CH 77

Ch. 77: The Aftermath of the Incident

I explained everything I knew in as much detail as possible.

The Royal Magecraft Knights also proceeded with their investigation of the men caught in the base and the underground room.

“Sir Werner, if possible, we would like to investigate the tavern as well but….”

Werner: “Ah, yes. The barrier was still active there.”

After a while, more Knights arrived on the scene.

I deactivated the barrier there, and they proceeded with their investigation.

As far as the Magecraft Artifacts the enemy was using, I investigated the remains very carefully.

Corally had two Artifacts used on her.

The one on her head controlled her movement and was an Artifact that could have transformed her into a Demon Race.

The one on her chest received voice commands and sent those instructions to the Artifact on the head.

The one on her chest also had a self-destruct feature as well.

One of the men at the underground base also carried the Artifact that received voice commands.

But unlike Corally’s, this one had no explosive features. Other than that, they were the same.

As I investigated the Artifacts, I relayed my findings to the Captain.

Werner: “Those two Artifacts are the only new ones. The others are ones we already know.”

Captain: “Thank you very much. Our Magecraft Artisan would have trouble understanding many of this, so you have saved us a great deal of time.”

Werner: “I’m glad that I was able to help.”

Though the Magecraft Artisan for the Royal Magecraft Knights is very skilled, analyzing Artifacts would still be difficult.

Captain: “But to think that they could use this to give out orders…how dreadful.”

Werner: “Yes, just place it into the wrong hands, and it can easily be used for assassination.”

Captain: “We will have to come up with a countermeasure very quickly. When the time comes, if you could….”

Werner: “Of course. I’ll do whatever I can.”

Captain: “Thank you, sir.”

The Captain began asking Corally questions.

Corally spoke slowly, but she answered all of his questions without hesitation.

After he was done with his initial questions, the Captain asked Corally.

Captain: “Ms. Corally, this might take some time, so would it be okay if we relocate and continue the questions there?”

Corally: “........yes, I am ready to accept the consequences of my actions.”

Captain: “Oh no. This will just be to ask a few more questions.”

Corally: “.......okay.”

Corally seemed very uneasy about the situation.

Werner: “Please treat her with care if possible.”

Captain: “Yes sir. I fully understand your request.”

And I watched Corally enter one of the Royal Magecraft Knight’s horse carriage and ride off towards the Royal Palace.

The Knights offered to give me a ride back home, but I refused their offer and walked back.

On the way back, Hati asked me a question from inside my shirt.

Hati: “My Lord, why did you not allow them to take you back home?”

Werner: “If I arrived in a carriage driven by the Royal Magecraft Knights, it would cause a scene when we arrived at the Marquis’ mansion.”

Hati: “Ah, I see. That would be a problem.”

Werner: “I prefer to just quietly return to my lab and go to sleep.”

Hati: “ I seeー”

While we were busy attacking the enemy base, the snowfall was falling harder.

Now, it was nothing less than a wild blizzard.

On top of that weather, it was night time, so no one was walking the streets.

Hati: “It’s so quiet, it feels quite nice.”

Werner: “Are you cold?” Hati: “It is not cold at all being with you, My Lord!”

Werner: “I see.” It’s nice to be able to take a walk with just the two of us.

The blizzard was quite cold, but with Hati inside my shirt, she kept my stomach warm.

The weather was atrocious, but I felt good.

Hati: “My Lord, can I ask a question?”

Hati popped her head out of my shirt to speak.

Werner: “What’s wrong?” Hati: “I’ve heard that taking revenge can leave you feeling empty…..but how does it feel now that you have done so?”

We crushed the enemy’s base responsible for attacking my sister.

There were other reasons why I attacked them of course, but it was revenge nonetheless.

Werner: “.......I can’t say that I feel worse for it.”

Hati: “I see. If that is the case, I am glad.” Hati looked happy with my answer.

I will make sure any organization that dared to attack my family would be repaid in full.

Going forward, anyone who dares to do this again better be prepared.

And that alone should serve as a deterrent.

Hati: “I hope things will be more peaceful in the future.”

Werner: “I hope so too.”

Hati looked up.

And as the snow fell, she opened and closed her mouth to snatch some out of the air.

Werner: “Hati, you might get a stomach ache.”

Hati: “Do not fear! Hati’s stomach is an iron stomach!”

Werner: “Well, if you say so….”

As we chatted, we slowly walked down the road back home.

We were both in high spirits and enjoyed the stroll.

But unlike our good temperament, the weather continued to worsen.

The snow and wind was becoming even more fierce.

ーーGOOOHHHH *sfx. Howl of the wind.*

Hati: “!! My Lord, was thatーー”

Werner: “It was. A Dragon. Maybe an Ancient one?”

In the midst of the blizzard, we heard the roar of a Dragon mixed in with the wind.

It was still quite a ways away.

Hati is a Dragon, and I’ve heard a Dragon’s roar before, so we both recognized it.

Others would not be able to distinguish it from the blizzard.

Hati: “Something is wrong. A Dragon would not get this close to the Royal Capital.” Werner: “Hati, we’ll head to where the Dragon might be. Make yourself larger and give me a lift.”

Hati: “Understood!”

Hati got out of my shirt, and grabbed a hold of me with both her hands.

And with me in her clutches, she began to rise into the air and gradually got bigger.

She was doing this to not destroy any buildings in the Royal Capital.

Werner: “I’m amazed that you were able to pick me up when you were still small.”

Hati: “For Hati, it is nothing!”

She spoke energetically as she continued to fly with me in her claws.

We were now flying at high speeds through the blizzard. The wind was now pressing hard against my body.

If I don’t do something, I’m going to freeze to death just from the wind.

I cast a Spell to block the wind to keep myself alive.