Chapter 194: A Tough Fight. (2)

“If a knight is a horse that eats and moves, a wizard is a complicated machine. The younger and the less ripe a wizard is, the more thorough supervision is needed.”

The big difference between a wizard and a knight was easy to identify, without any bias, in how they use mana. The knight’s way of using mana is straightforward. Swordsmanship, self-defense, and the like are all acts of expressing their mana. On the other hand, wizards materialize mana as a phenomenon. It is called magic because it is a larger system than pure mana, and if it is overused during a battle, the risk of it becoming uncontrollable is much higher than for a knight.

“Continuous magic is needed to defend against a large-scale attack in the remaining time.”

Destruction magic is represented by bombardment and close attacks, and supporting magic protects allies and amplifies their skills. These are the types necessary for a siege.

“Also, more importantly, it’s impossible to satisfy the hunger of the knights.”

Neither could an elephant’s stomach be satisfied by filling it with expensive flowers. It was not efficient.

“Yes, I understand. I will pass it on and meditate on it… but.”

Julie nodded resolutely before asking back.

“The Professor doesn’t eat with the wizards on the first floor. Are you going to eat separately later?”

“…”

I had already starved myself for about a week. Of course, it may be because my appetite had become considerably picky, or perhaps this was also a problem related to efficiency. Iron Man, which repeatedly developed and adapted itself, not only enhanced my body’s overall health but also controlled my metabolism according to my appetite.

Therefore, I could dramatically reduce the number of calories I consumed in everyday life. The mana I breathed in could be absorbed without waste, so during emergencies, I didn’t particularly need to eat.

But to summarize it for Julie-

“It’s none of your business.

“…”

Julie puffed her cheeks a little and changed the subject with a scowl.

“Yes, but are you aware? The barrier on the northeast-“

“Yes, I am.”

I cut her off.

“I know what you know, and I have known before you. I even know what you don’t know.”

“…Good for you.”

Julie was squinting at me. Even that was cute, but I answered dryly.

“I’m thinking of a way. Don’t worry about that, and just do your best in the battle.”

Maintenance of the barrier was impossible now. But if left alone, it was only a matter of time before it collapsed. In the first place, it lasted this long because I was using [Midas’ Hand].

“Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll get going.”

Julie stood. Whether she had nothing more to say or didn’t want to talk to me anymore, she bowed her head and left straight away.

*****

As soon as Julie closed the door of the office, Epherene, who was hiding behind the wall, hopped close-

Hop, hop, hop.

Julie scratched her neck, feeling it was awkward for some reason.

“…Yes, it seems to be that way.”

“Oh.”

Epherene looked surprised. She pouted her lips and mumbled.

“…He really won’t eat? For a week?”

“I will tell the other knights. Young wizards need supervision.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you. Because of Epherene…”

Julie paused for a moment. For her, Deculein was a questionable person. If he stayed in Reccordak himself, he wouldn’t have to look after the wizards. There was no reason to feed them as he was starving.

“Good luck. You’ve been through a lot in supporting Professor Deculein.”

Julie placed her hand on Epherene’s shoulder.

“It’s not much. Rather, you’re the one who has been through a lot more. An ex-fiancé… ehem. That’s not what I meant….”

She blurted it out without thinking. Julie shook her head.

“That’s okay; it’s true anyway.”

“…Is it okay?”

“Yes. Rather, I’m more comfortable now that we’re farther away. We are more suited as those who hate each other.”

“…”

Then, Epherene closed her mouth. She felt she knew the real reason why Deculein let Julie go. It wasn’t because he hated her…

Julie bowed her head.

“Of course. I’ll be on my way now.”

“Oh, yes. Take care.”

Epherene sent Julie off with a bitter smile.

*****

Yukline Territory— Hadekain

Yeriel, the deputy of this land enjoying a mild climate even in the winter, was inspecting the territory as their leader.

“There’s no bandits or robbers, right?”

“Yes, thanks to the early preparations you started.”

The residents of Hadekain were keeping order. Even in this harsh winter, there were no criminals who lost their senses and behaved like beasts. Thanks to that, daily life continued as normal in Hadekain. Children went to school, the knights and top officials carried out their usual tasks, and the tower continued its research. Of course, there was a curfew before 5 pm, but it was much better than the other territories that couldn’t go outside at all.

“That’s good to hear. Anything else?”

“I think there was a little problem last night because of the appearance of the monsters underground, but aside from that, there’s nothing else.”

“Underground again? It’s a total mess these days. I don’t think this has ever happened since I was born, at least.”

Yeriel picked up a newspaper scattered on the ground.

[The Strongest Monster Movement in History… Is it an Omen for the End of the Continent?]

All the newspapers mentioned migration. The outer wall at the continent’s border had long been abandoned, and they were desperate to protect the city center. In the Kingdom, their borders had already been brought to ruins. Of course, Yeriel didn’t miss that opportunity.

Having an excellent sense of reading circumstances, she knew that this was the motherlode. So, she was now letting loose of all the money that she had saved up prior as a penny-pincher.

“What’s the situation with the loan offers?”

The butler immediately replied.

“Reok and the other kingdoms have willingly accepted our conditions. But, Yuren respectfully turned it down.”

“…Is that so? Yuren is not a push-over.”

The Principality of Yuren, their recent reformation still fresh, had a good economic foundation and a good political sense. The truth was, they were also a group that was well prepared for this migration.

“We will provide 3 billion Elnes for Reok and 1 billion Elnes for the others.”

“That’s good enough.”

Through banking, trades, officials, auctions, Marik passage… Yeriel had earned more than 70% of that in cash after becoming the deputy of this territory.

“You know what’s next, right?”

Of course, she didn’t intend on giving it away as an investment. Yeriel was not that naive. Rather, she was quite heinous.

“Yes, the officials will make contact.”

Now, the officials for the Yukline would approach those kingdoms under a borrowed name. They would use the uniqueness of the situation to sell them weapons and food at a higher price. The vassals of the kingdom bribed in advance would agree. Just like that, the money lent through the loan would be returned.

“That’s right. I’m already getting excited.”

If the migration ended and the continent did not fall, the Yukline would use that leverage over the entire continent.

“What are the people who hate Deculein doing~?”

Yeriel walked around humming.

“If we defend, our territory will be ruined~. Please reconsider it~; we’ll go bankrupt~. Pfft. It’s so funny. They would all be ruined if not for Deculein.”

“Wasn’t Ms. Yeriel the same?”

Then, the butler’s remark came in quick and sharp. Yeriel flinched.

“…I did it while cursing him. There’s a big difference between those who did it properly while cursing and those who were forced to do it.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

But thanks to that, Hadekain was the second safest city on the continent.

“Oh, right. I should write a letter to oppa.”

“What?”

Yeriel mumbled thoughtlessly, and the butler next to her looked at her in shock.

“What? Why?”

“My lady, did you just refer to him as ‘oppa’ just now?”

Cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

“…What are you talking about? When did I? No, also he is my oppa. Now that we’re done here let’s just go to the next location.”

She climbed into the car as she was making excuses.

“…Let’s go.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Yeriel was lost in thought for a while, pondering over what to write to Deculein as she enjoyed the scenery of Hadekain. She wanted to be a Lord. She wanted to be the official Lord of the Yukline. Not a fake one, but the real one. But that couldn’t happen now.

She wasn’t a Yukline. Not only did she not have a drop of Yukline blood, but she was also someone unwelcome on this continent.

“But still.”

It didn’t matter. The Head of the Yukline was Deculein, and she only had to stay beside him. That much was enough.

‘I am fully satisfied. He considers me as his family; I don’t want to be greedy for more.’

There was no need for that.

“Is the next destination the hardware shop?”

“Yes.”

“Okay~.”

Yeriel leaned against the car window and smiled.

*****

…In the sanctuary of the Altar, deep underground, where humans couldn’t survive. A group of fanatics gathered.

“■■■. ■■■■. ■■.”

They conversed using the language of ancient times, and they worshipped like in the times when god was not yet killed by humans.

“■■■■■. ■■. ■■■■!”

─■■!

─■■■■!

The chief priest shouted and shook his cane, then the dozens of believers bowed their heads.

“Seriously…”

Arlos was disgusted by their elitism and annoyed by their words that she could not understand, but she couldn’t mess up her chance to make a profit because of such things. She had worked too hard to earn their hearts.

“…■■.”

At that moment, their conversation ended. The religious fanatics of the Altar gathered their robes and prepared to leave the sanctuary.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Arlos grabbed one person and asked.

“Are you a doll? We’re going to destroy the North.”

“The North?”

“Yeah, we’re going to annihilate Reccordak and Deculein.”

“…”

Deculein. That name bothered her for some reason.

“Is that possible?”

“Haha. Why don’t you go and see?”

Listening to his confident reply, Arlos fiddled with the recorder in her robes.

“What magic are you planning to use? Can you tell me a little? I’m so curious.”

“Haha. Well, uncivilized people like you must be curious.”

They were very sensitive to magical surveillance, so she made use of their ignorance of machines…

******

Late at night.

Arlos’s doll, the one in the form of a child, visited my office.

—We will use summoning magic. You wouldn’t understand this kind of technique…

It was a recording of what Arlos heard and saw.

“This is good information.”

“How much is it worth?”

Arlos asked about the price first.

“3 million Elnes in cash.”

“…Hmm. I thought this was nothing special, but it’s quite expensive.”

“You found something big.”

“Is that so?”

“I can only see what you saw.”

I played the video on the camera recorded by Arlos again.

“Here, some summoning magic techniques are disclosed on this board.”

“…Hmm.”

Boasting about it, she showed the summoning magic techniques that they researched and developed. But, this was a huge mistake. Of course, they wouldn’t have thought much about it. They would never think that Arlos would sell information or that the information sold would come to me.

“Is that relevant? It’s a completely different technique to the modern one.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I laughed.

“It’s completely different. So, this has absolutely no value for other wizards. But… Arlos, I’m Deculein.”

“So?”

“Theoretical understanding, analysis, and dismantling of techniques. There is no wizard better than me in any of those areas.”

Summoning magic was the most vulnerable to technique leaks. Once destroyed, not only would you lose the ability to reverse it, you might also lose ownership.

“Are you bragging?”

“It’s not bragging; it’s the truth.”

I stood and looked out the window.

Not far from Reccordak, the Altar was in the middle of Annihilation. This group of religious fanatics finally made a move. This was the outbreak of war that I had been waiting for.

“Not only that, this is the first technique of the Altar that I saw.”

I looked to Arlos again. She gave me information worth something close to a billion Elnes.

“I can learn everything using these sections. In a week, I will be able to distinguish, understand, and destroy the structure and technique of the Altar’s magic.”

“…”

Even with my confident tone, Arlos wore an unknowable expression.

“Is there anything else you want to ask?”

She shook her head.

“Stop bragging and just give me my money now. Hurry up so I can leave.”