Jo of Noiva’s upper part.
Hans of a prominent family.
Akaeus, formerly the captain of the constabulary.
Sereil, the surgeon.
Melina, a big-time gambler.
The names of the middle-aged people found in the basement were quite significant in the city as well.
Especially, the respect of the citizens was concentrated on the likes of Mr. Hans and former Captain Akaeus, so the shock to the people was even greater. They never imagined that they would eat people for the sake of immortality.
Collectives or families made strenuous efforts to erase their names and influence. If they got entangled, they would inevitably fall from grace. Being noticed by the nobility in the city meant social death. For those who had something, this could be more terrifying than simple death.
Of course, Baron Monsel ordered that their base be thoroughly searched out of anger at such a tragedy happening in his city. He wanted to find any possible accomplices.
Three mages also thoroughly searched the building where the alchemist lived. There, they discovered what seemed to be her journal.
“…So he didn’t do these things just here.”
He had moved the city twice before the trail was uncovered. This was the third city, and he was now looking for the fourth city. It had been ten years. In ten years, countless innocent people had fallen victim. All because of one alchemist’s absurd theory.
Her alchemy was fundamentally evil. It was as if she had learned it from somewhere unimaginable.
Yuric carefully examined her journal to see if there might be a mastermind behind it. During this process, he found the word “Lisi.”
“…Lisi?”
It was unclear whether it was a name or a designation, but it was written that she had contact with Lisi and received astonishing knowledge.
However, there was nothing else of substance. Her alchemy was a mess, and her abilities as a mage were not particularly outstanding. All she had was insatiable greed.
Yuric collected all the journals and sealed them away. He intended to pass them on to the Dawn Society. They might find new leads based on this information.
Baron Monsel ransacked the lair of the cannibals and found three more accomplices. However, one had already escaped, and only two were captured. As usual, these were notable figures whose names alone caused great social unrest.
Thus, this incident of cannibalism came to an end, and the three mages received considerable rewards under the Baron’s command.
Afterwards, Yuric went to find Ethan.
He used all the money he had, including the reward he received, to buy a house where Ethan and the street children could live. At least, they wouldn’t have to live on the harsh streets anymore.
“I’m sorry I can only do this much.”
“No, this is more than enough. It’s an unrepayable kindness. Thank you very much. And I want to express my gratitude to the two of you.”
“The two of you?”
“The two mages who go with your brother.”
“Did they come here too?”
“Yes, they even gave us money. We’re saving it.”
Yuric looked somewhat strange.
“Alright, thank you for me.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll leave tomorrow.”
Ethan looked slightly disappointed.
“You must stay strong.”
“Yes, I will definitely.”
Yuric patted Ethan’s head and stepped outside. The children came out to see him off at the alley entrance.
“Brother, goodbye!”
“Big brother, take care! Come back again!”
“Please draw pictures next time too!”
Despite going through such horrific experiences, the children still showed innocent and beautiful smiles.
Yuric swallowed his sadness and smiled brightly at them.
“Okay, kids. Take care.”
After completing the job, Yuric returned to Bemberg.
The three mages once again ate nothing but mutton and goat cheese for a full fifteen days. Finally, they arrived at the Magic City.
They headed straight for the Magic Castle to meet a leader of the Dawn Society. The seasoned mid-aged leader with silver hair was none other than Howell’s master, Mage Wolberg. He personally received the sealed box containing the alchemist’s journal and an overview of the case from his apprentice Howell.
“Hmm, the elixir of immortality… I’ve often heard that there are recipes for the elixir of immortality passed down among alchemists. Of course, no true elixir of immortality has ever been discovered. Anyway, it seems like a rather complex matter, and you handled it well.”
Wolberg praised the three for their hard work.
Then, Yuric cautiously spoke up.
“Do you know anything about Lisi?”
“…Lisi?”
“It’s written in the alchemist’s journal. She received important knowledge from Lisi.”
Wolberg’s gaze changed slightly. Yuric felt intuitively that Wolberg knew something about Lisi.
“Lisi is… a group of mages who escaped from the Mage Tower long ago. That’s what they’re collectively called.”
Howell and Rochelina had heard of the name Lisi, but they didn’t know the deeper details.
“They are not hostile to human civilization. However, unlike the Mage Tower, they believe that magic should have no limits.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that there are many extremists among Lisi. They perform human experiments without hesitation.”
Wolberg lightly tapped the lid of the sealed box with his palm.
“And it seems this alchemist also obtained knowledge from Lisi.”
Of course, Yuric did not think there couldn’t possibly be such mages in the world.
Still, he felt a sad thought: couldn’t magic be used in a better direction?
“Oh, Yuric, take this.”
Wolberg took something out from a drawer and handed it to Yuric. It was a letter envelope.
“Miss Violaeta gave this to me. She said to give it to you when you returned.”
“Master?”
“Yes. She left for the central region not long ago. It seems there was an urgent call from the Mage Tower.”
“Did you know what it was about?”
“I’m not sure. She handed this to me right after the sealing was finished and left. I assume it’s written in the letter.”
Yuric thought he would finally get to see his master, Violaeta, and Senior Shilson again. He never imagined they would part ways without even a greeting.
“Understood. Thank you for delivering this.”
After submitting his report, Yuric left the Magic Castle alone and entered the Lake Inn. The innkeeper immediately recognized Yuric’s handsome face and told him, “Your master left a week ago.”
He had dinner late and rented a small room. Though there was no grand bath, he could still enjoy the beautiful sunset over the lake.
He sat comfortably on the terrace with the setting sun over the lake as the backdrop and opened the envelope left by his master.
– By the time you read this, I will already be far away from Bemberg.
– The Mage Tower contacted me. There was an urgent matter that couldn’t be put in writing.
– I left ahead of you since I don’t know when you will come. Of course, I believe you will know what to do even without me.
– Whatever you experienced in Valenroad will become your bones and flesh.
– Yuric, you are my proud student. Without worry, walk the path you must with vigor.
– I believe in you.
– Violaeta.
Yuric read the letter again and neatly folded it back into the envelope. The sunset had long since set and the lake was shrouded in darkness, but he stared at the distant sky for a long time. Yet, his gaze was directed toward something even further.
‘I will become a better mage when we meet again.’
This was not just a message to Violaeta. It was also a determination to send to Brother Luke, who takes care of the children, and the five masters of Arphenheim who raised him.
Yuric left a letter and a drawing for Howell and Rochelina and headed south again.
Through the fog characteristic of Bemberg, the carriage traveled southward.
In fact, there was a minor issue for him.
“…What am I going to do with almost no money…”
The pocket money he received from Shilson and the reward from Baron Monsel had mostly been used to buy a house for the street children of Valenroad. What was left was just a few pennies for emergencies.
Ultimately, he lacked the money to stay at an inn and had to use a barn instead. Although it smelled of manure, it wasn’t uncomfortable enough to prevent sleep.
However, the daughter of the innkeeper, a cute girl with freckles, generously shared her food and even opened up the warehouse for him to stay. Yuric kept thanking her repeatedly.
“…No, it’s fine. If you find your bed uncomfortable, you can come to my room…”
The cute young lady gave Yuric a lingering look before leaving.
Yuric thought she was indeed kind-hearted and lay down contentedly in his sleeping bag. Of course, he wasn’t bold enough to go to her room. Through his training under Senior Shilson, he had developed a sense for such things.
‘It’s not bad to sleep in a barn. If I can sleep in the warehouse, it’s even better!’
Yuric slept soundly that night.
