Chapter 310 - 144: Brilliant in Their Own Right
"...I’m willing to sacrifice a hundred years of Mentor Josue’s life, just let me decipher all the runes in that Corpse Explosion Skill!"
"Make it a thousand years!"
"Ten thousand years..."
"Get out!"
Dean Josue couldn’t stop himself from kicking the door open and roaring, "Useless! Idiots! I gave you two days and you’ve made zero progress! You’re nothing but a bunch of freeloaders..."
All the Wizards who had been in discussion fell silent, listening to his roars.
However, Siegal noticed that while the Wizards had quieted down, they were still fidgeting restlessly, looking utterly frustrated.
"...Listen to me! Everyone, focus your efforts on studying that Corpse Explosion Skill. You must increase its power to the level of that... hmm, to a level approaching Wei’en Mage’s..."
"Dammit, if you all weren’t so stupid..."
’Tsk, if I could just record this scene—it would be a hundred times more exciting than the previous interview!’
...
...
「Meanwhile, in Caster City State.」
After five days of cleanup, all the fallen were recovered with the help of the Storm Church’s Holy Order Legion, and a collective funeral was held for them.
After the funeral, the survivors were directed by the temporary City Guard and the Temporary Council to join in the city state’s reconstruction efforts.
And the Investigators of the Secret Investigation Department, under Director Nifa’s leadership, were upholding their duties as always.
"So, this is your choice?"
"Don’t I look good?"
Marco looked down at his brand-new jacket and grinned. "This is the same style as Black Jack’s. It was a real pain to get it custom-made."
"...You said it yourself, that’s Black Jack. And you?" Lisi crossed her arms, her tone dripping with disdain.
"Hey, hey, hey, Lisi. I don’t work for the Secret Investigation Department anymore, can’t you go easy on me?"
"Even if you don’t work for the department, I can still teach you a lesson anytime I want!"
Marco waved his hands in resignation. "Fine, fine. I can’t out-talk you, and I can’t out-fight you. But... before I leave, there’s one more thing I need to ask you."
"Let’s hear it."
"Help me come up with a cool name," Marco said, vexed. "I’ve been thinking for two whole days, and I’m stuck between ’The Great Handsome One’ and ’The Handsomer One’."
"..."
A brilliant smile spread across Lisi’s face. She made a fist and shook it. "This is the problem you can’t solve?"
Marco shuddered and quickly jumped back. "No, I was just kidding. After all, once I go to sea, I might not be able to come back for a long time. Or I might..."
"Stop! There is no second possibility!"
"Right, right..."
"How about something with the red hair? Red-haired Marco, how’s that?"
"Red hair? No way!" Marco pouted. "When I become the Sea Emperor someday, ’Red-haired Marco’? Doesn’t sound good, not good at all..."
"Sea Emperor? You?" Lisi snorted. "That’s even more ridiculous than me becoming the Governor of Caster City State."
"Governor? Sounds good, future Governor Lisi."
"Get lost!"
"Haha, Governor, you’re actually blushing..."
BANG!
"Ow? That hurts!"
"..."
After a bit of roughhousing, they both fell silent, looking at each other.
"The ship will be waiting. I should go... Oof?!"
Lisi lunged forward and hip-tossed him, huffing, "If you want to go, then go! Just remember your home is in Caster!"
Marco sat up. The ponytail at the back of his head was gone, replaced by a shock of short, red hair. A brilliant smile lit up his handsome face.
"We’ll meet again, I promise!"
With that, Marco stepped forward and gave her a hug. "I’ve decided. I’ll be called Tyrant. One day, you’ll hear my name on the high seas, Governor Lisi!"
"I’ll be waiting for that day..."
Lisi slapped him hard on the back.
"I’m off!" Marco turned with a flourish. "See you next time, Lisi... Minister!"
Watching his retreating back, Lisi’s expression couldn’t help but darken.
’Thinking back on that night... it feels like a dream that happened just yesterday.’
’Wei’en, Tina... I hope you two are all right, too... This is my last concern, as a friend.’
"If you see Wei’en, tell him I’m sorry!!"
"I will!"
"See you next time... you jerk..."
On Golden Street, not far from them, a similar scene was playing out.
"Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you?" Yuan looked at Kali dolefully, like his precious daughter was running off with someone else.
"Yes."
Kali nodded calmly. "This time, I’m going with Melbel to the Dawn Sanctuary. I’ll train there for a while to temper myself, and then I’ll travel around..."
"Actually, if I came along it wouldn’t be..."
"There’s no need, Father!"
Seeing her determined expression, Yuan said in a daze, "Alright then. I won’t follow you this time. But if you run into any trouble, you must remember to send word to me."
"I will."
After speaking, Kali turned without any hesitation. She joined Melbel, who was waiting nearby, and boarded a carriage bearing the emblem of the Dawn Church, which then galloped east, away from the city state.
’Be safe, Kali...’
Yuan stood quietly in place, his expression growing more and more ferocious as he watched the carriage disappear into the distance.
’So this is the power of Authority?’
’It doesn’t just change the wielder of the Authority, but also someone like me, who holds some importance in Kali’s heart!’
’Damn it, to think I forgot so many things under the influence of that bizarre power.’
’Authority, Authority—there must be a way to solve this!’
"Plague Doctor Morris, your Kali has left. Shouldn’t we be on our way too?"
Hearing this voice, Yuan nodded, his expression icy. "Take me to see Captain Isabella, Black Jack."
"Of course, of course. If it weren’t for you, I’d be chugging wine with the old man right now..."
...
...
Meanwhile, after Marco left, Lisi returned to the Secret Investigation Department’s administrative district.
"Sorry, I’m late."
"Minister Lisi, take your position," Director Nifa nodded.
"Yes, Director!"
"Continue, Balats."
Deputy Director Balats scanned the room and continued, "Next, the city state will undergo a two-month reconstruction period. During this time, the Storm Church will prioritize the construction of a lighthouse to ward off the red moon..."
"At the same time, they will also relocate some believers from other city states and begin reconstruction of a new cathedral on the old site of Krimms Cathedral..."
"And we at the Secret Investigation Department also need to recruit new Investigators..."
"Minister Lisi, your Investigation Department, about personnel..."
"Minister Santiago, your Combat Department..."
"That concludes the contents of today’s meeting!"
After he finished, Director Nifa’s bright eyes turned to two high-ranking officials in red uniforms beside her. "Deputy Director Albert, Deputy Director Yegor, I’ll be counting on your support as well."
"Yes, Director."
"Hmm?" Yegor poked his head out from behind his newspaper, looking baffled. He blew a smoke ring. "You don’t need me to..."
WHOOSH!
A cold gleam flashed. A two-handed axe sliced through the newspaper in his hands and slammed down right between his legs.
"Deputy Director Yegor, what was that you said you weren’t needed for?"
"Minister Lisi..."
Yegor stared blankly at the axe, so close to his legs. The cigar dangling from his lips slowly slid halfway out. "...You don’t need to worry. I’ll provide my full support."
"Good." Lisi retrieved her axe, tossed her head, and sat down.
Just then, Deputy Director Balats stated flatly, "For damaging public property, Minister Lisi, that will be a fine of 20 gold pounds."
"What?!"
"Ha, hahaha..."
...
...
「Meanwhile, in a small town in the northern Eastern Continent.」
Wei’en stared at the snowflakes drifting before him, clenched his fists, and ground out through his teeth, "Where did you say our destination was before?"
"The... the Southern Continent..." Clelia replied sheepishly, shrinking back and not daring to look at him.
"And where are we now?"
"I don’t know why we went in the opposite direction either! It’s all that darn Mist Forest’s fault..."
"Just admit it. You have a terrible sense of direction, don’t you?!"
"Don’t be mad~"
PS: End of Volume One. For real this time!
Volume Two starts tomorrow, but the updates might be a bit short. I hope you’ll all continue to show your support.