Chapter 124
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: The Oz Independence Association
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After two days of interrogating Baron Wiesbaden at the governorate, we discovered that he was one of the secret patrons of the Oz Independence Association.
It was a stroke of sheer luck.
Numerous independence groups were currently operating in the shadows of Oz.
The movement was primarily led by the former ruling class of Oz. The common people, who were better off now than before, didn’t seem to share their desire to reclaim the country’s sovereignty.
Anyway, based on the information we had extracted from Baron Wiesbaden, we raided a secret independence group and arrested the nobles connected to it, like a string of sausages.
Honestly, I hadn’t expected this to escalate so quickly. I had just been annoyed by the protesters. But all’s well that ends well.
I even got a hefty bonus.
“Master! I’m here!”
Saturday evening.
I bought two roasted chickens on my way home from the governorate and stopped by the magic tower.
Only my master and her secretary, Olivia, knew that I was still alive and that I was Patrasche, the second-in-command of the Ozma Governorate.
Most people thought I was dead.
As I rode the floating platform to the top floor of the tower, Olivia, who recognized me even in my polymorph form, greeted me.
“Welcome, Master Kaldrash.”
“Why are you still here? It’s past working hours.”
“Hehe… I’m working on my personal development. I have a thesis to present soon, so I’m using every spare moment I have.”
I glanced at the thesis she was writing.
“It’s about the artificial element, aether. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’m quite knowledgeable about aether.”
“Really?! That would be a great help!”
“Ah, here’s a gift. Eat while you work.”
I handed her one of the roasted chickens.
Chicken for a late-night snack is the best.
Before entering my master’s room, I asked,
“Is my master in?”
“Yes! She’s inside!”
That’s a relief.
I burst into the room and announced,
“I’m here, master.”
My master, who was reclining in her chair, reading a grimoire, waved her hand dismissively.
“Oh, you’re here.”
Her indifferent attitude annoyed me slightly, but I forced a smile and said,
“I brought some roasted chicken. Let’s eat together.”
Her reply was ridiculous.
“No, I’ll get fat if I eat at night.”
What?
***
Roasted chicken was a food filled with memories of my master and me.
As a first-time teacher, she had been a clumsy instructor. She had often resorted to physical punishment to teach me, beating me like a dog on a hot day.
When I couldn’t take it anymore and ran away, she would drag me back and, as an apology, we would eat roasted chicken together.
Munch, munch!
“Are you sure you don’t want any?”
I asked, holding a plump chicken leg in my mouth. My master, hiding her face behind her white feather fan, said,
“I don’t mind eating, but could you please eat somewhere else?”
“You have strong willpower, master. You won’t be tempted by a mere chicken leg, will you? Surely your resolve to lose weight isn’t so weak.”
“…I’ll get you for this later.”
“Hehe, people who say that are never scary.”
I waved the chicken leg tauntingly, and my master, averting her gaze, changed the subject.
“I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve been receiving petitions from the Oz Independence Association. While I’ve politely refused, maintaining my neutral stance, they’re quite persistent.”
My master’s unexpected words made me tense.
“Can you tell me more?”
My master crossed her legs.
“That’s all I know. The names on the petition were encrypted, so I couldn't decipher them. If I had made a copy, it might have been a different story, but I didn’t.”
I tore a piece of chicken from the bone and thought.
“They must think they need your help to reclaim Oz’s sovereignty.”
“Well, I’m the only one among humans who can match the power of Patrasche, the Archmage known as the Elder Lich of the Demon Lord’s army.”
If they knew that Patrasche was Kaldrash, they would never have made such a proposal.
“Are you having a hard time at the governorate? You look thinner than before.”
“No, I’m fine. The governorate is stable now.”
“Make sure you eat well. You don’t want to get sick in your old age.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
She was a tsundere, trying to act tough but still caring.
“Are you sure you don’t want any of this? It’s delicious.”
I waved the last remaining chicken leg, and my master swallowed hard and stood up from her chair.
“…Maybe just a taste.”
The delicious smell must have been too much for her to resist.
I handed her the chicken leg and said,
“You can start your diet tomorrow. Enjoy today.”
“Ahem! I’ll eat it myself! Be quiet!”
She grumbled, but as soon as she took a bite of the chicken leg, she devoured it like a beast.
I watched her with a satisfied smile and nodded.
Mission: Diet sabotage, success.
***
At that very moment—
In a mansion somewhere in the capital.
“Alfredo, prepare Mystic Sword number 11 and Silver Fang number 17 for me.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The freedom fighter who had become a rising star, featured in the daily papers, the “Pretty Girl Mask”… or rather, Papillon Noir, was preparing for another night out.
Having inherited a vast fortune and a mansion from Prince Tipetarius, the rightful heir of Oz, and having been chosen as the next Hero by the Goddess of Courage, she had spent the last two years training in the mansion’s underground training hall.
As a result, the once-naive country girl had become an Aura Master in a short period of time.
And this was without any formal martial arts training.
A human weapon, forged from pure, overwhelming talent!
She was not bound by convention and wielded a variety of weapons, custom-made by the dwarves of Nidavellir, as if they were extensions of her own body.
The immense wealth of the Glorious family had aided in her growth.
From elixirs that enhanced her physical abilities to various martial arts manuals and grimoires from the magic tower, money could solve most problems.
Sophia, now fully clad in her black hat, black cape, and butterfly-shaped mask, took the sword and claw that her butler, Alfredo, handed her.
“I’ll be out late tonight. Don’t wait up.”
“Yes, my lady. Good luck.”
Alfredo, the gray-haired butler, bowed slightly. The Hero, Sophia, then soared into the night sky like a butterfly.
To punish the villains and scoundrels who defiled the capital city of Oz in the name of justice.
***
After chatting with my master and enjoying a drink with the roasted chicken, it was already late.
I laid my master on the sofa and, using a full cycle, dispelled the effects of the alcohol.
The streets were dark and empty as I walked home.
Spooky.
It was a moonless night, and the atmosphere was eerie.
I quickened my pace, my coat collar pulled up high.
As I was walking down a dark alley, the clouds parted, and I saw a slender figure leaping between the rooftops.
I recognized her. It was the famous Pretty Girl Mask.
She was too conspicuous.
Her golden hair, shimmering in the moonlight, was unmistakable.
As she leaped over my head, our eyes met for a brief moment.
I felt a strange sense of familiarity.
It was probably just my imagination, but the impression she left was powerful. I hurried home.
If I was any later, I would surely get an earful from the women waiting for me.