Chapter 33

33

"Huff... huff..."

I thought I was going to die.

I sprawled out and stretched my short limbs as far as they could go.

I almost ended my short life too quickly. Even if that’s the case, it’s sad to die before I even turn one.

How did I end up like this?

I felt something hot around my eyes, so I pressed them with the back of my hand. The most heartbreaking thing is that my hand didn’t even reach properly, and I had to use my fingertips.

It’s okay.

"Ugh, gah...!"

I never thought saying "it’s okay" would be so hard to pronounce.

I felt a new sense of disappointment with my tongue and sprawled out again.

The sky was a clear blue, and the sun was blinding.

'I’m alone again.'

Of course, I didn’t expect anyone to be by my side when I left the Clowen mansion...

It’s just a bit sad that I can no longer enjoy warm food or a cozy blanket.

The thought of having to eat roots again isn’t particularly pleasant.

Of course, since I’ve done it once before, it should be easier the second time.

Being on the ground and crawling isn’t something new to me.

'At least I didn’t come out as a newborn.'

I should have been at least four or five years old.

But I never thought I would be caught using black magic like this.

'I need to kill something, even if it’s just a little.'

Whether it’s an animal or a human who tormented me, my black magic isn’t strong enough to survive alone in this fragile baby body.

But black magic, which has a stronger killing power than regular magic, is necessary to survive in this vast forest.

'Something feels familiar.'

Especially this pond.

...It’s very familiar.

I slowly blinked and looked around, crawling.

There should be a cluster of low trees with red berries on the other side...

I crawled there as if in a trance.

And there, just as I imagined, was a tree with red berries hanging temptingly.

Oh, can this body actually predict things...?

...What...

"Ugh!"

It’s the second pond inside the mansion!

I screamed in terror, my face pale.

* * *

"A, Miss!"

Vera panicked and ran to where Shirena had been.

She looked around with wide eyes, but there was no sign of Shirena.

Sharent Clowen straightened his sword and narrowed his eyes.

Desar Clowen strode over and grabbed Sharent Clowen’s shoulder.

"What did you do to that child! When did you ever give me the authority to dispose of her...!"

"Father."

Sharent Clowen called Desar Clowen softly.

"I only tried to cut out the magic stone because she was about to use magic. Please calm down."

As he spoke, Sharent Clowen clicked his tongue.

I never thought she would run away in such a panic.

Moreover, a warp spell. Even with a magic stone, you need to practice to use it, and he knew that.

"Father, did it look like I was trying to kill her?"

"Hmm."

Desar Clowen cleared his throat. He didn’t feel any murderous intent, but the sharpness was palpable, so he couldn’t deny it.

He knew how much Sharent Clowen disliked magic.

"I don’t know where she ran to. It’s a problem."

"I won’t allow you to kill a child."

"Kill? Father."

Sharent Clowen feigned surprise, lowering his eyes.

Knowing his talent for feigning expressions, Desar Clowen frowned slightly but stopped.

"Even I wouldn’t kill something helpless without a reason."

"Even with a reason, I won’t allow it without my permission."

Desar Clowen’s firm words made Sharent Clowen laugh softly.

He nodded calmly.

"If that’s what Father wishes."

A smile formed on his pale cheeks, a smile without a hint of crease.

He slowly sheathed his sword and spoke.

"But if it happens again, it will be troublesome. I should put a tracking device on her next time."

"That’s fine."

Sharent Clowen’s words made Desar Clowen nod.

"It would be more convenient than putting a leash on her."

His pale, straight fingers lightly tapped the sword hilt.

He blinked a few times slowly and turned his body.

"Looks like a helpful rat just walked in."

"...Rat? That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?"

"What else should I call a guest who steps into someone’s mansion with dirty feet without permission?"

He spat out the words smoothly with a soft voice. Anyone who didn’t understand the language would think he was giving a compliment.

"I only came in because I sensed magic moving inside the mansion and wanted to be prepared for any unexpected situation. If it was unpleasant, I apologize."

"Who are you, then?"

Sharent Clowen, who had nodded arrogantly at the other’s stiff words, asked calmly.

The other’s face stiffened slightly. It was clearly a sign of disrespect to ignore the person who had come as a representative.

But it wouldn’t be wise to make an enemy of the Clowen family.

The Clowen family was the representative of the Heiren Empire. Making an enemy of the Clowen family meant making an enemy of the Heiren Empire, the largest nation.

The emperor had appointed the Clowen as his representative, and he couldn’t ignore that.

"I am Melaine Silophia, the newly appointed head of the Magic Tower."

The surname 'Silophia,' which only the head of the Magic Tower could bear.

Originally, it belonged to Hella, but after her dismissal, it became Melaine’s.

Sharent Clowen narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Where did the one who was worth dealing with go, and why did this mediocre person come in?"

"The former head of the Magic Tower was executed for committing an unforgivable sin."

Sharent Clowen’s eyes widened.

He laughed as if he had heard an interesting story and spoke.

"An unforgivable sin?"

"She used forbidden black magic. The Senate judged that her disregard for life posed a significant threat to Silophia."

Melaine spoke calmly. Desar Clowen clicked his tongue.

"They used her when they needed her, but the higher-ups couldn’t stand the power and got rid of her."

Desar Clowen clicked his tongue again, sounding exasperated.

It was a common occurrence. They used the powerful leaders when needed, but once things stabilized, they became a nuisance.

"Hella Silophia had been a black magician for a long time."

It was something Sharent Clowen and Desar Clowen vaguely knew.

Even when Sharent Clowen probed, Melaine remained silent, her lips tightly closed.

Sharent Clowen shrugged.

In fact, the internal affairs of Silophia were none of their business.

It was a common practice to kick out the powerful once they were no longer needed, like cutting off a lizard’s tail.

"A griffin invaded my mansion recently. Are you managing the ruins properly?"

"The last incident was an unforeseen mistake. We are now making efforts to manage and supervise the ruins properly. I came here to apologize for that..."

Bang!

Desar Clowen’s fist slammed into a nearby table.

The table split in two with a sound like an explosion.

Melaine, unable to finish her sentence, could only close her mouth again.

"Removing the large pillar that supports the country, which is still in the process of forming, naturally causes instability!"

The large pillar.

It was a clear reference to Hella.

Melaine clenched her fists tightly.

The recent series of events were unexpected.

The absence she felt after her disappearance was something she had never felt before.

"My grandson almost got seriously hurt! If this happens again, I will formally protest to Silophia!"

"...I will keep that in mind."

Melaine Silophia bowed, lowering her body, with a disapproving look.

The guardian of the ruins leaving the ruins was an unexpected event.

'After she disappeared...'

Everything is unexpected.

Things that would never have happened if she were still here.

Melaine shook her head, lost in thought.

Thinking about it now won’t change anything. Hella is already dead, and she had to take on her responsibilities.

Melaine slowly closed her eyes and then opened them, turning her gaze to Sharent Clowen.

"I heard you need help. Could you explain the magic power fluctuation that just occurred?"

"It seems my niece has a talent for magic that I didn’t expect. She felt threatened by me and used a magic stone to warp and escape, causing me some trouble."

Sharent Clowen’s words made Melaine’s eyes narrow.

He tilted his head with a subtle expression. Warp is a spell that can be used once you’re past the beginner level.

It’s not a particularly advanced spell.

However, it’s something you can only learn after 2-3 years of practice, after stabilizing your magic power and mastering basic spells.

I heard Sharent Clowen’s son is still young. His niece can’t be much older.

'Probably around seven or eight years old.'

Even with a magic stone, being able to use warp at that age is impressive.

"Seems she was born with exceptional talent. Even with accelerated training, it usually takes until 13-14 years old."

"Hmm, it’s normal for the Clowen family."

Desar Clowen nodded contentedly.

It was hard to believe he had been so sharp just a moment ago.

Sharent Clowen looked at Desar Clowen and crossed his arms.

"Tracing her won’t be difficult. She’s still inexperienced."

She probably couldn’t even hide her magic power.

Melaine, who had entered, scanned the room and stopped at a certain spot.

Exactly where Shirena had disappeared.