Cheat Magician (Hazure Hantei) Chapter 22

What I should have expected, but I didn't

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When I woke up, I didn't know where I was.

It took me a while to look around the room and finally confirm that it was my room at Volzard's boarding house.

[ Kent-sama, are you awake? ]

[ Ah ... well, Reinhardt you didn't wake me up ... ]

I've had Reinhardt wake me up in the morning ever since I got him to wake me up to go to work at the libre plantation.

So when I woke up myself, I was unsure of where I was.

[ This? How did I get back to the boarding house? ]

I remember running out of magic at Lastock's clinic and returning to the back alleys of Volzard, but I don't remember anything after that.

[ I informed Donovan-dono and asked him to take you to the boarding house. ]

[ Well, you asked Donovan-san for such a thing? How did you ask him? ]

[ I communicated using writing, and since I repelled the rock ogres, there is no punishment for doing this kind of thing. ]

[ Hmm ... maybe, but it looks like training will be tough. ]

[ Buhahaha, you should give up. ]

Well, I can't escape from Donovan-san's training anyway, and I can train for free, so if I complain, that may get me punished.

[ But Amanda-san was worried when I was carried in unconscious, wasn't she? ]

[ That's right, but Donovan-dono said that you were overworked and anemic, so it's okay to just let you lie down, and she seemed to have been convinced. ]

[ Yeah, but I have to apologize for worrying her later. ]

[ That's right, you should do so. ]

Gugguuu ... Kyururuuuuu ...

The fatigue that may have been caused by the lack of magical power has disappeared, but I was struck by a fierce hunger.

[ Kent-sama, there's food on the table. ]

[ Oh, really? ]

Indeed, the table has a plate of sandwiches and a cup with a lid.

Also, a note from Amanda-san was attached telling me to eat when I woke up in the middle of the night.

At the end of the memo, there is also a slightly distorted message from Meisa-chan, saying that I should get better quickly.

Even though I quickly hid it, tears began to drip at the thoughts of the two people who treated me warmly like family.

I had a midnight snack while thanking them.

[ Reinhardt, what time is it now? ]

[ It's just a little before midnight, isn't it? ]

This world has 20 hours a day, so it's already midnight.

Amanda-san wakes up early in the morning because there is store preparation, so she sleeps early and the boarding house is quiet.

In the cit of Volzard, there are no stores that are open all night like the convenience stores in Tokyo, and at this time, the red-light district stores are about to close.

I fell asleep at a strange time, so I woke up at a strange time.

[ Hmm ... I think I'll move a little at the training ground in the Devil's Forest ... ]

[ Kent-sama, you should take a rest tonight, because sometimes you need a rest. ]

[ Oh, yeah, I understand. By the way, did I fall down because I used too much magical power? ]

[ Probably so, Kent-sama, this me has never seen anyone bring a heart-stopped person back to life. Even a healer in the royal family can't do such a trick. ]

From Reinhardt's words, I was really surprised, but in Japan, just having your heart stop doesn't mean you're dead.

Reinhardt was even more surprised when I talked about cardiac arrest and brain death.

[ I see, the world where Kent-sama lived was a world where medical techniques were advanced. ]

[ Yeah, but in the end it seems that it's because of the darkness magic that brought her back, and because of the light magic that she was treated, it's mostly because of the magic. ]

[ Even so, Kent-sama, who did it, is still extraordinary ... no, he has unprecedented qualities. ]

[ Still, I think I have to train more because it's just the power I received rather than my own power. ]

In that sense, the environment in which the chairman was placed may be the best environment for training magic, although it is an environment where you have to take strict responsibility.

[ After all, it feels like there is no waste in what the villainous princess does. ]

[ That's true, lean and ruthless. ]

[ Is that the temperament of the royal family? ]

[ I can't say it's that alone ... ]

[ Hmm? What is that? Fred. ]

[ That princess is popular with the people ... ]

Fred says she's a benevolent princess to the people, even through she's cold-hearted to my classmates and Celia, the caretaker of the handsome guy.

In the first place, it seems that the princess is deeply involved in the development of Lastock and is actively working to maintain the security of the city and help the poor.

[ Kent, maybe that princess has a clear line between her enemies and her allies. ]

[ In other words, do you mean she reaches out to the people who are allies and uses them thoroughly when they are not allies? ]

[ Yes, maybe it's like that. ]

[ Then, is the purpose of summoning us also for the people? ]

[ I'm not sure yet, but it's likely. ]

[ Hmm ... that's pretty annoying, isn't it? If it comes to being hostile to that princess, the people of Resenburg could turn into an enemy, right? ]

[ That's right, it could be that way. ]

Hmm ... If it's just a bad guy, I can crush it thoroughly, but as a result, I don't want the people of Resenburg to suffer any damage.

[ Kent-sama, let's think about what our position will be after helping your classmates. ]

[ That's right, at this point in time, I'm not in a state where I can negotiate. ]

As Basten says, I have no material to negotiate with the evil princess.

First of all, I have to help my classmates escape, and then I have to get the material that can compete with the evil princess as an equal.

When it comes to that, it would be equivalent to dealing with the country called Resenburg, and it would be a heavy burden for me as a kid.

[ But ... isn't it exciting to fight alone against a whole country? ]

[ Buhahaha that's right, as expected, Kent-sama, I'm looking forward to it. ]

[ Seriously, as the leader says, if Kent-sama sets up a fight, I will serve you as much as you want. ]

[ It's okay ... Kent-sama can win ... ]

[ Yeah, if that happens, I'm counting on you. ]

Oh, I wonder if the temper of the evil skeleton is contagious, I think I wasn't so warlike.

But, if we're free to enter and leave the shadow world, I don't feel we would lose even if we fight head-on with the Resenburg army.

[ By the way, can other mages move freely in the shadows like me? ]

[ There were many mages in the days when we were alive, but I have never met a mage who freely uses the world of shadows like this. ]

[ Well, is that so? Isn't it possible for all dark mages to do it? ]

[ I've heard that there was such a mage, but Kent-sama was the first I've actually seen. ]

[ Yes, Kent-sama is a bit of an exception ... ]

That? I was wondering if a mage with darkness attribute could use shadow movement normally, but it seems that it is different from what I thought.

I have to thank Donovan-san tomorrow, should I ask him at that time?

[ Kent-sama, I hear that the number of dark mages has been small since ancient times, and most of their magic was self-taught. ]

[ Is that so? Then, did they practice by themselves when they heard that there was such magic in the past, such as shadow movement, shadow storage, and shadow summoning? ]

[ Probably so. ]

That means that if you think about what you can do with shadows, you may be able to use various types of magic.

Yeah, it seems that I have to practice magic.

[ By the way, what should I do to prevent the magic of that bratty hero's fire attribute? ]

[ Usually, it's common to use a metal shield to parry it. ]

[ Hwne you say parrying, is that just shifting the direction at an angle? ]

[ Yes, with that kind of magic, if you receive it properly, the fireball will explode and you will be damaged instead. ]

[ What about if you hit it with the same amount of magic to offset it? ]

[ In the first place, it is difficult to measure the power of the opponent's magic, and it is not realistic to hit the magic that comes flying at that speed. ]

[ Sure, it has a great speed. ]

A basketball-sized fireball flew at a speed that seemed to come out at a speed of about 150 km/h, and the target doll was on a fire doll in an instant.

It's dangerous, it would not be good to turn that handsome guy into an enemy.

[ Kent-sama, I hear that dark magic is the best way to prevent magic. ]

[ Well, is that so? ]

[ Yes, I've only heard this, and I haven't actually seen it, but I've heard that the magic called the shield of darkness is a shield that repels all magic. ]

[ The shield of darkness ... The shield of darkness ... ]

Since it blocks all magic, is it like opening the entrance to the shadow space unique to the darkness attribute?

Now, when I put things in and out of the shadow storage, I use my own shadow, but maybe I can connect to the shadow space regardless of the presence or absence of the shadow.

[ Yeah, I think it's better to try this for a bit, but if I'm practicing, it's only when the sun is up. ]

[ That's right, Kent-sama, it's better to take a rest soon. ]

[ Ah ... that's right, then wake me up at the usual time. ]

[ I understand. ]

I slept at a strange time and woke up at a strange time, so I thought I couldn't sleep right away, but when I lay down on the bed, I was immediately drawn to sleep.

And the next morning, as soon as I woke up, I went to apologize for worrying Amanda-san.

"Good morning, Amanda-san, I'm sorry for worrying you yesterday."

"Oh, you look fine, but when you were brought home, you looked like a dead person."

"I'm sorry, I have a vague memory ..."

"It's okay to do your best, but it won't help if you break your body, so don't train too much."

"Yes, I understand, I'll be careful from now on."

That said, I don't think I can get away from Donovan-san's curse, and I have no choice but to train to rescue my classmates.

Hmm ... It's difficult.

At breakfast, Meisa-chan got angry.

That being said, Meisa-chan, you can't try to push the carrots you don't like to me while complaining.

I have to thank Donovan-san, so I told Amanda-san I wasn't going to work or train and headed to the guild.

In front of the bulletin board where the requests were posted this morning, there was a huge crowd, and Ridnel's party was in trouble.

Yeah, they must enjoy that.

When I turned to look towards the wall, Manon stood alone, but when she saw me, she smiled.

Uh ... you've definitely fallen in love with me, right?

Or is it still a good friend level?

"Good morning, Kent!"

"Good morning, Manon."

If you glance at the surroundings, there are some people looking with warm eyes.

I'm sure they are the ones who heard the story at the guild bar yesterday.

"What is Kent going to do today?"

"Well, uh ... I'm taking a break today ... I think."

"Oh, what's wrong? Are you sick?"

"I'm okay, but I was a little sick yeterday, so I'm thinking of taking care of myself and taking a rest today."

"Is that right, then I wonder if I'll rest too ..."

That? After all, Manon-chan, are you interested in me?

No, no, wait, wait, if I have strange expectations, I might be told that I'm a fool ... but I'm a cheat, right? No, but Gilik can beat me up ... but I'm stronger than Ridner's party ...

"Kent ...? Hey, Kent!"

"Hmm? I'm sorry, I was thinking a little ..."

"You weren't thinking about Muell-san again, right?"

"N, n, no, it's different, yesterday, when I was sick, it seems that Donovan-san sent me back to the boarding house, so I thought I should thank him ..."

"Well, were you so sick? Are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah, I'm okay, I'm okay, it looks like I was a little anemic, so I'm okay."

"Yes, that's fine, but Kent is trying too hard, so don't overdo it."

"Uh, yeah ... I'm sorry to make you worry."

Wow, if you think about it, it's probably the first time I've talked to a girl like this since I was in kindergarten.

Fred called out to me as I was enjoying the little happiness.

[ Kent-sama ... there was an incident ... ]

[ Well, wait a minute, Fred. ]

"Sorry, Manon, I'm going to the toilet quick ..."

"Oh, yeah, I'll wait here ..."

"Uh, yeah, you'll wait ..."

Well, what's the matter? Manon-chan, if I'm told that you're waiting while looking up at me, I won't want to go.

Even so, I'll walk towards the bathroom since I said I was going.

[ So Fred, what happened? ]

[ Funayama ... died ... ]

[ Eh ... ]

My feet, which were rushing to the bathroom, stopped unexpectedly.

[ Kent, walking ... you're suspicious ... ]

[ Eh .. oh, uh, yeah ... ]

At Fred's prompting, I walked towards the bathroom, but I felt dazed like my feet weren't on the ground.

I entered the toilet and went in the private room.

[ How did Funayama die, did they kill him? ]

[ Because he wouldn't wake up this morning ... His friends tried to wake him up ... and found that he was dead ... ]

[ That ... it's like they killed him in the end! ]

[ I can't deny ... maybe overwork and undernourishment ... ]

To be clear, Funayama only has the impression of being a bad guy.

I've been called 'Babu' and was bullied, not just once or twice.

Still, I didn't hate him enough to want him dead.

[ Saint-sama is ... shocked ... ]

[ Ah, yeah ... Is the chairman okay? ]

[ She's pretty shocked, but ... she's continuing treatment at the clinic ... it might be bad ... ]

[ She feels responsible for Funayama's death and is putting more effort into treatment? ]

[ Yes ... as Kent-sama says ... ]

At this rate, I feel that even the chairman is likely to collapse.

It seems better to go to Lastock, because if something happens without going, I'm sure I'll regret it.

I left the toilet and hurried back to Manon.

"Kent ... what's wrong, your face is deep blue."

"Sorry, Manon, I'm feeling a little sick, so I'm going back to the boarding house today."

"Okay ... should I accompany you?"

"No, it's not that bad, so it's okay, see you next week ..."

"Uh, yeah, take care, have a good rest."

I have to thank Donovan-san, but I will postpone it for now.

While walking on the way back to the boarding house, I asked Reinhardt and the others to find a place I could dive into the shadows.

[ Kent-sama, turn left in the alley there ... ]

[ Okay, thank you ... ]

When I entered the alley, I checked the surroundings, dived into the shadow, and moved to Lastock at once.

When I entered the garrison, I was surprised to find that the training was carried out in the same way as yesterday.

[ Well ... why are they training? ]

[ Funayama is ... treated as if he wasn't there ... ]

[ That's what it is! Don't be foolish! What do they think people are! ]

[ Kent-sama, calm down! ]

[ Why do you say that Reinhardt? ]

[ The others are still taken hostage! ]

[ Ugh ... da ... damniiiiiit! ]

It's a shame, but as Reinhardt says, I can't move poorly when everyone else is a hostage.

And since they have the absolute trump card to return to the original world, it is not a situation where I can kill all the opponents.

[ Sorry ... I will never forgive only that villainous princess, I will definitely make you compensate ... ]

[ Kent ... Saint-sama ... ]

[ Yes, the chairman ... ]

When I hurried to the clinic, the chairman continued treatment with a sad expression.

She was treating the patients, but her facial expression looked like a Noh mask, and there was no trace of a smile.

"It's over ... the next person ..."

"Thank you, Saint-sama ...?"

"The next person ..."

Even if the patient says thank you, the chairman's facial expression does not move even a millimeter.

"Saint-sama, it's time to take a break ..."

"Next person!"

When the woman who was taking care of the chairman recommended a break when she first came to check the situation, she did not deal with her at all.

After that, when she treated three more patients, the chairman reached her limit.

"One, next ... next ..."

"Saint-sama!"

"Don't touch me!"

The chairman slammed the woman who tried to support her when she was about to fall.

Her eyes are lifted and don't look normal.

"Call the next patient right away!"

"Saint-sama ..."

"Shut up! Don't call me by such a convenient way, even though you only think of me as a treatment tool!"

I have never seen such a chairman who shouts so loudly that it echoes outside the examination room.

"Why! Why! Every day, every day, from morning till night, why am I treating them! Why does my companion have to die without a satisfying treatment and a satsifying diet. Why! Answer me!"

"Well, that's ..."

"I want to go back! Go back to the original world! I hate this! I hate this kind of life ..."

When the chairman screamed with her hair disturbed, she lost consciousness and collapsed, like a puppet with a broken thread.

The caretake woman caught her, but the chairman seems to be unconscious and even having slight convulsions.

The caretakre woman laid the chairman on the sofa and called out to the soldiers outside the examination room.

"Call a military healer!"

"That Saint-sama is ..."

"Anyway, hurry! And stop today's treatment, go and bring them quickly!"

"Yes!"

When the caretaker woman left the chairman, I hesitated for a moment about casting healing magic from the shadows.

I thought that if I treated the chairman as it was and recovered her physical condition, I would end up being hunted down.

However, I was at a loss for only a moment, and it is clear that the current chairman needs treatment.

If something happens to the chairman without applying healing magic here, I will definitely regret it.

I gently put my hand on the chairman's back and cast healing magic around her whole body.

I was trapped in the illusion that the chairman's thorny emotions flowed into my hands, which are casting healing magic.

While hoping to heal even the thorny feelings, I found that the chairman's painful breathing calmed down as I cast healing magic.

After finishing the treatment of the chairman, I started to move in search of the evil princess.