Book 14 Chapter 27
The Hero's Hometown,
In the Central Empire (2)
“It’s strange.”
No matter how I think about it, it’s strange.
When I decided to infiltrate the castle, I expected my proficiency in stealth magic to greatly increase.
But from the next day, the guards' surveillance wasn't just lax, it was almost non-existent, and when our eyes met, they even guided me to the library.
“Kyu…”
Sval narrowed his eyes and glared at me for no reason. This is why you shouldn't take in white-furred beasts.
Still, one of my philosophies is [what's good is good].
There's no need to cause trouble every time, so it actually worked out well. As I headed to the library, Gorilla 2 greeted me with a bright smile.
“Ah, you’re here! I was worried you might not come!”
I should be wary of that kind of smile. They want something. It's life wisdom I learned from enduring all sorts of hardships at the hands of the Wind Musketeers.
Sure enough, the guy demanded mathematical knowledge from me.
But it wasn't very difficult; if I jotted down a few formulas, he'd struggle, ponder, and solve the problems on his own.
He's ten times better than Gisella.
That guy keeps chattering and asking for more lessons.
“What’s your name?”
“P.M.”
P.M. is an abbreviation for Powerful Magician, meaning [Strong Magician]. I'm still very lacking to go by the name The Strongest Magician, in short, [The Strongest Magician].
“P.M.? That’s a cool name.”
“It’s a strong name.”
“How old are you?”
“Thirteen.”
“You’re the same age as me. Do you know? There’s a magician who’s already reached the pinnacle of magic at our age. Since they’re from the North, maybe they know more than me?”
Listening to Gorilla 2's words with one ear while studying the Runes of Genesis, I suddenly stopped my pen.
Who is it?
To dare surpass me and reach the pinnacle of magic before me. I definitely want to meet them once and unleash all my magic.
“Our family uses both swords and magic. We’re one of the 18 sword families of the Empire, and we’re called Sword Mages (魔劍士).”
It's an interesting approach. Even though the way mages and swordsmen release mana is completely different.
Mages directly discharge mana through a mana-generating organ called "Jujyeol" (呪結), located in the shoulder blade, so its usage is called Mana Circle.
On the other hand, swordsmen deal with a mana usage method called Mana Chain, which amplifies the mana in their bloodstream and weaves it like a chain.
“But I’m incredibly clumsy… my swordsmanship just doesn’t improve no matter how much I practice. So I’m trying to focus a bit more on magic.”
“Sir, are you good at magic?”
“No, but compared to swordsmanship…”
“But why do you want to use magic then?”
“Mathematics is… clear, isn’t it? Swordsmanship, with its ‘sword aura’ and ‘sword force,’ is incredibly unclear and an emotional domain.”
For that reason, there's a saying that women are better at swords than men. Conversely, it's a fact that men are better at magic than women.
“And I like magic. If you keep studying mathematics, you’ll eventually improve, won’t you? Unlike swordsmanship… I don't have to get bruises from training.”
“Hmm.”
“My older sister… well, she’s no longer my sister by household registry, but conversely, she can’t use magic at all and was incredibly gifted in swordsmanship. Now she’s even a Hero!”
“Someone I know is also a Hero.”
“Really? Who is it?”
I couldn't say the name.
“A madman hiding their power.”
Gorilla 2, whose eyes had been shining with expectation, soon had a shadow of resignation engulf his gaze.
“Well, it’s not surprising. There are three Fae Quariers in the Papal Court right now…”
“That’s a lot.”
“Right. But my older sister… she always makes Father so happy, while I just get called a commoner and get scolded. So Father has no interest in me anymore. He just tells me to handle hiring a magic teacher myself. Sorry, I’ve only talked about depressing things.”
Giving a mechanical reply, I, engrossed in my reading, glanced up at him. The image of the original Gorilla, teary-eyed in the Magic Tower a few years ago, flashed through my mind.
- Not everyone can… always please the Dean like you can…
I sighed.
“But if you’re a swordsman, isn’t there no real need to use conventional magic?”
“Huh?”
“Want me to teach you some of the magic I use?”
I decided to teach him a little bit of the Beastman Magic.
Let it be clear that this is absolutely not Gisella’s influence.
This is merely because Gorilla 2’s chattering showed no sign of ending.
“What is this? You choose attributes and runes with your finger gestures?”
“Since you’re a swordsman, isn’t it enough to just be able to use simple defensive and offensive magic anyway?”
“Wow, what is this? Magic could be used this easily?”
What I learned while teaching Gisella was that if you properly teach them one thing, they’ll study on their own and not bother you.
So it was evening. The thought of interpreting some of the Runes of Genesis I diligently researched today into the Osarius-style Beastman form made me feel elated.
As I was about to leave after being served delicious dessert and black tea, the maid placing the cake plate in front of me spoke in a low voice.
“…Did you come here knowing everything?”
Who was that? The face was familiar, but the hair color caused confusion.
Just then, a sun parrot landed on the windowsill, jogging my memory. It was the Princess of Duren, who had been engrossed in the “Strongest Magician” play during the Svalargh subjugation battle.
To think she’d even chase me this far.
“What…?”
“That ‘it’ is here.”
Is she talking about the Book of Genesis?
“Yeah, something like that.”
Then the princess let out a sigh, “Huh.” She muttered, “As expected of you…” It seemed my first impression was that of a thief.
This is all Sval’s fault.
Because of his reactions, everyone thinks I came to steal the book.
“Kyoot…”
Sval, who had poked his face out from within my clothes, narrowed his eyes and glared at me. I decided to ignore him.
“What are you doing here, ma’am?”
“I also came here for ‘it.’ Under a disguised identity. Thanks to Taro, I’m considered the most suitable person to secretly transmit information outside the castle.”
“I see. But what can I do? I’ve already claimed it, so I don’t think I can give it up.”
The reason I didn’t add the caveat “until I finish reading it” was because I didn’t want to be pressured to “hurry up and read it.”
Then the princess let out another sigh, “Huh.” She muttered, “As expected of you…” It seemed she swallowed an unspoken curse.
But what do I care? I am a person for whom academic achievement is most important. The princess said, as if fed up with me,
“If we talk for too long, it might look suspicious, so I’ll be leaving now. If anything happens, please tell me.”
* * *
Cecil Duren was once again deeply impressed as soon as she reunited with Rin.
Since being assigned to the Magic Alliance’s Special Operations Division, Cecil had been on a mission to search for [The King’s Flesh].
As the Water Dragon Yeriserica’s prophecy foretold a tragedy in <Central North>, a large number of Special Operations agents and Inquisitors had been deployed.
But this was classified.
Even Glados (4-star), a leader in the magic world, couldn’t possibly know this information.
But he knew.
Even when subjugating Svalargh, he seemed to have known in advance that a black magician was involved. That’s how he saved her.
- I see. But dear, what can I do? I’ve already claimed it, so I can’t give it up.
And concerned for Cecil’s safety, he even declared his ambition to personally deal with whoever possessed [The King’s Flesh]. How could someone so young be so remarkable?
‘Even infiltrating the mansion as a maid required an immense effort…’
However, as a maid, she was under surveillance by the administrators, so there were many restrictions on obtaining important information. But what about Rin?
‘To use the fact that he’s the same age as Gid Apeltas to instantly become his friend and tutor… it’s truly incredible.’
Currently, Gid Apeltas is a top-priority protection target.
Because the head of the family, Reeland Apeltas, was always deployed to resolve the recurring [King’s Flesh] problem in the city’s outskirts.
But he directly approached such a Gid? In this mansion, it was currently impossible to know who to trust, except for the elderly butler and head maid.
‘Even as a 4-star magician, taking the initiative to recover the flesh is truly the epitome of a leader.’
Cecil’s goal was to become the respected Grand Duchess of the North.
If she could become a magician like Rin, she would surely be able to achieve that.
Cecil clasped her fist tightly over her chest, then secretly transmitted the investigation details to the Special Operations Division via Taro, the sun parrot.