Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 146 (Part 2)

“Why me…?”

“How long have you been practicing black magic?”

“W-what nonsense are you talking about?! Black magic?!”

Barclay Richmond frantically denied the accusation, but it was a meaningless struggle.

Rodin had already detected an unnatural magic circle inside Barclay’s body—one distinctly different from white magic.

—

“You saw the purification magic I used earlier, didn’t you?”

“I… I don’t understand what you mean. Marquis! Marquis! Why are you letting this happen to me?!”

“I’m sorry, Uncle.”

Barclay called out to the Marquis of Richmond.

Even though the Archmage was the strongest person present in terms of power, Richmond still outranked him in status.

If his nephew, the Marquis, intervened, there might be a way out of this situation.

But despite his uncle’s frantic pleas, the Marquis of Richmond averted his gaze.

The Marquis of Richmond had already made up his mind to trust Rodin. If his uncle was innocent, he hoped he would confidently clear up the suspicions.

“Baker! Though we have often clashed, it was always for the sake of the family. You must not bring personal feelings into this. This isn’t right!”

“Uncle, I have set aside personal feelings. What I wish for here is to dispel any doubts regarding the curse on our territory.”

“Y-You insolent wretch!”

Barclay Richmond shouted, his voice robust despite his old age. His hunched back and deeply wrinkled face did not match the vigor in his voice.

“You have quite the voice. If you continue to deny it, I will use purification magic on you. It is the natural enemy of black magic. Moreover, unlike you, an old man who is merely a 3rd-circle black mage, I am a 7th-circle white mage. If I cast my magic, you will suffer immense pain and writhe in agony until you die.”

Rodin grew irritated at how much he was talking today.

He was not the talkative type. Once he made a decision, he acted first and checked the results later.

However, there were many witnesses here, including the Marquis of Richmond. To ensure they fully understood the situation, he had no choice but to explain everything in detail whenever something significant occurred.

“What did you say?”

“Old man. Then, I shall proceed with the spell.”

“No!”

Startled, Barclay Richmond turned around and immediately attempted to flee. Or rather, he tried to.

“Karis, bring him back.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

With a light step, Karis kicked off the ground. Moving like the wind, she was suddenly Barclay.

Crunch!

Before anyone realized it, Karis had grabbed the scruff of Barclay’s neck. With a forceful yank, she flung him toward Rodin.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

Having carried out Rodin’s order, Karis was already standing behind him once more. Her movements were utterly composed.

“Did… I not see it happen?”

The Marquis of Richmond widened his eyes at the sight of the captured Barclay.

He had lost sight of Karis’s movements for a brief moment. That meant the woman guarding the Grand Mage had moved faster than his own eyesight—despite him being a 6th-rank knight.

“Old man, I shall now purify you.”

“No! I know nothing of this! I swear, I know nothing!”

“If your ignorance refers to that statue, then that may be true. You seem to have no direct connection to it. However, I suspect you are connected to the curse on this territory. Fury…”

“Please, spare me!”

Before Rodin could cast his spell, Barclay Richmond clung to his leg. His once arrogant tone had vanished, replaced by desperate pleas. The sight of him begging for his life made it impossible to deny his identity as a black mage any longer.

The Marquis of Richmond shut his eyes tightly. What he had feared was now confirmed.

The onlookers let out weary sighs and averted their gazes. None could bear to witness the disgrace of their family elder.

“So, you finally admit it.”

Rodin turned his gaze toward the Marquis of Richmond.

At this point, there was no need to concern himself further with Barclay. The aftermath would be handled within the Richmond household.

“Why? Uncle, why? Why did you turn to black magic?”

“I wanted to live. I wanted to live longer. Is that such a terrible crime?”

Even now, Barclay did not believe he had committed any great wrongdoing. If there was anything he acknowledged, it was that learning black magic as a knightly noble was improper. Beyond that, he saw no fault in himself.

“The curse… what is it? Was it truly your doing? Did you really spread a curse over the territory? Answer me!”

“So what if a few worthless worms died? If they knew they had perished for the sake of a high noble like me, they would consider it an honor.”

“Do you even hear yourself?!”

“Hmph. The people of the territory are nothing more than livestock meant to serve nobles like us. If extending my life requires their lives, then what of it?”

Barclay’s brazen attitude left the Marquis of Richmond speechless.

He had always known his uncle took great pride in his noble lineage. He was also aware that his uncle looked down on commoners.

But he had never imagined it was to this extent. This was no longer mere noble pride—it was an incurable affliction of arrogance and elitism.

“If Father were alive—who cherished the people like family—he would have cut his throat right here.”

Had his father still been around, his uncle would have never dared to show his true nature. He would have known better than to risk his wrath.

“The Ancient Soul—are you certain he has no connection to it?”

“I am Barclay Richmond.”

“I wasn’t asking you.”

The Marquis turned to Rodin. “Rodin, are you certain he has no ties to the Ancient Soul?”

At the question, Rodin examined the old man more closely.

A faint energy was emanating from the rat-shaped statue rolling on the ground. A thread-thin strand of that energy extended toward the city gate, connecting to someone there.

But Barclay himself had no such connection. He was not possessed by an ancient soul—he was an independent being from the beginning.

“He is not an Ancient Soul. However, he is involved. The dense web of curses laid over this land is beyond his ability. Only a true black magic expert could accomplish such a feat.”

“Are you saying he collaborated with one?”

“Ask him directly. It seems like there was some kind of deal involved. The one who made it would know best.”

Even Rodin was unsure about this part.

Barclay had certainly gained something from the Ancient Soul. The curse afflicting the territory must have significantly aided his growth.

However, it was unclear what the Ancient Soul had gained in return.

Barclay’s skills were of no use to an entity as powerful as the Ancient Soul. Nor had he applied pressure on Harrison to forcibly seize artifacts.

“Uncle, what is it?”

“H-How should I know?! I don’t even know what an Ancient Soul is!”

“Uncle!”

Murmur! Murmur!

The Marquis of Richmond glared at Barclay, and the gathered people stirred, pressing in on him.

Barclay hesitated, unable to open his mouth easily. He seemed to be wrestling with whether or not to speak.

After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke.

Hyung_Otaku2

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