Chapter 99 – Three Days of Silence·Day One

The Empress clearly found the matter absurd and said helplessly, “You’re overthinking this.”

However, the members of the Senate didn’t seem to share her sentiment. Upon hearing this, they frowned and turned to Gregory: “Your Highness, you need to provide evidence.”

The death of the old Emperor was a significant event, and falsely accusing a noble was equally grave—the Senate, as the body responsible for handling and adjudicating matters related to the Imperial Family and the nobility, was most concerned with upholding the dignity and propriety of the aristocracy.

“The Royal Knight Order can confirm that traces of the two were found near the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Mages have methods to determine whether His Majesty’s death was related to magic. When I saw my father yesterday, he was full of vitality, and even the physicians believed it was a sign of his improving health. If it wasn’t an accident, illness couldn’t have taken his life overnight,” Gregory argued logically.

“Your Highness Isis, we need you to explain in detail the Emperor’s condition last night.”

From the slight change in the Empress’s expression, it was clear she was beginning to waver.

“At midnight… at midnight,” she suddenly widened her eyes, “His Majesty’s condition worsened.”

“It took a long time for His Majesty to fall asleep. The physicians couldn’t find anything wrong, and I stayed by his side the entire time. The servants were tending to him, and after that, I went to sleep. When I checked on His Majesty in the morning, his body was cold…” The Empress’s voice trembled uncontrollably. “The servants aren’t allowed to touch His Majesty, so they didn’t notice.”

“The physicians immediately examined him and found that His Majesty’s body had become extremely weak,” the Empress continued, her voice quivering, “and then—then it was beyond saving.”

The Senate summoned the physicians, and the results were the same: they couldn’t find any cause, and all their knowledge was unable to explain this sudden death.

And Lin Wei knew.

Not just him—Duan Yu, and even the Imperial Mages, all knew.

With Gregory’s earlier insinuations, those who understood magic would naturally think of this as the result of a magical attack.

Sometimes, even if the strength of the magic isn’t enough to kill instantly, the residual Magic Elements can continue to erode the victim’s body, even leading to death.

When Lin Wei and his group encountered the knight siblings in Crescent Town, the unconscious Nigel’s condition was similar—the wound itself wasn’t a big deal, but the remnants of the magical attack constantly threatened his life.

Lin Wei remained silent, just listening.

He slowly grasped Duan Yu’s hand, then let go.

He occasionally did this when he was uneasy, but this time was different—the grip was firmer, and the movement slower. This time, it was saying: Don’t move, I have a plan.

Lin Wei had always been confident in their mutual understanding, and now, with the faint connection of the Soul Contract, he knew the Mage would understand his meaning.

At this moment, the Senators’ attitude was still objective: “The Imperial Palace has always been heavily guarded.”

“That’s because you don’t understand magic,” Gregory said slowly. His voice naturally carried a certain cold, decisive quality, and when he spoke, people couldn’t help but be drawn into his line of thought.

“At first, I only thought Mages were powerful in terms of attack. But this time, on Siren Island, I witnessed another peculiar aspect of the Magic World. Their Alchemists concoct all sorts of strange potions, craft magical artifacts, and manipulate things we thought impossible for humans to control—each with effects we could never imagine.”

“I have no doubt that a Mage could pass through the heavy defenses of the Imperial Palace—we all remember the previous theft at the Imperial Treasure Vault.” Gregory’s eyes held a cold sharpness. “Moreover, I have evidence that Tidis and his friends also possess such abilities.”

Likely under the Crown Prince’s instructions, the palace guards had quietly gathered around. The Senators glanced at Lin Wei and Duan Yu, then turned to Gregory: “We’d like to hear the details.”

“The Imperial Defense Department can access the records of city gate entries and exits for any day. Thirty days ago, Young Master Tidis returned to the Imperial Capital. According to the city guard captain’s inspection, aside from the coachman, only Lin Wei entered the city. In reality, at least one more Mage entered with them.”

Gregory’s tone carried a hint of cold amusement: “I was deeply impressed by a red-haired lady on the streets of the West District. Sars Angel, who accompanied me, can confirm this, and some shop owners on the Sixth Street of the West District would also remember her. In fact, this lady is Lin Wei’s classmate at the Magic Academy and one of the visitors from the Magic World.”

“At the same time, there’s one thing I’m very curious about.” Gregory stared at Lin Wei. “Young Master Tidis, where are the other two visitors from the Magic World now?”

The room fell into a heavy silence, which was broken moments later by one of the physicians: “Magic… Your Highness—this might explain it! There have indeed been cases like this in towns near the edge of the Central Forest. Those injured by magical beasts, even if they survive, quickly deteriorate!”

Gregory gave a faint, knowing smile.

The Senators looked thoughtful, while the Empress turned pale, hesitantly glancing at Lin Wei.

“I would like an explanation, Young Master Tidis,” said the most senior member of the Senate.

“I’m willing to give an explanation,” Lin Wei said calmly, “but I demand a trial of the highest level.”

The Senators whispered among themselves for a moment, and the one who had spoken earlier replied: “Of course, you have the right to make such a request.”

Lin Wei was placed under house arrest, guarded by Imperial Mages.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one.

The Mage who shared the same suspicion received the same treatment, though the two weren’t confined to the same room.

Lin Wei wondered how long he would be confined.

A trial of the highest level was one witnessed by the Senate, the Aristocratic Council, and at least one direct member of the Imperial Family. It dealt with two types of cases: those that posed a great threat to the Empire, or those involving individuals of extremely high status.

His charges certainly met the first criterion… but he wasn’t sure if the Senate considered the second to apply as well.

Lin Wei was well aware of the sensitivity and manipulability of his identity.

His position was somewhat awkward—legally, he was no longer an Imperial citizen, but by blood, he was still the eldest son of the Tidis family. Admittedly, he could have severed ties with the Empire and his family, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so.

Dealing with him would indirectly suppress the Tidis family, yet it wouldn’t appear too overt—it wouldn’t damage their dignity. They were only dealing with a suspect in the Emperor’s assassination, not the son of a Duke.

Even more cleverly, at the same time, the Tidis family’s prestige and image would take a significant hit—their son had conspired with the Magic World, allying with Mages against the Empire!

If he resisted, it would be seen as “fleeing”—with their abilities, they could certainly resist and wouldn’t have ended up under house arrest.

He knew Gregory’s move wasn’t targeting him personally but the Tidis family—on one hand, the suspicion of “colluding with the Magic World” hung over them, and if they mobilized their military, it could be directly labeled as rebellion. On the other hand, even a large army would have to think twice when facing a Mage Corps.

The power of magic, the name of a usurper—using these two to restrain Tidis’s military strength and strip Prince Bolan of his greatest supporting force.

In that sense, his situation was indeed grim.

But the most difficult problem wasn’t this.

Who killed the old Emperor, and was this person cooperating with Gregory?

Without this assassination, Gregory wouldn’t have been able to so easily pin suspicion on him, or rather, wouldn’t have been able to do anything to him. The Crown Prince’s statement this morning was undoubtedly premeditated—even the minor details from thirty days ago, which Lin Wei had thought insignificant, were brought up.

Lin Wei regretted it—on Siren Island, he had overthought things and hadn’t directly dealt with this Prince.

But he had another speculation he had to consider carefully: Could this person be one of the Gods, or simply the Goddess of Light herself?

The Goddess of Light had attacked him with spiritual power rather than magic, proving that although she had awakened, she hadn’t fully recovered. She couldn’t personally come to the Imperial Capital, nor had she reached the point where a long-distance magical attack could kill him.

But she could still perform some magical attacks, such as slowly killing an Emperor whose body was extremely weak.

If this speculation was true, then the situation in the Magic World and the mainland was strikingly similar—no matter what Lin Wei’s identity was, he was in absolute opposition to that woman.

Lin Wei pulled himself out of his thoughts and walked to the wall—next door was Duan Yu.

He closed his eyes, extended his spiritual tendrils, and pushed the contract further.

Perhaps because the other wasn’t by his side, his tolerance for pain had increased again, so he was particularly harsh on himself.

Enduring the severe pain in his soul and the sharp ringing in his ears, his consciousness struggled to rise through the Sea of Stars, finally pushing the contract to a point where simple soul communication was possible.

The soul at the highest point of the Sea of Stars reached across the vast river of light, touching a cluster of scarred light.

Lin Wei felt the connection, no longer faint, instinctively shrinking back due to the difference in soul levels, yet unable to resist drowning in the gentle link, suffering greatly.

Can you hear me? he asked through the soul connection.

—Yes.

Are you okay?

—Mm.

I have to go.

—Be careful.

Wait for me to return.

Lin Wei summoned a spirit-type magical beast. If it exerted itself to the fullest, it could interfere with the consciousness of the guarding Mages, creating the illusion that he was still there. However, the illusion was flimsy and could be easily broken, so he could only leave alone.

He plucked the plectrum and returned to The Swamp.

The Underground Palace now housed Haitie, Daniel, Ah Lan, and a few other members of the Valley of Elements.

Haitie immediately noticed Lin Wei’s poorly concealed exhaustion: “Lin Wei—what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Lin Wei shook his head, looking at them. “Shui Lan and Ah Lan stay here. The rest of you, come with me.”

He led them to the temple of the Goddess Katanaphia, plucked the strings of the harp, and opened a soul passageway to the Imperial Capital.

“Use the invisibility potion, return to the Imperial Capital, and find the Duke,” he took off the so-called “Elf’s Tears” and handed it to Daniel, saying to him, “Help me protect the Duke… if necessary, assist him. You might have to face the Empire’s own Mages.”

Before Daniel could react to “the Empire’s Mages,” Lin Wei continued, “The matters in the Imperial Capital, and these Mages, I leave to you.”

The Summoner and the Alchemist, when brought together, had always been prone to mocking each other and playing around. This was the first time such a serious entrustment had been made.

Daniel didn’t actually know—he didn’t know the situation in the Imperial Capital, nor what he would be facing. But he knew this was something he had to do.

The green-robed Alchemist nodded.

Daniel was the last to apply the invisibility potion to himself, disappearing into the passage.

Lin Wei watched them leave, and the soul passageway vanished.

The Goddess’s soul aura kept trying to drag him into the illusions of a thousand years ago. He tore himself away and plucked the strings leading to the Valley of Metal—the situation had changed, and he didn’t know where Adrishig would go. The Valley of Metal was the only reliable place he could think of.

The frigid northern wind, carrying snowflakes, hit his face, while he was still dressed in the summer morning attire of a noble.

A thick elemental storm immediately followed, eroding his entire body.

Sandra was summoned, using a five-colored barrier to protect her master—the barrier wasn’t strong enough to completely block the storm, but it was better than nothing.

Lin Wei looked up somewhat dazedly at the ash-gray northern sky, dotted with swirling snowflakes.

The elemental storm piercing through the five-colored barrier suddenly disappeared, as someone draped a white Magic Robe over him from behind, blocking the biting wind.

“Little one,” a man’s voice spoke behind him, “your body is fragile. This isn’t a place you should come to casually.”

Lin Wei tightened the robe around him and turned to see a handsome, slightly smiling face.

“Master,” he hesitated for a moment about the appropriate form of address, finally settling on a very standard one, the way young Mages typically addressed other Mages.

The man inexplicably found Lin Wei’s lowered eyelashes particularly endearing, so he reached out and ruffled his black hair.

“I only have this place to go,” Lin Wei said. “I don’t know where else to turn—can you tell me?”

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Capital.

The Mage in the room awoke from his meditation. Before his eyes was still the vision of the entire continent, wrapped in crisscrossing golden threads, which he had seen when his spiritual power was fully extended.

The cluster of white light he was concerned about had drifted off alone to an unknown place and unknown dangers.

The Mage rolled up the sleeves of his white Magic Robe, revealing a strong and elegant wrist, with faint blue veins visible.

He controlled the blade, making a long cut, and blood began to flow.

He used this blood to draw an ancient and mysterious Magic Array, then gently passed his left hand over the wound.

The blood suddenly changed color, from bright red to a clear, dark gold, glowing with a radiant and sharp light, flowing back into the wound at the motion of his left hand.

The wound healed moments later.