Dropped into Another World…

-Emperors Kingdom’s High Mage’s POV-

The mages panicked in front of the magic stone.

The magic stone, which had been unresponsive no matter what they did, began to vibrate.

The core of their bodies grew cold as they wondered if another attack would begin.

Everyone wanted to forget about it but no one can.

Everyone has become fearful because of it, including me.

-0-

The magic stone vibrated several times but showed no further changes.

Is that alright? That question filled the air.

I heard someone sigh and the tension in the room was lifted.

-0-

I seemed to have unconsciously held my breath. When I exhaled, my body relaxed.

I sat down on the floor and thanked god that nothing happened to me.

-0-

I stared at the magic stone.

We’ve spent a lot of time and manpower researching the magic stone.

I’ve read past records but I don’t even know what kind of monster this magic stone came from.

No matter what advance magic analysis we do, we can’t obtain any result.

We couldn’t even determine the magic stone’s attribute.

We don’t even know how to check it.

-0-

However, we can only continue with our research.

That’s what the king ordered us to do.

「If you don’t want to die, give me an answer.」

Those words weighed heavily on us.

-0-

I’m already prepared to die.

After everything I’ve been through, I think it’s fair to say that.

…I’ve sent so many people to their deaths with my own hands.

I’ve proposed many things to the king knowing that many would die.

Now, I feel overwhelmed by my own sins.

…..though I still don’t think I can face the girl.

I can never be forgiven as I have lived with the many benefits of the magic stone.

-0-

However, the mages under me are different.

Many of them have not committed the same sins I have.

Especially these current mages, they are just low-rank mages.

-0-

Not long ago, many mages were executed for treason.

Death is too heavy for these low-ranking people.

I wonder if there was any way to help them.

-0-

I stared at the statues of the three gods enshrined in the corner of the room.

Please, tell me.

Give me an answer that will satisfy the king and make him give up.

Please give me an answer that can save the lives of my men who have not committed any crime.

-0-

I look at the door of the room.

It is locked from the outside and a knight is there, not guarding it but watching it.

Normally, he should have been inside the room as well to monitor the situation but he seemed to be afraid of the magic stone.

We don’t know what’s going to happen.

-0-

Our freedom to get involved with the magic stone is completely gone.

To leave this room, we need an answer.

The answer the king demands.

Any answers other than what the king demands will not be tolerated and if you speak out against him, you’ll be charged with treason.

Not only you but your whole family will be tried with you.

-0-

In this room with a heavy atmosphere, I read over the records about the magic stone.

I know that I won’t be able to find the answer to my question but, I still can’t stop.

Death awaits not just for the one who stopped but also to his family waiting for him outside.

I don’t want to cause more deaths.

-0-

One of the knights comes into the room.

This is to get the current result and the future prospect which doesn’t seem to make sense.

The chief mage sitting next to me has a very gloomy expression.

Perhaps, I’m making the same face.

-0-

The result of the meeting is the same as usual…no, the magic stone vibrated today.

But since it only vibrated, we’re not sure if it is good or bad.

It’s not a very reassuring report considering the condition of the magic stone.

-0-

I look at the magic stone.

The cracks have spread to the point where it is almost ready to split in two.

If it breaks completely…we will need to report it.

At that time, I will be the one who’ll report to the king.

I’m sure that will be the last thing I’ll do.