Chapter 115
Chapter 115
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Man Who Drives People Mad (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"High priest hiding his power..."
A sentence like that—if it were a book title—would make it impossible not to pick it up.
The situation was clear enough to sum up in just that one line.
That said, we were utterly confused.
If the sudden surge of power Moria showed at the end of our spar was merely him recovering some hidden strength, then what the hell was the enhancement ability we'd managed to replicate?
I was so flustered that I asked Clana.
'Clana, what in the world is going on here?'
-That's what I want to know. You're the one who first brought up this topic, you know.
'I'm just a lowly underling who doesn't know much. As my superior who knows more, please explain it to me.'
-What kind of guy says crap like that...
Clana was just as flustered and couldn't provide a proper answer.
-No need to be surprised, Zuinnni!
The devil's voice chimed in at that moment.
'Oh. Calm. Reliable. What is it, Dangaleon? Why shouldn't we be surprised?'
-It's the result of you and me pooling our power! Nothing out of the ordinary could possibly happen!
'No... Don't spout nonsense with such conviction. And why are you leaving Clana out of it?'
-A mere inanimate object like her wouldn't have changed the outcome much even if she wasn't there! After all, isn't this a miracle we achieved purely through the power of magic?
Clana seemed to have grown attached to the enhancement ability we'd created together, reacting sharply to Dangaleon's words.
The usually composed killer demon rarely showed emotional turmoil as she spoke.
-That's interesting. In that case, why don't you two demonstrate that ability using pure magic alone?
-Kuhahaha!!! What a pathetic provocation! To dare doubt Zuinnni's power! Your foolishness will bring you pain!!! Zuinnni! Unleash that ability right now and remind this barbaric fool—who thinks swinging iron is a skill—of his ignorance!!!
The enhancement ability we'd created by combining our strengths complemented swordsmanship and magic.
It involved casting magic on oneself to induce a temporary abnormal state, then using swordsmanship to reinforce and sustain the body through it.
For example, as Dangaleon said, attempting it with magic alone would cause the body to burst from the strain.
'You want me to actively self-harm in some advanced way right now?'
-Oh no! I momentarily forgot that you're trapped in this prison of flesh, Zuinnni!
'Prison? If I escape this prison, I die.'
Despite such an in-depth discussion, our doubts ultimately went unresolved.
"I fully understand your bewilderment."
I flinched.
A sudden voice made my body tremble.
In my confusion, I'd even forgotten we were facing Drey's agent.
"...Indeed, it's quite bewildering."
I belatedly pulled myself together and responded to her.
"No way—that power wasn't enhancement—"
"Encountering a high priest is a horrific—"
"?"
"?"
We spoke almost simultaneously, then stopped at the same time, staring at each other.
Our faces said, What are you talking about?
"Please, go ahead."
I politely gestured for her to continue first.
"...Encountering a high priest of the heretics is a horrific experience. You must be deeply concerned about what he might have done without your knowledge."
"Ah! Right! High priest! Horrific! Absolutely horrific! Concern! Oh, so deep! Ah, this harsh world— to think the opponent I fought was a high priest. My body trembles in fear."
"..."
Her cold eyes narrowed behind her glasses.
She seemed aware of what I'd originally meant to say.
However, her businesslike demeanor didn't latch onto it or show personal curiosity.
She got straight back to the point.
"That's why I visited early this morning. Lord Drey promises full support and compensation to ease your concerns."
"Full support and compensation?"
Full support and compensation from a great noble house's young master.
The words had a sweet ring that gently tickled my eardrums, but separately, they felt too sudden.
'Why would she be the one offering compensation and support?'
Drey had met Moria for the first time that day, just like me, in the guest quarters.
As a complete third party, he had no obligation to take responsibility for anything involving Moria.
"He highly values your merit in expelling a high priest who hid his identity and infiltrated society to sow chaos."
Her words sounded impeccable, evoking the generosity and sense of responsibility of a great noble house—
'Drey... Drey Ye Mastien...'
From my position of having met and spoken with him, I suspected motives beyond pure responsibility or goodwill.
That sense of distance—seemingly close yet thoroughly maintained.
That man wasn't the type to casually bestow unearned favors like some affable person.
It was reasonable to assume other intentions.
"Accordingly, Lord Drey invites you to dinner tonight, where you can discuss the details further."
"Understood."
Whatever the case, I decided to accept Drey's invitation.
It wasn't every day a great noble took an interest in you.
Afterward, Drey's agent left after saying someone would come once the time was set.
"Well then—"
With Drey's agent gone,
I was finally alone in the room, ready for my secret and precious happy time.
Bedtime.
Having spent the night replicating Moria's enhancement(?) ability(?), my fatigue was no joke.
Right now, the most important thing was perfecting that ability with Clana and Dangaleon.
Rest for that was not optional—it was essential.
'I wonder how the banquet went.'
It was a shame to miss the chance to mingle with Bondales's city nobles, but completing this enhancement ability took priority.
I walked to the window, drew the curtains, and lay down on the bed.
Just as I was about to drift off—
-Knock knock
"A message from Lord Palrag."
"..."
The same situation repeated.
"...Accordingly, Lord Palrag personally invites you. There, you can finalize the discussion on the 'victor's reward' we promised earlier."
"Just to check—is Lord Drey attending as well?"
"Lord Palrag would surely wish for such a grand gathering, but as you know, Lord Drey is uninvolved in this matter. Regrettably, there's no pretext to invite him."
Her words were polite, but the implication was blatant.
-He's not coming. Or rather, he can't come.
Palrag's agent smiled courteously as she said,
"As one who walks the path of magic, you surely know how momentous an opportunity it is to face the Frozen Breath directly. Thus, I trust you'll prioritize your promise to Lord Palrag above all else."
With Palrag's agent gone, Clana spoke up.
-Those two seem desperate to sink their teeth into you first.
This time for sure, I lay down and closed my eyes.
Sleep crashed over me instantly.
Everyone who was coming had come—now it was time for that sweet, deep slumber.
-Knock knock
"I'm going insane."
Yet another knock.
I shuffled to the door like an angry zombie and flung it open.
In this mood, it'd be hard to greet anyone warmly, no matter who it was.
"Huh?"
But that thought vanished the moment I opened the door—a smile spread across my face.
"What’s this? Such a perfectly matched pair?"
A prince and a princess in pure white stood there.
Rona and Fienne.
"Perfectly matched pair...? Huh?"
The prince glanced at my fatigued face and the dark room, then said in surprise,
"What? You haven't rested at all?"
"I've had way too much going on. I'm exhausted for real."
"What were you up to all night... Don't tell me you snuck a girl in?"
Rona grinned slyly and nudged me with his elbow.
He stepped inside and sniffed around.
"Doesn't seem like it."
"...What are you, a dog? You can tell by smell?"
Rona seriously scanned the room for a moment, then reverted to his kind prince face and said,
"Well, places where a lady's been leave traces. Anyway, sorry. Looks like I interrupted your rest."
"Isn't it wrong to stay up when everyone else is sleeping and only prepare to sleep at this hour?"
A haughty voice cut in.
Fienne strode to the window and yanked the curtains open.
"Kyaahahhh!!!"
Exposed to the bright light, I writhed in pain.
Fienne watched me with her signature crooked smile.
"What, are you some low-rank vampire now?"
"I swear... right now, I'm even more vulnerable to light than that... A human who stayed up all night and was just about to sleep— that's the creature I am..."
Rona gave a wry smile at my plight and said to Fienne,
"Hey, why'd you open the curtains? To torment him?"
"Exactly. To torment this pathetic guy who dumps a ton of hassle on others but can't even take care of himself. Satisfied?"
Fienne approached, grumbling, and peered up closely at my face.
"..."
She silently examined my complexion, then clicked her tongue.
"Looks like you pulled another all-nighter practicing magic. Am I wrong?"
"You can tell at a glance... even in this bright room... It feels like I'm stripped bare...
"The fact you're spouting nonsense means you didn't overdo it too badly. Sniff sniff. No blood either."
Fienne looked around the room and said,
"Remember this, you?"
"Huh?"
"When you first came to Bondales. You pulled an all-nighter practicing magic then too, just like now."
Fienne's red eyes gazed afar wistfully, then she let out a small chuckle and shook her head.
"How can someone be so consistent?"
She stared into my weary eyes and said,
"You look tired. Want me to close the curtains?"
"Nah, I'm fine. Closing them now wouldn't matter anyway. Something more dazzling than the sun is right in front of me."
"Ugh. Always with the smooth talk."
She pretended to hate it, but her eyes were smiling.
Fienne looked at me and said,
"You. Got nothing to say to me?"
"Long time no see."
"Besides that."
"You've gotten even prettier since last time? Easy there—planning to make the whole world fall for you?"
"...Ugh, forget it. My fault for expecting anything from you."
Here,
Fienne casually handed over a stack of documents.
"What's this?"
"The city council meeting wrapped up the matters you handled with Councilor Ran. I'd say read it now, but you're in no state for that."
"No, it's fine. Just looking at Fienne seems to have eased my eye strain."
"Shut up. I'll summarize, so listen."
"Now it's time to soothe my ear fatigue..."
"The council has decided on your disposition."
"Big news?"
"Yep. You can look forward to it."
"No way—councilor!?"
"How'd you guess?"
"Huh? For real!?"
"Think I'd joke about that?"
"Huh!?"
"You spout nonsense, so I throw it back. Listen seriously. This is the result Lan and I fought for over sleepless nights."
"Ah, yes."
"You're the type who's all about privileges but hates the duties and responsibilities that come with them. Right?"
"Totally."
"Heavy roles like guard captain or proxy councilor would just annoy you. Right?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"What matters most is minimal duties. Maximum freedom. Maximum rights for minimal effort. Right?"
"How do you know me so well? Do you live inside my heart?"
"So, the council decided to grant you a position that fits you perfectly."
Fienne stopped there with a meaningful smile.
"What? Why stop?"
"You'll find out at the upcoming conferment ceremony."
"..."
The unexpected twist left me dumbfounded.
Fienne pulling a "reveal in 60 seconds" on me.
And that smug look on her face.
My anticipation peaked.
Just as she intended.
"Got it. I'll look forward to it."
As Fienne wanted, I built up my expectations.
Satisfied with my reaction, she snorted happily and said,
"Well then—got nothing to say this time?"
"Thanks."
"And?"
"Uh... thanks thanks... thank you..."
"Fienne. You're gonna break the kid."
The prince, who'd been listening, finally extended a helping hand.
"Here's a hint: when expressing thanks, it's proper to show sincerity befitting it, right?"
"...Ah! You want something in return?"
"Do I seem like the type to go through all this for a reward? Well, since you're offering, I'll graciously accept your sincerity."
Fienne recited her lines as if she'd rehearsed them.
And at that moment, when she was about to speak with a mischievous grin—
"Zuinnni!"
A threatening voice interrupted.
Berbandeth!
She raised both arms in a menacing pose and said to me,
"Time to sleep, Zuinnni!!! Why aren't you sleeping!!!"
I wondered what was up—it was the sleep police.
"Huh?"
"...What’s this? A spirit?"
Rona and Fienne looked bewildered at the sudden appearance of Berbandeth.
Oh right—they hadn't met yet.
Perfect timing.
I introduced Berbandeth to them.
Look at my kid.
Cute, right?
Shine shine.
Just as I finished the introduction in that vibe—
"...Berbandes?"
The two looked stunned upon hearing the name.