Chapter 117: What’s Wrong with You…? (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 117: What’s Wrong with You…? (4)
Melat, a 6th Tier Mage and a professor at the Red Magic Tower, found himself staring with his mouth agape at the scene unfolding before him.
It was all because of what Selaim Mikardo, the Master of the Blue Magic Tower, had just said.
‘…An honor, he said?’
Melat had heard it with his own ears, yet he couldn't bring himself to believe it.
Selaim Mikardo was known for having a much gentler and kinder personality compared to the other Tower Masters or Penia, who was destined to inherit his will and become the next Tower Master. Because of this, he was quite popular even among mages from other towers. He was the type of person who never hesitated to offer advice or share his teachings freely.
However, even with such a kind disposition, Selaim possessed immense authority and pride regarding magic.
There wasn't a mage alive who didn't know about the incident where the Purple Tower Master had belittled the Blue Tower Master’s magic during a meeting at the Central Tower, only to be thoroughly humiliated by Selaim in front of everyone.
And that wasn't all.
Once, when the Green Tower Master raised a single objection while attending one of Selaim’s lectures, Selaim had forced him into a debate that lasted three days and nights until the Green Tower Master finally declared defeat.
Kind as he was, Selaim Mikardo’s pride in his magic was so high that he would never easily bow his head to anyone when it came to that subject.
So, the situation currently unfolding was nothing short of a miracle.
Melat glanced around.
“…….”
The reactions of the other mages were no different from his own.
Confirming that he hadn't misheard or misseen anything, Melat turned his gaze toward Marquis Palatio.
The Marquis was at the 4th Tier.
Of course, he was known for the peculiarity of using ancient magic—or rather, primitive magic—but aside from that, there was nothing particularly special about him.
‘What on earth is it…? What could possibly make the Blue Tower Master make such a fuss…?’
While Melat’s head was filled with questions, the man at the center of everyone’s attention, Marquis Palatio, was also—
‘…Seriously, what is going on?’
—panicking behind his expressionless mask.
He, too, had no idea why Selaim had suddenly pulled a 180-degree turn in attitude, like a character in some game.
‘Wait, I’m pretty sure he didn't use honorifics at all the last time we met.’
Alon was debating whether he should ask about it or not when—
“Ah, please, come inside first.”
“…May I?”
“Of course. If the Marquis wishes to listen, how could I not find a seat for you?”
Before Alon could even finish his thought, he was ushered into the lecture hall.
“Please, sit here.”
“…I would be fine standing in the back.”
“I couldn't possibly allow that. It’s quite alright. This was originally my seat, after all.”
Thanks to Selaim’s excessively considerate behavior, Alon ended up listening to the lecture from the very front row—all while feeling the stinging gazes of everyone behind him piercing the back of his head.
* * *
The lecture ended.
In conclusion, attending Selaim’s lecture had been the right choice. He had gained quite a bit of magical insight.
However, separate from that, if someone were to ask if he wanted to attend another of Selaim’s lectures…
He didn't think he could do it.
The content was excellent, but Alon had to endure the intense stares of the other mages the entire time.
‘Even if I were to overlook the stares, what was with that smile…?’
Alon recalled the scene from earlier. More specifically, the way Selaim had looked at him with that burdensome, beaming smile.
It was a look that screamed he was up to something. Just as Alon stepped out of the lecture hall with a troubled expression—
“How was the lecture?”
The source of his discomfort (?) suddenly popped up.
Alon was startled but quickly regained his composure.
“It was beneficial.”
“I am truly glad to hear it met your satisfaction.”
As Selaim nodded as if he were genuinely pleased, Alon asked, “By the way, may I ask you something?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“…I recall you weren't like this last time. Why the sudden change to honorifics…?”
He was curious, but more than that, it was uncomfortable.
Selaim wore a benevolent smile across his face.
“Simply put, a sudden sense of respect welled up within me.”
“…Respect?”
“Yes.”
“…Why so suddenly?”
Alon found himself at a loss for words again. Just as Selaim was about to open his mouth to explain—
“Selaim, what the hell did you do to make those kids look like they’ve lost their minds?”
A voice called out from behind.
Turning around, Alon saw a man he had never met in person but knew well by reputation: Parkline Keshis.
“Hurry up. You said you’d assist with the magic today. I’m busy enough as it is, so what are you doing—huh?”
Parkline, who had been approaching with an irritated look, suddenly spotted Alon.
“…You are definitely—”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Red Tower Master. I am Alon Palatio.”
Alon gave a slight bow in greeting.
Parkline let out a small exclamation of realization, but his expression soon turned somewhat disgruntled.
“…I’ve heard a lot about you. You use primitive magic?”
“…? Yes, that is correct.”
Alon wondered why this man was acting this way too. But then—
“I’ve heard the stories quite well. I heard you saved my daughter in the jungle this time?”
“That is true, but—”
“Thank you. My daughter has been praising you non-stop. And I mean a lot. She hasn't stopped talking about you for over a week since she returned.”
Hearing those words, Alon realized why he was acting like that.
‘…This man is a total doting father.’
Just as the daughter-fool Parkline was about to add a few more words—
“Silence!”
“Gah! Damn it, you scared me!”
Selaim suddenly shouted from the side.
“How dare you speak to Marquis Palatio in such a manner! Apologize at once!”
“……???”
Parkline was left speechless by the outburst. His expression clearly said, Has this bastard finally lost it?
“…Did you finally lose your mind after wandering the whole country like a nomad looking for a Magus?”
Parkline managed to speak, but then—
“Tower Master? Um—how much longer should we tell them to wait?”
A mage peeked out from the lecture hall and asked. Parkline let out a long sigh.
“Stop talking nonsense and follow me. Keep your promise.”
He turned to walk away.
“Wait! We have to finish our conversation! Marquis, is there anything else you would like to ask?”
As it happened, Alon did have something to ask.
“Now that I think about it, I heard a rumor circulating in the Magic Tower recently. May I ask you about it?”
“What rumor?”
“…I heard a rumor that you, Tower Master, have given your blessing for me and Penia to date. But—”
“I am all for it.”
“…Pardon?”
“I am fully prepared to support a relationship between the two of you with all my heart and soul.”
Seeing Selaim nod with a bright, refreshing smile, it was Alon’s turn to be speechless.
‘Is he… trying to dump a bomb on me?’
He thought perhaps the reason for Selaim’s sudden change in attitude was related to this rumor and tried to clarify, but—
“Just come on! We’re starting now!”
Before Alon could say another word, Selaim was dragged away by Parkline.
“I shall see you next time, Marquis!”
Having realized the truth, Alon could only watch as Selaim was hauled off, wearing a smile that seemed even more radiant than usual.
* * *
The regular meeting of the Blue Moon.
The Moons, who had been chatting until a moment ago, fell silent instantly.
It was because Yutia’s face, projected in the image, was unusually serious.
[I’ve found the ones who were trying to slander the Great Moon.]
The air stirred for a moment.
Taking advantage of the silence, Hidan began his report.
[I will take it from here. As a result of our continuous tracking and observation of the remaining organizations, we have identified the locations that send directives to the subordinate groups.]
[How many locations?]
[A total of twenty-one. We have confirmed that all of them have connections to the actual mastermind behind the attempt to slander the Great Moon. However—we have yet to uncover the identity of that ‘head’.]
A brief silence followed.
[Then we just have to raid those organizations and find the bastard who tried to badmouth the Great Moon, right?]
Seolrang, who had been laughing innocently until a moment ago, bared her teeth in a fierce smile, her golden eyes gleaming.
[What are the locations?]
At Line’s follow-up question, Hidan replied.
[The locations vary. Based on the regions where the Moons reside, we have confirmed five near Calliban, five near Laxas, three in Ashtalon, three near Lartania, and five in Rosario.]
As soon as Hidan finished his report, Yutia’s voice rang out.
[You all heard him, right?]
[Once the information is passed over, I’ll move immediately.]
[Same here.]
[I’ll do the same.]
[Since there don't seem to be any in the Colony—I’ll head to Ashtalon. I just have to kill them all, right?]
[Make sure to get information before you kill them.]
Yutia, who had cautioned the Moons as they spoke with glints in their eyes, let out a breath and slightly relaxed the heavy atmosphere.
[And there’s another agenda.]
[Another agenda?]
[What is it?]
Ladan and Seolrang reacted immediately.
[It seems the Great Moon needs a specialty product for his territory. So—does anyone have any good ideas?]
[A specialty product… does he want something that reflects the territory’s character?]
[It seems so.]
[Me! Me, me, me!!]
Seolrang raised her hand vigorously.
[Go ahead.]
[Let’s build a Colosseum in the Great Moon’s territory, and I’ll be the specialty product!]
[Rejected.]
[Why—]
Seolrang pouted, but Yutia didn't bother to answer. It was an opinion so far off the mark she didn't even know where to start correcting it.
[You going there yourself is out of the question. We all have our respective orders.]
[Boo—]
Just then.
[A specialty product? Isn't that already decided?]
Deus’s confident voice cut in.
[What is it?]
[Everything will be solved if the Marquis writes an autobiography.]
Another extraordinary opinion popped up.
[[…….]]
The other Sins wore expressions that said, Even so, that’s a bit much, but—
[Phew—an autobiography written by his own hand… I’m looking forward to it. For the first edition, a direct signature like a classic novel—no—rather, I should assist him in writing it—]
Deus was already lost in his own thoughts, oblivious to the stares around him.
Having grown somewhat accustomed to such behavior, the other Moons left him alone and continued the discussion.
[…A specialty product.]
Leaving behind Seolrang’s dissatisfied voice, Ladan, who had been stroking his chin in thought, spoke up.
[I have a decent idea regarding that. If you leave it to me, I’ll get it started.]
[What is it?]
[Since none of us really have the talent for that sort of thing, I thought, why not bring in someone who’s an expert at it?]
[Is there such a person?]
[Yeah, I recently got to know someone.]
Ladan smirked.
Meanwhile, in the slums of Laxas.
“!?”
“Boss? Why are you suddenly shivering like that?”
“No—I just suddenly got the chills.”
Since returning after nearly dying at Ladan’s hands, Alexion the Appraiser had been savoring life twice as much as before. But at the sudden, mysterious chill—
“…What is this?”
With a face full of anxiety, he looked out the window.
…The Blue Moon was shining there.
* * *
At that same time.
After confirming the moon had risen, Alon immediately set out to learn magic.
“Good evening.”
[Welcome.]
He met Heinkel in the library bathed in blue moonlight.
[Here, what you asked for.]
Unlike when they met yesterday, she looked to be in a very good mood. Alon felt a strange sense of foreboding at the sight, but—
[Go ahead and call it.]
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
At her words, he channeled mana into the crest as before to summon Basiliora.
Soon, he could see Basiliora.
[IWILLNEVERBECOCKYAGAINIMSORRYSOPLEASEJUSTSPAREMEFROMTHEFISTBENDINGAAAAAAAGH!]
“…….”
A somewhat… broken Basiliora.
[A-Ahhh—I’m alive. I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive!! I’ll do as you say! Subjugation or whatever, I’ll do everything you want, so please, just let me live—!]
As Alon stood dumbfounded by the small snake’s desperate wails—
[How is it? It went well, didn't it?]
“…Yes, it seems so.”
Looking at Heinkel, who spoke with a beaming smile, Alon broke into a cold sweat.
For some reason, he had become a little afraid.