Last chapter for vol 10! π Look forward to the next volume! Luciel is finally putting his foot down π
Chapter 191: Rumor and Belief
Translator: Tseirp
Itβs only been a little over a year since I met him at Ienith.
Even though only that small amount of time has passed, the atmosphere around him makes it feel like he is a completely different person.
In my memory, he had pride and dignity as a noble and despite his air of immaturity, it felt like he had an overflowing sense of justice.
Even though he became a slave because he lost in the war and was trapped in his desire for revenge on the Empire, I remember feeling that his way of thinking was still rough and naive.
And then encountering him after a long time, the air around the man in front of me was completely different from the air he had that time.
Because he had a somewhat tense air around him like it had been sharpened and honed, he gave off an aggressive impression.
Maybe his naivety was wiped off after experiencing hell once, or β¦ well nevertheless, I have no interest in staring at a manβs face for an extended period of time so Iβll scrutinize the information he has and think of my future actions to take.
βFirstly, where did you hear the rumor that I was no longer a Healer and was punished by the God?β
βThat information passed around about half a month ago. I first heard of it during a gathering of nobles and by that time, the majority of the nobles already knew about it. Just in case youβre interested, the source of the information was not specified.β
Half a month β¦ it seems short but it is very long.
However, that information was a mere rumor.
Unless somebody attests to it, it shouldnβt be anything more than a rumor.
β β¦ Iβm not saying that you easily believe in rumors but it seemed like Wisdom-dono believed it too?β
βYes. Actually, immediately after hearing the rumors, the Rubruk Kingdom sent letters to the Saint Schull Allied Nations and the Healerβs Guild to verify the information but there were no replies at all.β
β β¦ And that is strange?β
Wisdom-dono nodded and explained to me the reason in sequence for believing the rumors.
βAs you know, my Rubruk Kingdom has been in a prolonged war with the Empire and we have requested for the dispatch of Luciel-sama countless times.β
β β¦ This is the first time I heard of it.β
βWell, they probably donβt want to send an S-rank Healer that only appears every few decades to a conflict zone. Well because of that, after continual refusals in various situations β¦ this time the rumors overlapped and whispers of maybe the S-rank Healer actually doesnβt exist began.β
β β¦ I see. Itβs true that thereβs no smoke without a fire. However, even with that β¦β
βYeah. Iβm familiar with nobles so I didnβt really believe it. However, for some reason, the Church began to rush to erase those rumors.β
Why would they do that? If they do such a thing β¦ wait, donβt tell me itβs a conspiracy? Somebody induced it β¦ or maybe they incited it.
β β¦ So you believe the rumors to be true because of that cover-up?β
βYeah. I judged that it had high credibility.β
There were no contradictions in his words.
If thatβs the case, Shisho and Lionel are in danger.
I took a deep breath, switched gears and changed the topic.
βIf thatβs the case then I want to quickly return to the surfaceβ¦ before that, I would like to hear about the Empire next. You said that you were experimented upon but do you know why they were burying magic stones in the human body?β
βIn my case, it was an experiment to increase magical power amount by embedding magic stones in the body. Even though they supposedly used purified magic stones, perhaps because the magic stones were not compatible, my body began to release miasma and I heard someone say that it was a failure.β
In other words, it wasnβt an experiment to create demons? Or maybe there was a change in the experiments?
βWhen you were captured by the Empire, did you hear anything about experiments to take in the power of the demon race or magic tools that can transform humans to demons.β
βNo. Itβs true that there were talks about the demon race but the aim was for the annihilation of the demon race. I recall such conversations. Naturally, I did not see any demons either.β
βAnnihilation? They werenβt in collaboration with the demon race?β
βThatβs not the case. If demons appeared, my country would have a hard time maintaining the equilibrium and it wonβt be strange if my country got destroyed.β
He laughed and said in a self-demeaning way but those words were enough to confuse me.
Whatβs going on? I understand that he canβt be lying since he just made a pledge but is the information he holds actually true?
Certainly, I donβt hold a good image of the Empire.
Thereβs the incident involving Lionel and the others, they tried to secretly crush Ienith, they launched wars and held onto peoplesβ weakness to have a supply of slaves so they donβt give a good impression.
However, thinking about it, Lionel and the others are Empire citizens too.
Thinking about it that way, the Empire without their publicly known General is actually β¦ brittle?
There, I suddenly felt something connect.
And I recalled hearing talks of Lionel still in the Empire.
βEr, have you met the SenβOni General?β
β β¦ I have. He is the perpetrator who buried the magic stone in my body.β
It seems like the imposter is still around, so thatβs why Lionelβs notoriety is terrible.
β β¦ By the way, do you recall the lame slave at Ienith?β
He seemed like he was thinking for a while before he quickly nodded.
βI remember if itβs that old man. He was empathetic and spoke to me.β
Old man β¦ itβs true that Lionel was an old man when I met him.
While dispelling the memories that surfaced, I imagined Wisdom-donoβs look when he sees the now rejuvenated Lionel as I decided to tell him the truth.
βHe is Lionel, that renowned SenβOni General. Now he is my retinue and is in Ienith so the one in the Empire is an imposter.β
βThatβs impossible! Iβm certain that he was called General Lionel and I should have seen his face once before on the battlefield β¦β
Wisdom-dono lost his composure but I had a request for Orford-san who was listening to us.
βOrford-san, Iβm sorry for the sudden request but could you transform into me?β
β β¦ Umu. Very well.β
Orford-san used mixed magic, Transformation Magic to transform into me.
βIs this alright?β
Rather than looking similar, itβs totally a carbon copy of myself.
βThank you β¦ Itβs a strange feeling to see another one of myself. Is this a magic that anybody can use?β
βItβs possible if it is a high order Magician who is capable of mixing the opposite attributes of Water and Fire. However, mixed magic constantly consumed magical power during use so itβs impossible to maintain for long durations?β
βIncidentally, can it be applied to another person?β
βItβs possible β¦ but, itβs impossible without considerable skill and technique.β
βI see. So Wisdom-dono, what do you think?β
β β¦ Unbelievable. But, if itβs true β¦ that time, my face was immediately covered with an iron mask.β
It seems like he has an idea.
Nevertheless, if they are so careful in their preparation, then isnβt there also the possibility that they are monitoring Lionel? However, itβs unlikely that Shisho or Lionel would not notice it.
Was the person who circulated the rumors that I canβt use Holy Attribute Magic perhaps an imposter among my companions?
To Wisdom-dono who was greatly perplexed, I explained from my point of view what kind of person the real Lionel is.
βDuring battles, Lionel fights to protect his companions. Thatβs why he is always fighting in the forefront and I feel that he is a true warrior who dislikes deception and strategy.β
β β¦ A personage like that is the real one? Then who exactly is that man?β
βHe would be an imposter.β
β β¦β¦ Shit.β
Even if his brain accepts it, because he actually experienced it, he would definitely vent his hatred if he met Lionel.
While thinking about his complication feelings, seeing how I have been acting on the premise that the Empire is involved with the demon race, I decided to first find out more about the Empire.
Since Iβve asked all that I wanted to ask, next would be to establish a cooperative relationship.
βThen will Wisdom-dono be staying in Nelldal?β
βAh. That was the plan but my aim for coming here was to find a means to treat my body so β¦β
βIf so then?β
βYes. Iβve achieved my goal so I no longer have any reason to stay here.β
βYouβre glad that you are cured right?β
βOf course. I feel nothing but gratitude towards Luciel-sama. If you ever need my insignificant help for anything in the future, I will do my best to cooperate.β
The suffering expression he had until just now was gone and now a smile has returned to his face.
βThank you. If possible, please spread the word in the Rubruk Kingdom that I have become a Sage.β
βOkay. Iβll tell them that the rumors were meant to ensnare Luciel-sama and they would immediately be convinced once they see my body.β
He said and laughed once again.
After that, I once again told Orford-san of my intent to immediately return to the Church and he guided us to the same room with the magic circle where we first arrived in Nelldal.
βWell then Luciel-dono, Iβll be transferring the three of you to the Church?β
βIβm sorry to trouble you.β
βUmu. Leave it to me. And, that β¦ would you be giving me that~?β
βYeah.β
I took out a bottle of honey and took out another bottle as well.
βYouβre giving me two?β
βOne of it is Object X. If a monster attacks, try to make it drink that. If you can make it drink it, even a Red Dragon can be defeated.β
β β¦ Iβll take note of it.β
After that, I exchanged magical communication bead magical power with Orford-san and promised to one day meet Wisdom-dono again.
βWell then, Iβll be sending you three, Luciel-dono. Have a cup of honey mead with me the next time you come.β
βSure. Iβll be in your care.β
βNadia-kun, Lydia-kun. If you two ever feel like studying magic, I welcome you to come visit again.β
βOkay. If we have a chance to come here again, please show us around the streets of Nelldal.β
βIβll try my best to be able to use both regular magic and Spirit Magic.β
Listening to their replies, he gave the same good-natured old man smile that he showed us when we first came to Nelldal.
βSee you again, Wisdom-dono.β
βI will make sure to spread the message that youβve attained the Sage job.β
When Orford-san channeled magical power into the magic circle, the magic circle glowed and the next instant, we were swallowed by the light.
Thus, that marked the end of the seemingly long but short three months in Nelldal.
Authorβs note:
Thank you for reading.