Chapter 124

Chapter 124

124th Episode: Deficiency Thankfully, Taliman didn’t sell me off. It would have been a bit ridiculous if he had, but there was no real possibility of that happening. Slavery wasn’t like selling apples on the street, and he wasn’t the type to do something like that. In a way, I was relieved. I didn’t want to see my friend from my past life become such a terrible person. Anyway, with Taliman’s help, I was able to meet another Quirzev. “…You’re saying that young lady is Arsha’s disciple?” Josef Quirzev, unlike his master, was a young man with a somewhat delicate impression. He looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties, but I couldn’t be sure. Even if he wasn’t as ageless as Mien, there were plenty of people who looked younger or older than their age. With his faded platinum blonde hair and tall stature, Josef didn’t seem to have any connection to the terrifying magic of human modification. It was hard to believe that someone like him was performing human modification on prostitutes and people. Still, I was secretly relieved. I thought human modification would involve some kind of extreme psychopath, but he seemed more normal than I expected. You can’t judge a book by its cover, but appearance is the most basic element in judging a person. “Yes, I haven’t been an apprentice for very long… but that’s correct.” I waved my petrified arm as I answered his question. The sofa in the reception room he led me to was quite comfortable, so even with my petrified limbs, I could sit without much discomfort. Although it was a bit comical since my joints couldn’t bend. “Is that… Nakarpus’s work?” Josef looked at my limbs and asked with a serious gaze. But as someone who woke up one morning to find their limbs petrified, I had no way of knowing. “I don’t know either. I was kidnapped and woke up like this.” “I see. Then it probably isn’t. Nakarpus’s curse combines state change and time freeze, so a continuous supply of magic power is essential. A perfect petrification curse cannot be maintained without a magical tool.” Josef said in a calm tone. If he knew, why did he ask? As I tilted my head in confusion, Josef seemed to notice my question and continued. “…I was wondering if he had succeeded in incorporating the concept of time freeze into a fixed change.” “I haven’t been learning magic for very long, but are you saying that ‘petrification is not possible without the magic power of a magical tool’?” “Yes, that’s right.” When I reinterpreted his words into the Imperial Common Language, Josef nodded slightly in agreement. Anyway, wizards love to use difficult words. If you think about it, martial artists are the same, but let’s skip that. Double standards and self-righteousness are good mindsets for living a comfortable life. Wait a minute. But Josef’s words, could it be…? “Huh? Then this can’t be fixed?” “Yes, because your arm itself has already turned to stone. Well, it might be possible if Nakarpus himself undoes it, but it will be harder to reverse as time goes on. Since it’s not complete petrification but a partial change, the living parts inside will be necrotizing.” I thought so, it really couldn’t be fixed. I had expected it, but hearing it directly made it feel real. “Who did you offend to be subjected to such a thing?” “Haa, I wouldn’t say I offended anyone…” I sighed and replied. Damn Kaldin. I’ll make him my punching bag when I see him later. “…That’s unfortunate. I hope you endure it well.” When I sighed, Taliman, who was sitting next to me, offered me comfort with a hardened face. He had been quietly listening to my conversation with Josef, and he looked quite surprised when he heard that I was Mien’s disciple. Nevertheless, he didn’t interrupt the conversation, perhaps out of consideration, but he couldn’t remain silent when he heard that my limbs were crippled. But I’m not so weak that I’d be shaken by something like this. “It’s okay. It’ll be a bit of a hassle, but they’ll grow back.” “…What?” “Huh?” When I muttered as if it were nothing, not only Taliman but also Josef asked back in disbelief. “Are you perhaps a demon?” “…No, I’m human.” “Then, you must have connections in the temple. That’s a relief.” Josef nodded as if he understood my words in his own way, but that wasn’t true either. I wish I had connections in the temple, but how could I, who was born in the slums of Reikers, be acquainted with a priest who wields excellent holy magic? What I’m going to use is a more sophisticated method. Perfecting Qi Gong to reconstruct the body to its optimal state, Marrow Cleansing. With that, I can regenerate even if I lose one or two limbs. Of course, I haven’t lost them, and my limbs are ruined, but that shouldn’t be a problem either. It seemed that the type of compensation I would receive from Quirzev had been decided. To achieve Marrow Cleansing, I needed internal energy to build up Qi Gong, and the only thing that emits such energy is the core of a monster. Building up internal energy quickly to complete Qi Gong was a dangerous task, but I already had the complete memories of a martial artist. I’ve handled internal energy a lot, so it probably wasn’t impossible. However, the story changes a bit if that internal energy is close to poison, demonic energy. It’s like adding one good news to one bad news, and then adding another bad news on top of that. In the end, it’s dangerous, but well, it’ll be fine. Usually, even if I say it’s dangerous several times, when I actually try it, I break through the dramatic odds and succeed, right? // Before I knew it, the topic of conversation shifted from my petrified limbs to Mien. “Arsha’s disciple… Although I only saw her briefly, her magic was a great help to my research. If you are truly her disciple, I will help you in any way I can.” Josef said as he lifted a teacup on the table with an elegant gesture. Of course, there was a bit of an edge to his words. He didn’t believe that I was truly Mien’s disciple. “Hmm, there’s no way to prove it right now. But the Archmage will tell you when she returns, so can I stay here until then?” Since Kaldin was still alive and well, I couldn’t return to Quirzev’s residence. It would have been different if Quirzev had kept his security more thorough, but I couldn’t rest assured since it had already been breached once. On the one hand, I thought that a wizard should protect their hideout more thoroughly, but Mien was living in an inn, so I couldn’t bring that up. “…What if you’re lying?” Josef narrowed his eyes and asked me. The way his delicate face changed sharply was quite impressive, and I realized once again that this person was the wizard who stayed in the underground plaza. But even facing his gaze, I wasn’t afraid. “Does it matter? It’s not like I can do anything in this state even if I lie.” I smiled lightly and shook my arm. What’s more useless than a thief with paralyzed limbs? Maybe there are some if you look for them, but not many. When I said that, Josef nodded as if he agreed with me. “That’s true.” He seemed to be quite straightforward. Usually, it’s polite to offer some light comfort here. He doesn’t look like it, but you can’t judge everything by appearance. But strictly speaking, I couldn’t move at all. I could walk using my thighs and shoulders, but I wasn’t used to it yet and often fell. It was closer to the concept of a prosthetic arm with sticks rather than limbs, so it couldn’t be helped. I wonder if it would be easier to walk if it were a prosthetic arm. …Really, wouldn’t it be better to just cut them off? // Taliman confirmed Josef’s attitude towards me and then returned to his accommodation. Of course, since I would be meeting him again later, before he left, I asked him how much longer he would be staying in Karaldin. “…Well, I think I’ll be here for about another week.” “Hmm, a week. I see.” “Why?” “I have a feeling I’ll have something to do with you again.” “Heh, you’re not ready to receive my heart yet. I hope you come back when you’re about four years older.” “…What are you talking about? It’s not like that, so don’t worry about unnecessary things. And you’ll regret those words later.” If it was a week, things would be resolved to some extent. I was going to reveal that I was a reincarnator before he left Karaldin, so I received the location of his accommodation. And after Taliman left, I remained in the reception room and continued talking with Josef. “Is Arsha doing well?” Strangely, he showed great interest in Mien. He clearly said that he had only met her once, but was it that impressive? Or maybe he was trying to confirm if my words were true. “Yes, she’s very healthy.” “She must still be beautiful.” He said that with a faint smile. Beautiful… Mien certainly has a refined and intellectual charm. She also has enough charm as a woman, unlike her age. …Unlike her age. It’s not particularly creepy, but that was a bit shocking. “…Are you interested in my master?” Josef’s attitude was a bit suspicious, so I wondered if he had feelings for Mien. I wouldn’t ask directly if it were someone else, but he seemed to like this kind of way of speaking, so I asked directly. “I’m very interested. There are so many things I want to ask her if I meet her. How did she achieve immortality while maintaining a human body, and how does she achieve the cycle of life without the aging of organs?” Ah, was it that kind of interest? Still, I shouldn’t tell him that she was captured and raped in a goblin den. He would be very sad. Or angry. “Lyla, how did you meet Arsha?” …At that moment, Josef hit the nail on the head. Isn’t this cheating? I was a little embarrassed, but I tried to reach for the tea nonchalantly, but then I realized that my limbs were petrified and naturally stopped. “I met her while working as an adventurer.” “…You were an adventurer?” “Yes, I’m still an adventurer in progress. And I’m tired of being called ‘you’ all the time, so how about deciding on a title soon? Disciple, or Lyla. Choose one.” At my suggestion, Josef seemed to hesitate for a moment before nodding and answering. “…Disciple.” “That’s unexpected. I didn’t think you would.” The fact that he chose to call me Disciple instead of Lyla meant that he believed my words. Considering that his attitude so far had been based on disbelief, the answer was quite unexpected. “I’ve thought about it before. What if I had a disciple like you? I hope your words are true. If not, you will pay the price.” Is this similar to the feeling of a man who doesn’t have a younger sister wanting one? I was curious about what the price would be, but I probably wouldn’t have to pay it. Because I didn’t lie. “As punishment for breaking my innocence? You’re quite humane for someone who studies brutal magic.” When I said that, Josef smiled faintly for the first time. “Well, that’s about it.” Hmm, I think I like this person. Judging by the way he lightly accepts words with a bit of an edge, he’s probably not petty.

I wasn’t yet sure if he was a pervert hiding his true self, but I had a feeling that, at least unless something big happened, I could maintain a decent relationship with Josef.