Chapter 72

「Dark mages and dark magic are like a plague.」

「In the sense that they are extremely harmful to people and, if left unchecked, can ravage a domain in no time.」

These were lines from the imperial history books.

Numerous dark mages who read these lines rose in protest, claiming defamation, but their voices never reached the scribe who had inscribed that sentence in the history books.

The reason being, those dark mages were all dead.

Killed by whom? By the knights and inquisitors of the empire.

The empire applies a principle of zero tolerance to dark magic and demons. Regardless of the purpose or the perpetrator, the rule was to annihilate everything associated without question or hesitation. This rule proclaimed by the empire disregarded not only social status but also national borders.

Because that was the empire’s mission.

“Why do you think it’s called dark magic?”

Najin, who was meditating in the carriage, listened to Merlin’s voice. Merlin, sitting on a wall, spoke in a bored tone with her chin propped on her hand.

“Fundamentally, magic is a discipline that requires a tremendous amount of time. Unless you’re a genius like me, starting from the basic characters of magic, to the intricacies of circuits, understanding of circles, the structure of spells, and so on… there’s a lot to learn.”

Merlin shrugged her shoulders.

“I, being a genius, understand it all at a glance, but normally that’s not the case…”

“Let’s skip the part about Merlin and get to the point.”

“…Have you been a bit cold to me lately?”

I’ve just learned when to cut you off.

As Najin murmured that, Merlin grumbled but continued her explanation. It was about dark magic.

“The point is this. Dark magic ‘shortcuts’ the complicated process. And significantly so.”

What was that method?

Merlin answered with a sigh.

“It uses live sacrifices. It shifts all the costs and processes required for casting magic onto someone else. The more sacrifices, the more powerful the effect.”

She drew on the ground.

“A human finger, ornaments made from human bones, and sometimes flasks ‘containing’ living humans. These are things that dark mages always carry around.”

Just hearing about it made one’s brows furrow.

Najin clicked his tongue and murmured.

“There’s a reason it’s called dark magic.”

“Exactly.”

Anyway, Merlin muttered.

“That’s the key to countering it. What gives dark mages an edge over ordinary mages? It’s the shortcuts and enhancements in spell casting through sacrifices. Destroy all the sacrifices and items they use as mediums, and it’s over.”

Then go boom boom like this.

Merlin flicked her fingers as if setting off an explosion.

“This precious insight comes from dealing with numerous dark mages, so engrave it firmly in your mind.”

Merlin shrugged her shoulders, seemingly pleased to show off her knowledge.

Regenoff City.

Stepping out of the carriage and following the knight’s lead, Najin arrived at a conference room where those participating in the operation had gathered. Entering the room, Najin was greeted by a middle-aged man who seemed to be the employer.

“I’ve heard of your reputation, adventurer.”

The man warmly welcomed Najin.

The man, introduced as Hite, was in charge of commanding this operation on behalf of Regenoff City’s lord.

After Najin’s arrival, people continued to arrive one by one, and once the Inquisitors gathered, Hite explained the outline of the operation.

“Our target is the presumed Four Circles (四環) dark mage Fauve. A notable point is that she possesses the masterpiece ‘Shadowflame’…”

The explanation continued for a while.

The information about Fauve was not much different from what Najin had heard from the knight. As Hite spoke, Najin surveyed the individuals gathered in the conference room.

‘Knights, mercenary leaders, and then the Inquisitors.’

Najin’s gaze lingered on the Inquisitors for a moment.

Clad in white priest robes with blood-red embroidery.

They were the battle priests of the Starblood Sect, carrying sharp longswords and spears instead of the usual scriptures and maces of ordinary priests.

“The last confirmed location of Fauve is the sewer system. Along with sightings, traces of dark magic have continuously been found there.”

“I think that’s enough to hear.”

Interrupting Hite’s explanation, a priest stood up.

He seemed to be the leader of the Inquisitors, and he briefly explained to Hite.

“We’ll operate individually centered around the sewer system. The Starblood Sect has its own ways.”

He didn’t seek approval.

However, neither Hite nor anyone else present showed any resentment, simply nodding in agreement. After all, dealing with dark mages had always been the business of the Starblood Sect.

They were the experts in this field, so it seemed like they were respecting the opinion of the experts. After the Sect’s Inquisitors left, Hite continued.

“Although the priests from the Sect are well aware, for those of you unfamiliar with dark mages, I’d like to share some cautionary points and strategies. Does anyone have any knowledge they’d like to share?”

Najin raised his hand.

“I heard that destroying the sacrifices or mediums used by dark mages is effective in countering them.”

It was information from Merlin.

Information from an expert who had dealt with numerous dark mages was bound to be accurate. However, upon hearing Najin’s response, Hite showed a somewhat peculiar expression.

“Yes…? Not incorrect, but… that’s a rather outdated method. It’s hardly used these days.”

He awkwardly smiled, struggling to phrase it politely, but it meant that it was an old-fashioned method from long ago. Najin inwardly murmured.

‘Strategies against dark mages, you said?’

-……

Merlin fell silent.

After a moment of silence, Merlin spoke up.

-…He doesn’t know because he’s ignorant. That’s how it was done in my time.

Najin realized the need to filter the information from Merlin, who had been active almost a thousand years ago.

“If you’re looking for information useful in dealing with dark mages, I’ve summarized it here. It might be helpful to read through it once. And…”

After distributing some documents, Hite took a deep breath.

“Adventurer Ivan, please come this way. I have something to discuss separately.”

Najin nodded.

After the mercenary leader and knights left, Hite shared the special conditions tied to this quest with Najin alone.

“So…”

Najin summarized what he had heard.

“You’re saying it would be best if the job were done as quickly as possible, preferably faster than the Inquisitors?”

“Exactly.”

Hite nodded.

The faster the speed, the higher the reward for the quest, he promised.

“Why hire you, an adventurer, when the job could have been left solely to the Inquisitors? To resolve this matter as swiftly as possible.”

The reason he explained was mostly as follows.

Five Inquisitors had already been killed by Fauve. If that number increased or Fauve’s estimated threat level rose, it would be very troublesome…

“It would be troublesome?”

Najin inquired about the reason.

With a deep sigh, Hite responded.

“The Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect would take action.”

The Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect.

That was a being even Najin was aware of.

“The Inquisitor General… Yuel Razian?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The Starlight Order has the Lighthouse Keeper, the Starbody Order has the Star Embodiment, and the Starblood Sect has the Inquisitor General.

Sword Master, Yuel Razian.

Najin had also come across information about this being known as a murderer. Yuel Razian was among the candidates who could pull out the Excalibur.

“If there’s a dark mage of a certain threat level… she takes action personally.”

Even though it’s not an issue warranting the movement of a Sword Master, Yuel Razian would move. If she finds a reason to stain her sword with blood, she would gladly take steps.

And if that happens, everything is over.

The Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect possesses immunity and extrajudicial rights, including the right to execute summary judgments, even greater than those held by the pope of the Sect. The moment such a person sets foot in a domain… it turns into utter chaos.

“It’s not for no reason that there’s a saying about burning down a domain just to catch one dark mage. The lord wishes to wrap up this matter cleanly before the Inquisitor General takes action.”

The moment Yuel Razian moves.

The domain would become a sea of blood, and all businesses in the thriving commercial city would be frozen. Hite was explaining that he had hired Najin to prevent such an outcome from spreading.

“Then, am I not enough alone?”

Hearing the story, Najin tilted his head.

Not that he doubted his own skills, but if what Hite said was true, wouldn’t he alone be insufficient? If they were so worried, shouldn’t they have hired more people?

“Ah, no need to worry about that.”

To Najin’s question, Hite smiled.

“We’ve hired another very skilled adventurer from the city of adventurers to work with you, Ivan. You should probably move together with that person.”

He’s probably waiting for you.

Saying so, Hite opened the door and stepped outside. Following him, Najin arrived at a spot where a man with a deeply hooded poncho was standing.

“……”

The man looked at Najin without a word.

The moment their gazes met, Najin felt a chill run down his spine. It was a chilling gaze, akin to that of a predatory animal. Feeling such eeriness for a moment, Najin narrowed his eyes.

Najin recognized the man’s appearance.

He had seen it in a portrait hanging in the central guild. The moment their gazes met, Najin recalled the man’s name.

‘Kapman Theosis.’

Hawk Eye, Kapman Theosis.

One of the five white-ranked adventurers in the city.

Hawk Eye, Kapman Theosis.

Najin was well aware of the stories about this adventurer, who was once a ranger of the Techo Mountain Range.

The white-ranked adventurers of the city of adventurers were all celebrities, and Najin had a personal interest in Kapman, a man said to be a ranger.

And when it comes to rangers, the first thing Najin thinks of is ‘Horace,’ one of the rulers of the underground city.

‘Of course, he’s incomparable to Horace.’

Apart from that, Najin had some interest in the combat style of those called rangers. While gazing at each other, Kapman approached Najin first. With each step he took, the nameplate hanging on his neck swayed.

A pure white nameplate.

It was proof of being a white-horn ranked adventurer, the pinnacle of Cambria. Confirming that his guess was not wrong, Najin also stepped towards Kapman.

Thump.

Kapman, who stopped in the middle, extended his hand to Najin first, seemingly offering a handshake. Najin took his hand. Kapman was the first to speak.

“I’ve heard the stories. Red-ranked adventurer, Ivan. It seems we’ll be joining forces this time. I am Kapman Theosis. Do I need an introduction?”

Najin shook his head.

“I’m well aware of the stories. I look forward to working with you.”

“Good to hear you’re quick on the uptake. First off, we’ll also infiltrate the sewer system to pursue the dark mage. You’ve heard about the quest, right? The employer says speed is of the essence, so plan to move quickly.”

Kapman pointed to the entrance leading to the sewer system.

“We’ll outpace the Inquisitors. We’ll swiftly assassinate the dark mage Fauve before she causes more casualties. Understood?”

He quickly summarized the key points.

Najin nodded.

“Good. Let’s get moving.”

There was no need for further small talk.

Just as they were about to pass the entrance to the sewer system, Kapman loaded an arrow into his ballista and asked Najin.

“Do you need a lantern? I have good night vision, so I don’t need one, but you might.”

“I tend to see well in the dark too, so I think I’ll be fine.”

“Is that so? Well then…”

Kapman looked at the darkness enveloping the sewer and let out a slight chuckle.

“Either way, be careful.”

Click, the heavy sound of the crossbow being loaded echoed.

“In such dark sewers, no one knows who will become the prey and who will be the hunter.”