The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 227

The Rebirth of the Mythical Archmage-228

Paris, France.

As soon as I arrived at the airport, I headed straight to the hotel I had booked.

It wasn’t a luxury hotel, mind you.

Luxury hotels require advance reservations and thorough identification checks, making it difficult to book without a broker.

So, I had no choice but to rent a regular hotel with somewhat lax security.

I could have used a broker for the hotel rental as well, but that would have increased the risk of my information being leaked through the broker, so I held off.

‘Increasing the risk with a broker is enough with the airport ID forgery.’

I also had a significant financial burden since I had to rent it for two months.

The airport ID forgery and fake ID were so expensive that I had to pour all the money I earned from Thunder Bird just to make ends meet.

‘It was worth the price, though…’

It was a forgery that could pass through a special airport, so I didn’t regret it.

‘I really don’t regret it…’

What should I say?

Being broke makes me quite anxious.

‘I can’t reduce my activity funds. I’ll have to cut back on things like food expenses.’

I checked the money I currently had again and let out a small sigh.

‘Haa. I should report to Father first.’

I casually placed the small carry-on I had brought next to me and took out the small communication artifact I had placed inside my Aeth [Aether, a magical energy source].

It was an artifact that used magic to send a ‘letter’ to the other party.

Since it didn’t use a communication network, the probability of external interference was 0%.

The disadvantages were that it was disposable, expensive for a disposable item, and couldn’t hold many characters.

…Looking at the list, it’s full of disadvantages.

Well, the advantage of being absolutely undetectable is so great, though.

[Arrived at the location. I will begin the search now.]

I roughly wrote that on a piece of paper and inserted it into the artifact.

It’s not like I wanted to write it so formally.

As I said, this artifact could only send a limited number of characters, so this was the limit of what could be transmitted.

It was inevitable that the sentence would be somewhat business-like.

‘Even if there were no limit on the number of characters, it wouldn’t have been a warm letter, though.’

I had such a pointless thought as I activated the artifact.

I could feel the mana [magical energy] swirling powerfully within the artifact.

And immediately after that, the artifact lost all its power as if it had become a piece of scrap metal.

‘Did it activate properly?’

I took out the letter that was inserted and checked it. The surface of the paper was scorched as if it had been burned.

‘It worked.’

This was proof that the artifact had activated properly.

I was relieved and put the expired artifact in my pocket.

Then, I got up from my seat and headed out of the hotel.

My destination was one of the places where Ignis was suspected to be.

‘I’m supposed to meet Adela in 5 hours, so I can investigate slowly.’

I thought that as I quickened my pace.

* * *

A commercial district located in the north of Paris.

I was wandering around the area with a map in hand.

‘It’s around here.’

A map with three prominent X marks.

One of the X marks was drawn at this location.

‘It’s just an ordinary shopping district. What on earth is here?’

The X marks on the map were checked based on Miho’s detection.

More precisely, the places where Miho felt Ignis were these X marks.

‘I really don’t feel anything.’

I really don’t know.

I had thoroughly searched the area for the past two hours, but I didn’t feel anything special.

It was just a very ordinary commercial district.

‘I thought that if I came here directly, I would understand why Miho marked three places.’

Miho couldn’t pinpoint Ignis’s exact location.

No, to be precise, she did pinpoint it. The problem was that she detected three places, not one.

‘I really don’t understand.’

It’s not like Ignis’s medium is divided into three parts.

How could it be detected in three places at the same time?

Mimir was also incredibly bewildered.

I can still clearly remember her blankly muttering, ‘This can’t be happening…’

‘If Miho were here, she might have realized something.’

Currently, the detection of Ignis is being done purely through Miho’s ‘soul detection’.

If it were Miho, she might be able to discern something I couldn’t see here.

‘I should come back at night when there are fewer people.’

The day is too bright, and there are too many people, so I can’t take Miho out.

If I took Miho out in a place like this, I would instantly attract attention.

That must be avoided.

‘Since I’ve registered with the Tamer Association separately, there’s a high chance my identity will be exposed.’

In many ways, I can’t take Miho out right now.

It’s a shame, but I have to give up for now.

‘Then, to the next place… but I don’t have time. First, I need to meet Adela.’

The three areas where Miho detected Ignis are as follows.

First, the commercial district in the north.

Then, the Palace of Versailles in the southwest.

Finally, the National Knight Academy in the southeast.

Since they are at opposite ends of Paris, I don’t have enough time to move right now.

I turned around and started moving towards the bar in the center of Paris where I had arranged to meet Adela.

‘…Thinking about it, even if I had time, it would have been difficult to investigate other places at this time.’

The current time is 3:30 PM in France.

The Palace of Versailles is not open for admission, and the National Knight Academy is in session, so there’s nothing I can do.

There was no choice from the beginning.

I was worried about nothing.

“Ah!”

At that moment, a loud exclamation came from behind me.

I didn’t turn my head.

Someone must have bumped into someone else.

I’m not particularly curious.

I just kept walking as I was.

“Excuse me! You, sir!”

Is it my imagination?

The voice seemed to be getting louder.

“Oh, come on, can’t you hear me?”

Is this also my imagination? Somehow, the voice sounds familiar.

It sounds like a voice I heard today.

“Got you!”

While I was thinking that, the owner of the voice grabbed my hand.

I slowly turned around and looked at the owner of the voice.

“Hello. What a coincidence to meet again like this!”

The uniform of the French National Knight Academy.

A few strands of blue hair, tucked up and hidden under her hat, were slightly sticking out.

Was it slightly disheveled because she had rushed over?

“You haven’t forgotten already, have you? I thought it was a pretty intense encounter…”

The knight trainee I met at the airport in Korea earlier.

The treasure of the National Knight Academy.

The hope of the knights.

“Ah, I was too flustered then to introduce myself. My name is…”

She smiled slightly.

“I know. Stella Vinoche.”

“Oh. You knew?”

“Is there any knight who doesn’t know your face and name?”

“I guess… so.”

Stella gave a somewhat bitter smile.

What is she thinking?

“Okay. What’s the matter?”

“…Ah!”

As if she had escaped from her negative thoughts due to my intentional change of topic, Stella let out a small exclamation.

“That, the thing at the airport. I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank? Was there anything for you to thank me for in that situation?”

“There was. You were trying to quietly move on, but you went out of your way to stand up for me.”

“If that’s the reason, you don’t have to. I’m also responsible for you being in that situation. I was just reaping what I sowed. There’s no reason to be thanked for that action.”

Stella’s eyes shone like starlight, befitting her name.

“…You’re so cool.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

Stella’s smile became even brighter. I don’t know why she likes it so much.

“I never thought I’d hear those words from the epitome of coolness.”

“Oh. Was I being rude?”

“No. It’s not like that.”

“Ah, that’s a relief.”

Stella sighed in relief.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Is your current appearance your real appearance?”

Stella Vinoche.

The treasure of the National Knight Academy.

A once-in-a-century genius knight.

Her image, as known to the public, is that of a cold-hearted swordswoman reminiscent of permafrost.

I’ve even seen articles saying that she’s never been seen smiling properly.

That kind of person is now smiling happily in front of me.

She’s too different from the Stella Vinoche I know.

“Hmm. If you answer my question, I’ll answer yours.”

“…Your question?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s not too difficult a question, it’s fine.”

“Hmm. It might be difficult for some people.”

“That’s a strange expression. I’ll listen to it first and then decide.”

“That would be good.”

Stella smiled again.

“I want to know your name.”

“My name?”

“Yes.”

“…Is that all?”

“Yes. Is it a difficult question?”

“…”

It was a completely irrelevant question.

I’m using a fake identity, but since it’s an ID I made with a lot of money, there’s almost no chance of a problem if I reveal my name.

I can reveal my name as much as I want.

“Ruan Palatia. That’s my name.”

“Ruan. I’ve never heard that before.”

Stella repeated, ‘Ruan, Ruan Palatia.’

“I’ll remember it.”

And then she smiled brightly.

“Thank you for answering. Then it’s my turn to answer.”

Stella put her hands behind her back and made a somewhat playful expression.

“That’s right. This is my real personality. I’m putting on a bit of an act at school.”

“Hmm. I see.”

I answered nonchalantly.

“Aren’t you going to ask more? Like why I’m acting?”

“Is there a need to ask? Everyone wears a mask when they live. It’s just that the masks are somewhat extreme.”

Stella’s eyes widened.

“…I’ve never heard that before.”

And then it turned into a bitter smile. It seems like she doesn’t have good memories related to this topic.

“Well, if I, say…”

“Miss.”

At that moment, a third party intervened.

A man who had been hiding his presence and loitering around since earlier.

The old gentleman who serves as Stella Vinoche’s escort and butler.

“There isn’t much time left. You must leave immediately.”

“Ah.”

At the butler’s words, Stella looked surprised.

Then, she hurriedly checked the time.

“I, I’m really late!”

“I apologize. You were having such a pleasant conversation…”

“Ugh…”

Stella fidgeted and put her phone in her pocket.

Then, she turned halfway and said to me.

“That, I’m sorry. I have a really important appointment.”

And just as she was about to turn completely and run in the direction she had come from.

“Ah, right. This…”

As if she had realized something, she handed me a small piece of paper.

It was a business card with the name Stella Vinoche engraved on it.

“Please contact me again sometime. As someone walking the path of the sword, I would like to ask for your guidance.”

“Indeed. The thanks were just a pretext. This was the real purpose.”

Challenging me to a duel.

That seems to be the purpose.

“No! I really wanted to express my gratitude…”

“If you don’t tell the truth, I won’t accept this business card.”

At my words, Stella’s body froze for a moment.

“…Y, yes. I also had a little thought of wanting to spar with you.”

Stella confessed the truth with a slightly dejected expression.

“I like that you’re honest.”

I looked at her expression and put the business card in my pocket.

Stella let out a sigh of relief.

“That, well. I’ll make it up to you, so please! I’ll be waiting for your call!”

With those words, Stella ran off.

Watching her back as she ran with all her might, I thought.

‘This, getting inside the National Knight Academy might be easier than I thought?’

Stella Vinoche, who had completely disappeared from my sight.

I took out her business card from my pocket and examined it again.

* * *

The time I had agreed to meet Adela.

I arrived 20 minutes early and was waiting for Adela.

I sipped the whiskey I had ordered as a disguise and acted as naturally as possible.

“Welcome.”

At that moment, a woman with a mature charm entered through the door.

She had blonde hair, which wasn’t particularly unusual in France, but it had a different feel from other blondes, and she walked towards me.

It was fortunate that there were no people in the bar at this time. If it were a busy time, she would have attracted a lot of attention.

‘She told me to dress up like someone else, but she really dressed up so that I wouldn’t recognize her.’

Is this what Adela would look like if she were 8 years older?

A greatly matured Adela sat near me with a natural movement.

“Can I have a Midori Sour?”

“Yes. I’ll prepare it for you.”

The bartender immediately started making the cocktail.

The sound of the alcohol mixing was particularly loud.

We listened to the sound and remained silent.

This was the perfect time to start a conversation, but I didn’t say anything.

I didn’t have any intention of talking in the first place.

Swoosh-

Adela subtly activated magic and sent a piece of paper flying towards me.

The paper flowed into my pocket like water.

I followed suit and used magic to float a piece of paper with the message I wanted to convey and moved it into Adela’s pocket.

That was the end.

Our rendezvous ended just like that.

‘Since the opponent is Hermes, having a conversation itself is dangerous.’

Since this is a place with CCTV, Hermes might be watching this scene right now.

Therefore, we cannot talk to each other.

If we do, we will be 100% suspected.

This is all we can do right now.

‘For two months, Adela and I will visit this bar on the scheduled dates. We will create the image of being regulars, and we will adjust our schedules to overlap our paths only once every 3-4 visits, and exchange information through notes like this each time.’

This is the rendezvous method that Adela and I decided on.