Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Black Magic Tower (2)
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Rubia recalled her conversation with Serath. It was around the time Serath had stepped down from her position as Supreme Commander of the 9th Legion and returned to the capital. They were in the interrogation room.
It was a mere formality. Serath had already struck a deal with the Minister of Justice. They wouldn't pursue her for killing Marquis Marcus. In exchange, if she fulfilled one request from the imperial family, she could receive a ducal title and be appointed as the lord of Shratma.
Their brief meeting had happened unexpectedly, outside of high society circles. The woman, who seemed the very embodiment of winter, had issued a blunt warning the moment they faced each other.
"Don't go north."
"Why not?"
Rubia and Serath weren't close, nor were they the same age. But since Rubia held the "Spear of Respect" in her hand, she asked curtly, and Serath replied with a sullen expression.
"I said don't go, so don't go."
"The investigation team has been dispatched, so I have to. It's the family's orders."
"Then at least stay out of the steppes. Your abilities are unstable. There will come a time when you can't control them."
"That won't happen."
It was only natural that the magical weapons she created by infusing them with her emotions would each have pronounced characteristics. For example, the "Axe of Wrath" unleashed greater destructive power against rude or cowardly foes.
On the flip side, it didn't swing properly against certain knights who acted with honesty and didn't provoke Rubia's anger—but that was the extent of it. She had never once lost control of her weapons or had them act in unintended ways, as Serath feared.
"It's my emotions, so I can control them."
"That depends on who you're facing. Have you heard the story about the Golden Lotus Flower?"
Not long ago, Alhena Goldline's name had swept through high society. Rumors swirled that she had fallen in love with some man and gotten pregnant. It was a rather absurd scandal.
It stemmed from various behaviors the servants gossiped about. Staring suddenly at the northern sky during work. Repeatedly hiring and then canceling assassins while murmuring someone's name. After long deliberation, suddenly changing the music playing in the mansion to something good for prenatal care. These were the typical actions of a daughter smitten with love—even hiring assassins.
Serath seemed to have a good idea of who this supposed husband was. The moment she heard that Goldline merchants had entered the north, she had grumbled, "I warned her," even while under investigation, showing clear displeasure.
It was the same now. She warned against going north because it was dangerous, but it felt like she actually didn't want Rubia to meet someone there.
"Emotions aren't something you can control from the start. For ordinary people, it might end with lovesickness or a couple of embarrassing mistakes, but you're different."
"No problem. Even if one or two get neutralized, I have far more armaments."
"One or two? Hilarious."
Serath posed a sharp question to Rubia, who upheld the empire's rule of law with a will as firm as steel and was the leading candidate to become the next Minister of Justice in line with her family's wishes.
"Then what if your ideal type appears—one who could steal away all your emotions? How would you deal with that?"
*
Sattpi likes me. Karangal have a cunning nature that makes them fawn over the powerful. Horori seems to think I'm on the same level as her, the ruler of the skies, and Uni just stuck to me because she enjoys teasing Kara.
I've garnered the affection of magical beasts for various reasons, but this was a first. The "Arrow of Vigilance" that Rubia created had chosen me.
Just minutes ago, I'd sworn to Wagner in my name that I wouldn't take anything from him. Well, since I'd been acting like the Raggedfoot Brothers this time too, it probably didn't count as taking anything in my name. My creed was not to block incoming familiars.
"My arrow, give it back... Ah!"
Rubia, sitting astride her mount and reaching out, toppled toward me. Unlike before, the distance was quite close now. In the process of having her emotions stolen, even her wariness toward me had completely vanished.
As her small, pale hand groped around my body, the arrow in my upper pocket resisted fiercely, jabbing at me. Afraid it might punch a hole in my gut if this kept up, I grabbed it myself and asked,
"Why did this thing latch onto me?"
"B-Because it likes people who are cautious about everything and never lose their composure."
"Me?"
"N-No...! Vigilance...!"
Indeed, I fit the bill—never letting my guard down, even flicking away the arrow from afar. I was the type who never got careless, even in battle.
But since it was Rubia's emotion, it could be said to reflect her tastes. She denied it, so I decided not to press the issue.
"Give it back. It's my armament."
"Not without something in return."
I'd had to grant Kara three requests in exchange for borrowing Uni for a bit. She couldn't just hand over her "precious familiar" to an outsider for free.
"What do you want?"
I pondered as I watched Rubia, who now gripped a trembling mace instead of tension. Then, a good idea struck me.
"Pull your forces back for now."
"What?"
"Your subordinate's stubbornness is causing more casualties."
The reason the 9th Legion and the Steelore Knights were countercharging the undead was Alex. He wanted to compete with these long-dead knights, defeat them, and claim their military standards.
He seemed to genuinely believe this would honor the undead spirits and preserve their dignity. He'd boasted it proudly to his men. If it were just Steelore knights, I wouldn't care if they wiped them out or threw a dance party with them—but the problem was the Northern Defense Army fighting alongside them.
—We can't afford any more losses. Why take the hard road when an easy one exists?
—If you don't like it, fall back. I'm not asking you to clear the path for us.
—If you collapse, the damage will reach us eventually. What then on the way back?
—You saying the Steelore Knights are so incompetent they'd get pinned by those corpses?
"Wagner doesn't want his men worn down in this reckless battle of attrition. He's enduring it because of his duty to escort you safely to the magic tower."
"So you're saying I should rein in Alex?"
"Think he'll listen just because you say so? From what I heard earlier, he treats you like an emotionless doll."
Rubia's eye twitched. Anger. Given the axe radiating dangerous mana strapped to her back, she'd probably already extracted that emotion. New ones could apparently bloom from the heart.
It wasn't wrong, so I had no intention of retracting it. Instead, there was something else for Rubia to do.
"Calm down. Even if he obeys orders, controlling his actions this time isn't your role."
"Then?"
"That's for the stronger one to decide."
I took a banner from a nearby 9th Legion soldier. The one we'd always looked up to when scaling walls. The Northern Defense Army's standard.
Putting strength into my arm, I hurled it between the two leaders arguing ahead, eyeing the next wave of undead approaching.
Wagner and Alex, startled, turned toward us.
Since a barbarian's word wouldn't hold weight, I had Rubia recite exactly what she needed to say.
"Ho, honorable duel."
"Pardon?"
"What was that, miss?"
"If you're going to keep bickering like that, settle it with an honorable duel."
*
"Consider yourself lucky the miss approved. Otherwise, you'd have eaten steel from me right there."
Hilarious. As if he would've listened if it wasn't what he wanted.
Wagner eyed Alex, who had drawn his sword, and thought. The sun was setting. At night, the magical beasts and undead would grow stronger, so he needed to end the duel quickly and head to the magic tower.
He believed Ivar would help if night fell and danger struck... but he didn't want to rely on him too much. Just receiving help wasn't what brothers did. Even if he lacked the qualification to stand side by side, he had to show he wasn't a burden at least.
To do that, he needed to break Alex's pride here. Prey—that's what Ivar had called him.
"Hah!"
"Hup...!"
Their swords clashed. Surprisingly even. Wagner had far more experience, but Alex had superior physique, including his mana circuits. He'd come from a renowned knightly house even before joining Steelore. In the training grounds, he'd held out well until the surprise attack.
The answer was clear. Strike with a sudden blow, like before. But one thing made Wagner hesitate: the remnants of civilization he hadn't fully shed. The pride of a soldier.
This wasn't rolling in the dirt or fighting barbarians in life-or-death battles. It was a duel under the eyes of countless knights and soldiers. Was it okay? Really?
"Where are you looking?!"
"Ugh...!"
As he dodged a thrust at his vitals, his eyes met Ivar's. Arms crossed, Ivar glared at him intently.
It was as if he could hear it. Ivar's voice, clear as day.
—Brother, how long will you keep disappointing me?
—Aren't you the man who would lay down his life to protect precious ones like Serath?
The forest came back to him. The moment he'd resisted alone amid the fallen cries. Yes. Compared to Ivar then and now, Wagner was laughably weak.
Yet because he hadn't retreated. Because he'd stood firm, bleeding from every pore without a thought for face. That's how he'd earned the right to be called brother.
He recalled the past. Ivar mercilessly swinging his axe at Serath's fallen form.
And that petty yet overwhelming strength—pummeling his face with a fist the moment he accepted the duel before dying.
"Ha, got you. Admit defeat... Gahk!"
As Alex saw Wagner drop to one knee and claimed victory, Wagner's hand was already between his legs.
"Wh-What are you doing?"
"If you want victory, show your spirit, warrior."
"What? Warrior? Wait, don't tell me...!"
Honorable duel. Recalling the meaning of those words, Wagner clenched his fist.
Alex collapsed screaming.
Aaahhh—!
This should do it, brother.
Forgive me for not being able to call you that when we met again.
—It's fine, brother. Well done.
Hearing Ivar's voice echo in his ears, Wagner felt his heart lighten.
"Prff—!"
"Hm? I didn't teach him that."
Uni scolded me upon hearing Alex's pitiful scream. I'd never advised on how to fight. Even so, that was a bit much for me too...