How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 86

Episode 86

95. Let’s Learn Magic (9)

That was a bit unexpected.

I was the one who was stunned and surprised.

“It’s just that there’s nothing more I can teach you here, given the limitations of this place.”

She said she could guide me properly if I went with her.

That’s what she said.

I quickly corrected her.

“No, that was just a joke… for now. More than anything, wouldn’t it be difficult for Cruise if I went with you?”

Normally, a mage of her caliber couldn’t just take on a formal disciple because of her position.

Cruise’s current actions are outside those boundaries.

It’s only possible because the White Tower is relatively flexible.

I don’t want to cause trouble, and it’s not desirable for the future.

“If you sincerely want to learn, I won’t stop you. What do you think?”

“…No. I’m not that shameless.”

It was half a joke in the first place.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to pursue a full-fledged magical path on this occasion? Magic is quite fun, you know?”

Is she trying to persuade me after all?

For a moment, I thought it might be okay, but I shouldn’t be swayed.

I just want to live comfortably, not become an orthodox mage.

And there’s a reason I can’t go.

“More than anything, I’d only be a hindrance if I followed you now.”

Cruise Elfaman will be going on an even more arduous journey.

What would happen if I followed her?

Far from getting stronger, I wouldn’t be able to endure it and would die.

‘Because I’d be directly involved in the original story’s events.’

I know my limits.

That’s why I need to develop safely in a different way.

When I said this, Cruise looked somewhat puzzled.

“…I wouldn’t necessarily say that.”

“Besides, I have things I need to do. So I can’t go with you.”

“Hmph, then I won’t say anything more. …But after giving you advice with good intentions, this seems like nothing.”

“Hmm? It’s enough, though?”

I was reminded of the magic tome, which I hadn’t been thinking about.

The amount of text in the original work is by no means small.

No matter how firmly it’s etched in my memory, I have to remember that the setting exists in order to recognize it.

Her advice a moment ago was definitely a blind spot.

I think it’s enough, but she doesn’t seem to think so.

“You’ve followed my instructions quite well, so I should give you a little reward.”

After pondering, Cruise rummaged through the pocket inside her robe as if she had come up with something good and took something out.

It was a pendant with a pure white bird and a tower emblem.

“What’s that? A souvenir?”

“It’s a pendant with the emblem of the White Tower… specifically, my teacher’s faction. I’ll give this to you.”

“…Yes?”

This time, I was genuinely surprised and froze.

“Cruise, are you drunk right now?”

Did the shop owner bring out some kind of poison instead of wine?

For a moment, such a silly thought came to mind.

“…If you don’t need it.”

“I need it! I don’t know what it is, but if you give it to me, I need it!”

Why can’t people take a joke?

I grabbed Cruise’s hand as she tried to subtly pull it back.

Cruise sighed and placed the pendant in my hand.

“With your personality, you might have conflicts with our tower’s mages someday.”

“……Ah.”

“You’re not denying it.”

No, there are many things that prick my conscience.

Looking ahead, I can’t just dismiss it as a joke.

“Even if that’s not the case, if you ever need help, show this to a White Tower official. They might give you some advice.”

“The meaning of this… pendant?”

“A disciple of my teacher. In other words, someone who has received their teachings.”

Cruise’s teacher must be the elder, Maximil Elfaman.

No, this isn’t something you can just give as a reward, is it?

“…Are you sure it’s okay for me to receive this?”

“It doesn’t matter. My teacher seems to have gone around handing them out under all sorts of excuses when he was young. Adding one more won’t be a big deal, just a few complaints.”

She says that, but this won’t be simple.

If I’m not careful, I might cause trouble for them.

Cruise must know that too.

She’s giving it to me knowing that.

“If I hear that someone I taught, even if it was just the basics, died on the street… my pride won’t allow it.”

“So it’s already assumed that I’ll die on the street.”

I can’t deny that either.

Anyway, I should gratefully accept it if she’s giving it to me.

I don’t know if I’ll ever benefit from this, but you never know, and if worst comes to worst, I’ll consider it a gift.

“I’ll gratefully accept it.”

“Eilon, I don’t know what you’re going to do with magic. But I guarantee it. You definitely have talent. So.”

Cruise looked at me seriously.

“I hope you don’t use what you’ve learned for something you’ll regret.”

“Of course.”

* * *

With that, Cruise gave me her last piece of advice and left Felpuke the next day as soon as the sun rose.

She didn’t even tell me the departure date in advance and left right away, which is just like her.

‘Well, she must have a lot to do.’

When I think about it, she taught me well for the past few months.

‘Then, see you again someday.’

I slightly bowed my head while looking in the direction of the gate where Cruise had left.

I’ll meet her again someday anyway.

In whatever way that may be.

I will continue to hover around the sidelines of the original story in order to survive in this world.

‘If I keep surviving, that is….’

I turned my back and this time looked towards the sea.

I closed my mouth while looking at the harbor where ships were coming and going.

The person who was leaving has now left.

Just like she is doing her job, I have to do my job too.

Don’t think that I’ve just been training and wasting time here for the past few months.

There’s something that’s been bothering me.

And now, it’s time to check and think about a plan.

For the past few months, I’ve been staying on the sidelines of the original story and reaping the benefits.

‘Problems will arise. Definitely.’

Then there will definitely be a price to pay somewhere.

‘I’m not planning on getting blindsided.’

So let’s check it out first.

* * *

I went straight to the guy I knew who was most sensitive to rumors and trends and asked him.

“Information about the Kalion Merchant Guild’s transactions?”

Rowell asks back as if wondering what I’m talking about.

Well, it’s understandable that he’s taken aback since I suddenly came and asked this question.

“I’ve been a little concerned about it for a while. The Kalion Merchant Guild guys were rude to me before, too.”

They commissioned the Assassin Guild to hinder me out of jealousy and did various things.

Then Rowell seemed to understand what I meant.

“I know that was the Kalion Merchant Guild’s branch manager acting on his own.”

“That’s right. But there are also rumors about Marquis Celond, aren’t there?”

“……Hmm.”

Rowell rested his chin on his hand and fell into thought.

The Falzente Duchy was purchasing some supplies and items from merchant guilds that had connections, including the Pilleros Merchant Guild.

I also joined in to prove my performance, which created an opportunity to become close with them.

“Rowell, you’ve heard the rumors, haven’t you?”

In addition to the information they already knew, stories are starting to circulate in the market here.

‘The Celond Marquisate of the Forellos Empire and the Falzente Duchy are going to war!’

‘I heard they’re right before the declaration of war?’

‘I heard the declaration of war has already been made?’

‘I heard the Grand Duke has already beheaded the envoy sent by the Marquis…….’

Such gossip.

Half of it will be wrong and half will be true.

Since the rumors have now crawled out into the streets, it wouldn’t be strange if I pretended to be interested.

“We haven’t heard any news from the Duchy. We haven’t heard anything special since we handed over the supplies they ordered.”

“That’s right. What about the Kalion Merchant Guild? It seems like someone sent by Marquis Celond has entered the port several times recently. It seems like they’re still trading.”

And their ships entered the port about three times and set sail with the goods they traded.

“Logically speaking, they must have purchased the necessary supplies like the Duchy.”

Rowell cautiously guessed and frowned.

I guess there’s something bothering him.

“Well, that in itself is a bit hard to understand.”

“Is that strange?”

I pretended not to know and waited for his answer.

“…Actually, there’s no reason for Marquis Celond to trade with the Kalion Merchant Guild.”

“Hmm?”

“The Empire is vast. They have enough resources to handle it. The Falzente Duchy has different circumstances.”

‘Actually, I thought similarly.’

According to the setting mentioned in Volume 4, the Imperial Family is involved in the background of Marquis Celond.

At least that’s according to the description I read.

Because there was a scene where Marquis Celond and the Third Prince of the Empire were discussing the fall of the Duchy.

‘But there’s no need to buy necessary supplies from the Selvas Kingdom.’

Once, there might be medicines that can only be obtained here, so that’s possible.

But it’s unnatural for them to come and go three times.

‘The number of times is too frequent.’

I kept an eye on the port whenever they moved their luggage, and the luggage they moved was all large.

What on earth are they buying in such large quantities?

I’m curious.

‘That bothers me…….’

It must be connected to the war scenario in Volume 4.

Of course, it’s not something I should get involved in, but I can’t ignore it.

‘If I ignore it because it’s not my business, I feel like I’ll get blindsided somewhere.’

My back is starting to itch.

It’s been like this so far.

Whenever I try to suck up some benefits while hovering around the sidelines of the original story, the price always comes.

At the Deyal Dungeon, I encountered the lower-level members of the secret organization integration meeting, like Galden and Kiel.

At the Black Mage’s Workshop, there was the early birth and subjugation of the main boss monster from Volume 9.

I’m not optimistic enough to think this time will be an exception.

An incident will definitely happen.

No, the incident will come to me.

I think that’s the price.

‘I should definitely consider the possibilities.’

It brings tears to my eyes, but it’s better to prepare for the worst, right?

“Did the Pilleros Merchant Guild try to get information?”

I know that information warfare between merchant guilds happens frequently.

Information is their source of money.

I’m firmly tied to him through mutual benefits, so he might tell me a little.

I’m confident that I can reach the answer if I have even a little hint.

“…….”

However, Rowell closed his mouth.

Oh? Was there a lack of trust? Was there a lack of affection?

Should I act cute?

I understand, so I have no complaints.

If you don’t tell me, there’s nothing I can do.

Let’s find out in another way.

Originally, a great detective investigates by running around.

‘……If I throw a few Kalion Merchant Guild-related people into the sea, they’ll tell me on their own.’

The sea knows the answer.

Originally, I wouldn’t even think about acting this violently.

But this time it’s different.

If I’m not careful, I feel like something will happen to me…….

“If you don’t know, I won’t ask. Please just ignore this conversation.”

I said it as if I didn’t care and tried to get up from my seat.

“Eilon.”

Rowell called me again.

“You don’t have to force yourself to answer anything.”

“Yes. That’s what I’m thinking. That’s why we haven’t tried to dig into anything about the Kalion Merchant Guild.”

Oh? Something’s strange about saying he doesn’t know.

It sounds like he’s not just saying he hasn’t found out anything, but that he hasn’t even tried to find out.