The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 93

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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 93
“Treason?”
Baluduk’s tone carried a note of displeasure.
The 12 Pioneers themselves plotting rebellion? One of them?
It was something he’d never considered—something that should never come to pass.
“Is this truth you speak?”
-Of course, sir. Why would I fabricate such a claim?
“Then present your evidence.”
Baluduk decided to hear the matter out calmly first.
His meticulous nature demanded it, but more than that, the gravity of the accusation itself demanded caution.
‘That ambitious fool Esca wouldn’t speak nonsense about a Forerunner’s seat.’
Given the opportunity, Esca detailed precisely what Azrahil had commissioned him to create.
He recounted every conversation that followed afterward, omitting not a single detail.
Though it was less a report and more akin to tattling.
“So Azrahil designed a device to oppose the Forerunners, and you simply constructed it for him? Without reporting to me?”
-Oh no, a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!
Detecting the discomfort in his own voice, Esca hurried to explain himself.
-I deliberately delayed my report to gather more concrete information! While fulfilling Azrahil’s request, of course. I’ve never once entertained thoughts of betraying you, sir—not even in dreams!
“And the device—did it function properly?”
-Yes. Azrahil tested it on me directly, and I couldn’t move for about five seconds.
“Remarkable. A truly ingenious creation.”
Esca couldn’t tell if this was praise or mockery.
“So Azrahil’s been scheming behind the scenes… Let the fool make his move. Tch. Very well. I’ll bring this before the council and decide his fate there. Until then, you’re to maintain contact with Azrahil without raising suspicion. Act as though you’re on his side. Do you understand?”
-Yes! I shall do exactly as you command.
“And what of the assassination I commissioned? How does that progress?”
-Ah, well, that is proceeding as quickly as possible. Please grant me just a bit more time.
“More than a month has passed. You ask for more time?”
Baluduk exhaled with visible irritation.
“Forget it. I’ll assign the assassination to someone else.”
-What?! No, please! Allow me to handle it. I swear I’ll see it through to completion!
Esca fidgeted anxiously, terrified his promised promotion to Forerunner might be revoked.
“Don’t worry. Once Azrahil’s betrayal is confirmed, I’ll grant you the Forerunner’s seat. Until then, simply perform your duties as a spy well. Understood?”
-Ah! If that’s the case, worry not, sir!
A Forerunner’s seat simply for playing spy?
Esca’s voice brimmed with renewed vigor.
It was far easier than assassinating Zeke, whose location remained impossible to pinpoint.
As the light from the communication device faded, Baluduk fell into contemplation.
‘Azrahil designed something so dangerous?’
The seeds of rebellion were unmistakably present.
Why would a 9th Circle mage at the pinnacle of power construct such a device?
Based on Esca’s argument, I could only conclude it was created for use against the Forerunners.
‘Azrahil ranks twelfth among the 12 Pioneers. Given his ambitions and inferiority complex, there’s certainly enough possibility for this.’
Moreover, despite Arcnium appearing in the Hamilton Mine, he hadn’t made any proper report to me.
That could only mean he intended to monopolize the Arcnium for himself.
I couldn’t simply overlook this situation.
“This won’t do. I need to call a meeting immediately.”
Baluduk picked up another communication device to send out notices.

* * *
At that same moment.
Having finished his communication, Esca wore an expression brimming with delight, his mouth hanging open in a wide grin.
‘Kehehehe! What? If I prove Azrahil’s betrayal, you’ll immediately grant me a Forerunner’s seat?’
Honestly, it was an easier task than assassinating a target.
For Esca, it was a proposal he had no reason to refuse.
‘I made the right call stabbing Azrahil in the back and contacting Baluduk!’
In truth, Esca had never intended to betray him from the start.
Once he became a Forerunner, the person he’d encounter most frequently would be the lowly Azrahil.
He’d even secretly built the device Azrahil had asked for, without the Forerunners’ knowledge, to curry favor with him.
But witnessing the man’s excessive arrogance, his mind had changed.
More precisely, he’d weighed the situation through a calculation of profit and loss.
‘Wouldn’t it be a better outcome to report Azrahil’s betrayal to Baluduk, have him dealt with, and then claim the credit to ascend to Forerunner status?’
His judgment had proven correct.
After all, he’d secured a promise for a Forerunner’s position.
‘I don’t know who’ll take over the target’s assassination, but I’ll make sure to hand over any information they request later.’
Esca, grinning wickedly, threw himself into his work with genuine pleasure.
The corners of his mouth, once raised, showed no sign of coming down anytime soon.

* * *
After settling all affairs under the guise of Azrahil, I returned to the Lord’s Castle and spoke with Count Hamilton.
“Sir Zeke. So we part ways again like this.”
“Where there is meeting, there must be parting.”
“Will we have the chance to meet again someday?”
“Of course. I shall certainly visit you next time.”
“I’ll hold you to that promise.”
Count Hamilton broke into a broad smile.
Whether he believed it or not, my words were sincere.
‘I will return here one day. The Hamilton Mine holds far too many treasures for me to ignore.’
Knowing that Arcnium lay buried there, I had no intention of severing my relationship with Count Hamilton.
“Sir Zeke, do visit us again next time.”
“Of course. I hope you remain well, Miss Tracy.”
As I waved and boarded the magic carriage, Deporte’s Daughter offered her farewells as well.
“Then take care, Lord of Hamilton. Should you ever need my assistance, do not hesitate to call!”
“Your words alone are gratitude enough. Safe travels, Duke.”
“Tracy! Let’s talk again next time. Farewell!”
“Safe travels, Princess Sillis!”
Shortly after, the father and daughter in the magic carriage departed from Hamilton Territory.

* * *
Their destination was the main house—the Deporte Duchy.
The purpose was to deliver me to Jack Reinhardt, who awaited at the Deporte Duchy.
“About time you arrived.”
Jack regarded me with displeasure as I descended from the magic carriage.
To think he, the son of the legendary Iron-Blooded Lord, had been made to wait so long!
His mood was sour, but he had no choice but to endure it to bring me to the Family Estate.
“Have you been waiting long? Young Master Jack?”
“It took longer than expected.”
“Had it been difficult, you could have gone ahead.”
“How could I leave after inviting you to the Family Estate? Haha!”
Jack laughed heartily, but I knew the truth.
He desperately wanted to bring me along.
‘Given how long he’s waited, he must be quite eager to take me there.’
I didn’t know his true intentions.
I only knew they were not benign.
‘Whatever he’s plotting, I’ll have to go along with it for the sake of the Quest.’
I smiled faintly and spoke to Jack.
“Shall we depart immediately then?”

* * *
At the southern border of the Decan Kingdom stands the Teleport Gate.
A useful device that enables instantaneous travel to the allied Baiso Kingdom.
“Please identify yourselves.”
“This is First Son Jack Reinhardt. We intend to return to our family estate with our guest.”
“Y-you are…?!”
At the escort’s introduction, the border guards’ eyes widened in astonishment.
Few were unfamiliar with the Reinhardt Family, renowned among Aura users and counted among the Five Lords.
Jack chuckled at their reaction.
‘So that’s the typical response. But…’
Turning his gaze to Zeke McLafflin beside him, I saw a face utterly devoid of expression.
‘Why didn’t this fellow know anything about me!’
During our journey here, Jack and I had exchanged a few words.
Through that conversation, I learned he hadn’t known that his father was the legendary Iron-Blooded Lord, which cleared up a small misunderstanding—but…
‘That doesn’t mean all the resentment has dissolved.’
Even now, it seemed absurd to me.
That this fellow was ignorant of the prestige of the Reinhardt Family, which even House Deporte recognized.
Then one of the guards asked.
“Who is this guest you mention?”
“He is Zeke McLafflin, Third Son of the McLafflin Family.”
“Ah…!”
At Zeke’s introduction, the border guards reacted once more.
The McLafflin Family was also quite renowned in Decan.
“Inspection complete. You may proceed.”
Jack’s party, having passed through the checkpoint without incident, soon found themselves facing an enormous mirror-like device.
It was the Teleport Gate, capable of transporting large groups across vast distances.
“Let us go.”
Jack’s party, with the escort leading the way, stepped into the shimmering space that rippled like water.
Zeke followed without hesitation, his footsteps steady.

* * *
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The greatsword cleaved through the sky.
It was a grandiose expression, but the man’s blade strikes carried weight befitting such words.
Tearing through empty air like a valiant lion in its prime.
“Hah.”
The man training in the Private Training Ground, drenched in sweat as always, turned his head.
He had heard footsteps.
“Master Zeke. A guest has arrived.”
“I’m expecting two guests today—which one is this?”
“The guest invited by First Son McLafflin, sir.”
At the attendant’s words, the man’s eyes gleamed with interest.
‘Finally. The Spellblade of Decan.’
I had already learned about the Spellblade through prior contact with Jack.
Including the fact that he had suffered an absurd defeat in a sparring match.
‘To defeat my son, an Aura Master of the lower tier, in a single exchange.’
I had heard the opponent was intermediate rank, but even so, winning in a single exchange was no simple feat.
A considerable master whose skill transcended their Aura level.
‘Intriguing.’
Moreover, I was captivated by the very concept of a Spellblade.
To wield both blade and magic simultaneously.
Before witnessing it firsthand, it was difficult to believe, which is why I had permitted the family visit.
Flutter—
“Let’s go.”
The Iron-Blooded Lord, now clothed, moved forward with anticipation in his gaze.

* * *
“This is the Reinhardt Family, the most renowned swordsmanship lineage in all of Baiso.”
Even with Jack’s introduction, Zeke’s response remained unmoved.
He merely nodded absently, wandering about like a tourist visiting a landmark.
‘Their estate is somewhat larger than ours.’
If Decan Kingdom ranked fifth among the Five Lords, then Baiso occupied the fourth position.
Comparing them was like measuring chestnuts against acorns.
Though Jack, as the firstborn of his house, carried evident pride in his lineage, Zeke found little reason to be impressed.
His sole interest lay in the Quest itself.
‘Where are the Five Lords?’
As I glanced around, someone registered within my Hunter’s Sense skill range.
A figure radiating considerable presence strode toward me with purposeful steps.
“Where is Father? First Son McLafflin, please wait a moment. I shall summon my father for you.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“What do you mean?”
“There.”
Jack’s gaze shifted to where I pointed.
Just as his brow furrowed at the apparent emptiness, a figure materialized.

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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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