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Chapter 43: Prince Kurobuta gets a clue
“I didn’t know you were both here!”
I wished they would have called out to me.
As Brad walked over, Merlin and Celie descended to the ground with perfect control of their magic.
“No, we’ve just arrived,” he said, “I’ve been away for a bit to pick up Celie. Of course, I wasn’t going to let them escape”
Merlin smiled and held out his hand to the demons “I took every precaution, see.”
Then the ground and the air around the demons shone with a dazzling glow of magic power.
And what emerged were countless magic circles and barriers.
(That’s a lot of magic.)
Brad was aware of some of the unnatural movement of magic power surrounding the area, but he didn’t think they were this many.
It was like an invisible prison.
If they were so tightly sealed, it was no wonder that the demons didn’t try to defy them. If all these magic circles and barriers were activated at once, no matter how vicious the demons were, there would be no escape for them.
In fact, when Merlin held up his hand, the demons’ fright was unbelievable. When he lowered his hands and the lights disappeared as particles of magic power, it seems the demons regained their composure.
(This is not something a human can do. To develop such complicated magic at the same time and even use transfer magic to pick up Celie-sama.)
He couldn’t help but be amazed at Merlin’s terrifying magic manipulation technique.
Brad has knowledge and power that are irregular in this world, but Merlin’s skill is probably not something that can’t be attained simply by raising his level. He would like to learn more about the essence of magic.
(But come to think of it, this kind of magic manipulation can’t be copied, then maybe I too can learn…)
As Brad was thinking, Merlin looked around and said, “Anyway… Im guessing it’s the power of that ring that allowed you to tame so many demons at once. It seems to be a legacy of a lost ancient magic civilization”
He pointed to the “Demon Master ring” that Brad was wearing.
Brad was amazed at Merlin’s insight.
“Yes, you’re right, it’s the ring. This is a magic item that enables the use of demons. With it, it’s much easier to control multiple demons and powerful ones too.”
“It’s hard to believe that it’s possible to control so many demons. What kind of magic circuitry does it have!”
Merlin’s eyes widen like a child and observes the ring from various angles.
(Okay, so it’s obvious to me because I have previous knowledge about it, but it’s a super rare item.)
If you’re playing Final Quest, you’ll need to get this “Demon Master’s Ring,” but in this world, it’s an extremely valuable legacy of an ancient magic civilization and the fact that even Merlin, who has been alive since long ago, has never seen it is proof of that.
“Hmmm… I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s really interesting! It’s a shame that I have to return to the magic city of Endymion! If only you would take the time to show me, I might be able to get closer to the depths of magic! What bad timing!”
“Are you leaving already?”
The sword dance festival has been canceled, so there seemed to be no reason for them to stay anymore.
Merlin nodded with a regretful look on his face.
“With the attack on Pistel, the inhabitants of the magic city of Endymion are also terrified that they might be attacked next. Nicola, my apprentice, has been barking for me to come back and calm the people down.”
When Brad heard the name from Merlin’s mouth, he suddenly felt nostalgic.
–Nicola Fradale–
Nicola Fradale is Merlin’s apprentice in Final Quest, and one of the members of the party of heroes.
Her dialogue with Merlin was very well-paced and popular.
“In any case, that’s why we have to leave as soon as possible.”
“I wasn’t going to leave~!” Celie, said and pouted feeling dissatisfied as Merlin chastised her.
“I’ve heard from the Cardinal! You must have escaped from the temple to come here! and since you ignored his calls, I’ve been getting unceasing complaints to bring you back! Give up!”
“Ugh… Marin-chan, you’re scary! It’s because I was suffocating in the temple for a long time and I really wanted to see Bra-chan live! You’re glad you got to see it too, right~!?”
“Crying won’t cover it up! And I’m not Marin, I’m Merlin!”
While interacting with Celie as a parent would to their child, Merlin turns back to Brad after taking a deep breath.
“Well… It is true that I wanted to see you with my own eyes.”
The atmosphere quickly changes from the awkward one to a serious one as he gives Brad a sharp look.
“Are you referring to me?”
“Yes, because I needed to know the true value of Brad von Pistel, and his purpose.”
“I see” agreed Brad.
It seems that the reason why Merlin and Celie visited this country was for Brad. In the past, the two heroes never visited this country, but the defeat of the Cyclops made them interested in Brad, and the history changed.
“So when you actually saw me, what was your opinion of me?”
It would be troublesome if he was seen as an enemy, but when Brad asked him that question, Merlin thought with a sour expression.
“Simply put, you’re a threat. If you were just a strong fighting brute, then there’s not much to be afraid of. But you’re also a skilled strategist. You have the wisdom to completely read the enemy’s moves on and off the board and block them.”
Merlin regarded Brad with his Jewel like eyes.
“That’s not all. It seems that you have knowledge of magic tools and techniques that even I don’t know. I can honestly say that you’re the most unfathomable person I’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah, Bra-chan is really mysterious. Not only did you have the knowledge, but you also noticed the demons’ attacks that even Marin didn’t notice! And then you ended up making those demons your friends! I love that kind of mysteriousness〜♡.”
After being pointed out by the two of them, Brad was reminded of his own peculiarity.
It’s no wonder they were so wary of him.
“Well, It’s true, coming from the two of you, I’m an unknown entity. But I’m not a big deal like you two think. I’m just a small person who knows more about the laws and history of this world than others for a reason.”
“So you’re not a god or a spirit?”
“Of course not. I’m just an ordinary prince of a country. I’d be happy to tell you why I’m so unusual next time.”
Brad emphasized that he had nothing to be ashamed of.
But Merlin was still not convinced, and his brow wrinkled even deeper.
“Then what is your purpose? What’re you planning to do with all these demons?”
“The main purpose is simply to ensure my own safety. In a world where warfare is so common, it is better to have the ability to fight.”
“You have no more ambition than that?”
Merlin gives him a probing look.
Brad thought for a moment.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. We are greedy creatures. In fact, I have a secret ambition to live in the middle of nowhere with fluffy beasts once my safety is secured. The power I have now is, so to speak, the power to ‘protect’ such a daily life!”
With a smile, he explains his ambition.
“You’re just going to live in the middle of nowhere?” Merlin said as he stiffened in amazement.
But right after that…
“……!”
Merlin suddenly teleports in front of Brad with some kind of magic.
He lifted Brad’s chin and gave him a look as if he could see right through him. When Brad had a question mark on his head, Merlin burst out laughing for a while.
“Well, that’s outstanding. I never sensed a single lie in his words. He’s very serious about everything he says. I can see why Glace would want to take him as an apprentice. Why don’t you leave Glace and become my disciple instead?”
“Ah… What?”
While Brad was making stupid noises, Merlin instantly moved back to his original location and continued, “Anyway,” he said.
“I know you’re not hostile. I can tell by looking at you. Otherwise I wouldn’t be willing to go back to the magic city like this. I’ve recognized this as the birth of a new demon king.
“I’m sure the Demon King part is a bit exaggerated.”
Brad smiles wryly.
“What do you expect after taming all these demons in an instant? It poses much more of a threat than the demon king who hasn’t even awakened yet.”
Merlin shrugs and his body overflows with magic power.
“I can’t feel any evil from you. Since that’s the case, then it’s okay if you want to rule this world. Unlike the rule of a demon king, this is a human activity. As long as I can continue my research on magic, that’s all that matters to me. Do as you please.”
“No, I’m not going to rule this world.”
Brad tries to make more excuses, but Merlin had already started chanting the spell for spatial transfer magic, as if the discussion was over.
“Ah! Marin-Chan, you can’t just send me home quickly when I haven’t had my turn yet. I want to talk to Bra-chan too~!”
“I was only talking about the future of this world and yours is just a selfish desire to talk to a handsome man. I don’t have time for that kind of thing. And I’m not Marin, I’m Merlin.”
“Uuu, no, no, no, no!”
Celie pleaded with a crying face but Merlin had already opened the transfer gate.
When Merlin forcibly started dragging Celie into the gate, Brad hurriedly said.
“There’s one thing I want to ask you…”
Then he asks.
“If you know anything about Albert, could you please tell me?”
Merlin paused and turned around with a mischievous smile.
“The Magic City is neutral. So I don’t want to favor one side or the other, whether it’s this country or the people involved in this case. Well, I can give you a hint.”
Then Merlin said briefly.
“The Deltora Peninsula.”
“The Deltora Peninsula you say?” Brad furrowed his brow as he ruminated.
“That’s all I can tell you. You’ll have to find out for yourself.”
“Oh… wait!”
Brad calls out to him, but Merlin says “That’s all.” And starts dragging Celie into the gate.
“Help me, Bra-chan! I’m being taken away! I’m going to be locked up somewhere and they’re going to do all kinds of things to me!”
“Just shut up and go in quickly!”
When two of them entered the transfer gate after much struggling, the gate soon converged and disappeared without a trace.
Brad, Rosie and the 700 demons were somehow awkwardly left standing in the Luran forest square.
“They’re gone desu!”
“In the end, the only information I could get about Albert was the Deltora Peninsula.”
Brad sighs as Rosie walks up to him.
I wanted to ask him for a little more detail, but Merlin said he couldn’t tell me more. At least it’s unlikely that Albert is no longer in this world.
Even so, the Deltora Peninsula is where Brad had to deal with the two countries, Dastoria and Elnade.
I never heard of Albert being involved in the bilateral conflict during the Final Quest game, but what kind of connection does he have to it? Beelzebub was the one who planned the plot against the two countries. So it’s possible that that demon is responsible.
(Anyway the story led to the Deltora Peninsula)
In “Final Quest’s” story plot, the magic power necessary for the awakening of the demon king is gathered in the wake of the destruction of Dastoria and the Demon King is resurrected.
Recalling the scouting report from the Undead Lord earlier, it’s likely that the same trend will occur in this world. Well, even if the Demon King revives, he’ll be subdued by the heroes three years later, so it seems the matter can be left alone.
(…… Having power is also a problem.)
The problem is that I have power now.
I don’t want to be a hero. Moreover, there is the selfish idea running through my head that if I can avoid my death end, then every other thing doesn’t matter.
But if Brad doesn’t take action, many people will lose their lives before the world is saved.
Just sitting down and watching people die like this would leave a bad aftertaste.
I think it’s a foolish move to take risks on behalf of others, but I’d like to do my best to find Albert.
(Wait for me, Albert.)
My future movements have been decided.
Head to the Deltora Peninsula.
And while looking for Albert, he will also prevent the Demon King from awakening.
In other words, the world will be saved. It may seem difficult, but after all, this world is almost like Final Quest.
It shouldn’t be difficult If I think I just need to clear the game leaving no continuation while also taking safety precautions so as not to die. In my previous life, after playing more severe levels, I’ve saved the world so many times.
“Shall I try to save the world?”
While muttering the kind of lines that a chuunibyou would say,
He drew up a strategy chart in his brain, and as a gamer, he was a little inappropriately excited about the current challenging situation.