I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman
Two days later, the item craftsman who had been commissioned by the Adventurer’s Guild came to collect the materials.
He immediately went home and began creating the Zombie Powder. Apparently, the handover was approaching, and he was delighted that everything would be ready in time.
“The fact that the handover is near means they must have recently brought in the people intended to be enslaved, don’t you think?”
At Ekvar’s words, the magician Derrick nodded.
“That’s a possibility. There are no walls around here, so anyone can enter the town from anywhere…”
There were small fences scattered about, but essentially, it was open for free entry and exit unless it was a major town or a clearly dangerous area. Still, this town was relatively well-managed, so if they had entered multiple times, it would have been noticed. It was clear they had a base in one of the moderately sized towns nearby.
The magician Derrick Elwood and the soldiers of Count Victor Remington monitored the item craftsman until he made his move. The soldiers, who regularly patrolled the town as guards, also cooperated, tracking his destination.
The craftsman left the town and headed to a forest some distance away, where the exchange was to take place. They confirmed his movement towards an off-road location using flight magic from above, hiding among the trees. Count’s soldiers also closed in stealthily, with a squad hiding within the forest.
After a while, a man arrived with five bodyguards and two employees.
Just as the exchange of goods and payment was about to occur…
“We’ve caught you red-handed! Resistance is futile!”
Derrick, standing on a tree branch, gave the signal. Soldiers hidden in the forest emerged, surrounding them from both sides. The craftsman and the slave trader looked around in panic.
“…What? How did they find out!?”
“Money talks! Defend us at all costs!!”
The merchant urged his guards, but they were outnumbered and at a disadvantage. All that remained was to capture them carefully!
Among the guards, there seemed to be two magicians beginning their incantations.
“Oh swift tempest, become my whirlwind, black gales of dust, close off space, rage wildly like a storm, let the four winds bring disaster! Hear the harmony of the four winds, colliding and rising high, bringing great calamity to this land! Desastor Typhoon!”
A wide-area attack spell. It was a good choice, obstructing the view significantly.
They cast it toward the advancing soldiers while the merchants fled in another direction. Derrick chanted a defensive spell to block it.
Soldiers who weren’t within the spell’s range pursued them, only to be blocked by another fire spell.
Though they managed to defend themselves, facing a wide-area attack spell was unexpected, putting them on the back foot.
Guarded by swordsmen, the slave trader and item craftsman, worried about the battle unfolding, hurriedly tried to escape. They couldn’t be allowed to flee. Now, what would happen?
Count’s soldiers attacked with magic, but it was deflected by defensive spells. Surprisingly coordinated individuals! Hidden soldiers in the forest readied their bows, attempting to delay them.
“Like clouds descending, whispers riding the current, be swallowed by silence. Tiny droplets of water, turn into mist and obscure the vision. Lalge Buryal.”
A spell generating mist to obstruct vision. Bow accuracy would plummet, and the soldiers could no longer pinpoint the merchants’ location. Clearly, they intended to escape.
As they thought they had shaken off their pursuers and turned forward, Botis, a count-level demon with lapis lazuli-colored navy eyes, emerged from the ground. His bluish-black hair reached his shoulders, and his navy coat and white pants were spotless despite having traveled underground.
Botis couldn’t fly. Instead of flying, he could burrow through the ground like moving through water. Though he couldn’t see the surface, he could sense footsteps through vibrations. Only a few demons possessed such abilities, making it quite unique.
“W-what!? No one should have been in front or above! How… did he just emerge from the ground!?”
The sudden appearance of the pursuer visibly shook the merchants.
“…Let me teach you about the acts we demons despise.”
“A-a demon!?”
“It is the act of tainting souls! Damaging human souls also tarnishes the greater divine essence within them. What a wasteful and foolish act!”
Translated literally: Don’t waste things unnecessarily; if you don’t need it, give it to us. The divine essence Brahman contained within personal soul Artman can also serve as a source of demonic power!
In the past, contracts involving souls were more common, but they’ve become rare recently. Belial remarked that dealing with them was troublesome. Besides, they had ample power without needing such contracts, which often caused conflicts with angels. Moreover, large contracts involving soul exchanges had decreased.
When Botis kicked the ground, it shook violently, causing those fleeing to stumble or kneel.
Several pursuing soldiers closed in to apprehend them, but a kneeling magician began chanting a spell.
“Condense your breath, become solid ice! Load up, grant me the trigger. Strike down countless hailstones like a torrential rain. Deploy a hailstorm barrage! Glass Ron!”
An intermediate water attribute spell sending fist-sized chunks of ice hurtling at the enemy.
Realizing escape toward the demon was impossible, they decided to break through the other group aggressively. Yet, escaping Botis was already unavoidable.
Among the pursuing soldiers, those capable of magic cast defensive spells, though slightly delayed. Before the spells could be fully deployed, ice approached dangerously. Just then—
A wall of flames suddenly erupted, melting all the ice.
“W-what is this…!?”
It would be difficult to scale such a tall and wide wall.
“If your futile struggles further upset me, I will demand compensation.”
Sebastian and Belial observed from above in the distant forest. After the battle started and attention focused elsewhere, they moved closer.
Belial descended before the wall he created, his cloak fluttering gently. With his fiery red hair and billowing cloak, standing against a backdrop of blazing flames, Belial appeared as a terrifying demon.
The merchants trembled.
By the way, Belial wasn’t saying not to retaliate—he was saying to do it more flamboyantly, complaining that watching them was boring.
With their fighting spirit utterly crushed, they were captured, a waiting carriage summoned mid-route, and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp building used during previous wars. Currently functioning as a temporary detention facility for criminals.
In the guest room of the same building where we waited, the magician Derrick informed us he had identified the man who sold the recipe for Zombie Powder.
Wearing a long, dark robe extending to his feet and deeply hooded, his face was indistinguishable. He carried a gem-encrusted staff and spoke with a relatively youthful voice. A magician fond of magical research, rumored to enjoy conducting inhumane and dangerous experiments—a seemingly mad individual.
“My slaves won’t obey? If you pay enough, I’ll teach you a nice little potion. They’ll be obedient for life?”
Apparently, he heard rumors of such needs somewhere and took the initiative to sell himself.
That person reportedly got caught up in exposing other crimes and was forcibly enlisted by the military for some operation. Captured during the mission, he was recently released, reported briefly, and disappeared somewhere.
His whereabouts afterward were unknown.
I recalled hearing about someone fitting that description.
“That person… doesn’t he use Gross Tourbillon de Neige or lightning attacks?”
“Do you know him!? Testimonies confirmed he used a water-attribute wide-range attack spell and lightning strikes!”
“I believe he’s the magician who attacked the defense city Zador Toshe in Chenkaslar , claiming it was all a game while carelessly killing soldiers. His loyalty to the country was questionable…”
He had already been released. Knowing this, I wish we had detained him longer… Selling dangerous drug recipes, what a terrible person.
Since he was likely no longer in the Nijestonya Kingdom, although wanted notices would be issued, the search would be abandoned. First priority now was aiding victims of Zombie Powder.
Earl Elwood’s soldiers were raiding slave owners’ properties en masse to free known victims. Ekvar, Lini, and Sebirino joined in. High-ranking magicians, angels, and demons were best suited for locating sealed Tubos imprisoning Ti Bonanje.
Most people didn’t know what the tubos were. Slave traders simply instructed storing them securely out of sight since they were related to slaves. As for the antidote, they were misled into believing it was necessary medicine for the slaves, unaware how dangerous the substances used were. They might have noticed something amiss, though.
Most surrendered the tubos willingly. These were opened in front of victimized slaves.
Calling names, if consciousness returned, they were fine. Those unresponsive indicated widespread soul damage.
Newer slaves regained sanity, but those over ten days were too late. So, ten days was the initial critical period. Valuable data indeed.
Freed slaves were taken to Earl’s mansion. With injured treated and space freed up, good. Elves requested first received Nectar. Currently, five elves.
Some spilled slightly from the corners of their mouths but managed to drink.
“Silvestre, Teodoro, Eleonora…”
Yustus called the five names repeatedly, gradually restoring clarity to their eyes, eventually getting responses after persistent calls.
“…Yu…stus…”
“! You’re awake!? Yes, it’s me!”
Nectar worked! Taking three to five minutes, consciousness returned.
“Do you remember anything before?”
“Who are you…? Where am I? I was taken somewhere, and suddenly…it got colder.”
He had been missing for several years. Now 18, memories from age 13 onward were vague. He vaguely remembered feeling very cold and sluggish, slowly walking to fields to work. He seemed quite shocked to learn five years had passed.
His body was frail, making immediate departure from the country impossible. Meals started light—soup and boiled vegetables. After sleeping overnight, fatigue hit harder, rendering him unable to rise.
Sebirino questioned his condition meticulously, recording progress. I’d ask for a copy later.
Only two Nectars remained with the Earl.
Priority given to weaker individuals. Supplies were still insufficient, and more victims might emerge.
“Nectar ingredients include Opst, Mauryu, Gaokearena, and Epiartion. All are scarce, especially Gaokearena.”
While making nourishing medicine at the previously used facility, I conversed with Derrick, who prepared medicinal porridge.
Raintzuftheefe could be bought in the capital, and Renant handled limited quantities. Opst was easy to acquire. We knew locations for Epiartion and Mauryu but needed more stock.
“Why not search the herb market in Wastent Republic? It opens soon.”
Derrick suggested joining him since he wanted to go.
“Herb market! Sounds fascinating. I’d love to join!”
“Ah, regarding gratitude…”
Checking if the medicine was ready, Yustus informed me, waiting for our conversation to pause. Planning travel, he probably intended to consult while I was here.
Gratitude, huh? I hadn’t considered it. How much is Nectar worth?
“Come to think of it, elves make their own, right? Do any jewelers exist among them?”
“One exists in our village, but purely as a hobby.”
“No problem. I need these done!”
Taking files from the item box, placing the thickened folder full of papers heavily on the workbench.
Extracting several design sketches:
Engraved rings, daggers, special talismans.
Derrick watched curiously, ensuring porridge didn’t burn.
“This? I can’t guarantee satisfaction but will certainly craft them.”
“Thank you!”
Materials and gems specified, but I’d entrust them anyway! Elves wouldn’t leak information, living communally ensured secrets stayed confined. Trustworthy for any secret.
Not requesting dangerous items.
Additionally, obtained materials from the elf forest. Received payment from the Earl for item creation and cooperation in arrests.
We planned to depart for Wastent Republic tomorrow, arriving just in time. Must hurry to buy before stocks run out!
