Chapter 58

“Rostia, did you know too? Something about the demon these two know?”

“Of course, of course. It happened in my Magic Tower, and it was none other than me who decided to take in that demon.”

“You took in a demon……?”

It wasn’t just Riana who was shocked.

The ones most shocked were the two of us, listening to their conversation right in front of us.

We tried our best not to show our shock.

But it was inevitable that Abelin and I clenched our hands tightly.

We are the Vanguard, an organization that fights demons.

But the fact that Archmage Rostia already knew a demon was living in her Magic Tower and allowed it to roam freely meant, well……

“You haven’t made a pact with the demon, have you, Archmage Rostia?”

“That statement is half wrong, but half correct.”

The Archmage casually admitted to half-making a pact.

“Hehehe, and don’t even think about it. Do you two really think you can do anything to me?”

“But still.”

I answered firmly.

“We are the Vanguard. Archmage Rostia, if you have any connection with the demon, it is our duty to eliminate that connection.”

“Hmm. That’s a fair point. Then……”

As Rostia swung her legs while sitting in her chair, the surrounding mana began to ripple.

“Do you really want me to have a go at you to be satisfied?”

“Tch……”

Abelin and I immediately reached for our sword hilts, and seeing this, Rostia quickly waved her hands to calm the rippling mana.

“Alright, alright! But shouldn’t you listen to what I have to say first? I don’t really want to fight you either. And……”

Rostia, who had waved her hands to defuse the situation, then bowed her head slightly and muttered in a sulky tone.

“I’ve made some mistakes too.”

“Phew…… To be honest, we’re really relieved you didn’t want to fight, Lady Rostia. But we’d really like to hear what those mistakes were.”

“It’s nothing I can’t tell you. I’ve actually been thinking about scolding that demon soon anyway.”

“You were thinking about scolding him……?”

“Wait a moment. Riana, aren’t you sleepy?”

“Sleepy? No, I’m not. And how could I be sleepy listening to this kind of conversation……”

*Snap-*

As Rostia lightly flicked her finger, Riana’s eyes, which had been sharp, suddenly drooped.

“Huh, you’re right. I suddenly feel sleepy. Why am I so tired……?”

“Go take a nap. I’ll take care of the guests.”

“Okay. Then I’ll leave it to you……”

And just like that, Riana naturally trudged off to the inn’s bedroom.

After the bedroom door closed, silence fell for a while.

Unlike us, who were wearing serious expressions, Rostia’s face was the picture of calm.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing much. I just removed a spell that was on Riana. It was a spell that prevented her from feeling fatigue.”

“Riana had that kind of spell on her?”

“Yes. Originally, it’s a spell used by magicians to maintain focus during deep research or long preparations and incantations. But the reason it was on Riana was different.”

“What reason……?”

At my question, Rostia’s eyes sharpened momentarily.

“To prevent the fatigue and stress from heavy emotions, and the mental breakdown that follows.”

“That sounds a bit strange.”

Abelin shook her head.

“Preventing mental breakdown from fatigue and stress? That sounds no different from prescribing medication for someone with a mental illness.”

“It’s no different. That’s exactly the effect it’s meant to have.”

“Huh? But Lady Riana is such a bright and kind person. Why would she need such a spell……?”

“Doesn’t it seem odd?”

Rostia smiled wryly.

“Our Rostia Magic Tower pursues practical magic. But the magic Riana specializes in is Flame Magic. Why do you think that is?”

“……?”

Now that I thought about it, it was true.

A tower that trains destructive magic for war and combat, a tower that seeks to manipulate reality with extreme Illusion Magic.

There are various towers, but amidst all that, the Rostia Magic Tower pursues practical magic useful in daily life.

Yet, Riana, a promising member of the Rostia Magic Tower, was training in Flame Magic, which is more destructive than practical.

“At first, I was curious and decided to observe.”

“Observe? What do you mean?”

“Ronos.”

Rostia’s voice clearly pronounced the name.

“Judging by your expressions, you already know that guy is a demon, right?”

“Ha, there’s no point in hiding it. We were sure the moment we faced him.”

“I was sure from the beginning too. He’s exceptional as a magician, but he’s utterly lacking in humanity. And the one who introduced him to me was none other than……”

Rostia trailed off, giving Abelin and me a meaningful look.

“Who was it? Why are you stopping?”

“I’m not sure if I should tell you. It’s a cold truth that, once known, cannot be undone.”

“Even so, we need to know. Only then can we thwart the demon’s plans. And I think I can guess who it is.”

“Oh? Then why don’t you say it first?”

“If you’re being open with us, we have no reason to hide either. That person is none other than……”

“Balthazar.”

“Balthazar.”

The name came from both Rostia and me simultaneously.

“So it was him.”

“Indeed. It was none other than Balthazar who first brought Ronos to me. Isn’t it ironic? The one who formed the Vanguard to prevent demons from entering this world is now holding hands with a demon.”

“Then why did you accept him, knowing that?”

“I told you. The reason I act like a child.”

Rostia added calmly, as if it were no big deal.

“Curiosity.”

“Curiosity?”

“Demons can use magic too, isn’t that interesting? The purple flames Ronos showed were quite impressive. Of course, I’m not thrilled that more magicians are training in destructive magic instead of practical magic because of him. But,”

Rostia shook her head firmly.

“There’s one achievement from keeping him around. The fact that intense emotions fuel even more intense magic.”

“Intense emotions……!”

As soon as she said that, something clicked.

Ronos had subtly hinted that Riana was receiving special treatment among the trainees, and ever since, Riana had been plagued by feelings of envy, jealousy, contempt, and anger.

And finally, unable to bear it, Riana unleashed a massive flame.

The pieces fell into place.

“Now I understand. Ronos pushed Riana to keep her under constant negative emotions. The spell that made her immune to fatigue was to let those emotions build up. And when they finally piled up beyond the spell’s control, they would naturally explode, causing massive damage. But.”

My eyes widened with intensity.

“You knew all this and still let it happen?”

“Don’t be too hard on me. I didn’t intend to let Riana reach her limit. That’s why I’ve been secretly meeting her and soothing her behind Ronos’ back.”

“Even so……”

I said clearly.

“You’re not a good person either, Archmage Rostia.”

“I admit it. But now I have a plan.”

“What plan?”

“Obviously, a plan to help you.”

Rostia shook her head slightly, and the teapot floated up on its own, drifting towards her.

The teapot, which Rostia had barely touched, soon began to steam as if the water had just boiled.

Then, Rostia poured the freshly brewed tea into Abelin’s and my cups with delicate hands, smiling with interest.

“Let’s clean this up together. For you, it’s your sworn enemy, the demon. For me, it’s a subordinate who’s lost my interest and become a nuisance. Anyway, sit down. Let’s have a sip.”

I picked up the teacup Rostia had poured but set it back down.

“Thank you for the tea. But I’m not in the right state of mind to drink it right now. I’ll have it later.”

“Hey, I said have a sip first. When an elder offers, you should drink!”

“Since when did you care about formalities……?”

“Tsk! That’s that, and this is this. If you’re going to catch Ronos, you’ll have a hard time, and I’ll have an even harder time supporting you while dealing with him. Come on, I’ll cool it for you, so hurry up!!”