Dark Fantasy: Magical Eye Knight – Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Clue (2)

TL: Potato-tan

 

“Clue?”

 

Russell showed Calia what he was holding. It was the medium used to activate the spell within Percus’ body. The black, congealed blood resembled the shape of a burning flame.

 

“Do you remember the guy wearing the black robe?”

 

“How could I forget?”

 

“It seems like the same kind of magic he used.”

 

Russell then threw it to Calia, who caught it effortlessly and examined it.

 

“You’re right. I feel a familiar magic. Are you going to use this to track him down?”

 

“Do you think it’s possible?”

 

“He’s the one who sent Irrucil and me flying at once. Of course, that was after we had dealt with the demon beasts. . . but excuses and alibis are meaningless in a life-or-death situation. He seemed like a powerful wizard. Wizards who can use teleportation magic on the spot like that are rare. Most have to spend a great deal of time drawing magic circles, searching for coordinates, and connecting them. The amount of magic required is also unimaginable. . . just trying to find him might alert him.”

 

“Then let’s prepare ourselves and go.”

 

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

 

As they entered the dining hall, Lahart sat alone at the head of the table. Neither Leila nor Irrucil was in sight. However, the servants were clearing away two sets of used dishes, indicating that they had come and gone.

 

“You’re a bit late. There was a loud noise upstairs. What happened?”

 

“Nothing serious.”

 

Russell didn’t mention the dark elf he had captured. The fact that the terrorist attack on the Zahard family’s territory had been the work of the Empire was already a heavy burden on Lahart.

 

There was a mountain of things to be done, from comforting the survivors and burying the dead to repairing the damaged buildings and roads. Russell didn’t want to add to that by mentioning the strange man in the black robe or the organization that might be behind the strange events he had encountered on his journey.

 

“I see. If you say it’s nothing, then it’s nothing.”

 

Lahart gestured, and the waiting servants approached with a cart. They set down still-warm meals in front of Calia and Aellasis, who had taken their seats beside him.

 

The meal was finished quickly. Russell and his companions were accustomed to camping and roughing it, so they ate quickly in general.

 

As the servants cleared away the empty plates and left, Lahart spoke.

 

“Your mother and Irrucil went outside earlier. Leila said she was going to inspect the northern gate, and Irrucil went to oversee the repair work on the collapsed buildings.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Russell replied, sipping his tea. Calia drank hers gracefully, while Aellasis held the teacup with both hands and lapped at it like a cat. She didn’t seem to be used to tea yet.

 

A servant, who had been watching Aellasis with amusement, asked in a gentle voice if she would like some cookies. She nodded eagerly.

 

Lahart frowned at Russell, who was quietly drinking his tea.

 

“Why are you talking about it as if it’s someone else’s business?”

 

Russell finished his tea and set down the cup. It made a clinking sound as the porcelain touched the saucer.

 

“I have my own things to do, Father.”

 

“Your own things? What are you talking about?”

 

“First, take a look at this.”

 

“What?”

 

Lahart looked puzzled as he accepted the wooden box that Russell suddenly produced.

 

“What is this?”

 

“Open it.”

 

At Russell’s words, Lahart slid open the lid and gasped as the colorful light reflected by the ceiling lights filled his face.

 

It was the jewels and gold he had received from the lord of Errandis territory. Lahart’s eyes widened as he looked back and forth between the jewel box and Russell.

 

“No, what is this? Where did you get this money?”

 

“I acquired it during my travels. Please use it for the reconstruction of the city.”

 

“Reconstruction?”

 

“Yes. When I captured the mercenary Weizen, I didn’t have a chance to look around.”

 

Because of the fight between him and Weizen, the entire northern part of the territory had been destroyed. It was an unexpected meeting and fight, so there was no time to choose a battlefield.

 

It was fortunate that there were no casualties, but the aftermath had spread shockwaves for at least 200 meters and up to 800 meters, collapsing and destroying streets and blocks. It would probably take a lot of time and manpower to restore it to its original state.

 

“Ah, you mean that. Simos reported that he had found traces of a powerful magic clash. So it was because of you and that guy.”

 

Lahart had also seen the devastated northern area, as Simos had recorded the battle between Russell and Weizen on video.

 

Giant craters, buildings swept away like dust, and streets reduced to unrecognizable wastelands.

 

“And I will take that mercenary Weizen with me.”

 

“Why him?”

 

“I have a use for him. As you know, Father, he hasn’t committed a crime worthy of death.”

 

Weizen’s mission had been to deliver and escort Percus, and then deliver him again. It was a task that could have been done by anyone else. Moreover, Weizen had no idea what Percus, the target of his escort, was planning to do in Zahard territory.

 

“. . .To me, it’s a crime worthy of death.”

 

Lahart, who had been looking conflicted, asked,

 

“Since you’re back, why don’t you stay and help your sister? Restarting communication with other families━”

 

“Father.”

 

Lahart closed his mouth. Russell smiled slightly and said,

 

“I have things I want to do and things I can do.”

 

“. . . . . .What is it?”

 

“I have a hunch about who was behind the attack on the territory. There are others lurking more subtly than the prince of the Empire. I’ve already met two of them.”

 

“You’ve met them?”

 

“Yes. I fought them twice, and they both ran away from me. I won’t let them escape next time.”

 

Lahart, who had been meeting Russell’s gaze, sighed and leaned back in his chair.

 

“You’ve already made up your mind, so it’s silly for me to say anything. I understand. I’ll arrange for the guard to bring that mercenary up. Are you leaving today?”

 

“Yes. Please give my regards to Mother. I won’t cause any trouble. I’ll visit my sister in person.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Russell stood up and bowed his head. Lahart remained seated and acknowledged his greeting.

 

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

 

The stable manager brought out the party’s horses. The black, brown, and light brown horses, led by their reins, were plump and well-rested.

 

“Did you have a good time?”

 

Russell asked as he stroked the black stallion, Kry, on the muzzle. Kry nodded and snorted as if to say yes.

 

The stable manager patted Kry’s side with a cheerful face.

 

“It’s a magnificent breed of horse, young master. It seems like a horse that runs across distant grasslands.”

 

“Good eye. Was there anything else?”

 

“Well, this fellow kept chasing after the other mares. I just let him be, as I’d be happy to have good offspring. Haha, young master, this guy has been after more than 10 mares since you left him with me. Pregnancy is another matter, but that’s for another time.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

‘So, he’s been enjoying himself, while I’ve been working my tail off.’

 

Russell raised an eyebrow at Kry, who nudged Russell with his head as if to say he hadn’t done anything wrong.

 

“Thank you for taking care of him.”

 

“Don’t mention it. Are you leaving again?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I understand. Stay healthy. As I get older, I realize that health is the most important thing.”

 

“Take care.”

 

The stable manager, who had bowed respectfully, stepped back, and Russell turned around.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Russell led the way, followed by Calia and Aellasis, who were holding the reins of their own horses. As they left the stable, a knight and a guard appeared before them.

 

The knight, armed, was on guard with his hand on his sword hilt, and the guard, frightened by the knight’s posture, shrank his neck. Next to them stood Weizen, bound by chains, looking at Russell.

 

“Oh, isn’t that the bastard who knocked me out?”

 

“How dare this whelp address the young master!”

 

“Ouch!”

 

Weizen’s head was suddenly jerked forward as he raised his bound hands in a natural gesture of greeting. The knight had slapped him on the back of the head.

 

Weizen raised his head and looked at the knight with a smile, pulling at his lips.

 

“You little shit, if it wasn’t for these restraints, you wouldn’t stand a chance. You know that?”

 

“This bastard, still–”

 

“Enough.”

 

Russell’s voice stopped the knight, who stepped back. Russell lowered his head and asked the knight,

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“My name is Daiker Duman, young master! It’s an honor to meet you!”

 

The knight named Daiker saluted with a sharp, respectful gesture.

 

“I have escorted this criminal to the young master on the orders of Lord Lahart.”

 

“Thank you for your trouble.”

 

“Yes! Loyalty!”

 

Knight Daiker saluted again and stepped back with the guard. Weizen stood with a defiant posture, glaring at Russell, and then spat on the ground.

 

“So, what’s the deal? You seem like a noble. You’ve got a good face, you’re tall, you’re rich, and you’re strong. Oh man, you’re living the life. Why is someone like you━ huh!”

 

“You need to learn to keep your mouth shut.”

 

Russell released Weizen’s restraints and put them in his coat. Weizen’s eyes widened in surprise as he felt his magic return to him with the sudden release of the restraints.

 

“. . . . . .What’s the meaning of this?”

 

“You’re coming with me. You’re going to lead me to the one who hired you.”

 

Weizen chuckled. His eyes narrowed, and his smile was like a fox’s, but his eyes glinted coldly.

 

“Listen, noble boy. You’ve probably never done anything as lowly as mercenary work, but even mercenaries have rules to follow.”

 

“How much were you paid?”

 

“What?”

 

“How much were you paid? By the one who hired you.”

 

Weizen swallowed hard as he looked at Russell, who had come close to him and was staring at him. He could feel his magic fully returning as the restraints were released.

 

He had spent the night in prison, unable to move, and had neither eaten nor slept properly, but even in his current condition, he could easily break through 100 soldiers. Even if a knight attacked him, he could handle up to ten.

 

And yet, he felt like all possibilities were being cut off by Russell alone. Weizen’s eyes darted around, searching for an escape route.

 

“. . . . . .I was supposed to get 100 gold coins when it was all done.”

 

It was an exorbitant price for simply delivering and escorting a person. Of course, it wasn’t unreasonable if you considered that they were hiring someone of Weizen’s skill.

 

Russell said,

 

“I’ll give you one gold coin. Guide me to your employer.”

 

The amount was suddenly reduced. Russell, who was urging him to betray his employer for a price one thousandth of what he was supposed to get, didn’t get any insults or anger from Weizen.

 

It was because of the eyes of Russell, who stood before him, watching him calmly and without expression. He hadn’t said anything or threatened him yet, but Weizen realized that if he refused this request, he would lose his life.

 

Weizen’s hanging hands twitched. Although he had been stripped of all his weapons, Weizen was a master of martial arts. If he was given just a moment, just a brief moment of carelessness, couldn’t he stab this man in the chest and neck at the same time and escape?

 

In an instant, Weizen’s world lost its color.

 

The bright sky, the shining sun, the knights and soldiers moving through the castle, the servants and workers carrying their burdens and walking hurriedly – they all turned into colorless dolls.

 

At least, that was how Weizen perceived it. In that colorless space, the only things that moved, however slightly, were himself and the man named Russell.

 

Weizen watched blankly as his own hands moved against his will, forming a seal. The familiar motions that he had repeated for decades unfolded.

 

His right hand, imbued with magic, rose up to form a sword of energy, while his left hand curled its fingers like a hook, concentrating its magic.

 

Almost simultaneously, his two outstretched hands shot out, aiming for Russell’s chest and neck.

 

And it was almost at the same instant that Russell’s right hand moved. He swung his arm up from below, just once. The movement of his arm was as fast as lightning, and it was literally charged with lightning.

 

A silent shockwave erupted. Weizen realized that both his arms had disappeared below the elbows. In the blink of an eye, he had become a cripple, and a glowing palm covered his face, obscuring it.

 

The next moment, Weizen regained his senses.

 

“Ugh. . .!”

 

He fell to one knee with a thud, coughing and spitting. ‘What had happened?’ Weizen couldn’t understand what he had just witnessed, but at the same time, he could.

 

“Do you feel like talking now?”

 

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