novelraw Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Chapter 156. Return
After the tepid conversation ended, I released the witch from her constraints.
She glared at me with a less than pleasant expression before heading to Kaldrach for a private discussion.
'Is this about how I knew her name...?'
I reiterated that a name is crucial for a witch. Sorcery could amplify one's abilities through certain "limitations," but losing those limitations could bring repercussions to the caster.
Some witches chose sensory deprivation or physical constraint, but this particular witch's restriction was her 'name'.
That must be why she's so edgy. She was probably questioning how I came to know her trade secret.
'Hmm?'
After finishing her conversation, the witch, abisha, approached me with a fierce gaze.
'Her eyes seem deadly, though?'
I braced for a barrage of insults.
"Well... I apologize."
Abisha offered an apology with an expression filled with genuine displeasure. Her twisted lips and raised eyebrows contradicted her words.
'I must exercise patience, being the gracious person that I am.'
Though, I'm not exactly sure what she's apologizing for.
With everything that had transpired, I couldn't readily discern the reason.
"For what I said about Milena."
Ah, that matter...
Honestly, I wasn't particularly upset myself. However, the partial influence of Yulian's mind made me feel some discomfort.
"Still, I'm not apologizing for everything. Milena isn't just awful to me, but a real pain to other witches too."
"Huhut."
Despite Abisha's venomous tone, a chuckle involuntarily escaped me.
It wasn't out of amusement.
While it didn't personally bother me, Yulian's growing sense of displeasure brought forth this sarcastic chuckle.
"Abisha."
Uttering the witch's name subtly caused her to flinch.
Of course, hearing her leash, her 'name', from my mouth would understandably frighten her.
"That's not how one apologizes. You've lived long enough, haven't you learned that?"
"Are you planning to give me etiquette lessons now?"
"Abisha."
Repeating her name made her visibly recoil.
"Without Kaldrach's intervention, that burdensome thing on your neck would be gone."
Whenever Yulian emitted lethal intent, I had to pacify it to some degree.
Otherwise, even I wouldn't know what might happen.
"Uh, ugh..."
As my threatening aura engulfed her, abisha bit her lips hard.
While I wasn't privy to the history between Milena and the witches' clan, no matter what Milena might have done, now was not the time for Abisha to speak ill of her.
'That's Yulian's wish right now.'
"By the way, I have something to ask."
Turning to Kaldrach, I addressed him, which prompted him to shift his gaze sideways in acknowledgment.
"A question, for me?"
"Yes, Lord Kaldrach."
A curious but puzzled expression crossed his face.
"I figure you may know more than me... but if it's something I can answer, I shall."
His condescending willingness was overwhelming. Damn it!
Still, I needed something.
"It's about that ring."
I pointed to the ring on Kaldrach's finger.
"Did you acquire that from North Watch?"
The relic, 'Snow Rabbit's Ring'.
A simple relic that enhances resistance to cold.
Truthfully, asking about the ring was to initiate a conversation.
To pinpoint its exact location required certain knowledge from 〈Earth·Magic·Death〉.
If Kaldrach had obtained it through a 'save load' method, he wouldn't theoretically possess such specific information.
'Where and how did he find out?'
That question was on my mind.
"Ah, this one."
Kaldrach touched his ring finger, appearing slightly bemused.
"This is a replica. Through the 'repetition' process, I learned of such an artifact and asked Abisha to replicate it."
What?
Kaldrach pulled the ring from his finger and showed it to me.
Taking it, I examined the contents of the ring closely.
'A faint flow of mana.'
Yet, it wasn't intense.
Though it looked identical to the 'Snow Rabbit's Ring', I could assert it confidently.
'This is...'
It wasn't a relic.
Which made the matter even more puzzling.
'Then who did take the real Snow Rabbit's Ring?'
***
After concluding the conversations, I exited the cabin where Zahard was waiting outside.
"All settled?"
I nodded at his question and briefly relayed the conversations from inside.
Of course, excluding any mention of the 'save load' or 〈Earth·Magic·Death〉, I only shared that the matter was resolved.
"Well, then we can return to the capital now."
Feeling cold and shivering, Felkhor spoke up, to which I nodded.
"However, with the recent events, I'm not sure what the secretariat might say."
"... What do you mean?"
"Not about me. It's about Yulian."
As he said, revealing myself at 'North Pole Wall' inevitably invited scrutiny from the secretariat.
'Blind Eyes', who should remain neutral, and especially Yulian, who plays a pivotal role.
It would appear that under the guise of vacation, I approached one of the successors to the throne, the third prince.
Moreover, his achievements were bolstered.
'I hope the head of the secretariat, Sedn, will cover for me, but...'
It might be limited.
Unless there's some substance allowing him to cover for me...
Ah!
"... There it is."
"Huh, what is?"
Zahard voiced his curiosity.
Even my unintentional mutter had adopted Formal Speech.
Setting aside the familiarity, I looked at Zahard.
"Sir Zahard, could you extend your hand?"
"My hand?"
"Yes."
As I nodded, Zahard naturally offered his hands.
I too, naturally bound his hands with the rope that once held Abisha.
"... What are you doing?"
"My mission here was to apprehend the 'criminal Zahard'. It's time to fulfill that role."
That should be sufficient to evade the secretariat's scrutiny.
Yulian, crazed for results, claimed he ventured to the north in pursuit of 'results', quelling any suspicions.
Certainly, it fits.
Arresting a law-violating criminal is a central duty of 'Blind Eyes'.
"... I mentioned that I would cooperate once things were wrapped up."
Zahard habitually directed his head down to his bound hands, his expression brimming with discontent.
"That wasn't the manner I envisioned."
"Then how did you expect, Sir Zahard?"
"Perhaps being detained near the capital... something like that?"
He knew.
He'd probed with his aura sonar and felt no real pressure from the bonds around his wrists.
"Couldn't you escape at any time?"
That was the hidden implication in my actions.
"..."
As silence set the mood, Zahard chuckled dryly.
"At least... I wouldn't tarnish the reputation of a benefactor."
Zahard held an earnest demeanor.
While I wasn't sure of his integrity, it didn't seem deceitful.
"Don't... don't trust him. Liars often make such claims, Yulian."
Watching Zahard with stern eyes, Felkhor reacted vehemently. The bald-headed man shivered in the cold yet resolutely defended his stance.
***
Returning to North Pole Wall, divided gazes followed us.
One gaze was filled with respect, admiration, and trust.
These came from ordinary soldiers.
The other gaze harbored complaints.
Though Kaldrach seemed to have explained, the 'Wedge Knights' still eyed us warily. However,
'So what?'
Naturally, none among those with complaints dared to confront me openly.
Not only had I subdued a member of 'Wedge Knights' while handcuffed, but I also convincingly defeated three of them during our 'culling' mission.
'What can you do about it?'
Surely, tales of that had spread.
Although my plan to discreetly infiltrate and complete my mission was now out the window.
'Hmm?'
In the distance, a group stood apart from the regular soldiers and 'Wedge Knights' members.
Judging by their aura and attire...
'The trainee knights from Bayer Academy.'
One familiar face emerged from among them.
Joshua?
"E-Elder brother Yulian!"
Joshua appeared among the group, awkwardly laughing, his face tinted with embarrassment.
"I knew you'd sort things out with Lord Kaldrach. It seems there was a misunderstanding!"
His overly friendly demeanor caught me off guard, but I chose not to dwell.
Just then, Rinne emerged from the crowd as well.
"You were badmouthing Yulian earlier, and now this? You've changed your tune."
Rinne's comment drew a sharp glare from Joshua.
Did they know each other? Then again, as academy peers, perhaps they did.
'... Academy, huh.'
Bayer Academy was an educational institution in the capital.
While it's true that aspiring knights were visiting 'North Pole Wall' for an excursion, wasn't it about time they returned?
"Everyone."
Looking at the academy students, I spoke in a gentle tone.
Even Yulian wouldn't harm students.
I intentionally adopted a friendly manner to initiate conversation.
"Yes, yes!"
"Speak to us, Sir Yulian!"
"What is it, Sir?"
The students responded almost militaristically.
Their 'Color of Negativity' prominently displayed their fear.
'... Though it was expected.'
I'm used to it, indeed.
"When does the excursion of the northern wall end?"
A quick-witted male student answered.
"We're planning to return to the capital shortly."
"Hmm... Is that so?"
"Yes, yes!"
The timing couldn't be better.
The more reasons Yulian had for his presence in the north, the better.
Merely escorting the criminal 'Zahard' to the capital seemed adequate, but it wouldn't hurt to have more reasons, considering public perception.
"I shall accompany you. I too intended to return to the capital."
Yulian, having journeyed to the north to capture a criminal, personally escorting the Bayer Academy trainees upon their return to the capital.
What a respectable image.
I became confident there'd be no unnecessary suspicions cast my way.
"... You, Sir Yulian?"
Rinne questioned, her gaze loaded with doubt.
"Yes."
"Is it necessary? The other students might find it uncomfortable."
I hadn't anticipated discomfort over mere 'escort' arrangements, but seeing the students' 'Color of Negativity' trembling above their heads, I understood why she asked.
'... Who would want to return with a Smiling Executioner?'
'What if someone makes a mistake...?'
Considering unforeseen events could arise.
Nonetheless, I had to persist.
"Do any of you oppose traveling with me?"
I asked the students if they disliked the idea of traveling with me.
The answer, as expected, was predictable.
"Wh-what? Of course not, Sir Yulian!"
"P-pl-please do!"
Despite feeling a slight twinge of guilt hearing the students' desperate cries, it was fleeting.