Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: A Humble and Frugal Man
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I knew it.
From a mage's perspective, nothing was more foolish than judging superiority by material abundance or worldly power.
The Golden Mages.
There was no need to pay attention to their persistent and vulgar displays.
But why?
Was it because of that flashy golden cape for comparison?
Today, the gray mage felt his own gray cape particularly faded and worn.
Their incessant displays were vulgar, but undeniably effective.
Effective enough to illuminate the dust blanketing every corner of the gray mages' lives.
Effective enough to make the things the gray mage had always taken for granted feel shabby and breed doubt.
The golden mage gazed at the gray mage with his characteristic sly smile.
The gray mage betrayed his discomfort, but the golden mage showed no sign of it.
"And by the way, this time—"
"…!"
The gray mage went from displeasure to outright shock.
If that was regrettable, then what did that make them, who couldn't even conduct such research?
In the end, the gray mage's pride and self-esteem morphed into doubt.
But anyway,
As far as I know, that quest doesn't have content like that?
No,
I sent guys to negotiate with the Golden Mage Tower guys,
quest doesn't progress, and it just keeps saying mages are deserting the tower, so I killed the deserters to see, wasn't this the way?
No fuck,
quest doesn't progress,
and every time I send a mission it just keeps deserting, so I thought I had to catch those.
That happens
if development is low.
Fuuuck,
then what do I do?
Raise development now?
"Wh-what did you just say?"
"Pardon?"
"Th-that next time there will be better results?"
Rishir's reaction to the words that they had merely barely earned an upper spirit's interest.
Rocard was so flabbergasted he stuttered without realizing it.
Upper spirits.
Having lived through eons, they possessed profound mysteries and auras befitting their age— to mages, they were akin to living reports.
Countless mages would gladly endure any price just to encounter and experience their existence.
And yet.
Mages who had made contact with upper spirits numbered but a scant few.
Spirits loved nature's pure, unadulterated energy—
and upper spirits embodied that tendency to the extreme.
Even among elves, beloved by spirits, only a rare few of noble blood could make contact with upper spirits.
How much harder for humans, then?
Cases of human individuals or groups contacting upper spirits were rare even across the entirety of continental history.
And yet.
This man was expressing sincere pity toward him for achieving such a feat?
"Is there a better outcome than gaining an upper spirit's interest?"
Rocard said, somewhat excitedly.
Rishir, taken aback by Rocard's reaction, replied.
"Wasn't the original goal to form an equal relationship with that upper spirit...?"
"..."
Rocard was at a loss for words.
Rishir was right.
Rocard had admitted with his own mouth that the research results fell far short of the initial goal.
Therefore.
In terms of conversational flow alone, Rishir's consoling response was perfectly reasonable.
Yes.
If one ignored the content of the conversation entirely.
Rishir's reaction could only come from completely disregarding the topic.
At least from Rocard's perspective.
"...Ha!"
Soon, Rocard wore a bitter smile.
He thought.
Got one over on me.
He took Rishir's brazen(?) attitude as a retort to his own 'deception game.'
'Vicious bastard. Doesn't match that innocent face.'
Rocard felt both annoyed and impressed watching Rishir.
Harboring a horrific inferiority complex toward the Golden Mage Tower's wondrous achievement inwardly, yet pretending composure so brazenly on the surface.
Truly, that viciousness was exasperating.
But.
That was all.
"Indeed. As Sir Rishir says, our tower's initial goal was to form an equal relationship with an upper spirit. In that sense! I graciously accept Sir Rishir's pity and consolation!"
Rocard didn't lose his composure. Rather, he displayed it more overtly.
Because he knew no amount of struggling from the other side would change things.
"A mage tower, pillar for apprentices pursuing mysteries, can't be swayed by such trifles! Right!?"
Once again, his words humbly lowered himself to demean the other more.
Interpreted, it meant:
—As you say. This research outcome is nothing to our Golden Mage Tower. But what about your Gray Mage Tower? Aren't you the type to get worked up over such trifles?
Rocard sidelong glanced at Dray.
Was it because his little sister belonged there?
He seemed attached to the Gray Mage Tower, so it wouldn't be odd if he intervened now.
Especially with a Gray Mage Tower mage blatantly toyed with by deception right now.
"..."
"...?"
Rocard frowned upon checking Dray's reaction.
For some reason—
Dray was grinning at him amusedly.
Followed by Rishir's response.
"No need to be so pessimistic, right?"
Rishir smiled wryly, looking troubled.
Rocard, interpreting it as struggling to maintain composure, finally broke into a satisfied smile.
"Haha, what are you saying? I've never been pessimistic? No reason to be, right? As you said, Sir Rishir. Utterly trivial."
"I-is that so? Good, then."
They kept walking and talking until they reached their destination.
"This is?"
Rishir, following Dray, looked perplexed.
He'd assumed they'd head to Halona's office with Klana's barrier to discuss her condition—
But no.
The place they arrived was a luxurious chamber with a large bed.
A woman with short navy hair.
Klana lay upon that bed.
"You're here."
Halona, who had been checking the murder ghost's condition by the bed, greeted them.
Rishir recalled Halona's prior words.
The murder ghost's body couldn't leave the barrier until the revival ritual concluded.
Now. The murder ghost's body had left the barrier and rested on the bed.
That meant—
"Halona. Don't tell me—"
"..."
Halona formed a bold smile with her signature weary scowl.
"Yes. It ended well. Now, the only thing left is to check the subject's state after they rest and regain consciousness."
"...Huh."
Rishir let out a dazed chuckle.
'That Klana actually revived...'
And.
She wouldn't suddenly wake up bloodthirsty and rampaging, right?
Rishir approached Klana with such playful thoughts.
A faint worry crossed his emotional face.
"...Her condition isn't great, is it?"
"Yes. Overall vitality greatly depleted. Fortunate, perhaps. At least for a while, the thing some feared won't happen."
Meaning the murder ghost wouldn't go mad and rampage until recovery.
Rishir smiled wryly at the spicy joke.
"This is natural, isn't it?"
"Tell me about it. Normally, we'd face all sorts of problems and obstacles. Ending at just this is entirely thanks to that insane item you prepared. And also— her tremendous mental fortitude."
"Mental fortitude? You mean Klana? The original Klana?"
"Yes. She made quite a few sacrifices for her 'new self.'"
"Don't tell me... the original Klana is gone?"
New self.
Rishir's heart sank at the meaningful tone.
Fearing Klana had vanished, leaving only a new ego.
"No. Nothing like that. The original her, the new her— both properly remain inside."
Whew.
Rishir sighed in relief.
Halona continued.
"The key will be how they coexist... Well, we'll see when she wakes. So for now, no need to worry. Just focus on recovery, and that's entirely up to her."
"Then, is there nothing I can do?"
"What you can do... Ah."
Elixir.
Halona recalled the upper elixir Rishir had handed over like fatigue tonic, mentioning the word.
"Certainly, borrowing an elixir's power would greatly aid her recovery."
"Elixir..."
The moment Rishir murmured that.
"Sir Rishir."
"Hm?"
Rocard drew Rishir's attention once more.
Rocard hadn't grasped the conversation's details.
But.
One thing was clear amid it all.
The moment an elixir—a treasure—was mentioned, Rishir panicked greatly.
Treasures like elixirs weren't for individuals to casually own or use.
So Rocard said.
"If it's alright, shall I offer the elixir I have? It might be embarrassing to call it one..."
Night White Lotus.
Rocard subtly named its core ingredient.
Revealing his sincerity: 'I can casually provide mid-tier elixirs.'
Having pulled another 'deception move,' Rocard observed Rishir's reaction.
"I truly appreciate the offer, but I'll just take the sentiment."
Rocard smiled inwardly in satisfaction.
Finally, shock appeared on that vicious man's face.
"Feel free to let me know if you change your mind."
That reaction.
Rocard took it as awe at his authority to casually provide elixirs and spoke gladly.
"Oh dear. Rishir. I wanted to discuss that matter further, but— apologies. Master Yerika has called, so we'll have to postpone to another time. Short as it was, it was enjoyable."
Afterward.
Rocard had a close talk with Master Yerika who arrived in the room, then hurriedly left.
"Rishir. When this girl regains consciousness later, I'll contact you again then."
"Understood. Thank you."
"Ah, Dray. Stay a bit and talk with me."
Rishir vacated the room to let the two talk.
Master Didoa waited in the corridor.
"Feels like I came to help but did nothing."
"No. The Golden Mage Tower's talks with the dungeon finder going awry was thanks to your influence, Rishir."
"Dungeon... finder?"
"Let's head back first. I'll explain while reporting to the Tower Lord."
"Got it."
"Oh, Lord Remier? That's—"
At the moment Rishir returned to the tower with Master Didoa.
Remier was deep in conversation with an unexpected guest.
A pigeon with ornate golden patterns.
"Oh, perfect timing."
The pigeon spotted Didoa and Rishir and spoke.
"You there. Didoa, was it? Surely on your way back from meeting my disciple?"
"Disciple...?"
To perplexed Rishir, Didoa whispered.
"Golden Mage Tower Lord. That Rocad we just met is the Golden Tower Lord's disciple."
"...Ah!"
Rishir was startled.
'The Tower Lord's direct disciple!? No way that guy was such a big shot?'
"Remier. I told you. My disciple is too much for you to handle. So, shall we hear your side's opinions now?"
The Tower Lord knew his disciple's nature all too well.
That merciless deception.
By now, those poor young mages' prides must be in tatters.
"You two. What were your impressions of my proud disciple, Rocad?"
The pigeon spoke to Rishir with a mocking tone.
Remier and Dmier watched their reactions with uneasy eyes.
"Rocad..."
Rishir recalled meeting him.
That humble demeanor willingly downplaying his achievements.
That frugal demeanor willing to share despite having little.
"A very humble and frugal man, wasn't he?"
Rocad's master, the Star of Gold, thought.
'Did he send someone else?'