Chapter 299
“…So what? Do you really think we’re going to be scared?”
It was the past Ami clashing with Archbishop Ami, who might be his future.
And Zagan wasn’t backing down.
He couldn’t be dumb enough not to realize the situation.
Seeing how he wouldn’t easily lose his momentum, it was clear just how inflated their egos had been over the past fifteen years.
I, standing a step back, slightly moved the muscles around my mouth.
“That’s not courage; that’s just foolishness. It would be wise to put down your weapons and tails right now.”
“Shut up! Just because you’re a magician’s apprentice doesn’t mean you’re on our level! Experience matters. You barged in after defeating the Demon King, acting all high and mighty… Don’t talk so loud when you just joined us!”
Ami was bursting with purple mana, trying to stand her ground.
It seemed she considered me a rookie who came in after the Demon King was defeated, trying to save face.
“If you’re going to talk like that, then I have no choice.”
I shrugged, unleashing more of Archbishop Ami’s mana.
Listening to the loud screeches from Ami and Zagan, I couldn’t help but feel entertained.
“Die—!”
“Ughhh!”
When training pets, it’s essential to establish a clear hierarchy.
Otherwise, you might end up getting bit.
* * *
“…I’m sorry.”
Zagan and Ami were so beaten up it was hard to recognize their faces.
Their eyes, which had been glaring at me just a moment ago, were swollen up like children’s fists, making it difficult to see.
Their lips were busted, and blood was dripping.
The two bruised kids were kneeling with both hands raised.
“Hmm.”
I sat in front of them, legs crossed, having changed into the clothes they offered me, while I scrutinized the map.
“Again. Explain properly what you’re sorry for.”
“We’re sorry for jumping in recklessly.”
“Not just recklessly, though, right? Your clueless brawl without understanding your opponent shows a lack of intelligence. In short, you’ve lost your sense of self-awareness.”
“W-What are you talking about…? This is ridiculous…!”
“O-Oh brother! Please just let it go! How much more are we supposed to get hit? I don’t even have the strength to stand anymore!”
“Let go, Zagan! There are fights for men that we can’t escape!”
“……”
Ami is still growling.
Even fifteen years ago, she had some pride in her prison in Frikkanrisk.
But for some reason, now she looks even more pathetic.
“Fan. Level 3.”
“What?”
“I said to fan me because it’s hot. Here, catch.”
I threw the fan that was on the table at the bewildered Ami.
Ami caught it clumsily, her eyebrows twitching like a worm.
“…Do you even know where you are right now?”
“Isn’t this your mansion? A large, magnificent structure that clearly shows how much labor you exploited.”
“…And what are you reading?”
“This is the map of the world you provided me. While the continental representation is subpar, it’s still decent for understanding the surrounding countries or cities.”
“…….”
“Just to add, you are currently being punished for losing to me, and I’m being treated as a noble guest. But… it seems you still need more education. Where did you pawn your honor off to?”
Thwack-.
With Ami kneeling and Zagan next to her.
The Archbishop Ami, who had unleashed her powers, held a scythe to the neck of her past self.
“…Ugh.”
Past Ami, trembling while holding the fan.
Perhaps she’s been scolded enough to find it tiring, so she doesn’t dare to blabber.
Instead, she slowly raised her arm and fanned herself.
“…Are you satisfied?”
“I said Level 3, not Level 1. Move your arms more busily.”
“…Cough. …Yes.”
Flap flap-.
Ami gritted her teeth and moved her arms faster.
In fact, there are plenty of more efficient ways to deal with the heat, but this is part of the education.
There’s no need to choose a less efficient method deliberately.
“Looks like the map is good enough now…. Zagan, come over and sit here.”
“…Yes, yes?”
“I told you to sit across from me. Oh, Ami, you also fan Zagan with both fans at the same time. Here.”
I tossed another fan over.
Ami’s arms started trembling, and even her eyebrows began to shake.
Zagan, on the other hand, kept glancing around nervously, trying to read the mood.
“Zagan, you don’t have to worry about that impertinent brother over there. Since you’ve humbly bent your pride and followed my lead, I’ll be granting you some privileges.”
“…But still.”
“I’ll say it one more time. Sit down.”
“…Yes.”
Zagan timidly moved her legs and sat in the chair across from me.
Ami looked like she was about to bolt, but holding back her bubbling anger, she continued fanning with both hands.
Finally, a proper conversation space was set up.
Yes, this is how we can extract information easily.
“Zagan, I have a few questions.”
“Yes, please go ahead….”
“First, regarding the ‘Hero’s Parade’ happening in a few days. Reveal the location, specific schedule, and the attendees.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, both Zagan and Ami showed signs of shock.
“Excuse me? Why do you want to know that…?”
“Right? As a disciple, you should know such things! Have you been stuck in a cave for a long time…?”
The most notable figure in this world, the first magician.
And a massive event to celebrate the magician and her disciples.
Given it’s a nationwide event, most civilians should be aware of it too. It would be awkward for a disciple not to know.
Even some of the civilians would know about this. Being a disciple, it’s downright awkward to not know.
However, I casually brushed off the reason.
After all, my unique spell was activated a long time ago. When they fully recover and spill all the information, I was planning to manipulate it so that it would just seem like a nightmare.
Acquiring information took precedence over concrete justification.
“Answer my questions. Remember that sparing you, who are trying to kill me, is no act of goodwill.”
“……”
Killing is easy.
As I emphasized this point, Zagan’s hesitant lips slowly parted.
“In five days… there’s a march scheduled from Petran to the middle reaches of the Keral River.”
‘Petran, is that the city standing in for Brutenburg during the original timeline?’
The capital of the Troa Empire, Brutenburg.
Due to the difference in eras, one can’t really compare population and infrastructure, but it was similar in the sense of being a capital of a powerful nation.
Also, if we’re talking about the middle reaches of the Keral River, that implies it’s on the way to the Demon Lord’s castle.
‘Since it’s a celebration of liberation from the Demon Lord, it sounds like they’re portraying the journey from humanity’s greatest civilization to the Demon Lord’s castle.’
As I organized my thoughts, Zagan started naming those participating in the event one by one.
“Amon, Buer, Ipos….”
All familiar names, and my expectations were right on the money.
They were all cardinals and archbishops of the Goddess Church.
Or renowned bishops.
The disciples of magicians were completely aligned with the forces of the Goddess Church.
Certainly, an event like a march shouldn’t be overlooked.
The magicians and their disciples. It had to be closely related to the reason why I ended up here.
Though I couldn’t participate as a member, it seemed necessary to observe as an audience.
“…That’s about all I can think of for now.”
“Right.”
“Is there anything else you wish to ask?”
Zagan blinked nervously.
I have mountains of questions to ask.
Sure, the march is one thing, but if I delve into deeper issues, it’s bound to raise suspicions.
Eventually, I had to make a choice.
Either head to the city where the march will begin without obtaining any further information.
Or, place a curse spell on them to make them spill the info, then use Gamigin’s power to erase their memories.
‘Using Gamigin’s power carries risks, so I’d rather avoid it. But if necessary, I have no choice.’
This is information I can’t know in the current world. It has enough value.
I decided on the latter and immediately activated a curse spell.
It was simultaneous with the use of my unique spell, but the total amount of mana that had transcended made it a breeze.
“Ugh…”
“M-my eyes…!”
Ami and Zagan swayed, experiencing a dizzying sensation.
Ami dropped her fan and fell backward, while Zagan leaned back against his chair.
As they fell completely under my magic, I said:
“Magician, reveal all the information you have about the person you serve.”
* * *
Five days after Vargan visited Ami and Zagan.
Four hours before the march of heroes began.
The castle in the capital city of Petran was filled with esteemed individuals.
“Dad…!”
In the open hallway connected to the garden, a six-year-old girl with a pure smile rushed in.
“W-watch out, Lady Buer! Be careful not to trip!”
A middle-aged man hurriedly followed behind the girl.
A middle-aged man fidgeted with concern, unable to recklessly intervene.
The girl, oblivious to his worries, cheerfully tugged at the pants of the man she called “Dad.”
“Dad! Dad!”
The grand and magnificent castle structures were enough to catch anyone’s eye.
Yet, in the child’s view, only her long-lost father came into focus.
The girl wanted her father to pick her up, but he merely ruffled her hair lightly.
Even though she wished for more, she had to be satisfied with that.
“Ah, it’s been a while since I last saw you!”
The middle-aged man bowed his head to the girl’s father a bit late.
Her father, who rarely expressed emotions or spoke, nodded as if to say everything he needed to say.
“It’s already been a few months. I trust you’ve been well. As you can see, Buer is growing up nicely.”
“That’s right! I’ve grown a lot! Aren’t I good?”
“…….”
The silent man offered a faint smile and nodded.
Even in front of his beloved daughter, he felt hesitant to speak freely.
The girl could have complained about her father’s scant expressions of affection, but when she saw his smile, her own radiant grin blossomed even more.
“Are we going to see Mom? I want to go too! Let’s go together!”
“B-Buer…”
“I haven’t seen Mom in ages…! Can’t I come along too?”
“Child… this isn’t how it should be.”
The man attending to the girl looked quite flustered.
The person her father was about to meet was not only the girl’s mother but also exceeded the simple classification of just being someone’s mom.
“Buer, you know that visiting the ‘Magic Instructor’ isn’t something you can just demand from your father.”
“No! She’s not just a magician; she’s our mom!”
“W-well, that’s true but… I’ve told you multiple times…”
“…….”
Perhaps it was because she was meeting her father after so long.
Seeing that the girl’s stubbornness wouldn’t easily subside…
Her father knelt down to face her directly.
His face exuded kindness, but the deep-seated solemnity revealed the qualities of a leader.
He quietly opened his mouth.
“Daughter, let’s save talking to Mom for next time.”
His voice seemed otherworldly.
As his power echoed through the air, the girl’s eyes went blank, and she nodded.
“Okay. I’ll play with Mom next time.”
As if the desire to chatter with her mother had vanished, Buer released her grip on her father’s pants.
The attending man, watching this unfold, felt a pang of sympathy but bowed his head in humility.
“I apologize. It seems I have been insufficient in Buer’s upbringing.”
“…….”
The girl’s father shook his head.
Then the attendant continued speaking.
“There are still about four hours until the march. Take your time and speak with the Magic Instructor, Bael.”
Bael. That name is…
Buer’s father and the first disciple of the magician, and also the magician’s husband.
