Chapter 79: Short and Intense
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 79: Short and Intense
Five minutes before the incident.
Burnell stood backstage.
"Huff, huff..."
He was gasping for breath. How long had it been since he had stood on a stage like this outside of his own home? Had he ever felt this kind of anticipation before?
I have.
But had he ever truly expected a day like this to come? Perhaps others had, but Burnell certainly hadn't. His life had been a cycle of neglect, nearly losing his internal organs to loan sharks. Everything had changed when Ferda stepped in, but even then, he hadn't imagined standing in a place like this.
Burnell peeked through the curtains. He saw the vast seating area of the opera house, and his heart fluttered. But even greater than the excitement were the pressure and the fear.
— Burnell, do you truly believe that is feasible?
President Bernard’s voice echoed in his ears, intensifying his anxiety. It was a memory from his time as a student at Escoleia Academy, during a Q&A session at an Academic Conference.
— Anyone can present such delusional ideals. But what are we to do if you become obsessed with them?
— Do not believe you can break the existing laws of magic. You may be smart, but you are not that kind of genius.
Bernard had tried to crush Burnell’s will. Burnell hadn't given up, but since that day, he had become uncomfortable around people—especially when it came to standing on a main stage like this.
Will they laugh at me again? Will they confuse me with useless critiques? Will I disappoint the people who believed in me?
Those questions felt like hands tightening around his throat.
I still have to do it.
For the Regent, Ferda, who had believed in him. To spite Bernard, who had insulted him instead of acknowledging his success. And for himself, who had sacrificed everything for this.
"Phew! Why is this herbal tea so useless...?"
Despite drinking several cups of tea meant to calm his nerves, the intrusive thoughts wouldn't leave his head. He clasped his hands tightly and prayed. He prayed that something unexpected would happen to cancel the event.
"Aaaaaah!"
As if answering his small wish, a scream erupted. Startled by the sudden outcry, Burnell snapped out of his thoughts.
"What? What happened?"
The staff members running the stage began to flee all at once. Instead of following them, Burnell decided to assess the situation.
"Gasp...!"
A Rift had opened. In Halim—and inside the opera house, no less—a Rift was spewing out monsters.
Is that even possible?
While gates where monsters appeared inside cities did exist, they were incredibly rare. To appear now, when so many people were gathered and they were about to introduce monster-appearance prediction equipment... the timing was too coincidental.
Should I run?
The moment Burnell turned to flee, his feet stopped. He saw Ferda.
Ferda was standing his ground. As if the option to flee never existed, he was responding to the Rift with cold, calculating eyes.
Noblesse oblige.
Ferda was fulfilling the duty of a noble. Burnell was inspired by that look.
I have to do something, too.
Even if he couldn't risk his life like Ferda, he had to be of help. He whipped his head around. There it was—the Magitech Rifle he had prepared.
Burnell picked up the rifle and activated it. Adjusting the mana output, preheating the core, setting the selector, adjusting the power according to the displayed values...
Why are there so many steps?
It required over twenty manual operations. Originally, there had been over a hundred; this was the result of Burnell constantly simplifying it because Malcolm said it was unusable.
It’s still too many.
Burnell had thought this even before the presentation. Isn't this enough? People should be able to operate it at this level, right?
I was wrong.
To be simple enough for someone like Malcolm meant it had to be usable at a moment's notice. With such complexity, it couldn't be used in a desperate moment like this. Even while holding the line, sacrifices would be made.
Damn it. I'm an idiot.
Just as the President said, I'm a fool. This is the result of obsessing over a 1% increase in efficiency instead of imagining what was actually needed.
Even as he spat out these regrets, Burnell’s hands moved incessantly. He decided to do what he could in this moment. Finally finishing the loading process, he pulled the bolt.
Vrooooom—!
The object acceleration magic circle activated, vibrating inside the barrel. Burnell stepped onto the stage holding the rifle.
The situation was already reaching its climax. The two remaining wolf monsters were lunging at Ferda.
They're so fast!
Burnell had only one chance. He had to land a decisive blow with that single shot. However, just holding the heavy rifle was difficult enough; he had no confidence in tracking their movements to aim.
Crackle!
A bolt of lightning shot from Ferda’s hand. He succeeded in stopping one, but the other was different. It bypassed Jed and lunged straight for Ferda. It lunged to tear out his throat.
"No!"
Burnell hesitated no longer. He pulled the trigger.
The magic formula activated, and a sphere of mana was forged within the glass tube. The sphere flowed into the long barrel and shot out as a flash of light.
Bang!
It pierced the chest of the monster targeting Ferda. It struck the heart with pinpoint accuracy. As the pure mana bullet hit, the wolf monster yelped and flailed before stiffening and dropping dead.
One shot. The monster was taken down in a single shot.
Even Burnell, who had fired the rifle, looked shocked. He had set the power higher than usual, but he hadn't expected it to go down in one hit. He thought he was just buying time.
But regardless of his intent, it didn't matter. The thunderous roar that shook the hall and the death of the final monster drew everyone's attention to Burnell. They were staring at him with their mouths agape.
"What is that?"
"Did magic just come out of that thing?"
"Is it a staff? Did he use magic?"
"There's no way a staff looks like that."
They were all speculating about the object Burnell was holding. In the first place, the main purpose of the presentation was the Magic Stones; the Magitech Rifle was only intended to be introduced as a simple application of the technology.
"Uh, um..."
He had to say something. Burnell felt the pressure to speak, and he opened his mouth.
"This is... the item I brought today, the Magitech Rifle."
That was it. He couldn't find any more words. But at the same time, it was enough. The introduction was intense enough to be seared into everyone's minds.
* * *
While the presentation hall was in an uproar, there were people watching from a distance. As the situation ended, they watched the cleanup efforts.
"Seven wolf monsters," a man muttered, crossing his arms. "How many deaths did we expect from those seven?"
The man standing next to him replied, "At least three hundred should have died. Including the President of Escoleia."
"And yet, there isn't a single casualty. Bernard didn't die either."
"The one who planned this won't escape accountability."
It was a failure that went beyond simply missing expectations; it was a total disaster.
"What do you think was the cause of failure?"
"Do you really need an answer?"
"I'm asking to see if we're thinking the same thing."
The cause of defeat could be defined in two words.
"Ferda Valdrova."
"As I thought."
Both men were of the same mind. Ferda Valdrova. His name had been frequently mentioned among the demons lately. Ever since he started getting involved, things had begun to go wrong.
"I heard he even raided a research facility with the help of demons. Is this the result of overlooking him?"
"He wasn't overlooked. If anything, he was overestimated."
That overestimation had come from the testimony of Linne, the Research Director. The demons had thought Linne’s testimony was just a recurring excuse to justify her defeat.
"But it seems even that overestimation fell short."
Ferda was beyond imagination.
"He knows how to neutralize monsters using 1st and 2nd Circle mages who can't even be used in combat."
"His assessment and distribution of forces were perfect. He pushed himself a bit, but even that seemed calculated."
"He's cold-blooded. For some reason, he seems incredibly experienced in this kind of combat."
"He's only eighteen. How is that possible?"
"Could he have been on a battlefield before?"
"Look at his body. What could that scrawny frame without a lick of muscle possibly do?"
"If not that... is it innate?"
"It feels too deliberate to be just innate sense. He's on a different level."
There were many theories about Ferda, but they remained in a fog, unable to find an answer.
"The factors involved might give us the answer."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean we should broaden our perspective. Let's look for factors in other things."
He gestured with his chin toward a brown-haired man.
"That fellow Jed is also strange. Can someone move like that just because Haste was cast on them?"
"Normal humans can't. To move like that, he must have lived his life at that speed."
"I thought it was strange that a man who spends his time as a gigolo was called a knight, but it seems there was a reason he was chosen."
The other man nodded as if he understood.
"And that Malcolm character..."
"Just a fool. Even now that the situation is over, isn't he still busy kidnapping mages?"
"...True."
Meanwhile, the other man replied while deep in thought.
"We'll need to change the danger rating. At least to Alberdo grade."
"For Ferda Valdrova? That seems like a hasty judgment. I think he's still within our projections."
The man shook his head at those words.
"I'm talking about that guy."
He pointed his chin toward the blue-haired man standing on the stage. The man who had killed a wolf monster in one shot with an object that looked like a work of art.
Burnell Marquis.
"His influence will undoubtedly surpass that of Ferda Valdrova."
* * *
With the death of the seven wolf monsters, the crisis at the presentation hall came to an end. There were many injured, but the fact that the battle ended without a single death was significant.
Usually, even if one monster appeared, at least three people would die, and as the numbers increased, the death toll would rise exponentially. Yet, despite seven monsters intruding, not a single person died. Everything was settled before Halim’s support troops even arrived.
It was a feat so wondrous that the word "impressive" didn't do it justice. The person who led that wondrous situation was Ferda.
"Thank you for saving our lives, Regent."
"I am truly moved by your dazzling nobility. Thank you."
Those who had fought alongside him, as well as those who had fled and returned, flocked to Ferda to flatter him. Ferda’s actions—refusing to retreat from the front lines—were the epitome of noblesse oblige.
Of course, the praise wasn't reserved for Ferda alone. There was someone else who had left an equally strong impression.
"Do you know who that is?"
"His name is Burnell Marquis. I heard he's a participant in this presentation."
It was Burnell. Since he had appeared at the very end of the monster invasion to deliver the finishing blow, his name was naturally on everyone's lips.
"Ah, I remember. President Bernard seemed to be pushing for him quite strongly."
"Is that the item he brought?"
"I don't think so. The name doesn't fit for a Magic Stone. Shouldn't a Magic Stone be a stone?"
"Then what on earth is that?"
Since the concept of Magitech didn't exist, they didn't know exactly what the object was. But there was no need for a long-winded explanation. Magitech was a technology that could kill a monster in one shot. That was more than enough to pique their interest.
Burnell, sensing the change in the way people looked at him, slunk over to Ferda.
"Um, Regent... there's something I need to tell you..."
"Speak."
"I did kill the monster, but... this wasn't actually supposed to kill it."
Ferda turned his head. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I've been thinking about it. Considering the power measured during the rifle's testing, the muscle density of that wolf monster, and the trajectory of the bullet, it should have been impossible for it to reach the heart."
"You didn't shoot to kill?"
"I only intended to buy some time. So I took a quick look at the dead monster..."
"And?"
"You know where I shot it? The muscle there had parted slightly. The bullet passed exactly through the gap between the muscles, reached the heart with almost no loss of power, and then exploded there."
Ferda summarized Burnell’s explanation. "So you're saying it was all a series of coincidences?"
"Yes, exactly."
Ferda stared intently at Burnell’s face. "Is there any benefit to us in making that known?"
"Uh... no?"
"Then don't rain on the parade. Just enjoy it."
Ferda patted Burnell on the shoulder and walked past. As soon as Ferda left, numerous scholars and merchants approached Burnell. They introduced themselves and showed him great respect. Burnell smiled awkwardly at them. It wasn't so bad. After all, this opportunity had been created by something he had made.
Meanwhile, Penelope was jumping up and down while grabbing onto Jed.
"Je-Je, Je-Je! Look over there, look! Look at the eyes on those women!"
"..."
"My god. I feel full already. Can I—can I cry?"
"...Shut up, you idiot."
Jed pushed away the head of the over-excited Penelope. He quietly slipped away with a troubled expression. Seeing his complex face, Penelope chased after him like a child.
"What is it? Is this the 'brooding man' concept?! That's not bad either! Just don't overdo it! We're going to feast tonight!!"
While everyone else was receiving warm gazes, Malcolm was the sole exception.
"Are you insane?! You threw me right into the middle of a battlefield?!"
"I'm sorry! I thought you were a witch...!"
"What did you say, you crazy bastard?! Do I look like a witch to you, huh?!"
"Wait, I didn't mean it like that! I really thought you were someone who could use magic."
Even five minutes after the situation had ended, Malcolm, who had been diligently "recruiting" mages, was being blasted by a noblewoman’s fury. Because he had mistaken a wrinkled old noblewoman for a witch and kidnapped her, he was being showered with spit and insults. In just one minute, his parents' honor and his own manhood had been verbally obliterated.
Unable to watch any longer, Ferda stepped in front of the noblewoman. The situation was settled in ten seconds. Malcolm bowed his head, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"I'm sorry, Regent. I made a mistake."
"No, raise your head. Did you commit a crime?"
"You told me to only bring mages, but I brought a noblewoman and caused trouble..."
"That much is unavoidable. You did your duty. As a knight of the Archduchess's territory, you followed my orders, and you did a wonderful job."
Ferda was sincerely grateful to him. What if Malcolm had tried to persuade the mages instead of kidnapping them? No one would have come. Who would be crazy enough to step forward into a place where death lurked? If he hadn't kidnapped them directly, the plan would have gone awry. This operation had gone smoothly because Malcolm had done what he could.
"Thank you, hic!!"
Malcolm choked back tears of relief.
As things were being wrapped up, someone approached Ferda. The fact that no one else stood where he walked made it clear he was a high-ranking official.
"I greet the Consort of Valdrova, the Might of the Great Fire. I am Ahmed, the Lord of this land of pleasure, Halim."
It was the Lord of Halim. Before Ferda could even respond to the greeting, Ahmed knelt.
"On behalf of Halim, I sincerely thank you for settling this crisis."
Everyone was shocked by Ahmed’s actions.
"My god... the Lord of Halim is kneeling..."
"The man who was said to stand tall even before the Emperor..."
It was a characteristic of the southern lords not to kneel easily, even before a king. The fact that Ahmed knelt in front of others raised Ferda’s reputation even higher.
"I only did my duty as a noble."
"Who else would risk their life to clean up trouble in someone else's land? Instead of staying here, I shall escort you to the castle. Let us heal your wounds and talk further."
Only then did Ferda remember that his neck had been pierced. The bleeding had stopped, but it throbbed with pain.
It'll definitely leave a scar.
He needed a topic of conversation to share with Valdrova, but he didn't want to start the conversation with a scar like this.
"Can you heal it cleanly?"
"Of course. I will call for the best so that not even a single scar remains."
Ferda headed toward the Lord's castle with Ahmed.