***
Roberta stiffened her expression.
She saw the young horse crying while rubbing its face against Ulrih’s chest. At a glance, it was an appearance of crying out of joy. An uninformed person would have shown a warm smile, thinking, ‘Ah, it must have met its owner after a long time.’
However, the truth was entirely different. That young horse was originally a person, and Ulrih was a person it had met for the first time in this place. The reason the young horse was crying was because he was the only person who had realized the truth.
The misfortune of becoming something other than a person—how could it suppress its emotions when it met the only person who understood that?
Ulrih stroked the young horse and spoke.
“Let’s move elsewhere. There are too many listening ears here.”
The three people and one horse—no, the four people—went to the stable attached to the inn. As lunch approached, the inn was bustling with guests, but the stable was quiet. Only the horses of the three were tied up.
“Try writing your name on the ground.”
Ulrih spoke while untying the young horse’s reins. At that, the young horse scratched the dirt floor with its hooves. The hooves, which were not shod, crudely drew characters.
Marika—that was the name received as a person. Subsequently, it also wrote the name Matthias, who was Marika’s father.
Fritz, who examined the two names closely, spoke.
“Matthias is the Lord of Kir Castle.”
Ulrih nodded his head.
“Is he a vassal of Meyer?”
“...Yes. His relationship is deep even among my father’s close associates.”
Fritz revealed that Matthias was a noble who had served as the Lord of Kir Castle for generations, and had a relationship close to being like a brother with Earl Meyer. Fritz had also often met and shared conversations with him.
“I heard that Matthias had a daughter. But because her body was weak... she couldn't step outside the castle, and my father also talked about worrying about the succession because of that.”
“I see, indeed.”
Hearing that story, the young horse approached Fritz and rubbed its face against him. Even though they hadn't met before, it seemed glad to have met the son of the person its father served.
After a while, the hooves wrote a third name.
Oxana Narsis—beside the name with the surname added, the word ‘witch’ was added. She claimed with the soil she dug deeper than when writing her own name that she was the culprit who made the girl like this.
She, this witch made me like this. The witch made me into something other than a person out of jealousy and tried to make me an offering to the heavens while my father was away.
Marika made gestures as if a person were stretching out their hand to touch their back, lifting and lowering her legs that would absolutely never reach, and signaled them to look at the wounds on her body.
the wounds all over the young horse’s body were the traces the girl had obtained while barely escaping from death.
“Narsis, I see...”
Roberta frowned while retracing the surname.
“She must be a witch with considerable skill.”
“I suppose so. A mage reveals their level through their surname.”
They looked at the full name of Oxana Narsis again.
The name Oxana was a first for them. However, the surname Narsis was impossible not to know. Because he was one of the Five Sages who laid the foundation of magic in the first era of humans.
Listing the achievements of those five one by one would be too long a story. However, the fact to know was that mages attached the name of their teacher or one of the Five Sages at the very end of their full name.
“Um, what do you mean by that...?”
Fritz, who did not understand the conversation, asked cautiously.
“Does it mean that witch is a disciple of someone named Narsis?”
“No, it means she has no one else to be her teacher except Narsis.”
A mage usually uses their teacher’s name as their surname. Because it was a custom for a teacher to bestow their name upon a disciple once they judged the disciple’s achievement to be sufficient.
However, occasionally there are cases where a disciple’s achievement surpasses the teacher’s. In this case, most refuse the teacher’s surname. Because mages are a race with very high pride. Claiming they cannot attach the name of a person of a lower level than themselves to their surname, they used the name of the progenitor of the academic lineage—that is, one of the Five Sages—as their surname.
Oxana was such a case. The fact that she used the name Narsis as her surname meant that her academic lineage began from Narsis. It also meant that she prided herself on being an outstanding mage.
“It is a truly pitiful thing.”
“Pitiful?”
Roberta tilted her head.
“Narsis was the most open among the five. He said that anyone with talent could learn magic, and that people should be treated with such an open heart. Roberta, haven't you also heard stories about him?”
“Yes, I have. Because most mages today continue the academic lineage of Narsis. It is a story that because he took in such disciples, people gathered regardless of poverty, class, or race, and the group was large enough to form a city, right?”
“That’s right. That city is the City of Mages, and although its influence has weakened, the lineage continues.”
“But why did you say it is pitiful...?”
Ulrih shook his head.
“Look at how that child’s name is being used. The compassion he harbored for the ignorant is nowhere to be found, and it is merely being used for the purpose of revealing her own self-confidence, is it not?”
He spoke while stroking the face of the girl who had become a horse, Marika.
“If she had understood his heart even a little, there is no way she would have dared to do such a thing to this child.”
What was placed on the girl was a vulgar magic commonly called a curse.
“She is a mage of a high enough level to perform on another something that is difficult even when targeting oneself. Although it can be noticed if one is by her side like this, is it not a world where there are many mages who cannot even do that?”
He said she had committed such a lowly act with such talent.
Roberta thought that was indeed the case. When else had she seen magic of the level of changing an outward appearance into another species? It had been twice in her life, and the first was the appearance of the dragon Narbakayani transformed into a human in the Ice Peninsula.
Of course, the magic Marika was under was not of the same level as Narbakayani’s. The fact that Marika was under a certain magic could be realized by other priests or mages, not just Roberta.
On the other hand, the dragon was worthy of the words ‘a mage harboring a fragment of myth.’ If she had met Narbakayani transformed into a human in another location, she wouldn't have realized that he was a dragon. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“Then what should we do now? Is there a way to reverse it?”
“The most common way is for the person who cast the curse to personally break it.”
The words “Is that possible?” got stuck in her throat.
As if he had read her thoughts, he added that it would be difficult.
“Is there no other way?”
“There is, but it is not a very good method.”
Ulrih spoke to Fritz.
“For now, let’s meet the mage. Fritz, guide us to Kir Castle.”
#
The Lord of the castle, Matthias, was a tall and handsome man with regular features. Even though he was the father of a girl and had taken a second wife, his age was not yet forty. When Ulrih sought out Kir Castle under the alias Armin of Dithmarschen, he came out to the castle gate to welcome them.
“Did you say your name is Lord Armin?”
He probably hadn't heard that name, but since Dithmarschen was attached before the name, he wouldn't be able to ignore it. Because that designation was only attached to the children of the Duke of Dithmarschen.
The King of Osnober was Ulrih’s adopted son, and Matthias’s master was a subject who had served the Duke for generations. It was not a level where he could ignore it, saying it was a name he was hearing for the first time.
Therefore, he seemed nervous. His eyes and mouth were smiling, but the sweat on his forehead was not due to the summer heat.
“That is right. Ulrih, the Duke of Dithmarschen, is my adoptive father.”
“I apologize for my discourtesy. I have heard that the Duke of Dithmarschen has many adopted sons, but since I do not know all their names...”
Glance. Matthias looked at Ulrih, who was sitting in his saddle.
“Well, I understand. My father is a negligent person. Even though I do not know all my older brothers, so it would be strange for the Lord to know me.”
Ulrih smiled brightly.
Watching that from the side, Roberta felt her skin crawl. Even though she had been given a hint that he would use an alias and act, seeing it in person, she couldn't get used to it.
This side was indeed suited to his appearance. Since Ulrih’s appearance was around her age. Rather, it was strange to discuss the passing of years with an appearance that should be fresh. If she hadn't known Ulrih’s history, she wouldn't have felt any strangeness at all.
‘It can't be helped. Since hiding it this way will be better.’
Ulrih’s name was excessively famous.
There were few who knew him outside Osnober, but there was no one who didn't know him inside. There was a method of revealing his identity and interrogating Matthias and Oxana, but he chose the certain path even if it went around a bit.
The name that came out that way was Armin. Roberta asked immediately upon hearing the name. If it was a name he had used before. To that question, he answered, “It would be faster to find a name I haven't used.”
“This is my escort, Roberta.”
Roberta greeted him while changed into ordinary clothes. She also hid her identity and acted as a young knight.
“And, you know Fritz, don't you?”
The Lord, Matthias, opened his eyes wide when he discovered Fritz in the group.
“Young master? No... I get to see you again like this.”
“It has been a long time, Lord Matthias.”
The attitude of looking at the group suspiciously vanished instantly. Because he was a figure guaranteed by the son of his master, there was no room for doubt.
“You have grown much taller. And you have come to resemble the Earl a lot.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Indeed, blood cannot be deceived. When the Earl sent the young master to Dithmarschen, you were truly youthful... seeing you grown so healthily like this puts me at ease.”
At the sight of the Lord rubbing his eyes with his sleeve, Fritz gave an awkward smile.
“Is the reason you have come here to go to the main house?”
“That’s right. On our way to see my father, the time was delayed. I sought you out to stay for a day; would that be alright?”
“Of course it’s alright! If it isn't alright for the two of you, who would it be alright for?”
Just then, Ulrih, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, asked.
“If it isn't rude, who is the person beside you?”
The person he pointed to was a woman beside the Lord.
“My goodness, I was out of it.”
She was a woman wearing a dress long enough to touch the floor. Having stood silently from the moment she welcomed Ulrih’s group, she lowered her head slightly to greet them once she received attention.
“This is my wife, Oxana Narsis.”
Oxana kissed the back of Ulrih’s right hand.
“Narsis... it is my first time meeting someone who uses that name as a surname.”
“Is that so? I thought there would be many mages under the Duke of Dithmarschen.”
“Because it is a barren land. Mages also get fed up and return quickly.”
Ulrih looked at Oxana while giving another bright smile.
“But to welcome such a person as a wife, you are a very lucky person.”
“Yes. Indeed, it seems Lord Hestio has looked upon me kindly.”
Matthias laughed, “Haha,” and stuck close to Oxana. Oxana lowered her face while acting embarrassed.
At that moment, Roberta, who had stepped back a few steps and was watching the conversation, narrowed her eyes. Oxana’s gaze was toward a target removed from the conversation. New chapters come out on novelping dot com first.
“……”
The gaze reached the horse Fritz was riding.
That horse was Marika. The girl who had become a horse due to Oxana’s curse was wearing reins and a saddle and was carrying Fritz. On the surface, it looked like Fritz was riding a slightly small horse, so there was no reason to pay attention.
‘She isn't looking because she feels a sense of heterogeneity.’
Roberta watched Oxana’s reaction closely. Throughout the conversation between Ulrih and Matthias, she kept letting her attention slip toward Marika even while chiming in.
Also, each time, all sorts of emotions were revealed for a moment and then vanished repeatedly. Confusion, rage, loathing—it was a momentary exposure that was difficult to notice unless one was watching closely.
If she had felt heterogeneity due to the flow of mana like Roberta, there was no reason to have such an expression.
Oxana had realized that the horse Fritz was riding was Marika.
‘There is no way she wouldn't realize. Given what she has done.’
Roberta gave a signal to Fritz with a glance.
At that, Marika, who had been quietly looking down at the ground, raised her head and met Oxana’s gaze.
Immediately after that, Marika made a crying sound and raised her front hooves with all her might.
At the behavior of acting out like a horse stung by a bee, Fritz gripped the saddle tightly and struggled not to fall.
“Fritz! What is happening?”
Ulrih asked while pretending to frown.
“I don't know! It seems she has some complaints again!”
Fritz let out a sigh while pretending to settle Marika. At a glance, it was the horse acting out as it pleased.
Oxana was different.
She had seen Marika acting out the moment their gazes met, and it was an expression where her speculation had reached a conviction.
While everyone’s attention except Roberta’s was gathered on Marika, Oxana glared at Marika while sharply crumpling her expression.
“It seems the young one has not been properly trained.”
The Lord clicked his tongue while looking at Marika.
“Yes, in fact, she is a fellow I obtained in a hurry in Tenof City...”
“Is that so?”
Just as he was about to tell the story, Oxana intervened.
“You obtained her in Tenof City?”
“Because there was a problem with the fellow I was originally riding. I managed to obtain her somehow, but as you can see, there is a problem with her personality. Well, I was prepared for that.”
Her eyes flashed with a peculiar light.
“Honey, why don't we offer some help to Lord Armin?”
She suggested to the Lord that they give him a horse.
“No. It is fine.”
However, Ulrih waved his hands and refused.
“I do not wish to burden the Lord unnecessarily.”
“But... wouldn't the horse be too fierce?”
“As you just saw, it won't be a big problem. Fritz will also gain experience by driving such a horse.”
The Lord cut off her words as she was about to continue, saying “But.”
“He said it is fine.”
The Lord looked at Oxana with a stern expression. Having interrupted Ulrih and the Lord several times and even acted in a way close to forcing, he could no longer bear it.
Oxana lowered her head in silence. She bit her lip firmly as if resentful. She looked anxious.
Naturally. Until just before they visited, she must have been certain that it was a finished matter.
If it had gone according to plan, Marika should have been slaughtered. Yet for her to suddenly reappear?
Furthermore, in front of the Lord, Matthias, where she must absolutely not be found out.
From Oxana’s perspective, Roberta thought the current situation would be the last chance placed before a disaster.
Because it would seem that Matthias and Armin’s group had not noticed Marika’s identity at all.
That was why she had intended to take hold of Marika again and dispose of her while saying she would give another horse, yet she had essentially missed her right in front of her nose.
If Armin’s group left like this? It was only a matter of time before what she had done was discovered.
People familiar with mana like priests or mages were everywhere.
The moment someone saw Marika, they would feel the problem, just as Roberta had discovered Marika.
“You say you are staying for only one day.”
The Lord, Matthias, asked.
“Because Meyer is right before our eyes. I intend to leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
Oxana trembled her shoulders at the word that they were leaving tomorrow, and watched the group entering the castle following the Lord.
Among them, she looked at the young horse Fritz was riding, Marika, with fierce eyes.