CHAPTER 56

“Master. There are some people outside looking into the shop. Should I go check?”

“No, stay here. It’s too dangerous for you to go alone.”

“But the longer we wait, the darker it gets—and there’ll be fewer people around.”

“Even so, they won’t attack us in the middle of the main road.”

“No, it’s already quiet outside. I think they might attack now.”

Just then, the shopkeeper brought out the money.

“Here’s 80 shillings. And I’ll give you this pouch as a bonus.”

“Thank you.”

Idnia sold the jewel box for 80 shillings and carefully placed the jewel cross into the soft satin pouch and tucked it into her clothes.

“There are suspicious people outside. You’re carrying a valuable item. Would you like us to contact the Academy and call the guards?”

“The guards?”

“Yes. If there’s a problem, the Academy sends combat wizards and armored golems.”

“Combat wizards…”

Idnia figured those would be the teaching assistants.

“Of course, there’s a tax for that.”

“You’re telling me it costs money?”

“Yes, the Academy is always looking for new ways to charge students.”

“Then we’ll handle it ourselves. No need to pay, and I don’t want to bother the upperclassmen just for this.”

Idnia stepped out of the store with Hekrang.

✦ ✦ ✦

As soon as Idnia stepped outside, the thugs who were watching her from a distance began moving closer.

Even though it was raining, she thought it would be safe in the middle of the main street. But now that the sun had gone down, there were barely any people around.

Because of that, the thugs grew bold and approached Idnia.

“Hey there, little Duchess. Looks like your purse is a bit heavy.”

“Mind if we help lighten the load for you?”

A man with a sword and staff, and another with a short club, stepped in front of her.

“You better not move, miss. There’s a hidden archer in the bushes. If you try anything, he’ll shoot you and your little friend.”

“He’s a great shot, too. Don’t expect him to miss.”

“And don’t scream, either. If you do, we’ll grab your wallet and run. You’ll be bleeding on the ground, and people will help you instead of chasing us.”

They laughed like it was a joke, showing no guilt at all. Clearly, they didn’t mind committing crimes, even in a city like this.

Idnia found it strange.

“Wait a minute. This is an island. Even if you steal my money, the Academy won’t let you get away.”

“Ha! You sure trust the Academy.”

“Just give us the money. You don’t need to worry about where we’ll go.”

Just then, Hekrang spoke.

“Master. There are more people watching. I can feel their eyes from the buildings.”

“They must be Prince Mazdari’s men. He wouldn’t have bought these shops for no reason.”

The staff at the restaurant and shop weren’t just regular workers.

Idnia guessed they were skilled fighters who trained in both aura and magic.

They were probably watching her out of curiosity—wondering how she would deal with this situation.

✦ ✦ ✦

Just as Idnia guessed, people from the south were watching from dark windows.

“The Duchess of Betelgeuse is being approached by thugs. Should we help?”

The servants from Mazdari’s faction looked uneasy and glanced at their senior agents.

“She didn’t ask for help. Do we really need to get involved?”

“But Prince Lorenzo told us to take care of her.”

“Yes, Lord Lorenzo is kind. But isn’t our mission more important?”

Some of the southerners were Lorenzo’s men, but others were secret agents from the Holy See. The Vatican agents weren’t bound by Lorenzo’s orders and were more curious to see what Idnia would do.

‘What if she gets hurt…?’

The Mazdari servants were nervous, but the Vatican agents stayed calm.

“Don’t worry.

That little boy, Hekrang, is the next chief of the Sacred Beast Tribe. He carries holy power in his body. Regular thugs shouldn’t be a problem.”

The Vatican agent was right.

Hekrang was the first to act.

✦ ✦ ✦

Idnia looked at the thugs blocking their way and gave an order.

“Hekrang.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t kill them. Just take them down.”

“Got it.”

The thugs burst into laughter when they heard that.

They had bows aimed and surrounded her. Even powerful mages couldn’t escape such a trap—and she said not to kill?

But the next moment, Hekrang vanished before their eyes.

He leapt high into the air, landed behind them, and hit both men on the back of the neck with the handle of his dagger.

“Guh!?”

“Argh!”

His attack was fast and precise. His strength and speed were beyond what they imagined.

He had even held back. If he had struck a little higher, he could have crushed their skulls.

Both thugs collapsed instantly. The hidden archer in the bushes panicked.

At that moment, Idnia cast a shield spell, modified the spell, and threw the shield like a weapon.

Her iron shield flew out from her wand and struck the bush with a loud whack, hitting the hidden archer squarely.

✦ ✦ ✦

The Vatican agents were stunned. It ended so quickly, they had no chance to help.

“Wow. That kid Hekrang knocked them both out in one blow.”

“No surprise. He’s the personal guard of the precious Betelgeuse girl. Of course he’s strong.”

In truth, Hekrang volunteered, but the Vatican agents thought the King of Betelgeuse had chosen him as her protector.

“And Lady Idnia… she’s amazing too. I’ve never seen someone throw a shield like that. And modifying a spell at her age?”

“She could be a Wizard Ball player with that throw.”

“Really?”

“Yes! That side-arm throw was so clean. I wonder how fast her pitch would be…”

They continued watching in admiration.

“Letting those thugs inside the town was worth it. We got to see what she could really do.”

A junior agent asked his senior,

“So, you planned this?”

The older agent clicked his tongue.

“No. There’s someone worse who came with them. That’s why I left them alone.”

“What do you mean?”

“Shh. Be careful. He’s here.”

✦ ✦ ✦

Idnia and Hekrang had taken down the thugs. The ones hit by Hekrang were knocked out, but the archer hit by the shield was groaning—her arm was broken.

“Aaah… it hurts.”

“You’re a woman? Sorry about that.”

“Why apologize? Master’s a woman too. And these jerks threatened you over a cheap jewel. They got what they deserved.”

Hekrang coldly searched the thugs and found a heavy wallet.

“Master, what should we do? Normally they’d go to prison for life with forced labor, but that would mess up your plans. Should we call the Academy to take them? Or maybe just take their money and let them go?”

“Let’s ask the one still awake. Do you want to go to jail or just lose your wallet?”

Idnia asked the injured archer.

She groaned, clutching her arm, and shouted,

“Are you crazy? Do you know who we are? We’ll get revenge! Let us go!”

“So, that means you’d rather lose your stuff. Got it.”

Just then, a voice came from behind.

“Excuse me, young lady. That one is one of my foolish subordinates. Could you let her go?”

Hekrang jumped in surprise.

He usually sensed people right away, but this man had approached unnoticed—even in the rain.

A man in a tricorne hat and cloak stepped forward. His hands were hidden—he could be holding a sword or a wand.

“Let a robber go? That’s a bold request. What will you offer?”

Hekrang asked. The man replied,

“Well, my wish was not to cause trouble.

But it seems my men got bored while I was away and tried to earn a little money. I failed to manage them properly. Please forgive this mistake, and I’ll repay you.”

“They tried to rob us out of boredom? That’s ridiculous—”

“Hekrang!”

Idnia shouted. Hekrang leapt backward just in time.

The man drew his sword and slashed where Hekrang’s head had been.

Even as he spoke, he’d been subtly moving forward. He slid across the wet ground without a sound.

‘He’s incredibly skilled.’

Idnia quickly cast her shield spell.

The man pulled out both a sword and a wand, chasing after Hekrang and casting magic at the same time.

A bolt of lightning shot at Idnia. She blocked it with her shield, but the electricity spread through the puddle and shocked her.

Bzzzzt!

“Ugh?!”

“Oh, what a shame.

To kill a young wizard like this… That kind of shield only blocks in front. It can’t stop my magic bouncing off the ground. Too bad. You were talented.”

The man’s face was now covered with a silver mirror-like mask.

But…

“Hm. That was painful, but I’m fine.”

“You’re… fine?”

The man looked shocked.

She had taken the hit and was still standing.

‘Just a sting. This man can’t be beaten with magic alone. And that sword…’

She looked at his weapon and frowned.

“Scarlet Pimpernel?”

The name slipped from her mouth. The masked man flinched.

“Oh? Why do you think that, young lady?”

“The silver mask, and the sword in your hand—Man Eater.”

Scarlet Pimpernel was a powerful criminal organization that operated across the Empire.

Most of its members were low-level thugs. But the elite agents who used the name “Scarlet Pimpernel” were former Academy students—even ex-assistants—and powerful battle mages.

‘In the original story, the villainess Idnia allies with Scarlet Pimpernel and kidnaps Saint Marie from near the Academy.

Looks like the event is happening early. Even without the villainess calling them, they’re already here investigating.’

When Idnia guessed his identity, the masked man chuckled and lowered his sword.

“Incredible. I underestimated you… truly…”

Though he looked like he wasn’t moving, Idnia could see him inching closer.

It was a kind of illusion magic—like he used earlier on Hekrang.

Without chanting, his wand moved, and his body drew nearer.

“Be careful, Master!”