Chapter 202: Return (2)
After a long time, all the Red Garnet Adventurers gathered together. Ganesha, Leo, Lia, Carlos, Dozmura, Lohan, and even Reylie, were all laid lazily about the guest room in Reccordak’s new building.
“Haah—”
Ganesha was lying on the sofa and yawning while Dozmura, Lohan, and Jinchen, the boar, played cards. On the other side, the trio of Leo, Lia, and Carlos was playing together.
“…So. After a brief stop at the Sanctuary of Annihilation, we will go to the Principality of Yuren.”
No, they were in a meeting. Lia was the most hardworking and not-at-all lazy member of this adventure group. Leo turned to look at Ganesha.
“Can we go there just like that? Isn’t it dangerous?”
“Of course~, we are adventurers. They won’t attack as soon as they see us.”
The Sanctuary of the Altar was of a size beyond imagination. Since it was so large and difficult to take care of on its own, if you introduced yourself as an adventurer, you would be entrusted with a task. Of course, it would be difficult to get into the deeper areas.
“…Carlos. Are you okay?”
While talking, Lia sent a secret glance at Carlos. They were going because…
“The lacquer of the temple.”
They sold an item that would be quite helpful to Carlos.
“What?”
But Carlos only blinked. His characteristic pale pupils moved as if he had no idea what she was talking about.
“…Oh, no. Nothing.”
But, still, the lacquer of the temple could be obtained anywhere if you had money. Then, Leo asked:
“Oh, right! How’s Julie?”
…
Julie woke up from a long sleep. When she opened her eyes, she felt as if her body was being ripped apart, but it was tolerable.
“You are awake, Knight Deya.”
Julie hurriedly turned to see Zeit by her bedside. Maybe it was because his body was too big for the chair and space around him, but he was crouched down in his seat.
“You’re-“
“Sit down. I can’t move.”
Zeit let out a small sigh at Julie as she tried to sit up. It was as if he were rebuking himself.
“Julie.”
“…Yes.”
“I heard that you commissioned the Red Garnet Adventure Team. These are the materials.”
Zeit held out a briefcase. There were no signs of it being torn or forcibly opened.
“Is it related to the old son-in-law?”
“…”
Julie looked at Zeit. Strictly speaking, he wasn’t an ‘old son-in-law’ since she wasn’t Zeit’s daughter but his sister. However, he was willing to assume the role of her father as head of the family for officiating the engagement.
“Yes.”
Zeit nodded, turning his eyes out the window.
“I think it will be surprisingly easy to restore the livelihoods of Reccordak and Freyden.”
“Why?”
“Aren’t there many wizards left?”
Zeit chuckled. Wizards were always desperately needed in the North, but they didn’t want to come, no matter how much money they offered.
“It was only Deculein and his two assistants who went down. The rest remained here in Reccordak.”
“…Is there a reason?”
Julie felt doubt. If you were a wizard, you wouldn’t want to stay in this cold land a second more.
“Deculein left his writings here in the library. Of course, he will collect them back later, but at least he will wait for the wizards to finish their studies.”
He responded to those who risked their lives to help Reccordak, leaving them his thirty-seven unsubmitted papers and twenty-three unpublished books. Even the lecture materials written by Deculein and the test papers used to evaluate his class performance were left.
The wizards were engrossed in those golden lectures. Several wizards in the Imperial Palace, as well as Ihelm and Louina, had remained to read them.
“When they return, we can ask for their service. We’re going to give them some money on the way home anyway, so they won’t give up on that. But… Julie.”
Zeit’s voice turned deep. Julie forced herself up to meet his gaze.
“Yes.”
Zeit let out a small cough and a sigh. Then he ran a hand through his long hair.
“Deculein said he didn’t care if you died.”
Julie’s shoulders trembled for a brief moment. She glanced back at Zeit, pretending to be calm.
“…Did you meet him?”
“When you were asleep.”
“…”
She clenched her teeth, feeling an unknown emotion swell from the bottom of her heart. Zeit watched her.
“Do you hate Deculein?”
“…Yes. I hate him.”
Julie answered confidently, but her fists clenched the blanket, and small drops of water pooled around her eyes. Zeit nodded.
“But Deculein has already become a master of the magic world. Even in politics, there aren’t many people who want to go against his will.”
“…”
“Julie. Can you beat him?”
Julie met Zeit’s eyes. A long time ago, when he gave her young self a sword, he wore a similar expression.
“…Yes. I can beat him.”
Julie nodded.
“I will beat him.”
A completely different answer from when she was a kid. Eventually, his younger sister became a full-fledged knight. From a cute child… now to a cold adult.
“…Haha. You’re sure. You’re a Freyden, after all.”
Zeit smiled faintly.
* * *
At a Restaurant in Oslon, the Northern Dawn, I had a meal facing the Count Dehaman. It had been a while since I’d been comfortable with eating a meal, but it didn’t particularly bother me.
“…I’m glad that it suits the taste of the assistants.”
Dehaman smiled slightly as he wiped his lips with a napkin. I nodded without a word. The real problem was Epherene in the back. The lobster, clams, and Roahawk on her table were less being eaten and more being absorbed by her. If she were just eating, there would be no problem.
“Chomp, chomp… sniff… chomp, chomp… sniff, sniff.”
She was crying while eating, however.
“It’s so good, sniff… sniff … chomp… why is this shell so thick…”
I felt I could read her thoughts. It’s good, but if Assistant Professor Allen could be with us- it would be something like that.
“Do you have any clues about Rohakan’s whereabouts?”
I tried to ignore her and focus on Count Dehaman.
“Yes.”
The count gave a glance to the secretary standing behind him. She produced a case sealed with magic.
“It’s in here. The hem of Rohakan’s robe.”
“…The hem of his robe.”
“Yes. The mana is preserved so that it will be traceable.”
“We will need a separate consultant.”
Mana tracking wasn’t my specialty. In the first place, it was a field belonging to technique rather than magic.
“Yes. I have already prepared one. You probably know-“
“That’s me.”
At that moment, the door of the restaurant opened, and I heard a familiar voice.
Stomp- stomp-
A public official approached with confidence to join us.
“It’s been a while, Professor.”
Lilia Primienne. I glared at her with narrowed eyes, but Dehaman continued.
“As you probably already know, the Deputy Director Premienne is from the North and has great abilities, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Yes, Professor. We will be moving in groups of two, and there will also be support from the intelligence service. Your Majesty’s mission must-“
“Waaaah…!”
A great cry interrupted Primienne and drew their attention.
“Waahhh, Assistant Professor Allen… waaah-! Ouch!”
“…”
I placed Silence on the table of the sadly crying girl. Now we couldn’t hear her, though Epherene’s raucous gestures continued. Primienne watched her with a faint smirk.
“Anyway, Professor. I look forward to working with you.”
Primienne reached out her hand. I ignored it and turned to Dehaman.
“Has the train service stopped?”
“Yes, there are no working lines. I’ve got your steed ready, and you can ride it with your assistants.”
“Let’s leave now.”
I was about to stand.
“…”
Primienne was still reaching out her hand to me. Without a word, like some kind of dummy.
“…You two over there. Come out.”
Ignoring her again, I called to Epherene and Drent.
“Oh, okay.”
Drent supported Epherene up, and we left the restaurant together. Dehaman’s horses were ready outside.
“Drent, you take that fool.”
“Yes. Hey, hey, Leaf. Stop crying already.”
“…Sniff.”
Epherene’s crying had barely stopped. Then, when I was about to get on the horse-
A hand approached.
“…”
It was Primienne’s invitation for a handshake.
“…”
I looked at her hand and climbed onto the horse.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
Hee-hee-hee-!
The horse galloped away. Primienne climbed atop her mount and spurred it forward to catch up. I turned around to look at her.
“…Did she go nuts?”
Primienne was riding with her left hand holding the reins and her right hand held out for a handshake.
* * *
…Finally. After all that time in Reccordak, finally, I arrived back in the continent proper. Just as expected, the landscape was still peaceful.
“…Hmm.”
Before returning to the mansion, I visited the Magic Tower Chairman’s Office. I had something to receive. However-
The Chairman was sleeping, curled up at her desk. Watching her sleeping, I tapped the desk.
Knock, knock–
“!”
She opened her eyes as a cat and mana sparked around her. She glanced up at me and assumed a strong fighting stance, puffing up her cheeks and wrinkling her brow.
“What the hell! Why did you wake me up?!”
“It’s business time.”
Then I glanced at the clock.
“…What! It’s three o’clock already!”
“You must be tired from providing support.”
Adrienne had been a formidable force all this time. She alone defended the key point of Rebek. She killed close to a million monsters, and the number of those she protected exceeded hundreds of thousands. Indeed, it was a deed suitable for being called an Archmage.
“Well, I am! You were also amazing! I heard you buried thousands of Demon Blood alive!”
“It was dozens.”
“Eh? Too few! There were even rumors of tens of thousands!”
“Does that even make sense?”
“It makes sense if it’s you~!”
The Chairman stretched out.
“Anyway. Good job! My term ends this spring, and I’ll announce the winner after that! The next chairman, Deculein! Hihi!”
An alarm floated across my eyes.
[Quest Complete: Become Chairman]
◆ Acquire a rare characteristic catalog.
◆ After taking office, acquire the title Magic Tower Chairman.
I nodded with satisfaction.
“Oh. Professor Deculein! But did you hear the news?!”
“What news are you talking about?”
“Julie, that knight is settling down in Reccordak~!”
“…”
The Chairman’s ears could hear rumors from across the world.
“Now, she has nothing to do with me.”
“Hmm… oh, right. And, Her Majesty said she doesn’t need a Teaching Wizard anymore, huh?!”
“…”
Without realizing it, my brow furrowed. That news was unexpected. No, it was impossible considering Sophien’s personality.
“There’s no way.”
“It’s true! Visit her~! I heard she doesn’t take outsiders in anymore! Including you!”
“…”
If this was true, it wasn’t a good sign. Sophien still had a lot to learn, but the woman who couldn’t beat my Go skills wouldn’t back down so easily.
“Yes. I’ll go.”
I turned around and went down the elevator.
Ding-!
I quickly reached the first floor. Standing in the hallway, Primienne was waiting for me.
“…”
Still, with her hand outstretched for a handshake and wearing no expression.
“I won’t do it.”
* * *
The dorms of the Imperial Palace were soaked in darkness. Today, in a place where not even a single candle was lit, Sophien played Go alone.
Tap—
Tap—
The only sound was the clinking of stone against the wood. The black and white stones moved in a tragic dance before the board was upended.
Thud-!
Fallen stones and a wooden board, and a mess of thoughts in her head. Sophien lay on the floor.
“Rohakan, that damn bastard….”
He put a strange feeling in her head. It was bullshit, but she kept worrying. There was no way she would ever fall in love with Deculein or anything like that. He had worn his conviction plainly, but…
—Your Majesty.
A maid’s voice reached her from outside the door. Sophien glanced over, but she didn’t say anything. Even speaking was bothersome now. Her whole body was wet and bloated like a drowned corpse.
—Your Majesty. Professor Deculein is here.
“…”
Sophien forced herself up, swallowed, and then shook her head.
“Tell him I’m working.”
-Yes.
After that, Sophien started to work. She had a lot to deal with regarding the post-war recovery. The efficient distribution of central subsidies, the recovery project, selection of top raw materials, diplomatic matters…
—Your Majesty.
However, after a while, the maid called out to her again. Sophien clenched her pen.
“What now?”
—The Professor said he would wait for Your Majesty to finish your work.
The Emperor bit her lip, responding sharply.
“…It will take a long time, so tell him to go back.”
—Yes.
So the maid left, and Sophien resumed her work. The heavy workload gradually diminished, and problems that would take a week even if many subordinates rushed about were resolved one by one.
Tick-tock-
When the second hand moved, the minute hand flowed, and the hour hand changed several times. At some point-
—Your Majesty.
The maid called her again. She put down her pen.
“What? You keep bothering me.”
The maid answered with a slightly embarrassed tone.
—I’m sorry. But the Professor… he said it doesn’t matter how much time it will take. So he’s still waiting.
“…”
Deculein again. Sophien looked out the window. The sun had disappeared, and the world turned dark. A pale light rested on her face.
“…Today.”
In the middle of the sky lay the full moon. She spoke softly as she watched it.
“Tell him it’s too late today.”