Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 173

Episode 173 Huh?

Edmon's proposal was sudden, but not particularly surprising.

During their time on the plane, Edmon would often glance at Verden with curious eyes.

This must be an extension of that.

“What is your business?”

“Oh, you’re so calm. Other wizards tremble in nervousness just by looking at my face. Ahem, then I’ll get straight to the point without hiding anything.”

Edmon pointed to Verden with his staff.

“His Excellency the Marquis of Esperance has asked me to find out what kind of person you are. If you were to call it a background check, you could call it that.”

It's a follow-up investigation.

“Isn’t that something you do secretly?”

“That’s true, but aside from that, aren’t you Miss Kalia’s benefactor? Of course, you can’t secretly follow her. And as you know, rumors often don’t exactly match reality, right? People are beings who change every moment. This is especially true for magicians who continue to advance.”

A kind smile stared straight at Verden.

“The fact that you, known as the 4th rank, subdued the black magician is one of those excellent examples. So wouldn’t it be most accurate to meet him in person and confirm it?”

So that's why you came here in person.

Well, to be honest, this was a lot better than being secretly investigated. It was incredibly unpleasant to have someone digging around in your background.

“So, how do you plan on finding out who I am? Do you just have to answer some questions?”

“Hehehehe! Of course not. Aren’t we magicians? Rather than talking about this and that, it’s much better to watch magic.”

Verden faced Edmon.

Contrary to his peaceful appearance, the old man's eyes were filled with the curiosity and inquisitiveness of a wizard.

“You see magic. Does that mean we should start a magic war?”

“That’s similar. Of course, it’s just a suggestion, so you don’t have to accept it. I’m a sorcerer and you’re a wizard. It’s natural to be scared, right?”

Edmon nodded.

… … It’s such an obvious provocation.

So much so that it would be impossible to get caught unless your head was at the goblin level.

But apart from that, there was no particular reason for Verden to refuse.

Edmon Rodriner.

He was not a black magician, but a magician who had pioneered elemental magic. That alone was more than enough to pique Verden's interest.

And I was also curious about what was similar to a magic war.

Then Edmon continued.

“Well, I said that, but honestly, I hope you don’t refuse. So, Asher, I’ll give you a motivation. How about making a bet with me? If you win the magic battle, I’ll reward you.”

bet?

“What kind of compensation?”

“Hmm? So what you bet on is more important than what you bet on? Or is it that you can win no matter what the magic battle is? Hehehe! Whatever it is, that’s great confidence.”

Edmon stroked his beard.

“I’ve made this bet several times, offering various rewards. One time I bet a magic item, another time I bet a shiny gem or accessory. Do you know what wizards like best?”

“Is it money?”

Edmon was impressed.

“Oh, you’ve already realized the truth. That’s right, it’s money. Magic items can be useful or useless depending on their effects, and jewels and accessories ultimately come down to value. So money, which represents that value, is the most obvious and convenient thing to use.”

Edmon took a check out of his pocket and used his telekinesis to send it flying forward.

Verden grabbed the check.

“Here’s a check for one hundred million Elk, available at Dinah Bank. If you win the bet, I’ll give it to you without any questions.”

100 million elk.

It's a considerable amount for a bet.

'It may not be a lot of money for a magician of the Marquis family.'

“What happens if I lose the bet?”

“Just return the 100 million elk I gave you, and you don’t have to give me anything else. Isn’t that a disadvantageous condition for you in the first place?”

Not only did Edmon decide the bet, but his level as a wizard was also higher than Verden's.

With such a gap, how could you bet something and tear it apart? That wasn't something a magician should do.

Edmon was just curious.

What kind of wizard is the ashen wizard in front of you?

Verden didn't think long about it.

It was a bet with no risk. This was a chance to see how strong the Marquis's magician was.

'I guess I'll put off meeting Samwell for a bit.'

Verden put the check in his pocket.

“I accept that bet.”

“Oh, what a refreshing answer, just like your handsome face. Okay, then follow me.”

* * *

The central square of Lines.

Kalia stepped into the tall building in the northeast, which was named after the Marquis. Inside the building, knights bearing the emblem of the Marquis of Esperenza were lined up.

The direct subordinate knight of the Marquis of Esperanza, 'Red Faith'.

One of the knights guarding the building without a single leak approached Kalia.

“His Majesty is waiting.”

Kalia nodded and followed the knight.

She arrived in front of the reception room, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door herself.

───Come in.

It's a deep and familiar voice.

After receiving permission, Kalia entered.

A middle-aged man appeared sitting on the sofa.

Dark red hair with bangs slicked back.

A well-groomed short, red beard and a strong physique that can be seen even through his clothes.

Ruben de Esperanza.

He was Callia's father and the Marquis of Esperanza at the time.

“Calia d'Esperenza, His Excellency the Marquis Ruben d'Esperenza…….”

“Come and sit down without being formal.”

“Oh, yes.”

Kalia quickly sat down on the sofa.

The Marquis' eyes studied Kalia closely.

There was no part of his exposed skin that wasn't bandaged, and he had difficulty moving to the point where he had to use crutches. He was truly in good health.

Although he appears to have recovered somewhat on the outside… … if you think about when he was injured, it must have been so serious that he was on the verge of death.

The Marquis, who had been staring at Kalia silently, said.

“……Not long ago, an undead incident occurred in the southern part of the kingdom, resulting in thousands of casualties. A significant portion of the granary was trampled by the undead, and each city was put on high alert due to the refugees. Currently, the Adventurer’s Guild and the Lords are working together to subdue the undead.

and.

“The parish was destroyed by an attack by an unknown black magician. According to the survivors’ testimonies and confirmation of the scene, many believers, including two bishops, were killed.”

It was news that shook the entire kingdom.

“And around the same time, you led the Knights of the White Knights south, and then headed to the parish with the Knights of the Holy Knights. Then you stole a flying machine and headed somewhere, and then you came to me so badly injured…….”

The Marquis's red eyes flashed.

“Explain what happened, Kalia.”

“……Yes, Father.”

Kalia swallowed hard and explained the whole story.

She started by rescuing the warlock Warrens, and then the events that had transpired.

The Marquis' eyes twitched as he listened to the explanation.

“What? Are you saying that the Third Prince joined hands with the dark magic group called Corpse Glory?”

“It is clear from the circumstances.”

“……The evidence?”

“There is no evidence, but I heard that the black magician who attacked the parish formed a guild.”

The Marquis' face became even more serious.

The glory of the corpse.

As a Marquis, it was the first time in his life that he had heard of a group of black magicians.

'But according to Kalia, it is clear that she has a power that cannot be ignored.'

A black magician who destroyed the parish.

It was almost a given that they had unleashed the undead in the southern part of the kingdom. The circumstances made sense, as Calia had said.

'That would most likely be the Third Prince's order.'

If the granary collapses, the entire kingdom will be shaken.

Among them, the damage suffered by the 1st and 2nd princes, who had a support base in the southern part of the kingdom, is indescribable. They did something like this to keep their rivals in check.

It was nothing short of crazy, but it made sense given the Third Prince's usual greedy behavior.

“This damn royal family……!”

Kalia flinched at the Marquis' anger.

The marquis, who had barely suppressed his anger by pressing his temples with a bulging vein on his forehead, continued listening to Kalia's explanation.

That way, you can see what happened in the kingdom and how it ended.

The Marquis was lost in thought.

The only sound that could be heard was the ticking of the clock on the living room. As Callia glanced around, the Marquis of Esperenza nodded slightly.

“I understand what happened. You’ve worked hard, Kalia. You should go home and rest.”

“Uh… yes?”

Kalia blinked.

If it were normal, you would have been angry or severely punished for stealing a plane, but she was flustered. The Marquis continued speaking.

“You’ve caused an unprecedented accident, but… I’ll make an exception just this once.”

The undead incident and what happened in the parish happened so suddenly.

Even if Callia had reported the glory of the corpse a long time ago, it would have been difficult to deal with. And even if she hadn't reported it, things were handled well before the incident.

And now Kalia is seriously injured.

Even though he was a marquis, he couldn't say anything to his sick daughter.

“It looks like you’ll need to rest for about a month. So go home and focus on recovering.”

“……Yes, Father.”

After greeting them, Kalia went out on crutches.

He must have been so surprised and happy that he wasn't disciplined, that you could hear his footsteps becoming lighter.

'When will I become mature?'

The Marquis sighed and stood up from his seat.

He stood by the window and watched the backs of the Kalia and White Knights leaving.

And I thought.

'Ashra.'

The ash-haired wizard who took up the majority of the corpse's glory.

It was he who tracked down the bastards in the parish, saved the lives of Kalia and her party in the tomb, and brought back the Orb of the Spirit from the kingdom's ban.

'Who on earth is that wizard?'

5th rank at a young age.

Not only that, he is also capable of single-handedly subduing the black magician who destroyed the parish and the undead that easily overwhelmed Kalia.

It was beyond great, it was beyond award-winning.

So I said to Edmon.

Find out what kind of person that wizard is.

'I guess they're having another magic battle by now.'

Because Edmon was a curious wizard.

I'm sure they would have met face to face as soon as they got off the plane. They would have done it as usual.

'Anyway, we'll get the results soon.'

The Marquis of Esperance waited for Edmon, looking out over the streets of Rhine.

* * *

The place Edmon guided us to was the Adventurer's Guild's training ground.

It was also the place where Verden first met Kalia. Edmon stood in the center of an empty training ground where no one was present.

Verden tilted his head.

“Isn’t it too small for a stage for a magic show?”

It might be suitable for a 3rd tier wizard, but it was far from enough for a 4th tier or even 5th tier wizard to wield.

If you deviate even a little bit, the magic will destroy the smokescreen and cause great damage to the streets outside it.

“That’s why I said that. I’m saying let’s do something similar to a magic battle. By mana pressure.”

Magic pressure.

Of course, this alone wasn't enough to determine the overall level, but it did give me a rough idea of what basic skills a wizard had.

'Sure. In that case, I guess it would be fine even here.'

Because the training ground won't collapse with just magic power.

“I understand.”

“Oh, you must be confident since your expression hasn’t changed at all. Okay, then there are two conditions for winning or losing. One is that the opponent’s knees or hands touch the floor. The other is that the opponent declares that he or she will give up. Do you agree?”

“I agree.”

“Then the player will yield.”

Verden activated the magic circuit with power.

The opponent was a magician of reversal. There was no reason or need to adjust his strength. Magical power swirled around Verden. The densely concentrated magic power began to take on a strong physical force.

A wave of magical power instantly engulfed Edmon.

"uh?"