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Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

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◈ The Inept Mage’s Infinite Regression

Chapter 87

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WeTried Translations
Translator: Coughing Baby
Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

The Inept Mage's Infinite Regression
Chapter 87: Somu Yumuran

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Ethan recalled Sirund Zen and stayed on guard, wondering whether an inquisitor might have some way to identify a dark mage the way they identified demons.

The Empire's Imperial Inquisition held immense authority even outside imperial borders. They couldn't carry out summary executions like they did inside the Empire, but if they had a lord's permission, they could still gain the right to track and monitor residents, inspect belongings, and search homes within that authority. That was because the Empire built on old heresy-inquisition laws that already existed across many countries, and since those customs were partially reflected in the system, old-fashioned lords often agreed without much resistance.

The inquisitors were already recognized across many nations. Even when they captured a dark mage, they handed punishment authority to the local lord. They also volunteered for public duties like suppressing bandits and relief work, and maintained neutrality by never interfering in disputes between lords. Because of that, even lords hostile to the Empire often still acknowledged the Imperial Inquisition's activities.

So if the inquisitor in front of him suspected Ethan of being a dark mage, this could become a problem.

But Ethan felt it instinctively.

'No. She's not suspecting me of being a dark mage.'

Fortunately, the woman named Somu, who identified herself as part of the Imperial Inquisition, had a family name Ethan recognized.

'Yumuran? Then she's related to Margrave Yumuran? Yumuran is one of the Empire's great families. No idea what talents that bloodline might carry, but at least she's human, not a demon. And if the Imperial Inquisition had some secret identification method, Boen would've told me.'

Ethan replayed Somu's words once more.

'If they were contacted by Havain University, then yes, they came because of Ms. Robita. Since the Armed Scholar couldn't come protect Ms. Robita, they passed this case to the Empire's Imperial Inquisition instead of some other group, saying it was related to a dark mage. But this woman, Somu, misunderstood the context. This warehouse isn't a dark mage gathering point, it's where Robita and an Armed Scholar were supposed to meet. And if she planned to raid us, choosing a frontal approach is already strange.'

Ethan reached a conclusion.

'Somu Yumuran is an idiot.'

He judged that idiots were easier to handle.

Ethan said to Somu, "Ah, did you come to protect Robita Bisneri?"

Somu dropped the hammer she was holding.

"Huh?"

"You're here to protect the historian Robita Bisneri, who's being threatened by a dark mage, right?"

"...Right. Yes, but the dark mage also..."

"Ms. Robita, you can come out now. She says she's from the Imperial Inquisition."

When Robita came out and greeted her, Somu finally hung the hammer at her waist.

"I am Assistant Inquisitor Somu Yumuran of the Empire's Imperial Inquisition. Have you seen a dark mage? I heard there's one around here."

Like the skilled noble she was, Robita did not stare at Ethan or even glance his way.

"Ms. Somu seems very interested in dark mages?"

"Of course. I joined the Imperial Inquisition to catch dark mages."

"But I heard that when the Imperial Inquisition operates outside the Empire, an inquisitor is supposed to be in charge."

The moment she asked about a superior officer, Somu shrank.

"The Inquisitor is on solo action... no, carrying out a secret mission... no, is carrying one out, so I can't tell you."

"But isn't the reason the Imperial Inquisition can operate in foreign countries that other states recognize the inquisitors' neutral and professional ability? Could problems arise during the trip all the way to Havain University?"

"Ah, that. You said you'd write a letter of delegation..."

"It hasn't been written yet? That's worrying. The journey to Havain University is quite long. I want to leave this place that's threatening my life immediately. Is that difficult?"

"S, that's not..."

Robita pressed Somu from every angle so she couldn't dodge the issue. In the end, when Robita suggested they talk at the inn where she was staying, Somu agreed and called her subordinates. During that, Robita met Ethan's eyes, and Ethan answered with a smile.

While Robita and Somu spoke alone, Ethan talked with Boen and Renzo in one room.

Ethan said to Renzo, "Thanks for everything so far. We'll be off now. Come on, Boen, let's go."

"Why are you always in such a rush?"

Renzo grabbed Ethan's shoulder as he stood, then pushed him back down.

"If you run now, you'll only look more suspicious. You said you're heading to Charasen anyway, right? I'll come with you."

"It's a long trip. You'd have to spend serious money."

"So what? Once we get to Charasen, your father will cover it, won't he?"

Ethan looked at Boen. He had spent enough time with Renzo to understand his personality and ability. And since Renzo didn't make a big deal out of Ethan being a dark mage, he didn't seem connected to the Imperial Inquisition. Ethan wanted Boen's take.

Boen tested Renzo.

"Mr. Renzo, where are you going? I clearly remember you said your destination was Lupla."

"No. I never said that. I said let's go together as far as Lupla."

Renzo said, "Truth is, I'm on an adventure to complete a commission right now. But I was never ordered not to pick up some fun and travel money along the way."

"Then you can't reveal your destination either?"

Renzo gave a bitter smile.

"What, am I not being trusted?"

"There's no issue with you, Mr. Renzo. I was simply raised that way. I grew up in an unfortunate environment where I had to suspect many people."

"...Hm, in principle I can't tell you my destination. It's tied to my commission. But how about this?"

Renzo said, "You help with my work. Then I'll help with yours."

"You mean exchanging requests?"

"Adventurers do that pretty often. You could call it the process of becoming true comrades."

As the conversation took an unexpected turn, Boen looked at Ethan this time.

Ethan said, "Alright. Let's do it. What kind of request is it?"

Renzo said, "It could get a little dangerous. Keep that in mind."

According to Renzo, treasure had been discovered in a labyrinth in Tetsaisa territory in Patala, and the goal was to seize that treasure while it was being transported. The treasure itself was moving very slowly, so it would only be crossing the bridge between Patala and Damarth after about a month.

Renzo had made the first offer, and the existence of another commission could now be tentatively confirmed, so Ethan felt relieved. It also overlapped with the direction Ethan needed to go. The Tetsaisa treasure convoy was expected to pass through Tultra, Ethan's target city, two months later, and by then Ethan's group could also reach that area. If he could get help from Renzo, a trustworthy and excellent swordsman, that alone had value.

The problem was that the treasure belonged to the Empire. Since the commission came from an imperial administrative institution, getting caught stealing it would make them enemies of the Empire. For ordinary people, this was a risk they'd never take.

"Let's do it."

"That answer was too fast. Shouldn't you think about it more?"

"If I refuse, doesn't that hurt you, Mr. Renzo?"

"Uh... what does your friend think?"

Ethan looked at Boen.

"Say it's fine, Boen."

"Ethan. Don't take that kind of coercive attitude with a friend."

"Can you say it's fine, Boen?"

"Do you think anything changed?"

"But it's fine, right?"

"It's fine."

Renzo still looked unconvinced, but nodded anyway.

Then a quest window appeared before Ethan.

[Quest triggered!]
[Quest: Raid the Tetsaisa Treasure Convoy (C)]
[Adventurer Renzo's proposal has revealed the Tetsaisa treasure. The Empire may become a threat, but is that any worse than the threats you already face?]

Renzo said, "Well, fine. In this kind of 'request exchange,' the one with the more dangerous mission is supposed to split some of the fee. No law says so, but the adventurer business is a small world, and rumors spread fast. So people fulfill their moral responsibility each time. What share do you want?"

"I don't think you need to give us anything."

"Huh? Why?"

"We're actually heading to Tultra, not Charasen."

"Ah, you mean it's far. Well, it's farther, sure, but still nothing compared to my request. To be honest, the request itself might not be that hard. It's just a treasure convoy. The issue is the risk of being hunted by the Empire, and that can't be ignored. That's why the fee is set high. Or is this because you're a dark mage?"

Ethan repeated himself. "You might regret it, so let's decide the share after one month. We're on the side that says we don't need to receive any."

"Why are you being scary about this?"

Ethan almost explained, then stopped. He did not want to go out of his way to explain that he was not just any dark mage but a dark mage from Terra, and that this made him a more special target to the Empire. Besides, if nothing happened and he still received money, Ethan had nothing to lose.

But Ethan learned that it would've been fine even if he had said it.

∞

The next morning, in front of the inn, Robita said, "I think I'll travel southeast with these Imperial Inquisition people first, then meet up with the Armed Scholar."

"So this is goodbye. Are you turning back?"

"Yes. It seems this Somu person here is..."

Somu grumbled at Ethan.

"You said you found evidence of dark magic in that old mansion? I never heard that from the Lord of Lupla. Why didn't you report it to him?"

"Well... because we spent two nights protecting Ms. Robita."

"Ah. Mm. Right."

Ethan felt talking with Somu was easy because she accepted things quickly.

Somu said, "Anyway, the moment I heard that story, I sent an eagle-owl. My eagle-owl's name is Yobo. Yobo is so smart it can practically talk with people. A spirit beast. It sometimes pecks my head and messes up my hair, but it's still a good bird."

"Do I need to be listening to this?"

"No, do you know the saying, 'Day words are heard by mice, night words are heard by birds'?"

Ethan pointed it out.

"Isn't that backwards?"

"That part doesn't matter! It's a Terra proverb anyway, and Yobo can talk to other birds too. It'll be here soon, and I'll show you Yobo talking. It's very rare. Well, not that talking birds are that rare, mynas and crows talk pretty well, but talking eagle-owls are uncommon. And Yobo has a great voice too."

Once it became obvious that the entire long speech was just boasting, Robita and Renzo, and even the Imperial Inquisition members in black leather armor, all looked drained. Only Ethan kept a rigid smile. Before long, Boen hurried over from the stable leading three horses.

Ethan climbed up in a hurry, and Renzo also read the mood and mounted his horse.

From horseback, Ethan said to Robita, "Alright then. Ms. Robita, let's meet again if there's another chance."

"Ah, yes. ...'May your journey unfold exactly as intended.'"

"...Then, 'may you enjoy peace beyond expectation at the road's end.'"

The instant Ethan's group kicked off and sent their horses running, a voice rang out from the distant sky.

"You idiot! Shame of the family! Fool Somu!"

It was Somu's eagle-owl, Yobo.

Somu flared up and raised her hammer at the sky.

"You birdbrain! Why are you cursing first thing in the morning?!"

"That's him! A student of the Magic Academy! Terra's dark mage!"

"What?!"

Somu quickly tried to rush over with her subordinates, but Robita, beside her, said something again and made Somu stop in place. They were already so far away they looked like dots, and their voices no longer carried. Ethan looked back for a long while, then faced forward again.

Renzo said, "Don't tell me we have to run like this every single time we see the Imperial Inquisition."

"Yes, exactly that."

"Damn it. Then I should get more commission fee."

"I haven't forgotten you said you'd split it."

"As if I'd split it. You told me to decide the distribution in a month, right? I'll decide then how much more I should take."

But Renzo's words were never kept, because things did not unfold in a way that allowed it.

∞

One month later, Ethan's group was lost in a labyrinth.

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