Ch 118
High Priest Moria.
She deceived the Former Tower Master, Frozen Breath, a man known for his difficulty even among the cynical wizards gathered in the Blue Tower, and gained his favor.
It was an example showing how outstanding her deceptive rhetoric was.
Nevertheless, the reason she was able to lead the Grand Nobles and Archmages to suspect Lisir was not solely due to her outstanding deceptive rhetoric.
In the first place, she did not even exert any ability that could be called rhetoric in this event.
There was no need for it.
Genius Magician Moria.
It was a false persona and genius created by the High Priest of the White Shadow Cult, sacrificing the 8th Rank Realm.
The genius she displayed in the sparring match was on the borderline of the unfathomable, and it was only after repeated compromises that it could barely be accepted.
Lisir.
A wizard of the same age casually denied such genius.
Lisir’s talent was of an atypical level even compared to Moria.
In that situation, the fact that Moria, who was the object of comparison, was actually committing a denial of sorts was revealed.
They arrived at a certain question.
-Moria’s genius was a fake concocted by the High Priest?
-Then, ‘that’?
-The ‘that’ which casually denied the fake genius concocted by the High Priest?
As it was.
The Grand Nobles and Archmages could only think that Lisir was also a monster hiding his identity like Moria.
Even Moria was convinced that he was a Black Mage or a Demon Worshipper.
Under extremely unusual circumstances, their thinking was limited, and thus their thinking coincided.
With their great plan ruined and the Archmage and Grand Noble’s suspicions aroused, there was no future left.
All that remained for Moria was poison.
-From now on, you’re with me.
She willingly gave up everything to expose Lisir’s true nature.
She handed over the Two-Sided Mirror, one of the treasures she possessed as a High Priest, to Dray and Pallag.
After that-
It was as everyone expected.
…Or so they thought.
✦✦✦
“Impossible!!!”
Moria shouted in anger.
“Those are absolutely not ordinary spirits!!!”
“…”
“…”
Dray and Pallag inwardly nodded.
Lisir’s mental world, which was like a Demon Realm, was something that ordinary people could absolutely not possess.
Even if it was considered as individual elements, not the whole, it was the same.
The endlessly spreading Pool of Blood.
The Pillar of Black Fire.
The vast Sandstorm.
Each one was an unimaginable mental image.
A vast mental image that only a Sword Master or Archmage who had reached the superhuman realm could possess.
In other words, it was appropriate to consider each of those cute（?） spirits as beings of comparable caliber.
However-
“They were imprisoned in the Inner World!? Unbelievable…! It must be a trick!”
The High Priest’s claim was logical.
Therefore, that claim did not work on beings that were illogical.
Everyone in the place now knew.
Moria, who understood it in her head but screamed and denied it, was no different.
The fact that ‘that’ should not be judged within the framework of common sense.
Dray asked for Pallag’s opinion with a gesture.
Pallag shook his head.
“A trick. Summoning. No mana reaction was felt to consider it anything else.”
“Then…”
“Exchange.”
“Exchange…?”
Lisir’s mental world, which had been filled with a malicious aura, was now empty.
Because the spirits who were the masters of that malicious aura had been taken out of the Inner World.
It was a simple story, just that.
“…”
Pallag once again examined the Two-Sided Mirror.
‘An empty mental image…’
That someone like Lisir had nothing in his mental image was unbelievable.
Pallag pondered the meaning of the empty mental image.
Pallag eventually reached a certain assumption.
“Heh, Heh heh…”
A chuckle like the wind blowing through his thick beard came out.
The atmosphere of the Archmage, who had exuded a strong aura that belied his age and appearance, faded.
With an appearance that matched his age and appearance, somewhat tired and shabby, he gestured towards Moria.
“It can’t be, it can’t be! That’s impossible━”
The Ice Prison that had restrained Moria’s body completely swallowed her.
The angry shout stopped.
Silence descended on the basement.
At this moment.
The existence of ‘Moria’ was erased from Dray and Pallag.
The existence that had made the Former Tower Master and Talent Scout’s eyes shine with unparalleled talent.
Normally, it would have been a loss that would have driven the two into great distress.
However, the two did not even feel a small sense of loss.
Moria.
Because the existence that made that unparalleled genius feel like ‘nothing’ was right before their eyes.
Lisir.
The uncomfortable misunderstanding about his existence was resolved due to the series of events.
Of course, they did not fully understand his existence.
Nevertheless, they could clearly know this one thing.
As someone who builds relationships with talents for the sake of the family-
As someone who walks the path of magic-
He was a man who should never be missed.
The eyes of the Grand Noble and Archmage began to shine.
…At the same time, their expressions gradually became filled with anguish.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Lisir and his spirits were staring intently at the two.
The misunderstanding was gone, and only the wronged man remained.
Perhaps there might be a way to resolve it.
Just as Pallag and Dray were trying to calmly retrace the situation.
“Before you interrogated me with the High Priest’s words, it would have been… nice if you had listened to my opinion separately… Was I that untrustworthy to you two? Even more so than the High Priest of the Heretics?”
Lisir relieved them of that trouble.
While weakly self-deprecating, he meticulously and thoroughly recited their charges（?）.
That’s right.
They ended up interrogating Lisir along with Moria.
Along with Moria, the High Priest of the Heretics who had infiltrated them,
Lisir, who expelled the High Priest and prevented the disaster.
They had sufficient reason and grounds for doing so from their standpoint-
But now, mentioning it would only be an excuse.
Then what should they say?
I don’t know.
For example, they had nothing to say.
“No━”
“That━”
The Grand Noble and Archmage were restless in front of the Honorary Mage who could not reveal his family.
Since they couldn’t speak even though they had mouths, Lisir’s spirits helped.
“The heir of a Grand Noble Family and the former Tower Master, being blinded by the words of a Heretic.”
A girl spirit with sharp eyes sneered in a sarcastic tone.
“The Grand Noble and Archmage joined hands with a Heretic and persecuted a powerless, young, righteous, and talented wizard with their power!!! A rumor that is more than enough to make the continent buzz! It’s even the truth!”
The Grayish-White Fire Spirit shouted loudly.
“You! You’re not our Master’s friends anymore! We thought you were our Master’s friends, but you bullied our Master! You’re bad guys now!”
The baby Sand Spirit reprimanded them with raised eyebrows and arms crossed on his waist.
No.
That.
No.
That.
Pallag and Dray repeated those two words like broken records.
Lisir, who quietly watched them, said with a composed, and therefore even more bitter-looking smile.
“I understand your position. So, please don’t worry about this anymore. If you have no further business, I will take my leave.”
Even in this situation, he politely bowed to the two before leaving the place.
If he had shown his displeasure, they could have used their mature experience to comfort Lisir.
Nobles and wizards were people who valued their face and honor like their lives.
Dealing with those bound by it was extremely simple for the Archmage and Grand Noble.
As a noble and wizard of higher status, it was simply a matter of treating them appropriately and saving face.
“No…”
“That━”
But, since Lisir came out as just a wounded young man, neither a wizard nor a noble-
They had no way to deal with it.
A type of person they had never encountered before.
And a type of situation they had never encountered before.
How should they resolve this situation?
How should they win back his completely turned heart?
The Grand Noble and Archmage were in a difficult situation.
✦✦✦
-Master! Surely, you could have demanded an apology and compensation from them there! However, Master, you chose to give them a good impression!!! How wise and magnanimous!!!
As we left the basement and walked down the hallway, Dangaleon, who had returned to the Inner World, said.
It was a sentence that clearly showed an effort to embellish my choice.
-For now, these guys have an unapproachable high status.
Klana added to that.
Is it just my feeling that the two are trying to comfort me?
Apparently, they seemed to be misunderstanding something because of the last image I showed before leaving the basement.
I told them the reason for my actions to correct their misunderstanding.
The behavior of nobles and wizards.
What would happen if they followed it, and
What would happen if they didn’t follow it.
‘In short, I did it to make those two jump. I thought it would be much more awkward for them to deal with it that way.’
-As expected of Master!!! A way of acting that is not bound by frameworks, but rather uses them! I, Dangaleon! I am receiving Master’s teachings again!
‘If you make such a fuss, it will feel like you’re making fun of me.’
-No. That demon’s words make sense. Among wizards of your age who are from noble families, acting and thinking like that… I don’t remember ever seeing such a mutant.
‘I can’t tell if this is praise or insult.’
As I walked along, chatting amicably with the spirit（s）, I was soon in front of my room.
There, a pure white young lady was waiting for me.
“Ugh…!”
I stepped back, covering my eyes with my hand from her dazzling beauty.
“Strange… Why is the sun shining at this time of day…!”
“You’re full of energy. Going around without being able to wait, and flattering me as soon as you see me.”
“First, let’s get one thing straight.”
“What excuse are you going to make again.”
“I’m sorry. Did you wait long?”
“Oh?”
The events that happened in the basement.
I explained why I had to temporarily break my promise with Pien.
“…-I’m on my way back after resolving that.”
“Well. If that’s the case, it can’t be helped.”
“Oh… I didn’t expect to be forgiven so easily… I should remember this, Pien is weak to compliments that she resembles the sun…”
“How about remembering that you’re also weak to being late for appointments?”
“Is that right? Well, it’s Pien’s advice, so I should follow it. Pien is weak to compliments that she resembles the sun… weak to being late for appointments…”
As I was engraving the young lady’s teachings, more precious than gold, in my mind, Pien passed by me without a word.
I followed her and said.
“So, Pien. Where are you going now?”
“District 3. There’s a shop I’ve been eyeing there.”
District 3.
It was Bondales’ representative downtown area and a wealthy district.
Bu-dal-dal-dal-dal.
My wallet started to tremble in fear.
“Th-that’s right…! It’s my treat! Pien, eat whatever you want…!”
“Oh, that’s alright. Since I suggested the meal, I’ll pay.”
“My goodness. Who are you? The Pien I knew was a proactive young lady who would insist on staying at an expensive inn despite her poor circumstances━”
“Ah. Thank you. I feel like I’ve found my way back to my roots thanks to you. Take out your pockets or wallet. I’ll make you feel great.”
Even though she said that, when I really handed over my pocket, Pien waved her hand, disgusted.
We eventually arrived at the back door of the mansion.
There was a luxurious, though not flashy, carriage there.
I thought it couldn’t be, but it was real.
“Miss.”
As the carriage approached, an old coachman bowed to Pien and opened the door.
“My goodness… This is the image of a successful woman… Pien, if it’s not too presumptuous, may I admire you?”
“If you had maintained your qualification as a Confinement Agent, you would have been riding something several times more luxurious than this carriage?”
Pien offered me to get in the carriage first.
After I got in the carriage, she reached out her hand from below.
Was it a gesture to ask me to help her in first?
I carefully pulled Pien’s slender hand.
We sat side by side in the carriage seat.
“Ugh, it’s stuffy, so sit over there.”
We sat facing each other in the carriage seat.
Tap tap.
The carriage moved as Pien tapped the seat.
As expected of a noble lady, she had the right style.
“By the way, what did you do with those kids?”
“Those kids?”
Pien tapped her head.
“Ah, you mean the tenants. Of course, they’re doing well here.”
When I tapped my head in the same way and answered, Pien sighed deeply.
“Huh? Why?”
“Why? It’s obvious that it would be lonely if only the two of us had a meal, so I’m so happy to have three companions.”
Was it my imagination?
Pien, whose atmosphere had become strangely stiff, opened her mouth.
“By the way, did I mention that?”
“I don’t know what it is, but you can tell me again. If it’s Pien telling me, I can listen to the same story all night.”
“Do you remember Gaderok?”
“Of course.”
How could I forget?
That experience of drawing out Sword Qi for the first time.
“By the way, what happened to that guy? After he was cut by me━”
“The wound wasn’t that deep. It was a wound that would lead to death if not treated immediately, but if treated immediately, it could be saved━ that kind of wound.”
“So you saved him?”
“Yes. The City Council had a lot to ask him.”
“He seemed like a tough guy, did he answer the questions obediently?”
Pien showed her two palms.
“Ah, that’s right. If Master asks a question, you should answer it, of course. So, did you find out anything?”
“Well, I found out various things. It’s also thanks to that that we were able to smoothly conclude this incident.”
“What!? I think it’s because Pien worked day and night!?”
“Hmm. Well, that’s not a bad opinion either. Anyway, the reason I brought up that man suddenly is━”
You.
Pien continued in a serious tone.
“Do you know about the Third Arm?”
“The Third Arm?”
It is said that the God of Gambling, who is said to manipulate gamblers with an invisible hand in gambling, has a third arm.
The Third Arm.
It was the name of the most notorious criminal organization on the continent.
“You mean the criminal organization, right?”
“I know. Then let’s get straight to the point. Gaderok. He’s involved with the Third Arm. He’s expanding his business in the back alleys, and there’s evidence that he received support from the Third Arm.”
“Support?”
“Yes. It’s their unique investment method.”
“Then, I ended up ruining their investment?”
“Yes. That’s why I brought this up. The Third Arm. They will soon find out that their investment has failed. By a man who eradicated the criminal organization of Bondales.”
“They might retaliate against me, so be careful?”
Pfft.
Pien burst into laughter, as if amused by my words.
“Mere criminals, Black Mages, Heretics, Demons, what are they going to do to you who are entangled with such vicious beings like it’s nothing? Make you careful? No way.”
“Hehe.”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to be careful. Even if not careful, at least be aware of it. Don’t just accept what others give you. Don’t follow strangers.”
“Am I a child left unattended in the market?”
“Is it any different? You’re involved in incidents and accidents every day.”
“But I normalized everything.”
“Sigh. I should give you a good scolding sometime.”
Our conversation continued without interruption until the carriage stopped, the meal was over, and we parted.
“Next time, be sure to leave those kids behind.”
✦✦✦
After parting with Pien, I immediately returned to my room in the mansion and tried to refine my ‘Enhancement’ ability.
Unlike my overflowing will, my heart was bleak.
Because I knew that even if I tried to refine my ‘Enhancement’ ability at my current level, the limit was clear.
‘To make progress here, I think I need to thoroughly suck up to other High Mages-‘
“Huh?”
My thoughts stopped there.
Along with my stopped feet.
On the other side of the hallway.
Someone was standing in front of my room.
✦✦✦
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