35 – Leaving

It had been three days since Yulia slept.

After Askal was imprisoned in Zurat Prison, Yulia ran around busily.

She mobilized all her connections to find out that the mastermind was the Emperor’s confidants and made sure the news reached the Crown Prince’s ear.

However, that alone was not enough.

In order for Askal to be safe, more people needed to know about the situation.

To make it impossible for the confidants to touch Askal at will.

So, Yulia went to the Evaluation Office first.

“The preparation for the protest is already complete. What kind of organization abandons its members so carelessly?”

Before Yulia could intervene, Supervisor Cain of Group 1 rallied the Evaluation Department.

From No ble mt L dot c om

Moreover, the Myomyo tribe followed them.

They started the protest in the square.

<Condemn! The Empire must release the head of the Evaluation Department, Ascal Debre!>

<Duke Sebes and Count Galtanar must explain this situation! Explain!>

As always, those who plotted in the dark were reluctant to reveal their names directly.

In any other situation, Duke Sebes and Count Galtanar would have quickly suppressed the protest, but they were unable to do so this time.

Because the crown prince was allowing their protest. The emperor of the empire was also against them this time.

They bought time.

Then this time, they had to turn the tables fundamentally.

Yulia headed for the White Tower.

‘Be calm, Yulia.’

She takes a deep breath quietly.

Her teacher once told Yulia.

Although there are many mentalists in the world who say they can overcome their physical body with their minds, the reality is the opposite.

Without a healthy body, one can do nothing.

As she fiddled with her frizzy hair, Yulia realized her teacher’s teachings more than ever.

In fact, she had no confidence in herself now.

This move was a gamble for her.

She had mobilized the White Tower, one of the largest connections she had as the Third Princess Yulia.

It was a move to overturn the situation itself, but the risk was enormous.

What if there was no effect on the jewel frog?

What if it was recognized by the White Tower’s words?

‘No.’

Yulia shook her head sideways.

It was Ascal Debre himself who said it, not anyone else.

There is something invisible in the jewel frog.

With that thought, Yulia can be reassured.

She realizes.

How great a blessing it is to trust someone other than yourself.

Yulia closed her eyes.

A storm was coming.

She had slept soundly for the first time in three days.

“Get up, Yulia. Get up and see what I’ve found.”

Yulia woke up to the feeling of someone shaking her shoulder.

A wrinkled face appeared before her.

It was her mentor, the white mage Beruman.

“Where did you find this frog, the gem frog you brought me?”

The old magician had a naïve side.

When he made an incredible discovery, he would get excited like a child.

Yulia, who had managed a brief nap, spoke a little clearer.

“Can you explain what discovery you made, Master?”

“Ah, right, my mind…”

Beruman cleared his throat.

“You know very well what role a wand plays for a magician, Yulia.”

“Yes. It acts as an intermediate medium for magic, increasing its stability and accuracy.”

“That’s right. Some rare wands can completely change magic, but not usually.”

Beruman flicked his own wand with his finger. Once a mage like Beruman reaches an advanced level, they can use magic as if it were almost natural even without a wand.

Nevertheless, a wand that has accompanied a mage like an extension of themselves over a long period of time is invaluable to them. It can also be helpful when climbing a mountain for health purposes.

“But not just any wand can serve as a medium for magic. Take this one, for example. It was made from an ancient tree grown in the Elvenwood Forest, entrusted to a wand craftsman, and underwent a special magical treatment. It’s probably worth as much as a grand mansion. Hmmm.”

“So what does that have to do with the gem frog?”

Yulia tactfully ignored her teacher’s subtle boasting.

Scratching his head, Beruman answered.

“It turns out, this little guy can also act as a medium.”

Beruman stroked the back of the gem frog with his fingertip. The gem frog accepted the touch without rejection.

Gurgle.

The gem frog jumped onto Yulia’s arm.

Yulia was startled.

“Stay still.”

And then, a white light sparkled from the jewel frog, seeping into Yulia’s body.

“Rather than explaining a hundred times, it’s much better to show it in action. How is it?”

“My fatigue has decreased.”

“That’s right. Some rare staves can hold magic. And so can this jewel frog. The magic that each individual receives is slightly different, but they all serve as a medium.”

“I see.”

Berman replied in disbelief.

“Do you not understand how amazing of a discovery this is? Even without a staff, with this frog alone, we can store magic here and send it to mermaids on the continent.”

“So it’s like a scroll?”

“Scrolls are more expensive than words, aren’t they? Besides, it takes a whole month of effort, and the user must be a mage.”

Magic revolution.

Berman dared to call this jewel frog a “revolution.”

“So tell me, my apprentice. Where did you find this jewel frog? Where does it live, and how many individuals are there? And who on earth is the discoverer?”

“With your bare hands?”

“…Sigh.”

Yulia straightened her posture.

She recalled her original purpose.

She did not come here as a master and apprentice relationship.

She came as the Third Princess of the Empire.

To receive exclusive rights for the gem frog.

“Shall we start the negotiations? White Magic Tower Master.”

Negotiation was Yulia’s strongest field.

<Tie up an alliance with the Barba Empire, White Magic Tower>

<What is the reason for breaking the longtime neutrality?>

<Barba Empire and White Magic Tower sign gem frog purchase contract. Price: Four silver per unit>

Cain, the Crown Prince, skimmed through the newspaper.

It was something he had already received as breaking news from his intelligence sources.

‘You’ve succeeded, Yulia.’

When Yulia first said she was going to the White Magic Tower, Cain thought it was a pointless act.

He believed that the cards they already had were enough to release him from prison and pressure the courtiers.

It wasn’t necessary to take such a gamble, but Yulia brilliantly succeeded.

A storm was brewing.

This was not merely an effort to release Ascal Debreu.

In the high-stakes political war waged under the pretext of a single figure, Cain and Yulia had just triumphed.

‘Finally, I can get rid of those pesky eunuchs.’

In the end, it had been proven that Ascal was right all along, and the ridiculous accusation of market manipulation was exposed.

The public opinion of the nobles had completely turned with the newspaper they had just distributed to the people.

No one supported the Duke of Sebes or the Earl of Galtana anymore.

‘From the beginning, Ascal Debreu’s inability to advance to a rank 5 administrator or higher was due to the eunuchs’ interference.’

Though the Crown Prince had praised Ascal’s achievements several times, the eunuchs always found an absurd reason to object.

It was because of them that Ascal couldn’t advance to a rank 5 administrator or higher.

Now, with the ability to eliminate the eunuchs, Ascal’s rise would happen at an unbelievable speed, as if a dam that had been holding him back had finally burst.

‘Wait, did he foresee this situation?’

The cause of this turmoil was Ascal’s investment in the first place.

If he had anticipated the eunuchs’ moves and even risked his own life as a pawn…

‘What an outrageous person.’

Cain felt goosebumps on his arms.

Now that the eunuchs were gone, the competition for the successor would only accelerate.

He didn’t know how many cards each of them had gathered, but Cain was confident.

However, the most expensive card would be Ascal Debreu.

He absolutely had to draw him into his own camp.

For the sake of becoming an Emperor and for his life after becoming an Emperor.

“Look at this. It’s a fish-shaped knitted scarf I developed. Isn’t it cool?”

It was a lie. It was a technique he had learned in his previous life.

Ascal had cunningly won the knitting game with Zelop by using deceit.

“Amazing, Ascal. Teach me, too.”

“Alright. So, you see…”

Just then, numerous prison guards surrounded Ascal, and behind them emerged Warden Cheshire.

It was an ominous atmosphere at first glance.

Ascal sighed.

This day had finally come.

He tried hard to avoid it, but it seemed to be insufficient.

“Bury my grave in the backyard of my hometown…”

“Congratulations on clearing your false charges, Master Askal.”

“Congratulations!”

While Askal was reciting his will, the guards bowed at the same time.

It was a greeting filled with respect.

“Please leave as soon as you’re ready. We’ll escort you safely to the mainland.”

Cheshire received a special report this morning.

It said to release Askal Devre from his false charges as soon as possible.

Cheshire accepted it immediately.

From what he had observed, Askal was never a person who would commit fraud. He had never been lazy in prison, and served diligently as a model inmate.

Even though he hadn’t committed any crime at all.

“I believe that you will continue to shine as an administrator of the empire.”

While Askal was stuttering, the release process proceeded at the speed of light.

Finally, with all his confiscated belongings returned, Askal was ready to go to the empire.

Jelop spoke as if he was sorry.

“Congratulations, Askal. But I feel a little lonely. Throughout my life, everyone’s eyes were scared when they looked at me. But not with Askal. There was no change. Can we not meet anymore?”

“Jelop. You’re also being released.”

Cheshire showed him the documents.

“I don’t know if it’s someone’s prank, but you seem to have been falsely accused too. You must’ve been dragged into prison because you’re a little naive. Now that your false charges have been cleared, you can return to your hometown.”

“Hometown? But I don’t like my hometown. It’s damp and dark.”

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His eyes looked like those of an abandoned puppy.

Askal recalled Jelop protecting him from a suddenly rushing prisoner.

“There’s one security position left in the appraisal department, would you like to come, Jelop?”

“Really? Can I go?”

“Yes.”

In fact, it’s not allowed. It’s nepotism.

But what can he do?

He is the head of the appraisal department. If push comes to shove, he can get fired.

“Then I’ll just send a letter before I leave.”

“Take it slow.”

Ascal gazed at the calm waves on the shore.

It was a bit disappointing, thinking that this was the end of today.

It had been quite an enjoyable life….

Soon, Jerome, who had sent a letter, returned, and the two boarded a ship and arrived at the empire.

“How do you feel about returning to the empire? You have returned safely to the empire after clearing your name, how do you feel?”

“After being revealed as the first discoverer of the Jewel Frog’s efficacy, how did you come to know that fact?”

“As the successor to the empire, who do you support?”

Upon his return to land, Ascal was greeted by a throng of reporters from all over the world.

The repercussions of this incident were enormous.

Not only in the empire but also on a global scale, the name Ascal Deveran became known.

Ascal spotted the crown prince waving from afar, and behind him was Yulia.

“Just send me back to prison.”

Ascal was finally able to escape his seat after two hours of ordeal.

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