102
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 102
Mitchell got off the carriage.
The Red Wing Knights immediately surrounded and escorted Mitchell.
"Oh my, it's Mitchell Redfield! How did you get here...?"
"Damn! Is anyone's camera not working?! This is an exclusive story!"
"Lord Mitchell! Why have you come to the Magic Tower?"
"Are you here to meet Wizard Raven?!"
Mitchell wore a practiced soft smile and headed toward the Gale Magic Tower.
The path into the tower's interior was an automatic pass.
The Red Wing Knights guarded the tower's entrance while Mitchell stood alone in front of the elevator.
Ding!
As the elevator doors opened with a cheerful sound, a woman was waiting.
The Green-Eyed Wizard.
Raven.
"What brings you here?"
"Just came to see an old friend."
"I told you. You have a habit of slightly avoiding my eyes when you lie."
"Ah, I've been caught."
Mitchell smiled and entered the elevator.
"Smile a bit. There are cameras outside."
"I'm not becoming a Tower Master through popularity like you."
As the elevator doors closed, it began ascending.
"It's strange that you even came to meet me."
"More importantly, what's the real reason you're here? Explain now."
"Can't I explain a bit later?"
"I can only cover for you if you explain before the elevator doors open."
"Is the Gale Magic Tower Master very angry?"
"Quite a lot. He was researching artifacts brought from the demon realm. He never expected you to suddenly show up like this."
Mitchell laughed as if it was amusing.
"I must be quite remarkable to make the Gale Magic Tower Master stop his magical research."
"Are you really not going to tell me?"
"Wouldn't it be better to explain once we're there?"
Raven glanced at Mitchell.
"You'll regret this."
"Hmm?"
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
Unlike other research rooms, the ceiling and walls were all made of a single massive hemispherical glass, offering a panoramic sky view.
Unlike other wizards' research rooms, there were no scattered odds and ends or books, and not even a speck of dust.
Only a massive magic stone was floating in the center.
Behind the giant magic stone, two men stood.
One was a wizard with grayish-brown hair casually tied back.
The other was a frail man with ash-gray hair.
Mitchell focused not on the wizard, but on the frail man.
It was Arch Duke.
"You said I'd regret it?"
Raven's words were right.
Mitchell was indeed regretting it.
"...I greet Your Excellency, Laar Arch Duke."
"Come."
Mitchell and Raven approached Arch Duke and the Gale Magic Tower Master.
Although Homigraph and Sapientia had been noisy recently, they never expected Arch Duke to move directly.
What could have touched Arch Duke's sensibilities?
Mitchell continued walking, organizing his thoughts.
At that moment, the Gale Magic Tower Master quickly waved his wand.
Mitchell's sword sheath instantly loosened.
Mitchell reflexively grabbed his sword.
"I hope you understand it's disrespectful to approach with a drawn sword before the Duke. Withdraw it."
"......"
Mitchell lowered his sword.
Arch Duke only spoke after seeing Mitchell put down the weapon.
"I'll be direct, Mitchell Redfield."
Arch Duke approached Mitchell while leaning on his staff.
"Leave within half a day. You are uninvited guests."
This was Mitchell's third time seeing Arch Duke.
Once when his father took him to see the world as a child.
Once when Arch Duke directly appeared to bless Mitchell when he became a hero's companion.
And now.
The first time, Arch Duke came directly, so it wasn't to see Mitchell.
The second time was to bless Yan, so Mitchell wasn't the main focus.
But now, Arch Duke had clearly come to see Mitchell.
But why?
However, no matter how much he pondered, Mitchell had only one answer.
"...Yes. I will leave."
Arch Duke looked into Mitchell's eyes and spoke.
"Mitchell Redfield. You're a capable knight. And a snake-like imitator. But trying to unfold your schemes in the land of wizards is too subversive."
How much does he know?
Does he know what Mitchell is truly aiming for?
They say Arch Dukes are always one step ahead.
Not only are they wise, but they often move with a clear understanding of the consequences of their chosen path.
That's how they've protected the Wizard's Province and prevented wizards from leaking outside for over 230 years.
Could he already know about this matter?
Let's probe a bit.
"I have one request, however."
"Do you want to make a deal with me?"
"It's more like a small child asking an adult for a gift."
"A man who killed the Demon King and ended the demon realm war asking for a gift. It sounds ridiculous, but I'll listen."
Mitchell took a deep breath and spoke.
"Please give me Caesar Sylvatil."
Arch Duke looked down at Mitchell with an emotionless expression.
"Caesar Sylvatil. You're definitely talking about the knight who's been making a name for himself in the wizards' Province recently?"
"Yes. That's correct."
Arch Duke thought for a moment, then opened his mouth.
"If Caesar leaves on his own, take him. But if you exercise your power on my land, you'd better be prepared."
"Thank you. I will now take my leave."
Mitchell lowered his head afterward and picked up his sword, heading toward the elevator.
Raven rode the elevator together with Mitchell.
Only when the doors closed could Mitchell finally relax.
"...Wouldn't it have been nice if you'd told me beforehand?"
"Didn't I tell you that you would regret it?"
The elevator stopped after a short while.
It was Raven's personal research laboratory.
Raven's lab was filled with books brought from the demon realm.
Mitchell entered Raven's research room and sat in a suitable chair.
Raven poured tea for Mitchell using magic.
Mitchell took a sip of tea and furrowed his brow.
"You've always been terrible at brewing tea."
"Barre's was the most delicious."
Mitchell chuckled and said,
"That's right. That guy seemed to brew tea casually, but it was quite tasty. But he didn't often make it well because it was troublesome."
Raven took a sip of tea and spoke.
"So, what's the real reason you came here? It's not like you truly want Caesar Sylvatil."
Raven is indeed hard to deceive.
Mitchell deliberately avoided answering directly.
"Do you happen to know Caesar too?"
Raven thought for a moment before speaking.
"I've met him once."
"Where?"
"I saw him at the last welcome party. He was quite an unusual man."
Mitchell was incredibly surprised that Raven knew Caesar.
She typically doesn't remember properly after seeing someone once.
In fact, even though she had encountered Mitchell four times when she was young, she would ask, "Who are you?" - showing how little interest she had in people.
Yet she remembers after seeing someone just once?
"In what way?"
"Since I've been asked two questions, you should also receive two questions."
"Was there such a rule?"
"Then leave."
"Okay. Go ahead."
"I've already asked a question. What's the real reason you're here?"
Mitchell took a sip of tea and organized his thoughts.
Then he spoke.
"I'm actually interested in Caesar. He uses an axe, just like Barre, right?"
"He uses an axe?"
Mitchell tilted his head, looking strange.
"What? You didn't know that?"
"Weapon entry was prohibited for everyone except magicians at the party."
"Then how do you remember?"
"Why don't you first properly explain my answer? You have a habit of diverting the direction with questions."
This is why talking with Raven is so tricky.
Yan just rambles on about what he wants to say, and Barre doesn't understand Mitchell's words at all, always asking "What? What's that? Can you eat it?"
But with Raven, Mitchell's linguistic skills are completely blocked, forcing a direct confrontation.
"Caesar uses a double-headed axe. And the point when he started using an axe was right after his military discharge."
"...What?"
"I'm not finished talking yet."
Mitchell crossed his legs while speaking.
"Caesar originally used a longsword. But after being pushed back, he suddenly started using an axe. Why?"
"...I don't know?"
Mitchell smiled and said,
"From my perspective, he might have learned axe techniques from Barre. And he might be the only person who knows the truth about that vampire castle."
"No way, was Caesar part of the 14th regiment?"
"That's right. Exactly. As soon as the vampire castle collapsed, he immediately applied for discharge. And I've even secured information that he left the frontline with an axe."
Raven's expression wavered for the first time.
Mitchell seemed to understand what Raven was thinking.
"Well, that's not really important."
Mitchell decided to tell Raven what she wanted to hear.
"Caesar might know where Barre is now. That's what I want."
Raven was momentarily speechless.
But eventually, seeing the dancing magic around Mitchell's body, she came to her senses.
"...That was a good attempt."
"Pity. I thought you'd fall for it."
Raven took a sip of tea.
"If that was your aim, you could have just asked Caesar directly. There's no need for such a complicated process. Now tell me the real reason. Why are you after Caesar?"
Mitchell took a sip of tea and pondered.
Would Raven be someone who would join his plan?
Or someone who would obstruct it?
Or someone he could use?
"If you make just one oath."
"What oath?"
"That you'll never tell anyone. From Gale Magic Tower master to the Arch Duke."
Mitchell knew Raven's words were like a blade.
At the same time, he knew he was a typical magician who couldn't resist curiosity.
So he already knew Raven's response without hearing it.
"I'll do it."
Mitchell took a sip of tea and then spoke.
"I want the Royder Order to be thoroughly destroyed. Caesar will be a thorough meat shield to destroy the Royder Order."
***
The Royder Order's media firepower was quite substantial.
[How many people died from unverified medicine?]
[Only the Royder Order can properly conduct medicine safety tests.]
[Request for Caesar's clear position statement from the Royder Order... But Caesar remains silent.]
Although the Wizard Province is traditionally said to be heavily influenced by the 'Apsinism Religion', the Royder Order has quite a large number of followers.
This was because one had to become a member of the Royder Order to receive potions.
In fact, it seems the Royder Order went as far as to say they wouldn't give potions unless people signed a statement condemning Caesar, claiming those who didn't weren't true believers.
Perhaps that's why?
Zealous believers came every day to throw filth at Caesar's house.
"Caesar is trying to kill us! Caesar is trying to kill us!"
"Caesar, the illegal drug dealer, must apologize before the goddess immediately!"
The police guarding Caesar's house raised their guns toward the believers.
"Put that down right now! If you don't put it down, we'll shoot!"
"I-I'm not scared...!"
Bang!
The police fired into the air.
All the believers swallowed their fear and lowered their bodies.
"Think this is a joke? You're attempting to terrorize the house of a federal marshal appointed by His Majesty the Emperor. If you don't want to die, get out of here now!"
After the believers retreated, Jake slipped white envelopes into each police officer's back pocket.
"Marshal Caesar says this is for your hard work all day."
"Oh my, this is too much..."
"And this is for Police Chief Ren."
"Ah, yes. I understand. I'll deliver it well to the chief."
It's fortunate we've been friendly with the police from way back.
Otherwise, my front yard would have become a ruined chicken coop.
Gloria sighed while looking at Caesar, who was eating peacefully.
"Aren't you worried, Sir Caesar? The Royder Order is pressuring you right now."
"Well, now it really feels like I'm fighting the Royder Order."
"Then shouldn't you at least throw the clinical trial results to the newspapers? Why are you staying quiet without counterattacking?"
Caesar took a sip of water before speaking.
"Gloria. There's no point in me throwing clinical trial results to the newspapers now. The Royder Order will just slander them as lies."
"Then what? What should we do?"
"We need support from an authoritative group, not from me."
"Which group is that?"
Just then, Harrison brought the evening newspaper.
Caesar grinned as soon as he saw the front page.
"Magicians."
***
A small letter arrived at the newspaper offices.
As soon as a reporter saw the envelope, he climbed onto his desk.
"This is huge! The Magicians' Union sent an official statement!"
Reporters gathered like a swarm of ants.
"What?! The magicians? What's the content?! Could it be about the malaria treatment?"
"Stop being noisy and start typing! I'll read it now!"
The statement was one page and not very long.
But the content was explosive.
"We have confirmed that the malaria treatment being produced by Caesar Sylvatil is safe through clinical trials and verification magic."
All the reporters groaned.
This was practically equivalent to the Magic Tower declaring war against the Royder Order.
"Therefore, I, Wizard Smir, along with 5,887 magicians, officially request the parliament to submit a bill permitting malaria treatment production for the peace and continuation of humanity."
The press room became chaotic.
"Call parliament right now! Did the magicians really submit a bill to permit malaria treatment production?!"
"No, give me that list of magicians! What's the list of those magicians?!"
"There's no list visible. There's only the statement here?!"
The reporter on the desk shook the inside of the letter thoroughly.
Then a blue orb fell and bounced on the floor with a thud.
Whirr…
"Huh?"
As something spinning could be heard from the blue orb, wings appeared on it.
And the orb scanned around before flying toward the ceiling.
Swish swish swish swish
The orb wrote letters by rubbing itself directly.
[Wizard Smir]
[Wizard Film]
[Wizard Killahim]
[Wizard Check]
The reporters stared blankly at the orb's movement.
"Could all those people be the ones who left their names on the statement?"
"What are you doing! Hurry up and take pictures?!"
The reporters who came to their senses brought cameras and began capturing the orb's movement in photos.