A simple thrust.
It wasn't even a spear—just a sword thrust—but its power was anything but light.
Kuuuuhhh...
Not only the trees, but even the cave entrances oozing with eerie energy collapsed. Some of the vines and trees blotting out the sky were blown away.
Sunlight streamed through in scattered rays, brightly illuminating the clearing.
The brilliant sunshine mocked the pitifully fallen shadow.
—Wha, how is a kid like you completely unaffected...
...Why the hell do I have this weapon?
I was just as baffled. I'd only packed clothes, herbs, and holy water, since she said no divine artifacts for me.
Whatever—it's a chance!
I could figure out why it was here later.
For now, I'd kill this bastard right here.
Ziiing!
The sword let out a clear ring upon sensing my Divine Power.
I coated the crimson blade with my Divine Power and strode forward.
With half its body blown away, the shadow could barely move, crawling backward unsteadily.
—W-Wait! If you spare me, I'll tell you how to lift the curse on that Karma kid!
I ignored it and stomped down on the shadow with my foot.
Raising my sword, I prepared to pierce its core precisely.
—W-Wait!
Honestly, seeing it like this, I was tempted to keep it alive and squeeze out more info.
But I couldn't let it gain even a sliver of control over the situation.
—Kieeeek!
The sword plunged right beside the core.
Driven to the brink of death, the shadow formed an arm and grabbed my ankle.
—S-Spare me. Please, please spare me!
"Have you ever spared someone who begged for their life?"
—I-I've never killed a human! Never cast a curse either!
"?"
Fine, maybe it hadn't killed humans.
But never cast a curse?
"If it wasn't your curse, how the hell are you gonna lift it? And how do you even know it's cursed?"
—I know who cast the curse. And I know how to weaken it!
"Spill it."
—If you spare me...
"Hey."
I lowered my voice as I glared at the scheming shadow.
"You think I'm a pushover? Spill first, then maybe I let you live. What, you don't trust me? Ha. This ain't working."
I channeled my inner thug, casually jiggling my leg and twisting the sword sideways.
—Th-The core...!
"Gonna smash it right now? Nah, wanna take a dip in holy water? I've got some special brew—works like a charm."
Total bluff. I still sucked at making holy water. Not that effective either.
But this thing was a Black Mage. To it, holy water must feel like acid on skin. Dunking it would hurt like hell.
—Th-That...
"Cheeky bastard. Two pieces of info."
—What?
"What? Watch your mouth, punk. Got a problem? Then just die."
—N-No, sir... B-But the info I know isn't much...
The shadow's voice even cracked like it was sobbing.
Not my problem.
"So you want to die?"
—N-No, sir...
"Fine. What's the other info?"
...
The shadow squeezed its eyes shut—or at least, it squirmed like it was.
—Info on another Black Mage... in this forest.
"Not the servant-disguised one I already nabbed?"
?!
"You little shit. Wanna die?"
—O-Of course it's another Black Mage!
Another Black Mage?
Rats hiding good, huh.
Jackpot lure.
I smirked inwardly and lifted the shadow by hand.
"Hmm. Can't have you running, though."
I pulled out some holy water from my bundle.
"Let's dunk you a bit."
—W-Wai...
"Eh, you'll be fine. Won't kill ya."
Chiiiiiik!
A pitiful scream echoed deep into the forest.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Drained of most power from the holy water dunk, the shadow hung limp.
I carried it back to camp, stashing the used sword back in my bundle—just in case.
Figure it out later.
Why this weapon was in my bundle was as mysterious as my missing dinner last night.
Back at camp, security was way tighter than before.
"?"
Soldiers stood rigidly at attention.
One spotted me and shouted brightly.
"Priest! You're safe!"
"Uh... what happened?"
"You vanished suddenly, and Priest Marin said he chased a Black Mage in—but it was suspicious, so... we're interrogating him now."
Torturing, you mean?
"Take me there."
"This way."
The soldier led me to the command tent, buzzing with people inside.
I pushed through. Linehit was pouring holy water over Marin's head.
Aigoo, what a waste!
"Huuuuh... No, I didn't...."
"No reaction from the holy water."
"Then use a divine artifact...."
"What the hell are you doing?"
Why waste holy water like that on his head?
Linehit turned to me, stopping mid-pour like nothing happened, handing the empty vial to a servant.
He composed his face and approached with a hearty laugh.
"Haha! Glad you're back safe, Priest. Heard you followed a Black Mage into the forest—truly fortunate!"
"Yeah, so why pour holy water on him?"
"You disappeared suddenly. Thought maybe this Priest Marin colluded with a Black Mage to make you vanish, so we were just... interviewing."
"That's bullshit. This is torture, not an interview."
"But if Priest Marin really colluded, he'd be corrupted, so holy water would react...."
"No reaction means no corruption. Duh."
Holy water doesn't erase mana by dousing like idiots.
It reacts to souls tainted by mana.
Linehit looked flustered.
"But last time, the High Priest did it like...."
"That's purification with prayer. Step aside. I caught the Black Mage."
I tossed the rag-like shadow into the camp center.
Thud.
"Wh-What's that?"
"Black Mage. Its soul—real body. Tried framing your brother and fleeing."
"Bl-Black... I-I said it was a frame job...."
Marin, soaked in tears and holy water, was freed from bonds.
Linehit cleared his throat awkwardly, changing subjects.
"Then we just kill this Black Mage."
—Grrr... Wh-What? K-Kill?
"Not yet."
"But Priest, Black Mages are vile. Who knows what they'll...."
"I know better than you, noble. Worry about your own mess. You tortured an innocent priest."
"That was...."
Marin glared at Linehit, shaking holy water from his hair.
Even for a noble, torturing(?) an innocent priest was controversial.
"You sit first."
"But the Black Mage...."
"Don't touch it. Sit."
I glared hard as he kept deflecting.
Our eyes met.
He looked away and nodded.
"...Understood."
Why keep dodging?
To be safe, I had Marin hold the shadow—plenty soaked to keep it suppressed.
"Knight."
"...Yes, Priest."
The listless knight was on guard.
"Bring everyone."
Might as well heal them all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The inspection didn't take long.
No corruption, no Black Mages.
"Payment now."
"...10 gold?"
"No issues, so yes. 10% off next time."
Plugged the sale too.
Nipella asked during his check.
"Treated as noble too, Professor?"
"I hold a baron's title."
"10 gold."
...
Jackpot.
My fuller pouch brought a satisfied smile.
But no other Black Mages puzzled me.
Where are they?
The servant Black Mage wasn't the curser.
Probably a minion.
Acting solo?
Nah.
Too late anyway—crashed for the night.
I slept fine; others didn't.
"Ugh, such discomfort...."
"My back...."
The two nobles whined nonstop; their servants and knights looked aged overnight.
Real age of peace, huh...
Used to be normal back then.
Nipella adapted, still pristine.
"...What's that on your back?"
"Ah. Magic-heated hot pack. Hard beds kill my back."
...
Health first, Prof.
I entered the tent holding the Black Mage. Knights and sprinkled holy water kept it pinned.
"Sleeping?"
...
This punk's faking.
I nudged its leg.
"Hey. Wake up."
...
"Holy water bath?"
It cracked one eye at my threat.
"Wanna die? Faking sleep?"
I kicked it hard.
Interrogations need proper violence. Movie-taught.
Wham!
"Kuh!"
"Answer right, or holy water facial. Or fingers first?"
Black Mages are mana-soaked souls—even bodies.
I grinned, pulling holy water. It freaked, eyes bulging.
"W-Wai...."
Chiiik!
"Gaaaah!"
"Ready to talk?"
I poured on its finger; it writhed screaming.
Kept pouring.
This is how you use it right.
Wasted on Marin's head earlier.
"P-Priest...."
"Shh."
I shoved persistent Linehit aside, tossing the empty vial back.
"Out."
"But—"
"Like vials to the face?"
"No, sir."
Linehit left quietly.
Just us three in the tent. I squatted eye-level with the Black Mage.
"Talk now?"
Grrr...
"No? Shame. Talk fast, and maybe I let you go."
I lifted the recovering shadow sadly.
"Oh. This one talked already. Spared it."
"What...? Y-You traitor!"
Traitor my ass! You became a Black Mage to live too!
Shadow barked back; Black Mage ground teeth, spewing curses.
You piece of shit@%!#@%*!
Fuck!*%[email protected]#!)52
Total chaos.
"Enough."
I halted the noise.
"Hah, hah...."
Hah, hah...
They panted, rap-battling curses.
Eyes still fierce.
Both wanna live.
I grinned, spreading my hand.
"First to betray gets to live."
"...What?"
...What?
"Go."
Five fingers—five seconds.
Fold one: "Four." Tension rose.
"Three."
Fold another.
"Two."
No talk?
"One."
Still?
"Zero...."
Hand on holy water vial—shadow yelled.
Secret dungeon! Another Black Mage's hiding there!
"You dog...."
"Pass. You—10 minutes soak."
"S-Spare—Gaaaah!"
Perfect.
Before leaving this forest, exterminate every roach.
Bonus: make bank.