Chapter 39. Deputy Commander of Nemesis (3)
“To arrest or kill Persona until now, not only mages belonging to the Main House but also the Nemesis Knight Order have been deployed on numerous missions. But embarrassingly, we have never achieved results.”
Teano stared intently at Enoch and said.
“Most veteran members of the family, let alone most mages, often failed even to track her movements, never mind engage her in combat.”
“What do you mean by that?”
She concisely hit the core point.
“How did you dispose of Persona, Vendetta’s Rank 10 dark mage?”
Teano’s rational suspicion was cast upon Enoch.
Enoch watched her for a moment.
Teano’s words held a hidden meaning.
One had to assume the words ‘you, who haven’t even awakened magic’ were omitted after that.
Therefore, the intention behind this question was clear.
‘It is suspected that Enoch Elsyde may have colluded with Vendetta to succeed in the Exemption Mission.’
Teano’s violet eyes, awaiting an answer, still stared straight this way.
In fact, it was natural for figures from the same family as Teano to be suspicious.
The direct descendant destined for imminent disownment.
Enoch, a non-mage who didn't even have a Follower Family.
And yet, right after suddenly declaring the Exemption Mission, he miraculously succeeded in all missions, solidifying his position within the family.
-But how exactly?
The subjugation of ‘Persona’, which even the family’s main combat mages couldn't guarantee success in, was accomplished single-handedly by Enoch, who hadn't even manifested magic.
And too easily at that, without any noticeable injuries.
Naturally, it was something hard for anyone to comprehend logically.
He had guessed that hearing the news of the Exemption Mission's success would naturally raise questions among others.
‘So the Deputy Commander of Nemesis personally stepped forward in this matter?’
Enoch quickly assessed the situation.
The Nemesis Knight Order, where Teano held the position of Deputy Commander, was also a public entity upholding the Main House's precepts as absolutely neutral.
Therefore, when suspicious circumstances like these arose, even concerning a direct descendant, it wasn't strange for her to take the initiative and investigate.
But the problem was….
‘If I fail to convince Teano here…’
Soon, she, and the entire Main House, would become convinced of Enoch's collusion with Vendetta.
However, he couldn't reveal all the facts straightforwardly.
It would be equally disastrous if it became known that a direct descendant of the Elsyde Main House, a pillar of the Magic Empire, was solely reliant on sword skills.
‘I’ll have to mix in some lies.’
If he couldn't explain straightforwardly, he would have to tell a plausible story so as not to be suspected of colluding with Vendetta.
In fact, he had already anticipated a situation like this and prepared an excuse.
Having made his decision, Enoch slowly opened his mouth.
“In the northeastern city where Vendetta was based, there remained those who protected the fallen streets.”
“Surely, you mean the Underworld there?”
“That is correct.”
To Teano, who slightly tilted her head as if the answer was somewhat unexpected, Enoch continued speaking fluently.
“Though declined compared to its past glory, it’s a place where capable mages still belong. And they… did not take kindly to Vendetta suddenly occupying parts of their streets.”
“Are you saying you joined forces with them?”
“That is correct. I negotiated with them prior to the mission, and thanks to that, obtained Persona’s location and information. And by cooperating with them, we were able to dispose of numerous Vendetta mages.”
Of course, in reality, he only received information about the Vendetta branch's location from them. He hadn't received direct military support.
But even so, this wasn't an absolutely unbelievable story.
‘Although Omen harshly criticized them as useless fellows before… in truth, the residents of the Underworld are capable mages of at least Rank 16.’
Moreover, they still maintained their lineage even in the fallen Underworld streets.
In other words, they were mages who had stubbornly survived in harsh environments.
If the Underworld residents had truly clashed with the Vendetta combat mages occupying the area, the Underworld side would have had the advantage in numbers from the start.
Besides, that place was the Underworld residents' home ground too.
Therefore, their actual strengths were likely quite comparable.
Thus. Combining these various circumstances, it would be hard to think his words were lies.
“However, regarding negotiations, especially with Underworld mages, they would have demanded a corresponding price.”
Grantel, listening from the side, asked.
“At that time, it seems unlikely you possessed anything to persuade them, Young Master…?”
Enoch replied instantly.
“I am a direct descendant of Elsyde.”
Grantel seemed to understand the meaning instantly.
Enoch continued speaking to him.
“If they cooperate with me during my Exemption Mission and succeed in driving out Vendetta, I can remain as a direct descendant in the family. And they can put a direct descendant of the Main House in their debt, in a way.”
Enoch added calmly.
“Perhaps they saw this as material to spearhead the revival of the fallen Underworld later.”
“Indeed.”
Grantel nodded slightly as if impressed.
He seemed convinced for now.
Although the Underworld had fallen, their information network was still top-notch.
Especially regarding the Vendetta forces causing trouble in the streets where they operated, they naturally had much more up-to-date information than distant Elsyde.
But seemingly still having doubts, Grantel continued asking.
“But it is puzzling. Are you saying the fallen Underworld retained the strength to deal with Persona?”
To Grantel’s question, Enoch answered without hesitation.
“I received help from ‘Omen’, who acts as the Master of the Street in the current Underworld.”
“Did you say Omen? I too have received reports about that individual…”
Grantel seemed to know him too.
In fact, it was understandable, as Omen appeared as a powerful mage of Rank 10 or higher in the original work.
Omen, who appeared as the master of the currently fallen Underworld streets even in the official history he knew.
According to information from the original work, even now, 5 years prior, he was an outstanding talent who had long since surpassed the Rank 10 wall.
Although he couldn't match the masters of the old generation Underworld streets, reflecting on his exploits in the original work, it was certain he too was a powerhouse comparable to various strong figures in the Empire.
‘But the reason such an Omen hadn't confronted Vendetta head-on in his own streets until now was likely because he judged the risk of facing Persona herself to be considerably high.’
Persona, the powerhouse of Vendetta who had killed numerous mages of Rank 10 or higher until now.
Even if Omen was a mage of her caliber, it would have been difficult to move rashly against Persona, who had such a track record.
As long as Persona held the uncertain factor of ‘Unique Magic’ whose identity was unknown, Omen, who had to act responsible for the entire Underworld streets, couldn't have moved directly.
And those circumstances, the family likely knew as well.
“For now, I have grasped the outline of how you carried out the Exemption Mission.”
As expected, finding no inconsistencies in what he said, Teano spoke thus.
However….
‘Seems she’s still not convinced.’
Enoch instinctively felt that she was still somewhat skeptical.
Should he say her intuition was sharp?
“…….”
Teano was still looking this way with neat eyes whose thoughts remained inscrutable.
Glancing sideways at her, Enoch slowly stood up from his seat.
“…If the business is concluded, I shall withdraw.”
Swish.
Leaving Teano, who was still observing him intently, behind, Enoch exited the executive office door.
When the luxurious wooden door closed behind him, Enoch let out a small breath.
‘Passed for now.’
But while he might have somehow deflected the suspicion of colluding with Vendetta for the moment, he couldn't say he had completely resolved the underlying suspicion about himself.
‘Being branded a dark mage or associated with dark magic must absolutely be avoided.’
That fact still hadn't changed.
It was likely a problem he would have to gradually resolve in the future.
Just then, a familiar voice was heard from the side.
“Young Master, is your business finished?”
Turning his head, he saw Lien waiting just outside the office door. She was bowing politely, impeccably so.
Even knowing it was an act she put on outside, looking only at this aspect, Lien was a perfect maid.
Enoch nodded wryly at her appearance, which he still wasn't quite used to.
“I shall escort you.”
She spoke emotionlessly as usual and naturally walked one step behind him.
Her demeanor was as unremarkable as the other maids moving about within the fortress, but gazes were already gathering on her, perhaps due to her beautiful appearance.
It wasn't a new sight, having accompanied Lien many times already.
Rather, regarding the questions asked in the executive office just now, there was something much more surprising about her.
Enoch recalled the Q&A from moments ago.
‘Teano’s questions completely excluded any mention of Lien, who accompanied me on this Exemption Mission.’
Indeed, her appearance was this eye-catching.
If Teano or Grantel knew anything about Lien, they would have definitely asked if she contributed to this mission as his companion.
But the fact that they didn't meant….
‘Most of the Elsyde family still doesn't know Lien's identity!’
Even within the Main House, where only the mages called the best in each field of the Empire gathered, mages of Rank 10 or higher were treated as considerably valuable talents.
Furthermore, she possessed not only a simple high magic rank but also tremendous skill, proficient in actual combat.
For such an outstanding talent to be acting as the exclusive maid of a direct descendant on the verge of disownment.
…Logically, who would think that?
Right off the bat, that fact was something even he, who had possessed Enoch, hadn't expected.
Moreover, Enoch had been a direct descendant practically confined to his room until now. And Lien was the exclusive maid sticking close to such an Enoch.
Therefore, it was highly likely that most personnel in the family still didn't know Lien properly.
He might not have a Follower Family right now, but….
‘They don't know that a maid of Rank 10 or higher, easily surpassing most other direct descendants’ Follower Families, is sticking close by!’
Naturally, it went without saying that it was better not to reveal such facts if possible.
Enoch was already unintentionally gaining fame due to the success of the Exemption Mission.
If rumors circulated that the non-mage direct descendant’s maid was Rank 10 or higher, even more unnecessary attention would be drawn to him.
Also, considering the potential incidents within the Main House in the future, not revealing Lien’s identity was far more advantageous.
Because this very maid might become Enoch’s trump card, as a direct descendant currently without a Follower Family.
***
“…What is your assessment.”
After Enoch finished the meeting and left.
Grantel, sitting in the executive office, looked at Teano and continued asking in a low voice.
“Sir, were you not the one who arrested Young Master Enoch just recently.”
Teano didn’t answer for a moment.
As he said, it was a story from less than half a month ago.
A dangerous artifact the family was researching.
Enoch, caught red-handed trying to steal it.
The one who arrested him back then was none other than Teano herself.
“Nothing can be certain yet.”
Teano replied quietly to him.
She looked towards the office door Enoch had just exited and opened her mouth.
“However, based on what I felt when I arrested Lord Enoch before, he was not someone capable of such achievements. In many ways, it's impossible to consider him as having manifested magic.”
At her words, Grantel slowly nodded.
“If you saw it that way, Sir, then it likely isn't wrong.”
Despite her very young age, Teano was a mage who had risen to the position of Deputy Commander in Elsyde’s elite knight order.
Someone of her caliber should be capable enough of assessing an opponent’s capabilities just by glancing at them.
At least, Enoch at the time of being arrested for theft seemed unremarkable.
“…However, there are quite a few people who testified about Young Master Enoch’s skills.”
Grantel said to her while organizing documents.
“During the completion of the first Exemption Mission in Leopold. There are many eyewitness accounts from the children at the orphanage who actually watched Lord Enoch’s engagement.”
He handed the documents to Teano.
“Most witnessed it while kidnapped and confined, so detailed combat processes couldn't be confirmed, but judging from their consistent statements and various circumstances, it’s difficult to deem the testimonies fabricated.”
However, Teano, seemingly unconvinced, lowered her long eyelashes and slightly shook her head.
“That is precisely what’s questionable.”
Teano briefly glanced towards the office door Enoch had exited and continued.
“Even if he manifested magic in such a short period, it is illogical for the current 9th Circle, who has never received any training or education regarding combat until now, to achieve such results in actual combat in a short time.”
Magic, like all skills, requires time for the body to learn.
Becoming a competent combat mage usually requires more than just magical talent.
Learning magic suitable for combat.
Sufficient training and understanding of combat.
And undergoing a corresponding apprenticeship period.
Judging by such common-sense facts, Enoch’s case could certainly be called exceptional.
“I too have never seen a case where magic manifested after the age of 13…”
Grantel simply shook his head and added.
“As long as he is steadily achieving results, including the Exemption Mission, I have no grounds to make an issue of this.”
The Elsyde Executive Officer simply answered thus.
However, regarding Enoch Elsyde, the fact that there was definitely something suspicious about him was something he too had agreed upon long ago.
-A direct descendant confined to his room until seventeen suddenly awakens his abilities upon facing disownment, achieves unprecedented results, and finally returns after succeeding even in the Exemption Mission, huh…
No matter how you look at it, could there be a more contrived story?
Teano dismissed it.
“Setting aside the possibility that he colluded with Vendetta, the fact that the circumstances under which he suddenly gained power are suspicious remains unchanged.”
“Indeed. I am equally curious about that fact. No, it likely isn't just me.”
Indeed, rumors were already circulating both inside and outside the family.
─Stories about how, and what form of magic, Enoch Elsyde had manifested.
In fact, that too was natural.
The first successful Exemption Mission, unprecedented in the Empire.
Fame was an element inevitably attached to Enoch, who achieved such a great feat.
And as much attention as he received.
Many people would naturally have questions.
Swish.
Teano eventually rose quietly from her seat and bowed respectfully to Grantel.
“…Apologies, but I must return now.”
“Ah. Come to think of it, Sir, you must be busy preparing for the upcoming Knight Order entrance examination.”
The Nemesis Knight Order entrance examination.
An entrance exam held once every 5 years, consisting of 3 stages.
This was the public opportunity to join the Nemesis Knight Order, known as the elite of Elsyde family's elite.
But even if such a major examination was held publicly, those who became members of Nemesis were extremely few.
The knights of Nemesis are decided solely through ruthless competition among renowned applicants and thorough individual capability assessment.
Only by passing through such a fierce selection process does one finally earn the qualification to become Nemesis, so few survive until the final exam.
That fact was also evidence proving why they were called ‘elite’ even within Elsyde, where the Empire’s most outstanding combat mages gathered.
“You always work hard.”
“It is merely my duty as the Nemesis Deputy Commander.”
Teano simply replied as usual and exited the executive office.
Leaving the closing office door behind her, she quietly put on her formal cap.
Swish.
The shadow of the black formal cap, matching the Nemesis Knight Order uniform, fell over Teano’s indigo eyes.
Her long, loose violet hair, as she walked down the corridor, rippled, carrying the cold air.
Just then. Under the shadow of her usual formal cap, her eyes, seeing something, sharpened momentarily.
Because she had caught sight of the black-haired boy walking down the corridor far below, without fail.
‘Enoch Elsyde.’
Following Enoch’s retreating back with her eyes, Teano, looking down at him from the upper corridor, quietly thought to herself.
‘Until all doubts are clarified, I cannot take my eyes off him.’
Teano firmly engraved the image of the jet-black hair disappearing beyond the crowd into her mind.
Recalling her duty as the Nemesis Deputy Commander, she silently vowed.
‘…At least until I can judge whether he truly possesses skills befitting his achievements.’