Chapter 217: Each Meeting (1)
âŚWhether the space was isolated or wrapped in a barrier, the Magic Tower Admission Guideline meeting was trapped in magical darkness.
âHmmâŚâ
Lia looked into the darkness beyond the door.
âDo you think you can tell, Lia?â
She shook her head at Leoâs question. She lacked a way to figure it out, neither with the system nor magic.
âNo. I donât know. I canât see anything, and I donât think thereâs anything. Iâm not a wizard, soâŚâ
âWhat is it?â
At that moment, Maho approached with a smile. Her arms were filled with pamphlets from all the departments.
âIf itâs a magical terrorist, have we been kidnapped?â
âI donât think⌠oh right.â
Lia tapped her temple. She forgot her duty for a moment. No matter what the circumstances, escorting this princess was her number one priority.
âSit down for now. Leo, you should watch the princess.â
âYeah! Princess, come with me!â
âYes, ~.â
Maho, drawn away by curiosity, soon returned to sit with Leo again.
ââŚAs expected, youâre so strict.â
Although she was the model of an ingenious princess from an old fairy tale, her inside was sharp as a sword. Not one sword, but dozens, lurking under a thin veneer. Even now, it was probably not out of curiosity but a hint that they were neglecting their mission.
âHow did Leo become an adventurer at such a young age? Iâm curious. Thatâs impressive~.
-Yes? Well⌠ahem⌠hmmhahaha! Itâs not that impressive~.
Leo twisted his body and enjoyed the princessâs compliment. Lia watched the two of them, thinking of the predestined future. Mahoâs Quest. In the course of that independent quest, she might, inevitably, die.
Of course, might and inevitably contradict each otherâŚ
âLong time no see.â
Instantly, a voice that froze the air cut through her thoughts. Lia frowned and looked around.
ââŚâ
Deculein. He approached and looked down in her direction, reflecting her image in his cold eyes.
âI see that you have returned to the islands.â
ââŚYes.â
âWhat about the job you were doing in Annihilation?â
ââŚâ
It was a task and an oath to Deculein. She promised to find medicine for Carlos and to make him a human again.
âDid you fail?â
Deculein laughed as if he knew the outcome. Lia clenched her fists.
âI didnât. We have a possibility now.â
âPossibility.â
âYes.â
âTell me.â
Lia hesitated, then glanced at him.
ââŚItâs a secret.â
ââŚâ
Suddenly it grew colder. She felt chills run down her neck and arms. Deculein stood still, and the temperature hadnât dropped, but it was pure psychological pressure. She reluctantly opened her mouth.
ââŚI met someone there.â
âYou mean from the Altar?â
ââŚâ
Lia was surprised. She didnât want to tell him because it was hard to believe. Most of the Named didnât believe that people lived in Annihilation. However, Deculein didnât seem to be surprised, and he didnât seem to doubt her but rather immediately identified them as the Altar.
âDid you⌠know?â
At that moment, Lia had a small suspicion. She wondered if Deculein also joined the Altar.
âTell me.â
âŚNo, the Named Deculein was a staunch atheist. If there were a religion called atheism, he would be the most devout believer. It would be a character error for Deculein to join the Altar, an impossible thing. As Deculein interrogated and killed the Demon Blood, he would inevitably learn about the Altarâs existence.
ââŚI asked them, and they said there was a flower.â
âA flower.â
âYes. A flower that harmonizes oneâs mana and dark energy.â
ââŚHarmony.â
Deculeinâs brow twitched.
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âYes. If we completely purify the dark energy, Carlos will die. But⌠if we harmonize themâŚâ
Carlos would be no different from the Demon Blood. She swallowed back the latter part. Deculein would consider a Demon Blood and a Demon the same.
âAnyway. They call the flower Regetal. If we find that, Carlos can live like an ordinary person.â
ââŚâ
Then, Deculein wore a thoughtful face for a moment. Lia, worried about his thoughts, wiggled her fingers as she continued.
âBut⌠more importantly. If itâs a magic terrorist attack, shouldnât you deal with it?â
âThatâs impossible.â
ââŚEh?â
He gave an immediate answer. Lia tilted her head while Deculein explained.
âBecause itâs a complete separation barrier spell.â
ââŚWhat is it?â
âSince the core of the barrier is outside, it is a complete separation.â
ââŚâ
She didnât know the term, but anyway.
âYou mean we canât go out?â
âIt is impossible to escape from inside.â
ââŚForever?â
âUntil the core runs out of mana or the core is destroyed.â
âOh~.â
As expected, there wasnât a thing Deculein didnât know. Of course, Lia was still a little embarrassed by his huge personality change, but she added the big alteration of a fiancĂŠ. Lia purposefully smiled widely.
âThen itâs not a big deal, is it?â
âNo.â
ââŚYes?â
âIt is rather a big deal.â
ââŚWhy? Shouldnât it be nothing if you already know everything?â
Deculein looked down at her again.
âThe complete separation barrier spell is the last hypothesis. Itâs the last hypothesis remaining after thinking of hundreds of possibilities first, improvising the procedure, and erasing the status, traces, and mana concentration of this venue one by one as evidence.â
ââŚThe last hypothesis?â
âRight. Except for the impossible, all that is left is the truth, no matter how unbelievable it may be.â
Lia trembled at the familiar saying, and a wizard, Epherene, sneakily approached. Her expression was very serious compared to Deculeinâs.
âThen are we in trouble?â
âThis a Giant spell.â
ââŚâ
That quieted Lia. Giant magic transcended the category of magic and reached the realm of miracle.
âGiant⌠magic?â
Lia looked up blankly at Deculein. He still wore a calm expression.
âThen⌠this isnât terrorism?â
âImplementing a barrier in a civilian area without permission is terrorism under imperial law. However, the magician who executes this barrier is not bound by any special laws.â
ââŚSorcerer.â
Deculein nodded. He took a deep breath and looked back at the stage.
âAn archmage, or a wizard equivalent to it, is here.â
ââŚâ
Then, Liaâs head went blank for a moment. Demakan? No, if it was an equivalent to that⌠Murkan?
âMaybe he came looking for me.â
ââŚThe Professor? Why?â
Deculein explained it very simply.
âBecause I killed Rohakan.â
* * *
Meanwhile, Julie arrived on the island with Reylie.
âHere! Itâs here, knight!â
âOkay!â
The two stopped at a nearby clothing store before going to the Imperial Palace, the most famous in the islands, Antoir.
ââŚKnight. Look. How about this?â
Reylie looked around the clothes and recommended one antique dress. However, Julie shook her head.
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âMore than that, how about this suit?â
It was a formal suit that even an old man wouldnât wear. Reylie sighed.
âYou donât need a suit. After all, if you go to the Imperial Palace, you might be awarded. Just buy a dress.â
ââŚItâs too expensive. Why does a dress cost 50,000 Elnes?â
As Julie muttered her dissatisfaction-
âI think this will suit you.
In an instant, a voice touched Julie and Reylieâs hearts. Deculeinâs clear voice.
âHaha. It seems that the professor only thinks of Knight Julie.
âIt is natural to think of a beautiful person when looking at beautiful clothes.
The terrible voice of the past. Her heart was pounding, and a cold sweat formed on her forehead.
âSo, is the engagement ceremony tomorrow?
âYes. Iâll take this.
âOkay. Hahaha. Wow, I envy that knight~. She has such a great professor as her companionâŚ
A smile that spread like a mist.
ââŚItâs Deculeinâs voice, isnât it?â
Reylie asked. Julie nodded without saying a word.
âHmm, well⌠indeed. This Voice phenomenon is said to connect with people who are related to them. Therefore⌠Iâm a bit scared too. Iâm afraid Iâll hear my motherâs or fatherâs voice. Anyway, donât worry-â
âBut, Professor. I know I shouldnât ask this.
The voice continued again, and the two instinctively listened.
âItâs a topic that the social world is so curious about these daysâŚ
âSay it.
âAhaha. What made the professor so captivated with Knight Julie?
âŚThe manager asked. And.
ââŚShe is a pitiful woman. That woman never had anything but an empty and pitiful life. Even the way she pretends to be strong is also pitiful.
Deculein responded.
âIs it⌠compassion?
âIt could be that too. But, what does it matter? Rather, she will be happy with me because of that. She, too, wants that. Thereâs no way she wouldnâtâŚ
With those words, the erosion of the Voice subsided.
ââŚâ
In the blazing silence, Julie clenched her fists. She clenched her jaw so hard that it shook.
âHmm⌠itâs nice to see this now.â
Reylie picked up the suit Julie had just chosen.
âExcuse. How much is this? Weâll take this.â
* * *
Knights with a prominent reputation on the continent were gathering in the Imperial Palace one by one. From famous masters such as Verock, Jaylen, Youpley, and Bomas, to the younger generation, including Julie and Delric. All of them were on the list gathered by the emperor herself.
âAll thirty people have gathered in the dining hall.â
âOkay.â
Sophien watched the reception room, where they gathered through the crystal ball.
âBomas. I knew you would be here too.
âHaha! Itâs me, after all. But, why did Her Majesty call usâŚ
The knights talked to each other, full of happy and proud smiles, except for one person, Julie.
âJulie. Sheâs become an outcast.â
She was sitting alone in a corner and just blinking. The way she put her hands on her knees in her outdated suit was awkward, and no knight was approaching to speak to her.
âIt seems to be because of the Freyhem corruption case.â
âI know.â
The corruption case of the Knights of Freyhem. With that, her innocent and graceful image was damaged, and Deculein abandoned â rather, pretended to abandon â her. Of course, Sophien vaguely knew the inside story. Unless Deculein himself confessed, she couldnât tell for sure, but at least she knew that it was something he did for Julie.
âCall Julie first. I will interview each of them one by one starting from her.â
âYes, Your Majesty.â
Ahan moved quickly. Within three minutes, Julie arrived at the emperorâs study.
âGood to see you, Your Majesty.â
Sophien glanced at Julie, who was politely greeting her. As expected, she wasnât loud or arrogant. This was the typical image of a loyal person expressing their sincerity.
âOkay. Itâs been a long time. It seems just like yesterday that you were teaching me.â
âYes. It was an honor. Those days were too short for me. Dishonored by my fault-â
âEnough.â
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Sophien interrupted Julie. If she had let her, she would state her sins all over again.
âToday, do you know why youâre here?â
âI donât know.â
âIt is a test.â
ââŚâ
Even though Julie didnât know, she didnât ask. It was the etiquette of a knight, so Sophien explained briefly.
âIâm looking for a knight to succeed Keiron. A person who can serve as my escort and then become the guardian knight of the empire.â
Imperial Guardian Knight. At that moment, Julieâs eyes widened. Her white pupils shook.
âAssignments have been prepared in advance for that. Do you think you can do that?â
âYour Majesty. Just giving me the qualifications to take on the challenge will be an infinite honor-â
âTake this.â
Sophien held out a picture for Julie of a child. Not even eight years old, they were too young.
âItâs a Demon Blood. This is a Demon Blood who lived a very ordinary life, like an ordinary child.â
ââŚâ
âHowever, I hate the Demon Blood⌠so, let me ask you.â
Sophienâs lips curled up mischievously.
âCan you kill this child with your own hands? Can you cut this childâs head off with your sword?â
ââŚâ
Then Julie raised her head. Sophien became immediately serious as their eyes met.
ââŚYour Majesty.â
Julie wasnât agitated, and there was no worry in her eyes.
âThere is no sin with the child.â
To her, it was just natural. Killing a child for her wealth and prosperity? Julie was a knight who couldnât even accept the thought.
ââŚTsk.â
Sophien clicked her tongue.
âI think I can tell now.â
Seeing that belief and conviction, she felt she knew.
âWhy that professor hates you.â
Deculein. Why he hated this woman.
âWhy he loves you.â
Why he loves her? At that moment, Julie asked back.
ââŚThe Professor Deculein, me?â
âYes.â
âNo.â
Julie shook her head firmly.
âHe never loved me.â
ââŚNever?â
âYes. It was just compassion for a stray dog.â
Words uttered with intense hostility. Not knowing anything, no, thinking to know everything.
ââŚâ
For Sophien, that judgment felt twisted. She did not, however, show it. Rather, it would be more interesting like this.
âEnough. I have another task for you.â
ââŚYes.â
âI donât make knights kill children. Killing doesnât mean youâre a loyal person, and on the contrary, killers are prone to being madmenâŚâ
Sophien stuck her head out. She looked into Julieâs eyes, who was bewildered by the sudden change.
âHowever, when I was young, at the age of the Demon Blood in the picture, someone tried to poison me.â
At those words, Julie quickly became serious. She looked at Sophien resolutely.
âSo, the task is this.â
Sophien smiled and continued.
âUse all your powers to find out who was behind that.â
ââŚâ
To the knight who kept her mouth shut, the emperor asked.
âCan you do that?â
âYes.â
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The knight nodded.
âI, Knight Deya. I will make sure that I can pass the test of Her Majesty by doing my best and with a humble attitude.â
âŚIt was an answer Sophien liked very much.
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