CHAPTER 116
Lewis nodded at my words.
"He said he would investigate the magic circle and report it to everyone, but he got so obsessed with summoning the demon tribe that he put it on the back burner."
It seems that way to me too.
After discovering the demon tribe's summoning circle, Philip hasn't set foot in the temple for a while, has he?
"His interest in the magic circle has waned, but since it's still under investigation, he's making a fake announcement to divert people's attention."
Lewis speculated his reasoning.
I agree with him.
Whether Philip knows that Lewis's father drew the magic circle in the temple, I don't know.
"You said the announcement is in four days, right?"
"Yes."
Lewis remained silent.
What is he thinking? I quietly observed him.
Soon, Lewis spoke.
"The Crown Prince's announcement won't be accepted."
"What? Didn't he say he would announce it as a rain-calling magic circle?"
"I'm going to prove that it's nonsense. Let's see him get embarrassed."
Lewis's smirk showed he had something in mind.
How is he going to embarrass him?
* * *
The day Philip was to officially reveal the truth about the magic circle.
Lewis and I arrived at the temple on time, where a podium and chairs were set up outdoors.
"He loves to show off. He has to inform the nobles."
Lewis clicked his tongue.
I silently agreed and took my seat with my party.
This was my first time seeing Charlotte since she asked about the library last time. Curious, she asked in a low voice.
"Lady Elsner, what happened with the library?"
"The Marquis had other matters to attend to, so we decided to visit later. It wasn't urgent."
I had to pretend I hadn't gone.
I hope Charlotte has nothing to do with this!
To keep her from getting involved, this was the best response.
As time passed, the nobles who came to see Philip's announcement gathered.
Lewis sat beside me, legs crossed, staring straight ahead.
Philip appeared shortly after.
He wore a pleasant smile, not looking like someone who had struggled with summoning demons.
"Thank you all for coming."
Philip's confident voice echoed clearly through the amplification spell.
"I'm here to share the results of a research project I started with the Mage Tower."
He explained.
Due to his personal interest in magic, he volunteered to participate with Count Madden.
"We engaged in a friendly competition with the Mage Tower, and I'm delighted to announce that we are the first to present the results."
He looked thrilled. Despite making up the results!
Philip's words seemed aimed at Lewis.
I glanced at Lewis, who smirked mockingly at Philip.
"Thanks to Count Madden's efforts, we discovered this."
Philip then announced the findings to everyone.
"We found that the magic circle in the temple was created 60 years ago due to a severe drought."
"Are you saying the magic circle was drawn in the temple because of a drought?"
"Yes. It seems it was drawn during prayers at the temple due to the drought."
Philip answered the noble who asked.
"It is presumed that the Emperor at the time conducted a ritual to induce rain through the magic circle."
He seemed prepared for the reason why we knew about the Emperor's prayer but not the magic circle's existence.
"We believe the omission of the magic circle's history is due to the temple's unique power opposing magic."
He explained that since this was a historical hypothesis, it might not be entirely accurate.
It's true that future people's assumptions may not always be correct.
In my previous life, there was a new hypothesis that Tyrannosaurus had feathers like chickens!
"Therefore, today we conclude the investigation of the magic circle. I would like to thank Marquis Bloomberg for his efforts."
Philip's words flowed smoothly, as if rehearsed.
"Since you're here, please take a look at the magic circle we discovered."
"Wait."
Just as everything seemed to wrap up smoothly, Lewis raised his hand.
Philip's gaze turned to him.
"Do you have something to say?"
"Yes."
Lewis, still in his relaxed pose, spoke.
"I don't believe it's a magic circle from the drought era."
"...What?"
"You made this announcement without even consulting me."
Lewis laughed mockingly.
"I understand your desire to announce before the Mage Tower, but unfortunately, my findings are different."
Despite his words, Lewis didn't seem the least bit disappointed.
Philip's face briefly stiffened.
"What do you mean? Are you saying our findings are false?"
"Yes."
A brief murmur spread through the crowd.
Nobles whispered, busy discussing the standoff between the Crown Prince and the Mage Tower Master.
"What is he talking about?"
"Does the Marquis know something?"
"Indeed."
Lewis, with a triumphant smile, turned to the side.
"Sixty years ago doesn't make sense."
From that direction, a person appeared, seemingly on standby.
"Isn't that...?"
One of the priests watching the situation widened his eyes in recognition, prompting Lewis to speak.
"You recognize him. He is the archaeologist who previously speculated on the magic circle's era."
Lewis gestured for the archaeologist to speak.
The archaeologist hesitated.
He seemed like a shrimp caught in a whale fight, having to speak between the Crown Prince and the Mage Tower Master.
I knew that feeling well...
"The Marquis is... correct."
While I felt a kinship with the scholar, he spoke.
"Based on our precise analysis, it is impossible for more than 50 years to have passed."
He explained the changes that occur every ten years with the dye used to draw the magic circle.
Nervously!
"Even with a generous estimate, it was likely drawn within the past 30 years."
In other words, the claim of a 60-year-old magic circle was entirely unfounded.
"Then what does the Crown Prince's statement mean?"
"What happens to this announcement?"
The competition between the royal palace and the Mage Tower.
Philip's attempt to boast of victory ended in failure.
"It's invalid. The royal announcement is completely false. It was absurd from the start."
Lewis laughed joyfully after revealing the truth just before the announcement concluded.
So this was how he planned to disrupt it...
Philip seemed intent on burying the magic circle issue today, but it seems he completely failed, doesn't he?
The outcome was clear from Philip's expression alone.
* * *
Philip's expression was grim as he returned to the Crown Prince's palace.
Though he didn't lash out at anyone, his usual serene demeanor was gone.
In truth, Philip was genuinely irritated, enough for Madden, who accompanied him, to notice.
"I expected they might find fault, but to trouble me this way!"
Philip vented his frustration only after entering his office.
Had Madden been the only one at the announcement, the nobles' questions would have been relentless.
It was only because of Philip, the Crown Prince, that the questions had stopped.
'There seems to be a mistake. I will verify this once more!'
'Count Madden?'
'Yes... I was hasty in informing Your Highness without proper verification. It was careless.'
Madden had attempted to quell the situation by promising to double-check.
However, Philip's position had already become awkward.
He had arrogantly presented the findings as his own, despite having merely instructed Madden.
"This is so embarrassing."
Philip brushed his hair back, speaking in disbelief.
The incident at the temple had caught even Madden off guard.
'No wonder the Mage Tower Master was so quiet. To disrupt us at the last moment!'
"I never expected such a flaw. I didn't foresee that critique."
In fact, there was a reason for their fabricated announcement.
Philip's focus had shifted from the temple's magic circle to summoning the demon tribe.
However, Philip had publicly stated he would investigate the magic circle with the court magicians.
Madden had been urged by Philip to find a way to summon the demon tribe while handling the temple investigation.
'Please, stop the temple work at least!'
With the responsibilities of the court magicians and the Crown Prince's personal matters, Madden was already overwhelmed.
He was so busy that he was practically out of his mind, prompting Philip to promise to end the temple investigation.
'Thank you, Your Highness! Then we shall state that the investigation cannot proceed due to circumstances.'
'Count Madden, must we end it that way?'
Philip had insisted on a more prestigious conclusion, having personally initiated the investigation with the high priest.
'Let's claim we discovered it first. Isn't that more honorable for you as well?'
Thus, the idea to announce it as a rain-calling magic circle was born.
However, Lewis had seized on this, declaring it completely invalid.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. This was my fault."
"At least you recognize it. It is your fault."
'Is this solely my fault? Oh dear...!'
Madden nearly swore at the patronizing tone.
But what could he do? That man was the next emperor. He had to swallow his pride.
Madden bowed deeply.
"However, the Mage Tower Master has yet to discover the secret of the magic circle. There will be other opportunities!"
Philip frowned as if uninterested.
"Leave for now. I will summon you later."
"Yes..."
Madden sighed deeply, leaving the room.
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