Episode 3-b. Black Mage Subjugation Battle (2)
To put it simply.
“Whoa, this is a madhouse…”
The gathering spot, packed with people, was an absolute mess. It almost made me regret bringing the carriage straight here. The line stretched from the building all the way to a distant square, swarming with adventurers and mercenaries in total chaos. There were shouts trying to impose some order, but in a crowd this massive, a few voices got swallowed up instantly. Once even the ragged vagrants joined in, there wasn’t even room to nudge the carriage forward.
Of course, amid the pandemonium, some groups stood out in neat formation.
“Lady Asha, those folks over there must be the knight order and mage corps.”
“...Yeah, looks like it.”
Clad in matching armor or robes, they clustered tightly together, occupying the space near the building like they owned it. Just like Eileen said—probably the knight and mage units. They resembled the ones I’d secretly observed back in the Empire, so I was certain. Hoping none of them were actually competent, I pulled my robe down tight over my head.
The carriage couldn’t go any farther, so I barely maneuvered it to the roadside and hopped down from the driver’s seat.
“Uh… is it okay to just leave the carriage here like this?”
“I’ve warded it with magic, so it’s fine.”
“Magic really is… all-purpose.”
Eileen let out a little gasp of admiration, then toddled over and stuck right behind me.
And so, as we wormed our way through the crowd, grunting with effort, a scream pierced the air from where we’d left the carriage—keeee-yak!
“See? The spell works perfectly.”
“...Um, but that guy’s foaming at the mouth…?”
“If you covet someone else’s stuff, you’ve gotta be ready to foam at the mouth, Eileen.”
“I-Is that how it works?”
“Yes.”
Stealing is wrong, after all. If they crossed the line I’d set, that level of pain was fair game. Thinking that, I gripped Eileen’s hand—still glancing back nervously—and pushed forward.
“Eek, ack…! Lady Asha, too rough—kyaaang…!”
No time to worry about that amid the rush. I needed to sort this out quick and get to Ain. I wanted to see his surprised face when I found him. To hand him what he’d wanted and meet his joyful smile. To wrap my arms around him again and finally say it out loud.
Ain, I missed you. I love you.
So, no way could I waste time here.
That’s how Eileen and I bulldozed through the chaotic throng toward the building. A packed path was tough for a woman’s frame to force open, so despite her protests, I swung my mana to shove the blockers aside left and right.
The ones grunting like Eileen shot me angry glares and yelled.
“Hey, what asshole keeps shoving?!”
“Me.”
“N-No, I mean… no need to shove, I’ll step aside and let you pass, mage lady.”
“Thank you.”
When I spoke with mana rippling around me, my robed figure mostly concealed, they usually grinned sheepishly and cleared a path. I’d worried the chaos-makers might lack basic manners, but it was needless concern.
“Hm, lots of good people here.”
“I-It’s not so much good as… forced to be good, right?”
“Why?”
“’Cause you give off this vibe like bad behavior means big trouble.”
“Hm.”
Is that so? Hard to judge your own image, so I just tilted my head.
And just like that, we broke through to the front of the building. Peeking ahead, the area up close was orderly—people queuing neatly, filling out forms in turn.
“Lady Asha, looks like they’re doing subjugation party registrations?”
“...”
And after finishing the paperwork, they had to move aside and show off their skills, it seemed.
“Lady Asha! That guy got rejected! He swung his sword wildly, and the examiner shook his head!”
“I can see better, so just watch quietly.”
“Got it.”
Unlike her, forced to bounce with her short stature, I could see fine with a slight lift of my head.
Anyway, while we watched the proceedings, our turn came up.
“First, show your ID, then fill out this form.”
“Yes.”
I handed over my ID and scribbled through the paper. Basically, just “no liability for death during subjugation” and “rewards based on contribution.”
“Lady Asha! They won’t take responsibility even if you die—isn’t this illegal?”
“It’s not. Just stay quiet and stick close, Eileen.”
I’d heard subjugation requests for adventurers always meant risking your life.
“Low-rank adventurer, E-grade mage… You sure it’s safe to join? It could be riskier than you think.”
“I’m fine.”
Just the kobold subjugation in the duchy—if I hadn’t been there, three adventurers would’ve died for sure.
“As the oath states, death is fully your responsibility—no compensation. Make sure you understand.”
“Yes, thank you. And can my companion join without being an adventurer?”
“Well… Non-adventurers can’t get rewards anyway. No basic qualifications for the oath. If you still bring them, their death’s on them too.”
Human life’s value is shockingly low, really. Most without talent or strength accept reality and live ordinarily. Plenty did in the Empire, even in the duchy of freedom and adventure.
So.
“Yes.”
“Alright, move aside for a simple test and wait.”
Meaningless to me. I had the hated, feared murky gray power. A strength far beyond others, unasked for. I wasn’t weak enough to die here.
The “simple test” was truly simple—over in seconds. The examiner shaking his head wasn’t rejection.
I’d hidden my power, firing only weak spells before looking at him.
“Hm… not front-line material. You’ll be in the subjugation’s rear guard.”
Just like with sloppy adventurers, he shook his head and said it. Probably meant low contribution, so rear placement.
Anyway.
We got orders to regroup in five hours at the red-light district, the black mages’ den, then left the square.
Near the returned carriage, several foamers lay sprawled, so I toed them aside and climbed aboard.
“Where to now?”
Eileen tilted her head curiously.
“The sightseeing you wanted. Can’t spare a full day, so make do with five hours.”
Five hours seemed plenty for her whims, so I’d indulge.
Of course.
“Gasp! Then let’s grab cash and hit the casino quick!”
“...”
I’d never imagined her “sightseeing” meant gambling—stared at her blankly.
“Subjugation’s not the only shot at striking it rich, Lady Asha!! One gamble can change your life—how romantic!”
“...Rejected.”
“Whyy!! I’ll just use my emergency funds. Pleeease? My money onlyyy…!”
“Rejected. No sightseeing.”
“Waaah…! I wanted to gamble so bad, gambling!!”
Obsessing over that at her age was no good.
“No.”
“Pleeease! Just three rounds, okay? Really, just a pittance from my savings…!”
Put simply.
I had to be the good one—her guardian now, so block her missteps.
“Impossible.”
“Waaah…!!”
For this young noble lady already acting like an addict, ignoring stares.
“No chance.”
“Aargh, seriously!!”
I could handle her flopping around in a tantrum.
Truth is.
I just wanted to tease Eileen after so long. The crowd had soured my mood a bit.
Yeah. Feels better now.