novelraw Chapter 106 : Chapter 106
Chapter 106 : Chapter 106
Chapter 106 – Capital
“My name is Wolfgang Eisenpelt.”
Wolfgang’s fist was lodged in Ilea’s abdomen.
Ilea remained expressionless. She hadn’t taken any damage.
She had protected her body with magic.
Wolfgang’s punch was completely frozen.
Ilea opened her mouth.
“I’ve heard that name many times. You’re even greater than I expected, sir.”
There wasn’t a single person in this world who didn’t know Wolfgang.
Even the vagrants on the streets had heard the name at least once.
Wolfgang de Eisenpelt. He had defended the North for over 150 years. He was a living piece of history and a hero of humankind.
There were countless fairy tales and biographies centered around Wolfgang.
Ilea had read more than a few of them.
Wolfgang grinned.
“Mage, shall I hear your name now?”
Naturally, he was curious about Ilea’s identity.
She had effortlessly blocked his strike.
In the past 50 years, not once had something like this happened.
There were only a handful of people who could match blows with Wolfgang.
A being beyond human. The Mage before him was likely one of them.
Probably a Grand Mage.
Perhaps they had crossed paths once before.
That was Wolfgang’s thought.
Ilea spoke.
“Apologies. I cannot reveal my identity. I ask for your understanding.”
Mages typically did not reveal themselves.
The mere existence of a Mage was classified as a first-class criminal, and they were always being pursued by the Order.
Like Ilea now, Mages always wore hoods or masks to hide even their appearances.
Wolfgang stroked his beard.
“Hmm, it can’t be helped then. I’ll just have to confirm it with my own eyes.”
Before he even finished speaking, a blood-red shimmer rose from Wolfgang’s body.
The crimson current spread in all directions.
It was a special ability known as Bloodsteel.
Bloodsteel was slightly different from a knight’s aura.
While aura emitted energy from the dantian, Bloodsteel boiled the user’s blood to generate power.
Only warriors of the North could wield Bloodsteel.
Wolfgang’s body turned red-hot like heated steel.
His frozen fist instantly melted.
Ilea let out a small sound of admiration.
“Amazing. To generate this much heat without magic.”
At the same time, Wolfgang’s fist exploded.
A deafening blast rang out.
A blistering wave of heat engulfed the alley.
The ice fragments protecting Ilea instantly vaporized.
From the force of the explosion, Ilea was sent flying.
A beastly roar followed.
“Mage! Let me see that face of yours!”
Wolfgang charged through the rising steam.
The crimson giant caught the airborne Ilea in a flash.
A massive hand gripped her small head.
Ilea didn’t resist.
With her head still in Wolfgang’s grasp, she was slammed straight into a wall.
KWAANG─────!
The wall crumbled instantly.
Shattered rubble rained down onto Ilea’s body.
She stared at Wolfgang with an expressionless gaze.
“You’re quite rough. Do all men in the North treat women like this?”
The massive hand was clenching her face tightly.
Wolfgang raised the corners of his mouth wide.
“I didn’t know you were a woman. If I had, I might’ve been even rougher.”
Ilea had even altered her voice.
With an average level of perception, one couldn’t guess her gender.
Ilea smiled with her eyes.
“Liar. You knew.”
Wolfgang wore a cruel smile.
“Let’s see then, if you’re really a woman.”
With his other hand, he yanked off her hood.
But instead of the hood, her entire head was torn away.
Wolfgang froze. The smile disappeared.
He was visibly shaken.
A neutral voice rang out from the air.
“How vulgar. Men of the North, huh.”
The Mage, still hooded, looked down from atop a broomstick.
From Wolfgang’s hand, the ice melted away.
The target he had attacked moments ago had only been a scarecrow conjured by Ilea’s magic.
Wolfgang shook the moisture from his hand and spoke.
“Are you just going to keep defending?”
The Mage before him didn’t seem intent on fighting.
Ilea shook her head.
“No. I’m planning to run away now.”
Wolfgang swallowed.
“Won’t you at least exchange a few blows with me? You won’t get many chances like this.”
To trade blows with someone like Wolfgang was a rare and precious experience.
At least, that was how it was for Northern warriors.
But Ilea wasn’t a warrior.
She was a Mage. She placed no value on life-or-death battles.
Ilea smiled gently.
“Forgive me. I don’t have the confidence to survive a fight with you, sir.”
In truth, she wouldn’t be able to defeat Wolfgang right now.
He was one of the strongest in the current era, and the witch was still too young.
Fleeing was the wise choice.
There was no more reason to stay in Dead Shadow.
Wolfgang had finished cleaning the place up.
Wolfgang’s face showed displeasure.
“You’re being too modest. I don’t like it.”
Ilea gave a small bow.
“Someday, I’m sure we’ll get another chance. For now, I’ll take my leave.”
Wolfgang waved his hand dismissively.
“Fine, get lost. I’ve lost interest.”
If a Grand Mage chose to flee, there wasn’t much Wolfgang could do to stop her.
Ilea ascended higher into the sky on her broomstick.
Her voice echoed softly.
“Farewell, Wolfgang.”
The Mage vanished in an instant.
Wolfgang looked up at the sky and muttered.
“A Grand Mage shows up, huh. Damn it, Crohn. Just what the hell are you playing at? You’d better not cross the line.”
Crohn was the nickname for Count Cromwell Staviana.
Wolfgang let out a long sigh and moved on.
It was time to return to the North.
***
The city of Beldana and the capital weren’t far apart.
By carriage, one could reach the capital in a single day.
In the residential district of the capital, a rather antique-looking house among many caught Yohan’s eye.
He stepped down from the carriage and looked back and forth between his map and the mansion.
“This is it.”
This must be the house the Count had secured for him.
The front gate bore the crescent moon seal of the Miyatro Family.
There was no room for doubt.
Yohan approached the gate.
It was tightly shut.
‘Should I say something like “Open up” or whatever?’
He cleared his throat.
Just as he was about to shout, the gate creaked open with a metallic sound.
A man dressed in a clean tunic rushed out.
“I-it’s an honor to meet you! I am Haman, the butler who will be serving you from now on!”
He looked to be in his mid-20s.
Quite young for a butler.
Yohan spoke.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yohan Miyatro.”
Haman responded nervously.
“It’s an honor, sir. Was your journey peaceful?”
It had only taken a day, and the trip had been very comfortable.
There hadn’t even been a security check at the capital gates.
As soon as they saw the Miyatro Family seal, the guards had quickly stepped aside.
It was likely the Count’s influence.
Yohan nodded.
“I arrived comfortably. More importantly, may I check out the inside of the mansion?”
Leaving the new master of the house standing outside like this—anyone could tell Haman wasn’t a seasoned butler.
‘The Count was a bit sloppy with the introduction.’
He had probably needed to hire someone in a rush.
Yohan thought nothing more of it.
Haman bowed politely.
“O-of course. Please, come this way.”
Following Haman’s lead, Yohan entered the mansion.
Crossing a wide garden, they arrived in front of the main building.
The doors opened automatically, revealing the interior.
“““Welcome, Master.”””
Numerous staff were lined up in the entry hall, facing each other in neat formation. Maids, gardeners, cooks, coachmen—all bowed deeply in unison.
Yohan swept his gaze across them and said,
“Good to meet you all. Let’s get along.”
They bowed even lower in response.
Butler Haman spoke again.
“Master, you must be hungry. Please allow us to serve you dinner. Everything is prepared.”
Yohan shook his head.
“No. Take me to the study. We need to talk.”
The sun would soon set.
Yohan would turn into a demon.
Before that, he needed to share a few important warnings with the butler.
A trace of tension passed over Haman’s face.
He gave an awkward smile.
“If it’s something you need to say…”
Yohan frowned slightly.
‘He’s a bit clueless. Feels like a deadweight.’
Just from the first impression, Haman was disqualified.
He didn’t seem like someone who would handle things meticulously.
Yohan clicked his tongue.
“I said we’ll talk in the study.”
His tone grew firm. Haman flinched like a fish out of water.
“Y-yes, of course!”
Haman and Yohan headed straight to the second-floor study of the mansion.
***
Yohan sat at the desk and folded his arms.
“Now, Haman. Have you memorized all the precautions?”
Haman stood upright and answered briskly.
“First, all staff must vacate the mansion after sunset! Second, no one is to enter or leave the mansion until sunrise, no matter what happens during the night! Third, anyone who violates these rules will face severe punishment! That is all!”
After sunset, Yohan would transform into a demon.
No one could be allowed to witness that.
He still couldn’t trust the staff yet.
Yohan nodded.
“Good. Make sure everyone else is informed.”
“Understood. Then shall we head to the dining hall? A welcome banquet has been prepared.”
Yohan frowned.
“…Haman. The sun is about to set.”
Everyone had to be out of the mansion by then.
A welcome banquet was out of the question.
‘Already forgetting the rules?’
Yohan’s opinion of Haman continued to fall.
Haman looked startled.
“My apologies! Then for your dinner…”
“I’ll handle it myself. You may go now.”
At the dismissal, Haman promptly turned to leave.
“P-please have a peaceful night!”
Just as he was about to exit the study, Yohan spoke up.
“Wait. I forgot one thing.”
Haman turned back to face him.
“If there’s anything you need me to do, please say it!”
“I’ll be visiting the Marcano Family early tomorrow morning. Inform them ahead of time.”
He couldn’t just show up unannounced.
Some notice was necessary.
Haman replied,
“I’ll head out right away.”
Yohan clicked his tongue.
‘Why say you’ll come back again?’
He sighed.
“After that, just go home. The sun will set soon.”
Haman lowered his head. He seemed disheartened.
“…I-I’ll inform everyone else to leave as well.”
“Good. Be on your way.”
Haman turned and left the study.
His previously naïve face turned rigid.
His gaze turned cold.
He pulled a piece of paper from his coat and muttered.
“Night. So, night it is. That’s the key detail for now.”
He began writing something down with focused intensity.