Magic Is Learned For Nothing [EN]: Chapter 90

Magic Learned in Vain – Episode 90 (90/502)

# 90

The Short-Haired Lich 1

Bulldog and Lonestar clasped hands, their shared animosity toward Legion binding them together.

Among the young nobles, they harbored the deepest resentment towards Legion.

Bulldog had been treated like a dog at the count’s banquet, and Lonestar had suffered utter humiliation upon his arrival in the county.

Each had grown up accustomed to preferential treatment within their respective territories. Never had anyone dared to point a finger or utter a curse in their direction.

Not even their parents or grandparents had ever laid a hand on them.

They had never experienced being beaten or ignored in their lives. Their resentment festered so deeply that it haunted their nightmares.

They couldn’t possibly let this go unanswered.

Legion!

The only satisfaction they craved was witnessing that bastard’s demise. They even fantasized about desecrating his corpse, a thought that eased their decade-long indigestion.

Bulldog mobilized three escort knights.

Lonestar mirrored his actions, also bringing three escort knights.

Including themselves, their party numbered eight. They were confident that this force was more than sufficient to crush a mere baron from that backwater region. The large mercenary attached to him posed a minor inconvenience, but he was just one man.

They believed in the power of numbers.

They scaled the wall and infiltrated Legion’s residence. The maids, servants, and cooks had already departed for the day, leaving only Legion and the large mercenary behind.

Guards were stationed at the other residences, but none were visible here.

“It seems the rumors are true,” Lonestar murmured in a low voice.

“What rumors are you referring to?” Bulldog inquired.

“It’s said that he’s been marked by the Count.”

“By the Count?”

“Yes. The rumor that the Count refuses to even make eye contact with him has spread far and wide. He’s even withdrawn the guards, indicating his unwillingness to waste resources on the likes of him.”

“Ho, that’s welcome news indeed.”

“We needn’t worry too much, even if Legion meets his end.”

“They’ll sweep it under the rug somehow. They won’t even bother searching for the culprit. There are quite a few who hold grudges against him.”

“I must witness that bastard kneeling at my feet, begging for his life, to find satisfaction.”

“It will happen.”

A murderous glint flickered in the eyes of both Bulldog and Lonestar.

Of course, the reality they perceived was far from the truth.

The person Count Persimmon disliked was not Legion but his second senior brother, Drayzer. Moreover, who would dare to lay a hand on Drayzer?

It would be laughable to attempt to protect him with mere guards.

Bulldog and Lonestar remained blissfully unaware of this.

They had no inkling that they were trespassing upon a den of evil, where a monster and a tiger [idiom for dangerous individuals] resided together.

* * *

The lich Mamon was idly swinging back and forth on a swing in the garden.

Squeak-!

Squeak-!

The torch flickered in the gentle breeze.

The garden was deserted, everyone having returned home. Not a single sign of life stirred, save for the rustling of branches in the wind.

The lich Mamon, enjoying guaranteed and complete freedom, could traverse between the real world and his own realm at will.

He felt profound gratitude towards his master for granting him, a mere summoned creature, the privilege of freely traveling between worlds.

The lich Mamon’s loyalty deepened with each passing day.

Recently, it had soared to 90 [out of 100, implying near-absolute loyalty].

Unless Legion were to become his parents’ enemy, there was virtually no chance of betrayal. However, his parents were long deceased, eliminating that possibility altogether.

The reason he had ventured all the way to the garden and was lost in contemplation concerned his master.

Mamon was deeply impressed by the ‘ancient magic’ his master wielded.

After becoming his master’s summoned creature, he had vaguely sensed a hidden secret.

His master was, in a sense, possessed by ‘some ghost’.

Occasionally, his master would abruptly awaken from sleep and wander about alone. Mamon remained silent, as ‘that ghost’ seemed to act in his master’s best interests.

But today, he had uncovered another secret.

The use of ‘ancient magic’ that he could scarcely have imagined.

The master had employed the ancient magic that the lich Mamon had sought for so long to ‘prevent hair loss’.

The power of the 3-circle attack magic was comparable to that of his own 6-circle attack magic.

The difference between 3-circle and 6-circle magic is not merely a matter of three numbers. Depending on various factors such as formulas, mana, entanglement, barriers, and usage, the circle stage can represent a difference of several to dozens of times in terms of attack power.

For example…….

The power of the 3-circle master magic Fire Wall and the 6-circle master magic, the two fires, are as different as heaven and earth. The power of the 3-circle ancient attack magic demonstrates a power comparable to his own 6-circle master magic.

That means that if it is a 6-circle ancient magic…….

It should be seen as exhibiting the power of a normal 8-circle or 9-circle magic.

A 6-circle magic of 8-circle hellfire class!

A 6-circle magic of 9-circle meteor storm class!

If that master were to use even 8-circle or 9-circle ancient magic, wouldn’t this continent be split in half? The mere thought was terrifying.

The lich Mamon ran his fingers through his abundant hair.

He was curious, but not greedy.

Hadn’t he already obtained the abundant hair he had always desired, thanks to the sacred will of his master?

The lich Mamon raised his head and gazed at the full moon.

His magic power surged even further under its radiant glow.

“Yes, let’s offer a prayer for the master.”

The lich Mamon, his gaze fixed on the full moon, clasped his hands together and prayed for Legion’s longevity.

From a slight distance, the sight was profoundly reverent.

It evoked an atmosphere akin to a ‘saintess’ praying for the main god.

* * *

Bulldog and Lonestar halted their advance.

The knights who accompanied them followed suit.

Their gazes were all fixated on a single point, as if their souls had been stolen.

“It seems there’s someone still present in the mansion,” Lonestar observed.

“What should we do?” He turned to Bulldog for guidance.

They had come to sever Legion’s head. The only circumstance in which murder was permissible between nobles was a duel. Otherwise, they would face punishment under national law.

Their intended actions were unequivocally illegal.

There must be no witnesses.

Therefore, they had to silence the woman who was praying. There was nothing to gain from being discovered trespassing on the mansion grounds.

“I’ll handle it,” Bulldog declared, stepping forward.

He brandished a dagger and cautiously approached the praying girl, holding his breath to minimize any sound. His footsteps were virtually silent.

But-

They were forced to stop in their tracks upon catching sight of her as she ran her fingers through her hair.

Destiny!

“How… how can she be so beautiful?” Bulldog questioned, doubting his own eyes.

Bathed in moonlight, she possessed a neutral beauty that blurred the lines between male and female.

No, she is definitely a woman.

That lush and beautiful hair is something that a man can never have.

Sarrr~.

The wind gusted.

Her hair danced in the breeze, and her fragrant scent stirred Bulldog’s heated heart.

He had no choice but to retreat.

“I’m sorry… but I can’t kill her. You do it,” Bulldog said, handing the dagger to Lonestar.

However, Lonestar had also been captivated by the beauty of the ‘praying girl’. Though not as close as Bulldog, the sight of her exuding a fantastical aura was indelibly etched in his mind.

Lonestar clenched his fist.

He shook his head, refusing the dagger Bulldog offered.

“There must be no witnesses.”

Bulldog frowned.

“I know that.”

“Then get rid of that woman quickly.”

“I can’t. You do it.”

“Haha, how can you achieve great things if you can’t even eliminate a woman like that? We aren’t the eldest sons of viscount families. We must make achievements and be promoted to counts.”

“That’s that, and I can’t. You do it.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You do it. Didn’t you step up first?”

Bulldog hesitated. Approach that slender praying girl, seize her hair, bend her neck back, and then sever her neck with this dagger? A torrent of blood would gush forth, completely drenching his face.

Ugh, I can’t do it.

He didn’t even want to contemplate it.

He regretted stepping forward in the first place.

Bulldog turned his gaze to the escort knights.

“You guys take care of that girl.”

“Young master.”

“Why?”

“We are knights.”

“So?”

“We have taken a knight’s oath, not to kill children and women.”

Bulldog’s brow furrowed. He had witnessed these escort knights beating women like dogs on numerous occasions. But now, they suddenly claimed they couldn’t kill women. Where are you lying? Tell me honestly. You were overwhelmed by the mystery of that girl, right?

“Then let’s all go together.”

“All together?”

“Yes. Let’s close our eyes and swing our swords. Otherwise, we’ll have to return empty-handed today. If a man has drawn his sword, shouldn’t he cut something? Legion, do we have to see that bastard walking around giggling again?”

At Bulldog’s words, Lonestar nodded.

He couldn’t bear to see Legion’s brazen face any longer.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Bulldog, Lonestar, and the escort knights slowly approached the ‘praying girl’.

Before they knew it, they had reached the spot where the ‘praying girl’ stood. She appeared even more mysterious up close. A faint green light emanated from her.

It was as if spirits were circling around her.

Swish.

They drew their swords.

“Girl, don’t resent us. You were just unlucky,” Bulldog said with a sigh.

It seems she heard his words.

The girl turned her head and looked at Bulldog, Lonestar, and the escort knights. They froze as if they were paralyzed.

What? What is this monster?

The lich Mamon’s face faintly glows when viewed from a distance. It also looks like a human. It was all thanks to the jewels Legion ate.

But the reality is revealed when viewed up close.

He was a ferocious lich.

“What are these bastards?”

Huge flames erupted simultaneously from both of the lich Mamon’s hands.

* * *

Legion and Drayzer departed from the mansion early in the morning.

Legion was engrossed in a booklet titled ‘100 Must-Visit Attractions in the County Before You Die’.

The place he sought was a blacksmith.

Locating a blacksmith in this region with over 10,000 households proved challenging unless one was a local. Hence, the availability of booklets containing store locations and directions.

“Thieving bastards.”

Tourists inevitably spend money after consulting this book.

They should simply offer it for free, yet they charge 20 silver [currency]. Legion resolved to implement a similar scheme when his territory flourished.

“What is that?” Legion stopped walking.

He encountered an unpleasant sight to begin his morning. Had the maids witnessed this, they would have screamed in terror.

Eight men were suspended upside down from a tree.

Naked.

Their hideous private parts were exposed. The thing smaller than a pinky finger was dangling in front of Legion’s eyes. Someone had impaled a flag in their butts. The flag bore the inscription, ‘I’m sorry. I was wrong.’

“Why must I witness such a disgusting sight to start my day?” Legion asked Drayzer, his voice laced with annoyance. Did you do that?

“No, it wasn’t me. Why would I engage in such a perverted act?” Drayzer responded, waving his hands in surprise.

He was equally astonished. What deranged individual had hung these men in such a state? He hadn’t detected any signs of life, as it was quite far from the mansion.

“Really not you?”

“Really not me. I swear on my name.”

“Then who committed such an act?”

“Well… who could have done it? They’ve created a work of art.”

As Drayzer remarked, it resembled performance art. The dicks were dangling, hanging upside down and swaying.

Legion shook his head and walked past Bulldog and Lonestar.

“By the way, do you know them?”

“I don’t know. They’re kids I’ve never seen before.”

“Really? They look a little familiar to me.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Is that so.”

Bulldog and Lonestar regained consciousness 1 minute before Legion’s arrival.

Upon seeing his face, they closed their eyes and feigned unconsciousness. They couldn’t possibly acknowledge him in their current state. They couldn’t even request to be taken down. They prayed to the main god. Please erase my memory.

The main god did not grant their small wish.

Even more shocking was that-

Legion didn’t even recognize them.

They wished for death, as the humiliation was unbearable.