episode_0082

The distinction between magic and miracles is ambiguous.

Why is it not called a miracle for water and fire to bloom in a place where there is nothing?

Why is it not magic that heals wounds and emits light that burns enemies?

There are differing opinions in academia, but no one is saying this out loud.

Doubting miracles directly leads to doubting faith.

However, as Ian knows, the distinction between the two is not as clear as people perceive.

This is what I heard from the magic tower owner, and the magic tower owner proved it.

She can use miracles without being particularly religious, and at the same time, because she is a sorceress, she also handles magic.

The second proof that miracles have nothing to do with faith is Aria.

Arya believes in no more gods than the average person in the empire.

Nevertheless, the miracles she uses cannot be compared to any priest or believer.

And, there is ‘witchcraft’ in an area that does not belong to either of those two areas.

Or, it may be an area belonging to both.

It is literally uncharted territory.

“… Among elves, there are those who cling to something specific to fill their eternal life.”

Mercy revealed to the party, except Ian, that she was the ‘princess’ of the elf race.

It was to help Ian.

“Among them, shouldn’t there be people who have devoted themselves to the field of ‘magic’ for hundreds of years? ”

Ian tried to visit the magic tower for Lucia.

Although all the people in the Magic Tower are human, the historical data accumulated there goes beyond that.

Not only did I know that there was data on witchcraft, but I also knew that the magic tower lord was a scholar who was interested in all three fields: magic, miracles, and witchcraft.

But what if you are an elf who may be the history of witchcraft itself?

The possibility of resolving the unique curse was higher this way.

but… .

“Well, everything is fine, but is it okay for you to go there?”

Ian asked worriedly.

“Huh? What?”

“No, if you haven’t gone back yet, I think there must be a special reason.”

“For a special reason… . It’s not non-existent, though.”

Mercy smiled at Ian.

“It’s okay. To that extent. Is that more important than that? Lucia is more important!”

On the other hand, the important Lucia was having an in-depth conversation with Vivian and Helena about the fact that Mercy was a ‘princess’.

“I’m saying this because I don’t know much about hero parties, but is there at least one person who is like an elf princess?”

“We didn’t know either… .”

“That’s right… ! Moreover, Ian actually has the unusual name Philip… .”

“That’s right, I heard Ian is also a great person? Is this place that special?”

“I don’t think it’s anything special… .”

“Then we have been eating food prepared by the princess!”

“Oh my god, the elf princess is a chef?”

“Oh, by any chance, if an elf is obsessed with something for a long time, Mercy is good at cooking… ?”

Mercy, who had been overhearing the conversation, waved her hand.

“That’s not true. I just did it because Ian asked me to.”

“But Mercy’s food is delicious!”

“That’s right. After training, I always look forward to eating.”

“Hmm. I’m a bit curious about the princess’ cooking, right?”

Ian sorted out the complicated commotion.

“First of all. The next destination is Mercy’s hometown… Should I say it?”

“Yes, yes. You can call it an elf forest.”

“Anyway, let’s go there… . Lucia hasn’t finished registering as a hero yet, so she won’t stop by the dungeon on the way. Instead, please know that training will continue every time you stay… .”

Suddenly, Lucia raised her hand.

“Will it take a long time?”

Ian looked at Mercy.

“Umm… . I think I need to look at the map to find out.”

As Ian took out the map of the continent and unfolded it, Lucia asked the other group members.

“… Where did that come from?”

“It’s called a subspace pocket, it’s an artifact.”

“Ian carries the artifact with him without a care in the world!”

“Isn’t that really rare in the first place…? ?”

Forced to listen to their babbling conversation, Ian checked the location Mercy had pointed out.

It was a forest on top of a coastal cliff at the tip of the southeastern corner.

“You really live here?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Hmm. If you are the person involved, then that is probably the case. Fortunately, it’s not that far from here. Closer than the Magic Tower.”

So, the destination was decided on the elf forest.

*

Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Mercy sat by the window and looked out.

It was the best guest room in Fiorene Castle, a high room with a clear view.

The night in Fiorene was not very beautiful.

This is because the festival that started with the duel competition has already come to an end due to Lorenzo’s suspicion of rebellion and the riots of the first warrior’s party.

Military police carrying torches walked solemnly throughout the streets.

In one corner of my eye, there was a repair work site on the land that Kylie had turned over.

Mercy raised her gaze and looked at the sky.

The moon, which only had half left, lost its mate and looked after the earth alone.

Probably, the moon will look the same even if you look up from the elf forest.

‘… ‘It’s going back.’

She remembered her forgotten hometown.

Even though it hasn’t been long since I left, the scenery of my hometown is always vivid.

Among the green scenery, colorful colors shining like stars.

‘dad… .’

And, his father will be there.

King of elves.

However, he is closer to a village chief or chief than a king.

Because elf society is not as rigid as human society.

Although she is also called a princess, she is actually different from princesses in human society.

Before leaving, her father said earnestly.

Don’t go.

‘Mercy. Elves treat humans… .’

The thought stopped there.

Because someone was sitting across from me.

It was Kati.

Kati looked at the scenery outside the window like Mercy in silence.

From that alone, Mercy could tell Kati’s intentions.

“… Thank you.”

Mercy said softly.

Even without having to say what was on her mind, Katy could tell how Mercy was feeling.

The desire to help Ian is the same.

Even if it means harming yourself.

If that can help Ian.

‘… If I go, will I be able to come out again?’

It was the only thing Mercy, who had no abilities, could do.

So, no matter what happens, I will handle it.

*

It’s time to sleep, but Ian still has work to do.

A round table that was used in the conference room of Fiorene Castle.

Four people sat down: the prince, Seonghwang, Wolfgang, and Ian.

“Ian! Are you hurt anywhere?”

Grace was also added next to Ian.

“… I’m fine.”

“How did something like that happen to Ian… .”

“Grace. If you’re not going to be quiet, get out.”

At Ediphus’s warning, Grace pursed her lips but remained silent.

“Anyway, let me tell you… . The first hero party’s involvement in the rebellion plot is not directly visible.”

The prince continued his discussion.

“The problem is that the amount is too large to ignore. Almost as much as the city’s operating budget was spent.”

It was a ridiculous investment, considering that the first party’s reputation had plummeted since Ian’s expulsion.

“However, in the case of Beatrice… .”

The prince tapped the paper in front of him.

It was a contract document with Beatrice taken out of Henry’s arms.

“I may not have known it, but it’s quite direct. Depending on how you interpret it, you could even consider him a leading figure. Especially considering that most of these letters are sent in code.”

The prince took some documents from Wolfgang and placed them on the round table.

“In addition, there are many unfavorable factors for the first party. Kylie almost killed all of us this time, including you. Moreover, there is a story that Margrave Frederick sued the entire first party. The reality is that old bad jokes are pouring out little by little.”

Ian listened in silence.

The prince spoke as if concluding.

“The first party will be taken to court.”

“I will go to trial.”

“Yes. Beatrice, Aria, Penny. We’ll get going right away once we get the rest of the team together. Then, just in case, Ian, I may call you as a witness. Can you attend?”

“If you need my help.”

“Okay… . I will let you know in advance when the date comes.”

Next, the prince and the emperor laid out the information they had obtained from Henry and Gustav.

Identities and residences of the remaining members of the Anti-Imperial Coalition.

Relationship with those who re-planned the Holy Unification Nation.

The cooperation of the Liberal League and the fact that they set foot in Superbia, etc.

The investigation was progressing quite quickly.

In the meantime, Ian had a role to play.

In particular, his contribution to discovering and eradicating the Liberal League’s stronghold was significant.

“Now it’s hard to think of what more award I can give you.”

“This is a problem for us at Seonghwa Bridge as well. I can’t give you one more Apostle’s gold coin… .”

“Well, I’ll just accept your heart.”

“Are you saying that you will accept my heart?”

“… … .”

There was no particular role for Ian to play here.

He came here simply because, as a leading figure in the empire, he needed to hear and know everything.

Ian decided to keep quiet about the elf forest.

Since it was a hidden place untouched by human hands, there was no benefit in knowing it.

“It may vary depending on the ruling, but the first hero party will probably only receive orders from the imperial family rather than move autonomously. Is that still okay?”

Ian shrugged.

“There is no reason not to be okay.”

The prince also asked this question knowingly.

It was just a formality.

However, there was one thing Ian was worried about.

“… But I don’t know if you will listen to those as the imperial family’s words.”

“I was worried too, but surprisingly, it seemed like I could listen well.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I think it’s thanks to you too.”

“What… . Then that’s it.”

It was surprising, but Ian was lucky as long as he didn’t get into trouble.

Ian was about to get up, but Wolfgang briefly motioned him to sit down.

“I know you will reject it, but it is a procedural matter that requires me to ask.”

“What are you saying?”

“Silvia and Kylie designated Ian as their guardian and requested a meeting.”

“That’s right.”

Ian spoke calmly as if it was someone else’s business.

It was enough for Wolfgang to understand what he meant.

*

“What about Ian? When is Ian coming?”

The imprisoned Sylvia asked pitifully.

But the military police on watch spoke firmly.

“The person concerned declined the request to meet with the guardian. Requests beyond this will not be permitted.”

“Rejected… .”

Sylvia sat down on the floor again.

From the beginning, I knew this would happen.

It was obvious that Ian would never meet the abominable person he was.

Still, just in case… .

I thought that if he really had the slightest desire to think of his past self, he would at least show his face.

The note with incorrect answers in my pocket was particularly heavy.

Kylie, who was in the prison cell across from her, looked at Sylvia through the bars.

“… … .”

“Do you have something to say?”

“… What are you going to do from now on?”

“I don’t know.”

“I have no thoughts.”

“If there was such a thing, you wouldn’t have kicked Ian out, right?”

That also applies to Kylie herself.

It was difficult for Kylie to tell whether Sylvia, who spoke so confidently, was shameless or honest.

“… I miss Ian.”

Silvia sat with her back against the wall and wiggled her toes.

Although it may be different from her, Kylie also missed Ian.

To be precise, I had something to say to him.

There was so much to say.

But now even reaching it has become unclear.

“Why did we do that?”

Sylvia hugged her knees.

It was a very careful movement to protect the wooden handcuffs, which could easily break if the force was not controlled even a little.

“Why… . Why Ian… .”

“… … .”

Kylie had a strange feeling, knowing but not knowing the reason.

I was afraid and kicked him out.

But is that reason really valid?

It was difficult to understand whether it was okay for that reason alone.

“Anyway, it’s surprising. Kylie I never thought you could be so naive.”

“… Hmph.”

When Kylie sat down with her back turned, Wolfgang came in.

He stood in the middle of Sylvia and Kylie’s prison cells facing each other and spoke.

“From now on, the military police are going to track down the two members of the first party, Aria and Beatrice. Therefore, I will ask the two here if they are willing to help.”

It may be an embarrassing request, but Wolfgang did not make it.

Sylvia looked up and asked.

“Did Ian ask for it?”

Kylie also listened to that question.

“No. Not like that. It is literally asking for intent. Even if you refuse, we have no means to force you.”

“Hmm.”

Sylvia’s thoughts did not last long.

“I will help you.”

Wolfgang was also a little embarrassed, as he didn’t know he would be this obedient.

It was the same with Kylie.

“You could catch it on your own, but why bother going to that length?”

“… well. I don’t think it will come on its own.”

“… … .”

For a moment, Beatrice’s temper flashed through Kylie’s mind.

She could become more violent than Kylie if her prestige was threatened.

“Damn, annoying guys… . I’m going too.”

There was no cause.

It was just a responsibility.

Responsibility for bringing about this situation.

Responsible for kicking Ian out.

On the other hand, it was also a struggle to get a reason to talk to Ian again in this way.

Sylvia easily saw through her intentions.

Because he is cooperating in order to look good to Ian.

‘If Ian finds out later, he might look at it favorably.’

*

Sylvia and Kylie left for the North and Southeast respectively.

Sylvia picks up Aria.

Kylie picks up Beatrice.

At the same time, Wolfgang set off towards where Penny, the manager of the first party, was.

Ian and his group headed to a place where there was an elf forest.

In order not to let others know about his route, Ian drove the carriage himself.

He sat on the coach seat for the first time in a while and looked up at the sky.

‘… It’s starting to get hot.’

Katy was sleeping on her lap, and Mercy, Vivian, Helena, and Lucia were chatting happily inside the carriage.

Even though it was hot, it wasn’t bad.

*

“Everyone go away.”

Kylie said, pulling out her sword.

At a declaration that sounded like the low cry of an animal, the members of the military police who came with us actually stiffened their legs.

Opposite Kylie, Beatrice took out her bow and aimed it at Kylie.

Neither of them were warnings this time.

They were seriously thinking of killing each other.

Hundreds and thousands of cases were simulated in their heads.

The military police quickly began to flee.

“I didn’t know that something I had only imagined would come true… . But, I’m curious. Who will win?”

“Do you have any questions?”

Kylie laughed bitterly.

“I would win.”

“… … .”

Beatrice did not wait and took the initiative to protest.