210
Career counseling
‘The Magic Tower Alliance.’
Swallows looked around with frowning eyes.
In a dark space, around a round table, figures wearing robes of different colors were gathered.
Red, blue, green, white, gray. There were figures wearing robes of many different colors, each with a different face.
Among them, the green tower with pointy ears opened its mouth.
“The white tower has changed again? Did that unkillable guy die last time too?”
‘They said the green magic tower was an elf, and it was true.’
Swallows slightly turned their heads at the sharp gaze as sharp as their ears.
All wizards were somehow wrong, but it was even more so when they were of a different race. It was just tiring to get involved with them.
“Huh, you’re not even pretending to hear? That’s why wizards these days… are so young and innocent….”
I can’t believe I’m still young at the age of fifty…
“Please go that far, Mr. Kang Harbang.”
At that moment, the person sitting in the center spoke in a quiet voice.
He was a handsome young man in a gray robe. His left arm flapped open, feeling empty.
‘The author is Hans the Gray Tower Master.’
He was the most famous wizard of all time.
It’s amazing that he reached the top at such a young age, but his subsequent actions were also extraordinary.
It was the author’s achievement to take the position of Imperial Educator from the White Tower Master and to tie those plump Tower Masters together like this.
And that was also the reason why Swallows attended the Magic Tower Alliance meeting.
‘We finally met.’
The research presented by Hans was of great help to Swallows in their research on Vivian. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Hans led the research from the beginning.
With Vivian’s second transplant imminent, his advice would certainly be helpful.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Hans, the Gray Tower Master.”
When our eyes met, Hans was the first to greet us.
“White-topped Swallowtail. It is a pleasure to meet you. Your research on the beloved of Mana is truly a great discovery. There are a few things I am curious about about him-.”
Swallows answered, jumping up without realizing it. He had seen a lot of his research, so he felt a sense of familiarity with him.
“Haha, I’m glad it helped. Let’s talk about it later.”
Hans answered, looking away. The other magicians were glaring at him with disapproving eyes, but he didn’t really care.
“It’s ‘exactly’.”
Swallows sat down, feeling relieved that they had achieved their goal.
“But is the magic circle transplant going well?”
At that moment, the green magician asked with a goblin-like expression. Swallows realized that even handsome men could be ugly.
‘···I can’t help but be interested.’
If magic circle transplantation actually becomes possible, it will be possible to overcome the biggest weakness of magicians: casting speed.
Although he was assisting him by using magic tools, they were consumables and had extremely low stability.
Advanced magic tools with excellent stability were extremely expensive and not very efficient.
The Swallows looked around at them for a moment, their sparkling eyes somewhere between those of a wizard and a merchant.
“If successful, I plan to announce the results.”
Swallows said calmly.
“······Announcing that? What are you thinking?”
The green tower asked again with a goblin-like face. The emotion on his face was distrust.
The expressions on the faces of the other magicians weren’t much different.
“It is unacceptable for knowledge to be monopolized.”
Swallows looked around at them and spoke calmly.
Of course, there was no way I could follow him by announcing it. Who else could there be as good as Kanna?
‘I guess we can name this magic transplant technique Kanna.’
Swallows nodded after thinking about it that far.
“···A strange guy has become the owner of the magic tower.”
The green tower muttered with a trembling face.
At that moment, Hans, who was smiling slightly, got up from his seat.
“You are right. A monopoly on knowledge is a scourge to the advancement of magic.”
Everyone flinched at Hans’ muttering. The green-haired man coughed and looked away.
“Anyway, the reason we gathered here is···.”
There was a brief silence, and everyone was looking at Hans’ mouth.
“The Imperial Family has requested that the Magic Tower Alliance perform magic appropriate for the coronation ceremony.”
Everyone swallowed their silence at Hans’ words.
“We’re not clowns or anything…”
The green tower grumbled softly.
To show off a magic trick at the coronation ceremony was like treating a clown with a contemptuous attitude.
but-.
“It is the emperor’s order, so what can I do?”
An old man in a red robe spoke as he stroked his beard. His face looked uneasy.
“That’s right. Since it is the Emperor’s order, he will give a huge amount of money and valuables. Let’s all think positively about it.”
A middle-aged woman wearing a blue robe agreed. She had an ordinary appearance, but her eyes moved busily.
‘It’s a coronation ceremony…’
The swallows let out a small slur.
Seeing that Aaron had asked for the transplant to be completed before the coronation, it was clear that he was planning something then. I started to feel uneasy for no reason.
“What kind of magic should I use…? There was a magician who was banned from the castle gate because the magic he used in the palace was not very good….”
The green tower muttered again.
The royal family had very picky tastes. Any small mistake would surely be disastrous.
Although it was certain that fame and money would follow if it was successful, the risk was too great.
Everyone’s expression was subtle. They looked both greedy and scared.
Swallows had no intention of receiving.
Now the Swallows were running out of time just preparing Vivian’s second transplant. They had no time to conceive of imperial magic.
“But as you all know, isn’t it actually harmful to involve too many people in creating magic?”
Then Hans asked in a low voice.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
“So, I plan to proceed with the planning myself and have others provide support.”
That wasn’t a question, it was a one-sided notification.
Swallows didn’t care, but since it was an imperial event and the ball was so big, the other magicians were sure to object.
However, contrary to expectations, everyone nodded.
“Of course, we will share the ball, so don’t worry.”
“Ahem… No one would have thought that Hans would have it all to himself.”
The green magic wand that had been frowning until just now grinned.
“I will tell you later what items you need help with.”
Swallows nodded at Hans’ blue eyes staring back at him.
‘A magic that will satisfy the royal family…’
As a wizard, I felt an inevitable curiosity.
***
The annex of the Kuabarou where we are currently staying is really clean, just like its personality.
Because of the magic, the inside was larger than it looked from the outside. There were quite a few rooms, so much so that each room could be used separately.
There were only the necessities there. It had an atmosphere similar to that of a medieval, wealthy, single-person home for an old man.
The place that used to be was now full of unemployed people.
Men in shabby tunics of all kinds were shouting their beliefs and searching for God.
I could understand that much, but-.
“Even if I walk down a dark path-! Even if I can’t see an inch ahead-!!”
It was a bit difficult to see the guys who were tightly packed together as a suicide squad shaking their fists up and down and singing a strange song.
The voice was filled with determination and desperation, which made it somewhat burdensome. It seemed that the shock of being fired was severe.
‘This is fucking crazy.’
I clicked my tongue and stared at the mini-lung next to me.
The mini-lugger wearing the leather armor I had rescued was following them, shaking his fist.
It was the mini-luggage that ended up becoming their leader.
“Why on earth do you keep turning off the lantern?”
“The dark path… Ahem….”
Mini Lungeup coughed in vain with an embarrassed look on her face in response to my question.
“Okay, just put those in the basement.”
“How could someone be in a basement…? The worship definitely started in the basement.”
Mini Lunge, with a sullen face, led them underground.
“Brother, you’re here again?”
A weasel with a white band around its head pointed to the door and asked.
The weasel’s face was very excited. The weasel was in high spirits as he hung out with the guys, talking about his successor or something.
When I turned my gaze, I saw unemployed people with red faces from the cold peeking out their heads around the door.
“How many people?”
“Oh, I’ll check.”
The weasel ran out, making a noise. The weasel easily called out to those outside. The sight was unusual.
“Yes, yes, this is where the Cardinal, the abbot, and the deposed Lord Brighton resides. How many people are there? Oh, and those who are hungry, raise your hands.”
The weasel took care of them skillfully, looking just like a successful restaurant employee.
“Brother, there are two monks for one inquisitor.”
The weasel approached quietly and spread its fingers. It looked as if it was placing an order at a restaurant.
“Is there any bread left?”
I clicked my tongue and asked him. I bought a lot of bread, but it was gone quickly because of the thugs.
“Yes, there is still room. Should I order more?”
“okay.”
“Well… maybe because it’s the capital, bread is more expensive than I thought. Why don’t you order something a little cheaper? It’s hard, but you should be able to eat it if you put some saliva on it.”
The weasel spoke, moving the tips of its pointed eyes up and down.
“Okay. Don’t play around with food.”
I clicked my tongue, took out a silver coin, and flicked it at the weasel.
“Then why did you buy fish bread… Then I’ll order bread!”
The weasel, who had been watching the situation, wiggled its butt and ran off somewhere. It was clear that some of the silver coins would end up in the guy’s pocket, as he had come to a compromise with the bakery.
“What… is it?”
At that moment, a familiar voice was heard beyond the open door.
“You have to wait in line. Hey, hey, don’t cut in line. Please wait in line!”
“What do you mean by line···”
“Oh, let’s get in line.”
“No, this is my house!”
I turned my head at the voice full of injustice and saw Kuabarou caught by the weasel. His face was a mixture of bewilderment and confusion.
‘Ah, it was the Kkwobarou house.’
I nodded and gestured.
“Let me in.”
“Okay! You’re lucky.”
“···Let me in! I said it’s my house!”
As he entered, Kuabarou’s eyes widened as he was stopped by the priests sitting in a circle praying.
Perhaps because the people who had been dismissed were gathered together, the atmosphere was extremely solemn. Seeing him, Kuo Bao Rou sneakily pinched his cheek.
Soon, Kuabarou let out a small scream and came towards me with quick steps.
“What are these…?”
“This is rude to people.”
“······What are these people?!”
“They are unemployed.”
Looking at Kuobarou’s even more wrinkled face, it seemed like he didn’t understand.
“Why are the unemployed people here…? Wait! That lantern isn’t supposed to be turned off like that…. No, why are you turning the lantern off when it’s already dark!”
Kuobarou turned his head wildly at the noises coming from all directions.
“Brother, add five more!!”
At that moment, the weasel shouted frivolously.
“Squeak······.”
Kuobarou started making the sound of an electric rice cooker.
At that moment, the abbot came down. His face was strangely relaxed.
The abbot turned his gaze to Kuobarou’s strange scream. The abbot’s face hardened as he saw the chaos below.
“What are you guys doing!”
The abbot shouted loudly. Kuo Bao Rou looked at the abbot with an impressed face.
‘It must be because I’m reading the Bible in the wrong posture or something.’
I clicked my tongue, anticipating the nagging that was to follow.
However, it was different from what I expected.
“You should be polite when you come to someone else’s house! Aren’t you the benefactor who took us in when we had nowhere else to go? And yet, this is such a mess! How is this any different from you and Aaron!”
The stern-faced abbot shouted.
Then the unemployed started to move busily and start to organize.
‘Buy at the bottom. Buy at the bottom.’
I thought about the Cassadic coin and tried to control my temper.
They are currently unemployed, but it would certainly be a great help if they were sent to Cassidy.
“Add two more!!”
···That’s probably true.
***
The abbot and Kuo Bao Rou had strangely similar feelings.
They are all crazy in their own fields, and even have eccentric personalities.
The two of them were sitting across from each other at the table. The look in their eyes as they looked at each other was unusual.
There was a certain tension hovering around the area.
I looked at him while pressing Kanna’s head, which had somehow managed to climb onto my lap.
“The child still lacks willpower, but he has a clear head and a good personality, so if we continue to educate him, he has the potential to become a great priest.”
The abbot thrust the Bible into his hand with a stern face and said:
His eyes were clearer than usual.
Guobarou, his eyebrows furrowed, hurriedly opened his mouth.
“A monk to Kanna? What kind of dragon is that? You’re telling me to work the fields. Kanna will later become the Lord of the White Tower… no, a being beyond that.”
Kuo Bao Rou spoke firmly as if it were a confirmed fact.
“Matapju… I heard that the life in Matap is so harsh that half of the people run away. Do you plan on making that child do something so difficult?”
“How difficult. I am already the leader of the magic tower. And aren’t you the one who said that already excommunicated from the church? How can someone like that talk about the path of a priest…?”
This time, the abbot’s eyebrows rose at Kuobarou’s clean counterattack.
The abbot, who was about to answer, coughed slightly. The shabby tunic was strangely shabby.
A dark path-! At that moment, there was a sound of something breaking from below and a scream. I looked at the abbot and asked.
“Why were you dismissed? Did you complain to the Pope?”
“Ahem···. I don’t know.”
The abbot answered, avoiding eye contact.
‘This kid really nags.’
No matter what, he was really a great gentleman who even complained to the Pope.
“Are you going to fire me for complaining a little? The teaching profession is really mean.”
“That’s not the kind of person who would do that. There must be a reason.”
The abbot shook his head, feeling my pockets. They were strangely bulging. It seemed as if I had received a severance pay.
“···But why are you coming to my house?”
Kkwobarou asked as if he was really curious. The abbot coughed in vain and avoided eye contact.
“So what are you going to do with Kanna? You’re not going to let her follow the path of a priest like that dismissed man said, are you?”
When there was no answer, Guobarou frowned for a moment and asked again.
Looking at him with his hands in his pockets, it seemed as if he was going to take out his cane.
“Of course, the position of a Cardinal may feel sweet, but all the Cardinals I met during my time as a Cardinal were full of worries and concerns. Do you intend to make them live a life where they cannot even trust their own disciples and are suspicious of them?”
“Don’t worry. I’m ready to give it to you whenever you want.”
Kuobarou cut off the abbot’s words and spoke with a determined face.
“Why are you asking me that?”
The two of them looked at me with different eyes. I pressed my round head against them.
“The child will decide for himself.”
Her dilated purple eyes stared at me.
Whether it was because of the training she received from the abbot, or because of the second Vivian transplant that was coming up, the area under her eyes was dark.
“Yes, Kanna. Of course it’s the magic path! Just think about what we’ve done so far.”
Kuobarou jumped up from his seat and shouted.
“As you asked earlier, if you become a priest, you can heal any wound. Of course, it may take time depending on the opponent.”
His voice rose slightly, even though he pretended not to be the abbot.
Kanna, who was receiving the hot gaze of the two, stared at me.
Those eyes looked quite clear.
“It’s okay. I will follow your choice.”
I nodded slightly. Then Kanna smiled brightly and pursed her lips.
“I am-.”
Kanna, who had been licking her lips for a moment, spoke slowly.
I was needlessly nervous about having a full-scale career counseling session.
It was almost a matter of winning or losing in farming.
Either way, I’ll be fine living off of it.
‘Except for the abbot, all the priests have bulging bellies, so they should be able to eat and live well. Even nobles cannot be treated carelessly···.’
I nodded, thinking of Kanna, who had grown plump and was wearing a monk’s uniform.
‘But is a magician better than a priest?’
Then I thought of Kanna stepping on Kuabarou’s head, and that was also okay.
Since the White Tower Master, Guobarou, had said that he would give up his seat when the time came, there was no need to exert unnecessary effort.
When I was struggling between the two, Kanna continued speaking.
However, the content was very, very different from what I expected.
“······I will be Aaron!”
Kanna, who had been holding a bucket over her head, raised both hands.
He held her tiny hand so tightly that it looked like a small stone.
‘···Can I do it?’
It was the heaviest thing I’ve ever heard.
“Oh my god···. How could that···.”
“···Oh my god.”
Kuobarou sighed softly and pressed his temples, and the abbot looked for God.
I sighed softly as I looked into Kanna’s clear eyes.
It was acceptable from Kanna’s perspective, as he saved her from the gangsters and guaranteed her a comfortable life.
Reflected in those clear purple eyes, I looked like a criminal who had been arrested by the police.
After thinking for a moment, I shook my head.
“I’m not that great of a person.”
“Aaron is great. He’s strong and kind. He’s also good to people! And······.”
Kanna, who raised both her thumbs, went on to explain at length why I was so great. Her crude compliment really hit home, so I had to avert my gaze.
‘···You’ll find out later.’
When I was young, I also wanted to be like the older brother from the next class who was good at fighting. After that brother stole my money, I turned into a movie star with cool eyebrows.
‘The guards’ salary is cheap.’
I pressed my round head hard, my mouth watering.
The guard wasn’t a bad job. It was peaceful, relaxing, and fun. It was also good for my mental health because I got to beat up medieval guys.
At that moment, Park Dae-gari raised his hand. His eyes sparkled with a different meaning than Kanna’s.
“I will be a tree! A tree that bears lots of fruit and provides lots of shade! A tree that helps people!”
Park Daegari spread his arms wide and chatted. He smiled brightly as he spoke, as if he was excited.
I had no idea what to point out first: ‘You’re already a grown man’ or ‘People can’t become trees.’
‘Still better than that guy.’
I felt a little relieved.
“It would be better to become a tree···.”
“Ahem… Let’s quickly get to Bible education….”
I pretended not to hear the mutterings of the losers.
“Get in line! Get in line!”
At that moment, the weasel’s voice was heard.
Looking down, he saw five elders caught by the weasel.
‘It’s just beginning.’
I pressed my round head hard and got up from my seat.
***
‘I think around twenty would be enough.’
I muttered, touching the mask on my face.
“······Do I really have to wear that mask?”
The five elders wearing the usual black masks asked timidly.
I clicked my tongue at such a stupid question that didn’t even know the basics.
“Disguise is one of two things. Either you hide your face or you attract attention.”
He spoke briefly while stretching. Talking was good for relieving tension. He often rapped on the battlefield.
“Let’s say the culprit is a giant wearing a pink mask. What would the people chasing him say about his characteristics? They’d probably say he’s a cool guy wearing a pink mask. Those chasing him can’t help but be obsessed with his characteristics.”
Knock knock. I took a deep breath as I stroked the handle of the knife. My body moved up and down, my muscles relaxing.
“···Are you two really planning to do it together?”
The five elders sighed softly and asked another question.
I turned my gaze to him. There was a bright space at the end of the alley.
It was a large square where events were held, but unlike usual, there were imperial knights walking around instead of guards.
Even though it was night and the sun had set, the plaza was as bright as day. There were many people, even if they were not the royal knights.
It was clear that preparations were being made for the coronation ceremony to be held in two days.
“The king must lead by example.”
Although he was chosen as the king of the demons at that meeting, he was never properly acknowledged by them.
Of course, aside from that, the Devil Candies would come to the coronation for their own reasons, but they needed to be reassured.
Additionally, it was necessary to inform those who might gather to rebel that the imperial family was not invincible.
There was also a need to draw attention to the square to make things a little more comfortable.
It was a work in which such complex factors came into play.
“Aim for the neck.”
He spoke lightly and gestured, and the five elders nodded.
I turned my gaze to him.
The main square had many roads leading to it. The alley in front of me was one of them.
In a narrow, dark alley, two imperial knights could be seen in the distance.
There were two guarding a narrow passage that could have easily been guarded by one.
One of the imperial knights was yawning, while the other had his sword turned to the side.
Both of them were just pretending to stand guard. The helmet was also on the box next to them. They seemed to have no sense of crisis at all.
After all, what crazy person would touch an imperial knight in the capital?
If it weren’t for the rumors of the coronation, I’d bet they’d be drinking.
‘after-.’
I exhaled, lowered my head, and staggered like a drunk.
“Stop right there.”
The yawning man spoke in an annoyed voice.
I raised my head slightly. It was a guy who looked like a cucumber. His eyes were quite gentle, and his right hand felt heavy.
“You’re wearing a really fucking mask. Hey, look at this!”
The one who clicked his tongue gestured to the side. The one who was looking the other way turned his gaze. It was the one with red eyes.
I glanced down at him. There were red marks around my feet. They were quite sticky.
I staggered closer as if I hadn’t heard him.
This worked quite well. Medieval people were generally drunk, so they tended to empathize with drunkards.
“This kid looks really drunk?”
The cucumber-like guy chuckled. It was a teasing reaction, as expected.
However, the red-eyed one’s face crumpled. He slowly lowered his hand to the sword. His waist twisted slightly.
‘It’s a dud.’
I took another step forward, keeping an eye on him.
He pulled out his sword. It was a good sword, so it made a slight sound. It was a light gesture, as if chasing away an insect, but as he was an imperial knight, the angle was sharp.
I clicked my tongue as I saw the bastard’s sword pointed straight at my neck. Just because I took the wrong path, he’d cut my head off right away.
It was a decisiveness worthy of an imperial knight.
But there was no aura on the bastard’s sword. Thanks to that, the speed was slow and the strength was low.
When catching drunks, you have to do your best.
It seemed like the guy hadn’t received the guard rules.
“There’s blood spraying!”
The cucumber-like guy took a step back, disgusted.
It seemed like someone had taken the wrong path before.
Thanks to that, the path became a little easier. I bowed deeply, thanking the cucumber. The back of my head felt cool for a moment.
A sneer appeared on the red-eyed man’s face. He looked at him and quickly waved his right hand.
The bastard tried to twist his sword and strike me.
However, the distance was too close.
‘I should have pulled out the auror.’
I grabbed the bastard’s wrist and twisted it with force.
The astonished man belatedly raised his voice. His resistance grew, but it was already too late. My fist had already struck the guy in the neck.
Crunch. With a heavy sound, the guy’s body collapsed. I grabbed the guy’s sword and turned around.
A very angry cucumber was stabbing himself with his sword. He was a lethal man, stabbing himself in the back of the head with his sword.
The bastard’s aura was twice as bright and long as that of a normal knight. Thanks to that, his movements were also very nimble.
I pulled the broken one and blocked the front.
“Vice-!”
The relationship between the two was quite good, and the cucumber guy turned his sword in shock.
The skill of naturally opening the sword path in the middle was quite good, but the sword was delayed for a very brief moment.
That was enough to fix my grip on the sword. I held my breath and lifted the sword at an angle.
Although it was a sword technique that I was completely familiar with, I was able to avoid the sword attack just barely because of the bastard’s speed.
Kaaaaang-!
Even though I had clearly flown it perfectly, a heavy impact was transmitted through the sword. Even though it was just a surface aura, sparks flew and more than half of my sword was cut away.
‘Damn it.’
Sure enough, the imperial knight was an imperial knight.
The guy’s dazed eyes were visible through the tangled swords.
It seemed like the first time he had seen a sword technique that flowed with aura. The bastard quickly came to his senses and tried to turn his sword, but this time too, he was a little late.
It was an obvious mistake at a crucial moment,
That was his signature.
I struck the guard of my sword hard with my left fist. Kuung-! With a heavy sound, the entangled swords shook violently, and my sword was cut by the guy’s aura.
Still, the shock seemed to have been fully conveyed, and the guy’s mouth fell open.
“Ugh-.”
The guy’s exhaled breath gave off a foul odor. It was mixed with the smell of blood and was nauseating. The guy shook violently and lost his balance.
The guy’s face was wide open. I twisted my waist at the sound of air bursting.
“Okay… Wait… I’m the royal family…”
The guy’s words escaped through the hole in his throat.
I saw my face in the eyes of the guy who was slowly falling.
It was the face of a brilliant murderer, without any emotion.
“I think I need to go to career counseling again.”
I took the guy’s sword and shook my numb hands.
“Career counseling?”
The five elders took off the armor of the imperial knight and asked.
“There is something like that. It is mine.”
The five elders who were touching the armor that was less stained with blood crumpled their expressions.
I changed into my armor, struggling through the narrow alley.
I picked a big one, but it was a little tight. Anyway, these guys were too small.
“Damn, this guy’s legs are too short.”
The five elders, standing awkwardly, muttered in a trembling voice.
I laughed at that stupid sight, but I wasn’t much different.
“I guess I’ll have to find a bigger one.”
I clicked my tongue and touched my groin.
“······king.”
The five elders who had been muttering nodded.
I crouched down and dipped my finger in the blood on the floor and wrote on the guys’ bodies.
‘The King of Demons has arrived.’
Then I remembered that there are more people who can’t read, so I added a devil emoticon below it.
A moment later, two hunched imperial knights emerged from a dark alley.
