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Chapter 75

"Hariella."

"Y-yeah?"

"We need about three of them to interrogate, right?"

"Yeah."

The ones who'd come to their senses attacked with magic. The leader's magic seemed the strongest—the problem was that it was wind. The elemental matchup wasn't in our favor.

Well, for him.

"Ghh...! My, magic...!"

Those charging with axes or swords were stopped by a curtain of fire. The ones with body-enhancing unique magic broke through, but even they had their hearts pierced by Kali's fire bullets.

It was overwhelming power. Watching Kali take on enemies without moving a step was both chilling and beautiful.

"Graaah!! You bastard!!"

A violent wind blew, strong enough to make us stagger. The sparks Kali created scattered everywhere. The wind felt like a storm was coming.

"Ugh! Wind is so annoying!"

I spat out the hair that had blown into my mouth and said to Kali.

"We can take one of the unconscious ones and that guy. He's the leader, so he'll know more. Step aside, Kali."

Having apparently tried everything he wanted, Kali didn't block me.

"Mwahaha!! No one can stand before my wind! Bow down to—bow... huh?"

His wind was just a strong gust. Strong enough that an ordinary person couldn't stand properly.

But it wasn't like the wind carried blades—it was just wind. So what was the point?

I swung my club through the air. Each time I swung, the wind subsided, and the man stepped back.

"Wh-what!! How did you—my wind!!"

"Your wind is just weak. How what."

"With that pathetic club, you dare—my magic!!"

"Pathetic club? Hey, you're hurting my club's feelings. Take it back."

As the wind blocking his path vanished, the leader drew the spear strapped to his back. Before he could charge at me with gritted teeth, I ran in first and struck his head with my club.

The moment a long-range weapon user allowed me to close the distance, he had already lost. I brushed my hands off and put the club away after taking him out in one hit.

"Shadow."

"Yes, young lady."

"Any escapees?"

"No."

"Drag the unconscious ones in and get everything out of them. Why they were abducting people with magical tool unique magics, where they were supposed to deliver them—everything."

"Yes."

It was unsettling. Why specifically target those with magical tool unique magics?

I walked over to Kali, who was already opening the carriage door and looking inside.

"All different ages and genders."

Everyone inside was unconscious, as if they'd been sedated. As Kali said, there were elderly and very young children. They didn't seem injured—probably meant to be handed over intact.

"Shadow, call the guards and make sure these people are safely returned home."

"Yes, young lady."

"Kali, let's go back."

"Wait, you..."

"Huh?"

Kali's hand suddenly reached toward my face. His thumb roughly wiped my cheek, and his eyes wavered.

"Why? Was there something on my face?"

"...Nothing. Let's go."

I watched his stiff expression as he turned away, then tugged at the shadow's sleeve beside me.

"What was it? Was there something on my face?"

Hmph, if you won't tell me, I'll just ask.

"There was ash on it."

"Ash?"

"Yes. It must have blown over in the wind."

Even hearing the reason, I was still puzzled. It was a battle of fire and wind—ash could have blown over, right...?

"I don't think it was just ash—I think he was alarmed, thinking you'd been hurt..."

Kali especially hated it when I got hurt or damaged by his magic. No—he's afraid of it.

What would he do if he found out he was destined to kill me?

"Young lady, it's late. Let's go back."

"Yeah..."

"I heard there was a suspicious person lurking around the estate early this morning, so I came to check... Well, this is a long time no see."

"...It's been a long time, Duke."

"Sir Silteng. You came looking for me, didn't you?"

"I've laid down my knighthood, so please just call me Silteng."

"How I address you is my choice. Hmm, you look terrible. Come in."

"Th-thank you."

The middle-aged man bowing deeply to the Duke looked barely able to stand. His clothes were torn, and he was filthy, as if he hadn't bathed in days.

The Duke had no hesitation in bringing him into the estate. The man's name was Silteng Perpet—former captain of the 3rd Imperial Knights.

The Duke led him to his office. When an observant handmaid brought a wet towel and tea for him to wash his hands and face, Silteng accepted gratefully and wiped away the grime.

"You've aged too."

"It seems time only spares you, Duke. Haha..."

The Duke quietly watched Silteng as he drank. They knew each other, but not well enough for an uninvited visit to the estate. Given Silteng's upright personality, this was especially unlike him.

"His Majesty has asked you several times to return to the knights, but you refused each time."

"That was..."

"I'm not blaming you."

Many sacrifices and contributions were made before the current Emperor could take the throne from the tyrant former Emperor. Silteng Perpet was one of the imperial knights who helped the current Emperor seize the palace.

After the Emperor took the throne, he rewarded those who helped him. Many wanted titles, honors, or wealth—but Silteng was different. Despite his distinguished service, he asked for a magical tool that could "suppress mana" and requested to step down from his position as captain.

"Sir Silteng. I know your young daughter is struggling with mana surges. But must you resign as captain? I'll do my best to accommodate you."

"Your Majesty, your words are truly appreciated. But..."

"Mana surges in children aren't rare. Look around—my son has them, and so does that Duke's second son."

Even so, the Emperor knew Silteng wouldn't change his mind. Unlike the imperial family or the ducal house, which had many people to care for an unstable child, Silteng was alone. The Emperor couldn't break his resolve, and Silteng left the palace with a bracelet-type magical tool that suppressed mana. The Emperor personally erased his tracks amid the palace turmoil.

When he heard Silteng was living as a wandering mercenary with his daughter, he secretly sent word asking if he'd return—but only got the reply that his daughter didn't want to.

"Judging by your appearance, you don't seem well, but out of courtesy, I'll ask—have you been well?"

"Duke, I, I..."

Who could look at this man and say he was the once-valiant, stalwart captain of the Imperial Knights?

Silteng's hands trembled. As if trying to hide his anxiety, he clenched his fists on his knees.

"Since you came to me rather than His Majesty, you must have something you want from me. Speak."

Silteng's eyes widened at the Duke's surprisingly generous words. Who was the Duke of Algenprina? He was someone who struck fear even into his own allies. Silteng had expected to be turned away. Instead, he was in the Duke's office—he was quite flustered.

"If you don't want to talk, you can turn around and leave."

"No, no! It's... about my daughter. Do you recall that I stepped down from the captaincy because of my daughter's mana surges?"

"Of course. The mana-suppressing artifact I gave you then came from my own pocket."

"Haha, yes. I remember being startled when you tossed it to me."

It had been an upper-tier artifact despite being tossed so casually—he couldn't forget it.

"I left the palace not only because of my daughter's mana surges, but also because... I simply wanted to run away."

"Wanted to run away."

"Because if my daughter's power were revealed, she'd inevitably end up at the center of some scheme."

The Duke pondered Silteng's meaningful words, stroking his chin. He understood Silteng's feelings—he even felt a sense of kinship. Because of his own second son, Algenprina Sier, with his immense mana capacity. If Sier's unique magic became known, it would be a headache—the Duke had put in tremendous effort behind the scenes. Just thinking about it still gave him a headache.

If the Duke was like this, how could Silteng, a mere imperial knight captain, have hidden his daughter's magic?

"Your daughter's unique magic was, hmm... water manipulation, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"Range?"

"...I never thought I'd see a lake part in my lifetime."

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