Chapter 4

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 4

Chapter Title: Red-Grade Intruder

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As on any other day, it was a peaceful afternoon. Against the backdrop of the sunset streaming through the window, Bren, Deputy Director of the Imperial Magic Bureau's Magic Management Division, furrowed his brow while reviewing the mountain of reports piled up on his desk.

There was one report that stood out from the rest.

'Emergency report?'

Emergency reports were written in special magical ink, which carried mana proportional to the importance of the contents. The mana emanating from this one was quite vivid. At the very least, it wasn't trivial.

Bren promptly pulled out the report and read it, narrowing his eyes.

'Red grade, huh.'

Red grade—meaning crimson rank. If the estimated mana grade was that high, it was a monster that couldn't be ignored.

It was just one step below the highest danger level, Black grade.

Bren immediately summoned the subordinate who had submitted the report.

"You called for me?"

"Do you know any more details about this emergency report?"

"I only received it from the field agents, so I don't know the full story, but there was one unusual thing."

"Unusual?"

"Yes. The reactions from the villagers near the border were strange."

"Strange how... exactly?"

"They were oddly favorable toward that unidentified monster."

"What?"

Bren's brow twisted at the absurd claim.

"What nonsense is that? People being favorable toward a monster?"

"Yes. It was as if they saw it as an ally. Otherwise, why would they go to such lengths to hide it?"

"Hide it?"

"Yes. That's definitely what it looked like to me."

"Hah."

Bren let out a hollow laugh. What on earth was this? It didn't make any sense logically.

Monsters were humanity's enemies. Monsters had slaughtered countless humans, and humans had exterminated monsters in return. That was the history they'd written, uncountable times over.

Naturally, no human would ever protect a monster.

That was the norm—yet here were humans protecting a monster? Hiding it?

"Could they all have been enchanted by something as a group?"

"W-Well, I'm not sure."

No matter how he thought about it, it defied common sense. Unless they'd been collectively enchanted, this shouldn't happen.

"Oh, right. Some of them were even revering it like a god."

"A god?"

"Yes. There were definitely people calling it a divine spirit or something. I just remembered."

"Then it's confirmed."

Bren crossed his arms, nodding gravely with a serious expression.

Enchanted. They were enchanted. By the monster.

No, the monster probably hadn't enchanted them itself. Unless it was a demon-level being, how could a mere monster charm humans?

Monsters couldn't do that. But there were certainly those who could use monsters to charm people.

'Or maybe it's not a mere monster.'

"It might be a demon, not a monster."

"Pardon?"

"But that's highly unlikely, so we can set that aside for now."

Bren rested his arms on the desk, lost in thought. Several possibilities came to mind, but only one seemed plausible.

"Black mage."

"Pardon?"

"Those filthy minions of evil must be stirring again. What do you think?"

"Uh?"

His subordinate's face paled at the mention of black mages.

"Now that you mention it, Deputy Director, that could be it!"

"Good. So what should we do?"

"Uh, investigate, I suppose?"

"Exactly. Summon Senior Investigator Ian right now."

"Yes, sir!"

The subordinate withdrew.

He returned about five minutes later.

"Why ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠are you alone? Where's Senior Investigator Ian?"

"W-Well... he's gone."

"Gone? Where?"

"Home."

"What?"

Bren's expression turned baffled.

Home? Had quitting time already come? No way...

"Damn it. It's quitting time."

Bren rubbed his forehead. Time had slipped by like that. Why did everything have to align so poorly?

"Catch him right now."

"Pardon? But Senior Investigator has already clocked out..."

"He couldn't have gone far. Run and you'll catch him. Hurry!"

"Yes, sir!"

"He probably won't come easily. If he resists, tell him I'll grant him a reward vacation. Then he'll follow quietly."

"Got it!"

Bren sighed deeply as he watched his subordinate dash out.

'At this rate, I won't live to see my full lifespan.'

Ian's condition was at its absolute peak today.

He'd slept like a rock, and there was hardly any work. Well, his job was mostly goofing off anyway, but today was especially light.

Thanks to that, he'd killed time leisurely and was heading home right on the dot.

'It ended early, so I'm in a good mood. Might grab some food on the way. Stuff my face, then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dive into alchemy.'

Ian reflected on himself as he headed to the market instead of straight home, as usual.

Why had he thought that way? Why had he been so complacent?

'Screw the food. I should've just gone straight home!'

He should've bolted home!

Ah, why had he done that? Really, why?

If he could rewind to thirty minutes ago, he'd never set foot toward the market. He'd stare straight ahead at home and charge there doggedly...

"Ian. Are you even listening to me?"

"Uh, yes?"

Ian's reverie shattered. He looked ahead. In the Deputy Director's office, Bren sat in his chair, glaring up at him with narrowed eyes.

"...You weren't listening."

"No, I was."

"What did I say?"

"To deploy."

"Where?"

"Alcanis?"

"It's Alcaras, not Alcanis. You weren't even half-listening."

"Come on, Alcanis or Alcaras, same difference. You got the point across."

"Alcanis is a city in the western Empire, and Alcaras is on the eastern border. Thanks to not paying attention, you nearly got sent to the wrong place for your mission."

Ian scratched his head sheepishly. He'd been caught.

"Fine. Tell me in your own words. Where are you deploying, and what's your mission?"

"Deploy to Alcaras and investigate some unidentified monster that's Red-grade or whatever?"

"And?"

"If it's really dangerous, die? Oh, and check for any shady groups too."

"Yes, exactly. Good thing you got it."

Bren sighed in relief. Ian seemed to understand. No one knew better than Bren that despite Ian's slippery attitude, the guy was uncannily competent at his job.

Otherwise, why tolerate his antics every day?

"Ian. You're a Senior Magic Investigator for the Imperial Magic Bureau's Magic Management Division. You know what that entails, right?"

"Of course. Investigating all matters related to magic and the world's mysteries. Protecting the Empire from unknown threats and safeguarding the people."

Bren nodded as the textbook-perfect answer flowed from Ian's mouth.

"Right. You know it well. Magic Investigators bear heavy responsibilities. The Empire's peace rests on your shoulders—it's no exaggeration. Understand?"

"I get it, but aren't you laying it on a bit thick?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying: feel the pressure. You need to."

Ian rolled his eyes. Bren shrugged.

"If you get it, deploy. Oh, and don't dawdle. Red grade means it's urgent."

"Ah, I don't wanna go."

"What?"

"No, I mean, I'll head out right away. Yeah, I wanna go. Sounds fun. Wow! Exciting business trip!"

Ian withdrew promptly. Bren sighed deeply.

Watching that slippery Ian day in and day out, he really felt like he might not live to a ripe old age.

Ian's official title was 'Senior Magic Investigator of the Imperial Magic Bureau's Magic Management Division.'

Magic Investigators literally investigated everything magic-related, but despite the grandiose name, Ian saw it as little more than cleanup crew work.

Because missions only came after some massive incident blew up.

Magic accidents and anomalies didn't appear unless something happened.

That was why Ian had volunteered for the Magic Management Division's Magic Investigator role, which everyone avoided.

No incidents meant no work—basically paid lounging until clock-out every day.

But conversely?

When incidents hit, work piled up. Hellishly difficult missions, too.

'It gets doggedly busy. Or doggedly tough.'

This was exactly that situation.

'No, Red grade? What the hell is this?'

It was utterly ridiculous. Red grade meant seriously dangerous. Normally, you'd send an extermination squad or elite knights to deal with it.

And they wanted him—what?—to investigate alone? No backup?

'Deputy Director, I think you're mistaken. I'm only 24. Fourth year on the job.'

Sure, his rank was high for a fourth-year, but still a rookie.

Handing a Red grade to greenhorn like him!

"This damn Empire really is short on talent. Assigning a rookie like me."

Ah, what a lamentable state.

The Empire's future looked so bleak!

'Ah, wanna go home. The world outside the covers is dangerous.'

Craved some alchemy. He'd planned to finish one research today.

'But he promised vacation.'

A whole week, no less.

Talk about a steal!

'Alchemy, you're dead. Gonna grind you for a week straight.'

With renewed resolve, Ian used a warp portal to head to his destination, Alcaras. Someone was waiting: the local lord, Count Acra, who governed Alcaras.

"Took you long enough! I've been waiting!"

"Thank you for the welcome. Um, where exactly is this unidentified monster...?"

"Straight to business the moment you arrive? Come along first. I was getting hungry anyway—gotta fill the belly!"

With the count's help, Ian got a room and a decent meal. As they sipped tea afterward, Count Acra asked,

"Young Ian. Is the Senior Investigator not coming?"

"Pardon?"

"I heard a Senior Investigator was dispatched, so I'm wondering why he's not here."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"I am the Senior Investigator."

"W-What?"

"I'm the one assigned."

Count Acra's eyes went wide.

"I-I had no idea! Sorry! I didn't realize..."

The flustered count.

Ian chuckled inwardly at the sight. His speech had changed upon learning Ian was a Senior Investigator.

'Thought I was a regular one, huh.'

That made sense. He was young, after all.

As far as Ian knew, he was the youngest Senior Investigator in imperial history. Even the quickest promotions hit late thirties—he was only twenty-four. No wonder the misunderstanding.

"It's fine. Happens."

"No offense intended. You just look so young, Investigator Ian."

"Don't sweat it. And yeah, I'm young. Twenty-four."

"W-What? Really?"

"Yep. Speak freely."

"I couldn't. How could I? Hmm. Wait. Then you're that Investigator Ian from the rumors. The genius who graduated top of the Imperial Magic Academy. The youngest Senior Investigator in imperial history..."

Muttering to himself, Count Acra suddenly grabbed Ian's hand tightly.

"If you're the man from the rumors, no need to worry! Haha! Pleased to meet you! Now I can finally sleep soundly!"

Ian subtly pulled his hand away, finding the count overwhelming. He had no hobby of holding men's hands.

"Can we talk business now?"

"Absolutely. Fire away—ask anything!"

"What exactly is this unidentified monster? No, what does it look like? Let's start there."

Ian had been dying to know, since no description had come through.

You needed to know the type to plan countermeasures.

Bipedal? Quadrupedal? Flying?

Size? Destructive power? Mana capacity? Etc.

"Tell me how strong it is to warrant a Red grade."

"Ah, well... It's vague. Everyone describes it differently."

"So I have to check it out myself."

Ian rubbed his forehead. This would be a pain. Probably starting from the ground up.

"Understood. I'll handle it my..."

"Ah, there's a wanted poster! They sketched its appearance there! Hold on!"

Count Acra left briefly and returned with a thick sheet of paper. A wanted poster.

"Here! This is it. Not certain, but the general look matches!"

"Hmm. This."

"Shocking, right? My knights say so too. The burliest monster they've ever seen."

"This is really it?"

"Yes!"

Ian rubbed his forehead.

The montage-style sketch on the poster looked exactly like something he knew.

'Isn't this a golem?'

A golem.

But not all golems looked the same.

This one matched his golem perfectly.

'Wait... this looks just like Ddol Ddoli?'

Ian pulled up the notifications he'd ignored.

Alerts poured in.

'Ddoli. Is that you? No way you're nearby, right?'

Ian chuckled. No chance.

Ddol Ddoli should be in the Valpuram Mountains. Not here...

'Hold on. Rock Mountain Troll?'

Ian rubbed his forehead.

Thinking it over, there were no Rock Mountain Trolls in the Valpuram Mountains.