Published at 5th of December 2025 11:06 pm

Chapter 240

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

[Dear New Humans and Old Humans of all nations, welcome to Berlin.]

Strategy Room.

The emperor's dignified voice, amplified by enhancement magic, cleanly overpowered the cheers and echoed inside the strategy room bunker, but a suffocating silence lingered among the people within.

Through the radio artifact, the cheers of the people began to sound like a cascading waterfall. But to me, the sound of the analog clock's second hand ticking forward, one notch at a time, was louder. Or perhaps it wasn't the clock, but the sound of my own pulse.

'5.'

[Our Empire is pleased to make a leap forward that will be remembered in human history, here in the great city of Berlin, with our great allies. This first international competition, the Pentalon, is the fruit of the sweat and effort of 56 nations.]

'10.'

[This international competition will be the best showcase of how humanity has progressed and developed. The humanity that lived in the present is now living in a better future. Today is more advanced than yesterday, and tomorrow is more hopeful than today. We humans have always been victorious, and this place where you are, this Pentalon, symbolizes that victory.]

'...19, 20.'

The emperor closed his mouth and, with a smile, slowly looked around at the audience from the 56 nations with a light movement of his head.

'21.'

The gear of the second hand moved one notch.

The sound of the ticking second hand was grating. The moment I became conscious of it, a second had already passed.

'...23.'

Soon, the emperor, with the same confident smile as before, stared at the magic-powered camera filming him and spoke with emphasis.

'24.'

[God is with us.]

'25.'

[May God's protection be with you!]

Boom

Small fireworks at the height of the stadium's interior and massive fireworks that seemed to reach the night sky erupted in succession.

Once again, a roar like being underwater was heard, and the sound of a band's music, reminiscent of a triumphal march, came through the artifact.

Beep

30.

Nothing happened.

The commander looked down at the pocket watch in his hand.

A short performance preceded the main event of the opening ceremony.

Even though the second hand had reached one minute from the start, no problems had occurred at the opening ceremony yet.

The commander looked up from his pocket watch and looked at us. Me, the doctor, and the Minister of Magic.

"Well, congratulations."

"......"

"We have successfully passed the first gate."

The commander's voice was dry. He showed no sign of joy.

"This was the first step among hundreds of gates. We must maintain the same level of alertness as we do now for the entire five hours of the opening ceremony."

He said in a more solemn voice, as if confirming the fact to us.

"We cannot stop here. You know very well why. They might have prepared a backup plan in case they failed. Perhaps they might even act irrationally after their first plan went awry."

Then the doctor spoke with a look of regret.

"If we could have deciphered the code, we would have known exactly when their terror plot would be executed. If we could have laid in wait for them at that time and caught them, we could have conserved more of our strength than we have now, right? Now, even if we learn all eleven letters of the code correctly, there's no time to decipher it...."

I disagreed.

From the moment they openly gave us the code, we shouldn't have thought of stopping their crime by deciphering it.

That was the trick.

Besides, I had already solved the code. From the moment I received Elias's message, I had studied the combination of 11 letters, three words.

The code was not a warning of this magic lamp terror, nor was it a device to tell the time of the terror. It was just a phrase whose intention was still unclear.

In the end, even if we had known the code, it would have been of no help in this magic lamp terror incident.

The commander nodded and said.

"That's right. Now is not the time to decipher the code even if we know it. Even if the Prussian Royal Army's decryption unit, the best in our empire for code-breaking, were to undertake the mission, it would take at least two days."

The commander took a long pointer and pointed at the map on the table.

"Your Excellency Askanian's 'Deception' Plan had a profound effect on deferring the enemy's decision. The total number of mages actually mobilized for cooling magic today was 1,614, with 754 mobilized from outside Brandenburg. If there had been no event, the terrorists would have seen the 754 mages undergoing inspection at the Brandenburg checkpoint and would have been suspicious of our movements. Even if they hadn't gone through the checkpoint, they would have considered the magic power overload in the coordinate system due to the warp as an unusual event."

In fact, we had gathered everyone from all over the country who could use ice magic. This number was impossible with unique abilities alone, so we brought in all the teachers from various magic schools, those skilled in high-level magic involving the manipulation of natural elements, including freezing magic.

The commander continued.

"Now, there's something we have to do."

Right. It was time to remove the white phosphorus.

We had prevented the temperature from rising near the ignition point, but we couldn't keep the inside cold forever.

Now that we had neutralized them, it was time to remove the embers of danger.

The Minister of Magic looked at us and said.

"Now that the plan to use white phosphorus for an explosion is off the table, the attempt to break the glass and spread the berserk potion is impossible. In other words, even if we incrementally and openly purify the pipes and remove the white phosphorus in front of the criminals, they can do nothing about it."

The Minister smiled as he said that.

"Now, a blackout will occur in stages. Of course, after establishing a sufficient defense system and measures to prevent the recurrence of terrorist threats, we must decide the order of places to remove the gas from the pipes and move."

"Yes."

"Let's decide that order now."

***

[I will bless them and make all the places on the slopes of my mountain blessed, and I will send down rain in its season, a blessed monsoon rain.]

One hour after the opening.

The doctor's cheerful voice came through the artifact.

It was a notification that they had succeeded in removing all the white phosphorus.

Ezekiel 34:26. This was the last code of the day. It was a code that meant complete termination, so there was no need to use codes anymore, but this one was more of a symbolic gesture for the members of the Emergency Committee.

At the opening ceremony venue, the main stadium, the lights were often turned off due to the program. The Emergency Committee requested a 5-minute window with the lights of, and the Event Preparatory Committee accepted the request and performed with magic while the lights were off.

Things went smoothly after dealing with the opening ceremony venue. It wasn't a situation where all the white phosphorus had to be removed at once, as before the cooling magic was cast, so the Emergency Committee spent an hour sequentially inhaling the air from all the pipes of the lights on the site and casting purification magic. Not content with that, they even finished re-installing a barrier horizontally inside the ceiling to prevent recurrence.

But it wasn't time to be complacent yet.

Until it was completely over, I shouldn't.

With the doctor's help, I left the Emergency Committee. What the Crown Prince entrusted to me was limited to the magic lamp terror incident, so I couldn't stay in the Emergency Committee any longer. I was told that my contribution would be recognized by the authority of the Ministry of Magic, but even though I had achieved results, I was still just a rookie mage of the 101st class.

The remaining terror prevention was up to them. I believed I had done enough.

'I hope they can block it well.'

I hoped the Imperial government would seize the opportunity this time, at least. How hard had this peace been won? No matter what other plans the enemy had, it was their job to thoroughly block them.

I stood still at the warp point in the staff passage, looking outside, and checked the clock.

In another hour, I had to go right in. Until then, the entire 101st class had free time.

I would now be assigned to the facility inspection and security check duties that Eszett was originally in charge of.

Still, I couldn't just trust the Imperial government, and I shouldn't let my guard down yet, so I would check one last time for any suspicious plans being executed here.

'Before that.'

Let's rest for 10 minutes.

Descending the stairs to the basement, I stretched my neck muscles and took a deep breath.

"It's been three days."

The moment I entered the first basement floor of the main stadium to go to the staff lounge, an unexpected voice was heard.

It was Leo.

"You've worked hard."

Leo said with a faint smile.

I looked around and cast a soundproofing spell.

"You know?"

I was talking about my brief joining of the Emergency Committee at the end. Seeing him speak, he seemed to know what I did there as well.

"I was informed. Did you see? Everything's been going smoothly so far."

"You mean the opening ceremony. No."

"Really?"

Did I have time to watch? I was stuck in the Emergency Committee, staring at maps, then going out for a bit, then back in, repeating the cycle. I didn't have a moment to properly watch the opening.

Leo smiled, unfolded his arms, and extended his hand to me.

"You should see it now. Let's go."

***

The atmosphere outside was different from what I had seen before the opening ceremony while on duty in front of the art museum.

Outside the opening ceremony venue, there were only smiles on the faces of the people watching the spectacular opening event from a distance. Small magic lamps were hung in rows on the bare winter tree branches along the street, making it feel like watching a 21st-century Christmas.

Perhaps not much had changed from before. Unlike before the opening, I no longer had a heavy official duty, and the fact that we had properly overcome the first hurdle an hour after the opening might have made the world I saw seem more vibrant.

Still, my nerves were focused on checking the magic in the air and on the ground, but at least it was better than a while ago when the lives of millions depended on my hands.

"It's a nice day. Have a good day."

An Old Human I had never seen before handed flowers to Leo and me and left. So many people on the street were holding similar things to what I had received, I wondered how many they had been handing out.

I guess this was the 'summer flower' Elias had mentioned. It was winter, yet the thick, bright orange flowers, which seemed to grow in tropical regions, were unfamiliar.

I silently blew a gust of magic into the flower. I must have blown too hard because the flower wilted slightly when the magic faded. I could feel Leo looking at me incredulously.

"What's wrong? You have to be careful, just in case."

"I haven't said anything yet, Lukas."

"Get your newspaper~"

I took the Imperial newspaper that a vendor suddenly handed to me.

The entire front page was broadcasting the Pentalon opening ceremony in vivid color. A filter that produced sound was attached.

Of course, even without looking at it, I could see the opening ceremony just by lifting my head.

Giant screens placed throughout the venue were broadcasting the opening ceremony, with magic radiating light.

I folded the newspaper and asked.

"So, where are we going?"

"The observatory. The kids are there."

There was an observatory at the end of the Pentalon venue.

Due to the risk of terrorism, general visitors were not allowed, and only authorized personnel like me and Leo, who had their identities held by the government, could enter.

I nodded to end the conversation, and now Leo spoke.

"Did you rest well at the hospital?"

"Yeah. I read all the books you sent."

"What? Really?"

"Yeah."

It wasn't that I just lazed around; I had a plan, finished deciphering the code, and then read. But Leo, thinking I had just idled away as he intended, had a reasonably satisfied look on his face.

We watched a play being performed in front of the Spree River for a moment and passed by the park in front of the art museum, where numerous people were still playing. By then, the flowers in my arms had grown enough to make a small bouquet.

"This is your achievement."

The words came unexpectedly from my side. Leo said this as he watched the children across the river spreading mats and watching the sky.

I knew why he called it my achievement. I cast a soundproofing spell and answered without much thought.

"To some extent, you could see it that way. But I don't know if you know, but I only suggested freezing the building and having a fire show."

"Hahaha!"

For once, Leo laughed heartily.

He continued in a low voice, the kind he usually used in the royal palace.

"If you reduce everything like that, anything can seem ordinary."

"......"

"The Minister of Magic spoke to you about low-cost, high-efficiency, so you probably already know, but countermeasures don't need to be complicated. A countermeasure so difficult that no one can understand it would, in itself, be a high-cost plan that uses time as a resource. In a situation with only an hour and a half left, isn't that right?"

"That's a good point."

"It's true that the Emergency Committee was also pouring their heart and soul into this magic lamp terror incident before calling you. It's also true that they were close to the right answer. But, if it weren't for your two suggestions."

Leo looked at me and said.

"Do you think this matter could have been handled quickly and safely? If their plan had been going smoothly, why would they have bothered calling you? Were they thinking of giving a high school student some observational training?"

"......"

"Her Highness called you because they requested the right person, and in the end, the Emergency Committee, the millions of subjects here, and all the nobles here, including myself, needed a strategist like you."

"Yeah. But why are you suddenly like this?"

"No, you're acting like someone who just went out for a neighborhood stroll. I'm not saying you should be arrogant and conceited, but...."

Leo chuckled at my tone and smiled faintly.

"Their laughter is a result you brought about. Why not have a little more pride."

I knew why he was saying this.

These words were both encouragement and something he said because he was royalty.

In a place where humility is not a virtue, nobles and royalty do not need to hide or downplay their achievements.

That's not to say they should go around boasting directly, but it's a matter of the attitude that naturally comes from their thoughts.

Perhaps he was pointing it out because I belonged to the Kingdom of Bavaria. To be precise, it was only Nicolaus, but still.

I nodded and answered vaguely.

"Alright, I get it."

"Lukas."

Leo suddenly called my name. I tilted my head, signaling him to continue, and he said something not particularly special, but seriously.

"After the opening ceremony, let's go to Bavaria."

"Why Bavaria? We go there all the time."

Leo didn't answer, just smiled.

The way he's been acting without speaking lately is starting to resemble Heike or Tsheringen.

I gave Leo a light slap on the back for being so bland and stepped onto the observatory stairs.

***

When I reached the observatory, as Leo had said, I could see my friends.

Only my team's friends were here.

Unfortunately, Narce was still tied up with the French representative team, but at least the other four were all here.

"Lukas, hi~ It's been three days."

Tsheringen, who spotted me first, smiled and waved at me. Then Elias's head whipped around.

"Oh!"

Elias had a blue flower tucked behind his ear.

Seeing this new display of improper attire, after he had neatly tucked all of his usually disheveled hair into a hat, was a bit surprising. Besides, he looked quite crazy, so I gestured to the flower and asked.

"What are you doing?"

"A kid passing by gave it to me. Jealous? The kids like me."

"Yeah. Anyway, I read your letter."

Elias looked at me silently.

I smiled and replied to the letter he had written.

"Of course I'm in favor. Whatever you bring, I'm in favor."

Elias's lips curled up into a grin.

"Ah~ I feel so reassured! It feels like if I cause a ruckus, Luka will clean it up for me."

"Leo will do that."

"What?"

I waved my hand at Leo, who was following me up from behind, sending him far away. Fortunately, Ulrike started talking to him.

"I'm glad you're on board with my plan. Honestly, I want to tell you all about the plans I've made over the past three days right now, but...."

Elias put his arm around my shoulder and looked down at the ground where the Pentalon venue was spread out below the railing.

"For now, let's just enjoy it. It's the peace you've achieved, after all."

"You sound like someone I know. But it's not time to let our guard down yet."

"That's true. We can't relax until the opening is over. I feel like buying a time-turning clock and changing it to tomorrow."

Elias said seriously for once, then whispered in my ear.

"But you've done everything, and if they cause another problem here... that terrorist is something else, not some kind of roly-poly doll. And the Imperial family and the government, honestly, they should be able to block it themselves now. If they can't, then that's...."

Elias shook his head and his expression turned serious.

"In my opinion, our venerable...."

It seemed like he was about to bluntly say that the Emperor or the Crown Prince's heads should be chopped off, so I slapped his mouth with my hand. Elias stepped back and said.

"Alright, let's talk about the details after the opening ceremony, back at the dorm. And earlier, Yulia proposed something to us."

"What is it?"

"After the opening ceremony, let's get a vacation and go on a trip! How about it? She suggested going to Baden-Baden."

"......"

A trip sounded good, but I had bad memories of Baden-Baden. Besides, isn't the Freiburg Archdiocese the one that includes Baden?

"If we just change the location."

"Haha, looks like you're a bit hesitant too, Luka."

"I guess I am."

"Then if we just change the location, you'll go, right?! For however many days?"

"Yeah."

As soon as I agreed, Elias grinned mischievously and turned to run towards Tsheringen.

Then Heike, who had been staring at us from behind, suddenly appeared.

"Lukas."

"Oh, Heike."

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you all day."

"Really? You have...."

Setting aside Heike's directnessshe was always like thatit seemed that my other friends, except for Leo and Elias who had heard from her, didn't know what I had been up to.

"I had something else to do. Why were you looking for me?"

"After the opening, the kids suggested going on a trip."

"So they did."

"Before that, do you want to go take pictures with me and our teammates? At the photo studio we went to before."

"Well, that's not a bad idea. But you seem to go there to take pictures quite often."

"That's right. I went five times this week."

Huh?

I suppressed my surprise and smiled.

"You must have paid for a door there or something...."

"I replaced all the furniture there."

"Haha, right."

"Really. I did it in my first year."

I doubted what I had heard and asked again for clarification.

"Um, okay. So, Heike. You replaced the furniture yourself? You're speaking figuratively, right?"

"I bought it for them. They asked if I knew a place that makes good furniture, so I just paid the price with that. From the second year, I started giving them cash."

"......"

I had wondered how a shabby shop that you couln't even tell was a photo studio had all its furniture made of expensive wood. To think this guy was actually supporting them.

"Alright, anyway, that's fine. But I'm surprised you brought this up first. It's unexpected."

"Is it not good?"

"Of course not. Please feel free to speak your mind in the future."

At my words, Heike smiled faintly, nodded, and looked down.

A rain of Divine Power began to fall from the sky again. It seemed they were preparing for the start of the second part. Heike tried to catch the light in her hand and said.

"I'm relieved that nothing happened at the opening today. I guess that gave me some courage I don't usually have."

She didn't say it, but she must have been quite nervous too. Considering the white phosphorus match, it was understandable. It seemed to have been aimed at me, but wasn't the package originally addressed to Heike?

I nodded and leaned against the railing next to her.

I still couldn't and had no intention of letting my guard down, but this atmosphere was comfortable.

***

[No abnormalities.]

Midnight, crossing into February 25th.

So far, no problems had been found in the stadium.

Then, the notification sound announcing a shift change with another team came through the artifact.

Now, the second major program in the grand scheme of the opening was about to begin.

The International Friendship Tournament that Heike had mentioned was now about to open.

We had all returned to the stadium when the preliminary notification for the change had sounded.

Elias and I stood in a staff passage on one side of the stadium, magically collecting the Imperial newspapers scattered on the floor and throwing them into the trash cans placed in the passage. The hallway was twice as loud because of the Imperial newspapers with sound filters scattered everywhere.

Why was it so noisy before the program had even started?

'Because the Imperial newspaper is conducting interviews.'

"I want to be interviewed too."

Elias said randomly as he picked up a newspaper.

I nodded, checking if there was anything unusual about the newspapers on the floor, and pulled only the ones confirmed to be safe with my magic.

Just then, the newspaper's filter was broadcasting a new interview with another player.

[It's your first appearance in three years since the last Imperial Championship! Your fans are ecstatic. I heard you've prepared for a very long time, and the rumors about your passion are well-known. Before I ask about the tournament, first, what are your resolutions for this first Pentalon?]

[It's cool.]

'Huh?'

What kind of answer is that.

I let out a hollow laugh and checked the script being written in real-time for foreigners.

He was asked about his resolution, and he said 'It's cool'.

Seeing him give a slightly irrelevant answer, he must be quite nervous. Looking at the newspaper, his expression wasn't great either.

I sent him a silent cheer and moved my hand to the filter.

[It's really cool. I worked like crazy for this day.]

'...?'

I stopped the hand that was about to remove the filter.

The player was almost sobbing. It was hard to tell if he was laughing or crying. Others seemed as bewildered as I was, as I could feel the chatter from the audience beyond the wall of the staff corridor ceasing.

Sensing something was wrong, Elias stood in place and looked at the newspaper.

The reporter, also flustered, hesitated for a moment before trying to salvage the situation.

[Well, I think I've put too much pressure on the player right before the match. Let's stop here....]

[I'm sorry.]

[What? No....]

[I can't do it. No, I can't. I can't do this.]

He shook his head, crying.

The player pulled a gun from his pocket and held it to the side of his head.

Simultaneously, the screen shook. Before the broadcast was completely cut off, a gunshot was heard.

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