C231: The marks of fire (1)
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Hans didn't try to answer Rudger's words, but soon nodded.
"A crow flying in the sky would be more comfortable than a mouse crawling on the ground."
"Furthermore, no one is wary of birds."
Rudger patted the crow's head gently and the crow opened its beak and crowed. It meant he was in a good mood.
"If we collaborate with Sedina, we'll be able to find the Relic location quickly."
"Keke. With that kid?"
"Why? You don't like it?"
"No, it's not that I don't like it……."
"She is a poor child that has nowhere to lean on, and she even hung on me who might kill her. That's how desperate she was."
Hans sighed at Rudger's words.
"Okay. I got it, so stop talking. Are you doing this on purpose because you know I'm weak to this king of things? I'll do as brother tells me, so stop."
"Yeah. You're a senior, so you should set an example as a senior."
Still, Hans felt more comfortable when he was praised as a senior. It was because at least Rudger seemed to admit he was higher in rank.
"What if we locate Relic? Are you going to steal it?"
"What do you think I should do?"
"You didn't mean to use that identity?"
"Are you talking about Arsene Lupin? If I rob the palace with that status, it'll make a lot of noise. However, I intend to leave it as a last resort."
"Can't you just go through the shadows?"
"It's not that easy to use. If I don't know the exact coordinates, I may go into the ground."
"That's what I and the kid need to check."
"And there are more problems. The imperial palace is the most heavily guarded place in the empire. In particular, such an important place is painted with all kinds of magical protections. The ability to move through shadows is also new, but in the end, it's magic. If there is an obstacle in the middle, it will be dangerous."
"I mean, the conditions are very demanding. Well, it wouldn't have made sense if it hadn't been for that kind of magic. No, does it still not make sense enough?"
"That's why I have to remove all the protective magic to steal, but it takes too long."
"We have no choice but to take another way."
Hans also nodded as if he was finally convinced. Of course there was one more thing Rudger didn't say there.
'If I rob the royal family as Arsene Lupin, she might really kill me this time.'
Nightcrawler Knights Commander, Trina Ryanhowl, the protector of the Empire.
In the past, she was a great knight, but now she's beyond the level of master, so Rudger must avoid fighting her.
"More than that, brother, when will you stop by the capital?"
"There's one thing that will come up about that."
"What is it?"
"Theon is planning a field trip."
Hans wondered and nodded as if he was convinced.
"Even students have a problem with staying inside the academy."
"That's right. Students are still solving a lot of things in Leathervelk through the commission board, but that's not enough."
Wizards are basically people who are locked up in a corner of the room and immersed in research. It was like that in the past, but it has become much more serious these days.
Theon was concerned about that, so they organized an educational curriculum to make students periodically roam outside, and field trips were one of them.
"Collaborating with the schools that support Theon and the Imperial Magic Society we will let the students see the city and meet other peers."
"I've heard of it. Was it called mentor and mentee?"
"Yes. They will meet various wizards working in other fields, listen to their stories, and find the way that suits them. The intent itself is very good."
That's the purpose, but most students are busy looking around the city.
Even considering that, it wasn't ineffective.
"At that time, I will also go to the capital as a guidance teacher, so when I meet the Imperial Magic Society, I will be able to look for an opportunity somehow."
"Then I'm glad you got a chance."
"Oh, and Hans."
"What else?"
"If you're able to control a crow, I think you've become more capable than before. Is there anything you can guess?"
If Hans, who could only use mice before, suddenly became able to use crows, there must be a reason. Right now, it's just one, but it could increase to several later.
"Uh-huh. I don't know. I just suddenly woke up and it worked."
"It's natural?"
"Yes, well."
"Did you have any dreams?"
"Dreams?"
Hans scratched his head and seemed to be pondering something.
Soon he shook his head.
"People who ask me about dreams don't know me well. I forget everything when I wake up. But why did you think it was a dream?"
"It feels like it."
"I can't believe it."
"I don't know anything else, but I can guess why your ability has become stronger."
"Oh? Really?"
Rudger said, putting a feed in the crow's mouth.
"It's teeth."
"Teeth? Are you talking about those teeth?"
"Yes. The Beast of Gévaudan can control other animals. Maybe it was because of your transformation at the Kunst auction house that day."
"Well……"
"There has been no change so far, but it is probably because your constitution was strengthened."
"Then what's bad about it?"
"If you can't suppress the ever-increasing wildness, then you will lose control."
Hans' face hardened in an instant and a memory that he didn't want to remember came to his mind. If this continues, he may be eaten up by his constitution and lose his human identity.
That alone was enough to scare him.
"But there is a solution."
"You mean the neutralizer you gave me?"
"The neutralizer only inhibits your constitution and does not cure it completely. Besides, I don't know how to make a cure. Your case, it's the first and it's unprecedented. Even if I make a cure, I can't guarantee how long it will take."
"Then there's no point."
"Not necessarily. It depends on your decision."
"Me?"
Hans asked with his eyes wide open.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Poison can be a medicine if you use it well. Hans, do you understand what I mean?"
"Are you saying that depending on how I use this ability, a better path will open up?"
"You've improved your senses a lot and your constitution is the first of its kind. Do you know what it means to be the first?"
Hans pondered for a moment and came up with the answer.
"Isn't it amazing?"
"That's the result."
"Then what's the answer? I can't think of anything."
"There is only one thing that the first one means, infinite possibilities. You have a myriad of ways you can choose from."
Hans shut up at Rudger's words.
"Hans, you are walking on a path that no one can walk on. I don't know what's at the end of the road and I don't even know where you're heading. Maybe your steps will become the road itself."
Hans felt that Rudger's words were being said to him as well as himself.
"Depending on where and how you go, you can be a great person or you can be reduced to a mere beast. All of that depends on your will."
"……."
"It will be okay now, but one day you will have to make a choice. What choice you make then is purely your will. Take your time, but don't be complacent. It's not bad to prepare an answer in advance."
"I'll keep it in mind. There's nothing to lose by listening to you. But honestly, I can't guarantee that it will work."
"Don't worry, that's enough for now."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"I came out for now, but there's nothing I have to do."
Hans started laughing at Rudger's words.
"It's unlike you, to move without a plan."
"Sometimes it's good to have no plans. I've been so busy lately so I have to rest when I have time like now."
"Well, it's understandable that you say so. It was not long ago that you announced the research results in the Arcane Chamber. It's time to cool off."
"I came out to rest, but I'm worried about what to do first."
Hans thought the remark was unexpected, but he smiled as if it was funny. It was out of place to see a person like Rudger wandering around.
"Why don't you go shopping, since you made a lot of money?"
"Most of it disappeared after the investments."
"Ignore the investments for now. Go eat delicious food or buy new clothes. Isn't that what life is all about?"
"You talk as if you've lived longer than me."
"At least I can be confident that I know more things to enjoy than you do."
Rudger smirked at Hans' generosity.
"Okay. It's been a while, so there's no harm in getting new clothes."
"Would you like to go to a store run by Violetta?"
"I'd like to ask for customized clothes."
"The store is so famous now that there's a waiting line but if it's brother you can just go right away. Let's go. Did you meet them?"
"Yes."
"……I'm going to make him go on a diet soon. Don't worry too much."
* * *
Royal Street was full of people day after day. The people gathered spread rumors, so more people gathered and a virtuous circle was formed.
The reason why this positive thing continued was that the new business became popular.
People who came out after watching the musical chatted happily.
The new magazine in the bookstore sold like hot cakes as soon as it came out.
Newly designed clothes have increased the number of ladies visiting Royal Street exponentially.
All the artists of the city who couldn't make money gathered in one place. Musicians make money playing musical instruments on the streets, and painters painted beautiful paintings on empty walls while poets and novelists all wrote for the magazine.
Children running around with toys and the smell of freshly baked bread spreading through the chimneys of the bakery made the streets full of life and warm.
It was a brightness that was not seen in the city where steam and fog often used to be.
"Recently, Leathervelk has started to push the Royal Street openly."
Walking down the street, Hans said to Rudger.
"Not too long ago, the guys who tried to check us after receiving back money from nearby merchants suddenly changed their attitude."
"For now they won't be able to do as they please."
"That's the same, but they may have been careful because they don't know much about the Owner. I think they're trying to contact you somehow. What will you do?"
"We'll wait and see. After all, the work of reaching out to the entire city from behind the scenes is progressing calmly."
Although Royal Street is now in Rudger's hands as they gradually expand their influence around the city, it will have a great impact on the entire city.
"Some people think that it's an evil tycoon trying to devour the city."
"It might look like that."
With such a silly conversation, the two entered the House of Verdi store run by Violetta.
The store was full of ladies who came to check their clothes and busy employees. Surprisingly, there were as many men as the ladies.
"There are more people than I thought. I thought only women would get together."
"Well, maybe because of word of mouth, a lot of famous fashion designers have been visiting recently. In addition, wealthy merchants and high-ranking wizards are coming."
"Even wizards?"
"Wizards also have to dress up."
"I've never dressed up."
"…You're such a liar. Let's go meet the manager first."
"Yeah."
It was when Hans was trying to take the lead and go up to the second floor.
"The person in charge, come out!"
Along with the loud sound that poked the ears, subtle mana was released in waves and the surroundings were soaked in silence.
Rudger and Hans' eyes naturally turned to the place where the mana flowed out. There, a young man with orange hair was frowning.
'A wizard.'
Rudger noticed that it was him who shouted a little while ago and released mana. And even when an employee caught up in the mana wave fell to the floor.
"Oh, my. What's going on?"
"Isn't that Albert Pablo?"
Among the gathered guests, someone who recognized the wizard called his name.
"Isn't Pablo a master of magic from the Old Tower?"
"I heard it, too. Plus, the Pablo family has a [Colour] wizard."
"Its Albert's brother."
Since he was annoyed Albert yelled again.
"I can't see the person in charge!"
When no one was able to stop him, Violetta appeared from the second floor.
Violetta, who came down to see what was going on, looked at Albert's face and her expression immediately hardened. On the contrary, Albert recognized Violetta and twisted her mouth.
"So it was really you Violetta."