Novel Boss
Chapter 28
By a stroke of good fortune, there was a request to subdue perytons available, so she was able to secure the rental of a dragon mount from the guild. Once she discovered the flock of birds that appeared like a haze on the horizon, she flew into them and demolished them in no time.
The bodies of monsters with inherent magical powers are very useful for the creation of potions, tools and magical rituals, especially horns and antlers which are especially valuable.
Since ancient times, horns have been worshipped as symbols of wisdom and power. Following the origin of the story, the first and foremost amongst horned magical creatures are dragons, who are said to store their magical energy in their horns.
Likewise, for the peryton, a creature who traps its prey through its magical shadow, their magical power flows from the antlers.
Well Three should be good enough.
She cut off the three biggest antlers she could find amongst the corpses and loaded them onto the back of the dragon.
Break time is over, so please fly for me once again.
Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Instead of packing food for the dragon, she simply fed it sections of one of the perytons she had knocked down.
Shirley took its happy cry as affirmation and jumped on the saddle, when she took the reins the dragon roared and took to the sky.
Her white hair rippled as they flew, the air is incredibly cold compared to the air back down on earth, but thats no obstacle to a mother who wants to get back to her children straight away.
(Its 12 oclock now If nothing happens, I should be back in time for supper.)
She looked at the pocket watch she took out from her breast. She took the flying mounted dragon not just because it would be advantageous for an aerial battle, but because this fight was on a plains quite far away from that remote town and this was the fastest dragon available.
Even if shes desperate to find out the culprit, she wants to be away from Sophie and Tios side for as little time as possible.
(Marthas there, sure, but to think Id leave my daughters in the care of someone who I only just met yesterday)
Shes not quite sure if she should be happy about just how much shes changed.
In the first place, she doesnt completely trust Grania yet, its still possible that shes working with whoever Shirleys enemy is.
Even so, no matter how much Shirley wants to protect her girls, as a swordsman protecting is all she can do, shes powerless to actually solve the crime.
The only solution was to borrow the power of a real mage. She regretted not ever having studied curses and suggestion magic herself.
(Im still so inexperienced With these weak hands of mine, how can I protect anything?)
She promised herself once more. That no matter what happened, Shirley will always do the best she can for her daughters.
Wawaaa!? I did it!
Fufufu Yes, it seems so. You really are very talented, hmm?
Really!?
With that resolution powering her, Shirley managed to get back to the Deficit House at 3 oclock. When she returned to the room carrying the peryton antlers, she saw Sophie and Grania having a pleasant chat.
Suddenly deciding to watch them from the shadows instead of revealing, she saw a small ball of water floating in the palm of Sophies hand.
With Grania teaching elemental manipulation magic in such an easy to understand manner with Sophie faithfully reproducing it, they seem really happy together, like an older sister teaching the young one, or perhaps When she imagined the other possibility, Shirley began to get upset and shake on the spot.
Ah Ahhhhhhhhh!
Shirley tottered back down to the dining room like a newborn deer, not exactly living up to the moniker Demonic White Sword.
Hmm? Whats wrong?
They! They!! They!?
No, I have no idea what youre talking about?
Although the skilled warrior seemed completely lost for words, Martha still comforted Shirley as she raised a quivering finger and pointed it towards her room.
My position as a mother My position as a mother is at stake!
Ha? What do you mea- Ahh, now I get it.
Martha nods as she finally understood.
Since she had free time waiting for you, Grania decided to teach Sophie some magic. I dont think its something worth getting so upset about.
But If its just about the basics of magic even I can teach that! To think that That person would teach Sophie her first spell without me!
It seems that Grania, who embodies the very picture of an adult woman, has shaken Shirleys belief in herself as a mother to the very core.
Since magic isnt taught in school and is usually left up to the parent, Martha understands Shirleys fretting, but still admonishes the single mother.
Just why are you so upset? You didnt want to teach Sophie and Tio magic, right? Thats why it should be fine for Sophie to learn it from another mage.
Thats Hmm
Not just limited to magic, but handling elements, in general, can be quite dangerous, without receiving basic magical instructions ones magical power could run amok.
Small-scale elemental magic like moving water from glasses and moving wind about a room. Despite not being a professional like Grania, Shirley was capable of doing that much.
She knew basic magic and if she wanted to could teach it as well, but
Sophie and Tio said they wanted to become adventurers.
Yeah.
But, those two are still just children. If they just focus on one thing at such an early age, wont they deprive themselves of other opportunities?
I see. I understand how you feel.
Its a little like a bartender patronizing a particularly troublesome customer complaining over their drink, but Shirley is completely serious.
As a parent, its only natural that she wants those two to live a peaceful life rather than braving danger as an adventurer.
Shirley did tell both of them that if they could pass a test at age 15, she would accept them being adventurers, but this is something else entirely.
She didnt teach her children swordsmanship or magic because she didnt want to cut down on their future opportunities, or the dreams that might blossom for them once they grow up.
But If the time ever did come to teach them I wanted to be the one who!
So, thats the problem, huh.
Truthfully, she never thought too badly about actually having mother and daughter training sessions, in fact, the idea got her a little giddy, even if she wouldnt admit it.
But, having been beaten to the punch by Grania, Shirleys secret desire had been scattered to the wind.
Even if no one has actually done anything wrong per se, this silly parent had to retreat to the dining room to calm down and collect her thoughts.
I always thought that I wanted to do everything for my daughters, but something like this My confidence as a mother But if I got in their way and Sophie hated me, I wouldnt be able to live
You may not think so yourself, but youre an excellent mother. In the first place, it was Sophie who asked to learn magic. And thats not the only thing, is it?
Shirley must have been really conflicted. Nonetheless, Martha pet the head of the youthful semi-immortal, who was trying her best to respect her daughters wishes.
Its because you trust Grania that you came back here instead of interfering, right?
Shirley nodded silently. Despite being a disciple of Canary, she was relieved that the adventurer recommended by Yumina and Asterios turned out to be such a good and sensible person, although she hadnt expected her to inflict this kind of damage on her.
Ah, Mama! Welcome home!
Looking at that face lifted her mood instantly. Sophie rushed over to Shirley, holding a cup of water in her hand.
Yes, Im back. So, what are you doing?
Shirley did her best to keep up her usual prudent attitude. Although it might have seemed like an awfully abrupt change to any onlooker, Shirley desperately didnt want to show such a miserable appearance to her daughter, but Sophie is in such a good mood she didnt seem to notice at all.
Um, I came to return this glass to the kitchen Oh yeah! Watch what I can do!
Placing the cup on the table, Sophie pointed both her hands at it and began to murmur.
WaterBall, BodyUmmFloating?
Its a little stilted, but its definitely a magical chant It is the verbalization of the self-suggestion that can transform the world around the caster through the power of magical phenomena.
The water in the cup began to vibrate on its own and eventually forms a sphere in thin air, floating above Sophies palm. This is Water Bullet, it is among the most basic of beginners magic, a magic that shoots water projectiles at such strength and speed that it can even pierce iron.
I did it! Hey, mama, isnt this amazing!? I learned it from Miss Grania!
Sophie, who usually tries her best to act like an adult, cant help jumping up and down with excitement as she boasts to her mother about learning her first magic.
Compared to Shirley who could produce swords from thin air without chants and fought with extreme speed and strength in combat, it was a rather lousy magic, but when Sophie showed her a face full of smiling wonder, she couldnt help but pat her head.
Yes, its still a little rough around the edges, but this is very good for your first try.
Ehehehe
Sophie doesnt even try to hide how much she enjoys it when her mother stroked her soft white hair.
Seeing her daughter so happy, who was she to interfere? Shirley thought that to herself with a sigh.
Hmm Whats wrong? Im flattered, but its hard to work if you stare at me so much, you know~?
Its nothing.
Later that night, as Grania worked on the ritual using the peryton antlers she had gathered, Shirley stared at her from behind with those piercing red and blue eyes.
She opened her mouth and spoke as if she had been mulling the words over for a while.
Um Thank you. For taking care of Sophie.
Ahh, you mean for helping her with the basics of magic? I just had free time, so dont worry yourself about it.
Even if she was just killing time until she returned, Shirley still thought it was right to thank her for giving her daughter some guidance.
Then, as if to ruin the moment, Grania held her hand to her mouth and laughed haughtily.
But really, I was slightly worried since Im sure youd loved to teach her magic yourself, but she was so lovely I just couldnt refuse, Im glad that you arent angry with me~
Uuu.!
That reaction Oh, I see? Fufufu Thats cute as well. To think youre older than me I cant believe youre in your thirties.
Hitting the bullseye, Grania seems to be enjoying teasing the Demonic White Sword more and more. Shirley wants to withdraw what she said before, this woman really is Canarys disciple and relative through and through, she really should trust her instincts better.
More importantly, have you identified the culprit?
Ah, Ill be starting now. Please look.
Deciding not to press her luck with the woman who so obviously wants to change the subject, Grania holds an upside-down pyramid shaped object attached to a piece of string above a sheet of parchment.
Covering the dowsing tool in powdered peryton antler, it dangles above the black stained parchment that contains the sealed information of the caster.
As Grania held it suspended above the darkness, the tool moves and manipulates the stain in swirls, with white light beginning to emerge.
The dowsing tool and the black stain moved in tandem as if they were alive and eventually letters began to form on the page, letting Shirley see information about the abhorrent caster with her own two eyes.
The name of the caster is Grace Barnes Having a family name, he may be nobility, but does he sound familiar?
He does not What else?
As if at her urging, the dowsing tool swung once more and further information appeared on the page.
Twenty-seven years old, he appears to be a minor researcher who has published several papers, personality wise hes quite a typical man for his age. Height 170 centimetres, weight 56 kilograms. His favourite meal is a full breakfast with a boiled egg, his hobbies are
I dont care about his personal life. Is there anything more useful?
So impatient He is the fourth son of a Baron and has been working in a mansion in his parents fief for five years. His motivation for targeting your daughters was not a personal one, but because he received a request to do so.
Shirley frowned. Its all well and good to identify the caster, but now theres apparently a mastermind as well?
The identity of the client is unknown But, from where the caster lives, I feel you might be able to figure something out.
Where is Grace Barnes?
The Barony is in the suburbs of the Imperial Capital He lives in a mansion near the centre of the city.
The Imperial Capital. More than anything else shed heard about the caster, that news shocked her most of all.