Chapter 73
Chapter 73
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Ambush (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A moment later, Murphy emerged at Oliver's call.
"Th-this... Did you really catch this, Black Mage?"
"Yes."
"There was that massive explosion... How on earth?"
"I hit him with my quarterstaff. Anyway, could you help me out?"
"Ah, yes... What do you need?"
"Could you hold this one hostage for me?"
"Pardon?"
"I don't have enough hands to manage him too. Holding him hostage should prove useful."
Oliver spoke with a degree of certainty.
The evidence was that the mages, hundreds of meters away from the warehouse and seething with rage, weren't charging in recklessly.
They writhed with displeasure, humiliation, shame, and fury, yet they also harbored worry and fear for the explosive mage Oliver had captured.
He'd assumed they were boldly confident in attacking, but it seemed they hadn't anticipated capture at all.
It wasn't courage so much as a lack of fear.
In other words, they weren't prepared to handle this situation.
"Even because of the hostage, they won't dare attack the warehouse carelessly like before."
Perhaps due to their military backgrounds, Murphy and the guards nodded in immediate understanding.
"Th-then..."
"Meanwhile, I'll handle the mages outside."
Oliver handed over the mage as he replied.
Unlike his usual composed demeanor, Murphy handled the mage as if it were a wild beast, which struck Oliver as odd.
All the people here were ex-military, so most had some degree of courage, yet they seemed excessively afraid of mages.
'Hmm... Maybe they've witnessed mages' power on the battlefield? Reverence and fear flickered in their eyes when they spoke of them. Ah, is that why mages join the military? To naturally flaunt their power and instill fear in people?'
It felt like baseless overthinking, but given the veterans' attitudes, it didn't seem entirely wrong. Not that it mattered right now.
Oliver addressed Murphy, who still hadn't shaken off his unease.
"Mr. Murphy."
"...Yes, Black Mage."
"I'm sorry to ask this of my client... but I have no choice. We need your strength to defend the warehouse."
Only then did Murphy calm his rattled nerves. Oliver added a few more words to reassure him.
"Several ribs are broken, so even if he comes to, he won't move properly. Don't worry too much. For some reason, those mages out there seem to care a great deal about this one."
"I think I know why."
"Pardon?"
Murphy showed Oliver the explosive mage's cufflink instead of explaining.
A roaring lion was engraved on the button.
"It's the Roar Family. A prestigious military mage lineage."
"You mean army mages?"
"Yes. A great house commanding numerous mages, they've earned countless merits leading in colonial and continental wars. Lately, they've even moved into politics... In short, he's a young master from a powerful family, which is why they can't attack recklessly."
"Ah..."
Oliver let out an exclamation and nodded. If that was the case, their hesitation made sense.
"But why would someone like that come here?"
"I don't know exactly... Mages can be eccentric..."
"It's not eccentricity. It's to rescue the associate professor."
A crackle of static accompanied an unfamiliar voice from somewhere.
Turning toward the sound revealed a blocky square of multicolored mana floating there.
"What's this?"
"A communication spell called 'Speaker.' It conveys will and voice through mana..."
"Ha... Not bad for a gang thug."
Unlike before, the static was much reduced, and the voice came through clearly. It was quite young.
"We know you kidnapped our associate professor. Release him immediately, and John too. Then we'll withdraw."
John? That must be the explosive mage's name. John Roar...
Everyone froze at the sudden declaration from the mages, fumbling awkwardly. Even Murphy fell silent.
For a moment, fear rose in him visibly. Yet in a corner of his mind, Oliver could see him calculating what would be most advantageous.
Oliver observed him wordlessly.
"......"
The mage spoke again.
"Can't you hear me? Trash, release the associate professor and our man right now. If you refuse, we'll wipe you all out, consequences be damned. Comply, and we'll leave."
A one-sided ultimatum. Infused with mana, the youthful voice carried considerable authority.
It went beyond mere words, pressing directly on the psyche and body with resonant sensation.
For some reason, it had no effect on Oliver.
In any case, the warehouse crew showed significant agitation at the mage's words.
It wasn't surprising.
Though they'd repelled one assault, the magic missiles and explosion spells had been threatening.
With the firepower they'd demonstrated, they could easily level the warehouse.
Oliver looked to his employer, Murphy.
He intended to follow the client's lead, but Murphy scanned the chaotic surroundings, lost in deep thought.
Withdraw meekly? Or fight the mages?
Objectively, the latter was absurd.
Not just firepower—their range far outmatched this side. They'd be pummeled unilaterally until they fell first.
Even black magic, reliant on finite emotions as fuel, fared poorly in a prolonged war of attrition.
Hmm... Black magic seemed inferior to regular magic in resources and output.
'Buying emotions in bulk might help... Anyway...'
Oliver watched Murphy deliberate. He was still torn.
Retreat or resist? It might sound ridiculous, but beyond losing a payday, he wrestled with humiliation and frustration.
Then Oliver recalled his words. Why run this business? Why earn money?
'...In this country, no money means you're not even human.'
"Hmm... Mr. Murphy. As your employee, may I offer some advice?"
"Pardon? What..."
"First off, half of what the mages said is true."
"...?"
"They'll blow this warehouse sky-high."
Not welcome news—Murphy and the crew stirred uneasily.
The Speaker fell silent, as if listening intently to Oliver.
Meanwhile, Oliver ordered his minions scattered around to collect the emotions planted throughout the warehouse. He needed to buy more time.
"But their promise to withdraw is a lie too. No idea why, but they're furious—no way they're backing off. If anything, releasing him will let them attack freely."
Murphy's hazy eyes sharpened at that.
The Speaker interjected.
"You calling me a liar?"
"Not sure, but your emotions don't match your words. You're still probing us with mana bursts."
"Ha...! A hack black mage who handles gang jobs claims to sense mana? Dares read a mage's emotions? Your bluffing's excessive!"
"......It's not a bluff. Anyway, that's my take. Your call, Mr. Murphy, but to defend the warehouse, we absolutely can't release him."
"........."
Murphy fell silent, as if resolved.
The Speaker pressed.
"Think taking one lucky shot means you can beat us?"
Everyone looked to Oliver.
"Luck was involved, sure. But a job's a job. If you want to keep fighting, I'll fight too. So, what's it gonna be?"
For reasons unknown, his words bolstered Murphy and the warehouse crew's courage.
"...Black Mage. Is holding this one mage hostage enough?"
"Yes. That's all I ask."
The Speaker shouted.
"Hey! Think we care about a hostage?!"
"You seem to, a little. Sure, if you get angrier, you might ignore it... but it's awkward for both sides, right? I need to protect the warehouse intact, and you want to rescue your hostage safely."
"........."
"How about this? I'll come out. We fight outside. If you beat me, negotiate with Mr. Murphy then."
In that instant, cold fury blazed from the distant mages.
"...A black mage thinks he can defeat Mage Tower wizards?"
"Tough, probably. But I can try harder."
"......"
The mage fumed; Murphy's men covered their mouths in shock. Had he slipped?
Heavy, awkward silence weighed down the air.
Oliver rode the mood in silence, but inwardly directed his emotion-retrieval-complete minions to assigned points.
Such tricks were needed to even slightly improve his odds.
One second, two, three. Tension peaked as silence stretched—then a calm voice from the Speaker.
"Fine... Come out, then. I'll show you the gap between mage and black mage."
Oliver replied.
"Thanks for accepting. How kind."
"........."
The Speaker sputtered in rage before vanishing, cutting communication.
With rough agreement reached, Oliver pulled out three each of life force and emotion vials.
He donned three layers of Black Suit, then drew more vials.
These had cost a fortune, and they were already running low. One misstep, and he might die.
Anore Up BuildupBurning Life x3 Muscle Up x2 Endurance Skin x3
Disease magic layered over Black Suit for survival
To avoid death, Oliver slathered massive emotion doses atop the Black Suit with every disease spell he had.
His body was now shrouded in translucent darkness, dark red auras flickering over it.
Like living shadow, it made everyone tense just looking at it.
"...Black Mage?"
"Yes, Mr. Murphy. What is it?"
At Oliver's innocent question, Murphy swallowed nervously.
"...Can you win against a mage?"
"Who knows? We'll see. I beat one once long ago, but luck played a part."
"...Thank you for your help."
"It's paid work—no need for thanks... Besides, I don't mind."
"Pardon?"
"People like you, trying to do something... I don't mind. Mind if I ask one thing?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"If this mage is a noble young master, are the ones outside likely the same? Someone who helped me before said people stick to their own kind—be careful."
"...Probably."
"Hoo... Then killing them would be trouble too?"
"...Honestly, yes. Capturing them is far more profitable."
"Hmm... Got it. Keep that mage secure."
"Understood."
As Oliver turned to exit, he glanced back.
"Oh, and ignore those over there."
He pointed to minions now positioned near the gang members.
Murphy's staff finally noticed and startled.
"Eek... What the—"
"Precautions. Don't mind them. Left for safety—don't touch."
The gang couldn't calm down at the minions' menacing, meatball-like forms, but then Murphy spoke.
"Yes, understood. We'll follow your lead, Black Mage."
"...Thanks."
He bowed to Murphy and stepped out.
Outside, distant mage fury washed over him—they'd prepared for battle too, like Oliver.
Rumble—!
Oliver gazed at the roiling sky.
"...Lightning?"
With that, a blue flash struck down.