The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 75

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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 75
Esca asked in genuine surprise.
“Brahm’s Illusionist, what brings you to this place?”
“Why? Is there somewhere I’m not allowed to go?”
“No, that’s not it… I was just startled that you came without any notice, haha.”
Esca offered an awkward laugh while gauging the visitor’s mood.
Azrahil Johnston.
The man who bore the epithet “Brahm’s Illusionist,” ranked twelfth among the 12 Pioneers.
This was far from the first time I had encountered him.
Like Baluduk, we had already exchanged words on several occasions.
It was the Forerunners themselves who had approved support for the bioexperiments in the first place.
There was no way they could be ignorant of my existence.
‘Still, they only exploit me under the pretense of granting me a position.’
Yet because he was one of the Forerunners, I could not afford to dismiss him lightly.
“I was aware you were in Decan, but you haven’t returned yet?”
“Why? Are you hoping I’ll hurry back to Brahm?”
“No, no! How could you say such a thing…?”
“Your flustered reaction suggests otherwise, doesn’t it?”
“Haha! That’s not the case at all!”
Though being needled by him, this was a situation all too familiar to Esca.
This middle-aged man named Azrahil seemed to relish tormenting me whenever we met.
Whether it was wariness that I might threaten his position, or inferiority stemming from his lower rank, I couldn’t say for certain—but one thing was undeniable.
‘He’s a madman who enjoys tormenting others.’
Still, Esca responded with a smile on his face.
“The guild members you recommended have been quite useful. The Kelbrige Combination, wasn’t it? They handle their work quite well.”
“Is that so? I was thinking of killing them all since they’ve been more trouble than they’re worth.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
Azrahil clicked his tongue sharply, his expression displeased.
“One of them made a mistake during a delivery. The idiot got distracted assaulting a woman and nearly lost the goods in the process.”
“My goodness, what a foolish wretch… So what became of him?”
“I killed him. The villagers rose up in response, so I had no choice but to exterminate them all.”
“Ah, he hastened his own demise through such carelessness.”
“Tsk, I only lost some promising converts.”
He spoke of annihilating an entire village as casually as one might discuss crushing insects, yet for beings of their caliber, such acts were effortless.
Such was the nature of conversation between the strongest of the 9th Circle.
“Still, with you personally handling it, there should be no aftermath to worry about?”
“Of course not. No one will ever find where that village stood. I’ve buried it beneath an entirely different landscape.”
“Truly remarkable, I must say! Your illusory arts are enviable indeed.”
“Spare me the flattery. You know as well as I do that such tricks don’t impress the other Forerunners.”
‘I know. That’s precisely why you rank last among them.’
Esca swallowed his true thoughts and forced a smile that was more of a sneer.
“Well, what can I say? You’re one of the famous 12 Pioneers. With my meager abilities, I couldn’t even follow in Azrahil’s footsteps.”
“You’ve got some nerve spouting such nonsense with that brazen face of yours. That thick skin of yours is quite the ability, I must say.”
“Ha ha….”
“Anyway, what about the item Baluduk asked you to make? Any progress?”
This time, a sigh escaped Esca’s lips.
“Sigh, there isn’t any. I really do need that mineral. In large quantities.”
“As I thought? Damn it, if we’d only won that territorial war, we could’ve seized the Hamilton Mine. That idiot Count Agos.”
“Did we lose the territorial war?”
“We lost. Even with a spy commanding the forces, we still lost. It’s absurd.”
Esca’s eyes widened.
The Hamilton Territory had actually repelled Agos’s army.
It was surprising news to hear.
“How exactly did we lose?”
“I don’t know the details myself. I’ll hear a report from the Kelbridge Combination member I’m meeting tomorrow. Anyway, you took on an assassination contract, didn’t you?”
“Ah, you’ve heard about it?”
“Some youngster named Zeke McLafflin, right? How’s that coming along?”
“Well… I’m planning to pursue a lead I found.”
“Whatever it is, you’d better hurry. Baluduk isn’t as easygoing as he appears. With the plan hitting snags, he seems to be in a foul mood.”
“Is that so? Then I should get moving right away. Thank you for the information.”
“Thank me? Then make this for me.”
Azrahil suddenly thrust forward a piece of parchment with drawings and explanations sketched upon it.
“What, what is this?”
“A blueprint. Since you’ve already made a mana gun, you should be able to make this too, right?”
As Esca examined the blueprint, his eyes grew wider and wider.
The drawing alone didn’t reveal much, but the accompanying notes made it clear what was being constructed.
“You’re asking me to make this?”
“Yeah. Can you make it or not? Just tell me that.”
“Theoretically, I could make it, but why would you need something like this….”
“Don’t ask what it’s for. You just shut up and make it. Understand? Don’t breathe a word to the other Forerunners. Keep quiet.”
“But the materials needed for this aren’t available right now, are they?”
“I’ll procure the materials, so don’t worry. Just get the work done so it’s ready for immediate use.”
‘I wondered why he came to see me, but to think it was for a request like this.’
As Esca fell silent, wrinkles deepened between Azrahil’s brows.
“Why aren’t you answering? Are you trying to refuse my request?”
“No, no, of course not. I wouldn’t dare refuse. Whose request is this, after all.”
“Good. Get it done within a month. By then, I’ll have taken the Hamilton Mine and procured the materials.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And I’m saying this again—keep it secret from the Forerunners. If even a hint of this reaches my ears….”
“Don’t worry about that. My lips are sealed, after all.”
“I’ll trust you.”
Azrahil left those words behind and stepped out through the door.
Esca, now burdened with the task, could only stare reluctantly at the closed door.

* * *
‘Time to make a move.’
Late dawn.
Zeke McLafflin emerged from the quiet tavern and headed toward the meeting place.
The location was a forest between Elbroad Territory and Yellow Spring Valley.
It was roughly a two-hour walk away—not far at all.
I had scouted the location the previous day, so there were no issues with finding it.
The problem was that time was cutting it dangerously close.
Only two hours remained until sunrise.
‘Arriving late is better than arriving early. Transmutation only lasts thirty minutes, after all.’
Of course, once the thirty minutes elapsed, the cooldown would reset and I could use it again immediately.
But I couldn’t let anyone see me activating Transmutation in front of them.
‘I’ll just have to time my arrival perfectly.’
As I walked, I activated my Hunter’s Senses and scanned the surroundings.
If I happened to encounter another Circle member on the way, it would be disastrous, so I remained as cautious as possible.
‘Better not to run into anyone. I don’t want to cause trouble before even attending the meeting.’
As I approached the meeting place while remaining vigilant of my surroundings,
exactly two hours had passed.
Dawn was beginning to break.
‘Six people gathered 180 meters ahead.’
Based on the direction, they were the ones assembled at the meeting place.
They were likely members of the Kelbrige Combination.
Zeke McLafflin walked a bit further, then activated his Transmutation skill.
*Squelch*
He transformed perfectly into the appearance of the Circle member he had killed at Hamilton Castle.
There was no room for suspicion in either his appearance or his voice.
“Phew, let’s go.”
I exhaled as if releasing tension and approached the meeting place.
The gathered people soon noticed me.
“Nathan, you bastard.”
“That idiot’s late again.”
“He’s a chronic latecomer.”
Fortunately, the original owner of this appearance had a reputation for being frequently tardy.
The people clicked their tongues and cast disdainful glances.
It was revealing just how low Nathan’s standing was within the Circle.
‘He was a 5th Circle mage, so his rank wouldn’t be very high.’
The Mage Guild member named Derol, whom I had killed before, was ranked first and a 7-Circle mage.
That fellow Aaron was ranked sixth with 6-Circle.
A 5-Circle mage would be at least below that.
‘All six people here are 6-Circle mages?’
Regardless of their individual rankings, it was clear that Nathan was the lowest among them.
“Hey, why are you so late?”
A man with a bear-like expression furrowed his brow as he asked.
Zeke shrank his shoulders, playing the part of someone intimidated.
“I-I’m sorry. I forgot and fell asleep….”
“Damn it, of all things, this is a meeting that Azrahil Johnston himself called, and you’re late every time? Do you have nine lives or something?”
“I apologize, truly….”
I shrank further under my superior’s pressure, but seeing the look in his eyes, it seemed my response wasn’t quite right.
The sudden look of suspicion he cast my way suggested as much.
“What’s wrong? That’s not like you—why are you so scared? I thought you’d come up with some ridiculous excuse as usual.”
“Right. No complaints either, and you’re being unusually quiet today?”
As others chimed in, I belatedly realized my mistake.
And I immediately corrected my tone.
“I’m just tired, that’s all. So stop bothering me about it.”
“Bothering you? It just looks strange, that’s why.”
“What? Did you lose money gambling again?”
“Ugh, don’t even mention it.”
Zeke waved his hand and delivered a performance befitting the character.
Fortunately, there was nothing odd about the act, and I received no further suspicious glances.
From anyone except one person.
“Hey, Nathan. Why are you avoiding the question?”
“What do you mean I’m avoiding? I’m not avoiding anything.”
“Something’s off about you. Your tone sounds different. And your clothes look cleaner than usual.”
“Can’t a person change clothes? You’re really nitpicking.”
“You’ve only ever worn shabby clothes until now.”
‘Shabby clothes only?’
For a moment, I wondered if he was testing me with suspicion.
[The target you are currently observing is speaking the ‘truth’.]
According to the system’s reading, it was the truth.
‘So I really did only wear dirty clothes to these meetings.’
I was suspected over a detail I had never paid attention to.
Though flustered, Zeke responded with composure.
“To be honest, I didn’t want to reveal this yet… but I’ve got a girlfriend now.”
“What? Really?”
“So that’s why you looked so put-together?”
“I knew it! Your style has changed quite a bit.”
“Congratulations, Nathan. Never thought a junior member like you would be the first to tie the knot?”
“I’m jealous, so jealous. When will it be my turn?”
“You’ll probably never get married.”
“Kekekeke!”
As the guild members laughed and chattered around him, I kept a careful eye on my superior—the man who had been scrutinizing me.
‘Look at him.’
That suspicious gaze hadn’t wavered.
My performance had been flawless, so why did he still look so doubtful?
The confusion lasted only a moment.
[Disguised participation in meeting completed!]
[Main Quest cleared!]
[New basic skill acquired as reward.]
I had succeeded in the quest and obtained a new skill.

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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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