I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman
My head hurts…
A warning came from the country: “The military state of Tranchinel is attempting to summon a high-ranking demon, planning to use it for war. Be cautious.” But even so, I don’t know how to handle this. The best I can do is avoid getting too close, but I still want Gao Kelena from the Duchy of Fen.
However, if Tranchinel attacks, it will undoubtedly be the Duchy of Fen. Right now, I can’t tell merchants to stay away, and hiring adventurers doesn’t seem like a solution either. I had a strategy meeting today with the guild master of the Adventurers’ Guild, but no plan came to mind.
When I returned to the Commercial Guild, a man in his late 30s with a tall, neat appearance, wearing a simple shirt and pants, his short, light purple hair making him stand out, was presenting items at the reception. I thought he might be a new craftsman, but then I realized I had seen him before.
That’s right, I met him at Iriya ‘s house—the court mage of Egdualum!
“…What is it that you wish for, sir?”
“Welcome back, Guild Master. This is Sir Sebirino, who has come to register items for sale.”
The receptionist woman answered.
The results were immediate, and everything he submitted was superb. Of course, this was expected. After completing his registration as a craftsman, he was invited to the reception room.
I had tea prepared and instructed that no one else be allowed in.
“…By the way, weren’t you the one I met at my mentor’s house?”
“Yes, indeed. I serve as the Guild Master here. You must be the court mage of Egdualum, as I’ve heard.”
What an imposing figure. I can’t help but feel nervous…
“My name is Sebirino Osa Arens. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise!”
“Is there something you wish to discuss with me?”
“Actually, yes…”
I decided to consult him about Tranchinel’s attempt to summon a high-ranking demon and sought his advice.
Knock knock.
As I began speaking, there was a soft knock at the door.
“Guild Master, Sir Binal has arrived. What should we do?”
“Sorry, but…”
“It’s fine. If you don’t wish to discuss this, I will leave.”
Before I could decline, he encouraged me to let Binal in.
“No, it’s fine. It’s likely the same topic I was going to bring up. I’ll let him stay. Please, let him in.”
Binal entered apologetically, bowing his head when he saw Sir Sebirino sitting on the sofa. Despite his casual attire, he looked every bit the dignified figure.
“I apologize for interrupting. It’s about Gao Kelena.”
“I thought as much. I was about to consult on that very matter. This is a skilled mage, by the way.”
“That’s a relief! No one wants to go purchase Gao Kelena, and we’re struggling with it…”
“…Gao Kelena?”
As expected of a mage, he reacted immediately to Gao Kelena. Since it’s not found in the northern kingdom of Egdualum, he might want to purchase it. If he accompanies us, it would be reassuring! I need to make sure I handle this well…
I explained the situation and asked for advice on what to watch out for when purchasing Gao Kelena. He furrowed his brow, listening intently with a serious expression. He must be even more knowledgeable about the threat of demons than we are.
“…A high-ranking demon. Depending on the title, it’s undoubtedly a disaster that cannot be stopped. However…”
He hesitated to finish his sentence. It was likely because Iriya has a contract with a high-ranking demon. If the demon summoned is of a lower rank than the one Iriya is contracted with, then the issue could be resolved by consulting her. But if it’s not…
“If Gao Kelena is in short supply, they will likely want to act swiftly. Binal, you should consult with your master. When it comes to summoning magic, there is no one more reliable than her.”
“Y-Yes. Master, you say…?”
“Binal, he is Iriya ’s disciple.”
“Iriya ’s!?”
Binal, usually so unshaken in the face of danger, looked quite surprised.
After contacting the Duchy of Fen, Binal left. Sebirino seemed to be thinking about something.
“…Actually, my country is also searching for an import source for Gao Kelena.”
“In that case, when they go, why not join them and negotiate directly with the Duchy of Fen? The production rates aren’t public, so it’s unclear, but they still seem to have a surplus.”
“That’s very helpful!”
“…Tranchinel has succeeded in summoning the Demon Lord of Hell.”
Suddenly, a low voice echoed from the corner of the room. Startled, I turned to see Belial, the demon contracted to Iriya , standing there. There was no sign of an open door or window.
“Is that true, Lord Belial!?”
“Indeed, there’s no mistake. How foolish, summoning that one. By now, Tranchinel must be in a sea of blood.”
“…Tranchinel, you say?”
No way… Wait, this isn’t unheard of. A country that summons such a high-ranking being would likely be attacked by the very demon they summon. The rumors about the silence and the weakened border security of Tranchinel now make sense.
“…He released his power to announce his existence. How foolish, that immature one’s thinking is beyond me.”
To call the king immature! Then, what about him…
“You are someone beneficial to my contract, someone worthy of trust. This is a time of emergency, and now I will reveal the truth. I am the Demon Lord of Hell, Belial, who commands fifty legions!”
“…A king!? Someone like that is so close to me!?”
He grinned with an arrogant smile, his arms crossed, standing proudly as if he were the very embodiment of a grand king.
“Those summoned in Tranchinel are also subjects of His Majesty the Emperor, but they are beings incompatible with me. As for the Duchy of Fen, it would be best to avoid making unnecessary trips there. Still, if that one decides to move, any nearby country would be equally dangerous.”
He paused, then slowly walked towards me from the shadows, his boots echoing through the room. Standing like a king, my spine stiffened!
“Though this is a crisis created by humans, His Majesty the Emperor is watching closely. I won’t say he’ll act immediately, but I doubt it will last much longer. However…”
Until then, Belial had been pompously regal, but now he narrowed his red eyes with a searching gaze.
“…I don’t understand what that one’s aim is, and it’s unsettling. What is he plotting…?”
The two of them left together. What a whirlwind of events…
I never would have imagined that the Demon Lord of Hell had been summoned in Tranchinel, and that the king had been living in our country even before that. It’s unbelievable… What on earth is going on, Iriya !?
I’ll keep quiet about Tranchinel’s success in summoning the Demon Lord. It would cause chaos in the country, and it wouldn’t be good if the source of this information were traced. I was troubled, but I’ll also coordinate with the Guild Master of the Adventurers’ Guild to ban travel to the Duchy of Fen for the time being. I’ll have Binal decide what to do with Iriya .
“Guild Master, now the Commercial Guild from the Norsanus Empire has arrived.”
“Ah, let them in.”
After the last magical conference was canceled due to Tranchinel countermeasures, they wanted to hold another one. And it seemed they wanted Iriya to come as well. That’s understandable—after all, the skills of ordinary craftsmen can’t compare.
The Guild Master who entered the room walked straight to the sofa and sat down with a heavy thud.
“Good grief… What’s happening with Tranchinel? It seems the demon has been summoned after all…”
“We just received that information ourselves. This is bad.”
It seems that even the Norsanus Empire has caught wind of it. They probably have a demon under Belial’s command, a marquis of Hell, so they’ve likely been aware of it around the same time.
“By the way, just now, I passed by that red demon who came to our country, and the person with him was a man.”
“Ah, he’s a mage named Sebirino. We were discussing countermeasures, but there’s nothing we can do…”
“S-Sebirino? The mage Sebirino… You don’t mean Sebirino Osa Arens, do you!?”
“You’re well-informed. He introduced himself by that name.”
Upon hearing his name, the Guild Master of the Norsanus Empire leaned forward, as if shocked. It seems he’s quite famous. Even though he’s a court mage, Egdualum is far away, so it’s impressive that he knows about him.
“You didn’t know who he was when you consulted him!? He’s said to be a genius from Egdualum, a mage so renowned that even the Head Court Mage offered him the position, which he turned down! He’s the pinnacle of mages!”
“…Is that so!?”
“Yes! He’s also an author of magical tomes, and most mages around here know his name—he’s a super famous person! Damn… Why is it that such talented people keep gathering in Chenkaslar all of a sudden?!”
Iriya !!! What kind of person have you taken on as your disciple…!?
The Guild Master of the Norsanus Empire, though disappointed, firmly shook my hands, expressing his desire for Arens to join the next magical conference. I could barely reply, saying that there was no guarantee he’d still be here by then.
It’s not an atmosphere where I can tell him that he’s Iriya ’s disciple…!
