Roman smiled faintly. "Then I'll bear that ruin alone."
He turned to Allen. "Choose thirty of your best men. Train them for silent operations and assassination. I'll personally select the mages to accompany you."
"Yes, young master," Allen replied, bowing deeply.
Roman turned toward the door. "I'll take my leave, Father."
He was almost gone when Jacob called out quietly, "Roman…"
Roman stopped but didn't turn.
"Don't lose yourself again," Jacob said, his tone softer than before.
Roman said nothing. He simply raised his hand in acknowledgment and walked out.
When the door shut, the silence returned. Selena looked at her father. "Shouldn't we stop him?"
Jacob shook his head. "No. Let him act. We've seen his power during the dungeon breakout—it's time to see his wisdom."
Allen saluted. "My lord, may I call upon a mercenary named Josey Herclue? He's known for infiltration and disguises. He's from our dukedom and could be valuable."
"I've heard of him," Jacob replied. "Do as you see fit. And when Captain Zion returns tomorrow, brief him about everything Roman's planning."
Allen nodded. "Yes, my lord."
Outside, Roman walked through the palace hallways, his mind processing every variable. He activated his Shadow System, scanning for anomalies—but the palace was calm.
Then a whispering maid passed by with news.
"From the Holy Empire of Arcania, my lord—Pope Lucius Seraphael has declared that dungeon breakouts will become part of daily human life. They're developing a new system for rulers and citizens alike to manage them."
Roman smirked. A system for rulers and citizens? he thought. Interesting… After Ephor falls, I'll visit Arcania myself. But first, let's play a little game of three-dimensional chess—like in the old days.
His lips curled into a sharp grin. Several maids passing by blushed and whispered nervously, while others shivered at the sight of that dark, dangerous smile.
Then a child's voice rang out. "You look like a monster when you smile like that, big brother!"
Roman blinked and turned to see Martha and Sara, holding hands and giggling with the younger kids.
"You little brats!" Roman shouted playfully, chasing after them down the corridor. Laughter echoed through the marble halls as the duke's young master tickled the children mercilessly when he caught them. For a brief moment, the darkness around him faded.
Then, from behind, a calm voice spoke.
"Greetings, young master. I was told you wanted to meet."
Roman turned. A hooded figure bowed deeply. "I am Velkan, the Master of the Mage Tower."
Roman smiled. "Ah, perfect timing. I wanted to visit the tower. Shall we?"
"Yes, young master. The mages have been informed. You're welcome anytime."
As they walked, Velkan's curiosity finally burst out. "Young master, forgive my intrusion—but how did you manage to wield two mana cores simultaneously? And how do you balance them without collapse? We've observed your combat magic… you use thrust magic, teleportation, and even multi-portal creation—it's beyond what's considered possible. Even during the dungeon battle, your transport portals saved hundreds. No known mage can open more than one at a time! How did you do it?"
Roman chuckled softly. "Curiosity suits you, Velkan."
He glanced toward the sky outside the window and began to explain. "Magic, as the tower teaches it, relies on mana flow stability—a single core channeling energy through fixed veins. But that's the flaw. A single-core structure creates imbalance under high strain. What I developed is what I call a Core Synchronization Field. Two cores, not working separately, but weaving energy like a heartbeat one compressing while the other expands. When one rests, the other burns. That's why I can sustain two conflicting mana types without backlash."
Velkan's eyes widened. "That's… genius. Revolutionary!"
Roman smiled faintly. "As for the multi-portal system—it's simply quantum layering. Each portal is anchored to a spatial thread within my core's resonance. I use micro-manipulation of time flow inside mana channels to stabilize the portals. It's not about power. It's about rhythm."
Velkan stared at him, awestruck. "Incredible… absolutely incredible. I've never seen magic like this."
Roman's tone grew quieter. "But there's still more I haven't revealed yet. Some truths… are too dangerous, even for mages."
Velkan's eyes flickered with both admiration and fear. "Understood, my lord."
As they walked toward the mage tower, far beyond the borders of Presia, a royal carriage rolled across the plains toward the Clover Kingdom's capital. The banners of gold and black fluttered in the wind.
Inside, a man sat silently, his golden eyes sharp and calculating.
King Augustus Nova was returning home.
And with his arrival—the kingdom's fate would change forever.