Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Owner of the Empty Seat (1)
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Siegfried rested his elbow on his crossed leg and propped his chin, his face lost in thought for a moment.
He had finally revealed his identity, but there was no reaction whatsoever, leaving him feeling embarrassed.
Telling someone deep in serious contemplation how to react would be ridiculous anyway.
A silence fell—not too short, not too long.
Jamie strained to hear the ticking of the second hand while staring only at the hospital ceiling.
He still couldn't move, so there was nothing else in his field of view.
After some time had passed like that, Siegfried lifted his head.
"Young Master. I've given it some thought."
"And what did you conclude?"
What exactly had he been pondering so deeply?
Was he about to say something like, 'Being with a black sorcerer after all... feels a bit off'?
If so, Jamie would be facing the gallows without exception.
He couldn't flee in this condition, and even if he could, instant execution might await in the magic world teeming with grand mages.
In that tense moment, Jamie swallowed dryly and awaited Siegfried's next words.
Finally, Siegfried spoke.
"......Who is Diablo Volpir?"
Siegfried asked with one eye squinted, his expression one of complete bewilderment.
"Ah."
Jamie had forgotten.
No one in the current world knew of Diablo Volpir's existence.
Even if anyone did, it would only be the 12 Gods or his subordinates who had somehow survived.
He had met a few who knew his identity recently, so he'd gotten confused.
"Black sorcerer. Yes, I understand that much. I saw it with my own eyes. But...... a reincarnated Diablo Volpir? Setting aside who Diablo Volpir is for now, are you saying you're a reincarnator, Young Master?"
To Siegfried, who Diablo Volpir was didn't matter.
Reincarnation.
He'd only heard of it in storybooks.
Of course, he had heard of people claiming to be reincarnators, but none of those who proclaimed themselves as such were mentally sound.
Jamie Welton claimed to be one himself.
'What nonsense.'
The world was full of unbelievable things even when seen with one's own eyes, but reincarnation was dismissed outright as a joke.
'But looking at Young Master Jamie......'
The descriptor that clung to Jamie Welton: 'the greatest talent.'
True to that, Jamie had become a grand mage at just eight years old.
And it wasn't just magic.
His swordsmanship was innate as well, and the mature demeanor he occasionally showed made it hard to dismiss him as merely a child.
Still, if he thought positively, it was all plausibly possible.
What had shocked Siegfried most about Jamie was how nonchalantly he killed people.
Even if they deserved death, for an eight-year-old child to kill so easily... If he had shown innocent innocence instead, Siegfried might have pegged him as a psychopath.
'Young Master Jamie felt no particular emotion when killing.'
As a battle mage, Siegfried had seen many battlefields, and he still vividly remembered his first kill.
After killing someone for the first time, guilt aside, a surge of intense excitement courses through the body, blood pounding, hands and feet trembling uncontrollably.
In simple terms, staying calm is impossible.
Those who remain calm after killing are typically one of two: psychopaths or those with extensive killing experience.
In Siegfried's eyes, Jamie clearly fell into the latter category. That made the boy even harder to comprehend.
'If he's a reincarnator, it all fits perfectly.'
The talent, the black magic, the demeanor right after killing.
Siegfried had sensed much incongruity watching Jamie.
He just hadn't shown it outwardly.
If Jamie was a reincarnator, everything clicked into place.
But he couldn't accept it easily.
Reincarnation? No matter how he thought about it, it was utterly absurd.
Jamie spoke to such a Siegfried.
"I understand. Suddenly claiming to be a reincarnator...... I'd find it hard to believe too."
"......"
"But the story I'm about to tell is far more unrealistic than mere reincarnation."
"A story from your previous life?"
"Yes. About the life Diablo Volpir lived and how he ended up here."
Jamie rolled only his eyes to look at Siegfried.
"I'm in no state to show you directly, so please read my memories yourself."
"Young Master."
"You know it too, Elder. The only way to resolve those doubts is to look into my memories directly."
Now that his black magic was exposed, reincarnation wasn't such a crucial secret anymore.
At this point, revealing everything honestly would be best for both of them.
'Siegfried is a talent I can't afford to lose.'
Jamie had thought so from the start.
Siegfried's potential was top-tier, even counting his past life.
If he could make such a person an ally, it would greatly aid the future war against the 12 Gods.
'The problem is not knowing how he'll react after reading my memories......'
That was a matter to leave to fate.
Fortunately, Siegfried followed none of the 12 Gods. Whether he'd join a black magic user like him was uncertain, but he wasn't the type to betray.
'Or maybe that's just what I want to believe.'
Jamie closed his eyes.
The die had been cast; the choice was Siegfried's.
"Since you've said that much, I won't hold back."
Siegfried placed his hand on Jamie's forehead as he spoke.
"I'm ready."
"Here we go."
At the word ready, Siegfried nodded and infused mana.
His mind unfolded into a very ancient world, from before countless civilizations had sunk away.
"Has he woken up?"
"Who knows."
"I hope he wakes up soon."
"Yeah."
"......"
"......"
Anne and Lennon were on their way to visit Jamie in the hospital.
They hadn't planned to go together, but they happened to bump into each other en route.
Without the common ground of 'Jamie', their relationship was still awkward, so after exchanging a word or two, silence descended.
Lennon awkwardly looked around at the opposite side of the street.
Even after that incident three days ago, people walked the streets with peaceful faces.
'Demons did appear, but the magic world suffered no major damage.'
The battle with the demons had taken place in a forest a bit away from the magic world, and there weren't many severe cases of Apophis poisoning, so cleanup was proceeding quickly.
However, Phoenix Academy had taken damage, entering a temporary suspension of classes for the time being.
That was why Anne and Lennon could head out early in casual clothes.
"The sun's a bit hot."
"It's April."
Winter was fully gone, and spring was in full bloom.
Nights were still chilly, but the warmth under the daytime sun felt good.
Stepping into the shade brought coolness, which was nice in its own way.
"Master's teaching assistant duties ended yesterday, apparently."
"Doesn't matter to us, right? He accepted us as formal disciples."
"True."
Still, not seeing him at the academy felt a bit regrettable.
Though regaining consciousness came first.
"That day, you asked the 8th Elder to save Master, didn't you?"
"......How did you know?"
"Overheard it somehow."
Anne smiled brightly as she spoke, and Lennon flushed with embarrassment, turning his head away again.
'Actually, the 8th Elder told me himself.'
The day before yesterday, 8th Elder Simon Count had visited Anne directly.
She had been inside Gremia at the time and knew nothing of the outside situation.
Through the 8th Elder, she learned what had happened so far and what had befallen Master Jamie.
She also learned of Lennon's exploits then.
"Heh, I went through all that trouble to get in, and if something happened to Master before I could learn everything, it'd be a problem for me. S-So I asked my father."
"Hmm~ I see."
"What's with that hum! It's true!"
"Sure, sure. Whatever."
"It's not whatever—it's really for my own sake......!"
Anne ignored him with a hum through her nose, while Lennon broke into a cold sweat, gesturing wildly to convince her.
Chatting away without realizing the awkwardness, the two soon arrived at the hospital.
"We're here."
"It's true, I'm selfish and only care about myself......"
"Got it, got it. Why make yourself out to be a fool over something like that?"
"......"
Drained by her words, Lennon's shoulders slumped.
Anne patted his shoulder and took the lead.
"I won't tell Master, so trust your big sis here."
"Who's my big sis?"
"Want me to say it outright? Wonder what reaction Master would have. 'As expected of my disciple Lennon! You're the only one for me!' Something like that?"
Anne mimicked Jamie's voice, turning Lennon's face beet red.
Her acting was spot-on; only the voice was feminine, but it sounded just like the real Jamie.
He mumbled in a shrinking voice.
"Shut up...... Lead the way."
"You've got some cute sides too, huh?"
"I said shut up! Lead the way!"
"Who's yelling in front of the hospital?"
As Lennon shouted back!, a familiar male voice came from behind.
Lennon whipped around, sweating bullets. There stood his very familiar yet still terrifying father, Simon.
Anne spotted him first and bowed in greeting.
"Hello, 8th Elder."
"Good to see you. But it seems my son isn't pleased to see his father."
"H-Have you been well, Father?"
"Hmph. Don't use words that don't suit you."
"Yes."
With Simon's appearance, the rowdy Lennon folded like paper.
Anne covered her mouth and giggled at the sight.
Lennon glared at her, but with his father present, he couldn't utter a word.
Simon smirked at his son and took the lead.
"You're both here to visit Jamie?"
"Yes."
"......Yes."
"Lennon. No energy in your voice."
"Yes!"
"Pfft!"
Lennon glared at Anne laughing beside him. But he could only glare, saying nothing.
Simon Count knew the situation behind him but pretended ignorance and continued.
"Let's go together. Not sure if Jamie's regained consciousness yet."
"I hope he's awake."
"Me too."
"......"
"My son isn't concerned for his master's well-being?"
"N-No, of course I hope Master wakes up too. I just became his disciple...... There's so much I want to learn from him."
Lennon truly felt that way.
At first, he had only seen Jamie as an object of fear, but after entering the academy, Jamie became an object of admiration.
And though he hadn't told anyone, hearing of his heroic exploits this time had captivated him completely.
It wasn't just Lennon, either.
Anne had shed tears upon hearing of Jamie's feats.
Tears of sorrow for her master's injury and tears of respect for how coolly he had repelled the demons.
'Our master is.'
'The coolest man ever.'
Anne and Lennon's personalities differed greatly, but at this moment, they shared the same thought.
Simon raised the corner of his mouth watching the children.
"Let's head up."
Jamie's room was on the third floor.
As the three started up the stairs, the attending physician approached.
"8th Elder."
"Ah, Doctor. Here to visit Jamie."
"Perfect timing. Teacher Jamie has regained consciousness."
"Really?!"
"Really?!"
The two children reacted before Simon.
"Master's really awake?"
"How's his condition? Is his mind clear?"
The doctor backed away in alarm at the children closing in menacingly.
"O-One at a time, slowly."
"No issues with his body, right?"
"No hindrance to casting magic......"
"Enough, both of you."
As the doctor was cornered beyond endurance, Simon grabbed the children's collars and lifted them.
Held dangling in midair, they exchanged a glance, snapped to their senses, and apologized to the doctor.
"Sorry."
"Got too excited without thinking."
Simon set them down after confirming they had calmed.
The doctor sighed in relief and thanked Simon.
"You saved me."
"Whatever. Can we go up?"
"Elder Siegfried arrived first. They seem to be having an important discussion."
Simon had a rough idea what the two were discussing.
It had to be about the black magic he'd witnessed that day.
He placed a hand on each of Anne and Lennon's heads.
"You two wait a bit before coming up."
"Is it something we can't hear?"
"Not yet."
Anne nodded without complaint at not yet—it meant he'd tell them later.
No reason to press.
Lennon regretted not entering right away but had to obey his gravely serious father.
"We'll wait here."
"Good children. It won't take long."
If Siegfried was there, the discussion had likely progressed substantially.
A brief summary would suffice.
The details could wait until things settled.
Simon left the children and ascended to the third floor, telling the doctor,
"Don't contact the other elders yet."
"Understood."
Unsure of the reason, the doctor judged it beyond his purview.
He turned to the dazed children staring up the stairs.
"Want some candy?"
Grape-flavored candy is the best.