Ch.440Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

After the commotion had passed, the refugee camp I returned to was bathed in tranquility.

The warm sunlight tickled my skin, making my eyes close involuntarily. It must be because I hadn’t slept for days.

Ibrahim, sitting on the bench, continued speaking.

“Under the Vatican’s orders, Saint Lucia’s security has been strengthened. It’s at a level where we don’t need to worry for a while.”

The Church’s soldier surveyed the camp.

The camp, accommodating tens of thousands of refugees, rivaled the size of a small city, and judging by the number of people gathered here, it seemed like most refugees had congregated in this place.

“Saint Lucia must be exhausted. Though she’s made it her mission to protect the weak, embracing so many refugees must be overwhelming…”

“Right now, she’s only dealing with the refugees here, but tomorrow, even more will flood in. The rumor that a saint has appeared has spread widely across all camps.”

A child playing in the open space kicks a ball with all his might.

The ball soars powerfully, crossing the line drawn with powder and going to the opposite side, followed immediately by numerous children sprinting after it.

I continued speaking while watching the children playing with the ball. The information exchange wasn’t over yet.

“During Yunus’s interrogation, we discovered the transportation the cultists had reserved. It was a long-distance passenger bus that departed from a nearby city three days ago. By now, they should have almost reached the border.”

“There are routes that go straight to Necropolis once they cross the border. How about arresting them at the checkpoint? Either by bribing government troops or setting up an ambush nearby.”

“It won’t be easy. Since we arrived here, surveillance in the border area has intensified. It means it’s become harder to bribe government troops or launch an attack at checkpoints.”

“…Then?”

I answered briefly.

“To catch a tiger, one must go to its den.”

Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

“You mean you’re going to enter Necropolis.”

Ibrahim nodded in understanding.

The cult extermination specialist shared what he knew.

“Necropolis is a vast city. And extremely dangerous. Exiles, murderers, smugglers, residents… With such a diverse population comes various threats. Finding cultists there won’t be easy.”

When was anything ever easy? I spat out the wax I was chewing and responded.

“It seems Sanya didn’t fully trust the cultists. They’ve taken out some insurance. We’ll use that to track them down.”

“That’s fortunate then.”

Just as we were exchanging information, an uninvited guest appeared from behind.

“What are you doing there?”

It was Camilla’s voice.

Ibrahim, who confirmed her with a sidelong glance, moved away. Camilla was approaching with a beaming smile, unaware of what was happening.

“What were you doing? I saw you talking to someone from a distance.”

“It’s nothing. By the way, what brings you to the camp, Camilla? Weren’t you in the no-man’s-land?”

“I stopped by the peacekeeping force’s base for supplies. That’s when I heard Lucia was here, so I came.”

Camilla tapped her shoulder with her fist and groaned. It seemed the monster hunting in the no-man’s-land had been quite exhausting.

“You look tired.”

“Don’t even mention it… Peacekeeping forces, government troops, warlords, nomads… They say it’s a land where no one lives, but when you actually go there, it’s overflowing with people.”

“Nomads?”

“Tribes that cross the desert with their livestock. Sometimes they come in during engagements… The other day, while hunting monsters, nomads appeared, and their goats got shot.”

Camilla explained that nomads sometimes deliberately intrude into peacekeeping operation areas to get compensation when their livestock is killed. It was a way to make money by exploiting the foreign military’s reluctance to clash with local residents.

Of course, government troops wouldn’t care. They’re the dictator’s army.

If you don’t want to get caught and beaten by a quasi-warlord who doesn’t care about human casualties, you’d better be careful. And you have to be wary of real warlords too.

“…But the landscape in areas untouched by humans is truly beautiful. Would you like to go see it together when this is all over?”

“With Lucia and Francesca? The four of us?”

“Of course!”

“Let’s do that.”

Perhaps feeling lonely after working alone for the past few days, Camilla was recounting a string of incidents from the no-man’s-land.

Most were about where she fought or what monsters she encountered, but even from these fragmentary stories, I could easily imagine how difficult it had been for her.

So, with a touch of guilt, I awkwardly cleared my throat and spoke.

“Camilla.”

“Yes?”

“I think my business trip is going to be a bit longer.”

At this sudden news, Camilla’s expression darkened. She looked both disappointed and concerned.

After a moment of silence with that unhappy face, she forced a bright smile and replied, though she couldn’t hide her complexion.

“Alright! Well, we can sightsee later. Am I coming along?”

I shook my head.

“I’m going with the team.”

“…Ah, the team.”

“We’ll be moving together, and we’re planning to go quite far. I can’t be certain how long it will take, but we’ll be back in at least a week.”

“Be careful. Don’t get hurt.”

She encouraged me, saying Lucia would be under her protection, so I should return safely. Of course, the actual guarding of Lucia would be handled by the Holy Knights, but with her help, there shouldn’t be any problems.

As Camilla confidently assured me to trust her, I chuckled and made a joke.

“Don’t steal the snacks from Lucia’s clinic. Those are for the refugees.”

“W-w-what are you saying! Do I look like someone who would steal food from refugees?!”

“I’m joking. Why are you getting so worked up?”

While Camilla was fuming (literally) at what she called a joke that didn’t even sound like one, she finally calmed down and exhaled deeply.

“Anyway… Come back safely. I’ll be waiting.”

“Of course I will.”

“And maybe find a new comrade while you’re at it.”

As if that’s so easy. It would have to be up to me.

Camilla waved her hands and disappeared into the headquarters building to find out Lucia’s location. But just for a moment. She quickly ran back out, poked her head out of the main gate, and shouted to me with all her might.

“Bring back something delicious! Let’s call it even for the snacks I burned last time!”

Towards Camilla, who was waving with a bright smile, I raised my voice with my hand to my mouth.

“See you later!”

*

“See you later? What do you mean, ‘see you later’?”

“Why are you acting like this again?”

“When have I ever acted like this?”

A sulky voice pierces my ear. After giving me a sharp look, Francesca turned her head with a pout and began walking briskly.

“What’s wrong, Francesca? Just because I said a quick hello…”

“Ah, yes. I’m sure that’s all it was.”

“Seriously…”

She caught me exchanging greetings with Camilla before the business trip. Well, there was nothing to “catch” since I hadn’t been hiding anything in the first place.

But for some reason, Francesca was upset after seeing us greeting each other.

“Last time you got sulky because I briefly greeted Lucia. Now it’s Camilla?”

“Who said I was sulking?”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe you’ve done something wrong to me, and that’s why I’m acting this way?”

Francesca was telling blatant lies without even trying to make them sound convincing.

Ever since I met Lucia and exchanged greetings, she had been looking at me with suspicious eyes. Just like someone suspecting their lover of infidelity.

Of course, it was true. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t that I had been unfaithful to Lucia, but that I had been unfaithful to Francesca… From her perspective, not knowing the full context, it was a situation where she might suspect something was going on.

But isn’t she being too suspicious over just a greeting? I sent her a look conveying that sentiment, and Francesca began to glare at me with cold eyes.

“For just exchanging greetings, the way you and the Saint looked at each other was quite unusual. It was as if honey was dripping between you two.”

At her response, I was about to argue but had to swallow my excuse. Instead, what came out was an answer that didn’t seem particularly convincing to anyone.

“…It’s a misunderstanding.”

“Ah, a misunderstanding. Everyone starts with that excuse.”

“It’s really…”

Despite my pleas to believe me, it was of no use. Francesca was already thoroughly upset.

I silently walked behind her, and Francesca crossed the corridor without even giving me a glance.

Though our relationship had become slightly awkward, she was a woman who knew how to separate personal and professional matters. Setting aside her personal feelings, she changed the topic in a tone that seemed no different from usual.

“As you asked before, I inquired about a magician who has connections in Necropolis.”

The day I contacted Ibrahim, I went to her and asked for help.

I asked if she knew anyone in Necropolis and, if so, if she could help us get inside with that person’s assistance.

Francesca shared the information she had gathered.

“People who are acquainted with me but not too close. Those who could be most helpful to us, while also being reliable and discreet.”

“So, did you find someone?”

She handed me a business card.

I took the card from between her fingers, and Francesca continued her explanation.

“A magician originally from the Magic Tower who transferred to the Ivory Tower. Affiliated with the Alchemy School. I briefly attended classes with them when I was studying at the university.”

“The Ivory Tower means they found their calling. It’s the home of alchemy after all… What is this person doing in Necropolis?”

“According to my classmates, they opened a small potion shop. They sell not only potions but also alchemical ingredients and sacrificial items needed for magic. Rumors suggest they also deal in illegal items.”

In the magical community, “illegal items” refers to items that both the Magic Tower and the Ivory Tower have banned from trade.

But items forbidden in the magical community are openly traded in Necropolis.

Why?

Because it’s Necropolis.

“It’s like the Magic Tower’s dark side.”

“Please don’t call it that. It offends those from the Magic Tower.”

“It’s just a metaphor.”

People speak of the three major magical societies.

The Magic Tower, the Ivory Tower, and Necropolis.

However, both the Magic Tower and the Ivory Tower officially and unofficially recommend using the term “two major magical societies” rather than three.

Because Necropolis exists not in the light but in the shadows.

After crossing the corridor, Francesca opened the door to the hotel room. Inside, two intelligence officers were waiting, ready for the dispatch to Necropolis.

Standing in the center of the room, the alchemist drew everyone’s attention before beginning.

“Now, everyone gathered here will be entering Necropolis with me from today. Is everyone present?”

I nodded, looking around at the two intelligence officers.

“All familiar faces.”

In response, a tail swishes back and forth.

Pointed cat ears and vertically slit pupils characteristic of felines.

The body reflecting the characteristics of a beastkin, a hybrid of human and animal, was quite different from that of an ordinary human.

The so-called cat whiskers. The beastkin with distinctive whiskers that stuck out like fluffy cotton sat curled up on the plush mattress and let out a long cry.

“Meooow…!”

Caer. The first intelligence officer assigned to the team heading to Necropolis.

And the second intelligence officer was someone I knew well.

Ears that were pointed but small, more like a fairy than an elf. A short, wavy orange bob.

Skin that remains soft and fluffy even after working for days and nights, more mysterious than magic, and a small stature reminiscent of a child—a race designated as a mystery in itself.

The nymph, Charnoi.

“Hieeeek…!”

Charnoi, who had been playing with Caer’s tail, jumped up as soon as she saw us. She was so startled that she forgot to let go of the tail, causing it to stretch taut.

As the beastkin, whose tail was nearly pulled out, let out a long cry, the startled nymph pointed at us with trembling hands.

“W-w-why is that person here…!”

The person Charnoi pointed to was Francesca.

Just as I was about to ask what the problem was, looking back and forth between the nymph and the magician, Francesca clapped her hands and spoke first with a broad smile.

“Oh my~ I didn’t expect to see a nymph here again. Have you thought about the offer I made in the Empire last time?”

“Hieeeek…! The purple magician has appeared again…!”

Charnoi, who had jumped up while holding Caer’s tail, was making a fuss, saying something about calling the Inquisition or contacting the Al-Yabud Punishment Committee. Looking back and forth between Francesca and Charnoi, I finally seemed to understand the situation and let out a small exclamation.

Ah, come to think of it, Francesca and Charnoi had met once before.

It was when we gathered in the Empire before the northern dispatch. Francesca encountered Charnoi who had come to the hotel. There, she had asked if Charnoi would sell her wrist bones, and Charnoi had fallen over in shock, just like now.

“Caer…! Chase away that magician…!”

“Stop pulling my tail…!”

“Charnoi will never give up her wrist bones…!”

Instead of letting go of the tail, the nymph was pulling on both cat ears, while the beastkin burst into tears. It was a maddening combination.

I pressed my temples and turned to Francesca.

“S-stop it. She’s going to cry.”

“Hmph, I was just joking.”

She doesn’t seem to think it’s a joke.

Anyway, after Charnoi finally regained her composure, we began to listen to Francesca’s explanation in the hotel room.

*

Before the explanation, Francesca clapped her hands to focus our attention and opened with a brief introduction.

“Now, let me formally introduce myself. I’m Francesca Ranieri from the Magic Tower. You all are about to embark on a journey to Necropolis with me.”

Me, Charnoi, Caer, and Francesca.

The four of us will infiltrate Necropolis.

The purpose of the infiltration is to track down the cultists. If possible, we aim to recover Lucia’s blood that they stole and eliminate those who escaped.

For reference, our guide to Necropolis would be Francesca herself.

“Since Necropolis is fundamentally a place for magicians, unless you have special entry permission, at least one magician must accompany you.”

Francesca briefly summarized the entry procedures for Necropolis.

“Of course, only magicians are allowed entry. The rest need identity verification from the accompanying magician to enter. My plan is as follows.”

As a magician, Francesca would vouch for me, Charnoi, and Caer, and we would disguise ourselves as her companions to get through Necropolis’s gates.

In this process, the four of us decided to use disguised identities.

Francesca used the identity of an exile registered with the Magic Tower who had been executed by the Magic Battalion. The reason was that this person had no family, limited social connections, and had been exiled relatively recently, resulting in minimal activity in the underground.

Francesca added an explanation with a rather confident voice.

“They were killed less than a month after being exiled, so the news of their death hasn’t even spread. Also, their gender, age, and body type are similar to mine, so if I just cover my face, no one will recognize me.”

“That’s good.”

“I’ve also prepared identities for the others. Let’s start with the beastkin.”

Having secured the means to infiltrate Necropolis and an internal collaborator, Francesca had also prepared disguised identities for us.

She handed a thin file to Caer.

“First, the beastkin will be acting as an adventurer. As you all know, after being occupied by the nations of the Moritani continent, many beastkin who lost their homes are wandering the world as adventurers.”

“Hiring a beastkin adventurer costs more than hiring a troll or an orc, but many local notables prefer beastkin adventurers. They’re a race with guaranteed skills. Magicians are no exception.”

“Necropolis has had many beastkin immigrants since before its founding, so you won’t have any trouble operating there. Especially as an adventurer who moves around. So, the beastkin will be acting as an adventurer employed by me.”

Next was Charnoi.

The nymph, who was clinging tightly to Caer, scrutinized Francesca with suspicious eyes before quickly snatching the file she offered.

“The nymph’s identity in Necropolis will be an assistant. Since magicians are often eccentric, it’s not uncommon for them to have assistants of unusual races. Just looking at the Magic Tower, many professors have non-human assistants like gnomes. In the same vein, orcs, goblins, and dwarves working as assistants in the Ivory Tower can’t be overlooked.”

“What about dark elves?”

I directed a question to Francesca. With her finger at the tip of her lips, she let out a nasal moan before responding thoughtfully.

“Dark elves… They act more as patrons than assistants. Unlike dwarves who’ve sold their souls for gold, they’re a race overflowing with wealth. Even the Magic Tower has recently been raising investment funds from dark elf merchants.”

Of course, the person who had attracted that investment was Francesca herself, but I didn’t bother to explain that part.

Francesca continued her explanation with a grin towards Charnoi.

“You’ll be acting as my magical assistant. Unlike humans, they won’t inquire deeply about the origins of non-humans, so you won’t have to worry much while operating inside Necropolis. Well, it might be good to prepare a background just in case your stay gets prolonged.”

“Magical assistant…?”

Charnoi’s eyes began to sparkle.

“That sounds good…! If Charnoi works as an assistant, will she get paid…!”

“If your stay gets prolonged, of course I should. Any magician who doesn’t pay their assistant would be suspicious to everyone. The same goes for the beastkin hired as an adventurer.”

At the mention of possibly receiving money, Charnoi began to grin from ear to ear.

She had joked once before about filling a pool with honey candy and swimming in it if she ever came into a lot of money. Probably now, Charnoi was imagining herself bulk-buying honey candy with the money she’d receive from Francesca.

Of course, she had only said she might give money, not specified any amount. She hadn’t even explicitly said she would give any.

Looking at the grinning Charnoi, Francesca suddenly spoke as if an amusing thought had occurred to her.

“Ah, I forgot to mention. Among magicians, ‘assistant’ is also used as a euphemism for ‘clinical trial subject.’ Since it’s a profession with many eccentrics… In Necropolis, well…”

“Hieeeek…?!”

Charnoi jumped from her chair, aghast at Francesca’s joke.

Shocked at the suggestion that she might become an experimental subject, Charnoi reached out for help.

Sticking to her friend like a summer cicada, the nymph wailed and pleaded for assistance.

“Caer…! Chase away that magician…!”

“Ears, ears…! Stop pulling my ears…!”

“Stop it, will you.”

I struggled to detach Charnoi, who was clinging to Caer. Finding my struggle quite amusing, Francesca just watched with a smiling face.

Anyway, the identities for the three were confirmed. Of course, the nymph and the beastkin aren’t “people” strictly speaking.

While Charnoi and Caer opened their files to memorize their identities, I sat next to Francesca, who was drinking water, and stared into space.

“Thank you for preparing the identities. It was a difficult request, but you saved me a lot of trouble.”

“It’s nothing. Who else would guide you to Necropolis if not me?”

Thinking about it, she wasn’t wrong. Lucia was a cleric, and while Camilla was a magician, she wasn’t affiliated with the magical community. So, to go to Necropolis, I had no choice but to rely on Francesca’s help, whether I liked it or not.

Even though she was upset, she had granted my request, so I was the one who should be grateful. Sighing, I finally relaxed and expressed my gratitude.

“Thank you, Francesca.”

But.

Something.

For some reason, her expression doesn’t look right.

“Hmm….”

The look in Francesca’s eyes as she tilted her water glass and gazed at me was quite unusual. It was as if she had some kind of scheme in mind.

It was exactly the look Veronica had when she was preparing a prank.

“…What is it?”

Slightly tense at her unusual demeanor, I asked, and Francesca pulled out a file from her bag with a beaming smile.

“What’s this?”

“The identity you’ll be using.”

“Ah, mine?”

I don’t need this.

Originally, I had planned to disguise myself as an interpreter to enter Necropolis. But Francesca seemed to have different ideas.

She said that with a beastkin disguised as a local, what need was there for an interpreter, and it would be easier to use the identity she had prepared. She also added the significant remark that I might actually like it.

An identity I might like. What, am I going to be a black market merchant or something?

With a puzzled face, I tilted my head and opened the file. And a moment later,

“…W-what is this?”

Having confirmed my identity, I began to tremble like an aspen leaf.

As the paper quivered, Francesca approached from behind and took the document from my grasp. Leaning her weight, she pressed the back of my head gently and spoke nonchalantly.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like my gift?”

“No…”

Francesca, smiling in an eerily pleasant way, waved the paper between her fingers.

“What’s wrong with being a ‘gano’?”

Gano.

The identity I was to use.

In other words, to put it bluntly,

“You want me to be your slave?”

“More precisely, a family servant. How hurtful to call it slavery. If someone heard, they might misunderstand that I’m mistreating you.”

“If this isn’t mistreatment, what is…”

Francesca silently smiled.

I stared blankly into space.

After nearly 20 years of service in the intelligence unit, today, for the first time in my life, I became a magician’s servant.