<Chapter 28>

The atmosphere around them shifted completely.

The magician’s furious wrath and the bandits’ nervous tension melted away, as if dissipating like smoke and frost.

Even the villagers watching from a distance appeared bewildered by the inexplicable scene before them, and Iola, who had been ready to fight at any moment, wore a perplexed expression.

Everyone, except Lanken, seemed thrown into confusion. Only Lanken had a face that seemed to say, "Here we go again..."

"A master detective...?"

"A person who can even make a crying child stop...?"

The bandits echoed Viretta’s words, mulling over each phrase. They were odd statements, and not at all fitting for the moment.

“Why…? What is it that she thinks she’s solving?”

Solve what, exactly? The magician, unable to guess what was happening, shifted into a stance to start incanting. Perhaps this was some trick to catch them off guard?

But nothing suggested that. Even the formidable Iola was simply listening to Viretta’s words with an uncertain expression, unsure of how to proceed.

"Of course, the charming little mystery right before us. No amount of effort can hide it from the eyes of an experienced detective like myself."

The bandit leader, who was also a magician, narrowed her eyes, and a scarred man whispered, “That woman sure knows how to get under people’s skin.”

So, she’s stalling for time? The magician raised her staff as if she were about to strike, but Viretta acted first.

“You’re not at a loss here, so let’s listen for a bit, shall we, Moslin?”

“……”

Lightning flickered around the magician’s body, a sign that her emotions were nearing their peak.

Viretta pulled out a large catalog from behind a stall.

[Magician Catalog].

She began flipping through the [Magician Catalog].

“I was actually on my way to find a magician. And if we’re talking about an elderly female lightning magician in this catalog, you’d be the only one who fits.”

She stopped a few pages in, her eyes scanning the information about Moslin.

“A prodigy showing talent from the age of fourteen. None could match her destructive force back then. A battle-class magician who fought in major battlefields starting from twenty: the Battle of Caraila, the Eastern Civil War, the War of Roses abroad, and many others.”

From behind her came murmurs of admiration. “A remarkable person,” some whispered, “The Flash of the War of Roses… that’s her.” Moslin raised her chin, looking proud.

Viretta lightly tapped the open page with a smile in her eyes.

“It’s worth noting that she’s purely a battle-class magician, only proficient in lightning magic.”

“As a battle-class magician, that’s hardly a flaw. Based on her background, my father would be quite interested in her talents.”

“No, Iola. That’s exactly why Moslin is here right now.”

Viretta kindly contradicted Iola’s assumption. Iola looked at her in disbelief.

“If she truly is Moslin, the Flash of the War of Roses, she could wipe out an entire unit on her own.”

“I did, in my day. Now that you know who I am, I suggest you step back quietly. I have no intention of meaningless slaughter.”

Their opponent was no mere bandit leader. Even with a group of subpar magicians, they couldn’t compare to a real warrior.

Even though she was older, she was still vigorous and capable of casting powerful magic, but Viretta wasn’t the least bit afraid. She had no reason to be.

“Of course. A person like you wouldn’t engage in meaningless slaughter. A magician listed in the catalog adheres to certain rules. If you had indiscriminately killed civilians, your name would be on the wanted catalog, not the magician catalog.”

Being listed in the Magician Catalog meant she was an acknowledged talent guaranteed by the guild.

With no wrongdoing on their part, there was no reason for Viretta to feel intimidated by someone like her. She straightened up proudly.

“A magician vouched for over decades wouldn’t suddenly turn into a bandit.”

“You’re deliberately ignoring reality. What do I look like to you?”

“A magician hired by the village.”

The murmurs in the crowd died down. That answer seemed sufficient.

Viretta continued in a gentle tone.

“First, if you’re a mercenary rooted in this area, even with a drop in profits, you wouldn’t think of extorting the villagers.”

It would be difficult to do business while robbing the villagers they were familiar with. Being a local thug might work, but it wouldn’t be easy to sustain a bandit lifestyle.

“Second, the villagers’ attitude towards you is lukewarm for a bandit group. Third, despite the ruckus, neither the guard nor the militia has shown up.”

Lanken looked around. Now that he thought about it, there was indeed no sign of the guards or the militia who should be protecting the village.

“And fourth, though you pretend to be ruthless, you’re too soft-hearted to simply let us go.”

Moslin kept her poker face, befitting an experienced magician, but the bandits couldn’t hide their reactions. They grew visibly unsettled as Viretta pointed out each reason.

One of them, whose face had turned pale, reached for the hilt of his sword, only for Iola’s sharp gaze to stop him. The man’s hand dropped as if burned.

“Looking at the situation, the answer is simple. Some issue arose, and the villagers entrusted their security and tax collection to a mercenary group pretending to be bandits.”

“Hmm, but would a village that can’t even secure its own safety really have enough to hire a magician as skilled as me?”

“It’s possible. You’re not as expensive as you think—kyaa!”

A lightning bolt struck right by Viretta’s feet.

Barely avoiding it, Viretta clung to Iola’s shoulder but continued speaking.

“Female battle magicians aren’t as popular, you know. Resident magicians have it a bit better, but it’s tough to get hired as a guard for a merchant company or a mercenary group. They need twice as much consideration for lodging and hygiene when there’s a woman among the men.”

“That’s how it goes.”

Moslin coldly affirmed Viretta’s statement.

“Though, if it’s a merchant company with ladies or an entourage that includes noblewomen, they might hire a female magician. It’s more pleasant and convenient for the noblewomen to be attended by a woman.”

They may not fit in with a small party, but in larger groups, female magicians can be more highly valued than their male counterparts.

“But in those cases, they prefer a young woman who’s easy to instruct, and a certain level of skill is usually sufficient.”

For noblewomen’s service, a younger woman is more suitable than an older one. Senior magicians are welcomed in resident roles, but for battle magicians, it’s the opposite.

“Your skills are impressive, Moslin. But Fillian has no battlefield that requires your level of expertise. Naturally, without demand, the cost of your services becomes ‘cheaper than expected.’”

Just because she had ten to twenty times the skills of an ordinary magician didn’t mean she would be paid accordingly.

If no one needed her overwhelming power, her employment fee would inevitably drop.

“So…”

Viretta spun around and approached Moslin, raising her index finger.

“You must have accepted payment roughly equal to what one would pay the leader of a bandit gang.”

“...Tch.”

Moslin gritted her teeth in frustration, tacitly acknowledging Viretta’s words.

“Unbelievable.”

Lanken, who had been leaning back as a spectator, dropped his jaw as everything fell into place.

Even Lanken, who hadn’t flinched at Moslin’s appearance, looked shaken, as if witnessing something absurd.

All eyes turned toward him.

“Unbelievable. Viretta… Viretta got the answer right…!”

“...”

“...”

Silence briefly descended.

Ignoring Lanken’s stunned reaction, Moslin and Viretta resumed their conversation as if nothing had happened.

“I don’t know where you came from, but you’re quick-witted. Yes, you’re right.”

“Really? I knew it! I have quite a knack for deduction!”

“But none of this is my fault. It’s all Medleridge’s fault…!”

At the mention of Medleridge again, Viretta’s party tensed up.

Even those on a mission to slay dragons didn’t appreciate being seen as cold-blooded villains without reason.

“What exactly did Medleridge… do?”

The excitement that had driven Viretta’s deductions suddenly deflated. Everyone watched closely, waiting for Moslin to explain.

Moslin ground her teeth, denouncing Medleridge’s actions.

“Twenty years ago, there were wars big and small everywhere! But that money-grubber took control of the Eastern economy, and wars suddenly stopped!”

“Hmm?”

“Cadellen Medleridge, that scoundrel! He buys peace with money! Where warriors and magicians used to spill blood on the battlefield, he uses money to twist their pride into peace! He doesn’t leave a chance for war!”

“Uh-huh?”

Something seemed off. The listeners tilted their heads in confusion.

“He’s a despicable, money-minded merchant. He’s like the symbol of peace! Thanks to him, Fillian’s mercenary trade has decayed. Battle-class magicians like me have fewer and fewer places to make a stand. Who wouldn’t hold a grudge against those damned Medleridges!”

“I mean, you’re talking like it’s unjust, but he did a good thing…”

He simply used his money to drive the war out of Fillian.

It was an achievement worthy of being called a symbol of peace.