The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 153

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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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The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 153
Two days after crossing the border, the Escort Guard was able to enter the Braham Kingdom.
I had safely completed the escort mission.
[Raber Archbishop Escort Complete!]
[Main Quest Cleared!]
[You have received the buff ‘Holy Blessing’ as a reward.]
[Buff: Holy Blessing]
―Effect: You gain immunity to holy attribute attacks, and all stats increase twofold when facing Demon Faction.
―Special Condition: The buff is maintained only while maintaining a friendly relationship with the Holy Empire.
This was my third buff, following the Blessing of Nature.
The effect was truly remarkable.
‘Stats doubling? That’s incredible. It’s a shame it’s limited to the Demon Faction, but still.’
Either way, having it couldn’t hurt.
I had a feeling I’d be encountering other demons in the future anyway.
‘But the buff only persists if I maintain a friendly relationship with the Holy Empire.’
Didn’t that mean the current state—with the buff active—indicated a friendly relationship?
‘Have I earned the Archbishop’s favor?’
Come to think of it, the way the Archbishop had been looking at me since earlier was unusual.
Without needing to read his true thoughts, anyone with sense could tell he took an interest in me.
“Zeke. It looks like we’ve arrived.”
“Indeed we have.”
Just as Peter said, the magical carriage carrying the Archbishop safely passed through Brahm’s city gates.
As we reached our destination, the door clicked open and the Archbishop stepped out.
“You’ve all done well. Thanks to you, I was able to reach my destination safely.”
At the Archbishop’s words, the Escort Guard turned their gaze in unison as if by prior agreement.
The people they were looking at were Zeke and his companions.
Their contribution had been overwhelmingly greater than that of the escort unit itself.
Frankly, without them, the Escort Guard would never have made it through unscathed.
“Zeke, was it? Come here for a moment.”
“Yes.”
At the Archbishop’s call, I approached and bowed my head respectfully.
“What is it, Your Excellency?”
“Thanks to you, I was able to survive. I’m truly grateful.”
“I merely fulfilled my duty as a member of the Escort Guard.”
“Remarkably mature for your age. I like that.”
The Archbishop smiled, then revealed what he had been holding back.
“I have a quiet favor to ask of you. Would you spare me a moment for a private conversation?”
‘A favor?’
Raber Archbishop spoke in a hushed voice.
He said he had a favor to ask of me.
‘What kind of favor?’
Zeke didn’t bother asking the Archbishop directly.
If I was curious, I could simply peer into his true thoughts.
My brow furrowed as I activated the skill.
‘What is this? He’s trying to assign me another escort mission?’
But unlike the large-scale escort operation before, this was a personal task.
In other words, he wanted a personal bodyguard while conducting business in Brahm Kingdom.
It wasn’t a difficult task for me, but there was no particular reason to accept it either.
‘After this job, I’m stepping away from the mercenary business. Of course, escort work too.’
However, the system seemed to have other ideas.
Judging by the Quest it issued.
【Sudden Quest: Granting Raber Archbishop’s Request】
└Raber Archbishop wishes to hire you as a bodyguard while conducting business in Brahm Kingdom.
└Grant Raber Archbishop’s request and become his bodyguard to protect him.
【Conditions】
└Escort Raber Archbishop in Brahm Kingdom
【Rewards】
└Random stat increase of 2,000
└6th-tier skill proficiency increase of 10,000

* * *
Archbishop Raber swallowed hard.
‘Why isn’t he answering?’
I asked if we could talk because I had a favor to ask, but he’s been silent for a while now.
Staring blankly into empty space.
‘This is making the person waiting anxious for no reason.’
If Zeke refused, Raber was prepared to ask again.
After all, there was no one else around to protect him besides Zeke’s group.
But this prolonged silence was stirring up an unexpected stubbornness in him.
‘Don’t you dare refuse. I will hire you no matter what it takes.’
After the anxious wait ended.
“Yes. I have the time.”
Zeke’s answer came, and Raber moved.
“Follow me.”
After moving to a quiet alley, Raber broached the subject.
“Zeke. I’ve heard you’re a Demon Swordsman. And that among your friends is a Draconid.”
“….”
“I haven’t seen them directly, but judging by how they protected me, their skills must be exceptional. Carlos also vouched for you. So here’s what I need to ask.”
“What is it?”
Zeke asked as if he didn’t know, and the expected request spilled from Raber’s lips.
“I would appreciate it if you and your colleagues could escort me while I conduct my business in the Braham Kingdom.”
“Do you require protection even here?”
“If two Forerunners have targeted me, this is no trivial matter. They will surely attempt to take my life again.”
Zeke shared the same sentiment.
Though I didn’t know why they were after the Archbishop, one thing was certain—they wouldn’t abandon their pursuit so easily.
“Do you think they’ll attempt to enter the Braham Kingdom?”
“They will. I am the greatest mage on this continent, after all. To stop someone of my caliber requires equally skilled protection. And you, who have already proven yourselves against them once, would be invaluable.”
“….”
As Zeke fell silent, anxiety flickered across Raber’s face.
“There is no one but you who can stop the Forerunners. I implore you to protect me until the end. If you do this, I will not only repay you for saving my life but grant you immense wealth.”
“Wealth holds no interest for me.”
“Is that so? Then what do you desire? If there is anything you wish for, speak it.”
“May I make a request?”
“A request? What is it?”
Zeke stated his request quietly.
Surprise flashed across Raber’s expression as he heard it.
It was a far simpler request than he had anticipated.
“You will escort me if I grant you only this?”
“Yes. I require nothing else.”
“Then it is done! It is hardly a difficult favor.”
Raber, delighted, eagerly grasped Zeke’s hand.
A smile full of wrinkles spread across his face.

* * *
Baluduk, the Hand of Darkness.
The world regarded him as a figure who had rewritten the history of dark magic, but the truth was far different.
That he was the godfather and supreme power ruling the Underworld was an open secret whispered in hushed tones.
Because of this, many organizations within the Underworld trembled at the mere mention of Baluduk’s name.
They would do anything he commanded.
Yet despite his dominant position, there was one existence he uniquely feared.
It was the First Forerunner herself—Stella.
[What did you say? Now? Say it again.]
“The mission… has failed.”
[So you’re saying you couldn’t assassinate the Archbishop and couldn’t even confirm the Demon Swordmaster’s abilities?]
“Yes….”
Though her tone was measured, Baluduk was more tense and subdued than ever before.
When Stella was genuinely angry, even he found her difficult to handle.
But fortunately, her reaction was milder than expected.
[Sigh… We sent two Forerunners and they still failed. Why do I keep hearing nothing but bad news?]
“I apologize, Stella. This is my oversight.”
[No, Baluduk. You have no fault. Those bastards who couldn’t assassinate a single old man between the two of them—they’re the incompetent ones.]
“There were variables. Apparently, two 9-Circle mages were among the Escort Guard.”
[9-Circle mages aren’t that common, are they?]
“Indeed. For now, I’ve instructed them to kill the Archbishop according to plan within three days.”
[Has the Archbishop arrived in the Braham Kingdom?]
“Yes.”
[It’s fortunate timing—the Mados Religion gathering is being held. Instruct Pyreo and Ilena to seize that opportunity. The Archbishop likely came to Brahm because of that gathering anyway.]
“Understood. I will proceed as ordered. However… Has there been any word from Seirei? He should be waiting for our contact….”
[We agreed to contact him after confirming whether he’s a descendant of God, didn’t we? Don’t worry. My patron will handle that part.]
“Ah, I understand.”
[Then go about your business.]
“Yes, I’ll take my leave….”
As Baluduk’s form vanished, the virtual space fell silent.
In that emptiness, the voice of the First Forerunner, Stella, echoed softly.
[I should contact him after all this time.]
Her voice carried the excitement of reaching out to a first love.

* * *
[So that’s what happened. I understand. I shall inform my Seirei of this matter.]
The Demon Faction ruler ended the communication with Stella and summoned an attendant.
[Bring Seirei to me at once.]
[Yes, Your Majesty!]
The attendant who left the Royal Palace quickly returned with the demon.
It was Seirei, a Demon Faction member whose appearance carried an aristocratic elegance.
[You summoned me, Your Majesty.]
Seirei immediately prostrated himself in proper respect.
All demons possessed the etiquette befitting Beelzebub, the Demon King.
[I heard from Stella. There is someone targeting the Human Realm?]
[Ah… You’ve heard of it?]
[Why did you not report this to me?]
[… I believed I could handle it alone.]
[Regardless, matters concerning the Human Realm must not be omitted from your reports.]
[… My sincerest apologies.]
Even as he spoke, Seirei’s forehead glistened with perspiration.
Beelzebub, the Demon King.
The true and undisputed ruler of the Demon Realm, commanding seventy-two legion commanders.
For Seirei, ranked seventieth among them, to bear the full weight of such a presence was an overwhelming burden.
Compounded by his transgression, cold sweat could only bead upon his skin.
[Do not worry. I do not consider this a crime. I harbor no intention of punishing you.]
At words that seemed to pierce through his very thoughts, Seirei bowed his head lower.
[Y-Your grace is boundless!]
[I have heard the details from Stella, but I must hear it directly from you. Confess now—what is the nature of this matter?]
[Yes.]
Seirei recounted everything he knew.
Dantalian’s avatar had vanished in the Human Realm.
As a result, he had lost twenty percent of his power and sustained a wound to his soul, currently healing in Hell Fire.
And for his revenge, Seirei himself had issued orders directly to the Human Realm.
Upon hearing the full account, the Demon King’s reaction showed considerable interest.
[A descendant of the divine. Does such a being truly exist?]
[I cannot say with certainty, but the ability to store magic in another dimension and release it, or to sever magical power and demonic energy—such feats are impossible without being a divine descendant.]
[Indeed. Then, once the abilities and location of this presumed divine descendant are confirmed, you intended to manifest personally in the Human Realm and exact retribution?]
[Yes. That was the plan, but somehow… I have received no contact….]
[Stella contacted me instead. She requested more time. She said complications arose and would require additional time to resolve. So wait with patience.]
[Ah… I shall do so.]
[By the way, have you devised a method to capture this divine descendant?]
[Of course.]
[Then I need not worry. Handle it as you see fit.]
As permission was granted, Seire immediately bowed his head.
[Thank you. I shall take responsibility and dispose of the Divine Descendant.]
[In return, report the circumstances to me each time.]
[Understood, Your Majesty.]
[You may withdraw.]
Seire bowed once more to the Demon King before carefully retreating from the chamber.
In the empty Throne Hall, the Demon King’s final voice echoed.
[Hmm. A Divine Descendant, you say… I’m curious to see what they look like.]

* * *
Having accepted the quest, I followed Raber Archbishop.
Of course, I wasn’t alone.
Slave Number One: Peter.
Slave Number Two: Mary.
Slave Number Four: Carse.
Golden Dragon and Carbollearos as well.
Five of us in total, including myself, were escorting Raber Archbishop.
Though convincing Carbollearos, who wasn’t a slave, had been troublesome.
―Zeke, didn’t we finish the escort mission earlier? Why are you insisting on protecting this old man now?
―Because it’s dangerous. Would the Forerunners really give up and retreat like this?
―Whether they live or die is none of our concern, is it?
―If the Archbishop dies, we’re only helping the Forerunners. Besides, he’s asking like this—do me a favor. Without us, the Archbishop is as good as dead. Isn’t it a waste to let the Forerunners slip away?
―That would be wasteful. We need to torture them for information too.
―Right. As we protect the Archbishop, the Forerunners will appear. We just need to seize that moment.
―So there was such depth to your plan. I understand, Zeke. I shall follow your lead.
Recalling how I’d barely managed to convince him, I asked the Archbishop walking ahead.
“By the way, where are we headed?”
“There’s someone I need to meet.”
With those words, the Archbishop moved toward a sparsely populated area and entered an alley.
Whoever it was, they seemed to be someone who needed to be met in secret.
“Ah, there they are.”
Someone in shabby clothes with a hood pulled over their head waited alone in the alley.
As the Archbishop approached, the figure lowered their guard and removed their hood.
At that sight, my companions and I widened our eyes as if on cue.

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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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