Memoirs of a Wicked Magician - Chapter 39

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 39
Belkiers, meeting Liriope’s dazed gaze head-on, couldn’t make sense of it either and faltered, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Yes. One second ago, to be exact.
“Don’t tell me you’re crying?”
That wasn’t quite it, though she wouldn’t have minded doing so.
‘How on earth did I gather those…’
[Oh, my disciple… I absolutely don’t like that silver-haired fool, but this time I want to praise him for doing well. I’ve been meaning to get rid of those hideous things anyway. Now’s the chance—you should cut ties with those eyesores too!]
Belkiers, who had drawn close enough to be right in front of Liriope’s face, gazed down at her despondent figure for a moment, then turned his head away.
His eyes landed on Kaliona, who lay sleeping beneath the shade of a tree.
“You looked so unhappy I thought your sister might be dead.”
At Belkiers’ offhand remark, Liriope’s melancholy vanished entirely.
“She isn’t.”
In its place, indignation began to rise slowly within her.
Wasn’t there a saying that kind words beget kind responses?
At first, she’d thought Belkiers had stumbled into this affair by accident, and she’d resolved not to blame him for carelessly destroying the provisions.
But seeing him make yet another cutting remark about Kaliona stripped away any mercy she’d felt.
Liriope shot to her feet, her face flushed with anger.
“Repay it.”
[No, don’t… don’t do it!]
“Repay it, I said.”
[No, just don’t, will you!]
Ode’s voice sounded more urgent than ever from within her mind, but angry Liriope’s ears heard nothing.
Belkiers seemed startled by her sudden, forceful demand.
Yet since he couldn’t begin to guess what Liriope wanted, he simply blinked his eyes slowly and tilted his head in confusion.
“Repay? What?”
“My provisions! The ones you thoughtlessly destroyed by waving your hand around!”
“Provisions?”
Even after hearing her explanation, Belkiers couldn’t grasp what she meant and merely looked at her in bewilderment.
“I disposed of insects.”
“Exactly.”
“What do you mean, exactly?”
“Those insects were my food!”
[Oh no… she’s finally said it…]
After a moment of grim silence, Ode went quiet, his energy depleted.
Meanwhile, even after Liriope had voiced her complaint, Belkiers stood motionless for a time, seeming not to grasp her meaning as he turned her words over in his mind.
His red eyes, filled with doubt, had long lashes that swept downward like feathers, lingering for a moment before rising again—a movement he repeated two or three times.
Then, for the first time, a hairline crack appeared in his otherwise composed expression.
“…So what you’re saying is.”
A moment later, a question emerged from Belkiers’ lips to confirm his suspicion.
“Those insects were the provisions you meant to eat?”
“Yes.”
“…And that’s why you want me to repay them with insects?”
“Yes!”
A heavy silence of unknowable depth settled over the place.
Liriope was remarkably composed, while Belkiers found himself increasingly at a loss as he contemplated what reaction he should show to this strange situation he’d never encountered before.
[For once, I understand this fool’s confusion…]
“Insects… After grass, now insects.”
[Indeed. My disciple eating insects as a delicacy… and worse, spouting such shameless words with such confidence…]
“Ha.”
Then, muttering softly to himself, Belkiers dragged a hand across his face as though performing a dry wash.
When his eyes met Liriope’s gaze again, they held a peculiar light, as though he’d encountered something beyond comprehension.
“So I should repay you with exactly what I destroyed? That’s what you want?”
“How many times do I have to say it?”
“…I mean, you don’t necessarily want me to repay it with insects, do you?”
At that, Liriope hesitated and looked at him again, and he gave a casual wave of his hand.
“As long as it’s food, it should be fine, shouldn’t it?”
A brilliant Magic Circle unfolded, and in its place appeared a luxurious table large enough to seat half a dozen people.
Next, a clean Tablecloth was laid, and upon it were arranged elegant Tableware, cups of water, and an array of lavish delicacies and sweet desserts.
A delicate Teapot decorated with yellow flowers floated in the air of its own accord, pouring a honey-colored, fragrant liquid into a matching Teacup.
Liriope’s desire to further reproach him faded by half, and she closed her lips slightly.
“I’d think this is better than insects, wouldn’t you?”
Belkiers seemed not to doubt that Liriope would agree with him.
Indeed, the sensory assault—visual and olfactory—emanating from right in front of her was almost violent.
“Hm? Doesn’t it smell delicious from somewhere?”
“Right? It’s been so long since I’ve had proper food—maybe my nose has gotten strange?”
Even the children, bound by Recognition Distortion Magic and unable to perceive the feast before their eyes, were drooling at the aroma.
“However unusual your palate might be, I doubt you’ve lived your whole life eating only grass and insects. And you surely don’t plan to.”
“…”
“Come here. Sit down and eat as much as you’d like.”
A chair slid smoothly backward of its own volition, as if welcoming Liriope.
[That’s right, my disciple. Good. Very good. Eat this instead! Look at that greasy meat. Doesn’t it look appetizing?]
Ode continued to voice his approval, even more delighted by the situation than Liriope herself.
A faint, barely perceptible smile played at the corners of Belkiers’ lips, and his gaze upon Liriope seemed almost to draw her toward him.
For some reason, Liriope sensed something predatory in Belkiers’ demeanor—as though he were a hunter who had set a sweet trap and now waited for prey to approach.
That was precisely why Liriope stood her ground without wavering, refusing the delicacies before her.
“I won’t eat anything given by someone I can’t trust.”
[What? No, just close your eyes this once and eat!]
“So give me back exactly what you destroyed.”
[What? What did you just say?]
The moment Ode cried out in disbelief, Belkiers’ smile faltered slightly.
Liriope’s attitude and expression were so resolute that no one, no matter how they tried, would ever change her mind.
Belkiers recognized this fact without difficulty.
His eyes, now slightly cooled, swept over the glittering spread on the table once, then he made it all vanish.
“Then at least preserved provisions? Jerky and Dried Fruit, and specially dried bread that you could carry with you and eat for a week or more. I can provide plenty of that. Honestly, it seems far more useful for you.”
This time, several Pouches appeared on the table. Partially untied, they were stuffed full with exactly what Belkiers had mentioned.
[Liriope… you wouldn’t possibly refuse these too, would you?]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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