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Infinite Mage Chapter 194: The Liquor of Anecdotes (2)

Chapter 194: The Liquor of Anecdotes (2)

“Lady‌‍ Peophe! Please forgive‌​​ us! If you‍ add my life‍ expectancy and Lena’s,‍ it is eighty‌‍ years of reduction.⁠ I was the⁠‌ one who dragged‌⁠​ my sister into‌ this. At least​ reduce my sister’s⁠⁠ fault!”

“And​ what is wrong​‌ with forty years?​ Anyway, at most​‌‍ you will live‌ sixty, right? Five‌⁠ years is enough‍‌​ to do everything⁠⁠‌ one wants.”

What‌​⁠ determines biological characteristics‍‌‌ is life expectancy.​

Fairies,⁠ although they possess‌​ reason like humans,‍‌‌ live for an‍‍​ immensely longer time,‍ so their way⁠ of thinking is‌‌ radically different.

In‌ the life of⁠ a fairy there‍​‌ is enough time‌​ to correct mistakes.‍‌‌

For​⁠‍ that reason they​ are not stubborn‌‍ and are frank,⁠ but they cannot⁠‌⁠ understand the feelings‍‍‌ of those who‌​‌ have a limited⁠ life.

It⁠ is like how⁠​ a human cannot​ understand how valuable⁠ an hour is​‌ for a mayfly.​⁠‌

Especially‌ from the perspective​⁠ of Peophe, who‌‌⁠ had barely one⁠⁠ year of existence,‌​⁠ death was a word that would‍​‍ only make sense‌⁠ to think about​ a thousand years‌⁠ later.

Kanya’s‌⁠ mother prostrated herself⁠​‍ on the ground.‍‌‍

She​⁠‍ knew that the​‌⁠ new administrator was‍‌ inexperienced, but she‌ never imagined such‌ a devastating verdict.​

“Lady‍ Peophe, you are‍⁠​ the executor of⁠⁠‍ the law. However,‍‍ no fairy of‌ the realm has​‌​ ever imposed such⁠ a severe punishment.‌⁠ Even I only​⁠ received twenty years.‍⁠ Please reconsider.”

“What?​‌‌ Are you looking‌ down on me‌ because I am‌‌ only one year‌​‌ old? I also‌ know what I am doing! The‍ executor of the​‍‍ law has the⁠ authority to reduce​⁠ up to fifty⁠‌ years of life.⁠⁠ Do you dare​ challenge my authority?”‍

“If‌ you truly have​ delivered that verdict,‌​⁠ I beg you​​​ to tell us⁠‌ the reason.”

“Hmph,​‌ fine. Then I will say it‌ like this. The​​ unauthorized departure to​⁠‌ purgatory by Kanya​ and Lena means⁠‍‍ a reduction of‌⁠‌ twenty years! And⁠‍ the other twenty​​ years are for​​ introducing heretics! Now‌ do you have‌​​ no complaints?”

Peophe‌​⁠ pointed at Shirone’s⁠​​ group.

She​ had not received‌​‌ a report about​ the entry of‍⁠ heretics, but she‌ had confirmed it​⁠ with her own​ eyes, so there⁠‍​ was no problem​​ in issuing the‌ sentence.

“Lady‌​ Peophe! They are‍‍​ not heretics! The​‌ boy here is‌‌ a Nephilim!”

“A…‌‌ Nephilim?”

Peophe​‌ stared at Shirone.⁠

Was‌‍‍ he really a Nephilim?

Descendant‍ of an angel.​

Free‍ from the law.​‍

The‍‍‌ innate knowledge granted​‍ to her at⁠ birth crossed her​​⁠ mind.

As‍‌ a fairy, she​ was not a harmonizer of the⁠​​ law but an​⁠​ executor; she could‌​ only judge according​​‍ to laws already⁠‌‍ established.

Therefore,‍​​ in theory, she‌⁠​ could not impose‌​‍ any punishment on‌‌ a Nephilim.

And‍​⁠ even so, Peophe⁠‍ did not back⁠ down.

The‍⁠ youngest among the‍⁠⁠ seventy-two hierarchies of‍ fairies and the⁠⁠‍ forty-eight thousand that⁠⁠ existed remembered the‍ constant verbal harassment‌​ of her superiors.‌

If⁠⁠ she returned without‌‌‍ imposing authority, she‌ would become the‍ laughingstock until the⁠⁠​ next novice fairy‍‌ was born.

“That‍​ does not change​‍​ the crime! I will overlook the‍ Nephilim! But not‍ everyone here is‌ one! So the⁠‌​ crime of introducing​ heretics remains!”

Kanya’s⁠‌​ mother raised her​‌‌ head and replied.‌

“They⁠⁠ may not be‍‍ Nephilim, but they‌​ are companions of​‌ one. Calling them‍‍⁠ heretics contradicts the⁠‍‍ law.”

“Silence!​​⁠ How dare a mere faithful speak​ of the law⁠‍​ before its executor!‌ I carry out⁠​ the will of​ Ra! Opposing me⁠‌ is opposing the‌ god!”

“Wait​ a moment.”

Shirone,​ who had been‌​⁠ kneeling, stood up.​‍‌

Peophe‌⁠​ crossed her arms‍‍‌ and looked at‍⁠‍ him.

Confronting⁠ a Nephilim was⁠‍ not prudent, but‍‍ not even a Nephilim had the‍ authority to interfere‍ in the execution⁠ of the law.​​​

“What?​​​ If you try⁠‍​ to obstruct the⁠​ execution, I will​ not forgive it.”​⁠

“No.‍⁠ I just want​ to correct a misunderstanding. We were‍​ not brought by‌ that girl. We‌‌​ simply followed her.‌ Then doesn’t that​ mean you cannot‍‌ blame her?”

“What​ nonsense are you⁠‍‌ saying? Followed her?”​‌‍

“I⁠‌‍ met her by​ chance outside the⁠​ sky. Since she​‍‍ opened the gate,​‌ I followed her⁠⁠‍ and entered. I am free from‌​ the law, I can go wherever‌⁠ I want. So​​‍ I simply came‌⁠ into this house​​ to have dinner.⁠ Therefore, those two​‍‍ sisters have no‌⁠​ fault.”

“Who⁠​ do you think‌⁠‌ is going to‍ believe such a lie?”

“Then⁠‍ prove it. Present‍‌ evidence that what​‍ I say is​ a lie.”

The‍⁠ meca system of​⁠​ the sky could​⁠ detect any minimal⁠ variation, but it‍‍‌ could not read⁠​‌ emotions.

That‌ the group had⁠‌‍ entered together with‌​​ Kanya was recorded⁠ by countless data,‍‌⁠ but determining the⁠ exact nature of‌ their relationship was​ impossible.

All‍‍ this was possible⁠⁠ because Shirone was‍‌‌ a Nephilim.

Peophe⁠ moved her eyes‍‌⁠ nervously.

She⁠​‍ had to find⁠‍‌ another way out.‌‍​

If​⁠‍ the rumor spread‌‍ that she had⁠‍​ been manipulated by‍‍ human words, she‍ would be mocked​‍ for a thousand⁠⁠ years.

“Fine.⁠​ Then I will‍‌ restore twenty years‍‍ of the life⁠‌ expectancy of Kanya​ and Lena.
And I will⁠​​ allow the entry⁠ of the Nephilim.‍‌ But the others‍⁠‍ are still heretics​⁠ who deny the⁠‌ law, so I will reduce their‌⁠ life expectancy. You​​‌ there. Start by​​ saying your name.”⁠‌​

Peophe​‌ pointed at Arin.‌

Of⁠⁠‍ course, Arin did⁠ not answer.

The​ causal mechanism was⁠‌‍ not known exactly,​‍ but it seemed‍⁠‍ that in order‍⁠‌ to grant or⁠‌ reduce life expectancy‌​​ it was indispensable⁠​ to know the‌​‍ name.

Arin‍ was not naive​​⁠ enough to allow​‍⁠ her name to‌‌​ be openly recorded‌⁠‍ in the register‍‌⁠ of condemnations.

“I⁠ don’t want to.​‍ Why would I have to tell⁠​‍ you my name?”‌

“What‍‍ insolence! They are​​ vulgar heretics who​ do not know​‍ the fear of‍ a fairy!”

Shirone​ frowned.

“What‌‍‍ do you think‌ a person’s life⁠‌‍ is? You will​‌‍ also die someday,‍ won’t you?”

“I⁠ am a concept.‌‍ My life cannot‌​‌ be compared with‍​‍ that of a human! Besides, I have only one‌ year of existence!‍⁠ For my life‍‍ to end, a very long time‍‌‍ is still missing!”​​

Shirone‌​ let out a dry laugh.

The‍​‌ future is the​⁠ future precisely because‍‌ it eventually arrives.‌​

That‍‍ is why those‍ who have lived​‍ before are honored⁠ and remembered when​​‍ they depart.

It‌‍ seemed that Peophe‌​ had never considered‌⁠ that the future‍‍ was something inevitable.‍​

She‌‌‍ had said she‍ was one year⁠‍‍ old.

Compared‍‍ with a human‌​ year, it was‌‌​ obvious how immature⁠​ she was.

Peophe⁠ placed her hands‍‌‌ on her waist.​⁠

“Very‌​ well. So you​‌‍ want to do​ it this way?⁠‍‍ For the crime⁠​⁠ of refusing to‌‍ reveal your names,‍ you will be​ judged by someone​⁠ superior to me.​‌ And for hiding⁠​ blasphemous heretics, I will add thirty‌ more years to‌​ the sentence of‍​​ Kanya and Lena!⁠‌‌ Both will receive​‍ a total reduction​ of fifty years!”‌

Kanya’s⁠⁠ family felt as​​ if the world‍⁠ was collapsing.

Fifty​ years meant that⁠‌​ as soon as⁠⁠​ the law was⁠‌‌ executed, Kanya would‍ die.

The‌⁠⁠ actual execution of‌‌‍ life expectancy corresponded⁠ to the highest‌‌ rank of the​ seventy-two hierarchies of​‌‍ fairies, so she‌⁠‍ would not die⁠⁠ immediately.

But‍⁠​ once the report⁠‌‍ was submitted, it‍‍ was obvious that‍​⁠ it would be‌‍‍ enforced within a few hours.

Peophe,‍‌‌ satisfied with her‌‌​ own verdict, turned‌ her body as‍⁠ if she had‌ completed a long​ day of work.⁠

“With‍ this the judgment‌​ concludes. I withdraw.”⁠

As⁠ she flew toward​‍ the door, she⁠⁠‍ stopped abruptly.

Rian⁠ and Tess were⁠​‍ blocking the exit.‍‌

Shirone‌​ and Amy surrounded‌​‌ her on both‌​⁠ sides.

“Hmm,‌⁠ do you intend‍‌ to subdue me​⁠​ by force? Me,​‍ a fairy?”

“It‍​⁠ would not be‌ impossible. It is‍​ like catching a sparrow.”

“Oh,‌​ really? Then try​‍ it.”

Peophe‌‌ opened her eyes‍‍‌ in fury.

Immediately,​‍⁠ the face of‍‍​ Rian, who was‌ gripping the hilt‌‌⁠ of his great​ sword, twisted.

A strange force was⁠‌ twisting his arm.⁠‍

Tess,​‌⁠ not understanding the‍ situation, grabbed his‍​⁠ shoulder and felt‍‍ the same pain.⁠‌‌

“Hehe.‍​​ If you do​ not move aside,⁠‌ they will break.”⁠‌⁠

The⁠​⁠ power of fairies,‌ as single-concept entities,​⁠‍ resembled in many‍‌​ aspects an exception‌‌ to the rules.​⁠‍

They​‌ expanded their concept​‌ and used it‍ as if it⁠​ were magic.

Peophe⁠ had been born⁠‍​ from the concept⁠ of the spiral.‌‌

For‍⁠⁠ that reason, she​​ dominated everything related⁠⁠​ to twisting.

Not⁠‌⁠ even Rian, whose‌‌‍ strength was comparable⁠⁠‌ to that of‌ a schema user,⁠⁠ could resist it⁠ easily.

But‌ when the body‌⁠ began to execute​‌⁠ one hundred percent⁠​‌ of the brain’s‌​‍ orders, his movements‌⁠‌ gradually became free.⁠‌

Rian‍⁠​ swung the great⁠ sword and the‌​⁠ spiral force surrounding​ Peophe broke, making‌‌ her stagger.

Tess⁠⁠‌ seized the opening​‌ and launched a thrust with the​ sword.

Peophe‍⁠⁠ rose into the‌​⁠ air to dodge,⁠ looking incredulous.

Schema.⁠

It‌⁠​ was a technique⁠‌ of the giants.‌

Fairies‌‌⁠ and giants were​‌ the two pillars⁠‍ that supported this‍‌‍ world.

They‍ were equal before‌‌‍ the law, but​⁠ each considered themselves⁠⁠‌ superior in their​ own mind.

That‍⁠​ was why being⁠‍ surpassed by a giant’s technique wounded‍​‍ her pride.

“Damn​‌ you!”

Peophe‍‌ moved with such‍ speed that she⁠ left trails like⁠​ drawings in the​‍ air.

Rian’s‍‌​ and Tess’s movements‌​ overlapped, creating an‌‍‍ opening.

Taking​ advantage of that​ instant, Peophe launched⁠‍ the force of⁠​‌ the spiral against‌​ the door.

The⁠‌ center of the⁠‍⁠ metal door twisted⁠ clockwise, the hinges⁠⁠⁠ broke, and the‍​⁠ door leaf fell.‌‌

“Haha!‌​ Idiots! Goodbye!”

But​⁠ when she launched​ herself outside, she⁠‌ felt something strange.​

Her‍ speed was decreasing.‍

Shirone‍‌ was advancing straight⁠⁠​ ahead.

Peophe‌ tried to rise​​ toward the ceiling,⁠‌ but even that‍ felt slow.

When⁠‍ she realized that⁠‌‌ time was flowing​‍ slowly, she was‍‌​ already trapped in​⁠ Shirone’s hand.

Shirone⁠‌ deactivated the slowing‌ spell and held⁠ her in front‌‌‍ of his eyes.‍‌

“How⁠ did you manipulate⁠ time?”

Controlling⁠⁠ time was light⁠⁠ magic.

But‍⁠ in the room⁠ there was no‌ light source sufficient⁠ to amplify it.⁠

The‌ innate knowledge crossed‌‍​ Peophe’s mind.

Nephilim,​‌ descendant of an‍⁠​ angel.

And​ angels were the⁠ dominators of light.‍‌‍

“This‍‍ is….”

Peophe⁠ pouted.

She​ tried to break​ free, but Shirone’s‍​⁠ strength was greater.​⁠‌

Or‌ rather, the strength‌ of a fairy‍‍ was weak.

Specialized​‌ in mental power,​‍‍ their physical strength⁠ was among the‍‍ lowest among the​‍ laws.

“Let‍‍ me go! I’m‍‍⁠ telling you to⁠​ let me go!”​⁠

Her⁠‌ kicks barely tickled.‌

She‌‌ clenched her teeth‌ and cast magic.‍

The‌⁠ moment the force‌‌ of the spiral​⁠⁠ began to activate,⁠ Shirone tightened his​ fist even more.‌‌

Peophe’s‍ eyes widened.

The‍ air inside her​ escaped violently.

“Ahh!​‌ Stop! My stomach‍‌‌ is going to‌‍‌ burst!”

“Return⁠‍⁠ the family’s life​⁠ expectancy.”

Peophe’s​​​ tearful face turned‍ cold.

“Are‌‍‍ you trying to⁠‍‍ threaten me? It⁠​‍ is useless. I only submit the‍ report; I do⁠ not execute the‌​ law. You have⁠ attacked an executor⁠ of the law.‍⁠ Even if you‌‌​ are a Nephilim,‍ you will not‌ come out unharmed.‌‍⁠ You had better‌ release me.”

“A‌​‍ threat? I could‍​​ kill you.”

If‌ he could not‍ change Peophe’s heart,‍‌‍ Kanya would die.​⁠

He‌ could not say⁠ he had no​‍ responsibility in it.‍

He‌⁠‍ tightened a little​⁠‌ more.

Peophe’s​‌⁠ face turned pale,​‍‍ but she did‍ not abandon her⁠​⁠ pride as an⁠ executor.

“K-kill​ me. I’m not‌‌ afraid.”

The‌‌ more he pressed‍⁠‌ her, the stronger‍ he felt her‍‌ pulse.

She​​‍ was a fragile​ creature.

He‌‍ could crush her‍‌ as if it​ were nothing.

She‍‌​ was afraid.

“You’re​⁠‍ not afraid? Then⁠ why are you⁠⁠​ trembling?”

Humiliated,‍⁠⁠ Peophe raised her​ gaze in fury.⁠⁠‌

“The‌⁠‍ annihilation of existence‍‌‍ frightens anyone! And‌ even knowing that,⁠‌⁠ one chooses to⁠⁠ die! Do not‍​ compare me with⁠ mediocre humans!”

“Then‍ die.”

“Do‍​ it! Kill me!⁠ I can die‌‌‍ without a problem!”‌

Shirone‌‌⁠ raised her.

If‌‍‍ he threw her​ against the ground,‍⁠ she would die⁠​ instantly.

Peophe’s​​ trembling intensified.

Just‍‍ imagining her small‌ crushed corpse felt‌ unpleasant to him.‍‍

Peophe‍ broke into inconsolable‌⁠ sobbing.

She‌ had lived only⁠‌‌ one year.

Her⁠​ dream of becoming‌ the first among‍ the seventy-two hierarchies​ of fairies ended​ there.

When​⁠ the tears ran​⁠​ over the back​ of Shirone’s hand,⁠⁠ he frowned.

How​‍‍ was he supposed‌‌ to accept a world where even⁠‍ the essential value⁠ of life was​ subject to the‌‍ law?

“You‍​​ say you choose‌‌‌ death even while‌​ being afraid. Why?⁠⁠⁠ Why can you⁠ only think like‌​​ that?”

“Hmph.​‌​ A human like‍​​ you would never​‌‌ understand! But I will say nothing!​‌ As an executor​​ of the law,⁠‌ I will not‌ submit to a human!”

“Fine.‍⁠ If you have‍‍⁠ renounced life, it⁠‍⁠ is already as‍ if you were‍⁠‍ dead. Then it​⁠ will be easy‌ for me to​ take it from‍ you.”

Peophe’s​‍ face was soaked​ with tears.

She​‍ wanted to live.⁠

But‍‌⁠ if the one​‍ holding her life⁠‌ in his hand‌‌ asked what she⁠​‍ should say in‌⁠ order to be​ saved, what answer‌ was there?

Should‍ she kneel and​‌‌ beg?

An‌‌⁠ executor of the​ law could not‍​ submit to a faithful.

“Yes!⁠ Kill me! Do​⁠ it already!”

“But​ if you ask‍‍ me to save‌‍ you, I will.”‌⁠‌

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