Chapter 33: Mage of Blazing Fire

“A mage… you say?”

As soon as the words "mage subjugation" came out, Alicia’s previously expressionless face hardened chillingly.

“That’s right. This is the first time I’ve seen you make such an expression.”

“What kind of mage is it?”

Alicia uncharacteristically questioned the mission actively.

Such a sight was so unexpected that I also quietly watched her.

“Unfortunately, not much is known yet. All that remained at the scene was burnt ashes. It means that, circumstantially, it can only be seen as the work of a mage.”

“Ashes… you mean?”

“That’s right.”

“……Understood.”

Alicia’s expression hardened even more.

I couldn't tell what had made Alicia’s expression so rigid, but I had a feeling it might be somewhat connected to the reason Alicia went from an Inquisitor of the Punishment Order to a prisoner of Winter Castle.

‘Well… I’ll find out soon anyway.’

What was important right now was the mage subjugation mission.

“Are you sure it’s the work of a mage? Aren’t there demonic beasts with the fire attribute?”

“Several circumstances were discovered that make it difficult to view it as the act of a demonic beast.”

“Is that so?”

It was a process full of many questions, but if you asked if it was completely incomprehensible, that wasn't the case either.

Basically, mages were ostracized beings in the World of Justice.

Indeed, if a mage's existence was exposed to the Punishment Order, they would face relentless pursuit from the Inquisitors.

Wasn't the 4th Special Task Force, which I belonged to, a unit composed of mages who were dragged in like that?

It was only in Winter Castle, where everything had to be used without restraint, that the existence of mages was tolerated, but if that weren't the case, they would have been burned at the stake as heretics who openly defied the existence of God.

‘Well… they were dragged in as prisoners, though.’

Anyway, the important thing was that Winter Castle had issued a mage subjugation mission, even dispatching a valuable special task force there.

“Let’s depart first. I’ll explain the rest as we go. Vell, you can ride a horse now, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Good. The training paid off. If you had said you couldn’t ride, I would have tied you with a rope and dragged you along.”

“That doesn't sound like a joke.”

“Hahaha, you’re something. Do I look like someone who makes such frivolous jokes?”

That's the problem, old man.

Anyway, as soon as Alicia returned to the unit, a new mission began.

“Each of you pack your gear, and we’ll assemble it in 5 minutes, understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good, move out!”

Alicia and I immediately packed our gear.

I also didn't forget to take the Salamander's Fang I had acquired this time.

It was already an item with many uses, but if the target of subjugation was truly a fire-wielding mage, the Salamander's Fang would be of great use.

‘Only in an emergency, though.’

I hoped the moment I had to use this against a fire-wielding mage would never come, but things in the world didn't always go as planned.

After completing all preparations, we gathered in front of the barracks and immediately headed to the stable.

As soon as we arrived at the stable, the stable keeper, leading three horses, greeted Edric.

It seemed he had been given a heads-up beforehand.

“Sir Edric, you’re here. I was waiting.”

“You’ve done well. Let’s go right away.”

We each mounted our horses and followed behind Edric.

Edric looked at me and said.

“Hmm, you ride well. I’m incredibly happy to see the results of your training firsthand.”

“This much is easy for me.”

“Despite that, your horse seems a little angry? Don’t be too disheartened if you fall off.”

“That doesn't sound like a joke.”

“Didn’t I just say? I don’t make such frivolous jokes.”

As light conversation with Edric flowed, we quickly passed through the South Gate.

Only when there were no listening ears around, Edric spoke in a serious voice, as if his previous joking tone had vanished.

“Our destination is Leafston.”

“Leafston is a place much further south from here, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

As he said, Leafston was an area much further south than Tasman, where I had gone for a demonic beast subjugation before.

It could practically be seen as a place barely hanging on to Winter Castle’s influence, so for Winter Castle to intervene in an incident that happened there was no ordinary matter.

This was because a dispute could arise with the nearby Barony of Blake if things went wrong.

“Is that alright?”

Despite just those few words, Edric chuckled heartily, seemingly understanding what I was saying.

“Should I say that’s typical of a mage… I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about, but to tell you in advance, this mission is at the request of Baron Blake.”

“Baron Blake himself?”

“That’s right.”

A request from a noble who owned a territory.

That was the reason behind Winter Castle’s involvement in the incident that occurred in Leafston.

An incident had occurred in Leafston, adjacent to Blake’s territory, and Baron Blake himself had requested assistance from Winter Castle.

“That mage.”

At that moment, Alicia, who had been quiet until now, spoke.

“Do you have something to say?”

Alicia nodded slightly and said.

“You said only burnt ashes remained. In that case, is that mage perhaps a fire-wielding mage?”

A small glint appeared in Edric’s eyes.

“It’s not certain, but circumstantially, it’s judged that they wield similar magic. Of course, one shouldn't be prejudiced. Such thoughts often threaten one's life on the battlefield.”

“……I see.”

A stiff atmosphere continued due to Alicia’s unusually different demeanor.

While on the way, I summoned the Colt Garrison and ammunition in advance to cool down the cooldown time, putting them in my pocket and getting ready to draw them at any time.

I didn't show it, but this mission was truly a dangerous one where my life was on the line, so I needed to make all possible preparations.

[‘Weapon Summon (??)’ is activated.]

[A ‘Lv.1’ weapon is summoned.]

[Summoning weapon, ‘Colt Garrison B-09’.]

[‘Weapon Summon (??)’ is activated.]

[‘Lv.1’ ammunition is summoned.]

[Summoning ammunition, ‘9x33mmR 357 Magnum standard bullet’.]

As I fiddled with the Colt Garrison in my pocket, I soon saw a familiar landscape in the distance.

It was Tasman.

Edric stopped his horse and said.

“Let’s rest here for a while.”

“Is that alright?”

“It’s just that Leafston was the last region where the mage appeared; their current whereabouts are unknown. Considering the mage's movement range, it would be better to move cautiously from now on.”

“I see. Understood.”

Indeed, Edric, like a seasoned soldier, seemed to intend to track the mage while considering their movements.

“We won't light a fire, just in case the mage notices our presence.”

“Understood.”

In the past, I would have sighed heavily at that decision, but now there was no need for that.

[Salamander's Fang]

Because I had this now.

It meant I could stay warm without shivering from the encroaching northern cold wave.

As we settled down in a suitable spot for a break that wasn't really a break, Edric’s tightly closed lips opened.

“Alicia.”

“……Yes.”

“I don’t know what your circumstances are. No, none of us ask each other such things. Because Winter Castle is a place where such people gather.”

Edric had also noticed the emotional fluctuations in Alicia.

No, it would have been strange if he hadn't.

Because Alicia, in approaching this mission, was completely different from usual.

“But keep one thing in mind.”

Edric added.

“Don’t act emotionally. The consequences of that action might not be borne by you alone.”

“……I will keep that in mind.”

“I trust you.”

And silence resumed.

It was a time when tension couldn't be let down as a decisive battle with the mage was imminent, but for me, with the spirit of the Postponer of Ruin, it was merely a break.

Crunch, crunch…….

As I ate the beef jerky alone, Alicia’s and Edric’s gazes naturally turned towards me.

With different expressions, of course.

“……Can you really swallow that right now?”

“There’s not much else to do, is there? Would you like one?”

“I’ll decline. Eating something so stimulating dulls my senses. Is it that the parasympathetic nervous system gets activated?”

“You know some difficult words.”

“Thanks to having a few mage friends.”

Considering that the mages in this world were far from the image of scholars or sages, it was a somewhat puzzling answer, but I didn't point it out.

I had felt for a long time that Edric’s true identity was quite suspicious.

It was then.

“Um……”

“Ah. Want one?”

“……Yes.”

Alicia, who had maintained a serious expression until just a moment ago, took the beef jerky from me and ate it in one go.

How should I put it… it was more like she was replenishing lacking nutrients and preparing thoroughly rather than savoring the taste.

I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, as Edric also didn't take his eyes off Alicia, wearing an unreadable expression.

Considering his usual laissez-faire attitude, he seemed to be paying more attention to Alicia than necessary.

And…….

Sadly, the time spent enjoying leisure didn't last long.

“They’ve appeared.”

With Edric’s low words, everyone’s gaze simultaneously turned towards the horizon.

Thick smoke billowed in the distance.

It was a sight that clearly indicated something was burning.

Considering who we were looking for, a powerful clue had finally appeared.

“Let’s move.”

-Neigh!

Edric, who had mounted his horse in an instant, was already in the lead.

“Giddy up!”

Alicia and I also mounted our horses and began to gallop towards the source of the smoke.

“Remember. Facing a mage is completely different from facing a demonic beast. A moment of carelessness can lead not only yourself but all your comrades to death.”

“……I will keep that in mind.”

Alicia nodded heavily.

“Vell, aren’t you going to answer?”

“Yes, well, I know.”

“You’re always so sly.”

As we got somewhat closer to the black smoke, Edric stopped his horse and said.

“From here, we’ll tie up the horses and move on foot, just in case the mage notices our presence.”

“Yes.”

The black smoke gradually drew closer.

As we were moving cautiously, Edric stopped us.

“Wait─”

Before Edric could finish his sentence.

KABOOOM!!!───

A massive explosion erupted.