A Death Row Convict Teaches at a School of Magic

It has been three days since I rescued Alice.

Right after that, I entrusted Alice with a crucial task and had her split up. The prospect of Alice violating her promise and escaping was a consideration that I could not rule out, yet I concluded that with her inquisitive nature, things would probably be fine. It was beyond my capacity to perfectly manage all of my allies.

The greatest obstacle at the moment was the lack of forces after all. Despite having Alice as a companion, with only four people—Felt and Sasha included—I might succeed in subduing a small city, but dealing with the royal capital would be a pipe dream. I made contact again with Gato and company, who had casually declined my initial offer, and somehow managed to set up a place to negotiate.

The place designated for the rendezvous was a small bar in an inn town on the outskirts of the royal capital. Not a single customer was present except for us when I entered the windowless bar, which was apparently under the control of Gato’s influence.

“Hey, you’re back early!”

“Mr. Gato, Ms. Mira. It’s been a while.”

Even though it wasn’t a particularly large bar, there was more than enough room for the three of us to use it. A sumptuous meal had already been set on the table, but everybody had been withdrawn, including the owner, who was nowhere to be seen.

“Excuse me, did I keep you waiting?”

“Don’t fret. We just arrived too early, and Viper didn’t show up today?”

“Yes. Ms. Felt has been occupied with a lot of work, so I came here alone today.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s a pity.”

After my answer to Mira’s question, Gato gulped down his drink. Through the hood he was wearing over his eyes, I was able to see a tattoo of a magic formula inscribed in meticulous detail during that beat.

In contrast to Gato’s regular reaction, Mira seemed colder than usual.

We initially indulged in beverages and dishes at Gato’s insistence that we should discuss after drinking, and then we lightly updated each other on our recent activities.

They had been thinking of detouring eastward to the Chronos Empire, bypassing the royal capital, and this city was originally planned to be their route. Aside from Gato, Mira was dismissive of my story this time. Had Mira and Gato gone west, they would not have bothered to come all the way to the royal capital simply to hear what I had to say, which was a stroke of luck for me.

Since then, Gato has been opening sake after sake, and downing it in large gulps, but Mira hasn’t touched hers much. Judging that it would be in vain to wait any longer and hope that Mira would sober up, I interrupted the conversation right at the point where it had just ended.

“―So, again, could you please reconsider your thoughts on the matter?”

“…Unfortunately, I can’t go along with you this one time.”

Mira’s answer was prompt as if she had expected this timing.

Gato, who was drinking from a bottle of wine, chimed in, “I think it sounds like fun and is fine. He wouldn’t budge even if you insisted on your opinion. I would have scoffed if someone else had talked to me about it, but I trust you. Anyway, I am sure you will figure something out and pull it off like you did before.”

“There is no such guarantee! Even I have a strong desire to do to the utmost of my ability what Eraser asks of me. But this is far too rash! No matter how many lives you have, it will not be enough.”

“So that is why when I arrived here today, I brought someone to persuade Ms. Mira.”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

I rose and made my way to the entrance of the store, and Gato questioned me suspiciously.

Given her personality, I had thought she might barge in on me halfway through, but this time she seemed to have waited for me as promised.

“Let me introduce you. This is Alice Raison de Trile, who is going to lend us a hand this time.”

“―Oh, how late you called me! It’s not common for me to wait outside for 30 minutes!”

After Alice came in with a noise that reverberated through the interior of the store, she stiffened immediately following her complaint.

Beyond Alice’s gaze was Mira, who froze with a bitter look on her face.

“…No way, Master?”

“…Alice.”

Alice let out a burst of cheers and sprang on Mira then.

“It’s Master, isn’t it!! Oh no, it’s been a super long time!? Have you been killing people lately!?”

“Stop your screaming in my ear, you’re making me depressed! And you, where have you been wandering around for almost a decade without contacting me! No, there’s no need to inform me—I’ve been learning about your movements via the wanted poster, after all!”

“Master, your wrinkles are growing.”

“Hurry up and step away from me!”

Having pulled off the clinging Alice, Mira drew in a deep breath. Gato and I who watched it laughed wryly.

“…I have never seen Mira in such high spirits.”

“Ugh… I can’t help it! Alice is my first and last apprentice, and I have a lot of things I was planning to say to her when I met her!”

“Master, you are rather overprotective, you know.”

Mira, whose cheeks were dyed vermillion, covered her mouth with a fan in embarrassment. Muttering to herself like it was someone a stranger’s matter, Alice threw one of the fried chickens from the tabletop into her mouth.