304th Episode
A few days after Schugenharz ran away.
The magician, who typically avoided facing others, held an emergency meeting.
Only those early-bird disciples, and those with remarkable abilities, were gathered in the Capital City of Petran.
They gathered in the spacious Audience Room originally created for the king’s use.
“Mom….”
Among them were Buer, the magician’s daughter, and Plauros.
Buer gazed at her mother, who sat on the throne.
Her appearance was noticeably worn.
Though she was still considered a symbol of beauty, compared to just two and a half years ago, she seemed significantly faded.
Next to the throne sat Bael firmly in place.
The disciples were divided into two groups based on the long red carpet laid out before them.
Each possessed immense potential; they were all elites.
Once all the preparations were complete, Amon stepped forward to look at the disciples.
“As you all know, the purpose of this emergency meeting is to eliminate the traitor Schugenharz.”
Amon, trusted next only to the magician, conveyed her intentions.
In her purple eyes, a deadly resolve shimmered.
Her voice was solemn.
“You’ve heard that he audaciously broke into the room, disobeying the magician’s orders.”
Ah, the scene where the fuming Schugenharz had a forceful one-on-one with the magician.
At that time, Schugenharz not only showed suspicion towards the magician but also dared to threaten her safety.
“Just that is enough to warrant charges of treason, but evidence has emerged indicating he clandestinely dealt information about the magician two years ago… As a result, he has now managed to escape from the prison where he was locked up with the armies of monsters and spirits.”
No need to say more—this was a blatant act of rebellion.
Schugenharz had become an unforgivable criminal.
For the safety of the magician, the other disciples, and the people, he was a target for immediate execution.
“The magician feels the seriousness of this matter and warns that a great crisis for humanity might be approaching again. Therefore, I will permit the use of the ‘Red Monsters’ we kept imprisoned underground.”
In the past, these mindless red beasts were created by modifying prisoners to fight against the Demon King.
As the permission to use them was granted, the one who welcomed it the most was Lafez, who had been conducting biological experiments for a while.
Lafez, sporting a long grin, raised his hand and spoke.
“The fighting power of each Red Monster is rather unimpressive, so they won’t be suitable to face the monsters and spirits that Schugenharz took with him. Therefore, a numerical advantage is essential… Naturally, increasing the number of units is also permitted, right?”
“It seems offense is essential… Of course, increasing the number of entities is permitted, right?”
“……”
In response to Lafez’s question, Amon subtly turned her head to gauge the magician’s insight.
The magician closed her eyes gently and nodded.
Amon spoke on behalf of the magician.
“I grant permission. However, forcibly turning innocent citizens into monsters is…”
『Increase the number of entities as needed.』
“Bael…?”
“Hehehe. Thank you.”
Amon was caught off guard by Bael’s solemn voice unexpectedly letting out a humorous remark.
When he said “as needed,” it essentially meant he wouldn’t impose limits. Considering how obsessed Lafez was with biological experiments, it was a hard directive to comprehend.
But this too was the magician’s will. There was no room for rebuttal.
“…Additionally, we will distribute one magic tool created by Lafez to everyone here. It’s a tool that will immediately notify the magician of the corresponding location when mana is infused. Use it the moment you discover Schugenharz.”
Amon pulled out a fist-sized magic tool from her sleeve.
As she poured a hint of purple mana into it, the gem embedded in the center changed color, signaling it was activated.
“I must emphasize this once more. The moment you discover Schugenharz, notify the magician immediately. If anyone kills Schugenharz without reporting his location, the user will also face severe punishment.”
A somewhat puzzling directive.
However, no disciple raised any questions, and the gathering seemed to come to an end… until.
Late to raise his hand, Lafez asked.
“I want to ask the magician directly.”
“Lafez, at this moment, I am the voice of the magician. Direct your questions to me.”
“I trust you won’t overlook the merit of providing the magic tools.”
Lafez stated everything he had to say.
Amon furrowed her brows, trying to scold Lafez for stepping out of line.
『Ask.』
A voice that instantly took control of the room.
It was sweet like a harp’s melody and also chilling, like gazing into a deep cave.
As the magician’s lips opened, the disciples straightened their backs.
Feeling a familiar thrill after a long time, Lafez grinned and asked, “What’s the real reason behind wanting to kill Schugenharz?”
“I’ve told you, Lafez. He is a traitor who betrayed both the magician and us, leading the monsters and spirits away…!”
“No. Amon, that’s not it. I want to hear the magician’s true intention.”
Cutting off Amon’s words, Lafez continued.
He gently lowered his head, showing respect towards the magician, emphasizing that his curiosity stemmed from pure interest, not suspect motives.
“Magician, what do you see in Schugenharz? What led you to end your secluded life and become so frantic in searching for him?”
As Lafez said, the magician’s demeanor was unusual.
At first glance, she appeared calm, but upon closer inspection, she kept scratching the throne with trembling fingertips.
Her lips were dry, seeming in a hurry.
“We are disciples who have received special powers from the magician. We are ready to follow any command given by the magician without any complaint. So please answer us. What crime did Schugenharz commit?”
While everyone focused intently on his question, the magician, who had remained silent for a while, slowly opened her mouth.
『…The object I’ve been searching for is with him.』
The object she was looking for.
The surrounding mana responded to the magician’s words.
Mana.
Every word resonated with power, echoing in the earlobes.
Her eyes pierced through the sacred body, looking down upon everyone.
The magician conveyed to her disciples.
“There is yet another book that threatens me… It must be destroyed.”
*
After the emergency meeting concluded.
Buer attempted to approach her mother, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
It wasn’t out of deep affection, but rather a simple greeting. If possible, she wanted to share a few light conversations.
However, before Buer could get close,
the magician immediately stood up, and Bael blocked Buer’s path.
“Not today either?”
Bael did not respond to Buer’s question.
Her mother’s face was visible for a moment.
But instead of the loving gaze from before, there was a horrifying look, as if seeing something utterly repulsive, reflected in her mother’s eyes.
‘Why…?’
Buer couldn’t fathom the reason.
Two and a half years ago.
No matter how hard she tried to adapt, her mother’s sudden change was impossible to accept.
Ultimately, unable to find solace in either her mother’s or father’s embrace, Buer moved her short legs to visit the garden once again today.
The garden was permeated with the energy of night.
The blades of grass sparkled as if kissed by the moonlight, but they could not shed tears.
“Are you okay, Buer?”
“…Yeah. I’m fine.”
Plauros stayed by her side.
Understanding that Buer was significantly heartbroken, he chose not to ask further.
Pats, pats.
Buer dug into the garden soil with her hands, planting seeds.
A plant enthusiast, she spent time cultivating various plants whenever she felt empty or uncomfortable.
“What a pretty child. You should grow up strong.”
Like a parent caressing a child, she gently tended to the small mound where the seeds were planted.
I love you. You’re beautiful. Grow well.
The girl expressed her affection to the seeds with every word she knew. Gradually, her drooping lips began to curl upward.
“Ugh, gggggh!”
Suddenly, unable to suppress the vomit rising from within, Buer expelled it.
Plauros hurriedly patted her back. Buer released her stomach’s contents.
“Khak… Hah…”
As she poured it all out, tears brimmed in her eyes.
Having not eaten a proper meal since the morning, she had been unable to withstand the nausea that emerged repeatedly for the past two and a half years.
‘The roots have increased in quantity.’
Plauros thought as he cleaned up the vomit Buer had expelled.
The amount of roots mixed with the vomit had increased dramatically compared to just a few months ago.
Where there used to be only a few thin roots, there were now some quite thick ones, and of course, Buer’s esophagus wasn’t going to be alright either.
“Gurgle…”
Buer’s voice cracked, filled with wounds.
Plauros wiped her tears away, quietly feeling for her.
‘What sin has this young child committed…?’
Buer expelling the roots of plants wasn’t because she ingested the roots herself.
Two and a half years ago, before the magician went into seclusion, she had cursed her daughter, Buer.
The reason was most likely due to Buer’s latent abilities.
Buer, who inherited the blood of the magician and Bael, had an innate ability to use magic, even without the magician’s bestowed powers, showcasing a talent that was frighteningly impressive.
Back then, the magician, who had started to show symptoms of decline, clearly wanted to keep her only daughter completely under control.
‘I’ve once again confirmed through this meeting. The Magic Instructor is only worried about her own safety. Thus, she turned a blind eye to various misdeeds by other disciples as long as they complied with her control.’
Through this meeting, I became even more convinced. The Magic Instructor only cares about their own safety. So, while other disciples commit all sorts of evils, as long as they stay in line, they remain quiet.
But that doesn’t mean we can reduce the number of disciples.
It would be tough to keep an eye on other kingdoms or forces.
“I don’t mind that the Magic Instructor is trying to maintain power and preserve their physical form. Even if that leads to the deaths of others. But… if that influence harms Buer, that’s a different story.”
Originally, Plauros had become a disciple following the Magic Instructor.
But, taking on the role of a caretaker tilted the scales of his heart towards Buer.
He could do anything for Buer.
Really, anything.
Plauros knew the time had come and spoke.
“Buer. Will you run away with me?”
“…What?”
“If you stay here any longer, Buer’s body will completely break down in no time. The closer you are to the Magic Instructor, the more the curse on you accelerates… At this rate, you won’t be able to walk in three years.”
“Plauros. What are you saying? You’re not saying… betray Mom right now, are you…?”
“All preparations are complete. If Buer can just follow me, we can escape right now.”
Since Plauros had never shown a hint of this kind of nuance before, Buer couldn’t help but be even more surprised.
Running away means breaking free from the Magic Instructor’s control.
In other words, it meant betrayal.
“Plauros. I think there’s a misunderstanding… Mom cursed me because she loves me…!”
“Buer, as you said before, when I said the Magic Instructor loves you, that was a lie. That person no longer loves you. If they did, they wouldn’t be doing this.”
“…….”
“Please, can’t you trust me and come with me? …I can’t just watch as Buer becomes unable to lift a finger like this.”
Plauros’s eyes looked so desperate.
Although Buer was young, or maybe because she was young, she could easily feel the emotion being conveyed.
She realized how much he cherished her.
“…Where can we run to? Do we have a way?”
Buer asked to counter Plauros’s intentions.
Even if they went outside the castle, they would be immediately noticed, and pursuers would catch up.
Plauros wasn’t particularly strong either, so he would easily be caught.
Then, as if he had anticipated Buer’s concerns, he quietly replied.
“We can rely on Schugenharz. We’ve already come to an agreement.”
“…What?!”
Another shocking statement came out.
Buer covered her mouth with her hands, startled, and her eyes trembled with anxiety.
It seemed Plauros really had prepared everything.
“B-but. I love Mom and Dad….”
Buer hesitated.
She loved her parents, who gave birth to her, even if they cursed her.
Seeing her reluctance, Plauros decisively stood up.
“Sorry, Plauros. But don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone else…”
“I’m sorry, Buer.”
Thud—.
Plauros knocked Buer unconscious.
Then, cautiously lifting the unconscious Buer, he hurriedly slipped into the darkness.
