Mastering Dark Magic – Chapter 16

Episode 16: Mizuha Will Always Be My Princess

Following the map I got from the guild, I purified the castle room by room, starting from the first floor.

“Ah! The bath is huge! It’s like a hot spring! Having a bathtub at home where I can stretch my arms and legs is the best!”

“It’s big enough for two people to fit comfortably.”

“Yeah, two people… Eh!? Eeeeeh! Akito-kun, you pervert!”

“Ahaha. Just kidding. I wanted to see your flustered face, Mizuha.”

That’s right. It was a joke. Or, it was supposed to be.

“Hmph… So it was a joke…”

Mizuha’s reaction wasn’t anger, nor was it relief. It was more like a sulk. As if she wanted to take a bath together.

A bath with two people. Naked. I imagined it. My body temperature rose. I averted my eyes.

“Mizuha, you’re the pervert…”

“I’m not as much of a pervert as you, Akito-kun…”

Anyway. It seems Mizuha doesn’t dislike the idea of taking a bath together. If we get this castle, taking a bath together might actually happen. I pulled Mizuha along and purified the curses twice as fast as before. And then we reached the third floor, the top floor. There, was a magnificent Audience Chamber that seemed too grand for a Baron.

“So, you’re the ones defiling my castle…”

A voice, not belonging to either Mizuha or me, echoed in the castle that should have been empty.

“This is my castle, my territory… My brother, that bastard of a concubine, inherited this house. It’s wrong. So, to correct the wrong, I fought. I am the rightful heir. I won’t give it to anyone… Die. Those who defile this castle, die!”

It seems the Audience Chamber is the center of the curse. A black sphere was floating above the chair. It vibrated the air and spoke in human language. After everyone died, the younger brother became an Evil Spirit and took control of all the curses. I doubt he’s happy to have the castle after death, but he insists he doesn’t want to let it go.

It’s not our place to interfere in the succession dispute. It’s his right to believe he’s the most suitable, and it’s his freedom to stay here even after death. But the curse of this castle threatens the living.

“It’s ridiculous for the living to be caught up in the affairs of the dead. Therefore, Evil Spirit, you will disappear. You’ve had this place all to yourself for two hundred and fifty years since you died. Isn’t that enough?”

“Don’t be ridiculous… Die. You will join my people!”

Curses gathered in the Audience Chamber. They fused together, deepening their black color. The density was such that even I would take damage if I touched it. That mass of curses rushed towards Mizuha and me.

“If I touch it, even I’m in trouble. Conversely, if I don’t touch it, it’s nothing.”

The curse disintegrated before it reached us. And then, it was absorbed.

“What…!? Brat, what did you do…?”

“I’m confident when it comes to curses. This level only makes me stronger. Bad compatibility, I guess.”

“You absorbed my people… Don’t be ridiculous! That’s mine! Give it back!”

More curses gathered and fused with the voice. The Evil Spirit, which was a sphere, transformed into a figure resembling a knight in armor. A black giant that was nearly three meters tall, its head almost touching the ceiling. It was made of curses, but I couldn’t purify it. Of course, I could if I took my time. If I closed my eyes and concentrated, I could exorcise even this dense curse. But that would mean exposing myself defenselessly to an attacking enemy.

“This is bad. It seems I can’t easily absorb it and add it to my Magical Power. Then, I have no choice but to defeat it normally.”

I’ve experimented several times and succeeded in attacking and defeating other Evil Spirits with the Evil Spirits I’ve absorbed in the past. So, I can defeat this one too, but—

“Hey, hey, Akito-kun. If you use me, you can win easily, you know?”

Mizuha muttered with a greedy look.

“Could it be, you like that (,,)?”

“Yeah. Being held tightly by Akito-kun, and having Magical Power flow into me with a ‘ga’ sound, it’s kind of addictive.”

“I see. If Mizuha wants to do it, I don’t mind.”

“Yay!”

And then, Mizuha activated the ability of the Sword Saintess. Her whole body shone, and she transformed into a sword, bigger than my height. As she wished, I grabbed the hilt and poured Magical Power into it.

“Ah, here it comes! I love this feeling of my Magical Power mixing with Akito-kun’s!”

Mizuha’s cheerful voice came from the sword.

“That power… What is it!? A fusion of darkness and light? Is such a thing even possible!”

“It just happened, that’s all. Well then, I’ll gratefully take this castle.”

I swung the sword down. Black and white, two-colored waves overflowed from the blade, attacked the Evil Spirit, and annihilated it in one blow. Not only that.

“Ah.”

The wave that pierced through the Evil Spirit also destroyed the wall. A large hole opened, and the Audience Chamber became very well-ventilated.

“Akito-kun, you put too much power into it!”

“No. It’s not just my fault, is it? It’s our combined Magical Power. Black and white, they seemed to be the same amount, right?”

“Ugh… Because I wanted to make this castle ours quickly!”

“Well, I understand how you feel. And your wish came true. It’s just a little broken, though.”

“Yay! Castle living! Does that mean I can call myself a princess!?”

Mizuha returned to her human form and hugged me.

“Isn’t princess a bit presumptuous?”

“Muu!? With that statement, Akito-kun has failed to become a prince! Too bad!”

Mizuha puffed out her cheeks. Such a cute way to be angry. Even without a castle, Mizuha will always be my princess. But I was too embarrassed to say that line.

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