I Became the Dark Wizard Who Rules Over the Heroines

23 – Tournament-2

“Well then, I’ll leave it to you!”

The green-haired elf politely bowed her head.

“No, no! It should be our party’s leader, Wade…”

Nevertheless, Claire looked awkward, flapping her hands about.

“Really? But… aren’t you stronger, Claire? You even killed the Behemoth last time!”

“Well, um… that’s true.”

Externally, it was Claire who killed the Behemoth. Sadly, she seemed neither to intend to utilize the attention, nor to enjoy it.

“Fine! Actually, I wouldn’t have joined this party if it weren’t for you!”

Lillian, who turned her head over, swiftly grabbed my hand.

“Huh?”

Indeed, the archer’s speed was difficult to keep up with. An elven-like speed.

“I’ve seen it before! In history class! You took a hit at that jerk Katarin!”

…

Come to think of it, Lirian was also an elf who despised Katarin very, very much.

Because her loathing didn’t extend to all black mages, she felt no hesitation in reaching out to me.

Considering her background, it was as natural for her to hate Katarin as it was for the world to brighten at dawn.

“So, it’s my first time seeing an elf in person!”

“Me too! It’s my first time seeing a cleric who’s not part of the clergy!”

Hmm…

This was an unexpected turn of events, but surprisingly, Lirian didn’t seem to harbor any hostility towards the dark priests.

As a human, it’s inevitable to hear unsavory rumors about them.

Rumors of a sinister and evil cult sacrificing people in an isolated village, only to be expelled by the Paladin Order.

However, the elves have their own gods and priests.

The belief is embedded in them that anyone can become a subject of worship, not just the central deity of the church.

“I thought you’d be a bit more… snobbish.”

“Hey, it’s not like they are confined in the woods, how would such elves adapt to city life?”

Elves, in general, are far superior to average humans.

With their remarkably long lifespan, they learn swordsmanship and archery, not to mention their relatively heightened aptitude for elemental magic, balance, physical abilities, and magical talent.

However, they can’t openly confront power.

Even if one is a master swordsman who has dedicated sixty years to the craft, without using mana, they can’t emerge victorious against a well-organized mercenary group.

Few entities are free from the violence of matter.

Let alone humans, who can’t even imagine the magic freely used by dragons, are also often brought down by the hands and abilities of numerous soldiers and warriors.

“I don’t think they care much about it here, but there are a lot of high-ranking people in the imperial cities, right?”

“That’s… true.”

In order to blend in, one ultimately has to yield.

Although many different races lived within the empire, after all, the empire was a human nation.

“Anyway, let’s do our best together! You’re an elvish archer, right? With these party members, we can rank 1st!”

“Well, I’m an elf, but… I’m still young. I’m just a student at the academy, I’m not that…”

“Where is that coming from!”

Lirian wasn’t exactly wrong.

Right now, her archery skills are just a bit above an average student’s level.

She couldn’t compare to Katarin, who exhibits achievements beyond her age, or to the princess.

However, Claire’s overconfidence wasn’t necessarily incorrect either.

She was someone who joined the academy out of her own latent abilities, studying archery alone with her raging emotions.

Her skills would be improving beyond recognition now, and by the time she graduates from this academy, provided nothing unusual happens, she will end up as the academy’s top archer.

“But the prize money is massive. You could eat whatever you want!”

“…I don’t care.”

Lirian gave a bitter smile.

“Having enough money to spend is sufficient, and I’m not a big eater to begin with.”

She had something she mustn’t forget.

“Could you come with me for a moment?”

“…?”

The lady knight with purple hair discreetly beckoned me.

It’s Kellin.

I hadn’t expected her to approach me first…

Though she may fear me, I know.

A mere surrender isn’t enough to completely suppress her. Kellin’s loyalty towards Katarin wasn’t based on the fear and trepidation that often occurs among those who wield the power of darkness.

For now, I could suppress her. If I stood before her and commanded her aggressively – Kellin would have no choice but to pierce through Katarin with tears in her eyes.

However, if my gaze shifts just slightly, she would not be able to abandon Katarin.

Following her into the empty classroom, I managed to barely hide my wariness and offered a faint smile.

Katarin should know this…

I emitted a light magic power. The empty classroom filled with a dense magic.

Even if someone noticed, they would think it was Kellin’s action. Or, her master Katarin’s action.

“Ugh…”

“Ah, sorry. Did that make you feel bad?”

I had no choice. If Katarin was watching her, at least she shouldn’t be able to hear our conversation.

A faint, alien magic was sensed by me – something the size of a small insect.

So, she was being watched.

If it was our first meeting with Kellin, I wouldn’t know, but there was no way Katarin isn’t watching her now.

…I don’t know how effective this will be.

My magic is strong, but my control over it isn’t as refined as Katarin’s.

I could erase the route she gets her information from, but I can’t alter it to spill false information.

In this space, I won’t be able to hide the fact that I’ve had a conversation with Kellin that Katarin isn’t aware of.

“Speak.”

“Can you… place me at the front in the team tournament?”

“…?”

I didn’t expect her to say that.

I need to think.

What are the odds of Kellin leading the conversation like this?

No matter how much I think about it, the chances aren’t high.

She seemed to have been looking a bit grim these days…

Others might not notice, but I could see the tiny seams etched onto her beautiful face.

Torture. She bore marks from being exposed to hostile and sharp magic for a long time.

Katarin was certain. She doesn’t consider Kellin as her subordinate anymore.

Even so, I didn’t think that Kellin had openly called me to oppose Katarin.

She sees me as a more powerful being. She probably has a vague idea about who Claire is loyal to.

If she had called on me for her salvation, she would have used more aggressive and direct language.

“Did Lady Katarin ask you to do this?”

It was pointless to beat around the bush. Both Katarin and I, as well as Kellin knew exactly how the situation was unfolding.

“That…”

“You don’t need to answer if it’s hard for you.”

She seemed frightened. There was no need to provoke her more than necessary.

“You’re right.”

But, it seemed as if Kellin had made up his mind, ultimately revealing Katarin’s scheme.

“What did she ask you to do?”

“That… wasn’t… out of ill will toward you, but…”

“Can you tell me?”

“There was, there was an organization. I don’t know who they are, but they surely obfuscated Katarin’s eyes and ears with their extravagant lies! They just… ordered me to kill someone.”

Dark magic was more comfortable than this.

If I had been a creature of the light, Kellin wouldn’t have buckled under any torture.

However, the chance that she might swallow up Katarin and me, beings far larger than imaginable, ultimately forced Kellin to speak.

“I see.”

Kazoth. They must have thought to cause chaos by crudely killing someone.

“That must have been a request, and you sent to me per Katarin’s volition.”

“+…That…”

She was desperately defending Katarin. So much so, it seemed pitiful.

Indeed, Kellin was fearful of a confrontation between Katarin and me.

I wish this was the end.

But, it was Kazoth. There was no way they entrusted their entire plan to Katarin, who was not even a member of their organization.

Nevertheless, my role was clear.

“Come in. You’re welcome. Thankfully, we were lacking in manpower.”

“Th-thank you!”

Katarin has not yet discarded Kellin. No matter what, among all the cards I had, Kellin had the easiest access to Kazoth.

Even if I drove her away, it would be a mere stopgap.

Regardless of whether she could match Katarin or the Princess, Kellin was a knight with the proper trust of the Ernst family.

Those who used dark magic were much stronger than knights of a similar age and rank.

The gap between Kellin and other new students was not insignificant.

Even if she wasn’t part of my party, there would be a party that wanted her. And, Kellin would end up killing someone, according to Kazoth’s intention.

That was hardly a satisfactory turn of events.

“Still…sorry, but you said you had to kill someone? I don’t think I can keep that promise.”

I have to stick with her and restrain her.