Chapter 30: Mister Bai? The Chessboard? And the Struggle for the Throne?

I was discussing the application prospects of surveillance runes with the Old Mage. This rune’s function was extremely basic, yet applicable to a vast range of scenarios. It could adapt its behavior based on different situations—this was the first step toward intelligence and programming, and the most fundamental requirement for freeing human labor.

“Wait! Something interesting finally happened.” I halted my theoretical debate with the Old Mage, put on my gloves, and adjusted the upgraded tracking spell that had been running continuously. Judging by the returning fluctuations, that generous clerk from the ‘Stefort Trading Company’ seemed to have left the commercial street and entered a high-class inn. How could a clerk, whose lifetime savings couldn’t cover a single night in its cheapest room, even get inside? Unfortunately, even at maximum frequency, I could only barely hear the sounds.

“What mischief are you up to now, kid?”

“This morning, I asked Martin to help solve the mountain residents’ survival issues. Unexpectedly, I met a highly suspicious trading company clerk. I kept an eye on him and planted an enhanced tracking spell. Now it seems absolutely necessary. Let’s see what this little clerk is really up to!”

“What suspicious figures could exist in this backwater?” The Old Mage didn’t believe it but couldn’t resist his curiosity. He set aside his documents and leaned in.

I casually drew a wind-element Magic Array on the desk, creating a small echo-valley barrier. I pulled the Rune Engraving Tool from my ear, wiped it, and tossed it into the barrier. The sound instantly amplified.

“Whoa! Your earwax can talk?”

“Yeah! And my nose boogers dance too!” I ignored the Old Mage and focused on deciphering the fuzzy voices, searching for useful information.

“Steward Tesla! I’ve arrived,” the clerk’s voice came through.

“Hmm~ You’re here? Good. All of you, leave. Don’t enter without my order!” A deep male voice.

“Yes, sir~” Several young female voices chimed in, followed by rustling noises until a door slammed shut.

“How did the task go?”

“All settled. I’ve gotten close to the mayor’s son—Martin Seabrook. This morning, I even extended a large credit of goods to his friend. Now he treats me like a blood brother.”

“Hmm~ Excellent. His friend? Who is he?”

“A stranger, not local. Looks about fourteen or fifteen, with black hair and black eyes. Rumor says he’s a mage.”

“A mage? In this town, besides the one at the manor and his granddaughter, are there others?”

“Heard the old man brought back a new disciple recently. Must be him!”

“Keep a close watch on him. That old man is a major obstacle in our plan. Though Mister Bai promised to handle him, we must stay wary of his associates.”

“Yes, Steward! I’ll arrange it immediately upon return and gather their intel.”

A thunderous bang echoed beside me—the Old Mage had slammed his palm on the desk. Why so agitated all of a sudden?

“What did that outsider buy from your company?”

“Supplies. Winter supplies: food, clothing, coal—ordinary household items. Oh, and large quantities of crop seeds.”

“What for?”

“Not sure. He bought massive amounts—enough for four hundred people.”

“What?! Four hundred people’s worth?”

“Yep. Five full wagons. He stored it all in a magic crystal.”

“You extended credit for that much?”

“You ordered me to bond with the mayor’s son at all costs!”

“You idiot?! Such obvious bribery—won’t others see through it? If Mister Bai’s plan is exposed, can you take responsibility? Your whole family’s lives!”

“Sir, please! The outsider paid over a hundred silver newlies upfront. Hardly any credit! Sir, calm down—it’s just two kids from a nowhere town. No big deal.”

“I hope so. This ties to Mister Bai’s layout in the Imperial Capital. One misstep, and everything collapses. Not a single flaw is allowed!”

“Yes, sir! Understood!”

“Hmm~ Princess Komor arrives at Crescent Town for her vacation in less than a week. Everything must be ready! If this succeeds, we’ll remove a thorn in Crown Prince’s side. This merit will earn us promotions, wealth, and comfort for life.”

“I swear my life to you, Steward!”

“Hmm~ Dismissed. Serve well, and I won’t let you down.”

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“What do you think?” I turned to the Old Mage. Looks like the rat poison I fed Lady Luck worked—this casual tracking spell uncovered a huge conspiracy! The “old man” they mentioned must be him.

“Why pretend ignorance?” The Old Mage’s expression turned desolate.

“Heh, I’m half clear, half confused. Like my left brain’s flour, my right’s water—shake it, and it’s all mush.”

“What don’t you understand?” The Old Mage sat back, ready to explain everything.

“Who exactly is this ‘Mister Bai’? What’s his connection to you? Why did you react so strongly to that name?”

“He’s the mastermind behind Monaluna’s parents’ deaths. The culprit who killed my son and my dearest disciple!” As he spoke, suffocating pressure radiated from him—a true legendary powerhouse.

“Calm down, Master!”

“My apologies. I just… sorry.” The Old Mage reined in his aura.

“My son, Clade Joseph, was the Empire’s top young general. He served as a major general in the elite Black Feather Cavalry’s Third Army, later transferred to deputy instructor of the Silver Scale Royal Guard. Funny, isn’t it? I’m a legendary mage, yet my son had no magic talent. Instead, he excelled in combat aura—a child takes after their mother, I suppose.

Mithril Larzi was my only disciple then, and my favorite. She followed me since her apprentice days. When she and Clade fell in love and married, she’d already reached Solar-tier mage. Clade, too, became a Golden Knight shortly after their wedding.

They settled in the Imperial Capital. A year later, Monaluna was born. I traveled from the Tower of Truth in the Mage Nation to celebrate. Little did I know, that visit planted the seeds of disaster.”

I never knew Monaluna’s parents were so accomplished—young talents reaching such heights. In this world, warriors rank as Iron, Copper, Silver, Gold, then Saint, Legend, Demigod. Mages use Glimmer, Star Soul, Moonlight, Solar—matching those tiers. Most just call them初级, low, mid, high for simplicity.

Reaching high-tier in their twenties was miraculous. Their path to sainthood seemed effortless—limitless potential.

“I stayed in the Imperial Capital with my son and daughter-in-law for days. Then Kage Aragon approached me, asking me to take Princess Komor Aragon as my disciple. I was in high spirits, feeling guilty for being absent so often. Taking an imperial princess as a student could help Clade secure his position. So I agreed.”

“You… really have zero political sense!” I covered my forehead.

“Ah… yes. I was such a fool. Ah…” The Old Mage choked up, too emotional to continue. But it was enough—I could guess the rest.

A continent-top powerhouse taking the second princess as a disciple was a death sentence for other heirs. Even if I only taught nominally and rarely stayed in the capital, my son and daughter-in-law were terrifying assets: the Empire’s youngest major general and deputy guard instructor, poised to control the capital’s forces; a near-Saint mage likely to become legendary. They drew every royal descendant’s envy. Tragedy became inevitable. Mister Bai and the Crown Prince were probably the winners—and the original players.

“Master, I don’t know your temperament. But seeing you hide in Crescent Town with Monaluna, I can guess your thoughts. However! I won’t allow it! I absolutely won’t allow it!”

“Won’t allow it? Who do you think you are?!” The Old Mage suddenly roared, grabbing my collar. Spittle sprayed my face. “My temperament? You think I don’t want revenge? I lost the two people closest to me! You think I don’t want to burn everything down, slaughter them all? But I can’t—I must care for Monaluna.”

“You lost two loved ones. What about Monaluna? You chose to hide in the mountains—did you ever ask her? Did you consider she lost her parents for no reason? Left her home for no reason? Can’t even seek revenge for no reason?! Did you think about that? Did you?!” I shoved his hand away and seized his collar.

“Let me say this again: I won’t allow it! I absolutely won’t allow it!! Even if Monaluna herself refuses revenge now, I’ll force her to take it! It’s her duty! A child’s duty!”

“Nana shouldn’t be chained by hatred. She just needs to live peacefully in Crescent Town. As long as I’m here, as long as I’m here, I can keep Nana in Crescent Town…”

“Living like a pig in Crescent Town?” I cut him off with a cold laugh. “Master! A person can live like a pig—but never feel content like one!”