The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 53
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 53
Before the regression, Renia had proposed two solutions for the curse and plague called petrification fever.
– One is, you just need to kill the caster. This disease manifests due to a curse. So you just need to find and kill the black mage who is the source of that curse.
Remove the cause of the disease.
It was the most certain and fundamental solution.
However, since it was wartime back then, tracking down the source of the curse was often practically impossible.
Curse casters were usually under the thorough protection of the main force, so for the numerically inferior resistance army, even approaching them was not easy.
But if they sat idle until they could catch and kill the curse caster, the condition would worsen and lead to death.
So Renia presented a second solution.
– Petrification fever occurs because the mana in the body has been contaminated by the curse. So if we purify all that mana, we can stop the progression of the disease.
The second treatment method might seem crude to some people.
Drawing out the contaminated mana from the cursed person’s body, completely purifying it, then putting it back in.
The effect was certain. Under Renia’s treatment, all those suffering from petrification fever saved their lives.
However, while the treatment seemed simple at first glance, the problem was that it was actually ridiculously dangerous.
If mana circuits are blood vessels, then mana is blood.
For a mage, extracting all the mana from their body is similar to taking a fish out of water. It’s an extremely dangerous procedure that could lead to death if done carelessly.
The reason such treatment was actually implemented and succeeded was entirely thanks to the resistance army’s leader being an 8th-tier archmage, Lyrnia Erahan von Benheim.
Therefore, anyone with a sound mind could criticize this treatment method of extracting and purifying body mana as insane.
“You bastard, have you finally gone mad!”
Just like right now.
Bang!
Oswald, who had heard my story, struck the table in fury.
“Are you saying you’ll extract my daughter’s mana, remove the curse, then put it back in!”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“It’s suicide! No mage has ever done such a thing! Even if there were any, they would all be dead! Body mana is no different from life force. If you extract it all, she’ll become a living corpse before any treatment!”
It was a rational objection.
Even in my previous life, there were many who expressed concerns. In fact, it would have been impossible if Renia hadn’t been an 8th-tier mage with monstrous mana sensitivity and manipulation abilities.
However, I had spent years by that Renia’s side.
I was confident that the current me could sufficiently reproduce that treatment method.
It wasn’t recklessness. I had something to rely on. I pointed to the barrier stone placed on the table and explained.
“This barrier stone, I brought it out from the mine that day. I think you would know about it, sir.”
Oswald’s eyes widened as he examined the barrier stone.
“This is…”
“It’s the barrier stone from the black mage lair that was in Mist Valley.”
There’s no way the head of Airidd, who was in league with black mages, wouldn’t recognize this barrier stone.
“Why…”
Oswald frowned. The barrier stone should normally be filled with contaminated mana. However, the barrier stone I had brought out was cleanly purified and now functioned as a high-purity magic stone.
“I purified all the mana inside this and made it mine. Without using any other instruments, using only my body as a filter. The reason I was able to advance my level so quickly was entirely thanks to absorbing this barrier stone.”
“That’s impossible. Do you think that makes sense?”
“Yes. Normally, it would be impossible as you say. However, it’s possible with my mana core.”
“…”
Since Oswald looked unconvinced, I turned my gaze to Iline.
Iline, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, smiled bitterly and said.
“It makes sense. This child’s mana core is a bit special. It’s one mana core, but it has two nuclei divided by a barrier inside. The output might be somewhat lacking, but it can handle mana operation for two people.”
“…”
Even Iline, Archmage Lord, had joined in agreement.
Oswald let out a contemplative sound.
At least in terms of mana theory, Arcamen would be superior to Airidd.
“…Even if you can purify contaminated mana, Yusefin is already in a weakened state. She’ll die if even a little of her body mana leaks out.”
I could fully understand Oswald’s concerns.
The signs of life remaining in Yusefin were already faint. Oswald, the head of Airidd, was also afflicted with the black disease, but he was a 7th-tier mage. He could suppress the symptoms with his own power.
However, it was impossible for Yusefin, who was only 3rd-tier. The worsening of her condition compared to when I met her in Rodel half a year ago was all due to this.
“Don’t worry. I’ll extract the body mana and temporarily fill that empty space with my mana.”
“You can’t accept another person’s mana into your body. You know this well too. Even blood-related mana will repel each other and flow backward if the wavelengths don’t match.”
As he said, the human body is sensitive. If foreign mana enters, it shows a rejection reaction.
It’s the same principle as aura and magic not being able to mix with each other.
It’s common knowledge for anyone who has entered the world of mana.
“That’s why I prepared a solution.”
I took out a triangular pyramid-shaped crystal from my uniform pocket and placed it on the table.
“…This is.”
“It’s something you gave me as a gift, sir.”
“Prism.”
Oswald’s expression momentarily wavered.
A magical tool that can separate only the necessary mana attributes. If I use this to match my mana to Yusefin’s wavelength, I can solve the problem of the body mana void.
“If we do it this way, we should be able to safely purify your daughter’s mana.”
“…”
“Even if it’s not the ultimate solution, it will be a relief. Rather, since we’ll cleanly filter the body mana once, her health should improve compared to before.”
Oswald, who had been mulling over my words, placed his hand on his chin.
Iline, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, nodded and chimed in.
“…I think it’s quite a good idea.”
Oswald didn’t answer.
However, his gaze kept moving back and forth between the prism and barrier stone on the table.
“The council is until tomorrow. So please think it over carefully until tomorrow and give me your answer.”
The persuasion was enough for now. I slowly stood up.
Oswald didn’t spare me a glance, but I didn’t think he would reject my proposal.
* * *
Oswald Irid returned to his lodging with staggering steps. He slumped into a chair and fell into deep thought, relying only on candlelight.
As he closed his eyes, the conversation from earlier flashed through his mind.
“A disease… created by black mages.”
Black disease.
The black disease had started spreading through the Airid family only two years ago.
At first, he didn’t think much of it. However, within a few months, the terrible plague that hardened mana cores had swept over the family.
Airidd’s mages investigated this thoroughly. Nothing was certain. There were theories about it being a hereditary disease, and hypotheses about it being a curse.
Making such speculation meaningless, the black disease spread throughout Airidd in an instant. Even he, the family head, was no exception. Eventually, even his only daughter Yusefin collapsed.
He searched far and wide for a cure. He tried feeding her elixirs, and attempted to extract only the components that activate mana cores from Arcamen’s pills.
However, none of them were satisfactory, and Yusefin’s condition only worsened day by day.
That’s when the black mages approached.
– We can cure it for you. Though it won’t be through humane methods.
It was a proposal with obvious intentions. However, he had no choice but to accept. It was for Yusefin.
He prepared the enormous amount of money to pay the black mages and provided them with maximum convenience. This too was for Yusefin.
Even when he heard stories of them taking innocent people, Oswald didn’t resist and turned a blind eye. Likewise, it was for Yusefin.
Indeed, the treatment method created by the black mages was only a stopgap measure, but it was the most effective among all the treatments attempted so far.
‘…But.’
If what that young man said about the black disease being caused by the black mages’ curse was true.
It meant he had been doing something utterly absurd all this time.
Wasn’t he begging for treatment from the very culprits who spread the disease, strengthening their power?
‘No.’
Oswald soon shook his head.
Whether the young man’s words were true or not, he had already committed something absurd the moment he joined hands with the black mages.
He found his current self pathetic for clinging to the black mages’ coattails and then being swayed by the nonsense of some young man of unknown origins.
How could this be the appearance of the House of Airidd, which boasted a thousand years of history?
Self-loathing washed over him.
But even so, he couldn’t entrust his daughter’s life to such an absurd treatment method. Drawing out all the mana from within her body—the risk was far too great.
If it failed, Yusephine would surely….
“Are you okay?”
At that moment, Yusephine, who had been lying in bed, struggled to lift her head.
Her gray eyes, drained of color, looked at Oswald. Naturally, his face contorted with pain.
“Yusephine.”
Yusephine Airid.
His only daughter.
A child who bore a striking resemblance to his late wife’s face.
He had wanted to protect her even at the cost of his own life….
“…I’m sorry. Your father is pathetic….”
“….”
Yusephine didn’t respond.
She was a clever child.
She probably already knew well that the Black Mages had made many sacrifices to improve her condition, and that he, her father, had condoned it.
Perhaps that was why.
The way Yusephine looked at him seemed to hold considerable resentment.
“…I’m sorry.”
Oswald could only offer words of apology.
* * *
The next day, in the Council Chamber.
Oswald Irid remained silent and, unlike yesterday, did not oppose Benheim’s agenda.
“If there are no objections, we shall proceed with the resolution.”
Since more than half of the Great Mage Alliance had agreed with Steren’s proposal, the council concluded with the proclamation of a new decree accordingly.
And that afternoon.
“…An invitation has come for you.”
A message arrived from Airidd.
It was a formal invitation for me, Reagan Benheim.
In other words, Oswald Irid had accepted my proposal.
“Reagan, what exactly did you say to Airidd yesterday?”
Naturally, the message had come through Steren, and he questioned me about it.
Since there was no particular reason to hide it, I explained the whole story.
About Airidd’s heir afflicted with the Black Death, and the treatment method for it.
“…Really, how reckless. Drawing out the body’s mana to purify it? And the filter is your mana core, Reagan? That’s not even funny. If the researchers at Benheim Mage Tower heard this, they’d fall over backwards.”
Steren let out a hollow laugh.
However, having observed me for a year, he didn’t try to dissuade me from my intentions.
“It’s theoretically quite possible. Since you’ve already made up your mind, I suppose I can’t stop you. But there’s one thing I must confirm.”
“What is it?”
“If this treatment goes wrong, not only Airidd’s heir but your life will also be in danger. Since you’re doing this in Benheim’s name, the responsibility is enormous.”
“I won’t bring shame to the family name.”
“No, it’s fine to bring shame. What honor could be more precious than life? What I’m trying to say is….”
Steren stopped mid-sentence and sighed.
I had already sensed the presence as well.
——Slam!
The door opened roughly and a blonde woman strode into the room.
It was Renia.
“…If Renia finds out about this, is what I was going to say, but….”
“It seems it’s already too late.”
Soon Renia approached me, grabbed me by the collar, and demanded answers.
“What are you talking about? Risking your life? You, Reagan? Because of that Airidd girl?”
“It can’t be helped.”
“How irresponsible! You decided something like that without even telling me?”
The corners of Renia’s eyes rose sharply.
Of course, it wasn’t jealousy. Rather, she was probably more concerned about my safety.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you beforehand. But time was of the essence, so I had no choice. At this rate, Yusephine Airid’s life is in danger.”
“So you’re going to take the risk?”
“There won’t be any danger. I’m confident. You know me well. I may be reckless, but I’m not stupid.”
“….”
Renia stared at me intently for a while without saying anything.
When I didn’t avoid her gaze, she sighed deeply and crossed her arms.
“…Fine. If you’re that determined, I’ll let you go.”
“Thank you.”
“But there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes. I’m coming with you.”
I frowned at those words.
“Renia, coming with me, what do you mean….”
“Your mana core contains my mana mixed in. So if I come along, the success rate will increase too. Right?”
“….”
She wasn’t wrong.
When I actually formed my mana core, I used Renia’s mana as a catalyst. As such, traces of her mana still remain as remnants in my mana core.
This means that Renia’s mana is compatible with my body’s wavelength.
If Renia accompanied me, the treatment would be safer and easier.
However….
“Will you be okay?”
“With what?”
“It could be dangerous. If something goes wrong… you won’t be able to avoid responsibility either.”
Renia snorted.
“How shameless. That’s exactly how I felt about you just now. So try to understand through empathy.”
“….”
Since it was a valid point, it was hard to argue against.
Indeed.
I thought this was very much like Renia too, but….
“You’re right.”
I made an effort not to make that expression that Renia disliked so much.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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