episode_0241

Episode 241: Suspicious Professor (2)

There are two major axes of evil in ‘Arcane Demon.’

One is the Outer Gods. These guys, rampaging without regard for dimensions, were the first evil threatening this world.

The other is the black magician. Their existence was why I’d encountered them so many times, and why Ariel asked me to come here.

As such, dealing with either is more troublesome than usual. Having the power to deal with them is like it’d be easier to deal with 10 other villains.

But if you were to compare the Outer Gods and the black magicians, which would be more difficult? If someone were to ask me that, I would answer like this. Without a doubt, the black magicians.

Of course, in terms of sheer danger, the former overwhelmingly surpasses the latter. It’s only natural since the Outer Gods are beings that threaten all dimensions.

Instead, the black magicians had numbers to make up for their power. The number of those guys, endlessly increasing in the darkness, was annoying.

Just the number who died in the Arden estate alone would easily exceed a thousand, and seeing them continue to do that, you can tell how large the black magician forces are.

“I need to wipe them out someday.”

The black magicians are a group that desires the destruction of the world. If left alone, they’re bound to keep being a nuisance.

“Well, it’ll be taken care of soon, though.”

Yeah, it’ll be taken care of soon. After finishing the episode that will take place between autumn and winter, the black magicians will be annihilated and will become difficult to find on the continent.

Originally, the two episodes were supposed to happen next year, but considering the events with the Holy Kingdom and Rayan, I predict that they will definitely happen this year. And maybe even the last one….

I decided to put that thought aside for later and finish the task at hand first.

The place I arrived at was a pretty quiet city. It’s so quiet that I thought it would be nice to live here later.

But unfortunately, I didn’t know anything about this place. How many cities and villages exist in the Empire, how can I know them all? I only remember the major cities and important villages.

As I infused my will, my body automatically expanded its perception. The appearance of the city entered through the senses that stretched out. Unlike in the past, I could easily fit a city like this within my senses.

I slowly moved my feet, categorizing the information. Still, it was only small compared to the capital, the city itself wasn’t that small. Thanks to that, it seems I’ll be staying in the city for a little longer.

“Hmm?”

The moment my senses were about to reach. One presence disappeared. It felt like not just that, but the existence itself disappeared.

“That’s strange….”

It was strange, too strange. Unless it’s a special ability like Ariel’s, or a skilled person like me, there weren’t many strong people who could sense detection abilities.

Besides, if they were that strong, I would have noticed them, or they would have hidden themselves first. Then there’s only one conclusion. They avoided me due to a sudden situation. The reason is probably me. Before I could recognize the opponent, the opponent discovered me first and hid.

I headed to the place where the presence disappeared. As soon as I kicked off the ground, I arrived right in front.

“Hmm….”

The first thing I felt was the energy of black magic. They’re quite strong. Just past the 8th circle? Among the black magicians, I can think of a few who are around that level at this time. Since they’re enemies of the protagonist Evan, I know them well.

I looked around more, wondering if there was anything else that could be a clue. Soon, I saw footprints. The foot size is between 220 and 230. With this size, I think it’s a woman. A small adult woman.

Then next to it, I saw melted vanilla ice cream that had fallen on the ground. It looked like it had been dropped while eating. It seems she was quite surprised, as the mark of where she stopped licking it remained intact.

I moved my mana to dig a little deeper. I felt a familiar energy within the black magic.

“…Damn it.”

Why do I feel a senior’s energy here? A headache comes over me. Even after checking and checking again, this was definitely Ruina Lindel’s energy.

“Haa….”

I knew something was strange. There’s no way I would suddenly have an unplanned business trip. I leaned against the wall and was lost in thought. And only one thought came to mind.

“First….”

I have to go meet Senior Ruina.

After making up my mind, I moved, chasing after her faintly remaining traces.

***

I have to hurry. Before my disciple comes here, before he finds me, I have to finish my work and leave quickly.

If, if I can’t do that….

Ruina shook her head violently. It’s still unknown. I don’t know why my disciple came here, but he might have come by coincidence. So, if I finish the work and leave before we meet, it’ll be fine.

Ruina’s hand movements gradually became faster. Dozens of magic circles moved according to her will. Mana was being consumed in chunks.

As her actions became more intense, Ruina’s heart rate also increased. An irregular beat different from when she faced her disciple. It felt unpleasantly somewhere, causing her to frown.

Ruina muttered inwardly with a blank face.

‘I don’t like… things like this….’

She’s already forcing herself to do something she hates. But even her physical condition is strange, so she feels gloomy.

When will I be able to stop this? Or rather, will I ever be able to escape? I just… I just want to research alchemy in the workshop. Without using black magic or anything….

In the meantime, Ruina finished her work. A creation completed with alchemy and black magic shone in her hands.

She wanted to get rid of this dirty thing right away. But she couldn’t do that. If she did, her father would order her to do it again. To make the same thing again. She didn’t want that.

Ruina handed the finished product to the man next to her in an emotionless voice.

“Take it.”

“Haha, Lady Ruina! Thank you! Yeah~ It’s always a top-quality item!”

The man laughed vulgarly and took the finished product. But no matter what the man said, Ruina’s face was expressionless. She packed up the things she had brought and got up.

“I’m leaving.”

“Are you leaving already?”

She didn’t even want to answer that dirty man. He was the head of a faction, just like her father.

“…I’m leaving.”

Ruina, who repeated the same words, left the hidden space as it was. The man shouted something behind Ruina as she left, but she ignored him. She didn’t want to hear anything right now. She just wanted to leave this place quickly.

Ruina left the city’s underground in that way. It took quite a while to get out because it was a space created under the city with much time and effort.

But what was strange was that the underground space was slightly echoing as she got closer to the exit. The floor and ceiling were shaking as if they were about to collapse.

“What is it?”

Is it collapsing? I wish this place would just disappear. Then I wouldn’t have to come here again.

Anyway, Ruina felt something strange and kept walking. After walking for about 10 minutes, she came out to the ground. Ruina finally felt comfortable in the quiet atmosphere. Her heart rate also returned to normal.

After that, she looked around. She didn’t know if her disciple was still in the city. Fortunately, she couldn’t see him, so Ruina could walk with peace of mind. And the moment she took a step.

“Senior Ruina?”

“────!!!”

At the familiar voice, she let out a silent scream. The hair on her whole body stood on end, and goosebumps rose. A strange feeling, different from pain, made Ruina flinch.

“Senior?”

Thud, her disciple’s hand landed on her shoulder. There was no doubt. Because it was a touch she had felt many times.

Ruina slowly turned her head back. Then she saw the disciple she had seen earlier. At that moment, Ruina trembled. She didn’t know where she had come out from, or if her identity had been exposed, so she was reacting without even realizing it as anxiety welled up.

“W, why are you here…?”

“You’re the one who should be saying that, Senior. Why are you here? I thought you went on a business trip.”

“Uhm… I came on a business trip…. I had something to do….”

“I see.”

A sigh of relief came out at the tone that didn’t seem to suspect anything. But she couldn’t let her guard down. If she said something wrong, she could be exposed as a black magician.

Ruina carefully asked again.

“Why, why did you come here…?”

“Ah, I came here for work too. Ariel asked me for a favor.”

Ariel. Ruina knows who the person her disciple is talking about is. Because she was the empress who recently became the owner of the Empire.

And she also knows that the time she spends with her disciple has decreased because of the empress. Her disciple went to the Imperial Palace at least 3 times a week, and often 5 times. She was dissatisfied because she couldn’t meet her disciple because of that.

“What kind of favor…?”

“Hmm… well, I’ll tell you since it’s you, Senior.”

Immediately after, he came close to her ear and whispered softly.

“There’s a rumor that a black magician has appeared in this city. I came to investigate that.”

At that moment, Ruina’s heart sank. It was as if everything had been exposed to her only disciple, and her hands and feet trembled. And Ruina completely lost her mind at the words that followed.

“Turns out it wasn’t a lie. I’m on my way back from discovering a black magician just now.”

“W, where…?!”

“Let’s see….”

The tip of his finger is pointing in a certain direction. That direction was where the exit she had come out of the underground was located.

“There was a hidden space there. And under that, there were black magician bastards hiding underground.”

Oh, what should I do? If he came out of the exit, there was a possibility that he had seen her. Maybe he came after her traces. Ruina finally understood why the underground was shaking as if an earthquake had occurred.

“So, Senior….”

Ruina swallowed hard at the sight of her disciple trailing off.

Kyle Arden. He was her disciple, who could be her first and last. At the same time, he was the first person she liked. It was her disciple who brightened up her dark world.

So, she couldn’t be separated from him like this. No, she didn’t want to. Ruina opened her mouth in a trembling voice.

“I, I, I am actually a black….”

At that time, Kyle’s voice pierced through the small words that could barely be heard.

“Would you help me out? With dealing with the black magician. Are you free?”

“Uh, huh…?”

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“Ah, no….”

The trembling subsided at the unexpected words. Ruina asked back in a much more comfortable voice.

“Help…?”

“Yes, please help me. It looks like there are a lot of black magicians underground. So many that it’ll be hard to deal with them and go back today. That’s why I need Senior’s help.”

He needs help. A smile bloomed on Ruina’s lips at those words. She nodded her head slightly.

“I’ll help. Since it’s a request from my one and only disciple.”

“Then shall we go? It looks like there’s a separate entrance.”

Kyle held out his hand towards Ruina. She realized what that meant and took her disciple’s hand. Her heart began to beat regularly as always.

‘I’m happy….’

I always feel this, but I’m happy. This moment with my disciple is so, so enjoyable. So much so that I want this joy to continue,

Ruina matched her disciple’s pace and moved forward.