Chapter 58: First Request in the Great Empire
Suddenly, the 'Beast King' Azuka Flap challenged a duel in public. The surroundings froze at this sudden turn of events.
"I'll tell you this, you have no right to refuse."
In this country, might makes right. Azuka, who holds the position of leader of the Beast King Corps and is also an S-rank Magic Armor Knight, possesses considerable power. When Azuka declares there's no right to refuse, there truly is no such right.
As a result, there was no one to help Shu.
In the imperial capital Aldaal, Azuka, the 'Beast King', holds a certain level of notoriety, so no one tried to stop him.
"This is a challenge I've personally initiated. There's no way to run from it."
This is the power of authority. It's reckless, but neither Shu nor Iris can oppose it. The only way forward is to engage in the challenge and repel the opponent.
"What will you do, Iris?"
"It's troublesome. It's better to just accept the challenge. After all, Shu-san will win."
"Well, if it's just that much."
Shu has even defeated an awakened Magic Armor Knight before. Dealing with a foolish S-rank Magic Armor Knight should be easy. The difference in strength is so great that it would turn the challenge into a hunt.
Showing this now will quickly bring the situation to an end.
Both Shu and Iris came to this conclusion.
"Are you going to fight here?"
"Yeah! Where else is there?"
"Well, I mean, right in the middle of the city—"
"Die!"
The moment it was agreed upon, Azuka immediately attacked. He's a fool who doesn't listen to reason.
In response, Shu unleashed his magic in self-defense. Since death magic is too dangerous, he used acceleration magic with vector inversion as a shield. Seeing the magic circle deployed in an instant before him, Azuka was astonished.
Magic is commonly deployed through incantations using the Apoplyss method, so non-incantation magic is an advanced technique. Deploying a magic circle in an instant is unprecedented.
Unfortunately, Azuka was incredibly foolish. Extremely so.
As a result, he hadn't realized that Shu was an immensely skilled mage.
"Gyah!?"
The impact was reversed back onto Azuka due to vector inversion. He screamed in pain. Shu wouldn't miss this opportunity. He immediately deployed a new magic circle.
It was Shu's specialized technique, "Dimension Slasher Divider Line."
A magic circle spread across the ground, and the extremely thin decomposition magic pierced Azuka's body. Normally, the magic would be obstructed by the magical power within the body, preventing direct activation of magic within the body. However, Shu used his death magic application to steal a portion of the magical power, completing the decomposition magic within his body.
"Huh... Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Shu aimed for both hands and feet.
Azuka, who had all of them severed, rolled on the ground while screaming in pain. A large amount of blood flowed, filling the air with the scent of iron. Onlookers who had been watching with curiosity turned and fled, shouting.
Iris, understandably, was exasperated.
"Shu-san. It's a bit pitiful to sever all limbs."
"Heal him. You should be able to manage that much."
"Yes, indeed."
Iris reattached Azuka's severed limbs and activated healing magic. Re-growing arms is difficult, but by attaching them and then using restorative magic, it's possible to heal them.
In this way, all four limbs were healed.
"Done."
"Yeah, nicely done."
Shuu deployed a complex magic circle one last time, enveloping Azuka. He generously employed an extraordinary three-dimensional magic circle to restrain Azuka completely.
With this, Azuka couldn't move.
"Should I drive a stake through to immobilize her physically as well?"
"Isn't that too extreme!?"
Shuu deployed a magic circle, transmuting iron stakes from the ground. This was part of his research on material transformation when developing the "Gluttonous Black Crystal Belze Material." Creating iron stakes from the ground was a relatively simple task.
Just as he picked up the stake, someone intervened.
"Please wait a moment."
An electric shock came from nowhere, pulling the iron stakes towards it. Shuu reflexively deployed an insulating magic circle and dispersed the electric shock. As the electric shock slowly approached, a narrow-eyed man stood there.
"Oh, you're quite capable. By the way, the fallen Azuka-kun there is an important figure for the military. Would you please refrain from causing her further harm?"
"But you were the one who attacked first."
"My apologies for the rudeness. If you withdraw here, we have no intention of escalating the situation any further."
Shuu and Iris remained wary of the suspicious man.
Sensing this, the man opened his mouth once again, as if recalling something.
"I apologize for the delay. I am the 'Thunder Emperor,' Mageknight Ryuuk. I also serve as the commander of the Thunder Emperor Corps in the Grand Empire Army."
"So, an S-rank Mageknight. Similar to this guy."
Shuu muttered while looking down. Ryuuk nodded in agreement.
"Yes. I've come to retrieve him. Is that acceptable?"
An undeniable pressure was released. To Shuu, it was as gentle as a breeze, and he could easily repel it. However, since causing a problem would be troublesome, he decided to hand over Azuka without resistance.
"It's fine."
"Thank you. I'll make sure to talk some sense into him. After all, there are plenty of strong individuals in the world."
"Thank you for that."
"Oh, by the way. How about you? Would you consider joining the army?"
An abrupt invitation.
As someone actively seeking legitimate work, Shuu considered it a tempting offer. However, being tied down like in the military was not his preference. Certain missions might interfere with his main occupation, which was assassination.
That's why he had been looking for a flexible part-time job.
Hence, his answer was already decided.
"Unfortunately, I'll have to decline."
"I see. That's truly a shame."
Ryuuk backed down surprisingly easily. It seemed he didn't intend to forcefully persuade.
After all, Shuu had a track record of incapacitating Azuka, who was now in optimal condition, in an instant. It was likely Ryuuk thought that even if he tried to coerce Shuu, he could be shaken off with force. After all, meritocracy was the name of the game.
"Now then,"
With Azuka on his back, Ryuuk turned towards Shuu and Iris.
"Please enjoy the rest of your date."
Narrowing his already narrow eyes even further, he departed.
Shuu and Iris decided to consider it as though they had been barked at by a dog and continued enjoying their date.
◆◆◆
Life in the Imperial Capital of Aldaal had been relatively smooth, aside from the incident with Azuka. After a somewhat casual job search, work was found quite easily. Currently, I'm juggling several part-time jobs to earn money.
Even if I suddenly have a lot of money, it won't be suspected.
As long as it's not too excessive, it shouldn't be a problem for regular living.
And another change was purchasing a house.
While it may not be a prime location in the capital, I selected a conveniently located property. It was a lump sum purchase, requiring the use of several thousand gold coins.
"Alright, time to get to work."
"I am working, you know."
"Not at your part-time job. I'm talking about my actual profession, idiot."
Shu and Iris were relaxing in the purchased house.
The two-story house was quite expensive. However, it was worth it. The living room was spacious and open, and the kitchen was fully equipped. There were individual rooms as well, and even a guest room. It was almost too large for the two of them to live in.
Any dirt that was present when they bought it had been disintegrated by Shu's deconstruction magic to the atomic level.
Now, it was as clean and pristine as new.
"Buying a house has left me short on funds. While I can manage with part-time job earnings for living expenses, having money is still better. Well, it also serves as a way to attract the 'Grim Reaper' to the Imperial Capital, just like a black cat."
About four years ago, through the Grim Reaper's coin, there was a message from the Black Cat. It stated that a meeting of Black Cat operatives was going to take place in the Imperial Capital of Aldaal.
I intended to attend, so I thought it would be good to show my face at the Black Cat's tavern and let them know that the 'Grim Reaper' had arrived. Additionally, to demonstrate the current 'Grim Reaper's' strength, it would be wise to take on some assignments.
Any extra money could be stored with the shadow spirits without any issues.
"For now, let's start with this..."
Shu used magic to summon a shadow spirit. He handed it the Grim Reaper's coin and a letter.
"Go to the tavern and take on the assignment."
Because the 'Grim Reaper' was an assassin, it was essential to avoid revealing his identity. While this might be possible in weaker, less information-savvy nations, in a powerful empire like the Subarokia Grand Empire, one could be easily investigated.
At least until the Black Cat meeting, he wanted to live in peace, so he decided to keep his face hidden.
"It's quite convenient, isn't it?"
"At least I'm smarter than you."
"That's mean!"
The shadow spirit quietly departed the scene.
***
Black Cat Tavern.
At first glance, it appeared to be an ordinary tavern. Being in the Imperial Capital, it had an impressive selection of various types of alcohol. However, the number of patrons was sparse.
Aside from the fact that it was a quiet time of day, the tavern's popularity was questionable.
This was due to its poor interior design.
Also, the taste in music played was bad as well. It almost seemed intentional, as if they were deliberately driving customers away.
In truth, that was exactly the case.
"Hmm...?"
As the bartender wiped a glass, he noticed a swirling black mass at his feet. It emitted magical energy, and he could tell it was the result of magic or enchanted gear.
The bartender became wary and stepped back.
He asked the sole customer, "Is something wrong?"
"Sorry, but stay alert. Look over there. It's a magical reaction. We might be under attack."
The way he addressed the customer indicated that they were connected to the Black Cat.
"Be careful, Master 'Hawk Eye.'"
The customer was indeed 'Hawk Eye.'
A high-ranking member of the Black Cat, known for overseeing information. The bartender knew this. While his fighting prowess was secondary to his skills in evasion and disruption, the bartender was prepared to help 'Hawk Eye' escape if needed.
However, 'Hawk Eye' stood up and placed a hand on the bartender's shoulder. He calmly spoke,
"Don't worry. I'm familiar with this magical energy."
"Huh? But..."
"This is the magic of the 'Grim Reaper.' We met five... no, four years ago."
Seeing the shadow spirit emerge from the black vortex, 'Hawk Eye' wore a delighted expression. He had previously worked as a holy knight in the Holy Grinia while gathering information. Now, he was hidden within the empire.
And he had been playing around with manipulating information.
"Well, Master, please watch this as well."
'Hawk Eye' motioned for the bartender to calm down and wait. The serpent-shaped shadow spirit climbed up the table, then spat out a 'Grim Reaper' gold coin. The coin bore the image of a skull and a knife, impossible to mistake. The bartender was astonished.
At the same time, the shadow spirit produced a letter.
"Master, this is likely a letter for you."
"I see."
The bartender picked up the letter and began to read.
After quickly skimming through the greetings and introduction of the writer as the 'Grim Reaper,' he focused on the main content. In summary, it was a request for work.
"I see. This is perfect."
The bartender grinned, an amused smile on his face.
"I'll leave the task you discussed with me earlier to the 'Grim Reaper.'"
"That matter? Indeed, it should be quite simple for the 'Grim Reaper.'"
"Hey, hey. You really trust him a lot."
"Well, yes. His terrifying abilities are etched into me."
The bartender prepared the requested information along with an advance payment of six hundred gold coins. He placed them in a bag and handed it to the shadow spirit. The serpent-like figure swallowed the entire bag in one gulp.
The shadow spirit then disappeared back into the black vortex.