Even a Scoundrel Gets Tired – Chapter 20

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Long ago, a great calamity befell the empire.

A demonic stampede.

A sudden surge of Gates unleashed hordes of monsters upon the unsuspecting populace.

The aftermath was horrific.

Mothers devoured in front of their children. Lovers torn apart, leaving only a severed hand behind. Terror gripped the empire.

Cities closed their gates, their defenses bolstered. But smaller villages, lacking resources and manpower, were defenseless. Screams filled the air as news of their destruction reached the capital.

Then, amidst the despair, a single village emerged victorious.

Not only had they repelled the monsters, but a single individual was responsible for their victory.

The empire dispatched investigators, who found the monsters mangled beyond recognition. The carnage was unlike anything they’d seen, far beyond the capabilities of a single person.

They identified the individual responsible: a recluse, a hermit who’d been staying in the village, Prion Hybel.

His power was undeniable. He was granted the title of Great Sage and entered into a contract with the empire. Not a contract between nations, but between an individual and the empire.

That alone spoke volumes about his strength.

He’d single-handedly stopped the stampede, earning him the title of “Mage’s Dream.”

It was no wonder the mages at the Tower were so eager to see him.

I, however, wanted to avoid him. His reputation as a doting mentor was well-known. He might do something rash if he learned about my actions.

News of my duel with Leon probably hadn’t reached him yet, but it was best to be cautious.

I turned to leave, when a hand gripped my shoulder.

“Well, well… isn’t this my disciple’s fiancé?”

“…Greetings.”

Prion, having somehow navigated the crowd, stood before me.

He’d been subtly hostile towards me ever since my engagement to Isabella. He’d disapproved of his precious disciple being tied to a mediocrity like me.

But there had been no affection, no genuine connection between Isabella and me. The engagement had been a sham. And now that I was disowned, it was effectively over. Why was he still hostile?

“…I’m no longer Lady Isabella’s fiancé.”

“What?”

“I’ve left my family, so the engagement is probably dissolved.”

As I explained, his face turned red, then purple.

“…So… you’re saying… you’ve made my precious disciple a… widow…?”

“What?”

Something wasn’t right. Broken engagements were common among nobles. And even if it were dissolved, who would dare criticize Isabella?

“A broken engagement doesn’t usually make someone a…”

“Ha… Ha! Haha!!”

He was scaring me.

I tried to discreetly back away, but his large hand clamped down on my shoulder again, making me nauseous.

I suppressed the urge to vomit and looked around. The scenery had changed. The fresh air was gone, replaced by the musty scent of old books.

I was surrounded by towering bookshelves, a library that rivaled any I’d ever seen.

Had he teleported me? Where was I? Why?

“…Sit. I’ve brought you here for a chat.”

I cautiously sat down on a chair that hadn’t been there a moment ago.

“…Records never change, no matter how much time passes.”

“This is the Archive, where I store my research and the research of other mages.”

“Few are allowed to enter this place, so you may speak freely.”

Speak freely? Who could speak freely in front of him?

“It’s fine. I’m comfortable like this.”

“Hmm… you’re not quite what I expected.”

“Expected?”

“I heard you were quite rotten.”

“…That’s true.”

There was no point denying it. I’d done those things. I wouldn’t lie, not when it could further damage my family’s reputation. My mother had dedicated her life to that family. I wouldn’t disrespect her sacrifice.

“…So why did you leave?”

“Don’t you believe the rumors about me being disowned?”

“The Duke tolerated your behavior for years. What could you have possibly done to warrant expulsion?”

“…Perhaps I did something.”

“I know you’re not that foolish.”

He’d been watching me. He’d seen through my act. I’d underestimated his perceptiveness.

“…So tell me. Why?”

He pressed, his expression serious.

Why had I left? Why would I abandon the life of luxury and privilege so many craved?

I had only one answer.

“I didn’t find what I was looking for there.”

“Is that all?”

“No matter how many people desire that position, I no longer want it.”

“…I stand corrected. You haven’t just changed, you’ve become a completely different person.”

He seemed to be contemplating something, then his eyes turned blue. He was using Discerning Gaze, a spell that allowed him to see through lies. He wanted to know the truth.

I couldn’t lie to him, not with his abilities. I wouldn’t risk incurring his wrath.

“Does what you seek… harm the empire?”

That was the crux of the matter. He was bound to the empire. Despite his dislike of restrictions, he always returned to the Magic Tower. If my goals threatened the empire, he’d eliminate me without hesitation.

My expression remained unchanged.

“No.”

It wasn’t a lie. I sought the zenith, the pinnacle of power. That wouldn’t harm the empire. It might even benefit it.

He seemed to sense my sincerity. The blue glow in his eyes faded as he withdrew his mana.

“I apologize for testing you. I had my reasons.”

“It’s fine.”

“…If my disciple’s behavior contributed to your decision to leave… I apologize on her behalf. Please forgive her.”

Isabella’s personality wasn’t the easiest to deal with. He knew that, and he was apologizing for her.

But she hadn’t done anything wrong. She’d ignored me, but she hadn’t spread rumors or tried to harm me. I could forgive her for that.

It stung a little, being treated with such indifference, but I wouldn’t hold it against her. No one enjoyed being disliked for no reason. But I wasn’t going to complain.

“It’s fine. It wasn’t your fault, Great Sage.”

“…Thank you.”

He smiled sadly, his expression filled with a fatherly regret.

He asked why I’d come to the Magic Tower, and I told him the truth.

“…You said you could mass-produce scrolls?”

“Yes…?”

“Show me.”

He handed me a sheet of paper.

I suppressed a sigh and repeated the process I’d shown Phlon earlier.

The paper transformed into a scroll, and he stared at it, speechless.

“H… How did you do that?! Please, tell me!”

“…It’s just a scroll inscribed with a magic circuit…?”

“I’ve never seen anyone create a scroll so quickly! What magic did you use? Can you teach me?”

I knew I was fast, but the fastest?

“You just… inscribe it?”

“The level of control required… Wait a moment.”

He placed his hand on my chest, over my heart, and channeled his mana into me. I felt his mana brush against my mana circuits.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Hmm… Interesting.”

“What do you mean?”

“You noticed me probing your mana circuits, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Normally, even a small amount of external mana would cause a reaction, especially if it directly interacts with someone’s mana circuits.”

“…?”

“But you subconsciously controlled it. Your control is remarkable.”

“…????”

“Talentless scoundrel? You’re overflowing with talent. This damned world…”

He was the one to talk.

His words didn’t quite register. My past experiences couldn’t be erased simply because I had talent. It just meant my future might be easier.

…But still… still… still!

Then all the hardships I’d endured…

Knock, knock—

What was that knocking…?

“Master, may I come in?”

“?! Ah, yes, come in.”

“…Wait…!”

The door opened, revealing Isabella, bowing respectfully to her mentor. She looked at me, her eyes a mixture of confusion and guilt.

“…What are you doing here?”

“…”

Isabella, Prion’s beloved disciple, had arrived.

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