Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Expensive Request

“Just try drinking once?”

The man held out a glass bottle. The dark red blood contained inside sloshed.

A black mage who drank the blood of the demon race and magic beasts—.

‘Crazy···. It’s real. That is real.’

At the calm voice Shern got full of goosebumps.

The notoriety regarding the blood of the demon race was famous in the Black Magic Society.

The story that ten black mages drank the blood of the demon race, among them eight died, one went crazy, and the remaining one went missing.

He was recommending such blood of the demon race as if nothing.

“Why not drinking. Is there anything as efficient as directly experiencing?”

The man was rather scolding the two.

“That··· if it is not really dangerous please try drinking once!”

Parntal shouted in a trembling voice.

Between Parntal’s face full of fear desire was glimpsed.

‘Crazy Parntal!’

Shern screamed small.

“The amount is not much, is it okay if I drink?”

The man asked while shaking the glass bottle. It seemed asking if it was okay for himself to drink this precious thing.

At the cool sense of discrepancy Shern and Parntal could not answer and only nodded.

“Good. Ah, by any chance is there something like candy?”

“···Candy?”

“Is there something sweet.”

Shern who liked sweet things took out a few candies and handed them to the man as if throwing.

“Thank you, this tastes bad.”

The man poured the blood of magic beasts in the glass cup without hesitation.

“······He really drank.”

At the man who really drank Shern let out a groan full of astonishment.

The man put candy in his mouth as if nothing.

Pouring the blood of magic beasts like alcohol, and eating candy saying it is bitter—.

It was the feeling all of Shern’s common sense was denied.

“This calculation formula is wrong. The mana concentration is slightly lower. To express in formula—. Hey, are you listening?”

“···Yes? Yes!”

“Reduce the concentration a bit more. And from the beginning the calculation formula itself is nonsense? There is no standard. Standard.”

He even pointed out the calculation formula right away.

‘Isn’t the blood of magic beasts spoiled?’

Whether he had a similar thought, Parntal picked up the glass bottle.

It was a glass bottle containing the same blood of magic beasts as what the man drank.

“That··· is it really okay?”

“It hurts a little, but as long as one gathers the mind tightly it is fine.”

Parntal who hesitated for a long time swallowed the blood of magic beasts at once.

“Hmm, drinking all at once would be hard, but being a young friend there is spirit.”

“That kind of thing one should say in advance······.”

Parntal’s mouth stopped.

Parntal’s eyes became large as if they would tear. Capillaries fully rose in the eyes. Tears flowed long along the eye area. As if unable to breathe only a keuk— sound was made.

“Ah, it’s fine. It would feel like each and every blood vessel is burning in fire, but that is an illusion. It is only pain at most. Concentrate. It is pressing the mana.”

“Keuuk—.”

Parntal made a sound of breath going over and trembled his limbs. Blood vessels fully rose on the face. He stood on tiptoes.

It was a terrible appearance to the extent one could not even imagine what kind of pain he was experiencing.

“It’s fine. It is not even the blood of the demon race but the blood of magic beasts. And that quite some time has passed, why is the exaggeration so severe.”

‘Exag···geration?’

Standing on tiptoes and trembling the body, there was no way it was exaggeration.

“Here, the method is simple. Think that your mana is in the heart. Imagine pressing that firmly. It is a feeling similar to when one inhaled breath to the end. Try following. Hoo— ha— hoo— ha—. Do it properly. You, do you want to die?”

Around that time Parntal’s head rose with a whoosh—. A bizarre sound of bones twisting was heard. The skin rose as if bones were being pulled out.

“Hmm, it won’t do. I will help only this time.”

The man placed his hand near Parntal’s heart. Blood vessels fully rose on the man’s hand. Parntal’s breathing stabilized quickly.

Parntal sat down as he was. Shern hurriedly supported Parntal.

“Parntal! Are you okay? Are you conscious?”

Parntal coming to his senses was after some time passed.

The man was reading Parntal’s research report.

“······Correct, the coefficient was high. The error range selection was wrong.”

Parntal who came to his senses immediately talked about research. At Parntal’s urging Shern checked the report.

‘If one changes the coefficient—. Correct.’

What had been causing headaches all along was solved in one go.

The man’s words were fact.

“This.”

Then, the man pointed to Parntal’s research report.

Parntal desperately got up and approached the man.

“In the middle the human mana coefficient table is empty?”

“Ah, research related to humans is still in preparation. Because it is a part lost from being raided by some organization···.”

“I see. Will you give a pen?”

“Yes!”

The man began writing something on the report with the pen received from Parntal.

Parntal who extremely disliked others touching his research, now watched still. Rather it was an expecting face.

A short while later, the man held out the research report.

“There is a slight error, but it would be within the allowable range.”

The empty table was all filled.

Not only that. The man wrote additional materials on the back page on the spot.

All were materials lost while being raided by some organization. Things necessary for research, but things one struggled because there was no way to obtain—.

Knowing about that was one of two.

Either some organization, or the high level of the Black Magic Society the main society—.

There was no way some organization was correcting the report here.

Then—.

“Are you a person who came out from the main society?”

Ignoring the procedure and bringing in by the deputy branch head and being knowledgeable about the blood of the demon race and magic beasts, drinking the blood of magic beasts and being fine, knowing the lost information—.

Everything pointed to the man being a person who came out from the main society.

“It is a secret.”

At the answer no different from affirmation Shern and Parntal swallowed saliva.

The main society—.

Facing a story that only came down as legend the lips became dry.

“Why did a person from the main society come all the way here···.”

“Why would it be?”

The man rather asked back. Exactly a leisurely attitude as if testing.

“To clean all the rotten guys!”

Parntal answered in a rough voice. Anger was full in that voice.

The man flicked his finger as if telling to continue.

“The society is now buried in mana stones! Research is secondary, and it is full of rotten guys who think the mana stone staff is pride! Even forcing mana stone quotas on us who are in charge of research!”

Parntal poured out as if vomiting blood from the mouth. Because Parntal had many complaints usually, sincerity was full in the voice.

The man nodded.

“I am preparing reform.”

Reform—. Shern softly muttered that sweet yet thrilling word.

“Mana stones are good. Aren’t they stones whose value is what one calls? However, anyway they are stones. Does a stone lump seem like it will open the truth?”

There was power in the man’s voice. Shern blankly nodded.

“The only usable ones are you guys. The other guys are all fake mages licking magic tools.”

At the man’s acknowledgment Parntal trembled his body. Isn’t the reaction too fierce? Shern small furrowed.

“I will cut out the rotten flesh for the place where new flesh will grow. Parntal, you are a pass.”

At the man’s nomination Parntal burst into a fierce exclamation. Tears were even gathered in those eyes.

“I thought this kind of day would come!”

It was the Black Magic Society entered to revere ascension. Yet research was secondary and the days of swinging pickaxes at the mana stone mine gradually increased. It was too sweet words to the angry Parntal.

“Parntal, give your hand.”

“Thank you!”

The man grabbed Parntal’s wrist. Rough sparks jumped continuously from the man’s hand. Truly flashy yet precise magic.

Doing such precise magic without even a formula—.

‘As expected the main society!’

“Enough, this is the seal.”

There was a cool scar in the shape of lightning on the inside of Parntal’s wrist. Parntal looked at it and shed hot tears.

“That··· what about me?!”

Shern asked urgently.

“The condition is one.”

The man pushed the glass bottle containing the blood of magic beasts.

“Show your sincerity.”

Gulp—. Shern swallowed dry saliva.

Too ignorant, but therefore a test one could not deceive.

“Drink! Shern!”

Parntal who had always been kind to Shern glared with overturned eyes and shouted.

At that pressure Shern gulped the blood of magic beasts.

It was exactly like swallowing fire. Not just fire. Fire full of thorns.

Pain as if the entire inside of the body was tearing and burning in fire rushed. Shern’s mind became distant for a moment.

Then, the pain slowly subsided.

Soon facing the man looking at himself with a leisurely expression one could understand Parntal’s madness.

Feeling awe toward a man who controlled such pain as if nothing was natural.

“You are also a pass.”

Shern and Parntal looked at each other and nodded. The humiliation of the meantime melted and flowed.

“Here, you are now my direct subordinates. Congratulations.”

The two nodded with faces that became more solemn.

“First stay here and live as usual, and organize information about the branch. Especially Corton.”

Shern and Parntal nodded.

“Ah, will you give some paper? Thank you.”

“No!”

The man began quickly writing something on blank paper.

“The standard is the mana arrow. Research the blood of the demon race using this. Since one can utilize the blood of magic beasts, it would be sufficient.”

“Of course!”

Shern’s pupils became large. It was detailed materials about the blood of the demon race. The man just scribbled, but it was materials necessary for them.

“Ah, human research is prohibited. Because there is a story that some organization is approaching. If by any chance there is a guy doing such research write it separately. Always remember reform.”

At the man’s serious voice the two nodded with solemn faces.

“I will come again next time.”

The man said low and stood up.

Then, the door opened and Deputy Branch Head Corton appeared.

The man laughed as if nothing had happened just now.

****

“How was the research?”

“It was not bad.”

Seducing mages who only did research was easier than flipping a hand for the agent Galahad.

Even more so since there was even the information they possessed.

Persuasion was Galahad’s specialty.

‘Created one research institute.’

Right now the guys’ research was pathetic. He expected because they had many mana stones and high-priced magic tools but it was not much.

Still they were usable guys.

Since he set the direction and even gave information about the blood of the demon race, when he came next time there would be achievements.

On top of that he even assigned the role of monitoring Corton so it was perfect.

‘One has to dig two tunnels.’

Now if only one pierced Corton, one could plant confidants on both sides and make them monitor each other.

Then, Corton who confirmed outside locked the door.

“I will speak straightforwardly.”

Corton said with a serious face that did not suit him.

“Kill Adrianne.”

At the too straightforward request Galahad let out a groan sound.

Suddenly telling to kill Adrianne—.

“Hoo······, very high people want Adrianne’s death. If one handles Adrianne they will give enormous compensation.”

It was clearly Dawn.

“Are the high people very high?”

Corton grinned.

“Why would we research the demon race for nothing?”

Galahad realized why Corton showed the research.

The empire thoroughly prohibited research of the demon race. It was an empire that pulled out to the root research related to the demon race.

Researching such a demon race—.

‘It was showing that the force is to the extent of not yielding to the empire.’

Dawn seemed larger than expected. Galahad put a cigarette in his mouth and organized his thoughts.

‘Dawn placed a bounty on Adrianne. That compensation would be quite large. Because Adrianne is the biggest variable to the guys.’

Our greedy Corton seemed to plan to proceed without telling the branch head.

‘It is wanting to eat everything alone.’

That is it meant secrecy was guaranteed.

'A request to kill Adrianne—.'

Lemon scent wafted deeply.

Considering this and that situations, the request to kill Adrianne was—.

‘Not bad.’

It was a quite good proposal.

Of course, he had no thought of really killing Adrianne. From the beginning it was questionable whether it was even possible.

However, it was an opportunity to approach Dawn.

Because jumping over right away was not good he threw a question.

“What is the benefit I will obtain?”

“······Benefit? Ah, yes. Of course there is!”

Seeing the stammering, it seemed he did not consider the compensation to give Galahad. Truly a guy with no answer.

“It is a request of a very high person. If successful unimaginable compensation will follow. Rolling mana stones and high-priced magic tools, didn’t you see? There will be compensation greater than that!”

Non-specific compensation always did not end well.

Of course, this time there would be no chance to see that compensation.

“Compensation—. Quite good. But as you know the current me is only in name. To even aim for a gap one has to go close to Adrianne, but for that···.”

“Didn’t you say it was a relationship of even holding hands?”

“I almost died after holding. Don’t you know the Northern guys’ personality?”

At Galahad’s answer Corton grinned.

“Do not worry about support. If there is something needed say anything.”

At Corton’s confident face Galahad laughed refreshingly.

“You, truly reliable!”

“Haha! I am the deputy branch head. Since there is no branch head either it is my world. Didn’t you see the mana stones and magic tools on the way?”

When Galahad said the things he needed, Corton’s laughter gradually stopped.

A short while later Corton held out not silver coins but a terribly shaped pill the size of a finger.

“It is the pill of pain.”

“Pill of pain?”

“It is an item obtained from a high-rank demon race. If one breaks an oath made after eating this one dies along with terrible pain.”

Corton said in a voice full of confidence.

Somehow he wondered why Corton believed so obediently, it seemed he prepared a countermeasure in his own way.

Certainly if it was an item of a high-rank demon race one could be confident.

However—.

“If one breaks the oath one dies along with terrible pain? Who decides that standard. By any chance does this small thing have a brain that judges? Or does it grasp individual emotions? By any chance is it a type of magic?”

At Galahad’s pouring questions Corton felt something wrong.

Looking at this terribly shaped thing Galahad not only did not get scared but rather his eyes shone.

Exactly like discovering a very precious thing—.

“Ah, sorry. Hmm, it is of a high-rank demon race—.”

The pill of pain was already held in Galahad’s hand.

At Galahad carefully observing that terrible item as if examining a jewel Corton trembled his body small.

“Yes, eat and swear—. Understood.”

Galahad swallowed as if nothing.

Gulp—.

At that unhesitating action Corton swallowed dry saliva.

Then, Galahad looked at Corton with sunken eyes and swore.

“If you want, I will kill Adrianne.”

It seemed a subtle condition was attached, but because the content matched Corton nodded.

“Oh— this kind of principle. A high-rank demon race. This degree of mana concentration. This is truly amazing.”

Galahad was touching his own neck.

“Can one obtain one more?”

“You, what on earth is that sound—.”

“It is words because it seems I will know if I eat one more. Is there one more?”

At Galahad licking his lips Corton stood up as if fleeing.

****

“Sir Gilbert, a big problem occurred.”

At Tom’s serious voice Gilbert squinted his eyes.

“Why did the captain cause an accident?”

“Yes? No.”

“Then did Gwen burn the barracks again?”

“Ah, she is doing it outside.”

“Did Damien say he was hungry?”

“Yes? No. Please look at this.”

Tom held something out. It was yellowed parchment with a lot written.

Gilbert slowly read what was written on the parchment.

“Special Mission Unit accounting ledger? Was there even this?”

“Ah, because there was time left I organized it. Because no one was doing it···. If it was overstepping sorry.”

Making an accounting ledger because there was time left. One could not understand that flow.

Gilbert slowly examined the accounting ledger. Reading two lines of sentences with numbers written dizziness rose.

“What is the problem.”

Gilbert asked while returning the ledger to Tom.

“The budget will soon run out.”

“The budget running out? When receiving the carriage, didn’t you say we also received unit operation costs?”

“Yes, doesn’t the unit budget come out matching achievements?”

“Hmm. That’s right.”

Gilbert first nodded.

“But when receiving the budget, we had not raised any achievements, right?”

“We had.”

“So the budget itself that was organized was small.”

“I see.”

Only then understanding Gilbert nodded.

“Doesn’t the reflection of the raised achievements come out in the next quarter?”

“That’s right.”

“Our unit spends too much budget. I understand Sir Gilbert who is from the 1st Battalion’s body price, but Damien and Gwen’s body prices are strangely high.”

At the continued money story Gilbert’s head began to hurt.

“On top of that Damien’s food cost and this time Sir Gilbert’s armor repair cost—. At this rate it is bankruptcy.”

The two letters ‘bankruptcy’ were accurately heard. Gilbert nodded and said.

“It is going bankrupt.”

“Yes? Ah, yes. Correct.”

“Why speak long instead of taking out the main point first.”

“Ahaha···. Anyway, one has to find a method.”

“Method?”

“Yes, for example Sir Gilbert’s armor repair is a matter that occurred while helping the 4th Battalion mission so it is right to send cost processing to the 4th Battalion side, and in the case of Damien’s food cost·········.”

A bizarre story continued for a long time.

Gilbert nodded as if roughly understanding.

“Sir Gilbert also agrees.”

“What are you saying?”

“······Salary reduction.”

“Reducing my salary? What sound is that.”

The corners of Tom’s mouth slightly hardened.

“That······ no.”

“For example isn’t it that money is insufficient.”

“Yes, correct.”

Speaking such useless worry so long—.

Gilbert clicked his tongue.

“The captain will handle it.”

“But no matter the captain this is the North. The method of obtaining money······.”

Then, the barracks door opened. Galahad entered.

“Ah. You came.”

Tom stood up and politely greeted. Gilbert bowed his head.

“Work was a little delayed. Damien and Gwen?”

Galahad asked while handing a large leather bundle to Tom.

“They are training.”

“Diligent. Why are you in this shabby barracks?”

“It is another unit, with this degree it is good treatment.”

“This barracks that smells musty being good treatment—. Where is the terrible smell······. Sir Gilbert, did you wash your feet properly?”

“Why wash feet?”

“Terrible. So that is why there is no popularity.”

Then, Tom screamed.

The bundle that fell from Tom’s hand roughly unfolded.

Shining things fully poured between it.

Gold coins, silver coins, even stones with subtle light dwelling—.

At the amount seen for the first time in life Gilbert’s eyes became large as if they would tear.

“What··· what is it? Where did you go and you turned the 5th Battalion?! Damn!”

Gilbert prepared the sword and stood up abruptly.

“What turning—. I received one request.”

“...What on earth kind of request, to give that kind of huge amount?”

At Gilbert’s suspicious question Galahad coughed softly.

“It is a secret.”

At the answer mixed with laughter Gilbert became very anxious.