Walking on the smooth marble floor, Jared couldn't help but feel a deep sense of magic.
According to Kylie, this large-scale magic was so simple that the remodeled castle was much smaller than before and looked more like a fortress. But just the ability to remake something that had already been reduced to rubble back to its original form was something that could not be done even in the original world. Of course, the power of this magic was obviously not as good as imagined, and what was eventually recreated was only the general structure and outline, as for the interior materials used for decoration as well as furniture such as tables and chairs, and carpets could not be used, so the people had to use their own blankets and so on for the night. Obviously, the magicians in this world were slightly different from what Jared had imagined, they seemed to be able to not only act as a turret in distant battles, but also very useful in ordinary life. In this country, the status of the magicians is closely related to their contributions. The five Great Chanting Ambassadors are not only recognized for their noble status, but they have also worked together to prevent the fall of several countries. In fact, they have worked together to prevent the downfall of several nations, which has given the five of them honor, status, and power that no one else will ever have.
Of course, it's also a matter of luck - after all, no one can expect ten world-ending crises to fall from the sky every day and be handed to you to deal with.
And you've handled it so well that you're lucky not to be the dragon's lunch or the devil's midnight snack.
At the same time, you'll be lucky not to be poisoned by the power hierarchy, and you'll be turned into a legend by spreading the rumor that "so-and-so hero sacrificed his young life because he fell prey to the evil one's dastardly tricks during the battle with the evil one" to avoid the promise of marrying the princess to you.
It's not easy being a hero.
Jared also realized that the people of this world placed great importance on the division of status, for example, in the case of Kylie, although she would not refuse a civilian's request to perform magic for them, if the other party violated the etiquette, she would immediately turn her back on the scene. Work and status are two different things, so at first Jared's behavior made her very angry, because as a guardian of the magic envoys, according to Kelly's view, should abide by their own etiquette and status, if Jared did not treat Kelly so badly at the beginning (in my opinion), Kelly would not have been so gritted against him.
"Huh?"
Noticing a faint magical glow nearby, Jared curiously stepped inside.
"Tawana, why are you still up?"
"Ah, brother Jared ..."
Tavana rose to her feet in some alarm, rubbing the corners of her coat uneasily, and Jared easily noticed the large, heavy book before her.
"Studying?"
"... Well, compared to everyone else, I'm terrible, and I know it very well ..."
Tawana's voice lowered.
"The reason why I joined this investigation team is because I need Caroline-san and you, brother, right, a dispensable magic messenger like me is simply ..."
"Just so you know."
Jared sat down against the wall and said it so bluntly that if Caroline were here she would have said ...
(You should be more gentle with a lady.)
... She was really listening.
(I was just looking for Tawana because I realized she was missing. I didn't mean to follow you.) Please take care of her. If you make Tawana cry, I won't let you go. So, good night, and sweet dreams.)
Caroline's voice dispersed, and it was clear that she, too, had gone to rest.
Tawana bit her lower lip and remained silent.
Jared waited patiently, and it was a long time before Tawana spoke up and asked in a whisper.
"Why would ... brother and sister want to be my guardians?"
"Huh?"
"Because, brother Jared and sister Caroline are so strong ... I didn't know it at first and thought you were just ordinary adventurers. But now even I know that you are very, very, very strong. Why did you choose to be my guardians? If it was Kylie-san or Berukelin-sama, it would have been more suitable. ..."
"Because I don't want to."
Jared's answer was direct, which left Tawana dumbfounded.
"No, I don't want to?"
"No, not at all."
Jared's answer was pretty definitive.
"What good will come from following them? Kylie, not to mention Kura, you think the name of a powerful person is just for show and a capital to deceive ignorant girls? It's true, they're all very strong and have a lot of power. But because of that, if they are attacked, it won't be by street tactics. Just because they're strong, the enemy will have a very difficult way of dealing with them, and just because Caroline and I are strong doesn't mean we're obligated to get involved. What, when the world ends, do we have to run out and sacrifice our lives to protect others? How easy is it to bully street hooligans and have to fight evil spirits to the death to be happy? That's sick."
"..."
Jared's words made Tawana's eyes widen in surprise, her thoughts were no different from the rest of the ordinary people, she wanted to become strong and useful as soon as possible. It could be said that if there was a dragon slaying announcement in front of her and Tawana was strong enough, she would have taken it and acted on it as if it was her duty. However, Jared's words showed that he had the opposite attitude, and with his behavior, I'm afraid that he would have thrown down a sentence such as "What danger is there in a dead dragon that hides in the mountains and does not go out", and then continued to do what he was doing.
"Of course, you don't have the strength to say such things now."
Jared still doesn't forget to throw a bucket of cold water on little Tawana first.
"When you have the kind of power that Kelly, or Serenity has, you can try the 'this stuff is boring, I don't want to do it' line on people."
"I don't want to say that kind of line ... Moreover, my goal is to become an aria envoy, I will never admit defeat!"
"Whatever, but go to bed first, Caroline will be anxious if she doesn't find you."
Jared said nothing more, but patted Tawana on the head, whereupon little Tawana stood up and left, clutching the big, heavy book as Jared watched.
"... Become an Aria Envoy?"
Jared let out a long sigh as Kelly's words resurfaced in his mind.
Judging from Tawana's behavior, becoming an aria envoy was her dream, and it was also young Tawana's motivation and goal to move forward, and even if she couldn't reach the aria envoy's realm in the end, she wouldn't regret it. After all, that was the result of her efforts, but the gap between "can't" and "can't" can't be eliminated. He certainly wasn't going to blame Kylie and the other Chanting Ambassadors for being selfish. In any case, it was a beautiful lie, and even if he couldn't become an Ariadne, it would be nice to become a Chantress. After all, the increase in power was obvious, just like how only one person could ever become a king, and the rest of them, no matter how hard they tried, would only end up becoming generals, ministers, or any other kind of officials. But so what? It's only the experiences and losses along the way that count. In this process, everyone will recognize their own ability and understand their own position, and this is the motivation that comes from moving forward.
Not just results.
"Dang."
A light sound, Jared slightly raised his eyebrows, he slowly walked out of the room, to the balcony, and then squatted down. The original should be responsible for the night watch Serenity, at this moment has fainted on the ground, look at her appearance, obviously not because of sleepy head to the ground to fall asleep so simple.
"I've never been all that welcoming to nighttime visitors."
Jared didn't get up, didn't even look back at the figure that had somehow appeared there, blocking his retreat.
"Depending on the circumstances, violence may be used."
"Is that how you talk to an old man?"
A hoarse, old voice came out, a little disgruntled.
"For me, the enemy that comes to my door does not discriminate between men, women and children. If that's the case, why should they be treated differently because of age or gender?"
Jared turned and looked quietly at the old man.
"It's a form of discrimination, isn't it?"
Along with Jared's words, the Blade of Darkness erupted, flashing with an eerie light. The old man's expression turned serious, and then he reached out and drew the longsword at his waist.
"Don't get cocky, kid. You won't be cocky for long. Don't think that just because you've fought Steven to a draw, you're in a position to talk to me like that."
"You can try."
Jared reversed his wrist and gazed at the old man in front of him with a sneer.
"I'm always welcome."
"Unbridled!!!"
The old man bellowed, the longsword in his hand flew forward and stabbed, bringing with it a strong wind, while Jared's mouth curled up, and then the pitch-black green air double blades rose upwards to meet the old man's sword blade.