kscans

Chapter 104 - The Elven Scion and the Mage

I was transfixed by the sight of the girl walking alongside Famu. She looked younger than Famu. Her skin was as transparent as porcelain, and her face was as exquisitely beautiful as a doll's. Long, silvery hair swayed as it caught the wind. She wore a light blue dress. The slender arms extending from it, and the legs visible below the hem, were as white as her face. But her most distinctive feature was her ears. They were long and pointed. As I continued to observe her, she had arrived in front of me before I knew it.

"..."

She fidgeted, her hands clasped in front of her. She stared at me in silence. She had long eyelashes. When she blinked, her ears twitched slightly.

"Ahem, Lady Mo, your greeting, please,"

said a girl standing diagonally behind the elf. Her voice was beautiful. Dressed in a maid-like outfit, she too had a lovely face, looking to be about the same age as Mizuki. What was striking was the stem and leaves growing mixed in with her hair. At the tip of the stem, a tulip was in bloom. She was of the Flower Folk race. Behind her stood three knights. Two were young men. The other was perhaps in his fifties, an older knight. Could this man be the one with the nickname 'Unsinkable,' Wake?

"...I am Marmi Mume Mo Star Union."

Marmi picked up the hem of her skirt and bowed her head. As I was captivated by her adorable gesture, Mizuki poked me from behind. I looked around and saw some people staring blankly like me, while others, like Mercedes and Claire, had quickly bowed their heads in greeting.

"Master?"

Famu was looking at me from beside Marmi.

"Ah, right. I'm Mash, from the same party as the dog-eared girl Famu here, Levante."

"..."

Marmi stared at my face as if peering into it. The Flower Folk girl nudged Marmi, but she didn't seem to want to speak.

"My name is Patricia. I am Lady Mo's attendant. You are Famu-san's master, correct?"

"This one calls me 'Master,' but I don't recall ever forming a master-servant relationship. We're... well, you know."

I was about to say she was my girlfriend, but I wasn't sure if that was the right thing to say in this situation, so I stumbled over my words. But it seemed the meaning got across, as both Marmi and Patricia blushed and gasped. Another tulip bloomed on Patricia's head. Strange. Famu had a clearly dissatisfied look on her face at my response.

"..."

Marmi remained silent, still staring at me.

"Lady Mo. Please speak for yourself now. This is getting tiresome,"

Patricia said. She might be the one with the real authority here. A true regent.

"...I came with a request."

"A request?"

"...Yes."

Marmi nodded. I had expected a noble lady to speak with a formal, haughty tone, but she spoke in a perfectly normal way, not much different from Famu. It was no wonder Famu had mistaken them for adventurers. However, she seemed intensely shy, constantly fidgeting and looking uncomfortable.

"...Patricia, you talk after all."

At Marmi's words, Patricia sighed.

"We wish to go to the city of Heilon, but we've heard that a pirate stronghold has been established downstream, and the passenger ship we are on says it will not proceed any further."

"Don't tell me you want us to get rid of the pirates?"

"Yes. We will cooperate as well. This man, Wake, will!"

She had passed the buck completely to her attendant knight.

"Wake-san, it's Myra."

Myra, who had been behind me, called out to the knight standing behind Mo. Her voice made his expression soften into a smile.

"From Aidan's party? It's been a while."

"Yes! It has been a long time."

Hearing Wake's reply, Myra's face lit up. It was a charming smile I had never seen before. I felt a pang of jealousy towards him. This wasn't right. Wasn't she a shotacon? I'll have to protest to that chest of hers later.

"Now, about the request..."

Patricia brought the conversation back on track. Why was she bringing this to me? If that Wake fellow could just go and slay a thousand men, the problem should be solved.

"Sorry... but we're F-rank adventurers. We're not cut out for fighting pirates."

"I see. Then what about that gentleman?"

Patricia shifted her gaze to Mercedes. She must have gotten information from Famu, as she seemed to know exactly who to talk to.

"I am Mercedes of the Mateo Trading Company. It is an immense honor to have the privilege of meeting the young lady of the Star Union Family today."

Mateo gave a bow. Do I really have to be that deferential when I speak?

"..."

Marmi gave a small nod.

"However, I must apologize. We are not mercenaries."

Mercedes shot me a look. He seemed perplexed that I was now saying we wouldn't fight the pirates, contrary to what I'd said yesterday. He was a merchant, through and through. The decision regarding combat would be left to Avea and me. Patricia's gaze returned to me.

"...Even if I say I will undo Famu's curse?"

Marmi muttered softly.

"You can do that?!"

"...I cannot. But the Star Union Family possesses the magical wisdom from the era of the old empire."

I glanced at Myra. She had a look of disbelief on her face.

"That's a gracious offer, but she's scheduled to receive healing at the church in Miglutt."

"...I see. But there is no guarantee that she will be cured, is there?"

"That is true, but there is no magic that surpasses a miracle of the gods,"

Myra answered.

"Well, even if I refuse your request, you're still planning on taking care of Famu, right?"

At my words, Marmi averted her gaze. A direct hit, it seemed.

"Besides, why are you trying to force your way through? It will only lead to needless sacrifices, and at worst, you could be captured."

"I told you she is a scion of Miglutt's Four Regent Families. For Lady Mo to be held up in this land would convey the instability within the empire's territory. It would be like declaring that the empire cannot eliminate the influence of the Demon Kingdom,"

Wake answered in Marmi's stead. The instability of the empire's territory would be a life-or-death issue for Miglutt, which stands on the front lines against the Demon Kingdom alongside Heilon. Moreover, Miglutt has clearly declared its opposition to the Demon Kingdom. This situation would be tantamount to declaring that the city cannot fend off the Demon Kingdom's meddling. Why on earth is she traveling in a place like this?

"...I want to make a wager."

"A wager?"

Marmi nodded.

"...You will attack me with magic. I will protect myself with a barrier. You can attack as many times as you want until your mana runs out. Just a graze is enough. If you can hit me, you win. If I can defend myself completely, I win."

"Lady Mo?"

Patricia looked at Marmi with an anxious gaze, but Marmi raised a hand to stop her.

"If Lady Mo wins, then we have to fight the pirates, is that it?"

"...Famu calls me Mo. You, as Famu's companion, may also call me Mo. Everyone in Levante, too."

I was about to nod at her words, but I felt anxious about whether it was really okay to call her that. I sent a look to Patricia, who made a sour face before nodding.

"Alright, Mo. And if I win?"

"...I will give you myself."

""That is not acceptable!""

Famu and Patricia shouted in unison.

"Lady Mo! What are you thinking?!"

Patricia exclaimed.

"...I am destined to marry a stranger anyway. In that case, an otherworld hero sent by Laciel-sama would be fine."

At Marmi's words, I wondered if Famu had told her about me and looked at her. My gaze seemed to startle her, and she bit her lip and looked down. That was foolish of me. Of course she wouldn't leak a secret. I realized Marmi had been bluffing, and at the same time, I realized I had deeply hurt Famu.

"Please consider Lady Mo's lifespan. Besides, that man is old. He will die in a flash, really."

"...I will remarry then. With my current fiancé."

"There is no way you can do that! Please consider your own position!"

"...You should be the one to consider, Patricia. He will marry me and enter Miglutt. And if he summons Laciel-sama, the tide of the war with the Demon Kingdom will change dramatically."

"There is no need for you to marry, Lady Mo! Besides, the elves have a law that exiles those who bond with other races! It would never be permitted! And you are the last of the elves..."

After saying that, Patricia clamped her mouth shut.

"...Father and the clan chief will reconsider. Mash is not just any otherworld hero; he is a messenger of Laciel-sama."

Patricia was speaking with raw emotion, but Marmi showed no change in expression, speaking in a small, mumbling voice.

"What about your age?"

Patricia's tone softened slightly.

"...I will be twelve soon. Once my birthday comes, elves can marry."

"Twelve is a child. Even I am not married at my current age!"

Patricia and Marmi were arguing, but I had stopped caring. I had to apologize to Famu. I wanted to be alone with her and talk. I took her hand to lead her away, but she shook it off. Then she turned back to Marmi.

"Mo. My Master belongs to me. He is absolutely mine!"

I flinched at her strong words, but Marmi's expression did not change.

"Famu..."

"Master, please be quiet!"

I tried to speak to Famu, but she cut me off.

"...I have no intention of taking him from you. I will just become the same as you and the others over there."

Marmi glanced over the members of Levante.

"Mo is my friend. I don't want it to be you, Mo!"

So she doesn't like the idea of having the same boyfriend as her friend. I glanced at Aira. Her expression was unchanged. She seemed uninterested in the exchange between Famu and Marmi.

"...I told Famu about my fiancé before. She didn't look happy then. But now that I say I'm switching, you won't allow it."

"You don't love my Master, Mo."

"...Then I have fallen in love at first sight, right now."

Marmi muttered, sounding indifferent. Does she see herself as a political pawn?

"Liar!"

Famu shouted. I know it's my fault for angering her in the first place, but I wish she wouldn't make her angrier.

"...Both you, Patricia, and you, Famu, are speaking as if I will lose. There is no way I would lose in the first place."

"That's right. And I have no intention of accepting the challenge."

"...What? Are you afraid of losing?"

Marmi looked at me provocatively. But it had no effect on me.

"That's right. And Famu is angry."

I placed my hand on Famu's head.

"Master. Mo is looking down on you. I cannot forgive her. Please accept the challenge."

If Hyakka were here, she would have made a brilliant comeback like, "What's the deal with that?!"

and lightened the mood. But no one could keep up with the complicated, ever-changing shifts in her emotions. And there was no one here who could defy her.

"Alright. But Cecily will be the one to fight."
I don't want to fight pirates. It's childish, but I want to win.

"Huh, me?!"

She must have thought she was a complete outsider, just like Aira. Cecily let out a dumbfounded cry.


Cecily and Marmi faced each other. Cecily held a long staff, while Marmi held a wand of about thirty centimeters. A stark contrast in weapons. Besides us, many others had gathered to watch. Betting had already started on who would win. The odds were lower for Cecily. The carefree, festive atmosphere of the crowd reminded me of the battle against 'Wind Blade.' Joe and the others were in the crowd as well.

"I can't imagine Mo is a mage who surpasses Cecily's level. It seems like Mo is throwing the match from the start."

I stood next to Myra and spoke to her.

"Mo...-san is an elf. The difference in level may not matter."
Myra seemed to be struggling with how to address Marmi.

"What do you mean?"

"A profession is for strengthening one's characteristics. A level makes that correction stronger and higher. Many elves possess high magical power. It's possible she has more mana than Cecily, even at a lower level."

It seems that, just like adventurer professions, a mage's abilities are a combination of their innate personal abilities, the correction from their profession, and the enhancement from their level. So Marmi's aptitude as a mage could potentially surpass Cecily's level-enhanced magic power.

"But there must be spells you can only learn at higher levels."
Myra shook her head.

"Just as you can handle a sword without being a warrior, you can learn magic without the mage profession. Since Cecily has never been formally taught, she can only use the magic she learned by leveling up, but Lady Mo seems to be different."

"So that's why Cecily said she wanted to go to a magic school..."

Myra nodded at my words. While I was listening to Myra, Cecily launched a fireball. A feeler, I suppose. It was of normal size. The fireball was easily deflected by the barrier Marmi deployed. The deflected fireball flew towards the spectators. They scattered in a panic, but they seemed to be enjoying it. The cheers grew louder.

"...I would like to set sail for Heilon tomorrow morning,"

Marmi muttered softly.

"You little...! In that case, I'll give you a taste of an extra-large fireball!"

Cecily fell for Marmi's cheap taunt. The crowd was overjoyed. She raised her staff, and a ball of fire appeared above her head. The ball of fire swelled in an instant, growing huge.

"H-hey, isn't that a bit dangerous? She's a kid, and a noble's daughter!"

I yelled at Cecily, but she had no intention of listening to me. She raised her staff and concentrated. The fireball had become a massive orb over five meters across. I instinctively took a step back. Even the delighted spectators were backing away like me, and some started to run. In the midst of it all, Marmi stood motionless, holding her wand at the ready.

"Turn into an afro!"

With Cecily's shout, the small sun, blazing brightly, rained down upon Marmi's head. It wrapped her body in a pillar of fire with a violent explosion.

"Did she overdo it? Myra, get ready with healing magic,"

I muttered anxiously.

"No, it doesn't seem to have reached her,"

Myra said. Patricia, who was watching in the same way, had a worried expression, but Wake was watching the fight without any sign of panic. The pillar of fire dissipated. Marmi appeared, enveloped in a magical barrier that covered her entire body. She didn't seem to have a single burn.

"...If that was your maximum firepower, I win."

The magical barrier surrounding Marmi vanished.

"No way..."

Cecily's voice trembled. She showed no signs of preparing another spell. Marmi turned to face me.

"...I'll just say that was an exhibition. Now it's your turn, Mash."

Marmi pointed her wand at me.