The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

Episode 572

Swoo…

Swoouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

A soft-skinned boy of about 10 years old is sitting in front of a canvas and drawing a picture.

The canvas was still too big for a boy, but fortunately there was a separate one for adults, so it was manageable.

When colorants were squeezed out and mixed together, all kinds of mysterious colors were created.

Swoosh…

Swoosh…

The boy draws the scenery outside the window of the mansion he sees every day. This is the painting he is most confident in.

I couldn’t think about anything when I was drawing. I just enjoyed being like that.

I’m not good at drawing people yet. I had no talent for portrait painting.

When I draw a person, I think.

I want to draw well.

But I’m not good at drawing.

So I don’t draw well.

“Hmm… that’s the way things are in the world.”

A boy who sounds like an old man for no reason. When I was drawing, I would often talk to myself.

“Yuriko.”

“Eup…”

The boy Yuriko paused.

The sound heard from behind was clearly his father’s. You will be scolded.

“Are you painting again?…”

“Yes…”

“Haven’t I told you countless times that it’s time to move forward?”

“… yes.”

The child was unable to express his opinion.

This art tool.

This mansion.

This environment full of servants.

These are all prepared and prepared by his father.

“You are a member of the 10 great families. This is Froi Yuriko. “Always remember that.”

It’s that sound again.

“… all right.”

“….”

Sigh…

His father is checking the already completed paintings placed at Yuriko’s feet.

“… This person.”

“ah! That’s…”

The only portrait.

The first mage, Urda.

“… Is it because you rejected me a few days ago?”

“Oh no… just…”

A few days ago, Yuriko asked her father for a favor. The first mage, Ur, knew he was coming to the capital.

There was a mage that Yuriko saw when she was young, of course she is still young, but she was much younger than she is now.

Yuriko was captivated by him as he walked confidently among the nobles in a pure white robe.

Even after several years have passed, the mage Ur remains in Yuriko’s heart.

He returned to the capital. In a different form than before.

I don’t know what happened, but the Kagon Council found him guilty and he was about to be sentenced.

Today, Ur is taken out of prison and escorted through the people to be judged by the council.

This was a meaningless play meant to show the authority and power of Congress, but the child could not have known that much.

However, Yuriko wanted to see Ur, who had captivated him, again.

So I asked my father.

Please let me meet him.

“…if you say you won’t paint for a while.”

“… yes?”

“Then I will do you a favor.”

“This week?”

“At least one month.”

If you take it away from your body, interest will wane. Since he was still young, if he experienced interesting things at that age, he would not get hung up on trivial things.

His father, Froy Ascent, decided so.

“… all right!”

“good night.”

“really! “Really?”

“I keep my promises. “Follow me.”

“Wait!”

Yuriko takes care of a painting large enough to fit comfortably in her arms.

“Tsk…”

It was a drawing of Ur.

Asent shook his head and left the mansion with his son.

The escort followed, but only watched the father and son from afar and did not disturb their time.

The rich man’s time was precious.

Its value has increased even more since the woman who was Asent’s wife and Yuriko’s mother passed away from illness a long time ago.

Now Yuriko’s only family was Asent, and Asent’s treasure was Yuriko.

Pot-!

Pot-!

Yuriko jumped up and down, trying to see the boulevard formed between the processions.

“What are you doing so frivolously?”

“But I want to see it!”

“….”

Asent wordlessly carried Yuriko’s legs on his shoulders. It was the appearance of an ordinary rich man that I had not seen in a very long time.

“If you see a convoy, you have to get off.”

“Why?”

“Kagon’s magic leaders are looking here. “It’s difficult to get out of their sight.”

“Your father is a great person, right?”

“The more authority is used, the more damaged it becomes. Especially when it comes to trivial things like this. No, this story may be important to you too. “You too will become a mage one day, and shouldn’t you be in their sight?”

Those words decided the boy’s life.

This was something I had heard for as long as I had grown up, so there was nothing to feel unfair about.

You must become a mage.

You were born as a seed of the empire and blessed with magic, so you must become a pioneer that will lead to prosperity.

This is what I always heard.

“Should I… become a mage too?”

“If you are born into 10 families, you must accept it. “Because I was chosen by fate.”

The magical power that sustains the empire.

10 great families.

How were they born?

“But… it was Ur who created the 10 families.”

“….”

“We were the ones chosen by him, so why are we punishing him?”

“Nothing has been decided yet. “Keep your voice down.”

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Heeheeheehee!

The lead horse neighed.

Since many people were watching the horses… animals are also bound to be nervous.

“It’s almost time. “I’ll drop you off.”

“Now just wait a moment.”

“Are you going to be unreasonable?”

“Just like this… just a moment.”

“…count to ten and then get down.”

The reason Yuriko hesitated to get off was because our eyes met.

The mage is looking at this place.

looking at him

The first mage locked in an iron cage.

“…It is done.”

Sigh…

Yuriko comes down to the ground.

“Why are you treating the first mage like that?”

“That… you don’t know.”

Adults always say that.

It was an irresponsible statement, but it was quite effective.

But not like today.

Pot-!

“Yuriko!”

Hee hee hee!

“what!”

Yuriko ran and got close to the iron bars.

As a result, the Magic Knights in charge of the convoy were embarrassed.

“… trample on.”

Huuuuuung-!

In an instant, a magical power arose.

A sense of calm was conveyed and the words calmed the excitement.

“…Lord Ascent?”

“This is my child.”

“Wow, this kid was famous. But… I guess his behavior is unusual, perhaps because he’s a gifted child?”

“I’m still immature.”

The escort of the first mage had to be taken care of by someone worthy of him.

The person in charge of the convoy was from the Yan family, the head of the Magic Knights and the head of the 10 families.

“Lord Ascent’s child will definitely become the future of the empire. “I don’t think it would be a bad idea to teach a child tolerance like that.”

“Thank you for your understanding like the ocean. Yuri…”

Yuriko was giving the picture to Ur.

“I drew this. Ur.”

Sigh…

“… Do you know me?”

“saw! “Mage!”

“… The picture is quite nice.”

“really?”

“Do you like it?”

“What what?”

“painting.”

“yes! great.”

“… I think your father thinks differently.”

Sigh…

Asent hugged Yuriko.

“Yuriko will become a mage, the first mage.”

“… Kid, are you planning to become a mage?”

“… yes.”

“why?”

“They say you have to become a mage.”

“Don’t become a mage. Don’t get caught up in something you don’t like. “Because I’m just being abandoned.”

Yuriko protested.

“Urdo is a mage!”

“I liked this road.”

“….”

“… Thank you for the picture.”

* * *

Mazur Academy.

A secondary educational institution in the Kagon Empire for those aspiring to become mage.

A place where not only high-class nobles, including the children of the 10 families, but also those of lowly birth can enter as long as they are qualified enough.

The nobles opposed this type of admission system because they thought it would lower their status, but the first magician was firm in his belief that magic should be distributed equally to everyone.

As a result, Mazur was Kagon’s last remaining opportunity to rise in status unless war broke out.

When the students here enter the academy, which is an advanced course, they are labeled as wizards in earnest.

Yuriko was stigmatized as an unusual being even in Mazur. Although he had no interest in magic, he attracted the attention of those around him with his talent. His body was weak and his personality was docile.

These characteristics made him the perfect prey for children who were full of blood and were unaware of the complexities of society.

Faaaaaaaaaaa!

“Ugh….”

A classmate kicks the chair he was sitting on.

“Sorry… I thought it was my chair.”

“….”

“Are you okay?”

Yuriko quietly sat down again. His resistance was not to deal with them.

but.

“Wow… this is another masterpiece.”

“…Give it back.”

The children laugh as they steal the picture he drew.

“is not it? “There are 10 families in Mazur who are doing such bizarre things.”

“Don’t insult the 10 families.”

“You never know when Froy might break away from the 10 families, so do you have time to draw something like this?”

Yuriko knows how to make these kids suffer.

They are making a formal complaint to Mazur, claiming that they have disgraced the 10 families. If that happens, these lower-ranking nobles and their parents will experience great trouble.

But Yuriko can’t do that.

I did not hope that their mistakes would continue to their parents.

It was a good but foolish attitude.

The wildcats that bite him cannot be defeated with that mindset.

Yuriko put up all the resistance he could.

“… monkeys.”

“what?”

“You told me not to hang out with children from lowly families. “I accidentally mixed up my words, so it’s my fault.”

“… What did you say?”

“Do lower class people even have bad ears? I didn’t even know that…”

Baaaaaaaaaa!

Wow!

My eyes were spinning.

Yuriko was born with a weak body.

Of course, I couldn’t deal with kids my own age.

I was beaten as I fell.

Wow!

“Ahh!”

Baaaaaaaa!

“Aaaahhh!”

“You son of a bitch… You son of a bitch!”

Someone quickly ran out to call someone to mediate the situation.

Wow!

Baaaaagh-!

“Stop that…”

Those who kick without mercy.

I couldn’t fight it with magic.

This is Mazur.

If you use magic to commit violence without proper guidance from an educator, you will be immediately expelled. They knew that too, so they whipped him to their heart’s content.

at that time.

“stop!”

A familiar voice was heard.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

The guy who was trampling on Yuriko collapsed with one punch.

A child who is bigger than his or her peers.

“Asmodon….”

“Are you okay?”

“Help me…”

“I will.”

A courageous person who answers without hesitation.

Wow!

Asmodon’s head turned.

Then he immediately returned and glared at the opponent who had outstretched his fist.

Quasi profit-!

Baaaaaaagh-!

Asmodon did not back down even when dealing with many of his classmates.

To him, Asmodon was a hero.

Even though he was hurt, he did not care and protected his friend.

Interpersonal relationships have always been difficult for Yuriko.

Giving attention to people and having attention expected of them is awkward and painful.

Still, if you have to do it, do it with him.

“Stop it! “What are they doing!”

The desperate fight ended with the intervention of a magician.

In that short period of time, Asmodon’s face became bloody, torn and swollen in various places.

The classmates who were beaten by him said:

“Asmodon, you are being deceived. “That bastard said that everyone who isn’t from the 10 families is like trash.”

“That’s…”

“Yuriko, you probably think that too?”

Sigh…

Asmodon looked back at him.

… no.

“I…”

Yuriko stuttered, speechless.

To protest against malice, greater strength and time are needed than the force and time used for malice.

As they said, Asmodon was not from one of the ten families.

“… so?”

“….”

“What are you saying?”

The offended animals retreated and went back. They will probably have to report everything from the cause of this fight to the specific outline to the mage sometime today.

The case is closed.

“You know Asmodon… I didn’t mean to say that…”

“It’s okay.”

“….”

“You don’t have to say it.”

Asmodon laughed bitterly.

“I know you.”

“….”

“So it’s okay.”

A person you can truly rely on, not a relationship that requires verbal communication.

It will last forever.

* * *

Winter when I was 15 years old.

Now is the time to enter the academy. If you enter an academic academy, you will begin your path to becoming a full-fledged magician.

Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssibly

…

Yuriko, who has been thinking a lot these days, has been drawing a lot. Still painting landscapes.

His father, Asent, now said nothing about the painting. On the one hand, it was good, but on the other hand, I was worried.

This is because his father seemed somewhat uncomfortable recently.

Ascent’s cheeks had dried so rapidly that they became thin, and as if she had not been able to sleep, she would stare blankly out the window with bloodshot eyes.

“Would you like me to draw… a picture?”

“… father?”

“… a picture.”

Something really special happened today.

Asent asked Yuriko to draw a picture.

It’s never happened like that before.

“I… you might not like it….”

“It’s okay. “It’s necessary.”

needful?

Yuriko picked up the brush, feeling puzzled.

Suddenly, I realized that my father’s impression had changed a lot.

The nasolabial folds were deep and the angle between the eyebrows was always frowned upon. He was full of fatigue, as if he had soot under his eyes, and his hair was gray.

It was strange.

It’s really strange.

Still, I drew it hard.

What makes up for lack of skills is sincerity and affection.

I just tried.

Asent was about to finish drawing the picture when he opened his mouth.

“Fifteen is an important age.”

“Father, I…”

There will be talk about the future.

I haven’t made up my mind yet.

So you have to tell them to wait.

Please wait…

“Are you planning to become a mage?”

“You know, I…”

“Don’t walk down that road.”

Please wait… I should have told you.

“Do what you love.”

“Why…”

“From now on, forget about magic and follow the path that suits you.”

“….”

That’s what I wanted to hear so much.

But today, for some reason, those words scared me. I was afraid to hear it.

“Find your own path. “That’s it… that’s it.”

Ugh…

Asent stood up.

“The picture…”

“Leave it as is.”

“…is it here?”

“okay.”

He turned around and left.

“There will be some use for it.”

* * *

Run.

“Huh… Huh….”

These are the eyes of Asmodon.

Asmodon is running.

“Whoa… whoa whoa….”

My heart felt like it was going to explode.

Still, I still had to run.

To protect precious beings.

To support your precious existence.

“Hey you!”

When I presented Mazur’s student ID card, the reaction softened.

“Who are you looking for?”

“Ah, Lord Ascent…”

“… You may come in.”

“Has it… not started yet?”

“finished.”

Stumbling…

Asmodon’s legs lost strength.

The news he received in a hurry today.

Yuriko’s father, Froy Ascent.

He is to be hanged.

The exact reason for his punishment is that he participated in dangerous research, but it is not known exactly.

However, until recently, I knew that the situation of the Froy family was not good due to political strife.

This sudden hanging clearly creates victims.

Look…

look…

Asmodon enters the execution room.

The execution ground was so large that it could be said to be quite vast. This is because there were so many chairs and so many of them were empty.

No one came to his death.

It seemed like no one wanted anything to do with this death, perhaps because they were uncomfortable with it.

No matter what, I can’t believe I’m making this immature boy go through all this suffering alone.

“Yuriko.”

“… I’m here?”

Sigh…

I went and sat down next to him.

Yuriko’s face was pale.

I couldn’t sit still and cry, I just hesitated.

It was like that.

It would have been his father who died instantly due to a blocked carotid artery, but Yuriko seemed to have no blood flowing to his head.

It seemed like my reaction system was broken.

But it will soon come to an end.

Yuriko clutched her chest.

It’s liberation, it’s a feeling.

“Huh… Uh… Huh… Ugh….”

“Yuriko!”

He grabbed Yuriko’s temple and made her look into his eyes. Yuriko looks like she’s going to faint at any moment if she doesn’t do this.

Yuriko’s eyes were cloudy.

Only then did the tears start pouring out.

My eyes became red and animated.

The complexion also returned.

The blood circulated and he became a person.

I poured out my suffering to my friend, who was the last line of resistance to support my emotions. I cried like that for a long time.

The two stare at the execution ground blankly, as if empty.

Lord Ascent’s breath rested here. 30 minutes after the execution, the body was also taken away by someone else.

“Time punishes you.”

“….”

Such a sentence came from Kagon.

I can’t understand it at all.

“… It’s funny.”

“What do you plan to do now?”

The head of the Froy family became Yuriko. Issues related to inheritance will also be a headache.

Perhaps the status of the 10 families cannot be maintained.

You have to accept it.

Things you can’t choose.

The 15-year-old had no choice.

…except for one thing.

Sigh…

Yuriko matches the painting placed at her feet to the gallows. Ascent’s final appearance fits perfectly.

Burning…

the picture started to burn.

Yuriko burned it with magic.

Even though it may be the last remaining Ascent.

The boy’s dream was torn apart like a painting, and evil and poison seeped into it instead. It turned into a flame with desire.

All the wounded lion cub could do was dream.

– Don’t be a mage. Don’t get caught up in something you don’t like. Because you’ll just be abandoned.

– From now on, forget about magic and follow the path that suits you.

A new dream.

“I will become a mage.”

Contrary to Ascent’s concerns, his paintings were not needed by Yuriko.

Because what moves the boy is no longer memories.

“Asmodon.”

he laughed.

“Are you going to join us?”

Asmodon also laughed.

“of course.”

It’s been 5 years since the first mage, Ur, was sealed in Alcatron.

This is the story of Khagon, an empire of time he does not know.