Chapter 48 – What Magic Is.

Usher looked at the people returning from the trial with complicated expressions. I don’t know if I can say this.

“It’s a trial. It wasn’t much bigger than I thought.”

The trial, which began after the meal, ended really soon. Because he was in the position of a sinner, he brought Truss who was tied up and the old man asked him a few questions, but Truth didn’t answer anything.

“Hey, do you have anything to say?”

He maintained his silence to the extent that the old man’s solemn expression showed even a little bit of frustration.

“I thought you were the kind of person who would never do such a thing even if you were cowardly.”
“…”
“But this is a big disappointment.”

In the end, the old man, who gave up on hearing an answer from him, based on what Donard and Schiff witnessed, misusing sleeping pills and sleeping incense used for medical purposes was not enough. A judgment was made to leave it unattended. Rather, it was a futile trial that made the preparations for the trial feel longer. It’s unbelievable that one person’s death was decided in that short amount of time.

“I can’t help it even if the trial feels a bit short. I run the guild. If you spend too much time on things like that, the solidarity within the guild will be shaken.”

He didn’t expect an answer, but Donard’s answer came back to him in his own words.

“Are you okay, uncle?”

Listening to people whispering, it was not uncommon to hear that Truce and Donnar were close friends. They say that such a friend will do something bad and die. How is he feeling?

“Then you don’t have a very refreshing expression, do you? They say that the guy who did bad things to your girlfriend will be punished.”

Even at Donard’s words, Usher couldn’t answer. Certainly, as it was, he would have been raging the longest. Watching Truss accept the old man’s judgment without any excuse, I feel uncomfortable. All the more because he knows he’s not really the culprit. But he said there was nothing Usher could do. He only knew that Truth wasn’t the culprit, but he didn’t know how to prove his innocence and find the real culprit.

After the trial, they parted ways with Donnar, and the place they came back to sleep was the carriage where Truth was staying, so it felt all the more breezy. Usher was tossing and turning because he couldn’t sleep even though he had been sweating all day and feeling like he hadn’t showered, when he heard the girl’s voice.

“Do you care?”

He couldn’t hide anything of concern from the girl. If Usher is worried about anything, he notices it like a ghost.

“If that person isn’t the culprit, then you’re killing someone really unfair.”

And that fact was the same as saying that the culprit who really did that to Belka would live among people casually. Is there any guarantee that he won’t do that to the girl again? He couldn’t sleep because he was worried that he might still be aiming for the girl somewhere. When he even felt his head spinning with complicated thoughts. A small hand patting his chest cut off the complicated thoughts.

“Ah.”

My vision, clouded by thoughts, cleared, and I met Belka’s golden light again. Her eyes were as clear as the lake in the forest and as clear as the blue sky. Her eyes are always lovely to look at.

“It’s okay. As long as those who want to see the truth don’t disappear, Usher won’t be concerned.”
“Belka’s words are always difficult.”

But her words always reassured him. His dizzy head calmed down from the complicated thoughts, but he still couldn’t sleep, so the girl lying next to him got up. She asked as she felt her girlish hair gently brushing him.

“If I can’t sleep, should I get some fresh air?”
“Is it so?”

Usher accepted her offer lightly. Tonight was a particularly sleepless night. The people in the wagon they were in didn’t wake up anyway, but in case they woke up, they slowly opened the door and came out. The wilderness at night, which had blown away all the scorching heat received from the sun during the day, was filled with cold air. The cold moonlight and sand shining under the stars gave a colder feeling, but the beauty of the moonlight shining on the huge cloud barrier did not fade. Usher admired once again the appearance of a sea of ​​clouds blocking part of the sky.

“How did such a sea of ​​clouds come about?”

It is a majestic sight that makes it difficult to understand how the barrier of clouds, white as snow and soft to the touch, came about. The fish that occasionally jump out and fly through the night sky were even more amazing. Then Belka opened her mouth.

“I don’t like those clouds very much.”

She tilted her head as she looked at her girl in amazement at her toned words.

“Why?”
“Uh, no, there’s something Belka says she doesn’t like.”

Although her girl was shy, she was always on the easy side, and she rarely said no to her, which inadvertently surprised Usher.

“…There are things I don’t like too.”

She puffed out her cheeks as if the girl had pouted, perhaps because she was a little exaggeratedly surprised. Usher soothed her and walked with her under the moonlight. Sand sometimes tickled between their toes even though they were wearing shoes, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The sands of the wilderness were not only coarse and cold as water, but soft like fine powder that followed their steps.

-Sabaksabak

Time when everyone is asleep. The sound of their small footsteps echoing through the deserted wagon drew the attention of the creature that guided it during the day.

-Kurreuk?

Horse-like creatures called Hildisviny were used by humans as a means of transportation in sandy wilderness or deserts, but they had another role. That is, it is to first notice and warn the presence of threatening creatures that attack day or night. Originally, it was an action to inform the danger to the same people, but humans used their habits to entrust night scouting. Because it was their instinct, they sensitively accepted even the slightest sound. However, what was reflected in its eyes were not other creatures threatening them, but the figures of a boy and a small girl.

“Oh, he woke up.”
“Did we interfere?”

Usher muttered wistfully, and Belka, who met his eyes, came over as if he was sorry and held out her hand. Hill This Beanie looked at her girl, then lowered her head and placed it in her hand.

“You’re a good boy.”

The girl smiled happily, as if she wasn’t afraid of a strange creature much larger than herself, and brushed the scales that were hard and smooth like those of a reptile, which could be disgusting depending on the look.

“This guy won’t bite you?”

Usher asked the girl in a nervous voice. In fact, he was the one who wanted to come here first. When I was awake, I didn’t dare to touch it because it was so big, but when I saw it at night, I saw it quietly curled up and asleep, so I thought it might be okay to touch it and approached it.

“It’ll be fine now.”

Encouraged by Belka’s words, he cautiously reached out from the girl’s side and touched Hildisbini’s head.

“And.”

I thought it would be hard because of the reptile-like scales, but the skin of the strange creature like the horse I touched was warm, smooth and bumpy, unlike what it looked like. Still, the creature’s warmth wasn’t too bad, so I kept touching it.

“How about coming out now?”

The girl did not stop her hand stroking the Hill Dis beanie and pointed somewhere towards her. Usher looked at Belka in dismay, but she remained calm as if she knew from the beginning that there was someone else here besides them. As Usher hurriedly looked around her, a shadow slowly appeared from the back of a nearby carriage.

“Since when have you noticed?”

The owner of the shadow was none other than Pan. Usher was nervous at the sight of him. Even though he had only just met him, he already knew roughly what kind of person Pan was. Seeing how Donard was so hostile and shunned by people, and seeing his actions, I couldn’t help but find out about him to some extent. Even before, it was strange that I wasn’t vigilant because I felt like I was trying to pick a fight with them.

“From the beginning.”

Especially in a situation like this when all other adults would have fallen asleep. He wouldn’t be convinced if he, like them, simply went out for a night walk, but why was he hiding? Was it because Usher was hiding the girl behind him and kept glaring at him? Pan’s expression became more and more distorted.

“You, don’t be intrusive and get out of here.”

He raised his finger and began drawing something in the air. Usher opened her eyes wide in amazement. In the air, a halo of light followed his fingers, drawing familiar letters to him. That…

“‘Turisaz'”

It was magic.

Usher thought he was going to die. As far as he knows, Turisaj uses lightning magic. Its magic, which is superior in speed, power, and versatility to simple flames, can be called one of the strongest magics. It had the power to kill at least one person in an instant. But nothing happened.

“…What?”

Pan, who was about to use magic, put on a bewildered expression and muttered. It’s different from simply bluffing even though you’re not a wizard. He was clearly chosen by magic. He saw with his own eyes the sight of letters being drawn in the air, so there was no way he couldn’t believe it.

“Ouch.”
“Belka?!”

Then, at the sound of the girl’s suppressed screams coming from her, Usher turned around to where she was, startled. Belka clutched her chest and sat hesitantly. She was in so much pain that she glared at her plate with that golden light even as cold sweat broke out on her fine brow. Seeing that, Usher hurriedly put his hand on the girl’s forehead, but he couldn’t feel any heat. If so, why?

“Aww!”

At that moment, a moan of pain leaked out from the girl’s teeth again, and her hands gripping her chest tightened even more.

“Belka! Why is this happening all of a sudden…!”
“Kuh, haha! Yes! Was it like that? It was like that!”

And at the sound of Pan’s laughter, which made the sight so enjoyable, Usher glared at him ferociously.

“What’s so funny about it!”
“You really don’t know anything about Belka.”

He said, holding back a laugh. Actually, he just found out, but it was really funny that the boy really didn’t know anything about the girl. Yes, if his thoughts were true, this would have been a huge hit even if it hit the jackpot.

“Don’t call Belka carelessly!”

Pan was annoyed by Usher’s squealing, but now he was in a very good mood, so he decided to have some mercy.

“Are you curious about why Belka is in pain? Then look at this.”

Usher gritted his teeth at the sight of him calling the girl by name in a friendly way, but the next sight made him nervous. Because he started drawing the same runes in the air. He might have been lucky once and the magic didn’t happen by chance, but he thought he was going to die this time.

“Uh?”

The magic didn’t work.

“Ugh!”

Instead, the girl’s painful moans filled the empty air. And the voice of the pan that follows.

“Belka canceled my magic! And witches do this! Only very few witches can do this!”

Hildisbini are smart and strong creatures. There are very few creatures that can hunt or fight them while living in this barren wasteland. The reason why such creatures chose symbiosis with humans was that humans had the power to protect them from those few things. But they know that not all humans are like that. Even if it knows that it is a human, it is wary when a stranger approaches, and if it is severe, it is a Hildisbiny that warns like when it encounters other threatening creatures.

There was also a high nose that refused to be touched unless it was those who had tamed it directly. Originally, it was normal for Hildisbini to not even allow the touch of a small, fragile girl or an ordinary boy. Thanks to the power that comes from its overwhelming size, it is also used as a war horse, and its power is needless to say. To deal with cavalry, it is comfortable to deal with the same cavalry or use guns. If touched carelessly, even a strong adult can be fatally attacked, but what if a girl so small was attacked?

The man who was about to run out, fearing that the girl would be attacked and unable to use it, witnessed a startling sight. Isn’t Hildisviny bowing her head and bringing her head to the little girl like a meek puppy instead of being wary? Under the moonlight illuminating the expansive wilderness, the harmony of a strange creature with an incongruously docile demeanor and a beautiful girl caressing the creature was a sight enough to make a man stare in awe. He could also understand if it was a witch’s magic.

There are two kinds of magic in the world. Summoning magic that is recorded in books and transmitted as knowledge, and blood-based magic that is passed down from blood to blood. These two magics are the same magic, but they have different directions. Summoning magic draws special characters in the air, and corresponding magic can be used, but most of them are destructive enough to be used in war. In fact, many wizards were mobilized for war, and the wizard was revered as a symbol of strength and destruction.

On the other hand, blood magic was not as destructive as summoning magic. On the contrary, compared to wizards who use summoning magic, their combat power is poor. However, the reason blood magic is special is that there are no cumbersome movements and its versatility is limitless. Even though its destructive power is inferior to that of summoning magic, the versatility of blood magic is so limitless that its disadvantages are not visible. However, blood-based magic had a special commonality unlike summoning magic, which could not be found in common with its owner. That is, the users of blood magic are all women.

And the ultimate of blood magic was to cancel the wizard’s summoning magic. I never imagined that I would be able to see it with my own eyes. However, judging from the girl’s state of collapse at any moment, it doesn’t seem like a very convenient power.

“It’s great, but it seems like there are a lot of restrictions on canceling magic.”

Even as he said that, he was admiring it inwardly. What is Magic? It was an absolute force. The girls who prevented the use of magic by such wizards were feared even by wizards who were praised as invincible. The Holy Land has already defined these women who use blood magic for a long time. Called saints and witches. It was not clear what criteria the saints and witches were divided into in detail, but the story of the holy land that kept and possessed many relics and magic tools from the era of great magic had a great ripple effect.

While saints are respected and protected in the Holy Land and other countries, witches become sinister beings, and if their whereabouts are discovered, they are put on a leash and sold to high-ranking people to be mated. Maybe it was a natural story. Blood magic follows from blood to blood. In other words, the witch’s lineage has the potential to manifest blood magic. Being a child of a witch does not necessarily manifest blood magic, and even though it was very rare, the possibility alone is a good condition for those with a high probability. Witches are few in number and hard to find.

So, regardless of the era, there were many nobles who wanted witches, and even now they are sold at high prices? If sold like that, the girl would be treated like a stallion and would be raped until the day her body withered away, giving birth to children. But he had no intention of selling this girl. Because he also wanted engraving magic. Phan intended to use her magic for himself by making this girl bear a child of his own. If that were the case, she would no longer be a weakness to him. Of course, the reason for making this decision was based on a nasty desire for a beautiful girl.

Pan slowly approached Usher and Belka. Usher was glaring at him nervously, but Pan snorted. He was originally a knight, although he knew how to use magic, although he thought that a normal wizard would not do manual labor. He’s no match for an untrained kid. In fact, Usher rushed after he got a little closer.

“Kuk! Kkeuk! Let go of this!”

Being caught by his collar like this was the only way to struggle. Then, as a test, he used his magic again on Usher.

“Aww!!”

As expected, the magic was not activated, and only the girl’s painful moans could be heard. Pan laughed at him.

“How long do you think you can cancel my magic? The moment you reach your limit, I’ll turn this guy into ashes.”

Usher felt his body tremble at his words. He was afraid to die. But this trembling wasn’t just fear. I was angry. Above all, the feeling of helplessness that I couldn’t do anything was the most unpleasant and resentful.

“Now then, shall I make a suggestion? If you go on like this anyway, you’ll find your limit first, and at that moment, this kid will be ashes. In that case, why don’t you dedicate yourself to me?”

At Pan’s words, Usher felt his hair go white. He looked down at Belka, who was sitting in agony, and continued.

“Instead, let’s save this guy. Isn’t that a good condition?”

Pan didn’t think the girl would refuse this offer. Even Usher, expecting her answer, clenched her fist until her hand bled.

“It must have been you… The one who dirty that child’s heart.”

However, what came back from the girl was not acceptance of the offer, but words of conviction about something.