Chapter 111. The Crow and the Egret(3)

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

In the world of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, there exists 'magic', and there are those who study it.

So, can those who study the element of 'magic' and aim to reach a higher hierarchy truly be called a kind of 'workaholic'?

"...... Was this woman a mage too?"

Of course, this isn't a particularly interesting subject.

It was just a thought that came to mind due to the way Flugel's demeanor changed noticeably upon seeing 'Maier'.

"A mage? Who's the blasted mage?"

"Indeed. She is not a mage."

Flugel, dismissing Maier's curse-filled words, turned his gaze towards me.

"Technically, she is unaware that she is a 'mage'."

"Who, in blazes, are you calling a mage, again?"

I too ignored Maier's colorful language.

"The girl, having lived in the slums, never learned magic."

Upon hearing my words, "She has never learned magic,"

Flugel's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Then are you saying she never learned mana manipulation?"

I remained silent at that inquiry, hoping to further stimulate Flugel's imagination.

"She structured a 'mana environment' within herself, without any formal learning?"

Flugel's face, as he stroked his beard, was full of interest.

'It seems I've finally piqued his interest.'

The sudden shift in Flugel's reaction was related to the birth origins of mages.

There is a fairly valid reason why mages advocate 'pure-bloodedness.'

'Mages who continue their family's lineage.'

They refined their bodies to master the 'best' magic, which was then solidified over generations through accumulated experience and knowledge, becoming even more effectively structured.

"Indeed. She can even perform 'Spirit Magic' through self-study."

"...... Spirit Magic, through self-study!?"

Yet Maier had built her own 'environment' without the presence of a mentor passed down through generations.

I whispered quietly enough for only Flugel to hear.

"Isn't it about time, Sir Flugel, to delve into the secrets of the 7th-rank?"

His eyes, which maintained a disinterested demeanor, unexpectedly shone with a glint of ambition, one unbefitting for someone of his age.

A fierce desire.

He saw a fragment of possibility that might lead him to the 'next' level.

Known among players as 'Barking Mage' or 'Mad Mage,' Flugel was one of the few mages in the empire holding the 6th hierarchy 'Libra' rank.

Having failed to breach the wall of the 7th-rank for over 50 years, even the old man, who lived 150 years, was beginning to feel restless.

'Though I prolong my life with magic, if even that becomes impossible, will I not be able to see the 'next' level beyond my current realm?'

His anxiety about this brewed, prompting Flugel to start training disciples.

To advance and refine his level.

To find a 'genius' who could provide 'inspiration'.

But until now, it was all futile.

"You know, don't you? That magical inspiration comes not from accumulated experiences......"

"But from fundamental imagination."

I smirked softly as I finished saying so, passing the baton to Flugel.

These were words he often used to comfort himself.

"How much do you know, you sly fox of a man."

Flugel, incredulous but with sharp eyes, pierced me with his gaze, to which I only shrugged.

This Barking Mage, this fellow surely knows what I'm talking about.

"I have just one question."

Flugel shifted his gaze to Maier.

A look of annoyance on Maier's face clearly prevented any room for inquiries, but when I gestured for her to go along with it, she reluctantly nodded.

"Do you see what this is?"

【The trait, 〈Foresight〉, has been activated.】

When Flugel pointed his finger, a small 'bird' appeared there.

It was so faint that even I would've missed it without the activation of 'Foresight'.

"A bird made of mana.....?"

However, Maier obviously recognized it.

"Indeed, she seems to have talent. That babbling idiot could never identify this while expressing a desire to become a royal mage."

Continuing to speak, Flugel squinted at me. I decided to drive the final nail into him.

"How about it? This girl might be more beneficial to you than the research you were doing in the slums."

"Ahem."

Considering how much I've advanced this, I should be given something. Attempting to take advantage of the situation effortlessly.

Clearing his throat, Flugel pointed towards a room with his finger.

"There's a resonance stone on the shelf. Take any one of them."

Though there may be a possibility of stepping into illegality, his desire to surpass the wall of the '7th-rank' outweighed any moral conscience.

"What just happened?"

"Ms. Maier. Wouldn't it be worth receiving Sir Flugel's guidance while attending here for the time being?"

"What!?"

"Despite appearances, he is indeed a great mage."

"But still......"

Trailing off, Maier looked at her hand with a somewhat contemplative expression.

Wondering why she felt guilty.

Known as 'The White,' being Flugel's foremost student, that's the true story of this game.

Not purely to twist the narrative, but there was the gain of 'resonance stones', and for a moment, I felt slightly apologetic towards her.

"If you really don't want to, you don't have to."

"No, I did think about wanting to learn magic. It's just that it's the mages I dislike."

That's a relief to know.

"Then why are you hesitating?"

Typically, any mage would be tempted by the title 'Flugel's disciple.'

In the empire, he's among the most capable mages.

Although training students for his own magical advancement, surprisingly, Flugel cherished his disciples quite a lot.

"It's just....."

That was why I was curious. The true reason Maier hesitated.

"Looks like, even if I receive his teachings, I'd end up helping with all sorts of things."

True enough.

It's kind of like being a graduate student if you think about it.

"Then shouldn't I be getting some daily wages on my side too..... Hey?"

Oh, she was worried about that?

But speaking like that when you're the one learning......

Ah, you're from the slums.

Right, that's understandable.

Money... is indeed important.

***

As I distributed the resonance stones received from Flugel to the 'Blood Demon Order' and 'Nameless Band', I stressed the following points.

"If there is a location where a resonance stone reacts, please inform me. There's no need to explore the interior."

After swiftly finishing some tasks, I received a report from Lazlot.

"Yulian, bishop Pintel conveyed that he wishes to have a brief word with you."

Eh? Pintel?

What is this fellow up to all of a sudden?

I thought as much while making my way to the location Pintel had mentioned.

The outskirts of the capital.

The place of the appointment turned out to be a rather eerie-looking hut.

Why would Pintel invite me to a place like this? Sometimes I wonder what's going on in his mind.

"You are here, Sir Yulian."

As we approached the dark cabin, Pintel came out, greeting politely.

Simultaneously, I sensed several presences behind him.

He seemed to have brought some private soldiers, but they didn't appear hostile.

'It seems they're not trying to pull any tricks.'

Considering my relationship with Pintel, it was hard not to be suspicious.

Though he seemed more gentle than in the past, human nature is as fickle as a reed.

It's anyone's game to stick to someone's side for profit or to be as slick as a snake.

"I heard you had something to discuss with me."

"Yes, Sir Yulian. I have something important to share with you. Please, come inside."

Once again, Pintel greeted with politeness.

'If push comes to shove, I might attempt it here.'

The new realm of Single-Stroke.

The thought of utilizing the 'Aura Manipulation' I learned from the 'Blind Warrior' here swirled within me as a mix of tension and excitement.

Upon entering, we saw a staircase leading downward. As Pintel descended first, I followed.

Inside, contrasting the dilapidated exterior, appeared to be metal bars maintained somewhat.

"Mmmpff...... Mmmph!"

Within, was a man in a pitiful state. I found his appearance familiar......

'...... What?'

Bishop Corund? Why on earth is he locked up here?

"Huhut, bishop Corund, you're in quite a sorry state."

I found it so ridiculous that I chuckled and muttered nonsense.

Pintel, overhearing my muttering, nodded his head understandingly, as if saying 'just as expected'.

"It seems you already knew, Sir Yulian."

Eh? Knew what?

"This man attempted to rally the other bishops against Sir Yulian after negotiations failed with Aiden."

"......"

"His goal was to overthrow Yulian. You foresaw his actions, did you not, and left him alone purposely?"

Oh my.

I couldn't help but marvel at the unraveling scheme and plots.

"...... To evaluate me."

I'm supposedly the one who devised such 'schemes.' Ironically, the actual designer was clueless.

"If they had conspired with him, Sir Yulian would've eradicated them entirely. That's why... you visited the Magic Tower today, correct?"

No, that wasn't the reason.

"As expected, you excel, Sir Pintel."

Well, as long as they keep misinterpreting it advantageously, I'll not object.

"Ooh... Indeed!"

Though I somehow felt a pang of guilt for lying, watching pintel marvel, that guilt soon faded like dust.

The problem now is with Corund.

'What should I do with this one?'

Killing him poses a problem, and letting him be is another.

The disappearance of a bishop would be a highly sensitive issue for the archbishop, ternellon.

'Ah, there's a way.'

An effective way popped into my mind.

"Then Sir Pintel."

"Yes!"

"Would you release Bishop Corund?"

The underground turned colder, as if surpassing the chill of the metal bars.

It seemed he couldn't fathom it.

"This man conspired to eliminate you, Sir Yulian. Why should we..."

"Do you not understand?"

"Indeed...... I thought you wouldn't allow those who bared their fangs at you, Sir Yulian...... Ah."

Pintel had hesitated, but soon sighed, quivering his lips like someone who had found enlightenment.

"That's, that's true. Understood! If that is Sir Yulian's wish, I shall comply!"

Given the patterns of similar processes, it became evident that he was conjuring up further assumptions.

"Hey, what are you waiting for! Free Bishop Corund, as Sir Yulian commanded!"

This time, knowing or not knowing, I chose to observe. Though the misconceptions resulted in some discomfort, they were not truly troublesome for me.

"Keheuk, cough!"

Once the ropes and the gag binding him were undone, Corund coughed violently, looking up at me with fearful eyes.

Since he was a mage, there was a concern that unbinding him would enable spell chanting.

'But seeing the Color of Negativity, that doesn't seem necessary.'

A perfect aura of fear.

It was vividly visible above Corund's head.

"Bishop Corund, heh. I hadn't thought we'd meet again under these circumstances."

"Hii-hiiick!"

Leaving the terrified Corund behind, I continued addressing him.

"You claimed no nobles bared their teeth at me, yet here you are."

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