The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 26
“Your Majesty! We cannot proceed with this!”
The unexpected outburst drew every eye in the hall toward a single figure.
The one who had spoken was Antonio Baldor, Duke and one of the King’s most trusted retainers.
He was Theo’s father and the patriarch of the Baldor Family.
“Antonio. Do you have something to say?”
“Your Majesty, the recording brought by Duke McLafflin cannot be trusted.”
“The evidence is so clear, yet you say it cannot be trusted?”
“There is no technology in existence capable of intercepting communication channels. Had such a thing existed, the world would have been turned upside down.”
“It doesn’t not exist—it exists right here, does it not? If you doubt it, why not verify it directly yourself?”
Gerard had countered immediately, but Antonio was no easy opponent.
“Even if what you say is true, this recording cannot serve as evidence. There are countless people with similar voices. Moreover, I have heard that highly trained assassins can mimic another’s voice. If that is the case, how could a mere recording possibly constitute evidence?”
“Voice mimicry? I have never heard of such a thing, and even if it were possible, what purpose would anyone have in imitating another’s voice?”
“The purposes would be numerous depending on how one exploits it—perhaps to gain advantage by impersonating someone else, or perhaps to falsely accuse an innocent person of treason, as Duke McLafflin is doing now.”
“What did you just say?”
Gerard’s mouth fell open in disbelief, and his eyes blazed with fury.
“Are you suggesting that I am fabricating evidence to slander the Tower Master?”
“What else could it be?”
“Now listen here, Duke Baldor!”
“Ahem.”
Gerard, who had been shouting, regained his composure thanks to the King’s voice cutting through the chaos.
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“You seem rather agitated.”
“I am deeply sorry.”
Gerard bowed his head in shame, struggling to suppress his anger as he glared at Antonio.
As Theo’s father, Antonio was practically family by marriage.
Yet the reason for his interference was becoming dimly apparent.
‘It must be because of the attack that occurred recently.’
Word of Theo’s near-death at the hands of assassins while staying at the McLafflin Family Estate had long since reached the Baldor Family’s ears.
It was understandable that they would be displeased at nearly losing their son due to inadequate security.
‘But to obstruct matters at such a critical moment…’
It was childish, yet Antonio’s argument was not entirely without merit.
Depending on one’s perspective, suspicion could be cast upon Gerard himself.
But who was he?
Was he not the commander of the Royal Court Mage Order and the sole disciple of Dalpred, the greatest mage in the kingdom?
‘My master and His Majesty are dear friends, so they will believe my words.’
Yet Shane II proved to be more cautious than Gerard had anticipated.
“I do not believe Duke McLafflin to be a man capable of slandering another. However, I cannot simply dismiss Duke Baldor’s concerns either. Therefore, I intend to consult with my retainers and address this matter with greater caution and depth.”
“But the evidence is right here before us…”
Gerard muttered under his breath, but upon seeing the unwavering resolve in the King’s eyes, he had no choice but to hold his tongue.
“Gerard McLafflin, Duke. Do you have anything else to say?”
“…No, Your Majesty.”
“Return to your quarters and await the results.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty. I shall await good news.”
Though I maintained a composed facade, my insides churned with fury.
I knew all too well that if the opposition votes outnumbered mine, my argument would be silenced.
‘Damn it. Antonio, because of that bastard….’
Gerard and Zeke withdrew reluctantly, concealing their bitterness.

* * *
“Kuhk, kh-hup.”
Antonio Baldor, having exited the Throne Hall, clamped his hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter.
The vote on the hastily convened matter had resulted in eight votes for and eleven against.
In other words, Gerard’s proposal had been dismissed.
On the grounds that his evidence was insufficient.
‘Hehehehe, how pathetic, Gerard. You should have brought something more convincing if you wanted evidence.’
An assassin mimicking another’s voice?
Such a thing couldn’t possibly be real.
I’d never heard of it before.
Every word was a fabrication I’d conjured on the spot.
Yet merely suggesting such a possibility had proven remarkably effective.
The recording evidence was undeniable, but Shane II, the current king, proved far more cautious than expected.
‘A fool who couldn’t even fathom the existence of traitors within his own kingdom.’
Having observed this weakness firsthand, Antonio had used his silver tongue to block Gerard’s accusation.
‘Though it wasn’t really slander—it was the truth, after all.’
Antonio already knew that Gregor was colluding with Baluduk.
After all, he was Gregor’s loyal subordinate.
He had opposed Gerard on Gregor’s orders.
‘Leaving the second son with the McLafflin Family was also Lord Gregor’s directive.’
On the day of the assassin’s attack.
I had kept Theo Baldor at the McLafflin Family Estate, intending to indirectly orchestrate his death.
To create grounds for condemning the McLafflin Family.
It was I who had originally ordered Theo to seduce Luna.
Though he likely never dreamed he’d be the one manipulated in return.
Yet contrary to plan, Theo Baldor had not been assassinated.
‘How impartial the gods are. Even a useless wretch like him enjoys fortune.’
A father deliberately sacrificing his own son?
It was wickedness deserving of divine punishment, yet it mattered little to me.
‘I’ve already made a pact with the devil.’
Besides, our family needed only the firstborn with exceptional talent.
A mediocre second son with neither talent nor achievement—his death would be of no consequence.
Throwing him to the Tower Master as prey would actually benefit the family more.
‘Curious, though. A recording device that can eavesdrop on communication channels remotely, rather than just nearby—how fascinating.’
I’m not certain if it’s true, but if Gerard isn’t lying, the implications would be staggering.
On the Pangaea Continent where communication channels are so invaluable, there’s nothing quite like such a device for gathering intelligence.
‘I need to inform Gregor about this immediately.’
After glancing around, Antonio moved to a secluded spot and tapped his communication channel.
Unaware that someone was already eavesdropping on his conversation with the Tower Master.

* * *
‘Antonio. So this man was a traitor all along!’
Gerard, listening to the conversation with Gregor, bristled with indignation.
He’d always felt oddly obstructed by him, but now he realized Antonio was Gregor’s lackey.
‘If Zeke hadn’t mentioned this, I would have missed such crucial information!’
In truth, Gerard had assumed Antonio opposed him merely out of resentment.
After all, he’d nearly lost his second son, Theo, by remaining with the family.
But after his audience with the king.
Hearing Zeke’s account changed his perspective.
-Father. You know how to use the brooch, don’t you?
-I do. But why do you ask?
-Once the retainers’ meeting concludes, follow that nobleman who objected to our proposal earlier and secretly register his magical pattern.
-Antonio Baldor? Why him?
-His opposition to our opinion feels suspicious. There might be someone behind him.
-His objection is surely because of Theo Baldor, the illegitimate son. He nearly lost the chance to see his child because of us.
-For someone who cares about his son, he didn’t seem very affectionate. When I spoke with Prince Theo, he mentioned never receiving his father’s approval.
-Hmm, but to suspect without grounds….
-There’s no harm in it. Once the meeting ends, just use invisibility to secretly register the pattern. You won’t be discovered.
-Very well. If you find it that suspicious, I’ll do as you suggest.
Gerard’s eyes gleamed as he recalled his conversation with his son.
‘I’m glad I listened to Zeke. So Gregor truly was behind him all along.’
Now that I know the truth, I cannot remain idle.
If I submit this newly recorded evidence to the king?
I can overturn the outcome of the meeting.
With a resolute expression, Gerard gripped the brooch tightly and made his way toward the audience chamber.

* * *
‘Thank goodness Father listened to me.’
In truth, my suspicion of Antonio Baldor had begun for a rather simple reason.
It was the sheer audacity of his rebuttal despite possessing such irrefutable evidence—the recording device itself—that had struck me as deeply suspicious.
‘How could any rational person challenge that recording unless they were in league with Gregor? It’s impossible.’
Then, belatedly discovering that Theo Baldor was his son, my suspicion had crystallized into certainty.
The conversation with Theo, who had spoken of being treated as a cast-off child, came flooding back to me.
And through Gerard McLafflin’s recording, the truth emerged: the Tower Master stood behind Antonio Baldor.
Concrete circumstantial evidence had been secured.
Gerard McLafflin had entered the audience chamber to present the recording to the king.
‘I wonder what reaction His Majesty will have upon hearing the recording…?’
As I waited anxiously outside, Gerard McLafflin returned far sooner than I expected.
“Father. Why did you come out so quickly?”
“He said he was busy, so he told me to simply leave the recording device and go.”
“He didn’t listen to it right away?”
“His Majesty is gathering additional information, so he said the confirmation will be delayed for now. I left it with him, but surely nothing will happen.”
“I see….”
An uncomfortable feeling settled over me.
He simply left behind such a crucial item?
‘Well, it’s in the audience chamber anyway. There’s no one there who would cause trouble….’
Gerard McLafflin had no choice in the matter.
The king had ordered him to leave it, so he had to comply.
“Once his business is concluded, he’ll examine the recording. And then he’ll know the truth.”
“I hope that happens soon.”
As I waited anxiously, word came far more quickly than anticipated.
“Duke. His Majesty requests your presence immediately.”
Gerard McLafflin nodded at the butler’s words and looked toward me.
“Let’s go together.”
“May I enter as well?”
“You’re the owner of the device—you should hear the results too.”
I nodded and entered the Throne Hall alongside Gerard McLafflin.
Inside, numerous courtiers filled the chamber, and at its center, Shane II sat upon his throne, regarding us with a stern gaze.
“You summoned us, Your Majesty.”
“Duke McLafflin. You left behind an object earlier, saying you’d discovered new evidence. Is this it?”
In Shane II’s hand lay a butterfly-shaped brooch crafted from gleaming gold.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You said pressing the button here would produce the recording, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“Then why isn’t it working?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Gerard looked up in alarm.
Shane II then deliberately pressed down on the butterfly’s body repeatedly, as if to prove his point.
“You see? It doesn’t work at all, does it?”
“That shouldn’t be possible…”
Gerard spoke carefully, his pupils wavering as he stared at the device.
“May I examine it for a moment?”
“Go ahead.”
As Gerard received the object from the servant, he examined it meticulously.
Despite pressing the activation button as usual, no recording played.
‘This is strange. Why isn’t it working?’
Gerard wasn’t the only one troubled by this.
Zeke beside him felt the same way.
‘Carbollearos, what’s going on? Is it broken?’
-Impossible. This eavesdropping device has been functioning perfectly for thousands of years. It can’t be broken.
‘But it’s not working, is it?’
-Hmm. I’m not sure why… wait.
Carbollearos’s voice grew startled as if he’d noticed something.
-Let me see it more closely.
“Father, let me take a look as well.”
“Very well.”
As Zeke received the brooch from Gerard, his eyes widened.
[Magical energy detected in your grasp.]
-I sense an extremely faint trace of magical energy from the eavesdropping device.
‘I felt it too.’
The eavesdropping device wasn’t something powered by mana.
There should be no magical energy present.
-It appears a shape-shifting spell has been cast on it. Someone has swapped it with a counterfeit.
‘Ah…!’
I understood the reason now.
This was a fake, crafted to look identical.
The real one had been intercepted by someone in between.
‘Whose doing is this? Antonio’s?’
But when I heard the recording with the Tower Master, Antonio had never received such an order.
‘Could there be another spy within the Royal Palace?’
Surely they had received orders from Gregor and swapped it out in the meantime.
‘Regardless of who it is, I must expose the culprit here and now.’
If I failed to prove the treason again, Gerard would lose the king’s trust entirely.
Zeke quickly absorbed the magical energy from his grasp.
The brooch’s form then crumbled like dust and vanished without a trace.
“What?!”
Gerard’s eyes widened in shock.
“Father. This was a forgery.”
“A forgery?”
“Someone switched our belongings. A person desperate to keep the evidence hidden.”
Upon hearing those words, Shane II regarded Zeke with a stern gaze.
“You are called Zeke, are you not?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Your words suggest there is a traitor within these walls?”
“That is correct.”
“Can you take responsibility for such an accusation? Should you fail to prove it, you will not escape the penalty for tarnishing the royal dignity.”
The threat was grave, yet Zeke remained utterly unintimidated.
He showed no fear whatsoever.
Only clear, unwavering eyes met the king’s gaze.
“I can prove it. Fortunately, the brooch has a location-tracking function.”
“Location-tracking?”
Zeke raised his hand.
His fingers traced something invisible in the air.
‘Carbollearos said I could locate the brooch using a pre-stored signal code. Like this.’
Beep beep beep beep—!
An unexpected sound filled the Throne Hall.
All eyes in the chamber turned toward the source of the noise.
“There. The culprit who took my brooch.”
In the direction Zeke pointed stood the perpetrator of the switch, their face frozen in panic.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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