Chapter 15
She had to use it when necessary, but she didn't really like lightning magic.
Staring at the charred monster, Elisha bit her lip slightly. What on earth was
that? Summoning monsters or hiding one's body was magic neither she nor Eric had
been able to invent. After the existence of the Hyde became known, they had
tried several times to develop similar magic, but all their efforts failed. But
that man summoned a monster and, for a fleeting moment, escaped her sight.
Elisha's blue eyes darkened. Regardless, Dante stared blankly at the monster's
carcass, his mouth open. This was a monster most wizards couldn't even perceive.
Of course, once it became visible, killing it wasn't hard, but cutting short the
life of such a massive beast in a single strike wasn't something anyone could
do. No, this is something no one could replicate. Even he, the most renowned
wizard after Elisha, couldn't do it. The sheer power of her magic made what
could have looked like a reckless attempt seem effortless. A casting speed that
the eye couldn't follow. And besides... And even after using that massive
electric discharge, not a single stray current scattered into the surroundings.
Certainly, a few tiles on the inn's roof crumbled, but compared to the damage
the monster could have caused, that was nothing. Especially since
lightning-based magic is known for being difficult to control and prone to
affecting the surrounding area. Dante slowly turned his head to look around.
Other than the inn's roof, damaged property... none. Injured people... none at
all. The only problem was, "Aaaaaah!" that she hadn't been able to protect their
mental health...
"W-w-w-what is this!" Jonathan's shout came from below. Others were reacting
much the same way. At the same time, Elisha pulled the hood of her cloak further
down and spoke. "It’s dead, so the ability vanished."
"This is crazy, seriously. Why didn't that rascal Eric ever invent a
memory-erasing spell." Staring at the street that immediately descended into
chaos, Dante let out a long sigh. Meanwhile, Elisha continued her speech. "The
guards will arrive soon." "......" "Explaining how a monster suddenly appeared
is impossible anyway, so we’ll skip that. We’ll just say you were passing by and
took care of it. It isn't entirely untrue, either." "What if they ask who the
person in the cloak beside me is?" "Say it was a passerby." "Do you think
that’ll work...?" "If you insist, there’s no reason it shouldn't." If you say
so, what can they do. Having finished her thought, Elisha cast a glance down.
Jonathan likely wouldn't recklessly open his mouth, but it was best to make sure
he remained silent. Just in case his story intertwined with Dante's.
"Elisha, wait." Just as Elisha was about to teleport from the roof, Dante
grabbed her wrist again. I almost lost her. The monster's sudden appearance had
diverted the conversation, but wasn't there an unresolved issue? "This is your
achievement. Don't be like this, let’s return to the Imperial Palace together,
huh?"
"I remember that conversation already ended." "Ended? What do you mean, ended?
It hasn't ended at all!" how could she simply declare it "already ended" when we
hadn't even reached a proper conclusion. It meant that if I hadn't grabbed her,
she would have truly vanished! No, calm down. Anyway, I grabbed her again, so
it’s fine.
After taking a moment to catch his breath, Dante moved his lips, his voice
gentle. "Holding simultaneous positions is easier said than done. You know that
too, both of us were always buried in work." "......" "How can I possibly do all
that work alone when it was too much even when divided between the two of us?"
Of course, maybe Elisha could handle all that on her own with time to spare. But
unfortunately, he wasn't Elisha. Dante wore the saddest expression he could
conjure and looked at Elisha with pleading eyes.
When Dante Renard makes a face like this, most people would grant him his
request. Even Eric would have given in, saying he was too ugly to look at. But
unfortunately, Elisha. "That won't make me return." She was not most people. At
her blue eyes, which were beyond cold and completely freezing, Dante nervously
swallowed without realizing it. I really need to do something about this habit
of being afraid whenever I see Elisha. Get a grip, Dante Renard. If I can't
persuade Elisha to stay here, I’ll wither and die from exhaustion one day. I
can't end up like that monster, dead with its eyes wide open.
"You’d hate it too if you were told to serve as Magic Knight Commander and
Archmage." "Why would I take both when you are here?" "Don't think you can get
away with a subtle compliment!" at Dante's words, Elisha feigned ignorance with
a slight lift of her eyebrow. For Dante, it was an infuriating moment. "If I
took both, I might really die......"
"I’ll attend your funeral." "I know you won't come because you’ll be in hiding!"
"You’re smarter than you look," Elisha muttered with a deadpan expression. At
the same time, Dante ran his free hand through his hair in frustration. What on
earth was all this? At first, he thought he just had to bring Elisha back. First
the communication stone breaks, then a monster appears out of nowhere.
"We don't have time for this." Elisha twisted her captive wrist, her brow
knitting. Dante tightened his grip on her wrist reflexively. "You really won't
return?" "He said I’m someone who should not be in the Imperial Palace." "Since
when did you ever listen to Eric...!" "I think I listened well. More
importantly, let go of this." Immediately after that, Elisha sent a small
electric shock toward Dante's hand. Dante bit his lip hard but didn't let go of
Elisha's hand.
If I let her go here, it’s over. If I let Elisha leave now, all that’s left for
me is a thorny path. Think. Think, Dante Renard. Young, capable, and handsome
Dante Renard, please use your head!
"If you don't let go now, I’ll knock you unconscious and leave," unaware of his
internal turmoil, Elisha delivered her threat with an indifferent face. Dante
shook his head even more enthusiastically than before. Something... something to
persuade Elisha... "Ah." At that moment, the monster's form filled Dante's
vision. Right, there’s that.
"If you really want to leave, I won't stop you." "......" "But—" then, with a
solemn expression, Dante began to speak slowly. Elisha continued staring at
Dante in silence, one eyebrow slightly lifted. Her gaze said she’d eliminate him
immediately if he uttered any nonsense. The scary part is she actually has the
ability to do it. Dante took a deep breath and continued. You won't be able to
ignore this, Elisha.
"What if something like today happens again after you leave?" his purple eyes,
the color of violets, cast a glance behind Elisha at the monster. Elisha's face
immediately contorted in a scowl. Good reaction. Dante let out a sigh of relief
at that moment. She was half-convinced.
"Think about it, Elisha. Why would such an artificial situation happen right in
front of the two of us?" "......" "The opponent used magic we can't use.
Summoning monsters, I mean." Of course, this was all just a guess, but at least
Elisha seemed to believe him. Dante continued in a cold, analytical tone,
completely different from before. As he spoke, the scowl in Elisha's brow
deepened.
"What if the person who summoned this monster is an enemy of the Cardion
Empire." "......" "The Imperial Palace could be next." This wasn't just a story
to frighten Elisha. Of course, he said it with that intent, but it wasn't a
threat entirely fabricated from lies either. A monster appearing exactly where
the Archmage and the Magic Knight Commander were. That in itself was extremely
unnatural. "Today, there was no damage because you were here, but what about
after you leave?" "......" "I’ll say it again, Elisha. All the wizards in the
Imperial Palace, including me, combined cannot defeat you alone. This is the
current military power of the Cardion Empire." This was also a miserable but
true fact. In the first place, he and Elisha were the only wizards who could see
the Hyde. I never would have done it that way. Besides, hadn't he been miserably
defeated by Elisha in battle just a moment ago? He’d even blown up that
expensive communication stone in the process.
Dante Renard is right. Meanwhile, Elisha thought about Dante's words, and slowly
opened and closed her eyes. It was a small mercy that Dante Renard could see the
Hyde, but that didn't mean he could easily handle all monsters. And that person.
Dante Renard didn't seem to have seen him, making it a bigger problem. A master
skilled enough to escape my sight, even for a moment. What if that person is a
true enemy of the Cardion Empire? What if the events of the Shelan Plains repeat
themselves in my absence. What if the victim... is Eric...
"......Elisha?" finally, Dante muttered uncertainly and tilted his head. Why
does she look as if she’s suddenly trembling? Elisha isn't the type to be
afraid. And she couldn't be sick. "......Renard, the reason you are trying to
return me to the Imperial Palace." At that moment, Elisha, who had been bowing
her head, lifted her gaze and stared at Dante. In the dark shadow cast by her
hood, only her blue eyes gleamed, reflecting Dante's image. For a moment, Dante
held his breath without realizing it.
"Is it simply because if I vanish, your workload will become immense?"
"Well...,yes." Sorry to Eric, but I’m not really interested in anything but my
comfortable life. (No, actually, I have nothing to apologize for.) Not after the
nonsense he spat at Elisha. At Elisha's question, Dante nodded his head slowly.
At that, Elisha seemed to think for a moment, and her brow knit.
"......Fine," she finally said, as if she had made her decision. "Then let’s
make a deal."
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