Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Counterattack
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Cynthia emerged from the bathroom, clutching her lower abdomen and forcing a smile.
"It was quick, right?"
The man named Frank, who had escorted her to the bathroom, wrinkled his brow deeply and pinched his nose.
"Ugh, the smell! Was it a big one?"
"It was small! Didn't you hear anything?"
"Nope."
"Good, that's a relief. Even though I look like this, I'm still a woman, so I was a bit embarrassed it might make a sound."
"Knights aren't men or women. Sure, your pretty face makes you useful... No, forget it. Getting tangled up with you Strange folks could only lead to trouble."
Cynthia pressed right up against his back and spoke.
"Then let's head back. We don't want to be late and raise suspicions from that muscle-bound mage."
"Don't call Lord Dictree that way. He's one of the top five grand mages on the continent. A lowly wench like you should address him with respect as 'Dictree von Glazer,' including his family name."
"...Yes, yes. Let's hurry so as not to bother Lord Dictree von Glazer."
She pushed against Frank's back.
"Ah, alright, stop shoving."
Frank walked along, lips twitching upward as if he didn't mind being pushed by her. He grumbled like it was a hassle, but he clearly found Cynthia's beauty appealing enough.
Having finished their business, the two moved away from the bathroom. As they headed down the stairs to another floor...
Clunk.
The bathroom door opened, and a mouse no bigger than a palm scurried out.
It was a special creature under Rox's control, its footsteps so faint that human ears couldn't detect them.
Patter, patter.
The mouse clung to the wall as it ran, scanning its surroundings.
As if it knew the way, it turned at specific points and kept moving. Reaching the top floor of the castle, the mouse mustered its last burst of energy and sprinted full speed.
Patter-patter-patter!
"Ah! That little rat!"
"What are you doing, you bastard? Catch it quick!"
Two guards with spears tried to block it, but the mouse darted swiftly between their legs and slipped through the gap under a door engraved with a crescent moon.
Squeak!
A ceiling so high it could only be reached by climbing a ladder.
And there, filling the space: bookshelves packed with countless tomes.
A library accessible only to direct descendants of the Glazer family and mages of 7th circle or higher, those pursuing the pinnacle of magic.
A place layered with barriers that no unauthorized outsider could ever enter.
Who could possibly breach such a heavily fortified sanctum?
A single mouse had infiltrated it.
Through the tiniest gap under the door, beyond the reach of the barriers.
Squeak...
The mouse reared up on its hind legs like a human, looked around, and headed to the center of the library.
As if searching for something, it stopped in front of a bookshelf charred black as if scorched by hellfire.
Squeak!
A massive bookshelf that could hold thousands of volumes, featuring a tome with a golden frame.
Flip, flip, flip.
The mouse rapidly turned the pages.
Its eyes spun quickly, reading the text in the magic book at high speed.
A firm voice rang in the mouse's ear.
Squeak!
Startled, it closed the book and scratched at its belly, touching something inside.
Click.
Sizzle.
With a deafening roar like a meteor crashing down, flames erupted in a massive explosion.
BOOOOM!
Having successfully concluded the conversation, Kaipa bowed his head with a pleased smile.
"Then we'll prepare the letter of surrender as discussed and bring it to you. Please visit our territory from Glazer at your earliest convenience."
Hagen, clearly pleased with him, stood up himself to see him off.
"To think such an excellent man as Baron Kaipa will be joining us. I've been looking for a capable administrator for the territory—looks like the gods are on our side. Hahaha!"
"You're a mage, yet you believe in gods?"
"We can't say they don't exist. Though the gods we speak of differ somewhat from those preached by the Papal Court."
"Oh?"
"Yes, I'll explain when there's time."
Hagen gave a glance toward his son, Dictree.
"He'll guide you to where Duchess Catarina is. Pay your respects before you go."
"Is that alright? I heard you've been dealing with Valentine and must be exhausted."
"No, she'll be delighted to hear Baron Kaipa has come."
"...Pardon? Does Lady Catarina know I've arrived?"
"Of course."
Kaipa found it hard to believe.
Hagen had been with him until just moments ago—how had word reached her so quickly, and by what means?
He dismissed it as mage magic; he'd heard they could communicate without speaking.
"I won't forget Marquis Hagen's consideration."
"Hoho—calling a few words of transmission 'consideration'? I'll remember Baron Kaipa's bold decision to come all this way myself."
Their conversation ended there.
Hagen departed elsewhere, and Kaipa headed toward Duchess Catarina's location with the mage Dictree.
This time, his three accompanying soldiers could follow as well.
'Perfect.'
Everything was going smoothly.
If they reached Catarina's room like this, the operation would unfold and conclude exactly as planned. I expected it all to wrap up far too easily.
Up to this point, nothing had gone wrong.
But en route to Catarina's room, something utterly unexpected happened.
"Who are those guys?"
A familiar yet ominous voice came from behind.
Dictree, leading the way, brightened and raised his voice.
"Brother, you're back already?"
I slowly turned to see the source of the voice.
And when I saw his face, I couldn't hide my shock.
'Edward?!'
I'd heard he'd gone north—how had he returned to the castle in just one day?
"Things wrapped up easier than expected. That Vidar guy seems to harbor deep grudges against Strange too."
So he had gone to find Vidar after all.
"Really? Father said he wouldn't be easy."
"Well... might be for Father. But not for me. Turns out we even saw eye to eye on some things."
"As expected of Brother! The man I respect most in this world."
"Save the lip service. Even if you do, the Master Piece won't go to you."
"Don't say such hurtful things. Naturally, Brother Edward should take the Master Piece! I'm content just watching how far you'll climb."
The two seemed thick as thieves, arm in arm, chuckling and jabbing each other's sides.
The Glazers had such brotherly bonds—why had the Strange family been at each other's throats?
'If Strange had shared such deep ties...'
We would've unified the continent long ago.
"But who are those guys?"
Edward glared at Kaipa. Or rather, he just looked without particular thought. Yet his sharp eyes felt piercing.
"He's a Strange knight and kin to Duchess Catarina."
"Strange?"
"Yes, you've probably heard of him, Brother. Baron Kaipa, who commanded the eastern and southern fronts."
Dictree gestured toward Kaipa.
Kaipa stepped forward at the signal and bowed to Edward.
"I'm Kaipa of Strange."
"...What, came here to die?"
"N-no! I only wish to ally Glazer with—"
"Strange?"
"I've abandoned the Strange name. As I told Lord Hagen earlier, our unit will return soon with a letter of surre—"
Thwack!
It happened in an instant.
Edward's right arm pierced straight through Kaipa's abdomen.
I couldn't tell what magic he used, but his steel-like arm steamed with intense heat and vapor.
"The old man's got too much to say."
"B-brother, this man is kin to Duchess Catarina—"
"Enough. Catarina or whatever, I plan to kill them all anyway. What's it matter?"
"...You're going to kill Lady Catarina?"
"Father may think differently. But I won't let a single one of those damn Strange bastards live before my eyes."
Dictree continued, looking flustered.
"B-but."
"Cut the nonsense. Drag this old corpse somewhere out of sight. I'll explain to Father myself."
"...Understood."
Edward shook the blood from his steel hand and resumed walking down the corridor.
In a situation where killing us wouldn't be odd, he ignored us entirely, defying my expectations—just went on his way.
It was as if we were insignificant bugs not worth his attention.
'Is this luck too?'
Step, step, step.
Edward disappeared down the corridor.
Dictree clicked his tongue at the old man's corpse, then ordered us sternly.
"Dump this thing in the woods. I'm sparing your lives specially—pretend you saw nothing here."
Cynthia and Alfredo bowed their heads.
"We'll do that."
"Yes, we saw nothing."
Unlike them, I stepped forward to check Kaipa's body.
The blood pouring from the wound was more than expected, but faint breathing meant he could still recover.
'Not too late yet.'
We had Saint Maria Theresa.
"Dictree."
"How dare you address a mage by name—"
Thwack!
I struck Dictree's abdomen with my hand blade infused with Aura, just as Edward had done to Kaipa.
A strike so swift no blood touched my hand as it withdrew.
"Guhk."
I smashed the back of his groaning head to knock him out.
Thud!
I ordered Cynthia and Alfredo.
"I'll take this one and go find Catarina. You two get Kaipa out of the castle."
Without a word, they moved swiftly.
No need to clean Dictree's blood trail—Kaipa's had already stained everywhere. I just needed to sling this guy over my shoulder and continue on.
"Rox, now."
I whispered to the bug in my sleeve at the same moment...
BOOOOM!
A massive explosion rocked the castle interior.