57 – Suspicion
[Until the Black Mage Assembly begins: 5 minutes and 22 seconds.]
Having escaped from Snowfield Village, I exerted all my strength and rushed towards the Black Mage Assembly, following the information I obtained from Carl Vent’s memories.
I had about 5 minutes left. Even with all my effort, it was a close distance.
“Gasp… Cough…”
Snow piled up to my ankles. And the fatigue after the battle felt like it was weighing down my body, but I kept running.
By the time I no longer felt the exhaustion or pain. I saw a cabin in the middle of a distant mountain.
A cabin known only to high-ranking black mages. I caught my breath and steadied myself as I reached there.
“Alteration. Target: Carl Vent.”
[Distortion: Deny the world and project the voice and physique of the object onto oneself. (Note: Distortion can only be used on objects directly contacted, and it will be released if detected.)]
Splat-
“Ah, ah.”
In an instant, my body transformed exactly into the body of Karl Vent, and even the voice that came through the mask was the same.
‘The most important dark magic… should be fine.’
Although the difference in dark magic could distinguish that I am not Karl Vent, strangely enough, the structure of my dark magic and Karl Vent’s were remarkably similar.
Because of that, even the ordinary believers didn’t realize that I wasn’t Karl Vent, and Karl Vent himself made a surprised remark about it during the battle.
It was truly amazing, but anyway, thanks to that, I don’t have to think about dark magic.
As I approached the hut, a black magician came towards me.
“…Show me your dark magic.”
“……….”
Without saying a word, I raised my dark magic and created a small blade, and the black magician silently cleared the path.
It seems that as I expected, I wasn’t revealed to be Karl Vent. Anyway, I entered the ordinary hut along that path.
Ripple-
“…….!”
As I entered the hut with the door open, it felt like passing through an invisible barrier, and the background instantly changed.
Contrary to what I thought, that the interior of the small hut would appear, a dark and enormous space with a conference table and chairs, like the meeting place of black magicians in the underground of the academy, appeared.
…Even the hut that appeared on the outside seemed to be an illusion.
After a brief greeting through a short bow to those who were already seated, I sat in the seat where Karl Vent usually sat.
Since it was information obtained through Karl Vent’s memories, I don’t think there is any room for suspicion of me.
[A significant amount of dark magic is detected! The total amount and proficiency of dark magic are increasing!]
[Until the start of the Dark Sorcerer’s Assembly: 0 minutes 17 seconds.]
Fortunately, it seemed that I wasn’t late for the Dark Sorcerer’s Assembly, as I had hurriedly made my way here.
No one had come in after me, and there were no empty seats, so it seemed that I was the last one to arrive.
“Well then, let’s begin today’s Dark Sorcerer’s Assembly. Carmen, start with your report as usual.”
“Yes. Regarding the part that the Elder instructed…”
After that, the sorcerers began reporting on their respective missions, as directed by the old man.
However, most of the sorcerers’ attacks on the villages had resulted in failure.
The reasons ranged from the simple arrogance of the sorcerers to the sudden intervention of mercenaries and other sorcerers.
Although nothing was known about the attacks, the sorcerers who had been subdued by those who happened to be in the village were the majority.
“…The attack failed due to the interference of the sorcerers.”
“…Alright, enough.”
Thanks to that, I could also pretend to be Carl Vent and talk about the mission’s failure without worrying about being found out.
Every time the word “failure” was mentioned, the veins on the old man’s wrinkled forehead became prominent, creating an atmosphere of disappointment among the sorcerers.
After a brief moment of silence, the old man let out a deep sigh and started speaking again.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Well… That’s how it turned out…”
“… … …”
“In that case, let’s change the plan. Cancel all the attacks on small villages.”
The old man, instead of looking disappointed, showed a wicked smile and pointed to the map behind the chair where he was sitting. The map depicted the overall noble families, territories, and the appearance of the villages in the northern part of the continent.
“Snowfield… Winter Village. We don’t need anything else.”
The old man, using a red pen that was placed under the map, drew large X marks on the small towns.
The black sorcerers, clearly exhibiting madness and a sense of anger, remained silent.
After the old man marked X on every town, only one remained.
“Do you see this town, Karl Bent?”
“Frost… the territory.”
“Yes… the heart of the north. The place where that damn bastard resides, and the most suitable place to become a vessel. Our goal from now on is here.”
The only remaining town was Frost Territory. It was located in the center of the north, and was a larger territory than any other town.
And it was guarded by the giants that protected the north. The place where the Frost family and Eri reside. The old man declared that they would launch a concentrated attack on that place.
-Is this… even possible?
-But Frost Territory…
-Still, Frost Territory is…
“Does anyone have any objections?! If so, speak up!!”
“”……….””
Even the black sorcerers were overwhelmed by the old man’s anger, who announced that they would attack the territory guarded by the Frost family, rumored to rival the Swordmaster. No one dared to defy him, as blood vessels bulged on his wrinkled forehead.
“The attack will be in 5 days. Bring all the black sorcerers under your command. No matter what happens, we will bring down Frost Territory.”
“”Yes, understood! For the Lord!””
“After turning Frost Territory into a wasteland, we will destroy the Academy!! That is where our cause will begin!!”
The old man laughed like a madman, and the black sorcerers followed suit, shouting the name of their Lord and reaching their arms towards the sky.
I felt my body being consumed by anger as I witnessed the wriggling of these repulsive insects.
‘…Fine. Give it a try. I will do whatever it takes to stop you.’
Ding-
[Mastery of Dark Magic Lv.6 —> Lv.7]
[A new skill has been unlocked!]
In the shadow where I am not even suspected, I forge a sword of wrath.
***
It has been two days since Ariel encountered Venice in the Snowfield Village. Without going to the academy, Ariel locks herself in her room, not eating or drinking, and not making a sound.
Knock knock knock-
“…Ariel. It’s me, Kale. Freya is here too. So… could you come out for a moment?”
“………….”
Kale and Freya desperately knock on the door and try to speak to Ariel, but Ariel doesn’t even give a response.
“Whenever you’re ready… please tell us.”
“…Yeah. We’ll leave now.”
“………”
Just before crying, Kale and Freya briefly look at the broken door of their friend’s room, wipe away their tears with their sleeves, and leave.
Inside Ariel’s room, Ariel lies on the bed, only feeling emptiness, and stares at the ceiling with lifeless eyes.
“……….”
Even after they leave, Ariel doesn’t show any signs of sound or movement.
Like a robot with drained batteries. Like a broken toy, she only takes in a slight breath and exhales.
“….Miss Ariel.”
Venice’s face, appearing from behind the shattered mask, is still vivid. His face looks somewhat regretful, as if he has a lot to say.
Always disgusted by and dealing with black magicians, Venice was one of those black magicians.
They were bugs that destroyed innocent people and devoured the world. To Ariel, black magicians were such creators.
Even when Ariel saw Venice wearing the robe of a black magician, even when he left after leaving a word of apology, Ariel did not believe it.
If it was Venice, Ariel firmly believed that he would not have spoken about using black magic for any reason.
“No… No… This is reality…”
“Ke… Kekeke… This is a damn interesting sight…!”
After Venice left, a wounded black magician crawled towards Ariel, who was sitting there denying reality.
He continued to laugh for a while, even as Kale and Freya attacked with magic. He said he would say what he had to say if he was going to die anyway.
“Do you really think that bastard was by your side for you, you stupid woman! That was all a trick!!”
“Ah… Ah….”
Even if she tried to block out the voice by covering her ears with both hands, the blessed body that transcended human limits was clearly heard.
Venice coming to me was not a coincidence, but for justice. He came to sacrifice himself for justice after gaining complete trust from Ariel.
He was a black magician who died from Kale and Freya’s attack magic, but the words he uttered before he died continued to haunt Ariel’s mind.
At first, Ariel didn’t try to listen to or believe those words. Venice… he couldn’t possibly be that kind of person.
However, on the day she returned home without even thinking about going to the Academy.
Her father, who heard the news, became enraged and smashed the dining table in half, and her mother left in anger.
Her brothers frowned at her with an angry expression she had never seen before, spreading all sorts of rumors and criticisms about Venice.
And all the servants and her closest friends. Even Freya and Kale.
Everyone spewed insults about Venice. With the gazes and words about Venice from those around her, Ariel’s heart slowly shattered.
No.
Venice isn’t that kind of person.
….Then why did he hide his use of black magic?
There must be a reason. Venice isn’t that kind of person.
…..Then why did he leave me without a word?
Ariel questions herself endlessly, seeking answers, denying.
But the more she repeats such behavior, the only thing left is suspicion towards Venice.
….What if Venice approached me to gain my trust and target me?
What if the words of the black magician were true?
And even the fact that he saved me from the cave where I was dying, abandoning all hope.
And the battles we fought together against the black magician.
The day it snowed, the way he smiled and seemed happy even with just pancakes.
….And how my colorless world left the most vivid color behind.
If everything… was just to deceive me completely?
When that thought crosses her mind, all the time spent with Venice flashes by like a flickering lantern.
Meaningless, but not unpleasant times. Times that gradually made her realize the emotions she had forgotten her whole life.
If all of those things were just a show for the vile black magicians’ cause.
“…………”
That was the moment. When the seed of doubt takes root, Ariel’s eyes, which had started to shine a little, lose their sparkle again and become even cloudier than before.
Doubt. Venice’s every word and action, his expressions and habits. His hobbies, his preferences.
She begins to doubt everything about him.
Ariel returned to her room, despite the questions and objections from her parents and friends.
No, she couldn’t hear that sound. She couldn’t perceive it or think about it.
And so, endless questions and searching for answers passed by. A day went by, swept away by the relentless waves of thoughts that never stopped, yet she wasn’t tired at all.
-….!!
-…er…
Outside the room, it seemed like she could hear something, but Ariel still couldn’t hear it.
Ariel continued to ponder. However, the difference from yesterday was that her suspicion towards Venice’s actions was growing stronger and taller.
Thinking about Venice, who had saved her. Erasing those thoughts once again. But suspicion resurfaced due to another small incident.
Two days had passed.
If. If, but what if Venice had really targeted her and approached her to gain trust.
Ariel’s eyes grew lifeless. Her heart hurt more than her stomach.
A pain that felt like her heart was pierced with a needle and twisted, came over her.
Drip…
Only small tears silently fell from her lifeless eyes. The pillow was already soaked and damp, but she couldn’t perceive that either.
The person she trusted the most, wanted to trust the most. The person she was most curious about, most interested in, turned out to possibly betray her.
Ariel resisted, but she was slowly being pulled back into the abyss she had barely escaped from. Within it, the claws that emerged snared her body and dragged her in.
The colorless life that she had managed to escape from, thanks to Venice, once again became dyed in darkness because of him.
The monster was dragged back into the barely opened monochrome garden. The doors of her heart, which had just started to open, were locked again, piled one on top of the other, never to be opened again.
“………”
When such thoughts came to her.
Ariel’s eyes were completely lifeless, and her once warm heart had turned cold.
Yet Ariel, unable to let go of even a glimmer of hope, endlessly repeated her doubts and questions. Unaware of her own impending death, she continued tirelessly, without pause…