Jared and Bertha proceeded through the noble district and found Laurentz and Kurt in front of Adelina Bischof’s mansion.
They noticed Jared and Bertha as well. Jared could see Laurentz looking awkward and Kurt looking relieved.
“Laurentz, I’m glad you’re safe…”
“Bertha, why are you here with Jared?”
“That’s what I should be asking you. Laurentz, you got information from the Mage Association, didn’t you?”
Laurentz’s silence, as if his thoughts were read, confirmed Dennis’s prediction. Jared scanned their surroundings, probing for magic power. He detected only two significant sources: Laurentz’s and, presumably, Adelina’s inside the mansion.
Confirming that Barnabas was not yet present, Jared couldn’t relax, as there was a possibility Pfeil might have already encountered him.
“Do you know how powerful Barnabas Kaif is and you’re still here?”
“Of course.”
“Then, I’m taking you back. I can’t overlook suicidal behavior. Hey, Bertha. Fulfill your promise.”
“I understand. Now, Laurentz, let’s return to the mansion. Kurt, help me.”
Bertha grabbed Laurentz’s arm and pulled him forcefully. However, Laurentz was not so weak that he could be dragged by a girl’s strength.
“Stop it, Bertha. I’ve decided to avenge Master Kevin. If you interfere, even you—”
Before Laurentz could finish his sentence, Jared punched him. Jared grabbed Laurentz by the collar as he slumped against the wall, gasping, and questioned him with an indignant voice.
“I sympathize with your master’s death. But do you have to do this, disregarding Bertha, who came here worried about you despite the danger, and Kurt, who has been by your side?”
“That’s!”
“I was worried too. That’s why I came to find you, no, to bring you back. Laurentz’s anger is justified. If someone you cherished was killed, you can’t forgive the culprit. But for now, please return to the mansion, I’m begging you.”
“…Then, Barnabas will just roam free?”
A voice filled with regret echoed. Laurentz understood that there were people who cared about his well-being. Nevertheless, he couldn’t accept that the culprit was still at large.
Jared understood the anger of having his beloved master murdered. He also understood the desire to retaliate, even if it meant facing defeat. However, that wouldn’t do. He had to live.
“The Mage Association has already taken action. No matter how powerful Barnabas is, capable of defeating a Minotaur, he can’t escape now. They can’t just let a case involving a former Court Mage Candidate go unaddressed.”
Currently, the Court Mages were providing protection to important national figures because Barnabas’s exact movements couldn’t be predicted. However, Barnabas wouldn’t appear in such a place. The Mage Association and the Royal Palace were surely aware of this. They were merely preparing for any eventuality.
As long as they didn’t have concrete evidence that his objective was revenge, the Court Mages couldn’t act. Conversely, once the Court Mages could move, Barnabas would be finished.
Even if he was individually strong, perhaps even stronger than a Court Mage, he wouldn’t stand a chance against multiple holders of the title of magician, a title bestowed upon only twelve individuals in the kingdom.
Even if a single Court Mage couldn’t defeat a Minotaur or a Dragon Species, multiple Court Mages could. Sacrifices might be made, but it was possible. And Barnabas was no different.
The kingdom wasn’t solely reliant on Court Mages. There were also the Mage Corps, who commanded on the battlefield, and the Knights, who, despite any animosity, should have the same concern for the kingdom.
If Barnabas could still achieve victory even against all of them, then the kingdom was doomed. However, he did not possess that level of power.
Neither a Minotaur nor a Dragon Species could bring about the kingdom’s downfall.
“But I won’t be satisfied unless I avenge Master Kevin with my own hands! I know it’s foolish. I’m sorry for troubling Bertha, Kurt, and even Jared. Still, this anger won’t subside!”
“Then, I’ll take you back by force. I don’t want to see you killed by the ghost of some pointless power struggle here. ”
Jared heightened his magic power, preparing for any resistance, and interfered with the spirits.
“Jared, please calm down. It’s useless for you and Laurentz to fight here!”
“That’s right, Murphy. What will we do if you lose your composure too!”
Hearing the voices of the twins helped him regain his composure. That’s right, fighting here was pointless. Given the possibility of Barnabas arriving at any moment, they had to leave quickly.
He had resolved to defeat them without mercy if they met, but he wasn’t skilled enough to fight while worrying about his friends.
Furthermore, he had no idea what kind of damage a flashy magic battle in a noble district would cause.
For the same reason, he didn’t want Barnabas and Adelina to fight in the noble district. However, he had resigned himself to the fact that these two would undoubtedly fight if they met; there would be no choice but to fight. They wouldn’t consider the damage. At least Barnabas wouldn’t.
If possible, he wished Adelina victory, but even Dennis of the Mage Association had judged Adelina to be at a disadvantage—perhaps the outcome was already decided.
“Take a deep breath, Laurentz. If you want to get revenge on Barnabas, that’s fine. I’ll help you. But not today. My magic power is unstable, and I need to stabilize it, so I can’t fight. You haven’t rested either, have you? With your body like this and a mind dominated by anger, you simply cannot defeat Barnabas.”
“…That’s not—”
“You know it. But your anger won’t subside. I understand that painfully well. Still, please swallow that anger for now. I’m asking you, as a friend.”
Responding to Jared’s heartfelt plea, Laurentz released the tension in his body, appearing to give up.
“Alright. Let’s go back.”
“…That’s a relief. Thank you, Laurentz.”
Not only Jared but also Bertha and Kurt, who had been watching the unfolding events, breathed sighs of relief.
At least for today, Laurentz would not fight Barnabas. Now, they just had to leave the area quickly.
As they were about to leave the noble district, before Laurentz could change his mind—
“Can you take your teenage romance somewhere else?”
A voice they didn’t recognize, somewhat cold and detached, reached Jared and the others.
Searching for the source of the voice, they shifted their gaze to see a woman standing with her arms crossed in front of the mansion gate.
“I have to greet an enraged old friend now. So, you guys—you’re in the way.”
The beauty, with her short, silver-blond hair and a striking fringe covering her right eye, looked at them as if they were a nuisance. She was the owner of the mansion and one of the targets Barnabas was likely after.
She was Adelina Bischof, the Eighth Seat of the Court Mages, known as ‘Water Mirror.’
