Chapter 9

“Speak. I can’t refuse a dying man’s last wish… Wait a moment. The bugs are a bit noisy.” “Smack?! , Mi…” “Gurgle! DO… cough?!” ” , Haaak!” The village chief mercilessly whipped the elves.

Crack! Crack! Crack…! His innocent face, like a mischievous child delighting in tearing off an insect’s legs and wings, was, even if I were to be generous and say it 100 times, not normal.

“It’s quiet now. You may speak.”

The village chief, setting down the weapon stained with elf blood and flesh, spoke as if he were proud of a good workout.

Did he show it to me on purpose?

I’m no psychologist or therapist, but he might want a third party to acknowledge his actions, which he firmly believes are ‘justice.’ If so, what I need to say is clear.

“It must be hard walking a path no one understands.”

“…You understand?”

“Because I’m an outcast.”

“An outcast… a solitary wolf that roams the wilderness, was it? Indeed. Was I an outcast, too…?”

A certain god states that’s not it.

I don’t think so either!

But did I succeed in building rapport as I intended?

The village chief, feeling a sense of camaraderie with me, moved me from the circular magic circle drawn in blood to the side.

Oh! Maybe I can survive?

The village chief immediately denied my hope.

“I truly like you! But I am an outcast. I must remain solitary.”

What kind of logic is this…? First, he’d kill me for a ‘great cause,’ and now he’d kill me to remain an outcast.

A certain god searches for their lost belly button.

“This isn’t something to laugh about…”

“Today is truly a joyous day! To finally meet someone who understands my noble intentions! My dear comrade Kang Han-soo! Watch from there!”

“Ah, yes.”

From the moment the village chief declared ‘I’m an outcast too!’, everything went haywire. I don’t know anymore. “Hmm… Should I use this fellow whose condition isn’t great these days?”

A scrawny male elf was pointed out.

“□□, □…!”

“That won’t do. Your female has to stay alive to entertain me a little longer.” “O! DO! □ □□!” “Hahahaha! Yes! Curse more! To me, it’s nothing short of praise!” “OO O!O~!” The elves looked at their chosen kin with envious eyes.

Death.

The wish of all elves trapped in this blood-soaked hell.

The master of that hell declared, “Let us begin.” The village chief laid the male elf on the magic circle where I had just been and began to recite a solemn incantation.

It was a prayer. “Mother of Life! Overseer of Destiny! Grant me the remaining life of this elf!”

Whirrrrrr

The magic circle, drawn in dark red blood, began to glow faintly.

“How strange.”

If one could achieve such phenomena through prayer alone, countless religious people on Earth would have become mages.

Then, do the geometric patterns drawn in the magic circle have a special device or meaning? While I was lost in contemplation unfitting for this crisis, the village chief demanded of the elf, “Declare that you will surrender your lifespan to me.”

“If you do, I promise I’ll send your female to join you quickly. You’ve seen what happens if you refuse my mercy, haven’t you?”

The elf, who had been silent, looked once at his assumed wife, his female kin, and then replied briefly. “… .”

“The contract is established.”

Flash! The light of the magic circle exploded. What remained was the shriveled corpse of the elf, as dry as a mummy.

The fate of one whose lifespan was taken.

What state was the village chief in after coercing the male elf and taking his lifespan? Had he become younger?

“….Failure?” He hadn’t changed at all. He still looked exactly like a human male in his 30s.

The village chief dragged the elf’s corpse from the magic circle and replied. “My dear comrade Kang Han-soo. My Black Magic was successful.”

“You haven’t gotten any younger?” “Hahahaha! That’s because I’m not human.” “Aha!”

I knew from the beginning that he wasn’t human. I just didn’t know what race he was. The village chief proudly confessed, as if revealing a great secret. “I didn’t sacrifice elves to extend my lifespan!”

“Then what?”

“Do you know how many elves and travelers’ lifespans I’ve taken while living in this village? The elves’ curse is truly trifling!”

“That’s amazing.”

That wasn’t flattery; I meant it. His method was wrong, but his ability to overcome a curse without succumbing to it was commendable.

“Haha! I knew you’d say that!”

“As a human, I instantly aged and became sickly upon receiving the elf’s curse, with no way to help myself. It was then that a wandering mage, temporarily staying in the village, proposed an experiment.”

Rip!

The village chief suddenly grabbed his shirt with both hands and tore it open.

It was dramatic, but I, thinking what a waste of clothes it was, widened my eyes.

“Gnoll…?”

Right in the center of the bare-chested village chief’s chest, a gnoll’s face, like a hyena’s, was embedded in his flesh.

“I am a gnoll.” “Huh?”

Thanks to my blessing, I usually don’t flinch at much, but this time, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

What in the world was that hybrid? The village chief, showing me his grotesque chest, exclaimed, “Isn’t it truly magnificent?! The union of two races with a grudge against the elves! My revenge, with human wisdom and a gnoll’s body, is not far off!” “By yourself?” Wouldn’t two be better than one? “It’s enough! My Black Magic, having absorbed the lifespans of countless elves, is the strongest! Hunting elves with elven power! Don’t you think it’s the best revenge?!” “But I’m not an elf?” “Don’t mind the minor details.”

The village chief placed a bloody hand on my shoulder and smiled gently.

“Thank you, truly, comrade Kang Han-soo.” “For what?” “This is sincere. Thanks to you teaching me about outcasts, I was able to realize my identity. I am the true outcast. A solitary gnoll roaming the wilderness…” “That’s…” Outcast isn’t a race, though? “I will never forget you for seriously listening to my story to the end. As a token of my gratitude, I will make good use of your life.” “So, you’re still going to kill me?”

“Of course. Because I’m an outcast.”

“……”

I learned that serious outcasts are truly dangerous.

There was a childish squabble among the heroes regarding Princess Ethena’s disciple issue, but the situation quickly resolved as many excellent mages, eager to become masters, appeared.

Hero’s Master!

There were countless mages across the continent of Fantasia coveting this honorable title, like grains of sand. As a result, the lesson resumed with every hero having received a ‘Blessing of Magic’.

“Magic is the crystallization of dreams and hopes. So, if you can’t visualize its form in your mind, it fails! Concentration and mental strength are very important~”

“Princess!” “Ask away.”

“Where do mathematical formulas apply?”

A hero, whose motivation had skyrocketed after being able to use magic thanks to the blessing, asked. Princess Ethena tilted her head and asked back. “Mathematical formulas in magic?” “Yes.”

“Are you referring to the subject mainly studied by merchants?” “Yes.”

The hero who asked the question smiled triumphantly.

As he expected, magic in the fantasy world was underdeveloped.

Its principles were too haphazard, weren’t they?

Princess Ethena thought deeply and arrived at her own answer.

“Hmm… Magic is more powerful as two than one. But its efficiency drops sharply.”

“I was asking about the mathematical formulas needed for magic manifestation. I want to simplify it by applying calculus…”

“There’s no such thing?” “Huh?”

The hero who was trying to sound knowledgeable looked foolish.

“Anyone can use magic if they have talent. Its power is raised by dreams and hopes, and its efficiency by repetition and experience.”

“You’re saying mathematical formulas aren’t needed?!”

“Did you use addition or subtraction when creating that fireball?” “W-well, this is simple magic, so…”

“That’s thanks to having an excellent master who’s good at making fireballs.” “……”

“There is no difficult magic in this world. There is only unfamiliar magic that you are not accustomed to.”

“That can’t be…”

The heroes, who had been full of hope that they could easily become great mages in the fantasy world, were frustrated. Just then, one of the mages who had taken on heroes as disciples interfered.

“Princess Ethena. There’s a part you’ve explained incorrectly to the heroes.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Mathematical formulas are also involved in magic.” “Ohh!”

“Ohh!”

The heroes’ hopes rekindled at the mage’s words. In contrast, a flustered Princess Ethena blushed.

“Please teach me.”

“Hahaha! Since you used the fireball as an example, I will continue to explain with that. To cast a fireball far, the angle is very important. You also need to consider the direction and strength of the wind.”

“Ah!”

“Also, you must know how to adjust the power of your magic to match the number and ability of enemy forces. This is because you must avoid unnecessary mental power waste.”

“War…” “Princess, you may not know this, having only learned theory in the palace, but we have long since introduced mathematical formulas to increase the efficiency of magic. The astute hero asked about that, didn’t he?”

“Y-yes, that’s right!” Although he had completely missed the point, the hero didn’t have the guts to embarrass his master.

A certain Wind God looks at mathematical formulas with disdain.

A certain Wind God changes the direction of the wind.

A certain childish Chief God snickers, holding their escaped belly button.

A certain Water God cheers on someone who is dejected. A certain god…

“Princess Ethena. Would this old man be able to help with the lesson? Practical magic on the battlefield will be a great learning experience for you too, Princess.” “Yes. Please do…” Princess Ethena, realizing her mistake, stepped back with a gloomy expression.

In contrast, the heroes’ masters wore broad smiles.

“Practical magic is…”

“An excellent mage is…” “In real combat…”

Under the excellent guidance of their masters, the heroes rapidly acquired magic!

A certain God of Law looks at their junior scholars with satisfaction.

A certain impatient God of Evil subtly steals underwear.

A certain God of Law cries and pursues.

Crackle! Boom! Flash…! It seemed a typhoon, accompanied by thunder and lightning, would rage across the continent of Fantasia today.

Finally, the moment of fate arrived!

Whoosh~

I stood on the bloody magic circle, which was no different from a gallows.

The village chief, who had finished reciting the incantation of the magic circle, made the same demand he had made of the male elf, but without the threats.

“Declare that you will surrender your life to me.”

“It seems the sacrifice’s consent is important for Black Magic?” “While I can physically restrain your body, I don’t own it. Now! Hurry and declare…” “Before that, I have a request.” “Hmm… what is it?” The village chief made a very uncomfortable expression, but due to the accumulated goodwill, he didn’t fly into a rage. “I want to see Misa one more time before I die gloriously.” “Misa? You mean the mercenary who uses a large crossbow?” “Yes. You know her well.” “Why are you looking for that woman?” “Because she’s my lover.” “Nonsense! I am the village chief. Everything that happens in this village is as good as in the palm of my hand. Did you think I wouldn’t know that Misa’s lover is Cole? Don’t try such pathetic tricks using my goodwill.”

I was a little impressed. I thought he was out of his mind, but he was doing his job as village chief properly, wasn’t he? But thanks to that, the conversation became a bit easier. “Cole is her ex-boyfriend. She recently got a new one.”

“…And that’s you now?” “Yes.” “Proof?”

“Smell my body. As a gnoll with a developed sense of smell, you’ll know immediately, won’t you?”

The village chief began sniffing with the gnoll face on his chest.

“…It’s unmistakable. This is Misa’s scent as I remember it. It wouldn’t be emanating from your entire body if you weren’t lovers.” “Right.”

Of course, it would emanate from me since I was wearing her clothes.

The embarrassed village chief cleared his throat.

“Ahem! I truly apologize for doubting you.”

“Then Misa…” “I apologize for that request too. If Misa goes missing, Gary and Cole will suspect something. Then things will get too complicated.”

The village chief was planning to deal with Misa too, using the meeting as an excuse.

He’s truly amazing.

“Instead, tell me another wish. I’ll grant it if I can.”

A wish! I had been waiting for this.

Bringing up Misa, who by now was probably gnoll poop, and appealing to his emotions was all for this. My wish is… “If I survive, please release me freely until I meet Misa again.” “A life that has lost its lifespan cannot survive.”

“Even so. I can’t think of any other wish.” “Hmm… I promise.” “Then I also declare.”

“The deal is struck!”

Flash!

A light brighter than when the male elf was sacrificed poured from the magic circle.

Immediately after,

“Aaaargh!”

A pain that easily surpassed my imagination assaulted me. That village chief bastard! He said it wouldn’t hurt?! It hurt so much I wanted to die. “Farewell. I’ll tell Misa you’ve gone far away.”

“…That will be difficult. Misa left first.” “What do you mean, cough!” Thwack!

My fist, put with all my might, landed on the defenseless village chief’s face.