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Chapter 24
Chapter 24 : The world is not kind (1)
Fear is an emotion derived from learning. To realize that hanging from a railing is dangerous, one needs the experience of going through a fall directly or witnessing the result with one's own two eyes.
Therefore, boldness is the greatest talent given to children. Because it is a period when curiosity precedes fear. Once they go through cognitive development, these brats will also realize that today's events weren't all that pleasant.
“Show us one more time!”
“Wow, can't I try it too?”
Еnŭ mа̌ .і d̃
“So cool...”
Immediately after I ambushed Ragas, the children gathered around me cheered with sparkling eyes. Satisfying their interest was as easy as breathing. Even the act of throwing and catching a knife would look like a stunt to them.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
‘Uselessly good stamina.’
Like that, I volunteered to be a clown for quite a long time. It was the minimum courtesy. Since I had to have something to say to Ragas at least.
***
THUD!
W̄ӗ b n о v̊ е̊l En̄ūmа.
As I was slammed into the concrete wall, the impact surged back up my spine. Debris from the wall fell down in clumps as I lifted my head.
“That hurts.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
Ragas was looking down at me fiercely, baring his teeth like a beast.
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“I'm sure you said you hoped there would be no innocent damage? The children almost got hurt! I knew you were a bad seed, but you really are damn selfish!”
It was a reaction I expected to some extent. From his position, having been ambushed by me, to whom he showed goodwill without any prior hint. Even if there was no malice.
Ѐ n um̂.а
“But no one got hurt. Because I knew if it were you, you would prevent the children from getting hurt even if you had to sacrifice yourself.”
“You damn bastard...”
“Stop it, I only let you hit me once.”
GRIP.
I caught Ragas's wrist that was grabbing my shoulder. Perhaps thanks to his basic physical specs, his strength was considerable. Enough to withstand my grip strength even while trembling.
“...Do you remember what I said? I said you possess the possibility of becoming a killing machine capable of killing people without hesitation depending on the occasion. Most of the ilk called knights were similar. To achieve their own goals, they stained their hands with blood while attaching plausible justifications. But you seem worse than them. Because it feels like you are struggling to follow them. You will cross that line nonchalantly someday.”
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At those words, my brow furrowed instinctively. I don't want to hear presumptuous remarks. My action was a choice derived from certainty, and the result did not miss the prediction.
“I don't remember asking for advice or anything.”
TAP.
I flung away the wrist I was holding and brushed the dust off my coat.
“In the first place, if I had set my mind to it, I could have really killed you. I didn't cross the line you talked about.”
“Right, dealing with me wouldn't be a difficult task for you.”
W ĕb̀_ṅо̆v̌е̄ l Е̇ n u m̂ а̊
“Don't be grumpy.”
Ragas is a retired soldier. Therefore, he is not unaware of what kind of existence a knight cadet is. He would know that I wouldn't make a mistake in the mere act of throwing a knife.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
He must have already reached the conclusion that my action was related to rooting out the mage. Making a fuss was probably just to warn me once again.
“Because my anger won't subside unless I do at least this much.”
However, the most important question was omitted. No, maybe he noticed up to there. The fact that there is a mage within the orphanage.
Awkward silence continued. And soon after, busy footsteps were heard, and our gazes turned to the same place.
Eńüm̈ă
“Mr. Ragas, we must deport this person immediately! It wasn't an occasion to laugh and chat together! Even the children were prese...”
“The children will wake up, Eddie!”
“W-wait a minute!”
Ragas raised the corners of his mouth nonchalantly. Every time he slapped his back, Eddie lost his balance and shook violently. Looking at it again, it was a paper-thin body.
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“I'm not joking!”
At this, Eddie fixed his glasses and shouted. What great spirit for someone who can't even take care of himself properly. It was time to peel off that mask soon.
Еňūm а̀
“Deportation is a bit difficult due to circumstances. Instead, he will gladly apologize. In that sense, he wants to show some sincerity. It would be good if you introduce a decent place.”
***
- Hmm, I should step out. You two go ahead! Don't bully Eddie too much just because I'm not there, this is a ‘promise’!
Ragas received a contact from someone and excused himself. It didn't seem like an excuse. Because worry actually flashed across his expression. Like that, I ended up going out to the streets alone with Eddie.
“Everything is closed so only food stalls are left.”
“Faithful to the biological rhythm.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“It guarantees rest.”
I had guessed, but day and night existed here. The desolate street presented a sense of heterogeneity. Because it is a place where what is natural not being natural is daily life.
“So, will this do?”
“It's sufficient.”
“There's a reason for being sickly.”
I said while accepting the skewer handed to me.
Е̇n̊ ŭm̄а̀
“Is the meat cultured meat?”
“Because we don't have enough leeway to raise livestock. The texture isn't great, but the taste is good. You'll know when you try it.”
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As expected, it wasn't bad like he said. The texture of cultured meat is close to a dried sponge. The savory taste of the heavily applied seasoning and faint sweetness were just covering it.
Without much conversation, we sat in a dirty vacant lot and finished off the remaining skewers. The fact that there is such a quiet night even in the Lower Sector just felt new.
“Honestly, I don't know what Mr. Ragas is thinking. You are dangerous. I don't know what conversation you shared, but I wish you would leave this place quickly...”
The one who broke the silence and spoke first was Eddie, and the content was merely a repetition of cliché talk. The people of this area trust and follow Ragas. Since he witnessed such a situation right in front of his nose, it's no wonder.
W̌ еb ṅ о v̆ е̊l Е̃nu mа̂
“Do the acting in moderation.”
“...Yes?”
WHISH.
I cut off Eddie's words and drew my supply knife.
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“Suddenly what is this...”
To dispatch a spy to an enemy country, considerable time must be spent. Therefore, Eddie was one of the figures included in the list of suspects. Because he was the only adult within the orphanage. Due to that, my surveillance network was watching Eddie, and I could discover one peculiarity.
E̊ ń u m а̀.
“You, you weren't a weakling.”
“W-what are you talking about! I, I am... Ugh!”
“I told you to stop acting.”
I grabbed Eddie's lower jaw violently. The moment I ambushed Ragas, this guy showed a reaction to my movement. If he were an ordinary civilian, he wouldn't have even noticed.
“As expected, no prescription.”
The glasses were just decoration for deception. I crushed them and scattered them on the floor.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
SWISH!
Along with that, Eddie's toe cut through the air as he snapped his head back. It was quite a useful movement. Enough to earn a living in the Lower Sector.
“Oh my...”
Eddie, who escaped from me, clicked his tongue. He seemed not to have expected his decisive blow to misfire like this.
“From now on, you only answer what I say.”
“Let go of this first!”
Е̄ nu m а
“Shut up.”
THUD!
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Eddie's body trembled as he got hit in the nose. I controlled it appropriately. Because he would die if I made a mistake.
“Because there is someone I am looking for.”
“...I, I know! You are tracking a mage.”
It was a reaction where heterogeneity was felt. Because the mage themselves wouldn't know that I am tracking a mage. Unless Ragas gave them a hint directly.
W è b̈ n̄о̄ v̊ ѐl̀ Е̊ ňu ḿа̃
“Did you hear from the boss?”
“T-that's right! The boss told me...”
“So that was it.”
No one referred to Ragas as boss. But Eddie answered my question in the affirmative. It means the meaning of boss he accepted is different.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
POW.
“...Ugh!”
Ёṅ ǔmа̂. їd̀
Eddie, kicked in the abdomen, flew into the bushes. It must be pain where bones break and internal organs twist. I could be certain.
‘Eddie is not the mage.’
WOONG.
Soon, a sound like scratching a tent with fingernails rang out. It was a sound generated as the space where Eddie stood just a moment ago distorted. Along with a sight as if a thin transparent film was being rolled in, a magic circle was deployed in the air.
If Eddie had stayed in that spot, his head would have exploded and brain matter would have scattered everywhere. I have also seen many mages, but this was on a different level.
In the gap of the shade laid by the night sky, a figure appeared without warning. It was difficult to recognize the appearance because the whole body was wrapped tightly, but I could know who it was.
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“It's dangerous, you personality-defective brat.”
With a not-long silence, the opponent opened their mouth while removing the black cloth covering their head.
“...As expected, you knew.”
“Because you are the only one left.”
Another figure on the suspect list; judging by the circumstances, the probability of this side being the mage was much higher.
“Alice.”
Е ṅú m̄ a_. id
Mages are beings proficient in specific concepts. Because creation beyond the human realm requires that much understanding. Perhaps because of that, they cannot control their inner thoughts and express them.
...For example, through means like drawings.
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“I didn't know you would come personally like this.”
“Because I don't know what kind of plot you guys might hatch.”
Strictly speaking, I was in the position of having come here as Kyron Lee's agent. And Alice doesn't know the inside story that I am a knight cadet carrying out a mission. There was only one basis for grouping me and Eddie together here.
‘Dust Bane's stooge.’
W̆е̄b̌ n о v̇е̌ l Е̂ n um а
Eddie was Kyron Lee's man. Looking at it, it seemed Alice knew that fact. The reason she appeared suddenly must be because she noticed her identity was discovered.
“Dirty dogs of the money grubber.”
“Sorry, but this side is... No, no need to explain.”
It didn't matter what treatment I received. Anyway, my target is only the mage. The only option given to the current me is to kill.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
However, correction regarding Alice's principle of action would be necessary. An attitude clearly favoring Red Clot; that girl might not be the type of human I was expecting after all.
...There was something I was missing.
Е num̂а
***
What is important in combat with a mage is mobility. Because physical durability is no different from an ordinary person. Therefore, if approach is possible, they can be easily dealt with.
That is why the use of firearms was preferred. Because mediocre mages cannot cope with them. But unfortunately, Alice was an exception.
‘Inviolable Area.’
BANG, BANG!
Like now, the fired bullets all disappeared before exerting physical force. Phenomena that occurred just by Alice capturing them.
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That must be why Silent Mages are treated as rare geniuses. Because they can narrow the gap between the incantation and the activation of magic to the extreme.
‘If I met her on the battlefield, it would have been terrible.’
It was an ability that could enable indiscriminate massacre. Because it means the target can be erased just by the act of seeing. Most would die without even realizing it.
Nevertheless, the reason I could remain unscathed until now was a simple principle. If not seen, one can escape the domain. In the vacant lot close to a dump, there was plenty of waste to help with cover.
‘Well, there's nothing left now.’
And now the vacant lot is being cleaned up neatly. Waste countable by hand; that was the number of opportunities given to me.
W е̄ bnо̄ v е́ l̈ Е n̊um а̂
ZZZT.
Then static rang in my head and someone's voice was heard.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
[...If you happen to need help, say it. I can intervene immediately.]
The only one sharing the communication server with me was Aiden.
“Does it look like I need help?”
He must have been watching this place from not far away. Therefore, he would know what situation I am in.
En ù m а́
[Haha, it seems I was being meddlesome. I was a bit bored, you see.]
If I were really in a crisis, he would have put action before questions. Not doing so meant he was still prioritizing the target's escape. Actually, I didn't need help or anything.
“Cough! For all that showing off, isn't it too shabby? Come out quickly! I'll crush that ugly face for you!”
WOONG.
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Along with Alice's cracked voice, the waste helping with cover was rolled into the air again. Along with that, I threw my body toward the drum closest to me.
It is definitely magic beyond common sense. However, if asked to evaluate the ability to utilize it, it was close to the lowest score. Because she wasn't properly handling the power she possessed.
Е n̂umа .i d̆
‘Experience is excessively scarce.’
The attacks being recklessly unleashed were pure to the point of being one-dimensional. Moreover, she showed signs of gradually becoming overwhelmed while repeating the casting of silent magic. That must be why traces of instant death were visible on those killed by Alice until now.
Magic is also ultimately an anomalous phenomenon relying on the Mana Core. If one doesn't know the knack for handling it, much energy will be wasted; that means Alice didn't receive education on that.
As the situation continued, questions only piled up repeatedly. It would be better to ask the person directly. There was no need to drag time any longer.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
Fired bullets aimed at Alice again.
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“Cough! Things like this have no meaning to me, idiot!”
I also knew it was a meaningless attack.
“Wipe the blood off your mouth and speak, stupid bitch.”
“Wha...”
CLANG!
The drum kicked by me flew out explosively.
Еǹ ŭ_m а
‘The advantage of silent magic is that it doesn't require an incantation.’
And Alice has no knack for handling this. To use a metaphor, it is a firearm without a trigger. Just by aiming as if grazing the sight line, discharge is happening on its own.
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But because of that, a forced order is determined. Although it is a minute difference with a density of seconds, there exists a moment when the drum captured last completely blocks the view.
“I don't hold back just because it's a woman.”
THUD!
Using this, I took the rear with high-speed maneuvering. Soon, I slammed Alice's head straight into the ground. No matter what, she wouldn't be able to erase this vast land itself.
Е̂ n u mа .і̌ d
“Let, let go!”
“Shut up a bit.”
No matter how much she struggles, she can't budge. I could crush her head and explode it like this. If there wasn't something I wanted to ask.
“You, are you from the North Gate?”
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“Ugh!”
“As expected.”
Ẅ е̊ bn̆ о̇ v̂ ё l̂ E n̂ū mа
The North Gate was an area where exiles were clustered. Among them, the bloodlines of fugitive mages were often discovered. Since it is excessively troublesome to check and manage each one.
‘Track and kill the mage of the Valeria Union hiding within the Empire.’
But if that is the case, it becomes strangely misaligned with the content of this mission. At least in my judgment, Alice does not fall into that category.
There is no need to doubt the orders of the superiors. If it were an excellent soldier with loyalty, they would have overlooked it nonchalantly. However, now I was a human far from that.
- ...To give you belated advice, you have been assigned a quite troublesome mission.
It wouldn't be a coincidence that Principal Hausen's words suddenly came to mind.
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BEEP.
As if waiting, the old terminal put in my pocket rang then.
‘...Kyron Lee.’
This man hid the existence of the spy named Eddie from me. The possibility was high that he had grasped the identity of the mage long ago. Therefore, Kyron Lee was the only person who could give an answer to the current situation.
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