episode_0046

After a long weekday, the weekend has arrived. This means that it is time for us to return to the Frost Territory.

“I took everything I needed to take care of. Venice?”

“Yes. I didn’t leave anything behind.”

“If it’s not important, I don’t mind leaving it behind. Because I have to come back anyway.”

Just like when we first came to the academy, we walked out of the academy with only one bag in hand.

Ariel’s bag was light, as if she had left a lot behind, but mine was still heavy.

“Are you here? Miss Ariel.”

“Yes. Let’s go to Frost Territory.”

At the carriage stand outside the academy’s main gate, approach the most sparkling carriage and get on it.

Still… it was a soft and comfortable chair.

“Why. Do you have any regrets? I have to come back in 3 days anyway.”

“….No. It’s not like that. It’s just… something like that happens.”

“Hmm… I won’t ask you any more.”

As I quietly looked out the window at the Academy’s magnificent building, Ariel asked me.

I feel regretful. Maybe so.

Probably, if all goes according to my plan. From now on, I won’t be able to pass the academy normally like before.

“………….”

“Cough, Clock.”

I even noticed that the academy building was getting smaller quickly. I caught it in my eyes. I pledge to protect that mysterious yet peaceful space.

***

“Hmm… Is this the village you were originally from?”

“Yes. It’s called Snowpil Village. It’s small… but it’s still a cozy and comfortable village.”

Before going to Frost Fortress, I asked Ariel if I could stop by Snowpil Village, and she readily agreed.

Ariel looks at Snowpil Village and looks at the village with wonder, like an upper class person looking at the lives of the common people.

‘Hasn’t the work been completed yet?’

As I walked toward the orphanage, I walked while looking closely to see if I could sense any dark magic.

Fortunately, I couldn’t feel any dark magic, and it seemed like the black magicians hadn’t arrived yet.

“Huh? It’s Venice! Why are you like this these days…”

“Hmm. Venice. Who is this woman?”

“Uh…uhh…? Venice… who is this woman…? Is it really… your girlfriend?”

Meanwhile, the woman at the store who always provided bread at a low price greeted me.

Then, as she looked at Ariel next to me, her body suddenly stiffened, and she looked at me with tears in her eyes and an earnest expression.

What a girlfriend. Such nonsense. I tried to answer like that, but Ariel was faster than me.

“Then, what are you going to do?”

“Uh…? Uhhhh…?”

“You. What can I do?”

“Venice…! How did this happen… What was the dinner promise you made with me…?”

Looking at the slightly mocking smile on Ariel’s expressionless face, my sister looked as if the sky had fallen. A look of despair as if his precious girlfriend had been taken away…

“Stop it. Miss Ariel.”

“But…”

“Our relationship is not like that. Right?”

“……Tch.”

“Sister. I was hired as Lady Ariel’s butler. It’s not that kind of relationship at all.”

“I…really? Then, do you have a meal plan with me…?”

“Yes. I remember. Someday… I hope I can do it.”

At my truthful words, Ariel looked somewhat uncomfortable, and her sister’s expression turned bright red.

“Ah. Could you please give me twenty slices of bread today as well?”

“Huh? Uh oh. It’s ready right away, just wait a moment!”

After a while, she wrapped some freshly baked, warm bread and handed it to me.

“Here, I’ll give you money.”

“Uh…huh?! This is a gold coin…! Such a ridiculous amount of money…!”

“Because you have helped me a lot so far. Please accept it as a reward.”

“Sniff…. Yes. Thank you…!”

I waved goodbye to the sister who thanked me with tears in my eyes and started walking toward the orphanage.

“….I don’t like it.”

“Yes? What did you say?”

“No.”

Cough – Cough.

By the way, Ariel’s cold seems to be lasting for quite a long time. I’m sure it would have gotten better if this much time had passed…

‘Spotting talent.’

I wanted to check, so I checked Ariel’s status window.

[Name: Ariel Frost / Age: 20 / Female / Status: Magi erosion.]

[Unique Ability (Child of Mana): You have the amount of magical power given by God. Your mana is as infinite as the ocean and as strong as a flowing stream. All mana-related actions receive a God-given correction!]

[Unique Ability (Magic Eye): This is an eye that can see magical power. You can see the trajectory of magic power and use magic power more smoothly!]

[Unique Ability (Qualities of an Archmage): You are born with the qualities of an Archmage that will go down in history. He has a higher understanding of mana than anyone else, and can use it as naturally as water!]

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.

.

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[Demon Energy Erosion (???): Eroded by excessive black magic. If you do not remove the residual demonic energy left in your body, you will die in 38 days, 14 hours, and 38 seconds. (100%)]

[You can absorb demon energy. Would you like to absorb it? (However, if the user absorbs the remaining magical energy in another person’s body without harm, a physical overload will be imposed on the user.)]

….what? What the hell is this…

“Cough…cough.”

Magi erosion. Sang Tae-chang says that Ariel was not just suffering from a cold, but was eroded by demonic energy.

Since when… has it been like this? No way… From the cave where I first met Ariel?

Even though all visible wounds were treated at that time, it seemed that the remaining dark magic deep inside Ariel’s body had not been removed.

‘Damn… I can’t believe I didn’t even notice this.’

no. Clearly, the item called Magical Energy Erosion could not be seen in Ariel’s status window before. So why was it discovered only now?

….Could it be because my black magic mastery has increased? That’s the only reason I can think of right now, but I think it’s probably right.

[You can absorb demon energy. Would you like to absorb it? (However, if the user absorbs the remaining magical energy in another person’s body without harm, a physical overload will be imposed on the user.)]

“….I’ll give you a pat on the back.”

‘Absorb.’

For now, this was all I could do. I pat Ariel on the back and feel the demonic energy slowly being sucked out of her back.

[Absorbs demon energy. Physical overload is imposed on the user!]

[Magic energy that cannot be eliminated overlaps!]

I am similar to dark magic, but a little different… It is disturbing to pretend to be, and I can feel the bad energy slowly building up inside my body.

‘….Tsk. What kind of sheep is this…!’

However, no matter how hard one tries to extract as much magical energy as quickly as possible, there is no end to the limit.

[Demon Energy Erosion (???): Eroded by excessive black magic. If you do not remove the residual demonic energy left in your body, you will die in 38 days, 14 hours, and 38 seconds. (98%)]

“Cock… That’s enough. Maybe it’s thanks to you, but it’s better than before.”

“Thank goodness…”

It means that only 2% was absorbed… I guess I’ll have to absorb the demonic energy the whole time I’m with Ariel.

“….cough.”

[Remaining lifespan decreases due to demonic energy erosion. (Remaining lifespan: 81 years, 321 days, 12 hours.)]

Even though only 2% of magical energy was absorbed, lifespan was shortened. At the same time, I can’t hold back my coughing, so I end up coughing it up.

…How on earth did Ariel tolerate this?

“I guess you caught a cold because of me.”

“Haha… I guess so. It can’t be helped…”

Ariel still seemed to know nothing. I don’t know if there’s any demon energy left, or that it’s driving me to death. It seemed like it was just a cold that lasted a long time.

I’ll try to solve it somehow. You just… stay the same. Ariel too. Neither the Academy nor the Empire. Because I won’t let anyone suffer.

“Here. The orphanage where the children I take care of are located.”

“…..You mean you stayed in this old building? I thought it was an abandoned building.”

Because it must be an abandoned building. Anyway, Ariel and I enter the orphanage.

“…Huh? Are you from Venice? There’s also Miss Ariel! What’s going on here?”

“I stopped by because I wanted to show my face after a long time.”

“I just followed. Is the work worth doing?”

“Haha… What could be difficult about taking care of babies? Even if you try it, it’s a hundred times, no, a thousand times better than training in hell!”

“Hmm… No matter how much I think about it, I think this is the right kind of job for you.”

That’s my opinion too. This woman, called Lennie, seemed to really love children. This type of work really suited me more than a cool-headed knight.

“Thank you always. Mr. Lenny.”

“Ah~ Thank you. I’m so happy too. ”

“It’s Venice oppa!!”

“What?! Venice hyung is here!!”

At that time, children started running out of the room. The children grabbed my collar and started chattering about various things.

“Haha… How have you all been?”

And as usual, I also say hello to the lovely angels. Angels respond to that greeting like brilliant sunlight.

“But who is this sister?”

“….Huh?”

“You’re a pretty sister! What’s your name?!”

At the same time, young children are very interested in new faces. Perhaps thanks to Lennie and Berry, the children seem more energetic than before.

“…Eriel.”

I thought Ariel would hate it a lot, but unexpectedly, she didn’t hate it that much.

Rather… should I say that the answers are tailored to the children?

‘happy. It’s so peaceful.’

It’s just a small, everyday conversation. It shines so brightly.

I… this happiness. I will definitely protect these daily lives. After punishing the warlocks that I couldn’t get enough of.

Even if I risk everything.

Like the calm sea before a storm. I smiled, surrendering myself to the silence I would feel for the last time.