episode_0022

After encountering the man in the black priestly garb, I thought the journey westward would become quite troublesome.

For a few days, attacks were frequent, but even those became scarce once my magic was unleashed.

Only a few low-level demons, unable to bear hunger, sporadically ambushed us.

As the journey grew safer with only the occasional threat of pursuing elves, I felt somewhat relieved, yet I did not let my guard down.

With the remake, I couldn’t predict how the followers of evil had changed.

Who knows what schemes they might be concocting?

They had been attempting assassinations steadily since our encounter in the original, so would they really leave us be until we reached the west?

If they retreated after being hit by the blind magical blast I launched into the forest last time, who’s to say they won’t try again?

But unless they’re complete idiots, what villain retreats after being hit by a blind magical blast?

“…It’s the calm before the storm; better be prepared. We never know when something might happen.”

I cautiously awaken the magic dozing at my fingertips.

Already adept at manipulating magic after just a few practices, as if it were the witch’s own body, not mine.

Scattering the dark magic gathered at my fingertips, I heaved a long sigh.

“Why am I so uneasy?”

Ironically, peace makes me anxious.

I almost wish for more attacks like before.

Didn’t the same happen in Dasurim?

After meeting the priestess, we thought we’d have some quiet days, but then the protagonist showed up, followed swiftly by the main event, ‘The Great Escape.’

Peace is never a good sign.

In this story, unlike others, hell always follows brief peace.

And that hell is enough to turn the fleeting happiness of peace into fear.

With the protagonist’s group, I couldn’t afford to relax in this deceptive peace.

Thud—

Was I practicing magic manipulation again?

Stroheim, who had been searching with a telescope, excitedly exclaimed, “I see the city! Haha! Finally, a chance for some maintenance!”

“A rare piece of good news indeed. But is the city intact?”

“Intact or not! The sturdy city walls look perfect for a night’s rest and departure tomorrow!”

It had been ten days since we escaped Dasurim and headed west.

Already looking ragged, we sought out the city without hesitation, feeling the need for a proper rest for once since our possession began.

For the first time since the possession, I could finally enjoy the peaceful rest I had dreamt of.

—–

The identity issue was solved solely by Cal, who could provide identification.

Displaying the mercenary badge and slipping stolen items from the bandits into the gatekeeper’s pocket, we were allowed entry.

Of course, the elaborate priestly attire worn by the priestess played a part too.

Having successfully entered, we quickly secured lodgings for the night and, finishing early, went outside for personal maintenance time.

My tasks included purchasing spellbooks and gathering information, naturally.

While unaware of the cult of evil, knowing the location of the elves was crucial, and magic use was essential to pass through the western episode.

Recalling the original novel, I headed straight to the bustling district and found what seemed like an antique shop.

If you ask why I went to an antique shop of all places, well, with my current status, this was one of the few places where I could acquire spellbooks.

Profit.

A shabby store dealing in antiques.

As the creak of the rusty hinges echoed, upon entering, I saw a blonde witch napping on a desk.

…Even in a place like this, there’s a witch.

Should I be glad to meet a comrade? Or worry because the shopkeeper is eccentric?

Upon careful consideration, what caught my eye was a desk strewn with various experimental tools, indicating diligent research.

As I approached the desk, the blonde witch, with a coquettish moan, woke from her slumber.

“Ugh… Who’s there…?”

“A guest.”

“Oh… I forgot to close the door… I’m not open for business… Please leave quickly…”

The blonde witch waved her hand to shoo me away, only to realize her magic had no effect, squinting her eyes.

After staring at me for a while, furrowing her brow in annoyance, she sighed.

“Ugh… Why would someone seeking closure come to this dreary place… What do you need so urgently…”

“I never imagined the owner of an antique shop would be a witch.”

“There’s nothing to see here… Leave… If I had what you were looking for, I’d be using it already…”

Yawning lazily, the witch attempted to go back to sleep.

I tossed a purse of stolen coins from the thieves’ guild onto the desk and mentioned the item I needed.

“Don’t you have any leftover spellbooks? There must be at least one.”

“…Why are you looking for useless trash even if I give it to you…? What, do I look like I raise slaves…?”

“Something like that. So, do you have it? Or not?”

“I do have it… But you know spellbooks are expensive, right…?”

“You just said it’s useless trash a moment ago.”

“Did I say that…?”

Brushing off my remark nonchalantly, the blonde sorceress fetched a spellbook from somewhere, roughly counted the coins in the purse, then nodded slowly.

“Ugh, this should be enough… Goodbye then, customer… Hehe…”

“My business isn’t finished yet.”

“Why again… What do you need…”

“Recent information about the movements of elves from the Great Forest. And detailed locations of the elves coming out of the Great Forest.”

Originally, I planned to get only a spellbook from the antique shop.

Information about elves was something I intended to gather by piecing together rumors while wandering through the bustling streets.

However, if the shopkeeper is a witch, the story changes.

The witch before me is not some half-baked witch like myself but a true professional, so skilled that she’s referred to as ‘versatile.’

In simpler terms, it means she can provide concrete information rather than vague hearsay.

I looked at the blonde witch with expectant eyes, a glint of anticipation in them.

In response, she let out a long sigh, shaking her head hesitantly.

Her blue eyes, previously soft, suddenly turned fierce as she snapped at me in an irritated voice.

“No… If it’s just basic info, can’t you handle it yourself? Why ask me…?”

“You sold me useless trash at a high price; surely you can manage this much?”

“…Fine, there must be a reason why you requested it from me. To treat me like a magical courier at this stage… Ugh, it’s my fate. Let’s hope it’s nothing major…? Just do it…”

Grumbling, the blonde witch raised her golden magic, wore a serious expression as if observing something, and remained silent for a while.

Then, after a moment, she lowered her magic and shouted in a voice tinged with horror for the antique shop to leave.

“…What in the world have those lunatics done now!!!!!”

—–

From the enchanted bead containing information obtained through [Grand Magic – Clairvoyance], a voice emanates.

“Sisters, we have lost our seed providers due to the wicked witch.”

“We managed to protect up to intermediate levels, but we lost countless higher-level ones, and all the top-tier ones we had captured.”

“Those who have experienced above intermediate levels will understand. The sweetness of pleasure alone is on a different level, and the concentration and quality compared to intermediate levels are worlds apart.”

“Although it’s a confusing situation, I can’t just watch this confusion continue. And to resolve the chaos, we must address the most fundamental cause.”

“We’ll catch them all, starting with the ‘special class.’ It won’t be long before we can easily catch them by chasing them on the vaikon.”

The information received from the blonde witch was roughly as follows:

The elves they thought were chasing them are now preparing to depart and are extremely irritated.

Furthermore, riding a vaikon that is definitely not inferior to a unicorn in terms of speed.

Judging by the relaxed tone of voice, it seemed like they were confident in capturing the group.

I realized that while I may not know much else, the moment they are caught, things will definitely not look good.

My suspicions were correct.

No wonder I felt uneasy; in a few days, I would have to fight again against those who had turned their attention back to debauchery.

The only fortunate thing was that unlike being chased in the Great Forest, we could use magic.

Although not having the upper hand in combat due to not being on home ground against the elves.

Nevertheless, the situation remained grim.

Damn it, I thought it was nice to finally rest.

I gaze at Kotas tearing apart a chicken leg with gusto.

…Should I starve him for a few days?

Starving him for a while and then throwing him to the elves might allow for another repulsion.

Shaking my head as I entertain these dark thoughts.

No, it won’t be resolved so easily. Since the last time was a disaster, he must have come up with a solution.

Perhaps starving him could be the worst handshake.

Turning my gaze away from Kotas, I now look at Veldom and Stroheim.

They are passionately debating about perfect muscles even in this situation.

Seeing their insane behavior, the faint hope that had briefly emerged now chilled.

…They seem completely useless, next.

Lastly, the original protagonist, Karl.

Looking at his lower body with a vacant expression, he covers it and stiffens his expression.

“…Honestly, isn’t twice a bit too much?”

“Mm.”

Indeed, the strategy of being caught twice is not a good one.

The elves are not fools, and moreover, being outside the Great Forest now makes it hard to let their guard down.

What should we do?

It really seems like there’s no solution.

A dark future where nothing is visible ahead.

Was he sighing at the despair rising deep within his heart?

“Can we have a little chat?”

A voice that shouldn’t have been heard suddenly spoke.