Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Demon Court Mage
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ian finally figured out how Kez had sweet-talked the imperial family.
"So, you used Suksak to track down the black magicians they couldn't detect?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"And then you traded it with the royals? Handing over the list of black magicians still at large?"
"Precisely."
"Heh, impressive."
Ian clicked his tongue, and Kez immediately threw himself flat on the ground.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't even realize it was Master's achievement to uncover those black magicians, and I dared to steal your credit! Please grant death to this lowly servant who arrogantly snatched your merits!"
"Steal the credit? And I already said I'm not killing you."
Ian pulled the prostrated Kez to his feet.
At this point, the guy's 'Please kill me!' pleas felt like a passive skill.
"I'm not mad. Just amazed."
"R-Really?"
"Yes."
It felt like taking a solid smack to the back of the head.
To think a mere housework homunculus could land a deal like that.
As expected from a guy with a sharp mind.
That's why he grew on Ian so much.
It was already astonishing that he'd created a housework homunculus capable of purifying magi, but to parlay that into a massive deal?
"You did great. Just keep doing what you're doing."
"G-Gasp! Such exalted praise!"
He looked ready to tear up again, so Ian shot him a glare to nip it in the bud.
"Anyway, you still have that list of nobles you haven't handed over to the royals?"
"Yes. Let me show you."
Ian took the list from Kez and his eyes went wide.
What's with all these names?
Over a dozen crammed onto a single notebook-sized sheet.
No top officials among them, but plenty from well-known families.
This could cause quite the uproar if it leaked.
Ian clicked his tongue.
The empire was rotting from the inside out.
No wonder the chaos hit later.
Mid-game, bandits and monster hordes swarming everywhere, hell gates ripping open out of nowhere.
This corruption was one of the reasons.
When everyone's neck-deep in depravity, how could imperial discipline hold?
"You handed this list over to the royals already?"
"No, not yet."
"You held it back on purpose?"
"Yes. Nothing dumber than showing all your cards. Kek."
Ian nodded. It made perfect sense.
The royals were the only ones Kez had any leverage over, and that leverage was information.
Dribbling it out just enough to keep them hooked—that was a solid strategy for holding the reins.
"Anything bothering you?"
"A bit. But it's not a big deal."
Really, it was minor.
Who the hell spread the black magic in the first place?
Who was behind this whole mess?
Obvious enough, really.
Probably some high-ranking black mage from Pandemonium.
Or a lunatic who'd snapped while practicing black magic.
Sometimes one of those Demon King fanatics would pop up, babbling about a 'divine mission' to spread black magic across the world, and stir up trouble.
Yeah, Ian had figured as much. The crown prince probably had too. Even the emperor.
But that didn't solve anything.
The real question was who.
Which bastard approached the nobles and dragged them into black magic?
Some of the executed nobles had impressive mastery—not something whipped up overnight.
We won't root this out until we nab that guy. Just pruning weeds while the root festers.
Ian needed him caught too.
Empire in chaos meant his work-life balance went straight out the window.
To fix it, rip out the root—but they couldn't even find it.
Ian had no plan, though.
Blame his half-assed game knowledge.
Should've grinded more. If I knew Pandemonium's HQ, I'd flip the place.
The regret hit, but dwelling wouldn't help.
Who plays a game for only 100 hours because they don't want to?
Work, weekend overtime—no time for gaming, just 100 hours in a year.
Still, no law saying he couldn't find it with effort.
"If there's a tough problem, tell me. I might help a little."
"Nah. This isn't for you. Focus on the merchant guild."
"If you insist, understood."
Kez bowed silently, but anxiety churned inside.
Master doesn't trust me. Fair enough. I've pulled plenty behind his back.
What if he got discarded?
I have to try harder.
Flames seemed to flicker in Kez's downcast eyes.
I'm still lacking. Must redouble efforts. Make Master satisfied! Earn more trust...!
Kez burned with resolve, but Ian was thinking something else entirely.
No choice. Time to borrow Lara's help.
No matter how hard Kez tried, some things were beyond him.
Magi was best countered by holy power, after all.
[Skill 'Homunculus Summon' used.]
The skill activated, summoning Lara.
As always, her cheeks were stuffed full, and she was munching away.
What is she eating this time?
"Mmm, so good... Hic?"
She clutched a strawberry as big as her torso, whipping it behind her protectively the moment she spotted Ian.
"N-No! This is the last one!"
"Okay, fine. Eat it."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Hee hee."
Only then did she relax, beaming as she chomped into it.
The more Ian watched, the more her gluttony stood out.
Lara, why would I steal your food?
Though that strawberry did look delicious.
She's so tiny. Makes it look apple-sized. Wait, no—those are just huge berries.
Up close, they really were plump and perfect.
How do strawberries grow that big? Eltea Mountain magic?
Rumor had it Eltea fruits were the continent's finest, and it seemed true.
"Eat slower. You'll choke."
Ian patted her back—gently, with a finger.
Pounding her tiny frame with a fist wouldn't be a pat; it'd be assault.
"Whew, delicious. Ian, did you know? Best strawberry of my life."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes! It only grows by the World Tree—a super special one. Even Edelin-sis hardly gets any... Ah!"
Lara jolted, suddenly realizing she'd been summoned.
"Oops. Ian! What'd you need?"
How tasty was it to distract her like that? World Tree berries made instant sense.
Anything grown there had to be divine.
"Got a job needing your power. Can you help?"
"Yes! Of course! Just say it!"
Ian explained the situation.
After Lara's last visit, a huge purge of black magic nobles—but new ones kept popping up.
He wanted to find the source.
"Easy! Leave it to me!"
"You sure?"
"Totally!"
"Knew we could count on our Lara."
"Hehe. Would've been tough before, but you powered me up!"
"Oh?"
The reinforcement must've worked. She sounded confident.
That was no joke—a World Tree branch infusion. Had to be potent.
"I'll scout around. Okay?"
"Do whatever. Your call."
"Yes!"
She shot into the sky the moment they stepped outside.
Fairy sparkles were always mesmerizing.
Won't flying like that draw eyes?
Unfounded worry—she was invisible.
[Lara uses skill 'Dew Cloak.']
Dew Cloak?
New skill—fairy magic, no doubt.
Sharper eyes revealed her body shimmering like translucent dew drops.
As if flying in a cloak of water droplets.
Ian only spotted it thanks to his keen senses; to normals, it'd look like random rain splatters.
Fairy magic's always so wondrous.
Invisibility via dew illusion—adorable and quaint.
Perfect for her petite size.
"Ian!"
Lara returned, panting, and perched on his shoulder.
"Any luck?"
"Yes! Found it! Hooked 'em!"
Nice one, Lara.
Perfect magi detector.
Too cute.
"Follow me!"
Ian trailed her lead.
"Rush?"
"No need. Not urgent anyway."
Meaning: target hadn't noticed her.
Otherwise, reaction guaranteed.
"There!"
"Huh?"
Ian blinked.
Unexpected spot.
"Culprit's there?"
"Yes. Positive."
Ian gaped.
Lara pointed to the palace grounds—a squat tower in the corner.
"Imperial Magic Tower? In there?"
"Didn't find it there, but saw the guy enter."
Mysterious, but Ian trusted her.
If Lara said so, it was so.
She was the 'Hidden Saintess,' after all.
He tucked Lara away and headed to the tower.
-Tell me if you see it.
-Got it! Not these folks... Ah!
Lara gasped and ducked into his pocket. Someone approached.
Good—she'd gone unnoticed.
"Oh, hello."
"Hello, Lady Siena. Doing well?"
A woman with long red hair.
Court mage Siena.
Empire's youngest—until Ian broke the record.
She made it at 26; he was 24.
"Ian, you're so hard to see lately."
"Crown prince duties."
"Isn't that too much? I courted you relentlessly, and you ignored me. Straight-up rejected."
"Pardon? No idea what you mean."
What? When did you... Oh.
Right—the letters.
Back in Management Division days, alongside Duke Ballua and Duke Kirsten, Siena had shown interest.
Ignored, since uninterested. No meetings.
She called that rejection.
Sorry. Wasn't thinking romance then.
People change.
"Lady Siena, can we talk later? I'm bu—"
-It's this one! Super strong magi! Evil vibe! Stinks!
Ian froze.
Magi? On a court mage?
-Wait, now I see! Not human!
Not human?
No way...
-Demon!
The revelation floored him, but it clicked fast.
Simple reason.
If Lara says so, it's so.
What mage-alchemist nobody gonna argue with a magi detector?
Just curious.
If demon, how hide it? Church of Light priests stationed in capital.
Magi-concealing artifact, probably.
Ian shelved it. Details irrelevant.
Another demon soulstone incoming.
"Ian? Why trail off? Bu-sy?"
"Nothing important."
"Hehe, no fun."
"Got time now. Chat?"
"Rejecting me then, chasing now?"
"Hearts change, don't they?"
"Hehe, true enough. Sure."
Ian walked with Siena toward the garden, musing.
Gonna end up with a demon soulstone collection hobby.
Already had one rolling around in inventory.
Looks like company was coming.
```