44 – One Step
“Is it still okay?”
There was no need to miss the opportunity that was rolling in.
When should he enjoy such a comfortable time?
An opportunity to stay in the mansion of the wealthiest tycoon in the world.
A time like honey in a hard life.
“What should we do?”
“We… have no reason to refuse.”
“You thought well.”
Darahan looked out the window.
It was a bright night sky without a cloud.
He could see the half-cut moon and the scattered stars.
‘I used light magic.’
But it wasn’t ordinary light magic.
Born, it was the most beautiful light magic ever seen.
Even if you try to imitate it, it’s impossible.
Even thinking back, you can’t recreate it the same way.
It’s a fascinating thing.
“Magic… truly fascinating.”
How often did Darahan get lost in such thoughts?
“Even if you think you know everything, when you dig deeper, something new comes out, just like the magic you’ve seen.”
Lucion recalled.
Only light magic was shown.
Thinking about it, Bright was a magic created later. A magic designed by the glory-class priests of the sect and the white tower’s high-ranking mages. At this point, it was a magic that hadn’t been developed yet.
“Oh.”
Lucion didn’t think he could deceive Darahan. He honestly explained the principles of magic.
“It’s called Bright. Instead of increasing the output of light magic, it injects holiness instead of mana since bright light can be painful to the eyes.”
Bright was a short and brilliant magic. Its usage was different from illuminating dark places with light for an extended period.
Seeing a gap in the sphere, Lucion, fearing that it might damage people’s eyesight, had used Bright magic instead.
Darahann sighed briefly.
“I see. It was holy magic.”
Darahann gestured for the maids to come closer.
A maid quickly approached with a tray. In her hands was an incense burner.
Darahann explained, even though Lucion hadn’t asked.
“It’s an item often used when the story gets long. It drives away sleep and creates comfort in the body.”
Dara leaned back.
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For a while, she seemed to have the intention of telling the story here, so she put her cane down.
A faint light and the scent of cinnamon spread from the incense burner on the table.
“The scent in the room was the scent of the incense burner.”
It seemed like a very strong scent, but if it was the scent of the incense burner, she understood.
Dara spoke comfortably.
“Thanks to you, I’ve solved all the mysteries. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”
Dura was isolated in the room.
The reason why my parents and the servants of the mansion were afraid of Dara.
I saw the cause of all of that changing directly.
“I’m still confirming whether I’ve extracted everything. But with just one of his bodies, I can find them all. I’ve already cast observation magic, so I’ll find them soon if there are any more.”
Dara’s understanding and speed of handling things are far from common sense for ordinary people.
She sees the body of Sekera with the eyes of a sage and analyzes the structure of the body. No matter how much she disguises herself, she cannot escape the artifacts created by Dara, even if she can deceive human eyes.
Mana was not visible when observed with a particle observer.
“You call it magic.”
“Yes.”
“Like the sacred power you all use, I can’t feel it from my side.”
That’s why Dara could devote herself to magic. Other people can feel even a little bit of sacred power and magic, but Dara only lives with mana.
Even if sacred power is embedded in his body, Dara couldn’t feel it.
Color blindness is similar.
Darahan did not consider it a curse bestowed upon himself but rather embraced it as a blessing.
Simply because he could solely focus on magic.
“However, if you have a body, you can analyze and expose it.”
Darahan had thoroughly scrutinized at least the present world and mana, ultimately positioning himself at the highest among all humanity.
Darahan’s gaze casually swept over the two.
“Siblings… no, what kind of relationship do you two have?”
Lucion briefly glanced at Lucia.
He was holding a cup, melting his chilled hands. The tea wasn’t particularly warm, but the water in the cup sparkled as if imbued with sacred energy. It wasn’t a steaming tea. Judging by the steam, it had been heated.
Lucia seemed lost in reminiscence, not paying attention to the conversation.
Whether Lucion noticed his gaze or not, he was startled, and he put the cup back on the table.
“We grew up in the same orphanage.”
“Well, you’re impressive too, but that child… possesses a considerable amount of mana.”
Darahan could analyze people even down to their genetic traits with his eyes.
“If it’s not impolite… how much do you know?”
“It is impolite.”
It seemed more impolite to be able to see that.
“However, it would be unfair if only I knew. I can tell your age, life expectancy, the quantity and favorable attributes of your mana, and how much attention you’re paying to that child, at least…”
Darahan glanced at Lucia briefly.
“…you’re paying less attention to that child than I expected.”
Lucia, who was listening to the story, trembled as her own story unexpectedly unfolded.
“Oh.”
Though not deliberately staring, Lucia always paid attention to Lusion. Just a momentary diversion of her gaze could lead to trouble.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Lucia devoted all her senses to Lusion, except for her sight.
“I… I don’t really care!”
The room fell silent at the blunt remark.
Following that, Lucia blushed, hastily lifted the teacup, and sipped the tea.
Watching Lucia’s embarrassment, Darahan lightly smiled and spoke to Lusion.
“You don’t need to go back to the inn. The master must have already headed there. They’ll be handling baggage and expenses.”
“Thank you for your convenience.”
“Consider it a reward.”
Darahan’s innocence was proven, and the cause was eliminated. It was up to the survivors to mend the strained relationships.
In other words, Lusion and the others had already done everything they could.
“Do you remember the task I gave you?”
“Yes.”
Lusion took a request form from his bosom and laid it on the table. At the top was a statement: ‘Exorcism Task for the Young Sorcerer Enchanted by the Demon.’
“You were asked to let the grandson trapped in the room see the light.”
“That’s right. You understood it well. It was frustrating not being able to communicate with the grandson… I sincerely appreciate it.”
“Are you alright?”
“What do you mean? About Darahan’s parents?”
Durahan claimed that his parents were from Sekaera. They must have found it hard to trust each other.
Lusion affirmed through silence.
“I’m fine. The young couple is alive. I’m more concerned about my grandson than myself.”
“I see…”
“By the way, my kids asked you to convey their gratitude. They’re already at the mansion. I haven’t entered as they told me not to.”
There was a portal between Daharan’s mansion and Oslan. Although sending others through it was impossible, high-level mages could use this dimensional gate magic.
Yet, he refrained from entering, considering Lusion’s feelings.
Expressing gratitude to parents who didn’t even know you was a burdensome task.
“They have more time in the capital. You might receive more help later.”
Delohan de Myus, being a son of a high-ranking sorcerer and realizing early on that he couldn’t match Daharan’s achievements with magic, had chosen commerce. If Daharan contributed to the kingdom by creating artifacts, Delohan made and sold magical gadgets. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that almost all educational toys in the market came from Delohan. Myus was a name that held considerable sway within the kingdom.
With Daharan, who bore the kingdom’s expectations, secluded in his room, the family’s worries were far from over.
“So, do you have any goals during your stay in Panathia? I’ll help as much as I can.”
Lusion replied without hesitation.
“I plan to form an expeditionary force.”
# # #
Daharan let out a short sigh.
“It’s an objective that cannot be achieved under the current laws.”
They were blocked by the kingdom’s legislation.
It was to prepare for a rebellion.
“If the law hinders, then I will change the law. Not immediately, of course… And I won’t be taking it leisurely either.”
Laws are created by the legislature.
Lucion is saying that he will seize control of or persuade the legislature to change the law.
“You…”
Darahan was lost in thought.
“You’re not aiming for something easy to achieve. Can I hear the reason why you want to form an expedition?”