Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Finger Warning
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An assassin named Cliff, who prided himself on his skill at carving people up, received a commission.
"Injury? For real...?"
Not killing. Just injuring him.
One finger, even.
Easy peasy.
There were rumors that Uphills had beaten the blood mage Malachi, but it was still just a duel between mages.
Probably won by luck, lobbing fireballs from a distance.
No way he could still cast spells after losing a finger.
The real issue was the cleanup.
Messing with a Magic Tower mage meant an investigation, no matter who was behind it.
To avoid leaving a trail, he needed a suitable 'scapegoat'.
He asked the capital's underworld informant for the name of the most prominent mercenary group lately.
"Hans Mercenary Corps?"
He thought he'd misheard.
Was it okay to name a mercenary group that carelessly...?
Anyway, according to the informant, the 'Hans Mercenary Corps' was a new group that had suddenly appeared and was rapidly expanding.
The perfect mark.
As newcomers, they wouldn't have strict discipline yet, and their growth meant they'd be eager to recruit.
Infiltrate disguised as one of their members, take out the target, then drop a hint about the mercenary group's token. Perfect.
Assassin Cliff's plan seemed flawless.
I sat across from Hans and Marcus at the tavern.
For reference, these two had gotten to know each other after the Malachi incident.
Normally, I'd have jumped straight into the assassination talk here...
But Marcus asked about Anna's recent situation first, so we started there.
Marcus jumped in surprise at Anna's update.
"You're sending her to Magic University?"
"Yes."
"...You'd have the money for that. Of course."
"Hahaha."
Ever since the princess became my backer, I'd openly become a rich guy.
My dream of being 'rich but unknown' was shattered.
Damn...
Still, no regrets.
Without the princess, smashing that infuriating thesis would've been impossible.
I told Marcus,
"Actually, she's already taking the entrance exam. But I have no idea how to teach her magic properly."
"You're a mage, sir. Why can't you?"
To Hans's question, I just silently tipped back my glass.
My magic was different from everyone else's.
To teach it as-is, I'd have to implant a mana-powered Turing machine in their brain and force them to do physics computations.
Otherwise, no one could use magic like me.
The 'mana Turing machine' was dangerous magic that could turn you into an idiot if it failed.
Of course, right after possession, I'd developed it without knowing the risks...
Can't gamble with someone else's body.
Marcus cautiously spoke up.
"How about assigning another teacher?"
"Damn... I hate that idea."
I already couldn't teach history or art.
I didn't know that stuff.
Even natural philosophy—science—was hard to teach.
The theories on exams were full of errors.
Better to bite my tongue than teach wrong info.
And now hand over magic too? That hurt my pride.
Just coach her on the disguise and leave magic to luck...?
With her massive mana pool, she might grow fine on her own.
...Anyway, I'd mull this over more later.
I changed the subject.
"Truth is, this is the main point. I have something to ask you two."
"What is it, sir?"
"I've had some threats lately. Keep an eye out around me."
Hans's eyes gleamed.
"Winterheart family's doing?"
"Probably."
"Got it. I'll tell my guys."
Following Hans's reply, Marcus spoke up.
"I'll formally report to the guard captain too. Threat of VIP assassination."
"..."
They agreed without asking for details.
Grateful bunch.
Drinks on me tonight.
Right then.
A strange man approached our table and hesitantly spoke.
"Um... are you Captain Hans, by any chance?"
He had an ordinary-looking face.
Hans set down his beer mug and eyed the man.
"That's me. Who're you?"
The man bowed deeply, thrilled.
"I'm Jack! Truth is, my hometown suffered from a goblin den, and your mercenary corps saved us. My family survived because of you. I've admired you ever since!"
He pulled a coin pouch from his pocket and said,
"It's not much, but let me buy you drinks tonight!"
Hans stroked his chin and glanced at me.
Mind if he joins?
I looked at the man.
Around his facial contours, I saw a crude stairstep phenomenon from mana.
Pathetic disguise magic tool compared to the princess's.
I immediately sent a mental message to Hans and Marcus.
Way weaker than with Count Ludwig.
-'Seems like a disguise magic tool. Be careful.'
"Ugh."
"Cough!"
Still too strong, apparently.
Hans and Marcus grimaced hard.
...Gotta be more careful next time.
The disguised man eyed our expressions.
"Something wrong?"
I replied,
"No, no. I just stepped on your feet under the table... haha."
"...I see."
We let him join.
Had to find out his game.
As the drinks flowed, he revealed his ambition.
"Truth is, I want to be a mercenary like you, Captain—helping people! Please take me on!"
Hans and I locked eyes.
No mental message; just a look.
Let's see how far he goes.
OK, sir.
Hans laughed heartily and slapped the man's shoulder.
"Hahaha! I like you! First, the initiation test."
"...Hunt a goblin?"
"What kinda stiff talk! Nah, pass the test from our youngest here!"
"..."
What? Was I the rookie?
Whatever...
I stepped forward like I'd been waiting.
"It's our corps tradition. Chug this and hold it down, and you're family."
I expertly mixed mead and distilled liquor into a 'bomb shot'.
Then snuck magic into his glass only.
Vaporized alcohol via vacuum distillation and shifted it into his drink.
His looked the same but was now at least double-proof—a real bomb.
"Bottoms up!"
He downed it without suspicion, eyes glazing soon after.
One glass, two... I ramped up the proof in his each time.
Finally, Jack flopped over.
We dragged him to a dark, deserted alley.
"Ugh... where..."
The cold night wind seemed to sober him a bit.
I asked quietly,
"So, client Winterheart?"
"..."
His body went rigid as stone.
Before he could speak, Hans and Marcus pinned him from both sides.
"Gah! How...!"
"What's the job? My head?"
"N-no! Not kill—just 'injury'! One finger...!"
One of my fingers.
Was that it?
Not trying to kill me outright, like the family head had?
As I pondered briefly.
The assassin's eyes flashed from the ground.
His fingers twisted oddly, forming hand seals.
Not as common as incantations or magic circles, but some used seals for spells.
Instantly, my 'Memorizer' activated.
Shiiik-!
Splurt!
"Gaaargh!"
The steel marble flew, and the assassin's scream tore through the dark alley.
His ring finger, mid-seal, was now shattered.
Urp! Bleeech.
And I puked.
Bloody scenes still weren't my thing.
"Hngghk..."
He writhed on the ground, clutching his hand.
Positive spin: assassins lose ring fingers in games from past life.
I cast hemostasis magic on his spurting hand.
"So, what do we do with this guy?"
Caught him fine; disposal was the issue.
Marcus said,
"Her Highness's temperament... she'd root out the backers and dismantle Winterheart."
"Reporting first ain't bad..."
"But."
Marcus continued,
"Empire's at war now. Assassinating a 1st-class medal recipient could invoke clan execution by principle."
I was speechless.
My medal... that heavy?
Even so, clan execution was too much.
Dad and bro fucked up, sure.
Can't execute the second daughter playing dolls in her room.
"For now... lock him in the Magic Tower Annex."
Guard jail safer, but rumors would spread.
Until I checked the princess's stance on clan execution, better stay quiet.
With Hans and Marcus's help, I stashed the assassin in the annex.
Our school's spot, naturally.
Marcus asked,
"Soundproofing looks iffy here."
"Just the exterior. Inside's fine."
Whole room lined with sound-absorbing panels from the bell tower incident.
Scream all he wants; won't leak out.
Perfect cell.
No one comes here much; should stay hidden.
I then sent a letter to the princess.
[If someone tries to harm me...]
Physically wiping out Winterheart gains me nothing.
Time to change strategy.
Long-term, exploitation and oppression beat pillage and murder.
I'll show you capitalism's cruelty, Winterheart.
Princess Isolde's office.
"What the hell is this...?"
Isolde stared at Isaac's letter in confusion.
[If someone tries to harm me, what would Your Highness do?]
"Thought it'd be his next research topic..."
Instead, a question straight out of newly adult lovers.
-'What would you do if I was in danger of dying?'
Honestly, kinda childish.
Winterheart behind it?
On the surface, yeah.
But... even rotten as they were, would Winterheart be dumb enough to hit a 1st-class medalist?
Threats max; anything more is mutual destruction.
At worst, one finger. Beyond that, doom.
Or Malachi's backers surfaced?
No.
Impossible.
Valerius was handling that; no worries.
Archmage was a walking strategic weapon.
What the heck happened?
She debated showing the letter to her secretaries.
But shook her head.
Just breed weird misunderstandings...
She was aboveboard, but wartime rumors about the princess helped no one.
Isaac was her prized 'strategic partner'.
Couldn't let gossip tarnish that.
Who to consult frankly?
"So... you came to me, Your Highness?"
"Yes."
She ended up visiting the dean.
The dean pondered deeply.
Before, her visits were big deals: southern rebels, imperial criminals in free cities.
Lately, always Isaac Uphills talk.
Dean skimmed the letter and said,
"Just ask him directly. What it means."
"Truth is... I checked his lab already. Wasn't there."
"..."
Dean nodded silently.
Since Giuseppe's trip, Isaac rarely went to his lab.
Dean knew thanks to locator spell hidden in Memorize Pendant for safety.
Within limits so far; geniuses spark ideas even resting.
Moment later, princess asked,
"Any other guesses?"
"Magic Tower Annex. He rested there post-speech too."
"...How would the dean know that."
"..."
Dean just smiled.
"...Bit suspicious, but thanks for the answer."
Princess stood.
Heading to the annex first.
...And she saw it.
Her favorite subordinate had someone tied to a chair, imprisoned.
Torture marks? One finger severed.