Chapter 93

Just waiting is surprisingly tiring and, to be honest, exhausting. Every time I receive a report from Rotzon, I feel so down that I'm afraid my body will break down first.

That's why I came to the library to relax. I've always liked it here. It's calm, comfortably cramped, and the wise old man Moran is here too.

What book should I ask him to introduce today? Come to think of it, I haven't had the chance to read books in peace recently.

"Ah, it's been a while, young master."

"I've been back for a week now. I haven't been able to see you, Grandpa Moran, because you haven't come out of the library."

"Since I'm just a servant, there's no need for me to show my face. Besides, I hear all sorts of things even when I'm locked in here. It seems you've been involved in quite a bit of commotion lately."

Grandpa Moran answered while reading a book. I wonder where he gets his information from. He's always been a mysterious and unfathomable person.

"I miss the days when we used to read books together, just the two of us."

"You're not that old yet to be nostalgic."

"You're right."

"How about it? Shall I teach you something new, young master?"

I came here to read and relax, but talking to Grandpa Moran somehow stirs my thirst for knowledge. Since it's been a while, I might as well be honest and ask him to teach me.

"Sure, please do."

Finally, he put away his book and came over to me.

It seems he's enjoying this rare opportunity to teach me.

"I'll teach you a good spell for your recent troubles, a barrier spell. It seems you have a lot of people with ulterior motives around you, so it's good to be able to protect yourself."

"Barrier magic, huh? I'd like to learn it."

"Then let's start. Today, I'll teach you a basic barrier spell. First, go to three points around the mansion and inject concentrated magic power into them at equal intervals."

He doesn't give me any more information, so I just follow his instructions.

I'm quite good at materializing magic power. I squeezed out my magic power and drove it into the ground in the form of stakes.

I chose the points to form an equilateral triangle and carefully completed the task.

When I reported back, Grandpa Moran was waiting with his eyes closed. He seemed to be detecting the magic power.

"Hmm, good work. Now, connect these three points. Can you detect the points where you injected your magic power?"

"Yes, I can."

"Imagine connecting these three points and release your magic power from the ground into the air."

I'm not sure, but I released my magic power along the lines connecting the points. Is this right?

"Hmm, it's looking good. It's about five meters high now. I'd like it to be about fifteen meters higher. Can you make them converge at the top?"

"I can still do it."

I extended it to about twenty meters high as requested and stopped there. It should have formed a triangular pyramid of magic power.

"Finally, change the nature of the magic power. Add a holy attribute, but you've never done it before, right?"

"Yes, I've never even heard of a holy attribute."

"It's simple. Just be pure. Infuse it with pure intentions, and it will change into holy magic power."

Pure intentions? How do I do that?

"Bad people, don't come! Is this how it's done?"

"Wow! It's working! Well done, it's complete. Now, anyone with evil intentions won't be able to enter this mansion easily."

"That's great. It's actually quite simple."

"Sure, sure. ...But it's not something most people can do."

"..."

"Normally, it would take a year of training, and even then, there's no guarantee you could create such a barrier. And it's even better than the one I can make..."

...Huh? Did I do it again? I've been doing this a lot lately.

"Why did you make me do this?"

"I thought you could do it. And you did. You're quite the young master."

"Stop it. I feel like I'm one step closer to being a weirdo again."

"Ho ho ho, being different isn't a bad thing. Anyway, the barrier is complete, so you can sleep soundly from now on."

"You're being mean, Grandpa Moran. I think I'll go to bed now. I've used quite a bit of magic power."

"Go to sleep early. While you can sleep soundly..."

I felt a bit uneasy at his ominous words, but I decided to leave the library.

"Wait, young master."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"About the nature of your magic power..."

"What about it?"

"Well, it's a property I've read about somewhere before. It seemed important, but... I've forgotten. Oh well."

That's not good! It's really bothering me!

There's no point in pushing someone who can't remember, so I'll just hope he remembers soon. Please do it as soon as possible.

My noisy father is sleeping, and Rotzon is out. The mansion is quiet as the night falls, and I decided to go to bed early, but I was surprised by how suddenly things happened.

I woke up in bed with a sudden noise.

No doubt about it. Someone has triggered the barrier. ...Four people. They're quite skilled. Tension ran through my body. The barrier only triggers for those with evil intentions. They are definitely the enemy.

Four people at night, assassins...

I jumped up and grabbed the sword nearby.

I rushed to where the barrier had detected the four people.

There they were! Just as I had sensed, there were indeed four people.

...Huh?

"Um... Why are they already so battered?"

I had come prepared to face four people, but when I arrived, they were already crawling around, covered in blood. Why? There are no guard dogs or anything in my house.

"Damn it!! What is this insane level of barrier? I've never seen anything like this before."

The man with the eye patch finally stood up and said this.

...What!? The barrier did this!? The one I made this afternoon?

"Brother, what do we do? Should we continue the mission?"

"Of course. Fortunately, the foolish target has come out of the barrier. There's no way the four of us can fail. With luck on our side, let's finish this quickly."

Three men and one woman, all armed to the teeth.

They are quite skilled.

I intend to fight back, but if I let my guard down, I'll surely be killed.

"Come on!"

The four of them attacked in perfect coordination. The timing was perfect, showing their high level of skill.

I had to create a dome of fire to repel them. They didn't seem to want to push it too far and all stepped back. They were flawless. Truly skilled.

"Ugh!"

For some reason, one of them collapsed.

"What's wrong, brother!?"

The man called brother, with a cut on his forehead, fell to the ground, spitting blood. What's going on!? I didn't hit him with any magic!

"Brother, the barrier damage is severe... I took the first hit, so I'm the most damaged..."

He was still suffering from the barrier's effects. I feel bad for him.

"Damn it! You rest. We'll finish this with three."

Even with one down, they still moved in perfect coordination, attacking with synchronized movements.

They threw weapons and used magic, closing the distance before I could react. I had to block with my sword. I was barely able to dodge and counter with magic. It was a close fight.

After a while, they made the first move.

"Damn it! I didn't know he could do this!"

"Brother, he's not just a noble."

"My stamina is running low. We'll have to use that. Get ready!"

"Brother, using that will cause a commotion."

"Just do it! If we don't, we might be the ones to die."

"...Alright."

A major change was coming. Even the man with the cut on his forehead, who had been resting, rejoined the fight.

The only woman began to chant a spell. I knew she could use magic from our earlier exchange. The length of her chant suggested something big was coming.

I had to act first.

I cast a fire spell at the four of them and lunged at the woman who was chanting. If I could reach her before they dealt with the fire, I could interrupt her chant... or at least force her to stop.

But then something unexpected happened.

The man with the eye patch, called brother, didn't dodge the fire spell. Instead, he charged straight through it and came at me.

I had no choice but to block with my sword. I managed to parry with a dagger I was holding, but the damage from his slash and magic was too much, and I fell.

"Stupid! That was a foolish move."

Even if it was to protect the chant, it was too reckless. I didn't hold back with my magic. If he took a direct hit, it would surely be fatal. This would interrupt the chant, but now two of them were nearly out of the fight, including the man with the cut on his forehead, who was still suffering from the barrier's damage.

"Hahaha, the fool is you. The chant is complete."

The man with the eye patch, who had been on the verge of death, was back on his feet.

I was breaking out in cold sweat. The fight had been tough enough before.

The man with the cut on his forehead had also recovered from the barrier's damage.

"We don't have much time, so we'll finish this quickly."

With a smile, the four of them charged at me.

Their speed was in a different league.

The four of them attacked at the same time with incredible speed.

—Dodge!? Impossible!

Create a magic dome like before!? No, there's no time to chant.

This is bad, they're too fast. Despite that, I can think clearly, but my body won't respond.

...Damn it!

The four attacks reached me in less than a second, and four strikes hit my vital points simultaneously.

I didn't even have time to feel the pain as my body flew through the air.

Is the human body really this easy to send flying...? I feel like I'm about to lose consciousness too.

Ah, the scenery is moving so slowly, like I'm seeing my life flash before my eyes.

I'm being thrown at high speed, but the scenery is flowing by slowly, as if I'm on a leisurely walk.

It's over. This is definitely game over. I lived well. I lost to power in the end. I did my best, me.

There have been many things, but this is the end.

"Ugh!!"

No, it's not over.

My body hit the ground, and intense pain shot through me. I had taken four powerful hits from the monsters without any restraint. This is not going to be easy. If I were to describe the damage in terms of broken ribs, I'm sure at least six are broken. ...No, let's make it eight. Ten is also possible.

"Look, he's on his last breath. Damn, they even used the demonization spell. Using this will leave them unable to move properly for a week."

"I don't... care..."

I can't even speak properly. My throat is terribly dry.

"Let's finish this before anyone comes. We need time to break the barrier."

"Right."

The man with the cut on his forehead approached me as I lay on my back. In his enlarged hand was a dagger that looked a bit lonely. It was small and lonely, but it would definitely be fatal to me. It would pierce my heart.

I have to move. I have to escape. But my body won't listen.

It's over...

"See you, noble young master!"

The dagger was brought down, piercing my heart.

...I'm so sleepy.

I'm about to lose consciousness. I tried to look around with the last of my strength. The mansion has a barrier. It won't be easy to break through. Besides, Moran and Lassar are inside. They won't go down easily. I'm sorry I couldn't help.

I'll go to sleep then.

—Crack!

Something broke.

Ah, another rib?

No, it's the magic stone I bought from the magic stone shop in the capital that Lassar introduced me to. It was so sturdy, but it couldn't withstand the attacks from these monsters. What a waste, it was expensive.

No...

The magic stone didn't break from the impact. I managed to catch a glimpse of it at the edge of my vision.

Is this the color it was? This ashen white? And it's not broken, it's turned to sand inside. This is...?

I think I get it.

I ate it. I absorbed the magic power from the magic stone without realizing it. I heard it contained a considerable amount... I must have had quite an appetite.

But it doesn't matter now. Blood is gushing from my heart. This is really the end—

"You were the toughest opponent we've faced recently. Consider it an honor."

My life still hasn't ended, and I faintly heard these words.

I'm tougher than I thought.

...Is this an earthquake? No, it's just my body shaking.

Is this what the end feels like? What is this?

Suddenly, my body rose against gravity. My consciousness became clear.

My senses became incredibly sharp.

The wound in my heart... it had healed, and there was no blood. Was it an illusion? It can't be. Something strange is happening.

When I tried to exert force, my body floated a little. Power surged through me. This feeling is familiar, like when I absorbed magic power and went berserk. Why is it happening now, and so powerfully?

"What? Why can you still get up? And you're floating!?"

The man with the cut on his forehead was still nearby, and he was shaken by the sudden change. He stabbed me with his dagger at blinding speed, but I blocked it with a magic barrier. The dagger couldn't penetrate the invisible wall. I had overpowered the monster's strength with magic alone. The speed of my opponent, who had been too fast for me to react, now seemed slow.

"What is this magic!?"

The other three rushed over.

They no longer seemed confident. They were clearly confused by my transformation.

"What's happening!?"

They said this without addressing anyone. I'll answer then.

"...I don't know either."

I'd like to know too. Why is my magic power going berserk like this? I feel an unprecedented surge.

"Are you joking!?"

"I'm not. But something seems to have improved. My broken bones have healed, and my heart... look, it's sealed."

"You bastard!"

The man with the eye patch, in his abnormal state, lost his composure. However, when he gave the signal, the four of them quickly resumed their skilled teamwork and closed the distance in a coordinated attack from all sides. Their power was immense, enough to shatter rocks. Four simultaneous attacks. I couldn't do anything. Defense was impossible. Or so I thought.

But it looked strangely clear.

I defended against their attacks by creating magic barriers on all four sides.

None of their attacks could penetrate the invisible walls. They were pitifully weak.

"What!? What's happening!? What's happening!!"

"Enough. It's over. I'm hungry."

It was almost unconscious. If asked later how I did it, I wouldn't be able to remember. I just did it. That's the best way to describe it.

When I extended my hand, the space distorted.

A vortex of magic power formed in the air.

"Let's eat."

When I clenched my outstretched palm, the vortex began to spin, rapidly absorbing magic power from the surroundings.

From people and nature.

I could feel my hunger being satisfied.

"What!? My power..."

The demonization of the four was undone. It was undone by me.

"We still have time! Why? Why!!"

The vortex didn't stop.

After absorbing the demonization magic, it continued to drain their magic power until they were completely depleted. The scenery didn't change, but I could feel them being consumed. Then, everything became quiet.

"Phew, thank you for the meal."

The sun rose, and I got out of bed, washed my face.

I had breakfast and looked at the view from the mansion for a while.

I brewed a hot cup of tea and, while it cooled, went down to the basement.

"Um, sorry! So, can we have breakfast?"

There, the four people with swollen, bruised faces were tied up.

They were the ones who had caused trouble last night.

"Huh? What?"

"...No, never mind."

They seemed to sense my anger, which was a relief. They were smart.

"Um, when will we be released?"

"Huh? Released? After trying to kill someone?"

"...Sorry!"

I think the tea is just about right. I'll go get a drink.

"Huh!? You're leaving? Really!? You're not going to release us!?"

Really.

I drank my tea, stretched a bit, and went back to the basement.

"Um, what should we do?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"...Sorry. It's scary, can you talk normally?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"...Your gentle tone and wide-open eyes are really scary. Yes."

"Oh, I see."

"...Sorry! We got carried away. We were the strongest in our hometown and went on a rampage in the capital. We were so arrogant! We thought this world was ours, being employed by a great noble. Sorry!"

"Huh?"

"Sorry! The world is much bigger. I never thought someone like you, Mr. Cool, would be so strong. I was like a frog in a well."

"Cool... Go on."

"Ah, yes. What should I continue?"

"What did you come here for? Tell me everything you know. Who hired you? Add 'pig' to their names."

The man with the eye patch hesitated, showing his professional resolve.

"Huh? You're not going to say?"

"Sorry! Your gentle tone and wide-open eyes are really scary! Our employer is Brau Datarne of the Datarne family."

"Huh? You forgot what I said? Add 'pig' to their names."

"Huh? Ah, yes. Our employer is pig Brau Datarne."

"Good. Your mission was to kill me?"

"Yes, and also Lord Tral. The request from pig Brau Datarne is as above. And from his son, pig Fregen Datarne, we were told to severely torture you!"

"Interesting."

So, they've finally resorted to brute force. They must really want this land. And they are so greedy. There's no need to forgive them now.

"Alright, as a reward for your honesty, I'll give you breakfast. Will apple peels do?"

"No way! No way!"

"Huh? You don't like it?"

"Of course, I'll take it!"

"Then, the core? The seeds?"

"...I'll take the peels, thank you."

I continued to extract information from them. It kept coming out. Past misdeeds of the Datarne family. However, they didn't seem to know about their future plans. They were only interested in their own work. Professional integrity, indeed.

"Mr. Cool, when will we be released?"

"Ah, after I ask Grandpa Moran if there's any mind control magic. If there is, I'll cast it."

"No, please don't! Not that!"

They struggled and begged, so I decided not to do it.

"You will live in the Helan territory from now on. I