Volume 2 Chapter 24 Male Thief And Female Spy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”What are you trying to do, Hermine?” Tiet asked, her voice low.
Hermine let out a soft huff. “Hmph. What about you, Tiet? Why are you looking at me like that? Well… either way, things should return to normal soon.”
Tiet narrowed her eyes at her. She had stood beside her not long ago, a trusted ally. Now, that trust cracked under the weight of her actions.
Her gaze wasn’t murderous, but it burned with frustration. The betrayal stung—deep, silent, and impossible to ignore.
”What do you mean, ‘return to normal’?” she asked, her voice sharp.
”You were brainwashed,” Hermine said calmly. “I came here to undo it, safely and quickly. This place… it’s the Imperial Capital’s Special Magic Research Institute. A Magic Jammer field is active—just like the one inside the restraint device I gave you.”
Tiet glanced around briefly.
The room was round and spacious, made entirely of cold metal. No windows. No sign of the outside world. Spell inscriptions ran along the walls and floor—subtle yet intricate, carved with purpose. Magic couldn’t flow freely here. The atmosphere was unmistakable, just like the chamber inside that device. Even without trying, she could sense the Magic Jammer at work.
”…Who brainwashed me, then?” she asked.
”It was Klock. Klock Livorno,” she said without hesitation. “He kept his Unique Skill hidden. While you were unaware, he brainwashed you. Don’t you remember?”
Her claim was strange. Almost laughable.
Tiet frowned. Brainwashed… by Klock? How absurd.
”Hermine. Klock? Really? Someone like him couldn’t brainwash me. Are you seriously saying that?”
”I’m serious,” she insisted. “You couldn’t judge things properly. He twisted your actions to suit his own needs.”
”…What are you even talking about?”
Her words didn’t confuse her—they irritated her. It sounded less like a warning and more like an insult.
”Hermine. Klock’s magical power is… trash. I mean it. No matter what his Unique Skill is, there’s no way he could break through my anti-magic resistance.”
Magic was power meeting power. Whether it came from skill or from a natural gift, if it clashed with another’s magic, it boiled down to strength. Mental interference, in particular, was a battle of pure magical force. If her magic was weak, her control would scatter before reaching the target.
Things like fire or ice blades? Those could hit no matter the strength—since they were physical. But mental interference required domination. Direct, unfiltered control.
And Klock… his magical power was so faint, it barely registered, even with Premonition. He had no talent for magic. Even if he tried to use a Unique Skill to brainwash Tiet, it would drain him dry before it had any chance of success. And even if—by miracle—it did work, Tiet’s power would eventually undo it on its own.
”…So no. There’s no way I’m still under his control.”
”But I can’t explain it any other way!” Hermine cried, stepping forward. “There’s distance between you and that man now, so you’re finally free! Please, Tiet, just believe me! I’ve never hurt you, have I? You know that!”
Her hand clutched Tiet’s shoulder, her voice trembling.
Tiet’s brows furrowed. Even if she was irritated, her desperate tone made it hard to shake her off.
She was once an ally. And as much as she hated to admit it—she wasn’t someone who would turn on her without reason.
”…Even if that’s true, what do you want me to do?”
”Just stay here. One day. That’s all I ask. If you stay, you’ll understand everything.”
”One day… What about Klock?”
”I’ll keep him restrained,” she said after a pause. “I won’t hand him over to the kingdom until we’re sure you’re back to normal. Is that fair?”
Her words made Tiet pause.
For a second, she thought Hermine might say something darker. But maybe she was just imagining things.
She let out a breath. It wasn’t like she was agreeing to something dangerous. If Hermine had said she planned to kill Klock, she would’ve fought her then and there. But just one day? That was manageable. And once everything became clear, she’d have no choice but to hear her out too.
More than anything… the guilt from leaving the party weighed heavy. If Hermine truly meant what she said, Tiet had no reason to refuse.
”…Fine. One day. But listen carefully—if you lay a single hand on Klock, I’ll never forgive you. I’ll hate you forever.”
”────Alright. I understand,” Hermine said quietly.
She bit her lip, her face drawn tight. It didn’t look like fear—it was something else. Regret, maybe. Was she convinced Tiet was still under control?
”Sigh… Alright then. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. Just… don’t do anything reckless,” she said, trying to sound firm.
It reminded Tiet of the way a mother worries when her child goes out alone.
She used to hate that tone.
Back when the Brave Knights were first formed, it annoyed her. It felt like Hermine was looking down on her. She remembered sulking about it more than once.
But later, she realized something—Anna the hero, and even the older Oriana, acted the same way. That was just who Hermine was. A natural caretaker—but only to those she accepted.
”Anyway…” she said, her gaze shifting.
She turned toward Adelina, who sat quietly in the corner, her expression blank.
Now that she thought about it… why had Adelina been brought here too? Of all people, why her?
Surely, Hermine would say something about brainwashing. But considering Adelina’s magical power, that didn’t make any sense—
”…Tiet. Why were you with Saint Cynthia?” Hermine asked suddenly.
”…Hm?”
* * *
”By the way, where exactly are we going?” he asked.
Time had passed. The sun was already high in the sky, slowly making its descent. In this pure white world, once the sun vanished, the cold would kill them long before the Great Mage’s fire ever could.
Feeling uneasy, he needed to at least know the plan.
”We’re heading down the mountain,” Suzette said. “As for where to flee, we’ll let you decide. Wherever you want to go—we’ll follow.”
”That’s… vague,” he muttered. “I don’t even know which way is which. Can’t you suggest a safe place?”
The empire was known for peace and strict control.
At night, no one could enter or leave the towns. Patrols walked constantly. It was the kind of country where even thieves gave up quickly. When they’d visited before, they had left right away, unable to operate under such tight surveillance. As a result, he didn’t know the layout of the land at all.
”As I said before,” she continued, “we’re at the border with the Theocracy. You have two choices—escape west into their land, or head east toward the imperial capital.”
The imperial capital.
Alvenia—the heart of the Dusselhelm Empire.
It was famous as a bustling city filled with magic research institutes, especially near the Theocracy. Any human would be drawn to its lively streets, but for him, coming here now felt dangerously reckless.
”The one chasing us is Hermine, a magic user and a princess of the empire. Heading to the imperial capital—her base—it’s risky,” he said.
”That’s true,” Suzette answered calmly. “But the west is no better. If we run from the empire, we’ll have to cross the Dinos Desert.”
He had never heard of it before. “Is it really that big?”
She nodded. “The desert is vast. The town beyond it is closer than the imperial capital, but crossing without preparation is almost certain death.”
Crossing a desert without food or water? Madness. Getting lost there meant no chance to survive. So, going east seemed more reasonable.
”Of course, going to the imperial capital isn’t safe either. But they wouldn’t expect us there, so we might catch them off guard. Still, if we get caught, it’s over.”
It was their home ground, right at the center of the empire. Any slip-up would trap them with no escape.
”If we go to the capital, do we take a ship?” he asked.
”Yes. From the capital’s bay, we head to the Federation’s Lushelara port, then cross into the Beast Continent. That’s the best escape route.”
The capital sat at the continent’s northern edge. From there, they could sail east, reach the Federation, and then cross the sea out of the continent. The shortest path, if they could make it.
But escaping to the Beast Continent? That felt odd.
”I have some questions,” he said carefully.
Suzette smiled faintly, her voice smooth. “There’s no need to pry into each other’s affairs.”
Her words felt like a shield. It was clear she knew a lot about him, and the way she said it unsettled him.
”At least we should exchange some information. You’re not helping me by chance, right? This goes beyond what a head maid should do.”
Her horns made it obvious she wasn’t ordinary. How much could he trust her? She opposed the heroes, but that didn’t mean she was an ally.
”I don’t care who you spy for. What matters is whether I can trust you to help me escape.”
He used the word “spy” on purpose. It might be risky to show he knew, but he wanted her to understand he wasn’t fooled. He’d act like he had accepted it.
”Orders come from above,” she said firmly. “I’m told to help you escape to the Beast Continent.”
”Above,” he echoed quietly. Someone higher up was involved. That was none of his business.
”I understand. Then I’ll trust you.”
He cut off the topic before it grew dangerous. This was information he didn’t need.
It seemed like powerful people had noticed him. “Above” could mean the Viscount—or someone else. Whoever it was, they wanted to help Klock, the one hunted by the heroes. And the one sent to help was a demon.
Demons and enemies of the heroes? That could only mean trouble.
Please, not Boit. Not this time. This can’t be worse than a saint’s kidnapping.
He hoped it was all a misunderstanding, but her horns screamed danger. If the rumored Demon King was involved, this would be far bigger than a simple conflict.
Over a century of peace could shatter, and war might return.
Maybe it was just some demons causing minor trouble. Yes, it had to be that. No way such a big event would happen in these peaceful times.
This era was about progress. Forests cleared for towns, technology blooming—bathhouses, pastries, comforts. War was an outdated word. The real winners were those who led in innovation. Military force and politics didn’t fit this new world. It would be rude to judge someone just because they were demons.
”…So you figured all that out just from this? You’re quick. Maybe thinking about how to touch a woman has made you smarter.”
He frowned. “That’s wrong. Or are you still upset?”
”I’m not angry. I just hate how you pretend to focus but keep closing in.”
Suddenly he noticed. While they talked, the space between them had shrunk.
They were about fifty centimeters apart—normal for walking and talking—but she seemed uncomfortable.
”Hey, this is fine, right?”
”No. If your hand touches me, I’ll find it disgusting. Move away.”
”How far do you want?”
Running for their lives, and she was this rude? He wished she was more like Adelina—obedient and mature. It didn’t have to be extreme, but after knowing Adelina, Suzette’s attitude made him want to end this partnership.
Why was Adelina even brought along? Just a side thing, maybe. Still, he needed to figure out what to do with both of them.
”What’s with that face? You get disliked and start thinking about other women? Gross.”
”Shut up and walk in front.”
Annoyed, he fired back.
”If I’m leading, what’s your problem? Keep at least a meter away, or else.”
Her comeback hit twice as hard. He stayed quiet, knowing arguing only made things worse.
Honestly, he just wanted to clutch his head and prepare for what was next.
Notes:
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Oriana – A companion who assists in explaining the situation to the kingdom. She is supportive and helps Anna navigate her responsibilities.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Alvenia – The imperial capital of the Dusselhelm Empire, located at the northernmost point of the continent. A flourishing city known for its many magic research institutes. It is a central hub but considered dangerous for Tiet and his companions due to Hermine’s influence.
• Dinos Desert – A vast desert located west of the Dusselhelm Empire, near the border with the Theocracy. It is a dangerous route requiring significant preparation to cross, with a town on the other side closer than the imperial capital.
• Lushelara – A port in the Federation, accessible from the imperial capital by ship. It serves as a gateway to the Beast Continent, making it a potential escape route for Tiet and his companions.
• Boit – A merchant involved in human trafficking, with a villainous face and a loud, obnoxious voice. He is pragmatic and willing to help Klock escape the country in exchange for something. His relationship with Klock is business-like, though both are aware of each other’s illicit activities.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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