Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Black Mage #3
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Elisabeth's true identity was, in fact, that of a black mage.
…
That was it.
"Nothing special."
What was I supposed to do about it?
I already knew.
Elisabeth was a genius at magic.
Her magical talent surpassed the commonly accepted boundaries of magic.
Black magic, the shamanism of certain minority tribes, even spirit arts.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say her talent, which spanned every kind, meant she was loved by the god of magic.
A woman who would rather drag the Empire down with her than fall alone—wouldn't it be stranger if she didn't become a black mage with that kind of ability?
In that sense, even seeing her denounced as a black mage now stirred no particular emotion in me.
However.
This parchment was indeed a problem.
Separate from my own dismissal of it.
"Lily, what do you make of the seal's quality?"
"It was an extremely high-level spell."
"I see."
Here, it had been a seal only I could open.
And coincidentally, because I already knew the information, it hadn't fazed me—but by common sense, its contents were a major issue.
No matter how I thought about it, I concluded it had been planted targeting me.
"Lily. Can you trace where this parchment came from?"
……I'm sorry. There's no trace to follow. At the very least, its owner never came directly to this battlefield."
It had been meticulously prepared in every way.
"What should we do, Your Majesty? To dare... I'll stake my life to find the culprit."
"No, that's enough. It's fine. I have a rough idea."
"Pardon?"
I stopped Lily, who was grinding her teeth in wounded pride.
It was certainly a thorough job.
If I hadn't recalled my past life's memories and been here, I probably would've fallen right into their trap.
Khalid von Aquitaine was a physical-type character in many ways.
But not anymore.
I'm not the sharpest, but I can make inferences from what I know.
I didn't know the purpose, but I had a good guess at which group was behind it.
"It's the Black Serpent's doing. Looks like some annoying pests have latched on."
Already, I felt a headache coming on.
Black Serpent.
The coalition of black mages that appeared even in the original story.
A gathering of madmen who believed the world must repeat its end and genesis—that the current world needed to meet its apocalypse and begin anew.
They were versed enough in black magic to detect that Elisabeth had learned it.
Skilled in schemes like provoking the Varka Kingdom into attacking the Empire.
And on top of that, placing such an advanced seal on the parchment that only I could break?
They'd even fooled Lily's senses.
No matter how I racked my brain, only a high-ranking Black Serpent executive could pull that off.
The problem was.
"I don't get why these shadows who prefer skulking in the dark—usually so quiet on the surface—would pull a stunt like this."
I couldn't figure out why they'd moved.
Given their extremely insular nature, they only started appearing bit by bit in the late-game story of the original.
Was this another snowball effect from my existence?
Though she never joined the Black Serpent, from their perspective, Elisabeth was a comrade who'd mastered black magic.
Were they trying to drive a wedge between us by denouncing her, just to check me because my presence irked them that much?
Ah.
What a hassle.
Why did the list of things needing my attention keep growing?
Should I just crack down on black mages outright?
"Your Majesty, you look unwell."
Lily placed a hand on my shoulder.
"If you're tired, I'll stay by your side—please rest a bit."
I wasn't tired.
Just annoyed by the pile of hassles.
But Lily's concern was endearing.
An attachment assassin like this turned out to be so helpful.
"Then, as usual, a lap pil—"
"Your Majesty! Instead of this here, let's return at once."
Philemon rubbed his palms together vigorously.
His voice was loud enough to drown out shy Lily's words.
….
Lily's expression turned icy.
"Return, you say. To where?"
"Heh heh. Naturally, back to the capital. We can't keep Your Majesty in a dusty, blood-soaked place like this forever."
Philemon let out a hearty laugh.
Those weren't words for the Empire's shield, who should spend his life defending it amid dust and the stench of blood.
Even so, it was brazen.
It really grated on me.
"Margrave."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Casualties were high."
"Ah, yes. Quite shameful. They were our elite knight order, raised with hefty investments from the territory's budget."
It was a laughable excuse.
By his own words, wasn't he the one responsible for squandering the knight order he'd poured the territory's money into raising?
Yet Philemon showed no sign of thinking that way.
"So, with Your Majesty gracing us personally, I hoped you'd commend the efforts of those who guarded the border... Heh heh heh."
This guy was driving me mad.
"Wow."
Even Lily, who'd been stone-faced, gaped.
I couldn't listen anymore….
"Philemon."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I've got some fine liquor lately. I'll serve it leisurely, and we can chat intimately…"
"Margrave Philemon."
"Y-Yes?"
I called his name again sternly, and only then did he seem to notice something off, answering cautiously instead of his usual heh heh.
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Margrave, you always work so hard. Don't you?"
"Heh, heh heh. Y-Yes, indeed. But why do you say that?"
"Especially blocking this battle—must've been tough. Right?"
"Y-Yes. That's right."
"So you're saying you're responsible for this battle."
…Yes?"
Thwack! With a bursting sound, the thing atop the margrave's neck vanished.
Not a drop of blood spilled as the decapitated, hefty corpse toppled with a thud.
"Defeated generals must pay the price. Isn't that so?"
"Indeed."
In the silent hush, only Lily echoed my words.
"Gasp."
"The lord."
The soldiers, witnessing the lord's sudden death, froze en masse.
…Even for me, decapitating the lord right in front of them was a bit much.
My image was already irredeemably in the gutter.
But what was done was done. I feigned composure outwardly.
…Tired. I need to go rest."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I should've held back a little.
We occupied the now-leaderless baronial castle.
Like their master, every retainer working there was irredeemably rotten, so I sent them to follow him.
I prayed they reunite in the afterlife and live happily.
"We'll make this a direct imperial territory for the time being."
"To be ruled directly by Your Majesty... Such an honor. I'm sure everyone will be thrilled."
Lily.
No matter how I thought about it, that didn't seem right.
-Heavens.
Elisabeth, facing me through the communication link, let out an exclamation too.
Right?
Even she thought it was off.
-…I understand the situation. Purge the incompetent margrave and completely overhaul the margraviate?
"Exactly."
Elisabeth nodded.
Her long black hair swayed gently along her tilted head, as if in thought.
-You handled even the servants? Then who's managing it?
Why ask the obvious?
"You will."
-….
"Answer."
-Your Majesty, even for you, that's a bit much.
"I'm counting on you. Plenipotentiary representative."
-Sigh….
She seemed to realize she couldn't refuse.
-Understood. Anything else?
After that.
As we discussed the margraviate's disposition.
"Your Majesty, the search of the castle is complete. No suspicious findings."
"Good work."
Lily returned after checking for any more hidden things in the castle.
"Um, Your Majesty."
Lily hurried to my side.
"Would you, perhaps, like to wash up?"
What was this about suddenly?
Did I want to wash?
"I'm fine. You go ahead."
"And Y-Your Majesty?"
"No need right now."
…You look like you've just gone for a stroll."
"Probably."
"Not a drop of sweat."
As I could tell from Lily's envious gaze.
I was completely fresh and dry.
And rightly so—there'd been zero stamina drain.
Running here had been more taxing.
And even that recovered so fast it was as good as nothing.
"Ugh."
Lily sulked.
She boasted top-tier prowess, but she was still an assassin at heart.
Unlike me, sweatless, she'd worked up a sweat.
Wait, no.
Lily was dry too.
Of course. This battlefield wasn't enough to make someone of her caliber sweat.
Then why?
"My perfect plan to attend Your Majesty's bath."
She'd hatched a terrifying scheme.
If she pulled that, I'd retire and take up farming on the spot—so please hold back.
"Then, if you'll excuse me, I'll wash first…"
Lily headed to the bath.
-What did I just hear?
"Nothing at all."
-That's not nothing—ugh, whatever.
Through the communication.
I saw Elisabeth pinching her brow.
-Something's definitely changed, but times like this make you seem like that womanizer I know... Argh, what the hell is this really….
She grumbled under her breath.
"Elise."
-Yes, Your Majesty.
While Lily was bathing.
I pulled out the parchment.
And showed it to Elisabeth on the other end.
"Looks like someone's betrayed you. Any idea who?"
For an instant, Elisabeth's golden eyes wavered sharply.