Birthday Trap 14
Ben Draco stifled a yawn as he observed the red-faced magician, who was seething with anger. It seemed that the magician, who had confidently presented evidence of forbidden magic to the advisory meeting, had been thoroughly deceived by Paul's handiwork.
— Paul and I would never make such a blunder.
While thinking this, Ben raised his hand, shackled to suppress magic, and scratched his cheek. This gesture made the magician's face darken further with rage. However, the members of the advisory meeting looked on with expressions of disbelief.
“It’s called forbidden magic, but to me, it looks like a blank sheet of paper,”
The statement came from Kennys, the Border Baron, who was unusually present at the capital and attending the advisory meeting.
The piece of paper presented as undeniable evidence found in Ben’s residence was completely blank. The magician claimed it was hidden by a concealment spell, but this was clearly not the case. The magical tool ring that Ben had given Paul as a precaution was designed to nullify and dissolve magic and curses. If it was merely a matter of nullification or concealment spells, some traces would remain. However, this tool absorbed and disintegrated magic and curses, leaving no trace behind. In other words, it was impossible to prove that magic or curses had been nullified or concealed.
Of course, that wasn’t all. Not only had the paper presented as evidence of forbidden magic turned into meaningless scrap, but all other evidence provided by the Ministry of Magic had also been rendered ineffective. The “evidence” from the Vice-Director’s office was nullified as soon as it left the office, and the spells placed on it were erased. Although the residence in the capital was too large to cover entirely with spells, it was manageable for a space the size of the Vice-Director’s office. Ben felt a sigh of relief inwardly that they had managed to activate the spells before the suppression cuffs were put on.
Following Kennys’s comment, Earl Melars also sighed in exasperation.
“It seems that you can’t even prove the concealment spells were used.”
“T-That! The man must have destroyed the evidence!”
“Me?”
The magician, now bright red in the face, desperately tried to argue. Ben feigned surprise, holding up his shackled hands.
“You say I destroyed the evidence while being shackled with magic-suppressing tools and thrown into a prison of the Ministry of Magic? How could I possibly have destroyed the evidence? If I really did, it would imply there’s a traitor among you.”
He flashed a deliberately wide smile. Kennys glanced sideways at Ben with a slight smirk, though his expression soon turned back to a neutral one. The magician, implicitly criticized for inadequate investigation, was left with veins bulging on his forehead as he opened and closed his mouth in frustration.
— His blood vessels might burst.
Ben raised an eyebrow, contemplating whether to kindly advise the magician to refrain from further anger, but wisely kept his mouth shut. He recalled Paul’s advice that while he never said important things, he tended to speak unnecessary ones—an admonition that now seemed particularly relevant. His thoughts then shifted to his childhood friend Paul left behind at the mansion. Though Paul might have been surprised by the sudden intrusion of the Ministry of Magic, the fact that all the false evidence had turned out to be useless meant that Paul had managed everything perfectly. However, Ben was certain he would face a lecture upon returning home.
Paul had always worried about Ben’s focus solely on research, neglecting networking and political maneuvering. Ben was well aware that such matters become crucial when rising to the position of Vice-Director at the Ministry of Magic. Although he would not be troubled if expelled from the Ministry, he wanted to avoid causing trouble for his family. Ben sighed at the thought of the scolding he would face upon returning home, more so than the ongoing inquiry.
However, he kept his internal concerns hidden. Despite the high stakes of the inquiry affecting his career, Ben maintained a calm demeanor.
“If the teleportation circle had been tampered with, it would warrant a punishment equivalent to treason, but we cannot casually make such a determination. The evidence is insufficient.”
While Ben’s attention was diverted, the meeting continued. The statement that the evidence was insufficient came from Earl Melars. The magician, biting his lip in frustration, glared at Ben with murderous eyes. Ben stared back nonchalantly, causing the magician to turn away irritably.
“—Director Bergson. The advisory meeting cannot condone severe punishment for Vice-Director Ben Draco. Although we cannot intervene in internal measures, since it cannot be clearly established that Ben Draco is the one who tampered with the teleportation circle, no punishment will be imposed in this matter.”
Nicholas Bergson, though displeased with the conclusion, nodded in agreement.
*****
Ben Draco returned home after about ten days. The preparations for the Birth Festival had been so hectic that he hadn’t had a chance to come back. However, the unpleasant magic-suppressing shackles were still on him. Unable to use teleportation magic, he traveled by horse from the capital.
Upon arriving at his residence, located away from the royal palace, Ben opened the gate, despite his evident fatigue. Though he could have used the door knocker to call Paul, Ben had never actually used it. Nevertheless, Paul appeared as if he had been expecting Ben’s return. Seeing Paul standing right in front of him, Ben instinctively leaned back.
“Welcome home, Master.”
“—I find it a bit intimidating when you call me ‘Master.’ I’m back.”
A sweet scent permeated even the entrance hall. It seemed that Paul had been busy baking. His overly polite demeanor and strained expression indicated that he was quite stressed. Paul greeted Ben with a neutral face but furrowed his brows at the sight of Ben’s shackled wrists.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this? It’s a magic-suppressing shackle.”
Ben answered nonchalantly. After removing his cloak and handing it to Paul, he stretched his neck, causing his bones to crack. Paul hung the cloak on the coat stand and then asked Ben for details.
“What exactly happened to put you in such a situation?”
“I was accused of treason. Or rather, set up, or framed.”
“Those mean the same thing, you fool.”
Paul’s response was icy. Ben gave a wry smile, acknowledging his own misstep. Seeing his pale complexion, Paul sighed.
“I have something to report as well, but for now, please rest. I’ll make some tea.”
“Thanks.”
Paul seemed to hesitate, as if considering whether to say something more but decided it wasn’t the right time. Ben thanked him and went upstairs to change his clothes. Although the shackles made changing cumbersome, the magic robe, which was essentially a wizard’s uniform, helped mitigate the inconvenience. Shortly after, Paul brought tea along with a serving of "Baba." Ben’s mood brightened a little at the sight. The sweet bread soaked in alcohol and fruit was one of his favorites.
“So, can you tell me what happened?”
Paul asked. Ben took a bite of the dessert, eased his expression, and nodded. He briefly recounted the events. He explained that the teleportation circle he was supposed to use to suppress the monster stampede had been tampered with, making him the scapegoat. Paul’s eyes narrowed as he listened. Ben sipped his tea and continued calmly.
“If you use a tampered teleportation circle, you’re sent to a completely different location. If things go poorly, you might end up trapped in an alternate dimension with no way back. The thing is, teleportation circles can be misused. Tampering with a teleportation circle, or even owning one of a certain size without reporting it, is a crime equivalent to treason. Moreover, there are restrictions on the distances teleportation circles can cover. Long-distance teleportation circles need to be reported to the Ministry of Magic, and as of now, none other than those in the Ministry are registered.”
“I see. Even if they wanted to frame you, they chose a rather foolish method.”
“Exactly. I don’t even need a teleportation circle.”
Ben mentioned this with an air of casualness as if it were obvious. Only a few can use teleportation magic, which is why teleportation circles are valued. However, both Ben and Petra can use teleportation magic with ease and can even take a few people along, depending on the distance. If Ben were to scheme treason, he would use more effective methods rather than a flimsy trick like tampering with a teleportation circle. Ben found causing political upheaval tedious and preferred to focus on his research instead.
“So, about the magic-suppressing shackles?”
“Yes. Technically, there’s no concrete proof that I did it, so I avoided criminal punishment. However, according to the Ministry of Magic’s internal regulations, I’ve been placed under indefinite suspension, demoted, and had my salary reduced. During the suspension, I’m prohibited from conducting magical research.”
Paul furrowed his brows. Even though it followed internal regulations, it seemed excessively harsh. Being in a state where magic cannot be used and research is prohibited, and for an indefinite period, was essentially being locked away in a magical prison. However, Ben showed no signs of distress.
“What’s the difference from being dismissed?”
“It’s almost the same. But I guess they wanted to put a collar on me, didn’t they?”
“—You’re not the type to meekly accept a collar.”
Ben let out a cheerful laugh, but it was tinged with self-mockery.
Ben didn’t particularly want to join the Ministry of Magic. All he needed was to be able to conduct magical research. However, the Draco family had a tradition where the eldest son was always required to join the Ministry. This was a pact made by an ancestor who had been offered a noble title by the royal family, rejecting it in favor of showing loyalty to the royal family.
Ben was not pretending to be an unsuitable deputy director out of choice. If they were so keen on removing him, he’d gladly relinquish the troublesome position of deputy director. Yet, his surroundings wouldn’t let him be. Sooner or later, Ben would have been dragged down from the deputy director’s position. Not only was he to be removed, but they had even shackled him with a magic-suppressing device. Ben speculated, almost detachedly, that they might intend to keep him in a state of controlled confinement. This speculation was likely not far from the truth.
“That’s not it, right? They probably put on the magic-suppressing shackles because they thought they’d put a collar on me.”
However, Paul did not seem to believe Ben’s words. With a skeptical gaze, Paul looked at him without mercy. Ben gave a wry smile, insisting, “It’s true.”
“By the way, this shackle is quite high-performance. If forcibly removed, it sends a report to the Ministry of Magic, and even if I tried to use magic while still wearing it, the Ministry would be alerted. It’s quite a sophisticated tool, capable of tracking my location if someone chose to.”
“Remarkable that the Ministry of Magic has such skilled magic tool artisans.”
“Yeah.”
Although Paul wasn’t well-versed in magic tools, he could infer from Ben’s description how advanced the magic-suppressing shackles were. Ben casually revealed that he was the one who created them.
“I made it myself.”
“——”
It was understandable that Paul, looking down on Ben with an expression that seemed to say, “You’re the one who did it?” would feel that way. After finishing his treat, Ben turned his attention back to Paul while enjoying his tea.
“So, what’s the situation on your end?”
Paul let out a quiet sigh. Ben seemed to have recovered some of his energy after eating the treat, but he did not appear to be entirely mentally at ease. Moreover, with the magic-suppressing shackles still on, it was unclear whether this was a good or bad thing. One thing that was clear was that it could not be kept a secret. With a resolute expression, Paul began to speak.
“—Lord Belastar, Lady Tania, and Petra have arrived.”
“Muirulainen?”
Surprised, Ben’s eyes widened. While Belastar and Tania were expected to come to the capital and stay at Ben’s residence, he hadn’t anticipated Petra’s arrival.
Paul nodded and prefaced, “Please stay calm and listen.” Sensing the ominous atmosphere, Ben set his tea cup down on the table. He looked back at Paul with a serious expression.
“Yes. They were caught in the monster stampede and sustained severe injuries—”
Paul couldn’t finish his sentence. Ben abruptly stood up from his chair with a loud clatter, instinctively reaching for teleportation magic before he remembered the magic-suppressing shackles. It had been a close call. Had he used the spell, the Ministry of Magic would have been instantly notified, resulting in a punishment even more severe than suspension.
Understanding the gravity of being severely injured in a monster stampede, Ben wasn’t foolish. The poison from the injuries caused by monsters would spread through the body and the wounds would never heal. As they were in the house, their lives were likely still intact, but it was uncertain how long their lives would last. One thing was certain: those who fought monsters and sustained severe injuries rarely survived.
Paul, grabbing Ben’s shoulders and looking at his stunned friend with a piercing gaze, threw aside his butler facade.
“Calm down, you fool. There is no danger to their lives; they woke up last night. If they rest, they should recover in time.”
Ben took a deep breath, trying to suppress the intense emotions boiling within him. Though he had managed to recover from his dazed state, his eyes still pierced through Paul with a desperate intensity, as if he might destroy his surroundings. His clenched lips trembled white, and despite the blood seeping from his tightly clenched fists, Ben desperately tried to regain his composure.
“—Where are they?”
“Over here.”
Paul lightly tapped Ben’s shoulder and led him downstairs. In a secluded room, Petra lay sleeping. Beside her were Tania and Belastar. The twins looked up at Ben with bright faces.
“Big Brother Ben!”
“Welcome back!”
The twins, now somewhat more sincere than before, greeted Ben. However, Ben merely patted their heads absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on Petra, who looked pale. Paul motioned for the twins to follow him. Tania, who had previously taken out her frustrations on Petra due to Ben's absence, approached Paul quietly, as if reflecting on things. Belastar, while keeping an eye on Petra and Ben, moved away from the bedside. Paul led the twins out of the room and closed the door behind them. Unable to endure any longer, Ben knelt beside the bed.
He reached out a trembling hand to Petra.
“Muirulainen—”
Her cheek, possibly due to recent exhaustion, was rough. The coldness of her skin made him anxious about whether she was still alive. Checking her breathing, he found it weak but steady. He let out a sigh of relief.
The words Paul had spoken, that there was no danger to her life, finally registered in his mind. A rational part of him deduced that she must have received healing magic early on. Even so, his anxiety did not dissipate.
Ben knew all too well how fleeting life could be. A person who had been alive just moments ago could vanish in an instant.
In a place filled with the stench of death, Ben, who had just reached puberty, found a girl. She introduced herself as Petra. Her mother, a sorceress, had died, and she spoke of it with a courageous demeanor, not shedding a single tear. In that grey place, awaiting death, she was the only one shining. Instinctively, Ben had reached out to her. Petra, with a wary look, had stared at his hand. She wouldn’t accept food or a place to sleep, but when he offered to teach her sorcery, she took his hand. To keep the girl who wanted to master the sorcery her mother had practiced from fading away, Ben gave her the surname Muirulainen and a place to live.
Being with her, who lived as vibrantly as life itself, brought him peace. Arguing with her was as enjoyable as working on magical research.
—A world without her would surely be filled with the stench of death.
Ben had always called her Muirulainen. Even when everyone else called her Petra, he refused to yield. Muirulainen was the name Ben had first given her. Petra was the name her mother had first given her. But Muirulainen was the name Ben had given her.
“—Please, please—don’t die, Petra.”
For the first time, he spoke her name aloud. He had once wondered if she might have wanted him to call her by her name rather than Muirulainen. Although he had often called her Muirulainen in his heart, he had never spoken it aloud. Petra’s mother had been killed by the Kingdom of Slibegrad. Ben Draco was a descendant of a family that had pledged loyalty to Slibegrad. If not for the political upheaval 18 years ago, Petra’s mother would likely have survived. Ben, who was only seven at the time, could not have stopped the upheaval. Even so, the Draco family could have prevented the political turmoil that led to Petra’s mother’s death.
“Stay alive, Petra.”
This was the unspoken wish Ben had held since the day he first met her.
Ben clasped Petra’s hand with a praying intensity. Her slender hand, fitting perfectly within his, gradually began to regain warmth.
–