Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Second Trial
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The execution ceremony ended in failure.
I could immediately sense that the treatment toward me had done a complete 180-degree turn, just from that.
Instead of the cold, dust-covered prison cell guided by the Magic Inquisitors, I was given a luxurious private chamber fit for the royal family.
That didn't mean I could stay here freely, though.
In truth, this place was merely a sturdier prison.
[Just as you said.]
The Black Necromancer, passing through the wall, nodded slightly.
[The Grand Archmage and his disciples have this room surrounded on all sides. If you so much as twitch your mana in a hostile way, blood will be spilled.]
The reason they brought me here was that they judged the Magic Inquisitors couldn't hold me back.
After all, I had defeated Tairn, the strongest among the inquisitors, without a single scratch.
Even taking into account how advantageous the location was for me, neutralizing Tairn so easily was something the royals couldn't just overlook.
King Orpheus had probably been quite flustered, never expecting this level from me.
[So, what do you plan to do now?]
"......"
When I turned my gaze to the window without answering, the Black Necromancer corrected her vague wording and asked again.
[Are you really going to complete all three trials as the king of this country said? There are only two left now—do you truly think he'll acknowledge you, a black mage, if you solve them?]
"......"
I saw no need to reply.
My trust in King Orpheus was unwavering. He was a king who took responsibility for his words.
[Even if he accepts you, will the citizens? What about the church? They'll openly criticize you and refuse to accept you no matter what.]
The chilling resentment in her voice indirectly conveyed the kind of treatment she had endured as a black mage.
[You've only been on this path a short while, so you wouldn't know. You'll regret it in the end. Do you think sincerity will convince them? That showing results will prove it? Surprisingly, the world doesn't value those things much.]
"I know."
I cut her off, lest she keep spouting whatever she wanted if I stayed silent.
"I don't think the kingdom will accept me just because the king does, either."
But for me to operate, I needed official recognition.
"Even if they don't trust me, I can shut their mouths."
To resolve this issue, Aria and Pinden A were working hard.
They probably hadn't reached their destination yet, but with those two, they wouldn't be late.
[Shut their mouths?]
I didn't bother answering. The door had opened, and King Orpheus entered.
"Ahem."
He entered the room with an awkward cough. The Grand Archmage following behind looked at me with wary eyes, unlike before.
"Did you rest well yesterday?"
"Yes, thanks to you providing such a fine room, I slept soundly."
King Orpheus seemed about to say something regarding yesterday's execution ceremony but sighed, unable to find the words, and admitted it honestly.
"I didn't expect you to defeat the Magic Judge so easily. Your ability is certainly proven."
I didn't deny it.
My self-assessment needed to be objective, but there was no need to downplay my abilities publicly.
That would be less humiliating for the Magic Judge as well.
"So, I'll give you my second trial. Is that acceptable?"
"I accept."
As I nodded calmly, King Orpheus's face darkened unlike moments ago, and he whispered haltingly.
"I have one younger sister. Her name is Elenoa Luden Griffin. As you know, she's currently studying at Robern Academy."
"Yes, I'm aware."
How could I not be?
Even in the game, Elenoa was a fairly important character. User opinions were sharply divided, but she served as a stepping stone for the protagonist Aria's growth.
"She has chronic nightmares. It's been years now."
Orpheus pressed the corners of his eyes, expressing fatigue. Just thinking of his sister seemed to pile on the stress with regret.
"I've called in countless people to resolve those nightmares. Even the Saintess came, but nothing worked."
"......"
Honestly, it was a bit disconcerting.
It was completely new information.
Princess Elenoa plagued by nightmares?
In the original story, Elenoa showed no such signs.
She was refreshingly confident, brimming with self-assurance to a bold degree, and filled with pride as royalty.
['The Saintess couldn't resolve it?']
The fact that the kingdom's one and only Saintess—who could handle spiritual incidents—failed was highly suspicious.
"Yesterday, I summoned her. She'll arrive in a few days."
With a somber tone laced with faint hope, King Orpheus addressed me.
"This is your second trial, Deus Verdi. If you can truly heal the people's hearts like the Saintess and mend those broken by black magic..."
"......"
"Please, heal my sister."
* * *
Clatter clatter.
Clatter clatter.
"Hmm?"
Waking from sleep, Princess Elenoa slowly surveyed her surroundings. What was the situation now?
Her brain, dried out from sleep, needed water. She picked up the water bottle in front of her.
Gulping down the lemon-scented water, she gathered her thoughts.
She had been busy with academy life during enrollment season.
Though flustered by the sudden disappearance of Aria Rias, her rival for top spot, she pressed on anyway.
To maintain the grades and demeanor befitting a princess, she studied late into the night every day—until her brother, King Orpheus, suddenly ordered her back to the palace.
Unable to defy a royal command, she explained to her professors and set off.
Now, she was in a carriage heading to the capital, Graypond.
['Lately, I keep forgetting like this.']
Upon waking, a blank in her thoughts. She needed a moment to ruminate each time.
['Sleep's all gone now.']
It was still far from arrival.
Bored, Elenoa opened a book. Reading in the carriage usually caused nausea, so she planned to stop just before it hit.
['Hmm?']
Surprisingly, she could read without nausea, no matter how much.
The content sank into her mind effortlessly, which was strange.
It felt like 'she already knew this from the start.'
['Huh?']
Feeling something off, Elenoa furrowed her brow slightly.
Looking around, the scenery shifted moment by moment. She sniffed the water bottle again.
The lemon scent tickled her nose gently.
She checked ahead.
The coachman's back, driving outside, matched her memory.
['No way.']
Elenoa leaned back into the carriage cushions, chiding herself with a wry smile for being too sensitive.
['Must be from just waking up.']
Putting the book away, she decided to practice magic instead, gathering mana at her fingertips.
"Huh?"
No mana manifested.
No—only now did she realize.
She sensed no mana in the air at all.
Bang!
Realizing the situation, Elenoa kicked the carriage door desperately, but it jolted rhythmically without budging.
"Open!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She tried everything to escape, but it wouldn't open.
Then, she felt the coachman's gaze from the front window.
Crash!
He smashed the window with his forehead and slithered inside. Then, he grinned slyly.
"This time it's mana, huh?"
"St-stop!"
One more thing.
She'd been found out—another way to realize it was a dream.
"Stop it already!"
"Heh."
Elenoa shouted desperately, but.
"Hehehehehe."
The coachman's form began distorting. Turning to slime, it soon took Elenoa's exact shape.
"Practiced—wanna see?"
"What?"
Wondering what nonsense this was, the fake Elenoa gestured with a laugh.
"Hi, I'm Elenoa Luden Griffin."
"......!"
That was from the academy's first day.
Her exact words and gestures from self-introduction time.
"I'm a princess of the kingdom, but try not to mind that."
"D-don't."
"Just do our best as friends and rivals."
"Stop itttttt!"
Thud!
"P-Princess?!"
Pain shot through her forehead.
Snapping awake, Elenoa was drenched in sweat, her clothes soaked. She'd bumped her head somewhere in the carriage; her forehead was red.
The carriage had stopped, and the coachman looked at her worriedly.
"Princess! A-are you alright? You looked unwell, so I stopped first."
"Huff! Huff!"
She remembered the coachman's face.
Her sour sweat stung her nose.
But it didn't end there.
Trembling, she manipulated mana.
Blue light gathered naturally at her fingertips, confirming reality.
'This time it's mana, huh?'
The chilling mutter upon realization lingered vividly in her mind.
"Sniff, ugh!"
Tears welled up, streaming down her cheeks.
The coachman, startled, offered to take her to a doctor nearby.
But Elenoa, gripped by fear, curled up without responding.
"Please, someone... please...."
Her plea for rescue choked in her throat, blocked by tears.