Chapter 58: Separate Actions
Lustia’s shock at Cynthia’s urgency faded as she registered her question.
“The magic near the capital spiked recently,” she said, voice steadier.
“It’s unprecedented. I’ve been researching its source for days…”
“Results?” Cynthia pressed, eyes narrowing.
“Something odd underground?”
“Yeah, I’ve been—wait, how’d you know?!”
“Cynthia? Hey!”
Lustia’s voice snapped her back.
“What’s with the noise?!” Cynthia snapped, irritated.
Lustia shrank back.
“I just… wanted to know how you knew…”
“Anyone with decent magic sense would notice,” Cynthia said dismissively.
Lustia froze, then slumped, muttering.
“My research… useless?”
“I’m a failure… a freeloading court magician…”
“The king must’ve exiled me for being incompetent…”
“Should’ve gone home to farm… oh, my family’s land is gone. Begging it is…”
Her despair was so thick it almost materialized.
Cynthia stared, incredulous.
This is the court magician?
An idea sparked.
“Lustia, you’ve done well~”
Cynthia’s tone softened, patronizing.
“For someone with… dull magic sense, tracing the underground source in days is impressive.”
Lustia looked up, eyes red.
“Was that comfort?”
“Uh, sure?”
“It was nice, but… don’t do it again.”
She stood, wiping her face.
“You were thinking hard. Got something?”
“You’re sharp,” Cynthia noted, surprised.
“Want to know the magic’s source?”
“Of course!” Lustia’s eyes lit up, her magician’s pride flaring.
Then, wary: “What’s the catch? I’m broke.”
“I don’t need money,” Cynthia said, grinning—a smile Ina would’ve flagged as trouble.
“Help me with a few things, and I’ll show you the source. Deal?”
Cynthia’s tone softened, patronizing.
“For someone with… dull magic sense, tracing the underground source in days is impressive.”
Lustia looked up, eyes red.
“Was that comfort?”
“Uh, sure?”
“It was nice, but… don’t do it again.”
In Barlia’s capital, Ina gazed at the towering white cathedral.
“Miss Ina, you’re acting alone?” the boss asked, concerned.
“Our job’s done,” she said firmly.
“No rule against me going solo, right?”
“No, but…”
He sighed.
“Safe travels.”
Ina hopped off the carriage, watching it leave.
Her hair, now ink-black, stood out among the bustling streets.
Back to normal. Good.
She strode toward the cathedral, Cynthia’s task clear: investigate the Church.
Doubts from her journey fueled her resolve.
No Cynthia, no problem.
Time to reclaim my Saint status.
Barlia’s Church wouldn’t dare touch Borus’s Saint.
“Celia,” she muttered, smirking.
“Let’s see what you’re scheming.”