Chapter 75

"Well, how about the princess of the Palan Empire? Is something like that too hard to obtain?"

"......"

-...Pervert.

For a moment,

I thought I heard Perseus mutter with genuine annoyance.

No, a beauty of that caliber could move one's heart.

Though she and I are still young, haven't we both passed the age of adulthood and independence in this continent?

Without making a pathetic excuse, I stared at him directly, and he quietly closed his eyes.

His eyebrows trembled as if he was trying to guess the meaning of my words.

Is he being serious, or is there another meaning behind it?

After watching him struggle with complex thoughts for a while, he finally gave his maximum response.

"I also... value my life."

His tone, subtly mixed with a sigh, carried a sense of fatigue.

"Alright, that's enough."

Speaking calmly, I lightly threw a pouch of gold coins to him.

"It's a down payment."

He caught the pouch of gold coins and his eyes widened slightly in surprise at the unexpectedly heavy weight.

"It's 150 gold. My brother, Winry, has a female mage named Fortna among his knights. Investigate her recent activities."

"An investigation into a woman?"

"Better to call it medical assistance. Who would think of a perverted stalker?"

His eyes seemed to cool slightly at my words.

-And yet, a moment ago, you were talking about the princess of the Palan Empire's undergarments?

Though I can't really communicate with Perseus, the look in his eyes suggests he's thinking the same thing.

'Information Check'

Beep

-Name: Jack (Aina Helishana)

-Age: 124

-Gender: Male (Female)

-Race: Human (Dark Elf)

-Title: Killer Star

-Abnormal Status: None

-Notable Points:

Possesses assassination skills at the beginning of mastery.

Fourth division leader of the continent's top information guild, Echo.

Currently active in the information guild as "Jack."

-Current Psychological State:

Confused.

'Hmm? She's a woman? And a Dark Elf?'

I paused, looking at the race field in his information.

He doesn't look particularly dark-skinned or have long ears.

-Dark Elves aren't necessarily dark-skinned, just like how there are different types of mages. They are all the same race of elves.

'I shouldn't provoke her; it won't end well.'

-Can you handle it?

'Unlikely.'

I chuckled inwardly and continued.

"Is it possible?"

"I won't take the money."

At that moment,

After thinking deeply, he quietly handed the money pouch back to me.

"What does that mean?"

"I won't take the money."

"You're doing it for free?"

"That's not it either."

He bowed his head silently.

"The payment will be... settled later."

"What if I run away with it?"

Smiling, I asked, and he bowed his head again.

"Despite appearances, you don't seem like someone who would break a promise out of pettiness."

You've been watching me and if you like what you see, you'll create a connection?

Arrogant, but not entirely bad.

I was surprised by the Dark Elf race, but if she's willing to change her gender, hiding her race shouldn't be hard.

Her sturdy build is actually a fake; it's not funny at all.

Using the power of the fragment more deeply, I could faintly see the silhouette of a slender, petite girl.

Indeed, the power derived from the will of a god.

"Is this your organization's opinion?"

"It's my personal suggestion."

"Alright, do as you please."

"Then..."

He gave a short bow and disappeared like smoke.

"Pay more attention to your stealth skills? You have some pride, I see."

I chuckled, mulling over the information I had checked on him, or rather, her.

"Dark Elf and hiding her gender... and isn't Echo a famous information guild on the continent?"

-Not just merchants have a good sense of smell. More importantly.

She quietly said to me, trailing off.

-Do you know about the Helishana family?

"Helishana?"

-Don't you?

"It seems to be the surname of that elf. Is there something about it?"

At my question, she smiled softly and shook her head.

-It doesn't matter if you don't know. Forget it.

"Rather anticlimactic."

The conversation with her didn't last long.

* * *

Despite being extremely exhausted from the long journey, Winry followed me without wasting a moment.

However, due to the urgency, she had neglected her own well-being, and her physical condition was not good enough to endure the days of marching ahead.

Her mental and physical exhaustion was severe, and even though she had been active on the battlefield, Winry, as a mage, had limited physical endurance.

"I know your condition well. Stay here."

"No! I'm going with you!"

"Don't be stubborn."

I tried to persuade her with a stern voice, but Winry remained resolute.

She must know how bad her physical condition is after the forced march.

Riding a horse is surprisingly tiring.

I also wondered what Baris was doing, but knowing how much he cares about his twin sister, he must have his reasons.

"It will take a few days to reach the Ordem estate. The carriage will be slower, and if we check your symptoms, it will only delay us, and you'll be a hindrance."

I tried to reason with her, but Winry insisted she could ride and started to cry.

-Why are you so weak when it comes to your twin sister?

"I can go, big brother! I'm not weak!"

She can, of course. If she can mentally endure it, she can make it. The problem is that I don't want her to.

As I pondered this, my indecision was unexpectedly resolved.

* * *

"Nice to meet you. I am Yulius, a 5th Circle Master, and I am honored to be a part of the Red Tower."

Mages tend to omit their gender when introducing themselves and focus on their rank and proficiency.

5th Circle Master.

Those who have taken the Oath of Mana find it extremely unpleasant to be lied about their rank.

In other words, the young man with short red hair in his late twenties is a 5th Circle Master mage.

5th Circle.

A level close to the beginning of mastery, which, considering my age, is truly an incredible achievement.

It requires talent and effort on par with a Swordmaster.

While swords train the body, magic strengthens the mind and intellect.

Unlike the few who become Masters after dedicating their entire lives, he has reached the Master level before turning 30.

My case is an exception due to the different time scale.

"David All Round. I have heard of Yulius, the 5th Circle. It's an honor to have you visit such a humble estate."

To say I know him is an exaggeration. I had no interest in him, and there was no reason to have this conversation.

Whether he is famous on the continent or not, he is a figure from the Central Tower in the Central Continent. Getting involved would only bring trouble.

"Humble? This is one of the most promising estates in the Eastern Continent. Besides, I've heard a lot about you from Princess Winry, and I wanted to meet you."

His tone, as he smiled, lacked any sarcasm.

Considering his image, he seems to be an earnest young man, too honest for his own good.

However, the danger level in my mind had already reached its maximum.

'Dangerous guy!'

-You need to be more cautious. Is there a reason to be so wary just because he traveled with your sister?

There is, plenty of reasons.

Dare he extend his black hand?

I've heard he has a gentle disposition and is a rare genius acknowledged by the tower.

Moreover, he has a good background!

Background, wealth, personality, appearance, ability.

He has nothing lacking. In short, Yulius, the 5th Circle, is the perfect son of a mother's friend.

The merit of becoming a Master at a young age is outstanding.

And, he's tall too.

The question is, how does he know Winry?

"How do you know my sister, Yulius 5th Circle?"

Narrowing my eyes, I asked, and Winry, startled, poked my arm.

"O... Big brother!"

"Ha ha, it's fine. I'll be cautious too. Actually, I was on my way to Haines Estate on business when I coincidentally met Princess Winry."

Winry, blushing, bowed her head deeply.

They say raising a daughter is useless.

'I can't let this slide. I need to deal with him now.'

-You need to hold back. Besides, Winry isn't your daughter!

If not for Perseus, who caught my arm with an invisible force, I would have drawn my ki sword and attacked.

'Hmm...'

I made the ki sword disappear without him noticing and smiled wryly.

"Thank you for helping my less capable sister."

"No, I was the one who received help."

I heard that on the way, he was targeted by reckless bandits, and Winry, riding a horse, chased them all away with magic.

"So, I was thinking of how to repay you when I found you here."

"Ah... Yes."

"Actually, I have some knowledge of spatial magic in addition to fire magic, and I can help you."

"Spacial... Teleportation Magic!"

Winry's surprised exclamation made me inwardly gasp.

Typically, a mage specializes in one field for their entire life.

It's too short to master multiple fields.

"I happen to have a small mana gate with me to transport necessary materials."

"Small... Mana Gate!"

Surprised by Winry's exclamation, I looked at her.

"Is it that significant?"

"Y... Yes! Big brother! Unlike the large installation-type mana gates, small mana gates are extremely rare and high-end artifacts, even among the mages of the tower!"

"Hmm..."

"Only those proficient in 5th Circle spatial theory and possessing mana close to High Wizard can use it. I never thought one of these would be in the Red Tower."

He was originally bringing it to prevent the damage of important items from the tower.

Winry, being a mage, has a keen curiosity and thirst for knowledge like other mages.

In the end, I decided to put off dealing with him.

With a small mana gate, we can travel without much burden.

Even if Winry isn't a spatial mage, she can still use it without much backlash.

Long-distance teleportation is a 6th Circle spell, which is quite cumbersome for me now.

"Then, I'll have to rely on you."

Smiling, I extended my hand, and he shook it, laughing.

Perhaps because of the subtle force in my grip, his complexion seemed to pale slightly.