I, Viretta, Am Going to Hunt a Dragon

Chapter 28

The atmosphere around them shifted completely.

The magician’s furious wrath and the bandits’ nervous tension melted away, as if dissipating like smoke and frost.

Even the villagers watching from a distance appeared bewildered by the inexplicable scene before them, and Iola, who had been ready to fight at any moment, wore a perplexed expression.

Everyone, except Lanken, seemed thrown into confusion. Only Lanken had a face that seemed to say, "Here we go again..."

"A master detective...?"

"A person who can even make a crying child stop...?"@@@@

The bandits echoed Viretta’s words, mulling over each phrase. They were odd statements, and not at all fitting for the moment.

“Why...? What is it that she thinks she’s solving?”

Solve what, exactly? The magician, unable to guess what was happening, shifted into a stance to start incanting. Perhaps this was some trick to catch them off guard?

But nothing suggested that. Even the formidable Iola was simply listening to Viretta’s words with an uncertain expression, unsure of how to proceed.

"Of course, the charming little mystery right before us. No amount of effort can hide it from the eyes of an experienced detective like myself."

The bandit leader, who was also a magician, narrowed her eyes, and a scarred man whispered, “That woman sure knows how to get under people’s skin.”

So, she’s stalling for time? The magician raised her staff as if she were about to strike, but Viretta acted first.

“You’re not at a loss here, so let’s listen for a bit, shall we, Moslin?”

“......”

Lightning flickered around the magician’s body, a sign that her emotions were nearing their peak.

Viretta pulled out a large catalog from behind a stall.

[Magician Catalog].

She began flipping through the [Magician Catalog].

“I was actually on my way to find a magician. And if we’re talking about an elderly female lightning magician in this catalog, you’d be the only one who fits.”

She stopped a few pages in, her eyes scanning the information about Moslin.

“A prodigy showing talent from the age of fourteen. None could match her destructive force back then. A battle-class magician who fought in major battlefields starting from twenty: the Battle of Caraila, the Eastern Civil War, the War of Roses abroad, and many others.”

From behind her came murmurs of admiration. “A remarkable person,” some whispered, “The Flash of the War of Roses... that’s her.” Moslin raised her chin, looking proud.

Viretta lightly tapped the open page with a smile in her eyes.

“It’s worth noting that she’s purely a battle-class magician, only proficient in lightning magic.”

“As a battle-class magician, that’s hardly a flaw. Based on her background, my father would be quite interested in her talents.”

“No, Iola. That’s exactly why Moslin is here right now.”

Viretta kindly contradicted Iola’s assumption. Iola looked at her in disbelief.

“If she truly is Moslin, the Flash of the War of Roses, she could wipe out an entire unit on her own.”

“I did, in my day. Now that you know who I am, I suggest you step back quietly. I have no intention of meaningless slaughter.”

“So...”

Viretta spun around and approached Moslin, raising her index finger.

“You must have accepted payment roughly equal to what one would pay the leader of a bandit gang.”

“...Tch.”

Moslin gritted her teeth in frustration, tacitly acknowledging Viretta’s words.

“Unbelievable.”

Lanken, who had been leaning back as a spectator, dropped his jaw as everything fell into place.

Even Lanken, who hadn’t flinched at Moslin’s appearance, looked shaken, as if witnessing something absurd.

All eyes turned toward him.

“Unbelievable. Viretta... Viretta got the answer right...!”

“...”

“...”

Silence briefly descended.

Ignoring Lanken’s stunned reaction, Moslin and Viretta resumed their conversation as if nothing had happened.

“I don’t know where you came from, but you’re quick-witted. Yes, you’re right.”

“Really? I knew it! I have quite a knack for deduction!”

“But none of this is my fault. It’s all Medleridge’s fault...!”

At the mention of Medleridge again, Viretta’s party tensed up.

Even those on a mission to slay dragons didn’t appreciate being seen as cold-blooded villains without reason.

“What exactly did Medleridge... do?”

The excitement that had driven Viretta’s deductions suddenly deflated. Everyone watched closely, waiting for Moslin to explain.

Moslin ground her teeth, denouncing Medleridge’s actions.

“Twenty years ago, there were wars big and small everywhere! But that money-grubber took control of the Eastern economy, and wars suddenly stopped!”

“Hmm?”

“Cadellen Medleridge, that scoundrel! He buys peace with money! Where warriors and magicians used to spill blood on the battlefield, he uses money to twist their pride into peace! He doesn’t leave a chance for war!”

“Uh-huh?”

Something seemed off. The listeners tilted their heads in confusion.

“He’s a despicable, money-minded merchant. He’s like the symbol of peace! Thanks to him, Fillian’s mercenary trade has decayed. Battle-class magicians like me have fewer and fewer places to make a stand. Who wouldn’t hold a grudge against those damned Medleridges!”

“I mean, you’re talking like it’s unjust, but he did a good thing...”

He simply used his money to drive the war out of Fillian.

It was an achievement worthy of being called a symbol of peace.