Chapter 45
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Chapter 45
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"How did you know?"
Claude handed me a note. On the small piece of paper was written that the identity of this crystalline object was a monster's core, along with information about it containing a substantial amount of magical energy.
"There was an acrid smell. The aura I sensed felt rather unsettling too."
"But magical energy is inherently colorless and odorless...."
Claude murmured with an expression of disbelief.
"I've been with the Monster Subjugation Unit for over five years, but I've never heard of anyone detecting a specific smell from magical energy. As far as I know, there's no record of anyone sensing magical energy unless they were a high priest or holy knight."
"Don't people with keen spiritual sensitivity feel it?"
"No. I myself have never felt it. Even those who claim to detect magical energy all describe it abstractly—as unsettling or the like."
Claude shook his head firmly.
If even Claude, whose five senses were more developed than most, had never felt it, then magical energy was certainly an aura difficult for ordinary humans to detect.
"Could you have mistaken one sense for another?"
"I don't think so. The smell became much stronger the moment I opened the box."
"Now that you mention it, you did say it was magical energy right after opening the box."
Claude's expression grew serious.
"Have you perhaps sensed magical energy before?"
"No."
I shook my head.
"I've never even seen a monster, let alone sensed magical energy."
Though I was living under the Duke's roof, I was still a noblewoman in my own right.
It was inconceivable that I, raised delicately in my Territory, would have ever encountered a monster.
"Then how did you know that aura was magical energy?"
"That's... a good question."
I tilted my head in confusion.
Now that I thought about it, that was strange.
How did I know it was magical energy when I'd never even seen a monster before?
"I suppose it was instinctive? Like how you think something looks delicious when you see food?"
"Instinctive...."
Claude rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I think I've heard something like that before."
"What did you hear?"
"Apparently, there are people who react unusually sensitively to magical energy."
"Are you referring to clergy like priests or the Pope?"
"No. I've heard there's a constitution that makes people exceptionally attuned to magical energy. I understand it's an extremely rare constitution, but... I believe you may possess such a sensitivity to magical energy, Miss."
Claude withdrew the black crystalline object from the box.
"This core comes from a monster's heart. You could say it's a crystallized concentration of magical energy."
"A core exists? I had no idea."
"Cores are quite rare. They're only found in the bodies of high-ranking monsters, and even then, only in those of considerable size. Based on the size of this core... it must have been quite difficult to subjugate."
Claude placed the core back in the box and tucked the enclosed note into his jacket pocket.
"Why did His Majesty send this all the way to the Duke's Mansion?"
"It's obvious. The number of creatures with cores is increasing, so he's telling us to return as soon as possible."
"An increase in creatures with cores isn't a good thing, is it?"
"Correct. It means the number of powerful monsters has grown."
Claude's expression darkened with concern.
"It seems we'll need to reorganize the Monster Subjugation Unit. I should also request support from the Temple. But those Temple people have so many unnecessary ambitions...."
He rubbed his temples with his index finger for a moment before trailing off, then suddenly fixed his gaze on me.
"Miss Rilprey."
"Y-yes? What is it?"
For some reason, his eyes seemed to gleam with intensity.
"Perhaps you could..."
Claude reopened the box he'd closed and retrieved the crystal. Then he held it out to me.
"Could you purify this?"
"Purify it?"
"Yes. I've heard that about half of those who can sense magical energy also possess the ability to purify it."
Claude's gleaming eyes drew steadily closer to me.
"Perhaps you, Miss Rilprey, are one such purifier. After all, you've reacted to magical energy more sensitively than anyone."
I instinctively leaned back to avoid his advancing form.
"If I possessed such a remarkable ability, wouldn't I have noticed it by now?"
"How often would an ordinary person encounter monsters? Even if they did, the chances are high they simply lived in ignorance."
Claude now dragged his chair even closer to mine.
"Would you be willing to try?"
His eyes shone brilliantly as he leaned his face near mine.
"If I can't do it, this will be terribly embarrassing...."
"It's fine. Simply detecting magical energy is remarkable in itself. It's an ability even most priests don't possess."
"I appreciate you saying that, but I'm sorry—I don't know how to do it."
It wasn't something that happened naturally like a sneeze. How could I purify something when I didn't even know the method?
"Well then, would you try touching the core once? It's harmless to humans, so don't worry."
"All right."
I brought my hand toward the black crystal.
Surprisingly, nothing happened at all.
"Would you try channeling some power into it?"
"Power?"
Power wasn't breath or wind. How could I channel something I couldn't see or touch?
"Think of it like wringing water from a cloth."
"Hmm."
I placed both hands on the crystal and tried to exert force. But nothing changed.
"Or perhaps try muttering 'purify' under your breath?"
"Duke."
"Yes. Please speak."
"You don't know how to do this either, do you, Duke?"
"...."
Claude's lips pressed shut at my question.
"It seems you don't quite understand the purification method, given that you're just telling me to try this and that without any clear approach."
"Well, that's...."
Claude's eyes darted about as he searched for words, but soon he gave up and offered an embarrassed smile.
"Truth be told, I've never actually seen anyone purify demonic energy before."
"Never?"
"No. Purifying demonic energy is practically a superhuman ability. All we have are legends passed down about such power existing in the distant past."
"Does that mean even the Temple cannot perform purification?"
"Correct. Only a handful of people with heightened sensitivity to demonic energy are selected to become Holy Knights."
"What about high priests or the Pope? Surely people who perform sacred duties would possess at least some purification ability?"
Claude shook his head.
"I once thought the same thing... but I was wrong."
"Still, those people possess what's called holy power."
"That's all ancient history. In modern times, holy power has virtually disappeared."
"I see."
I'd naturally assumed that the Holy Knights used holy power to subjugate monsters, but it turned out they simply beat them down with brute force.
"So you've been barking up the wrong tree, Duke. There's no way I could possess a power passed down through oral tradition."
If I had such a remarkable ability, I would have shown my talents long ago.
'The original story never mentioned that Lucella possessed purification ability either.'
Claude was only described as subjugating monsters through formidable martial prowess—there was no mention of him receiving help from an assistant with purification abilities.
"That's not true. The ability to sense demonic energy is itself an extraordinary power. Miss Rilprey's ability will be invaluable in locating monsters that hide themselves."
"Pardon?"
Something about his tone felt off.
'It sounds like he's asking me to help with monster subjugation.'
The moment that thought crossed my mind, Claude seized my hand.
"Miss Rilprey."
"Y-yes?"
"If you wouldn't mind... would you consider joining our Monster Subjugation Unit?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"I'm not asking you to stand before monsters and fight. I'm simply asking that you sense where the monsters are and share that information with us."
My eyes and mouth fell open at this completely unexpected proposal.
My suspicion had been right after all.
"Your ability is truly remarkable. If you would join our subjugation unit, we could not only locate hidden monsters but also prepare for their attacks. This would minimize casualties. Your ability could become the decisive weapon that ends our prolonged war against monsters. Please, will you not join the Monster Subjugation Unit?"
Claude's gaze fixed upon me was earnest.
"Your ability could be the trump card that brings our long struggle with monsters to an end. I sincerely hope you will reconsider and join us."
"It still feels premature. My judgment could be wrong. I've never actually seen a monster before, and today was my first time sensing demonic energy."
"We can verify that repeatedly. We won't even need to approach a monster—a single core will be sufficient confirmation."
Claude's words tumbled out in rapid succession.
'Was he always this talkative?'
The Claude I'd seen in the original work had been remarkably taciturn.
"I understand it's a burdensome proposal to make to a commoner—and a noblewoman at that. But having encountered such a remarkable ability, I find it difficult to contain myself."
Sensing my bewilderment, Claude leaned back, and I seized the opportunity to slip my hand free from his grasp.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org