Isekai Mahou wa Okureteru! (LN) - Volume 5 - Chapter SS2

Further Developments After the Resolution of the Incident 

A few days after the coma incidents in the imperial capital were resolved, Graziella Filas Rieseld was headed towards the northern plaza of the city. There she would find the mastermind behind the incidents—an elf named Romeon. Or, at least, part of him. Because of the chaos he wrought in the capital for nearly a month, as an unprecedented warning to the people, his head was put on public display. 

Although, because it was pitch black, it wasn’t really clear at a glance whether it was a head or not. It has been several days now, but there was hardly a sign of rot on the severed head. Not even a single fly circled it. It was utterly bizarre to behold, and gave a glimpse of just how thoroughly corrupted the man known as Romeon had really become. 

“The power of darkness, was it?” Graziella muttered to herself, reflecting on the real source of the problem. 

Magic that held the power of darkness had been loathed and detested since ancient times. But to think this man had met such a cruel end because of it was outside the range of anything Graziella had expected. 

The object resembling a head looked like it had been painted a repulsive black, but there was something indescribable about it that made it difficult to look away. Graziella felt like her eyes were being drawn to it. Like she was being sucked in. Beckoned by that strange, dark power, Graziella slowly and steadily began to stretch out her hand. 

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. That there is something humans should never touch upon.” 

Just as it became uncertain whether she would continue to reach out her hand or retract it, a voice of restraint called out to her. When she turned around, she spotted the figure of the summoned hero of El Meide, Elliot Austin. In response to his tone, which didn’t contain an ounce of courtesy, she shot a reproachful look his way. Elliot then took a bow. 

“It is wonderful to see you well, Your Imperial Highness, Third Princess Graziella Filas Rieseld.” 

“El Meide’s hero, is it? Did you also come to see this damned thing?” 

“Yes.” 

“It seems that attendant of yours isn’t with you today.” 

“Christa is currently in the middle of finishing some business at the church. You could say I got a little bored.” 

“I see.” 

Keeping her greeting short, Graziella looked back towards Romeon’s head. 

“Now, what did you mean by saying this is something that should never be touched upon?” 

“As a mage, I do believe that you should already understand, Your Imperial Highness.” 

“Unfortunately, this is my first time seeing such a thing... Have you seen it before yourself, bastard?” 

At Graziella’s question, Elliot narrowed his eyes as he looked at the head. 

“I have... seen something similar just once before.” 

“Oh?” 

“It’s just... what I saw was something that was directly summoned.” 

That was most interesting. Since Suimei had said nothing more other than that this would be the end of days for those swallowed by darkness, Graziella still had plenty of questions. There was still much she didn’t know. 

“Hmph, and what was this thing that was directly summoned?” 

“Let’s skip the long explanation. To put it simply, it was a mass of malice. It scattered violence, and any and all who approached it were promptly desecrated and driven to madness. It was a dangerous foe indeed.” 

Saying that, Elliot looked to the sky. Was he recalling that fateful encounter as he cast his gaze upward? After a moment of silence, he spoke in a deeply emotive voice. 

“Because it was an absolute mystery, many masters were brought together to strike it down.” 

“So it was defeated?” 

“In the end. But because we had to guarantee our own safety, it was largely done through brute force.” 

Elliot spoke in a self-deprecating tone. But since she had faced him in combat before, Graziella had an idea of Elliot’s true strength. She knew he was powerful, and didn’t think he was just being humble right now. 

“If you defeated the unknown without any casualties, then I do believe it was a victory to your credit.” 

“But that man managed somehow or another to do it on his own, you know?” 

“I heard that Colonel Rogue was also there.” 

“Even so, it was still just two people, right? There were about a hundred of us when it happened. Besides, even if Colonel Rogue was there, it was still probably that man who defeated it.” 

“So you’re acknowledging his value, are you?” 

“I believe all I need to acknowledge is his true ability.” 

It seemed like he was saying there was more to Suimei that he wasn’t willing to acknowledge. But after those last few sarcastic words, Elliot suddenly let out a sigh and turned towards Graziella. 

“Did you know? Back when you had your match with him at the plaza, that he was already wounded?” 

“I heard after the fact that he was wounded while searching for the culprit before he accepted his duel with me. What about it?” 

In answer to Graziella’s question, Elliot pointed his gaze at the blackened head and stiffened his expression. 

“It is likely that that man had two battles with such a thing. When he defeated the culprit that was swallowed by malice, and also on that evening Liliana-chan ran away. It was immediately before we came running over. What he faced that night was likely a diluted version of it.” 

“From the sound of it, you didn’t actually see it for yourself.” 

“But I still believe it to be the case. The fact that he sustained such wounds must mean that he faced off against something at least that powerful.” 

“What if he simply fought against Liliana Zandyke?” 

“As a mage, that man is on a different level. If he fought to the full extent of his power, she likely wouldn’t have been much of an opponent. Moreover, if a child like her carried such strong malice within her body, she would have already ended up like this.” 

Graziella looked to Romeon’s head. 

“Do you know what damned wiles he used to defeat this thing?” 

“Not at all. In terms of magic, he is a fair bit ahead, after all. I can’t say for certain how this thing was defeated, but...” 

“You have some sort of idea about it?” 

“Probably. At the very least, it held the breath of the stars.” 

“The breath of the stars?” 

“The power held by the star that we reside on. In other words, of the very land itself. It rejects all that should not be in the world, and manifests incredible power against anything that would do this world harm. To put it simply, it is a purifying power near equal in terms of holy power.” 

As Elliot explained, his brow wrinkled like he found his own explanation troubling. 

“In my world, such power can only be used by saints. So I wonder why a mage can use it...” 

Indeed, he was grumbling to himself because the matter was rather perplexing to him. 

“That man, compared to Astel’s hero...” 

“He is likely much stronger. So much so that they’re hardly worth comparing. The amount of mana he possesses and the experience he has are both unreasonable.” 

Hearing Elliot’s reply, Graziella scoffed like she was thoroughly unamused. 

“Nevertheless, I declared that I would pay him back.” 

And in response to that, with a broad grin, Elliot simply replied... 

“It probably won’t be so easy, huh?”