55 – Episode 55
#55
Ian’s prediction was correct. Ingrid had no interest in anything other than the Velanka in front of him.
A heavily armed knight charging towards him, and he didn’t even know what was happening around him?
That’s why Ingrid couldn’t remember Ian using shadow magic, or him destroying it with his photon magic.
“Was there such a thing?”
“…”
Seeing Ingrid surprised as if it were someone else’s business, Ian clicked his tongue.
It’s not dementia already, is it?
Actually, his attention was just scattered.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Heh. Your skills are truly remarkable.”
Ian thought Inrian was just being sarcastic again, but Inrian was sincere.
It was extremely rare to find a mage who could assess a situation as quickly and accurately as Ian, and use the most appropriate magic accordingly.
In most cases, mages would stay in a safe position, protected by knights, and calmly use their magic.
They lacked the mental capacity to concentrate on the mysteries and had no room to spare for the surrounding situation.
So, no matter how exceptional a great mage may be, they often panicked and couldn’t demonstrate their true abilities when directly threatened.
But Ian was different.
Even in the rapidly changing battlefield, he remained calm and used the necessary magic in the right place, making the situation advantageous.
“Is it because he’s still young?”
Young people are quick at everything. It’s common knowledge.
Whether it was a natural talent or the luck brought by youth, he didn’t know.
But one thing was certain: Ian was a very capable mage.
To the point where he was acknowledged by the professors at the Magic University.
“You said you learned magic from Eredis?”
“What does that have to do with my master?”
“It’s not that grand. We just crossed paths a few times at the university.”
Inrian expressed it as “crossed paths a few times,” but Ian thought that they must have known each other more than just by face.
Both Inrian and Eredis were not young mages.
Even if they only crossed paths a few times a year, it would add up to more than dozens of times in ten years. They would have had discussions and even worked together, so it wasn’t strange.
“It doesn’t seem like he joined any school…”
“Yes. I haven’t joined any faction yet.”
A faction, in simple terms, was a research group.
Using Eredis as an example, she was a member of the Flame faction and actively involved in their activities.
The faction was formed based on the belief that it was better to research together than alone, and it was called a magic faction.
Joining a faction came with various benefits.
It could be financial support, a newly developed magical language used exclusively by the faction, or magic spells developed by its members.
Once you reached a certain level, joining a faction was considered almost mandatory.
However, for a magician like Ian who lacked experience, exploring various mysteries while wandering the world was considered more important.
If you diligently explored the mysteries and felt like hitting a wall, that was the time to join a faction.
Joining now would only make it overwhelming to catch up with the achievements of other magicians.
“If you want to join a faction, come to Dranheim anytime.”
Magic faction groups were spread all over the continent.
Like clubs or similar things, they were easily formed and easily disbanded.
But the factions of Dranheim Magic University were different. Here, they had abundant financial support, so they didn’t easily disband. Money was indeed the most important.
The problem was that obligations came with being a member of the magic university…
To Ian, a wandering magician, the magic university was just one option among many.
“With your current skills, there shouldn’t be any problem even if you join a faction.”
“Are you talking about elemental magic or earth magic?”
“Yes. That’s right. The same goes for shadow magic. No, if it’s shadow magic, you can definitely join.”
The dark mysteries that Ian enjoyed dealing with were rare and had very few practitioners. It was often impossible to even learn the basics because it was difficult to hear their voices…
If you’re a magician who earns the trust of the mysteries of darkness like Ian, joining the Shadow Magic School is a piece of cake.
“Well, I’ll consider it.”
Unlike Ingrion, who strongly encouraged him to come to the university, Ian didn’t have much thought about it.
Magic is a practical study.
It means that studying books and discussing doesn’t guarantee improvement in skills.
Experiencing and understanding the mysteries firsthand, becoming familiar with them, is the shortcut to becoming an excellent magician.
Although the grant is tempting… isn’t it possible to earn enough money with his current abilities?
Eredis also told Ian to come to the university after experiencing the mysteries, not immediately.
If the opportunity arises, he will go to the university, but it was not a high priority at the moment.
“Alright. I’ll wait for the day when we can debate under the university’s grapevine.”
Ingrion smiled happily as he looked at the young magician.
Yes. A comfortable and quiet magic university may feel suffocating to the young ones. Traveling will be enjoyable for now.
He sincerely wished for Ian to achieve even greater accomplishments.
Hoping that someday Ian and he could have deep discussions at the university.
#
“Now I have to get rid of the Marquis…”
Sure enough, Ingrion’s right arm was broken. It was Belenka’s work.
Ingrion, who had applied a simple splint to his arm, surprisingly didn’t seem to be in much pain. As long as he didn’t move vigorously, the pain wasn’t that bad.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I, too, was someone who wandered the world and explored the mysteries in my youth. I’ve experienced injuries to my arms and legs many times.”
Well, Ian nodded.
Magicians all have a fragile image, but in reality, they were quite sturdy from traveling a lot. At least one thing was certain: they could walk without any discomfort.
“It’s not that uncomfortable. I’m glad.”
Lucy said with an elegant smile.
Honestly, every time Lucy made that expression, Ian was surprised.
Because she looked so convincingly like a noble when she dressed up in noble cosplay.
The problem was that if she opened her mouth, her true nature would be revealed…
“Oh, my lord.”
Ingrid bowed her head to Lucy.
“Thank you for treating me as a captive.”
“I’m grateful. I’ve fulfilled my noble duty.”
“On the name of the Imperial Magic University, I will definitely repay my worth.”
When Ingrid mentioned the name of the Magic University, it meant that if he couldn’t pay the money, he would get it from the university.
Lucy forgave all of Ingrid’s looting acts. Of course, on the condition of receiving compensation including apology fees.
It was possible because Ingrid wasn’t the one who caused the accident on his own.
No matter how powerful a magician was, if they were caught doing something like looting without thinking twice, they would have nothing to say even if they were executed on the spot.
But executing Ingrid would bring no benefits to Lucy.
She didn’t know what consequences she would face if she messed with a professor from the Magic University. And Ingrid’s worth to Lucy was also quite precious.
It was an opportunity to cover the expenses incurred during the territorial war.
“Ian, if by any chance Professor Ingrid tries to use magic, stop him.”
Lucy whispered, leaving Ian bewildered.
“Will you still use magic, no matter what?”
Ian thought Lucy was worried about Inrian’s escape.
“Even if we set up a trap, we’ll have to pay a high price!”
“…”
But that wasn’t the case.
Just like Belenka, Inrian was worried about the cost if they set up a trap to catch the Mud Count’s grave robbers…
Lucy was thorough in unnecessary details.
However, Ian knew that Lucy wasn’t doing well financially, so he decided to go along with her.
“Inrian. When we fight the Count, what about magic…”
“Ah. Fight?”
But Inrian said something unexpected.
“The Count must have already fled, right?”
“… Fled?”
Ian was dumbfounded, but Inrian’s words were true.
After Belenka took the lead and searched the underground, the Mud Count and his henchmen disappeared like a lie.
“He’s gone. Where on earth did he go?”
Inrian shrugged his shoulders and said,
“There’s no way to create just one path in these underground structures. If the only path collapses, it’s all over.”
“But isn’t this a graveyard?”
“Would the Mud Viscount be called the Viscount for no reason? As soon as he descended underground, he started digging an escape route from the emergency exit. He cleared the blocked path after the construction was finished.”
Ian exclaimed in admiration.
Wow, there are talented bastards like that?
As if to prove that the name “Mud Viscount” was not just a pseudonym, he crawled through the path that the tomb construction workers had blocked and used it as an emergency escape route.
One could say it was a skill that could be felt from a grave robber.
“Ian, I found something like this.”
Belanka held out a piece of leather that was presumed to be left by the Viscount.
Written in ancient language, it said, “[This disgrace must be avenged!]”
“…”
“What’s wrong? Ian? What does it say?”
Ian didn’t have the courage to translate, so he handed the note to the priest.
The Mud Viscount’s note definitely made Lucy angry, but that was all.
“Here it is.”
Ingrion led Ian and his companions to the reception room of Viscount Talien.
It was amusing for him to guide intruders, but in fact, Ingrion was the only one who had actually been here.
There might be records left behind, but there was a difference between knowing something through writing and experiencing it firsthand.
There was something written on the door in a language that Ian didn’t know.
“Do you know what this means?”
“No, Ingrion?”
“I don’t know either. There must be instructions on how to open the door…”
Inrian frowned.
For the past few days, it had been an insurmountable obstacle no matter how much research he did.
Maybe if he could gather the professors from the Magic University, there might be a solution, but Inrian couldn’t think of any way on his own.
Even Ian didn’t have any brilliant ideas.
Drawing a magic circle and causing an earthquake in the land? It might work for a door, but it was a perfect way to get killed. Mysteries don’t know delicacy.
“Don’t worry. The Viscount will open the way.”
When the priest spoke, Ian stepped aside.
Yeah, if Lucy steps forward.
Lucy stood confidently in front of the door.
And shouted at Ian.
“Ian! What should I do now?”
“…”
Lucy, Lucy. Why are you asking me that?
Surprisingly (actually not really surprising), Lucy didn’t know how to open the door. She was capable of that.
The problem was that the priest Lucy brought didn’t know either.
“Why won’t the door open?”
“Well…”
The priest wiped his sweaty forehead and flipped through the documents.
“Ap, apparently if we bring Talian’s bloodline in front of the door, the fairy’s greeting will open the door…”
“What’s a fairy’s greeting?”
“That, that’s not written…”
“…”
This is hopeless.
The priest was taken aback, Lucy had no thoughts, and Ingrid was filled with a spirit of challenge.
“Don’t worry! I’ll figure out the riddle!”
“Ingrid, please be quiet.”
Although she said that, there was no choice but for Ian to butt heads with Ingrid.
After coming this far, it wouldn’t do to return empty-handed.
“I tried to invoke the mystery of my land, but the Fairy Queen had already intervened.”
“Did you make a prior agreement?”
“Yes. She didn’t even listen to my request. So I looked for another mystery…”
Blah blah blah.
When Ian started chatting with Ingrid, Lucy quickly became bored.
Everyone was busy, so it was embarrassing for her to stand alone.
When Lucy’s eyes met Belenka’s, she quickly turned her head.
She still felt awkward around that woman.
Feeling bored, Lucy soon discovered something written on the door.
“Huh?”
That sentence was one that Lucy was familiar with.
“Ian! Could this be a clue?”
“What…”
Ian understood that the letter Lucy was pointing at was the same mysterious letter they had talked about with Ingrian earlier.
We already talked about that…
Lucy wasn’t paying attention again…
“It’s like a hint, but I don’t know what it means.”
“Do I know?”
“???”
Ian was taken aback.
Lucy… knew something?!
It wasn’t a lie.
With a calm expression, Lucy wiped away the inquiry letter and chanted it like a song.
“[I will remember our friendship forever.]”
Kururur…
The moment Lucy read the inquiry letter.
With a loud noise, the door opened.
“Lucy, you… were right about Talian?”
“What does that mean?!”
The priest’s records were not wrong.
To open the door, Talian’s bloodline was necessary.
Because only Talian knew how to read the sentence passed down through generations of fairies.
From Noble mtl dot com
“This is Fairy Language. I don’t know the meaning well either. I just learned it because my father taught me.”
“What could it mean?”
“Well, who knows? Open, sesame! Maybe that’s what it means?”
Ian and his companions cautiously stepped into the room.
They were worried that there might be traps set up, but there were none.
However, there was an unnatural pile of rocks on top of the Marquis’ crown.
When Lucy tried to approach it.
Ian quickly grabbed her arm.
Ingrion shouted.
“Don’t touch it!”
“What? But…”
“That… is the tomb of the Fairy Queen.”
“What?”
The pile of rocks that seemed to gently settle on top of the Marquis’ crown.
Within that small pile of rocks, the body of the former Fairy Queen was buried.
Ian, the wizard, and Ingrion felt an unidentified power guarding the queen’s tomb.
If they were to touch it… something bad would definitely happen.
Lucy, confused, asked.
“But why is the tomb of the Fairy Queen… on top of the Marquis’ crown?”
Belanka, who had been silently watching, spoke up.
“If that’s the case, no one will be able to desecrate the Marquis’s corpse.”
“…”
“That’s why she made her own tomb on top of the grave.”