Chapter 199
Chapter 199
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: Epilogue: The Bizarre Adventure of 7% -4
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Before accepting the commission, Lorey and Lorillen stepped into their inn room to discuss it privately. Lorillen raised her suspicions, looking extremely dubious.
"That person didn't look all that old to me. Having a daughter my age... time-wise, that's just impossible. Isn't this a scam?"
It was a perfectly reasonable point.
Unless it was some mad wizard who had reverted to youth like an old monster or elf, having a girl this size as a daughter would mean he'd have had to father a child before even hitting puberty.
Lorey nodded in agreement.
"You're right. I know Junior is in his early twenties... but still. I believe there's nothing impossible for him."
"Pardon?"
"Even if it doesn't make sense, I have this conviction that if it's Junior, he could somehow pull it off. I don't know the exact details, but..."
Lorey reflected on the past.
Imbuing illusions with physical force through sheer grit was something no one could do; you'd have to reach transcendence for that. She'd once lectured him about it. But he did it.
The human brain has limits, so cramming complex formulas into spells would just make your head explode first. She'd advised him as much. But he did it.
The Violet Magic Tower is a gathering of nutjobs, so don't get chummy with anyone there—that was the tip she'd given him. But he did it.
It felt like this:
"So... Lorillen, could you swing a sword to make it rain? Or turn stones into gold?"
"Not by threatening rich Blue Tower mages with a blade... If you mean purely and genuinely doing it, that's impossible."
"That's why when he does stuff like that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, even a suspiciously aged illegitimate daughter becomes believable. Plus, she knew personal details about Junior that only someone close to him would."
It wasn't just taking her word for being his illegitimate daughter. Evil God-chan had shared the mad wizard's personal info with Lorey for verification. So now it was time to accept it.
How could a person have an illegitimate daughter this old! (X)
But rather:
I don't know what happened, but that's how it turned out. (O)
And that's that.
"Maybe she's a lifeform created with illusion magic."
"...Isn't that a bit of a stretch?"
"It is a stretch. That's the realm of creation. But somehow, it feels like Junior could pull it off."
Lorillen couldn't grasp Lorey's vague acceptance, but this was a feeling you couldn't understand until you witnessed it yourself.
The sensation of history shifting when you behold a genius who appears once every century—no, millennium.
Like the Black Dragon Emperor who founded a great empire single-handedly, or perhaps even further back... the goddess said to have been born from the lowest puddle of longing. Those exaggerated old tales unfolding right before your eyes.
The certainty that a new era was coming.
Lorey and Lorillen were hired on the spot and began their journey to the Academy with Evil God-chan.
For Lorey, it wasn't a huge sum, but since it involved someone connected to Junior, she felt she had to take it. Lorillen was purely in it for the money.
The veteran adventurer and mage put their heads together. What route would earn them a good reputation? Pure speed meant teleportation magic was best, but.
"No teleporting, please."
With the client's request, they stuck to land routes. They bought a two-horse carriage and raced along forest paths.
After compromising on safety and speed, their route was set to cut straight through forests and mountains to the Academy...
"Stopping at the Holy City might make the trip more comfortable, but for speed—"
"Holy City? Turn the carriage around. That place still around?"
...At the client's insistence, the route went via the Holy City to the Academy.
Holy City Trumpethall.
Home to the Goddess Church's head temple.
Legally part of the Empire, but the Church's influence made it function like an independent state. It was currently ruled by a young Pope, assisted by five Cardinals.
As the hub controlling the Goddess faith across the continent, it housed many priests with exceptional divine power. Those afflicted with severe curses or permanent disabilities flocked here.
Unless your pockets were deep, though, high priests' services were out of reach. The Holy City felt like a playground for the wealthy...
"Things have changed lately, I hear. The 'Reformists,' was it? Rumors say they're blowing fresh wind through the Holy City with 'The Goddess's mercy must reach the very bottom.'"
"I've heard that too. I hated how money-grubbing all the priests were... Maybe things are changing?"
"Faction fights or ideology clashes, who knows. I just hope treatment costs drop. Got a limping buddy still hobbling after goblins."
"Might be a head problem, not legs. Bring him next time."
Sitting side by side on the driver's seat, Lorey and Lorillen traded worldly chit-chat. Then Lorillen, struck by a thought, called to Evil God-chan lounging in the carriage.
"Heard of the Hero Selection Tournament?"
"No. First time hearing... Heroes selected by tournament?"
"Yes. The Pope received a revelation from the Goddess. They're gathering hero candidates from everywhere and holding a tournament to find the true one."
Evil God-chan snorted at that.
"Ridiculous. And?"
"It's a grand festival. Tournament's soon—stay two weeks, we might catch it. Client, want to schedule sightseeing?"
"A day's rest, maybe. No time for tours."
"Then one night for supplies and rest."
Evil God-chan graciously nodded.
Her utterly irreverent nod irked Lorillen a bit—no respect for elders—but she'd endured being called freckle-face on first meeting.
Pro payment meant pro attitude. Dignity of a veteran adventurer.
Clop clop. The hooves faded slowly into the distance.
"May I ask your name?"
"No."
Junior's unnamed illegitimate daughter had jet-black hair and purple eyes. The black hair alone raised the blood relation odds considerably.
But the real strong link to Junior was magic.
"Damn it, scram, you dwarf mongrels!"
With a flick of her finger side to side, the goblin pack swarming their makeshift camp scattered in panic.
The effect was a simple intimidation spell, but the details were sharp. Chantless casting without even naming the spell, and mana control near perfection.
The girl was a powerful illusion mage.
This talent was the thread confirming her tie to Junior.
Other quirks evoked him too. Fiery temper (Junior once yelled at the Tower Master to fetch lamb).
"Moth."
"Drawn to the light. Client, if it's bothering you, I'll catch it... Why eat it?"
"Why not? Same as jerky."
Thoughts jumping unpredictably.
Thus, the girl resembled the mad wizard in many ways. Yet Lorey felt an inexplicable unease and creepiness from her. Why?
As they rode, camped, rode again, Lorey pondered the anxiety. The answer came.
She'd been thinking backwards. Why didn't Junior ever make her uneasy? Start there.
If Junior turned evil, the world would flip. Eccentric and unpredictable, he might whip up something disastrous overnight.
But no worry. No thoughts of preemptive killing to avert future catastrophes.
Because she knew his goodness.
Because she knew he preferred making the world better.
But this girl was different. Fleeting venom, condescending speech, terrifying talent—it bred anxiety.
"People, bugs, jerky—all the same lump. Why distinguish? Beats me."
"......"
If this girl turned wicked, horrors might unfold.
Lorey's unease would be cleanly resolved in the Holy City.
Evil God-chan let out a big yawn. Four days by carriage. They'd arrived at the Holy City after hard travel.
A week in Elmest territory meant 11 days since the mad wizard ditched her. Still boiled her blood thinking about it.
The Holy City before the Hero Tournament buzzed with festival energy. Amid white-dominant buildings, lively music and excited crowds bustled.
One wall had portraits. Hero candidates who'd applied for the tournament.
"...Ugh."
Bennett's was among them. Evil God-chan stuck out her tongue, recalling past trauma. In a way, those guys twisted her fate.
Lorillen caught the client's gaze and explained preemptively.
"Bennett Hilton of the Reformists. Infiltrated black mage forces for intel. Impressive guy."
"Impressive my..."
Evil God-chan shut her mouth. Fine, Tara and Niore aside, that one never broke. Tough bastard.
"Today... eat there and book rooms? Not frequent, but last visit satisfied."
"Let's go. Client okay?"
"Fine. Anywhere without that damn portrait."
Evil God-chan strode off. They entered an inn packed with guests, festival heat palpable.
No empty tables, so they took counter seats that looked makeshift. Ordered simple stew and beer.
Festival, huh.
Heroes are the Goddess's sword. And the Goddess feuds with 'that thing.' She wanted to erase 'that thing' spreading anomalies continent-wide.
Thus heroes were threats. So 'that thing' countered.
Memory said it schemed against the Goddess to prevent heroes... but details escaped her.
The full 93% in the mad wizard should have it intact.
So heroes shouldn't emerge?
Evil God-chan propped her chin, pondering. This Holy City scene had oddities. These setups usually tangled motives and schemes.
Prime time to dive in. Stir chaos, reap tragic blooms.
Squeeze.
"...Fine, I get it."
Evil God-chan grumbled, scratching the tightening 『Kingoa』's warning. No this, no that—life's no fun.
Still, indirectly screwing one boy eased it... anticipation tingling. Bad news would turn to joy.
As Evil God-chan soothed herself, commotion reached her ear.
"Hey, this guy's a real hero candidate. When'll you get this close again? Pour a drink."
"U-um, I..."
A rowdy group hogging two tables, flustered waitress before them. Common sight.
The seaweed-haired leader smirked sleazily.
"Hey, ease up, guys. She's troubled, yeah? Sorry. My boys are a bit rowdy. Wanna come closer? I wanna apologize."
"No, I..."
"Said I wanna apologize. What, making me the bad guy? Just come here a sec."
"Hero candidate wants to apologize! Deaf?!"
A bald goon bellowed; the waitress shrank. How could a regular endure this?
Obvious.
Lust in seaweed-eyes. Pretending otherwise, but plotting moves via underlings.
Whole vibe screamed cocky. Sudden windfall newbie. Pathetic.
Satisfy urges cleaner if no backlash.
Evil God-chan glanced around. Lorillen and Lorey sipped beer, chatting. Aware of fuss, but no intervention.
Glares at seaweed's antics, but that's it.
Natural. Hired to escort Evil God-chan. Duty first. Even off-duty, no gain meddling.
But.
"Hey, stop. Sorry, my bad."
"Ah, th-that..."
"Thought you wanted safe nights, long life. Go rest. Just today?"
"Pardon...?"
Waitress paled. Seaweed whispered smilingly, baring more malice.
"That old brown-haired girl. Name was...? Anyway, friends?"
"I-I don't kn..."
"Don't even know her? Figured."
Under veiled threat, waitress could barely breathe.
Frustrating half-assery. If threatening verbally, why not... better?
Can't stand it.
Wanna punk the swaggerers. Evil God-chan grinned. Showing off before me? Unbearable. Quick plan formed.
Seaweed: trained, probably artifact. Even with escorts, she'd lose. Ability matches temper. Hence hero candidate title. Skip combat.
Inn has one waitress. Check.
Lorey in hood: gender ambiguous. Pass escorts as male. Check.
Evil God-chan snatched Lorillen's half-beer.
"Yo, borrowing."
"Client...?"
Splash!
She poured on her chest, voice-altered. Amplified weakly to pierce noise.
"Kyaaah—! Wh-what do I do! You don't know me, spilled by accident..."
Embarrassed in crowd, panic, stomping, favorite clothes soaked, clinging wet fabric hidden by hunching.
"C-client?"
"No, Lorillen. Can't let a man see or touch my body...?!"
"???"
Bait tossed, waitress brightened, moved.
"S-sorry. But... gotta help this guest."
"Yeah, yeah. Wasn't holding you. Just... think it over."
"......"
Waitress hiccupped, trembling to Evil God-chan. Escaped for now, but confused on next.
"I'll... help."
"Good. Empty room? Lead."
"Pardon...?"
The waitress led Evil God-chan to an empty room sans eyes. Expression flipped instantly—from abashed girl to mischievous imp.
Snap.
(No real sound.) Clothes dried in a flash. Waitress gasped.
"Mage...? Th-then why..."
"Mage, so listen. Get a beer from boss, slip this in, serve seaweed."
Tsss.
Black scale grew on left arm. She plucked, handed it.
"Play along. He drags you to room, go without resisting. That night, he'll think he scored. Actually, he'll crash out."
"......"
Understanding dawned. Tears welled in waitress's eyes. Deep 90-degree bow.
"Th-thank you so much. How can I repay..."
"Thank seaweed. Pissed me off."
"Truly, thank you. Won't forget. Mage...!"
"Yeah, go."
Color returned to her face. Evil God-chan waved coolly, silent. Endless thanks, clutching dragon scale, she left.
Soon, Lorillen and Lorey entered, seeming flustered by the stunt.
"Client, what did you do?"
"Punked the seaweed sleaze. Kept fire from spreading. Acted solo, so extra pay if needed—mad wizard foots it."
"...Warn us next time. Startled us both. And well done. Lorillen won't charge extra for this. Right?"
"Yes. Would've let you if told. Good job."
Atmosphere warmed. They'd hesitated over fallout, but who balks at clean good deeds?
Lorey visibly relieved. Suspicion of Evil God-chan dropped sharply.
Yes. That effect too. Foil seaweed's scheme, boost mad wizard ally favor. All planned. Good guy mask for future betrayal punch.
Pure malice and calculation.
"......"
Yet in her head.
Truly thank you. Good job. Words looped.
Heart racing, flashback to coolly plucking scale, praise barrage.
No. Don't feel this. Kingoa mind attack? What emotion? Didn't mean to save.
Confusion.
I'm a nightmare! Bringer of fear, pain, despair, pleasure!
Evil God-chan smacked forehead, muttering to deny surging feelings.
"Hah, what the, hah, jeez, wasn't planning this, really..."
Prissy words slipped out.
Post-installed goodness hit her with first good deed high.