Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Self-Destructing Curse
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A method designed to automatically erase all evidence once its purpose was fulfilled.
No matter what materials they used, it must have cost a fortune.
"It's strange. If it's a trap, it's way too elaborate, but if it's not, the security is ridiculously lax."
She fell silent for a moment after my explanation before asking,
"From my perspective, maybe you're the one who's not normal. They put real effort into this, but to you, it just looks laughable."
"No, come on. These are spells with thousands of years of history, and some self-taught guy like me breaks through them this easily? Does that even make sense?"
Even if I'd reached the pinnacle of necromancy, what I just did didn't require high-circle magic. The spell I used was a mere 2nd-circle erosion incantation.
"That's rich, coming from you—the guy who got this strong overnight—talking about 'common sense'?"
You have forged your own history alone, surpassing the legacy built by countless humans.
The system agreed, but at least that's how I saw it.
"Anyway, about that location. Do you know where it is?"
At my question, she narrowed her eyes and peered out the window I was pointing to.
"Wait, that's His Highness's bedchamber."
Her expression hardened.
"Don't tell me... the target is His Highness?"
"Well, yeah. Even at the banquet, he already showed signs of curse addiction."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"No point getting involved unnecessarily. It'd just tire us out."
She accepted my answer coolly, without further scolding.
House Cascadia had to maintain neutrality, after all.
"So, if we stop this, we can protect His Highness?"
"No, the curse is already in place. We'll have to deal with the one that's been planted."
With that, she hopped up and clung to my back.
"Let's go! We need to see His Highness."
"Fine, but why are you hitching a ride? Melissa, you seem to be under a delusion—you're heavy."
"Shut up and hurry! Big Brother!"
Only calling me "Big Brother" when she needs something.
Still, it didn't feel half bad.
It reminded me of way back when things weren't so bad between us—her happily climbing onto my back.
A cherished memory, in its own way.
The area around His Highness's bedchamber was utterly silent.
As the new Border Count of Bata Kingdom, Melissa's request for an audience was far easier than for regular nobles.
"Count Cascadia, you can't enter."
"Out of the way. I have urgent business to report to His Highness."
With a resolute face, Melissa commanded from my back.
"......"
I quietly set her down.
"Talking while you're piggybacking makes us look ridiculous."
"Ahem! Ahem!"
Once off my back, she straightened her flushed face and clothes, then addressed the guarding knights sternly again.
"This is urgent. If something happens to His Highness because of this, will you take responsibility?"
"W-Well, that is......"
"Inform him now. This directly concerns His Highness's safety."
The knight sighed at her firm demand, opened the door, and went inside.
He soon returned with a man in tow.
"Duke."
"Count Cascadia. What brings you here?"
"I have important matters to discuss, but... why are you here, Duke?"
He answered her question with silence, then led us both inside the bedchamber.
Without His Highness's permission?
Things must be serious.
Inside, we saw about a dozen men and women gathered.
Those over there were doctors.
Priests?
And mages on this side.
All of them stared at the man lying weakly in bed, gasping for breath.
"At this rate, he won't last the night. It's beyond the scope of medicine."
The doctor said, and a priest followed up.
"Healing magic is the same. It's actually worsening His Highness's condition. Just as I said, this seems to be in the realm of magic."
The priestess sighed, looking troubled.
That's when it happened.
"Lady Cascadia? Do you know where you are......?"
"She underwent the succession rite, so she's Count now, Marquis Vidar."
At Duke Berlly's words, the elderly Marquis Vidar clicked his tongue briefly.
"So, what brings Count Cascadia here?"
"I came upon realizing there's a problem with His Highness's safety. It seems all of you already knew."
Her tone was firm and icy cold, belying her gentle eyes.
The hostility toward Marquis Vidar was plain.
"A problem with His Highness's safety? This was supposed to be confidential. You act like you know all about it."
"Exactly, Father. As far as I know, House Cascadia has no mages."
Goldson Vidar.
The fool who came babbling nonsense at me while talking to Farrell at the banquet.
"And bringing a halfwit to such a critical meeting, even if he's family. You clearly don't grasp the gravity, Count."
At that, Melissa gripped my hand tightly.
"Don't. Killing him would make things worse."
Anyone would think I was some psycho who murdered at the slightest offense.
"Gah?!"
Suddenly, he clutched his head and staggered.
Melissa looked at me in shock.
Her eyes screaming, Did you do that?
I just shrugged innocently.
Yeah. I'm that psycho.
"What are you doing? His Highness is resting."
Marquis Vidar scolded Goldson instead. Goldson rolled his eyes, spotted me, and widened them.
"Ah... Father! That guy just—!"
"Do you not know how serious this gathering is? Trying to besmirch your father's name?"
Goldson stammered in panic.
"N-No, Father, that's not what I—"
"Silence."
Come on, why doesn't anyone notice? I fired it openly, not caring if I got caught.
Crack!!
"Argh!!!"
I sent another colorless, formless magic bullet at his forehead, making him scream.
"Goldson!!"
"Aaaah!! I swear it's true!"
This was fun.
Maybe she caught my barely suppressed grin.
Melissa subtly bumped her fist toward me where others couldn't see, and I returned it with mine.
No words needed—she felt the same satisfaction.
Our arrival caused a stir, but when His Highness's breathing grew ragged, everyone's faces stiffened.
I'd wondered where Farrell Berlly had gone; apparently, the king's—no, His Highness's—condition had worsened, drawing in skilled mages.
"Continue the discussion. Count Cascadia, how did you know to come here?"
Marquis Vidar seemed displeased by Melissa's presence.
"As I said, I sensed a problem with His Highness's safety and rushed here."
"You? How could a count know about this? You act like you foresaw it."
Melissa gritted her teeth and glared at Marquis Vidar.
"And even if you came, what changes? Your actions might leak this to the outside..."
"This is it."
At Melissa's signal, I handed over the curse doll I'd been holding.
I didn't explain what it was.
"You can tell at a glance it's condensed with foul energy. But I figured out it's linked to His Highness's bedchamber."
"Ha! You ignorant fools who don't know the first thing about magic—presuming to lecture us! You think you can spot it with one look?!"
Her lips curled at his shout.
"Hmm? Why not? Aren't you a great mage? My big brother spotted it right away."
She puffed out her chest proudly.
Then sneaked a glance at me with one eye.
Her personality had shifted oddly, but who cares.
The point is, I'm awesome. After all my hard work, enjoying this reaction? No harm in it.
I straightened up too.
"Ahem, my eyes are pretty sharp."
The room stared at us in disbelief.
"Coincidence, surely. I sense no mana from it. Besides, you're an Expert at best, Count Cascadia. And Leon Cascadia is just House Cascadia's halfwit..."
"Goldson Vidar."
"......"
Melissa unleashed her aura, pressing down on him.
"Call my big brother a halfwit one more time, and you'll pay dearly."
She radiated murderous intent, like she'd crush him on the spot. Goldson Vidar's face drained of color.
Unlike the desk-bound Goldson, Melissa had plenty of real combat experience.
Even if she lost to Bishiri Cascadia, she wasn't weak.
Snap!!
"Enough. Count Cascadia, stand down. This is before His Highness."
Duke Berlly slashed the air with his hand, forcibly cutting the tension, and barked coldly.
"One more pointless argument, and my sword won't forgive you. Check it, Marquis Vidar."
"Hold on."
He examined the stone doll from me closely.
Farrell and Goldson Vidar peered at it too.
"It does seem correct."
Farrell started.
"But I can't quite grasp what it is exactly or how to handle it."
He looked to Marquis Vidar, his son, and Royal Mage Count Bardal for opinions.
"Ahem... I-I need to examine it more. With proper equipment..."
Count Bardal raised the white flag.
Wait, why don't they know?
I was a bit puzzled, myself.
It was elaborate enough, but the security was awful.
Even a 5th-circle necromancer—let alone me at the pinnacle—could've analyzed the structure in no time.
As I hid my confusion, Melissa whispered,
"Hey, you said it was easy. Why don't they get it?"
"Beats me. It really is simple—why don't they see it?"
Meanwhile, the Vidars stared silently at the doll.
"Ahem..."
They looked troubled.
Melissa went on the offensive.
"Why so quiet, Marquis Vidar?"
"Wait!!"
He irritably stroked his beard.
"I need to look closer. You think magic is as simple as swinging a sword?!"
Marquis Vidar was infamous in the kingdom for scorning swords and revering magic.
But his face was full of bewilderment.
Obvious he had no clue, but admitting it would bruise his pride as royal head mage.
His son Goldson looked the same.