Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Epilogue: The Magical Girl, the Knight, and the Agent-3
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Second Prince Irid Crown of the Empire asked himself what his strengths were.
He could handle basic self-defense, but he lacked the overwhelming combat prowess of a Transcendent. Charging through battlefields and harvesting enemy heads like First Princess Elaine was simply impossible for him.
He didn't have the silver tongue to captivate others either. He could manage the basics, but nothing more. Hadn't he failed to even properly flirt with Centra?
What he excelled at was employing people, paperwork, coordination, and project management oversight... tasks handled from behind a desk.
Putting it all together, that was called internal administration.
The ability to spot embezzlement in a mountain of documents, lock down unnecessary expenditures, identify corrupt officials and reassign them to remote provinces. A formidable talent for internal affairs.
Even the agents of the Imperial Defense Bureau, whom he had recruited, whispered in the shadows that no matter how tangled the bureaucracy, he could make it turn smoothly—earning him the moniker "God's Cogwheel"!
Moreover, through his memories with Centra, he had vastly broadened his insight. His gaze, able to see from the bottom up, led to powerful recruitment skills.
On holidays, gifts for agents with kids: child-related items. For those with girlfriends: perfectly tailored suits. For C: desserts.
Strategic gift-giving backed by budgets secured through administrative prowess!
"Come to think of it, Jonathan's birthday is in three days..."
Even remembering anniversaries and celebrations.
There were reasons why the veteran agents of the storied Defense Bureau kept pledging fierce loyalty to the Second Prince.
In peacetime, it would have been a talent to make the Empire even more prosperous.
But these were chaotic times. Black Wizards stirring, nobles with dark ambitions multiplying one by one—a turbulent era rife with threats.
It demanded the ability to confront and crush enemies, not honest internal housekeeping.
So, should he give up just because his talents didn't match his goals?
No.
"My abilities being insufficient is no excuse to slack off."
And so.
In this situation where circumstantial evidence pointed to Viscount Benstone's suspicious activities but lacked hard proof to touch him easily—without cunning political maneuvers or overwhelming force—Irid chose this path.
To extract even a speck of info from the mountain of documents—to complete a hellishly difficult puzzle and prepare paperwork that would bind Viscount Benstone.
And he had nearly succeeded.
Starting from minor legal violations by Viscount Benstone, building the case layer by layer, pointing out logistics flows and funds of unknown origin, culminating in justification for a forced search of his estate.
He had crafted an indictment almost from nothing, 80% complete.
A few more days of work, and it would be done. The moment it was, Irid planned to submit it to the council for legitimacy, then lead Defense Bureau agents to forcibly search Viscount Benstone's villa.
It was grueling. Truly exhausting.
But his resolve to gift Centra a brilliant future, embodied by the rosemary on his desk corner, granted him endless energy.
Just a bit more.
Irid straightened his back, stretched, and reached for his quill to sit back down when someone knocked on the office door.
Knock knock.
"...Who is it?"
"It's C. An urgent message from field agent Yuri Lanster, assigned to codename 'Mad Wizard.' In my judgment, it requires Your Highness's approval..."
A chill ran down Irid's spine.
The thick regret in C's voice stimulated his instincts. What had happened? What mess had that Mad Wizard caused now...!!
"Explain."
C summarized and read from the report received from Yuri Lanster.
"They've recruited one of Duke Redburn's blades, identification 'Wizard's Nightmare.' And..."
"That's impressive. And?"
"A change has occurred in his Transcendence. He's gained the ability to disguise his appearance, and it's confirmed that the recently famous vigilante 'Blue Rose' and 'Wizard's Nightmare' are the same person."
"...As far as I know, 'Wizard's Nightmare' is a man. And 'Blue Rose' dresses in utterly feminine attire."
Irid imagined a burly man in women's clothes dashing about as a vigilante. Goosebumps. No sane mind could picture it.
Maybe it wasn't recruitment—perhaps the Mad Wizard had half-shattered 'Wizard's Nightmare's' sanity?
Otherwise, how could recruitment and cross-dressing coexist...?
Irid shook his head to clear the thought. Digging deeper would only reveal an abyss. He gestured for the report to continue.
C cleared his throat twice before proceeding.
"'Wizard's Nightmare' has built considerable rapport with the Capital Knight Commander. Analysis suggests a high probability of it developing into a romantic relationship soon."
"...?? Wait, why, how...? No. Continue the report."
"Thus, 'Wizard's Nightmare,' the Capital Knight Commander, and field agent Yuri Lanster collaborated to successfully extract a ledger containing evidence of Viscount Benstone's drug trafficking."
"........."
Irid froze, dumbfounded.
No matter how bizarre and outlandish the world got, this report lacked any plausibility...?
"So... they propose coordinating with the Capital Knights for a raid on Viscount Benstone's drug operations."
"........."
The process made no sense, but the outcome did. Success would cut off one of Duke Redburn's hands.
Wasn't that exactly why Irid had slaved over the indictment? Now reduced to scrap paper.
Irid gazed sadly at the fruits of his labor piled on the desk, then nodded gravely.
"...Proceed."
The fate of House Benstone was sealed.
Viscount Benstone's villa.
Around 1:50 AM.
Zwidi Benstone lounged in his room, basking in accomplishment. He had finally tricked the old noble into taking the drug, ensnaring the provincial lord in an inescapable web.
Too late for regrets or quitting. The addiction wouldn't heal even with priests. It eroded mental barriers to invite dream demons.
Repeating pleasure and pain in dreams would shatter the mind, turning him into a fully obedient slave. Then spread the drug through him to other provincials.
Expanding influence that way.
The Empire wasn't stupid. The Defense Bureau was stirring unusually, and the Capital Knights showed signs of probing. But no need to panic and burn evidence.
With noble and imperial factions evenly matched, half-baked schemes couldn't carve out opponents. Botch it, and backlash would hit.
Plus, their victory conditions differed sharply.
House Benstone, and Duke Redburn beyond them, sought Empire-wide chaos. Opponents wanted to preserve it. That gap created openings.
Attack without ironclad proof? They'd cry, "The Imperials are oppressing nobles!" and counterattack. Some would believe, some not—but the Empire would plunge into turmoil.
Possible because the Emperor, holder of absolute power, remained inexplicably silent.
Of course, it'd be exposed eventually. The Bureau wasn't incompetent; they'd gather proof. So withdraw before then. Sacrifice a patsy as a scapegoat, cut the tail.
Thus... Zwidi Benstone figured three months was the right withdrawal point.
He judged he could milk it for at least that long.
Miscalculation.
"House Benstone, come out without resistance—!!"
"The estate is surrounded! The Capital Knights, guardians of justice, have completed the encirclement formation!!"
"You are charged with illegal drug trafficking and high treason!! Resist, and we'll shoot on sight! If you value your lives, surrender peacefully!!"
"...?!?"
Zwidi Benstone jolted to the window.
Thud. Thunk. Thud!
Odd sounds accompanied lighting magic tools igniting everywhere. Conical beams bathed the villa from all sides. Zwidi shielded his eyes from the glare.
Beyond the shadows, Capital Knights in power armor and groggy guards were arrayed outside.
How?
Ignoring political fallout to bulldoze? Or...!
As Zwidi racked his brain, the front gate opened. Viscount Benstone rushed out in pajamas, bellowing condemnation.
"This is my estate! Honored guests are staying! What is this midnight racket? I won't forget this and—Urk!"
"Viscount Benstone captured!!"
A power armor headbutt, and he was nabbed instantly.
Goosebumps for Zwidi. Punching a viscount first meant they had solid confidence.
Political backlash? Duke Redburn would handle. Zwidi's job: erase evidence, escape.
He stuffed the drug case into his pocket and bolted down the hall.
Encountered Roderus midway.
"You, guard!"
"What is this? How badly did you screw up to bring the Capital Knights raiding?!"
Roderus deployed canyon-honed techniques. Sour-faced politicking at Zwidi's sight.
Zwidi flushed with shame and rage.
"...Not the time! Guard, go out and buy time! Earn my escape window!"
"No reason to risk my life for an incompetent fool."
"What?! You came on Duke Redburn's orders—defy them?!"
"Father despises failures. No way he'd order protecting an idiot who botched intel management and dragged in the entire Knight Order."
Roderus flashed his mirror-practiced sourpuss. Zwidi gnashed teeth.
"I'll remember this!"
"Suit yourself."
Zwidi ran. No one trustworthy in the world. Armed soldiers wouldn't stop Knights, and Roderus struck. No options.
Knights would breach soon. Delay, and death.
Thought of basement drugs, but clearing them would be his grave. His life mattered more.
Boom! Crash!
Smashing and screams echoed. Zwidi shoved the rigged candelabra, opening the secret passage. Dove in without hesitation.
Ran, mansion crumbling behind.
"...Damn it, the business I built!"
Incompetent father lacked business sense. Zwidi had nurtured it from scratch, now ashes.
Comeback chance: Duke Redburn.
Escape, report to Duke, punish Roderus's slacking. Plead usefulness for new identity, title, power.
Hopeful future ahead, crossing the passage—
"Halt."
"...!!"
A blue magical girl appeared.
Ribbon overload, frills galore, rapier more ornament than weapon. Fairy-tale cute, no tension.
But her steadfast eyes burned with will, changing everything.
Killing intent. Clear verdict: your thread ends here. She'd skewer with that silly blade, ready.
"...Who the hell are you?!"
"I'll answer since you asked. I'm 'Pure Knight'... a name you don't need to remember."
"Damn, the secret passage... Traitor! There was a traitor! Now it makes sense...!!"
Shing.
Starlight flashed; rapier chirped. High-speed mana coated it, drill-formed for max penetration and lethality. Magical girl's technique.
"...U, uwaaaah!!"
Flash.
Three thrusts in an instant. Zwidi rocketed back, huge holes in both legs and left arm.
"Gaaaaah—!!"
"Too much spin? Didn't mean to launch him..."
Zwidi writhed, bleeding profusely. Couldn't die here. Magical girl approaching...!
Decision made. Fumbled drug case, shoveled contents into mouth. Top-shelf stuff, worth grabbing mid-escape.
Drugs doubling mana at life-cost.
Amount varied by realm. Non-Transcendent Zwidi: 2x per dose.
Four overlapped: theoretically 16x!
"Kuh, kuhuhuhu...!!"
Bubble bubble.
Blood boiled, veins bulged livid. Zwidi rose, bleeding from eyes and nose.
"...What the hell did you swallow?"
"Won't be so smug now...! Kuhahaha! This power could pulverize the villa! And you too!"
"Intimidating fight-wise. Won't lose, but passage might collapse. Kim Luru?"
"Who're you—"
Thud.
Zwidi looked up at heavy overhead impacts.
Thud. Boom.
Each shook the passage, spitting dust.
Then.
Crack, craaack—!!
Ceiling holed; massive shadow dropped. Power-armored knight, fortress on legs. Pointed at Zwidi.
"This the guy?"
"Yeah."
Predator's glare. Survival instincts screamed; Zwidi erupted mana hysterically.
"E, ewaaaaaah—!!"
Immense mana. Blue energy gathered, expanding hemispherically. Knight Commander jabbed its center.
Mana halted like magic. No advance. Zwidi howled, squeezing every drop.
"Uwaaah, huaaack—!!!"
"Mm-hmm, there there."
Knight Commander hummed, extending finger fully.
Riiip!
Hemisphere shrank. Zwidi's all-out mana repelled by one finger.
No fancy technique or Transcendence. Like a child pushing a wall—class difference.
Finger advanced to Zwidi's forehead. He panted, monster-faced. Sixteen times, damn it!
"Haaak, heuk..., huk...!"
"Eat more, skinny. Scrawny."
Knight Commander flicked finger lightly.
Crack!
Watermelon-burst from forehead; Zwidi crumpled unconscious. House Benstone fell.
"Kim Luru, power control okay...?"
"Yeah! Probably alive?"
"........."
"So, I carry him? You head home?"
Oh Daesu nodded. With dispatched viscount swept, back to Duke Redburn. Unknown next orders; reunion unlikely soon.
"Won't see each other awhile."
"...Can't stay?"
"Wanna try more. We're magical girls, right?"
"Yeah. Hope we meet soon. I suck at waiting..."
Roderus smiled lightly. Mana-formed blue rose handed to Kim Luru. Farewell proxy.
"See you... next time."
"...Yeah!!"
Roderus dashed passage. Kim Luru watched long, then shouldered Zwidi to leave—but
"........."
Picked nearby drug case. Five slots: four empty, one pill left.
Kim Luru pocketed it quietly.
Midnight arrest op ended.
Four in a dark chamber. Mystical ritual bridged distances, uniting for one goal.
Hood-deep 'Lamb' slowly clenched fist. Four named Black Mages' grand chaos. Launch, and turmoils amplify mutually.
At its end—
"No variables, and the Empire is ours."
"Time to drop some Tower of Trials hidden ending bait."
A second storm swept the academy.