Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: A Simple Request
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The holy city of Trumpethall exuded an air of luxury and sanctity at first glance. Or rather, it practically forced that impression on you.
The pristine white hues accented with gold leaf everywhere, the sculptures and ornaments carved by summoned artists—they were undoubtedly beautiful. But draping yourself in luxury like wallpaper doesn't hide the lack of substance, much like a tacky aura that can't be concealed.
Beneath the opulence and grandeur of this city lurked an undeniable rustic vulgarity.
For example.
Goddess Faith buildings were generally tall, while others were comparatively low. No matter where you looked, the skyline was dominated by Goddess Faith structures. And there were a lot of them.
Enough to remind me of my old hometown at night, adorned with red crosses across the city.
This was enforced by law, just like in the old Middle Ages. Like nobles forbidding buildings taller than their own mansions, they wouldn't allow skyscrapers that challenged the Goddess Faith's authority.
So, in this city, anything flashy or eye-catching belonged to the Goddess Faith. It was a stifling obviousness that made me uncomfortable.
Not that it was bad.
Using vertical imagery to elevate authority was a classic tactic. Even the imperial family in Crown Hall flaunted their power and presence through the grandest palace.
But the fact that a religion was pulling this off felt a bit off. Instilling religious authority through force and greed rather than genuine reverence from the heart.
It was... kind of uncool.
Like watching a 3-meter steel-armored knight, heavily armed, firing a tiny bow the size of his palm—pew pew.
I stirred the black tea in my cup with a teaspoon and spoke.
"Don't you think so, my lady?"
"...I'm hesitant to say."
The lady deflected with a troubled expression.
Noble ladies' speech carried ten times the information in subtext. Translating her line in this context: 'Talking like that in a coffee shop operating in a holy city? You've got guts. I don't. Please restrain yourself.'
Clink. The spoon scraped the rim of the cup.
"Since you asked to talk privately, it seems you've made up your mind. About what you want to ask of me."
"...Yes."
This conversation was at her request. Sensing a serious talk, I'd sent Pingbalrez and Evil God-chan out to sightsee the city.
Time was precious. While I chatted with the lady, they could inquire about the Bennett party's whereabouts.
Yeah, that was the excuse.
Truth was, I chased them out lest Evil God-chan say something like, 'This girl's hitting on your dad.' Pingbalrez was just too risky to send alone, so I tagged her along.
Yuna the butterfly still hadn't checked in. Maybe she was nearby.
"I..."
The lady gathered her thoughts and began. Her sky-blue hair, evoking a snowy landscape, shimmered under the sunlight without melting.
In that brief moment. Along the short path from her head, down her spine, to her mouth. Her expression shifted subtly. I watched the change with interest.
The lady, once trembling in fear from life's misfortunes, had pieced together fragments of information and placed her bet.
Her icy eyes gleamed with a gambler's resolve.
"To avoid leaving a source of trouble in the family, I was exiled from the Northern Grand Duke Julius household."
"Oh ho. And?"
More interesting than expected. I leaned forward, peeling my back from the chair to show I was listening intently.
Time to hear her story.
I knew from the first meeting that the wizard and his companions were no ordinary folk.
The mad wizard and Evil God-chan, seen through prison bars, were downright comical at first glance... but...
Even after I revealed my status as the eldest daughter of the Northern Grand Duke household, their attitude didn't change. That's when I realized they were eccentrics. People indifferent to worldly status fall into four categories.
Ignorant fools who know nothing, those of equally high status, those so strong they ignore status entirely.
"You're no good. Behold the power of joint locks."
"G, gaaaaahhh──!!"
...Or slightly unhinged.
The Northern Grand Duke household. One of the empire's three great families alongside Redburn and Baekryeom. Their prestige was unmatched by other nobles; only the imperial family surpassed them.
Yet they shamelessly arm-wrestled a young girl before me. To put it mildly... it was impressive.
Lady Erbasilion was freed from prison with the mad wizard party's help.
The mad wizard said to wait a moment; he had something to find in the village. As the rescued, I had no choice but to comply.
In that time, I examined the traces of battle between the mad wizard's group and the villagers.
The mighty knight and villagers were gone. Only a few corpses littered the ground.
I seriously considered if the mad wizard was in league with the villagers. But it didn't fit.
"........."
I checked the bodies. No notable external wounds. They died without injury. No signs of fire, ice, earth magic, or the like.
Illusion magic, then?
With illusion magic, deemed lacking in practicality, to take down so many...
At least some in this party had reached the realm of legends. Otherwise, it didn't add up. Why was such a powerful group traveling a remote mountain path? Why rescue me?
My mind was a mess.
The wizard leading them showed a strangely favorable attitude, confusing me further. It wasn't mere courtesy or currying favor for my status or backing.
Otherwise, he wouldn't act and speak so freely.
The mystery unraveled in Elmust territory. My confusion ended there.
"Me? Oh, that... I have some connection with the Northern Grand Duke. Pretty close, actually. So I can pull some strings for you, Lady."
His odd goodwill stemmed from ties to the Northern Grand Duke. Yet his manner was casually friendly, like old friends.
My father, the Northern Grand Duke, was cold-blooded.
He pursued profit over emotion, more ice than man. He himself had sent me to that distant convent. Close to such a father?
"That guy's got a nasty personality. Right? Stubborn as a mule, or pigheaded, whatever."
...Even pointing out his flaws so casually?
What to do.
I'd resolved myself leaving the territory... or so I thought. To live out my life in the convent. That was the plan.
But it was resignation, not resolve.
A faint glimmer of hope made my heart race uncontrollably.
Maybe a better life was possible. Not withering in the convent, but a new identity, a free start...
Greedier still: perhaps the wizard could convince the duke, letting me return to my beloved homeland. Reunite with those harsh yet beautiful snowscapes.
Not die in a far-off land, but be laid to rest in the snowy fields where I was born. Embraced by Mother Earth...
I observed. In the rattling carriage, I constantly watched and analyzed the mad wizard.
He was cheerful, sometimes eerie, hard to predict but simple. Like a hermit who'd never left his magic tower, ignorant of the world.
He lacked basic common sense one picks up living naturally outside. A crucial flaw to remember.
And when they set the holy city Trumpethall as their next destination.
When the mad wizard chose a private meeting with me.
I made up my mind. Felt fate. I needed a better life; this was heaven-sent opportunity. Even if a rotten rope, I wanted to grasp it.
Honestly, I hated the convent.
So.
The lady straightened her back, wrapping herself in noble grace.
Not arrogant superiority over others. A lofty expression of her own dignity. Her blue eyes shone.
"I know your goodwill toward my father doesn't extend to me. Thus, my request is far from unreasonable."
She grasped the situation well.
My exile was Father's will; meddling would clash with him. I know you wouldn't want that. So.
"Just arrange a meeting with one person. His name is Dakiten Julius, my uncle."
An intriguing request. The mad wizard peeled back her intent like a puzzle, question by question.
"Where is he?"
"A wandering soul traversing the world, but during the festival, he'll set foot in this holy city Trumpethall."
"Who is he?"
"He once held the rank of cardinal, a devout believer of firm faith. Now he serves as a field priest."
"Aha..."
Another connection.
The mad wizard recalled old memories. When Second Prince Irid gathered experts from across the empire to save Centra, there was a timid field priest.
He hadn't stood out then, but that bluish hair color stuck. Kin, perhaps.
"Is that enough? I could do more."
"If you show a bit of generosity, protect me until I meet Uncle Dakiten."
"That's easy. Promise."
"...Thank you, nameless wizard."
She bowed at a precise angle—neither servile nor rude. The mad wizard inwardly admired the refined motion and smiled faintly.
Former cardinal and field priest.
Cardinals sat at the pinnacle of the Goddess Faith. One who'd reached that height would know the goddess intimately. An opportunity for the mad wizard too.
Even better as a former—whether he stepped down or clashed with powers, a strained relation with current leaders was ideal.
Was it karma from good deeds, or his tower research bearing fruit now? A chance to delve deeper into the goddess's secrets.
The mad wizard rubbed his hands and murmured lowly.
"Promise made, wish granted... but you've got a cheeky side, lady."
"...Pardon?"
"The generosity I need to show seems more than a bit. You hid something, didn't you? Thinking I was ignorant of worldly ways."
"........."
The lady froze like tossed into a snowfield. The wizard smiled soothingly, slowly tracing a figure with his finger.
"This Hero Selection Tournament. Bigger scale than I thought, and 'hero' carries weight. No participant limit... Nobles would surely take interest."
Interest? They'd want a hero born in their domain.
On the way, he'd seen flashy carriages. He hadn't noted crests much, but memorized some.
Redburn Duke's crest.
"Saw Redburn Duke's crest en route. Probably here to watch or enjoy... or plotting for his pawn to become hero."
"........."
"Then, fellow duke-line Northern... someone might come too. Especially your friend Northern Grand Duke—so ambitious."
Thus, her request added: protect me before the duke.
Not hard for the mad wizard; he'd planned to anyway—but
Her 'far from unreasonable' line was blatant mischief. Couldn't resist prodding.
The lady paled further.
The mad wizard's sadism stirred. Tease more? Prolong silence, or demand cuteness?
As he indulged dark urges on the fresh noble lady.
"Mima, Mima──!!"
A girl's desperate cry echoed from the street. The mad wizard jumped like a startled meerkat, whipping around.
"What. No, why are you looking for me so desperately... fuck."
"........."
"Lady, that. Your request is easy for me, no worries. Even if your uncle's not here, I'll find him. Just one simple favor. Life-saving stuff."
"...Pardon?"
With Bennett's aggro fully pulled, I just needed time.
Time to concoct an excuse for Evil God-chan's presence. Not long—just a moment. But Bennett's longsword was about to bisect her...
So I used the lady.
"Halt, Bennett! An innocent lady's held hostage here—stop for now! Give me time to clear this misunderstanding!"
"Nyah nyah, nyah nyah, Bennett! Mima's here, so you're nothing but a snack!"
"What makes you so smug, punk!"
"Fallen at last, mad wizard──!!"
Amid the chaos, on a holy city street, in this bizarre hostage drama. The lady wore the face of a cat soaring through space.