Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

Chapter 63 63 Echoes of the Mage Rebellion

The first man sighed. "We can't save everyone. Our best bet is to salvage what we can."

A heavy silence followed.

Not long ago, everything had been going according to plan.

Now, their situation had flipped on its head.

"...What about the mages we hired?" the second man asked. "If we recall our people too suddenly, the installations will be delayed."

"They claim it depends on how many points have already been set up," the first man replied. "But I suspect that's just an excuse. If things go south, they'll find a way to blame it on us."

"Hmph. Black sorcerers."

The second man's face twisted in disgust.

He spat onto the ground. "I told you to stop using that word."

The first man blinked. "What?"

"I mean it," he hissed. "Even if no one's around to hear, do you want to invite trouble? If word leaks—even within our own ranks—it'll be a disaster."

The first man waved him off. "What does it matter? The moment our safehouses were exposed, we were dead men anyway."

"It's not just about the enemy. You forget that even our allies despise the term. Do you really want to anger the mages who are working with us?"

'Black sorcerers'—it was a label given to those who delved into magic that involved human lives, blood rituals, or the manipulation of souls.

In the Empire, the practice had been outlawed for centuries.

Merely researching such arts was not a crime.

But magic required practical application.

And the moment a single human sacrifice was made in the name of progress, it was over.

Such acts had condemned an entire school of mages, branding them as criminals regardless of their individual practices.

The result?

Even legitimate magic practitioners took offense to the title. To call a mage a 'black sorcerer' was no different than spitting in their face.

"These people have already been falsely labeled by the Empire," the second man continued. "If one of them overhears you tossing around insults—"

"They'll do nothing," the first man scoffed. "They should be grateful we're giving them a place to use their talents."

The second man sighed inwardly.

He knew why his comrade hated magic.

The Mage Rebellion had not been a revolt against the Empire itself.

That meant physical torture was useless.

The only option left was psychological warfare—shaking them mentally until they cracked.

William's mind was already moving to formulate a strategy when he asked, "Would you permit me to interrogate them?"

Tristan's expression hardened. "No."

William had expected resistance, but Tristan's response was immediate.

He opened his mouth to argue, but Tristan cut him off.

"I know what you're thinking. You're weighing the pros and cons of informing the Imperial Court. And as long as that possibility exists, I won't let you near them. I'd rather keep you in the dark than risk you making a decision that tips the scales."

"This could turn into a massacre," William warned.

Tristan's tone remained firm. "You're overreacting."

He shook his head. "If a mage is involved, they're nothing more than a disgraced remnant of the old expelled orders. A band of outcasts, hunted for three centuries. Do you truly think they have the power to threaten us?"

William hesitated.

The logic was sound.

For over three hundred years, the Empire had waged relentless war against rogue mages.

Most of the outlawed schools had been wiped out.

Those that remained were forced into hiding, struggling to find students to continue their lineages.

The majority of them weren't powerful spellcasters.

They were survivors.

Desperate individuals barely scraping by.

Tristan knew this.

That was why he didn't take William's concerns seriously.

"Stop worrying about nonsense and return to your duties," Tristan said. "I'll handle the interrogations. If I find anything worth sharing, I'll send word."

With that, he turned and walked away.

William remained still, watching his brother's retreating figure.

His lips curled into a dry, humorless smile.

'He's not entirely wrong.'

Most rogue mages were pathetic remnants of the past.