244
No need
‘That’s the face behind the mask.’
I muttered, watching Hans’ subtle expression.
It was the same face as the Hans I knew, but the feeling was completely different.
He used to have a face that was perfect for the word ‘kind’, but now he looked lifeless, like he was a wreck.
‘···The guy is a gray magician.’
As I was mumbling like that, I remembered what the guy said when he got caught stealing underwear.
[It was something that had to be done.]
How on earth does the world work that stealing underwear is something you have to do?
At the time, I thought it was just a vague excuse, but when I saw the guy who became a gray magician in less than a year······.
‘Was this really something that had to be done?’
I clicked my tongue slightly as a thought suddenly occurred to me.
If you think about it, when he wore the mask, he helped me out in various ways. He even gave me the weather forecast, and he also helped me transplant Vivian’s magic circle.
‘But why are you looking at me like that?’
The way he looked at me really bothered me. It was a sticky gaze, like looking at a lover.
Of course, we were quite close before, but I never looked at him like that.
“A prophet.”
“It’s called that too.”
The guy took a small breath. It seemed as if he was trying to hold back the words that were about to burst out. I lightly touched the glass to him.
“I hope you don’t throw it.”
“oh.”
I was slightly impressed by the guy’s muttering. I thought he was just being a jerk, but it didn’t seem to be the case.
“I said that because I thought you would do that.”
“I didn’t intend to throw it.”
I answered, putting down the glass I was holding with an undergrip.
“There are such guys. Ignorant guys who immediately use magic or stab with a sword when you say prophet.”
“He may be a wise man who crosses a stone bridge after knocking on it.”
Hans smiled coolly. The old guy’s face was slightly visible, but it was quickly covered again.
“I don’t care what they do, but I hardly ever see you.”
“You can barely see it?”
The boy nodded and smiled. It was the smile that had earned him the nickname Kind Hans.
‘Can’t you see me?’
I didn’t believe him, but if I was the only exception while other guys were visible, then the reason was obvious.
‘Not some uncivilized medieval guy.’
For some reason, my mouth felt dry.
I took a quick sip of my drink.
“I know why.”
At that moment, the guy asked with strength in his eyes. The guy’s lifeless eyes sparkled as if he had just woken up.
It was the first time that the normally calm guy had shown such a violent reaction.
I looked at him and shook my head.
It was an uncivilized place where anyone who went out at night was accused of being a witch and burned at the stake. There was no reason to tell the truth. There was no need to. It was now a thing of the past.
The guy’s face suddenly distorted. It was as if a crack had spread across his mask, revealing his true face.
“···You knew that!”
Boom! The guy jumped up and slammed the table.
I held onto the shaking table and stared at the guy.
The guy who had been smiling until just now was glaring at me with his eyes wide open as if he was suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
‘This might be useful.’
Now, the corners of my mouth raised at the sight of a layer being peeled off.
However, apart from that-.
“······!”
“Where is that loud noise coming from?”
The guy who hit me in the head had a dumbfounded expression on his face.
‘There’s no shield.’
I thought he’d have some sort of defensive barrier like other wizards, but he didn’t have any.
I couldn’t tell if the guy was a prophet, but it would definitely help if the Gray Tower Master cooperated.
“When this is over.”
The guy’s expression brightened immediately at my words.
It was a bright, unadorned smile.
‘Of course, even if I found out, it wouldn’t be of much use.’
That was his problem to solve.
At that moment, the guy got up in excitement. I grabbed Dalus’ glass, which was about to fall over.
“Hypocrisy cannot leave the capital because of karma. Originally-. Ah!”
The guy who was talking fast suddenly rolled his eyes. He looked like he was possessed by a god. It was a gruesome sight that couldn’t be called acting.
‘This is crazy.’
I looked at him and sipped my wine quietly.
After a while, the guy’s eyes returned. The guy’s face looking at me was very subtle. It seemed like he was sad, or maybe surprised.
‘I saw something last time too.’
There was a similar silence when a masked man gave the weather forecast in a tent in the capital.
The guy who was opening his mouth as if he wanted to say something soon let out a deep breath. He looked at me quietly.
It seemed like he wanted me to ask him a question.
I asked him lightly.
“What’s the weather like?”
After a brief silence, Hans smiled faintly.
“It’s clear. Very clear.”
“That went well.”
The guy closed his mouth and stared at me.
“Do you have any more questions?”
“No need.”
The guy got up from his seat at my answer.
The guy who was looking down at me opened his mouth.
“Just in case, can you come up with a separate solution for what you just said? So that I can find out the reason even if you’re not here.”
The guy was babbling something unlucky. It was the story I said I would tell you later, about why he couldn’t see me through prophecy.
“I’ll make sure you can get it when you’re done.”
The guy nodded vigorously and disappeared without a trace.
Judging by the heat, it seemed like he was planning to move properly.
‘What a strange guy.’
He didn’t rush me or ask me again.
I still couldn’t figure out what the guy’s purpose was, but it was true that he had helped me so far. And this time, he had given me a clear motive.
At that moment, the door opened and the heavy footsteps returned. They were the broad, heavy footsteps of Dalus.
Dalus was holding two cleanly groomed rabbits, their workmanship so neat that not a single hair was left on them.
“You’re diligent.”
“Because I am the executioner.”
Dalus cut the meat into large pieces and threw them into the pot next to him. He did it with great skill.
“It looks like Hans has had a hard time.”
Dalus said as he put various things into the pot.
“There’s no place like Cassidy.”
Dalus nodded. I looked at the back of Dalus’ gloomy head and continued speaking.
“They say he became a prophet.”
“A prophet? Wasn’t he a wizard?”
“I know.”
There was a moment of silence. Dalus crouched down in front of the fireplace and stirred the pot. Why on earth would a big guy like him hang the pot so low?
“I guess you looked like a fool.”
I chuckled at Dalus’ serious words.
“So what did you ask?”
“weather.”
“What was it like?”
“I thought it would be good.”
“Good.”
I nodded to Dalus’ muttering. He didn’t seem to care much either.
Then the stew was finished-.
“Hans probably didn’t know you would eat this much.”
Dalus grumbled, looking down at the empty pot.
“I ate well.”
I woke up patting my full belly.
It was time to come up with a plan.
***
“Even if I walk a dark path···.”
Brighton took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Night had already passed, and reddish sunlight was streaming in through the window.
“amen.”
At that moment, a heavy voice was heard from behind.
When I turned my head, Aaron was already sitting there.
“Aaron, the Honorary Abbot.”
“The dismissed abbot of Brighton.”
Aaron Brighton covered the Bible with a bizarre joke.
“It seems like they came at the time when the dawn service ended, but there was also a service between the dawn service and the morning service······.”
“Yes, go ahead and try it.”
Brighton opened his eyes wide at Aaron’s nodding. The original Aaron would have thrown a tantrum, but he was worshipping so obediently.
‘It’s a dream.’
Brighton nodded. He must have been praying for days without sleeping, and he must have fallen asleep without realizing it. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain.
“What are you doing?”
That Aaron even urged me – it was clearly a dream.
As Brighton opened the Bible, Aaron gestured somewhere.
A knight with a somewhat sullen face entered. It was Knight Delfran. Delfran stopped at Aaron’s gesture.
“Oh, please continue.”
‘···This isn’t a dream,’
Brighton muttered softly at Aaron’s cheeky gesture.
It had happened before. It seemed like he was trying to investigate his own divine powers.
As Brighton had expected, Aaron instructed Delfran to raise his aura. Then Delfran emitted a bright aura.
‘If you listen, one day faith will sprout.’
Brighton didn’t think Aaron would come over easily. They had been expecting at least ten years. They believed he would come over someday.
Even if there was a separate purpose, where did I come to on my own feet?
Brighton read the Bible, forgetting the situation and quickly becoming absorbed in the scriptures.
As I read out loud, my mind became clearer, as if the fatigue in my body was disappearing.
While reading the Bible absentmindedly, a strange sense of incongruity broke his concentration. When he raised his head, he saw Aaron holding a strange tool to Brighton’s mouth.
It was a magic tool familiar to Brighton. It was a magic tool that made the voice louder. It was an item that was often used during worship at the main church.
“···Raising your voice doesn’t increase your divine power.”
Aaron clicked his tongue at Brighton’s answer and put the tool away.
Behind Aaron, Delphran was seen breathing heavily. His face was covered in sweat, as if he had been doing something.
“Why is that?”
Brighton asked, staring at Aaron. Aaron waved his hand. Delfran stepped back, bowing his head deeply.
“Do you know that your divine power has the power to suppress auras?”
“I know.”
Brighton nodded. How many times had that happened to him so far?
“Are the others like that too?”
Brighton shook his head at Aaron’s question.
“The light of those who have read the revised Bible has brightened, but it is still insufficient because not much time has passed.”
Revised···. Brighton nodded, muttering softly.
“Why is it insufficient?”
“They couldn’t memorize the Bible.”
“How can a priest not memorize even one verse of the Bible?”
“There are even abbots who don’t even pray, let alone worship.”
Aaron looked puzzled for a moment at Brighton’s answer. Brighton chuckled.
There was a moment of silence. Brighton stared at Aaron.
“Soldiers also deal with auras.”
Brighton furrowed his brow at Aaron’s subsequent words.
“They declared the capital a paradise and are preying on the people of the empire indiscriminately. They use that to increase their power and produce more.”
Despite the shocking content, Aaron’s voice was calm.
I had heard of the Empire’s atrocities long ago. I also knew that the Aurors gained power by feeding on humans.
But I couldn’t even imagine how many people would have been involved in making soldiers handle the aura.
Brighton’s hands were trembling as he held the Bible. It was not fear, but anger.
“I need your divine power. A lot of it. Enough to cover the battlefield-.”
Brighton shook his head at Aaron’s words. Originally, his divine power had barely increased.
Of course, Brighton’s revision of the Bible did increase its divine power significantly, but it also had its limits.
If the divine power was enough to cover the battlefield, there was no other way than for Him to actually come down.
“That’s impossible. If you make other people memorize the entire Bible, it will increase-.”
“it’s okay.”
At Aaron’s answer, Brighton stared at Aaron silently.
Just then, the back door opened and someone came in.
“You’re calling me an adult so early in the morning? You don’t even have a mom or dad… Hmm, I guess you don’t.”
“hello!”
It was the winter of the North and Vivian and the Swallows.
“There is always a way.”
Aaron said with a strangely eerie smile.
***
“Ohho… The divine power that locks the aura-.”
In the winter of the North, the little boy opened his eyes wide and focused on the lights of Brighton, as if he had never complained before.
“To be precise, it is about severing the connection with the devil.”
When Oman was in the devil’s handprint, Brighton’s prayers were disconnected.
Looking at him, Brighton’s divine power was not simply to cut off the aura.
“It would be more appropriate to think of it as a power that seals the devil’s handprint.”
“Hmm… I see. I’ve seen this somewhere before…”
“I didn’t see it! I don’t know anything!”
Vivian suddenly shouted and covered my mouth. Then she looked in my direction and blinked both eyes simultaneously.
‘···Is that a wink?’
I clicked my tongue slightly at Vivian’s wink. Vivian seemed to think I still had my handprint.
“Ah! Yes, it’s similar to what the pagans used to smell. The ending is completely different though.”
The little boy snapped his fingers and said, “It could be similar, since Brighton had rewritten his own Bible after receiving the pagan Bible.
“But won’t the pagans explode?”
“The principle is similar. The direction is different. Try again, kid.”
It was a bit of an unusual rudeness for a boy to call Brighton, whose hair was all white from the gray hairs, a kid, but the way he spoke made it seem very natural.
Brighton also started reading the Bible again, as if he had no other thoughts. No, Brighton just kept reading the Bible.
“The mana is also different, but it’s not fatal. Those who are half-assed won’t be able to use magic though-.”
Swallows coughed loudly at the little boy’s words.
Then Swallows waved his finger, which had started a small fire, but the little boy didn’t even look at him.
“Can’t you greatly inflate your divine power with mana? Just like how you greatly amplified your magic with Vivian’s mana.”
The little boy frowned at my question.
The kid then looked at me with eyes that said, “What kind of idiot is this?”
“Don’t you know the difference between mana and divine power? Even James, who was plowing the field, knew that it wouldn’t work.”
I nodded at the brat’s blunt words. The brat was right. It was a well-established theory that magic and divine powers were on different tracks.
but-.
I snapped my fingers and created a red-hot fire.
“It worked.”
The crimson glow was mostly that of arrogance, but beneath it was added mana and divine power.
The idea of amplifying divine power into mana was also possible because of handling this crimson energy.
When I showed him the actual evidence, the little boy who had been glaring at me until just now opened his eyes wide.
The little boy opened his mouth as if he was at a loss for words and examined the crimson aura. His expression was just like a monkey who had seen a fire.
As I waved my hand here and there, the little one’s eyes followed me honestly.
“What······is that?”
Gulp. The sound of the little one swallowing his saliva was particularly loud.
“What does it look like?”
Instead of answering that I didn’t know, I asked back.
The little boy’s eyes moved busily. He muttered, putting his thumb and index finger together and then taking them apart as if calculating something.
“How strange. I can clearly feel the mana. There’s also a characteristic divine power quality-. The rest is something I’ve never seen before. Is it divine power? Hoo-.”
The little boy spoke quickly, his eyes fixed on the ground without blinking.
I nodded at the analysis, which was better than I expected.
This crimson aura was what brought Brighton to mind in the story of the soldier Auror.
By using Brighton’s divine power to sever the connection with the demon, you can bring down soldiers or royal knights.
However, the range of Brighton’s divine power was too small to utilize him. It could only cover the square, so it was somewhat difficult to use in actual combat.
However, if you can control divine power with mana-.
“Then wouldn’t it be possible to increase divine power with mana?”
There was silence at my question. Vivian was still blinking. I nodded as if it was enough.
“I was also wondering about the relationship between divine power and mana. After talking to Brighton, I found that mana and divine power have similar aspects.”
Swallows took my word for it. His eyes were sparkling just like the kid’s.
“Hmm… Yes, it’s an interesting topic. Divinity and Mana-. When you actually show me examples like this, I can’t say no.”
As he said that, the little boy reached out his finger and gently touched the crimson aura.
“But that’s not a mixture of mana and divine power. Something else has eaten the two. They are completely different.”
The little boy pointed at me with his short finger. Then Swallows took his words.
“The case of you possessing the mana obtained through Vivian and the divine power inscribed upon you when the Pope died is special. Of course, that is also possible because the divine power has similar properties to mana-.”
He then shook his head at the objecting Swallows.
The two of them looked at me with subtle expressions.
“The strongest northern winter and all the magic towers are gathered here, so is that not possible?”
I provided the idea.
Originally, execution was something that the public figures would do on their own.
That was the way of the world.
What can I do?
“It’s a nickname.”
Their faces all crumpled as if they had been squeezed.
I kindly explained to him why he had to do that.
Then their faces became even more wrinkled, but there was no resistance.
***
At the urgent call, the red magician threw down the magic tool he was making and stood up.
‘Oh my – my back.’
Since I’ve been making magic tools all the time since I came here, my whole body feels sore. My back in particular is really sore.
The magic tower is making magic tools. I couldn’t complain because of the situation.
Considering the others, the situation of the Red Tower was rather good.
The other guys were yelling and sweating and making a mess of training every day. Compared to that, this was a happy level.
I could feel the approach of the expedition on my skin.
“Hurry up! I said it’s urgent! Even those who have climbed over the wall are waiting!”
At the urging of the green tower master, the red tower master hurriedly got up.
The Wall-Crosser was the subject of interest to all wizards. Any wizard would run to the Wall-Crosser’s call.
“What on earth is going on, calling me in this urgent situation···.”
“I don’t know, but you’ve gathered a bunch of smart guys from the Magic Tower! Isn’t this something so urgent that you have to stop producing magic tools?”
“Tsk, you and follow me.”
The Red Tower Master chose two. They bowed while looking at the Red Tower Master with eyes filled with emotion.
Those who were indifferent when looking at me were looking at me like that. It was natural since the other person was someone who had overcome the wall, but I couldn’t help but feel hurt.
“hurry!”
“Okay.”
I moved hurriedly along the green tower. When I arrived at the place, it was already full of other towers and magicians.
They must have all been in similar situations, because they looked terrible. Their eyes were sunken and there were dark circles under their eyes. Most of them looked like they had been locked up and then escaped.
In the middle of it all were the Wall-Climber, the White-Towered Swallows, and Kanna.
The one who had climbed over the wall and the white magic tower were talking excitedly as if they were fighting, and Kanna nodded as if mediating between them.
In the slightly serious atmosphere, the red-haired man swallowed his saliva and sat down next to her.
‘I don’t see any gray towers.’
“Okay. Even if we are idiots, if we get together it will be different.”
At that moment, the one who had climbed over the wall waved his hand. Contrary to his child-like appearance, everyone gulped at the immense power he felt.
At her gesture, Swallows stood up and looked around the room. Swallows’ face, which looked more tired than usual, seemed to indicate the seriousness of the situation.
“It was recently discovered that divine power and mana are very similar.”
Everyone focused on Swallows’ characteristic calm voice. Swallows coughed slightly and continued speaking.
“Yes, everyone probably knew that there are some parts that are similar between divine power and mana. In fact, neither of them have the devil’s handprint, but they still display supernatural abilities.”
Some people were surprised by this, but the Matapju nodded their heads. It was a story that had come up occasionally before.
For example, there were wizards who tried to study him. They were all branded heretics and put to death.
The red-haired man looked at the man sitting in the middle. He was wearing clothes similar to a monk’s habit, but he did not have the order’s emblem.
“Now, using the similarity between divine power and mana, we will find a way to supplement divine power with mana, and further amplify and finally expand it.”
The hall became noisy at Swallows’ firm declaration.
It was a topic that denied the concept I had been thinking about. Five reasons why it would be impossible immediately came to mind. But then I was told to find a way to do it.
What the hell is this story?
“The deadline is before the competition.”
At the following words, the green-haired man with the most impatience suddenly stood up.
“How much time is left until the battle? Until then, we have to figure out a way to supplement divine power with mana! Does that make sense······.”
Everyone nodded at the green tower’s loud shout.
No matter how similar mana and divine power are, they are clearly different concepts.
Handling other people’s mana was a sensitive topic that had not yet been fully studied.
But then, all of a sudden, they told me to find a way to use divine power as mana before going on a mission.
Even if there was someone who could overcome the wall, it was impossible. What kind of unreasonable thing is this? Naturally, there was bound to be opposition.
at that time-.
“It is the king’s command.”
Everyone bit their lips at Swallows’ declaration.
Here, there was only one king. Baron Pulpouts, the king of the demons. The owner of countless rumors and the leader of the rebels.
‘Fulputs-. How vicious.’
It was indeed an action worthy of the ‘King of Demons’. The atmosphere was rather ominous, as others seemed to have similar thoughts.
However, since we all knew quite a few rumors about Fullfoot, we all kept it to ourselves.
And it was something familiar to wizards.
When I was in the capital, the imperial family always made unreasonable requests. Behind the neatness and facilities of the capital, there were the tears and sweat of magicians.
It wasn’t for nothing that the wizards turned away when the rebellion broke out. Of course, the biggest reason was that they were tied together by the magic of the Gray Tower.
“First, we need to understand the flow of divine power···.”
“A magic circle engraved on the one who receives Mana’s love···.”
Those who quickly gave up each submitted their opinions.
They were throwing them one by one like that, and at one point their voices got louder.
Divinity and Mana-. What an interesting topic.
They soon started to heat up like magicians.
Brighton read the Bible to the dozens of bloodshot eyes looking at him.
***
“Kkiiiiiik-?”
Fullfoot involuntarily took a step back at the strange creature in his room and ended up hitting his back against the wall.
Pulpouts gulped at the sharp eyes staring at him.
“What the heck is this!”
“It’s a wyvern.”
Pulpouts frowned at Adela’s strangely sharp answer.
Do you not even recognize a wyvern?
What other creature has claws as huge as daggers, a beak as strong as a bird, and wings as big as a man’s?
“······So why is the wyvern in my room?”
I only left for a very short time to see my wife.
But when I came back, why was there a wyvern in my room?
No matter how much I racked my brain, I just couldn’t understand it.
“This is a gift for the Flying Baron.”
Pulpouts closed his eyes tightly at Adolf’s answer.
Yeah, of course it was Aaron.
‘I’m not surprised. I’ve seen the usage, it’s just a wyvern-.’
I don’t know why he gave me the wyvern as a gift, but
The wyvern was a monster that couldn’t be found. It was probably given as a gift with good intentions.
but-.
“But why is the Joanna Temple Knight riding it?”
It was Knight Joanna Temple, sitting on top of it, calmly eating cake.
No, I don’t know where she’s been coming from since last time, but Joanna has often been found in the room.
“that is······.”
Adolf, who was giving a vague answer.
“It’s my turn now.”
Even Adela, who switches with Joanna.
Fullfoot quietly stepped back and closed the door.
I looked at the closed door and exhaled deeply.
I counted to three slowly and then opened it again.
“Joanna, didn’t you ask all about the reins?”
Nod.
“You nodded just now, but it’s still the same.”
“Akdelgu, next is me···”
Pullputs closed the door again as the three grumbled while clinging to the wyvern.
I don’t know why, but-.
To him, an ordinary baron from the frontier, a wyvern, which no high-ranking noble or even an archduke could have, was born due to the Empire’s strict management.
Anyone would be jealous.
but-.
‘······No need for a wyvern.’
Fullfoot also hated riding horses.
