RMA 46

chapter 46

Lawrence was deep in thought.

So far, he had only inscribed magical circles on large tools or objects.

But he needed to reconsider what an artifact’s true charm was. According to the common games or the texts he had read before his reincarnation, the pinnacle of an artifact was—naturally—a gem.

[But with your current Artificer abilities, precise craftsmanship is impossible.]
[You need to improve your skills further.]
[Only dragons could simultaneously inscribe a magical circle and craft a gemstone.]

“Only dragons could do that, huh? They make it sound like it’s some miraculous feat.”

Thinking of Earth artisans who built clocks or delicate electronics, it didn’t seem impossible at all…

Due to the sudden Alzeras subjugation mission, Lawrence decided to take out all the materials he had.

[Troll Skull]
[Undead Bone Fragment]
[Meat]
[…]

“Extraction materials are lacking, but at least there’s something I can make for Rachel.”

Unfortunately, Rachel had to stay behind here. A maid wouldn’t have anything to do on the battlefield, and who knew what dangers she might face. Training here was far more beneficial.

‘There should be basic extraction materials… Ah, here.’

[Torn Cloak of a Dark Mage]
[Extraction: Engraving – Mana Adaptation]
[Mana Adaptation: Awakens talent related to mana. Accelerates growth.]
[Grade: 3rd Circle]

“With this, she should be able to train without me around.”

The Guardian Training Project had to continue. The same applied when entering the territory or going on missions. Lawrence’s absence couldn’t lead to a decline in strength.

Just like building a business, you needed a structure that earned money even while you slept. A noble house operated the same way.

‘To dominate or overturn Montemer, exceptional talent is essential.’

With that resolve, Lawrence picked up his pen.

Some might think:

<Isn’t this guy just being a pushover?>
<Why does he let others reap all the benefits? He should take it all for himself!>

Not at all. Everything depended on the situation. Lawrence believed a creator must never forget their duty. A creator is someone who makes something and presents it to the world.

Only when it shines in the world is its true value realized. At least, that was Lawrence’s belief. And besides, the Dragon Body grows when you create something, right?

‘That alone makes it worthwhile.’

[Extracting the magical circle]

Though the night was deep, he worked tirelessly. The negative energy continuously activated his body, and his young body grew steadily today as well.

Scratch, scratch—.

The sound of his pen filled the room. Today, his time flowed more densely than anyone else’s. The artifact for himself and the Guardian was finally taking shape.

How focused he must have been.

[Wake up. Let’s run hard today too!]

The magical tower resounded with a voice still difficult to adapt to. Lawrence still didn’t fully understand how the magic manifested—but so what.

‘I’ll plant this for Rachel before leaving.’

The artifact was successfully completed. If implanted before morning exercise, it should slowly activate. The project to raise the ultimate assassin resumed.

“Rachel, may I come in?”

Knock, knock. Lawrence knocked on her door.

A voice, still hoarse and sleepy, replied:

“Yes… you may come in.”

“I’m coming in.”

Opening the door, he saw Rachel rising from bed in her pajamas, tousled and natural. Seeing her like this, it was actually comforting for Lawrence.

“I made another artifact. I’m going to implant it now, so stay still.”
“Ah, yes. Understood. What ability is it this time?”
“It will help your training. It will awaken your mana-related abilities.”
“Oh…”

Rachel let out a crackling sound of amazement. Seeing her reminded him of his younger sister back on Earth, whose face was now a faint memory. He hoped she was doing well.

[Implanting the artifact]
[The Guardian’s loyalty will increase]

Of course, it had to. After all, he was the one who created the ability.

Zzzzt-!

The implantation began in earnest. Rachel shivered at the strange sensation. She felt a foreign power entering her body.

And then that power settled inside her. Feeling this fulfillment and the filling of what was lacking, one could only be loyal. She thought as much herself.

‘Last time with the older sisters, that must’ve been thanks to Master as well.’

When threatened, instinctive movements emerged. Just as a trained warrior naturally moved, this mysterious ability would manifest. Rachel felt the power firmly take hold.

Checking the difference, she felt the foreign energy inside her body more distinctly than before.

“Oh, is this mana? It tickles somehow.”
“It must be. As you know, I don’t have a mana rod, so I’m not entirely sure.”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Rachel lowered her head, unsure what to do. Not having a mana rod in this world was like a curse. Lawrence, unbothered, spoke sternly:

“Train diligently. If it’s not enough after, I’ll confiscate the artifact.”
“Eh!? No, you can’t! The dream of an assassin—!”
“Then work hard. Understood?”
“Yes!”

Having extracted a half-forced promise, Lawrence smiled and left.

Rachel thought: occasionally, Master didn’t behave like an eleven-year-old.

“Could it be… he’s on his second life? How can he be so mature?”

Wrong. Lawrence was already living his third life.

2

Before dawn.

Medéia, up early, gazed out the window.

“The mission I’ve given you is that. Can you handle it?”
“Of course. But… I don’t have to kill, right?”

Although she spoke to empty air, a reply came. Its content was quite grim, enough to cause issues if overheard by others. But Medéia delivered it matter-of-factly.

“Killing isn’t your job. If they are torn apart by Alzeras’ undead, who can blame you?”
“Heh, true enough. You’ve brought an interesting mission.”
“You’re the black sheep of the Benoman family. A wandering assassin like you will leave no trace.”

The black sheep of the Benoman family—Ades Benoman, eldest son who had left the family. A genius who abandoned strict family rules for a life of assassination, taking only missions that interested him.

His mission success rate: 100%. His physical ability and mana, enhanced by the family’s unique traits, were extraordinary compared to his peers.

Medéia asked again:

“But I’m curious. Why refuse the position of head of a family capable of becoming the strongest?”
“This is a secret for you alone. [Negative Energy] becomes drastically less efficient once one reaches adulthood. Resistance to poisons and curses remains, though.”
“Interesting.”

Medéia spoke to the void, oblivious that Ades casually revealed family secrets to others. Truly, a chatterbox has no secrets.

‘Knowing why you die but still dying is miserable.’

It’s frustrating, but what can you do? Letting them feel that suffering while dying is the most satisfying revenge. Medéia imagined Lawrence crying out desperately and smiled.

“Hohoho… I look forward to it.”
“Understood. I’ll report results immediately, via messenger or in writing.”
“Alright.”

Another opportunity arose. He would continue to face trials.

“Oh, and one more thing.”
“Eh? More? I was just about to leave. You don’t consider an assassin’s dramatic exit at all.”
“….”
“Ah, sorry. Ha ha. What is it? The fee is enough, right?”
“Hoo… can an assassin be so frivolous?”

It doesn’t matter. As long as the target dies. Ades replied calmly.

Medéia added another mission. She had to erase her one flaw.

“Please kill Loria Montemer as well.”
“Eh?”
“Consider it accepted. Then…”

Medéia turned, leaving no trace in the room. Yet her voice could still be heard in the empty air.

“Huh… She’s completely insane.”

Among great families, there were many eccentrics. Ades shook his head as he moved along the shadows. He hadn’t left the family for nothing.

“Still, this month’s tribute will be covered. Montemer knows how to spend money with style~.”

Humming, he headed toward his destination. The assassin Ades was heading to: [Fairy City: Oberon], a city built by fairies and the premier entertainment city in the empire’s northwest.

“Heh heh, first I’ll have a little fun!”

Of course, his focus seemed more on leisure than assassination.

3

Athern Military Academy.

A place for training knights, standing opposite the Magical Tower.

The royal decree reached them as well.

“March toward Oberon! Everyone, prepare to march!”
“Argh!”

If Lawrence saw this, PTSD-inducing culture would certainly trigger. Their goal was simple:

“The Northern Duke has given the sacred cloak to a wizard! Do you understand what that means?!”
“Argh!”
“It means you idiot knights are behind wizards! So today, from here to Oberon, we march at top speed! Understood?!”
“Argh-!”

The cadets’ cries echoed loudly, the instructor’s shouting even louder:

“Repeat! We will not lose to wizards!”
“We! Will not lose! To wizards!”
“Louder!”

[We will not lose to wizards!]

Waaaah-! Their voices resounded as they marched, boosting morale. Watching, Bentley Athern, an instructor from the famed swordsmanship family Athern, gleamed with excitement.

The Gaudi family was known for their pride. No knightly family in the north had ever received the duke’s cloak. And yet—a wizard got it?

“You weaklings… dare…”

He muttered derogatory names for wizards in his mind. Such a thing should never happen.

Thus, everyone began gathering in Oberon, the northwest’s top entertainment city, for the subjugation of the Alzeras family.