Chapter 115: The Man Who Drives People Crazy (2)

“A high priestess hiding her power…”

A phrase so compelling, it could be the title of a book, one you couldn’t resist opening.

And that single line was enough to summarize the situation clearly.

Even so, we were confused.

If the sudden surge of power Moria displayed at the end of the duel was simply a recovery of hidden strength, then what did that make the enhancement ability we had reproduced?

Too baffled, I turned to Clana and asked,

Clana, what in the world is going on?

—I’d like to ask the same thing. You’re the one who brought it up first.

I’m just a low-ranking amateur. You, the knowledgeable higher elemental, should explain it to me.

—What kind of little shit…

Clana, too, seemed just as baffled and couldn’t offer a proper explanation.

—There’s no need for concern, Mastah!

Then came the voice of the devil.

Oh, stay calm. That’s reassuring. Wait, Dan’Galeon—why exactly is there no need for concern?

—Because this is the result of you and I joining forces! Any miracle is to be expected!

No, don’t go making baseless claims with such confidence. And why are you leaving Clana out of it?

—That inorganic wench’s presence made no significant difference! After all, this was a miracle achieved purely by the magical power of you and me, Mastah!

Clana, too, seemed attached to the enhancement ability we had created together and was visibly provoked by Dan’Galeon’s words.

The normally composed Murderous Fiend showed a rare flicker of emotion as she spoke.

—That’s funny. Then go ahead, show us that power using only magic.

—Kahahaha!!! What a pathetic provocation! To doubt Mastah’s ability?! Your foolishness will be your torment! Mastah! Unleash your power now and remind that ignorant brute that her barbaric swinging steel has no place here!!!

The enhancement ability we created was a fusion of swordsmanship and magic, each compensating for the other.

It worked by casting magic on oneself to induce a temporary abnormal state, then using swordsmanship to physically reinforce and stabilize the body.

If one attempted it with magic alone, as Dan’Galeon claimed, the body would rupture under the strain.

So you’re telling me to perform advanced, intentional self-harm?

—Oh dear! For a moment, I forgot that you, Mastah, are still imprisoned in the cage of mortal flesh!

Prison? I die if I leave this prison, you know.

Despite this deep and spirited discussion, we couldn’t resolve our confusion in the end.

“I completely understand how bewildered you must feel.”

Twitch.

A sudden voice made my body flinch.

I had been so caught up in the confusion, I had forgotten I was still speaking with Drey’s representative.

“…Yes. It’s definitely baffling.”

Snapping back to reality, I responded to her words.

“I mean, surely, that power wasn’t actually enhan—”

“Confronting a high priestess is a dreadful expe—”

“?”

“?”

We spoke almost simultaneously, then stopped and looked at each other.

Our expressions mirrored the same question: “What are you even talking about?”

“By all means.”

I gestured politely for her to go first.

“…Confronting a high priestess of a heretical cult is a dreadful experience. You must be quite distressed, uncertain of what kind of acts such a priestess may have committed without your knowledge.”

“Ah! Of course! High priestess! Horrifying! Just awful, really! Deep distress! So deep, yes! Ah, this cruel world, who would’ve thought I fought a high priestess. I trembled in fear.”

“…”

Her cold eyes narrowed behind her glasses.

She clearly noticed what I was originally about to say.

But true to her professional demeanor, she didn’t question it or show personal curiosity.

She simply continued on point.

“We visited you so early this morning for that very reason. Lord Drey wishes to ease your concerns and has promised his full support and a generous reward.”

“Full support and a reward?”

Support and reward from the young master of a high noble house… such words tickled my eardrums sweetly, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of how sudden this all was.

Why is the young master personally offering me compensation and support?

After all, Drey had met Moria for the first time that same day in the VIP room, just like me.

As a complete third party, he had no obligation to take any responsibility in matters related to her.

“You’ve been recognized for your great service in ousting a high priestess who had hidden her identity and attempted to sow chaos in society.”

It sounded impressive, conveying the generosity and responsibility of a noble house—

But still…

Drey… Drey Ye Mastien…

Having spoken to him in person, I couldn’t help but feel there was more than just noble responsibility or goodwill behind this.

That seemingly friendly, yet carefully maintained distance…

That man didn’t seem like the type to offer favors without a reason.

It was only natural to assume he had another motive.

“And so, Lord Drey has invited you to join him for dinner this evening, where you can continue the discussion in more detail.”

“Understood.”

Whatever the reason, I accepted Drey’s invitation for now.

After all, it’s not every day you catch the attention of a high noble.

The representative then said she would send someone once the arrangements were finalized and left the room.

“Alright, then—”

After Drey’s envoy left,

Alone again in my room, I tried to claim a private and precious happy time.

Sleep.

After spending the entire night trying to replicate (or rather, reproduce) Moria’s enhancement(?) ability, my fatigue was overwhelming.

Right now, the most important thing for me was to finish developing that ability together with Clana and Dan’Galeon.

Rest was not optional, it was essential.

I wonder how the banquet turned out.

It was a bit of a shame to have missed the chance to network with the nobles of Bondalles, but for now, completing the enhancement ability came first.

I walked over to the window, drew the curtains, and lay down on the bed.

Just as I was about to fall asleep.

Knock knock.

“A message from Lord Pallarg.”

“…”

It was the same situation all over again.

“…For this reason, Lord Pallarg has extended a personal invitation. There, he would like to continue the discussion about the ‘victor’s reward’ he previously mentioned.”

“Just to check, will Sir Drey be attending this as well?”

“Lord Pallarg would surely enjoy such a well-rounded gathering, but as you know, Sir Drey has no involvement in this matter. Regrettably, there’s no grounds to invite him.”

The phrasing was polite, but the implication was blunt.

—He’s not coming. Can’t come.

Pallarg’s representative smiled courteously and said,

“As one who walks the path of magic, I trust you fully understand how significant it is to meet with the Frozen Breath himself. I have no doubt that you will prioritize your promise to Lord Pallarg above all else.”

After she left, Clana muttered.

—Those two are desperate to mark you as their own first.

This time for sure, I lay down in bed and tried to sleep.

The moment I closed my eyes, sleep overwhelmed me.

Everyone who needed to see me had come already, finally, it was time for some sweet, honeyed rest—

Knock knock.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Again, the sound of knocking.

Like an irritated zombie, I stumbled over to the door and opened it.

With this mood, I didn’t think I’d be able to greet anyone warmly.

“…Huh?”

But that thought vanished the moment I opened the door, and a smile appeared on my face.

“Well now, look at this well-matched pair.”

A “prince” and a princess in white were standing before me.

Rona and Fienne.

“A well-matched pair? Huh?”

The “prince” looked around at my tired face and the dark room, then said with a surprised expression.

“Wait, don’t tell me you haven’t rested at all?”

“I’ve just been through too much. I’m dead tired.”

“What were you doing all night… Don’t tell me…! You snuck a girl in?”

The “prince” smirked and nudged me with her elbow.

Then she stepped into the room, sniffing the air.

“Hmm. Doesn’t smell like that kind of situation.”

“…Are you a dog or something? You can tell that by scent?”

Rona scanned the room with a serious expression, then returned to her usual gentle-prince demeanor.

“Well, a lady usually leaves traces behind, after all. But sorry for barging in while you were resting.”

“Is it wrong to be getting ready for bed at an hour when everyone should be asleep?”

Then came a haughty voice, cutting in.

Fienne strode to the window and yanked the curtains open.

“HISSSSSHHHRRAAGGGHH!!!”

Exposed to the blinding light, I thrashed in agony.

Fienne gave me that trademark crooked smile.

“What are you, a low-tier vampire?”

“I swear… right now, I’m more vulnerable to sunlight than any vampire… A human just about to fall asleep after an all-nighter… that’s what I am…”

Rona, looking at me sympathetically, chuckled and said to Fienne,

“By the way, why’d you open the curtains? Just to torment the guy?”

“Yes. I wanted to torment this pathetic man who dumps all the work on others and doesn’t even take care of himself. Is that good enough for you?”

Grumbling, Fienne walked over and looked up at my face from up close.

“…”

Without a word, she carefully examined my complexion, then clicked her tongue.

“Let me guess, you stayed up all night practicing magic again. Am I wrong?”

“You figured that out at a glance… in this bright room… I feel completely exposed…”

“You’re still talking nonsense, so at least you didn’t push yourself too far. No blood either, from what I can tell.”

Fienne looked around the room and continued.

“Do you remember?”

“Hm?”

“When you first came to Bondalles. Back then too, you stayed up all night training magic.”

Her red eyes looked wistfully into the distance.

Then she chuckled softly and shook her head.

“How can someone be so consistent?”

She gazed into my tired eyes and asked gently,

“Are you really exhausted? Want me to close the curtains?”

“No, it’s fine. At this point, even if I closed them, it wouldn’t matter. There’s something even brighter than the sun in front of me.”

“Ugh. You open your mouth and…”

She sounded annoyed, but her eyes were smiling.

Fienne looked at me and said.

“Don’t you have something to say to me?”

“It’s been a while.”

“Not that.”

“You’ve gotten even prettier since I last saw you. You trying to make the whole world fall for you?”

“…Ugh, never mind. My fault for expecting anything.”

She handed me a stack of documents.

“What’s this?”

“The issue you worked on with Councilor Lan during the last city council meeting has been wrapped up. I was going to say, ‘Read it right now,’ but you don’t look like you’re in any shape to read.”

“No, it’s fine. Just looking at you for a moment eased my eye strain.”

“Shut it. I’ll summarize it, so just listen.”

“Time to ease my ear fatigue, huh…”

“The council has decided on your new status.”

“Is this a big one?”

“Yes. You can look forward to it.”

“Wait, let me guess… a Councilor!”

“How’d you guess?”

“Huh? Seriously!?”

“Would I really give that position to you?”

“Huh!?”

“I just gave nonsense back to your nonsense. Now listen seriously. Lan and I pulled a few all-nighters to get this done.”

“Ah, right.”

“You’re a guy who’s all about privileges but absolutely hates responsibility and obligations. Am I right?”

“Correct.”

“So being something like a guard captain or councilor’s aide would just feel like a burden, right?”

“Too right.”

“What matters most to you is minimal duty, maximum freedom, and maximum reward for effort. Am I right?”

“How do you know me so well? Are you living in my heart or something?”

“That’s why the council decided to grant you a position perfectly suited to you.”

At that, Fienne smiled meaningfully.

“What? Why are you stopping there?”

“You’ll find out at the official conferral ceremony later.”

“…”

The unexpected development left me speechless.

I never thought Fienne would pull a “To be continued” stunt.

That smug grin on her face.

My anticipation surged.

Which was probably exactly what she wanted.

“Alright. I’ll look forward to it.”

Pleased with my response, Fienne gave a satisfied little snort and said,

“Now, for real, don’t you have something to say to me?”

“Thank you.”

“And?”

“Uh… thankthank… thank…”

“Fienne, you’re breaking him.”

The prince finally stepped in to help.

“If I may offer a hint, when expressing gratitude, it’s proper to show appropriate sincerity.”

“…Wait, are you expecting something in return?”

“You think I did all this just to get a reward? …Well, since you’re offering, I’ll accept it graciously.”

Fienne said this with a rehearsed tone, clearly waiting for this moment.

And just as she was about to say something else with that mischievous smile—

“Mastah!”

An aggressive voice cut in.

Verdandes!

She raised both arms high in a threatening stance and yelled at me.

“Mastah, it’s nappy time!!! Why aren’t you sleeping!?!”

It was the sleep police.

“…Huh?”

“…What’s with this kid? An elemental?”

Rona and Fienne were both startled by the sudden appearance of Verdandes.

Ah, right. They hadn’t met her yet.

What a perfect timing.

I introduced Verdandes to the two of them.

Look at our girl!

Isn’t she cute?

Something like that.

Just as I finished the introduction—

“…Verdandes?”

The two of them went pale when they heard her name.