Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: 7. Killing Felix (5)
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📰 Front Cover [King Slime Slayer: Spotlight on Rookie 'Vivian' from the Last Temporary Hero Promotion Exam] [The One Who Erected an Ice Tower on the Training Grounds. Her Exam Success Was Destined from That Moment.] [Failed the Exam 10 Times in the Past—Was It Her Current Manager Who Pulled Her Up?] [From Fallen Aspiring Mage to Managerial Success Story. The Birth of a Second Sylvia?] This month's magazine front cover was packed with praise for Vivian.
Normally, it would have covered other news too, but Amos wouldn't allow it.
He focused solely on making Vivian shine.
'...What do I do? Did I overdo it?'
The problem was the label "Second Sylvia."
When relaying the manuscript, he'd been excited and, out of fear of Ian, barked all sorts of orders.
But now that it was out, the phrase "Second Sylvia" felt way too much, filling him with dread.
He didn't know why, but Ian seemed like he'd come from the 1st Hero Party.
That didn't guarantee the 1st Party would ignore their coverage.
If they reacted the same way Ian had in the past...
Amos thought he'd rather die.
Or flee to some remote backwater where no news reached.
'I-It'll be fine, right? Exaggerating isn't new... A-And! If you think about it! Sh-She's kinda like Sylvia!'
A nobody aspiring mage.
Someone who'd failed multiple attempts had taken down a slime with the unprecedented title of "King Slime."
Didn't that have more impact than Sylvia dramatically appearing after slaying a Big Slime?
Amos successfully rationalized it to himself.
📰 Back Cover [Unmasking Felix, the Man of Endless Rumors.] [Anonymous Insider Whistleblower: Felix's Atrocities and the Managers' Guild's Dark Underbelly.] [Felix, Who Insulted and Dismissed King Slime Slayer Vivian—Were His Achievements and Eye for Talent All Smoke and Mirrors?] [Brutal Beatings to Awaken a Common Boy. We Meet One Survivor.] The front was all Vivian; the back, nothing but vitriol against Felix.
They'd posted it on bulletin boards too and ordered newsboy kids to sell it all over Superbia.
Felix's reputation would now plummet straight to rock bottom.
Based on factual reports from documents Ian provided, testimonies from Ian and Mercy, Marie's whistleblowing, and more.
This was the opening salvo in killing Felix off, built purely from vivid, objective info.
Amos felt no guilt now.
He just needed to stay safe from Ian.
That was all he wanted.
'Well, not nothing... Since it's come to this, I hope it blows up big and solidifies my position!'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Felix, who'd checked the papers early, sought out Vivian.
And knelt before the Ian who greeted him.
Ian looked down at him with cold eyes.
Felix, forehead smashed to the floor, trembled pathetically.
"S-Sorry, I, I..."
"Haa..."
Ian's sigh made him shake even harder.
He pulled a stick of rock candy from his pocket and popped it in his mouth.
"Forgive me, I, I'm sorry..."
Felix's head spun; he felt like he was going mad.
Where had it all gone wrong?
If Philip was Ian, what had the Master been up to all this time?
Did Penny know too?
No time to ponder.
He just had to grovel before the man in front of him.
"Pl-Please spare me... Just this once, please..."
"Should've lived nicely while you had the chance."
"I will from now on! Never, never again will I make the same mistake...!"
Felix looked up pleadingly.
But Ian's bored expression offered no hope.
"Hmm..."
Ian pulled out parchment and a quill.
Scratch-scratch.
He wrote silently.
Whatever it was, Felix grew anxious and kept begging.
"Ph-... N-No. I know nothing about it... Please, have mercy, please..."
"Hate to say it myself, but..."
Crunch-crunch.
Ian chewed his candy and spoke.
"I'm not someone you can even dream of measuring up to."
Not that he couldn't match him.
Even the attempt or thought was forbidden.
Arrogant words, but this man had the right.
Felix nodded furiously, face nearly grinding into the dirt.
"Y-Yes...! You're right. Blame my poor judgment... I, I just can't judge people..."
"Seems like it. Considering how you drove out Vivian."
"......"
Felix couldn't reply.
His deeds against her flashed in his mind.
Scratch-scratch.
The quill scraping parchment felt like flesh tearing from his skin.
Crunch-crunch.
Teeth grinding candy sounded like his bones shattering.
"Best not get any funny ideas. Even if you blab about today, no one'll believe you. And if you spread it too wildly, I'll handle you myself."
"Y-Yes, I understand...!"
His low, chilling tone was deceptively gentle, but each word burned like fire.
Felix just bowed, promising obedience.
Thud.
Ian stamped the finished letter and handed it to Felix.
"Take it."
Felix accepted it reverently with both hands.
"Wh-What is this...?"
"The Military Police will come for you soon."
Military Police.
Felix froze.
"Show it to them. I wrote not to kill you."
Does that mean he'll spare me?
He couldn't read the intent, but thanked him anyway.
"Th-Thank you...!"
"No big deal. Death's too easy an out."
"...Pardon?"
"You thought I'd just kill you?"
Ian's lip curled on one side.
He removed the candy stick and spoke like sharing an amusing fact.
"You won't die even if you want to. Survive half-dead and watch how far the Vivian you discarded climbs. Got it?"
"......"
"I know some folks in the Military Police. I'll make sure Vivian's news reaches you fast. That's the least I can do."
"......"
Ian popped the candy back in.
"Now get out."
Felix couldn't utter a word at the command.
Like a broken machine, he rose creakily and obeyed.
Ian smirked at the door closing limply.
He'd been relieved Humphrey was alive.
But right after, thoughts of toppling Felix came first.
Seeing the broken man now was satisfying, drawing an involuntary laugh.
Underneath, there was a sly hope Vivian would stick closer after this.
'See? I can never be a good guy.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ian.
More precisely, the document stamped by the man known as Philip.
Clutching it, Felix left the building dejectedly.
At the entrance, someone waited with private guards.
Felix's blank gaze shifted to him.
The Managers' Guild sub-master.
He strode over and slapped Felix's cheek with full force.
Smack!
A palm strike sounded like a bludgeon.
The ex-Hero deputy manager's strength was no joke.
Felix crumpled, blood and teeth spilling from his mouth.
"Get out."
The deputy spat curtly.
He'd backed Felix till now, but no need anymore.
Felix had been cut loose.
"......"
Minutes after leaving the training hall, dazed.
Heavy armored footsteps halted before him.
Onlookers gathered.
"Military Police Captain Wolfgeng."
A man fierce and rugged, unlike Ian.
Felix blankly stared at the black-armored Military Police.
Wolfgeng pulled out a warrant.
"As of now, your person is legally under Military Police custody. Investigation and execution will proceed fairly per procedure."
Felix just listened blankly.
Wasn't even really hearing.
The sounds formed no meaning in his head.
"Before transfer, a brief search of possessions."
Wolfgeng nodded to his men.
Two soldiers patted Felix down.
Out came a dagger, manager's license.
And the document clutched in his hand.
Wolfgeng read it and chuckled.
"Ian, really. How can he be this nice."
He looked up toward Ian in the training hall.
Couldn't see him, but seemed glad he was there.
"Wanted to say hi after so long, but you're busy. Forgot to mention the village chief of Arke Village and key figures got executed..."
Arke Village got no reaction from Felix.
Wolfgeng handed the paper to a subordinate and patted Felix's shoulder.
"Don't worry. Military Police don't do wrong."
A rumor flickered in Felix's numb mind.
The Military Police's methods were flashy and brutal.
But sometimes they couldn't kill the target.
Then, they'd make you wish for death, he'd heard somewhere.
A life where you'd beg to end it yourself.
That was Ian's finale for killing Felix.
"Escort him."
At Wolfgeng's order, two soldiers led Felix away.
He followed without resistance.
Onlookers eyed him fearfully, glaring too.
Accusations rang like hallucinations in his ears.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd contacted the Military Police via Mercy that morning, so Felix was probably hauled off quick.
Sent a detailed sketch too—no way they'd miss him.
With Felix handled, time for Agnes Abbey? No, McDullin Abbey next.
First, inform Kati at Agnes Abbey.
I'd sent her with Vivian and Mercy to drop off the three kids.
Vivian raged at Felix's crimes but didn't want to see him sent to the gallows.
Besides, still awkward revealing my full background to her.
'Kati.'
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [Yes. Master.] 'It's done. You guys?'
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [Mercy spoke with the abbey head.] 'Got it. Let Vivian finish her goodbyes. Heading there.'
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [Understood.] [...Hurry.] 'Gonna be late?'
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [......] 'Coming right away.'
No luggage in the room—just grabbed the key and left.
Still time left on the lease, so no return yet.
Mana stone payout after tax: 1 gold, already received.
Normal low-grade stones go for 1 silver each.
After tax, about 90 bronze, then split among party and manager cut drops it further per person.
But this low-grade one fetched 100x value just for coming from a King Slime.
About 10 million won in Korean terms?
Dunno if it's worth that much.
Heard the Magic Tower paid top dollar for research.
Mages go nuts for new stuff.
Anyway, more money's always good.
Vivian's first payout at last.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Vivian, Mercy, and Kati had just exited the abbey.
Vivian's eyes red—probably cried thinking she wouldn't see the kids for a while.
Expected that, but what surprised me was Kati greeting little Emma scampering after them.
"Hello."
"...! Y-Yes, th-thank you...!"
Emma, caught off guard, bowed deeply.
"Hoo..."
Mercy eyed Kati intriguingly beside me.
"What am I seeing? Did those two have something going on?"
"While you were away, Kati trained that Emma girl."
"Kati did?"
"Yep. Got convinced by her wanting to grow strong for someone precious."
"...Ah."
Vivian wouldn't need Emma's help anymore, but wouldn't want to stay weak either.
I get the sentiment.
"Like it? Your precious one?"
"Shut it. Never thought I'd see the day."
"Tell me about it. Live long enough, you see everything."
"...How long you planning to live, then?"
"No manners for a lady!"
Smack!
Kati, from afar, closed in and blocked Mercy's backhand.
"Gah, seriously!"
Mercy stomped in frustration.
Emma burst laughing at the absurdity.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Carriage arranged?"
Mercy, on my shoulder, replied.
"Yep. Checked ahead. South gate."
Nice. Good work.
After giving her tasks today, Mercy's mood seemed better than usual.
Won't have this many orders going forward, but still need to check stuff...
"Um... Ian?"
"Yes, Vivian."
"What... happened to Felix?"
"Oh, took him to Managers' Guild upper echelons and filed charges. Someone recognized me, so handed him to Military Police."
"Wha, Military Police?! You can even move them, Ian..."
Hit the nail on the head subtly.
It warranted them, but instant action's rare.
True reason was different, but anyway.
"All sorted. Think Military Police is too harsh?"
With her heart, maybe.
"No way. Considering what he did to Humphrey, he deserves worse."
Saying that with a sweet smile... kinda scary.
"Thank you. Without you, I couldn't have fought back... Always relying on you."
"No biggie."
Vivian's smile faded.
Eyes drooping with worry.
"Something bothering you?"
"Huh? Oh, not worry... Just thinking of the kids. Humphrey too, and couldn't stay long with Laura and Daisy."
Makes sense, caring for them like that.
"Regret it?"
"Huh? N-No, it's fine."
Words and face don't match.
...What if, just what if.
Vivian regrets late and wants to go back.
What then?
Probably push her to anyway, even if reluctant.
Learned from 1st Party precedent.
When the heart's gone, efforts are pouring water into a leaky jar.
"If you regret, say so. Might accommodate."
"...Huh?"
Vivian went silent long after hearing me.
Then suddenly crossed arms, puffed lips.
"...I'm upset."
"Pardon?"
"Hmph..."
...Wait.
Is she sulking?
Didn't mean it that way...
"Don't know, just upset..."
Uh, what to do...
"Upset..."
Her voice teared up.
"Uh uh..."
"Aigoo, this sinful man..."
Mercy smacked her forehead with a sigh.
Bit cheap, but no choice.
"Hey, Vivian?"
"...Yes."
Gruff reply.
Slipped a gold coin into her hand.
"...What's this?"
"1 gold. Your earnings."
"Huh?"
"Mana stone sale. Got it yesterday, held onto it. After tax, 1 gold."
"Th-This, I, 1 gold... Huh?"
Vivian froze, calculating its worth.
"1 gold means, I got 1 gold at once, so..."
Overloaded, she fainted.
"Whoa..."
"Now you're knocking her out?"
"What'd I do?"
Kati hoisted Vivian and took her to the carriage.
It headed straight for McDullin Abbey southeast.
Meanwhile, I used Memory Correction to check for useful info.
Hope something's there...
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Memory Correction Soon, two scenes flooded my mind.