Chapter 108
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: The Grand Mage Goes on a House Call (4)
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The purpose of this visit to the imperial palace was probably something like making a royal house call.
There were plenty of sick people in the palace, but the ones I needed to see this time numbered just two.
One was someone whose body was in bad shape.
The other had a seriously messed-up mind.
Id already roughly treated the patient with the physical issues.
Now it was time to see the one with mental problems.
...I had no idea how things had ended up like this. I just wanted to go home.
"Well, well, look who it is. The busy one has finally graced us with her presence."
The moment the door opened, a wave of booze stench hit me, along with a crooked-nosed man who greeted me.
The empire's second prince, Valerius Belhart.
He was sprawled diagonally across a wide sofa, chugging straight from a bottle of strong whiskey.
"I heard about it from Lady Miriel. You shouldve contacted me sooner. Then I wouldnt have touched a drop all day."
"W-Well... it was decided so suddenly, you see. Sorry about that."
I gave a casual bow of my head, and Prince Valerius let out a giggle as he sat up.
His half-unbuttoned shirt revealed rippling muscles underneath.
First off, he had me beat in the chest department.
"Not just the contact, but you came awfully late, didnt you? I heard youd arrived at the palace ages ago."
The princes eyes narrowed like a snakes.
"You didnt go see Brother Carlian first, did you?"
"Yeah, well... pretty much."
"Tsk tsk. I dont get it. Hes just a walking corpse who wont last much longer anyway. Why waste time on a guy like that when you could drink with me instead? Way more productive, right?"
"For starters, by imperial law, Im not old enough to drink yet."
"Oh right~ Thats true. Forgot for a sec youre the grand mage. When I take the throne, first thing Ill do is lower that stupid age limit."
The prince clicked his tongue and went back to blowing on his bottle.
Self-centered to the core, viewing even family as rivals or obstacles with cold ruthlessness.
Yep, this was the second prince I knew.
Not just a bad personality, but a few screws loose in the head.
"Whatever, doesnt matter."
Prince Valerius tossed the empty bottle carelessly to the floor.
Crash! Glass shards flew everywhere with a loud shatter, but...
"Weve got a lot to talk about, Lunaris Evermoon."
The prince ignored it completely and approached me.
"That magic of yours, the scenery beyond the wall you showed at the enlistment ceremony..."
"Hold on a sec. Im not great at explaining things clearly."
I raised my hand to cut off the prince.
The knights in the room glared at me like I was insolent for interrupting royalty, but I pressed on regardless.
"Rather than explain a hundred times, better to show you once."
"...Show me?"
"Yeah. So how about a light spar? That way, Your Highness can grasp it with your body easily."
At my words, Prince Valeriuss eyes went wide.
"Ha..."
His fierce gaze was like a beast spotting prey.
"Now thats a great idea!"
Without hesitation, the prince snatched a sword from the wall rack.
"Knew I liked you for a reason."
Shing! A sharp sword aura poured from the drawn blade, pressing down heavily on the rooms air.
"Youre nothing like those smooth-talking geezer wizards!"
"...You planning to spar right here?"
I looked around in bewilderment.
Wasnt this... his bedroom?
Was swinging swords and blasting magic in a room full of expensive furniture and decorations really okay?
"Shouldnt we move somewhere else? Like an arena..."
"Why bother? Your magic handles that."
The prince pointed the sword tip straight at me as he continued.
"Spatial alteration magic. Doesnt that let us fight anywhere?"
"...You sure its okay to use that?"
"Doesnt matter. And dont hold back. Half-assed pity pisses me off more."
The princes lips split into a grin reaching his ears.
"Cast your spells thinking youre gonna kill me."
...This guy was a total psycho.
I stuck out my tongue in disgust and asked back.
"You serious? Not jokingyou could actually die."
"Ha! Loser eats dirt, then."
The prince snorted at my words.
"You gotta stake your life to break through the wall."
No, wait...
Not to be rude, but theres zero reason for you to be desperate...
I mean, I got enlightenment mid-sandwich, right?
Forcing it never works.
Sometimes you empty your mind, cool your head, and the answer just hits you.
"If youre here with a light heart, get lost. Dont waste my time."
Of course, my inner thoughts didnt reach Prince Valerius.
Or rather...
If he dies, Ill be wanted for killing royalty and my lifes gonna suck.
"Hey! You lot too. If you dont wanna get caught in grand mage magic and die like dogs, get out now."
As I smacked my forehead in disbelief, the prince growled in a low voice.
The knights lined against the walls paled and hesitated.
"P-Prince! Even so, its too danger..."
"Shut it."
The princes wrist flicked, a flash gleamed.
Blood sprayed from the shoulder of the knight whod opened his mouth.
"Argh!"
The knight clutched his shoulder and crumpled to the floor.
"Anyone wanna try barking again?"
Prince Valerius spun the razor-sharp sword and spoke coldly.
"Anyone who opens their mouth or stays gets cut downassuming theyre ready to die."
Only then did the knights hurriedly support their injured comrade and scramble out.
They seemed all too practiced at it.
Violence from the second prince was apparently routine here.
In seconds, the room emptied.
Left were one mad dog and me, dying to leave the palace.
"...Haa."
I let out a deep sigh and slowly raised my right arm.
This lunatic wouldnt listen to reason.
Better to end it quick and bail.
The instant I snapped my fingers lightly...
The ceiling vanished, walls faded.
The once-lavish bedroom sank into darkness.
"Oh, ooh...! Yes! This scenery...!"
Countless stars began dotting the pitch-black sky above.
A starry sky enveloped the space.
"This should do it. Now then..."
I was about to suggest setting some rules when...
"...?"
In one blink...
Prince Valerius, whod been far off, was suddenly nose-to-nose, grinning wickedly.
"...!"
A mana-wreathed blade aimed precisely at my crown plummeted down.
Just before it touched...
I reflexively folded the starry sky space.
My body shifted far back as his sword sliced only afterimage.
"Knew youd dodge!"
Far from disappointed, the prince cackled wildly and reset his stance.
"This is what I expect from the mage I acknowledge! Reflexes are insane!"
"Hey, wait..."
"What was that just now? I swung accounting for blink evasion, and you still slipped away!"
"Starting a spar out of nowhere like this is kinda..."
"Whatre you on about? In a deathmatch, who needs signals?!"
The prince laughed maniacally as he closed in again.
"Survivor makes the rules and justice! Dead men tell no tales!"
Shieeeek! Whooosh!
Mana-clad sword strikes rained down like a storm.
Pure instinct and savagerya swordsmanship optimized for killing.
I folded the starry space repeatedly, deflecting the strikes every which way.
Not hard to keep dodging till he tired, but annoying for sure.
"Why just keep dodging?"
Separate from the hassle, I had no feel for power control.
Seemed about Senior Gaiuss durability level...
"Do something already! You said youd show me the scenery beyond the wall!"
The prince bellowed, spittle flying.
A beast that wouldnt communicate if you paid him.
"Ugh, such a pain."
I muttered to myself and halted mid-air.
A sigh slipped out unbidden.
Truth was, my rule nagging wasnt for meit was for him.
In a normal arena, maybe.
But the moment the starry sky unfolded in the room...
"The fights basically over."
Unless the opponent shared my view.
No, even a grand mage or swordmaster beyond the wall would struggle here.
I stared calmly at the prince charging to split my skull.
And raised my index finger, drawing a circle over the starry sky.