Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 37

37. Apate Kingdom

Horizo’s eyes wavered for a moment.

“…Are you saying we should go to the Magic Tower prison?”

“Yes. I think that would be best.”

Horizo then put on a determined expression.

“We are not afraid of being sent to the Magic Tower prison or being interrogated. If it is the Herald’s will, we will follow it.”

“That’s not what I mean. Either way, you are destined to be sent to the Magic Tower. Do you think Stenos will just send you back after you attacked the Magic Tower?”

“…I suppose not.”

“Whether you reveal information about the Inner Circle or not, you will be sent to the Magic Tower prison anyway. In that case, shouldn’t you at least not keep your mouths shut? For now, keep quiet, as you have been doing.”

Only then did Horizo and Rio nod.

“That makes sense. Understood. We will remain silent.”

There was no way to save them from the Magic Tower prison anyway.

Since the Magic Tower Lord himself was interested in them, there was no way to sneak them out and use them at the moment.

‘Now that things have come to this, I should find out about the internal affairs of the Magic Tower prison.’

[What are you going to do?]

‘I need to gather information about Aileen through these guys.’

It was an opportunity to find out the whereabouts of the girl who might be in the Magic Tower prison.

“And, if you go there, there is something I want you to confirm.”

“What is it? Please tell us.”

“There is someone I am looking for, and it just so happens that she might be in the Magic Tower prison.”

“Who is it?”

“A girl named Aileen. She is about fifteen years old.”

At those words, Horizo shuddered.

“Those bad guys! Did they imprison that young girl here?”

“Yes. There is a ruin being excavated here at the Magic Tower, and she was captured because she knew about it.”

“Huh…! Those sons of bitches! It’s obvious. They must have trespassed again and threatened the locals.”

Horizo spoke as if he was used to it.

“Has that happened before?”

Rio, who was always calm, could not help but be agitated this time.

“Our previous base was also raided by those guys. They didn’t know it was the Inner Circle’s base, though. That’s why we moved to the Apate Kingdom as if we were being chased out.”

I nodded. Those guys were capable of anything.

“Anyway, I will also look into the whereabouts of that girl.”

Was it a feeling of camaraderie? Horizo’s eyes became even more determined.

“There’s no guarantee that the child is there. She was kidnapped a whole three years ago. However, it would be good if you could find even a clue.”

“Understood. We will find out everything we can.”

But then Rio tilted his head.

“Even if we find out, how will we tell you? We are still tied up.”

I approached the two of them.

“Put your hands towards the bars.”

With that, I took out a dagger from my pocket.

Swish!

I cut more than half of their ropes.

“With Horizo’s strength, he should be able to cut the rest easily. After examining the Magic Tower prison, escape depending on the situation.”

“Understood, Herald.”

“However, don’t overdo it. Just because you cut the ropes doesn’t mean you can break through the Magic Tower’s defenses. If a situation where you can escape doesn’t arise, just wait in the Magic Tower prison. I will find you two no matter what.”

“Yes. I will obey your command.”

At that moment, the sound of footsteps was heard. It was coming from the hallway outside the lab.

‘Is it Alois?’

I quickly went to my seat.

Click!

I sat down in the chair and picked up the magic tool, and at the same time, the lab door opened.

“Oh, Ian! You’re here early today?”

It was Alois, smiling brightly.

“Yes. My afternoon class ended a little early.”

With that, I made eye contact with the remnants of the Inner Circle and nodded. Their eyes were shining.

* * *

Another day passed, and I headed to the classroom with Drew.

[Do you think the Inner Circle guys will really be able to escape?]

‘It’ll be difficult. I don’t know what kind of system the Magic Tower prison has.’

Considering the severity of their crimes, there would be quite strict security. Escaping from the Magic Tower would be a distant prospect.

‘But it’s okay. I’m not expecting them to escape anyway.’

[So you told them to just wait if it seems difficult to escape?]

‘Yeah. Instead, I can at least visit them while they’re locked up in prison.’

As a member of the Magic Tower, it would be much safer for me to visit them.

‘I just need to catch another criminal worthy of being imprisoned in the Magic Tower prison, or create a reason to see them.’

[That’s more realistic than them escaping.]

The classroom we arrived at was different from usual.

“Everyone looks excited.”

Drew also looked excited.

“Of course! It’s finally our first mission!”

That was because today was the day to decide on the field training location.

[Are you going to Apate for the training?]

‘I have to. Training is training, but let’s also see what Angelus left behind.’

His teachings, which survived through a thousand years of history. It was worth digging into. We might be able to find clues to the history hidden by the Pentagram.

“Okay, everyone, are you all seated?”

Professor Andre entered the excited classroom.

“I hope no one is missing today? As you all know, you will be going on field training in two days. So, today we will decide on the training location.”

He took out dozens of papers from the desk.

“These are requests that have come to the Magic Tower from all over the continent. I have only selected the difficulty levels that you can handle. I will read out the location and the details of the request, so raise your hand if you want to go there.”

“Yes!”

Andre began to read the first paper.

“A dog has gone missing in the Kontal Kingdom. Anyone who wants to participate, raise your hand.”

The children raised their hands with shining eyes. However, I couldn’t help but doubt my ears.

‘……A dog is missing?’

[Kyah! That’s exactly the kind of request that suits kids.]

‘Did I overestimate the kids’ level?’

A request that only requires the use of detection magic. Andre checked the children who raised their hands and continued to read the next request.

“The Potain Principality is recruiting people to help with the new Duke’s inauguration ceremony. They have a custom of shooting fireballs into the sky instead of fireworks. Just fire fireballs at the festival.”

“A gold bar has gone missing in the Anti-Trade City.”

Most of the requests were like this. Finding lost items or pets. It was literally field training for freshmen.

“Um…… Next.”

The next request in Andre’s hand.

“A missing item case has occurred in the Apate Kingdom. It’s a simple request to find the lost item.”

As soon as I heard the name, I raised my hand.

Drew was grinning.

“What! You actually wanted to go with Noah, too?”

With those words, Drew also raised his hand.

“Come on. That’s not it.”

“No way! Apate is such an unpopular place. There’s no reason to go unless it’s with Noah.”

As Drew said, we were the only ones who raised our hands.

‘Well. Apate was called the Legma Desert a thousand years ago, right?’

A region that I was more familiar with under the name Legma Desert.

[Rather than finding lost items in such a place, it’s a hundred times better to play with a dog or shoot fireworks.]

Even after a thousand years, it was famous for its heat and sandstorms, so it was natural that the children didn’t raise their hands.

“Anyway, that’s not it.”

“Ugh. Okay, okay.”

He was just making a mischievous smile.

‘Haa. I can’t tell the truth.’

I had no choice but to endure the injustice. I couldn’t reveal that I was planning to find the Inner Circle’s base in Apate.

“Then. Ian and Drew are the only ones in this class who will go to the Apate Kingdom.”

Andre made a note of it. After reading all the requests, he made an additional announcement.

“And since professors can’t be with you everywhere, Magic Tower seniors will accompany you as mentors. It’s a measure to strengthen security because of the last incident.”

As Noah Grentel had said, it was a safety device arranged by the Magic Tower.

“However, you must solve the mission on your own without the help of the seniors. That’s all!”

* * *

Two days passed quickly. As the remnants of the Inner Circle had said, they were taken somewhere by Stenos.

‘I need to find out something.’

It was also the day I was moving to the Apate Kingdom.

“Everyone, gather in an orderly manner!”

The freshmen gathered in the Magic Tower lobby for field training. And those who looked like seniors were interspersed among them.

In particular, the team going to the Potain Principality had a lot of people.

‘Ugh. The young ones are already looking for the easy way out.’

That was because they only had to shoot fireballs into the sky to celebrate the Duke. Moreover, they would receive a generous allowance.

[Apate Kingdom is definitely unpopular.]

On the other hand, the Apate Kingdom team was deserted. I thought there would be more children from other classes who would support this place. Only one boy had supported it.

‘It’s better this way.’

It was better to move secretly.

Excluding Noah, only a total of three people supported the request.

“Hello! I’m Drew.”

Drew held out his hand to the freckled boy.

“I’m Cleio Comas. Nice to meet you!”

Noah reacted to his name.

“Comas? Then is Apate Kingdom your hometown?”

“Ah! Yes. I supported it because it was near my family’s place!”

“Oh, then you won’t have any trouble finding your way around?”

“Of course. But I don’t think I’ve seen you before, which class are you in?”

He mistook Noah for a freshman.

‘That’s understandable.’

All those who came out as leaders were 4-star to 5-star mages. Most of them looked over twenty years old.

Noah was only two years older than us, so he didn’t recognize him as a mentor.

“Huh? I came out as your leader. I’m a 4-star mage, you know.”

“Hup! I’m sorry!”

Cleio hurriedly covered his mouth.

“No. It’s okay. It can happen. Please guide me well when we get there.”

“Leave it to me!”

Cleio smiled brightly as Noah patted him on the shoulder.

The commotion in the auditorium was brief.

“The field training period is exactly one week, so you must finish it within that period and return! Now, depart!”

As Andre’s voice echoed, the children began to move.

“Let’s go, too.”

Following Noah’s instructions, we headed to the Portal Management Bureau. The four people headed along the road.

‘Are you following well?’

There was one more figure behind them.

[He’s attached behind.]

A boy who had become neat and tidy. It was Admun Dolph.

‘You don’t have to follow me for this.’

He wanted to protect me and insisted that he wanted to be with me.

[The more experience you gain, the more helpful it will be. Let’s practice sneaking around.]

Nodding, we arrived at the Portal Management Bureau.

“We’re going to Apate.”

At Noah’s words, the manager manipulated the portal.

“Now you can go in.”

Following his guidance, the children entered the portal in order.

‘Angelus. Let’s see how your pseudo-religion has survived for a thousand years.’

I also threw myself into the portal.