The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 73

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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 73
‘Thank goodness I duplicated it before dying.’
Now that the spy’s identity was exposed, I felt no sorrow for the Guard’s death.
My only concern was how to handle the aftermath.
‘I should go report this to the Lord first.’
As I turned to leave the corpse behind, something glimmered between the Guard’s collar.
Rummaging through his belongings, a familiar golden badge fell into my hand.
‘This is… a Kelbrige Combination member’s badge?’
So the 12 Pioneers were behind the territorial dispute, and their planted spy was a member of the Kelbrige Combination?
Something didn’t sit right.
‘It’s better if only I know about this for now. There might be another link in the chain.’
I pocketed the badge and continued searching through his belongings, my hand closing around a palm-sized communication device.
‘Who is this communication device connected to? Could it be Brahm’s Illusionists?’
I didn’t know for certain, but it seemed like a crucial clue.
After securing the communication device, I surveyed the Prison.
Upon examining each Solitary Cell, I confirmed two corpses.
‘As expected, they’re dead. I need to move quickly, before there’s any misunderstanding.’
My steps quickened toward the Lord’s Hall.

* * *
“What! The Guard was a spy!”
The Lord of Hamilton felt hollow upon hearing my report of what transpired in the Prison.
After all, the Guard was someone he had personally appointed.
“Are you certain those two are truly dead?”
“Yes. Upon inspection, both Count Agos and Kierus Barton had their hearts pierced through—instant death. A dagger believed to be the murder weapon was found in the Count’s Solitary Cell.”
“This is… Barton was expendable, but I had hoped to keep the Count alive…”
Though the Lord’s heart was heavy, Tracy, by contrast, felt quietly satisfied.
Despite her denials, she had secretly wished for the Count’s death.
“I thought the scale of this operation was too large for just two people… I never imagined there was another spy planted.”
“Neither did I. It must be a spy Brahm’s Illusionists planted for cleanup purposes. They were likely ordered to kill if things went wrong.”
“By killing the Count, were they trying to create justification for escalating the conflict?”
“That seems likely. I cannot fathom why they are so obsessed with that mine… *sigh*.”
The Lord exhaled a long breath.
His face bore the weight of deep concern.
I observed him with emotionless eyes.
In truth, the fate of Hamilton Territory was of no consequence to me.
I was merely a mercenary hired for the war.
My involvement in this matter was, in a sense, excessive meddling.
Though from the Lord’s perspective, he had received more help than he deserved.
Realizing this, the Lord finally stirred from his thoughts.
“My goodness, I’ve kept a war hero far too long. Sir Zeke McLafflin, I cannot thank you enough for your assistance. Thanks to you, we managed to capture not one but two spies.”
“You’re too kind.”
“I wish to grant you whatever your heart desires, but since you’ve said there’s nothing in particular, I suppose I must content myself with providing compensation to your Mercenary Company.”
“Yes. That is precisely what I hoped for.”
“When do you intend to depart?”
“According to the Captain, we’re scheduled to leave tomorrow.”
“I see. I shall handle the remaining matters in the territory myself, so please rest well during what time remains, Sir Zeke McLafflin. I shall have a grand banquet prepared this evening in honor of your Mercenary Company.”
“I’m grateful for your consideration, Lord of Hamilton. Then I shall take my leave.”
After Zeke bowed and withdrew, the Lord of Hamilton and Tracy watched him depart with unwavering gazes.

* * *
The Banquet Hall, opened late into the evening.
Over twenty members of the Golden Eagle Mercenary Company held champagne glasses in their hands.
“Wow, this stuff is incredible!”
“Drink up. When else will you get to taste such a rare vintage?”
“I feel like I’ve become a nobleman.”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Someone might hear.”
“What does it matter? There’s no one here but us.”
The members reveled in the banquet with flushed faces and boisterous chatter.
They clinked glasses and raised toasts to commemorate their victory in the territorial conflict.
Their subject of admiration was undoubtedly Zeke, the primary architect of their triumph.
“Zeke’s a Sword Mage? Damn, that kid looked young, but he’s actually incredibly skilled, isn’t he?”
“Didn’t you see him when he was fighting with his sword? The way he cut through necks without mercy? For someone only sixteen years old, he’s remarkably tough.”
“The Aura Knights from Agos were all terrified and couldn’t even approach Zeke. Hehehehe.”
“He cut down how many of them by himself! I would’ve pissed myself in his place.”
“We might not have won if it weren’t for Zeke. That battle was incredibly disadvantageous.”
“Peter, you knew Zeke was a Sword Mage, right?”
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, Peter’s face grew flustered.
“Ah, yes… I knew.”
To be honest, he hadn’t known.
He’d simply lied because denying it seemed like it would cause more trouble.
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why did he come to the Mage Tower if he’s that skilled with a sword?”
“Strictly speaking, he probably came because he’s not an Aura user. He must be displaying such skill thanks to an artifact.”
“Where could he have obtained such an artifact? Peter, do you know?”
“Ah, no. I’m not really sure…”
Bombarded with sudden questions, Peter’s mind was reeling.
Everyone was talking only about Zeke.
They occasionally directed curious questions toward him as well.
But Peter knew very little about Zeke.
I knew Zeke McLafflin wielded his blade well from watching him spar with Prince Theo Baldor, but I never expected him to handle it with such overwhelming mastery.
Mary, standing beside me, shared the same sentiment.
This was the first time Zeke had demonstrated such dominance in combat.
‘He even practices Shadow Blade, so something like this should be expected… but what exactly is his true identity?’
Though curious about my master’s origins, Mary decided against asking, sensing it would displease him.
While sipping champagne and listening to the chatter around the hall, the man of the hour—Zeke—finally appeared.
“Who’s this? Zeke!”
“Zeke’s here!?”
“Welcome, Zeke!”
“Over here! This way!”
“Zeke! Can you show us that artifact?”
“You can use magic too, right? You’re not actually a mage, are you?”
“What did you discuss with the Lord?”
“Ah, um… could you please ask one question at a time? This is—”
Zeke, who had become the star of the Mercenary Company in an instant, found himself buried in the crowd with a bewildered expression.
The situation finally settled when Captain Chris appeared.
“Everyone quiet! I need to speak with Zeke, so everyone settle down!”
Chris’s eyes held a grave intensity as he approached.
“Zeke. The Lord told me something.”
“What is it?”
“He said you wanted to share your reward with the other members?”
The mercenaries around us widened their eyes, hearing this for the first time.
“Share the reward?”
“Zeke, is that true?”
“You don’t have to do that. You’re the primary contributor.”
“Right, it’s only natural that the person who contributed most to the war receives the greater reward.”
Though everyone seemed understanding, Chris couldn’t comprehend Zeke’s decision.
So he asked again.
“Why did you make such a decision? Why did you ask to share it with us instead of keeping it for yourself?”
“Well…”
Zeke paused to think of an explanation, then recalled a somewhat cheesy line.
“Because we’re a team.”
“What?”
Chris, momentarily taken aback, burst into laughter.
It was an answer no one would expect from a mercenary’s mouth, someone who pursued only personal gain.
“I never knew you thought of us that way. Anyway, thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Though I spoke casually, the eyes of the company members looking at me had changed.
Not only was his skill undeniable, but his character was upright as well.
It was the moment I had earned the complete trust of the mercenaries.

* * *
“Sigh.”
I returned to my room with an exhausted expression.
I’d been drained by the relentless barrage of questions from the members.
Seeing my state, Carbollearos asked with concern.
-Are you alright? You don’t look well.
-I’m fine. Just a bit tired.
-Rest well until daybreak. You’ll need to conserve your strength if we’re going to find Brahm’s Illusionists.
-So you’re still fixated on finding the 12 Pioneers even now?
-Of course. Those bastards must know the whereabouts of my kin. I’m certain of it!
-But only Baluduk used demonic sorcery.
-Isn’t that Baluduk fellow one of the 12 Pioneers? If he’s connected to them, the others couldn’t possibly be ignorant of it.
-True enough. When I captured Nox Venomayer, I wasn’t in the right state of mind to ask such things.
Carbollearos was hoping I would find Brahm’s Illusionists.
Of course, I intended to search for them regardless, but I saw no reason to rush.
There were still no solid leads.
-If a Quest appeared, that would be different.
But since no Quest materialized, it seemed the system itself was either ignorant of the Illusionists’ whereabouts or pretending to be.
Or perhaps it knew everything while feigning ignorance.
-In any case, let me rest for now.
I was surrendering myself to the plush bed, seeking respite, when—
Knock, knock.
An abrupt knock interrupted my rest.
“Who is it?”
“Sir Zeke? It’s me, Tracy.”
“Ah, yes. Please, come in.”
What could the Lord’s daughter want?
I opened the door, puzzled.
Tracy entered carrying a bottle of champagne.
“Have another drink with me.”
“Here? Now?”
Seeing Tracy nod shyly, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
She seemed to have gathered considerable courage.
“Of course, I’d be happy to.”
We soon sat across from each other at the table and filled our glasses with champagne.
I was intensely curious about Tracy’s intentions in coming here.
Carbollearos seemed equally intrigued.
-What does this woman want from you? Surely she’s not trying to pair you with her?

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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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