Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 109: The Stakes are Life

Translator: MarcTempest

Proofreader: naturallyInconsistent

Chapter 109 The Stakes are Life

Kian spoke with a smug tone.

Dont misunderstand. We didnt kill those knights with our own hands.

Then

Becky, who was standing next to him, asked.

How do you know theyre dead?

Because we watched them die.

Dont tell me, you deliberately stood by and did nothing?

Deliberately I guess you could say that.

Becky gasped at Kians nonchalant answer. She asked incredulously.

Then you could have at least cleaned up the corpses. Or better yet, why did you just stand by and let it happen?

Do you, the magic department, have the right to say that?

Kian tilted his head slightly and replied.

Technically isnt it because you sent us to a dangerous area that this happened?

Azure is strong enough. You could have saved them!

Really?

Kian shrugged his shoulders.

The more people die, the more the arrows of resentment will point to the magic department that used teleportation. I dont have any obligation to stop that.

Is that all you have to say? You wanted us to be hated by more people, so you ignored the people in danger?

Trixie quietly reached out her hand to Beckys chest. It was a sign to calm down, but Becky became even more furious.

Youre out of your mind. Youre a complete gambling addict! You treat human lives like poker cards!

Hmm. Calm down.

Kian rubbed his ears as if they hurt.

Isnt combat the same as poker? Its only natural to discard bad cards for better ones.

The problem is that you compare it to poker. Youre just disguising your malicious intent with a cowardly excuse!

Well, I wonder who would look more malicious among us

Kian put his hand on the sword at his waist and said.

That depends on the person. Who do you think is being called malicious outside right now?

Becky closed her mouth, losing her words. But she was still seething with anger.

Youre planning to use the media. You guys.

Trixie muttered.

Her point was accurate. 

They were going to use the fact that the reporters crystal balls couldnt capture the scene of the dangerous area, and make it look like the magic department caused a lot of casualties.

He didnt bother to deny it. No, to be precise, he had no reason to.

The reason was on their necks.

And why are their necks like that?

Trixie murmured softly, as if her eyes had gotten used to the darkness. 

There were black blood vessels on the necks of the four knights, spreading like branches.

The answer was given by Louis, who was next to him.

Demon.

Demon?

Yeah. The black discoloration of the blood vessels is a characteristic of accepting Demons power. In other words

Louiss expression became even more serious.

they sold their souls.

At that, Beckys shoulders trembled slightly. 

Trixies reaction was not much different.

He understood their feelings.

It was already a hesitant thing to have to fight with the knights for their lives, but if they had also made a contract with Demon, they would naturally hesitate more.

But he was rather relieved.

After all, outsiders would never look kindly at them who had made a contract with Demon.

Kian nodded his head.

Thats right. We sold our souls, and therefore we intend to get what we want.

The leader of Azure, Kian, drew his sword from the sheath.

The double-edged sword, sharpened to slaughter the beasts, now seemed to cut humans without hesitation.

Becky asked in disbelief.

What do you want? Victory? You sold your souls for that?

Dont be mistaken. Our goal is not simply to win the Hunting competition anymore.

Then, revenge on the gambling house?

Thats too childish. You may not know, but there is something tremendous sleeping in this dangerous area.

Kian pointed at us with the tip of his sword.

And thats why I waited for you.

I quietly sank into my thoughts.

It was clear what Azure was talking about. 

It was the object marked on the ancient rune map.

If getting that object was their goal, then the fact that they made a contract with Demon was also understandable.

However, that means

Demon was after that thing too.

It was only natural that those who had various purposes for the great thing would get tangled up. 

After all, it was not just a very great thing, but a thing related to the power of the ancient runes.

Now, it seemed that Demon was planning to use the knights as chess pieces to get the thing.

Trixie put one hand on my waist. 

She narrowed her eyes and asked Kian.

Tell me the conclusion. What are you going to do with us?

The conclusion is, I think they might kill us.

The three of them tensed up at the blunt expression. 

Trixie quickly got ready for battle.

Azure smiled after exchanging glances with his companions. It was a smile of confidence in victory.

There are no reporters watching, and you know weve even got Demons power. Dont you know what that means? Its pretty amazing that youre not running away.

I know what it means, alright?

Becky snapped back in a sharp voice.

But, I dont want to run away from a gambling addict! Team, what are you going to do?

The red-haired girl looked around at us and said.

We cant run away anyway. But

Louis created a ray of light and stood next to Becky.

Selling your soul that you should have polished and refined. I dont like that as a magician.

Trixie, who was listening, nodded with a serious expression this time.

Kian brushed his hair back and opened his mouth.

Come on, listen to the end. I havent decided to kill you yet.

His sword pointed at me.

If you give me the map, I can spare your life, how about it?

Map? What map?

Becky asked back in surprise. 

Kian looked at her with an unexpected expression. 

Her eyes met Demon again.

Aha. The rest of your members dont know yet?

Kian stared at my eyes intently.

Your members might be a bit disappointed. Oh, by the way Did you plan to abandon your members and take the thing?

I dont know what it is, but Flan would never do that!

Becky shouted.

Kian continued calmly.

Dont yell at me, ask the person in question.

The representatives of the magic department turned their heads and looked at me. 

There was a slight anxiety on their faces rather than doubt.

I quietly took out the map from my chest.

Look.

This, which was a combination of the fantasy map and the ancient rune map, had already changed into a completely new map.

The three magicians eyes widened at the sight of the map emitting a faint light. 

Azure also looked happy as if he had finally found what he wanted.

I calmly explained the plan as it was.

There is a treasure related to the ancient runes hidden in this dangerous area, and I intend to get it.

Why do you want to get it?

Everyone held their breath at Kians question.

Of course.

From the perspective of the three magicians, they were more curious about why I wanted that treasure than what it was.

I pointed at the three magicians with my chin.

Im planning to use it for their growth.

Growth?

Yeah. At least to the seventh rank or so.

Wasnt the dean of the magic department a sixth rank?

With that, silence fell again.

After blinking a few times, Kian burst into laughter.

Ha ha ha ha ha

His small laughter turned into a loud one. 

The knights next to him also laughed along as if they were infected.

This is why its fun to talk to magicians, right?

He continued with a cheeky tone.

Ah~ that was such a touching story. But.

Kian snapped his fingers. 

He pointed at Becky, Trixie, and Louis in order with his index finger.

Isnt it a shame to waste such a hand? In poker, you usually fold when you get such a bad hand.

The other knights also chimed in.

Lets get this over with. I keep hearing a voice in my head urging me to hurry.

Me too. I cant stand this headache.

Trixies face hardened.

Their energy is not good.

Azures reputation was not low.

Now that they had even made a contract with Demons, I could watch my three magicians bodies stiffen in real time.

Well then, shall we begin?

Kian finally took a step.

With every step he took, the black energy unique to Demon contractors spread throughout the corridor.

At that moment, filled with tension.

You seem to like poker, Kian.

A cold voice that I didnt even recognize myself echoed through the corridor.

I couldnt read my own emotions in that instant. I walked past the three representatives and went to the front.

Hmm.

Kian tilted his head.

I do. The bigger the stakes, the better.

Then lets raise the stakes. You can bet your life instead of money.

I walked silently forward.

Decide whether to call or fold.

I think it was from the moment I heard the word bad hand. 

Thats when I felt uneasy.

The moment I realized I was angry.

Make up your mind.

I spread my own barrier, and soon the space changed.