The investigation into the woman named Iriya , encompassing the recent events and her past achievements, was to continue secretly. Before reporting my findings, there was one point I couldn’t overlook, so I decided to confirm it independently.
As I suspected, there were no records of Iriya completing the elixir. It was unthinkable for such a monumental feat to escape my knowledge. Was she merely supplying it to the Second Knight Order, or was it being funneled through someone else? Even if it were being delivered directly, a report would still be required for something as significant as the creation of an elixir—a matter of national importance.
Iriya had repeatedly ordered materials necessary for elixir production, leaving no doubt she had attempted to create it. If a court mage had made such orders, the matter would have been scrutinized. But since it was an apprentice ordering materials repeatedly without apparent success, no one found it suspicious. People likely assumed she was striving to be officially recognized but hadn’t achieved results yet.
Exploiting this blind spot, I suspect she may have been diverting the elixirs elsewhere.
As for the primary reason she didn’t report the creation of the elixir, it’s not hard to imagine.
She was a commoner and a woman.
This country has too many deranged nobles incapable of providing a fair evaluation based on such arbitrary criteria.
The head court mage has other allegations against him, and others have begun investigating those. This situation appears to be the impetus for reforming the entire organization of court mages. My lord, who holds a deep appreciation for magic, seemed furious that a competent mage had been so recklessly exploited by the head court mage. If it’s true that the records of the elixir were concealed, his downfall is inevitable. No wonder he was so desperate to hide it.
Once committed, my lord sees things through. I anticipate this will be a thorough purge.
Heh… Even without my involvement, the net is closing in. This is undoubtedly a stroke of luck for the kingdom!
And so, I, Ekvar Kroas Karlsroa , found myself heading to a tavern rumored to be frequented by the Second Knight Order, near the residential area of the capital’s commoners. Of course, this wasn’t for drinking—purely an investigation. Investigating a woman, after all.
Why a tavern? Because I might hear things that can’t be openly discussed in the palace. The court mages, mostly high-ranking nobles, were conspiring to conceal the truth. Careless words could lead to dire consequences. Especially since the Second Knight Order often collaborates with court mages on difficult subjugations, concerns over potions are always present.
After turning at the crossroads near a tailor’s shop and entering a narrow alley, I found the tavern a few buildings in. The street was clean, a faint light leaked from a magical stone lantern outside, and a trash bin was placed neatly to the side. Perhaps because night had fallen, there weren’t many people around.
When I opened the wooden door, I was surprised by the number of customers. Among the mostly common patrons, a group occupying three tables in the back were clearly members of the Second Knight Order—given their burly physiques. I chose a two-seater against the wall near them.
As I perused the handwritten menu, I noted the variety of local brews. Not bad at all.
“Still no luck finding her, huh?”
“Yeah… Seems Sebirino has been staring blankly out at the sea.”
“…I get how he feels.”
“He’s a serious guy. I hope he recovers soon, though.”
The knights exuded a gloomy atmosphere. Honestly, I’m not great with that. Back in school, I once tried cheering up a heartbroken friend over drinks, only to get punched while being told, “What do you know about her?” Apparently, I’m not skilled at comforting others.
We reconciled later, and I was laughed at by others who advised leaving someone alone when they’re idealizing a lost love. Timing is everything—a lesson I’ve taken to heart.
“Did you hear? She first joined a subjugation mission at 15.”
Wait, what? I snapped out of my musings as the knights began reminiscing. I quickly ordered some drinks and snacks while focusing on their conversation.
“I was shocked. Up until then, the court mages would send some random apprentice who’d act all superior, saying, ‘I’m elite; you knights are just shields.’ No teamwork, nothing.”
“Lately, with Sebirino taking charge, we’ve gotten some decent ones. But back then, when a girl showed up saying, ‘Let’s strategize for the subjugation,’ we thought it was a joke.”
“She looked like an ordinary girl who’d never face a monster.”
“Then she handed us an elixir, saying to use it…”
Stop! She made an elixir at 15!? Too soon! A prodigy!?
It’s unheard of to complete such a complex potion at such a young age. Potion-making requires intricate magical manipulation, and creating an elixir involves the notoriously challenging “Fourfold Spell,” which combines earth, water, fire, and wind elements. The high failure rate is precisely why this process is used as a trial for becoming a court mage.
“In her first subjugation, she helped defeat a wyvern, the root cause, a Nidhogg, and even neutralized a cockatrice…”
“She also captured a Cerberus when the summoner lost control.”
“Can’t forget the harpy incident!”
“A delicate yet unbelievably powerful girl…”
What kind of legend is this? My mental image of her keeps evolving.
To summarize: a genius capable of mass-producing elixirs, a monster subjugation expert, and a skilled enchanter. A noblewoman crushed under the weight of aristocratic prejudice but unyielding in her resolve.
This is turning into a saga.
As I took small sips of my drink, my mind swirled with her heroic deeds. There must be more to her story.
Her magical education, shrouded in mystery, raises countless questions. How did she acquire such skills despite her rural origins? Her high magical aptitude alone couldn’t explain her vast knowledge—it requires rigorous study.
Could she truly have perished so easily? Something doesn’t add up.
I’ll speak to this Sebirino next—an enigmatic court mage and key figure in this mystery.
As for me, I prefer spending time with women over work.
