[Mastermind]
Beneath the academy lay a mysterious ancient ruin, concealing a magical tool of such immense power that Principal Abigail claimed it was impossible to touch.
After years of dedicated research, they finally succeeded in extracting it.
About a week ago, it had been relocated to a newly constructed facility for further study. However, the kidnappers seemed unaware of this development. Nonetheless, by tracing Jarvis and Madeline’s mana, we managed to locate them and their kidnappers.
There were eight of them in total.
Six of them were armed, presumably hired mercenaries, while the remaining two appeared to be the masterminds.
I—no, we recognized those two.
“?! Y-you…” I was so shocked that I was at a loss for words.
To our astonishment, Jarvis and Madeline’s kidnappers turned out to be none other than their own fathers—the heads of House Lekrust and House Halman.
Stripped of their noble status, they had been expelled from their residences, and their appearance reflected the hardship they’d endured.
Tattered pieces of cloth served as their clothing. Their sunken cheeks hinted at poor nutrition, and unkempt stubble suggested a lack of grooming.
Once prominent figures as some of the country’s most influential nobles, the heads of both houses were now mere shadows of their former selves. While their crimes warranted consequences, I found it hard to take pleasure in their plight.
–However, once I calmed down from the shock of their new appearances, I remembered that these two were scumbags who had kidnapped their own daughters as hostages and were here to steal the magic tool that used to be hidden in this ruin.
Given the Halmans’ and Lekrusts’ former influence, they undoubtedly knew about the existence of this ruin and the concealed magic tool. Their likely motive was to purloin the magic tool, sell it, and return to a life of luxury.
“Barrett!”
“Guys!”
Jarvis and Madeline, held hostage by the mercenaries, noticed our arrival and screamed.
“Be careful! There’s a skilled magician among the enemies!” Jarvis warned. Ah, that magician must be the one responsible for what happened to those knights and academy staff.
“T-that’s right! We have a bodyguard!”
“Sir, please take care of them!”
Devoid of the dignified appearance from their noble days, both former heads now resembled typical small-time criminals. However, we couldn’t dismiss the threat posed by the mentioned bodyguard.
As we cautiously surveyed the surroundings…
“Where are you looking?”
A voice resonated from nearby.
When we turned around, a man covered in black robes stood right next to us.
“Wha?!”
In a startled panic, we instinctively jumped back.
The fact that he could approach us without detection indicated a considerable level of skill.
With a composed gesture, the man removed his robe, unveiling his face.
At the sight, Principal Abigail exclaimed, “Marden Rodelton!?”
It appeared that the man was well-known.
[Mastermind]
Beneath the academy lay a mysterious ancient ruin, concealing a magical tool of such immense power that Principal Abigail claimed it was impossible to touch.
After years of dedicated research, they finally succeeded in extracting it.
About a week ago, it had been relocated to a newly constructed facility for further study. However, the kidnappers seemed unaware of this development. Nonetheless, by tracing Jarvis and Madeline’s mana, we managed to locate them and their kidnappers.
There were eight of them in total.
Six of them were armed, presumably hired mercenaries, while the remaining two appeared to be the masterminds.
I—no, we recognized those two.
“?! Y-you…” I was so shocked that I was at a loss for words.
To our astonishment, Jarvis and Madeline’s kidnappers turned out to be none other than their own fathers—the heads of House Lekrust and House Halman.
Stripped of their noble status, they had been expelled from their residences, and their appearance reflected the hardship they’d endured.
Tattered pieces of cloth served as their clothing. Their sunken cheeks hinted at poor nutrition, and unkempt stubble suggested a lack of grooming.
Once prominent figures as some of the country’s most influential nobles, the heads of both houses were now mere shadows of their former selves. While their crimes warranted consequences, I found it hard to take pleasure in their plight.
–However, once I calmed down from the shock of their new appearances, I remembered that these two were scumbags who had kidnapped their own daughters as hostages and were here to steal the magic tool that used to be hidden in this ruin.
Given the Halmans’ and Lekrusts’ former influence, they undoubtedly knew about the existence of this ruin and the concealed magic tool. Their likely motive was to purloin the magic tool, sell it, and return to a life of luxury.
“Barrett!”
“Guys!”
Jarvis and Madeline, held hostage by the mercenaries, noticed our arrival and screamed.
“Be careful! There’s a skilled magician among the enemies!” Jarvis warned. Ah, that magician must be the one responsible for what happened to those knights and academy staff.
“T-that’s right! We have a bodyguard!”
“Sir, please take care of them!”
Devoid of the dignified appearance from their noble days, both former heads now resembled typical small-time criminals. However, we couldn’t dismiss the threat posed by the mentioned bodyguard.
As we cautiously surveyed the surroundings…
“Where are you looking?”
A voice resonated from nearby.
When we turned around, a man covered in black robes stood right next to us.
“Wha?!”
In a startled panic, we instinctively jumped back.
The fact that he could approach us without detection indicated a considerable level of skill.
With a composed gesture, the man removed his robe, unveiling his face.
At the sight, Principal Abigail exclaimed, “Marden Rodelton!?”
It appeared that the man was well-known.
