Chapter 302
“It’s been a while, Schugenharz. I heard you were looking for me, so I hurried over.”
Ultreman, tipping his top hat like a symbol, greeted him. The smile on his face seemed to mask insincerity, making him look suspicious.
Schugenharz, awkwardly smiling while welcoming Ultreman instead of Vargan, guided him into the room.
“Thank you. It’s not my mansion, but please make yourself comfortable.”
“Excuse my intrusion.”
The two sat across from each other at the table.
From Vargan’s expert perspective, it wouldn’t be fair to say Schugenharz’s acting was impressive; rather, that subtle awkwardness blended well with the atmosphere, feeling natural.
‘Schugenharz, please carry this out just as I instructed.’
Although it couldn’t be heard, Vargan thought to himself.
Currently, Vargan and Beled were in a different room from those two.
Since Vargan, who was unfamiliar and had an ambiguous identity in this world, was bound to cause trouble if he met Ultreman, he had chosen Schugenharz, whose name was well-known among his disciples, as his representative.
When seeking information about Ultreman, using Schugenharz’s name made him pop up almost immediately—a name has its uses in situations like this.
“…Once again, thank you for graciously allowing me to interrupt your busy schedule.”
The magic of Beled, who dominated the space, allowed their voices to slip through the tiniest gaps.
Vargan was focused to the point that not even a whisper could be heard. Ultreman’s voice soon followed.
“Not at all. It’s only natural for me to come running with joy when called by none other than Schugenharz.”
His speech was filled with honorifics, showing respect, yet Ultreman’s mysterious presence made him look anything but easy to handle.
The two exchanged formalities for a while before they got to the point before the tea cooled.
“The reason I called you isn’t for anything else, but to ask you something. There’s no one on this continent who knows more news than you.”
“I’m flattered… but aside from the omniscient Magic Instructor, that may well be true,” Ultreman said with a small chuckle.
His smile didn’t stem from arrogance, which was what made him all the more formidable.
Clearing his throat, Schugenharz slowly began reciting the lines Vargan had prepared.
“…I’m worried about the Magic Instructor. You expressed your intention to participate in the march, but you haven’t stepped outside in months. The attendants are growing anxious.”
“But it’s been months since you last stepped outside. The ones attending to you are quite anxious.”
This was such a well-known fact among the disciples that no one was unaware.
The Magician had barred anyone from entering, except for Bael.
“Surely, as the Magician’s disciple, you must be worried that there may be health issues. It’s frustrating like a blocked prayer, but since you’re refusing visits, I was compelled to call you here.”
“Your concern, Schugenharz, is admirable enough to make even the towering Yaka Mountain look up in awe. I think I should take a page out of your book.”
Ultreman continued, referencing the tallest mountain on the continent to elevate Schugenharz’s standing, changing his tone to echo Schugenharz’s concern.
“As you said, the Magician has locked himself away in solitary for several months now. My worries are not trivial. Buer, whom he cherished so dearly, is now left entirely to Plauros.”
Buer, the daughter of the Goddess. Plauros, the disciple who took on the role of her caretaker. Initially just assisting her, now Plauros had taken on the full burden of childcare.
Schugenharz sighed deeply, recalling that reality.
“I really wonder if something is wrong…”
“…”
Ultreman, watching Schugenharz closely, seemed to think the time had come. He took out a peculiar device from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a magical device that can record voices. I purchased it for Lafez.”
“Recording voices… why something like this?”
“To facilitate a smoother and more profound conversation. Schugenharz, may we treat the dialogue from here on as a deal rather than mere chit-chat?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“As a midday merchant, the conversations I can have for personal reasons are extremely limited, but if it pertains to work, the conversation changes.”
Ultreman proposed that he would provide Schugenharz with more information in exchange for recording all their discussions.
Schugenharz felt a bit bewildered.
Organon… or rather, Vargan, had predicted that this situation would unfold.
‘Ultreman wouldn’t lie in a deal. He advised me to accept…’
Organon, who seemed to know Ultreman better than Schugenharz himself, made him feel strange as he continued the conversation.
“Fine. Let’s proceed like that.”
“Thank you for your willing acceptance.”
Ultreman infused mana into the device resting on the table.
Then, with an intricate operation that made it hard to tell if it was even functioning, the device sprung to life. If he had harbored secret intentions, he could have recorded everything from the start. Yet, he chose to reveal it to gain trust.
Ultreman knew all too well how human emotions operate.
“Now, let us steer the conversation back. About the Magician… it has been exactly 6 months and 12 days since he started his seclusion in the capital. Considering his activities following the Demon King’s subjugation, it’s quite an unusual reaction.”
“It can be called a reaction.”
“…You’re right. How did someone who loved to wander the world end up like this?”
“I cannot know the exact reason. However… I received information that the Magic Instructor expressed something significant before going into seclusion. If I had to say, it would be more accurate to call it a mumble.”
“A mumble?”
As the Schugenhartz Family leaned closer to the table in interest, Ultreman paused for a moment before speaking.
“‘I need to find it.’ That’s what they said.”
“…Find what, exactly?”
“I do not know. All I can say is that the Magic Instructor appeared unusually anxious while mumbling to themselves at that time.”
“Anxious…? That person didn’t even blink during the battle with the Demon Lord?”
“I also find it hard to believe. However, considering that the Magic Instructor went into seclusion afterward, it doesn’t seem entirely implausible.”
Schugenhartz rubbed their mouth in bewilderment.
“Does that mean the reason the Magic Instructor isn’t coming out is ‘fear’? Someone with the power to create the world and an immortal body?”
“…….”
“Indeed, the only one who can meet the Magic Instructor in private, Bael, is busy traveling around the continent. Officially, it’s to exterminate the remnants of the monsters… but perhaps they are searching for something, or someone.”
“Wait. Isn’t that strange? Why don’t they command us? There are thousands of their disciples by now. If they truly wanted to find something, they could cut down the time significantly.”
“The truth is unknown. The Magic Instructor has not spoken. Bael is just the same. All we can do is piece together conjectures from hints.”
“…Magic Instructor.”
Schugenhartz fell silent, deep in thought.
They recalled how little they knew about the Magic Instructor despite being a disciple for so long.
“Is it that you do not trust us?”
“That possibility cannot be ruled out. They are not someone who easily opens their heart.”
“Even so, alone, Bael…”
“That’s not entirely accurate. It’s merely a strong possibility. Moreover, we do not know how they will decide on their next course of action. If the situation becomes desperate, they will need more hands.”
“…….”
“Schugenhartz, may I ask you something?”
“…Go ahead.”
Schugenhartz permitted this with a tone that seemed drained of energy.
After all, since this was a negotiation, they had to respond to Ultreman’s questions.
“Have you ever seen the contents of the ‘book’ the Magic Instructor carries?”
“The book…? Ah, the one referred to as the ‘Scripture’ among the citizens?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never seen it. From the beginning, they don’t even try to part with it and never unfold it in front of others.”
“So you haven’t seen it either, huh….”
Ultreman continued to mutter, loud enough for Schugenhartz to hear.
It was blatant that they were lost in thought, but it was something that couldn’t be ignored.
“The only thing the Magic Instructor seems fixated on. Is there truly no source of information?”
“……I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”
“No, it’s alright. This conversation alone has been quite useful. The degree to which information is monopolized serves as a criterion for judging its value.”
“Certainly. The extent of how monopolized information is serves as a standard for measuring value.”
Ultreman smiled lightly.
The two continued their conversation for a while before concluding the negotiations.
It mainly revolved around matters concerning their disciples, exchanging bits of information.
“Well then, I shall take my leave.”
“I feel a bit embarrassed as it seems our negotiations were unjust. I had far too little knowledge compared to the information you provided.”
Ultreman stopped the activity of the magical device he had placed on the table and replied while putting it away.
“You don’t need to worry about that. A merchant never conducts a deal where they incur losses.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s a given.”
“Regardless, thank you for today. I must definitely…”
…zzziiip.
Meanwhile, in another room prepared in the mansion.
Vargan, who was listening to the voices through Beled’s magic, stood up.
The flickering candlelight danced in the chilling gaze that seemed colder than a block of ice.
‘Sugenharz and Ultreman. Both are hiding something.’
Though it seemed like they were openly discussing matters in negotiations, it was clear that they were withholding crucial information.
While it was expected that Ultreman harbored a snake in his bosom, it was somewhat unexpected that Sugenharz did as well.
“……”
As Vargan organized his thoughts, he turned to look at the woman in the corner.
Scratch, scratch—.
Beled was quietly drawing on a sheet of white parchment.
Her drawing skills were quite good, and despite the few lines, the subject was unmistakable.
The face of a young boy.
The lines of the nose and the eyes were similar to Beled’s, making it easy to tell that he was her son, lost in the ravages of war.
As Vargan carefully observed the drawing, he decided how to act.
He moved immediately.
* * *
After a long conversation with Ultreman.
Sugenharz headed towards the room where Vargan and Beled were waiting.
Organon, who would have heard all of their conversation.
No, he felt the necessity to have a deep conversation with the nameless man.
‘I remembered. In the unidentifiable hallucination, after separating from Organon, I tried to find his name among my disciples but failed to do so.’
Even before Ultreman’s conversation, through Zagan and Ami, Sugenharz had already grasped the situation regarding his current state, including Frikkanrisk’s subjugation.
He hadn’t recalled that Organon was an alias, but it suddenly came to mind during his talk with Ultreman.
‘What on earth is your identity? Why have you appeared before me?’
He was clearly driven by a purpose.
Just as he had helped him, it was now time for him to collaborate with Sugenharz.
Organizing his complex thoughts, Sugenharz walked swiftly down the hallway. Soon, he arrived at the door of the room where the two were supposed to be and swung it open.
“……Organon.”
What met his eyes was emptiness that felt all too hollow.
Not even Vargan or Beled remained.
The only thing left was a single drawing of the boy she had made.
Sugenharz covered his face with his hands, feeling a wave of despair.
“…This cannot be happening. That man.”
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