18. collapse (1)
The distinction between magic and miracles is ambiguous.
Why is it not called a miracle that water and fire bloom in a place where there is nothing?
Why isn’t magic supposed to heal wounds and emit light that burns enemies?
Opinions are divided even in the academic world, but no one is saying this outright.
Doubting miracles is directly related to doubting faith.
However, as far as Ian knows, the distinction between the two is not as clear as people’s perception.
It was a story I heard from the owner of the Tower of Magic, and it was proven by the owner of the Tower of Magic.
She can use miracles without being particularly religious, and at the same time, she also handles magic because she is a wizard.
The second proof that miracles have nothing to do with religiosity is the aria.
Arya believes in no more gods than the average person in the Empire.
Even so, the miracle she uses cannot be compared to any other priest or believer.
And, there is ‘witchcraft’ in the realm that does not belong to either of them.
Alternatively, it may be a region belonging to both of them.
It is literally uncharted territory.
“… Among the elves, there are those who have to cling to something specific to fill their eternal life.”
Mercy revealed that she was the ‘princess’ of the elves to everyone except Ian.
It was to help Ian.
“Among them, shouldn’t there be those who have been immersed in the field of ‘magic’ for hundreds of years?”
Ian tried to find the magic tower for Lucia.
Although the staff of the Mage Tower are all human, the historical data accumulated there are more than that.
Not only did he have data on witchcraft, but he also knew that the mage lord was a scholar interested in all three fields: magic, miracles, and sorcery.
But, what if it was an elf that might be the history of witchcraft itself?
The possibility of resolving the inherent curse was higher this way.
but… .
“That, everything is fine, is it okay for you to go there?”
Ian asked anxiously.
“yes? what?”
“No, if it hasn’t returned yet, I wonder if there is a special reason.”
“For a special reason… . It’s not there, though.”
Mercy smiled at Ian.
“It’s okay. to that extent. Is that more important than that? Lucia is more important!”
On the other hand, Lucia, who said that was important, was having an in-depth conversation with Vivian and Helena about the fact that Mercy was a ‘princess’.
“I’m not familiar with the warrior’s party, but is it because there’s at least one person who looks like an elf princess?”
“Even we didn’t know… .”
“you’re right… ! Besides, Mr. Ian also has the unusual name Philip… .”
“Right, I heard that Ian is a great person too? Is this place that special?”
“I don’t think it’s anything special… .”
“Then we’ve been eating the princess’s cooking all this time!”
“Oh my God, is the elf princess a cook?”
“Oh, by any chance, if an elf has a tendency to obsess over something for a long time, then Mercy has a passion for cooking… ?”
Mercy, who had been overhearing the conversation, waved her hand.
“That is not true. I just did what Ian asked me to do.”
“Still, Mercy dishes are delicious!”
“Right. After training, you always have to wait for your meal.”
“Hmm. I’m a little curious as to what the princess cooks for me?”
Ian sorted out the commotion.
“First. The next destination is Mercy’s hometown… should I say?”
“Yes. You can call it the forest of elves.”
“Anyway, let’s go there… . Lucia hasn’t finished registering as a hero yet, so she won’t stop by the dungeon on her way. Instead, the training will continue every time you stay, so be aware… .”
Sneaking, Lucia raised her hand.
“Will it take long?”
Ian looked at Mercy.
“Um… . I think you can tell by looking at the map.”
As Ian pulled out a map of the continent and opened it, Lucia asked the other party.
“… Where did that just come from?”
“It’s a subspace pouch, it’s an artifact.”
“Ian carries the artifact casually!”
“Isn’t that also very rare in the first place… ?”
Reluctantly listening to their mumbling conversation, Ian confirmed the location Mercy pointed out.
It was a forest on the edge of the southeast, on a coastal cliff.
“You really live here?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. If you are the party, then that would be it. Fortunately, it’s not too far from here. It’s closer than the mage tower.”
So, the destination was decided in the elven forest.
*
Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Mercy sat by the window and looked out.
It was the best room among the guest rooms in Fiorene Castle, and it was a high room with a clear view.
The night in Fiorene was not so beautiful.
Because Lorenzo’s alleged rebellion and the rampage of the 1st warrior’s party had already ended the dueling contest and the festival that had begun.
Gendarmes with torches roamed the streets solemnly.
In one corner of her field of vision was the repair work on the land Kylie had turned upside down.
Mercy raised her eyes and looked at the sky.
The half moon lost its mate and took care of the earth alone.
Perhaps, even looking up from the elven forest, the moon would be the same.
‘… It’s going back.’
She remembered the hometown she had forgotten.
Even though it hasn’t been long since I left, the scenery of my hometown is always clearly drawn.
In the middle of the green scene, colorful colors shining like stars.
‘Dad… .’
And, his father who will be there.
king of the elves.
However, rather than a king, he was more like a village chief or chief.
Elf society is not as rigid as human society.
Although she herself is called a princess, the reality is different from that of a princess in human society.
Before leaving, her father pleaded with her.
don’t go
‘Mercy. Elves are humans… .’
The thought stopped there.
Because someone was sitting across from me.
It was Katy.
Kati silently looked at the scenery outside the window like Mercy.
With that alone, Mercy could understand Kati’s intentions.
“… Thank you.”
Mercy said softly.
Even without telling her heart, Kati could understand Mercy’s feelings.
The desire to help Ian is the same.
Even if there is damage to oneself.
If that could help Ian.
‘… If I go, I wonder if I can come out again.’
It was the only thing Mercy, who had no ability, could do.
So, no matter what, I would handle it.
*
It’s bedtime, but Ian still has work to do.
A round table that was probably used as a conference room in Fiorene Castle.
The four of them, Prince, Seonghwang, Wolfgang, and Ian, sat down.
“Ian! Are you not hurt anywhere?”
Grace is also added next to Ian.
“… I am fine.”
“How did that happen to Ian… .”
“Grace. If you’re not going to be quiet, get out.”
At Oedipus’ blow, Grace pouted her lips and remained silent.
“Anyway, let’s talk… . Although the 1st Hero Party’s mock involvement in the rebellion is not directly visible.”
The prince continued the discussion.
“The problem is that the amount is too large to be completely overlooked. It cost almost as much as the city’s operating budget.”
Considering that the reputation of the 1st party collapsed rapidly after Ian’s expulsion, it was a ridiculous investment.
“But in the case of Beatrice… .”
The prince tapped the paper in front of him.
It was the document of the contract with Beatrice, taken out of Henry’s arms.
“I didn’t know it, but it was pretty direct. Depending on how you interpret it, you could even consider it to be the main character. Especially considering that most of these letters are delivered in code.”
The prince took several documents from Wolfgang and put them on the round table.
“Besides that, there are many unfavorable factors for the 1st party. Kylie almost killed all of us this time, including you. Besides, there was talk that Margrave Frederick had sued the entire First Party. It is a situation where old evil words are pouring out little by little.”
Ian listened in silence.
The prince said as if he were dying.
“The first party will go to court.”
“You will be judged.”
“right. Beatrice, Aria and Penny. Once we’ve gathered all the rest, we’ll be on our way straight away. At that time, by any chance, Ian can call you as a witness. Could you please attend?”
“If you need my help.”
“okay… . When the date comes, I will let you know in advance.”
Subsequently, the prince and the seonghwang lined up the information obtained from Henry and Gustaf.
The identity and residence of the remaining members of the Anti-Imperial Alliance.
Relations with those who replanned the divine unified nation.
The fact that the Liberal League cooperated, the fact that they set foot in Supevia, and so on.
The investigation was progressing at a fairly rapid pace.
In the middle, there was a role of Ian.
In particular, he was credited with finding out the base of the Liberal League and clearing it up.
“Now it’s hard to think of what more to give you.”
“It is a headache in our Seonghwagyo. I can’t give you another apostle’s gold coin… .”
“Well, I’ll take your heart.”
“Are you saying you’ll accept my heart?”
“… … .”
There was no particular role that Ian had to play here.
He came here simply because he was an important member of the Empire and needed to hear and know everything.
Ian decided to keep quiet about the elven forest.
It was a hidden place untouched by humans, so there was nothing good to tell.
“It will depend on the verdict, but perhaps the 1st warrior party will only receive orders from the imperial family rather than moving autonomously. Will you be okay though?”
Ian shrugged.
“There is no reason not to be okay.”
The prince asked knowingly.
It was just a formal procedure.
However, there was one thing Ian was worried about.
“… But I don’t know if you’ll listen to those words of the imperial family.”
“I was worried too, but it seemed like he would listen surprisingly well.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, I think it’s thanks to you too.”
“What… . That’s it.”
It was very unexpected, but Ian was fortunate enough not to cause trouble.
Ian was about to get up, but Wolfgang motioned him down for a moment.
“I know you’ll refuse, but it’s a procedural question.”
“What is it?”
“Sylvia and Kylie named Ian as their guardian and requested an interview.”
“I see.”
Ian said casually as if it was someone else’s business.
It was enough for Wolfgang to understand.
*
“What about Ian? When is Ian coming?”
Imprisoned Sylvia asked pitifully.
However, the gendarmerie under surveillance spoke firmly.
“The party declined the request for an interview with the guardian. Requests beyond this will not be granted.”
“refuse… .”
Sylvia sat down again on the floor.
From the beginning, I knew this would happen.
It was natural that Ian would never meet the abominable self.
Still, in case you don’t know… .
I thought that if I really had a heart to think of my old self, I would at least show my face.
The incorrect answer note in my pocket was especially heavy.
Kylie, who was in the prison cell across from her, stared at Sylvia through the bars.
“… … .”
“Do you have anything to say?”
“… What are you going to do from now on?”
“I don’t know.”
“I have no thoughts.”
“If you had something like that, you wouldn’t have kicked Ian out, would you?”
That was the same for Kylie herself.
It was difficult for Kylie to tell whether Sylvia, who spoke so confidently, was brazen or honest.
“… I want to see Ian.”
Sitting with her back against the wall, Sylvia wiggled her toes.
It may be different from her, but Kylie missed Ian too.
Exactly, I had something to say to him.
There were too many things to say.
But now even what I can touch has become opaque.
“Why did we do that?”
Sylvia hugged her knees.
It was a very careful movement to protect the wooden handcuffs, which would soon break if they could not control their strength even a little.
“why… . Why did Ian… .”
“… … .”
Kylie was in a strange feeling, knowing yet not knowing why.
I was afraid and threw him out.
But is the reason really valid?
It was difficult to understand whether that was the only reason.
“Anyway, I’m surprised. Kylie, I never thought you would be so naive.”
“… huh.”
As Kylie turned her back to sit down, Wolfgang entered.
He said, standing in the middle of Sylvia and Kylie’s prison cell facing each other.
“From now on, the military police will go after the two members of the first party, Aria and Beatrice. So I’m going to ask the two of you here if they’re willing to help.”
An embarrassing request, but Wolfgang didn’t.
Sylvia looked up and asked.
“Did Ian ask for it?”
Kylie also listened to the question.
“no. Not like that. In other words, it is a question of will. Even if you refuse, we have no means to force you.”
“Hmm.”
Sylvia’s thoughts were not long.
“I will help.”
Wolfgang was a little taken aback as he didn’t know he would be so docile.
So did Kylie.
“I’ll catch you on my own, but why go that far?”
“… I do not know. I don’t think he’ll come on his own.”
“… … .”
Beatrice’s temper flashed through Kylie’s mind.
She was the one who could be more violent than Kylie if she was a threat to her prestige.
“Damn it, troublesome guys… . I go too.”
It wasn’t meant to be.
It was just a responsibility.
Responsible for causing this situation.
Responsible for kicking Ian out.
On the other hand, it was also a struggle to get a reason to talk to Ian again in this way.
Sylvia easily saw through her intentions.
Because he himself is cooperating in order to look good to Ian.
‘If Ian knew about it later, he might appreciate it.’
*
Sylvia and Kylie left for the North and Southeast respectively.
Sylvia picks up Aria.
Kylie picks up Beatrice.
At the same time, the Wolf Gang set out for the place where Penny, the manager of the first party, was staying.
Ian’s party headed to the place where the elves’ forest was located.
Ian drove the wagon himself to avoid being seen by others.
Sitting in the driver’s seat for the first time in a while, he looked up at the sky.
‘… It’s getting hot.’
Kati was sleeping on her lap, and Mercy, Vivian, Helena, and Lucia were chatting sweetly in the carriage.
Even though it was hot, it wasn’t bad.
*
“Everyone step back.”
Kylie drew her sword and said.
At the declaration like a low cry of a beast, the gendarmerie who came with them rather stiffened their legs.
Opposite Kylie, Beatrice drew her bow and aimed it at Kylie.
Both, this time it wasn’t a warning.
We were seriously thinking of killing each other.
Hundreds or thousands of cases were simulated in their heads.
The gendarmerie hastily began to flee.
“I didn’t know that the thing I had only imagined would come true… . But, I’m curious. Who will win?”
“Do you have any questions?”
Kylie laughed bitterly.
“I would win.”
“… … .”
Beatrice did not wait and pulled the string first.