Chapter 13 – Because There's Something I Need to Find There
#1 Loria and Lawrence. The two sat facing each other inside the carriage. The younger brother, Lawrence, waited quietly for his sister to speak, while Loria hesitated, carefully choosing her words. Finally, after mulling them over in her mind, the words burst from her lips.
"You... you're really a mage, right?"
"Well..."
"'Well' what!? Give me a proper answer!"
"Hmm, why should I?"
Because we're family, and I'm your big sister. Loria started to say that, but she faltered. Fleeting memories of the past became a wall blocking her impulsive words.
I hate you!
Montemer's disgrace!
Words she'd carelessly thrown at him. The wounds she'd inflicted on her little brother with her tongue could never be undone. In truth, the mere fact that he was sitting there so calmly felt remarkably mature. She thought it suited a true Montemer.
"Th-that... what I said last time—"
"What did you say?"
"Argh, forget it! Anyway! How can you cast magic that fast without a mana road?"
"Trade secret..."
As he replied, Lawrence pondered. What kind of person would Loria become in the future? Would she truly be necessary on the path he walked? If their ways diverged, it might be best to part early.
His dilemma resolved itself surprisingly quickly—thanks to Loria's next words.
"It doesn't strain your body or eat away at your life force or anything like that, right?"
Hearing her, Lawrence blinked in stunned silence. Her eyes were filled with pure concern. A smile naturally crept onto his lips.
"Of course not. Nothing like that. Just... think of it as a special ability. Something I got in place of a mana road."
"Hmm... okay. Well, at least you'll uphold Montemer's pride."
"Did you call me here because you were worried?"
"Wh-what? I don't know! Let's just get out and prep for the next meeting!"
She bolted out of the carriage. Lawrence chuckled softly. She seemed kind-hearted at her core. Cute side to her.
"She's worried about me like this, so I should act a bit more humanely."
He didn't really get familial love. He'd never truly received it, and memories of his past life were now faint. But he knew enough: if someone gave you their heart, you should return the favor.
At least, don't become a monster.
A lunatic was better than a monster. With that thought, Lawrence stepped out of the carriage. He saw Captain Freya overseeing the cleanup and soldiers bustling about. Approaching them, he abruptly offered the leftover meat—holy meat infused with healing magic.
"Want some leftover meat?"
"..."
"What, not hungry?"
"You're hungry in a situation like this!?"
He got scolded for nothing. But it was fine. Joy laced Loria's voice, and smiles bloomed on the soldiers' faces. The mood shifted to a warm, cheerful one in no time.
Like a seasoned socialite. Knowing how to lighten the air in a dire moment.
Sometimes, a clown was needed. And volunteering for it required either zero tact or real courage. Young Lord Lawrence unabashedly played the fool. Captain Freya's eyes followed him relentlessly as he handed out meat here and there.
#2
"Then, let's discuss the next steps."
"Heading forward, we'll reach the mining village."
"Correct. It's ideal for ambushes, and monsters from deep inside the mines are a key feature..."
Perhaps it was better to bypass it. Even with the rugged terrain, it posed no issue for the Phoenix Mage Corps. As Freya pondered, Lawrence spoke up.
"Push through. Use a messenger bird to request reinforcements, and the North Duke will move."
"He's holding the front lines—do you think it's feasible?"
"Their top priority is protecting the Empire. There's ample justification."
It was sound logic. With undead inside the duke's territory, he'd have no choice. A single misstep could pin him with charges of negligence. With everyone here as witnesses, it wouldn't be unreasonable.
"The numbers are low, but we can't just leave undead be..."
"If you leave that Demian alone, he'll become a Death Knight."
"..."
Everyone froze in shock. Death Knight. Its infamous reputation was enough to silence them. A knight inheriting powerful dark magic and undead essence—not just any knight, but one nearing Sword Master level. It had the power to shatter villages or even small cities single-handedly.
Undead and dark mages had vanished for decades. If a Death Knight rampaged, many would suffer.
"We need to subjugate him preemptively to avoid fallout."
"I'll have to do whatever I can."
The issue was whether the soldiers could hold until the powerful spell was complete. If Demian was truly Death Knight material, it'd be tough.
Then Lawrence stepped in again.
"Don't worry about capturing him. I'll handle it somehow."
"Young lord, don't forget your station. You absolutely mustn't overexert yourself."
"What's the big deal? I've always been treated like defective goods anyway."
"..."
He was a master at leaving people speechless. Freya sighed softly, watching Lawrence casually mention his painful past. She could scarcely imagine the agony he'd swallowed to reach this point.
Meanwhile, Lawrence had a compelling reason to visit the mining village. If his hunch was right, he'd obtain an exceptional medium there.
Definitely. The Corrupted Holy Grail was found there.
The item that turned Knight Demian into a Death Knight: Corrupted Holy Grail. It was common knowledge in his previous life, revealed when the Alzeras Knights—who had killed Loria and secured the grail—tracked his movements to subjugate the Death Knight that had turned the northern lands to ruin.
If they secured that item successfully, they'd avert a great disaster.
And gain the North Duke's trust too.
A subjugation with so much to gain—Lawrence intended to claim it all.
For now, let's work in the tent.
"We'll send the messenger bird at dawn. It's a day and a half to the village. We need to strike before they're ready."
"Good. To betray Montemer... unforgivable."
"Then, I'll take my leave first."
Lawrence grabbed his backpack—stuffed with meat and gear—and rose. Just odds and ends, so the Alzeras fools had left it. He always carried his Boston bag anyway.
Inside the tent, he unpacked. To ordinary eyes, it was just junk piled high.
"Now..."
Suitable mediums and extracts. He hurried preparations to fell Demian.
"I've got some prepped, but need a bit more."
Good chance to raise Dragon Body experience too—better make as many as possible. This subjugation might expose his secrets.
Scritch-scratch. His pen moved with artisan precision, engraving magic circles.
Wonder how the family will react. And if they'll protect my ability.
When someone with a rare gift appeared in this world, reactions split two ways: destroy or exploit.
Lawrence reflected. The value of an Artifact maker, lost techniques, world's truths, Montemer... The crux: Was his worth greater than the vassals propping up the family? Would his father, Montemer's lord, recognize and acknowledge it?
The world wasn't full of only villains—or only heroes.
"So, I need an escape plan too."
He planned to create that haven in this subjugation, using the North Duke and his son.
Good thing I stocked up from the temple.
Materials aplenty. He was a creator—miracles from his fingertips.
#3
Whoosh! With powerful wingbeats, the messenger bird soared high. They couldn't block the skies. Pigeons were smart; it'd find a monster-free path on its own.
Halved in number, they formed up around the carriages and advanced at speed. Mages finished chanting, casting mass buffs.
Haste.
Movement lightened. Freya led from the front, while Lawrence and Loria rode in a carriage. Lawrence asked Loria, gazing out the window. He wanted to know her resolve.
"Sis."
"Yeah? What?"
"This battle won't be easy."
"Pfft! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
Why's the kid younger than me worrying about me!? Loria's brows shot up.
"You stay back and don't get hurt showing off."
"Heh, worried about me?"
"Aargh! No—!"
Fun to tease her. Reminded him of school days with friends.
But that wasn't the point.
"You take pride in the Montemer name, right?"
"Obviously."
"What if someone betrayed it?"
Loria eyed him. What was he thinking? Her long-lost brother had become an enigmatic puzzle—his thoughts, actions, even his magic's level unknowable.
"I'd eliminate them. No matter who."
"Even family?"
"Our family wouldn't do that. You're acting weird."
Lawrence nodded with a small laugh. Her resolve seemed ironclad; that will would carry her through shock without breaking.
With a faint smile, he turned to the window, recalling past ordeals. He told Loria,
"Can't help it. I've been holed up in the annex the whole time. Like a madman."
"Seriously, did someone poison you or something?"
"We'll figure it out slowly. Focus on the subjugation for now."
No way...
Loria stared at his profile, plunged into confusion. What had he endured in that annex? It was the first time she'd thought the Montemer family might not be as great as she believed. Maybe she'd ignored it—chasing her older siblings' approval, craving recognition.
I'll look into it when I get back.
Suspicion sprouts small. But it grows terrifyingly fast.
The carriage pressed on—toward doom, the mining village where undead awaited.