Chapter 15
Chapter 15
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Refusal - 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Mage realized that her actions had been riddled with problems.
If he had simply been some nameless porter, her behavior would have been efficient and perfectly reasonable.
But foolishly, she had misjudged her opponent.
There are actions that might be fine with friends or commoners but constitute grave breaches of etiquette with nobility.
The key issue wasn't why she had acted that way, but why she hadn't known better.
"You're insane, Pashier. For a Mage to have such impoverished imagination..."
She had thought to handle every possible situation. But joining the Hero's party to slay the Demon King was an experience even she had never had before.
Naturally, worrying about manners toward an unknown person took a backseat to fretting over the monsters that could snatch her life away at any moment.
"Here... this part might have made him feel insulted. And my words... they were reckless."
In Pashier's view, most of her mistakes were extenuating circumstances. She knew the full context, after all, so it was only natural.
But Elenor's, Nerwen's, and Celia's blunders went beyond even her imagination.
"This is bad."
For someone chosen as the Hero to feel such humiliation, and yet nothing had happened so far—it was a miracle.
But this wasn't the kind of incident where she could just say, "You messed up, so you pay the price alone."
Responsibility was shared by all. When the Hero grew furious at this world, she doubted they would nitpick over individual faults.
"If only I could at least meet and talk it out, I'd feel a bit better..."
The "relief" she spoke of wasn't about improving the situation. It was more like clearly recognizing that the end was near and tidying up her life.
"But I have no idea when I might even get to meet him..."
Unfortunately, she was a relatively sensible person. She recognized her own wrongdoing.
So, she tried the sensible route to meet him. Send a messenger to check if he was willing, arrange a reception, and hold a quiet, calm meeting. It was the basic posture of an underling toward someone important.
"Rumors say Celia and Nerwen have even met the real Hero occasionally..."
Her common sense didn't include scenarios like the Saintess stalking Enel at his favorite library or the Archer charging at him in the streets.
She could only conclude that the other women had been granted meetings while her request alone was refused.
"N-No way... Does he hold even more anger toward me than toward those lunatics? Is that it...?"
Pashier couldn't hide her sense of injustice.
She admitted she had been harsh. Handing off menial tasks like retrieving magic tools or running errands to the Hero— it was a capital offense worthy of instant execution.
Being summoned from another world, it was natural for him to lack common sense here. She conceded that she had overly criticized his ignorance.
Still, couldn't she say she was at least a little better than the others?
Compared to Nerwen picking fights with elven dignity in front of the true Hero, or Celia tormenting him in the name of God at every turn.
Even a prisoner headed to execution for their crimes feels indignant seeing a greater offender walk free right beside them.
"Still, all I can do for now is wait..."
Utterly unaware of the circumstances, Pashier clicked her tongue and waited indefinitely for his response.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Another message from the Tower Master has arrived."
One of the guards reported, voice trembling slightly.
"S-So many refusals of her requests... won't we incur her wrath?"
"As I said, I have no intention of meeting her."
If she had something to say, she could have done it before we parted ways.
The moment they entered the imperial city, they all vanished somewhere, claiming urgent business.
It was regrettable not to have time to sort out feelings, but I wanted to be free of them as soon as possible too, so I didn't dwell on it.
But now, what good would mending ties do?
I was leaving, and the Demon King subjugation was already over.
Unless I had betrayed the party at a crucial moment or sided with the Demon King causing trouble, I hadn't done anything wrong.
"Besides, it's only been two refusals."
"Pardon? It's been five... Ah, did the maid not tell you?"
"I only heard about one. I'd refuse either way, no matter how many times."
The guard paled and shouted.
"The maid ignored the Grand Mage's requests? She must be punished!"
"Is that necessary?"
"Disaster could strike your barony! You might turn into a frog one day! Haven't you heard the rumors about Witch Pashier?"
"Ah, so that's her image..."
For some reason, traveling with her had taught me the tiniest bit about magic.
Magic isn't like that. It's more incomprehensible, more cruel, more unfathomable.
"It won't come to that."
It's not impossible. Turning someone into a frog is trivial compared to a Mage's abilities.
But it costs something. She was the type to ruthlessly distinguish between necessary and unnecessary.
She wouldn't waste resources on me, someone about to leave. Transforming a person into a frog isn't impossible, but it's a forbidden art harder than killing outright.
And Pashier wouldn't use such a horrific, costly spell even in a life-or-death pinch.
"B-Baron! Big trouble!"
The door slammed open as the maid rushed in.
"Th-The Princess is looking for you!"
"What?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Other guests' requests could be blocked by the maids or guards with a simple refusal. But not hers.
A loyal retainer or mighty knight could assert refusal even before a Mage and chase away an uninvited elf.
But against the Empire itself—the imperial family—no resistance was possible.
In the end, refusing her fell to me.
The maid hurriedly summoned staff to prepare teacups and refreshments.
I sat, pondering how to refuse her so the Hero would never seek me out again.
Moments later, the Hero entered my room in light formal attire.
Our eyes met, and instinctively, my entire body shuddered. Every muscle tensed taut.
"Long time no see, Enel. First since the Demon King was defeated."
Her face was cold and expressionless. That was her usual look.
Not that she lacked emotions. Fitting her title, she was passionate.
She shared bonds with comrades, smiled quietly at praise.
In battle, she charged foes with roars, her cool facade like a mask shed.
But all those expressions I saw were just "peeks."
Toward me, she was always this blank.
"Why did you summon me?"
"I have matters to discuss about the future. But first, forgive my abrupt visit. Do you need anything?"
She'd used casual speech during the Demon King hunt, yet now treated me like someone important with formal tones. It grated.
"Since when have we... Get to the point."
I gave a wry smile alone. She maintained her blank face, as if nothing had happened.
"Baron Leodrín is right. Between those who need no rhetorical flourishes, it's the greatest waste of time."
Even dull me could see it now.
At most, the Saintess might spend time apologizing to me.
A Mage wasting time to meet me? Absurd. A letter alone was suspicious.
Even ten minutes with someone like me would make her demand the time back in hysterics.
The elf's actions were bizarre in themselves—not framing me, just eccentric.
And with the Emperor and Hero approaching like this...
Something was up.
People wanted something from me. Something I had to give now.
It unnerved me. I'd love to return to Earth quietly, but this atmosphere screamed interference at a critical moment.
I couldn't just wait passively. I had to actively uncover what they wanted.
Unless I ripped it from my body and dumped it in some mountain, they wouldn't let me go.
To hide my gaze, I took a full sip of tea, focusing on the Hero's mouth.
With me, she showed more knight than princess, but this capable woman wouldn't be inept at scheming.
She wouldn't spill easily. Likely roundabout words or sweet lies hiding truth.
She could say anything to a porter, but now she faced Baron Leodrín.
But I held the knife now. The initiative was mine.
If I grasped what she wanted, my return home wouldn't be hindered...
"To get to the point—you will propose to me soon."
Mulling her words, I felt something roil inside and exhaled roughly.
Regrettably, my mouth still held tea.