Chapter 58. On the Road (4)
The carriages crested the hills.
At the same moment, the cityscape unfolded beyond the windows.
Dickferji—a massive metropolis nestled in a circular basin that evoked the crater of a colossal volcano.
I rested my chin on my hand, gazing at the sight as I lost myself in thought.
'Who would've thought this place would turn out like this.'
It was a city that hadn't even existed five hundred years ago.
The deeply recessed basin terrain was tactically disadvantageous by nature.
Back then, sieges were always a consideration.
The demon legions would bombard any city with attack magic to open hostilities.
"……."
"Whoa, whoa!"
To enter Dickferji, we had to pass over the towering walls ringing the basin's edge.
Gazes from the watchtowers dotted along the battlements prickled my skin.
But the entry process was straightforward.
The lead carriage had swung open the gate like a key.
"Everyone, disembark!"
Professor Kuger's voice.
As we opened the doors and stepped out, a chill silence greeted us.
Soldiers arrayed in light armor. Officials in crisp suits.
The first to speak was a middle-aged man of diminutive stature.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Poi Averb, mayor of Dickferji. Welcome to our city."
His tone conveyed anything but welcome.
The city's ruler eyed us with profound displeasure.
Introductions proceeded regardless.
"Schud Rapens, magic professor from the Eternalism Academy."
"Sapina Kuger, teaching swordsmanship at Eternalism."
"……."
The mayor's and soldiers' gazes grew colder still.
The visit from the Kirchheis family's most backward academy was evidently unwelcome.
"Follow me. I'll escort you inside City Hall."
As we trailed Mayor Averb, puzzled looks crossed between the three kids.
Libiel, Mihaden, and Lorang couldn't grasp the icy atmosphere.
In contrast, Obri and the upperclassmen seemed unfazed.
Not their first external assignment, they were accustomed to such frostiness.
Surface politeness made complaints awkward anyway.
"We've cleared the third floor for your use as lodging."
This city fell under Kirchheis territory, governed with the family head's support.
Even if Eternalism chafed, they couldn't voice outright dissent.
A venerable institution founded by Ulfrik—even rotten, it was still bluefin tuna.
"Mayor, I have one request."
"A request? What is it? Speak."
As Professor Rapens broached the topic in the corridor, he got a lukewarm reply.
The mayor barely glanced up from the document folder handed by his aide.
"It would be appreciated if you could station city guards wherever our trainees perform their missions. It seems the Red Cartel is on the move."
"What...? Station guards?"
Averb's brow furrowed sharply as he looked up.
He clicked his tongue, glaring at the professors as he muttered.
"Unbelievable. You're out on patrol, yet you want to lean on our guards? Does that make sense?"
"If the Red Ghosts lurking in Dickferji scatter, it could endanger the children. That's why I'm asking."
"Ha! That's even more absurd. Infuriating, really! Dickferji has long been renowned as a city free of Red Ghosts! What nonsense to spout upon arrival!"
The mayor vented his irritation.
His blatant attitude creased Professor Kuger's forehead in waves.
But Professor Rapens was still exercising patience.
"Mayor, Red Ghosts exist in every city. Wherever shadows lurk in back alleys, they take root. The intelligence on the Red Cartel's movements has been verified by the main family. I ask for your cooperation."
He even bowed his head slightly.
Setting aside his position as a prestigious professor, bending his pride solely for his students' safety.
Yet Averb remained uncooperative.
"I can't comprehend a word you're saying. If the main family had the intel, why not bring escorts from the start? Why make a fuss here? Doesn't Eternalism value planning?"
Open sarcasm now.
Professor Rapens sighed.
"There are circumstances—"
"No! Enough! Stop it, Professor Rapens!"
Professor Kuger, patience spent, cut in.
Her face flushed crimson, teeth grinding.
"If the mayor's hoarding his guards like this, support's off the table. We'll handle it ourselves. I'll stake my life to protect the kids, so don't worry!"
"Wait, Senior Sapina..."
"Quiet! It's done! Keep groveling, and I'll contact the family head myself! Demand the Discipline Corps be sent at once!"
Professor Kuger fumed; Mayor Averb averted his gaze as if deaf.
Professor Rapens sighed, looking perplexed, caught between them.
'I was already planning to help.'
No other way out of the impasse.
I stepped forward quietly.
"Then you'll take full responsibility, Mayor, if anything happens in Dickferji."
"……?"
Question marks seemed to float in the mayor's eyes.
Not odd—a mere kid interrupting the adults.
I bowed slightly and spoke.
"Kirian Kirchheis, first-year trainee from Eternalism. Grandson of the family head."
"……!"
Simple introduction, tremendous impact.
Likely the last part especially.
The mayor's eyes shook violently.
"K-Kirian? You mean, the one slated to be adopted under Lord Leonir...?"
"……Yes."
"Hngh!"
My adoption by Leonir was public knowledge.
But joining crumbling Eternalism? Not a whisper.
Family matter versus personal choice.
Anyway, Averb yelped like stabbed, face paling.
"W-Welcome! No, what an honor to meet you! I never dreamed Young Master would grace this humble place!"
His balding pate bowed deeply to me.
Watching Hierniorn tsked.
Same thought here.
Not a villain, but undeniably slimy.
Currying favor with power.
So, time to toy with him a bit.
"You said earlier Dickferji was safe from Red Ghosts, right? Did I hear that correctly, Mayor Averb?"
"Yes? Ah, yes! Indeed! Our guard captain possesses the Detection trait! Thanks to him, we've rooted them out! Truly!"
The mayor shrugged.
I smirked and countered.
"Then what about the Red Ghost that attacked my inn? A fake assassin pretending to be one?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"There was a fight at the gateway city. Our lodging was assaulted, so we rushed here."
"……!"
Averb's face went blank, like clubbed from behind.
I lowered my voice.
"Haven't reported to the main family yet. But that could change based on your actions. Understand?"
Treatment depends on future behavior.
Averb gulped dryly.
"Young Master Kirian, if it's guards you want, I'll do my utmost to provide them!"
"That's a given. As you said, I'll inspect if the city truly is Red Ghost-free. Consider it part of routine patrol. Looking forward to how clean it is."
"Y-Yes....... Expect the best, p-please....... Yes......"
The mayor's eyes rolled like a broken automaton, mouth flapping.
Wanting to retort but wordless.
The watching professors smirked, chiming in.
"I'm quite curious myself. About this guard captain you trust more than the main family's professors."
"Hoping to witness his prowess!"
After sending off the sweating mayor.
The professors turned, thumbs up.
"Well done, Kirian. Quite satisfying."
"Didn't peg you for it! Got guts, Kirian! Love it!"
"No big deal."
Not just tormenting Averb.
I revealed myself here.
As prime prey the Red Cartel coveted, making my presence known.
Expecting a reaction soon—and opportunity.
'Chance to crush my hunters.'
Thus, bait was needed.
Word from Dumroad that the 'fishing line' was ready came next morning.
* * *
"Now, for routine patrol assignments. Come forward one by one."
Trainees received mission notices.
Mine: 'Repair external roads damaged by landslides.'
Mayor Averb smiled awkwardly beside Professor Rapens.
"I'll personally guide Young Master Kirian—"
"That's too much."
"……Suppressing my eagerness, I'll send our guard captain instead. We've decided to bolster defenses immediately. Please proceed carefree."
"Thank you, Mayor."
Overkill, really.
Landslides? Minimal mana fixes it.
Even manual labor wouldn't take long.
Yet full guard deployment.
"Greetings. Guard Captain Kubira Rox. I'll guide the external roads."
His slightly gruff tone made sense.
No way Averb kept my identity secret, yet he seemed indifferent.
At least not an opportunist.
"Pleased to work with you, Captain Rox."
"Yes. This way."
A sly drawl unfit for Detection trait.
The man smacked his lips and strode off.
Meanwhile, Professor Rapens approached quietly.
"Retreat at any odd sign, Kirian. Don't charge in like a moth to flame. Heed me."
"Yes. Don't worry."
I nodded vaguely, following the captain and his men.
Then, crossing bustling Dickferji streets.
Connection point opens quietly from Dumroad's restricted area.
A pitch-black shadow shot out like an arrow, vanishing into a dot—as if on cue.
Pop!
Red Ghost girl on an invisible leash.
I smirked at her retreating form.
'Bet she thinks she escaped lucky.'
Just what Dumroad and I wanted.
She mustn't know she's bait.
Anyway, leaving her to rampage freely, I exited Dickferji's walls.
The road ahead sloped intact.
Then.
"What star mage are you, Sir Kirian?"
A piercing gaze suddenly fixed on me.
The guard captain, still smirking slyly.
His eyes flashed red.