Chapter 67 - 6-6
Two mages departed from the holy city of Karnain, where a skull emblem was carved into the arched gates. A mage's journey is either one where absolutely nothing happens, or one where they are embroiled in an outrageous incident from the very first day.
A journey where absolutely nothing happens is one that takes place within the forest. Many mages train in the forest and are accustomed to sleeping and waking there. A journey where incidents occur is one that follows the highways and mingles with humanity. There are also many mages who are ignorant of the world.
One of the two traveling mages, Laje Jink, initially chose the pathless ways within the forest.
Laje was a sophisticated, urban mage with a well-groomed mustache. Unusually for a mage, he knew very little about the forest.
"Hey, Laje. Did you know? These berries are edible."
The other of the two traveling mages, Alf Cedar, was a fledgling thirteen-year-old mage. He had been drilled in the ways of forest survival by One-Eyed Zarko.
"These bugs are edible too. You have to be careful with these mushrooms. Bella mushrooms can be used as medicine, but the ones with little goblins like bean-grains living under the cap cause disturbances if you eat them. I don't know what kind of disturbances, but either way, Zarko said that trying to increase spiritual power through food is spiritualism."
"Is that meant in a negative sense?"
"Who knows. According to Sensei, it's neither good nor bad."
—How interesting.
For the first two days of the journey with Alf, Laje found himself unexpectedly enjoying it.
However, his mind changed when he saw Alf begin to collect nuts that resembled walnuts.
"What is that?"
"My favorite. Apparently, they don't have them in Argis City."
"In the city, one buys food to eat, you know?"
"Give me a break, Laje. I grew up in the orphanage in Karnain City. Of course I know that."
"Have you ever shopped?"
"Yeah. About twice. I went to Karnain by myself on an errand for Sensei. To buy liquor."
"I remember. You didn't buy the liquor; you tried to steal it and were thrown in a cell. Zarko-shi and I suffered quite a bit back then."
"Sensei just doesn't get it. Why pay money for something you can take for free? It's the same in the forest as it is in the city. If it's there and nobody's looking, it's fine to take it."
Laje had been entrusted with Alf by One-Eyed Zarko. This was so that Laje could provide Alf with an education in the academic city of Argis and turn him into a fine mage. As things stood, he might become a thief rather than a mage.
—Perhaps teaching him the rules of the world should come first.
And so, Laje took Alf out of the forest and became a traveler of the highways.
On the highways, there are often standalone houses that serve as a combination of an inn, a tavern, and a shop, catering to travelers.
Right around noon, such a shop came into view.
Laje handed a Gilan gold coin to Alf.
"Do you understand? Buy two apples with this. I will not permit any other wasteful spending. Even if the shopkeeper tells you 'there is no change,' you are to persist and buy them. There is no way they have none. Do not let them cheat you out of your change. You can do the math, can't you?"
Alf looked at the gold coin in his palm and spoke timidly. "I'm great at it."
"Do you understand? You must absolutely not steal anything. Now, go."
Alf began to walk with unsteady steps, as if intimidated by the weight of the gold coin. Then, without looking back, he changed direction and began to run. He ran down the highway.
Laje was caught off guard, as he had thought that, at the very least, the boy would enter the shop.
Judging that chasing him would be a struggle, he had no choice but to chant a spell under his breath and form a sign.
A gust of wind blew. The branches of the trees overhanging the roof of the house rustled violently, leaves danced, and a single dead branch fell from the trees to the rear of the building. Perhaps startled by this, a rooster came running from behind the building, flapping its wings and crowing loudly. Pursuing it, a boy holding a hatchet appeared from behind the building.
"Hey, wait!"
The boy chased the rooster, stepped on some scattered firewood, and landed hard on his backside. In the momentum, the hatchet slipped from his hand and was flung upward. The hatchet spun as it soared higher and higher into the sky.
Alf's back had already become quite small in the distance. The parabola drawn by the hatchet crossed over Alf and fell right in front of him. Alf, seemingly terrified, stopped in his tracks and slumped onto the road.
"Are you injured?"
The boy who had fallen was brushing mud off his clothes while muttering curses in a low voice. He looked up at Laje's face. "Shut up, you sissy bastard. Don't look at me."
"You have caught quite a big prize."
"Huh?" The boy glanced at the rooster pecking at the ground.
"Shut up! Don't make fun of me!"
When Laje walked over to Alf, the young mage's eyes were wide.
"Did you use magic?"
"I did. Now, stand up."
Alf picked up the hatchet that had been driven into the ground and stood up. "Did you perhaps trigger a chain?"
"I triggered a chain."
"Laje really is amazing. I've tried many times, but I've never succeeded once. The leaves always just flutter and then stop."
"The forest has various elements intricately intertwined. It is quite difficult to trigger a chain. More importantly, why did you run away?"
"Why? —Laje, buying apples with a gold coin is wrong. It's blasphemous. You must never use a gold coin under any circumstances. Much less for apples."
"Did you suddenly want the gold coin for yourself?"
"To put it simply, yes."
After returning to the shop and giving the hatchet back to the foul-mouthed boy, the two continued their journey.
"I wonder if I can trigger a chain too?"
"You could likely trigger one easily. However, Alf, let me tell you this clearly. You must not use magic for evil deeds. Not only would that be an insult to Zarko-shi, but it would also foster your own desires without limit, making them uncontrollable."
"Sensei told me the same thing harshly. Don't use magic for yourself. Laje, those old men are bad mages, right?"
"Who knows. I suspect Zarko-shi didn't say that, did he?"
"You know Sensei, right? Sensei is haphazard about everything. He only tells me ambiguous things. Those old men looked down on Ness. That's a bad thing, isn't it?"
"But they wish for world peace. That might be a good thing."
"Laje, let's be clear. They're shitty old men."
"Please, do be clear. You are the only one who can do that."
"This is troublesome. That kind of thing. I wonder who they are? I wonder what they want to do?"
"What they are performing is a chain. A chain of tremendous scale, one that involves the entire world."
Alf spoke with a skeptical look on his face. "As I thought, it's nothing good."
The journey continued for about ten more days. Alf caused a commotion every single day without fail.
He would steal anything that caught his eye.
After somehow drilling into him the foolishness of stealing goods without paying, and once signs of improvement in his kleptomania appeared, Alf's bad attitude began to stand out. He would hurl verbal abuse at anyone and everyone.
"Alf. No matter who they are, a mother is a precious existence."
"They started it—"
"I will not hear excuses. Did I not teach you? 'I'm sorry,' 'Please,' and 'Yes, that's right' possess a power stronger than the words of magic."
"Yes, that's right."
As they approached Argis City and the number of people increased, Alf frequently displayed rude behavior toward young women.
"Hey, sister, you've got some huge tits. How much would it take—"
At this point, there was nothing left to do but hit him over the head.
"Laje, I won't be a kid forever. Every single night, I feel something boiling in my lower abdomen. I'm becoming an adult."
"Adults do not say such things to women."
It felt like a miracle that they reached Argis City without it becoming a serious situation.
Argis is a city of learning created at a crossroads of highways by students of the Seven Free Arts who had become independent from the theological schools. Now, all sorts of schools line the streets. Theology, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, music, art, and occultism. Its richness could be called the finest in the North. It is a strange city that possesses no city walls, yet has not delegated its governing rights to the local nobility. Argis is a free city protected by the Alish royal family.
While being a city of learning, it is simultaneously a city of mystery.
There is a school that teaches magic called the Magic Academy. Not only that, but many mages live here while serving as lecturers in philosophy or art, engaging in discussions of hidden sciences night after night.
Laje immediately searched for a boarding house for Alf.
"I will live with you for a while. I am worried about you being alone."
"For a while?" Alf blinked. "Aren't we together forever? I don't want that, let's stay together."
Laje was treated as a comrade by One-Eyed Zarko, but in his heart, he considered Zarko his master. Alf was, so to speak, his junior disciple. Despite everything, Laje found Alf endearing.
"It's alright. I will look after you for a while. After that, I will visit as often as possible."
Taking his junior disciple with him, he visited the Argis Magic Academy. The grounds were vast, but the buildings were not large. Over three hundred aspiring mages were packed into that space. More than ninety percent of these would eventually be expelled without ever showing a spark of talent.
The students carried books in one hand and rolled straw mats in the other. As for what they did with the mats, they spread them on the floor to sit on during lectures. Everyone, with lethargic eyes, sat wherever they pleased—be it the hallways or the stairs—chatting with friends.
Laje knocked on the door of Dancour-shi's private room.
"La, la, Laje, it's b-b-been a long time."
Dancour-shi was the mentor Laje had when he was enrolled in the Argis Magic Academy.
He had grown his white hair and white beard as long as he pleased, and his sideburns were braided. The skin of his face was wrinkled and sagging, looking as if it might cover his eyes.
—He has aged.
Laje felt a loneliness that tightened his chest. Dancour-shi smiled.
"I've b-b-become senile, but m-m-my head is f-f-fine. Th-th-this child is—"
"Yes. The disciple Zarko hand-picked, Alf Cedar. Now, Alf."
"Nice to meet you, Dancour-shi. I am Alf Cedar."
"Wh-wh-what is your guardian animal?"
"Zarko-sensei said it was a fox."
"Th-th-then, you sh-sh-shall call yourself the S-S-Silver Fox."
When forming a master-disciple relationship, it is common to bestow a name. For reference, Laje had been given the sobriquet 'Shooting Star.'
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Alf gave his thanks with unusual obedience.
He must have liked the sobriquet.
And so, life in Argis City began.
Laje was worried whether Silver Fox Alf would do well at school, but Dancour-shi proved his ability as an experienced instructor.
"I like that teacher. His explanations are so slow it's annoying, but when he praises me, he takes his t-t-time, s-s-slowly, to praise me. It feels good. He's much kinder than Zarko-sensei."
"Please do not betray Dancour-shi's kindness and disappoint him, alright?"
"You don't even have to tell me that. Today I have transcription and sign practice."
Alf possessed the merit of being able to immerse himself for hours in repetitive practice.
Concentration that does not dislike repetition is essential for mastering magic.
There are many things to memorize to use magic, and repeating the same thing stubbornly over and over again also serves as training to empty one's mind.
"You seem to be doing fine."
After living together for about two weeks, Laje felt it was time he could leave Alf alone.
When he announced he was leaving the city, Alf pouted.
"You said you'd stay with me until I graduate."
"I did not. You will be fine. Listen carefully to what Dancour-shi says. This is for living expenses."
When he showed him the gold coins in a small pouch, Alf's eyes sparkled.
"I feel like I'm gaining confidence."
Looking back, he should have sensed something at that time.
However, Laje had business to attend to, and he also wanted to quickly inform Zarko-shi of Alf's condition. Intending to return in about three months, Laje left Argis.
Laje first visited the Syllabus family, who had aided Alf's tuition, and met Larisa Syllabus. Larisa Syllabus was the younger sister of Ness Syllabus.
"Alf has become a complete bookworm," Laje reported proudly.
"That is for the best."
Larisa smiled, but it was a smile that somehow held a shadow.
Laje stayed one night at the Syllabus estate. When he asked why Ness Syllabus was not to be seen, Larisa sighed.
"My brother has become increasingly violent and ill-tempered; when he starts rampaging, he is beyond control. We had no choice but to have him committed to the city's prison tower."
Laje gasped.
"Laje-sama, only a limited few know of this. Please keep it strictly confidential. In particular, do not tell Alf. I do not wish to make that child any sadder because of my brother."
Laje felt miserable that he could only offer the Syllabus family commonplace words of comfort. With a bitter feeling, Laje left Karnain City.
He brought liquor with him when he went to Zarko's place in the Great Forest.
"Did Dancour say anything about me?"
One-Eyed Zarko asked first.
"No, nothing in particular."
"Hmph."
Zarko-shi was surprisingly concerned about his reputation.
"As for Alf—"
"Enough about that brat," Zarko said, turning his eyepatch-covered face away.
He seemed lonely.
Laje settled in and spoke of Alf's condition. Upon hearing that his beloved disciple was diligently striving to master magic, Zarko-shi seemed unable to suppress a smirk.
"Laje, I don't know what to say." After reaching for his liquor, Zarko looked almost tearful. "I'm always relying on your care. I feel pathetic."
"It would be helpful if you formally recognized my apprenticeship."
"If you become my disciple, you'll never surpass me. You are a talent greater than I am."
Even if it was flattery, Laje was happy that his hardships seemed to have been rewarded.
Laje further had to go to Saranti in the east. He served as a special advisor to the Dravar family, who ruled Saranti. In terms of rank, he was said to be the second-in-command to the political advisor, and the financial treatment was not bad.
Since the political upheaval a year ago, the Thora family had been establishing a system of control over almost the entire eastern region. The Gilmond and Anavis families had been abolished. In the Necrat family, the eldest and third sons died in battle, the second son entered a monastery, and the fourth son was missing. The wife and daughters were under house arrest, making a revival difficult.
Everywhere in the east, they had no choice but to accept the Thora family's administrators, and the local powerful clans were put in positions to assist those administrators. The almost sole person resisting this movement was the Countess of Saranti, Helderica Dravar.
Amidst the storm covering the east, Saranti maintained neutrality.
It maintained it, but Saranti possessed vast, fertile farmland, mines producing copper and iron, and one of the finest port towns in the North. Sedeas Thora would not leave it alone forever. Once control of the east was established, a war to encircle Saranti would begin.
After greeting the Countess at Saranti Castle, which bore the alias 'The Bat Castle,' Laje discussed the situation with Prince Raslaf of Saranti and the chief political advisor, Arnosh Dracy.
Raslaf Dravar, who had seemed like a pampered son of a wealthy noble, had become remarkably robust and even carried an aura like the leader of the anti-Thora faction.
"Sedeas Thora cannot win against the Kosa people," Raslaf said. "In the Fourth Army, Eastern Sector Army where I served, that was the common understanding. Saranti will maintain its independence at all costs until the Kosa army arrives."
"Assuming the Kosa army defeats the Thora family," Laje said. "Who will defeat the Kosa army?"
"We will. We will make this land a vessel for people who hold anti-Thora views. If talent gathers, we can even win against the Kosa army."
Raslaf curled the corners of his mouth and looked back at Laje.
Laje also spoke privately with Arnosh Dracy.
"What do you think of Lord Raslaf's ideas?"
Arnosh asked. He was thirty years old, close in age to Laje.
"Lord Raslaf is trying to become a true warrior. However, he is struggling because he does not know how to defeat the Kosa army. Yet—he seemed to possess some kind of conviction."
"It's Yugis Necrat."
"...Who?"
"The missing fourth son of the Necrat family. Lord Raslaf does not say it aloud, but he believes that fourth son will return alive."
"I see. Setting aside the fourth son, I think gathering talent is a good idea."
"Will you say that to him?"
"With pleasure."
Laje departed without a moment's rest. He spent his days in political activity, traveling all over the east and searching for and recruiting talents among those who harbored rebellious intent toward the Thora family.
Because of this, he was significantly delayed in going to check on Alf in Argis City.
It was half a year after parting with Alf that he stopped by Argis. Alf had quit school. Furthermore, he had vanished. Laje stood stunned in the academic city.
"S-s-silver Fox has l-l-left."
Dancour-shi spoke in a leisurely tone.
"Why? What on earth happened? What did he do?"
"He w-w-went on a j-j-journey. I p-p-permitted it."
"Why would you do such a thing!"
"S-s-silver Fox said that th-th-there are th-th-three Sages."
Laje patiently listened to Dancour-shi's explanation.
The Three Sages had once come to Argis City, and Laje had met them. In Karnain City, they had placed a curse on Ness Syllabus. They had turned Ness into a demented man.
"Th-th-that man called Ness..."
Possessed a certain destiny. A destiny to interfere with the giant chain set by the old men. A destiny to save Siddim.
That was why the old men cursed Ness.
—Helping Ness is also saving Siddim.
Alf seems to have determined this and set out on a journey to find the three old men. To meet them directly and force them to break the curse placed on Ness, even by force.
"S-s-silver Fox apparently had a d-d-dream."
In his dream, Alf saw Ness. Ness was currently imprisoned in some cell. In the dream, Alf heard Ness's voice calling for help.
—It reached him.
Laje gnashed his teeth. Alf was originally the possessor of high spiritual ability.
Alf apparently told Dancour-shi. Laje could imagine the determined expression on his face.
—Please let me go. If I don't leave now, I won't make it in time.
"S-s-saying that, s-s-silver Fox left the city. He i-i-intends to confront the th-th-three Sages. I b-b-believe I gave Silver Fox a-a-all the knowledge necessary for that c-c-confrontation."
"Alf is still a child. I should have stayed with him a little longer."
"B-b-but he is not a ch-ch-child forever. T-t-take this—"
Dancour-shi handed a bundle of papers from his cluttered desk to Laje.
Alf had left a note.
'To Laje.
I'm really sorry that I ended up leaving without consulting you. I haven't told Zarko-sensei, but the truth is, I want to become a decent human being. But since Sensei himself isn't a decent human being, he only taught me about magic.
But I'm happy that Laje tried to make me a decent human being. That's why I feel a bit guilty about leaving in secret.
I'm going to go for a bit and take care of the three old men. I'm thinking of seeing various things while I'm at it. I'll come back around next spring or so and continue school. The people at school are annoying, calling the Kosa people a national crisis, national crisis. I have no intention of becoming a hero. I'm going because I have promises with the young master, Ness's mother, and May Syllabus-sama. Also, I'll only tell Laje, but I think Zarko-sensei will be happy when he hears I've set out on a journey. That's why I decided to go. I'd be happy if Laje could forgive me.'
In Laje's heart now, there was no feeling of wanting to blame Alf.
Though the writing was scattered, he could read that Alf felt apologetic.
The letter continued.
'Anyway, in order to go, I've run up quite a bit of debt. From my boarding house mate Padri and others. I borrowed money from the people at school too. I took the living expenses I received to a brothel because I wanted to have adult experiences, and I got scammed out of all of it. Also, I've run up quite a tab at the drinking dens. So, I'm sorry, but it would be a huge help if you could cover all of that for me.
I've made a list of the people who lent me money and the amounts, so I'm counting on you.'
"Will he be alright?"
Laje looked at Dancour-shi.
The old man laughed, shaking his beard. "B-b-becoming a decent human being comes first, but a-a-as a m-m-mage, he is p-p-promising."
"It's not that I don't trust my master, but I am worried. I will follow after Alf."
"Y-y-you should stop. Th-th-there is m-m-meaning in the place where each person is. S-s-silver Fox has h-h-his own battle. We c-c-cannot be of help. Wh-wh-what you should do, f-f-for now, is this."
Saying so, Dancour-shi held out his palm.
Checking the list, Alf had indeed borrowed about three Gilan from his master.
Laje had no choice but to take out his own wallet.
The act of creating this list was undoubtedly the utmost extent of Alf's attempt to be a decent human being.