Chapter 191 – Epilogue 1

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I awaken from the murkiness.

The ceiling of the hospital room.

The small black stains. The new magic lanterns. It was all a familiar sight to me. The same room as last time.

I managed to sit up and check the state that my body was in.

Someone must have cast very powerful healing magic on me, as I was still feeling the effects, which was a sluggishness. Captain Vicente’s speciality.

(Nothing hurts. I should be fine.)

It was just then that I noticed someone else in the corner of my vision.

Ilis. She was looking out of the window while arranging flowers in a vase.

A breeze blew at her long hair. Her left shoulder was bandaged. I could smell expensive perfume. The smell of a fashionable young lady.

Ilis then noticed me and froze. Her eyes widened a little. Apparently, she had not expected me to be awake.

She scowled and then moved her hand away from the vase. And while hiding something in her hands, she left the room.

A moment later, Mr. Vicente came in.

“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Though, the healing magic makes me sleepy.”
“I am glad to hear that. Still, you really are loved. Whether it’s Luke, or that girl.”
“Girl?”
“Ms. Ilis Reed. She was hospitalized too, but came to visit you three times. Though, when I asked her about it, she said something about how she wanted to beat you, and so you could not die now.”
“That doesn’t sound like love.”
“It is. I can tell.”

Mr. Vincente said with a smile.

“Still, you did good work again. Prince Michael is very pleased. Apparently, he had also been aware of this enemy.”
“Was it the prince who sent the other magicians and the Royal Knights?”
“He sent the Royal Knights. But the magicians went on their own. Though, it seemed like a certain letter also helped them.”
“A letter?”
“Before his arrest, Captain Gawain had sent letters to Prince Michael and Captain Chris. They were told to keep an eye on Luke Waldstein. This allowed them to come into the rescue.”
“So he purposely cast suspicion on him, making them very cautious.”
“In the end, they even sent the Sword Saint. It really is the kind of thing he would do.”

Mr. Vicent smiled kindly.

“Still, Shamus is the one who is the most happy. After all, Waldstein is now in his debt. Though, I suppose it was Luke who helped him with the Wilhelm case.”
“I’m so glad. That everyone in the 7th unit was able to return with their lives.”
“You did incredibly well this time, Ms. Noelle. I suppose you felt great responsibility as their superior.”
“I don’t know if I did that well. There are many things that I regret.”
“That is life. Standing above others is often difficult.”
“Is it like that for you, Mr. Vicente?”
“My days are filled with failure and regret. That being said, I think it is fine. You know, they say the same thing when you start using new magic equipment. It’s the most dangerous right after you get used to it.”
“That’s true.”
“It’s best to have a little doubt in yourself. That is why I think you are doing well.”

Those words had a strange ring inside of me. I was probably worried. And feeling pressure without realizing it. Was I going to be a good superior to the new recruits?

And so what I was hearing now felt like a special dessert.

“Do you think so? I hope that it is true.”

I scratched my cheek with a little embarrassment.

Wind blew through the window, lifting my hair. It filled the room with an air that reminded me that summer was almost here.

◇　　◇　　◇

Captain Ernest Meterlink of the Royal Magicians Order, 1st unit.

His office was protected by eighteen layers of magic barriers.

He was one of the greatest in the kingdom when it came to barrier arts, and so this was one of the most difficult spaces to invade in the whole continent.

Luke Waldstein was currently standing inside of it.

His face was downcast, and he was searching for the right words.

Then his well-formed lips quietly opened.

There was regret and powerlessness in his voice.

“I was not able to do anything.”

Ernest looked at him with a suspicious expression. As if he was listening to someone speak in some strange language.

“You noticed the betrayal of House Albard and Eniagram. You stopped a dangerous threat towards the kingdom. Members of the Dragon Order are now arrested, proving the existence of the organization. It seems like you did quite well.”
“I cared too much about achievements and put her in danger. I really thought that I could protect her. But I couldn’t.”
“The enemy was using special relics that greatly enhanced their abilities in exchange for their lifeforce. Only a few within the Royal Magicians Order would have been able to beat them. But you still managed to hold your own, in spite of being surrounded. And you were able to weaken the enemy considerably.”
“That does not matter. One misstep and we could have all died. I was too weak…and the whole unit almost paid the price. That is all.”

Said Luke.

“I am very sorry. I prioritized my own achievements, and was not communicating enough with the whole team. I see this whole incident was a failure on my part. I would accept it if I lost my position as captain.”

Ernest stared at Luke for some time.

“Do you want to be removed from that post?”
“Not at all. I hope to continue. But I also know that I can’t complain if I get demoted. I should have been more cautious. Take the safer route. I should have had better communication. I will accept whatever punishment you think I deserve.”

His voice was filled with regret.
He wasn’t acting. It was genuine emotion.
He had dedicated everything in order to make his dream come true. Regardless of the cost.

“Well, I will follow your advice then.”

Ernest said without a change in expression.

“I am thinking about promoting the 7th unit into an official unit. Vice-captain Noelle Springfield will be promoted to Adamantite rank. The Captain…will become the first ever 8th Magus rank magician…”

He continued quietly.

“You, Luke Waldstein.”

Luke could not understand what he was hearing.

They had been talking about failure and demotions.

He had not worked as a Captain should. So, why then?

“You already had the necessary ability to be promoted. You have done more work than anyone in the order. And were more ambitious. If one just looked at the numbers, you could have been promoted sooner. However, I felt that there was something you still lacked.”

Said Ernest.

“Your feelings towards your comrades, and doubt in your own ability. You just looked too confident. It felt like you were hiding something. Your anxiety over failure and loss. I wanted you to experience those things first.”

Ernest said with a hint of a smile.

“You are worthy of Magus rank. That is what I think.”

Luke could not say anything. He just stood there.

The promotion had been chasing all of this time.

The thing that had been out of reach, was finally in his grasp.

The trump card that would allow him to persuade his family.

Of course, what had value to Luke, was the thing after that.

She would finally be in reach.

And then he could convey his feelings to her, without the risk of making her suffer.

How long had he waited for this.

Ever since they had separated on that day.

But now, he could finally move forward.

And chase after her. Tell her everything he had been hiding.

His vision blurred.

His sapphire eyes welled up, and a beautiful streak ran down his cheek.

Luke wiped it away, and stood with his feet firmly planted on the floor.
And then he turned to Ernest.

“I will not disappoint you.”

Next Chapter

Expelled From a Black Magic Item Craftsman Guild I Was Picked up as a Royal Magician