy. Without magic, you wouldn't be able to survive, Shu."
With abilities like Shu's, accumulating magic energy was quite a challenge.
Death Magic was his trump card, and he didn't want to use it repeatedly. When he had killed Lut Rayvan in the past, he had absorbed a significant amount of magical energy. However, if he kept using Death Magic, he would deplete his reserves in no time.
"As for magical energy, I've learned a way to absorb mass energy. I can recover magic energy by completely destroying things... But, I don't want to destroy a major nation too much, and it's tricky to strike a balance."
"Life without a nation would be inconvenient."
"That's true. It would draw attention if we started massively extracting resources like mountains. Besides, it's more efficient to take magic energy from living beings."
Magic energy far exceeded mass energy.
Naturally, it did. Creating rocks with magic or generating extreme heat required substantial energy. Even if he absorbed mass energy, it would only partially replenish his magic energy.
The most efficient method was to kill in a war.
Like when he annihilated the capital of the Ramza Kingdom.
"For now, our plan is to completely destroy the Grand Empire. We'll have the Revolutionary Army Rebellion launch an invasion of the capital, and then the Demon King will use 'Gluttony Black Crystal Belze Material.' We'll recover the magic energy... Yes, with a scale like this, I think we can achieve the next evolution. After that, we'll go into hiding."
Both Shu and Iris possessed eternal lives.
Rather than living in a country where the revolution simmered for a long time, Shu believed it was better to plunge it into chaos and extract magic energy.
"So, first, we steal the magic books."
"That's the plan."
The Demon King smiled.
(It seems that there are some intriguing things sealed within the Grand Empire...)
◆◆◆
"What? You were declined?"
"Well, yeah. I received excuses like 'scheduling conflicts.'"
"Ugh... such a convenient person. That 'Death God.'"
Emperor Gias and the head of the Noazu family, his cousin, secretly discussed matters. The content was about signs of rebellion in their northern vassal state. They had tried to assassinate the leader of the rebellion, the 'Death God,' but their request had been declined.
"If they can't use that person... should we employ an Awakened Magic Knight? They could single-handedly quell the rebellion."
"I don't really want to use them, but they were supposed to be showcased in the decisive battle against the Holy Grinia."
"That's right. Many emperors... or rather, the Four Great Noble Houses have kept them hidden for generations. Suppressing a rebellion is one thing, but we can't officially involve them in a war. Luto was still inexperienced, which is why we assigned them to the 'Death God' extermination operation, but... that was a risky bet in itself."
"Well, using Awakened Magic Knights is complicated."
Noazu scratched his head. Ever since getting involved with the 'Death God,' the Great Empire had been in decline. Military power had continued to decrease since the assassination of the Flame General Schmidt Arioul. However, the decreased military power was insignificant compared to the power of a single Awakened Magic Knight. It wouldn't pose a problem in the war against the Holy Grinia.
But continuous internal unrest was affecting the economy and, in turn, the entire Great Empire. In fact, the overall economic situation of the Great Empire was deteriorating. It hadn't yet affected the capital city of Ardallar, but if it continued for a long time, it would hinder war preparations as well.
"Your Majesty, should we strike the Holy Grinia now?"
"That's an option, but... what comes after that?"
"Well, true. As things stand, it would be difficult to rule the entire continent."
Toppling the Holy Grinia meant ruling the entire continent. To govern the continent, substantial influence was required. The current Subarokia Great Empire was losing its cohesive power, and even if they used an Awakened Magic Knight to capture the Holy Grinia, it would be challenging to exert influence afterward. Noazu understood this.
"It seems we'll need to demonstrate our power again with Albane's Staff. We should consider the Awakened Magic Knights."
"I suppose so."
The legendary hero passed down in the Great Empire, Albane. The myth based on real events was still prevalent, and the staff that sealed the Demon King Belorg was Emperor Gias's trump card. They reaffirmed what had already been decided.
◆◆◆
As planned, Shu infiltrated the magical research institute in the imperial capital. This institute was located adjacent to the castle and was full of military secrets, heavily guarded. However, Shu passed through the walls in his spirit form and easily infiltrated.
Of course, they had magical devices to detect sorcery.
Unfortunately for them, there were no devices to detect magical creatures. Shu's abilities were not sorcery but a form of magic, a type of magic that sorcery couldn't sense. And Shu had concealed his magic power, making it impossible to sense him through magical means. Physical detection could be dealt with through necromantic magic.
(Quite the collection.)
The institute's library was stocked with numerous books on sorcery. Not only sorcery books but also articles on magical equipment and magical research were plentiful.
Despite the late hour, a few researchers were still walking around the library.
Shu had disguised himself using light magic, masquerading as a researcher. Despite being an unfamiliar face, the other researchers didn't find anything odd about him because he appeared as a fellow researcher.
(Are there any forbidden spells here?)
Shu picked up a book and flipped through it.
It contained lists of military sorceries for fire, water, wind, and earth and their effects. For spells beyond forbidden ones, some had unknown effects, but the descriptions were detailed. However, it was not the right kind of book for learning sorcery.
Currently, the military used a method called the Apophris-style sorcery. There were other methods, but the Apophris style was the most efficient and adaptable. It was known as the highest form of sorcery that couldn't be improved further because it maximized the effect with minimal magic circles.
Since the magic circles were kept minimal and simple, it was easy to adapt and modify. Spells beyond the Eighth Tier were much more challenging.
(I see. There are forbidden spells like this too.)
From the list, it seemed that there were up to the Fifteenth Tier, meaning even Divine Spells were recorded in detail. It was an informative list.
Just to be safe, he decided to take it with him.
Since he couldn't summon shadow spirits here using magical detection, he continued to search for other books while holding the stolen book. Even though he was an unfamiliar face, the fact that he was a researcher made him inconspicuous. Although the researchers here seemed surprisingly lax considering they were in a research institute.
(If there are forbidden spells...)
It would likely be in a sealed section.
It operated on a special magic authentication key. However, magical seals could be easily removed by Shu's necromantic magic.
(Alright...)
He checked for any presence in the surroundings and confirmed that no one was nearby.
Then he extended his hand and grasped the magic power.
All that was left was to take it.
"Death."
As he muttered quietly, the seal disappeared.
The alarm magical devices that triggered when the seal was removed through illicit means also had their magic power stolen. Now, there would be no alarm.
Shu stepped into the sealed forbidden book section.
"Please wait a moment."
A voice came from behind Shu.
At the same time, a hand was placed on his right shoulder.