(4)
6.
A fast-flying axe.
Deflin instinctively recognized the danger.
And that moment.
Paaaaat!
One of the six rings on my finger gave off a bright light. Afterwards, her body was wrapped in a halo of light and transformed into a diagonal line.
Consumables prepared for emergency situations.
It was a ring that automatically activated short-distance transfer magic when the wearer was in danger. After completing its work, the ring was quickly broken into vain.
‘Lord, I thought I was going to die!’
After barely avoiding the axe.
Difflin swept away his shocked heart.
Although I could feel the murderous intent, I never thought that he would throw an ax all of a sudden. Then, suddenly, I felt pain in my forehead.
‘huh? what?’
The moment I unconsciously touched my forehead.
Her apricot-colored hair fluttered down.
Cleanly cut bangs. That wasn’t all. Her hand, which touched her forehead, even came out with blood.
“… … !”
Along with the tingling pain, I felt like I had been cut by a sharp blade. This means that he was unable to completely avoid Ulan’s axe.
‘If the ring had activated just one second later… … .’
His head probably just flew off.
Deflin swallowed dry saliva.
Deflin, who was shrugging his shoulders in an eerie feeling, soon shouted in an angry tone.
“What are you doing all of a sudden?!”
“That’s what I want to ask.”
At that time, someone intercepted the answer.
Golden eyes filled with anger.
It was Delia Arpen, the princess of the Principality of Arpen, who once learned magic from Diphlin.
“No, what can I say…” … .”
“Are you planning on going all the way to the end?”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Deflin looks frustrated.
On the other hand, Delia’s eyes became colder.
Of course. Because she saw with her own eyes what Deflin was doing.
“It’s shameless to some extent.”
With a cold look in his eyes, he was about to reveal everything that Deflin had done.
Suddenly, Ulan stopped Delia.
“Just leave it there.”
“Ulan? why… … .”
“There’s no need to talk to someone who will soon be a corpse anyway.”
Dry tone of voice.
The moment I saw eyes filled with murderous intent.
Creepy!
I got goosebumps all over my body. It was because I could feel her sincerity in her expression and voice.
‘Are you really planning to kill me?!’
Was there anything wrong with that?
Difflin reflected on his actions.
However, no matter how much I thought about it, I did not commit a particularly deadly crime, so I protested with an unfair expression on my face.
“Seriously, what is this?! “Isn’t there a reason why you’re doing this to me?”
“reason?”
“yes! Reason! Why all of a sudden… … .”
“What reason do you need to blow off an Abyss worshiper’s head?”
A voice as cold as ice.
Meanwhile, the moment the word Abyss Worshiper came out.
She finally understood the situation.
‘Then the person who used the Eye of the Watcher was Delia and not Count Dermore?’
Deflin’s eyes widened slightly.
In that case, it makes sense that Ulan and Dilia would show hostility towards him.
The two of them were once attacked by an Abyss worshiper, and this time they had to fight with their descendants because they had opened a gap in the Abyss.
‘But it’s still okay.’
Because there is no evidence for either of them.
So, it is enough to claim innocence based on this. Coincidentally, the next saint is also here, so if you do well, you can just skip it.
After sorting out the situation.
Deflin replied with a shameless look on his face.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about?”
“what?”
“I just came here because I was asked to search for missing students.”
Of course, there were reasons to be curious about what happened to the monster that emerged from the abyss, but the original reason was exactly what I just mentioned.
——————
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“But then you call me an abyss worshiper and throw an ax at me, honestly, I’m a little embarrassed. “There’s no evidence in the first place, right?”
“evidence?”
“is it so! It would be difficult to do this when there is no clear physical evidence that I am an abyss worshiper… … .”
Just as they were trying to seize the momentum and push Ulan.
He tilted his head as if wondering.
“Why do we need evidence?”
“… … yes?”
“If the abyss does not open after blowing off your head, that will be proof.”
So there is no need to prove it.
Ulan said so.
A truly ignorant and barbaric answer. Deflin’s expression became blank.
Then at that moment.
Ulan took a step again.
A feeling of intimidation strong enough to weigh down one’s shoulders was spread out in all directions. Di Flynn, who came to her senses, hesitated and took a step back.
‘It can’t go on like this.’
I have to leave here for now.
Because that man didn’t even seem to have any intention of listening to what he said. So he kept a certain distance from Ulan and widened his distance.
This is to prepare a return magic secretly.
Just before the magic formula was completed.
Squeeze! pop!
Suddenly, the magic ritual broke down into nothingness.
A completely unexpected situation.
That time when my purple eyes were shaking.
“It’s no use.”
An unfamiliar voice was heard from behind Ulan.
A girl with jet-black hair.
It is a face in my memory.
The girl was a shaman who fought closely with Deflin during the past selection competition.
‘Noah Darshen.’
Around this time, Diphlin came up with the girl’s name.
Noah grinned at her.
“For some reason, it looked like it was about to run away, so I took action. So I can’t use that magic for a while.”
What Noah said was true.
After the return magic formula was destroyed, I tried to prepare the magic again, but strangely, I was unable to complete the spell.
Difflin pursed his lips.
A truly cornered situation.
With a nervous expression on her face, she stretched out her hand towards Ulan, who was getting closer.
“I am the Dean of the Faculty of Magic!”
“What is that?”
“He’s an archmage belonging to the Magic Tower!”
“so?”
Ulan asks repeatedly like a parrot.
Deflin was furious.
If I’ve said it this far, I would normally understand what I’m saying, but I couldn’t understand it at all.
After letting out a soft sigh.
She said warningly.
“If you touch me, the Magic Tower will kill you… … !”
“Does not matter.”
“W-what?”
“Any place that supports the Abyss and Abyss worshipers is my enemy.”
Even if it’s an empire.
One final, firm word.
Suddenly, Ulan’s figure disappeared from sight. As if evaporating like smoke. Immediately after noticing the change, Difflin opened her eyes.
‘Master’s domain!’
However, I was not surprised by the fact that Ulan used the Master’s domain. Deflin already knew he was the Master.
The problem is the scope of the area.
Because there was a gap of almost forty paces between her and Ulan.
‘W-Forty steps?!’
This is a range comparable to that of the imperial sword, which is said to be the strongest in the empire. A barbarian who is now 17 years old has achieved such a level?
‘Nonsense!’
A time when I was astonished by an unrealistic sight.
Buuuuung!
I heard the sound of the wind blowing. It was an ax aimed at her neck.
But this time, Dok2 failed to achieve its purpose. Because her ring of Difflin transported her once again to her safe place.
Then.
Tuk!
Something fell where Deflin was.
A sharp lump of flesh. It is part of the ear.
Ulan, seeing this, clicked his tongue.
“You’re lucky.”
This time, I used the Transcendence Realm in preparation for running away like before, but I never thought it would only end up with my ear being cut off.
Meanwhile, around that time.
After being attacked, Deflin disappeared without a trace. But he didn’t need to worry.
Because Ulan was also good at tracking.
『Red enemy』
The sensation reached its limit at once.
As your cognitive range expands, you can even hear the sound of the wind rustling. I was able to detect the sound of Deflin’s footsteps right away.
“Did he go that way?”
Ulan turned his head.
His gaze was directed to the opposite side of where the abyss was. It’s a place that gives me a somewhat uneasy feeling.
“It’s District 4.”
Noah answers with a stern face.
It would be worth it.
Because she knew very well what happened when she entered Area 4.
On the other hand, Ulan spoke indifferently.
“I will take care of it and come back.”
“Then I’ll go with you.”
Ibella stood next to him.
His magical power must have increased as well, because he was confident that he would be of help to Ulan by now.
But then, Noah shook his head.
“No, you can’t go.”
“what?”
“If we go, it will only be a burden.”
Noah answers with a confident expression.
Delia, who had been silent at that time, also added her words.
“Noah’s right.”
“No, what are you talking about?”
“Recall the characteristics of District 4.”
After she finished speaking.
Ibella recalled the effects of each area that she had heard from Professor Miel when she was touring the Fountain of Magic in the past.
From Zone 1 to Zone 5.
Professor Miel, who was explaining the characteristics of each zone, said this about Zone 4.
“If you use magic in Area 4, your magic power will definitely run out. “This is no exception even if it is a knight’s mana sword.”
This means that not only magic, but even the slightest movement of the magic power in the body causes an immediate surge of magic power.
Immediately after remembering this.
“… … .”
Ibella closed her mouth tightly.
So did Ian and Laurea. Just as I realized the meaning of ‘burden’ that Delia spoke of.
At a time when there was silence in the hall.
Ulan opened his mouth.
“I don’t mind being alone.”
“Ulan… … .”
“Then let’s go.”
By the time I finished answering.
The white tiger, which had been silent, approached and stretched out its back.
Ulan naturally got on top of it and was soon ready to leave.
“be careful. “Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“If it’s dangerous, come back anytime.”
Leaving behind a worried send-off.
Ulan and White Wolf immediately kicked the ground.
To chase down Deflin, an Abyss worshiper who fled to Area 4.
7.
Meanwhile, at that time.
Diphlin, who ran away from Ulan, ran through Area 4 with a pained face.
“hook! “Whoa!”
Before I knew it, my breath had reached my chin.
However, there was something else more painful than that.
It was the left ear that had been cut off. She had given up on stopping the bleeding and soon stopped in place.
“haha!”
This is to ease rough breathing. Next, I looked around the somewhat dark surroundings.
‘… … District 4.’
The most dangerous place in the Spring of Magic, except for the center of the spring. Moreover, here you can’t even use magic power without permission.
If you do that, you will become a ruined person due to a runaway of magical power.
For Diphlin, a wizard, this place is literally like a death zone.
‘But this was for the best.’
If he had run to the other side, he would have been caught up not long after. Ulan’s territory is a whopping forty steps long.
In that respect, District 4 is fair.
Ulan can’t use magic power or spirit here. This means that he cannot use the Master’s domain.
‘Of course, that doesn’t mean… … .’
Deflin is definitely not advantageous.
Unlike her, who had low physical strength, Ulan was a skilled warrior. Still, there was a good reason for making this choice.
‘Because I can use artifacts.’
The artifact she handcrafted can be activated without magical power as long as the activation conditions are met.
This means that magic can be used here too.
And now, Deflin has a total of thirty-eight artifacts on his body. Among them, there are quite a few magics of 7 stars or higher.
However, there was nothing that was absolutely necessary.
‘I should have brought a return stone… … .’
The only mistake I made was not bringing it with me, thinking that I could use the return magic.
If I had had the Hearthstone, I would have run away from the spot without having to come over to Area 4.
‘But there is still hope.’
The gap has probably widened considerably by now.
So, all you have to do is set a trap in advance and wait for Ulan. Or, another option would be to take Noah or Delia hostage.
But at that moment.
Buuuuung!
It sounded like a wasp’s wings flapping.
That’s what I heard earlier.
It is the sound of an ax cutting through the wind.
“… … !”
The moment I opened my eyes with a shocked face.
This time, her body was wrapped in a halo of light and moved diagonally. Fortunately, she did not enter the area, so there were no injuries.
But my shocked heart did not calm down.
It was because of the Ulan who appeared before our eyes.
“Uh, how already…” … .”
I thought we had widened the gap quite a bit.
The reason was quickly revealed. It must be thanks to the white wolf, the wolf carrying Ulan.
Just as she was about to step back after assessing the situation, Ulan’s attacks continued.
Hung! Whoa!
An ax flying menacingly.
As time went on, the number of rings gradually decreased. Eventually, there was only one ring left.
“Now, wait a minute!”
“… … .”
“I’ll offer you a deal!”
“A deal?”
“yes! Just let me go and I will show you the location of the Abyss Cultists’ meeting place. how is it?”
The conditions are sufficiently daunting.
Instead of losing one Deflin, this is an opportunity to take down the Abyss Cultists.
But Ulan shook his head.
“Not required.”
“Why, why?!”
Well, I already know that.
Where the Abyss worshipers meet and who leads the Abyss worshipers.
But it’s not the time yet, so all I can do is wait. Until the Abyss worshipers scattered around the world gather in one place.
Ulan grabbed the ax again.
At this, Deflin shouted urgently.
“Well, then what about Delia?!”
“Delia?”
For a moment, the ax stopped in midair.
Deflin, who judged this to be a sign of interest, quickly spoke with a bright smile on his face.
“Delia has a half-brother. “She has become a wreck now while learning magic.”
I know that because I heard it.
The whole thing is that it was Deflin who taught his half-brother magic. Then, an unexpected answer came from Deflin.
“I can solve that problem.”
“… … what?”
“Because I was the one who taught that child magic. So, even if no one else knows, there is a way to treat that child.”
It doesn’t look like he’s lying.
That means that he really knows how to treat Delia’s younger brother.
“Perhaps with treatment, we can treat Delia as we please. “That kid will do anything to save his little brother.”
“… … .”
“Originally, I was saving it for my own use, but if you agree to the deal, I will give it to you right away. “I swear on Mana’s name!”
Deflin says with a big smile.
As I was looking at that face, I suddenly remembered a piece of trash that was not here.
‘… … Himel deorg.’
A coward who tarnished Ibella’s honor.
No, it is actually even worse.
According to Diphlin, she deliberately left Delia’s brother alone even though she had a way to fix him.
And the result.
In her last life, her younger brother died in agony. Delia was also very distressed.
Ulan, recalling the memory, closed his mouth.
Meanwhile, whether he knew this or not, Deflin continued to make suggestions.
“how is it? If conditions are like this… … .”
“Difflin Chernio.”
Then, Ulan interrupted.
It was with a stiff expression.
“Have you ever seen a hunter negotiating for his life with his prey?”
“yes? What does that mean all of a sudden… … .”
“Hunters do not trade with their prey.”
There is no need to trade in the first place.
Just hunting is enough.
“This is the same for our tribe.”
“Well, that means… … .”
“Moreover, if the other party is an enemy, the deal will never be concluded. Even if the item you want to keep is in the other person’s hand.”
Right after I closed my mouth for a moment.
Ulan grabbed the ax again. Then he growled, radiating his ferocious energy.
“If you want something, just loot it.”
“… … !”
“This is the barbarian way.”
Cue the answer that the deal falls apart.
An angry ax flew in.
Flash!
But this time she was wrapped in light and disappeared. Of course, this was the last transfer. Now there are no rings left.
“Phew, this is how it goes.”
But surprisingly, he didn’t look embarrassed.
It was natural. Even the collapse of the deal was already within the expected range.
The reason we had a conversation in the name of a deal in the first place was because we all had a plan. Some preparations were needed to activate the artifact.
And now.
All preparations are complete.
“Then I will do it my way.”
Deflin doesn’t like making enemies in the first place. Because it’s annoying in many ways. But what if you really had no choice but to make an enemy?
The answer is simple. We will do our best to destroy them so that no regrets remain.
“Goodbye, Ulan.”
Finally, a short goodbye.
A total of thirty-eight artifacts were activated simultaneously. Then, a huge amount of magic struck Ulan and White Lang.
Quaaaang! Quaaaaaaaaa!
A magical feast pouring down like a bombardment.
Every single spell was imbued with murderous intent.
‘No matter how much you are a master, you won’t be able to come out alive unless you activate the realm.’
Deflin was so sure.
But confidence was quickly shattered.
“… … uh?”
The scenery revealed when the smoke cleared.
What was there was Ulan without a single wound. Difflin exclaimed in astonishment at the sight that went far beyond her common sense.
“Uh, how… … !”
No answer came back.
The only thing that came back was an angry axe.
Ulan, who immediately closed the distance, swung his twin axes without her having time to react.
Quack! Whoa!
The sound of tearing flesh and breaking bones.
“────!”
A pain that cannot be expressed in words. With a terrible scream, Difflin collapsed like a sand castle.
It had to be that way. Ulan’s ax cut off both her arms and legs cleanly.
“Wow! Wow!”
Dark red blood pouring from the mouth.
Blood continued to gush from the cross section of the severed limb. Difflin, whose entire body was covered in blood, was rapidly losing vitality.
“Cluck, cluck!”
A situation where death comes with a single blow.
That was natural.
From the moment we first fought against Ulan, who possessed the Ax of Destruction, there was no chance of victory.
Meanwhile, around that time.
As if he sensed the end, Diphlin looked at Ulan with slowly fading eyes. Then he spoke in a trembling voice.
“… … “Finally, tell me one thing.”
“what?”
“I was wondering what on earth I could do to have two Mana vessels.”
There was a desire to explore in his violet eyes.
A question I have had since the moment I saw Ulan. I really wanted to hear the truth about this.
On the other hand, Ulan reacted in confusion.
“A bowl?”
“… … “Don’t act like you don’t know.”
Because I know everything.
In a dying voice, Diphlin spoke about Ulan having two magic vessels.
Meanwhile, right after hearing the whole story.
Ulan frowned.
“You seem to be mistaken about something.”
“I’m still going to turn away… … .”
“I swear on my warrior name that I don’t know how to use magic.”
“… … what?”
Eyes that tremble violently for an instant.
Deflin responded as if he were embarrassed.
“No, then what about that…” … .”
And this was her will.
It was because Ulan swung the axe.
puck! Quack!
The head is separated from the body.
Soon after, he tore the remaining body to pieces. This is to eliminate even the slightest possibility of it being revived.
‘Because there were people who came back to life often.’
To reliably prevent this, it is not enough to separate only the head. It can only be prevented by cutting the entire body into pieces.
Some time after that.
Ulan’s axing stopped only after Diphlin’s body was completely pulverized.
Only then did Ulan turn around.
Since the goal has been achieved, there is no reason to stay any longer. Just as I was about to return to my group.
Stop!
For an instant, my feet stopped.
Because I felt a familiar energy.
‘… … The magic power of the abyss.’
His gaze was directed to Area 5.
It is the center of the spring and the place where the gates of the abyss later open. It was also a place that no one was known to have entered in the past 300 years.
But I couldn’t go beyond that.
“What is this?”
Because there was a transparent wall blocking the way.
I swung the twin axes, but the transparent wall did not budge at all. Ulan, who attempted to attack several times after that, soon turned around.
“I guess I’ll find out later.”
Or you could ask Noah.
Because she seems to know a secret that Ulan doesn’t. After completing her judgment, Ulan returned straight to the 3rd district.
Farus, ruler of the swamp.
Deeplin Chernio, Abyssal Worshiper.
The day I defeated two enemies.
All the events that occurred at the Fountain of Magic have finally come to an end. And the next day, the weekend came to Arsene Academy.
Ulan, Noah and Laurea.
It was the day the three of us promised a three-way meeting.
interlude. Seed of Ash
One.
A strange phenomenon that occurred at the fountain of magic.
After the abyss erosion, the investigation was immediately stopped as magicians with depleted magic power appeared one after another.
That wasn’t the only problem.
조사대의 리더를 맡은 데르모어 백작이 실종된 것. 게다가 여섯 명의 학생들도 함께 행방이 묘연해졌다.
다만 심각한 상황도 잠시뿐.
반나절 후, 행방이 묘연했던 학생들은 전원 무사히 복귀했다. 어둠을 헤매다가 제3구역에 진입했었다는 대답과 함께였다.
추가로 데르모어 백작까지 스스로 복귀하면서 실종 사건은 전부 마무리됐다.
모두가 그렇게 생각했다.
실종자 수색을 위해 마력의 샘에 진입했던 디플린 체르니오가 돌아오지 않았다는 사실을 깨닫기 전까지는.
이 사실을 깨달은 직후, 특무대를 중심으로 디플린의 행방을 찾는 수색대가 편성됐다. 그리고 현재까지도 수색에 한창이었다.
“여기까지가 조사대의 보고입니다.”
루벤 제국의 황성.
황태자 샤르트랑을 보필하던 기사, 작센은 기나긴 보고를 끝마쳤다. 한편 내용을 전달받은 샤르트랑은 눈썹을 씰룩였다.
“이건 좀 의외로군.”
고운 미간이 살짝 구겨졌다.
“마력의 샘이 마경(魔境)이라 불리는 건 인지하고 있었지만, 설마 대마법사까지 실종될 정도로 위험한 장소일 줄이야.”
심지어 디플린은 관리인이다.
지난 수년간 마력의 샘을 관리하며 다양한 사건을 처리해온 베테랑. 그런 사람조차 실종될 정도로 위험한 곳이라니.
샤르트랑은 낮은 신음을 삼켰다.
“그 외에 다른 보고는 없나?”
“있습니다. 조사대의 보고와는 별도로, 데르모어 백작이 서신을 전달했습니다.”
“서신? 내용은?”
“마력의 샘에서 발생한 괴현상은 연구할 마법적 가치가 충분하다고 판단, 추가적인 수색이 필요하다는 내용입니다.”
연구할 가치가 있다고?
샤르트랑은 의아한 표정이었다.
마력을 급속도로 고갈시키는 현상을 연구해서 어디에다가 써먹는단 말인가?
그래서 눈살을 찌푸리던 때.
“……잠깐.”
돌연 적갈색 눈동자가 가늘어졌다.
불현듯 뇌리를 스친 추측 때문이었다. 곧이어 그는 작센을 돌아보며 물었다.
“설마 군사적인 용도로?”
“예, 그렇습니다.”
만약 이 현상을 인위적으로 발생시킬 수 있다고 하면, 적대 세력의 마법사를 일거에 무력화시키는 것이 가능해진다.
“그렇기에 마력의 샘을 자유로이 왕래할 수 있는 권한을 부여받기를 청하더군요.”
“권한이라…….”
“덧붙여 백작은 이 연구가 성공한다면 폐하께 상당한 도움이 되리라고 말했습니다.”
샤르트랑의 눈매가 가늘어졌다.
바로 제국이 아닌, 자신에게 도움이 되리라는 말 때문이었다. 이는 마치 중립에서 벗어나 자신을 지지하겠다는 것처럼 들렸기에.
“그렇다면 한번 만나봐야겠군.”
자신의 추측이 맞는지.
나아가 데르모어 백작의 진의(眞意)가 무엇인지 확인하기 위해서.
“예, 초대장을 보내두겠습니다.”
작센이 묵묵히 고개를 숙였다.
빠른 일 처리를 끝으로, 샤르트랑은 어느덧 목적지 부근에 도착했다.
그곳은 황성의 북쪽 끝.
오직 허가받은 이들만 출입할 수 있는 아담한 규모의 숲이다.
뒤이어 무성하게 우거진 수풀을 지나 연못이 있는 숲의 중심부에 당도할 무렵, 익숙한 목소리가 귓가를 두드렸다.
“어서 오세요, 오라버니.”
노래하듯 감미로운 음성.
목소리의 주인공은 눈처럼 새하얀 머리카락을 가진 소녀다.
청초한 분위기를 물씬 풍기는 그녀와 마주한 채, 샤르트랑은 언제 굳은 표정이었냐는 듯 부드럽게 미소를 지었다.
“오랜만이구나, 페르티샤.”
그의 누이동생이자 일곱 번째 황녀.
페르티샤 이브 알 루벤이었다.
동시에 그녀가 머무르는 이 숲은, 샤르트랑이 황성에서 유일하게 마음 놓고 쉴 수 있는 장소이기도 했다.
간단한 인사를 주고받은 뒤.
페르티샤가 생긋 웃었다.
“잠시만 기다려주세요. 곧 차를 내올게요.”
대답을 마친 그녀가 찻잔을 꺼냈다.
하지만 꺼낸 것이라고는 세 개의 찻잔이 전부. 그 외에 차를 끓일만한 도구는 어디에도 보이지 않았다.
그러던 중 신기한 광경이 펼쳐졌다.
아무것도 없는 허공에 맑은 물이 생겨나더니, 곧 둥실 떠오른 것이었다.
이변은 그뿐만이 아니었다.
갑자기 물이 팔팔 끓기 시작했던 것.
이어 바람이 불어 찻잎이 안으로 빨려 들어가듯 사라졌고, 뜨겁게 끓던 물은 조금씩 붉게 물들었다.
‘정령술.’
반인반령(半人半靈)인 페르티샤만이 사용할 수 있는 마법과도 같은 힘.
언제 봐도 신비한 능력이다.
“뜨거우니까 천천히 드세요.”
“고맙다. 잘 마시도록 하마.”
“감사합니다, 황녀님.”
따뜻한 차를 한 모금 머금은 뒤.
샤르트랑과 페르티샤는 간단한 근황을 주고받았다. 그러다가 대화의 주제는 곧 페르티샤에게로 옮겨졌다.
“그러고 보니 이제 한 달 남았던가?”
“헤헤, 네! 맞아요.”
아르센 아카데미로의 편입.
필요한 준비는 모두 마쳐두었다.
아카데미에서 지내며 입을 옷과 사용할 물건들, 게다가 신분 세탁까지 완벽하게.
특히 신분 세탁에 심혈을 기울였다.
표면상으로 페르티샤는 존재하지 않는 황족이었기에. 다만 거짓된 신분이라고 해도 최소한 남에게 무시당하지는 않아야만 한다.
고민에 고민을 거듭한 결과.
페르티샤가 사용할 가명이 정해졌다.
『티샤 라피디스.』
이름은 단순하게 반으로 잘랐으며, 성은 샤르트랑에게 충성을 서약한 기사, 리메르 옌 라피디스의 가문에서 따왔다.
‘라피디스 후작가 정도면 아르센 아카데미에서도 무시당할 일은 없겠지.’
샤르트랑은 그렇게 판단했다.
그리고 하나 더.
아카데미에는 페르티샤의 진짜 신분을 알고 있는 이가 존재한다. 바로 군사학부의 학장을 맡은 베르제 아르카잔이다.
‘그러니 여차할 땐…….’
베르제가 알아서 잘 챙겨주리라.
그는 샤르트랑이 얼마나 페르티샤를 아끼는지, 아주 잘 알고 있으니까.
이후 대화가 마무리되어갈 무렵.
별안간 시선을 사로잡는 게 있었다.
페르티샤가 아까부터 줄곧 만지작거리고 있던 부엉이 형상의 나무조각상이었다.
“음? 그건 못 보던 물건인데.”
“앗, 이건…….”
“혹시 직접 조각한 것이더냐?”
“아니요. 이건 지난번에 수도로 나들이 갔을 때, 선물로 받은 물건이에요.”
페르티샤가 수줍게 웃었다.
그러면서 한편으로는 대단한 보물이라도 되는 것처럼, 조각상을 소중히 감싸 안았다.
한편 선물이란 단어를 들은 직후.
샤르트랑은 리메르를 떠올렸다.
제국의 오검 중 하나이자 수도 나들이를 가는 페르티샤를 호위했던 기사다.
‘아무리 리메르 경이라도 선물 고르는 재주만큼은 부족한 모양이군.’
보석으로 치장된 조각상을 줘도 모자랄 판에 저런 조잡한 걸 선물이랍시고 주다니.
샤르트랑은 속으로 혀를 찼다.
물론 내색하지는 않았다. 정작 페르티샤는 제법 마음에 드는 것처럼 보였기에.
“그나저나 네가 이곳을 떠나는 날이 올 줄이야. 한동안 황성이 적적해지겠구나.”
“걱정하지 마세요! 아카데미에 입학하더라도 매일매일 편지를 쓸 테니까요.”
“하하, 마음만이라도 고맙다.”
샤르트랑이 웃음을 터뜨렸다.
이후로도 둘은 대화를 이어나갔다. 날이 저물어 저녁이 올 때까지 계속해서.
2.
그리고 그날 밤.
데르모어 백작 가문의 저택.
비가 유독 세차게 쏟아지던 날, 백작은 저택 지하에 마련된 연구실을 찾았다. 이어 철문을 열고 안으로 들어간 직후.
철컥!
도로 문을 단단히 잠갔다.
이어 마법까지 사용해, 누구도 안에 들어올 수 없을 만큼 철저히 봉쇄했다.
이윽고 당도한 곳은 연구실의 중심부.
그곳에는 제단처럼 생긴 것이 놓였으며, 그 위에는 금발의 소녀가 누워있었다.
이제 열여섯 살쯤 되었을까?
앳된 얼굴의 소녀는 정신을 잃었는지, 미동조차 없었다. 그런 소녀를 말없이 내려다보고 있던 무렵.
【드디어 왔군.】
지하실의 어둠을 비집고, 기괴한 목소리가 들렸다. 그저 듣는 것만으로도 소름이 오싹 돋아날 정도로 기분 나쁜 목소리.
잠시 후, 속삭임은 다시 이어졌다.
【이로써 재료는 갖춰졌다.】
【바로 의식을 시작하지.】
속삭임이 멎기가 무섭게, 백작은 마음의 준비를 끝마친 듯 고개를 끄덕였다.
그러자 그 순간.
지하실의 어둠이 스멀스멀 움직이더니, 금세 소녀의 육체를 뒤덮었다. 얼마 후, 소녀의 몸에서 푸르스름한 연기가 흘러나왔다.
“…….”
백작은 저게 무엇인지 알고 있었다.
다름 아닌 인간의 영혼.
강제로 끄집어내진 영혼은 무언가로부터 도망치려는 듯 미친 듯이 요동쳤다. 하지만 의미 없는 발버둥에 불과했다.
꿀꺽!
단숨에 영혼을 삼켜버린 어둠.
그 광경을 보던 백작은 기다렸다는 듯이 소녀에게 다가갔다. 그러고는 품에서 작은 구슬 하나를 꺼냈다.
“후우우.”
짧은 한숨을 내쉰 것을 신호로.
구슬을 문지르자 곧 푸른 연기가 스멀스멀 흘러나왔다. 아까 어둠에 의해 삼켜진 것과 같은, 인간의 영혼이었다.
세상 밖으로 풀려난 영혼은 이내 허공으로 흩어지듯 사라지고자 했다.
하지만 그 순간.
꿈틀거리던 어둠이 사라지려던 영혼을 그대로 낚아챘다. 그 광경을 본 백작은 덩달아 몸을 움찔거리며 떨었다.
【두려워하지 마라, 마법사.】
【너의 소원은 이루어질 테니.】
다시금 들려온 속삭임.
어둠은 영혼을 삼키는 것 대신, 제단에 누운 소녀의 몸에 영혼을 밀어 넣었다.
다만 쉽지 않았다.
영혼은 계속해서 빠져나오려고 했으니.
그러자 그때, 파도처럼 밀려든 어둠이 영혼과 금발 소녀의 몸을 완벽하게 덮었다.
동시에 이변이 일어났다.
연구실을 휘감은 어둠에 무수한 수의 눈알이 돋아난 것. 요란하게 꿈틀거리는 눈알들은 일제히 제단에 시선을 고정했다.
그로부터 얼마 후.
스륵! 스르륵!
어둠이 썰물처럼 빠져나가자 제단에 누워있던 소녀의 몸이 들썩거리기 시작했다.
“아으, 우으으.”
식은땀과 함께 흘러나오는 신음.
잠시 후, 소녀가 눈을 떴다.
흐릿한 눈동자에 서서히 초점이 잡힌다.
반사적으로 주변을 살피던 소녀는 이내 백작을 발견하고는 입을 열었다.
“……아버지?”
“유, 유르페.”
백작의 목소리가 동요하듯 떨렸다.
한편 백작을 발견한 소녀는 의아한 듯 미간을 찡그리며 되물었다.
“왜, 울고 계세요?”
그 말처럼 백작은 울고 있었다.
뺨을 타고 흐르는 눈물.
그는 눈물을 닦아낼 생각도 하지 못한 채, 연신 떨리는 목소리로 대답했다.
“기뻐서 그렇단다. 이렇게 널 다시 볼 수 있다는 사실이 너무도 기뻐서…….”
울음소리에 섞여 뭉개지는 말.
한편 그 무렵, 소녀는 백작에게 뭐라고 말을 하려다가 이내 입을 닫았다. 눈꺼풀이 너무도 무거웠기 때문이었다.
“이상해요. 너무, 졸려서 눈이 감겨요.”
“괜찮다. 눈 좀 붙여두거라. 남은 건 이 아비가 전부 알아서 처리할 테니까.”
대답은 돌아오지 않았다.
눈 깜박할 사이에 잠든 소녀.
그는 떨리는 손으로 소녀의 손목을 붙잡았다. 따뜻한 온기. 또렷하게 뛰는 맥박. 나아가 규칙적인 숨결도 느껴졌다.
“아아, 아아아.”
백작은 무너지듯 주저앉았다.
그럴 만도 했다.
지금으로부터 3년 전.
하나뿐인 딸, 유르페 데르모어가 세상을 떠난 이래, 현재까지 줄곧 품어왔던 소원이 비로소 이루어진 것이기에.
비록 얼굴과 몸은 다르지만, 영혼만큼은 확실히 유르페가 맞다. 백작은 확신했다.
그렇게 감격에 젖어있던 무렵.
【이로써 짐은 힘을 증명하였으니.】
【이제 약속을 지킬 차례다.】
어둠이 다시 말을 걸어왔다.
이를 마주한 직후.
백작은 어제 있었던 일을 회상했다.
‘마력의 샘에서 괴현상이 발생한 당시.’
그는 흩어진 마법사들을 찾고자 분주히 주변을 두리번거렸다. 그런데 그때, 돌연 백작을 부르는 목소리가 있었다.
「이쪽으로 오거라, 마법사.」
상당히 기분 나쁜 목소리였다.
마치 이 세상의 것이 아닌 것처럼. 다만 조사와 연관이 있을 거란 생각에, 백작은 목소리가 들린 곳으로 걸음을 옮겼다.
이윽고 도착한 곳.
그곳에서 백작은 어둠에서 돋아난, 무수한 숫자의 반짝이는 눈알과 마주했다.
「짐은 심연을 다스리는 자. 세상을 주시하며 관찰하고 꿰뚫어 보는 지고의 눈이다.」
자신에 대해 밝힌 목소리는 백작에게 뜬금없는 말을 건넸다. 충성을 맹세한다면 소원을 이루어주겠다는 말이었다.
이를 들은 순간.
백작이 처음으로 떠올린 것은 환각이나 환청이라는 결론이었다. 그가 있던 곳은 제2구역과 3구역의 경계였기에.
그래서 무시하고 벗어나려던 찰나.
목소리가 이렇게 속삭였다.
「그 영혼, 머지않아 부서지겠구나.」
눈알이 향한 곳은 백작의 주머니.
그 안에 있는 구슬이었다.
이를 알아차린 백작은 자리에 멈췄고, 목소리는 계속해서 말을 걸어왔다.
「그릇을 잃은 영혼이 하늘로 돌아가는 것은 당연한 섭리이거늘. 억지로 붙들어 놓는다고 하여 붙들릴 일은 없음이라.」
무슨 말인지 알고 있다.
목소리가 말하는 구슬에는 3년 전, 세상을 떠난 딸의 영혼이 깃들어 있으니까.
다만 방금 들은 것과 같이, 육체를 잃은 영혼은 오래 버티지 못한다. 그래서 백작은 필사적으로 재료를 모았던 것이었다.
「다만 짐은 다르다. 짐이라면 영혼을 붙들어두는 건 물론, 그릇에 정착시키는 것 역시 불가능하지 않으니.」
그때 들려온 달콤한 속삭임.
이는 불안하고 초조해하던 마음의 틈을 제대로 비집고 들어왔다.
「마법사여. 짐을 섬기고 숭배하라. 그리하면 너의 소원을 이루어주마.」
It was an answer that sounded suspicious enough to be suspicious under normal circumstances, but at the time, the Count responded to the voice’s suggestion as if he was fascinated.
So I swore.
If you really bring my daughter back to life, I swear on Mana that I will gladly become your servant.
And now.
Yurpe has truly come back to life.
Since I saw this clearly before my eyes, all my doubts melted away like snow. The Count knelt down on his knees facing the direction of the darkness.
It was to keep the oath.
“Imperial Wizard, Demuel Ron Dermore, greets my master.”
The Count’s head touched the floor.
As if declaring complete submission.
Soon darkness overtook him.
During this process, he felt dizzying pain as if his whole body was on fire, but the Count endured it without even letting out a groan.
Some time after that.
A clear imprint appeared on the Count’s chest.
It looks like a large eyeball has been drawn in the center of a gray swirl. Along with that, a familiar voice was heard from the darkness.
【I have confirmed my oath.】
【Wizard, Demuel Ron Dermore.】
【With this, you are an apostle of burden.】
Lacus claman duratus.
Howling eyes of the abyss.
The misfortune that came out of the gap and melted into the world outside the abyss smiled in satisfaction.
And his whisper was-.
It didn’t sound bad anymore.
3.
Early morning the next day.
Perhaps because of the rain the previous day, Arsene Academy was covered in thick fog.
Fog so thick that you can’t see in front of your eyes.
There was someone who was hiding in this fog and walking without any trace.
Let’s go!
A man climbing the outer wall of a tall building like a centipede.
It was none other than Ulan.
He climbed up to the 9th floor in one go and finally reached his destination. This is the dean’s office where Diphlin Chernio, the dean of the Department of Magic, stayed.
There was only one reason he came here.
It’s because of what I heard from her the day before yesterday, right before I killed Deflin.
“Perhaps, if we have treatment, we will be able to treat Delia as we wish. “That kid will do anything to save his little brother.”
Difflin said.
He says he knows a treatment that can cure Delia’s disabled younger brother. And he said he would hand it over to her if she spared her life.
‘That means… … .’
This means that there is a separately recorded treatment method.
Uhlan thought the only place Diphlin could keep anything was in the dean’s office. So he came here at dawn.
But we soon ran into difficulties.
‘It’s difficult.’
There were too many.
Even if it just looked like a book, there seemed to be hundreds of them, and if you added the separately organized materials, I couldn’t even think of finding it.
‘Should I have brought Noah?’
When Ulan’s eyebrows narrowed.
Suddenly, a shadow flickered. Soon, white smoke billowed out like fog.
[Grunt!]
It was the appearance of the white wolf.
The guy, who had changed into the size of an ordinary wolf, sniffed as if smelling something and suddenly tapped the wall on the left.
Then something amazing happened.
Grrrrrr!
With the sound of a mechanical device running, the wall began to move as it pleases. After a while, what appeared was a hidden laboratory.
Ulan widened his eyes.
“How did you find this place?”
However, no answer came back.
Because he entered the lab one step ahead of Ulan. Ulan, who saw this, also followed the white wolf and headed to the lab.
Some time after that.
I saw something that caught my eye.
“This… … .”
At first glance, it was a safe.
The exterior looks like it would store something important. However, the material of the safe was steel, and it was even wrapped with thick iron chains.
Just as access is denied to anyone other than the owner.
Of course, it didn’t work on Ulan.
Toad duduk!
The chain broke first.
It broke so naturally that it almost felt like it was made of that material.
Afterwards, Ulan activated Spirit.
He spread out his large palms, grabbed both ends of the safe, and applied force.
And the result.
Wow! Quack!
The safe was torn apart.
Incredibly simple.
Soon, the items stored in the safe fell out. It was three or four magic stones, a notebook, and a bundle of documents.
Among them, the first thing Ulan looked at was the notebook. I had a hunch that there might be an important clue.
But it wasn’t easy.
“… … “What does it say?”
This is my first time seeing this text.
It’s probably something wizards use.
In her past life, Delia also often used unidentified characters.
After frowning.
Ulan turned his attention to the stack of papers.
Fortunately, this time I know the text.
So I concentrated and started reading the document. Eventually, the nosebleeds started flowing.
“found.”
A smile spread across Ulan’s lips.
It was thanks to the phrase mentioned in the last sentence, ‘Treatment for magic addiction and runaway phenomenon.’
With this, the entire purpose of the visit was achieved.
That was the time when I turned around without any regrets.
Munch!
I saw a white tiger eating something.
The Difflin safe that was torn in half earlier. In addition, he gorged on the chain.
“Is that delicious?”
[purr!]
“What a unique guy.”
The safe and the chains are imbued with magic, but I never thought they could consume that. The more you look at him, the more interesting he becomes. Ulan chuckled.
“Then let’s go back.”
Finally, a short word.
The two left the dean’s office without leaving any evidence. Leaving behind the slowly clearing fog, Ulan continued her steps busily.
I have an appointment in the morning.
‘Noah, and Laurea.’
Revealing and sharing secrets together.
Remembering the promise of a three-way meeting, Ulan headed straight to the dormitory.
Chapter 33. confession
fantasy,
