Translator Note

Hi, Hi! It’s your resident tired translator once again, LegoMyEggo!!! Sorry for the late upload, my brother flew in from Australia and I haven’t seen him for over 7 years… so I was catching up with him today!!

Chapter 115: The Lake

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Back in those days, it seems I didn’t bother to look around or check my surroundings much.

Friends would scold me, asking if all I did was study. Sometimes they’d tell me to join gatherings, meet girls, or question what fun I was getting out of life. I’d frown at those questions.

To think those kinds of people made it into Steele. Even this place has become tainted—

It was a time of great dissatisfaction for me.

“Are you still just studying today?    ”

“…Mind your own business.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to bother you. It’s just fascinating that you’re still studying even though vacation is right around the corner.”

“What’s fascinating is how fascinated you are.”

“Don’t be like that. Check this out. It’s a new product—matches that can make even a crying child stop—”

“It’s obvious that thing will be classified as hazardous material later.”

“You’re so prickly! That’s why we should light it up now!”

There’s no tension at all. Grumbling, he got up from his seat.

I wish vacation would come soon so I can go home. Having to see those guys both at school and in the dorm is exhausting.

***************

As he walked briskly, he was startled by a sudden surge of magical energy as he turned a corner.

“Ah…!”

He quickly stopped, avoiding a collision with the person in front of him.

“Hey, what’s with suddenly jumping out from a corner like that—”

Just as he was about to voice his complaint.

“I’m sorry. I’m still not used to controlling it.”

The moment he heard it, he thought it was a voice that would stick in his ears.

Clear enunciation. A rich resonance that could stop anyone in their tracks.

For a moment, Trace paused and looked at the woman in front of him.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Holding a walking stick and dressed in black from head to toe, she smiled as she asked.

.

.

.

It’s a memory from decades ago.

Standing in one spot, Trace gazed at the pitch-black lake from afar and let go of his thoughts.

The familiar hasn’t been seen since earlier.

The snake, which had shown strange movements suddenly. He followed it as if entranced, even the smallest clue was good enough. He didn’t care if others thought it was foolish. It’s a holiday, after all, there’s no harm in experimenting.

Following that snake, he arrived at the outskirts of the Altair Kingdom. Apart from the distant lake, there was nothing noteworthy.

‘Is there something around here? Especially that lake…’

Countless attempts and trial and error are part of a magician’s daily life.

Trace decided to find the snake first.

‘Something… the wind is blowing.’

The old magician looked up at the starry sky and quickly moved.

***************

‘This should be enough, right?’

Dawn. The darkest time before sunrise. Sugar, who had left a note on her bed, looked around the living room.

Ian sleeping while hugging Leon. Leon groaning in his sleep. Riley lying quietly in a corner.

Sugar smiled contentedly and left the house, leaving everything behind.

Tap. She quietly closed the front door and walked a bit before a snake slithered out of the shadows as if waiting.

“Venom. Guide me quickly, I don’t have time.”

Venom used its long body to point the direction. Sugar took out a mana potion and drank it. Now only two bottles remained with the rest were safely stored in the bag tied to her waist.

After finishing her preparations, Sugar ran straight ahead. Flying consumed too much mana, so it’s better to save it.

She ran for an hour or two, taking breaks in between. Climbing up a tree and squinting, she could see the pitch-black lake in the distance. It was dark because of the night.

‘Is that the destination?’

When she looked at Venom questioningly, it just wagged its tail.

It’s a relief it’s not too far. If it were too far, it would take a long time to return, and everyone would worry.

She had been waiting for this moment. What does this snake want to convey? What does it want? Lacking information, Sugar decided to run herself.

‘If I can solve it on my own… let’s finish it quickly and go back.’

Landing from the tree, Sugar ran again.

A dark place where even bird cries were absent. A quiet forest with no signs of magical beasts, only the sound of rustling leaves.

Under the starry sky, a black snake and a saintess in a black cloak blended into the night forest.

Soon, her companions revealed themselves.

“We’ve been waiting.”

Sugar had also been waiting for this reunion. She hadn’t expected to see them here.

The devotees who emerged from the darkness bowed their heads.

“What do you want from me?”

“We long for the day you join us.”

“Not that. What do you want now? Or what are you hiding? Speak honestly.”

“We are followers. Under the great one, their will is our will. How could we dare to plan anything?”

“…”

“Do you feel like you’re being swayed?”

“Honestly, it’s unpleasant.”

“That’s not it. It’s the saintess who wields the power.”

Confused by the words, Sugar frowned. Immediately, one of the devotees spoke.

“Noble one. Allow me to offer a word of advice.”

“Take heed.”

“You tread on ants without realizing it.”

“You must know more and experience more.”

“See the world more broadly, and see things more narrowly.”

One by one, they each spoke, and finally, they all said together.

“Thus, elevate your status.”

Sugar just blinked.

‘Elevate your status.’

A pretty voice from the past came to mind.

Just as she was about to raise her hand to ask something.

“So it was like this… I never thought you’d be hiding such a secret…”

A familiar man’s voice made her turn her head sharply. At the same time, a new magical energy began to be felt. He must have been hiding it until now.

“I couldn’t see the familiar, so I looked around… As expected, you…”

A cry echoed from somewhere.

Awooo–!

Shaaa–

Kieeeek!

The magical beasts of the forest, which had been unseen until now, began to gather in this place.

In front of them, Professor Trace stood straight.

“Professor…”

“What are you hiding? Speak honestly, heretic.”

He pointed his staff at the devotees. The devotees also drew their staffs.

A battle broke out instantly. The gathered magical beasts rushed at the devotees, and the devotees swung their staffs, treating the shadows covering the forest as if they were living beings.

In the midst of it all, Sugar stood firmly. Standing in the place where a suspicious group in black clothes had knelt and worshipped, she had nothing to say.

“But… Professor. You’re also suspicious.”

“If you deal with magical beasts, you should be able to do this much.”

Who knows. Seeing a two-headed bird rush at his gesture, it’s hard to tell who the heretic is.

Sugar quietly assessed the situation while sweating coldly. A fireball flew over her head, but mostly, she was worried about how to resolve this situation.

‘The professor said he’s looking for his master. Probably related to the Shadow Cult… especially since he has a familiar, his master is likely…’

The professor wants to find his master and take revenge. Sugar doesn’t care about that. Whether he takes revenge or not doesn’t matter to her. As long as he doesn’t lay a hand on her or Riley.

Of course, seeing someone she knows, someone she once owed a favor to, being stabbed repeatedly isn’t pleasant but what can you do? It’s their business. If they did something bad enough to warrant hatred, they should accept it.

‘That guy… he’s not a bad person, but he’s the type to attract a lot of hatred…’

Tsk tsk.

Moreover, Professor Trace has come this far. He arrived. He reached this lakeside before Sugar did.

Sugar looked down at Venom.

“Did you guide the professor here?”

The familiar that hurt Sugar and led her here. Venom was peacefully climbing a tree and eating fruit.

‘I can’t figure it out, but since it brought me here, there must be a reason.’

‘Then… is there a need to fight now?’

Professor Trace wants to find his master and take revenge. He followed Venom here.

Sugar doesn’t care if he takes revenge or not. She followed Venom here.

‘…Huh.’

There’s no need to fight?

It’s settled.

“Wait! Everyone, stop!”

Sugar waved her hand. The devotees, excited from the fight, turned their red eyes towards her.

“Saintess. Grant us the holy war.”

“How merciful you are.”

“There are times when blood must be shed.”

Are these guys insane? They’re usually quiet, but using a bit of mana turns their eyes red.

Ignoring that, she gave the order, and they all obeyed. As the people retreated, Trace also stopped his attack.

“Professor. We don’t need to fight. I understand it’s easy to misunderstand, but let’s talk first.”

“You’re trying to deceive me with nonsense, heretic. Today, I’ll uncover your secret—”

“Please! Trust me. You know how to detect lies. No matter how you look at it, there’s no need for this confrontation.”

“…”

Sugar waved her hand again, and the devotees slowly retreated and disappeared. At the same time, Trace lowered his staff and dismissed the magical beasts. He looked suspicious but seemed willing to trust her.

They lit a campfire and sat in front of it to talk.

“We don’t have much time, so I’ll be quick. I’m not their saintess. Well, technically I am, but it’s complicated.”

“It’s really hard to believe, but it doesn’t feel like a lie. Are you using some kind of evil magic?”

“If I could do that, I wouldn’t be sitting here having a conversation with you. Let’s be honest. What’s your master’s name?”

“…”

“Louveci. Is it Louveci?”

The professor flinched.

“That’s right. It is…”

He never expected to hear that name from a student. He was lost in longing.

“I know that person a little, but I don’t know what they’re doing now. But, Professor, how did you become their student? Are you from the heretics too? Did you convert?”

“I feel like I’m hearing all the nonsense I’ll ever hear in my life today.”

“Huh. Don’t tell me you didn’t convert? Then you’re still a heretic—”

“Please stop. I wasn’t a heretic to begin with. I just received teachings without knowing their true identity.”

“Ah.”

“I’m more curious about you, student. What exactly are you?”

“Well… knowing that won’t help you find Louveci. And…”

Sugar took a deep breath.

“You said it yourself, Professor. If there are a hundred people, there are a hundred secrets. So there are two secrets here.”

I won’t ask why you want revenge.

So don’t ask me either.

Understanding, Trace closed his mouth.

“Anyway… let’s think about our common goal. Let’s focus on that for now. You followed Venom here too, right?”

“Venom, Venom? Should I even call that a venomous snake… Well, yes.”

“Did you find anything around here?”

“I haven’t been here long, I found you soon after arriving. Do you know anything? You seemed to be… revered.”

“I really don’t know anything either.”

We’ll have to find out now— Sugar got up, brushing off her pants.

Then Venom, who had been playing leisurely, came to her side. It seemed to follow her, but then it passed by and started slithering towards the lake.

“So there’s something in the lake…”

“It looks like an ordinary lake. Let’s follow it.”

The two followed the familiar, stepping on the soggy ground as they moved forward. The damp air by the lakeside. The humid morning air tickled their noses.

“Huh? Where is it going?”

“It seems to be going into the lake…”

As Trace answered, the snake slipped into the water and disappeared.

“…As a magical beast professor, I’d like to hear your opinion. It’s not telling us to go into the water, is it?”

“As a magical beast professor, that’s the correct answer.”

“Oh no…”

“Is there a problem? So, is this lake where you offer sacrifices—”

“Please stop with the heretic stuff. Seriously. It’s just… I’m scared of water.”

Sugar hesitated as she answered.

“That’s unexpected. But there’s no other way.”

He loosened up his body from his toes, preparing to enter the water.

“Can you not swim at all?”

“Yeah… I can hold my breath, but…”

“I see. Then…”

Trace looked back at Sugar as if assessing her.

Sugar was puzzled by his gaze but soon stiffened.

“Professor, I’m being completely serious.”

“What is it?”

“If, by any chance, you’re thinking of carrying me in or holding my hand to go in… please stop.”

“What?”

“The only man who can touch me… there’s only one in the world…”

She fidgeted with her fingers, blushing, and spoke shyly.

To which Sugar received a simple question.

“Are you mentally ill?”

“What!?”