Chapter 29
Don't you have parents either? I didn't know shit about dispelling spells or any of that crap. Just nullify the opponent's magic, plain and simple. I never overthought it.
Just clear out the mana, right?
Magic wrapped around the body or floating in their hand—it was all just a lump of condensed mana. Sure, there were differences in form, structure, even attributes. But in the end, mana was the start and finish of any spell. That's how it looked to me.
It seemed solid at first glance, but mana was like a string tied together on the brink of unraveling. Energy could take any shape, but that same energy shattered at the slightest nudge.
So dispelling it? Easy.
Just loosen the packed space. Boom—magic broken.
And get this:
It listens so well.
Mana was a good kid. Mine or not, it obeyed.
See? Told it to fuck off, and it did.
Nullifying the princess's thorn arrows took maybe a few seconds. Like I said, yank out the framework, and poof—dispelled. Was it because it was 1-circle magic? Or some other reason? No clue. I just did it. That's how it worked. Kinda vague to say "that's how it works," but for me, it was.
Just tell it to, and it happens.
Nothing fancy. Mana came when called, left when dismissed. Normal shit to me. But their reactions? Made it sound special.
"P-Princess?"
I called out to her. She was frozen like a statue. Shouldn't she react or something? Why's she just standing there?
As I stared in confusion...
"...Hoo."
She exhaled the breath she'd been holding, letting out a low groan.
"Deploy."
"Pardon?"
The knight reacted to her words. The princess glared with her gleaming golden eyes.
"Deploy knights around the train. Escort us until midday."
"...Ah. Understood."
The knights moved at her command, positioning themselves around the train per our bet.
Meaning? I won.
Nice.
Whatever, a win's a win. Hope there'd be no backlash. That weirdo princess seemed the type to cause trouble.
"..."
She stared daggers at me, then turned and headed to her carriage.
What the hell?
What's her deal?
No real reaction. Just as I wondered why...
"Ruin...!"
"Gah!?"
Iris suddenly grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard.
"All attributes...! Not three or four, but all attributes!? How the hell did you do it?!"
"Ow... Ack! H-Head! My head's spinning too much!"
She was shaking me like a ragdoll. I flopped limply until my yell made her flinch.
"Ah, s-sorry..."
"...Ugh. Motion sickness."
Almost hurled right there. I steadied my swirling vision and scanned around.
The knights stood guard by the train. People watched with relieved faces.
"Nngh..."
Then the useless saintess stirring on the ground came to.
"Where...?"
"Wakes up now that it's all over."
"Mr. Mage...?"
"Sleep more? It's done anyway."
"Huh...?"
Ignoring Eria's blank reaction, I eyed the princess's carriage. She'd shut the door tight—no sign of life.
...That shocking, huh?
She looked totally floored. Fine to leave her like that? Hope it doesn't bite me in the ass.
I worried a bit, but luckily, nothing happened.
Morning came. She never stepped out of her carriage until sunrise.
Chiiiik—!
She reappeared right after the carriage carrying Colton arrived.
The next day at dawn, another train pulled in.
Colton and the crown prince rode it. Soldiers disembarked to handle the terror-struck train.
"...What?"
Then Banheil Lehart—the crown prince—stepped off, spotted the familiar carriage, and scowled.
"No way."
He approached the carriage with an angry look.
"You lunatic. You actually came all the way here?"
A voice leaked from the hitherto silent carriage.
"Head hurts. Don't talk to me."
"Delvin, you brainless little sister. You really left the capital and came here?"
Druruk.
The window slid open, and Delvin poked her head out. Dark circles she'd lacked before ringed her eyes.
"My dear brother still has that sharp tongue, I see?"
"Ha. No sane person would do this. You lost your mind?"
"Who's calling who crazy?"
Delvin—the princess—grinned.
"My brother trekking to the north just to see his fiancée isn't?"
Eh?
Fiancée? First I'd heard of it. I grimaced.
What the fuck? I glanced at Iris. Same expression.
"Nonsense. Don't spew garbage. Is that even relevant now?"
"Not really. This chat with you isn't either. So don't talk to me. Already pissed, and seeing your pissy face makes it worse."
"What? You bitch."
Tak—!
The window slammed shut mid-sentence.
"Ha?"
The crown prince's eyes blazed with fury.
"That little shit? What the—"
Then.
"Hm?"
Banheil looked my way.
Why me?
"Ruin."
"...Yes?"
"Did you do something to that damn thing?"
"Pardon?"
Do something? Nah, nothing big.
"Just messed with her attributes and spell a bit."
"...Ha!"
He burst out laughing. Not the dry chuckle from before.
"Hahahahaha—!!"
Pure, delighted laughter.
"Heh heh... heh heh heh... Ah, so that's it? That's why she's acting up."
He strode over, realizing something solo, and patted my shoulder.
"Good job. Perfect."
"What'd I do?"
"Yeah, that stubborn brat needs to know her place. Mood's lifted. Oh, heard about the terror attack. You hurt?"
"...No. Not yet?"
"Knew you wouldn't get hurt."
What kinda talk is that? Felt oddly insulting.
"Duke. Seems the duke was right."
The crown prince addressed someone.
"Leave this kid alone, and he survives. Was kinda worried."
The hell does that mean? Absurd. Just as that weird faith started grating...
"No issues, I see."
Colton appeared. He approached, scanning me and the group.
"..."
Then checked the wrecked train, lines creasing his eyes.
"We move first. Board. Need to reach the capital ASAP."
Board the train? It was fucked.
As I thought that—
Thud—!!!
Colton swung his sword. One simple thrust. A storm erupted.
Kwaaaa—!!!!
Wind howled, shoving the train aside.
...Whoa.
That ain't magic...? For real?
My budding confidence deflated. Slashing a hole in the train seemed cool before. But one sword swing did this?
...Fucking scary.
Continent's top tier. A real monster.
"Board. I need to chat with her first."
Colton sheathed his sword casually and headed to the princess. I glanced at the train.
Time to go. I grabbed Iris.
"Let's."
"...Ah, yeah."
Took Eria and Iris aboard. Other passengers followed.
Crown prince and Colton went to talk with the princess.
I turned away.
...So damn tired.
Whatever. Just wanted rest. Closed my eyes.
Dozed off quick. Train departed soon after.
Chiiiik—!!!
Before long, we reached the capital, Lehart.
Capital Lehart. The train arrived.
Stepping off, no scenic view—just a parade of golden plate armor.
"We see the empire's little sun."
Knight knelt. Impressive sight. Overwhelming presence.
Banheil descended casually amid them.
"Unnecessary fanfare."
Bored expression. Didn't like this stuff.
"Got guests. Skip the hassle."
"...That is."
"Keep it short."
"..."
Banheil's warning chilled the air. Didn't know he had that side. Seemed kinda cool, despite the playboy vibe.
...Could I call him bro?
"Duke."
"Yes."
"See you tomorrow."
The crown prince boarded his prepared carriage. Princess too, in hers. Still quiet vibe. Didn't glance our way.
"Ruin."
"Yes."
"Tomorrow."
Banheil waved. Almost waved back instinctively. Nah, waving at royalty? Disaster. Trap? Close call.
"Safe travels."
Best politeness I could muster. He cracked up.
"Ahahahaha! Always fun."
What's funny, fuck. My life's a daily tightrope.
Royals left. Thought we'd head out too, but no.
"Let's go."
Colton said. A fancy carriage appeared.
...Really going there, huh?
Our destination: Colton Duke Manor in the capital Lehart.
The protagonist's family home in this romance fantasy novel.
World Tree Relic stuff and other business? Pushed to tomorrow. Reporting to the imperial family, Colton and Banheil had shit to do.
Wondered where we'd crash. Turns out:
No way, here?
Ended up at Colton Manor. Main family from the novel, appeared tons.
Assigned a room immediately.
And.
—Look around as you please.
Colton said that before heading to the palace.
Followed his advice, but...
Nothing to do?
Wandered. Nada.
"Mr. Mage. Going somewhere?"
"Not set, but... just poking around. It's novel."
Eria tilted her head at my words.
"Novel... Ah."
Nodded like she got it. What was that rude look?
"Thinking 'orphan kid seeing a noble house for the first time, must be amazed,' right?"
"N-No! Not that!"
"Your panic says yes."
"N-No... No... Not!"
"Swear on the goddess?"
"..."
Why no answer, bitch?
...This bitch?
Ridiculous. Sure, partly that, but not just.
Hailron manor was huge too. Northern, so unkempt—not like this polish. Enough to stun? Hell yeah.
Fucking amazing.
Well-maintained noble house vibes. Architecture slapped despite "nothing to see."
God-tier.
Mansion grand and vast. Servants crisp. Ours? Useless slobs.
"...Useless. Those look competent."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing."
"..."
Eria eyed me suspiciously. Sharp as ever. If only that sharpness fixed her incompetence...
Fat chance.
"Ah, hungry."
"You just ate."
"Growing boy. Eat more, Eria."
"I won't grow taller... just fatter."
"...Fat, huh."
Skinny. But gaining weight where?
Tits?
Boob-concentrated type? Nice merit to offset uselessness.
"...Where you looking?"
Eria flinched.
"Huh? Your chest."
Said it straight.
"..."
She went silent, covering her chest.
Ridiculous. Answered honestly.
"No training grounds here, huh."
"...Wanna train?"
"Bit, yeah."
Stuff I wanted to test. Not here?
Can't tell from novel skims.
Colton Duke Manor. Sub-male lead's home. Original male lead figure.
No sign of him.
France Colton, I think. Knight with daddy trauma and inferiority complex.
And.
Meets main heroine, gets saved, falls in love.
Classic arc.
Probably.
60 eps, no full ending. But obvious.
Heroine Rachel Fonde, right?
Empire countess's third daughter. Korean reincarnate too.
Wonder if I'll meet her.
Curious. Met major players like Colton Duke already. In his house now.
Someday.
Expectations up. Won't change shit. Pure curiosity.
Still.
It confirms this is romance fantasy.
Not batshit dark. Normalcy for my peace.
"Be nice to see."
"What?"
"Never mind."
Shook head, kept walking. Stuck to quiet paths—soon reached the garden.
Not maintained much?
Less tended than elsewhere. Allowed here?
Glanced around—
"Hm?"
Someone there. Black clothes, crouched, staring at something. Maid outfit. Duke's maid.
But.
Kid?
Young. My age. Early teens.
What’s she doing? Off vibe for a maid too.
Crept closer.
Then—
Woooong—!!!
Woooong—!!!!
My waist vibrator went berserk, vibrating like mad.
What the fuck? Broken?
Gripped it in panic. Felt like it was begging me to stay.
Why the tantrum? Stared puzzled—
Thump.
...Hm?
Heart pounded. Hearts beat, duh. But.
Hard.
Thump-. Thump-. Thump-.
Like facing a demon. Or another mage.
Alien, uncomfortable rhythm.
What? Looked at the maid.
Oh.
Finally saw it.
...What the hell?
Vast energy clumped around the girl. Abnormal amount, never seen before.
Stunned briefly by the bizarre sight.
Swish.
"..."
The girl's gaze turned to me. Eyes met.
Then.
"...Who?"
With the question.
Click.
Vibrator stopped. Like hiding.
◆ The Holy Sword (Broken + Vibrator) is flustered by the sudden situation.
◆ The Eye of All Things watches with interest.
◆ The Goddess swallows dryly.
◆ All gods gaze upon you.
◆ You are now the pivot of this era.
◆ You have encountered the Hero.