Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 111

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

“Oh, yes. I have a personal topic here, but I would like to ask Marquis Madosa a few questions.

“Hmm? What is it?”

Now that the first issue, namely Uriko’s case, has been settled, Pumpkin will be asking questions to Marquis Madosa, rather than to the Director of the Madosa Institute.

“I am in search of a certain person, and I cannot reveal the source of the information, but I have been told by a certain source that the said individual is now here in Kruika.”

“Hmm. Is that a dangerous figure?”

“A somewhat peculiar individual, but whether they are a danger or not depends on how the situation is handled.”

“…May you elaborate on that?”

“Yes.”

Having received permission to discuss the matter, Pumpkin decided to share with Marquis Madosa the appearance of the individual he was looking for… who, according to information provided by Lowizc, should be in the city at the present time.

Based on Lowizc’s report, the name and age of the person were unknown. Outwardly, she had the appearance of a wolf-like Beaster with black hair.

The only thing was, although Marquis Madosa would not be told this, to be frank, the information was translated forcibly with the translation magic Pumpkin developed over the past three years, so it could have been wrong at some part, plus he believed an individual of this level of ability would have multiple means to change her appearance.

Therefore, what was to be asked of Marquis Madosa at this point was whether or not there was a black-haired, wolf-like Beaster girl in the city.

“Hmm… I am sorry but even though I am the governor of Madosa and am well-versed in the subject of Beasters and other such rare beings, I don’t recall any wolf Beasters anywhere in Madosa, much less in Kruika.”

“I see…”

Regrettably, Marquis Madosa had no insight into the matter, and a sigh of disappointment was released from Pumpkin’s lips.

The only possible explanations in this case would be simply that there was a place in Kruika that was out of Marquis Madosa’s reach, or that the girl in question had disguised herself, or she was never in Kruika in the first place.

Either way, as far as Marquis Madosa was aware, the existence of the girl was unrecognized.

“If I may ask, what will you do when you meet the person you’re looking for? According to everything you’ve told me, depending on how you manage it, there is a likelihood that a battle may break out; in that case, there is no doubt that neither you nor the girl will survive.”

“Oh, I get it. For my part, I merely want to ascertain a few matters, therefore I can only state that the opposing side’s viewpoint will determine whether or not there is a conflict. In the unlikely event that it does, I will be the first to move the battlefield outside of this city.”

Following his words, Marquis Madosa’s gaze sharpened.

In fact, as a territorial lord, a situation where Pumpkin would have to contend would be intolerable… He was known as a dragon-slaying sorcerer himself after all.

“What… about the details of the story?”

“Excuse me, but I can’t divulge it, along with the source of the information. But rest assured that it is not something that will be detrimental to the country or to the Madosa territory.”

“…”

“…”

All at once, the atmosphere that permeated the space between Pumpkin and Marquis Madosa turned oppressive.

Well, that was to be expected. In essence, Pumpkin’s words were tantamount to, “From now on, I am going to conduct unsolicited activities in this city, but you can rely on me and let me off the hook without further questioning,” to someone he had never met before. Frankly speaking, even Pumpkin would never put his trust in someone like that. Marquis Madosa had never had a direct relationship with Pumpkin, nor did he have any reason to trust him.

“Sir Dragon-slaying Sorcerer.”

“What is it?

“There are a number of people here at the Institute who are equal to or superior to the court sorcerers. Would they be of assistance to you if they were placed under your command?”

“Impossible. Even before placing confidence in them, their abilities are insufficient. If the worst comes, the minimal degree of proficiency is that they can take on a full-fledged wyvern head-on by themselves and win. So, I haven’t even disclosed this matter to the people who are with me.”

Marquis Madosa looked at Pumpkin bitterly when the answer came back to him that nobody but Pumpkin himself would be involved in this.

Defeating an adult wyvern actually required a sorcerer at the level of a royal court sorcerer, a warrior at the level of a knight of the vanguard, and several other top-notch archers and priests. If anyone were to face her head-on and win, it would be only Pumpkin and Uriko in this city, and even throughout the world, there would probably be less than a hundred human beings that could compete with her.

And that was the lowest line. In short, it was a level at which they could retreat while protecting themselves, and anything less than that would only serve to hinder them, even before confidence could be placed in them.

Well, this was one of the reasons why Pumpkin did not tell Uriko or even Majik about the matter. After all, he didn’t want to cause any unnecessary headaches.

“Let me ask just for the record, how long do you plan to stay in Kruika, Pumpkin-dono?”

“At least a week, I think. It is also true that I am concerned about Uriko and Majik’s life at the institute.”

“I understand. If I happen to see a black wolf Beaster girl, I will send an envoy to the inn where you are staying. But…”

The eyes of Marquis Madosa became even more acute, and a light of some sort of resolve resided in them.

“If anything should befall the city, remember that our blades will be drawn against you and the girl you are searching for, even if we are no match against both of you.”

“Yes. In battle, anything can strike. Even a hero with an immortal body can be killed by a single arrow.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“It’s one of those heroic tales I heard in my previous life. Now, I will leave you with my contact information and leave you alone.”

After handing a piece of paper describing the location of the inn where he was going to stay to Marquis Madosa, Pumpkin left the Director’s office.

Now that a warning had been given like that, Pumpkin had to refrain from causing any trouble if at all possible. The place itself was a dangerous prototype, but there could be a wide range of things that could be used as a trump card.