The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 338: The Violet Brigade (9)
“Mm, uh-huh, I see.”
It was a bit harsh to say to little Oscar, but honestly, that was the full extent of his reaction.
To begin with, he had absolutely no memories related to the Crucian family.
“...Hm.”
Was it because his response was so lukewarm?
The commander, who looked as if he had just revealed an astonishing secret, smacked his lips.
“Is it because you were too young? Doesn’t seem like it really hits you.”
“Well, something like that.”
Oscar replied awkwardly, then asked back.
“But if this ‘mage-killing’ was carried out nationwide, how did the Empire not know about it?”
“You think they didn’t know?”
The commander let out a light snort.
“Your human emperor is a more meticulous man than he looks. The reason I visited the Crucian family estate that day in the first place was because he gave me a heads-up.”
“Oh, now that’s a secret...”
That actually surprised him.
Perhaps pleased that he had finally gotten a good reaction, the commander continued with a satisfied smile.
“Of course, it wouldn’t be quite accurate to say I saved you all by myself.”
“Why? Did you get help from the imperial family?”
“No. By the time I arrived at the estate, a battle was already in full swing.”
“A battle... between the family members and the Black Finger?”
“That battle was probably happening too. But what I saw was several demonfolk slaughtering members of the Black Finger.”
Oscar’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t quite follow. Are you saying there was internal conflict? Or a clean-up operation?”
“I don’t know the details either. Like I said earlier, I had cut ties with them long ago. Rather, I only barely moved you to a safe place and left quickly so they wouldn’t notice me.”
“....”
Demonfolk killing the Black Finger.
Honestly, this wasn’t even something worth thinking deeply about.
Most demonfolk were terrible-tempered anyway.
Even if they were on the same side, there was a 99% chance they just killed them because they didn’t like something.
“Anyway, what, do you want me to say thank you or something?”
“No need. Since it seems like something from when you were too young to remember, let’s just leave it at that.”
With their business more or less finished, the commander held out a small note.
“My private communication number. Contact me if something happens. Ah, give me your number too.”
“...Are we really close enough to exchange numbers?”
“You never know what life will bring. The Violet Brigade may look like a criminal organization on the outside... well, to be fair, it actually is—but sometimes we handle things the emperor can’t move on directly. We’re different in nature from the Shadow Trackers, so he makes use of us from time to time.”
In short, it meant that if the emperor had something troublesome to do in the future, he’d be calling.
Snatching the note as if confiscating it, Oscar spoke.
“I’ll say this in advance—we’re taking Gilliot Dominic back with us.”
“Hmm. So that’s how it’s going to be.”
The commander slowly nodded.
“If you insist on taking him, I won’t stop you. But I don’t recommend it.”
“Why?”
“Because you won’t be able to handle him right now. Even I struggle to absorb the anger he pours out every single day. Without this ability, managing him will be even harder.”
“You said you were researching a way to restore his reason and memories. Is there a method?”
“Not yet. He’s only improved slightly compared to before through steady treatment.”
If that was the case, it probably didn’t matter whether he stayed here or was taken along.
Once they brought him back and clashed with the problem head-on, maybe a solution would appear.
“Anything else you want to say?”
“If possible, I’d rather we didn’t get tangled up again. This is the first time someone laid bare all my cards on a first meeting.”
“If you don’t do anything that gets you tangled up with me, then we won’t.”
Leaving behind that meaningful remark, Oscar exited the prayer chamber.
But only for a moment—he soon returned, and the commander looked at him with an odd expression.
“Why are you back?”
“There’s one thing I need to check. Are you rich, by any chance?”
“...If I said I wasn’t while running the Violet Brigade, that would be a lie. Why do you ask?”
“Why else? You’re paying for the repairs to the airport you smashed.”
“What? That wasn’t me who smashed—”
“I’ve got your number. Don’t even think about running.”
After waving the note with the personal communication number written on it, Oscar disappeared.
The commander let out a sigh.
“...How exhausting.”
It was the first time since the emperor that he felt he had put the wrong person on the hook after meeting someone.
When he arrived where Sasha and Chester were waiting, the four of them were still wary of one another.
“Let’s go.”
“...What happened?”
“Well, we resolved things through conversation. I’ll explain the details once we arrive.”
Reporting to Sasha while minding Oran’s gaze, Oscar saw Chester step forward.
“So, are we going back on our own?”
“Ah, of course not. We’re returning with the Mad Fiend... I mean, Gilliot Dominic.”
That had been the plan from the start, so in one way or another, the objective had been achieved.
As Oscar approached to take the Mad Fiend, Oran blocked his path.
“...You’re really taking him? The commander allowed that?”
“Have you ever seen me lie?”
“You do.”
“Well, yes, occasionally, but not this time. Ask him yourself if you want.”
“Let them go.”
At that moment, the commander, who had come up from the prayer chamber behind him, spoke.
Now wearing his crackling mask again, he looked as neat as ever.
“...You’re really letting them go like this?”
“Yes. That matter is already settled.”
“Tch.”
Oran looked like she couldn’t understand it, but eventually stepped aside.
“If that’s the commander’s decision, then fine. Take him.”
“Much appreciated.”
Oscar slowly approached the Mad Fiend and extended his hand.
“Come on, let’s return together. To the place where you belong.”
“...Grrrr.”
The moment the Mad Fiend growled threateningly, Oscar moved like lightning and snapped handcuffs onto his wrist.
Then he naturally fastened the other side to his own left wrist.
“There. Now you can’t run.”
“KRAAAAH!”
The Mad Fiend thrashed wildly, trying to break free, but there was no way they would come off like that.
“Calm down.”
The commander snapped his fingers, absorbing the anger pouring out of Gilliot, and the latter visibly settled down.
Expressing gratitude with his eyes, Oscar immediately went to find Heavenly Sword with the other two.
“Hmm?”
Heavenly Sword tilted his head when he saw they had returned far less injured than expected.
“I thought at least one of you would come back with something broken. You look pretty fine.”
“Sorry, but we’re not weak enough to get beaten everywhere we go.”
“Hmph, are you trying to show off wrinkles before a silkworm?”
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Heavenly Sword’s neck seemed stiffer than usual as he spoke.
Looking around, everyone seemed to be watching his mood carefully.
“I heard roughly what happened. You reached Level 9?”
“Khmm, not yet. Of course, if I wanted to, I could ascend right now—but everything has its order.”
“...I see.”
Oscar nodded while glancing at the still-barren top of his head.
“How dare! Where are you looking!”
“My eyes just wandered on their own. I thought even after reaching Level 9 your hair still hadn’t grown back, so I was seriously calculating how much money I could make by developing hair-loss medicine—”
“You insolent brat who knows not even a speck of manners!”
Shouting loudly, Heavenly Sword stormed out of the dungeon while huffing.
Following him outside, Oscar asked,
“We’re planning to return straight to the White Tower. What about you, Heavenly Sword?”
“Hmph. Why even ask? I’ll return to my main house and finish digesting the enlightenment I gained today.”
Once that enlightenment was fully refined, humanity would gain another guardian deity.
Oscar congratulated him sincerely.
“Next time we meet, I probably won’t be able to treat you so casually.”
“Hmph. If you were the type who knew that, you’d have had manners from the beginning. I expect nothing.”
Heavenly Sword snorted, glancing at the Mad Fiend.
“...That one looks thoroughly broken. Do you have any solution?”
“I don’t know yet. We’ll have to look after we return.”
“Grrrr...”
The Mad Fiend growled low at Heavenly Sword, and Heavenly Sword’s eyes widened.
“Ahem! Do you know before whom you stand!”
“...Grrng.”
The Mad Fiend slowly averted his gaze and lowered his eyes.
Seeing that, Oscar exclaimed in admiration.
“As expected of Heavenly Sword. I think I know how to handle him now.”
“Hmm? Well, yes. Glad to be of help.”
Then Heavenly Sword abruptly held out his palm.
Staring at it blankly, Oscar placed his own hand on top, causing Heavenly Sword’s face to twist.
“What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“I mean give back the One-Sword Request I gave you.”
One-Sword Request.
The right to request a single sword strike, just once.
He was probably referring to the paper he had given as a wish token.
Oscar pulled it out from his chest and paused.
“Hmm? What are you doing? Hand it over already.”
“But do you really need to take this back?”
Oscar naturally hid his hand behind his back.
“Honestly, weren’t you the one who benefited most from this whole incident? You broke through the Level 9 wall you’d been stuck at for decades.”
“You brat! That happened because I was skilled! Otherwise I would have died right there!”
“If it hadn’t been for the Domain of Hierarchy Reversal, you wouldn’t have broken the wall at all. Doesn’t that mean it’s partly my credit for inviting you there?”
“Y-you little! Trying to freeload completely!”
“Don’t be stingy. Be generous. I’ll only use it one more time.”
Heavenly Sword kept letting out hollow laughs at Oscar’s cheekiness before reluctantly nodding.
“Hoo, fine. As you said, it’s not entirely without reason that I wouldn’t have broken the wall if I had just stayed holed up at home. I’ll let this one slide.”
“As expected of Heavenly Sword.”
As Oscar quickly tucked the One-Sword Request back into his pocket, Heavenly Sword shook his head after thinking for a moment.
“...Wait, no, this won’t do. If it’s you, you’ll wait until after I reach Level 9 before using it. The cost-benefit doesn’t add up.”
“Hey now, where’s the fairness in taking back something you already gave? It’s already settled. Hey! Don’t come closer! Mad Fiend, bite him!”
Sasha and Chester silently blurred their eyes as they watched the two bicker like children.
Was this really the level of a former Level 9 Grand Mage and a swordsman about to ascend to Level 9?
The future of humanity suddenly felt deeply worrying.
Demon Realm, Red Palace.
The Great Emperor, who looked lighthearted at first glance, dropped the book he had been reading and abruptly stood up.
A demon nearby approached and asked seriously,
“Has something happened?”
“...I found him.”
As though overwhelmed by immense joy, the Great Emperor smiled broadly.
“You know, I used to wonder hundreds of times a day. Just where my big brother was and what he was doing.”
“...Your big brother?”
“Yeah. My half-baked brother who ran away from the Demon Realm. I just felt his location.”
The octopus-headed demon Darwin narrowed his eyes and asked,
“What shall we do?”
“What do you mean, what do we do? We move immediately. It’s a trace I barely found after decades. We absolutely can’t lose it.”
“I’ll assemble a special unit.”
As Darwin bowed and vanished, the Great Emperor licked his lips with the tip of his tongue.
“Well now, I was half ready to give up. You’ve made my heart race.”
No matter what it took, he had to pursue that trace and kill his brother.
If he could do that, then the war he had kept postponing could begin as early as tomorrow.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]

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