Chapter 353 – Changing Times (3)

[Master, shall we begin from here?]
“Yes, please.”
[Chirp~!]

Eleanor did not take flight, but instead pecked at the ground with her beak, scanning for traces of magical energy.

Mana Scars.
A concept that details the unique characteristics of each individual’s magical power.

In simpler terms, it can be thought of as a magical fingerprint. With this, one can discern what type of magic occurred here and briefly understand the actions performed using that magic.

[Master.]
“Ah, Lucy. What’s the matter?”
[Even if we follow these traces, it is impossible for us two to perfectly identify the person and their actions. I’ve seen Sansuyu’s magic before, so it should be easy to find, but…]
“Do everything you can. I will do the same. I didn’t expect to succeed on the first try anyway.”
[…Understood.]

Lucy nodded at my words and flew off into the distance.

I, too, remained in place for an extended period, scrutinizing the surrounding magical energy.

‘Information that can be verified is only partial.’

Sansuyu’s location is unknown. Why certain magical forces have been activated, and the rest can only be deduced through the information at hand.

For instance, like this.

– Uh-huh!

I brushed my fingers over the faded floor tiles. As the dust cleared, faint traces of magical energy lingered.

‘This isn’t Sansuyu’s magic… Is it life-related magic?’

It seems likely that the energy stemmed from magic seeping from a magic stone while tending the garden, or from the cleanliness spell of an unknown individual.

In other words, it’s a wild goose chase.

I must repeat this series of steps hundreds of times to find the answer I seek.

The process is far from easy. Unearthing and examining traces over an extended period takes a significant toll on one’s mental energy, which is also why investigators are not dispatched for even moderately serious offenses.

“Even if an investigator is dispatched, pinpointing the existence is impossible.”

I recall the nature of magical energy. It is used to determine if someone is the same individual by comparing their magic with that of ex-convicts or other criminals. If not, it is also employed to discern the primary methods used by the perpetrator.

“Well, in my case, they probably wouldn’t even bother searching.”

The cradle is currently in a semi-destroyed state. Prioritizing the relief of the trees is crucial, as there’s no telling when the flowers will return.

To find me there, amidst the ruins filled with all sorts of magic from over a dozen national trees, dozens of hunters, knights, operatives, and flowers? To detect my pure magical energy within that chaos? The odds are almost impossible. The only way to ascertain whether or not I am the same individual would be to compare all the traces of my battles with Maehwa, the passionate encounter in the hotel basement, and the fight against Flower within the foundation. But even that is highly unlikely.

In this situation, I cannot even locate all of my magical energy, let alone preserve it.

Is it possible? Well, perhaps we should bring the Spirit King.

The Cold War has collapsed, and we are essentially in a state of war. I don’t need to concern myself with it.

*Thud!*

“Hmm.”

After searching for about two hours, no traces were found within the garden. The most noteworthy discovery was that many vehicles using magic stones had passed through recently.

It’s highly probable that Sansuyu left in one of those vehicles.

*Chirp!*

Lucy, who flew in from the air, landed on my shoulder and exhaled heavily.

“Master, I followed the traces of the vehicle artifact.”
“What were the results?”
“The trail ended at the airport runway. After that, the traces were erased, and I couldn’t identify anything.”
“Well done. Now, give me your wing.”

“…Yes.”

Lucy delicately opened the underside of her right wing. I gently stroked her wing and infused it with my mana.

*Sigh… Ahhh…*

Lucy tumbled from my shoulder the moment she absorbed the black magic.
Exhausted, she lay on the floor, her wings twisted and contorted.

[It’s… much better than before…]
“What? The magic?”
[Blacker… Darker… It seems like the magic that spirits always dream of.]
“Is that so? Serve diligently if you want more.”
[Yes.]

My magic is like a drug.
I crouched on the floor and infused a bit more magic into Lucy, who had flipped over.

“Here’s some extra. Take it!”
[Ohhhhh!!!!!!]

Lucy collapsed with her eyes rolled back and her legs trembling.

[Heh, huh… Heh!!!]

Lucy convulsed briefly, one spasm after another.
Where had I seen this before?

‘Ah, right.’

I recalled having seen it in Zodiac when we were in the midst of our relationship.
She was once a self-evident knight of a kingdom… but now…
In truth, she might have abandoned her convictions, her dignity, and everything else.

I can’t help but feel somewhat disheartened, as if I’m ruining several things.

[Master~~~~!]

Not to be outdone by Lucy, this time Eleanor came flying, flapping her short wings.

The little creature perched on the back of my hand, rubbing her face affectionately against my skin as she spoke.

[I worked really hard~!]
“Is hard work what’s important? It’s what you’ve found that matters.”

Eleanor, having swiftly surveyed the mansion, spread her tiny wings wide and proclaimed proudly.

[There were traces of a battle!]
“What?”

The remnants of a skirmish had taken place within the heavily-guarded El Academy. I hardened my expression and gave Eleanor an order.

“Guide me.”
[Master… But you won’t give me any magic power?]
“I’ll give you more than enough to drive you wild later. Just lead the way, quickly.”
[Gulp…!! On my way, Master~! Just follow me!]

– Vrooooom!

Eleanor shot forward like a jet. I picked up Lucy, who had collapsed on the floor, and followed Eleanor to where she was leading us.

Inside the mansion, from the hallway on the second floor to the bedroom.

Traces of chaotic magic lingered here and there like mud.

“This is… astonishing.”
[Did I do well?]

A wooden sprite circled around me energetically.

I knelt down to minimize the visible area as much as possible.
There was too much information, overwhelming.
I wasn’t yet accustomed to seeking out residue, so my head began to ache bit by bit.

I reined in my magic slightly and surveyed the area.

‘…Indeed. This is odd.’

The state of the mansion was quite remarkable. All the ceramics and dishes were shattered, and none had been cleared away.
Upon closer inspection, the long red carpet was stained with blood.

[It seems there was a brief skirmish here, leaving no time to erase any traces.]

Just as the wooden sprite had said.

To pursue the trail, I needed to read the magic again. With a click of my tongue, I slowly focused my eyes.

[Haah, haah… Master]

Regaining her senses, Lucy stood up and perched upon my shoulder.

[Using magic fusion would be much more comfortable for you.]
“Is that so?”
[Princess, please… join us quickly.]
[Heh, I would have done so even if you hadn’t said anything.]

With birds clinging to both shoulders, my body’s nerves became increasingly sensitive. The spirit’s view and my own merged together.

A superior method in handling magic compared to any other approach: Spirit Fusion. I took a deep breath and surveyed my surroundings.

“…”

It began to reveal itself.

Instead of using large-scale magic, they employed spells and incantations specialized for assassination. Tracing the timeline of the magical traces in reverse, it seemed the clashes had originated from the second-floor staircase and continued to Sansuyu’s bedroom.

I couldn’t determine the number of people involved.

The only certainty was that Sansuyu had been present at the scene. Having sensed and observed her magic for a long time, I could detect even the faintest traces.

[This is your power.]

As I was washing my hair, Eleanor spoke with a hint of disdain.

[Flower.]
“What? Flower? It’s different from what I knew.”
[…The traces have considerably faded. It is indeed a Flower, Master. It’s a boundary that cannot be perceived by the senses of humans or woodfolk.]
“Flower… I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but why is the magic of the Flower so unique compared to others?”
[Hmm, well, it’s complex to explain… Lucy?]

Eleanor turned her head to look at Lucy, who took the cue and offered a brief explanation.

[Strictly speaking, it’s not the power of a Flower. It’s simply that when you forcibly infuse magic into a being without magical power, that particular kind of magic is created.]
“…What does that mean?”

[Most of the Flowers are known to be human. Unlike you, Master, humans find it incredibly difficult to harbor magical power. As of now, only the World Tree and the Flowers possess the ability to infuse humans with magical energy. However, the World Tree doesn’t engage in such actions.]

The magical power I sensed from the numerous humans I had identified as Flowers seemed to stem from a unique trait that arose when magic was forcefully imbued within them.

“…Is it different from the husband candidate? They must have also had magic cast upon them, being human as well.”
[The methods differ. I do not know the exact process, though.]

Lucy’s explanation made sense to me.

‘…’

I closed my eyes and carried on with my train of thought.

If the spirits’ judgment is to be believed, the Flowers are responsible for these actions.

‘Could it be that the Cornus family and the Flowers had a collaborative relationship?’

The World Tree is currently on the verge of branding the Cornus family as heretics.

The funds of the Cornus family would still be of great help, even in their current weakened state. Was there truly a need to cut the tail?

‘If they intended to use it as bait, there would be no reason to attack.’

Flower targeted Sansuyu.

The secret ambition of the Cornus family: immortality. The fact that Flower aimed for Sansuyu, the closest being to this secret, could only mean that they intended to steal the long-standing research of the Cornus family.

[In other words, the Cornus family is being targeted by both Flower and the World Tree.]
“Uh.”

Lucy, who read my thoughts, spoke well.
They plan to divide the funds of the Cornus family in two, in order to uproot the deep-seated roots that have lasted for over a thousand years.

-Tock, tock.

The World Tree and Flower were tacitly exchanging chess pieces.

-Thud.

The sound of footsteps coming from behind.

[…Master! Behind you!]

A tree sapling screaming in terror.
My head snapped back sharply.

Agh!

The hand gripping the weapon in reverse, and the dagger lunged toward my neck.

I turned around and first examined the dagger and its wielder.

– Hmph!

The shimmering blue dagger came within an inch of my face.

[Master!?]

Lucy cried out at my unresponsive demeanor, but I refused to move my hand until the very end.

Eventually, the dagger aimed at me came to a halt. The attacker wore shorts, short sleeves, and a green hood.

“Hey, Si-heon the gay.”

Behind a soft, taunting voice, the figure flipped back the hood. It was Cornus’s mentor, Champi.

“Kid, long time no see, huh?”

“Champi… Is it you, sister?”

“Hehehe. Don’t you know this is clearly trespassing? I think you should at least wash your eyes for overlooking this.”

“Seems like you have nine eyes, don’t you?”

What was Champi doing here, being busy with the Hunter Association’s matters?

I tapped the birds on my shoulders, signaling them. It’s a sign that they can return now.

[Master… That magic.]
“Go on.”
[…Aahhh!]

Eleanor and Lucy let out moans as they return to the spirit realm. Champi’s eyes widen in surprise at the sound of their moaning.

[Eleanor… Satisfied, so satisfied… Ahh.]

-Ugh~!

The two female birds convulse as they transition to the spirit realm. Champi’s face is filled with astonishment.

“Damn… What was that just now? It sent shivers down my spine. Spirits… Master? No, what?”
“Well, that’s how it happened.”
“No, I mean, what was that moaning after having sex just now?”
“The spirits are spirits, but they’re kind of strange.”
“It seems to me that you, who command those spirits, are much stranger.”

I rubbed my burning eyes and leaned my back against the wall. My body is tired from burning my magical circuits while searching for the mark.

“Well, it’s not unusual.”

“The birds’ moans resemble their mating cries. If there’s anything stranger than this, let it reveal itself.”

Champi shuddered, rubbing her arms in revulsion.

I disregarded her reaction and inquired.

“So.”

Champi had arrived at this spot at dawn.
Why? It was evident. She must have had reasons akin to mine.

“What brings you here?”