Grand Mage Violetta was wrapping up her business in Balamagos and preparing to move.
Surely, she had neatly resolved the Countess’s request to dispose of the Demon. There was no reason for her to linger here any longer.
With the Demons and Monsters gone from the mine, the forge in town began to emit scorching heat again.
Yuric bought a cane with the money he received after completing his commission. The cane, which had leather wrapped around its middle to serve as a handle, was both appropriately weighted and priced.
Before leaving Balamagos, Yuric also purchased a bundle of paper. Although the quality wasn’t as good as that of Arphenheim, it was still satisfactory.
He wandered around the city until the day before departure, drawing pictures everywhere, which he carefully stored in his bag.
He even drew portraits of the two Demons he had fought with the Subjugation Team. With his keen eye, he managed to remember most things he paid close attention to. This would be valuable reference material for Mages studying Demons later on.
As the departure date approached, Master Violetta, Executioner Shilson, and the youngest member Yuric headed early in the morning towards the carriage station. The youngest had to rush around early in the morning to find a carriage, which, as usual, was filled with Mercenaries.
According to the Mercenaries, the Green Dragon, which used to frequently ambush carriages along the road, was eventually driven away by several groups of Mercenaries.
When a Dragon died, its body quickly rotted away, leaving only its scales behind. These scales were highly valuable to humans. Dragon scale armor made from these scales was an expensive high-end armor that could easily cost hundreds of gold coins. Even ground dragon scales were one of the best materials for alchemy. Of course, overconsumption could turn them toxic, but a small amount mixed into a potion would be ten times more effective than ordinary potions. It was said that if limbs were severed, applying dragon scale potion to the wound would cause them to reattach almost instantly.
Dragons, which were highly resistant to magic and flight, were extremely difficult to catch, but once caught, they could make one rich. However, the Green Dragon was among the smallest and weakest of the Dragon race, making it somewhat easier to catch compared to others. Still, it was a Dragon nonetheless.
Fortunately, there was a Mercenary on the carriage who could play the lute, allowing Yuric to enjoy his music during breaks while traveling to the next village. …Honestly, his singing skills were terrible, but at least Yuric got to hear many legends and myths passed down orally. Among them, the songs “The Age of Heroes” and “The Prince in the Tower” were his favorites.
Especially “The Prince in the Tower” captured his heart with its narrative. The witch who imprisoned the prince in the tower did so actually to save him, and eventually, the prince fell in love with the witch. …How romantic!
“Why fall in love with the witch who trapped you? Hmph, the prince must have lost his mind!”
Yuric tried to explain to Violetta, who commented on “The Prince in the Tower” in this way, that this was what romance was about, but he was immediately rebuked by Shilson. He almost blurted out that romance was essential for life but managed to suppress it.
Due to Dragons recently frequenting the area, common bandits and monster packs, once frequently seen, had disappeared like washed clean. Some might have ended up in the belly of the Green Dragon. As a result, the journey became quite comfortable.
Yuric devoted himself entirely to circuit modification during this potentially boring journey. Determined to increase the density of mana within his body and store more of it, he felt the need to fundamentally overhaul his entire circuit. Just a few minor changes wouldn’t suffice to meet his standards.
This was especially true since this circuit needed to be applied to his body, requiring many trials and errors. Therefore, modifying it would inevitably take much longer than improving a barrier.
Yuric learned from Master Violetta a spell to thinly coat his entire body with mana.
Actually, this spell was designed to prevent contaminated mana from affecting his physical body when entering places where contaminated mana existed.
“Where is the contaminated mana?”
“The Jallia Fortress is a notable example. It is often referred to as the Cursed Fortress. A city that perished under the magic of a Great Demon centuries ago.”
Yuric looked at Violetta with sparkling interest.
“The next famous place is the Distoria Maze. It is said to be thousands of years old. Demons enjoyed watching humans being thrown into it. Also, contaminated mana flows out from cursed objects such as unlucky paintings or rings that drive their owners mad.”
“I’ve heard of those.”
The circuit for the coating spell was unexpectedly complex and challenging. Yuric would need to practice extensively before he could use it as naturally as breathing.
Mastering a single spell meant practicing relentlessly until the spell’s circuit was vividly clear in his mind.
That’s why wandering Mages spent their entire lives honing just one or two spells they could reliably use. In this field, where one misstep could be fatal, a reliable spell was more important than several dubious ones.
The three travelers, after passing through three villages heading south, turned west at an intermediate crossroad.
They intended to visit the city of Bemberg first before heading to the southern front.
After moving westward for five days,
Yuric arrived at Bemberg, a specialized magic city.
Ah.
A city built on a vast lake like an ocean!
In the center of the lake stood a massive white castle, its sight so awe-inspiring that words of admiration escaped his lips. The eight great bridges connecting the castle to the city and the buildings lining the bridges created a picturesque scene. Every glance inspired him, and Yuric felt an urge to capture it all on paper immediately.
“This is a city created by ancient Mages.”
Shilson boasted about the greatness of their ancestors.
“Truly amazing…”
If dungeon-making skills were combined, this would surely be a masterpiece.
Grand Mage Violetta added:
“Originally, there were no bridges. There was only a castle on the lake. After pushing back the Demons, they added the bridges. About two hundred years ago.”
Yuric once again wondered about his master’s age but refrained from asking this time.
They descended at a stop outside the lake and climbed the bridge. Along the sides of the bridge, there were walkways for pedestrians, and the first floors of the buildings attached to these walkways displayed strange items in their windows. Everywhere Yuric looked, there were fascinating things, leaving him with no respite.
Violetta told Shilson to go to their lodging first and then vanished somewhere. When asked where the successor went, the predecessor pointed to a magical tower in the middle of the lake.
“There’s someone I know at the magical tower. I’m sure I’ll meet them and come back.”
Shilson led Yuric across the walkway and into a tall building beside the bridge.
The hall was filled not only with Mercenaries but also with Mages cloaked in robes.
“Hey, long time no see.”
“Isn’t that Shilson!”
The elderly innkeeper and Shilson exchanged greetings.
“Where have you been?”
“I went up there for a bit to catch some Demons.”
“Damn Demons. Rumors say a few appeared around here.”
When Shilson and Yuric sat side by side at the counter, the innkeeper glanced at Yuric and asked who he was. Shilson smiled and placed his hand on Yuric’s shoulder.
“He’s my successor!”
“Successor?… Did he take on an apprentice?”
“This kid is sharp.”
“He looks smart. And he’s handsome too. He’ll make women cry.”
“Haha, no way.”
Yuric waved his hand, laughing, but the innkeeper clicked his tongue.
“No kidding. People’s eyes are already glued to him here.”
Indeed, there were quite a few glances directed at Yuric.
“Stop the nonsense and give us some food!”
“Just wait a moment.”
The innkeeper brought two plates full of food to the two of them. Both, who were hungry, finished their plates as quickly as they could.
The two ate their meals and then entered a four-person room. Upon entering the room, Yuric couldn’t help but exclaim at the beautiful view of the lake from the terrace. He watched the lake for a while, then saw Shilson sprawled on the bed and asked if he could go out for a bit.
“Just wander around nearby. You won’t get lost, right?”
“Not to worry. You know I have a good sense of direction.”
“Alright. Don’t stay out too late. We should return before the Master arrives.”
“Yes, understood.”
Yuric left immediately with his bag.
“…Everything here is a work of art…”
He walked for a while on the bridge, found a suitable spot, and took out paper and charcoal from his bag. This picture seemed better suited for charcoal rather than a quill pen.
Yuric settled in and began drawing seriously. He was completely absorbed in his drawing for quite some time… without noticing anyone behind him.
Suddenly, feeling something unusual, Yuric turned around.
?
Behind him, watching him draw, was an elderly man with white hair.
“…Remarkable.”
The neatly dressed elderly man nodded at Yuric’s drawing.
Then, Yuric couldn’t help but marvel at the man’s body. It was filled with an astonishingly dense mana, calm and still like the depths of the sea. Could such a thing really exist?
“Mana infused in a painting. Truly innate talent. Was there such a person at the magical tower? Are you affiliated with an academy?”
“No, I’m not affiliated with any.”
At this, the elderly man’s eyes sparkled.
“Really? How about learning magic under me? Though I may not look it, I have some reputation.”
Certainly, this elderly man seemed to be a remarkable figure.
However,
“I apologize, but I am currently serving under a Master.”
“Oh? Who is it?”
“Grand Mage Violetta.”
Upon hearing this, the elderly man’s eyes widened slightly, and he burst into laughter.
“A disciple of that woman? The one without any romance?”
Yuric nearly admitted it.
“Yes, that’s right… What is your name?”
“Oh, my name is Yuric.”
“Yuric, I remember. I am Drogman.”
The elderly man smiled meaningfully and lightly tapped Yuric’s shoulder.
“I look forward to meeting you again.”
And with that, the elderly man Drogman continued on his way.
Yuric tried to resume drawing but found himself unable to concentrate and eventually gave up, returning to the lodging.
He asked Shilson if he knew who the elderly man named Drogman was.
“…Drogman?”
Without hesitation, Shilson replied:
“Grand Mage Drogman. He is also a rival of Master.”
