Volume 17 Chapter 20 Once, He Was A Court Magician I
SIDE Bernard (*The former ace of Blue Crystal guild before Rain joined)
"What is this place...!?"
Bernard Zola looked around, clearly confused.
He found himself in an unfamiliar place.
The floor, walls, and ceiling all formed a pale red maze──.
"I've been transported to an unknown location...?"
Just a moment ago, he had been walking through the forest with the members of Blue Crystal and the high-ranking demon Ziredurzo, whom he had just fought.
Rain's legendary sword resonated with another legendary sword, and he was searching for it as he advanced.
But, just a moment before, the scenery before him had twisted, and he was moved into a reddish-brown dungeon.
And in the next moment,
'Anyone will do... The first to reach me, those who possess the strength and quality to arrive── to them, I shall grant the power to fulfill any wish...'
'In return, please save me... I am waiting. I do not discriminate by race or morality. This is── a race of fate── a battle of destiny among the stars...!'
The moment he heard such a voice, he was transported again.
"W-what the hell is this place...!?"
Rath beside him appeared equally bewildered.
Looking around, the only ones there besides him were the boy swordsman Rath, the assassin girl Mirabell, and the high-ranking demon Ziredurzo.
Rain and Victor or Rosa were nowhere to be found──.
"This is quite an unexpected business trip."
Mirabell was also scanning the surroundings.
"I'll demand extra payment from Rain later."
"W-wait, this is── yes, this is the legendary 'The Heart of the Stars.'"
"Do you know about it, Ziredurzo?"
"Not quite right. Close, though."
Demon Ziredurzo frowned at Mirabell's call.
"Consolation prize."
"That's right, just one more hint."
"Even a consolation prize should come with some reward. That's the way of the world."
"W-what? Is that the rule in the human world?"
"Indeed. Give me something."
"Hmm... If it's a rule, should I follow it?"
Ziredurzo crossed his arms and grunted.
It seems he took Mirabell's words seriously and is genuinely troubled.
"No, but──"
"If it's a demon, it probably has rare items not found in the human world."
"Huh? Is that all it takes? Then how about this [Remphia Black Mage's Dagger]?"
"A knife... seems just right as my weapon."
"I'll give it to you."
"I'll accept it as a reward. Thank you."
For some reason, Mirabell receives a knife from the demon.
Is this what they mean by getting along?
They seem oddly close.
"Power boost. Awesome."
Mirabell looks at the knife she received with satisfaction.
"Well, putting that aside..."
Bernard looked at everyone and said.
"For now──"
They need to know where they are and what has happened to them.
And where Rain, Victor, and Rosa, who are nowhere to be seen, are as well──.
"Let's gather information."
Bernard said to Rath, Mirabell, and Ziredurzo.
"It's certain that this is an unknown place. The amount of information directly correlates to our survival rate."
Bernard and the others moved forward.
The demon Ziredurzo is following along without hostility.
For now, at least.
This place is likely completely unknown to him as well.
Rather than acting recklessly alone and attracting some risk, it seems best to move with Bernard and the others, whose interests align for now, and reconsider whether to continue or dissolve their alliance when the situation changes──perhaps that's the way to go.
In any case, having a high-ranking demon with them, even if only for the moment, is a tactical advantage.
"When I was in Uralis, I often explored dungeons like this... even after becoming an adventurer, especially during my time in Uralis, it happened a lot."
Bernard reminisced.
Yes, back then in Uralis, monsters emerging from dungeons attacked nearby cities, becoming a significant social issue.
Therefore, as a court magician, he spent his days exploring dungeons and hunting the monsters that lived there.
"Wait, you were in Uralis, Bernard-san?"
You inquire, Rath.
"I heard you're a court magician."
"Amazing!"
Rath yelled at Mirabell's tsukkomi.
"Haha, that's an old tale."
Bernard laughed heartily.
Indeed, it was an old story.
That was over 20 years ago──
At that time, he was a 17-year-old youth.
This story is from 23 years ago.
"This guy is strong...!"
Bernard Zola, the young court magician of the Uralis Kingdom, grunted while narrowly avoiding an enemy attack.
At just 17, Bernard was an extraordinary talent serving as a court magician of the great Uralis, albeit in a minor role.
Now, he was fighting monsters in a dungeon within the kingdom.
An A-rank monster [React Golem]
It was covered in armor that reflected both magic and physical attacks, boasting incredible defensive strength.
It had repelled Bernard's fire magic numerous times, preventing any decisive blow.
On the contrary, he was being pushed back by the enemy's power, forced into a defensive stance.
Bernard had remarkably high physical ability for a magician, exhibiting power and speed equal to or greater than an average warrior.
Thus, he barely managed to hold on, but a typical magician would have been killed in close combat by now.
Even so──he was being gradually cornered.
"At this rate, I'll be done for...!"
"Fall back, Bernard-kun!"
Suddenly, a knight charged in from behind.
"Estelle-san!?"
"[Blash Blade]!"
With a powerful swing, the sword severed the golem's right arm.
"Incredible──"
She demonstrated a destructive force that cut through the armor, which resisted Bernard's attacks time and again.
"I've taken care of this side. Now, just this one left!"
She──Estelle Greik, shouted with vigor.
A beautiful knight with long orange hair and crimson eyes.
At just 20 years old, she served as the vice-leader of the Uralis Royal Knight Corps.
Together with court magician Bernard, they often teamed up to hunt monsters.
"Took care of it already...? "
Bernard's eyes widened.
There should have been 3 [React Golems] over there.
Before he could stop her, Estelle charged in, and just as he tried to support her, a new foe appeared from the side, separating the two of them──this was the situation.
Normally, Bernard should have taken down the new foe first and then gone to support Estelle, but the opposite result occurred.
While he was being cornered by one, Estelle effortlessly defeated the 3──.
Despite the differences between a knight and a magician, Bernard realized the overwhelming gap in combat ability, and his spirits sank.
Estelle was top-tier, and he was second-rate.
"...Are you feeling down?"
"Huh?"
"Bernard-kun, it shows on your face. I noticed."
Estelle laughed mischievously.
Despite the situation, Bernard felt uplifted by her beautiful and delicate smile, and he became dazed.
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