Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Reunion (2)
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KABOOM!
A deafening roar erupted from upstairs, accompanied by a sinister aura leaking out.
Its scale was different, but its nature was the same. Black magic power, just like what he'd sensed while cleaning up those small-time black mages hiding in the back alleys with Ellis.
But it wasn't long before it all melted away under overwhelming heat.
Enoch's words had been true. This was likely far bigger than Carlo had imagined—a major black mage incident.
And Enoch... the new lord of his hometown seemed far tougher than he'd pictured.
Even though he'd already left the South behind, Carlo felt a strange swell of pride and flashed a faint smile as he spoke.
"Ksalys Merchant Company was run by black mages in disguise. His Grace Duke Zahav, passing by, freed us from their mental domination and dealt with the vile black mages."
-Pardon? What do you mean... Ah?
Ellis, ever quick on the uptake in these matters, immediately grasped the implication and let out a sigh of relief.
-That's a relief. Yes, truly. Since we've received a debt of gratitude from Duke Zahav, it's only right we repay it. Did he leave any specific instructions?
"He said a token of sincerity would suffice. Nothing else that I heard."
-That's... intriguing. There are rumors the current Zahav is a bit different, but even so, a Zahav wouldn't just...
"...Ah. Could it be."
-Do you have some idea?
What flashed through Carlo's mind was Enoch's first words upon scanning him and his comrades.
'You lot. You're from the South, aren't you?'
The smile on Carlo's lips deepened a touch.
"I think he went easy on us because we're from the South."
-That's... incredibly lucky.
A short laugh, followed by rustling sounds from beyond the crystal orb.
-Looks like I'll have to offer our sincerity in person. I'll head over soon—could you keep His Grace occupied for a bit? If not, just pass him this crystal orb.
"I'll give it a shot."
With that, the mana in the crystal orb vanished.
Carlo pocketed the now-silent orb and headed upstairs. And there he saw.
The top floor's walls ablaze, having pierced through layers of defensive magic, while the ceiling lay utterly shattered, sunlight pouring in from the gaping hole to the sky.
And the blackened floor. Standing tall upon it, bathing his entire body in the sun's rays: Enoch.
Carlo blinked in a daze, the image the perfect embodiment of the Zahav he'd imagined as a child.
Spotting him, Enoch waved from atop the pile of gruesomely shattered black mage corpses.
"Perfect timing. Got something to ask. Your name is...?"
"Carlo, sir."
"Right, Carlo."
Enoch grinned refreshingly—far too much so for someone who'd just slain multiple people, black mages or not.
"Know where the warehouse or vault is? Any places with valuables."
"Ah."
Was it because a way to stall Enoch, just as Ellis had suggested, had rolled right into his lap?
Carlo straightened up like a soldier at attention and replied.
"I know them all. First day on the job, but I was the head of security, after all."
"Nice. Lead the way, then."
"Understood. But if this was a black mage den, there might be hidden workshops... Shall I skip those?"
"Why would I bother? They're all dead anyway, and there's no black magic lingering. Let the capital guard handle the messy cleanup."
Enoch shrugged, casually offloading the tedious aftermath onto others.
All while declaring he'd pocket anything of value first—a truly scummy(?) attitude.
Now it felt less like the fairy-tale Zahav and more like the one he knew.
Carlo lightly thumped his chest.
Thump thump.
A Southern-style salute, long forgotten in his daily life, but one that sprang forth instinctively before Enoch.
Barely hiding his own surprise, Carlo spoke.
"Leave it to me. ...It's an honor to serve Your Grace."
Carlo had already opened his heart to Enoch without realizing it.
His men would soon follow.
KABOOM!
Carlo had pointed out the warehouse. Enoch smashed the lock with a single punch.
"Indeed. 'Life's about that one big score,' huh?"
Black mages dead, and gold to boot? What could be happier?
Beaming, he swept the neatly stacked gold coins into the subspatial pouch he'd gotten as a bonus from Ignatus last time.
Of course, it was only big enough for slush funds, so it filled up quick.
"Sigh... Should've planned how to carry it all."
Sighing heavily as he transferred the rest into plain crates, he paused.
A very familiar sound from behind—one that shouldn't be here.
Thwack!
A wooden cane tapping solid floor. Followed by that elven voice that effortlessly inspired goodwill.
"If it's a matter of transport, we can assist, Your Grace Duke Zahav."
"...?"
Too startled to even turn, he flinched hard.
But the other party, not recognizing him yet, continued politely.
"No subspatial magic on you, I assume, but we can prepare chests with complex locks and security spells. And through trusted Southern mercenaries, we'll deliver wherever Your Grace desires."
"Uh, um..."
The polite demeanor she never showed me, someone she'd known since childhood. But one I occasionally glimpsed when she dealt with others.
She was consistent with everyone except me and the other orphan crew, after all.
"If there's anything you need with that gold... anything procurable in Elysium, legal or otherwise, we'll handle it."
"Thing is..."
Never dreamed I'd run into her here. No, really.
After I ditched Calypso Territory, hadn't she and the gang bolted recklessly without even getting wanted posters?
Never figured a bunch of fugitives would hole up in the imperial capital of all places.
And if this Ellis of the Ellis Family was the one I knew... didn't that mean she'd taken over the capital's back alleys in just months?
Ellis was the weakest orphan crew. Not pushovers, but not brute-force types either.
She was smart, though...
"Ah."
That's when it hit him again.
How his standards were skewed from growing up in Calypso.
He knew intellectually it was unusual, but subconsciously...
The underworld was a dangerous place even he or the other orphans couldn't handle alone.
But reality?
He, who'd thought himself just a street boss, could take on an Orc Warlord solo.
Places he'd dismissed as normal branches were black mage HQs and assassin hearts.
Ellis's modest combat prowess overflowed in the capital's underworld, and her brains would've pierced the tangled power structure to unify it efficiently.
Like a sharp smack to the back of the head.
Relief washed over him—no grueling fugitive life for them—easing his heart.
Guess he'd subconsciously fretted over his orphan pals being wanted.
Chuckling wryly, he cut off Ellis, who'd been prattling politely.
"Enough."
"...Was there something off-putting?"
"You still don't know who I am?"
"Why, the lawful Duke of the Empire, ruler of the South. Guardian of humanity from the dungeons, of House Zahav..."
"Ellis."
"...?"
Ellis flinched. Then confusion, denial, expectation—in that exact order, matching his emotions moments ago.
"N-No way...?"
"Yeah."
He nodded and turned.
And they faced each other.
Verdant hair evoking fresh leaves. A missing ear chunk and old scars on her hand.
Yet those wounds only underscored her noble past: poised elegance, pureblood elf beauty.
And finally, the men's coat I'd once worn—draped over her shoulders after I gave it to her, now her treasure.
Everything unchanged.
Well, only months had passed, after all.
"Long time no see, Ellis. You didn't forget who I am already, did you?"
"E-Enoch...?"
"Yeah, it's me, you idiot. Oh, long story, but turns out I'm Zahav's bastard. That's why I'm the patriarch now... Ellis?"
Something felt off.
Tears welled silently in Ellis's trembling eyes.
She tossed her sword-cane aside, staggered forward.
"Enoch. Enoch? Is it really you? I'm not hallucinating, right?"
Her eyes unfocused, murmuring my name.
Tears streaming out of nowhere, eyes gleaming too wildly—I instinctively stepped back.
"...Ah."
In that instant, the light faded from Ellis's eyes.
The Ellis who'd lightly scold me and vanish wordlessly, as always.
Thud.
Kneeled before me, in front of her own men.
And began begging, hands clasped.
"S-Sorry. I messed up, Enoch. Please... please don't abandon me again..."
"???"
Oh no! Ellis broke!