Episode 109

After Rainiel left, I collapsed onto the counter and writhed for a while.

Only after I barely regained my composure did a delayed question arise.

‘Why did Dylan appear?’

Why did that man approach Vanhel alone?

Targeting Vanhel didn’t seem strange at all, but it was odd no matter how I thought about it that he hadn’t brought a subjugation force.

Come to think of it, didn’t Viviana also quietly visit Vanhel?

At the time, I was so worried that Viviana would kill Windria that I couldn’t think of anything else, but looking back now, her actions were just as strange.

Does Dylan know that Viviana secretly came to Vanhel? Could he have come to achieve the goal that Viviana failed to accomplish?

“Hmm…”

‘From the beginning, he said he was looking for me behind Viviana’s back.’

I couldn’t figure out Dylan’s motive at all. I might have gotten on his nerves when I was captured by him…

If his intent was to find a fugitive, there was no reason to avoid Viviana’s eyes. The idea that he would do anything behind her back was nonsensical.

‘Could there be an incident between them that wasn’t in the original story?’

I just assumed they were simply in love with each other. But maybe there’s something more complicated hidden behind it.

Once I started doubting, my curiosity grew and grew, but there was no way I could go to see Dylan to resolve it.

“…If I knew how to attack, I would have been more helpful.”

As I absentmindedly muttered with my chin resting on my hand, Isabel, who had been focused on coloring in the corner of the shop, reacted.

[Even if you knew how to attack, you wouldn’t have been able to kill anyone.]

“How do you know that?”

[I can tell from your magic. You never let any magic with killing intent go unchecked.]

Well…

When I couldn’t find a reply and remained silent, Isabel calmly picked up the brush she had set down earlier.

[That’s a power only you possess. So, use it well.]

“Even if you say that…”

It would only matter if I ran around the battlefield to mediate. Sitting here behind the counter doesn’t help at all.

While I was pouting, I noticed the butterflies stuck to the wall.

It seemed like Ren and Ban really liked the building being covered in magic, as they blended into the wallpaper’s pattern.

Could magic be that good? Even in the magical garden…

“Ah!”

[Ah! You scared me!]

Suddenly struck by a thought, I unconsciously slammed the counter and stood up.

[Ah! The paint spilled out!]

Isabel trembled while holding the brush, but I was too preoccupied to notice, unfortunately.

“Isabel, Isabel!”

Despite my urgent call, Isabel nervously glanced down at her painting.

[Ahh! The side hasn’t dried yet!]

“Isabel, I’ll buy you a new canvas, so please focus for a moment.”

At my words, Isabel hesitated and looked back at me.

[I’ve used up all the paint too.]

“Alright. I’ll buy them together with you.”

[Now that I think about it, the brush is too thick. Maybe a thinner one…]

“I-sa-bel.”

[Ahem, ahem. Go ahead. What are you curious about?]

Isabel put down the brush and hurriedly grabbed her axe, rushing toward me.

I picked Isabel up and placed her on the counter, matching her eye level as I seriously asked her.

“Do you remember the magic garden at the mansion? I told you I helped the boss recover there.”

[Yes, you did.]

“Is it something that can only happen in the magic garden?”

[Of course it’s possible. Wherever you are, magic power will always gather.]

“Then, do I have healing abilities? Can I heal other people too?”

If the magic that follows me dislikes killing intent, wouldn’t it prefer healing people?

If I could heal someone with just the power of magic, the number of things I could do would double.

Filled with anticipation, I looked at Isabel, who tilted her head as she answered.

[Hmm… That’s not it. You were able to help him in the garden because he was in a state of magic exhaustion. But it’s rare for a wizard to collapse from magic exhaustion. A wizard without magic dies, after all.]

So, I didn’t actually heal Rainiel. I just helped him quickly replenish his depleted magic.

‘So, I was just… acting like a fast charger.’

As I drooped my shoulders in slight disappointment, Isabel calmly added an explanation.

[That wizard is maintaining his broken magical vessel with the power of magic. But the more he uses magic, the more he consumes even the magic needed to maintain that vessel. What he needs most is abundant magic, and you are the one who can provide that.]

“Then, is my role more important than I thought?”

[It’s more than that. If you choose, you can make any wizard surpass their potential.]

“Not just the boss?”

[Yes, anyone. Although it won’t be a permanent improvement in skill, as long as they can borrow your magic by staying close to you, anyone would naturally become stronger.]

So basically, I’m a walking magic power battery. And also a pacifist battery that blocks killing intent.

Despite still feeling disappointed, I tried my best to shake off the feeling.

It meant that I could be of help when Rainiel was in danger to the point of his hair turning silver. Just confirming that was enough.

Besides, if I can nullify magic with killing intent, even if I just hone that ability, I’ll be able to protect not only myself but also others from attack magic.

That alone would greatly improve the situation.

“Thanks for letting me know.”

I need to work harder to freely control my magic.

As I clenched my fists with determination, I suddenly looked back at Isabel.

“But Isabel.”

[Yes?]

“Was I really destined to be a great wizard?”

[What?]

“My magic isn’t moving again.”

Am I mistaken? I actually don’t have any talent, right?

[….]

…Why aren’t you answering?

***

The outcome of the fight between Rainiel and Dylan had been decided from the start.

That was to be expected, since Rainiel hadn’t been facing Dylan alone from the start.

Vaidro and Gilberton, aware of Rainiel’s unstable condition, had been by his side from the beginning, while Dylan was, quite honestly, alone.

Or perhaps… he hadn’t planned on winning from the start.

“Do you think I can’t kill you?”

Rainiel looked down at Dylan, who was kneeling at his feet, with a peculiar gaze.

Dylan, stripped of his weapon, was bound by Vaidro’s magic. At a glance, it looked as if he had been captured after a fierce battle, unable to overcome the numerical disadvantage.

But Rainiel, having fought Dylan several times, knew that he wasn’t giving his all right now.

“Did you think getting caught like this would get you into Vanhel?”

“Shall I kill him?”

Gilberton asked, aiming his sword. Dylan, without a hint of tension, glanced at Gilberton before slowly turning to Rainiel.

“If I die here, it’ll give them the perfect justification for war.”

Of course, Dylan… was the leader of the Audrian knights, so if he died here, it would ignite the fury of all the knights.

But what did that matter? They would attack Vanhel sooner or later, regardless of Dylan’s life or death.

“Do you think I won’t kill you because I’m afraid of that?”

“…I can mediate.”

Vaidro let out a scoff at Dylan’s words.

Dylan Stasi, of all people, saying something like that!

“Is madness in fashion these days?”

Rainiel frowned, clearly displeased by Vaidro’s blatant mockery.

“Giselle turned cute, but that guy’s just a crazy lunatic. Don’t compare them as if they’re on the same level.”

Regardless of Vaidro’s disgusted glare, Rainiel coldly stared at Dylan.

“To hear the words ‘mediate’ coming out of Dylan Stasi’s mouth, the guy who used to rush at dark wizards with his eyes on fire. He really must have lost his mind. Did someone hit you on the back of the head or something?”

Even someone as indifferent to people as Rainiel couldn’t help but notice by now that something was seriously off with Dylan.

The fact that he had come all the way to Vanhel’s front yard, practically enemy territory, and let himself be caught so easily… it was all strange.

“Black hair today, I see.”

Dylan suddenly spoke. It was more like talking to himself.

“Is there a reason your hair color changes?”

Rainiel let out a sarcastic laugh at his incomprehensible words.

“You always said my silver hair was so beautiful, and I guess you were right. You can’t seem to forget it.”

“Can’t you change it at will?”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to confirm, but don’t get your hopes up—I’m not showing you anything.”

Rainiel spoke softly as he turned to Vaidro.

“Vaidro, dig a hole. Let’s bury him.”

Whether Dylan had let himself be caught or not, Rainiel didn’t care much. They were bound to fight eventually, and if he’d willingly been captured, that just made it easier to take him out.

‘By the way, how much time has passed?’

I told Giselle I’d be back soon, but I’ve been held up much longer than I expected.

I had put up a big sign in front of the shop saying it was closed today, but someone who didn’t know any better might have visited. I should hurry and go chase off the pests.

At Rainiel’s merciless verdict, Vaidro lowered his voice with a worried expression.

“If we kill him and it turns out to be a trap…”

Vaidro’s words didn’t go on for long. The reason was that Dylan, who had been silent, finally parted his lips with difficulty.

“…In the past.”

He paused briefly and exhaled deeply, a faint sense of despair in his breath.

“Is it true that Viviana tried and failed to break your magic vessel?”

Rainiel’s face turned expressionless.

Dylan, gritting his teeth, continued while staring up at Rainiel’s now cold and subdued red eyes.

“Is your silver hair the scar from that time?”