25 – Strategic Battle of Loyalty (7)
Strong individuals all have heightened senses.
It was a natural conclusion.
As the level rises, one’s ability to see the world broadens and the cognitive ability to gauge depth develops.
Most strong individuals are better at understanding people.
It is similar to how experts in martial arts can recognize other experts at a glance. In other words, it means that what one knows is reflected in one’s appearance.
Strong individuals can feel the inner strength that subtly spreads around them, something that ignorant people do not perceive.
Their walking stride, the posture of their hands gripping a staff, the calluses that cling to their hands, and even the opponent’s breathing.
Strong individuals can understand their opponents by considering all of these factors.
So, all I could do was tap my forehead and speak.
“It seems that I, as an insignificant person, lacked understanding…”
Damn it, I should have hidden it more thoroughly.
Honestly, only one person directly discovered it.
Adele, our rogue and archer.
She has lived the longest and knows the most among our party members, thanks to being a knowledgeable dark elf.
She was initially one level higher than me, and her senses were also the most advanced.
Being found out was inevitable.
It was during the preparations to leave after reuniting with our party members.
Sniff.
Adele wrinkled her face as if smelling something for a moment. Then she looked at me as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have and spoke.
“So… you learned black magic.”
“What?”
“?”
Naturally, the party members reacted to her words.
“Just wait a moment, I’ll confirm it.”
“What are you talking about? Don’t say ominous things.”
Lily examined me while reciting some sort of incantation, and Camilla shook her head as if she had heard something unpleasant.
Of course, at first, I was a bit taken aback.
It’s obvious that if I get caught, the situation will become a headache.
And, it felt somewhat wasteful to reveal my carefully hidden magic so easily.
There was a brief clash.
Adele and the other party members interrogate me, and I deny it for now.
But then, they caught onto me.
“Huh?”
Lily used some kind of incantation, revealing the black mana that I had hidden deep inside me.
As if stirring, small and feeble black mana creeps out from behind me.
The dark magical power flowing behind me looked undeniably sinister.
As they found evidence, they became more unruly…
Now we’ve reached this situation.
“What is this? How did this happen?”
“Heh, I’m at a loss for words.”
“…”
The atmosphere changes dreadfully.
Lily looks perplexed, and Camilla’s angry face confronts me. Adele, on the other hand, stares at me as if I were dirt.
To receive such treatment just for learning one dark spell… the world is truly lamentable.
And then there’s someone like Yuris, the holy maiden who abhors dark magic…
“…”
Hmm, I don’t know.
She’s looking at me with an uncertain expression.
The emotions reflected in her eyes, like sapphire… pity? Bitterness?
It seems to be a similar emotion, but at least it wasn’t the reaction I anticipated.
Well, there are times when she can be unpredictable these days.
Anyway, I’m in a situation where I’ll have to face the consequences now.
Eyes from all directions pierce through me like a barrage, but I decided to think positively about it.
“Yeah, it’s better this way.”
After all, it was bound to be discovered someday. I’ll definitely use it in the fight against Balkan as well.
It’s better to be caught now and confuse everyone during battle than to be caught later.
I coolly decided to accept it, thinking it’s better to be hit first.
“Phew, yes. I’ve learned something.”
“What? Are you out of your mind?!”
“You’re seriously crossing the line!!”
And then, the high soprano voice returned.
The voice that scratched my nerves left an impression on me.
How should I react?
Should I just apologize and try to move on somehow?
Or should I try to persuade them?
There are many words that come to mind.
It was an unavoidable choice. After all, black magic is just a branch of magic, isn’t it? It’s not something that God directly forbade, just a little prejudice against it.
Those excuses come pouring into my mind.
But I just tried to choose the former method.
Usually, in situations like this, emotions come before reason.
The problem isn’t that black magic is dangerous, but rather that I dislike the fact that I have learned black magic.
The perception of black magic being generally inhumane is strong.
So, I decided to bow my head first and listen…
“Everyone, please calm down.”
Suddenly, the saint stepped forward.
Her golden hair fluttered, as if she was rescuing a woman being stoned, just like Jesus.
She stood between them and me.
Suddenly, a nuisance appeared, and the women started speaking one by one.
“Yuris, aren’t you angry?! I learned black magic for no reason?”
“As a human, there are virtues and principles to be observed. That guy has violated them.”
“I usually stay away and just watch from a distance, but this time, I have to say something. Going all the way to the palace of the Four Emperors to learn black magic. Isn’t that something strange?”
Annoyance, anger, deduction, and so on.
Various emotions and words were exchanged.
“Well… yes, I’m fine. From the beginning, in our Sun God religion, we just avoid it… We didn’t explicitly prohibit it.”
“Does avoiding it mean it’s allowed?”
“Most of the magicians who have turned into criminals so far have been black magicians. The number of black magicians who haven’t harmed humanity can be counted on one hand. Statistics prove this. Do we have any reason to just leave this guy alone?”
Well, that’s not much different from the logic of oppressing all black people just because the crime rate among them is higher.
Lily, you goddamn racist b*tch.
A steady argument was going back and forth between Ulysses and the party members.
I couldn’t understand why she took my side, but I could tell she was trying to mediate the situation.
As the high-pitched noise continued to scratch my ears, stress started to build up inside.
And then, in the midst of it all.
“Ulysses, what the hell is wrong with you these days?”
Suddenly, Lily furrowed her brows and spoke.
Did she not expect herself to become the target all of a sudden?
The saintess begins to panic.
“Yes, yes?”
“In the first place, it was like that. You used to discuss things with us and you were against black magic. Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? You’ve been on his side for the past month.”
“Well, um…”
The saintess’s words momentarily get stuck.
She looked at me and the party members alternately.
And then, for a moment, Camilla stepped forward and said.
“Come forth, Ulysses. I have to scold this guy who knows nothing about honor.”
“Ha.”
I let out a dry laughter.
‘These guys are really going crazy.’
I tried to just listen quietly most of the time, but every single word they said was too precious for me to stay silent.
“Excuse me. Talking about honor and righteousness since earlier.”
Instantly, the party members’ gazes gathered.
“Do you think this is some kind of pretend play about catching demons?”
“What did you say?”
“What?”
The expressions of the party members turned sour in an instant.
Except for the saintess, the rest of them were emitting a hostile atmosphere.
Whether they liked it or not, I continued speaking without restraint.
“Black magic? I learned it because it seemed like it would be the most helpful. In the future, when we have to face the Demon King and the Four Heavenly Kings. I learned it because it seemed like it would be the most helpful when facing them.”
“But why does it have to be black magic? Out of everything!”
Note: Please keep in mind that this is a translation and the accuracy of the translation may vary based on the context and intended meaning of the original text.
“I must wield a well-crafted sword. Even if it means that it will hurt my hand.”
I only made the best choice.
I chose the most efficient way to save you all and this damn world.
However, the words that come back to me are nothing but criticism.
No matter how hard I try, I couldn’t help but feel angry.
Perhaps stress has built up during this month of hardship, and the words came out surprisingly easily.
“You…”
In the midst of it, Camilla adds a word.
“How much more will you tarnish the reputation of a hero?”
“…Reputation?”
Reputation.
To the people of this world, a hero is like a god. They appear in the most difficult times and bring peace and stability to everyone.
That’s why heroes are portrayed as perfect beings, even though they have never seen reality.
“Reputation, honor. I gave up on that a long time ago.”
Even before becoming a hero, I didn’t want it.
I said to her with a serious expression.
“I said it earlier. What we’re doing is not child’s play. Did Ms. Camilla participate in the party to establish a major?”
“That’s…”
Camilla’s speech is momentarily blocked.
There must be something that stung her. She may have participated for the sake of the people, for the grand cause of humanity, but…
She must not have completely turned off that circuit of happiness.
Not just her, everyone here.
“I disagree. I may be the daughter of a demon king, but I can do anything as long as I can have it.”
That’s black magic. That’s the choice I made for that.
Reputation, honor, major… It wasn’t an easy decision for me to consider.
So please, be aware of reality too.
You haven’t even properly experienced the demon’s realm yet.
Our power still cannot even touch the demon king’s toe.
If we were going to step into the mud puddle, it would have been better to immerse ourselves completely.
“We know that we’re not fully prepared?!”
It was then.
Among the party members who had been listening in a daze, Lily suddenly stood up, her face flushed with anger.
“If the situation becomes urgent, we’re ready to sacrifice our lives as well!”
…Gasp.
In an instant.
“Sacrifice our lives?!”
A loud voice erupted.
It was none other than a sound that came from my own throat.
Since it was an unconscious shout that came out, even I couldn’t help but be surprised.
“…Darn.”
I hadn’t intended for this to happen…
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But it was unavoidable.
After all, I said I was willing to sacrifice my life. Why was I going through all this trouble?
“…”
“…”
Did I suddenly lose my composure?
It felt like a chilling atmosphere had settled in, as if cold water had been poured.
They just stared at me in silence without saying a word.
The silence was incredibly awkward.
I didn’t want this kind of atmosphere…
Inevitably, I let out a deep sigh and continued speaking.
“…Please don’t casually offer your lives. At least, not as casually as that.”
Even to me, it sounded ridiculous.
I had gone through all sorts of theatrics about commitment and dedication, and yet I was telling them to protect their lives.
It was truly contradictory.
But I had no choice.
The reason I initially committed to this destiny was ultimately because of them. No matter how much I was criticized, they were the driving force, and if they were to die, I would undoubtedly feel a profound sense of futility.
Whew.
I took a deep sigh, trying to end the conversation.
“Well… I’ll go up first then. Be careful as it’s dark around here.”
I’m tired.
I felt a little empty.
What the hell is this all about?
Just getting into unnecessary emotional battles with the kids I’ve been trying to protect, getting cursed at. It had been more than six months, but I still couldn’t adapt.
“Ugh, why is he behaving like that? He was all prepared and stuff earlier, and now he’s suddenly shouting!”
“Well, it’s a bit like that, I guess.”
“Please, everyone, calm down…”
I could hear the guys behind me mumbling and arguing.
I ignored them.
As always, for the sake of my mental well-being.
Let’s just focus on my own tasks.
A month and a few days into the mission.
Our party became even colder.
