The dwelling had exploded, leaving only the foundation, and the entire
estate was blanketed in white snow. Those who had been enjoying the
festival seemed completely clueless about what had happened.
It was understandable; the change had happened in the blink of an eye.
"What on earth happened?"
"It seems there was a big fight inside the dwelling."
Mumbling to himself, he felt a great sense of unease, soon realizing where
it was coming from.
Demon beasts and demons.
"Wait, what about the demons and monsters?"
It was strange that they had the leisure to talk so casually when demons and
monsters had stormed in.
Everyone quickly looked around, searching for the whereabouts of the
demons and monsters.
"…!"
And soon everyone was shocked.
The demons and monsters were just frozen.
The demonic energy still wriggled with life, but it was trapped inside the
ice, unable to escape. Murmurs spread like wildfire among the people.
"Trapping the demonic energy as it is? I've never seen such ice in my life.
I've never heard of it either!"
"It's not just the demons. Even the monsters are so easily contained… How
high is this skill level?"
"Who on earth could have done this?"
Among those present, only Belka and Anes remained silent. This ice was
undoubtedly Jaekiel's.
Of course, they were also as bewildered.
Everyone was just marveling at the situation when…
"Everyone, pay attention."
A man suddenly appeared on the estate's wall. It was Jaekiel, the Auditor of
the Magic Tower, enough to attract attention.
In his hand was a cube of ice.
Inside the transparent ice box was Tirby's head, with her sclera turning a
deep purple. There was no need to think deeply; it was clear evidence of a
demon.
"This demon is the cause of the erosion of Luiple, and I just killed her. It's
not a difficult matter, is it?"
People just blinked in bewilderment.
Tirby.
Her name was the Lady who had been revered like a deity in this region of
Luiple, called the messenger of the Sun God.
The one who had held the people's hearts tightly was now frozen in ice with
her head cut off, with the face of a demon.
"…"
The shock was beyond measure, leaving them speechless and frozen like
statues.
"This can't be… Not Lady Tirby?"
"It can't be. The messenger of the Sun God…"
People began to sit down on the ground here and there.
They seemed to feel more despair than anger. After all, their trust in Tirby
had been so deep.
Then Jaekiel spoke.
"Well, I understand that you're all shocked."
He took some grass from his pocket.
"That's that, but you have something to do right now."
A long grass resembling a willow leaf, but no one failed to recognize it.
Luiple was the main producer of this grass.
"…Sun Grass?"
Someone mumbled.
Jaekiel nodded.
Correct. It was Sun Grass.
"Bring all of them without missing a single one."
The situation in Luiple was quickly brought under control.
"The Magic Tower's Auditor really did a big job."
"What would have happened if he hadn't visited…?"
"I would have lived deceived my whole life. Just thinking about it is
horrifying."
Moreover, the shock from Tirby was already turning into great fame for
Jaekiel.
Of course, Jaekiel only smoked Sun Grass. Since the true evil had
disappeared, the festival should continue.
He leaned against a pile of Sun Grass as big as a mountain.
Phew.
He exhaled smoke long and deep.
Maybe because he smoked a lot for the first time in a while, his mind was a
bit hazy. The swaying vision felt good.
It was then that Anes approached.
"Auditor, when did you know?"
"From the beginning."
"I had no idea."
"That's because of your level. You're still dull."
"…Did you just say I'm dull? Me?"
Jaekiel deliberately used aggressive language. This expedition also had to
have a teaching effect on Anes, and such words would be effective for her.
'Anes was always a prodigy who never missed being first.'
He had already reviewed the data on her as his exclusive secretary.
She was very outstanding. She had entered the academy at a young age and
was always first among her peers. That's why she could also become an
imperial administrator.
She was a talent worth nurturing, Jaekiel thought.
"I won't deny it. Compared to your skills, it's true that I'm still dull."
Anes continued.
"I can vaguely guess why you didn't even hint at it. It would have been
easier to carry out if I didn't know."
Her reaction was peculiar.
There was almost no anger or resentment, just pure curiosity, as she stuffed
the cube into her pocket and continued.
"Your name will now become very famous here. Maybe even outside
Luiple."
"And?"
"I don't understand why you brought me along. If you just needed someone
to fill the numbers, wouldn't it have been more efficient for me to stay and
work at the tower?"
Always expressionless. Always emotionless.
Even now, what she was asking about was just 'efficiency.'
But if things remained like this, Anes would forever remain a prodigy.
Jaekiel intended to guide her to reach the realm of a genius beyond a
prodigy.
Just like when he taught precious students in the distant past.
"Anes, you need inefficiency."
The helplessness, anxiety, and perhaps inferiority felt when seeing someone
greater up close… These were things she needed, even if it was somewhat
painful. Absolutely necessary.
Anes blinked twice quickly.
"Are you playing word games again?"
"I said what you need. Now go."
Jaekiel waved his hand as if to say he wanted to spend time savoring the
Sun Grass without being disturbed.
"…"
Anes blinked at regular intervals.
She stared at the Auditor with a blank expression.
[ Sometimes says things completely incomprehensible. ]
[ Seems to talk nonsense when high on Sun Grass. ]
She added two lines to her notebook.
"Ha… This should be enough. That pathetic Auditor."
Valcon, the 2nd Princess Hedera's escort knight, looked with satisfaction at
the lined-up corpses of demons on the ground.
"I'll make you realize that chasing immediate pleasures eventually kicks
away long-term happiness in life."
If he had been blinded by something immediate, Valcon would have found a
way to defeat Jaekiel right away, like a duel.
He could have taken him down right away, but that wouldn't have been
wise. He needed a way to expose his weaknesses as much as possible while
gradually tightening the noose.
That's how the bet started in the first place.
At the same time, this was Luiple.
A place where unexpected peace had arrived.
Contrary to expectations, sightings of demons were rare. To win the bet, he
must act quickly.
'Considering the circumstances, 30 isn't bad.'
Valcon nodded quietly. His eyes, hidden under the helmet, shone like
fluorescent lights.
"The Auditor is probably still drinking."
"He'll regret it only after being forcibly removed."
The three knights entered the estate with smiles on their faces.
The scene unfolded just as expected.
The ongoing festival, the Auditor of the Magic Tower, only touching
alcohol and Sun Grass… Except for the modestly scattered snow inside the
estate, it was exactly as expected.
Valcon lifted his chin and shouted.
"Auditor! Did you make any gains today?"
There was no answer.
It was understandable. He must have played all day, and the best thing to do
was to pretend not to hear out of conscience.
So, Valcon's gaze turned to Jaekiel's party.
"At least your Auditor seems to have some shame. Will you answer for him
to save his face? Did you make any gains today?"
But…
Something was strange.
'Why are their reactions like that?'
By now, they should be blushing with embarrassment, but the two female
magicians with Jaekiel were surprisingly calm.
No, they didn't even seem to care about Valcon.
"Oh, Senior Sun Grass…! Hello…!"
"Please restrain yourself. Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Anes, are you shy too…? Or embarrassed…"
"Of course, that's not what I meant."
"Anyway, it means we're not close… Come on, say hello. The Auditor
asked for it…"
"…Stop lowering your own value."
Beyond calmness, they were having a casual conversation that made no
sense to Valcon.
"How much did these brats overdrink…?"
Just as Valcon was about to scold them.
Snap!
Someone snapped their fingers as if to get his attention.
It was Jaekiel, the Auditor of the Magic Tower.
Still showing his back, he raised his hand.
Holding something, slowly.
Very slowly.
"…"
The three knights immediately shut their mouths.
"…!"
Soon after, their mouths gaped open again.
What Jaekiel was holding.
Clearly, it was the head of a high-ranking demon.