Bonus Chapter 2 – After the ‘Lord of Phantoms’ was Sealed
This was a warehouse established within the Magic Guild. Its deepest, most secure level.
It was the vault for First-rank Sealed Ancient Artifacts, and Second Prince Cain stood within it. It was a place that could only be reached after passing through countless layers of security.
The bare, cavernous room housed a single suit of gray armor, the one-armed ‘Ancient Artifact,’ the Lord of Phantoms. Its severed left arm, along with the thin auxiliary arms from its back, lay on the floor nearby. The cuts were perfectly smooth. It was impossible to imagine what kind of sword or magic could have severed it.
“…Interesting.”
In the center of the vault, Prince Cain murmured to himself, his eyes shining with curiosity. As a B-rank mage, Cain could view the sealed artifacts as long as he filed an application. He had used this privilege to come and see the Lord of Phantoms many times.
“I was truly born in an interesting time.”
“I thought I might find you here, Your Highness.”
A voice suddenly came from behind him. He turned to see a green-haired woman in a robe—the C-rank mage, Demeter. She stood on the other side of a barred wall; as a C-rank mage, she was not permitted to enter the inner sanctum.
“Your Highness, a messenger has arrived from the palace. It is time for your political duties.”
“You’re so serious, you know that?” Prince Cain shrugged. “The legendary ‘Ancient Artifact’—a Lord—is right here. You’d think they could grant me a little time to observe it.”
“I understand how you feel, but…”
“I know. Since you’re here, why don’t you give me your opinion?”
“My opinion, Your Highness?”
“Yes. This Lord. Don’t you think it was built on a completely different philosophy than other ‘Ancient Artifacts’?” Cain spread his arms, waxing ecstatic.
“‘Ancient Magic’ is what expands human potential. It can be made more efficient through incantations and sigils. A single person can move multiple objects or attack scattered enemies at once.”
“Yes. Thanks to that, monster subjugation has become more efficient, and humanity’s domain has expanded.”
“And ‘Ancient Artifacts’ are also tools for human convenience. The Guild itself has created replicas, resulting in the Boosted Enhancement spell everyone can use, or our mana-measuring devices.”
“They are the very source of this kingdom’s strength.”
“But this Lord is different,” Cain continued, his tone shifting. “I believe the Lords were created for the purpose of remaking humanity itself into a stronger existence.”
“For example, Demeter. What if your mana was limitless?”
“Limitless mana, Your Highness?”
“That’s right. What if you had so much mana you could wear this Lord of Phantoms indefinitely? Wouldn’t you become an invincible existence, bound by no one?”
“I understand what you are implying,” Demeter nodded. “And you wish to say that since ‘Ancient Magic’ cannot stop a Lord, if someone could truly bond with one, there would be no way to defeat them? That the Lords are ‘Ancient Artifacts’ that remake a human into a being an ordinary person could never hope to match?”
“Impressive, Demeter. You catch on quick.”
“But that presents a contradiction. This Lord of Phantoms is here precisely because it was defeated by someone.”
“And that only happened because this one is incomplete, or perhaps because its pilot was not a suitable candidate. Don’t you think?”
“I understand that as well. But that is merely a hypothesis.”
“Yes. A hypothesis.” Cain turned back to gaze up at the Lord of Phantoms. “And to prove it, I want a Lord of my very own. One that I can pilot perfectly. One that I can truly become one with.”
“A replica could likely be created within your lifetime, Your Highness.”
“But what about an original?”
“Do you truly believe anyone exists who could perfectly handle an original Lord?”
“Who knows?” Prince Cain turned his back on the armor and began to walk. The messengers from the palace were probably getting impatient. He had to return to his duties.
“Hypothetically, if someone did exist who could use an original Lord in its perfect form, we would have no means of controlling them.”
“…Let us pray that person is not our enemy.”
“I don’t care either way. As long as I could discuss the nature of magic with them.”
“Your Highness…”
“I know, I know. I was born into the royal family. I have a duty to protect this country. I cannot prioritize the pursuit of magic over all else. I am well aware.”
Prince Cain sighed and walked toward the vault’s exit. He pushed open the heavy, double-sealed doors—designed to keep the artifacts in—and squinted at the light.
“As a prince, there is a limit to how high I can climb as a mage… But even so.”
He looked back at Demeter one last time.
“I would give anything to meet the greatest mage in this world. Someone with wondrous talent, who could perfectly control a Lord. I want to meet them, to know how they see the world. Surely, I can be allowed that small desire?”
And with that, Prince Cain left the vault where the Lord of Phantoms slept.
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