Chapter 180: Meeting the Legendary Magician
“Master Jalana Meitis… Could it be that you are the ‘Meitis of the Void’?!”
Upon hearing the name of the elderly woman, Rest’s eyes widened in astonishment.
The ‘Meitis of the Void’ was one of the oldest court magicians, having served the Aiwood Kingdom for over seventy years. It was said that her mastery of Barrier Techniques surpassed even that of the wise Director Verloid. She was renowned for a legendary tale in which she surrounded a fortress with a barrier during a war with a neighboring country, managing to withstand a month-long siege without losing a single soldier. A practitioner capable of completely severing space with her barrier techniques… hence the moniker ‘Void.’
“It is an honor to meet a legendary magician. My name is Rest Clover.”
“Hmph… You’re quite good at flattering an old hag, aren’t you? I don’t mind a smooth-talking brat.”
It seemed that the first impression was favorable. Meitis tapped her staff against the ground, snorting in amusement.
“I heard you were the son of that man, and I was curious to see what you were like… Not bad at all! Quite different from your father!”
“Ugh…”
Meitis struck Lucas with her staff once more. Lucas’s face flushed with humiliation, yet he remained silent, aware of the difference in their standings.
“Master Meitis will be casting the barrier in the Demon Realm. Lord Evern will be assisting her.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Rest sighed in relief at Andrew’s words. He had been apprehensive at the thought of his father taking on such an important role in constructing the barrier. If Lucas was merely an assistant and the one casting the barrier was the greatest barrier user, Meitis, then he could rest easy for the time being.
“That old hag tends to complicate things, so I brought this idle boy along.”
Meitis said with a mischievous tone, poking Lucas’s shins with her staff.
“Apparently… this man has tormented you for many years. I imagine it must be quite unsettling for him to see his son, whom he had given up on, turn out so well. Quite the irony, isn’t it?”
“U… Guh…”
Lucas’s expression twisted further as Meitis laughed like a witch. It seemed her words hit too close to home.
(So that’s why this man is here… Could it be that the Master is being cruel?)
Rest thought it was rather insensitive of Andrew, but if that was the case, it made sense.
“I’ve assigned him all the menial tasks, so feel free to use him as you wish! After all, he’s just an Honorary Viscount. Plus, he’s set to fall into decline with no heir! Don’t hold back; whatever treatment you give him, that old hag will forgive you!”
“Thank you for your consideration… I appreciate it.”
With a wry smile at Meitis’s rather pleasant personality, Rest felt a twinge of sympathy for Lucas, who had been a toxic parent. No matter how terrible a father he had been, seeing him so diminished was pitiful.
(Well, it’s all his own doing… If only he had offered a helping hand when my mother fell ill.)
When his mother became gravely ill, Rest had desperately sought a way to cure her, as healing magic could not mend her condition. During that time, he had even asked Lucas for money through a maid who was a friend of his mother’s, but he had been coldly refused.
(I don’t intend to dredge up the past. Even if I had received money to buy medicine, it might have only prolonged her suffering.)
Still… there was no helping hand for those devoid of mercy. Rest was no saint. He could not dangle a lifeline to the damned.
“Well then, let’s get going. Show me the point where the barrier will be set.”
“Yes, understood… Lord Evern, please take care of the luggage over there.”
“W-What?! Me?!”
“Yes, of course.”
Rest smiled brightly as he informed his astonished father.
“In the Demon Realm, we need to conserve our Magical Power, so please carry it without using any spells, alright?”
“Ugh…!”
Lucas’s mouth flapped open and closed like a fish out of water. As a small act of revenge, Rest decided to make Lucas carry the heavy load.