Chapter 107: Quincy (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 107: Quincy (1)
“Where are you going? Wasn't that the last one?”
As a mage, Melissa had felt a lingering sense of unease while traveling through the Southern Region with Nathaniel.
It was because she had vaguely realized that this was no ordinary disease. Noticing trace amounts of mana in the sick and the dead, Melissa narrowed her eyes.
If this was black magic, there had to be a medium spreading the illness. Curiously, Nathaniel was finding those mediums with ease. Even for a mage of the Magic Tower like herself, it would have taken a significant amount of time.
Furthermore, even if she had found them, she would have wasted even more time purifying and managing the aftermath. In that period, countless lives would have been lost.
Melissa felt a sense of pure admiration for Nathaniel, who had drastically shortened that timeframe. She couldn't even begin to fathom what kind of power this young child possessed.
However, she was still a mage who drew attention even within the Magic Tower. Melissa knew perfectly well that the person they had just purified was the final source of the plague. That was why she couldn't understand Nathaniel’s sudden words.
“Dia is in danger.”
“Dia? Do you mean Her Highness the Princess?”
Nathaniel didn't even bother to answer Melissa’s question as he abruptly turned around. Melissa followed him in a panic as he began walking toward a specific destination.
[Tsk, I shouldn't have said anything. Now things are even more of a hassle...]
A languid voice echoed inside Nathaniel’s head. It was the voice of Ilnes, the demon with whom Nathaniel had a proxy contract.
[You said you wouldn't bother me anymore if I just told you that...]
Ilnes muttered with a heavy sigh. He desperately regretted his slip of the tongue from moments ago.
Nathaniel had made him find the source of the plague on the condition that he wouldn't ask Ilnes for any favors for at least a year.
Tracking the Demon's Poison wasn't particularly difficult for Ilnes. So, providing a little help in exchange for doing nothing for at least a year was a very profitable deal.
However, as soon as Nathaniel purified the final source, Ilnes realized that something had happened to his true master, Claudia.
Without thinking, he had informed Nathaniel that Claudia had moved from the Imperial Palace to another location. It was a careless remark.
Immediately, Nathaniel tried to head toward Claudia’s location. From this distant southern tip all the way to the East.
“Even for me, warping that distance all at once is difficult. Besides, we don't know exactly where the Princess is.”
“…….”
Having grasped the general situation, Melissa spoke in a firm tone. However, realizing the gravity of the matter, her expression also hardened.
“Let’s go report to His Majesty first. He should know the situation at the Imperial Palace.”
Nathaniel had no choice but to nod. It just so happened that Dantalion had arrived in the South leading a knight order.
Now that the sources of the plague were purified, they only needed to focus on treatment. Of course, given the sheer scale, it would take a long time for the South to return to its former state.
The two returned to Hilenda Castle, where Dantalion was staying. Due to the plague that had spread so suddenly, the atmosphere inside the castle was sunken in gloom.
“I greet the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor.”
Melissa bowed to Dantalion. However, his face was pale, and he barely acknowledged her greeting.
The office was in a state of total disarray. Dantalion’s aides were shouting back and forth as they exchanged letters.
Melissa, who had intended to report that the sources of the plague had been purified, asked with a grim expression, “What is the matter, Your Majesty?”
“The Imperial Palace was attacked by Apocrypha.”
“What?”
Melissa’s eyes widened at the unexpected news. Having learned the news through a carrier pigeon from the palace, Dantalion was uncharacteristically restless.
While the others were safe, the Princess had reportedly gone missing during the incident. It was exactly as Nathaniel had said.
“Has the Princess been found?”
“No, not yet.”
“The plague will soon be under control. Shouldn't you return to the Imperial Palace immediately?”
“…….”
However, a look of hesitation crossed Dantalion’s face. It seemed his reason for coming to this distant southern region wasn't just because of the plague.
“The movements of the Quincies are suspicious. They say a war might break out soon.”
“Is that true?”
'Quincy' referred to the barbarians living at the southern tip. Though called barbarians, they were originally the indigenous people of this land. They were a people who had been ostracized on the grounds that they lived more primitive lives than the Empire and practiced foul sorcery.
Perhaps that was why Melissa didn't want to condemn them for trying to reclaim their land. In a way, the Magic Tower was in a similar position.
“Didn't Marquis Lionel receive recognition for driving them out?”
“Yes, he is currently staying at his estate.”
“Then…….”
Thinking of Cedric Lionel, Melissa frowned. Like Dantalion, she harbored ill feelings toward Cedric. It wasn't just because of the incident with Veronica.
“I recall there were many rumors when he fought the Quincies who invaded his territory.”
Just as Dantalion had fought for a long time on the Western Front, Cedric had also waged war against the Quincies in the South. However, compared to Dantalion’s, it had been a sluggish yet short war.
People claimed the reason was that Cedric was a veteran Sword Master and received unstinting support due to the Empress Dowager’s trust, but Melissa knew that wasn't the only reason.
The Magic Tower had long kept an eye on the Temple’s movements, and thus they had noticed that Cedric Lionel, who received their help, was a contradictory figure.
“He secretly released the captured Quincy leaders and turned a blind eye to the looting of certain areas, didn't he?”
“You are well-informed.”
“Of course. But now, is he starting a rebellion with the Quincies?”
Melissa asked in a disgusted tone, shuddering. The Temple was repulsive, and the Empress Dowager and Cedric were just as loathsome. Dantalion also bit his lip in annoyance as he answered.
“I came here to find that out. If the Marquis is in league with them, I need to be on the scene.”
“Why not leave it to Duke Winston?”
There was another Sword Master, after all. But Dantalion shook his head at that suggestion.
“I have him assigned to another task, so that won't work.”
“Then the Princess……”
“Berry is tracking her with the Imperial mages, but the chances of finding her are low. So, I would like you to ask the Magic Tower for assistance.”
“Hmm.”
So it comes to this. Melissa nodded. For some reason, she had known it would end up like this.
“It seems the day to sever these old, ill-fated ties is drawing near.”
“I certainly hope so.”
The two spoke to each other with forced composure. Nathaniel, who had been quietly watching them, stared at Ilnes nearby.
[A-Alright! I'll find out where she is!]
“…….”
[But in exchange, we're adding one more year for this, okay? Deal?]
At Ilnes’s demand, Nathaniel slowly nodded.
*
“Whoa!”
The moment I arrived in the city, an exclamation burst from my lips.
It was incomparable to the small village. The massive city gates, the diverse crowds of people coming and going, and all sorts of goods loaded onto carriages and carts.
I was dazed by the parade of sights I was seeing for the first time. I poked my head slightly out of the Siren Trading Company carriage and watched everything in a trance.
“Little Lady, it’s dangerous, so please don't lean out too far.”
“Mm, okay.”
I nodded to the merchant who cautiously warned me. However, my eyes were still darting toward the outside.
“I am sorry, Little Lady. Due to the company’s business, it seems we won't be able to head to the Capital immediately.”
“No, it’s okay!”
I shook my head at the apologetic Hamilton. He had his work to do, so it couldn't be helped.
Actually, this is better!
To think I’d unexpectedly escaped the palace and could now sightsee in this fantasy world—it felt like a dream. Feeling incredibly excited, I nodded vigorously toward the company members who, like Hamilton, looked apologetic.
“Instead, I want to tag along with you guys!”
“But……”
“I want! To go! Too!”
“Hmm.”
Now that I was a Princess, I wouldn't have many chances to wander around outside like this. It had been that way ever since I possessed Claudia’s body. I had spent my time practically locked up somewhere because it was 'dangerous.'
When I looked up with a passionate face, huffing with excitement, I saw Hamilton looking troubled.
However, he soon gave a reluctant nod and opened his mouth to speak.