Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Great Being Who Performs Miracles
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"Wow...!"
The girl Charlotte's eyes sparkled with light.
It was probably the first time since her beloved baby bird had died.
A spark of life returned to the girl's face, which had been cold and impassive for so long.
Charlotte's head swiveled busily.
The baby bird, which had clearly been dead, was now flying energetically around her.
"Ah...!"
Soon, Charlotte's arm reached out into the empty air with regret.
The baby bird flapped its wings vigorously and disappeared beyond the sky.
Though Charlotte's face watching it go was filled with reluctance, even that expression brimmed with vitality.
Compared to when she had been depressed over the baby bird's death, at least.
"H-how did you do that!?"
Thanks to the baby bird's 'revival,' Charlotte had been able to say a proper goodbye.
She turned to the side and spoke.
There stood a young lady the same age as Charlotte.
Unlike her still-childish appearance, her smile was remarkably mature.
Incongruously so.
"Curious?"
"Yeah!"
The way Charlotte addressed the woman was filled with respect.
After all, this 'big sister' had accomplished with ease what no adult in her family could.
—Charlotte, I heard from your teacher. You're refusing to take magic lessons anymore? What's going on!?
—Even a great mage like Father couldn't save that little bird—what's the point of learning magic?
—Charlotte!
That incident had completely killed her interest in magic, but if it was this woman's persuasion, she might reconsider.
What if the power that revived the baby bird was magic?
Then Charlotte would gladly embrace magic once more.
"Was that magic too!?"
"..."
But the woman denied it firmly.
"It's not magic."
Her gentle tone carried a fundamental contempt for magic.
Like an arrogant noble addressing inferiors.
"Not magic? Uh... oh, then it must be that! You're a priest!?"
"No?"
"No?"
Charlotte tilted her head slightly.
Not a mage or a priest.
Then who could do such a thing?
"Maybe black magic—"
At that moment, the woman's gray eyes locked onto Charlotte's.
Clear yet hazy gray pupils.
Suddenly, Charlotte thought of that baby bird.
The brief glimpse of its eyes.
Was it just her imagination that they resembled this big sister's?
"No. This power is far greater than any of those things."
"Those things..."
Charlotte was startled.
Even she, disappointed in magic, wouldn't dismiss it so outright.
Like that, the woman's actions clearly transcended the ordinary.
Charlotte knew it in her head too.
That this person was somehow strange.
That it was best to keep her distance.
However—
"..."
Charlotte looked up at the sky.
In the direction the bird had flown off with vigorous flaps.
Perhaps—
She was right.
The power she wielded might truly be far greater than 'mere magic.'
"Do you want to wield this power too?"
As if reading Charlotte's thoughts, the woman spoke.
"What... kind of power is it?"
"You just saw it, didn't you? A great power that makes the impossible possible for others. With this power, you won't have to suffer loss or helplessness like everyone else."
It was true.
Her power had cleanly washed away Charlotte's feelings of loss and powerlessness.
"Could I... wield such a great power?"
"What are you saying? Charlotte was born with more talent than anyone. With that, you could help people like yourself just now. Lots of them."
"Wow."
The woman smiled kindly and reached for Charlotte's hand.
"..."
But at the last moment, her hand hastily pulled away.
The many protective forces guarding the noble family's young lady.
They wouldn't allow the woman's approach.
"Charlotte."
"Yes?"
"You can keep doing what you're doing now, right?"
"What I'm doing now...?"
"Yes. If you keep shunning those pathetic powers and keep yourself pure like now, you'll become like me someday. No, you'll become a great being beyond compare to someone like me."
When that day comes—I'll come find you.
Leaving those words, the woman vanished abruptly.
Butler Catherine.
She was currently facing Palrag.
The trigger was yesterday's incident with Rishir's lesson(?), which caused the instructors handling Charlotte's swordsmanship and magic education to resign.
Rishir's demon sword arts.
The bizarre ability underpinning them, Eclipse.
They said they couldn't even dream of guiding Lady Charlotte in mastering it.
Thus, Catherine was searching for someone to assist the lady in acquiring the technique in their stead.
After hearing the full story, Palrag spoke.
"Why not just have Rishir teach her?"
He said it in a tone of utter disbelief.
As expected of a grand mage.
His insight pierced straight to the core, making Catherine briefly wonder, 'Yeah? Then why am I going through all this?'
But only briefly.
"As you know, my lord, it's extremely rare for Lady Charlotte to take interest in anything. Yet now, she's showing genuine interest and enthusiasm."
"Hm."
"I think this: What she's truly interested in might not be Sir Rishir's power itself—but her relationship with him."
"Ah, I see. So Lady Charlotte really wants to flatten her tutor Rishir's nose? And to do that, she'll master demon sword arts without his help?"
"Something like that."
Hahaha!
Palrag burst into hearty laughter, stroking his lush beard.
"..."
Butler Catherine also smiled contentedly.
Hahaha!
Uhaha, uhahaha!
Kuhahaha!
"...?"
But the grand mage's laughter showed no sign of stopping, no matter how long she waited.
What was this?
Wasn't it a pleased laugh, but genuine amusement?
"Lord Palrag...?"
"Ah! Sorry. Ahem. I just thought she's quite the spirited young lady. So, flattening Rishir's nose by mastering those demon sword arts?"
"...Yes."
"What do you think? Can she master her tutor's technique without his help?"
"Pardon?"
"Her talent is abnormal, as you know best."
Normally, Catherine would have nodded without hesitation.
She knew better than anyone how extraordinary the lady she served was.
"Hmmm..."
But now, only a troubled sigh escaped her lips.
"Demon sword arts, of all things..."
She'd met her match, one might say.
The nature of that power was just as abnormal as the lady's talent.
No, perhaps even more so.
"I can only hope her interest and enthusiasm last."
"Honest, aren't you! You won't even say she can do it!"
Palrag burst into another fit of laughter, clearly delighted.
'What...?'
Catherine felt cognitive dissonance watching him.
The last time they'd met, Frozen Breath hadn't been this jovial and laughter-filled.
What could have happened to turn that stern, nitpicky grand mage into this?
"So—"
After another round of laughter, the grand mage spoke.
"What help do you want from me? Oh, and beforehand: Introducing someone like Rishir is impossible even for me, so keep that in mind."
"Ahem. Lord Palrag."
"Yes, I'm listening. Speak."
"The Master of Eclipse. Do you happen to know their whereabouts?"
"...!"
His wrinkled eyes widened.
Palrag's round eyes lifted thick brows.
His body half-rose from the seat.
Catherine briefly wondered if she'd said something wrong.
But was it her imagination?
Palrag looked thrilled, almost uncontrollably excited?
"Wh-why do you seek the Master of Eclipse!?"
"The power Sir Rishir wields. From what I know, it closely resembles the power of the holy sword Eclipse."
"Y-yes! Of course! Go on!"
"Thus, I concluded: The Master of Eclipse might understand Sir Rishir's power. No matter how profound that power, it can't surpass the mysteries of the holy sword, right?"
"Ooh...!!! So that's it! Lady Charlotte seeks the Master of Eclipse's power to humble her arrogant tutor!"
"Precisely."
"Mmm!!!"
Palrag nodded vigorously, stomping his feet.
Catherine felt inwardly proud of the grand mage's intense reaction.
Along with an inexplicable unease.
Ignoring the unease, Catherine pressed on.
"Could you mediate contact with the Master of Eclipse?"
"..."
Palrag pondered, then rose and went to the window.
"The Master of Eclipse is already by your side. When the time comes, you'll meet."
And then the meaningful words.
"...!"
Normally, she'd dismiss it as vague nonsense—but who was he?
Frozen Breath Palrag.
Former lord of the Blue Tower, a grand mage who reached superhuman heights.
His cryptic advice carried immense weight.
Thus, Catherine accepted it as 'a mage's mysterious prophecy.'
"So, no need to seek them out; when the time is right, the lady will naturally meet the Master."
"Mm. If you respect Lady Charlotte's resolve to flatten Rishir's nose, you mustn't disrupt that flow."
"...I'll keep that in mind."
At that time.
Rishir was sharing a table at a street cafe with someone.
"So—Miss Hainya. What brings you here today?"
It was Hainya Ye Mastien, the young lady of the great Mastien family, who had suddenly sought him out.
"Miss Hainya?"
Her green eyes, shimmering like peridot, fixed on Rishir.
She pouted.
"Back then, didn't we become friends at your request?"
"Pardon?"
"Who uses titles between friends? Do you act so distant with your other friends too?"
"Ah, not exactly."
"Then why with me?"
"Miss Hainya's status is so noble, I reflexively bow my head."
"Hilarious."
Hainya snorted in exasperation.
"By the way, when are you visiting the tower? Your half-spirit—she doesn't show it, but she misses you."
"Ah, Perrin? How's she doing lately?"
"Don't ask; come see for yourself if you're curious. For now, no issues."
"Thank you for looking after her. Anyway, Hainya—what's the occasion today?"
"..."
Hainya.
She nodded satisfied at the changed address and spoke.
"Back then, didn't we become friends at your request?"
"Wait. What's this deja vu? Don't tell me I can rewind time now too?"
"I heard. You're hired as a tutor, teaching that girl?"
"Ah, word got around? Wait—that girl? You mean Lady Charlotte?"
"Who else? Got anyone else you're teaching?"
"No, but—Hainya, do you know Lady Charlotte?"
"We crossed paths often before she entered the tower, due to family matters."
"Ooh, the high-class version of birds of a feather."
"Such phrasing."
"But—how does this relate to our friendship?"
"What about me?"
"Pardon?"
"I met you first. If you're tutoring anyone, shouldn't you consider me before her?"
Is that right?
Rishir tilted his head at the leap in logic that seemed oddly reasonable.
"Is that okay with you, Hainya? Taking me as your teacher?"
"What? Friends can teach each other; that's not for priests."
"Ah."
"Jeez. Getting popular lately, huh? Your ego's soaring sky-high?"
Just moments ago, she was all about nobility.
Hainya grumbled and burst into laughter.
Then, as if remembering something, she said.
"How's the tutoring going?"
She asked knowing it wasn't.
Her expression said as much.
"Going well, I suppose... She's interested, at least."
"She is!?"
Huh.
Hainya shook her head.
"That Charlotte who stared at me like I was annoying whenever I brought up magic?"
"You two don't get along?"
"Obviously. With her personality, how could we?"
Personality?
Rishir recalled Hainya's personality from their first meeting and shadowed his face.
"..."
Ahem.
Hainya coughed and changed the subject.
"Anyway, from what I hear, that woman's not around her lately?"
"That woman?"
"Yeah. Her friend—or whatever. Kinda creepy."
"Creepy woman?"
As if recalling her, Charlotte gazed into space and shook her head.
"Never mind. Anyway, enough about that creepy woman—"
Thus, as their conversation continued.
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
A commotion.
They turned toward the source.
Crowds had gathered in the market street's center.
"What is it? Demon cultists maybe?"
Hainya blinked at Rishir's words.
"For a second, I thought—talking about demon cultists like petty thieves..."
She sighed and stood.
Rishir followed.
They headed to the commotion.
"Behold this man!"
Pushing through the crowd to the center, they saw a group.
Among gray-robed figures, a young man passionately orated.
"A pitiful soul suddenly crippled by unknown cause! Who will save him!?"
Beside him sat a middle-aged man, as described.
"Isn't that Benderson?"
"How... He was so healthy."
"Who knows? Heard he paid healers and mages, but no luck."
"Who's that guy? Y'know—the alley saint."
And the passersby's murmurs.
Rishir and Hainya stared seriously at the seated man.
Then the young orator raised his voice again.
He addressed the middle-aged man.
"Tell them: Could a mage save you?"
The middle-aged man shook his head.
"What about priests? Healers!?"
"..."
Ugh!
The man sobbed.
The youth gestured dramatically, like a merchant hawking wares.
"Indeed! Neither mighty mages, healers, nor priests could help him! Then who can save this man!? If you're here, show yourself!!! Please, save this poor soul!!!"
His clear yet hazy gray eyes burned with zeal.
His confident conviction mesmerized the crowd.
Satisfied with the entranced citizens, he continued.
"Now! You will learn the answer!!! Who saves the desperately seeking soul!!! Where lies true greatness!!!"
Who you should truly serve!
Swallowing those inner words, he approached the cripple.
About to complete the plan—
"Wha-wha...!!! My, my legs—strength in my legs...!?"
"He stood!? How—"
"A miracle—miracle!!! That lord performed a miracle!!!"
"?"
The gathered citizens closed eyes, clasped hands—
Expressing awe in their ways.
Even though the youth had done nothing yet.
"You alright?"
A kindly-faced man had approached unnoticed, helping the cripple up.
"...?"
The youth's gray eyes shook violently.
What is this guy?
No, how—
The kindly-faced man—
Rishir gave the youth an awkward smile.
"Ah, you just said to show myself..."
"..."
"Charlotte. Long time no see."
"Malea...?"
Charlotte, immersed in training to uncover Eclipse's secrets.
She showed bewilderment at the sudden guest.
As if caught red-handed in mischief.
Malea.
The woman's name who awaited Charlotte in the drawing room.
She gazed steadily at Charlotte with gray eyes.
Just like that first day—
Observing Charlotte's joy at the 'revived' bird.
"My."
Then.
Ripples stirred deeply in those gray eyes.
"Charlotte. Are you learning magic lately?"
"..."
Charlotte averted her eyes silently.
Malea sighed deeply at her.
"Charlotte. You know how precious your talent is. To fill it with something foreign like magic—I've told you so many times. What magic can do, 'that power' can too. And what only 'that power' can do—magic can't even imitate."
"But—"
"Charlotte."
She spoke gently yet sternly.
"Who was it? Who tempted you with nonsense? Who interfered with you embracing 'that great power'?"
"Great power..."
Charlotte mulled the words.
Then, eyes widening as if struck by thought.
"Malea! With that great power, can you do this too?"
"..."
Malea sighed at Charlotte.
While feeling relieved.
Her curiosity—or doubt—toward the 'great power' now.
Stemming from interest in magic, it would soon overlay into faith in the great power.
Just like when watching the revived baby bird.
Malea thought.
Good thing.
Any later, and Charlotte's vessel would have been tainted.
Causing issues in claiming that vessel.
For the great existence—
The vessel for the ancient god.
Hiding her thoughts, she spoke kindly.
"I've told you many times, Charlotte. With His great power, nothing is impossible. Especially what magic can do. Tell me. What are you curious about? What should I show you?"
"It's called Eclipse—"
Malea's kind, leisurely expression twisted.
She was outraged.
Some con artist was trifling with her young lady.