Before accepting the request, Lorei and Rowillen went into the inn room to discuss separately. Rowillen raised his suspicions, looking very dubious.

“See, that person didn’t seem that old. But for her to have a daughter that age… it’s impossible, time-wise. Could it be a scam?”

It was a valid point.

Unless the mad wizard was a half-elf or an ancient being who had reverted to youth, to have a daughter that size, he would have had to father her before even hitting puberty.

Lorei nodded in agreement.

“That’s true. We know our junior is in his early twenties… But still. I believe there’s nothing impossible for our junior.”

“Really?”

“Even if it sounds impossible, I have this conviction that somehow, our junior could do it. I don’t know exactly how.”

Lorei reflected on the past.

To bestow physical force on an illusion with sheer willpower is something no one can do, it’s something that should be achieved through sublimation. I remember telling our junior that. But he did it.

The human brain has its limits, so if you cram too much complex magic into it, it’s bound to burst first. I remember advising against it. But he did it anyway.

The Purple Tower is a gathering of screw-loose lunatics, so I told him not to get too friendly with anyone. But he did it anyway.

It feels like this.

“So… Rowillen, can you swing your sword and make it rain? Or turn stones into gold?”

“It’s not about threatening a wealthy Blue Tower mage with a sword… If you mean can it be done purely, then it’s impossible.”

“It’s because you do such things as easily as eating, that even a suspiciously old b*stard can accept it. Plus, you know information that only those close to the junior can know.”

It wasn’t just the b*stard’s assertion that convinced me. Evil God-chan informed Lorei of the mad mage’s personal details, completing the verification. So, it’s just a matter of acceptance now.

It’s not about how can there be such a b*stard! (X)

But rather.

I don’t know what happened, but so it has become. (O)

And.

“Maybe, she could be a life created by illusion magic.”

“…Isn’t that taking it too far?”

“It is too far. That’s the realm of creation. But somehow, I feel like the junior could do it.”

Rowillen didn’t seem to understand Lorei’s vague acceptance, but such feelings can’t be felt until seen firsthand.

The feeling that history is moving when witnessing a genius who comes once in a century, no, once in a millennium.

Like the Black Dragon Emperor who founded a great empire alone, or perhaps even the Goddess said to be born from the lowest pit of desire. The sensation of exaggerated old tales unfolding before one’s eyes.

The certainty that a new era is approaching.

—

Lorei and Rowillen were hired on the spot, and together with Evil God-chan, they began their journey to the Academy.

For Lorei, the amount wasn’t that significant, but since it involved someone related to the junior, he thought it necessary to bring them along, and Rowillen was purely pleased with the sum.

The veteran adventurer and mage put their heads together. How should they travel to make a good impression? If speed was the only concern, teleportation magic would be the best option, but…

“Please avoid teleportation.”

Due to the client’s request, the route was limited to land. The party purchased a single two-horse carriage and raced through the forest path.

After compromising on the safety and speed of the journey, the travel route was almost a straight line, breaking through forests and mountains to reach the Academy…

“If we stop by the Holy City, the journey might be more comfortable, but if we consider speed, then still—”

“The Holy City? Turn the carriage around. Is that still around?”

…At the client’s request, the route was decided to pass through the Holy City to reach the Academy.

Holy City Trumpethall.

The seat of the Goddess Church.

Legally a part of the empire, yet it functioned as a sort of independent state under the strong influence of the Goddess Faith. The current ruler of the Holy City was a young Pope, assisted by five Cardinals.

As it was the command center for the widespread Goddess Faith across the continent, many priests with exceptional divine power resided there. Those severely cursed or with permanent disabilities would make their way to this place.

However, without a heavy purse, one could not receive the services of a high priest. Thus, the Holy City had the feel of a wealthy neighborhood frequented mainly by those with money… at least it used to.

“Things are a bit different now, I hear. The ‘Reformists,’ was it? They say, ‘The Goddess’s mercy must reach even the lowest depths,’ and they’re bringing a new wind to the Holy City.”

“I’ve heard as well. The priests of the Holy City were all so greedy, it was disgusting… Maybe something will change?”

“I don’t know much about the factional or ideological fights, but I do hope the treatment costs go down. I have a limping comrade who’s still hobbling around hunting goblins.”

“That might be a head problem, not a leg problem. Bring them along if you get a chance.”

Sitting side by side on the coachman’s bench, Lorei and Rowellen exchanged such worldly stories. Then, Rowellen, struck by a sudden thought, turned to the slumped Evil God-chan inside the carriage.

“Do you know about the Hero Selection Contest?”

“No. Never heard of it, wait… They select heroes through a contest?”

“Yes. The Pope received a revelation from the Goddess. She commanded to gather hero candidates from all over and hold a contest to determine the true hero.”

Evil God-chan snorted at that.

“That’s laughable. And then?”

“A grand festival is underway. The Hero Selection Contest is not far off. If we stay about a week… we might see the contest ourselves. Sir, if you wish, I can arrange a sightseeing schedule.”

“Even if I rest for a day, I don’t have the luxury to enjoy sightseeing.”

“Then we’ll plan for a one-night stay for resupply and rest.”

Evil God-chan nodded generously.

Rowellen, who had endured being called a crybaby at first sight without shedding a tear, was slightly irked by the disrespectful movement, but if the payment was certain, he was professional. The dignity of a veteran adventurer.

Clip-clop, clip-clop. The sound of horse hooves slowly faded away.

—

“May I ask your name?”

“No.”

The illegitimate child of the junior I hadn’t named had jet-black hair and azure eyes. Black hair was rare, so it was likely they were truly related by blood.

But the strong sense of connection I felt with this nameless girl and the junior wasn’t just that. It was magic.

“Damn it, get lost, you dwarf b*stards!”

With a simple flick of her fingers, the goblins swarming the temporary camp scattered in terror.

The effect was a simple intimidation spell, but the details were vicious. A perfect shadowless window, the technique of manipulating magical power was near flawless.

The girl was a powerful illusionist.

This talent was the thread that assured me of her connection to the junior.

There were other trivial aspects that reminded me of my junior. Like having a bit of a temper (my junior once barked orders at the Tower Master to bring lamb).

“Moths.”

“They’re attracted to the light. Sir, if it bothers you, I’ll catch it… Why would you eat that?”

“Why not? It’s no different from jerky.”

Or being unpredictable in their thoughts.

And so, the girl who resembled the mad magician in many ways. Lorei somehow… felt a sense of disgust and unease towards her. Why could that be?

As they traveled by carriage, camped, and moved on again. Lorei pondered over this inexplicable anxiety. And then, the answer came.

She had been thinking about it all wrong. Why wasn’t she disgusted or anxious when she saw her junior? That’s what she needed to consider first.

If her junior harbored ill will, the world would turn upside down. Being an eccentric and unpredictable person, who knows what strange things they might create overnight. Something that could pose an extreme threat to the world.

But she wasn’t worried. She didn’t think about killing her junior in advance, to possibly prevent a disaster that might occur in the future.

Because she knew of his goodness.

She knew he preferred to make the world a better place.

But this girl was different. The occasional venomous look, the tone that belittled others, and the terrifying talent combined to create unease.

“Whether it’s people, bugs, or jerky, they’re all the same to me. I just can’t understand why there’s a need to differentiate.”

“……..”

If this girl were evil, something frightening might happen.

Lorei’s anxiety would be neatly resolved in the holy city.

—

Evil God-chan yawned languidly. It had been four days since they started traveling by carriage. The group had finally arrived at the holy city after a vigorous journey.

Having spent a week in the Elmest territory, it had been 11 days since she was abandoned by the mad magician. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

The holy city, on the eve of the Hero Selection Contest, was definitely in a festive mood. Among the buildings mainly colored in white, lively music and excited people bustled about.

On one wall, there were portraits. They depicted the heroes who had applied to participate in the selection contest.

“…Eek.”

Among them was a portrait of Bennett. Evil God-chan bit her tongue as she recalled her past trauma. Perhaps it was because of those guys that her fate had become twisted.

Rowillen, sensing the customer’s gaze, added an explanation just in case.

“That’s Bennett Hilton, a member of the ‘Reformist’ faction. He infiltrated the dark mage forces and extracted information. He’s quite remarkable.”

“Remarkable my foot…”

About to start complaining, Evil God-chan clamped her mouth shut. Well, unlike Tara and Niore, that guy had never been broken. He was a tough one.

“Shall we… have dinner there and find a room for the night? I haven’t visited the holy city often, but I have fond memories of satisfaction from my last visit.”

“Then let’s go there. Is that alright with you, sir?”

“Okay, wherever, as long as I don’t see that ridiculous face, let’s go there.”

Akshin-chan walked swiftly. She entered a certain inn, and the inside was packed with customers, bustling with excitement. It was as if the festival atmosphere was palpable.

There wasn’t a vacant table, so they sat at a makeshift counter. They ordered simple stew and beer.

Festival, festival.

The Dragon King’s sword is the goddess’s sword. And the goddess and ‘that thing’ have a bad relationship. The goddess wanted to eliminate ‘that thing’, which was spreading weird stuff all over the continent.

So the Dragon King was threatening. That’s why ‘that thing’ counterattacked.

Of course, I remember the goddess making a move to prevent the Dragon King’s birth… but Akshin-chan couldn’t recall the details.

The exact content was that a mad magician had left 93% of his memories intact.

So the Dragon King… couldn’t be born?

Akshin-chan thought to herself, her jaw clenched. This case in the sacred city was full of strange parts. And usually, such cases were intricately connected to people’s understanding, plans, and emotions.

This was a perfect timing to stir up trouble. If they made a mess now, all sorts of tragedies would unfold.

Hmph.

“Okay, okay, I understand.”

Akshin-chan clicked her tongue, warningly, and stroked the ‘Gin Gao’ above her. It wasn’t good, it wasn’t good, life was boring.

But she had secretly fed a boy some snacks, so… thinking about it made her heart flutter. It was probably excitement. When she received the news, she would be overjoyed.

Just as Akshin-chan was about to calm herself down, a commotion erupted beside her.

“Hey, this person is none other than the Dragon King candidate. When will I have the chance to see him again? Come and have a drink with me!”

“Uh, um, I…”

A group of people occupied two tables, and a hostess was struggling to keep up. It was a common scene.

The young man with green hair, who seemed to be the leader of the group, smiled slyly and said, “Hey, don’t be like that. You’re having a hard time, right? Sorry. Our gang is just playing a prank. We’ll apologize. Come closer and take a look.”

“No, I…”

“Apologize, I said. What’s wrong with me? Just come and take a look for a bit.”

“You’re the Dragon King candidate apologizing? Are you deaf?!”

A bald man nearby shouted loudly, and the hostess cowered in fright. How could a normal hostess endure such intimidation?

I see.

The green-haired young man’s eyes seemed to exude lust. Although he pretended not to, he was thinking of ways to satisfy his desires. And he was also asking someone else to do it for him.

The entire movement had a strong sense of craving. It was as if he had hit the jackpot overnight. How pathetic.

If he wanted to satisfy his desires, there must be a more refined way to do it.

Akshin-chan turned her gaze away. Rowilendo and Loreido were just quietly sipping their beer, chatting. They knew about the commotion, but they didn’t intend to intervene.

The seaweed-haired one’s actions seem unpleasant, but that’s all there is to it.

It’s only natural. They are being paid to escort Akushin-chan. The mission comes first. Besides, even if it weren’t for the mission… there’s nothing to gain by interfering.

But.

“Hey, hey. Stop it. Sorry, I misunderstood.”

“Ah, that’s…”

“Walk safely in the night, live a long and good life, I thought you were that kind of girl. Go rest. Is today the only day?”

“What…?”

The waitress’s expression hardens, then turns pale. The seaweed-haired one lowers her voice with a smile, whispering with a bit more malice.

“By the way, that brown-haired one who used to work here. What was her name… Anyway, are you friends with her?”

“I, I don’t really know…”

“Oh, you don’t even know who she is? I thought so.”

The waitress can hardly breathe under the subtle threat.

It’s frustrating. The indecisive ones are the most annoying. If you’re going to spew threats with your mouth, isn’t there a better way…?

I can’t stand it.

I want to give these arrogant fools a taste of their own medicine. Akushin-chan smirks. To act so superior in front of me. That’s hard to bear. She quickly devises a plan.

Seaweed hair. There are signs of training, and perhaps she possesses a metaphor. I have a hunch. Even if she were to take on Lorei and Rowellen, the estimate is that she would lose.

Despite her temper, she seems to have definite abilities. That’s probably why she could hold the title of a hero candidate. So, no fighting.

This inn, the waitress is the only one here. Okay.

Lorei is wearing a mage tower hood, making it hard to tell if they’re male or female. It seems possible to deceive that the attendants are all men. Okay.

Akushin-chan snatches the half-drunk beer glass left by Rowellen.

“Hey, I’m borrowing this.”

“Customer…?”

Splash!

She pours the beer over her chest. At the same time, she changes her voice. She amplifies it with a weak magic so it can be heard even through the noisy scene.

“Kyaaah──! What do I do, what do I do! I didn’t know, I accidentally spilled it…”

In a place full of people, she feels the embarrassment of causing a scene, the panic, stomping her feet, the sadness of her favorite clothes soaked in beer, the discomfort of the wet clothes sticking to her, and she crouches to cover the soaked parts.

“Cu, customer?”

“No, Rowellen. You say you’ll wipe it off, but I can’t show or let a man touch my body…?!”

“???”

As soon as the bait is thrown, the waitress moves with a brightened expression.

“I’m really sorry. But over there… I think I need to help that customer.”

“Sure, sure. It’s not like I was holding you against your will. Just… think carefully.”

“……”

The waitress hiccupped, her body trembling as she approached Akshin-chan. She had managed to excuse herself, but now she was filled with confusion about what to do next.

“I’ll help, I’ll help you.”

“Good. If there’s an empty room, let’s go there. Lead the way.”

“Yes…?”

—

The waitress led Akshin-chan to an empty room away from prying eyes. The moment they were alone, Akshin-chan’s expression changed in an instant. She was no longer the girl staggering with embarrassment, but something mischievous.

Click.

With a flick of her finger (though the sound didn’t quite come out), her clothes dried instantly. The waitress gasped in surprise at the sight.

“Are you a wizard…? Then why…”

“Because I am a wizard, listen well. Ask the owner for a beer, put this in it, and take it to the seaweed-head.”

Sssk.

A black scale grew from Akshin-chan’s left arm. She plucked it off and handed it to the waitress.

“And just blend in. If he drags you to his room, don’t resist, just go with him. That night, the scumbag will think he’s had you. In reality, he’ll just pass out.”

“……”

It seemed she finally understood the situation. Tears welled up in the waitress’s eyes. She bowed deeply, a full 90 degrees.

“I’m really grateful. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

“Thank the seaweed-head. He’s the one who annoyed me.”

“I’m truly, truly grateful. I’ll never forget this. Thank you, wizard!”

“Go on, get out.”

Color returned to the waitress’s face. Akshin-chan waved her hand coolly without saying a word. The waitress kept expressing her gratitude, clutching the scale tightly as she left the room.

After a short wait, Rowillen and Lorei entered the room. Both seemed taken aback by Akshin-chan’s sudden actions.

“What on earth did you do, ma’am?”

“I gave the seaweed-head a taste of his own medicine. You did well to keep the fire from spreading this way. If you want to charge extra for acting on your own, the crazy wizard will pay the additional fee.”

“……Please, at least tell us next time. Rowillen and I were both shocked. And well done. Rowillen won’t charge extra for something like this, right?”

“Yes. If you had told us beforehand, we wouldn’t have stopped you. You did well.”

The atmosphere warmed up. They hadn’t acted out of fear of the consequences or the burden of the aftermath; if they could do good without repercussions, who would hesitate?

Moreover, Lorei seemed visibly relieved. It appeared that this incident had significantly lowered her guard against Akshin-chan.

Yes, I aimed for that effect. To put a wrench in the seaweed-haired schemer’s plans, and at the same time, to build goodwill with the mad magician’s acquaintance. It was all planned. When you wear the mask of the benevolent, you can strike hard when you betray.

It was all a deed done with malice and rationale.

“……..”

But in my head.

Thank you so much. You did well. Those words keep spinning around.

My heart keeps racing, and I remember the scene where I coolly tore off a scale and gave it to the waitress, and the barrage of praise flashes back. And then.

No, don’t feel this. Is this an attack on the mind by King Goa? What kind of emotion is this? I didn’t mean to save anyone.

It’s confusing.

I am a nightmare! An entity that brings fear and pain, despair and pleasure to people!

Evil God-chan slapped her forehead, muttering to herself to deny the uncontrollable emotions.

“Ha, what’s this trivial, ha, really…”

A sassy remark slipped out.

Evil God-chan had felt the rush of doing good deeds for the first time, thanks to the goodness that was posthumously installed in her.