WETRIED TRANSLATIONS

Wizard of the Abyss

[Translator – Aren]

Chapter 50 - Knight (2)

First, I bought everything I needed and headed to the orphanage.

Since it was the morning of a holiday, it was incredibly quiet, probably because everyone was still asleep. As I looked at the snowmen built in the yard and the half-collapsed snow walls that had clearly been used for snowball fights, I saw the director sweeping the path.

"Oh, Jern! It’s been a while…?”

The director looked at me, then the boxes floating around me, and the fancy robe I was wearing.

"...Hmm. I have seen plenty of nobles in my life, but even they couldn’t use magic this calmly.”

"Well, this ability is more like a curse than magic. Could we talk inside?”

"Of course we can. These boxes—”

"I just bought some snacks and other things.”

"Ooh, really? Can I take a look?”

"Of course.”

I set the boxes down onto the yard.

At first, the director opened them with a smile but then immediately turned pale.

"Snacks, clothes, notebooks, shoes, a heater…? Wait… These are from Trita! Just how expensive do you think these are…?!”

"I knew you’d never accept if I just gave you the money, so I just bought things you’d use. I hope you like it.”

"N-no, of course I like it, and we do need all these things, but this should be worth several thousand silver at the very least… Just where did you get all that money?”

Instead of answering, I held up my key.

I wondered if he would recognize what it was since he was a commoner, but as expected from a former official, seemingly knowing what it was, he immediately clamped a hand over his mouth, a look of disbelief on his face.

"Jern, you became an apprentice of the Dark Magic Tower? Goodness…”

"Yes. Is it famous?”

"It's said to be the most historic and prestigious of all the Magic Towers that only gathers elites. It’s so coveted that some people give up established positions in other Towers just to become an apprentice there. But for a 10-year-old to join the Dark Magic Tower… I have never heard of such a thing happening before.”

So it actually was a fancy place.

Dercia told me to just think of the key as something like a debit card with which I could pay for things if I showed it, but the name seemed to carry more weight than I had thought.

The director quickly set down his broom, as if he had just come to his senses.

"Let us go in first. You’ll catch a cold out here.”

"Ah, is it cold right now?”

"? It is. Why are you asking?”

"It’s nothing.”

I was always cold, but I didn’t really feel any colder even though it was winter.

It was like my body just maintained a steady level of cold because of my burdens.

...I seriously couldn’t ignore this. Dying of hypothermia after becoming able to withstand all that water pressure would be nothing but stupid.

In the director’s office, he poured me some tea with some pre-boiled water.

"So, where have you been, and what have you been doing all this time?"

"Well, about that—”

Drinking the warm tea, I had a pleasant talk with him for the first time in a while without any hidden motives or whatever.

Even without mentioning the part where I fought ancient terrorists who tortured and killed people for seemingly no reason, I still had plenty to say.

Eventually, my turn to listen to the director’s stories came.

"So Dolph said he wanted to be a Knight too, so he released a bunch of rats into a pit before throwing himself into it as well.”

"...That’s an unusual training method."

"I heard Linmel trained by hunting animals in the back mountains, so I believe he was trying to imitate her. But just where did he even find that many rats…?”

"Ah."

Right. I had almost forgotten to ask about that.

I narrowed my eyes a little and changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, has Linmel…come back here since then?”

"Hmm."

The director’s expression darkened slightly.

"So you saw her too. Well, it’s not like she has changed much on the inside.”

Sighing, the director picked up his now-cooled teacup and explained.

"Have you ever heard of the Knights of Heavenly Retribution?”

"No. What is it?”

"Hmm, then do you know about Knights in general?"

"Yes."

Even though Scarlet Abyss sliced through them quite easily, Knights themselves were actually quite monstrous beings.

Having learned Body Strengthening arts, they are almost completely immune to magic, and a single swing of their sword can slaughter ten men. If this were Earth, one might call them walking tanks, or perhaps strategic weapons.

A Knight commander would be closer to a fighter jet, I guess. Scarlet Abyss only managed to butcher them so easily because what they use is their world, not magic, so the matchup between them is bad.

"They say a proper Knight can slay a dragon on his own. I don’t really know if dragons exist though.”

"And what do you think happens if one of those Knights goes astray?”

"Hmm..."

Certainly.

Sending a mage to stop someone who learned Body Strengthening arts would be too risky. Sending an army would be too costly.

"You’d send another even stronger Knight, right?”

"Exactly. The Knights who carry out the task of executing such individuals are called Knights of Heavenly Retribution.”

"Huh? Wait, so they made Linmel aim to be that?”

"Don't worry too much. It’s been decades since a Knight tried to rebel or was branded as an enemy. Knights of Heavenly Retribution are always those with exceptional talent. It’s not a lifelong occupation, and when they eventually create their own Knight Order, being a former Knight of Heavenly Retribution is quite the advantage.”

So, it was more of a stepping stone for elites than a job dedicated to nothing but execution and carnage.

The director continued, wearing a face that showed that he had a lot to say but didn’t know how to put it in words.

"The training Knights of Heavenly Retribution undergo is naturally quite different from that of normal Knights. Since other apprentices all practically treat them with great respect… Linmel, erm, seems to have gone slightly astray in quite the adorable way.”

"The Dark-Night-Thunder-Scourge Knight?"

"Isn’t it…cute?”

"It is. But I think I should still go see her.”

The fact that such a pure girl had become so corrupted made me think that there was a decent chance that her training was closer to torture.

I needed to check how she was living. I handed the director a pen and some paper.

"Could you please write down where Sir Gwallan lives?”

I just wanted to take a small peek.

***

The director went beyond that and even showed me where Linmel usually trained within the Academy.

"She should still be training around this time of day.”

We arrived at the training ground just as the director finished his sentence.

I then realized that none of his words were exaggerations.

"Run faster! What’s the chant?!”

"L-Left foot, left foot, left foot!”

"?"

But she wasn’t the only one running.

Linmel was in full armor, springing across the training grounds, driving the other children who were running while only holding some practice swords.

Her face was completely expressionless and cold. Completely different from the Linmel I knew.

Her charisma was no joke. Even with full gear, she was a lot faster than the other students, who only carried swords.

Linmel then turned mid-run and scolded them in a disappointed tone.

"If you can’t even run 40 laps carrying just a sword, what are you even doing? At that rate you won’t be able to beat a boar, let alone become Knights!”

"S-Sorry, Ma’am!”

"I told you to build up your stamina and—huh?”

Amidst all this, Linmel’s sharp gaze landed on me.

I raised my hand and slightly waved.

"...Take a break!”

"Yes..."

The students collapsed instantly, as if they no longer had the strength to even speak.

And then, Linmel sprinted straight toward me—and hugged me.

"Jern!! Where have you been all this time?!!”

"U-urgh…Good to see you too.”

Her strength was no joke. She moved so fast that I didn’t even have the chance to dodge, and even when I patted her back to signal my surrender, she only hugged me tighter.

Honestly, it was strong enough that, if I hadn’t trained, something would have definitely snapped.

"C-could you maybe…”

"Ah, right!”

Finally letting go of me, Linmel puffed up her cheeks, looking aggrieved as words rattled out of her mouth at high speed.

"Just where were you the last time I went to the orphanage?? The director said you were safe but didn’t tell me where you were. I was there to see you… You could have at least sent me a message or something!”

"My bad, my bad. I was learning some stuff from my master. And you… are you really alright?”

"Yeah!”

I put my hands on Linmel’s shoulders and gave her a once-over.

Except for her dyed black hair and that ridiculous armor and sword she had, no matter how I looked at her—

The bright smile she was showing me now was exactly like the Linmel I knew.

So she hadn’t been abused, and she hadn’t fully adopted some sort of weird ‘Dark Knight’ persona due to early onset puberty either. Letting out a sigh of relief, I led Linmel outside the training grounds.

"I heard you won that ‘Golden Seed Tournament’ or whatever. Congratulations.”

"Ehehe, it was nothing. Everyone there was just weak. Any being made of mere flesh is powerless before me, the Dark Knight who delivers divine punishment.”

"What?"

"So what have you been doing, Jern?”

"I—”

I saved some kids and won some sort of competition as well, and I even became an apprentice at the Dark Magic Tower.

Rumors about that mysterious commoner wizard had probably already spread beyond noble circles by now, but it didn’t seem to be at the point that Linmel would know.

So I simply shrugged.

"I just diligently studied magic. I didn’t really do anything impressive.”

"Really? Well, you’re a smart one, Jern! If you keep studying, I bet you’ll become the greatest mage in the world!”

"Thanks, but, erm…did you change your way of talking and your appearance?”

When I carefully tried to broach the topic—

Linmel suddenly turned solemn as she looked up at the sky.

"That’s right. I’ve changed.”

"And how?”

"I realized my mission.”

She ran her fingers over her sword, engraved with runes along the flat, as Linmel murmured, a wistful look in her eyes.

"There are so many bad people in the world. I have to stop them. My talent was given to me for that purpose.”

"Huh? What kind of bad people?”

"Those who bully wizards.”

"?"

I had no clue what she was talking about—then as I was pondering over her words, she suddenly stepped forward.

"Huh?"

The distance of several steps that had been between us instantly disappeared.

Right now, my nose was almost touching Linmel’s, as she met my gaze, unwavering.

I froze for a second, unable to breathe. Linmel then turned her head again, as if nothing had happened, staring blankly at the clear blue sky.

"Jern, do you know what people like you are called?”

"Wizards?”

"They are called natural-borns. Wizards that occur naturally.”

When was the last time I heard that?

Also, I wasn’t exactly a typical natural-born either. As I kept my eyes on her, I saw Linmel sheath her sword.

I didn’t see the motion of her doing it, only the result.

I narrowed my eyes as I came to a realization. So it was like that.

Some of Linmel’s movements were so fast that they appear to be completely absent.

"They obviously are doomed to lead truly miserable lives. Most of them don’t even know they’re wizards, so they get kidnapped, treated like merchandise, and sold to various places… like pets.”

I might be able to catch her movements using Tide Sense—a normal mage would probably find it hard, right? And with just my eyes? No way.

I started to get why Knights were considered the natural enemies of mages.

If all of them could close the distance and decapitate their opponent so quickly, bordering on teleportation, and magic barely worked on them, didn’t that mean that, unless you were very prepared and knew what you were dealing with, the moment you stepped onto the battlefield and the Knight chose to kill you, the battle was practically over?

"But don’t worry, Jern!”

-Huuuuug

"U-urgh…”

Linmel, who had somehow gotten close to me, hugged me again, her eyes glistening with emotional tears.

"I’ll definitely protect you!”

"Th-thanks.”

Even with my trained body, I could feel the pressure of her embrace. Looking at Linmel’s bright smile, I felt that things might not be as bad as I had thought. Except for one thing.

"...Speaking of which, Linmel. About that ‘Dark-Night-Thunder-Whatever Knight’ thing—”

"Ah!!”

Linmel hopped back, her eyes sparkling, before clearing her throat.

"Cool, right?! I came up with it myself!”

"I-Is that so…?”

"Yep!”

...Well, I guess this could still be called cute at this level.

I smiled faintly and patted her shoulder.

"Still, it’s nice seeing you again. I came here in a hurry today, so I didn’t bring you any gifts, but next time—"

"I don't need any gifts. Let’s just go to my house!”

"...Huh?"

Just when I was about to head off to check on Elisia, Linmel wildly shook her head and grabbed my hand tightly.

"I’ll make you dinner. You can also come see Dad!”

"Sir Gwallan? I mean, there’s no need, right…?”

"You have to!”

There was something blazing in her eyes as she lunged forward.

...This kid uses that distance-erasing movement technique way too casually. I knew that she meant no harm, but for a mage, this stuff is seriously terrifying.

"Alright, I’ll come. But you still have class.”

"Wait here!"

- Whoosh!

She vanished fast enough to leave behind nothing but a single sound. And then 30 seconds later.

"Okay, all done. I told everyone to go home! They always listen to me! Let’s go now!”

"..."

There was no escape.

When we arrived at Sir Gwallan’s domicile, which was much more modest than I expected, Linmel ran straight up the stairs and came down carrying a stack of books.

"Jern! Here, these are magic books I wanted to give you!”

"Oh, wow, thanks.”

They weren’t actually that useful.

But I accepted them and thanked her anyway. As she counted the books, she clapped her hands with a look of realization plastered on her face.

"...Ah! Right, there was a grimoire at that bookstore too, but I forgot to buy it!”

"Wait, grimoires cost a fortune, so it’s fine if you—”

"I still have tons of prize money left! A ton, so don’t worry! Just eat with Dad. I’ll be right back!"

Linmel left the room like a whirlwind.

Sir Gwallan, her father, and I were now left alone in the room.

It was actually quite awkward. I wouldn’t call myself a particularly sociable person, so while I was trying to figure out how to start a conversation, he cleared his throat first.

"...Ahem, so you’re Jern. I’ve never seen that kid listen to someone so well.”

"Ah, yes. Does she not listen to you, Sir Gwallan?”

"She does… It’s just. There’s nothing for me to tell her anymore.”

Gwallan took out a pot and poured some stew into my bowl with his hands the size of pot lids.

"She never misses training, she shows outstanding leadership qualities, she never causes trouble, and her talent is unmatched. What more could I, as her father, ask for? I’m grateful beyond words.”

But the more he spoke, the more his expression grew complicated.

"She’s amazing. So amazing that… I have no grounds to say anything to her, haah. For example, have you seen how Linmel teaches the other students?”

"Yeah. She’s basically a demon instructor.”

"That’s a bit… Well, among them are some noble children, so I tried to suggest that she tone it down a little, but she insists that her method is the correct one, so I couldn’t really stop her. For now the students seem satisfied, so it’s fine, but some problems might arise later down the line…”

Once our conversation started, I realized that he actually had quite a lot to say.

Gwallan gulped down the stew like water, then sighed.

"Before long, she’ll be invited to various places due to her exceptional talent. I’m worried something might happen if she were to behave in a similar manner in those places.”

They were actually quite luxurious problems to have.

So I casually tossed him some words.

"If things really become difficult, I can help.”

"You?”

"Yes. Linmel has always listened to me very well after all.”

"Well, I would appreciate that, but… If you’re offered that, hoping I would adopt you, then I would have no other choice but to decline.”

That kind of hurt my pride, so I pulled out the key from my pocket.

"...No, I’m a mage. I have a master, and I have already joined a Magic Tower.”

"What?”

So Gwallan didn’t know?

Then Linmel really had been keeping my secret quite well. I lifted up the bowl in front of me with my currents.

Gwallan looked back and forth between me and the floating stew bowl, seeming astonished.

"A natural-born…! Ah, so that’s why Linmel reacted so strongly when the topic of natural-born wizards came up…”

"Sorry? What do you mean?”

"During basic education, there was a lecture about how corrupted Knights’ main source of income came from hunting wizards, especially natural-borns, to sell them. Come to think of it, I think that’s when she started acting like this.”

I guess I bear some slight responsibility for all this then.

Gwallan nodded, looking quite relieved all of a sudden.

"To think one orphanage produced both a mage and a Knight. Truly remarkable. If I ever need to get Linmel to behave, I’ll call for you.”

"Thank you.”

And like that, I had secured a perfect excuse to meet up with Linmel again later.

There was no need to rush. While I ate another spoonful of stew, Gwallan asked with a slightly hopeful expression,

"Ah, and… I’m asking, just in case—”

"Yes, please feel free to speak.”

"Erm… Could you perhaps try to convince her to change that Knight title of hers? When she turns 13, she’ll have to decide which name to choose for life…”

"...I’ll try my best.”

It wouldn’t be easy. That I was sure of.

But Gwallan looked so desperate that I couldn’t give him any other answer.

* * *

"Are you really not staying the night?"

"I’m good. I’ll definitely visit again, though. Could you please give me back my robe now? If it tears, I’ll be in serious trouble…”

"...Okay. But if you ever need help, tell me anytime!”

"Got it.”

The evening was getting darker.

No matter how well we got along, sleeping over at Gwallan’s house felt like a bit too much, so after chatting for a bit more, I said my goodbyes and left.

My bag was full of grimoires. They weren’t really heavy since I was carrying them with the currents, but there was nowhere for me to use them.

Where should I even put them?

"I wonder if the library is open…”

I had planned to sleep at the orphanage tonight since it was my home, but the library was close enough, so leaving these things there before going back should be fine.

It would be safe too. I could sell them later and give the proceeds to Linmel.

The guards who used to watch the library had long since disappeared.

Dercia had completely turned this place into her private property.

"Master, are you here?”

I opened the door, calling out to Dercia, but I didn’t get an answer back.

She was probably still in her room doing research. I turned on the lights in the dark library and placed the grimoires on an empty shelf.

-Thud!

"..."

The door shut.

However, the noise it made was far too loud to have been closed by a breeze.

I immediately spread Tide Sense through the whole library.

I meticulously combed through the gaps between the shelves but found no sign of life.

Instead, I found something odd on the library’s return desk.

"What the…?”

It was a box.

At a first glance it seemed like a treasure chest brimming with the finest pearls.

"What in the world is that?”

I turned around, dumbfounded.

I found a masked man standing there.

Even though I was seeing him with my own eyes, it was hard for me to tell whether he was really standing there or not.

-Rustle...

My instincts were yelling at me to find some way to escape, but I gave up.

The back door, the windows. Everything was frozen. No matter how I tried, nothing would budge.

As I gritted my teeth, he slowly spoke to me.

"Don’t be nervous, Jern Aspandil.”

"You can leave out that last name.”

"How deep did you fall?”

The man’s voice was heavy, almost making me feel like it was sinking to the ground, yet bone-chillingly cold at the same time.

I couldn’t hide it. I rummaged through my pocket as I answered him as calmly as I could.

"Well, I don’t really know who you are, but even if you do this, I don’t think you’ll be able to control my master."

The person before me obviously belonged to Scarlet Abyss.

Their target had to be Dercia. The situation was extremely dire. It was more than obvious to me that he planned to kidnap me to shake up Dercia. A shallow plan, if anything.

As I fiddled with the key Dercia had given me and worked my brain to come up with my next course of actions—the man said something quite strange.

"No, if that had been our goal, we would have done the opposite. We would have shown Dercia your cut off head.”

"I see. Then what’s the reason for this little stunt?”

"Didn’t I try to say so at the start? We are on your side.”

-Clatter!

The man walked forward and tossed something at my feet.

It was a necklace made of red metal.

Was it a bomb? No, if that were the case, he’d have killed me long before now.

As I pondered, the man stepped within the lantern’s light, holding out his hand.

"Young Fallen, put it on.”

"What—”

"Join us.”

"...Sorry?”

I glanced back at the chest filled with pearls.

This—was probably the most absurd recruitment offer in the world.

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