749 – 8.5 Manatee (21)
You can save Celine.
She couldn’t even remember how far she had traveled to get the answer. It was a possibility that she had been looking for as she broke down, fell, and got hurt.
More than anything, I was extremely grateful that Leto’s sacrifice could be rewarded.
For me, it was such happy news that I inadvertently clenched my fist, but Elsie’s voice was calm. It’s like she’s a teacher reciting obvious facts.
[“Of course, it takes time… ….”]
Senior Elsie’s eyelids closed for a moment. It took only a few seconds for the girl to huff, tilt her head, gather her thoughts, and open her mouth again.
[“The important thing is to make the ‘contract’ tangible. As you know, a ‘contract’ cannot be broken by magic. It’s a technique that operates under different laws than the ones we know, right? However, it is a different story if you can bring witchcraft to the physical level.”]
“Is that possible?”
[“It’s impossible right now. But, if you do a little more research… It will be possible as long as it is not too late.”]
Contrary to my question, Elsie seemed confident as she answered. She literally said that she could do anything if she had enough time.
We just don’t know how much time it will take.
So does that mean we should put aside our worries for now?
Viltheon told me. If Celine doesn’t cross the line anymore, she will take responsibility and forgive her sins.
Of course, he would not know what state Celine was in. Since she has fallen into the hands of the Dark Church again, she will have no choice but to appear before humanity again someday. Because her powerful power was rare.
There was no way the Dark Church would quietly tolerate one of the Seven Sins.
My worries also stemmed from him. When Celine’s flame reappeared, she had no idea how many lives it would burn.
No one expected to harm even a single person. Not only me, but Biltheon too. But what if Viltheon harms people to the point that it can’t handle it?
It would be nice if we could find a way before that happens.
As there was a physical distance between me and senior Elsie, there was bound to be an obstacle to real-time communication. These were difficult conditions to prepare for an unexpected situation.
That was the reason why I suggested Elsie to join.
“Senior Elsie, how is life in the forest?”
[“Well, it’s always like that… Every day, research, practice, study, practice… Ugh… ….”]
“Would you like to join once the work is finished?”
As expected, Elsie looked a bit cold.
[“Join? Where are you going again?”]
“I think I will go to Heavenly Sword Mountain. “Because of what the old swordsman said, and also because it’s a place I’m personally interested in.”
It was a secret that more than half of the ‘interest’ was due to Seria’s current status.
Because there was a risk of inadvertently arousing Elsie’s jealousy.
In fact, it was better to make her jealous to encourage her to join. However, this only applies when the other person shows a negative attitude.
There was no reason to stimulate unnecessary emotions in someone who was already positive about the proposal.
Senior Elsie’s worries did not last long. Senior Elsie, who was glancing at her, noticed that she was acting calm.
[“Hmm… There is still some research left to do…… “]
Unlike the blurred ends of his words, his eyes become bright.
It meant that it was more than halfway done. At the time, I was wondering if my next trip would be with senior Elsie.
[“Well, if you ask me to follow you, there’s nothing I can’t do… Kwaaat at while at while while at at at at at while at Kyaaa ]Wa whilst whilst whilst at whilst whilst at&???”___A? Him)_Aa’s the?]
Lightning fell.
It was literally a ‘thunderbolt’. What else can define the lightning that falls from a dry sky without any foreshadowing?
Elsie’s body trembled and then stiffened as she accepted His Highness. And the time it took for it to collapse like a rotten tree trunk was literally a moment.
The culprit was clear.
In the first place, not only were there only two people beyond the crystal ball, but there weren’t many people who could subdue a high-ranking wizard who specialized in electric current with lightning.
Tap.
A gombang fell down on the cone hat, from which white smoke was rising. Although the crystal ball was small and the face could not be seen, the identity of the other person was clear just from the voice alone.
[“Hmph, where are we going? There is still a lot to learn… Double chanting, multiple attributes, ‘Gyeol(結)’ and ‘Solution(解)’… ….”]
Soon, cigarette smoke is exhaled.
A glistening wrist and arm were briefly reflected in the crystal ball. Needless to say, she was the ‘Great Witch’.
[“It’s not enough. Considering the circumstances, I will allow personal research, but leaving here will be at a later date.”]
It couldn’t have been said about just one person.
Senior Elsie has to concentrate on her training for a while, so this probably means that she should avoid saying anything else.
It was a reasonable decision for a teacher. It would be better for me to be with Elsie, but Elsie also had work to do.
Becoming stronger and carrying on her uncle’s legacy.
I couldn’t bear to abandon him, so I bowed my head obediently.
“I understand, Master.”
I couldn’t even hide my mixed sighs.
Anyway, the conclusion was reached. The great witch seemed satisfied with this, but she exhaled cigarette smoke and did not say anything.
Just until senior Elsie suddenly stands up.
[“Laugh… Don’t be afraid, you old woman! Anyway, how can you make a lightning strike suddenly?!”]
Following the evil voice, the screen of the crystal ball shook. It was probably Elsie senior who was making her struggle so rough.
On the other hand, the great witch’s tone in response was relaxed.
[“Tsk tsk, if you had tried harder on a regular basis… ….”]
[“Effort is freezing… I practiced until I died, even reducing my sleep time! “You’re just jealous!”]
Until senior Elsie’s revelations begin.
It was hard to see clearly because her crystal ball was shaking, but the Great Witch’s tone was clearly shaking. Just judging by her stuttering and rising tone, she did.
[“W-what… Jealousy! Where did you hear such nonsense…… !”]
[“Hmph, is that kind of person grinning for a while holding a picture of our master? I saw a photo in a telegram a while ago and…….”]
[“No, no… Well, that’s just it!”]
I can’t even see the screen properly, but the story flows as it pleases.
Isn’t it unreasonable? That was the reason why I spoke out in timid defiance.
“Well, Master…” … ?”
[“My wife, it’s my first child! Don’t get me wrong… There is some misunderstanding in this!”]
[“No matter what, you have to have a conscience… Even if you’re worse than me, you’re hundreds of years older than me… Kkuuu!!
Rumble!
The sound of dark clouds gathering and friction in the atmosphere was heard. With a flash, the area beyond the crystal ball becomes incandescent, and the vision turns upside down.
Now the screen was meaningless. Only the noise of two women fighting is heard.
It was clear that it was a futile attempt, but I decided to give it one more try.
“Senior Elsie?”
[“Hey, let’s hang up for now…” Contact me next time…… !”]
Suddenly.
Until the end, I had the feeling that Elsie had raised her voice for some reason, but a detailed reading was impossible. I was just standing there dumbfounded in front of a crystal ball that suddenly cut off.
How much is that?
“…… “We get along well.”
After these thoughts, I turned my back.
I am relieved that even though we cannot be together, the daily lives of the Great Witch and Senior Elsie will be enjoyable.
It was a day toward the end of winter.
**
“Welcome, Sir Ian.”
How long has it been since I shared a happy ending with a face I miss?
I walked into the garden located in the corner of the academy. It was a place that had been abandoned for a long time and had not been maintained, but the luxurious table in the middle of it was very noticeable.
Even the pleasant men who were there.
Dark blue hair resembling the night sky and blue eyes resembling a swordsman proved his lineage. His broad shoulders and strong forearms showed off his youth and vitality.
Virteon, the first prince of the empire.
The man, who was now the next heir to the throne, was pouring wine into a glass as before.
My face was slightly red. How many drinks have I had already?
First, I bowed my head and showed respect to the royal family.
“It is an honor to invite you, Your Highness Biltheon.”
“Another hard sound.”
Of course, the response was not very good.
If you think about it, the emperor and the swordsman did not seem to welcome more courtesy than necessary in a situation where they were alone. Even this doesn’t fool the blood.
Thinking of these useless thoughts, I took a step forward. The destination was opposite Biltheon, a spot he had personally chosen.
Gurgling, the glass fills up.
“It’s been a while since we talked just the two of us…” So, how have you been?”
“Don’t you know better than me? Also, it’s been a while…… “
Today is the second time.
There was no way to utter such an unsociable rebuttal. Biltheon tipped his glass before me, so I drank along with him without saying a word.
Fragrant aroma, bitterness unique to red wine.
There was no unpleasant alcohol smell. It seemed refreshing, but at the end, the heavy fruity scent that left a clean finish gave me an idea of the price range of this drink.
“…… “That’s too much alcohol.”
“Really? “For a master who only has four people on the continent, I thought it was an insufficient skill.”
“Isn’t the essence of alcohol getting drunk? Cheap whiskey is enough for me.”
Tsk tsk tsk.
Viltheon burst into satisfied laughter as if that was indeed the case. Perhaps because I was drunk, I felt a little more relaxed than usual.
“Excess, excess… okay. “If you look at it that way, it’s full of excess.”
It was a voice filled with strange regret.
I wondered if my words might have offended him, but Biltheon was not the kind of man to do that. Looking back, wasn’t it like this when we were just the two of us in the garden in the past?
He only shows his true feelings when they are alone.
Perhaps my usual unwavering appearance is close to a lie. No matter how great a person is, he couldn’t do that every time.
It meant that Biltheon was also living desperately.
Of course, even that natural exuberance is not a lie.
“Now that I think about it, I heard you’ve visited an orphanage in the east before? “The orphanage director there sold the orphans.”
“Yes, operating expenses are insufficient… ….”
“How much was it?”
It was a question as sudden as an unexpected change of topic.