Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 113

Episode 113. The human heart

Was it a petty trick by Shine? Fortunately, the principal didn't draw his sword.

The biggest reason I see is because there is no sword.

"……sorry."

Surprisingly, the principal nodded obediently.

Huh? I really nodded.

It was a polite apology, although not as deep as a sinner who had committed a great sin.

“No, that. What…….”

It was quite embarrassing for me.

Because, it was something that would happen someday.

The reason the principal tolerated my existence in the first place was because I was a madman who was far from normal.

My activities in the Great Forest were strange even by the standards of such a madman.

While I was feeling awkward, the principal explained in detail the motive behind his suspicions.

"I don't mean to make excuses. It's just… I was reminded of something old. That's all."

So to speak, it was something like this.

An ancient war between empires and kingdoms.

Even though the local warfare that was visible on the surface was horrific, the underground operations were said to be even more intense.

If you send one spy from this side, they'll send two. If you send four, they'll send eight.

Our unit's ace turned out to be an enemy spy? That kind of thing was commonplace.

“…….”

After listening to those words quietly, I was able to understand the principal's feelings to some extent.

"Understanding" here doesn't mean understanding the principles of behavior. It means, quite literally, understanding the heart of the principal.

Post-war trauma.

It was a symptom that was often seen mainly in veterans, and it was a phenomenon in which they continued to suffer from the shock even after experiencing a serious incident.

The principal, whom I thought was steadfast, still bore the scars of the old war.

This was the same for me too.

He habitually made no noise, minimized his presence, and when he encountered new people, he first figured out whether he could kill them rather than what kind of person they were.

Even my heart, light as paper, is stained with the dark stains of my Troubleshooter days.

Anyway, at this moment, I too faced my senior seriously.

"senior."

“Speak.”

"I completely sympathize with your feelings, senior. Yes, it's understandable. I was born a vagrant in a black-and-white zone. The only thing special about me is my connection to the Brando family."

“…….”

"If that background can explain my situation… I'd rather listen to a dog barking. It would be so nonsensical. …But."

A gentle breeze seeps into the hideout.

I looked at my senior with sunken eyes and continued speaking in a clear voice.

“Still, I have no answer to give you.”

“…….”

"It may be hard to believe, but I've told the truth. There are no lies. If that doesn't earn your trust, what more do I need to say? Simply… this is me."

Yeah, that's just me.

Of course, there was nothing I couldn't do to explain my existence.

My realm can be explained by my previous life, and returning was possible by revealing the existence of the fire seal.

However, this was… … not a secret that had to be kept for the rest of one’s life, but it wasn’t something that could be easily revealed either.

A being that literally fell from the sky.

In fact, this wasn't just a problem for seniors.

Not only the Blando family, Oberon, and Senior Liheim, but also Chenbi and others. Maybe even Damian.

Anyone in the same situation as my senior would doubt my rootless nature.

It's a relationship that wouldn't be strange if it broke at any time.

This loneliness was like a homework that I had to carry for the rest of my life.

It wasn't particularly difficult or anything. I was prepared to endure it.

but…….

“I don’t want to buy your trust by telling lies. So… can’t you just trust me with that?”

This is my little greed.

I didn't have high expectations.

Because I can't do it.

Believing in people as people is easier said than done.

Looking back, I trusted Damian, Chenbi, Shine, and even the principal. It wasn't the people themselves, but the circumstances, the background, and the vested interests.

As soon as I finished speaking, silence fell over the hideout.

Breakfast No. 1 must have sensed the mood, as he just stared blankly at the principal and me.

The petty Shine still glared at the principal, and the principal was still looking at me with sunken eyes.

It was Shine who spoke first.

“I believe.”

A voice without an inch of wavering.

“You are a wicked piece of trash, but I believe you.”

A believing kid followed me here? … … The words came to my lips, but I held them back.

Meanwhile, what should I say?

'… … .'

I feel relieved.

And when the principal's mouth opened.

“I too…… believe it.”

I was able to completely let go of the burden I had been carrying without even realizing it.

Bam.

It was not a bad night.

Even though the sun is at its zenith.

* * *

Perhaps it was thanks to the one-time sparring session? After that, my conversation with the principal went smoothly.

“Big, ahem.”

“Ahem.”

As you get older, it's really awkward to express your feelings. Awkward coughs were common throughout the conversation.

“But, this side…….”

“This body is Shine von Le…… woof woof!”

“As I mentioned earlier, this is the one I picked up among the ones I picked up and the ones I caught.”

“Shine von Leman, vampire, you say…?”

I swallowed my curses under my senior's suspicious gaze.

This dirty, ill-tempered bastard couldn't stand stalking me and even exposed my identity.

In the heart of the empire. And at the Zenion Academy, a pro-imperial institution, the name of a traitor was being raised? No, that wasn't all.

'Vampires are my ass… … .'

This one was stronger than my real name.

When it comes to vampires, right? It's a fairy tale, a myth, a legend, and in the popular perception, it's a legendary demon. Or a traitor to humanity comparable to that!

But is it because I have committed a sin?

“……Well, I guess he’s a crazy guy.”

“Yeah, well, that’s right.”

No. That look is definitely not the look you get when looking at a 'crazy friend.'

Bloodshot eyes. Sharp fangs. Skin as pale as a corpse. Anyone who sees him is the epitome of a vampire.

And then, out of nowhere, from beneath the shadows, what's that? He's even calling me a vampire, and a lord at that!

This is a situation where you can't take it or leave it.

But why is that?

The senior didn't bother asking.

but.

“That… they say that if a dog bites a person, it’s the owner’s fault.”

“My dog won’t bite. I’ve never raised a dog before.”

“Everyone says that, but… yeah, I believe it.”

The only one who couldn't keep up with the conversation was Shine.

"Dog? What are you talking about?" he said, looking at me and my senior like we were crazy, and I couldn't stand it anymore and almost slapped him.

After that, we continued to exchange small talk about various things.

Oh, by the way, I didn't mention anything about my realm.

No, it was probably a topic that wouldn't come up as a hot topic in the future.

However, what I'm worried about is Senior Lee Haim. He was the one who knew my realm so well…

'Well, I guess it'll be okay.'

Because I'm not the type of person to speak carelessly.

Perhaps, Senior Leeheim would think that the principal knew me better than he did. So, he wouldn't bother revealing what he already knew.

When the topic of the Grand Duchess came up, the conversation lost its momentum.

"Oh, the third one is supposed to arrive next week. How can I even meet him?"

“Are you crazy? This crazy bitch isn’t just any crazy bitch.”

"……hmm."

What is that look in your eyes?

A fresh silence, as if to say, 'That shouldn't come out of your mouth.'

The principal looked at me for a moment, then apologized on behalf of the Grand Duchess for the rudeness she had shown during their first meeting.

At this point, I couldn't help but be curious.

“But what exactly is the sign of the new moon?”

“Didn’t you hear?”

“Well, I heard about it. Isn’t it something like the uniform of the ‘Bear-Eater Moon’?”

“That’s true too. It’s a memory that isn’t a memory, you know.”

The senior looked at the crescent moon sign on the table with a hazy look in his eyes, as if recalling those days.

Let's do that for a moment.

“The third one is after the token because of the promise I and my colleagues made about it.”

“A promise?”

"Yes. Should we call it a wish ticket? I've decided to grant one wish to the successor of the token."

"……ah."

Hearing this, I could understand the greed that the Grand Duchess had shown in the sign of the new moon.

'If I do this well, I might be able to gather the eaten moon again, right?'

Perhaps, the Archduchess's secret wish is the 'fall of the noble magic family.'

So, the bear-eaten moon is bound to be desperate.

Even though they're from several generations ago, just look at the current principals. They're as energetic as any current principal.

Did he notice my gaze? The principal smiled playfully.

“Why, are you jealous?”

"no."

This time I was serious.

“Really? I thought you’d roll your eyes.”

“Not really.”

The moon is full of bears and all, it's beyond my interest. Well, if I could go to each and every one of them and get them a book, that would be a big deal, but even that's no small feat.

"Yes, I thought about it carefully. And it's called a 'wishes,' not an absolute promise. They'll do whatever they want anyway. How can you possibly grant all the requests of successors when you have so many colleagues? You'd rather kill them all as soon as they come."

“Yeah, well. I said we’ll just talk amongst ourselves.”

“……?”

A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. It was definitely sincere.

Here, I was able to realize one thing: the members of the Bear Eaten Moon were just as crazy as the principal.

Then suddenly, something came to mind.

“By the way, why did you want to call Senior Lee Haim?”

"I'm trying to set up some barriers. I need that guy's help to defend against things like Salvatium and the like. You saw it, so you know."

but.

I nodded as if I agreed.

It's enough to create a barrier that only weeds out ancient ghosts on the spot, so even Salvatium will be helpless if it stops there.

"Oh, that guy's supposed to come over around vacation time. How about we meet up sometime?"

“No, not really.”

I shook my head again this time.

If it's someone like Senior Lee Haim, you'll recognize them the moment you see them, even if you don't know their faces. You'll say, "Oh, that's him."

If that happens, the pattern with the senior principal may repeat itself.

Anyway, I ended the conversation by asking the principal a few favors.

“By the way, could you please get me an ID card?”

"ID?"

“Yes, this guy needs something to write.”

What I was pointing at was Shine.

Looking at it today, it seems like I can hide around a bit, but I guess I need some sort of status to move around.

“Oh, and please look into a job for me too.”

"job?"

"Yes, I've brought another carnivore. He's a friend who used to be a Pathfinder, so he'll probably fit the role of Academy security guard."

“Okay. I’ll look into both.”

Today's principal was quite docile. Well, he must have committed a crime, so he must suppress his madness.

I was about to end the conversation and get up.

“Hey, junior.”

“Yes, senior.”

"sorry."

I chuckled at that serious voice.

“……Star, isn’t that the end of the story?”

"……okay."

There was no need for further conversation between them.

but.

“Senior, are you really sorry?”

“……?”

"No, why? Are you just saying sorry, or are you truly sorry? That's the thing about people's feelings: you don't know unless you say it, and you don't know unless you express it."

A small sign of the castle.

Isn't what's needed now some material reward that connects hearts?

I did.