The Returnee Wants Peace

Although the Emperor was up to something suspicious, he was still the leader responsible for a country.

Of course, he had committed atrocities like secret experiments, but it was true that during his 30-plus years of ruling this Empire, things had been peaceful on the surface without major incidents.

She too had thought that way until she returned to this world.

But…

“This, no matter how I try to interpret it positively… it looks like a magic formula that would almost annihilate the capital.”

“…Are you sure you read it correctly, Rosha?”

“Yes. What you just wrote down on paper is a magic formula that instantly drains all the life force gathered in the capital. Most of those who can’t protect themselves with magical power will die.”

Currently, the imperial capital was more crowded than ever before.

The inns in the square were already at full capacity, and housing prices were skyrocketing. There were quite a few people paying premiums for lodging or choosing to sleep on the streets.

The reason was simple.

‘Just to survive.’

The capital had the Emperor and the Imperial Knights protecting him. It was also the permanent base of the conquest party, and the walls rebuilt after collapsing in the first trial were excessively sturdy.

Moreover, there was the psychology that since a trial had already opened here once, statistically it wouldn’t open a second time.

The life force in the capital was overflowing to an excessive degree.

“Hah…”

Cedric, who had instantly thought this far, looked very confused.

“His Majesty wouldn’t… No, logically thinking, how could the Emperor of a country do such a thing to his own capital…”

“Get a grip, Young Count. In a world where trials and demonic beasts actually exist, why wouldn’t an Emperor use his people as sacrifices?”

“But…”

Unlike Froy, who had a subtle hostility towards the Imperial family, it was understandable for Cedric, who had assisted the Emperor for years, to react like this.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor often showed quite a benevolent ruler-like side in normal times.

‘For example, when he provided humanitarian aid to the Kingdom of Atica after the third trial ended.’

However, Cedric quickly realized:

“…So that’s why he’s been protecting people all this time. His Majesty, no, the Emperor needs ‘life force’.”

“Probably.”

“And that’s likely related to the ‘paradise’ we’ve been investigating so far. Whatever kind of place it is, if it requires the life force of people who will be sacrificed without knowing why, it can’t be a good place.”

Everyone in the room turned their gaze to the pile of documents stacked in one corner.

Documents they had managed to scrape together by infiltrating the secret research lab in the Imperial Palace. At the very top were two illustrations related to ‘paradise’.

‘…Koko said paradise was where immortal angels lived.’

Although her memory wasn’t perfect, Rosha remembered seeing a white city on blue hills and angel-like beings in the ‘Trial of the Holy Relic’ she had experienced.

“…”

She had a feeling the time was not far off. And she also thought she should prepare as much as possible until then.

It seemed Froy, who had been lost in thought for a moment, felt the same way.

“Rosha. Can you explain the structure of this magic formula? I’d like to hear the expert opinion of the Empire’s Guardian Knight appointed after 100 years and a 6th stage magician.”

“Why are you being so flattering? Besides, such a complex magic formula can only be explained to fellow magicians… Wait.”

Rosha paused and asked:

“How did you know I was 6th stage?”

“How? There was a section in , the book you wrote, that explained magicians by stages.”

“That’s why I’m asking how you knew.”

She had never told anyone else, ‘I am a 6th stage magician.’ To know Rosha’s level, one would need to be able to analyze the magic she used.

But then she realized as she saw Froy’s incomprehensible face.

He could see it naturally.

‘Come to think of it, even when infiltrating the summer palace where the princess resided, he quickly read the flow of magical power without any basic knowledge.’

As Rosha glared at him slightly, Froy, looking a bit sheepish, asked:

“Did I do something wrong?”

This… talent monster.

* * *

Froy didn’t seem to want to actively learn magic, but he thought he should develop an eye for recognizing magic.

He was already a fully-formed ability user, but learning other fields to some extent could only help, not hurt.

Besides occasionally answering his questions, Rosha accomplished many other things.

Physical training and condition management.

Writing .

And even ‘certain tasks’ that had to be done.

After three incredibly busy days without a moment’s rest.

Finally, the conquest party entered the capital with news of victory.

“Waaah!”

“So fast!”

“The numbers have hardly decreased?”

Though the weather was cold, the enthusiasm of the people welcoming the conquest party was hot. They saw hope.

Hope that they could sufficiently break through the trials.

Perhaps because of this, the conquest party also seemed to be holding their heads high.

The atmosphere briefly turned sour when people noticed Rosha wasn’t at the vanguard, but the misunderstanding was quickly cleared up.

“Lady Roshanak hasn’t fallen in battle! She just went ahead because she had business to attend to!”

The one who shouted this was the mercenary magician who had friction with her before. He even voluntarily explained that everyone was able to return safely thanks to Lady Roshanak’s magic.

‘He was picking fights before, but it seems he’s turned favorable already.’

The procession gradually approached the mansion where Rosha was staying. This was the natural course as it was on the way to the Imperial Palace.

Watching the glittering paper confetti and flower petals flying here and there, Rosha, who had been leaning on the terrace railing, slightly moved her body back.

Then Cassis, standing next to her, asked:

“You’re not going out? They say the Emperor himself is coming out to commend you.”

“No, I’m not going. It’ll just be troublesome if I go.”

She had saved everyone when she was told to kill the entire conquest party. She couldn’t predict what kind of look she would receive from the Emperor.

‘He’ll probably summon me soon anyway, but I want to avoid it as much as possible until then.’

She didn’t want to waste energy from now.

“…Just how much did you roll around in this place called Korea to change so much as a person? Not that I mind.”

She heard Cassis muttering. Ignoring him, she looked at Nardil and Nox standing at the vanguard.

She could feel tremendous life force from Nardil. He probably had the reward from this trial.

‘The reward is… the Crystal of Life. It hasn’t changed, I guess.’

A crystal containing enormous life force, enough to make a giant plant move alive.

This was an item that increased the owner’s lives to three, usually processed into accessories for use.

No matter how you looked at it, this was the perfect timing for the Emperor to absorb life force.

And Nox…

‘Huh, where did he go?’

“Hey, what’s with that guy? He’s coming this way?”

Rosha looked where Cassis was pointing.

Nox, who had somehow left the conquest party procession, was approaching on horseback. She thought it would naturally be difficult on horseback since the mansion gate was closed and the walls were high, but…

“Oh my, look at that person! He made the horse jump!”

“That Iron Mask, isn’t he the knight directly appointed by His Majesty the Emperor? Why, the one who solved the fifth trial single-handedly!”

Completely disregarding people’s reactions, Nox leapt over the wall and rode his horse to the front of the mansion.

Of course, his path was immediately blocked by knights who surrounded him.

“This is the private property of House Aper! You are trespassing at will. Leave immediately!”

“If you don’t leave, we won’t hesitate to fight!”

The knights all had their hands on their sword hilts. Seeing this, Nox’s fingers twitched, but he soon composed himself and looked up at the mansion.

Precisely towards where Rosha was.

Then he pointed at the conquest party procession and the knights here in turn, and finally opened his mouth:

“Look. I didn’t kill anyone. Praise me.”

“…”

“You said you’d be friends with me.”

Is he crazy?

“Is he insane?”

Cassis muttered without filter.

At that moment, Rosha sensed a sudden presence beside her. Froy, who had been in another room, had moved here due to Nox’s sudden action.

“What’s that, Rosha? He’s brought something strange.”