The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 182
To survive (3)
“Thank you for granting me an audience despite my sudden visit.”
A superman who regained something he had once put down.
The old wizard I met after only two weeks had a different demeanor.
Could it be that it came faster than expected because I had regained my past strength?
I raised my eyebrows as if I had discovered something interesting.
“I heard that the heart is where mana is stored, but I didn’t know it could be emptied and filled so easily.”
“Even if it is cut and emptied, the vessel that has achieved the ultimate goal remains.”
A gaze that is no longer that of a senile old man.
“I just picked up the magic that was mine from the beginning.”
“Hoo.”
His eyes, revealed through the robe, looked noticeably different than before.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been an easy task, and it would have taken a lot of courage to turn your resolve around. That’s probably why you can look at me with such straight eyes.
“Well, I get the gist of it.”
It didn’t take me long to regain my pre-regression strength either.
“If you came to me, it means you have found a way to solve the problem.”
“Yes.”
“Then prove it.”
An arrogant gaze pierced through the old wizard.
“Is your value enough to move me?”
“All right.”
Phew!
The sleeves of the robe fluttered and black cracks began to appear in the air.
A subspace power that only the Archmage can use.
And then, a pill that had been carefully stored inside revealed itself.
“As Your Majesty knows, this is not something that can be made simply by using humans as materials.”
“If it were that simple, there would be no reason why it hadn’t been made by now.”
Lots of war and poverty.
It is said that during times of widespread chaos, humans often ate other humans.
Yet I have never heard of anything similar being created.
That pill was such a thing.
“But I know the technology that made it possible.”
For a moment, her refined eyes were filled with complex emotions.
“The forbidden power that the hardliners have been studying. It is the bombing of the human body.”
“Bombing.”
As the story goes, it was a technology that literally turned the human body into an explosive.
A name that seems to have nothing to do with pills. However, based on experience… … .
“Like exploding a corpse. Converting a human body into a handful of magical power.”
“… … That’s correct. You figured out something that only a warlock would know through guesswork.”
A rare look of bewilderment appeared on his face, as if he had not expected me to pinpoint it so accurately.
It was the most surprising reaction I’ve ever had.
“Exploding corpses was the pinnacle of their magic. If that were possible, the tens of thousands of corpses strewn across the battlefield would soon become weapons.”
And the first problem that had to be solved to achieve that was how to create magic power from a corpse.
All magic requires a suitable medium. It was common sense.
“But it was impossible to generate magic power from a corpse.”
“Because a body that is already dead cannot produce ‘negative emotions,’ which are the source of black magic.”
“Yes, that’s why they studied new methods.”
That leaves a strong resentment on the corpse itself.
That is, it was to inscribe emotions on a living human being that would not disappear even after death.
“The technology contained in this pill is definitely that technology. Although it may not be a complete technology yet, it is definitely at a comparable level.”
“As time goes by, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to explode a corpse.”
“Maybe it is already racing towards completion.”
The old wizard’s clenched fist trembled.
No one knew how far the research had progressed.
Because it had been decades since the hardliners and moderates had been torn apart.
But the traces seen on the pills pointed to only one thing.
That the technology they wanted would soon be completed.
“Anyway, the important thing is that its mechanism is to imprint emotions on the body.”
Woohoo-!
yet.
What appeared from the black crack following the pill was an object of a familiar shape to me at first glance.
“Then, we just need to block the process itself.”
The head of a corroded skeleton.
Used as the most basic tool of black magic, it had a magic circle drawn on it that absorbed all negative emotions.
It was the same thing I had discovered in the warlocks’ hideout with Baron Vidor two years ago.
“… … Hoo.”
Something akin to an exclamation escaped from between the fingers stroking his chin.
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“Before the emotions remaining in the pill are converted into magic, all of those things are taken away… … At least, if it is within the influence of the object, the power of the pill will be completely neutralized.”
“Yes.”
In that moment, confident eyes met mine straight in front of me.
“The biggest mistake the hardliners and the Federal Empire made was overlooking the fact that a warlock would appear to aid Esteban.”
The best countermeasure that only a black magician can use. Therefore, it is the most perfect strategy to make the opponent let their guard down… … .
“That’s correct.”
Only then did I realize that I was right. They had succeeded in proving their own usefulness.
* * *
After the conversation ended.
The old wizard was heading somewhere while riding in a carriage.
But the destination was a place that even he didn’t know.
-I will protect you as I promised.
If he can secure their safety by stopping the hardliners from running wild, he will have completely achieved his goal.
His treatment would neither get better nor worse, but it was the best he could do as the man who once led the warlocks.
The rest was just homework they had to carry.
I just thought that would be all… … .
-But is that the end?
-… … If there’s anything you want, such as the creation of an artifact, please let me know. I’ll help you.
-That’s not it.
The king at that time was clearly raising the corners of his mouth as if he was interested.
-It means that you are satisfied with just that.
-… … !
-Isn’t there something else you really want? Did you think my ‘protection’ would be just that much?
The old wizard stroked the side of the carriage as he collected his thoughts.
The reason I got on this carriage as if possessed was because the memory of that time was still vivid.
… a look of true arrogance in his eyes that says he will grant what he truly desires.
But just as importantly, the word ‘arrogance’ also contained a sense of trust that I had no choice but to follow.
‘It’s strange… … I feel trust in a man I don’t know anything about… … .’
Since the oppression of the black magician.
Also, the emotions I felt for the first time since reaching the level of a great wizard were extremely awkward.
If you asked me if I was satisfied with this work, I could confidently say yes.
All they wanted from the beginning was to use the royal power to stop the hardliners.
To be a little more ambitious, I just thought it would be nice if this contractual relationship could continue.
‘It would be best if we could secretly help the royal family and receive support in the form of food and other things.’
Esteban, who formed an alliance with the Holy Empire.
Because it would be impossible to take on any more risk than that.
But what was this ‘satisfaction’ he was talking about?
In his eyes, were they still wanting something?
Is the answer there where you are headed?
“… … If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask where you are going?”
Eventually, the old wizard could no longer bear it any longer and asked the man sitting across from him a question.
The immediate aide who had guided them to the King some time ago.
But he glanced at me as if he was uncomfortable and answered roughly.
“I’ll be there shortly.”
“… … I understand.”
He nodded indifferently and shut his mouth.
The negative attention and views that should be directed at the warlock.
It was an expected reaction.
But it didn’t take long to realize that this was a mistake.
“But is there any black magic that can restore your condition?”
“What do you mean?”
“I think I’m going to die from motion sickness.”
“… … .”
His discomfort was directed not at himself but at the carriage.
It was just motion sickness.
As a wizard, that made even less sense.
‘That man was like that too… … Don’t these people view the existence of warlocks negatively?’
When I saw that look, it was certain.
They didn’t care at all that they were warlocks. It was as if they had no idea what the world thought of warlocks.
‘What the heck is this… … .’
They were treating them like ordinary people.
“We have arrived.”
At that moment, a voice was heard from the stables.
In response, the dark-faced aide hurriedly stood up from his seat.
“Let’s go out.”
“… … Okay, I understand.”
Squeak-
The carriage door opened and bright sunlight poured into my eyes. I closed my eyes for a moment to adjust to it.
The old wizard opened his eyes wide at the scenery outside the carriage.
“… … Here?!”
A quiet village visible through a small fence.
The enormous amount of items piled up inside and the disorganized magical tools hinted at the purpose of this village.
At least in his mind, which has reached the level of a superman.
“This is where you will live from today.”
“… … !”
“This is land under the direct control of the royal family. Everything in the vicinity is under the royal control, so there should be no inconvenience.”
It was the aide’s voice that brought him confidence, but he couldn’t hear it at the moment.
* * *
“Provide a place for the warlocks to live and borrow their powers… … .”
After much thought, the Marquis de Vidor came to a conclusion.
“There are definitely risks, but I think the returns are also great.”
“Yes. Gaining their power would be as helpful as reviving ancient magic.”
“Did you say that you procured the necessary items from the company you left in the underworld? They did a great job.”
I nodded to the Marquis’s words.
A power that no one except the Federal Empire possesses.
Besides, unlike those guys, they could probably keep it secret, so even if they didn’t know, simply saying it was a benefit wouldn’t be enough.
“Nothing inspires more loyalty than being saved from the abyss.”
It would be a good deal if we could just provide a place to buy it.
The moment you check out the items prepared there, you will be loyal to me forever.
furthermore.
“There will be risks?”
No way.
The risk of embracing them was ultimately a story of when it harmed me.
In other words, if it won’t cause any harm, there’s probably no risk.
“It’s okay if we get caught helping them.”
“… … Is it because of the Holy Empire?”
“okay.”
Esteban, who formed an alliance with the Holy Empire.
But it was not the Holy Empire that held the reins of that relationship.
The initiative was with Esteban.
Of course, as soon as the existence of the warlock is revealed, they will send someone.
“But is that their punishment…? … I don’t think so.”
Because they can give greater cause to the Holy Nation.
So how should we move on this side?
That too is something that can be easily solved.
“Okay, then this side is finished enough… … .”
I raised the corners of my mouth at the news that had just come into the royal palace.
In the direction of his gaze, there was a letter sent from the Federal Empire.
