Chapter 221: The Fruit of Evil Karma (3)

While Director Nicolas Bergson faced Riley and the others in the Royal Palace Throne Room, the captured mages were being held in the solitary cells of the Royal Knight Order's barracks. Because there were quite a number of them, storage areas were also being used.

It was feared that if they were shoved into the same room, some might cooperate to break out of the barracks, but for the mages who were usually treated with utmost respect, it was far too rough and infuriating treatment. Of course, Sorcerer Barry, who had exceptionally high pride and elitism even among mages, was no exception. For him, the very fact of being captured by the Knight Order was unbearable.

"I have no intention of speaking, you hear. I don't have a mouth to answer questions from the likes of you. Release me at once."

Brought from the solitary cell he was thrown into to a small interrogation room, Sorcerer Barry crossed his arms and turned the corners of his mouth down. The magic-sealing shackles were a nuisance, but they weren't something he could remove himself.

The knight facing Sorcerer Barry, while exuding an air of exasperation, did not argue. However, at the same time, he did not take a fawning attitude.

The knight didn't open his mouth once, sitting silently in front of Sorcerer Barry. Silence fell. Gradually, Sorcerer Barry became irritated. Furrowing his brow and popping a vein on his forehead, he glared at the young knight.

"You fool, you summoned me, so show some manners. I heard the Knight Order was a group of boors, but it seems the rumors were true."

It was an expression and tone filled with contempt, but the young knight didn't flinch at all. In fact, there was so little reaction it seemed as if he couldn't see Sorcerer Barry's figure.

"For someone who says he has no intention of speaking, your mouth certainly runs well."

Just as Sorcerer Barry clicked his tongue in irritation, a voice came from behind. Not expecting anyone to enter, Barry jumped, his shoulders trembling. That fact was annoying, making his grimace even deeper.

Turning his head to check behind him, he saw a slightly older knight. Even though he was older, he was only senior compared to the knight sitting in front of Barry; compared to Barry, he was still young. However, a strange intensity was contained in his expressionless yet calm face. As if to encourage his unconsciously frightened heart, Barry returned an especially aggressive remark.

"Addressing me suddenly without naming yourself—what a rude fellow."

"My apologies. I am Miles Spencer, Vice-Commander of the Royal Knight Order, Second Rank Sorcerer Barry-dono."

"You—"

His language was polite, yet an air of polite insolence oozed from him. Not hiding his irritated expression, Barry glared at Spencer.

However, Spencer didn't seem to mind at all. He sat silently opposite Barry. The knight who had been watching Barry handed documents to Spencer. Spencer glanced down at the documents, then immediately returned them to the young knight as if losing interest. Then, clasping his hands on his lap, he asked calmly.

"Do you understand the reason why you were arrested?"

"How should I know? This arrest is unjust. If I tell the Director, you lot will be reprimanded immediately. If you don't want to be kicked out of the Vice-Commander's seat, you'd better release me at once."

When he threatened with a growl, most opponents would obediently listen to Barry. However, Spencer merely raised one eyebrow slightly, showing no sign of being moved. On the contrary, he spoke with a tone of pity.

"I received a report that the knight informed you when bringing you in, but it seems better to tell you once more. Director Bergson—no, he is already the former Director, but since he has also been arrested, unfortunately, you cannot even complain to him."

"That arrest of the Director itself must be unjust! That's right, I will not be deceived!!"

When Barry shouted, everyone around him used to rush to soothe his mood. However, Spencer, serving as Vice-Commander of the Royal Knight Order, would not be shaken by such things. Remaining calm, he quietly stared at Sorcerer Barry. At that straight gaze, Barry pulled his chin back slightly.

"Regarding the charges against Nicolas Bergson, it is not a matter to be discussed here. A conclusion will be reached at the Council in the Presence of the King."

Normally, one would feel something was wrong with those words. But Barry, with blood rushing to his head, didn't notice. Even if a Ministry Director committed some crime, usually royalty would not judge them personally. Most times they would be sent to the Temple, and if it were a serious crime, the charges would be considered by the Advisory Council. Despite this, Spencer said "Council in the Presence of the King." That was a story impossible unless it was a crime akin to treason.

"Such a thing is impossible! Most likely, it is that youngster's scheme. To demean the righteous and value the wicked—the Knight Order has truly fallen."

"That youngster?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? The half-wit youngster who can only boast of coming from a distinguished mage family, who can't do anything significant. And that barbarian woman. Those two hated the Director from the start. If they find someone annoying, they'll use any cowardly method to drag them down."

Sorcerer Barry spat hatefully, but Spencer didn't change his expression at all. The young knight standing by also showed no reaction, observing Barry calmly. That only fueled Barry's annoyance.

However, the next words Spencer spoke were an unexpected line for Sorcerer Barry.

"I see. You certainly seem to have served Director Bergson devotedly."

At the words that seemed to side with him, Barry furrowed his brows. Looking at Spencer suspiciously, he asked warily.

"—That is, of course, natural, but what of it? You arrested me thinking I committed some crime, didn't you?"

Then why ask such a thing? Barry tilted his head inwardly. Barry wasn't a fool either. He had absolutely no recollection, but Bergson was being charged, and he himself was arrested and being questioned. In such a situation, he didn't think Spencer would side with him.

But Spencer ignored the suspicion in Barry's heart and remained thoroughly calm.

"I merely follow my duties faithfully. If there is suspicion of a crime, I must investigate—but naturally, if it is a false accusation, I must clarify that. Otherwise, I cannot convince others."

"Oh."

"To do that, I need to maintain a fair attitude. You understand, don't you?"

"—I see."

Sorcerer Barry muttered as if impressed.

Now that the anger he felt upon arrest had begun to subside, thinking calmly, Spencer and his men seemed to be faithful only to the duties they should perform. Their attitude, polite but not seemingly respectful, could also be said to be because they were faithful to their duty.

He didn't think a mere knight could understand all of his talk as a sublime mage, but the expectation that he could persuade him if he spoke reared its head.

"In that case, I will speak. I do not know why I was arrested. This is a false accusation."

"Then, can you cooperate in proving that?"

Spencer asked. Barry nodded without hesitation. Of course, he was not reluctant to cooperate if his innocence would be cleared.

"Of course."

Sorcerer Barry, nodding confidently, did not notice that the corners of Spencer's mouth had lifted just slightly.

"Then first, one thing. Do you recognize this formula?"

With a casual expression, Spencer held out a piece of paper. Leaning forward slightly to check the content, Barry furrowed his brows suspiciously, but nodded as if realizing immediately.

"Ah, this formula is one I created at the Director's request. This is a formula far removed from basic ones, so I remember struggling quite a bit. Even among Second Rank Sorcerers, I'm probably the only one who could create it."

Sorcerer Barry puffed out his chest proudly. Spencer opened his eyes wide as if impressed.

"So no one but you can do it."

"Naturally. Of course, neither that youngster nor the barbarian could possibly do it."

To an outsider, the line would seem to show quite a rivalry with Ben Draco and Petra Muirulainen, but Barry was completely unconscious of it.

"Do you know its purpose?"

"Of course, this is just a part of the array the Director wanted to make, but it's like the heart. You can't become a Second Rank Sorcerer if you can't infer from this."

"What kind of purpose was it?"

"That is, you see."

Sorcerer Barry smiled significantly. Putting on airs and shrugging, he said, "It was for a noble purpose." Spencer tilted his head.

"A noble purpose?"

"Something a mere knight couldn't imagine. There was the 'Investiture Ceremony,' wasn't there?"

Sorcerer Barry announced with a proud expression. Spencer's eyebrow twitched, but Barry began to speak triumphantly. Being a man with an excessive self-evaluation to begin with, he loved talking to others about his achievements.

"The 'Investiture Ceremony' is a very important ritual in our country. There are loyal nobles who wish to participate even if their physical strength has declined and they cannot come to the Royal Capital. It means that if a horse is impossible, they should use a teleportation circle."

"A teleportation circle, is it?"

"Exactly."

Barry nodded confidently. Spencer showed a gesture of thinking for a moment.

"I thought permission was required for the possession of teleportation circles."

"Of course. That's why the Director himself offered his cooperation."

This is why fools are... Barry directed a scornful gaze at Spencer. Spencer didn't react to it and returned a question calmly.

"What kind of teleportation circle is it? Is it different from normal ones?"

"Naturally. If it were a normal teleportation circle, there would be no need for me to develop the formula myself."

Barry snorted. It was an arrogant attitude, but Spencer paid it no mind. When asked specifically what the difference was, Barry frowned.

"I don't expect the likes of you to understand even if I explain, but—it's simple. We succeeded in miniaturizing the teleportation circle."

"Miniaturization, you say."

"Exactly. Until now, even 'small' ones required the space of a room. Ah, perhaps the size of a whole house for your cramped dwellings."

Spitting out words akin to ridicule, Barry continued triumphantly.

"With that, one cannot teleport to a convenient location. So we improved it to be foldable and easy to carry. It was quite a struggle."

The size of the new teleportation circle Barry described was about the size of a table for four. If spread out, it would be seen, but it wasn't something that would stand out badly.

Spencer exchanged a glance with the young knight for a split second. Then, slowly, he showed a diagram.

"Is this the teleportation circle you speak of?"

Barry checked the teleportation circle, blinked, and broke into a smile.

"Oh, yes. This is it. This is the teleportation circle!"

That teleportation circle was a magic array carved into the cargo of a merchant discovered by the Royal Knight Order's Second Squad. Spencer and the other knight exchanged glances without Barry noticing. Then, Spencer spoke calmly, but in a tone that tickled Barry's vanity.

"You seem to be a very excellent mage. In that case, do you recognize this array?"

At the word excellent, Barry grinned visibly. And without thinking deeply, he looked at the offered array and tilted his head.

"I do recognize it. Ah, surely that is an array I made."

Spencer's eyes shone sharply.

"For what purpose was it made?"

"Purpose? Ah, I suppose a mere knight wouldn't understand the brilliance of this array. This is an array that creates a misconception effect."

"Misconception effect?"

Hearing a name he hadn't heard before, Spencer blinked. Barry nodded generously.

"Exactly. An array that makes an array that actually has an effect appear as if it has lost its effect... and..."

Barry, who had been speaking triumphantly, turned pale. While narrowing his eyes slightly and watching that state, Spencer tilted his head, pretending not to notice anything.

"Is something wrong?"

"N—No, it's nothing. Ah, nothing at all."

"If that's the case, fine. But if you are feeling unwell, shall we end it here?"

Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to go home, he added, but Barry nodded immediately. It was an attitude unthinkable for the man who had done nothing but complain about being arrested at first. However, Spencer didn't point it out. Instead, he cheerfully sent Barry off.

When Barry's figure disappeared, a smile floated on Spencer's lips.

Toc

Chapter 222