Chapter 24

Who Cast the Sealing Magic?

“The First Magic War…”

To think such a massive war happened—while I was completely unaware.
The idea that five hundred years passed while I was holed up in my room feels utterly unreal.

It’d be easier to believe this is all a fabrication, and someone’s about to say, “Actually, this is still Tsaobera…”

(Yes, his story could be a lie. Five hundred years haven’t passed, and they’re just deceiving me…)

In a place where I know nothing, blindly trusting what I’m told is dangerous.
I need proof—something to confirm where I am.

Just as I thought this, a knock came at the door.
Several scribes entered, holding ancient books in their hands.

With reverent care, they placed the tomes on the table.
The book covers were sun-faded, some bearing traces of scorch marks.

On the cover—

“This is the Tsaobera History. It records only facts, with no speculation or conjecture.”

The Tsaobera History.
The letters were faded, as if a long time had passed since they were written.

His Highness Lian opened the book and pointed to a page.
His white-gloved hand touched it delicately, suggesting the book’s value.
Dropping his gaze to the text, he spoke.

“Holy Calendar Year 370, September 11. Earl Aaron Spender raised a rebellion. This marked the start of the First Magic War—here.”

“Aaron Spender…”

“Do you know him?”

I nodded at his question.
A mild-mannered man, not particularly prominent in high society.
He had a single daughter, a reserved young lady who rarely appeared at social events.

(Him, leading a rebellion…?)
It’s hard to imagine.

Five days in my room, and five hundred years passed—it sounds like a cruel joke, but his story holds no contradictions.
Even if it’s a ruse to deceive me, it’s meticulously crafted, almost like the truth.

“Let me continue. I’ll skip the details to avoid overwhelming you, but—the First Magic War was won by the coalition led by Aaron Spender. They established a new dynasty, but it lasted only one generation. My family sparked another revolution, which ended it.”

Lian flipped a few pages and pointed to another section.

“My family developed special magics—light and dark magic—in addition to the five elemental magics. We’re pioneers of these special magics. I’ve heard the king at the time tried to exploit them, causing great suffering… so my family rose up. That was the Second Magic War, about four hundred years ago.”

“And… that dynasty has continued to the present?”

Lian nodded at my question.

Given his position, my question was likely rude—downright impolite.

But I was overwhelmed.
Two massive magic wars in five hundred years, with dynasties changing…?

If this is a lie, why would he bother?
It’s too grand a tale, and what would he gain by convincing me of it?

Perhaps this isn’t a lie but reality—

A faint premonition solidified into certainty.

At the same time, a chilling sensation crept up from my toes.

If this is truly a world five hundred years later,
can I ever return to my own time?

“And I’ve spent years researching the sealed room’s door. As a second prince—a spare, so to speak—I’m granted relative freedom.”

Lian lifted his gaze from the book, speaking to me with a soft smile, perhaps to ease my tension.
But in contrast, my face grew increasingly rigid.

“Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by magical studies. The door to your room, Lady Felicia—pardon, I mean—was bound by a sealing magic no one could unravel.”

“…I was only in my room for five days. I don’t recall using any magic. So why… five hundred years later…?”

My voice was faint, fragile.
It was as if my fear and anxiety had taken form.

(If this is a world five hundred years in the future…)

What am I supposed to do now?