“Remember, not a word about what we’ve seen tonight.” (Viktor)

Saying that, Viktor had the rest of his crew head back to the camping grounds outside of town. Entering the Drinking Bear, they met with Syldis who had already closed the tavern for the night. After filling her in on the details, they took the old woman - Eleanor - and left her in a room to recover. The four of them sat at a table with a tankard of ale each.

“I must head north and clean up there. While the Council still believes I’m dead, I can contact people I trust in Thanes, and start weeding out the corrupt and the spies.” (Max)

“Guess that leaves me to keep an eye on things here for now? Well, I have a couple of things left to do here anyway. Oh yeah, Syldis. Viktor. Take one of these pendants.” (Hiro)

Saying that, Hiro quickly formed two more pendants for creating Murakumo. His magic recovered quick enough that it wasn’t too much of a problem to make them, not to mention that even after making them, he was still more powerful than a Magus. Viktor didn’t doubt it and put it away safely, while Syldis seemed to be questioning it.

“Those are talismans of sorts. Just shatter them, and the power inside will be released, bringing forth a powerful spell to help you. It’s a collaboration between me and Max.” (Hiro)

Of course, that was a lie, but it couldn’t be helped for now. Being questioned was troublesome, so the credibility of “Magus” was handy. Though it still seemed like Syldis was confused as to how Hiro knew magic at all, since he introduced himself as a bard for starters. He still had one more pendant in his pocket, which he planned to give to someone else the next day.

“Once Eleanor has recovered, I’ll be leaving without notice. I’ll take her with me. There’s a safe place there.” (Max)

“Well, I don’t particularly feel like sticking around here… sounds troublesome… Though I guess I’ll use it to keep the boredom away.” (Hiro)

“That’s more than enough, Hiro. As long as you’re here, I won’t have to worry about losing those I care about in Allard.” (Max)

“This talk sounds quite dangerous.” (Viktor)

“Shut it, Merc. I got a job for you, after all. Payment will be… well, we’ll figure something out similar to last time.” (Hiro)

“You sure are a hard worker, aren’t you, lad?” (Syldis)

Syldis had a half astonished look as she shook her head in exasperation. It hadn’t been that long since she had gotten to know the youth, and already he was saying and doing all these things that was so far out of the norm that she couldn’t react. Just like how Max had done, she was quickly starting to adjust and get used to it by saying to herself “it’s because it’s Hiro”.

“I’m exhausted, so I’ll be returning to our room to sleep. Goodnight, everyone.” (Max)

With Max gone, Syldis also took a moment of leave. With Hiro and Viktor left at the table, they began to discuss business.

“So what’s this job you’ve got for me?” (Viktor)

“Well, I don’t know about the danger or how long it will take, but there’s some things I want you to do. For starters, it would be keeping an eye on the route between the Kingdom of Thanes - the Northern Kingdom - and here. Whoever is trying to sow seeds of discord between the two will probably aim at cutting them off from each other.

If I remember correctly, there was a city or something which was a vital location? Might’ve been a large food supplier, I don’t remember. But your job for the meantime would be to protect that and its surroundings. Recruit trustworthy people, expand.

Ever felt like becoming your own army?” (Hiro)

With a smirk and a glint in his eyes, Viktor was intrigued and curious as to what was going through this youth’s head.

“I’m interested. So what would the payment be?” (Viktor)

“Well, let’s see here…” (Hiro)

When Hiro thought about it, he didn’t really need to make money the normal way. He had already seen what magic could do. He knew the element of gold. So all he had to do, was expend the energy required to create gold. It would probably be far too much of a toll required to create gold from nothing, but who was he? How much mana did he have? Screw the rules, screw equivalency.

With his hand on the round table they were sitting out, Hiro poured out magic, causing a magic circle to appear on the table. Before long, 10 gold bars, 12.4kg each, with a 100% purity, appeared on the table. The amount of mana consumed was equal to one Magus’ maximum limit, maybe double that. There wasn’t any particular means of measuring after all. While it may be like filling a glass with water from another glass for other mages, for Hiro, it was like scooping up a glass of water from the ocean.

When Viktor saw what was on the table, he was dumbfounded. His expression changed over and over, from surprise, astonishment, confusion, disbelief, wariness, and so on. Eventually, he calmed himself down, also seeming to adopt the “because it’s Hiro” mentality. Better to not think about it, otherwise it’d never end.

“This can be for starters. Figuring out how to convert these discreetly is your problem. Ration your budget out, because unless I happen to be around or you come find me, I’m not going to be bothered to chase you down. Deal?” (Hiro)

“.... Deal. You sure are full of surprises. Silence is golden, quite literally, it seems. How soon do we need to get going?” (Viktor)

“Whenever you’re ready. We don’t need rabble, so focus your efforts on finding skilled people, especially ones who know how to blend in. It’ll be too suspicious to have a large mercenary band on display. Also need to keep ourselves hidden.” (Hiro)

“Yeeeeep~. Well, I better get going. Shit, got my work cut out for me lugging these about without the brawny guys here…” (Viktor)

Complaining like that under his breath, Viktor took a sack and put the gold bars in, just barely able to carry the damn thing with all his might. It was around 125kg after all, the size of a large muscled man.

Left alone, Hiro went to bed for the night. He would be off to the castle in the morning, after all. Though this time, it would probably be as Murakumo. He would be the better one to explain the situation.

……

………

……

Come morning, Hiro did his regular routine. During this morning’s magic exploration, there were two things of note. The first was the completion of his infinite storage dimension magic. By piercing space itself with his mana, he could tear open a gap which he would fill with his mana. Filling it like so would turn it into a hole which he could open and close at will. As for the inside, it was a void which he filled with mana instead of oxygen, allowing him to map it out and create, essentially, a pocket universe.

At the same time, he figured out how to use dimension and space-type magics like teleport, warp, blink, and so on, though those would need further testing. Teleportation-based ones were simple enough though.

The other breakthrough was in detecting ambient mana. He figured that if he had mana inside him, then surely, the world itself had its own mana. And now, he had finally been able to recognize, detect, and differentiate it. At the same time, it was a breakthrough that let him see his own mana leaking out a little, which meant he could probably find others based on their mana. A sort of mana detection, or mana presence.

Alongside this, he tried to see if it was possible to both take in external mana to resupply his own, and if he could take it in as nutrients. As much as he loved food, it would be nice to not have to worry about having a meal if he could breathe mana to survive. Since he had yet to have breakfast, he tried it out, and found it worked somewhat, but would need further study.

With his time up, Hiro threw all of his unnecessary things into his storage, except for one katana which he left on his waist. In the end, he had a single katana on his left waist, cargo pants, sports shoes, undershirt, button up shirt, vest, and cloak.

Heading downstairs to the tavern, he waved a good morning to Syldis, and had breakfast which seemed to be a stew. It was a bit heavy for a morning meal, but it was better than nothing. Was probably easier to prepare and keep warm as well. After it was done, he said goodbye to the Bear and walked outside.

Taking back alleys, he made sure there were no followers before his body vanished as if the wind blew away his form. Hidden away like this, he applied the illusion magic to become Murakumo once more, and then dashed off towards the castle.

Easily bypassing any guards, he located the King soon enough at the King’s Hall. Going inside without notice, he observed the room first to find the Royal Family sitting on thrones at the end, while rows of knights were lined up on his right, and mages lined up on his left. The noteworthy - to an extent - Knight Captains were all present at the forefront of a rank of knights, while the important court mages seemed to be fewer in number, leaving them to be lined up however they please.

With one pendant in his possession still, he looked at the figures who were likely to need assistance while he wasn’t around, in order for him to keep an amiable relationship with the person who had accepted him when he arrived in this world. Bhalrom was a trustworthy person involved with the military. The Queen already had one. The King would probably need one next, as well as the princess. And for the hell of it, Lily as well. The Prince? Fuck that asshole. That made 3 more pendants he needed to make.

Quickly forming all of them, the large source of mana that he was restraining still seemed to leak out a bit, as the mages seemed to stir a bit at feeling his presence. Well, he did leave all of his limiters off. It seemed the core and ring formations were still progressing even if they weren’t sealing anything.

Just as the mages finally turned around to try find the source of the power they could feel, everyone in the room could hear footsteps ringing out, approaching towards the King down the red carpet that, like a cliche, extended from the door to the bottom step of the King’s Throne. About halfway there, right between the mages and knights, Murakumo’s figure started to appear as if a fog had coalesced into his shape.

Just before people were about to draw their swords and cast their spells, the King’s voice rang out, telling them to stand down. Like that, Murakumo made it to the front.

“When I was last here, I mentioned how my friend Max, the Magus, had been lured away by a ploy. I have just returned from investigating.” (Murakumo)

“While I have to question how you managed to get in here twice without notice… Speak, Murakumo.” (King Elrik)

“The Magus has gone missing. When I arrived at the residence of Lord Landgrave, a basement was found with signs of necromancy and Argos Rituals. Neither the owner nor The Magus were there. I’ve destroyed the basement as a precaution to any necromancy that may come from there.” (Murakumo)

With that news dropped, there were various reactions throughout the room. Surprise, confusion, astonishment, worry, and even a certain yellow-cape who seemed pleased. With a dark look on his face, the King spoke more.

“Then, is he safe?” (King Elrik)

“At the very least, he is still alive.” (Murakumo)

“This is grave news… By chance, do you happen to know what happened to the youth who had accompanied him?” (King Elrik)

“Hiro is currently recovering in the town, after there was another assassination attempt, and ambush at the Landgrave Residence.” (Murakumo)

“I see. I’ve seen your skills firsthand. Tell me, are you here to lend a hand?” (King Elrik)

“Your Majesty! Surely you can’t be thinking of accepting a vagrant with no background to stay within these walls?! Even after that commoner finally left!” (Prince Kasius)

Without getting a chance to speak, the Prince had spoken first in rejection of the vermin who had just strolled in like he had owned the place. In this brief moment, Murakumo immediately used a combination of Flicker and Blink and placed the pendants in the keeping of the King, Princess, Bhalrom and Lily. Along with it, he also used a magic to let his voice resonate in their heads.

“Keep these pendants on you at all times. In times of need, shatter them, and help will come. Keep them secret, and keep them safe.” (Murakumo)

The one who got the message were bewildered, but with a quick look from the King, they kept silent, knowing to just accept it. As for the King himself, he was quick to understand the situation after the Queen was given one back in the Study Hall. He also realized that Murakumo had a lot of power, and should not be underestimated. Possibly to the point that if he wanted to, he wouldn’t need to use underhanded tricks, and could kill them outright if he wanted to.

Which is what made Kasius’ remarks all the more intolerable. To be saying such things, without realizing the different in power.

“He must be a liar, a charlatan trying to gain your favor, Your Majesty! I implore you to---” (Prince Kasius)

Before he could finish, he felt the touch of cold metal against his neck, followed by a sharp pain, and then a warm liquid. Touching his neck, he saw blood from where his neck had been cut just enough to bleed. In an instant that no one had seen happen, he had been close to losing his head, and no one could react. When everyone turned to look at Murakumo, he was still standing in the same spot, except before anyone knew, he had a silver blade in his hand, with a red streak running down it. A drop of blood.

“A day old baby who knows not what he says or do and believes everything is his. Truly… foolish…” (Murakumo)

Those words coming out with a deep voice reverberated in the room.