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Translator: Xini
Proofreader: Silavin
POV: Violet
“Roshenna Rivers can use word magic.”
Explained Clo, while en route to the cave where Gray was believed to be held.
I’d never heard of Rivers being able to use something like word magic. What even is word magic in the first place?
“Lord Clo, just what in the world is word magic?”
“Simply put, think of it as the kind of magic that allows one to control things using words.”
Apparently word magic is the process of imbuing mana in the words uttered which makes the listener acknowledge them as truth. It seems animals and monsters can be ordered around using word magic.
“Is it similar to what Ms. Schwarz was capable of?”
“No, she had monsters help her by communicating her thoughts to them, but please think of word magic as forcefully robbing someone of their own will.”
Still, only simple commands work. For example commands like, ‘Attack anyone who comes in’ or ‘Patrol the area and inform me if you spot someone corresponding to this particular characteristic.’
That said, even anything that possesses a certain level of intelligence like humans can be controlled as one wishes. However, it would take a great deal of time.
If that were to happen to Gray, it would put him in a precarious situation. I have no idea why Lord Clo is privy to details concerning Rivers’ magic that even people at the Azalea Academy didn’t know, but Rivers’ magic encroaches on dangerous territory. We must rescue Gray ASAP.
“Apricot. Can you track him?”
“It’s possible if we track the traces of the magic we caught whiff off earlier.”
“I told the Priest to inform Cyan, Robot and also Brown to follow after us.”
“Got it. I’ll make him rue the day he decides to lay a hand on my son.”
“Come on. Let’s go.”
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“You…!!”
The moment he spotted me, Rivers let go of Gray and turned around to face me with his face filled with hatred. Back at the academy, he always had a smile on his face and treated everyone with kindness, uncharacteristic of a new noble. But no trace of that could be seen in his countenance anymore.
So, this is his true nature… a yandere – if I were to borrow Lord Clo’s words. Anyway, I wonder if the aggressive demeanor and bloodshot eyes are the true Rivers.
“You dare show your face to me Violet Valentine…!”
“It’s Heartfield now. Get it right.”
“Who cares!!!”
Rivers used fire magic, which I’ve seen him utilize back at the academy. Fire dwells in both his hands and feet as he looks at me menacingly.
Maybe it’s because he’s taken leave of his senses for he ran his fiery hands across his cheeks and spun his words like he was spewing curses.
“Finally, finally we meet! You not only troubled Lord Vermillion with something foolish like a duel, you also had the nerve to live in a place like this and be happy with a family!”
“Oh I see, I’m not particularly pleased to see you, but I’m glad if it makes you happy.”
“Cut the crap!!”
…Hmm, I certainly sense some magic imbued in his words. It’s not just because of Rivers’ words reverberating through the cave, but it was as if the words themselves carried weight that it made my body go stiff.
“You… are obligated to spend your life atoning for what you did and you have no right to live happily! That’s why I-!
“Kidnapped Gray to throw me into a pit of despair?”
“Exactly!”
The flame on his limbs flared up, intimidatingly.
That’s quite the inhuman obligation. It’s not as if I’m some kind of enslaved criminal, though I might as well be one to Rivers.
“Sorry, while I intend to make amends for my past sins, I don’t intend to let it rule my life.”
“What did you say…?”
“Did you not hear me? I will live my life happily, shamelessly so. You have no place in it. But Gray does.”
If I were the same person as before, I would have secured Gray’s safety in exchange for mine. If he had threatened to harm his eyes, ears or one of his arms, I may have resorted to negotiation. However, I’m different now. Just as I said to Ms. Robot, I will live happily with my head held high.
For which I need Lord Clo. And Gray. To be happy, I need my family that smiled at me. I don’t wish to lose them.
“Ah, I could go on but… isn’t it hot, your face?”
“…I’ll kill you!”
“I thought you wanted me to atone for my sins?”
“I’ll kill you!!”
I tried to poke the bear but he was already far beyond the reach of my voice, as he was openly displaying his resolve to attack me.
Okay, it doesn’t look like he’s going to harm Gray. I had a different plan in mind to deal with it if he had, but now I can put an end to this by taking on Rivers.
Well then… Rivers’ word magic is cause for concern, but as far as magic prowess goes, Rivers fell into either the upper intermediate or lower advanced category. So, there’s no way I’d lose to him. Don’t let your guard down. Keep an eye on Gray. I need to be the one to resolve the problem I created–
“Kill that woman!”
However, Rivers completely dashed my expectations.
It was as if he was calling out to someone else who was present.
Hmm, I wonder if he’s calling for the monsters outside the cave. Unfortunately for you, Lord Clo and the others should have subdued–
“What-”
Then, but contrary to what I thought, I could hear heavy footsteps approaching me.
I couldn’t make out what it was in the dark but once it got near Rivers’ flames, I could see its appearance even if against my will.
“Gross?!”
I and Gray spoke at the same time which reverberated through the cave like an echo.
Ah, come to think of it, Lord Clo did warn us. That even monsters can be controlled through simple commands, and the longer they are trained, the more complex the commands they can carry out.
Meaning, depending on the time spent, the stronger the enforcement of will on the monster. That said… this is still taking it too far!
“Ha, hahahaha! Charge, Lord Vermillion Orc No. 7! Slaughter that woman with that noble face of yours!”
“GYAAAAAAA!!”
The monster that appeared was an orc, a C-Class monster. It was somewhat lacking in intellect but its well built physique resulted in growing reports of victims every year, and it could truly be a good representation of monsters in general.
But that’s still okay. Though it would be hard for me to take on both Rivers and the orc at the same time, I can still buy time until Lord Clo and the others outside join me. I just need to make sure to keep Gray away from harm. However, I do take issue with the monster’s appearance.
“What if it pops up in my and Gray’s nightmares?! What the hell, Rivers?!”
That’s right. The face of the orc(?) is a carbon copy of His Highness.
Swole with green colored skin, tall enough to reach the top of the cave, but its face was disproportionately small and that of His Highness. It looked like the two had been forcefully combined together.
Yeah, it’s exceedingly gross!
“Don’t worry. You won’t be dreaming anymore!! Go, Lord Vermillion Orc No. 7! Take off!”
“GYAAAAAAA!!”
I’m sure it’s not just my imagination that the orc’s roar felt more sad than chilling.
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Question: Judging from how he’s modified a monster to do his dirty work, would it be right to assume that Rivers doesn’t have the guts to kill or finish off a person or monster?
Answer: Please be patient, everything will be clear later.
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