Chapter 120

Princess Sererassie’s reaction was unexpectedly gentle.

I thought she would tell me to get lost, complaining that she was busy.

“Come in, my younger sibling.”

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether I should slap her face.

Perhaps the real Sererassie was captured somewhere, and the Sererassie before me was an assassin disguised using wax and makeup, similar to her attendants.

“Why are you being so friendly for a sister?”

I felt a slight sense of foreboding as I stepped into the guild and sat down on the sofa.

“Duke Valencius?”

A magician walked out from the inner laboratory.

She was a short magician with white hair cut into a sharp bob, lacking luster, with red eyes and brown skin.

She wore a black eyepatch over her left eye, had a wooden prosthetic for her left arm, and donned a red robe patterned with yellow on a dark crimson background.

As soon as I saw her, I stood up and greeted her.

“Hello, Master Parnesia.”

Though she looked much younger than Sererassie, she was a flame magician who had lived as the guild master of the imperial magic guild since the reign of the previous emperor.

She had made a name for herself as the Harbinger of Death by developing and improving various attack magic scrolls related to flames, and had also contributed to the advancement of knight armor through improvements to several flame barrier magic circles.

Naturally, she had been recognized as a genius since she was young, and although she was an alumnus of the Ivory Tower, her ambition led her to leave the tower on her own.

In other words, she had lived a life similar to Sererassie’s several decades earlier.

“Sister. But you spoke in a disrespectful manner earlier…?”

When I asked in a hesitant voice, Sererassie shrugged her shoulders.

“Of course, I’m being disrespectful. I’m a duke, but Parnesia is a count, aren’t you?”

I understood why she was reacting this way.

Ever since I suppressed the elder of the Black Magic faction at the Ivory Tower last time.

I was the one who suggested disrupting the hierarchy with titles first.

In other words, it was also my responsibility that a junior from several decades later was speaking informally to a much senior.

“No…”

As I started to say something, Sererassie put her index finger up to stop my lips.

“If you’re not going to help, then keep quiet.”

At that point, I hadn’t thought much of it.

“Lord Valencius. It’s alright. Until two years ago, I used to teach dozens of dukes a day.”

However, upon hearing the next words, both Sererassie and I stiffened.

It was quite a chilling statement to think about what had happened to those dozens of dukes now.

Parnesia, who said it nonchalantly, was also quite chilling.

She smiled while leaning on her staff, adorned with a red gemstone.

“Princess Sererassie, I understand your excitement at having achieved great success at just over twenty. I felt the same when I developed Flame Wave Magic.”

Parnesia continued with a voice fitting for her innocent appearance.

“Wealth, glory, and power. It felt like the world was mine. Until I was attacked by seniors who had monopolized the market for combat-grade magic scrolls and lost my left arm.”

“!”

I inadvertently gasped.

I thought they were just exchanging pleasantries.

It was a major misunderstanding.

Now I understood why Sererassie welcomed me.

Parnesia had not come here to engage in what is referred to as ‘old-fashioned behavior.’

She was here to warn me.

This place was merely a symbolic laboratory for her; her large guild was outside the imperial palace.

She was both a master and merchant established with area-of-effect flame magic scrolls.

Recently, Sererassie had developed the “Lightning Spread” magic.

With its strong attack power unique to lightning and the challenge of defending against it, it had already caught Jeilliris’s attention.

In other words, Sererassie was a future competitor for Parnesia, and even if Parnesia couldn’t kill Sererassie, she could potentially weaken her significantly.

Parnesia gripped her staff tightly, her knuckles turning white.

I contemplated positioning myself in front of Sererassie if necessary and focused on the flow of mana.

However, I soon realized one more mistake I had made.

Sererassie wouldn’t care about threats or warnings.

She too was a magician lost in her own pride.

“Yeah. I have heard that story several times. The ending was quite impressive.”

“Impressive that you lost your left arm…?”

“No.”

Sererassie interrupted decisively.

“!”

Parnesia flinched.

“In the end, you wiped out all those immature old men with the fire magic you developed.”

I silently screamed.

Parnesia’s face contorted, while Sererassie wore a victorious smile.

Parnesia laughed, as if she had just received a blow.

“…Be careful that your lightning-like success doesn’t lead to a downfall.”

“May you also wish for that flame to keep burning brightly indefinitely.”

* * *

Parnesia exited the guild.

Thud, Sererassie plopped down on the sofa.

“Brother, can you get me some coffee?”

I grabbed the coffee from the desk and spoke.

“Are you okay?”

Sererassie drank the coffee in gulps and said, “I feel like I’m going to die. They really aren’t someone to underestimate.”

“It’s not just that they shouldn’t be underestimated, it seems like she’s outright stronger than you.”

“At that age and with that face, if she were weaker than me, she should just die. I’ll admit to her skills and ferocity, though.”

“I didn’t expect you to acknowledge anyone other than the emperor.”

Sererassie smiled faintly.

“Do you know why Count Parnesia is so short?”

I hadn’t known that even before the return.

“Why?”

“She burned too much of her body while fighting against the seniors back then. They say even a bishop-level clergyman couldn’t save her. The blood magicians had to almost reconstruct her body from the remaining fragments.”

Blood magic is very useful for restoring flesh and muscle, but it was somewhat weaker when it came to regrowing bones.

Given that her body had become a charcoal lump, they must have at least needed to attach some flesh.

Considering she ultimately survived in that state and remains active until now, it was truly fitting to label her as a big shot.

“Despite all that, her skin is still clean?”

“She must have received divine treatment consistently over several years. After all, she has a lot of money.”

“If such a person said something, can’t you just agree with a simple ‘yes’?”

Sererassie smiled coyly.

“I am a magician. It’s better to die than to have my pride hurt.”

“Damn it.”

She sent a student to fetch blue and red potions from one of the laboratories.

“I knew you’d come, so I made them in advance.”

I briefly excused myself and poked her cheek.

It was soft.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s not wax. Did you do something wrong to me? If things were normal, I’d be facing a thunderstorm right now.”

“I have something to ask.”

I withdrew my finger and straightened my posture.

“I’ll listen to anything.”

Sererassie looked surprised at my eagerness to assist.

With her sharp fingertips, she poked my cheek.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re the one who seems odd. You’re not the type to readily agree to my requests.”

After all, she was the only alchemist capable of preventing my dragon transformation.

There was no need to state that explicitly.

“I’m willing to fulfill your request, provided you can get as many slime cores as possible.”

“I thought those weren’t that rare of a reagent?”

Slime cores are sold at all decent magic reagent shops.

“More than 10 cm in diameter.”

“Oh. Then that changes things.”

For a core to exceed 10 cm in diameter, a slime would have to live for at least four years.

The supply through the Adventurers’ Guild would be insufficient, and ultimately, they would need to be farmed. However, no one farms slimes for four years.

But I was a bandit who knew every corner of the capital.

“I can get them for you. But do you need them right now? Or will you need them for the foreseeable future?”

Sererassie had a student retrieve a book.

It was an ancient-related grimoire.

“This grimoire’s copy is currently the most popular book at the Imperial Magic Guild. It deals with the materialization and control of ancient things.”

“Materialization and control of ancient things…”

Even just hearing it, it seemed like a topic that would make magicians’ eyes gleam.

“That reagent is necessary for it, so it seems like it will be in demand for a while. Among black magicians, there are some who have shifted their entire guild’s focus towards it.”

“The demand will only increase, right? It won’t decrease?”

“Right.”

I smiled with satisfaction.

“That’s perfect then. In that case, I’ll build a farming facility in an area where land is cheap, and there’s a lot of investment. If I lead, everyone will freak out, so I’ll use your guild’s name to invest and give you a small share.”

“That’s not difficult. But are there even places like that left in the capital?”

* * *

Flowers bloomed, trees sprouted, people’s jewelry became vibrant, and on this spring day, lovers walked hand-in-hand down the streets.

A week ago, there was an election for the parliament of the imperial court.

“I solemnly swear before Princess Solletarass, Jeilliris, and the God of Radiance, that I shall abide by the law, work for the promotion of the subjects’ freedom and welfare, and endeavor for the stability and glory of the empire, prioritizing national interests, while faithfully carrying out my duties as a member of the Imperial Assembly.”

Through the window, one could see the sun scattering on the rippling waters of the canal in the grand domed building.

The one-legged girl from the slums, an orphan, raised her right hand and swore before the saint and the emperor.

Member of Parliament Konel.

Independent.

Disabled.

16 years old.

A first-time member.

A girl with a cunning and intelligent impression.

The first week, filled with excitement and fear, had passed.

Konel had stayed up all night fine-tuning legislation with her assistant.

Quite a few well-educated individuals had also come from the slums.

Especially those who had been expelled from the underground between the Street of Learning and Magic Street were clever, making them suitable for her assistant positions.

“Looks like you’ve come out again today.”

“This isn’t some child’s play.”

“She seems about the same age as my daughter…”

“Daughter? She’s the same age as my granddaughter.”

“But is that even an area where they can pick a member of parliament?”

“It has improved quite a bit. That child… Ah, my apologies. Speaker.”

Although cynical reactions came from all sides, Konel neither shrank back nor lashed out.

Everyone there had risen through a single strong trait, be it money, power, or knowledge.

They were all looking to sneak a peek and ultimately take it for themselves.

Her assistant hesitated and asked.

“By the way, Member Konel. Are you really thinking of passing your first legislation with this?”

“Look around. What do they think of me? I can’t just wretchedly bow my head and join them; I have to prove my worth to get their hands extended toward me.”

“Hmm.”

“This law is essential for our street, and they will all like it. Among our street people, there are too many who can’t shake off their habits from their days in the slums or as thugs. We must be able to handle that internally.”

Although it was far too common in the slums, it constituted a serious crime by legal standards.

While punishment had to be enforced to maintain order, doing it ‘by the book’ would be too harsh.

Conversely, there were areas where there wasn’t a related law at all.

Though problems occurred and victims emerged, there was no ability to punish.

Essentially, the laws of this world existed to safeguard the interests of the powerful.

Knights and soldiers protected them from external threats, but rarely intervened in internal disputes.

At least there were constables, but they generally avoided going toward the slums or red-light districts.

“We must be able to create and enforce our own regulations.”

Konel’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she awaited the start of the meeting.

She sat in the front row of the semicircular arrangement, her eyes sparkling.

This was the first meeting since the oath where she had brought a piece of legislation.

“Look at that. That little brat seems to have brought something she calls a bill.”

“How pathetic. Please donate. I just hope it isn’t anything like that.”

“I just hope it doesn’t tarnish our faces.”

Middle-aged members, clad in formal attire, clustered together and murmured solemnly.

The chairman opened the meeting, and several agenda items were quickly passed.

Having been closed for the past two years, it was a procedure to reaffirm the powers held by the assembly and establish various bodies and committees.

“Then it’s time for proposals.”

Konel immediately raised her hand.

The chairman looked as if he was pleading for her not to say anything strange and reluctantly granted her the right to speak.

Having no party affiliation and no acquaintances, no one knew what legislation Konel had brought forth.

“I propose an amendment to the Self-Defense Brigade Law.”

Member Konel.

Independent.

Disabled.

16 years old.

A first-time member.

A girl with a cunning and intelligent impression.

“With the rapidly increasing population in the capital, it has become exceedingly inefficient to establish and maintain self-defense brigades working with night watchmen, constables, and guards.”

The first bill she proposed was not about welfare, investment, tax rates, or anti-corruption but the Self-Defense Brigade Law.

“The current situation, where branches with different characteristics and demographic distributions are controlled uniformly by the headquarters, is utterly inefficient.”

In the streets where nobles lived, the lights stayed bright even at night, while battles broke out on the Street of Learning even during the day.

“To improve this effectively, I urge the abolishment of the current branch system and the reorganization of recruitment zones and operational zones for self-defense brigades. Please refer to the submitted documentation for the scope.”

The chairman gasped and passed the documents over.

“!”

[(Excerpt) … accordingly, the recruitment zones for the self-defense brigades shall be limited to each member’s electoral districts, and the operating principal shall be based in the local areas… (to be continued)]