The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 229

At that same time, Adela was in her room, reading a note alone.

‘……Short.’

The number of characters written on the note was quite small.

It seemed that the number of characters was less than a quarter of the note Adela had written.

That fact was strangely disappointing.

‘I know it’s the first day, so there’s not much to report yet……’

Still, did it have to be this short?

I did my best to report in detail.

Was it too cold?

Or did it seem like they weren’t interested in me?

Anyway, it was a very strange feeling.

[There was nothing special on this side.]

[I will report when I realize something after further investigation.]

Those sentences ending with ‘~um’ also felt somewhat disappointing.

Even the things that were omitted because they were nothing special felt unnecessarily disappointing.

Adela’s lips pouted out.

She was grumbling inwardly like that.

‘But, why am I getting angry?’

She suddenly realized that it was strange for her to be angry.

Reports are originally meant to convey only the necessary information briefly.

If there’s nothing to say, it’s right to convey it in this abbreviated way.

Since it’s not possible to use a very large note, it’s natural to abbreviate the endings of sentences.

There’s no need to waste pages with honorifics.

This situation is not a situation to be angry about at all.

‘But why do I feel so bad?’

Adela narrowed her eyes and pondered.

She contemplated why she felt so unpleasant.

However, she couldn’t come to a conclusion.

She just felt disappointed for some unknown reason.

‘After that incident…… I don’t even know my own heart.’

That incident.

The day Adela was kidnapped, and Adela’s father, Wisangcheol, died.

On that day, Adela felt a lot, lost a lot, and learned a lot.

Since then, Adela often found herself caught in emotions she couldn’t understand.

She was sad, distressed, depressed, and angry.

Perhaps this is also a kind of aftereffect of that emotional surge.

That’s probably why she feels so disappointed.

There’s no other reason to feel disappointed.

‘Hoo.’

Adela calmed her emotions with a deep breath.

After about three deep breaths, Adela’s mind regained some of its usual composure.

‘First, let’s finish reading it.’

Adela read the note again with a clear mind.

It was a short note of only 10 sentences, so it didn’t take long to read.

‘There’s nothing special after all……’

She read the 9th sentence like that, and the moment she read the last sentence.

[During the investigation, I happened to meet Stella Vinoche, so I’m trying to open a path for the National Knight School investigation through that.]

‘……Stella Vinoche?’

Adela’s calm heart began to stir again.

* * *

I knew there was something in the Palace of Versailles.

I also knew that it was probably the jackpot.

It’s highly likely that Ignis is stored in the Palace of Versailles.

Considering the probability, it’s the right decision to move on to preparing to infiltrate the Palace of Versailles right now.

But.

‘Infiltrating the Palace of Versailles is not too late after thoroughly investigating the remaining two places.’

That’s a bad move.

The probability of Ignis being in the Palace of Versailles is ‘high,’ but it’s not 100%.

If I foolishly infiltrate the Palace of Versailles here, and Ignis isn’t there, what then?

It would be very difficult.

Since it’s a heavily guarded place, my infiltration will be exposed quickly.

Then, an international arrest warrant will be issued for me.

Then my fake ID will no longer be usable, and I will no longer be able to stay in France.

Then the acquisition of Ignis will be out of the question.

It would be fortunate if it ended there, but in the worst case, it might be revealed that Luan Palatia is Shin Hayul.

Then there would be real chaos.

Infiltration is too risky.

‘And I haven’t figured out why Miho sensed it in three places.’

Above all, the reason why Miho sensed Ignis in three areas simultaneously has not been resolved yet.

There’s still plenty of time, so it’s right to continue the investigation for now.

Squeak.

Miho, hidden in my robe, in my chest, groaned as if she was frustrated.

Since her head is also hidden in the clothes, it must be stuffy to breathe.

‘Sorry. Just bear with it a little longer.’

I’m sorry to Miho, but she has to endure it now.

Even though it’s dawn and there are few people around, there aren’t no people at all.

If Miho were to stick her head out now, she might attract attention.

‘We’ll be at our destination soon. Just hold on until then.’

Miho cried as if she had no choice.

‘Thank you.’

I gently stroked Miho’s head through the robe and quickened my pace.

About three minutes after I started walking at a speed that was neither running nor walking.

We arrived at our destination.

‘Miho, you can show your face now.’

At my words, Miho’s ears perked up first.

Then, she stuck her face out from my chest, right below my chin.

She looked like she was finally able to breathe.

‘Sorry. It was stuffy, wasn’t it?’

Miho shook her head as if it was okay.

She seemed to be saying that it was a bit stuffy, but it was bearable.

‘Thank you. You’re the only one, Miho.’

I stroked Miho’s head with sincerity.

Miho smiled as if she was in the best mood.

Miho’s tail wagged, and it was felt through the thin fabric.

‘So, Miho, did you realize anything on the way here?’

The reason why I hid Miho in my robe was because I thought she might realize something on the way here.

Since her face was completely covered, she couldn’t see anything with her eyes, but spiritual sensing ability has nothing to do with the eyes.

Whether she’s hidden in a robe or in a bag, there’s no problem in sensing souls.

That’s why I brought Miho in my arms like this.

If the purpose was to investigate this place, I would have just come here and secretly taken Miho out.

Shake, shake.

Miho shook her head slightly.

She was saying that she hadn’t found anything suspicious on the way here.

‘……I see.’

I thought Miho might notice something.

My expression became a little serious.

Even Miho couldn’t sense anything.

What should I do now?

The future became quite daunting.

‘Then, what about here?’

One of the three places Miho marked on the day she sensed Ignis in Korea is right here.

Maybe I can get a hint from this location.

At my question, Miho opened her eyes sharply and looked around.

Since there wasn’t much change in her expression, it seemed that she didn’t feel anything special here either.

‘There’s nothing here either……’

Then Miho struggled a little.

‘Do you want to be taken out?’

Miho nodded.

Miho wanted to observe the surroundings directly from the outside.

‘……It’s a dark alleyway. It should be okay.’

It’s a secluded alleyway, so even if someone rushes in, I can handle it somehow.

I took Miho out and put her down on the street.

Miho spread out all six tails and shook her body wildly.

The fur that had been pressed down in my arms quickly regained its original shape.

Miho, who had instantly returned to her original noble appearance.

Miho began to thoroughly examine the surroundings with a confident gait.

A secluded alley that doesn’t feel awkward to call a back alley.

The back doors of three stores can be seen.

There are also two entrances to buildings that appear to be private houses.

Looking at the fact that all the lights are off in all the buildings, everyone must be sleeping.

‘……Even looking at it again, there’s nothing special.’

Even looking at it again, it’s just a very ordinary alley.

It doesn’t seem like the medium of Ignis is sleeping in a place like this.

‘Is this not the place after all?’

While watching Miho thoroughly examine the surroundings, I thought that this place might be a fake.

Miho and I pride ourselves on having sensing abilities that are second to none.

If we can’t feel anything at this level, then it must be true that there’s nothing here.

‘Whatever it is, there’s no point in staying here any longer.’

Since even Miho can’t sense anything, there’s no point in staying here.

‘For now, let’s postpone the investigation of this place and change the goal to investigating the National Knight School……’

Just as I decided to leave this place and investigate the National Knight School.

‘They went into that alley!’

A desperate shout was heard from afar.

‘B team, drive them that way! We’ll surround them!’

‘This voice……’

A familiar voice.

It was a voice that was bound to become familiar, having heard it three times in one day.

‘Stella Vinoche?’

Why is she in a place like this at this time……

‘Miho!’

I don’t know why, but it wouldn’t be good to be here like this.

I immediately called Miho, put her in my arms, and flew up.

I quickly flew up to the top of the building, blocked my mana, and even blocked my presence.

It was the stealth magic that I had learned from Seokhyun, albeit superficially.

Thud thud thud thud-!

At that time, footsteps were heard from both sides of the alley.

Judging by the number of footsteps, there were at least a dozen or so people.

I extended my senses a little further.

‘6 people in the left passage. 7 people in the right passage. Among them, only one person at the front of the right passage is running separately. Are 12 people chasing 1 person?’

The 6 people in the left passage and the 6 people in the right passage are chasing 1 person.

That’s roughly the situation.

I heard that students of the National Knight School often go on patrol missions for public safety, including civilian crime prevention, even while they are still in school.

It was true.

I thought they were just pretending to patrol in name only.

‘Korea only pretends to patrol.’

There’s also the reason that patrolling is meaningless because of Korea’s high security, but it’s true that it’s not this serious.

‘The French knights are definitely different.’

The orderliness that can be heard just by the sound of footsteps.

The systematic operation of cornering one person.

They are already worlds apart from the knights of Korea.

‘Is that a man?’

At that time, a man rushed into the alley in a hurry.

At the same time, 6 people appeared from the opposite alley.

The man, realizing that his escape route was blocked, braked sharply.

‘You bastards!’

And just as he was about to turn back.

‘Give up. You are surrounded.’

Six knights appeared from the back passage as well.

Stella Vinoche is standing at the very front.

She was giving off a completely different atmosphere than when I met her earlier in the day.

Perhaps it’s because of the light blue armor she’s wearing, but the atmosphere is very cold.

I would believe it if someone said she was a different person from the one I saw during the day.

‘That’s why she got that nickname.’

That appearance is definitely the Ice Queen herself.

If ice magic were to turn into a person, it would look like that.

‘Mael Nadal. You are under arrest on suspicion of being a serial killer.’

Stella Vinoche held out her sword.

The sword was pointing at the man called Mael Nadal.

I frowned as I looked at the man.

‘Serial killer?’

I haven’t seen any news about serial killings happening in France.

My ears perked up even more.

* * *

Mael Nadal laughed roughly as he looked at the sword pointed at him.

‘Bad luck. I can’t believe I’m being chased by chicks like you.’

He glared at Stella Vinoche with a murderous look reminiscent of a carnivore.

‘I thought I only needed to keep track of the movements of the police and regular security forces. I never thought I’d be caught here.’

The man clicked his tongue with a bothered expression.

‘Hey. The treasure of France. I have a proposal for you.’

Then he spoke indifferently.

‘I have no intention of negotiating with a criminal.’

‘Just listen first. Decide after listening.’

Mael Nadal smiled slightly.

‘If you run away now, I’ll let you live. I don’t want to kill unnecessarily. I don’t want to poke a hornet’s nest either.’

Stella Vinoche.

It’s a bad move to mess with that woman.

There’s no advantage to be gained by dealing with a knight, but the aftermath is incredibly huge.

It’s best not to get involved with Stella Vinoche if possible.

‘I refuse.’

‘Oh. You’re firm? You’re so firm that I can’t even tell you to think about it again.’

Mael Nadal clicked his tongue again.

He had a very bothered expression.

‘Well, then, there’s nothing I can do. I don’t want to poke a hornet’s nest, but if it’s for my safety, I have to eliminate you.’

Mana surged around Mael Nadal’s body.

‘A mage……!’

Stella Vinoche shouted.

Mael Nadal is a mage.

‘Everyone, step back!’

All 12 of the cases were murders that did not use magic at all, so the police concluded that the suspect was highly likely to be an ordinary person.

That’s why Stella didn’t think Mael Nadal would be a mage.

She naturally assumed he was an ordinary person and planned the operation.

‘It’s not good to fight an unidentified mage in this narrow alley!’

Now that she knows the opponent is a mage, all they can do is buy time.

Maybe a lower-level mage of the 3rd or 4th circle. Judging by that amount of mana, he’s at least a 5th circle.

Fighting a 5th circle mage in this terrain is suicide.

The best they can do now is to buy as much time as possible and wait for the police to arrive.

‘Everyone, just focus on holding him back as much as possible!’

Stella gave the order again.

The other 12 knights nodded, albeit with tense expressions.

‘It seems like the goal is to hold out until the security forces arrive. I wonder if you can hold out?’

Mael Nadal’s mana became even denser.

As if the mana had reversed, the nature of the mana itself changed.

No, that mana must be the mana that the man originally possessed.

‘A black mage……!’

Stella bit her lip and shouted quietly.

Not just any criminal mage, but a black mage.

Cold sweat ran down her back.

‘Wouldn’t you add a 5th circle in front? It’s a matter of pride.’

In addition to being a black mage, he’s also a 5th circle as expected.

He’s a criminal at a level that the 12 people here can’t defeat even if they all attack him at once.

‘Everyone, get out of here first……!’

Stella quickly gave the order to retreat.

However.

‘It’s too late. You should have run away earlier!’

It’s already too late.

‘If you’re going to blame someone, blame yourselves for being nosy! Kehehe!’

He had already finished all the preparations.

‘Hellfire.’

A black fireball was emitted from the man’s hand.

Two fireballs in total.

One is big, and one is small.

Those two fireballs flew to both sides of the alley.

The small fireball towards Stella Vinoche.

The large fireball towards the other 6 knights.

At first glance, it might seem like they should have been thrown the other way around, but this is correct.

‘I said this, but killing Stella Vinoche is too risky. Here, it’s right to block her feet, blind her eyes, and then run away.’

Kill the riffraff on the other side with the huge fireball.

Tie Stella’s feet with the small fireball.

This will vent some anger and make it easier to escape.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh-!

The fireballs quickly flew across the alley.

‘Now is the time.’

Watching that, Mael Nadal reached for the passage next to the alley.

And at that moment.

Click click-!

The sound of some kind of mechanical device being activated rang out.

The wall slowly changed.

The wall had become a secret passage.

‘Stella Vinoche. I will definitely repay you for bothering me.’

And the moment Mael Nadal was about to enter the door.

Swoosh-!

A sharp cutting sound was heard.

A sound as if something that shouldn’t have been cut was cut.

A strange cutting sound that seemed to have cut through the air or the wind.

‘What is it?’

Mael Nadal slowly turned his head in that direction.

What was cut?

Thinking that, he looked in the direction where he had thrown the huge fireball.

‘……What?’

His eyes widened in an instant.

The fireball that the man had shot was divided into two.

‘How……?’

While he was wondering that.

A man jumped out from between the fireballs that were divided left and right.

A mysterious man dressed all in black, with his lower face covered by a mask. He was flying in the sky with a sword in his hand.

Mael shouted as he looked at the man.

‘Who are you……!’

However, the man’s words could not continue to the end.

‘……Huh?’

The moment he noticed, the man’s figure had disappeared from Mael’s sight.

‘Is the world…… spinning?’

Mael’s vision slowly began to rotate.

Clockwise, slowly, like the second hand of a clock.

‘……My body?’

In that slowly changing vision. He saw his own body.

A miserable body with nothing visible above the neck.

‘I, was cut…?’

The man realized that he was dead.

‘This can’t… be……’

And the last scene that the man saw.

‘Am I dying? So pointlessly……?’

The back of the man who cut his neck.

And the sight of Stella Vinoche, who had blocked the small fireball, looking at the man in shock.