The Sleeping Devil

"Learn already. How many times do I have to tell you that Mother dislikes dirty things?"

"It's not dirty! Besides, Didier's magic has improved, right?"

It seems their relationship isn't bad. Perhaps it's because Dalia was cleansed, but Dior's emotions also seem to have settled.

We evacuated Gardo, Owens, and Licht to their respective rooms, and we guided the two to the reception room.

"Wow, I was really surprised! I heard it from Marcel, but you're dazzlingly white. And there's even a black one. I'm really glad I came!"

Dalia relaxes, and Sergio lets out a big sigh.

"That's not the purpose, is it? We've already dealt with the escaped prisoner, so please leave as soon as possible."

Sergio has already reported to the royal palace that the prisoner has been dealt with. Dalia should have received that information. Still, she forcefully entered the castle, insisting...

Dalia's gaze hinted that the one with white hair is my target.

"I'll stay for a while. Put the knights and magicians in the dormitories. At worst, we can camp out!"

"What? There's no obligation for us to accommodate you."

"Huh... but if we don't, I'll have to report about these kids to higher-ups, right?"

It was a complete threat. When it comes to higher-ups for Dalia, it would be the royal palace, the Senate, and the sages of the magic tower.

It will be known eventually, but depending on how Dalia reports it, it could become troublesome. Moreover, Julius probably spent his time hiding from such people.

The ominous aura emanating from next to me indicated that this is a serious situation.

"Anyway, what do you want to achieve by staying? Neither I nor Dior have time to entertain you."

"Let me investigate these two. Especially that black kid. The fact that I didn't know about him until now means he's been hiding quite skillfully, right? If I let them go now, they'll definitely disappear."

Dalia, who laughs like a child, seems to have no ill intentions. She is only persisting out of pure curiosity and attachment.

What if Julius really disappears? What will she do then? If he wants, he can use teleportation to go anywhere. Then he probably won't come here anymore.

I can't stay silent any longer.

"Whether you stay or not is up to Father. However, we refuse to be investigated."

"Oh, come on. It's just for a little while. I won't do anything painful, okay?"

"Well then, would you mind accompanying Brother Didier's experiment first? After Brother is satisfied with the experiment, I'll cooperate as well."

Dalia finally closed her mouth. Alternating between Didier and me, she had beads of sweat on her forehead. Didier showed a beaming smile, seemingly already expecting something from Dalia.

"As expected of Sheriel, such a cute little sister. Does that mean anything goes as long as it's not painful? Dalia, I remember you were fond of magical beasts. Maybe I should have Dalia cook her favorites during her stay."

"Brother, I won't allow you to lay a hand on magical beasts."

His tastes are far too bad. There seems to be an aspect that still needs correction. I'd like to have a little talk with him later.

"Oh, no... But you see, I'm the head of the Magic Corps, you know? I have the right to investigate..."

"The right to use the citizens of the kingdom as experimental subjects? I don't recall learning about that. Is my learning lagging behind? Oh, was it something taught at the academy?"

"No, it's not like that... But, you know, I'm curious. Beriard is quite persistent; you can understand that, right?"

"I understand, but I don't empathize. It's Beriard, after all."

Dalia clings to Marcel as if seeking help, but Marcel shakes his head, indicating that she should give up.

Didier, eager not to miss a chance to legally acquire test subjects, came to Dalia's aid.

"Dalia, don't give up. Even I, under Sheriel's unreasonable conditions, took several years to get her to listen to my request. It's an exceptional condition to become friends with Sheriel by playing for just a few weeks."

Is this about the old story of "revealing secrets when we become friends"? Becoming friends without causing harm doesn't seem like such a difficult condition.

Didier estimated a few weeks. During that period, he seems confident that he can break Dalia. Didier really needs to learn a bit more about ethics.

"Well, I really don't want to become Didier's test subject."

"In that case, please take back what you said. I don't want to be Dalia-sama's test subject either."

"Oh, it seems like I'm not liked... Marcel, what should we do? I won't be able to work if we go back like this."

Here, Marcel turns pale. A ridiculously loud voice echoes, "What are you talking about!" It's getting really troublesome. At this moment, I finally understand why Sergio and Dior were so anxious before.

"The way the captain says things is bad! Of course, you'd be hated for this!"

"No, but you see..."

Marcel also seemed to have said something similar... Are all magicians like this?

"Well then, how about you, the black one over there? It's a personal request, though..."

"............"

Julius deepens his smile and releases magic for an instant. Waves of magical power, unbearable for ordinary people, pass through their bodies. However, the two maids don't seem to understand what happened.

Dalia and Marcel lose color in their faces and simultaneously start trembling.

"I-I apologize... But, I'm convinced now. Please, take me as your disciple!"

"I decline. I gain nothing from it."

"I'll definitely be of use to you! By the way, you're human, right?"

I can understand the sentiment. I also didn't think he was human at first.

Taking a third-party perspective, I realized how disrespectful I was and lamented my past disgraceful behavior.

Julius, once again, rejected the offer with a smile.

Thank goodness...

"I don't mind leaving the Magic Corps! Please, let me work as your hands and feet! I'm quite talented in this kingdom, you know!"

"Captain! That's troubling!"

Are they still insisting? What if the teacher accepts?

"Well then, let's have the ancient documents, magic circles, and the research materials those old folks are carrying sent over here. Since I have a disciple now, I guess I can offer some advice."

"Understood! I'll bring anything you need!" Said Dalia.

To Dalia's immediate response, Marcel shouts, "No, you can't! That could lead to the death penalty!"

I felt a twinge in my chest. Is it okay to call me a disciple? If those materials are that important, I understand why the teacher wants them. However, I couldn't muster any excitement about learning magic from Dalia in the future.

"Of course, what we discuss here is strictly confidential. By the time you return, let's hand over the confidential circles."

"Yes! I'll definitely prepare them! Am I going to be Sheri

-chan's junior disciple? Nice to meet you!"

I tightened my lips that were about to click and took the smile this time without covering it up.

"My disciple is only Sheriel."

Julius gently placed his hand on my head. Then, a telepathic message from Julius resonated in my head.

"(I mentioned I have some documents I want you to decipher, right? Can you endure it for a little while?)"

Feeling embarrassed about having taken on a childish attitude, my cheeks warmed. Once I get the materials Julius is seeking, I'll promptly ask Dalia to leave.

"Dalia-sama, since you're here, why not keep Didier company too?"

"Uh, yeah. I was curious about Didier's growth too. I'd be happy if everyone got along!"

When Marcel, who had rolled his eyes back like a corpse, regained consciousness, Dalia's stay had already been decided.

"Captain! This is really bad! What about work? And if the circles are exposed, it won't end well!"

"Just make sure it doesn't get exposed! I'll leave the work to Marcel! Besides, this expedition might turn out to be long-term, as we discussed! It's going according to plan."

Dalia, who laughed dryly, was guided to a room with a bath. Dior's condition was to bathe every day. According to Dior, Dalia had accumulated so much dirt that it wouldn't come off in one wash.

"Dalia-sama, this will be your room. Please take a bath later. The maids will assist you."

"Bath? Oh, that thing Marcel was talking about. It's a hassle, but if it's the sister's favorite, I might be a bit interested."

Dior immediately locked herself in her room, and Sergio went out to the garden to guide the knights and magicians to the barracks. Thus, I ended up dealing with the two of them together with Julius.

"Miss Sheriel, I'm truly sorry. I shouldn't have brought the captain..."

"It's really inconvenient."

They gathered in Marcel's room to discuss future plans. I wanted to return to my room right away, but I didn't like the idea of the conversation progressing without me.

I should have been in a magic class right now... with my wand...

While concealing the rising anger, I listened to their conversation.

"Well then, can the circles be prepared right away? If not, make a slave contract. Until then, I won't answer any questions."

"I can prepare the materials, but a slave contract sounds more appealing!"

"W-Wait a moment!"

No, a slave contract... Certainly, it might be the most trustworthy and quickest way, but something feels different. I can't quite put it into words...

In place of me, who couldn't continue, Marcel objected.

"Absolutely no to the slave contract! Dalia-sama is the head of the Mage Guild! Essentially, it would mean handing over the entire authority of the guild to him. This is not just your problem."

Exactly, that's it! Come on, Marcel-sama, say more!

"Well then, maybe I'll just resign."

"If you resign, you'll be useless, but is that okay?"

"That would be troublesome! The classified materials are just insurance, right? What I can prepare right now is, uh, a magical restraint device."

Marcel holds his head in his hands, and Julius slowly raises the corners of his mouth.

"Good. Show it to me."

While swinging her staff and chanting a spell, Dalia creates a small pocket dimension. From there, she takes out a magical device and hands it to Julius without hesitation.

"Captain... Please, spare me..."

The magical device looks like an ordinary box. Julius turns the box once while observing it, and like opening a wooden puzzle box, he starts moving parts one by one without hesitation.

Perhaps surprised by this, Dalia and Marcel begin to whisper and talk secretly.

"Wait, wasn't it supposed to be that only the creator could open it?"

"Yes, that's right. What were you planning, Captain?"

"I thought I'd just break it. It's okay if I can see the circle inside, right?"

"Do you know how much this thing costs?"

By the time their conversation ends, the box is neatly empty. Inside, there are magic stones, and a magic circle is engraved on the bottom of the box. Basically, magical devices seem to work on this kind of mechanism.

Since Julius drew the magic circle for the soundproofing magical device, I learned for the first time how its structure works.

"I see, that's good. So, do you have any questions?"

"Yes! Um, I guess I can ask anything, right, Master?"

"I don't have any memory of making you my disciple... It's Julius. Of course, don't disclose my name."

"I understand, Julius-sama! Well then, first, what about your attributes?"

Despite trembling a while ago, she's already back to this attitude. She really has thick nerves.

How much to reveal is left to Julius. I don't particularly have anything to hide. It's just that I didn't like Dalia's attitude for some reason.

"All attributes. As the words say, I have all the blessings. However, it doesn't mean I receive blessings from each god. Is that okay?"

"W-All attributes?! I remember Sheri-chan was registered as a water attribute, right?"

"Since I have the blessing of water too, it's not a lie. Sheriel also has all attributes."

A sound, like something bursting, is heard, and Marcel's uniform is stained with blood. Dalia, on the other hand, blew her nosebleed grandiosely.

"S-So sudden! It's a common occurrence, so don't worry about it!"

Marcel quickly stuffed a cloth into Dalia's nose and cleaned the blood-stained clothes. I accepted that it was a common occurrence, as he worked with amazing efficiency.

"How did you manipulate magic earlier? You precisely stopped such a massive amount of magic only around us, right?"

I see, that's why the maids were unaffected. Sergio and Dior also looked slightly pale, so it was definitely considerable magic.

"I just erected a barrier around. If the maids had died, Sergio would have had a debt, right?"

"I see... Wait, does Julius-sama also handle magic without chanting!? I heard it was because of Beriard's curse!"

Turning his gaze around to Marcel, Marcel shook his head, saying, "I only heard that."

"By the way, could you teach me how to use magic without chanting?"

"That's right. I can teach you once I have all the materials I'm satisfied with."

Marcel lost his color, and Dalia did a guts pose with hopeful eyes.

Ah, really, I want her to go home soon...