Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Jewel in the Palm
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Berddin spun around in place, hugging the griffin with a radiant smile unlike any he'd shown before.
"Long time no see, Grigori!"
The griffin smiled with its eyes and danced happily alongside him.
"Kieeeeek!"
They were meeting for the first time today, yet they rejoiced as if reuniting with a long-lost best friend, unable to hide their delight.
"How've you been?"
"Kieeeeek!"
"Yeah, I've been good too. You have no idea how much I prayed to see you again."
"Kieek!"
"What? You thought the world was falling apart after I vanished? I felt the same without you."
Brunhilt glared sharply at them both in turn, then licked her paw while muttering to herself.
"That's too much."
Siegfried tilted his head, digging into his nostril with his pinky finger.
"What is?"
"Berddin has never once greeted me that warmly, nya."
"Isn't it because you don't wear panties?"
"Even after I translated all those magic tomes we stole from Glazer into human language this time. He didn't even say thanks once, nya."
"Then try wearing red panties this time. That guy's got weird tastes—he'll go crazy for it."
"After all the effort I've put in for Berddin up till now... I'd love it if he hugged me and spun me around like that too..."
"Or maybe something flashier, like gold panties—"
Whoosh!
Brunhilt reverted to her human form and slammed her fist into Siegfried's jaw.
Thwack!
"Get lost, you perverted old bastard!"
Berddin, mid-conversation with the griffin, jumped in surprise and asked Brunhilt,
"What happened?"
"Oh, nothing. It's nothing."
Berddin truly believed it was nothing and turned back. Brunhilt felt a mix of relief and frustration at his reaction, so she sidled up and asked about the griffin.
"This guy's a divine beast you can't just find anywhere. How do you know him?"
"An old friend."
"An old friend?"
"Yes."
Berddin realized his slip.
Wouldn't saying that give away his secret to Brunhilt? With her vast knowledge, piecing it together would be child's play.
But Brunhilt just nodded as if accepting it with a simple "Hmm."
"I see."
She didn't seem to dwell on it, apparently uninterested. Berddin read her mood instantly.
"By the way, how do you know about divine beasts, Lady Brunhilt?"
"I raised one too."
"A divine beast?"
"Yeah, though not as cute as a griffin. Still, it was a pretty good friend."
"I see."
"...Berddin."
"Yes?"
"Want me to teach you some magic?"
"Later. I have something to discuss with the griffin right now."
"When later?"
"In a bit."
"When's 'in a bit'? I want to teach you now."
Brunhilt's eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky as she asked.
Berddin tilted his head, unable to read her intent.
As he stood silently without responding, Brunhilt suddenly made a goofy face and raised her voice.
"Come on, on a whim! If you learn it right now, I'll teach you a secret spell as a special treat!"
"Lady Brunhilt."
"Yes?"
"I'll talk after I'm done with the griffin. Just wait a moment."
"Oh, uh, okay..."
The conversation ended.
Brunhilt trudged over and sat by the window. Staring at the forget-me-nots in view, she muttered softly.
"Damn griffin bastard. Berddin is my disciple."
Siegfried poked his face toward Brunhilt with a serious expression.
"You gotta understand. Berddin's been like that since he was a kid. He's selfish as hell. Total scumbag."
"......"
"Anyway, Brunhilt, I've got something urgent. Mind if I ask one favor?"
Brunhilt turned to look at Siegfried.
"What?"
"It's no big deal."
"What is it?"
"...I'm just really curious. Can I check if you're really going commando, just once?"
Boom!
An explosion rocked Berddin's room. Valentine, passing by in the hallway, jumped and rushed to his door.
Thud.
"What happened?"
Berddin's room looked like a mage had passed through—it was entirely encased in ice.
"A mage?"
Berddin shook his head and replied,
"Ah... no, Sister. My griffin couldn't control its power, that's all."
Berddin shot a glare at Brunhilt, who had turned into a cat.
"The divine beast?"
She glanced at the griffin and soon smiled faintly.
"So griffins can use magic too."
"Yes, a little. They live off mana, after all."
"They eat mana?"
"Yes."
Berddin paused as if thinking, then nodded slightly and answered.
"I read about it when we visited the Louisnes Academy library this time."
"Oh? So there was info on griffins there."
"Yes. Even how to find one."
Valentine approached and stroked the griffin's head.
"It uses magic and consumes mana. Perfect timing—we got just the power we needed."
"Exactly."
"It's almost like someone foresaw all this and planned it."
She smiled with her eyes and continued.
"By the way, Berddin, you really love pets, don't you?"
"Pets?"
"Yeah. Not just birds and cats, but three dogs in your room too."
Her gaze shifted to the three knights sitting quietly in the corner.
Bichon, Chihuahua, Collie.
They hung their heads in terror.
"Ah... no, they're not pets. They're knights from the west—"
Bichon shot up and approached Valentine. He bowed deeply, nearly touching the ground, and spoke in a clear tenor.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Valentine. I'm Bichon, escort knight to Baron Gerard from the western continent, the kingdom of Aruk."
"There's a beastkin village in the west?"
"Pardon? Ah, no, we're not beastkin."
"Not beastkin?"
"No. All three of us are just humans."
Chihuahua and Collie joined him, greeting her with noble poise.
"I'm Chihuahua."
"I'm Collie."
Valentine wore a perplexed expression unlike any she'd shown since birth.
I stepped in before the misunderstanding deepened and explained about them.
How Rothschild had turned Baron Gerard's territory upside down, and what happened in Legion afterward.
Also, how Glazer recruited high-rank mercenaries from the Adventurer's Guild, and the attack on me from the tower.
"So Rothschild and Glazer are definitely in cahoots."
"Yes, Sister. Plus, Glazer can't pay the high-rank mercenaries right now."
Shhrrk.
Berddin spread out a brief contract between Glazer and Bichon.
"It seems they replaced the Adventurer's Guild master through Rothschild and changed the payment system."
"...I don't know whose head this plan came from, but it's a double-edged sword. Way too risky."
"Agreed."
"If they lose the war or can't end it in time, they won't afford the payments."
Valentine read the contract with a puzzled look and continued.
"High-rank mercenaries won't sit idle without pay."
"That's what I think too. So I believe the key to this war is time."
"Time?"
Berddin lightly stroked the griffin's head.
"...Yes, time. If we hold the border for the first week after war breaks out, the enemy will face supply issues."
Even just the high-rank mercenaries numbered over a thousand, so Glazer couldn't keep them tied down for over a month.
"Instead of full-scale battle, if we just cut their supply lines..."
"......"
"We can topple not just Glazer, but Rothschild in one fell swoop."
The group centered around Apostle Baphomet, the Pentagram.
Two of them, Freddy and Bonnie, headed for Pabrosa Louisnes Academy.
"So Strange won't target us anymore?"
Freddy tossed out the question casually.
Bonnie, leading the way, answered.
"Yeah, looks like the old man talked it out somehow."
"That wasn't something you could just talk your way out of."
"No idea. But that guy who seemed to be Berddin's subordinate even promised not to kill us..."
Arriving at the entrance to Pabrosa Louisnes Academy, Freddy tilted his head.
He'd felt an odd vibe from the canyon to the forest transition point.
"What is it?"
Creeeak, creeeak, creeeaaaak—
The iron gate guarding the academy entrance swung open and shut repeatedly in the wind, screeching.
Bonnie held out the two dolls from her bosom and lowered her voice.
"No guards? Did someone attack the academy?"
"No way. Who'd be crazy enough to hit an academy full of nobles' kids from across the continent? They'd make enemies everywhere."
"Maybe."
"Obviously."
They cautiously entered. Not only were there no guards at the entrance, but even the famed ancient weapon, the magic statue 'golem,' was missing.
'What the hell happened?'
Confused but unable to stop, they pressed on. Their meeting spot with Mateo Rich was definitely here.
"N-No way."
Freddy stared incredulously at the Pabrosa Louisnes buildings.
"...Freddy, are my eyes playing tricks?"
Bonnie stuck close, scanning the surroundings.
Pabrosa Louisnes Academy, the invincible fortress that had never fallen to enemy attacks since ancient times.
It lay in ruins, as if already struck.
Rumble rumble.
From atop the clock tower amid crumbling walls, a young man's gentle voice echoed.
"Greetings. It's an honor to meet you like this."
Freddy and Bonnie looked up toward the voice.
There stood a man with an innocent face marred by countless scars, smiling brightly.
"I think this is our first time meeting in person. Allow me to introduce myself... I'm here on Archon Albus's orders to hunt you down."
He raised both hands above his head.
-Kieeeek!
Hundreds of gargoyles hidden in the clock tower took flight at once.
"Captain of the Papal Court's 1st Knight Order, Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Heckel. The fifth archon appointed to fill the vacancy left by Lord Monestier."