Tiger. (1)

In an unexplored forest overflowing with dark energy, Allen sat under a moving tree and its thorny vines.

"One… two… three…"

He counted the stars in the sky. Small but large motes of light reveal distant worlds. Allen closed his eyes and pondered over his and his family's future.

"He must be working; it doesn't matter if he's not here."

He heard a voice then. Allen looked back.

"Take this."

Lilia Primienne stood there, a stack of files in hand.

"Burn it as soon as you read them."

"…"

[Report on the Demon Blood Kinship: Status of Terrorism by the Demon Blood Clan]

[Management of Demon Blood Prison Camp and the Case Settlement of Prisoners]

[Development of Betan's 'Distinguishing Magic']

[Prison Camp Gas Chamber Agenda]

[Rohalak Expansion]

A total of four confidential documents related to the all-out suppression of the Demon Blood Clan. Allen noted one in particular.

"Gas chamber?"

"It's an enclosed space full of toxic air."

Allen shut his mouth. No matter how much he thought about it, he could never know when the continent became like this. Was it the fault of the Demon Blood because they were born as they were?

"How long are you going to keep acting beside Deculein? If this bill goes into effect, it will be too late then."

Allen looked at Primienne. She was expressionless, but Allen knew the complicated feelings hiding behind that mask.

"Do you know what the Professor said to me?"

Primienne shook her head.

"Deculein's name also came up a lot on the agenda. There are many things the Professor himself agreed to."

"His name is not on the gas chamber."

"…Anyway, it is the truth that the Professor has agreed to the oppression measures. The amount of Demon Blood that he's murdered could fill a truck."

For those Demon Blood living in hiding, the name Deculein was more frightening than the grim reaper. Rather than be caught by him, many would rather be killed by a tiger.

"He even put children in Rohalak."

"But there are no children who've died in Rohalak. And the Professor said that children are different. Children hold no fault in whatever era and whatever moment."

"…"

Primienne clicked her tongue. What happened to the most cold-hearted child in the Yukline family? What in the world are they seeing in Deculein?

"The higher-ups want to assassinate the Professor."

"No, as the leader, that command is-"

"Elesol is hoping for it. Your flesh and blood."

"…"

Allen looked at Primienne. Elesol was a name that he hadn't heard in a long time.

"The leader doesn't have much time left. Now that Carixel is in Rohalak, Elesol will command the Demon Blood."

"If you assassinate the Professor, the oppression of the Demon Blood will intensify."

"We are ready for the war. Rather than being trapped in gas and the clan dying purposeless deaths, rather than doing nothing…."

Primienne was feeling the tension slowly suffocating them these days. With the distinguishing magic invented by Betan, there wasn't much time left.

"It's a gas chamber, Allen. There is no record of slaughtering humans like this in any history of the continent."

Then, Allen asked back dully.

"…What do you think? Do you want me to kill the Professor?"

"…"

Primienne didn't answer. The truth was, Deculein remained as a special memory for her too, so she shook her head.

"Leave during the winter. Since it's Reccordak, you can walk away easily. Your new identity has already been decided. And even if it weren't for you, Elesol would try to kill Deculein anyway."

"…It's now time to go back."

Allen stood. He took a step forward, and with that stride, moved thousands of meters. In simpler words, he disappeared into the forest.

"…"

Primienne left alone, looked at her watch. It was 4:13, and dawn was breaking over the mountain. Deculein must have woken up already, too.

*****

Scratch— scratch—

I wrote the techniques and the magical circle using a fountain pen. It was the last remote test of the advanced lecture.

[1. The following is a magic circle that applies the theory of the Iron Man. Interpret correctly and predict the usefulness and outcome of the magic.]

A question that collected only the essence of what I have taught so far. If there was an answer sheet for this test, and a student submitted a proper answer, it would be longer than most research papers. So, I was quite proud of the level of difficulty.

It was brutal.

Scratch— scratch—

The volume of the test question that I wrote so far was seven pages, and the mana I consumed was roughly about 5 thousand. I was planning on making six questions, but I hadn't even finished one, and I would probably need more than 8 thousand mana and almost two weeks to complete it.

Scratch— scratch—

I looked at the clock after using about half of my mana on Understanding. It was 5 am.

Knock, knock—

I opened the door.

"Professor, how are you?"

The guest waiting outside bowed.

"…Primienne? What's going on?"

"I brought the plan. Can I come in?"

I nodded, motioning her to come inside and sit.

"…"

"…"

It was silent for a moment. I looked her up and down in her attire as the Deputy Director of Security. She wore a thick padded jacket and a fur hat.

"Do you hate the cold?"

"Yes."

"I thought you were originally from the North."

"I hate the cold. Even if I'm from the North, I can still hate the cold."

"…Okay."

Primienne put a total of three crystal balls on my desk.

"This is for the conference about Sylvia. If you can participate, please do so."

Each was connected to executive members of the Intelligence and Security Bureaus. The demand for a meeting was sudden, but I agreed to serve as a consultant regarding Sylvia.

"…Of course."

"Then, start the connection."

When she nodded, Primienne blew mana into the crystal.

"Ah, ah. Can you hear me? Director?"

—…

"Ah, ah. Director. Ah, ah."

—…

"Hey."

—Hmm? I can hear you. Primienne?

"…Yes, the Professor is beside me."

—Ah! Professor, nice to meet you. I'm the Director of Security, Dron."

"Nice to meet you."

Primienne also connected with the second ball. This time, it was for the Intelligence Bureau.

—Nice to meet you, Professor. Please do understand that I cannot tell you my rank and name due to the nature of our service.

"I don't mind. Let's get to the point."

—Yes, we are reinforcing Sylvia's surveillance rank.

"The reason is…"

—The circumstances where Sylvia and Rohakan have made contact have been determined.

I listened silently, showing no expression. Primienne tried to read my face, but it was only amusing to see her trying so hard.

—Rohakan is a Black Beast grade criminal. Therefore, those who have made contact and cooperated with him despite knowing his identity are subject to the Empire's legal surveillance. Also, Sylvia has communicated with him not once but several times.

"Do you have evidence?"

—Yes. Primienne has it readied.

She handed me some pictures of Sylvia and Idnik conversing with Rohakan.

—What do you think?

"…Did the Intelligence Bureau take it directly?"

—It's evidence that was tipped off to us.

"There's no crazy person in this world who would take a picture of this and report it."

—…

"They have no class… if such paparazzi were discovered, it would be over."

—Yes.

I clicked my tongue.

"Anyway, as long as her contact with Rohakan has been verified, it's a given to reinforce her surveillance."

—Yes, that's right.

That was the answer the Intelligence Bureau wanted.

"But, refrain from physical contact or close contact as much as possible."

—Yes. But the two of them are not the only ones to be monitored. Deputy Director Primienne?

Then, Primienne handed over a few more photos. Evidence kept popping out from that padded jacket.

"…"

I looked at the pictures without a word.

—Likewise, a guest from the Floating Island. It's the Red Garnet Adventurer.

Ganesha and Rohakan were sitting facing each other. There was no problem with that. Ganesha wasn't a Named. But.

—You may be unfamiliar with the one beside Ganesha. They are the children named Lia, Leo, and Carlos. They are from the archipelago.

I put down the picture. The moment I saw the one that resembled Yoo Ara, I felt calm, and the moment my eyes crossed over to the half-blood, my anger flared up.

—All of them have made a deal with Rohakan.

"…So? What do you want me to do? They have nothing to do with me."

Primienne answered this time.

"They are here in Reccordak right now."

"…These guys? Are you certain?"

I naturally frowned. Primienne nodded.

"Yes, I have personally made contact."

—The Professor is the only wizard in the Empire that can rival Rohakan right now. Also, they might try to make contact with him. So, if the Professor makes a move, Her Majesty, Sophien, would award you.

The only wizard that could rival Rohakan… if Rohakan had used all his power, I couldn't respond before I was cut into pieces. Did they exclude Adrienne on purpose because she had a bad relationship with government officials?

"Did you report to Her Majesty?"

—Not yet.

I looked to Primienne again.

"If they make contact, will you just let them be?"

"No, I can't possibly ignore that."

Primienne raised her arms to reveal the mana gathering in her fingertips.

"I attached a string to those children. They are still in Reccordak."

"…"

I nodded.

"We should wait first. We're at the height of our investigation, so there's no need to make a commotion."

"Yes. Then, where should I stay? Professor, please tell me."

Primienne asked shamelessly.

"Stay anywhere in the prison."

"Yes. This mansion looks big."

"…"

"Just let me stay in the living room. Thank you."

Primienne bowed her head. Then, she trudged down to the 1st floor.

*****

—Just let me stay in the living room. Thank you.

Sylvia opened her eyes, having just overheard the conversation between Primienne and Deculein.

"…Demon Blood."

But the important part was before that. Sylvia was suspicious of Primienne suddenly appearing in the North and secretly observed her. The truth that she discovered-

"Primienne is a Demon Blood, as well as Deculein's assistant."

She couldn't blame their carelessness for this discovery. In the first place, no one could live in the demon's forest, so it was normal that there would be no one to hear them. In addition, Sylvia's magic Wind was developed for use against Deculein, making it impossible to perceive unless one was close to becoming an Archmage.

"…"

There was a Demon Blood beside Deculein, holding resentment against him. A Demon Blood that ordered his assassination was lurking under his feet. Sylvia closed her eyes, thinking hard.

"No!"

But she couldn't just wait and see what happened. No, she shouldn't wait and see. Deculein must die by her hands. She was the only one who had the right to kill Deculein. She couldn't concede to the Demon Bloods.

"…"

She slowly rose and left her temporary residence underground to a white and cold world. Sylvia walked slowly over the snow-covered ground.

Crunch— crunch—

She trampled over the snowfield.

…

Meanwhile, by a bonfire in the wilderness, Epherene counted the beasts that she hunted with Tim.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6… there's 33."

A total of 33 beasts, it was a considerable achievement. She felt proud.

"What about everyone else?"

Epherene asked Julie's team, whom they met by chance. Julie responded briefly.

"Hmm. We have 31. Congratulations on your victory."

"Hehe. Oh, I think the food is almost ready."

Epherene took off the pot that she had put on the bonfire. Today's meal was chicken soup with steamed potatoes garnished with tomato.

"Okay, okay, let's eat~."

While Epherene was distributing the food, Gwen, spaced out next to Drent, snapped her fingers like she remembered something. Then, she produced some documents.

"Ah, that's right, Julie. Do you want to read this?"

"…What is this?"

"Wizard Scouting Report. You don't know it yet, but there are other people aside from Deculein."

"Agh!"

Epherene showed interest. She approached quickly after handing over the soup to

Syrio.

"Can I look at it, too? The Professor's report…"

She grew wary of Julie, but the knight shook her head.

"It's okay. Let's read it together."

"Oh, yes… thank you!"

Epherene carefully crept in and sat beside her.

[Imperial Knights Scouting Report]

"This is confidential. Don't tell anyone that I showed it to you."

When she nodded at Gwen and was about to read the report-

Grrrrrrrrrr————!

A wicked roar shook the ground. Both teams stood with their eyes wide open, and they went for their weapons.

"…"

"…"

In an instant, a terrifying silence fell over them. Epherene could sense what had produced that roar.

"Ti… tiger…"

Her bracelet flushed with color. She had experienced the appearance of a tiger before in the Voice.

"Shh. Don't panic. Fortunately, it's far away."

—!

The echo vibrated like it might tear up the sky and mountains. A wave of mana spread with it like a storm.

Schwaaaaa…

The surging wind swept over them. It was as sharp as the spirit and mana mixed into it.

"Guys? This is no joke!"

At this point, Epherene wasn't the only one perplexed. Julie, Gwen, Syrio, and the knights were also feeling goosebumps.

"Is it a Wild One?"

"Wild… one?"

A Wild One was the most extreme type of tiger. Even if the Archmage Demakan and the Guardian Knight Gefrid fought together, their victory wasn't guaranteed…

"No, it's not a Wild One. If it was, there's no need to worry."

Julie spoke. Just as she said, the Wild One didn't fight with people or demons. It was an immortal that transcended the world.

"…It's a Great Tiger."

Gwen spoke. Great Tiger was a rank below Wild One, marking a leader.

"Now that I hear it, there's also an Evil Tiger among them."

"Evil Tiger…"

Epherene's breathing grew rougher. An Evil Tiger tried to fight, break and kill everyone that they met.

Grrr—!

The third roar was accompanied by a thundering explosion on the far ridge.

"That level is that of a Great Tiger, I'm sure. Let's retreat for now. I'll also tell the other teams."

Julie picked up the crystal ball. Of course, everyone would have heard that scream, but for now, it was necessary to convey the message through the central reporting system.

"This is Julie. We've detected a Great Tiger…."

At that time, a warning alarm rang. The energy of death suddenly passed over them. Julie carried Epherene and ran at the front of the group. Gwen carried Drent on her back, and Syrio brought up the rear.

Baaaaaaaaaam—!

A flash of lightning struck nearby. Shock waves distorted the space around them as a mysterious creature wrapped in mana and blood arrived between their ranks. Its eyes radiated a vivid yellow.

Grrrrrr—!

The tiger moved so fast it didn't even leave an afterimage.

"Oh my gosh!"

The tiger reached Julie's group in less than a second, pouncing with its mouth wide open…