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“…So what I just used was a newly learned technique?”

“Yes.”

Camila nodded vigorously in agreement.

“It’s magic I recently learned.”

“When?”

“After returning home.”

Immediately after the operation ended, Camila went straight back to the Kien Empire. I stayed on-site for a month, watching Asen and Sanya’s movements, assessing the situation of the conflict before returning to Abas.

In other words,

“You learned it in a month?”

“That’s right.”

She was saying she had just over a month of experience with a new technique.

I sat Camila down and contemplated whether it was possible for her to grasp such a natural technique so quickly with her magical knowledge.

“……”

In my opinion, that was impossible.

While there were indeed instances of new magic being acquired in a month, those cases only referred to the basic formal magic taught to combat magicians in training.

Moreover, the magic she just showcased was clearly not from the Kien Imperial Army.

If it were standard army magic, I would have recognized it immediately.

Having sorted my thoughts, I opened my mouth.

“Who taught you?”

“My professor.”

“The Duke? Ah, then that makes sense…”

If it was the Duke’s magic, then it was certainly something I wouldn’t know about. Even any information officer from the Military Intelligence Agency would likely have no clue.

Her magic was something an ordinary magician couldn’t even replicate.

Considering that standard magic is proclaimed as “magic anyone can learn,” there was no reason for the Kien Ministry of Defense to disseminate the Duke’s magic. It was practically impossible.

Only then could I nod in understanding.

“I see. But did you really use such an important technique just to flee in a rush?”

“……”

Camila, who was about to say something, turned pale.

Drenched in water, she glanced at me awkwardly and then began to smile sheepishly.

“But wasn’t it amazing?”

“……”

“……”

“…I’m proud of it.”

—

Episode 17 – The Tree That Drinks Blood

In a moment of crisis (or not), Camila, having used her new technique to escape, ended up at the garden’s fountain.

The mansion’s garden was vast enough to rival a large plaza, and naturally, the fountain’s size was impressive as well. With her head submerged in the deep, cool water, Camila was rescued by a passing imperial magician.

“Wow, that could have been a disaster. Your head facing down like that. Thank goodness you were in a fountain, or you might have ended up in the emergency room.”

The magician who came running from the mansion was said to be affiliated with the palace. Not someone from the Magic Department or the Ministry of Defense, but an elite who receives a salary directly from the royal family.

There wasn’t just one palace magician. Alongside the one who pulled Camila up, about ten magicians were stationed at the mansion.

When I asked why these elites should be found here instead of the palace, they replied that they had come months ago under the command of the Duke.

“It’s for the hero’s training.”

“Training? Isn’t that supposed to be conducted by the Duke himself?”

“The Duke directly teaches, while we provide assistance.”

“Ah.”

A palace magician is someone who cannot be easily commanded even by the Minister of Magic, as the reigning king is the one who issues orders to them.

If Abas holds such authority, Kien’s case would undoubtedly be even stronger. Yet they casually borrowed palace magicians for months.

Does the Duke have great influence? Or is it that she is genuinely dedicated to teaching Camila? Seems like both are true, especially since it hasn’t even been ten minutes since the incident.

“I heard there was a commotion. What are you doing here?”

“Yes, Your Grace. We were helping the hero and restoring the garden.”

The palace magicians reported to the suddenly appearing Duke. Those who had been stiffly holding their heads high were now bowing at the waist.

Alexandra Petrovna immediately began searching for her disciple among the crowd. Upon spotting the soaked Camila, the Duke smiled gently and wore a look of relief.

“I heard you had an accident. You look terrible. Could you not hold back for even a moment while I was away and practice magic again?”

“Ugh….”

As the kind Duke met Camila, she began to sniffle.

There was surely overflowing emotion, but to me, it seemed she simply caught a cold during that short moment.

“Huah…! Professor…!”

Camila, wrapped in the Magic Tower’s thermal blanket, rushed forward. She lunged toward the Duke as if she were a townsperson having a terrible ordeal crying to a regional lord.

“I used the magic you taught me, and… I ended up going into the fountain….”

“Did I not warn you to be careful? You used your magic carelessly again? Last time you charged into the kitchen stove, and this time it’s the fountain. At this rate, you’ll either soar to the sky or sink into the ground.”

“I’m not joking…!”

“All right, all right. Your hands and feet are cold. Mind yourself; dry those tears.”

It was the kind of speech that even an ordinary person could trust and follow, but sadly, it had no effect on Camila. Despite being told to stop crying, her sniffles showed no signs of stopping.

In fact, she even moved into the Duke’s arms, her tears still glistening. While that itself was quite shocking, what was more unbelievable was the Duke’s response.

“Oh dear.”

Alexandra Petrovna made no attempt to push Camila away. Instead, with a gentle smile, she began to stroke her affectionately.

The scene resembled a grandmother encountering her granddaughter on a festive holiday. It was not a mere metaphor; it genuinely looked like that.

“……”

No, why is she acting like that? Camila isn’t even her granddaughter.

I looked around, astonished, but nobody thought it was strange.

On the contrary,

“Ugh, what a beautiful sight.”

“I never thought I’d witness the Duke take in a disciple before I die….”

The palace magicians were all starry-eyed as they gazed at the Duke and Camila. The tension in the air felt like someone was about to burst into tears at a moment’s notice. Unable to contain myself, I approached them to ask.

“Uh, does she usually act like this…?”

“Not often, but she does sometimes. The Duke has no children of her own, you see. Her disciple is younger than the heir, and being a disciple makes it all the more special.”

“……”

A magician with a bushy beard, who had been sniffing, suddenly posed a question.

“Isn’t it a truly beautiful sight?”

Beautiful? What’s beautiful about it, you weirdo?

I had heard magicians tend to have some level of mental instability. It seems all magicians are indeed a bit unhinged. I, the only normal one in this crazy place, struggled to adapt to what was unfolding before me.

Regardless of others’ opinions, the two showed no signs of parting. Camila, weeping in the Duke’s embrace, took quite some time before she finally managed to pull away, sniffling softly.

“Sniff….”

“Have you stopped crying?”

“Yes….”

When the Duke asked with a smile, Camila nodded, wiping her eyes. Bowing her head, she took her position again.

It seems like she’s still got a sense of propriety, after all. She apologized with sincerity. The child is not bad, just…. Hmm, a little immature.

Just as I thought that, Camila, with her head still bowed, started rummaging in the Duke’s pockets. She seemed to be searching for something, her lips pouted in concentration, and then suddenly, her expression brightened.

“I found it!”

She raised her hand high, her voice ringing out. In her hand was a bag of snacks she had just retrieved from the Duke’s pocket.

Wait a second.

Why is that coming out of the Duke’s pocket?

“Ha!”

Camila beamed as she inspected the bag of snacks.

The face that had just been tear-streaked was now completely gone. As she examined the snacks, a bright smile spread across her face.

“It’s a new snack!”

“There’s even candy. The palace chefs prepared them especially for you, so eat as much as you want.”

“Thank you, Professor!”

Camila, holding a handful of snacks and candies, beamed broadly. The Duke began to smile as well.

As the palace magicians watched the two, beaming warmly, I stood off to the side with a sullen face, gazing at Camila.

“……”

Both Camila, who was taking snacks from the pockets, and Alexandra Petrovna, who was putting them in her pockets. The magicians were all grinning with delight.

Anyway, there’s just no normal person here.

I gazed at the air and let out a deep sigh. It was a sigh that came out naturally.

“Haa.”

The magical society of the Empire.

Can things really continue like this without issue?

—

In the midst of this peculiar moment where a foreign spy was worrying about the future of an enemy nation, the two people who had just completed a sketch finally regained their composure.

“I just heard that you arrived in the Empire. They say you nearly encountered trouble on your way to the mansion?”

“Thank you for your concern, but everything has been resolved.”

“I’m relieved to see you safe. It could have been a serious injury for one of your comrades.”

Alexandra Petrovna had a bright expression as she welcomed me. We shared acquaintances, connected through Camila, so it was expected.

While exchanging greetings with the Duke, the situation had mostly calmed down. After a struggle involving the internal military, police, and the royal guard, the heated atmosphere surrounding the mansion began to settle, and the garden, burned to the ground, started to regain its former appearance thanks to the palace magicians’ efforts.

Of course, that also applied to Camila.

“Mmm, yum.”

Camila, who not only stood at the center of the commotion but also caused it, was now engrossed in her snacks. While they might not be common store-bought items, one could tell they were not regular foods either, rich in quality.

While I watched Camila selecting her sugary snacks, I asked absentmindedly,

“Are you really putting that in your mouth right now?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Her response came without an ounce of hesitation.

I was the fool for asking. Sigh.

I looked on with a semi-disgusted expression as Camila devoured her snacks, while the gaze of her teacher was endlessly warm.

“My child, does it taste good?”

“Yes!”

“I’m glad to hear that. If you want more, I can get you some, so take your time.”

“Wow! Thank you, Professor!”

“Yes. And have some tea.”

Alexandra Petrovna pushed a teacup toward Camila.

When did they get this close? This doesn’t feel like a normal teacher-student relationship. It resembles more of a grandmother and granddaughter.

As I watched Camila munching on her snacks while receiving continuous servings from the Duke, I had no choice but to exchange bewildered glances between the two.

“……”

Camila’s face filled with joy as she chomped on her snacks. Seeing that smile made me almost say something critical but then I held myself back.

Well… as long as they’re getting along well, it’s good news.

What if she eats a mountain of snacks? As long as it doesn’t affect her health, that’s all that matters. The Duke seems to be supportive, and Camila is satisfied, so there’s no need to spoil the atmosphere.

Just as Camila received another round of snacks, her belly happily full, the conversation began to flow naturally.

Then the Duke began to shift her gaze toward me, apologizing for having made me wait.

“I apologize for keeping our guest waiting. That was rude of me.”

“It’s no trouble.”

“I’ve heard the recent rumors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There’s been quite a concern regarding the security of the mansion. The Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly contacted the Royal Ministry; that’s the reason you’re here, isn’t it?”

“Correct.”

The stunning silver hair swayed up and down.

“No need to worry. This place is protected by barriers equal to those of the royal palace. If anyone were to try to invade the mansion, the magicians would notice.”

“……”

I was aware that the royal palace’s protective barriers were renowned magic.

A fortress-like defense designed to protect the Emperor from assassins. It was said to withstand attacks from enemy magicians and special forces, along with the bombardments of howitzers and tanks.

There was even a rumor that, even if war breaks out and Petrogard turns into ruins, the royal palace would remain intact. This was the exact assessment made by the Abas Information Agency.

“If the royal palace’s protective magic is as you say, I am well aware. During the war against the Cult…”

“It’s a magic created by the wisdom of magicians.”

“Indeed, you knew that too.”

“How could I not? It’s the greatest legacy boasted by the Guardian School of the Magic Tower.”

If such magic is protecting the mansion, I can feel at ease. After all, what kind of mage would dare breach a magic that not even the Ministry of Defense or the Information Agency could overcome?

Moreover, the owner of the mansion isn’t just any ordinary magician but an Archmage. I would sooner believe that Alexandra Petrovna would lose in a magical duel than believe that Cardinal Raphael’s hair would suddenly become luscious overnight.

Once I received the Duke’s confirmation, I finally felt a bit relieved. As I took a sip of black tea, I was about to snatch the plate away from Camila, who was crunching on some pastries when, all of a sudden, Alexandra Petrovna spoke up.

“By the way, what do you plan to do now? Now that you’ve confirmed your disciple’s safety, will you be heading back to Abas?”

“Ah, well…”

I trailed off vaguely.

I had come to find Camila after receiving a contact from the embassy, but honestly, I hadn’t considered what to do after confirming her safety.

“I’m not quite sure. Originally, I planned to stay in Petrogard for a few days to observe how things go… but since the mansion’s defenses are so robust, there doesn’t seem to be much for me to look into.”

“Then how about taking a short break?”

Alexandra Petrovna continued.

“Returning right away isn’t an issue, but to properly assess your disciple’s condition, wouldn’t it be wise to take some time to observe? Sending a guest back immediately also goes against etiquette. If there isn’t any urgent matter, you may rest comfortably.”

*

It was an unexpected suggestion.

I stroked my chin in thought.

I still had plenty of vacation left and not much to do. Of course, I needed to prepare for a trip to the Mauritania Continent, but that was being discussed separately by the government.

The situation with the intelligence operation was similar. The conflict between Asen and Sanya had settled down, and I could afford to keep in contact with Hassan while monitoring the situation for the time being. If anything were to happen, the operations team dispatched from the Royal Intelligence Department would handle it.

Having organized my thoughts, I finally spoke up.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll do just that.”

“Good idea. If you need anything, feel free to ask. If discussions about dispatching help are needed, it would be fine to invite not just your disciple but also the Saint and the descendants of Ranieri.”

I replied that I would consider it.

Just as we had started speaking more freely, Alexandra Petrovna began discussing the area we would soon be dispatched to.

“The Mauritania Continent is a good place. It is the birthplace of primitive shamanism and astrology. Many magicians have crossed over there to evade the eyes of the Inquisition for centuries, so it would surely be a good experience for both your disciple and Ranieri’s child.”

“Oh! I’ve heard about the Ivory Tower there! I want to visit it someday!”

The Duke smiled gently at Camila’s reaction.

“The Ivory Tower is a place where the legacy of my companion Suleiman resides. It’s also a gathering place for alchemists of the Red Desert, so you would surely gain special knowledge and a unique experience. Ah, and if time permits, I should visit my dear friend as well.”

“Your friend, Professor?”

“Yes.”

While munching on pastries, Camila mentioned that she would like to visit once.

Swallowing her food, she reached out for the pastries but found the space where the bowl should have been was empty.

“…Huh?”

Startled, Camila fumbled around the table instead of reaching for the pastry bowl. Then, with wide eyes, she scanned her surroundings and confirmed that the bowl was placed far away on the opposite side before shooting a sharp glare at me.

“What’s this?”

“…Did you move the pastries?”

“Yes.”

“……”

I raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with Camila.

Stare all you want. What can you do? What can you actually do, huh?

“Tch….”

“Stop eating too many pastries. You’ll really get fat.”

“I won’t get fat!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t fight. By the way…”

With a kind smile, Alexandra Petrovna interjected into the conversation and posed a question to me.

“The Archbishop mentioned that the Oracle fragments have been interpreted. They’ve managed to gather clues about other colleagues. Do you happen to know where the new colleague might be?”

A new colleague. It was the question about Camila’s fourth companion.

I sighed lightly and shook my head.

“No, not yet.”

“You still haven’t found them?”

“I haven’t pinpointed their exact location.”

After the information sharing from the Inquisition, various countries’ information agencies had begun searching for Camila’s new companion, a man presumably somewhere in the Mauritania Continent.

However, despite months of searching by dozens of information agencies, the operation to find the new colleague had been sluggish. The Mauritania Continent was just too dangerous and vast.

Still, there was some progress.

“According to an official from the Information Authority, the last traces were found in the Paraangasan area. Everything matches from description to gender, including unique tattoos covering the entire body and special abilities.”

“Paraangasan, huh….”

With eyelids lowering, those mysterious blue eyes disappeared from sight.

“A magician couldn’t possibly be unaware of that place. It used to be a mountain where dragons nested until sixty years ago. The chieftain of the plains shattered a dragon’s scales with his fist atop that mountain and decapitated it. He then drenched himself in the dragon’s blood to gain immense power and an immortal body.”

“……”

“I’ve heard that after the dragons were slain, monsters have been swarming that vacated space. Not only the Ivory Tower but even shamans operating near the port of the dead whale are avoiding it. And yet, you say your disciple’s companion is in such a dangerous place?”

“Yes, it’s still only a hypothesis, but that’s the case.”

A sigh escaped the lips of the Archmage. It was a sigh of worry for her disciple.

With her arms crossed, Alexandra Petrovna stared intently at Camila. Her gaze resembled that of an adult gazing at a child left by the waterside.

“Your disciple must work hard as well. To not get hurt, they should devote themselves to training.”

“Yes, Professor.”

Seemingly pleased with that response, the Duke nodded with a satisfied smile.

“It’s a joyous occasion to accept a new companion. Having someone to trust and rely on is a good thing. But I have a question.”

The blue eyes turned back towards me. The Duke’s lips parted.

“Have you found the mysterious thug who drew demons to the Northern Regions?”

The Northern Regions, demons, a mysterious thug. My brain started whirring at the familiar combination of words.

Last year, there was a terrorist attack at Abas’s department store. The black magic that was used in that attack was attributed to the actions of stateless individuals from No Man’s Land. However, behind those stateless individuals lurked another terrorist.

Commonly referred to as “The Merchant.” This subject was someone arrested by the terrorists and was nicknamed “The Merchant.” He was the one who provided black magic defenses that even the mages of the Ministry of Defense and the Magic Department, along with the priests from the Inquisition, could not breach.

Recent investigations revealed that he had also been involved in the Northern conflict.

To be precise—

“Are you referring to the suspect who brought in the corpse spiders?”

“Indeed.”

The monsters that attacked the rift in the North. The “Merchant” who spread black magic in the capital of Abas had sent monsters to Kien in the North.

The Imperial Guard and other espionage agencies recognized his involvement while attempting to trace the origins of the corpse spiders. The intelligence agency of Abas had relayed the investigation details of the department store terrorist incident to the Empire, cross-checking with Northern data to ascertain that he was involved in the rift assault incident.

Why he targeted both Abas and Kien remains unknown.

But one thing is certain: he is definitely not human.

“…No matter how finely tuned one’s magic is, there is no human who can maintain the same appearance for decades. It’s only possible for long-lived species like elves or demons.”

“Exactly. Even the outstanding magicians of the Magic Tower and Ivory Tower cannot escape the passage of time.”

But this fellow was disguised as an ordinary human. And that too, for decades.

It’s biologically impossible, yet sadly, we have recently discovered that there are indeed cases of individuals maintaining the same age appearance for decades.

Possessed Individuals.

People who are possessed by demons.

“……”

Recalling the whispers exchanged among the intelligence agencies, I cautiously began to speak. Camila would hear it, but I aimed for it to be soft enough that at least the others around us wouldn’t.

“It seems to be the work of a possessed person.”

“…So you’re saying it is the work of a demon?”

“Yes, it’s the hypothesis currently deemed the most likely among our Ministry of Defense discussions.”

At the mere mention of the word “demon,” the Duke’s expression slightly tightened.

The North had suffered extensive damage due to the demons, and she was the ruler of the North. Thus, there couldn’t be any positive feelings toward it.

“Is there a way to find them?”

“The cult is searching high and low. Of course, we are also assisting in the efforts.”

“It would be wise to search carefully yet quickly. You never know where and what kind of foul plot might be brewing.”

Alexandra Petrovna urged in a serious tone. It would be best to locate them quickly to minimize damage.

I nodded in acknowledgment.

-Whaaargh~!

Just then, flames burst forth from the chair.

Sparks flew, and a human figure dispersed into flames and smoke.

In the moment of surprise at the sudden emergence of magic, I heard a scraping sound right beside me, as if something was dragging over the table.

There was no need to confirm whose doing it was.

“Nice!”

Amidst the flying sparks, Camila was raising her fist in triumph. One hand clenched tight, and the other hugging the pastry bowl.

It didn’t take me long to grasp the situation. The flying sparks, Camila vanishing right in front of me. And then she appeared from the blind spot.

She had used magic again.

“……”

Having learned the magic of an Archmage that an Oracle Member of the Magic Tower could never afford to learn, what she was making the most use of was snatching a bowl of pastries when I was distracted.

Is this how it’s supposed to be?

As I glanced at the Duke, silently questioning if she even managed her disciple.

“…Hmm.”

With her arms crossed, Alexandra Petrovna spoke solemnly.

“The speed is lacking. In battle, speed equates to life itself. If that’s the case for magicians, how much more so in a battlefield where bullets rain down?”

“What? I thought I was quick enough, Professor!”

“While it may seem quick to you, all I see is a sluggish little worm.”

“……”

Is that what we should be focusing on right now?

Baffled, I switched my gaze between the two of them, but neither Camila nor Alexandra Petrovna budged an inch.

“Well, the pastry must suit your taste. How many times have you used magic today?”

“I used it twice earlier, and, um, counting this, it’s been three times in total!”

“Oh my. Just the other day, using magic consecutively would leave you completely exhausted, but now you handle it without even a hitch. Quite impressive.”

“Hehe.”

“Keep eating.”

“……”

Is the future of the Empire really okay like this? While practicing magic is good, it seemed like leaving Camila here would only make her plump and chubby.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have sent her off to the Duke. If Camila said she was hungry, it felt like the mansion pillars would be pulled out to set the table for her.

As I internally sighed amidst the laughter of the two, the Duke, while feeding Camila pastries, suddenly began to make a suggestion.

“Oh, by the way, is this the first time you’ve seen your disciple in months?”

A month.

Or rather, just as I realized and was about to answer differently—

The Archmage smiled slyly and continued talking.

“Since you’ve come all this way, how about observing how much your disciple’s magic has grown?”

 

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