Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: 6. Ella
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"The on-site commander attempted to assassinate the Eisenheim cult leader on his own initiative and failed."
"...On his own initiative? Ignoring the chain of command?"
"Strictly speaking, it was within the scope of his discretion."
Evan tapped on his terminal.
"The on-site assessment was upgraded to 'immediate response required,' so standard procedures were skipped."
A video resembling shattered glass fragments played on the screen.
"This is footage of the revival ritual in the plaza."
Evan paused on a specific frame. Movement was captured beneath a white cloth.
It clearly looked like a corpse moving.
"A mana surge was detected here, and multiple witnesses saw the revived child from this ritual walking around."
Evan trailed off.
"The problem is distinguishing whether this is genuine revival or sophisticated corpse manipulation magic."
The video changed. This one was in even worse condition.
In the footage pieced together like broken shards, a doll-like figure with a snapped neck was moving.
"There are two key points here. First, the cult leader is definitely dead. Second, the cult leader continued moving even after death."
A stern-faced woman raised her hand.
"It feels different from the method used in the revival ritual. Could the cult leader's movement differ from the ritual's method?"
A young man at the end of the table nodded.
"Definitely. The cult leader's movements were unnatural. Meanwhile, the child seemed intricately revived, like it was real. They likely used different methods."
"Mana surges are detected in corpses using black magic, but they can't issue complex commands. It's even more impossible for them to show natural reactions while strolling."
"...Then there could be an external accomplice, or a third party manipulating the cult leader from hiding."
Kyle Redford, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Has the cult leader's identity been confirmed?"
"Name's Richard. Age 47. Former businessman. After his company went bankrupt, he started running a cult. His poor eloquence led to a low potential threat assessment, but..."
Evan handed Kyle a stack of papers.
Kyle, reading through Richard's profile, paused at one point.
"An ordinary person with no ties to the mystic suddenly awakened mana and improved his eloquence. That's definitely suspicious. You're certain it's not a disguise?"
"We confirmed by disguising as a follower. The chance of it being a disguise is low."
The woman licked her lips.
"Then a demon could be involved. Unless there's some lunatic wearing human skin flipped inside out."
Kyle picked up his pen and began jotting something down.
"When exactly did the cult leader's behavior change?"
"The cult leader began secluding himself right after the demon summoning ritual in Phirendel. Timing-wise, it could be a demon or Blue Moon manipulating him externally."
"The one who incited Blue Moon and the true culprit behind this incident—"
A sharp-featured man cut Kyle off.
"No. That's enough speculation. Blue Moon's goons are rampaging in the northern borderlands right now. Most of the knight orders and mage units are tied up there. Right?"
"Yes. That's precisely why this situation arose. Command judged Blue Moon as the priority. But now..."
"So you're responding now because thinking's changed."
The man closed and opened his eyes. Looking at Evan, he continued.
"Whether a demon's involved or not, we should assume the worst-case scenario and respond accordingly."
Evan's eyes widened slightly. He understood what the man meant.
"Send in a Superhuman."
"Who do you plan to send? All able-bodied Superhumans are deployed on the Blue Moon suppression op."
"Leonidas. I'm thinking of sending him."
We arrived at a wide open clearing.
"Alright. Let's check your aptitude first, Ella."
Ella glared at me with venom in her eyes.
"You... what are you thinking?"
The offer to help with her revenge.
She hadn't fully accepted the proposal yet.
Helping her kill me? It sounded utterly ridiculous.
Ella eyed the offer suspiciously.
"I told you. I'll help you kill me."
"So why? Are you insane?"
Insane? To be perfectly clear, I hadn't touched alcohol or anything like it.
I was stone-cold sober right now. If that's what sane means, then yes, I was confident I was sane.
"Does that matter? What if I'm not sane and that's why I did those things to you in Rion's body? Would you give me a lighter sentence for diminished capacity?"
I smirked sourly.
"No, right? Didn't you want revenge on me?"
Ella's eyes wavered slightly. She couldn't deny her own desire.
Judging she'd accepted it to some degree, I snapped my fingers.
"Wh-what's that...!"
A small wooden doll creaked as it walked over from the edge of the clearing. A marionette.
[You're really doing this? What's the reason this time? For fun again?]
Ella startled and backed away.
She quickly shook her head, pretending not to be surprised.
The marionette creaked closer, then stood beside me and crossed its arms. What an insolent pose.
"Yeah. It seems like it'll be fun."
The Broker's doll shook its head and looked at Ella.
[Come here, kid.]
Ella eyed the marionette warily but approached anyway.
"Let's test your magic aptitude first. It's simple. I'll infuse mana into your hand, and you try to move it with your will."
"...N-no. Don't come clos—!"
The Broker's marionette grabbed Ella's hand firmly.
[Quiet. Didn't you want revenge? Everything that bastard says is sincere. He probably means it about helping with your revenge too. A guy who thinks dying is entertaining.]
"... "
Ella hesitated, then nodded. She relaxed and entrusted her hand to the Broker.
The marionette infused mana into Ella's hand.
Residual mana that couldn't flow spread out, creating blue smoke.
Ella squeezed her eyes shut and focused.
But nothing happened.
After 10 minutes, the marionette shook its head.
[Too much for one try? Let's attempt it again.]
It infused mana again the same way. This time, the blue smoke spread wider.
But it failed identically. Ella couldn't control the mana.
[Complete mana insensitivity. No magic aptitude. But hey, it's not a common talent.]
Ella's face hardened. Her pride was hurt.
"Then... then I can't do anything?"
"Not yet."
I picked up a wooden stick leaning against the corner of the clearing.
I infused it with mana and shaved it down.
Sawdust flew, soon forming a wooden sword.
"Hold it and slash from above down. Like you're slicing. Not swinging."
Ella glanced between me and the marionette.
She sighed and raised the wooden sword.
Her form was completely wrong.
Whoosh.
The sound of cutting air rang out. Ella furrowed her brows.
"Again. Same, above to down. Like slicing."
This time it was a bit better. She twisted her waist slightly to add power.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Third, fourth. Ella swung silently over and over.
Fifth, sixth. Her movements grew clearer.
The initial clumsy stance vanished; her feet adjusted position, centering her.
Her waist twist connected naturally with her arm motion.
On the tenth, the sound sharpened.
"Stop."
Ella halted, panting heavily.
"I'll teach you swordsmanship."
The aptitude test and basic training were over.
After Ella collapsed as if fainting, I faced the Broker.
[What's your plan now? This city's done for ever since you raised a flag against the Empire.]
Eisenheim's cult influence had grown.
And the cult leader, mad with faith, had even declared rebellion.
The Empire had no choice but to crack down harshly.
In the worst case, the entire city could be branded rebels and executed.
"Time to get out. The religion has to go."
This religion needed to vanish. It was never meant to last long anyway.
It hadn't started with proper foundations or preparations.
Just a few improvisations. That was the end of it.
[You're set on escaping with the kid. What about the raid? Should I step in?]
"If you do, they won't back off. I need to step in and show myself dying."
[So that means?]
"I'll handle the second raider. I'll whittle down their forces moderately and die. Plus, it'll serve as a lesson for Ella."
The best way to learn is seeing the future position you can reach.
'You have to know the end to fully grasp the process.'
"I told you. I'm making a supporting character."
That was why I emphasized the law of the jungle.
After all, I'd taught Arbelia the exact opposite values.
"Any contact yet? Blue Moon should've been cornered by now."
[Not yet. Soon, though. Their guerrilla war with demons and bombs is wrapping up.]