Chapter Index





    Ch.7The Black Mage is Free (1)

    # A Night as Dark as Pitch

    The night was shrouded in darkness as black as pitch.

    The field, illuminated only by moonlight, was filled with an eerie atmosphere.

    I was sitting across from Kelvin, my client, talking around a campfire.

    “I must admit, I was quite worried. I hired a C-rank party for this request, but you came alone.”

    “Ah… well, I understand. I would have thought the same in your position.”

    “Still, you’re truly impressive. Having talent in three elements surprised me. I almost thought I was looking at a young version of the Sage.”

    “You flatter me. Unlike the Sage, my talents are limited, which is why I’m only a B-rank adventurer.”

    The Sage, currently known as the most outstanding mage.

    Not only does he have talent in fire, water, and wind, but his abilities in each rival those of S-rank adventurers.

    Other adventurers call him an SSS-rank adventurer.

    Kelvin said I looked like a young version of the Sage, but that’s absolutely not true.

    The Sage was already an S-rank adventurer at my age.

    While I have talent in five elements, which is more in number, the quality is completely different.

    Kelvin recited my battle as if it were an epic tale.

    Fireballs burning monsters, powerful streams of water pushing them back, and giant spikes erupting from the ground to impale them.

    While it might have seemed impressive to him, it was actually hell for me.

    Partly because it had been a while since I fought alone, but mainly because of the issue with numbers.

    Even though it was a C-rank party request, it was too much for a single B-rank adventurer.

    I always slept lightly, fearing attacks during the night.

    And despite Kelvin being a merchant with good speaking skills, there’s a limit to that, and the awkwardness throughout our journey was almost unbearable.

    As a result, I’m now on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.

    “Yaaawn—”

    See? I’m already sleepy.

    Seeing me yawn, Kelvin got up and prepared a bedroll near the campfire.

    At least he seemed to understand the hardships I’d been through.

    I didn’t refuse his kindness and immediately lay down on the bedroll.

    But I couldn’t easily fall into deep sleep.

    Night is the best time for ambushes, whether from monsters or bandits.

    Still, the fact that we’d reach the Royal Capital tomorrow didn’t make me feel bad.

    * * * * *

    With the sun high in the sky, my journey with Kelvin was nearing its end.

    Fortunately, nothing happened last night, so my condition had improved quite a bit.

    At least I wouldn’t have to face my master with a haggard face.

    The scenery outside the carriage had changed slightly, but it was still familiar.

    Of course, the situation was completely different from when I visited with my party.

    Feeling like I might become depressed, I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

    Master, yes, for my master’s sake, I shouldn’t be like this.

    Though I’m not sure if I’ll be welcomed.

    After traveling for a while, the entrance to the Royal Capital began to appear in front of the carriage.

    The gate blocking the entrance looked no different from before.

    As always, it was massive, majestic, and sturdy.

    But the atmosphere was completely different.

    The Royal Capital is the most developed place in the country.

    As the headquarters of the Adventurer’s Guild is located there, it’s a gathering place for high-ranking adventurers, and also a primary marketplace for large merchant groups.

    With so many people gathering, thorough inspections at the entrance were a given.

    Because of this, there was always a long line.

    But the absence of a line now clearly indicated something unusual.

    When the carriage reached the entrance, two armored soldiers approached and spoke to Kelvin.

    “Let me see your identification.”

    “Ah, yes.”

    Kelvin rummaged through his pocket and handed a small metal plate to the soldier.

    It was an identification issued by the Merchant Guild.

    The soldier examined the plate from various angles before returning it to Kelvin.

    He seemed to be checking for forgery.

    “What brings you here?”

    “What else would a merchant come for? Buying and selling goods.”

    “Yes, then…”

    The soldier’s gaze turned to me, sitting in the carriage.

    He wanted me to identify myself.

    I searched my Magic Pouch and handed him my identification issued by the Adventurer’s Guild.

    “Mage, Crow. A-rank party Black Crow? Pfft—”

    The soldier’s laughter irritated me.

    Mocking a party name is considered a challenge to that party.

    I’ve taken down double-digit parties because of this.

    But I had no intention of taking down this soldier.

    After this mission, I was going to leave “Black Crow” anyway.

    As if reading my expression, the soldier wiped the smile from his face and continued.

    “Fortunately, you’re not a priest.”

    “What? What do you mean…?”

    He gestured for me to come closer, so I leaned forward.

    Then, carefully covering his mouth with one hand, he spoke softly.

    “The Church lost to the Warlocks in their fight. The Warlocks claimed equality and promised to treat priests the same way.”

    The soldier checked his surroundings once more, as if what followed was the real truth.

    “But not all Warlocks might follow that, right? If you identify as a priest, you might end up dead in an alley. And in a horrible way, cursed.”

    That’s when I realized.

    This soldier wasn’t being cautious of the Church, but of the Warlocks.

    Honestly, I was more surprised and confused than happy about the newfound freedom.

    After living a certain way for so long, who could easily accept such a sudden change?

    “Thanks for the information. I’ll keep it to myself.”

    I searched my pocket and handed him a silver coin.

    Payment for the information.

    The soldier smiled and stepped aside, and Kelvin started the carriage.

    Our first destination was the Adventurer’s Guild.

    Not only did we need to report the success of the request, but I also needed to process my party withdrawal.

    When I got off the carriage and opened the guild’s door, an astonishing sight unfolded before me.

    Warlocks weren’t hiding the tattoos behind their ears, and they were even drinking with priests.

    Not the superficial equality under the Church’s power, but real equality.

    Of course, the cups in the priests’ hands were shaking, but that was insignificant compared to the surprising scene.

    That’s when it started to sink in.

    Warlocks had gained freedom.

    With this, Warlocks could stand on equal footing.

    They could freely showcase the talents they had hidden from the world.

    I should have been happy, as it was something I had always wished for.

    But the knot in my heart refused to untie.

    After all, I had been abandoned by the party I had saved by risking my entire future.

    For someone who had been running straight ahead, this fall hit hard.

    I sighed to calm my heart and approached the reception desk.

    “How can I help you?”

    “I’m here to confirm the completion of a request.”

    “Ah, yes. Could you please provide the request form and your identification? The client’s as well.”

    I searched my Magic Pouch for the escort mission request form and my identification, while Kelvin handed over just his identification.

    She placed the identifications on a magical device and then smiled brightly.

    “Yes, it’s confirmed. Please wait a moment.”

    As the receptionist disappeared somewhere, I looked around again.

    It truly was a spectacle.

    Despite the star-shaped tattoo behind the ear of a woman with twin tails, her party members—a warrior, thief, archer, and mage—treated her normally.

    I wanted to be like that too.

    But now it’s too late.

    When I turned my head back to the reception desk, the receptionist was already there.

    She seemed to read something from my expression and said with a gentle smile.

    “It’s amazing, isn’t it? The Church and Warlocks fought for hundreds of years, but in just a few days, not only did it all crumble, but they’re blending in so well.”

    “Yes… I guess so.”

    To be precise, the Church wielded one-sided violence, and Warlocks just ran away to avoid it.

    “Here, take your identification and the request payment.”

    I checked the two overlapping identifications and put mine in my Magic Pouch.

    Naturally, I returned the other one to Kelvin.

    With the request confirmation complete, Kelvin bowed to me.

    “Thank you, Crow.”

    “No need. I moved for a fair price. There’s no reason to thank me.”

    “Then, I wish you all the best in the future.”

    With those words, he left the Adventurer’s Guild.

    Watching his retreating figure, I turned back to the receptionist and said,

    “I’d like to withdraw from my party.”

    You all live your lives diligently.

    I’ll live mine too.


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