Chapter 189 : You Know, Right?

The fact that the captain of the knights guarding the castle gate was a 3-Star Magic Knight was merely a reality that had to be accepted as natural since this was the Empire.

Enduring the twitching of his hand was not that difficult of a task.

“Iron Mountain weapons here~!”

“Southern fruits~!”

“Freshly arrived hot new items……!”

Although the accent was a little different, the appearance of merchants shouting here and there was not much different from Iron.

However, the sight of high buildings of 4 stories or more lining the left and right of the main road seen as soon as one entered the castle gate was quite impressive.

On top of the largest building on the distant street, there was even a massive signboard hanging.

Even the content was.

[Special Sale on Magical Tools for Daily Life and Farming!]

Since the content was like that.

“Magical tools for…… daily life?”

A mutter came out automatically at the unimaginable advertisement.

The assumption that, like artifacts, magical tools would also be precious items that ordinary people couldn’t buy even with money, was broken.

‘How can this be…….’

Faint demonic energy touching his senses from all directions.

Even in the commercial district, in front of a particularly large building, there was a monkey-like doll hitting a gong, and faint demonic energy emanated even from within it.

‘An automaton, no, a magic power doll…….’

On top of that.

Clatter clatter.

Although the speed was slow, the demonic energy was clearly felt even from the horse-drawn cart passing by.

‘The weight is, much lighter?’

Just one horse was lightly pulling a cart loaded with grain that looked heavy.

Furthermore, an unnatural cold overflowed from a fruit shop on the first floor of a certain building.

‘Surely not a refrigerator?’

It was a shocking sight that naturally brought up memories of his past life.

“Even though it’s a similar border city, there are much more people and it’s more…… developed than Erundel.”

Lauel’s admiring words resonated immediately.

“They are magical tools for food preservation. I told you not to look around like hillbillies.”

Muno snapped out of it at the remark Victon threw slightly as he passed by.

Like his words, it wasn’t a sight to just gawk at absentmindedly.

Although the scenery that recalled some memories of his past life was interesting.

“Demonic energy is everywhere like this……. I know for sure now. It’s terrible. Terrible…….”

As Imadi said, the sight of demonic energy permeating throughout people’s lives was extremely unpleasant for a Spirit Master to see.

‘It is spread very widely and thinly. Did they adjust it so that ordinary people wouldn’t feel repulsion?’

Even so, he felt bad.

Of course, not to the extent of showing it as much as Imadi, who was completely frowning beside him.

Fortunately, as it was a crowded place, it seemed no one cared about them being like that.

“The Empire is on a different level from other kingdoms. Developed magical tools and magic allow the middle class to use precious items that even nobles of other countries find hard to use. If only we could focus the Empire’s power solely on the Imperial Family, the continent would already be…….”

Victon’s words overflowing with pride for his own country.

Perhaps the remark not to look around ‘like hillbillies’ came from a desire to boast about the Empire’s technology.

‘The problem is that it’s a sight that is somewhat convincing…….’

Apart from the aversion to demonic energy, the difference in technological prowess was certainly evident just by looking at this street.

Of course, the uneasy feeling was stronger despite that.

‘Even if it’s faint demonic energy, if it’s spread this widely…… wouldn’t there be issues?’

Demonic energy is a power that disturbs order.

As a Spirit Master who felt the spirits screaming and hiding inside his body, he couldn’t accept this developed sight kindly.

“Let’s go to that lodging or whatever quickly.”

Imadi’s urging with a stiff expression was fully understandable.

However, the lodging Victon tried to get was also a problem.

“Here?”

“Yes. Please enter…….”

“Absolutely not. Let’s go somewhere else.”

“No, why……?”

Victon couldn’t understand Imadi’s fierce opposition, but Muno could empathize immediately.

“What is this place that has so much demonic energy?”

“Ah? Ah……! Oh my.”

Victon, who was laughing hollowly, finally looked at Imadi and Muno and sighed deeply.

“It’s a high-class salon with water and sewage systems installed up to the 10th floor, where you can even bathe and dine. Naturally, magical tools are overflow…… no, this salon itself could be seen as a magical tool.”

“And you tried to bring a Spirit Master in there?”

“Now that I know, we should look for another place. I couldn’t think of this. Since it’s familiar to me.”

“This is why Spirit Masters hate the Empire.”

“I see. People who live very uncomfortably. In a sense, to the point of being pitiable…….”

At those words, Imadi, who was walking ahead, stopped and turned around.

“If you knew what your Empire is doing to the world right now, you wouldn’t be able to say such things…….”

The low voice carried anger that seemed like a growl.

Although Victon stiffened his expression at that appearance, perhaps because he didn’t want to attract attention, he started walking ahead again silently.

The place they settled in was, in the end, a cheap inn where not a speck of demonic energy was felt.

“Oh my, the food at our house is really delicious. Welcome, guests!”

It was a shabby lodging where only the appearance of the good-natured and sociable female owner was impressive.

* * *

“I will infiltrate the Lord’s castle. Everyone, please enter that way when I send a signal. At that time, it doesn’t matter if you use force.”

Imadi tackled Victon’s words when he returned after being out of the lodging for a long time.

“We came here as witnesses, but you seem to intend to use us as combat resources?”

Since he had been showing uncomfortable emotions ever since entering Legnas.

Victon’s reaction couldn’t be good either.

“Is that not allowed? You must have come because you wanted to do that?”

“Yes, I did. However, the problem is that now that I’m actually here, I want to smash everything starting from here rather than the Evil cult.”

At Imadi’s sharp words, Victon, who tried to ignore them, eventually gritted his teeth and asked back.

“Why do you keep acting like this? I, I know that spirits dislike demonic energy, but it is troublesome if you keep tackling me without distinguishing between public and private matters because of that. Sir Imadi.”

Although he appeared to be trying to maintain courtesy despite clearly being angry, Imadi snorted nonetheless.

“I don’t know if I can’t distinguish between public and private matters, but I know for certain that the Imperial people, including you, are ruining the world.”

“Just what is ruining the world? Through the development of magic, our Deus has become the world’s strongest nation…….”

“That is exactly the problem.”

“If you keep being unreasonable…….”

“It is not being unreasonable, Sir Victon.”

It was the first time Imadi called his name since they got to know each other.

The moment Victon flinched at that, Imadi continued heavily.

“How many large cities like this are there throughout the Empire?”

“……There would be over a hundred. Large cities that have developed rapidly since a hundred years ago along with the commercialization of magical tools. They are the pride of the Empire.”

Muno and Lauel, who were listening, were surprised at that prideful answer.

‘In Iron, cities like this would be counted on two hands.’

However, Imadi, nodding as if he expected it, spat out shocking words.

“Right. Since you pollute the center of the continent like that, the balance of the world is going awry. If left like this, the entire world will be ruined.”

“No matter how jealous you are of the Empire’s civilization, do not make such nonsensical accusations. Isn’t it that barbaric life of the Tower of Spirits that ruins humanity, not magic?”

Victon did not back down, but Imadi only sighed.

“Right. I couldn’t be this certain in the past either. I just dismissed the warnings of the old elders as mere vague fears. But now that I feel it with my body, I became certain.”

“What nonsense are you…….”

Victon sighed as if he was dumbfounded, but Muno, who knew his current level, couldn’t let those words slide.

“This is not the time to say such strange things. Let’s focus on the operation…….”

“Are grain prices expensive in the Empire right now?”

“Pardon? What nonsense is that again?”

“It should be? If over a hundred of these disasters are embedded in the continent, the land must be getting polluted.”

“Don’t say nonsensical things. The Empire’s goods are supplied more abundantly than any other country, and grain is also cheaper compared to any country…… well not cheaper, but not expensive either.”

“That can’t be?”

When Imadi frowned, Lauel intervened.

“I saw earlier, the prices really aren’t much different from Iron. Sir Imadi.”

“Huh? That can’t be…….”

At that, Imadi was flustered for the first time.

“Pollution? No, even if the land gets a bit dirty, could the world be ruined?”

“That is because you don’t know…….”

“You heard about the grain prices, right? Stop saying useless things and listen to me. Didn’t you come to catch the Evil cult?”

“Haa…….”

Leaving Imadi, who tilted his head repeatedly, Victon began to explain the detailed operation.

But even amidst that, Muno’s gaze couldn’t help but be fixed on Imadi.

‘The land gets polluted? The world gets ruined?’

Because the words he left strangely remained in his heart and disturbed his mind.

It wasn’t simply because he partially empathized with Imadi’s words as a Spirit Master.

Unlike Victon, who accepted the word pollution as just the land getting dirty, he was a person who lived in a world that was being ruined due to ‘pollution’, although the cause was different.

Moreover, since it was words spoken by a Spirit Master who reached the level of a Seven-Star, a superhuman among superhumans, he couldn’t just overlook it.

‘No, not just that, something…….’

The feeling of finally hearing words he should have heard someday.

He didn’t know how to express that strange feeling.

Amidst that, unexpectedly.

– The Authority of the Coordinator!? How can this be……!

– You gave the primordial power we lost to this child…….

About a year ago, the massive darkness that took the baby dragon.

Why did the incomprehensible words of Miya’s mother(?) come to mind again.

‘Really, why all of a sudden?’

Thump.

While he was momentarily dazed at the feeling of his heart beating for no reason.

“Muno, what are you thinking about right now?”

Only then did Victon’s eyes come into view.

The red light visible inside the blue eyes created with faint demonic energy brought his mind back.

“Ah, sorry. Say it again.”

“Ha. Simply put, it’s infinitely simple. I will infiltrate first at night, and if I find evidence, I will send a signal, then break in. If I can’t find it, we do a surprise inspection with an ‘official’ visit tomorrow morning. You just need to intervene in all armed conflicts that may arise in that process. Is it possible?”

Since he followed for that purpose in the first place, there was no reason to refuse.

“……Of course. But will there be no problems due to that? Keep in mind that I am not an Imperial citizen.”

“Naturally. In the first place, my subordinates will also move together. It’s a preparation for when something happens that my subordinates and I cannot handle.”

“Sir Imadi as well, I ask of you.”

“Ah, I will. But do not forget. Originally, our role is just about being witnesses for the Northern King’s side. Sir Muno, Miss Lauel. You guys should also clearly recognize our situation.”

Imadi pointed out the problem even in this situation, but.

“I tell you once again, if a problem arises, I will take full responsibility. As an Imperial Royal Inspector, and as the eldest son of the Ares family.”

Victon’s face overflowed with a sense of duty as he said those words.

“By the way, let’s make this clear.”

“What again?”

“You know, right? That the Imperial Family you are so loyal to has no intention of solving this case properly.”

“…….”

Until Muno tackled that sense of duty.

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