The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 90

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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 90

A few days later, the official funeral of Emeric Eleison, the former representative of the Spiral Tower, was held.

It seemed that Emeric was indeed a beloved figure among both the citizens of Trion and the mages.

“…There are quite a lot of people.”

The endless funeral procession that filled the Grand Plaza of Trion was proof of that.

“The representative of the Spiral Tower is essentially the ruler of Trion, so it can’t be helped.”

As Valen explained, it was a scene reminiscent of an emperor’s passing.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side where the funeral procession continued.

In a secluded corner on the outskirts of the Spiral Tower, a very modest memorial site for Malik Elrayson had also been prepared.

“…Was it really necessary to hold a funeral for this bastard too?”

To my question, Valen, who had just returned from burning incense, clicked his tongue and answered.

“As you said, the Mirage Tower was strongly opposed. But the other two tower lords insisted that honoring the dead’s memory is a duty that mages must uphold, so it ended up this way.”

“How unexpected. The two tower lords who were the greatest victims are mourning Malik, the perpetrator.”

“There’s nothing unexpected about it. The position of tower lord isn’t something you can occupy just by being skilled. You need to know how to read the room and maintain appearances.”

It meant that rational calculation took precedence over angry emotions.

Come to think of it, Melchior Bazet, the lord of the Ochre Tower, was the same. His skill was impressive, but his ability to read situations was first-rate.

Indeed, those who reach the pinnacle in any field are all similar.

“…”

I briefly gazed at Malik’s portrait, sitting forlornly among the crudely arranged wreaths.

In his final moments, Malik had asked me a strange question.

About why his father Emeric Eleison didn’t resist, even though he could have fought back sufficiently.

In the end, Malik met his death without understanding paternal love until the very end.

‘He brought destruction upon himself.’

I have no intention of sympathizing with that miserable and bitter ending.

Like Barg, Malik was clearly a villain. That’s why I cut him down.

However, considering that they each had their own circumstances and tragic karma, I couldn’t help but recall the conversation I had with Gideon two days ago.

– He lost his younger sister in the past, didn’t he.

Gideon had told me about Demian’s past.

He didn’t know much about the past before entering the Royal Court, but he had heard directly from Demian about losing his younger sister.

If, hypothetically, Damian Carius’s leading the world to destruction was connected to his sister’s death.

Did that bastard also plan this massive evil deed while harboring his own tragic circumstances?

‘No, that doesn’t matter at all.’

Whatever the reason, he burned the world and took the lives of those I wanted to protect, and plans to take more.

Right now, I just need to focus on my goal.

Just as I was making that resolution.

“Reagan, you have a visitor.”

Renia’s voice broke through my thoughts.

Just as Emeric’s funeral had come to an end, two mages dressed in black robes for mourning came to find us.

“…We owe Benheim a great debt. I don’t know how to repay this.”

It was Rosaline Blair, lord of the Thorn Tower, and Alexei Petrov, lord of the Azure Tower.

Alexei bowed his head heavily to express his gratitude, then took out an elegant wooden box from his chest and handed it over.

“This is a small token of appreciation from the Spiral Tower to our benefactor. Please accept it.”

Inside the wooden box were three bottles emitting a brilliant light, arranged side by side.

“Sheril, what is this?”

“They’re elixirs. Like the Earth’s Essence you received last time, these are the highest-grade elixirs representing each tower.”

Three such precious elixirs.

Arno’s eyes widened in amazement.

If you converted the value of this single box into money, you could probably buy an entire mansion in Trion City Center.

“There’s no need to decline. You saved the citizens of Trion, so this is a proper reward.”

“If you ever need anything again, just let us know anytime. The Spiral Tower will never forget Benheim’s kindness.”

Rosaline also nodded and added.

If I ever need anything.

After thinking for a moment, I recalled one possibility.

“Lord Arno.”

Arno was startled to hear the honorific.

But what could I do? This was an official occasion, and currently, at least on the surface, Arnaud von Benheim was Benheim’s representative.

“…I’d like to have a conversation with the Thorn Tower lord for a moment, if that’s alright.”

“Huh? Oh… Th-that’s fine…”

Arno seemed quite flustered by my sudden use of formal speech, his shoulders twitching, but soon became conscious of the surrounding gazes and nodded while clearing his throat.

Having received permission, I immediately approached Rosaline and brought up the topic.

“Lady Rosaline, could we… talk privately, just the two of us?”

“Just us two…? What’s this about?”

“I’ll tell you when we get there.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. Right now. It’ll only take a moment.”

So I left the reception room with Rosaline and moved to a deserted corridor of the Spiral Tower.

After confirming there were no prying eyes around, Rosaline scratched her head and asked.

“…So, what do you want that made you call me to such a secluded place? Oh, I’ll reject any confession from a young brat in advance. I prefer old trees over saplings.”

“I assure you I would never court a woman nearly twice my age, so please rest easy.”

“…Right.”

Was it just my imagination that Rosaline’s expression looked displeased?

She crossed her arms and asked in a stiff tone.

“So, what do you want from me?”

“I want to ask about the Thorn Tower’s magic.”

“Our tower’s magic?”

“Yes. Specifically, I’m interested in the ‘poison’ used by the Thorn Tower. Like how you poisoned Renia with magic last time.”

“Right. Well, I don’t remember, but our tower does use poison. That greenhouse over there is also a breeding ground for procuring poison.”

“Are there dangerous poisons among them?”

“There’s a flaw in your question. All poisons are dangerous. So I should ask this instead: What specifically do you mean by ‘dangerous poison’?”

I looked straight into Rosaline’s eyes and answered.

“A deadly poison so potent that even a 7th-circle archmage would face certain death once poisoned.”

“…”

Rosaline’s eyes narrowed.

A cold silence flowed.

When Rosaline opened her mouth again, the relaxed smile had completely disappeared from her face.

“Kid, do you… know what you’re saying right now?”

I know.

That my words right now could be interpreted very dangerously.

Moreover, in a city where a 7th-circle mage had been murdered just a few days ago, I was looking for poison capable of killing an archmage of the same level.

There couldn’t be more perfect circumstances for misunderstanding.

However, Rosaline owed me a great debt, so I believed she would tolerate this much questioning.

“I have no ill intentions. Please answer me, I’m asking as a favor.”

“Without asking for reasons?”

“Yes. I’d prefer to keep it secret if possible. Including the fact that I asked you this question.”

I felt it keenly when fighting Rosaline in the greenhouse a few days ago.

How troublesome poison could be as a variable in combat.

Once I begin confronting the Archmage King in earnest, I’ll frequently encounter 7th-circle or higher black mages.

Just like with Markel recently.

‘I was only able to win that time because I was lucky.’

I barely managed a narrow victory because Markel’s level was a half-baked 7th circle built up forcibly, and because I had Chronos.

However, I can’t rely on luck forever.

If I could use poison in similar situations again, I could lead the battle much more favorably.

“…Well, that’s a difficult question.”

Rosaline pondered for a moment, then reluctantly nodded her head.

“I’ll be blunt. We don’t have poison in our tower that can kill a 7th-circle mage in one go.”

“…As expected.”

I had anticipated this, but I couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Just as I was about to nod, Rosaline continued.

“No, listen to what people have to say until the end. The Thorn Tower doesn’t have it, but I know a place where you might be able to get some.”

“Where is that?”

“Go to the Southern Jungle of the Empire.”

“The jungle? What’s there that makes you say that?”

“There’s a small mage family there. They mainly deal with poisons. However, if you want to go there, there’s something you need to keep in mind first.”

Rosaline lowered her voice as she continued.

“The mages of the Southern Jungle don’t belong to the Great Mage Alliance. They form an independent society and live completely cut off from outside contact.”

“That’s… the first I’ve heard of this.”

“Of course it is. Everything from their magic system onwards is different. They live in a completely different world, so there’s no need to be interested in them, and they’re not well known either. It’s similar to how ordinary mages can’t use dark magic even if they learn it.”

Certainly, if they’re outside the jurisdiction of the Great Mage Alliance, it wouldn’t be unreasonable that I haven’t heard of them until now.

“Anyway, the mages of that family… handle deadly poisons that are more lethal, vicious, and insidious than our Thorn Tower’s poisons.”

“…That’s quite impressive. To be superior to the Thorn Tower, one of the Seven Great Towers.”

It seems my casual observation rubbed Rosaline the wrong way, judging by how steep the angle of her eyebrows became.

“I’d prefer if you didn’t misunderstand. It doesn’t mean our tower’s plant magic is inferior in any way. Those guys are just freaks who are fanatically obsessed with creating deadly poisons that kill people. That’s why the substance of their other magic is a complete mess.”

Perhaps her pride was hurt, as Rosaline unnecessarily added that explanation.

“Anyway, if you’re going to visit the Southern Jungle, take this with you.”

Rosaline took out a red rose-shaped brooch from her bosom and handed it to me.

“What is this?”

“Just a brooch. It has no special effects. However, the important thing is that I, the Thorn Tower Lord, gave it to you. If you show this brooch to them and say you’re Rosaline Blair’s chief disciple, they’ll open the way for you.”

“Chief disciple?”

“It’s just for appearances. I can’t say you’re a complete stranger, can I? I’ve had dealings with that place before, so this should be convincing enough.”

As I accepted the brooch, Rosaline continued her explanation.

“That brooch signifies you’re a representative of the Thorn Tower. It’ll be useful not just in the Southern Jungle, but anywhere within the influence of the Seven Great Towers.”

“Oh.”

It was a much more useful item than I had thought.

After the three elixirs, to receive such a token as well – it was compensation beyond what I deserved.

“I understand. When I have the time later, I should visit the Southern Jungle.”

“However, there’s exactly one problem.”

Rosaline raised her index finger as she continued.

“…That jungle where the family is located is within another Great Magic Family’s jurisdiction.”

“Which family’s jurisdiction?”

“Maelrn.”

The moment I heard that name, I immediately understood what Rosaline was trying to convey.

“Right. You’ll need to get permission from those worst troublemakers of the Great Mage Alliance, who are second to none in having rotten personalities.”

* * *

After finishing my conversation with Rosaline and returning, I organized my thoughts.

‘A family of mages who use deadly poisons.’

The Southern Jungle where they’re located is quite far from Benheim. Even taking the fastest carriage would take more than two weeks.

However, the problem here wasn’t the distance.

‘The problem is that it’s Maelrn’s territory.’

I recalled the Maelrn mages I had seen at the last Great Mage Alliance Council.

Maelrn was definitely not cooperative by nature. Even the good-natured Steren had harshly criticized them when explaining about Maelrn, calling them an exclusive, closed-off group steeped in elitist consciousness.

‘For now… I’ll put it on hold.’

Right now, there was the matter of forming the Great Mage Alliance’s joint subjugation force, and I had to track down and eliminate the black mages lurking near Airit Estate.

It would be better to think about the Southern Jungle and Maelrn later.

Having made that decision and returned to my room, I belatedly realized there was a bigger problem than Maelrn.

“Reagan.”

In the darkened room, Renia was sitting there blankly. As soon as I entered, she crossed her arms and said,

“Explain.”

“…Ex, explain?”

For some reason, Renia’s eyes were sharp.

And explain, no less.

I couldn’t follow the flow of the conversation at all.

“You talked about it earlier.”

“…Talked about…”

“What did you talk about alone with that woman?”

“…Th, Renia, she’s not just a woman, she’s the Thorn Tower Lord.”

“The Tower Lord is also a woman. Isn’t that right?”

Renia’s expression was fierce. I obediently nodded and agreed.

“Right. Lady Rosaline is… well, a woman.”

“So, what kind of secret conversation did you two have together?”

“…”

As I lost my words, Renia’s brow furrowed.

Then Renia’s gaze turned to the rose-shaped brooch I happened to be holding in my hand.

Right.

The very same brooch that had been carefully pinned to Rosaline’s chest just moments ago.

“…Reagan, what is that?”

The majesty of the 8th-circle Grand Mage who had mercilessly swept away black mages on battlefields in my previous life was emanating from the current Renia, even if just a little.

“…Hmm.”

This is getting a bit dangerous.

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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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