[Speaking of Myself]
The Dekulan family.
I was once a Troubleshooter of the great mage family Dekulan, rooted in the eastern continent. Now, what is a Troubleshooter?
Simply put, a hunting dog. Like a hound that lives and dies by its master's command, they faithfully carry out the family's orders. Their work is quite varied, but to give a few examples: infiltrate a rival family to uncover secrets and preemptively prevent threats to Dekulan. And if you get caught?
From that point on, you have to run like hell.
Anyway, that's the kind of work Troubleshooters do, but honestly, there's no such thing as retirement for them. Think about it. The work of a Troubleshooter consists entirely of unspeakable acts that must not be discovered. If caught, you lose far more than just the success of the mission. Who would let someone like that retire alive?
'I wouldn't either.'
Yet, how am I a former Troubleshooter?
Because I retired. It wasn't that the job was hard. No, actually, it suited me perfectly. One time I was chased by Lorutel, the most renowned swordsmanship family in the east. An entire order of knights drew their swords and came after me just to catch one guy. That time it was a blast.
'Truly thrilling.'
The way their faces flushed red chasing after me, it was fun to tease them. I've been chased by most of the prestigious families, but Lorutel's reaction was the most entertaining.
Stupid sword-swinging bastards. I could say a lot more about those brainless brutes, but anyway.
The job itself was fine and It was fun. So then, why did I retire?
'Beats me.'
There wasn't a particular reason. One day, I just happened to look up at the sky, and saw a wyvern flying overhead. It soared across the heavens, cutting through the clouds, looking so incredibly free. Of course, the part where that wyvern tried to eat me and instead ended up in my stomach is a separate matter.
'That guy, honestly…'
It was delicious. Maybe because I hadn't eaten in days, it was a real delicacy. Not that I'd eat another one. Anyway, that's how I ended up with such a grand retirement.
"You're the last one left."
A land in chaos. A chilling wind swept through the space. It was the same wind as always, but the scent it carried was far from the same.
The stench of blood. Amidst the fallen Dekulan mages who had come to capture me, one man stood.
"Number One, huh… you were hiding your power. That's not the kind of strength a mere Troubleshooter should have."
One of the Dekulan bloodline bastards.
Name… I don't know. Just known among Troubleshooters as the unlucky Administrator 1.
"I ask the questions."
With a light punch to the solar plexus, the bastard doubled over like he was in heaven.
I pulled out a book and showed it to him.
"This, is this a grimoire?"
"…"
"Answer."
The bloodline bastard gave a faint nod.
"Y-Yes. Did you really think we gathered in force just to catch the likes of you?"
"Well, if you'd known, you'd have swarmed like flies. Right?"
He gave no answer. Maybe because he agreed with me. I didn't press further. That wasn't the important part right now.
"So, how do you use it?"
"I-I don't know."
"You don't?"
I only asked once.
Then I quickly understood.
"Well, if you'd known, you wouldn't have left it stuffed in some vault."
Dekulan's greed is no joke. Even a greedy goblin would bow in shame. And yet they'd just let a usable grimoire rot? Nonsense.
Most likely, they planned to swallow the entire continent. If I know Dekulan, they'd go even further.
'Hmm, an unexpected gain.'
No, calling it a "gain" doesn't quite cut it. It's a grimoire. With the right use, it could change the balance of the continent and etch your name in history. People even rank mage families by how many grimoires they possess. But is this a good thing for me? That's another story.
'They'll probably chase me to the ends of hell.'
Even if they don't know how to use it, Dekulan would never give up a grimoire. Like I said, their greed surpasses even goblins.
Just as I reached that thought.
"Hand over the grimoire even now. Then I'll plead for leniency from the head of the house."
I let out a snort of laughter at the bloodline bastard's words.
"Do you even have the power to do that?"
"…"
No answer.
Of course even if he's bloodline, he's just an administrator who oversaw Troubleshooters. At best, a loser who lost in a power struggle.
"So, any last words?"
"You bastard…"
"Looks like you've finally realized your identity. That's admirable."
People really do find enlightenment at the edge of death. Anyway, I celebrated his tiny epiphany by grabbing his throat. Enlightenment is one thing, this is another. Just as I was about to snap his neck…
It happened.
"...!"
A chilling sensation. My iInstincts screamed danger. Every hair on my body stood on end, cold sweat pouring out of every pore, and in the midst of it, a soft voice whispered in my ear.
"You've got decent senses."
I slowly turned my head. A middle-aged man stood there.
Utterly at ease. As if out for a walk among a field of corpses, wearing a relaxed smile. But the peaceful air was only on the surface. Each of his steps exuded a force that was downright menacing.
"…"
As far as I know, only one person in Dekulan can emanate such presence.
The head of the Dekulan family. Leader of the greatest mage family in the eastern continent… and the strongest mage in its history. There was only him.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Paheren von Dekulan. I'm the uncle of that fool in your hands, and head of the Dekulan family."
The head calmly introduced himself and reached out a hand toward me.
"If it's all right, I'd like to take back both my nephew and the grimoire. We can talk after that."
* * *
Over a decade as a Troubleshooter.
Though I spent half my life in Dekulan's service, this was the first time seeing its master. I had imagined him occasionally. What kind of person would be the leader of Dekulan, the greatest mage family in the eastern continent and the strongest mage in history?
But my thoughts on the matter…
"So damn annoying."
"…?"
I spoke as I stored the grimoire into my subspace.
"I always knew Dekulan was a bunch of shameless thieves, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. You're seriously trying to take the spoils I nearly died for?"
Was this the first time he'd been treated like this?
The head let out a hollow laugh. I laughed along, but inside, I wasn't calm at all.
'Damn wyvern.'
Shouldn't have eaten that thing. Who knew the head would show up himself. Seeing him in person, he was beyond what I'd imagined. His presence was the most terrifying and overwhelming I've ever felt from a mage.
There wasn't a single opening in his stance.
Just as I reached that conclusion, the head spoke.
"So what do you want to do? Die by my hand? I'd prefer it that way, honestly…"
"Sounds like you've got a scheme. Just get to the point. You're not the type to waste time over a fool like this one."
I tightened my grip, drawing a groan from the bloodline bastard. The head showed a feigned look of discomfort.
"He's a fool, yes, but still my nephew. Watching him suffer doesn't sit well with me."
No, he looked perfectly fine. In fact, the head hadn't spared him a single glance. I didn't react. It wasn't worth it. The head seemed to realize that and shrugged.
"Well, fine. Let's get to the point. I watched the entire battle."
"From start to finish?"
"Does that matter?"
"Not really."
But a thought solidified. If he watched from beginning to end, then the bastard I have isn't the only Dekulan scumbag here.
"Let's move on. In any case, it was impressive. Originally, I intended to kill you myself, but after seeing you fight, I changed my mind."
"…?"
What the hell is he getting at?
I waited in silence, and when he finally opened his mouth, a surprising offer spilled out.
"Return to the shadow of Dekulan. Give me the grimoire, and I'll overlook everything you've done."
"Ha."
I let out a dry laugh.
"Do you even know how many Dekulan I've killed with my own hands?"
"Of course. I said I watched the battle. I even counted each one."
"You counted?"
He probably thought it was a joke, but I wasn't laughing. Just more convinced. There's more than one bastard here from Dekulan. There are two standing right here.
"So, what'll it be? Will you accept the offer? Your talent is astounding. I can't believe I never noticed before."
"Hmph."
I folded my arms and thought for a moment.
The head waited patiently, and it wasn't long before I nodded.
"Fine."
A quiet reply. And the head's face lit up with a genuine smile. Seeing that actually made me feel good. Because the happier he was, the more bitter he'd be when it all fell apart.
"But, there's one condition."
"What is it?"
"Give me the seat of the family head, and I'll consider it."
"…"
His lips sealed. An eyebrow twitched. For the first time, emotion flickered across the always-calm face. Inside, I cheered. Then I remembered something.
"Oh, right."
"…?"
"You said you counted, right?"
The head looked at me curiously, and I met his gaze as I tightened my grip.
A quiet snap.
It was the sound of the bloodline bastard's neck breaking. I spoke calmly.
"So, what's the count now?"
Was he really counting? The head went silent. Whether he was or not, I added the limp corpse to the pile of dead Dekulan mages. And the head finally spoke.
"How strange."
"Strange?"
"Why are you provoking me? Surely you know. You're no match for me."
He truly seemed baffled. I let out a chuckle.
"You never know until you try, right?"
"Some things you can know without trying. The gap between us is such."
He's right and I was about to hit him.
Thwack!
"...!"
I launched forward and threw a punch straight at the Dekulan head's face. But as expected of the family head. Before I could even react, he blocked it. In that brief moment, he'd formed a barrier.
My fist, shrouded in magic, collided with his barrier. Our eyes met in the clash.
"Is this really your choice? You could die, you know."
"I'm tired of eating dog food."
"Very well, then I'll show you the difference in class. See for yourself."
A wicked aura began to radiate from him. He was preparing for a real fight. And at that moment, I opened my mouth.
"If I were to bow my head now? Say I'd return to Dekulan's shadow?"
"Would you?"
His aura lessened slightly. I nodded.
"Not a chance."
And launched another strike.
Crackle!
The battle had begun.