117-Episode 108: Sage, Remembering a Self-Proclaimed Disciple




 She goes through one song and finishes the dance.
 That's Sheila.
 At first, her movements were trudging, but she's getting used to them.
 She didn't even step on her shoes, and in the end she neatly matched my movements.

 I felt as if we were connected to each other.

''It's time to go back. .........How do you feel? Are you feeling well?

Yes. I'm fine now.

 She smiled as if her buds had opened.
 She was back to her usual Sheila.

 She returned to the hall with her sister.
 As I turned the corner, I felt a presence.
 Quickly, I cover Sheila.

'Excuse me. I didn't mean to startle you.'

 A familiar voice hit my earbuds.
 The one who emerged from the large shadow of the castle walls was Iolada.
 Although she wore a bandage with a recovering magic gemstone tucked into her head, she generally looked fine.

 However, I had something more on my mind.

''Sorry. It's just that I'm putting a damper on your talk with your sister.''

How long have you been there?

..........

 I glare.
 It's my fault that I didn't notice Iolada's presence because I was so concerned for my sister.
 But given the distance, it's possible she was listening to me and Sheila.

 I guess she caught the vibe.
 Iolada uttered an apology.

'I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I'm sorry.'

I apologize for my actions...

 An old man with a white beard, Zelman, appeared from behind Iolada.

'You too?'

 He turned his gaze sharply.
 Then Zelman abruptly pokes his knee.
 He hangs his head.

'I beg your pardon, Lord Sage. Numerous rudeness. I apologize.'

 Its years and achievements.
 And the position.
 The old man, who had always looked at me from above, bowed deeply to me.

 Narrowing my eyes, I opened my mouth.

''That reaction........ It seems you know me before my reincarnation.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting you. But my master and the brave Lord Zenarest Diriban, the ancestor of Iolada here, have told me of you.

 Xenarest?

 Oh, come to think of it, that's what his name was.
 The name of the man who persistently volunteered to become my apprentice is........
 It's funny because it's called 'The Brave'.

 The fact that he had a 170-year-old Zernan as an apprentice means that he must have lived a long time.
 Oh, I see.
 You used the immortality skills I left you.

'Do you believe my story?

'Because I don't think you - no, I don't think you would lie to your sister.

 Iolada points out quietly.

 Good grief.........
 That being said, I can't argue with that.

''I heard that you were going to use reincarnation magic. I didn't expect to have to burn that reincarnated body into this old man's eyes.......

'I didn't expect to meet a stranger's (sic) brave apprentice either,'

'It was unavoidable that my master called himself a brave man. By you, the Demon King was defeated. But you were quickly reincarnated as one. Although you won the victory, the sacrifice humanity paid was too great.... Therefore, we needed a ray of hope.

 I see.
 That's why you made Zenarest, who had some relationship with me, into a brave man.
 It's a lot weaker than me, but compared to an ordinary person, he was reasonably strong.
 And he had a face that was popular with the ladies.

 I'm sure I'm remembering more and more, but I do have a feeling that I'm just like Iolada.

''I've learned a lot. Why do you combine such strength and intelligence at that age despite being a [villager]? ...................Please, Sage. Will you once again be the hope and guide of humanity?

.............What?

 Zelman continued to speak, keeping his head down.

'The demon race has been shot. But the world is in chaos now.'

You call yourselves "revolutionaries.

'Yes. And.....

Fiends, huh...

 A creature with incredible physical and magical abilities.
 The base technology would be the same as the half demon race that was created during the war.
 However, the Volfot had a strong will that the half-magic race did not have.
 There were too few samples to draw any conclusions, but that was probably a more advanced technology than the half-magic race.

 In other words, for the first time in 300 years I can say that technology is more advanced today than it was during the war, as I've seen it for the first time.

 The technology honed during the war has declined, and the so-called "artisans" have fallen into obscurity.
 Magic power has faded, and the number of magical beasts has been decreasing year by year, and they have been getting smaller and smaller.

 In the midst of all this, a new technology that could be used as a weapon has emerged.

 I can't help but have a bad feeling about this.

''Please. Will you help us?

"No.

Huh?

'I'm sorry, but I'm not going to fight on the back of a nation or humanity or anything bigger than that like in the past. It's true that the power of demons is a threat. But compared to the old war with the demon race, it's a small resistance, no?

Oh, my God, that's...!

 Zelman choked on his words.
 His face had gone pale.
 Poor thing, but it's a good moxie.
 It was undoubtedly the responsibility of humanity, which had lived for three hundred years, to have decimated the world and set back technology to this point.

 Zelman, who says he has lived for over 170 years, is the very definition of that right.

 He wants me to shoulder the entire debt.
 And I was justified in saying no.

The only time I will use my power is to make myself strong and to protect my friends and my sister who is here. "I will only wield my power for the sake of my own strength and to protect my friends and my sister here.

Haha!

 Zelman hung his head deeper and deeper.

 But it didn't stop there.

'Sage, there is one thing I would like you to listen to.

What?

Something has taken Wolfot.

Huh?

 It was Sheila, who had been listening all the way to the side, that took my breath away.
 At that time - I guess she couldn't forget the face of the abominable man who cut off her brother's leg.
 The girl who had been smiling at me turned blue.

''We had him in our custody under heavy guard, but he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Any signs of vandalism?

No, sir. Perhaps--

It was an inside job. You mean....

That means there is a traitor somewhere in this country.

 Iolada narrows his eyes.
 Even for him, Volfot was a causal opponent.
 If you don't catch him - the descendant of the brave man exuded such a sense of duty.

''All right. Thanks for the information.''

Be careful, sir. There's more than one genie in the family. You've killed that monster. You could be a target yourself.

 In some cases, there might be someone stronger than Volfot.

 When I had a hunch about it, I couldn't resist a laugh.
 Nii, my mouth falls open.

 I wish.
 Defeat them all and I will be the strongest.

 My hand naturally turned to the moon.

 Apparently, there is no time for rest when I aim to be the strongest....