[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-235":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1334681,1778,"Chapter 235","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-235",235,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 235: White Night Festival (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are certain kinds of people in this world that you must never get close to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Merchants who claim they don't care about money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They're usually the most obsessed with money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Always on the lookout for a chance to snatch your wallet, so you must be extremely careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Politicians who endlessly spew sweet promises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true politician never makes only pleasing promises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who understand the weight of responsibility cannot utter baseless pledges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some ways, they're better than the other two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least they don't lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons speak and act like the monsters they are—there's no chance of being deceived in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re just inherently dangerous beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy silence filled the meeting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took time for everyone to process what had just come out of the Emperor's mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must be hearing things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, the one to open his mouth was Kudel Redmane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face twisted in disbelief as he asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, did you just say ‘peace treaty’? If not, then I must be going deaf. Perhaps it’s time for me to retire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You heard correctly. You seem to be in perfect health.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kudel let out a hollow laugh, and the Violet Moon spoke firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense. That's absolutely impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. For once, I agree with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Sword Clan, who usually disagreed with the Magic Tower, voiced their opposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone here knows what kind of creatures demons are, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. They are beings fundamentally incapable of coexistence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But then, why would they even bother sending a letter to His Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph. I suppose they’ve cooked up some sneaky scheme.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What we need to keep in mind is that the Black Fingers are still active.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people gathered in this room were all members of the Shadow Trackers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they were more familiar than anyone with the atrocities committed by the Black Fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not long ago, they used the Salvation Church to conduct horrific experiments, turning civilians into demonified humans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what about Noctera, the bedding brand that was all the rage in the capital? A distant relative of mine is still undergoing treatment because of that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They also placed Heaven Silkworm cocoons in Sirin’s magic power plant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accusations of the Black Fingers' crimes poured out from every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Ludwig listened quietly and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The new Demon King claims all of it was a misunderstanding. He says he never issued such orders. That the Black Fingers are a terrorist group unrelated to demonkind, and that he prays for their swift eradication.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! That’s like trying to cover the sun with your palm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just how stupid does he think we are?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unless…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Beryl Dan, head of the Dragon Sword Clan, narrowed his eyes and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, are you considering the peace treaty with the demons favorably?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the sun of the Empire was showing even a hint of receptiveness to that letter…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a truly insane thing—like a summit between humans and demons—could become a reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ludwig slowly opened his mouth after sweeping his gaze over the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not. I was merely curious about your reactions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious about their reactions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beryl flinched at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one reason came to mind as to why the Emperor would test them this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You don’t trust even us, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that upset you, then I apologize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A non-denial, replaced by an apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone confirmed that the Emperor had, in fact, been gauging their reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beryl, who had never expected to be suspected, let his disappointment show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, when we joined the Shadow Trackers, we were all vetted by the Grand Temple and bound by oath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That you were.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor nodded—slowly—and notably used the past tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of the 87 turncoats we uncovered recently, 28 were members of the Shadow Trackers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone looked as if they had just been struck by a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had even imagined such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible. Joining the Shadow Trackers requires an oath written on enchanted parchment, doesn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If anyone does even the slightest thing that benefits demonkind, they’re supposed to die instantly—how…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are two known methods so far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor explained briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first is drugs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Drugs, as in…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Narcotics. They made the targets addicts—so hooked that they’d do anything for another dose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding the gravity of those words, many faces stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To do something knowing it would kill you, simply to feed an addiction…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if these were Shadow Trackers, that meant they had reached a high level in some field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even they couldn’t resist it, meaning the drug’s addictiveness was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was only one group capable of making and distributing such drugs on that scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Happy End.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seruin Aquadne, the Blue Tower Master, murmured calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor nodded in acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Happy End, the Empire’s largest narcotics cartel. We will dedicate all resources to rooting them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that won’t be easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eos, the Sword Master of Toft, said grimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you know, they operate in a thoroughly compartmentalized cell system. Every distributor we've caught so far was nothing more than a disposable pawn on a chessboard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The central body has been under pursuit by our Blood Tower for four years now. You’ll have to wait for results.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words from Carmine Zeidel, Lord of the Blood Tower, Eos replied with indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four years, huh. That’s a roundabout way of admitting incompetence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh heh. Even the previous Swordmaster of Toft never spoke so rudely to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably because he didn’t feel the need to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmine narrowed his eyes like a snake, fixing his gaze on Eos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tension coiled in the conference chamber like a taut wire, as the friction between the Magic Towers and Sword Houses crackled in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing their conduct, the Emperor asked calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going to continue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Forgive me, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh heh. A disgraceful display.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the tension dissolved in an instant, the Emperor cast a heavy gaze across the gathered assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the second case, we’ll try a different approach.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A different approach, Your Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a snap of the Emperor’s fingers, a royal court mage projected information about the defectors before each attendee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who were addicted to the drug and broke their oaths all died. On the other hand, those who defected without being addicted are still alive and well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was visibly puzzled by the baffling statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did the Oath Parchment malfunction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More precisely, the other side must have found a way to defy the Oath and avoid punishment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high priests present immediately objected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The power of the gods is absolute. No one can escape the punishment invoked by the Oath Parchment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there’s no flaw in the Oath Parchment…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor looked at them with detached eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…then it must be you who made a mistake. Should I take your heads for it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high priests clamped their mouths shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Withdrawing his gaze, the Emperor continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, anyone could be a traitor. You would do well to keep that in mind and act accordingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The underlying belief that those affiliated with the Shadow Trackers were absolutely trustworthy—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That premise had now collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that yesterday’s ally could become today’s enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those confronting this deeply unsettling truth voiced their frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So they pull this kind of filth in the shadows, and then what? Talk about peace treaties?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A peace treaty, eh. Now that you mention it, we haven’t actually seen the contents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Emperor’s signal to the royal court mage, a screen appeared in the center of the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Displayed on it were lines written in elegant Imperial script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henceforth, in pursuit of a peaceful future between our two nations, this Grand Emperor proposes the following accords:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deployment and Residency of Demon Observers\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our observers shall be stationed in Imperial cities, aiding in the regulation of the human population.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Restrictions on High-Level Magic Users\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All humans within the Empire shall be restricted to a maximum magic level of 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a preventative measure to avoid unnecessary conflict and promote harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Introduction of Tribute System\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trust is built on planning and executed through action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire shall, every quarter, offer individuals and resources meeting specified criteria to the Demon Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These tributes will be used for medical research, biological experiments, and food supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Priority will be given to mages, knights, and clerics of superior physical and mental attributes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historical Revision and Censorship Clause\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True peace begins when hatred is forgotten and anger is not indulged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All existing documents regarding demons must be rewritten from a “refined perspective.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who spread false information shall be subject to re-education, correction, or deletion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Control of Magic and Swordsmanship\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All magic and sword techniques held by Imperial institutions shall be transferred to research labs in the Demon Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This will be the cornerstone of mutual trust and cultural exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please review the above matters carefully, and we await your wise response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood spilled 21 years ago was not insignificant. This Great Emperor values the worth of the human race and earnestly wishes for coexistence and progress together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone reread the letter in stunned silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to burst out in rage was Hardan Harrogue, Swordmaster of the barbaric and militant Maktu Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Outrageous! This is beyond insulting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. They’ve definitely crossed the line.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve clearly lost their minds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha! It’s only been 21 years since they tucked tail and fled after losing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the room erupted in complaints and anger, the Emperor turned to someone unexpectedly quiet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kudel Redmane—and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A surprise. I thought you would be the first to fly into a rage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s terrifying, that’s why.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Terrifying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That new Grand Emperor didn’t send this to provoke us out of boredom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kudel, now wearing sunglasses again, hid his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He truly believes in the Demons’ victory. That’s why he’s being merciful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An eerie silence fell over the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as humanity hadn’t forgotten their victory 21 years ago, the demons would not have forgotten their defeat either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the confidence in that letter was unwavering—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which could only mean one thing: their preparations were complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kudel’s hands, hidden beneath the table, were subtly trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bastard… Scares the hell out of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The single biggest difference from 21 years ago… was the existence of a Level 9.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, every time the Demon Emperor—who had reached Level 9—stepped onto the battlefield, his power alone was enough to crush humanity’s hope and pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one day, a pillar of white light rose on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar Sage, Master of the White Tower, had reached Level 9.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that one change in number, the tide of war turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, humanity secured its victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, 21 years later?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True, the average capability of mages and knights had improved—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More people had reached Level 7 and 8.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not one new pillar of light had risen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one said it aloud, but everyone knew the source of that Demon Emperor’s confidence:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 9.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He likely hadn’t reached it yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had, humanity would already be enslaved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for him to show this much confidence meant that moment wasn’t far off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As grim expressions spread around the chamber, the Emperor spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the White Night Festival ends, each Magic Tower, Sword House, and Temple shall complete internal restructuring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a direct order to prepare for the coming war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1961,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","216ed3ce1bd3766be118236e0694dc1cbea1ee18a6bee1abf3fef13a8549dff4","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-236","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-234",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]