Chapter 236: Preliminary Inspection
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 236: Preliminary Inspection
Eve Ropenheim decided to catch one last glimpse of Isaac before departing for the Ropenheim Barony.
Judging by the direction he was heading, he was clearly on his way to the training grounds. It was quite unusual for an Archwizard to be so focused on training, even on the day of the break ceremony.
But that didn’t matter to her.
The moment Eve spotted Isaac’s face from behind the cover of a tree, her heart practically melted.
So cuuuute…
She felt an overwhelming urge to shower his face with kisses. She wanted nothing more than to hug her brother like a teddy bear all day long.
Treating an eighteen-year-old—especially one who was an Elemental King—like a child might have been disrespectful, but she couldn't help it. To her, her younger brother was as adorable as he had ever been.
However, she couldn’t bring herself to approach him. She could only hope that Isaac would notice her and come to her first.
She had heard that Archwizards possessed a transcendent level of mana perception, capable of sensing even dormant, unreleased mana. She prayed that Isaac would sense her presence with that ability.
Eve desperately hoped he would say even a single word to her.
But Isaac merely crossed the academy grounds with an air of total indifference.
Soon, he disappeared into the training grounds.
“Haa…”
Eve leaned against the tree and let out a heavy, longing sigh.
I’d noticed Eve Ropenheim watching me earlier, but I ignored her.
I wasn’t entirely sure how to deal with Isaac’s sister. It was clear that the original Isaac and Eve did not have a good relationship up until the point he took his own life.
The remnants of the original Isaac still harbored a lingering sense of rejection toward her. Consequently, I didn’t want to get tangled up in complicated family matters that wouldn't help in the fight against the Evil God.
I began my routine after arriving at the empty training grounds. Shortly after, I used [Clairvoyance] to confirm that Eve had finally left the academy in a carriage.
So she’s heading back to the Ropenheim Barony?
Eve had been adopted into the Ropenheim family and took their name. Coincidentally, the place where I had sent the Phantom Cat Cheshire was also on the outskirts of the Zelver Kingdom, within the Ropenheim Barony.
However, in the original story of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the Ropenheim Barony had nothing to do with Calgart the Necromancer. It just so happened that the abandoned church where Calgart first appeared was located within their territory.
Well, that was that.
From now on…
With the nuisance gone and almost no students remaining on campus, there shouldn’t be any problem summoning a large familiar.
“Hilde.”
Hwaaaaa!
A massive creature manifested. Although still smaller than her true form, she was significantly larger than her usual hatchling state.
[You called, Master?]
Hilde gazed down at me, her pale blue eyes shimmering as she spoke in a beautiful, melodic voice.
I stroked Hilde’s head when she lowered it toward me. The sensation of her cold, hard scales—slick with a thin layer of frost—was oddly satisfying. She closed her eyes, savoring the touch.
“I’ll keep you summoned from now on. You’ll have more freedom than before.”
Since I planned to spend the break training anyway, I wanted to focus on solidifying my synchronization with Hilde. At the very least, I wanted to max out our synchronization before I reached my third year.
The closer a familiar was to its true form, the faster the synchronization increased. Since I had already revealed my identity to the academy, summoning her at this size was no longer a risk.
I might need to find a more secluded, spacious area to occasionally summon Hilde at her full size, though.
[Does this mean you will be touching my body every day? I like that. In return, I shall show you my adorable side…]
“No need.”
I replied curtly.
Hilde’s elegant, noble voice didn’t suit the “cute” archetype at all. It would be like forcing someone into an ill-fitting outfit.
Hilde narrowed her eyes, her tone turning slightly sulky.
[…Fine. Do not regret it later when you beg me to be cute and I refuse.]
Finally, some good news.
*
[Meow… I’m exhausted…]
A few days later, early in the morning.
I was jogging along a deserted, tree-lined path when I felt a sudden weight on my shoulder, accompanied by a distinctive meow.
Stopping in my tracks, I turned to see the Phantom Cat Cheshire floating in the air, resting its chin on my shoulder.
“Cheshire? You’re back.”
I grabbed its plump waist and gently set it on the ground as I squatted down. It didn't appear to have any injuries; it just looked completely drained.
“It took you quite a while.”
[There was more to investigate than I expected, and it was a long way back.]
“You did well.”
[Meow…! No matter how charming I am, don’t you dare stroke my belly.]
The Phantom Cat narrowed its eyes and glared at me. While Hilde enjoyed being petted, this cat was the exact opposite.
The Phantom Cat stood up and looked me in the eye.
[To report: there were traces of many humans coming and going at that church you mentioned. It seems like it’s been happening for quite some time.]
The old abandoned church where Calgart the Necromancer was supposed to appear should have been long deserted. If there were signs of heavy human activity, it meant Calgart had already made his move.
“Traces, you say…”
[There was no sign of the demon you described, though. It seems he’s already moved on.]
Typically, Calgart would appear during the second semester of the second year, marching through the kingdom’s territory toward Märchen Academy. He would mercilessly destroy everything in his path, harvesting countless lives to turn into his undead soldiers. It was a disaster that would eventually trigger a national emergency.
It was a bleak scenario.
But right now, everything was quiet. I used [Clairvoyance] to check Calgart’s usual path from the game, but there was nothing unusual.
Therefore, Calgart was likely hiding somewhere, biding his time and plotting.
Is he wary of me?
In the game, Calgart’s only real obstacle was Ian. But now, I was a factor. Calgart wasn’t the type to act rashly like other demons; he was likely preparing a countermeasure for me. He was probably strengthening his forces as we spoke.
Perhaps Mephisto, the Evil God’s proxy, was aiding him.
For now, I need to protect Ian.
I didn’t know what threats might target Ian, Amy, or Ciel. It would be wise to secretly dispatch troops from Düpfendorf to keep watch.
[And Isaac, just as you suspected, I checked the surrounding area for anything strange and found something very suspicious!]
“What is it?”
[Baron Ropenheim is gathering babies and young children.]
Baron Ropenheim?
[I watched secretly at night. Several carriages brought children to an underground location where they were imprisoned. There was a dangerous barrier protecting the place, so even I couldn't get inside.]
If even the Phantom Cat Cheshire found the barrier dangerous enough to hesitate, it was serious. It was hard to imagine Baron Ropenheim—who ruled a small pastoral fief on the outskirts of the kingdom—having the resources or manpower to set up such a high-level ward.
“Did it seem like there was a demon underground?”
The Phantom Cat shook its head.
[If there was, I would have noticed. But approaching the Baron directly seemed risky, so I secretly followed the returning carriages instead. It seems the Baron has several outposts and is systematically transporting infants and children.]
Is it human trafficking?
The pieces began to click together in my head.
Calgart possessed a terrifying power known as the Curse of Instant Death. It was a transcendent ability that could kill anyone instantly, with the exception of Heavenly Beings or someone like Ian, who wielded the power of light.
To activate this power, two things were necessary.
First: pure sacrifices of the same species as the intended victim.
Second: approximately two months to set up the massive magic circle required.
Calgart needed to move without being detected by me or the kingdom, so he would require the cooperation of a human with sufficient wealth and local influence. Someone with power but low enough status that the Empire wouldn't pay them any mind. Ideally, someone living close to where he had awakened.
Baron Ropenheim fit the profile perfectly.
They must be planning to use the curse on me.
I had defeated high-ranking demons, including those from the Floating Island and the Abyss. Mephisto, the Contractor who knew the extent of my power, was still alive and well.
The timing was perfect. If I were in their position, I would have awakened Calgart the Necromancer early and used the Curse of Instant Death to eliminate the biggest threat—me.
[What will you do now?]
“Get ready to leave.”
I couldn’t afford to hesitate. I stood up, and the Phantom Cat’s eyes sparkled at my words.
“We’re going to the Ropenheim Barony.”
[Meow! Great! Let’s go, partner! I’ll rest for now, but make sure to tell Alice to summon me when things get interesting!]
It was time to hunt Calgart the Necromancer.
The carriage traveled along the paved road and finally arrived at the Ropenheim estate.
Eve Ropenheim stepped out of the carriage and was greeted by two servants.
“Welcome back, Miss Eve. The Master is waiting for you.”
Following the servants inside, Eve swallowed hard. Reporting her academy life to Baron Adrian Ropenheim was always a loathsome and nerve-wracking task.
At the door to the mansion’s study, a servant knocked and announced her arrival before ushering her in.
Eve entered the room, and the servant closed the door behind her.
In the heavy silence, a middle-aged man stood by the window, gazing out at the grounds. Though nearing fifty, he still exuded the noble elegance that Eve had once admired.
This was Baron Adrian Ropenheim.
Something’s off…
Eve sensed a strange aura emanating from Adrian. It was an unsettling feeling—a primal instinct warning her of danger. It was entirely separate from her personal dislike for him.
She dismissed it as her imagination and offered a formal greeting.
“I’ve returned, Father. Have you been well?”
“Thank goodness.”
“Pardon?”
Adrian turned to look at her.
For some reason, his right eye was swirling with a sinister, dark mana.
“You qualify.”
A pure sacrifice was needed. With the power granted by Calgart the Necromancer, Adrian knew instantly that Eve met the conditions for a perfect sacrifice.
“Father…?”
Terrified by the sight of the dark mana, Eve instinctively stepped back. She turned and bolted for the door, but Adrian swiftly deployed a barrier, sealing the exit.
“Ugh!”
Adrian lunged forward and gripped her chin with bruising force.
“Weren’t you planning to leave this family anyway? Prove your worth by sacrificing yourself for my sake.”
Despite her desperate struggles, the pain in her jaw was blinding. As the dark mana began to consume her, Eve’s vision blurred, and she lost consciousness.