Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Tracking Request (5)
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The artifact I supplied was a device capable of detecting Vinsen's unique mana pattern. When held close to remnants of lingering mana, it emitted a ticking sound.
It wasn't a precise artifact capable of full analysis, but it proved quite effective nonetheless, as a summons arrived the very next day.
They had likely been tracking nonstop through the night. Of course, much of it was due to Vinsen fleeing in haste right after his corruption, leaving traces scattered indiscriminately without time to cover them up.
Whenever a trace was discovered at a site, I went there personally to assist with the analysis.
On the second day of full-scale tracking.
We still hadn't found the "most recent" trace.
However, analyzing the scattered mana remnants found here and there showed that his mana capacity—which had been nearly depleted—was slowly recovering.
It could be that he was overcoming it on his own... or perhaps someone was aiding him.
What was certain was that we needed to locate the most recent trace as quickly as possible.
The second day passed, and a few more days slipped by.
Vinsen's traces were turning up farther and farther away, but no consistent direction emerged.
He wasn't causing incidents anywhere, nor did it feel like he was heading toward a specific goal.
The only sure thing was that he was gradually regaining his mana.
'Is he focusing on recovery right now?'
The corrupted unique mana pattern couldn't be analyzed for emotional state, making inference all the harder.
And at last, we caught up to the site presumed to hold the most recent trace.
The commander—and Oz's grandfather—Parovian Eldis was there as well.
Since I had something I wanted to ask, I spoke up without delay.
"Do you know about the Followers of Evil?"
"...Where did you hear that?"
I'd expected a casual reply, but his reaction was unexpectedly sharp.
The probing tone and the odd nuance it carried felt like I'd asked something forbidden.
"Uh... well, while looking into various things after learning about Transcendents this time...."
"Raistel wouldn't have told you...."
He shot me a suspicious, inscrutable glance.
Thinking I'd blundered into something unnecessary, I added hastily to smooth it over.
"Since he's a corrupted mage, I wondered if it might be connected."
After staring at me silently for a long stretch, he slowly spoke, his dubious gaze unwavering.
"Simply falling to corruption doesn't make one a Follower of Evil. They're... different from mere taboo-breakers. To truly become a Follower of Evil requires selection by the being known as the Master of Evil. In Vinsen's case, we believe he fell due to some magic obtained from the ruins... forbidden magic."
Breaking taboos and succumbing to corruption was apparently worlds apart from becoming a Follower of Evil.
From the nuance, Followers of Evil were treated as far more dangerous than ordinary corrupted mages.
"Breaking taboos distorts your mana and maddens the mind. But in exchange, you gain unimaginable power. Most corrupted mages are those who fell to that temptation."
"...I see."
"You...."
At that moment, Raistel's urgent voice rang out from where he'd arrived first at the site.
"If you're here, you should come inside and take a look right away!"
The timing was exquisitely perfect.
"Thank you."
I gave the commander a brief nod and quickly turned toward the site interior.
Better to cut off any unwanted attention before drawing more odd stares.
The mana remnants left at the site were so faint they were on the verge of vanishing entirely.
Tracking him this far and capturing such a trace was an impressive feat in itself.
Glancing around, I spotted a familiar group a little ways off—the mercenary band we'd clashed with before.
They must have found it.
They had some real skill, after all.
They'd been chatting and laughing brightly until our eyes met, at which point their smiles vanished. One by one, they slunk away, widening the distance.
Just like me dodging Grandpa.
I watched the scene impassively before turning back to analyze the trace.
Vinsen appeared to have nearly fully recovered his power. The mana remnants here were undoubtedly his most recent trace.
The faintness wasn't from age; he'd simply regained precise mana control, minimizing the leakage.
'Now I really need to pinpoint where he's headed.'
With mana restored to this degree, he could accomplish anything.
Until now, he'd seemed focused on recovery, but tracking him this far made it clear to anyone: Vinsen had a definite purpose, not just hiding or vanishing.
'Where the hell is he going....'
The problem was his path was utterly unpredictable. Traces popped up scattered every which way, defying pinpointing.
Noticing my sour expression, Raistel asked cautiously from nearby.
"Is the analysis not working out?"
"It's not that...."
On the contrary, the analysis had succeeded all too well—and that was the issue.
I relayed to Raistel that Vinsen's mana had essentially fully recovered, that he was moving with purpose, and that preparations for action were complete.
"Then we should deploy personnel right now...."
As I nodded in agreement, a sudden thought struck me.
It was the shorthand magic Anonymous (2) had mentioned in the anonymous chat room for identifying Followers of Evil.
'Followers of Evil... head toward their master.'
Commander Parovian had deemed Vinsen unlikely to be one, but in this dire moment, there was no reason not to try.
"Could you procure some Pielberin for me?"
"Pielberin... you say?"
"Yes. I think I'll need it right away."
Raistel looked about to question why, but nodded instead.
"...I'll see what I can do."
One of Raistel's virtues: when I make a request, he prioritizes helping over interrogating motives.
Proof of his trust in me.
Though I had no idea why he trusted me so deeply.
Not long after Raistel departed swiftly, the commander entered the site.
"I heard you asked Raistel to fetch Pielberin."
"Yes, that's correct."
"Do you know that flower... is a Rank 3 mana herb?"
...Now I did.
I'd gleaned herbal basics from crafting sundry items, but ranked mana herbs were rare in my work.
At best, common Rank 6 or 7 varieties.
The highest I'd used was Rank 5.
Rank 3 was rare enough for direct Magic Tower oversight.
But admitting ignorance wouldn't fly—requesting it urgently without knowing would sound absurd.
I could already picture the commander's suspicion deepening.
I deftly shifted topics.
"Have you heard the situation from Sir Raistel?"
"I have. I figured coming here for the most recent trace was spot-on. We can mobilize forces immediately."
"There's something I need to verify first. So if Sir Raistel can secure the Pielberin..."
"I've already sent a cooperation writ to the Magic Tower."
"...Pardon?"
The commander shrugged nonchalantly.
"You piqued my curiosity about what you'd do with it. You know this situation's urgency better than anyone, having reported the analysis. I assumed any attempt now came with solid confidence."
With that, Parovian patted my shoulder lightly.
"I've trusted your judgment thus far. Procuring mana herbs won't halt the search."
Perhaps thanks to the commander's proactive aid, Raistel returned with the Pielberin far sooner than anticipated.
The small petals, tinged with blue, emanated subtle mana.
I promptly attempted the "shorthand magic" Anonymous (2) had described.
Internally, I wavered briefly.
Should I clear everyone out and try it quietly?
I couldn't explain the magic's origin, after all.
But I reconsidered swiftly.
If it confirmed a Follower of Evil, proving it would be my burden too.
Just declaring the result and demanding belief would seem far shadier.
Showing the casting process first, then explaining, would convince faster.
And that explanation...
'Time to get shameless.'
No helping it.
I carefully placed the Pielberin on my palm and visualized the incantation.
The circle around my heart began rotating slowly. Mana flowed in steady rhythm—like intricate clock hands—spreading through my body.
Having just entered Rank 5, I needed extra focus for this spell.
Fine mana soon threaded from my fingertips, softly enwrapping the petals.
Upon contact, the Pielberin's blue glow sharpened, the flower quivering faintly as if alive.
It felt like... magic infused with nature's essence.
The entire bloom enveloped in mana, the surrounding air shimmering subtly.
Per Anonymous (2), if the target was a Follower of Evil, the flower would wilt.
And wilt it did.
Whether from weak mana, mild corruption, or my flawed casting, I couldn't say. But the blue petals unmistakably browned and shriveled.
Vinsen was a Follower of Evil.
Then... was he truly heading to his master?
Onlookers watched the wilting impassively.
How could they react? I'd given no explanation.
Even Parovian-level mages might glean from mana flow, yet he betrayed no reaction. Likely not recognizing nonstandard Magic Tower magic.
I turned to Raistel.
"You said Vinsen's corruption stemmed from something in ancient ruins? Assuming forbidden magic."
"Huh? Oh... yes."
C evidently not expecting the spotlight, Raistel replied, eyes fixed on the wilted flower.
"Then... do you know the direction of those ruins he found in the past?"
"Well..."
Raistel whipped his head around, face dawning with realization.
"The Barma Mountains. ......A range not far from here."
"But we can't be certain."
Commander Parovian cut in.
"We haven't overlooked the ruins angle. But with traces scattered every which way, assuming he's bound for ancient ruins is premature. This one's probably coincidence."
Not wrong. Raistel nodded.
"Right. Or he noticed our pursuit and scattered them to throw us off."
But I was convinced.
"Commander, I asked about Followers of Evil earlier, remember?"
"Yes. What does it have to do with now?"
"The magic I used... detects Followers of Evil. Know their hallmark trait?"
Parovian drew a blank at my question.
"...."
Then belatedly probed.
"You know such magic?"
As expected, demanding source.
Shameless it was.
"That... do you know it's magic no Magic Tower has ever manifested?"
"...."
This time, I was at a loss.
......It was that kind of magic?