Chapter 25

I decided to assign a bodyguard to Kirsch to ensure his safety. In my guild, we also take on covert protection missions, so we have a few specialists. Reiza, who is in charge of information gathering, is one of them.

I put the contract in the safe in the office on the second floor of the shop, and Verlene began to take off her apron right there. It’s not surprising, considering the office also serves as her private room, but it’s quite bold to do so in front of me.

"…Hmm? You’re just taking off your apron. Surely, you’re not expecting me to order you to take off the rest, are you? That would be quite an interesting twist."

"Well, I’d love to, but I think we should talk about work first."

"You’re so calm… Is it because I’m a dark elf, and you don’t find me attractive as a woman? I’ve heard human men prefer white elves, but fundamentally, we’re the same race. The difference is just in the color of our skin, which comes from whether we worship the dark gods or the light gods."

"I know that, but hearing it from a dark elf herself makes it hard not to believe."

"Haha… It’s a story from the mythological age. To be honest, even we don’t really feel the impact of that on our current race."

Verlene folded her apron and placed it on the desk, then started to take off her headpiece.

"…If you’re looking at me like this, it means I can be admired, right? I’ve noticed that you seem to be in a good mood today, as you haven’t had your drink yet."

"Well, I don’t always detox with magic."

When she took off the white apron, she was left in a black dress, which suited her quite well. While Verlene in a white elf’s attire is demure, this dress suits her as a dark elf.

"However, this is quite a large-scale request. I didn’t expect a mission that could determine the fate of a nation to be so casually brought to us. It’s all thanks to your training, my lord."

"Knowing too many people who know we’re not a regular guild means we’re too noticeable… After this job, I’d like to lay low for a while."

"The Belvekian army seems ready to move. What do you plan to do about it? If the enemy is already on the move, we might need to take more dramatic action. I could do it, but I think you have a more appropriate plan in mind."

"Verlene has been away from battle for a long time, so I can’t push her too hard. However, the alternative plan is indeed dramatic, and the person I need to request help from is quite difficult to approach."

Verlene smiled wryly, understanding who I was talking about without me naming them.

"That girl… She caused quite a stir in our country. Thanks to her, we have a new lake that’s become a tourist attraction. There are also a few other areas where the terrain has changed and remains that way. Perhaps we should rename her the ‘Walking Natural Disaster’?"

"She doesn’t know how to hold back… Apparently, that’s her aesthetic."

"Aesthetic… I don’t dislike people with such dedication. Isn’t that what life is all about, walking your own path?"

I silently agreed with Verlene, refraining from the uncouth comment that she’s not a demon, but a dark elf.

"If she doesn’t listen, bring her to the bar again. I’ll help with the reception."

"Sure, thanks. We need to act quickly, so I hope she listens."

I wondered if the ‘Walking Natural Disaster’ was sneezing right now. With that thought, I was about to leave the office.

"Are you and Cordy sworn to never marry until he does?"

"No, nothing like that. By the way, why does taking off an apron from an apron dress make it so charming?"

"…If you think so, you could show it in your attitude. You’re quite the devil, my lord."

"Maybe, but you’re the one who’s so openly tempting me. If I get carried away, I might do something unpredictable when I’m drunk."

"…You’re not one to be easily swayed. It only makes me more interested… But don’t underestimate me. I was the former Demon King, after all."

I don’t underestimate her, and I’ll have to consider returning her talisman eventually. However, seeing her excel as a shop owner every day, I can’t help but feel it would be a waste to send her back to the demon kingdom.

◆◇◆

The next morning, I left the shop in Verlene’s hands and headed to the magic university in the morning.

I took a shared carriage to the front of the magic university in the northeast part of the capital. The campus is quite large, and it takes about five minutes to walk from the front courtyard to the research building. Students were eating outdoors and practicing magic, making the campus vibrant.

At the entrance of the research building, there was a reception desk with a receptionist. I approached without hiding my face, as it would be suspicious. Even if I said my name was Dick, not many would immediately recognize me as a member of the Demon King’s extermination team, thanks to my efforts to reduce my presence over the past five years. However, I have a tendency to use a fake name.

"Hello, can I help you with anything?"

The receptionist, wearing a hat, spoke to me. Her uniform emphasized her chest, making it hard not to look—Miralca and the magic university staff must have a thing for well-endowed women. She had a cheerful smile and a youthful appearance, but she must be older than me, who is 18.

"I’m Duke Solver. I’d like to visit Professor Miralca’s office in the Offensive Magic Department I."

"Mr. Duke, Professor Miralca has just gone to the library, but would you like to wait here?"

"No, I’ll go directly. Thanks for the information."

"You’re welcome. Professor Miralca usually turns away male visitors, so I’m surprised you’re being guided."

"Really? Then why are you guiding me?"

"Professor Miralca said that if a young man with black hair visits today and introduces himself with a name starting with ‘D,’ I should guide him."

The use of "should guide" rather than "wants to be guided" sounded like something Miralca would say. And what if someone else had the same name by coincidence?

"She also said your voice is lower than your appearance suggests, so I’m sure it’s you… Right?"

"Probably me. If you see Miralca again, tell her not to share personal information so freely."

"Understood. I’ll keep it between us."

The receptionist smiled and bowed, her large chest leaving a lingering impression—her name tag read ‘Polon Marcotte.’

"Sorry for the unrelated question, but do male students approach you for no reason?"

"My job is to guide visitors. I decline such advances."

So, I’m considered an outsider, which is why I’m being guided—this isn’t the time for flirting. If Miralca found out, it would be fatal, so I decided to avoid further light-hearted comments.

◆◇◆

I entered the magic university library, asked the librarian where Miralca had gone, and headed there. Miralca had come to look for materials on offensive magic, and she was on the east side of the second floor.

Offensive magic can be categorized into various types, such as using the power of spirits, gods, or one’s own magic to interfere with the world. My magic, which I developed independently after learning from others, falls into the category of using magic to interfere with the world.

As I walked through the rows of books on the second floor, admiring the vast collection, I finally spotted her.

Miralca was looking at a book on a high shelf, stretching to reach it but just missing it.

"Why do they put books so high? Books should be placed where the professor can reach them."

Frustrated at not reaching the book, she complained, thinking no one was around. I approached her unnoticed and pulled out the book she was trying to reach, offering it to her.

"Was this the one you were trying to get?"

"…D-Dick! How long have you been watching?"

"Since you were trying to get the book. Is this not the one?"

"…Well, it could be."

Miralca took the book and flipped through it, confirming it was the right one.

"Just because you’re taller doesn’t mean I’ll be impressed when you casually fetch a book for me."

"Next time, I’ll bring a stool. Or maybe give you a piggyback ride?"

"…Don’t get too cocky. You can be the stool. I’ll take off my shoes when I climb on."

Miralca snapped at me, but it didn’t faze me. As a young professor at the magic university, she looks like a student at 16. Like the receptionist, she wore a hat indicating her degree, which suited her well.

"…I expected you to come eventually. Do you have something to ask me?"

"Yeah. I need you to listen to me as the Masked Mage."

She interrupted me before I could finish. Miralca, stroking her golden hair, crossed her arms, still holding the book.

"I only do that for Yuma. Don’t expect me to put on a mask so easily."

"I understand that. You really care about your friends, Miralca."

"Flattery won’t get you anything. I just thought it was a bit risky to leave Yuma with only Aileen as her guardian. It’s not a big deal."

The most risky one is Miralca, but I held back from saying that. If I could get her help, it would solve the first stage of the problem—dramatically.

"…Since you fetched the book for me, I’ll consider it. I still need to gather more materials, so you can fetch them for me. With enhancement magic, you should be able to carry about 50 books, right?"

"It might be a bit tricky to balance, but I’ll try. You’re actually doing professor-like things, Miralca."

"Reading these books won’t help me, but I need to teach the theory to my students… Ah, get that blue-spined book. And the one two spaces to the left."

Miralca kept assigning me to fetch books without hesitation. However, if this gets her to listen to me, it’s a small price to pay.

After fetching about twenty books, I thought she would assign me more, but she suddenly smiled softly and said,

"I’m glad you came today. It’s hard to carry all these books alone. Thanks, Dick."

"…Really? That’s great."

"…? Why the strange look? Is there something on my face?"

"Your eyes, nose, and mouth are all beautiful, just like anyone else’s."

"Saying such obvious things now… Your face has the usual human eyes, nose, and mouth."

I was surprised that Miralca thanked me—working with her to gather the books made her seem unusually cheerful, or maybe it was just my imagination.

"Ah, by the way. I’m sure you stared at Polon’s chest at the reception. I told her to be careful, so you’ll be on her watchlist from now on."

I quickly dismissed the idea that it was my imagination. I didn’t want Duke Solver to be known as a cautionary figure for women on campus. If Timis found out, she might be disappointed.

I handed the stack of books, which was taller than me, to the librarian, who was shocked, and then carried the approved books back to Miralca’s office. I felt like I was drawing unnecessary attention, but I just pretended it was my only strength.