REAPER SCANS
Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer
[Translator – KonnoAren]
[Proofreader – Loopin]
Chapter 245 | Even in a Life Like This (8)
“Rather, if you’re going to continue arguing, do it inside. Overusing the sound-blocking device will only make this look suspicious.”
While the Archmage was internally looking for her old friend, Meister glanced toward the onlookers around them. There weren’t many, but the problem was that every single one of them was a wizard.
Wizards were, unfortunately, smart enough to notice things that most people usually didn’t.
“Especially in a situation like this, where loud noises should be natural.”
Inside his cloak was the sound-absorbing device he’d used earlier.
Only then did Deathbringer catch on and let out a gasp.
“…Let’s go inside.”
“I don’t know what this is about. Should I come in as well?”
“If possible, Miss Fighter, you too, huh? When did you get here?!”
“I came with that craftsman not too long ago.”
“If you don’t have any particular reason not to, then just stay and listen as well.”
The Archmage, having also only just noticed Berserk’s presence, was a little startled but still spoke with composure. After all, wouldn’t it be a bit strange to send away someone who’s already here? She was also in the party, so it would be even weirder.
“What about this guy?”
“Well…”
Let’s dump him somewhere. That was Deathbringer’s opinion.
We should bring him in with us. Surprisingly, that was Meister’s opinion.
“That bastard is the inquisitor who saw us earlier today. Don’t you think we should show some restraint here?”
“…Someone who KO’s people before thinking like that shouldn’t even put the word ‘restraint’ in their mouths, you know? He’s definitely going to be pissed when he wakes up.”
“Okay, but was there really a point in continuing the conversation you were having? Do you think an emotional person who’s clearly upset will listen if you also respond emotionally? Sometimes, the answer is just punching them.”
“Just say you got pissed after you saw him or something. Damn it, how is this guy a great master.”
…Let’s just take him inside and treat his wounds. That was the conclusion the Archmage came to. Sending him to the Temple would cause a whole new set of problems. Besides, there were a few things she wanted to tell him when he woke up.
Of course… before that, they had to take care of all these onlookers.
“Berserk, could you lay him down inside and look after him? I’ll try to make some excuses to the people standing around…”
“I’ll help you.”
“You should stay inside… Actually, no, come with me.”
The Archmage, conflicted about bringing Meister along, considering his temper, eventually changed her mind. Seeing as the onlookers were mainly wizards who probably knew Meister, having him with her might make things easier.
Though it also might make things a lot worse.
“What just happened…”
“It’s fine. He probably just lost his temper again.”
“He sure got him good.”
Fortunately, it was the former. People were so used to Meister’s bad temper, or they so thoroughly disliked the Temple, that they were willing to shrug off this incident.
Of course, the underlying reason for their attitude was a strong desire to avoid getting involved with Meister—or rather, to avoid getting on his bad side.
“What kind of life have you been living up until now?”
“Just spreading the good word of physical magic to those who underestimate and look down on it.”
Fair enough. The Archmage had given up making sense of his words, her head throbbing. If it led to easy persuasion, then fine. At this point, it was less resignation and more liberating enlightenment.
“So, why did you call for me? I don’t really like wasting time.”
“Ah, well. There are two reasons… One is that your grandfather was wondering how you’ve been doing.”
“Ah…”
It seemed the affection between grandfather and grandson was still strong.
On their way back to the tent, Meister’s violet eyes darkened slightly when she mentioned his grandfather. The strings attached to his red-framed glasses, made of intricately threaded pieces of coral engraved with Arcane formulas, swayed gently.
“He seems quite worried, what with you not being able to visit him because of the heresy accusations.”
Just how long must it have taken to create these power sources that charged themselves, since they were designed for someone without Arcane Power? Looking at them, the Archmage could feel Surging Azure Lake’s deep affection for the silent person beside her. He seemed to have a lot to say, but he struggled to find the right words before finally opening his mouth.
“Could you pass on a message then? Tell that stinky old man to use his brain once in a while. Does he think the world will just forgive him if he acts without considering the consequences? And if he was so damn eager to help, he could have done it less conspicuously. If his skills have deteriorated that much in his old age, he should just go ahead and retire. I’ll fully support him as his grandson.”
At that moment, she wished he would’ve taken even longer to answer.
The Archmage placed a hand on her chest as she listened to Meister grumble. Surging Azure Lake, I really don’t know anymore. Was it popular for young people these days to speak so viciously while secretly caring for others? Would it kill them just to show they care by speaking kindly as well?
“You’re finally back?”
Through the tent’s open flap, two people could be seen sitting huddled together. Inquisitor Daniel was lying quietly behind Berserk, still unconscious.
“…Why is there a white cloth over his face?”
“It’s hard to check whether he’s breathing otherwise. It’s also easier to tell when he wakes up.”
That didn’t seem like the real reason. It definitely didn’t seem like it.
It seemed more like they’d done it in hopes of soon burying him six feet under.
The Archmage’s gaze wavered again, but she eventually just gave up. Her old, weary heart had already suffered enough. At this point, she just wanted to let everything slide.
“So, what’s the other reason you called me?”
“Erm… I wanted to ask if you knew anything about why the Demon Knight left.”
She still had some business here. The Archmage mustered all the strength she still had left and asked the question she most wanted answered.
“By the way, I heard what you testified to the Temple. Even so, I’m asking now because I wondered… if there was anything you might have hidden from them, perhaps to avoid being accused of heresy.”
She quickly added.
“You don’t need to worry about me reporting anything.”
Just in case the other person mistook this for a trap set by the Temple.
“If you did, we’d all get dragged into it anyway.”
That was a reasonable assumption, considering everyone here was associated with the Hero. If any misunderstandings got in the way of gathering information, that would be the end of everything.
“Hmm.”
At that moment, Meister’s eyes moved back and forth. More precisely, he seemed to be checking Deathbringer’s and Berserk’s reactions.
“By the way, they didn’t know it would come to this. Neither did I. However… I don’t think they need to worry. Don’t you agree? I assumed you all were curious about this as well.”
She hadn’t brought this up beforehand, but she firmly believed they were of the same mind. Deathbringer was the one most committed to proving the Demon Knight’s innocence, and Berserk… even if she wasn’t particularly interested in this discussion, she at least wasn’t the type to leak these things to the Temple.
“I do welcome it, actually…”
As expected, Deathbringer nodded his head sheepishly. Judging by how Berserk hadn’t gotten up and left, she must’ve been at least a bit curious. She shrugged and added, “Don’t worry about any leaks.” That was quite reassuring, given her track record.
“Well, fine then. If everyone’s on the same page, I guess it’s whatever… but did everyone investigate this separately without sharing any information?”
Still, Meister crossed his arms with a cold expression, completely undoing the Archmage’s thoughts. Without sharing any information. That pricked at her conscience.
“We didn’t really have time to share information… Is that a problem?”
“Not exactly.”
Despite him saying it wasn’t, his attitude definitely made it seem like it was. The Archmage blinked as she watched Meister lean back a little.
“Anyway, if that’s the only reason you called me, just hear it from him. I already told that guy everything I had to say.”
“Ah, so you two already talked?”
Fortunately, the explanation that followed brought her some relief. So, even before she arranged for this conversation, those two had already spoken.
“Unbelievable… I had a hunch, but to think it was actually true.”
“Then can I leave now? You guys should be able to make that guy keep his mouth shut, right?”
“You’re just going to walk away after hitting someone like that?! Are you kidding me right now?”
“Why not? Shouldn’t you be thanking me? If that argument had kept going, you would’ve been the one to suffer.”
“I mean…”
But then, how did Meister come to know why the Demon Knight stopped enduring? Sensing an argument was about to break out again, the Archmage quickly interjected.
“How did you find out? About why the Demon Knight decided to stop enduring it all?”
“Huh?”
That was the moment when everyone, each carrying a different piece of the puzzle, was hit with great confusion.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – KonnoAren]
[Proofreader – Loopin]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
“So… you’re saying the Demon Knight has no memory of himself?”
“That’s my guess. The only one who knows for sure is that sneaky guy over there.”
Meister took a moment to ponder the words the Archmage had relayed from his grandfather. As expected of a great master, his way of phrasing things was cleverly vague, leaving plenty of room for interpretation.
“Right.”
That word in particular bothered him. It wasn’t a question of morals but of rights? If his grandfather was simply condemning the concept of sacrificing one for many, that sure sounded like a moral dilemma. So what did he mean?
…If even the lord and the archbishop had scoffed and brushed it off, yet his grandfather still insisted on talking about rights and what not, just how heavy and profound was the thing the Demon Knight carried?
“I have never in my life seen my grandfather use not having the right to do something as an excuse before.”
His grandfather wasn’t the kind of wizard to use vague or abstract excuses. If something could be done, he would absolutely do it. If it couldn’t, he wouldn’t. He’d only ever based his decisions on his role and circumstances. He’d never even dared to talk about such vague things like “right” or “worthiness.”
“…I’m the same. You probably know the current Surging Azure Lake better than I do, but… the close friend I knew back then never once talked about having the right to do something, either.”
And yet, he’d spoken of “having the right.” That meant he likely didn’t have any other word to describe it.
Meister focused on that.
“This is kind of hurtful.”
The same person who’d called it a whim when he pulled Meister out of that prison had now helped a complete stranger and then talked about not having the right to stop him? Just what did the Demon Knight have to earn that level of recognition?
He was a bit curious about that. No, not a bit. He was very curious. Extremely so.
“Wh-why are you like that all of a sudden?”
“My grandfather’s picked a fight with me.”
“When?!”
If he was going to say something so vague and then keep his mouth shut, wasn’t he almost asking to get hit? He should know better than anyone how obsessed wizards were with anything being kept hidden.
“I have no choice but to accept that challenge.”
“I seriously don’t understand how you came to such an absurd conclusion.”
That just wouldn’t do. Meister had planned to let this all go, but no longer. He absolutely had to look into this further. As a seeker of truth, he absolutely couldn’t ignore this.
“Archmage, do you understand what he’s talking about?”
“Roughly…?”
“Damn it. Is it because I’m not a wizard that I don’t understand?”
“Don’t worry. He’s not exactly a common sight among us either.”
Tap, tap.
Meister tapped his knee with his fingers, shifting the focus of his thoughts. What he really wanted to know was the Demon Knight’s worth, but since he had neither the clues nor the ability to figure that out yet, he decided to look for other information first.
“It still hasn’t arrived, right?”
For example, that.
“What do you mean?”
“The information we bought.”
“Yeah, not yet.”
“Tsk.”
He turned his attention to the second clue his grandfather had left behind: “He chose not to endure it any longer.” Since Meister was the only one among them who could even guess the extent of the Demon Knight’s missing memories, his focus was even more persistent and intense.
“A bet.”
“Huh?”
The reason behind the memory loss. What if it was due to a bet?
He pulled out the hypothesis he’d thought of during his last conversation with the Demon Knight the night he’d escaped. Honestly, that was the only thing that made even a lick of sense for what had caused the Demon Knight’s memory loss.
“But still…”
“Hey, don’t just mumble to yourself. I mean, if you’re going to say it anyway, just talk clearly. You’re leaving out all the important parts here.”
But if the cause of the memory loss was a bet, why would reading a few documents about his past make him choose to “not endure” anymore? The emotions associated with those memories should have also evaporated, so reading a few lines of text shouldn’t have instantly brought back that rage, despair, or whatever to push him to his decision.
The theory that his memories returned after reading those documents didn’t seem right, either. There was no way something he’d offered up as part of a bet would be so easy to get back.
So, something else had to have happened.
There had to be something.
Something that made even his grandfather bring up the question of “having the right to do something.”
Something that made the Demon Knight, who’d lost his memory, choose not to endure anymore.
“If we learn more about his movements, we might find an answer to all of this…”
“Can you just tell us a bit about what you’re thinking already?”
“Why are you nagging me when you have the Archmage right next to you?”
“Because you’re the one with the information?”
The Archmage hadn’t even asked Meister to tell her anything, so why was this guy who severely lacked brain cells kicking up such a fuss? Probably because he knew he couldn’t figure out any of this on his own. What a menace.
Meister, skipping over the part about him refusing to share any information, started to judge Deathbringer’s character intensely.
“So, the Demon Knight has no memory?”
That’s when someone who’d been quiet up until now finally spoke up calmly. She sat partially before the unconscious inquisitor, covering him completely. She seemed uncomfortable with being unable to lean against the tent wall, supporting herself with one arm pressed against the ground. Or so it seemed. It was impossible to tell what her covered hand was really doing.
“That’s what that guy believes.”
“And you don’t know why he can’t remember?”
“We weren’t told anything about this, so yeah, we don’t.”
“Then what if he’s not missing memories but instead just pretending to have forgotten?”
“Huh…?”
“You and I both know the Demon Knight wouldn’t run away without a very good reason. So I think he had a substantial reason for escaping like this.”
“…Why would he do it, then?”
“What if there wasn’t a deeper reason at all?”
Her voice was calm, but despite her relaxed appearance, her words were anything but gentle. They were incredibly sharp.
“What if everything we’ve seen so far was a lie, and he really just left to survive? What would you do then?”
The very thought they’d all stubbornly denied and tried to ignore, convincing themselves that it couldn’t be the case, was now brought up to the surface again.
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