A Former Child Soldier Who Uses a Magic Sword Wants to Live with an Older Sister of a Former Enemy Executive - Chapter 117

• Chapter 117 : Hydra and Gravis’ report

[Whoa! I’m all soaked!] (Gravis)

[Well, it did start pouring along the way, after all… Ah, thank you very much.] (Hydra)

A maid handed towels to Hydra, who looked uncomfortable as her wet clothes clung to her skin, and Gravis, who didn’t seem to mind the rain at all. In fact, she looked rather refreshed by it.

Just then, Seto, who had been curious to see who it was, came over and ran into the two of them.

As they wiped the droplets off their skin with the towels, they greeted him with a smile.

[Hydra? And Gravis too… Welcome back. Were you out working this late?] (Seto)

[Ah, Seto. We’re back.] (Hydra)

[Heyyy there! Wait. You were still up? Isn’t it bedtime for little kids?] (Gravis)

[Cut it out, Gravis.] (Hydra)

Ignoring Gravis’ teasing, Hydra explained to Seto that for the past few days, she and Gravis had been away from the mansion, leading an investigation team.

It seemed they might have found a clue regarding the whereabouts of the missing hero, Reid.

[Say what?! So what’s the clue, then…?] (Seto)

[It’s loaded on the carriage. You better be grateful, ‘cause it’s only thanks to me that we managed to recover that thing, you know.] (Gravis)

[What do you mean by that thing?] (Seto)

[????The remnants of a curse.] (Gravis)

It was an uncharacteristically serious statement coming from Gravis, who usually had a playful personality.

Despite her demeanor, she was, in fact, a sorceress.

Seto had no idea what connection there could be between Reid and sorcery.

[To put it simply… We’ve actually found several eyewitness reports of Reid. And wherever he’s been seen, nearby villages and small towns have been wiped out. …And in those destroyed locations, traces of the curse Gravis just mentioned have been discovered.] (Hydra)

[No way! Are you saying Reid used sorcery?!] (Seto)

[There’s no way that guy could perform such an advanced technique. …But the sheer density of those remnants is abnormal. No single person should be carrying that much of a curse.] (Gracis)

[Yeah… To be honest, when I arrived at the scene, I almost felt sick. Just the remnants alone carried such an overwhelming presence. Even now, I still have chills… Ugh, so cold…] (Hydra)

[Are you okay, Hydra? You’re soaked from the rain too. You should get some rest soon…] (Seto)

[I’m fine, thanks. I still have a lot to learn, it seems.] (Hydra)

[You shouldn’t push yourself too hard. …So, what do we do about those remnants?] (Seto)

[There’s only so much I can analyze myself, so I’d like to have a certain someone examine them tomorrow… Hmm, I wonder if I can get an appointment with him.] (Gravis)

Gravis scratched the back of her head with a troubled expression.

Since this was such a sudden matter, the timing might not work out.

[I don’t think worrying about it will get us anywhere. We should report to Lord Adams and have him write a formal request…] (Seto)

[I know that much! But it’s not that simple! It’s the legendary “Steely Magus” we’re talking about, after all…] (Gravis)

[I’ve heard of him as well. Such as the fact that he’s a top-tier mage, but also a notoriously difficult person who only takes on things that personally interest him.] (Hydra)

[And yet, he’s a teacher at the Royal Academy of Magic!] (Gravis)

Hmm…? (Seto)

Some familiar words caught Seto’s attention.

And for good reason.

They brought to mind the Royal Magic Academy of Falthuheim, the place he had just visited today.

And the mage he met there had taken a liking to him.

[Wait… Are you talking about Prof. Ciface?] (Seto)

[Huh? Wait, you know him?] (Gravis)

[Yeah. I was assigned to guard Lord Adams’ granddaughter, Nashia, so I accompanied her to the academy today. That’s when I met him.] (Seto)

[…Huh. Funny how coincidences like that happen.] (Gravis)

To be more precise, Ciface had taken quite a liking to Seto.

Upon hearing this, Gravis broke into a grin, seeing an opportunity, and pleaded with Seto.

[If what you’re saying is true, we might have a real chance here. If you ask him, as his little fave…] (Gravis)

[Sure, he might accept my request, but… I’m not sure about deciding something like this on the spot…] (Seto)

[No time like the present! Come on, let’s go report to Lord Adams right away!] (Gravis)

[W-Wait! You’re planning to go like this, soaking wet?! That would be beyond disrespectful! And besides, you’re making this decision without considering Set’s will. I cannot overlook that.] (Hydra)

[E-Easy now, let’s just calm down…] (Seto)

Just as Seto was about to mediate between Hydra and Gravis—

[????Standing around chatting at length, drenched from head to toe, at my mansion’s entrance… Is this yet another case of youthful discourtesy?] (Adams)

Lord Adams approached, accompanied by his attendants.

Hydra immediately dropped to one knee and bowed her head.

[O-Our deepest apologies, Lord Adams! W-We were just about to—] (Hydra)

[No need, I don’t mind. I was merely teasing you. I have heard your conversation. You seek a letter of request for that mage, do you not? …And, Seto.] (Adams)

[Ah! Y-Yessir!] (Seto)

[Tomorrow, Nashia is scheduled to go to the academy again. You will accompany her along with these two.] (Adams)

[Got it. Once we arrive, I can just leave them with Ciface, right?] (Seto)

[Exactly. From what I’ve heard, he is more likely to listen to you than to a mere servant. I will inform Nashia as well. …Now then, see to it that these two warm themselves up properly.] (Adams)

[Yes, sir.] (Servant)

Upon hearing the order, the servants guided Hydra and Gravis inside.

Adams, too, departed shortly after.

Seto stretched lightly as he returned to his room, knowing that tomorrow would be yet another busy day.

He stepped inside, ready to get some rest and prepare for the day ahead.

Satis had just woken up, raising her upper body slightly.

When she met Set’s gaze as he entered, she smiled softly, her face still faintly flushed from the remnants of her intoxication.

[Ah, Seto, I’m sorry. It seems like I dozed off.] (Satis)

[No, I’m the one who’s sorry. Did I wake you?] (Seto)

[No, it’s fine. I was planning to wake up anyway… By the way, where did you go?] (Satis)

[Ah, I went to greet Hydra and Gravis when they returned from work.] (Seto)

[Ah, right. They went on a long trip, didn’t they?] (Satis)

[Yeah, and… there’s something that’s been bothering me a bit.] (Seto)

[Something bothering you?] (Satis)

Sitting down beside her, Set explained everything that had happened.

Satis, now sobered up, listened with a serious expression as she processed the situation.

[I see… So traces of a curse were found along the Hero Reid’s trail.] (Satis)

[Yeah. That’s why I have to go to the magic academy again.] (Seto)

[I had heard that the lord’s grandchild was attending there, but… I see. Tell me, Seto. The teacher you’re meeting tomorrow—his name is Ciface, right? …So that’s where he was all along.] (Satis)

[…Is something wrong?] (Seto)

After a brief moment of contemplation, Satis turned to face Seto directly.

[Seto, would it be alright if I came along as well?] (Satis)

It was an unexpected proposal.

Seto wouldn’t mind her coming along with him at all, but considering the risks, her visiting the academy might be dangerous.

Even Adams might be opposed to the idea.

[You might be right… But there’s a chance he could be of help to us. And besides…] (Satis)

[Yes?] (Seto)

Satis then made yet another surprising statement.

[I know him. We’re old acquaintances.] (Satis)