Chapter 245 - Chapter 244: Enemy
The third month of Water, the fourth week, Saturday.
I listen to the pleasant sound of the river flowing.
Listening to the river is an effective way to calm the mind.
Something about the brain's alpha waves and blah blah blah.
Mika sat on a large rock, letting the fishing line dangle.
He held the fishing rod still, not moving a muscle, looking just like a hermit or something.
He had come to the river to calm his mind, and while he was at it, thought he might catch some fish, even going so far as to borrow a fishing rod, but...
"..................Not a single thing is catching..."
"If you're scattering killing intent like that, fish won't come near you."
Mika muttered, and a voice called out from behind.
Turning around with slow movements, Ninetiana was standing right behind him without him noticing.
Mika tilted his head.
"............Killing intent?"
"Being able to emit such killing intent without even realizing it is amazing in its own way..."
Ninetiana said, looking at Mika with an exasperated expression.
Ninetiana seemed to be in the middle of working in the cotton field.
Lunch break?
"Am I emitting killing intent? Or rather, what is killing intent?"
Indeed, there was something restless in Mika's chest.
It had not changed since the time when Mika lost his mind.
That was why he came to listen to the river's flow, thinking that if he could calm his mind, it would subside.
Though, thinking about the fish he considered catching only increased his distracting thoughts.
"I can't answer if you ask me what it is. If it's something minor, it's like your chest feeling restless..."
Ninetiana's chest also seemed to feel restless.
We match.
"In your case right now, Mika-kun, your killing intent is so strong your skin tingles. Even when crossing that bridge."
Saying that, Ninetiana pointed to the bridge.
It was the bridge in front of the North Gate of Rish Village.
From here, it was clearly over fifty meters away.
"To be honest, if you noticed this during a quest, you'd have to retreat immediately?"
"............Like an Agu Bear?"
"You wouldn't run away from an Agu Bear."
Ninetiana's face became even more exasperated.
It seemed to be worse than an Agu Bear.
"I am particularly sensitive to presences, but even people who can't sense that kind of thing feel restless or uneasy. It's at a level where they feel something."
Hearing Ninetiana's words, Mika grimaced.
Kistil and Nerisfeene must have been feeling that all along.
Still, they directed smiles at him just as usual.
Rather, smiles even brighter than before.
As Mika thought this, Ninetiana stroked his head.
"............I don't know what happened, but something terrible must have happened, right? The fact that you can still act normally like this is impressive."
Mika nodded slightly at Ninetiana's words.
Even while scattering such terrible killing intent, she treated him normally like this.
That was truly grateful.
Mika packed up his fishing rod and walked alongside Ninetiana.
"By the way, officials came the other day, right? How was Dur?"
Ninetiana's only son, Dur, was turning seven this year.
When he was seven, officials came, and what did they do?
Yes, measuring magical power.
This year, due to the war with the Gronoir Empire, it seems it was implemented later than usual, but they did it.
Well, with war, those with magical power are valuable assets.
It is precisely because of times like this that they cannot help but do it.
"I know it's bad to say this in front of Mika-kun, but............I was told 'no', and honestly, I felt relieved."
Ninetiana muttered with an expression full of deep maternal love.
"I see, that's good. ...Ah, should I teach you magic control next time?"
When Mika said that, Ninetiana grabbed Mika's head firmly.
She applied force until it made a creaking sound.
Ouch, work properly, wristbands!
What happened to raising your durability!
"............Mika-kun?"
"It's a lie, a lie! I'm sorry! It's a joke!"
Ninetiana called out to Mika with a low, low voice that sounded like it echoed from the bottom of hell.
Mika apologized with tears in his eyes.
Well, given the situation, it wasn't something that could be dismissed as a joke.
If his child turned out to have magical power during the war with the Gronoir Empire, how would a parent feel?
More than anything, Mika knew better than anyone what would happen if it was discovered they had magical power after the measurement.
That kind of anxiety where you don't know what is what, Mika would never want to experience that again.
Ninetiana tapped Mika's head and sighed exasperatedly.
"So? I heard Diego say you're planning to return to the Royal Capital soon."
"Yes, that's my intention. ...Well, it depends on the discussion."
Discussion, or rather, persuasion.
I had discussed this with Kistil and Nerisfeene several times, but they opposed Mika returning to the Royal Capital.
They were worried Hibujiza might do something to Mika.
However, Mika had an obligation as a mage.
There were people moving regarding the "Rare Copper-type Metal Orichalcum".
Therefore, he could not stay like this forever.
He needed to go to the Royal Capital once.
Well, throwing everything away and running away was certainly an option.
But he could not make that choice.
A rustling noise in Mika's chest.
Mika gently closed his eyes and calmed his mind.
And thus, he kept his slightly turbulent heart quiet.
Hibujiza... kill him.
Putting anger and hatred aside, he would simply kill only Hibujiza.
This was not revenge.
For Mika... for Mika and the others to move forward and live, it was absolutely necessary to kill Hibujiza.
As long as the existence of Hibujiza remained in this world, there was no peace for Mika and the others.
"............Mika-kun."
When Mika stopped and fell into thought, Ninetiana called out to him.
Opening his closed eyes and looking at Ninetiana, he saw that she also had a troubled expression.
"...It's not good. Suppress it."
"Sorry..."
Mika consciously made a smile.
Ninetiana also made a smile.
"Don't worry them too much, okay? No, everyone is worried about you, Mika-kun. Don't forget that."
"............Yes."
It wasn't just Kistil and Nerisfeene.
Amalia, Loretta, Ninetiana, Diego, Radi, Horatio, the Village Head.
Cherusis-san and Mosmir-kun of the Scobata family.
Nanzaro, Mehutlte, and everyone in the Vigilance Committee.
When they heard Mika was bedridden, so many people came to visit.
Mika parted ways with Ninetiana and headed toward the rented house.
"......Alright."
Gathering his spirits lightly, Mika entered the house.
And so, the three of them sat at the table and discussed the matter they had already discussed many times again.
Mika tried to persuade Kistil and Nerisfeene, but the two of them did not accept it.
And if Mika returned to the Royal Capital, they said they would return with him.
But Mika did not accept this.
If the two of them were captured again, he was not confident he could maintain his self next time.
He would be overwhelmed by that irresistible destructive impulse.
Therefore, Mika sincerely persuaded the two.
"I have many things on my mind. Above all, staying in Rish Village like this is by no means a safe path. We must take every measure possible. For that reason, we need to return to the Royal Capital once."
Saying that, he bowed his head.
He had to return to protect Kistil, Nerisfeene, and their three-person life.
And after a long, long discussion,
"............I understand."
"I understand, Mika-sama..."
He somehow succeeded in persuading the two.
■■■■■■
The third month of Water, the fifth week, Sunday.
The day after persuading Kistil and Nerisfeene, Mika immediately returned to the Royal Capital.
However, he did not go home yet.
There was something he had to do before that.
Mika took a lodging on the outskirts of District 3, and from there headed to Adelriese's shop.
"Greetings. Long time no see."
Mika pulled down his deep hood and showed his face.
This robe was not the academy uniform, but something more plain and dirty-looking.
When Mika went out, he made sure to hide his face just in case.
Seeing Mika's face, the old man made a surprised expression.
"Whoa... You've changed your atmosphere quite a bit since I last saw you."
"Hm? ...Ah, maybe because I lost weight? I'm slowly regaining it."
"No... that's not what I mean. Well, never mind."
Saying that, the old man headed to the back of the shop.
Mika followed as usual.
Upon reaching the second floor, he quickly dismissed the old man.
Adelriese also widened her eyes seeing Mika, but she did not say anything.
Mika also said nothing unnecessary and got straight to the point.
"Priority Order. Magic tools to calm the mind, or rather, to maintain one's sanity, and magic tools to deceive killing intent. Please prepare these two magic tools urgently."
When Mika said that, Adelriese gulped.
Then, she closed her eyes once and let out a breath, "Fuu..."
"............I see. I will prioritize this with the Great Mother's team. ...What exactly happened?"
Asked that, Mika hesitated.
But, looking straight at Adelriese, he stated firmly.
"Enemy attack."
Enemy.
Yes, enemy.
He did not know what purpose Hibujiza had or what he intended to do.
But no matter the purpose, Hibujiza was only an obstacle to Mika.
He was only a threat.
An enemy that was absolutely incompatible, with no compromise or concession possible, clearly to be eliminated.
With Mika using the word 'Enemy', Adelriese also tightened her expression.
"I will make a prototype within a day or two. I will contact you when it is finished."
"Contact me at the inn. I cannot return home yet."
Due to Hibujiza's situation, he could not return home immediately.
He had the Magic Bag of Kistil and Nerisfeene, so he wanted to pick it up as soon as possible tonight, but that would be after this magic tool was completed.
Mika took out a woven fabric made of pure "Rare Copper-type Metal Orichalcum" from the Magic Bag.
"For now, I will hand over the finished portion. Once the magic tools are made, please resume research."
"I was getting tired of waiting, really... But it seems waiting was worth it."
This "Rare Copper-type Metal Orichalcum" fabric was, of course, given to him by Amalia.
It seemed the reinforced weaving machines arrived while Mika was recovering, so he had received the portion that was made.
Adelriese's love for materials seemed to ache, and a gleaming light settled in her eyes.
"Would it be better to hand this over after the magic tools are completed?"
"Hey, kid!? You show it to me, and then say that's not okay!?"
Unusually for Adelriese, she raised her voice.
Mika struggled to hold back a laugh and handed the fabric to Adelriese.
After ordering magic tools from Adelriese, Mika stayed locked up in the inn.
At the inn, he paid a special fee to have a dish made with a mountain of beans.
And thus, locked in his room, he did nothing but muscle training.
■■■■■■
The third month of Water, the fifth week, Tuesday.
The third day Mika was locked up in the inn.
Knock, knock.
Mika was sweating profusely doing push-ups when the room door was knocked on.
Was it a contact from Adelriese?
............But there is another possibility.
Mika slowly reached out his hand to the Magic Bag on the table.
"Monk. It's me."
That voice belonged to Yaroibarov.
"You've become quite formidable in the short time I haven't seen you."
That was Yaroibarov's first words upon seeing Mika.
"Just sitting opposite me like this makes me uneasy without my Halberd at hand."
"Please stop. I am not at full strength yet."
"So, when your strength returns, you'll get serious?"
They bantered like that.
Yaroibarov drank the red wine he brought.
"I received a call from Adelriese. She said the monk returned to the Royal Capital. Well, I understand you can't enter the city. If the current monk walked around the town, it would cause a panic."
While ordinary people who couldn't sense presences might not notice, the more experienced ones would sense Mika's killing intent.
That was why he went to see Adelriese, but he refrained from meeting others.
"So, what happened? It seems you told Adelriese you were attacked by an 'enemy'."
"Yes..."
Asked by Yaroibarov, Mika told him everything.
Kistil and Nerisfeene were kidnapped and used as hostages.
Mika's magic.
How he was dyed in madness by pouring out anger and hatred and striking.
"............Destructive impulse..."
Yaroibarov, whose face turned bright red, muttered upon hearing Mika's story.
Then, he gulped down the red wine as if pouring it in.
"Are you okay now...?"
"Honestly... I'm suspicious. That's why I asked Adelriese-san for magic tools. ...I don't know how effective they will be."
Adelriese and Nozzemueller came to the inn yesterday and brought the prototype.
But neither the magic tool to maintain sanity nor the one to suppress killing intent had much effect.
Currently, they are working on the second prototype.
"Fuu..."
Yaroibarov crossed his arms and looked at Mika with a serious expression.
But his gaze was slightly above Mika's eye level.
"Then, that one is harmless, isn't it?"
Saying that, he pointed to the sphere of light sitting on top of Mika's head.
Mika smiled bitterly.
"The Light Sphere Fee is, well, like a pet. He's been at the house for a while?"
When Mika described him as a pet, Fee descended from his head and repeated blinking protests.
Fee had been with Mika and the others for a long time, but when Mika said he was returning to the Royal Capital, he followed.
"It was Fee who informed us that Kistil and Nerisfeene were kidnapped. Harmful... well, who knows?"
When asked that, Fee blinked faster.
He seemed very angry.
Seeing Mika and Fee's reaction, Yaroibarov made a troubled, ambiguous face.
But soon, he tightened his expression.
"Well, if the monk is fine, then it's fine. So, what are you planning to do from now on?"
Asked by Yaroibarov, Mika let out a sigh.
"I have many things I want to do, but unless I deal with the destructive impulse and killing intent, it's hard for me to move significantly."
Mika crossed his legs and arms, resting his chin on his hand.
Right now, he could not move much.
But waiting for the magic tools to be finished might waste too much time.
It would be better to move the parts that can move first.
Mika decided to ask Yaroibarov to pass a message.
"There is a contact named Lebrantes in the Information Broker Guild. Can you call him here? And please tell Osendorwa-san of the Fifth Knights Order that I will go there first thing tomorrow morning. At that time..."
Mika told Yaroibarov what he wanted prepared when he went to the Fifth Knights Order.
"......Understood. But is that okay? You don't have to go, Osendorwa can come here."
"If there is too much heavy traffic here, my existence might be revealed. The Fifth Knights Order's office has a wide area, so if I get off in the middle, it shouldn't be too conspicuous."
He did not know where Hibujiza was.
Avoiding returning home due to caution about that was a big factor.
Also, there was the desire to avoid trouble with people who noticed Mika's killing intent.
"If possible, it would be helpful if you were also at the Fifth Knights Order tomorrow. I want you to know the contents of the discussion."
"Understood. It's fine."
And thus, they had a brief meeting.
As he was leaving, Yaroibarov vigorously stroked Mika's head.
Mika looked up at Yaroibarov with a glare, saying "What are you doing?"
"You've worked hard. You protected Kistil and Nerisfeene well."
Yaroibarov said that, but Mika shook his head.
"I was the one who was helped. If not for Sevvero-san, who knows what would have happened to Kistil and Nerisfeene."
Mika said that, but Yaroibarov smiled broadly.
"Indeed, it might not have been just the monk's power. But so what? No one lost their lives, and everyone was safe, wasn't it? Then, it's excellent."
Yaroibarov patted Mika's head.
"There might be various problems, but isn't it enough to just deal with them one by one? If even one of the three had lost their lives, everything would have ended in the worst result. I think it was that kind of razor's edge situation? ...If so, this was likely the best result."
Simply put, there was a possibility that Kistil and Nerisfeene would have lost their lives, and Mika would have remained possessed by madness.
Just avoiding such irreversible results should be considered the best outcome.
Indeed, as Yaroibarov said, it might have been that kind of razor's edge situation.
Accepting Yaroibarov's words, Mika nodded firmly.