Volume 7 Chapter 12 The High-Ranking Curse Master
Margrave Birk raised a finger and said, "Now, let's talk about what a curse master is."
"First, Marquis Württemberg. What do you think a curse master is?"
"Well, I think it's like... magic that's not magic. You know, like breaking a doll with someone's hair mixed in, and the real person gets hurt too."
"That's right. To be precise, that's also a type of curse technique. It's called 'primitive curse art.' Nowadays, only a few tribes and curse shops, and then there's the 'curse master of the curse repository'."
"The curse master of the curse repository?"
"Yes, that's a curse master who collects and utilizes primitive curse techniques. They're the only ones who establish the authority of curse masters."
Margrave Birk got carried away with his explanation, and his face turned bright red.
"The primitive curse art that Marquis Württemberg mentioned is not the mainstream for noble curse masters. What noble curse masters usually use is high-ranking curse technique."
"High-ranking curse technique?"
"Yes."
For example, Margrave Birk said,
"The 'Curse of the Libra's Balance' I used earlier is also a high-ranking curse technique. Just hearing about it, you might think it's not mysterious like primitive curse technique."
"That's right. It feels more like... negotiation techniques or something like that."
"High-ranking curse technique is exactly that. Mysterious without being mysterious. It's a technique for people involved in politics to subtly find mystery in ordinary events by metaphorically comparing human aspects to something else. That's what high-ranking curse technique is."
I was struggling to understand the difficult explanation, so I tried to summarize it in my own words.
"So, it's like... imperial studies or something?"
"That's right. If I'm being honest, it's just that. But I feel like there's something more to it. At the very least―――."
Phew, Margrave Birk's lips curled up slightly.
"A Curse Master never fails at Curse techniques."
I felt a shiver run down my spine at those words.
"...Indeed, I was surprised when you suddenly revealed the 'Curse of the Libra's Balance' earlier."
What he did behind the scenes was just a simple financial transaction, but the motif of the scales gave it a mysterious aura.
And the fact that someone as rational as him would assert that they "never fail" only adds to the mystique of high-level Curse techniques.
"That's why a Curse Master keeps themselves hidden. If their techniques become widely known, they'll lose their power. They rely on the subtle, unknown mystique that lies within secrecy, and that's what makes high-level Curse techniques so powerful."
If it becomes common knowledge, it's just a simple academic pursuit. Margrave Birk explained it that way.
I thought about it. It's a difficult technique to interpret, and it's hard to dismiss it as just a simple interpersonal technique with no mystique.
Or maybe, I thought,
This is the original Curse technique I saw on Earth, and it's just more ambiguous in this world where magic exists openly―――does the mystique really exist?
"Well, from here on out, this is the main topic."
Margrave Birk's words brought me back to reality.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed representatives of the Alexander Empire. I have 2 requests for your cooperation when I defect to the Alexander Empire."
"Please, go on," I said.
"Thank you. First, I need protection for myself. Specifically, I want you to repel the platinum-ranked Sword Adventurer 'Oath' who will be sent to assassinate me."
The room grew tense at those words. I knew it, but it seemed like I was destined to clash with him no matter what.
"I accept."
My immediate decision prompted Roman to crack a slight smile. "That's the resolve of a true noble, isn't it?" I nudged him with my elbow and looked at Margrave Birk.
"You're the Marquis Württemberg, after all. A remarkable individual who was granted Marquis status by Emperor Alexander himself with just a single arm... I've heard about that. As for that, I'll leave everything to you."
Margrave Birk spoke, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
"Secondly, I'd like all of you messengers to assist me in completing my new curse technique, the 'Bloodline Curse'."
"...Bloodline Curse?"
Margrave Birk pushed aside the scale on the edge of the desk and pulled out 2 pieces of paper from his pocket.
He unfolded them. One was a map of the Birk territory, and the other was a diagram of the human body.
"To put it simply, this curse technique treats the territory and the human body as the same thing."
Margrave Birk's words left the 3 of us bewildered.
"...?"
"I apologize, but I don't see any connection between these 2 diagrams."
"...Hmm."
I tilted my head, Ridge furrowed her brow in question, and Roman stroked his chin in thought.
Margrave Birk chuckled, then took out around 20 copper coins and placed 10 on the map and 10 on the diagram of the human body.
Then, he said,
"Please think of the copper coins on the map as actual money. And think of the copper coins on the human body as blood. I'll explain it in detail from there."
"Yes."
At my nod, Margrave Birk began to explain.
"First, let's talk about the human body. The human body is sustained by the circulation of blood. So, if the blood flow to the right arm were to stop completely, the arm would rot."
"I think I understand that much."
"Thank you, Marquis Württemberg. Then, let's move on to the territory."
At that point, I started to get a vague idea of what he was getting at.
"The territory is sustained by the circulation of money. So, if no money were to flow into this blacksmith's shop, the shop would go bankrupt."
"Ah..."
Ridge opened her mouth, finding a similar relationship between the human body and the territory. Roman nodded, saying "I see, so that means..." to Margrave Birk.
"It's like the blood in the human body, the gold coins in the territory are circulating, right?"
"Yes. This curse technique is quite powerful, and it can be used to attack the territory by making the human body lose blood and die, or by stopping the blood flow to the internal organs and killing them. It's a terrifying curse technique."
When I heard those words, I caught my breath. So that's it. If we think about it this way, we can figure out where to attack to destroy the community.
The brain, heart, and other vital organs. If we think about where they are located and strike at them, the territory will be destroyed with just one hit.
Especially, someone like me who can launch a flashy attack can do it alone―――
"But this is just a shallow understanding of the 'Bloodline Curse' technique."
Margrave Birk's words poured cold water on my enthusiasm, and I returned to my senses.
"If we think deeply about the 'Bloodline Curse' technique, we'll realize that there's an element that exists in the human body but not in the territory."
"...What is it?"
Margrave Birk smiled.
"It's the bone marrow."
Let me explain, Margrave Birk said.
"In this world, there are only gold coins, silver coins, and copper coins as currency. Ah, I almost forgot about platinum coins. These are used uniformly throughout the world."
"...Uniformly throughout the world?"
"Yes. It's said to be one of the things the Creator gave to humanity. Therefore, there's only a fixed amount of them in the world."
I thought about it. I couldn't say for sure since I didn't know much about it, but it didn't seem right...
"On the other hand, bone marrow produces blood. So even if the human body loses some blood, it can recover and regain its health after a while."
I was taken aback.
"There's something that exists in the human body but not in the territory..."
"Yes. In other words―――there's no mechanism in this world for humans to issue their own currency. And in that sense, what's necessary to complete the 'Bloodline Curse' technique is..."
My words overlapped with Margrave Birk's.
"The Existence of the 'Bone Marrow (Central Bank)'."
Margrave Birk chuckled with a hint of sarcasm.
"Probably, the reason Emperor Alexander wants me is because of this 'Bloodline Curse Technique.' I've heard that His Majesty has also mastered several curse techniques. But mine is beyond his reach."
On the other hand, Margrave Birk continued.
"I also need to show the results of my desires. A sleeping lion is not needed, after all. So, I, with the completion of this curse technique, want to offer it to His Majesty as a gift."
I understood the true terror of the Curse Master's existence. A being who manipulates society like a chessboard, combining subtle mysteries and knowledge.
If Roman and I are powerful pawns on the board, the Curse Master is like a skilled chess player. They may not lose in direct combat, but they can be defeated if they encounter an opponent who doesn't play by the rules.
No, they don't even care about winning or losing. They're a formidable opponent from a completely different dimension.
I have immense respect for Margrave Birk.
"Earlier, you praised me a lot, but I'm the one who should be grateful, Lord Birk. Please, let's work together."
"――Marquis Württemberg."
As I changed the tone of my gaze towards Birk, he noticed and said, "You're a mysterious person, aren't you? I'm the one who should be grateful," and extended his hand.
We shook hands, respecting each other.
Then, as we released our grip, I said:
"By the way, you can call me Wade. Marquis Württemberg, that's a bit too formal."
"Is that so? Then, Wade-sama――."
"No need for the honorific. I'm just a newbie noble, after all."
"Haha, I'm also a newbie noble who's just inherited the family title. Then, Wade-san――."
We laughed together, and Roman, who was standing beside us, said, "Wade-kun is really a people person, isn't he?" or something like that, I couldn't tell if he was praising or teasing me.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)