Chapter 29: Alois Gradius

“Not long ago, I received an oracle,” 

Saint Mikael announced the next morning during a brief assembly of supreme-rank and key forces before the northern exploration began.  

With major discussions concluded, he made the sudden proclamation.  

“The Rihanes God instructed me to aid a mage who returned from death. At the time, I didn’t understand and kept silent…”  

In the north, far from the sanctuary, and without the Pope’s approval, this unofficial declaration stunned the crowd into silence.  

“The oracle’s subject is none other than Lady Rita,” Mikael continued, pointing to her across the room.  

The assembly grew restless.  

Many found it hard to believe, but as the Saint’s words, none dared openly challenge them.  

“Rita received an oracle?” 

The Mage Tower members whispered.  

The elders, still smarting from their recent humiliation, muttered among themselves and glanced awkwardly at Talos.  

Their plan to control Rita was shattered—now deemed a divine apostle, she was untouchable.  

Even Talos seemed shaken.  

Amid the chaos, Elder Ganesha from the herbology division reacted calmly.  

“So that’s why she was so fixated back then,” 

She murmured, recalling how Rita had relentlessly questioned Obern about the northern situation after visiting the Gradius estate.  

Mikael stood, extending his hands dramatically.  

“The gods sent an apostle to protect our world. Lady Rita overcame death’s agony, earning divine blessings and the ability to see through the essence of evil beasts.”  

His solemn tone and misty eyes echoed his days as a newly anointed Saint, delivering divine words.  

Valery Gainer nodded without suspicion, though some raised minor doubts.  

Under the weight of the “oracle,” Mikael fiercely emphasized the will of Rihanes, a name absolute in Lagos Kingdom.  

“We must now follow Lady Rita to drive out the beasts.”  

Mikael bowed to Rita first, followed by Princess Sercia and Valery, both showing due respect.  

With the kingdom’s highest nobles setting the example, others had no choice but to follow.  

This is too much, Rita thought, flustered by the bowing crowd.  

She hadn’t expected such a grandiose announcement.  

“Please, raise your heads. I’m just a mage following divine orders, hoping to save Lagos from danger. Treat me without prejudice.”  

“Can you explain this ability to see their essence?” 

Valery asked sharply.  

Rita nodded readily, sharing the explanation prepared with Mikael.  

“I can discern the beasts’ attributes and vital points.”  

Despite the extraordinary claim, no one questioned or objected.  

With Mikael’s endorsement, it was only right to follow, given the divine authority.  

Rita marveled at the Saint’s influence.  

“Each beast has a glowing point visible only to me. After tests, I’ve determined these are their vital points. For smaller ones, any attack works, but for adults, targeting the vital point is crucial.”  

“Then we should prioritize adults,” Valery suggested.  

“Not quite. As you saw at Aide Hill, some beasts surpass even adults in strength,” Rita replied, her gaze shifting to the mages.  

The elders shuddered, recalling Baal from that battle—a creature far beyond ordinary beasts.  

“I’m unsure if they have genders, but I suspect these superior ones are ‘matrices.’”  

The tent buzzed with murmurs.  

Rita raised a hand to quiet them, citing the Kuyan village incident with Mammon.  

“Unlike regular beasts that die from sustained attacks, matrices regenerate unless their vital point is hit, boasting overwhelming power.”  

Mikael, who faced Baal at Bielina Sanctuary, and Floria, who clashed with it directly, nodded silently.  

“The mantis-like beast at Bielina and the flying lizard at Aide Hill are examples. They can communicate and are intelligent enough to assess human forces.”  

“Since you’ve already killed one presumed matrix, are two left?” Sercia asked.  

Rita shook her head.  

“We’ve only encountered those two types. Without scouring the entire north, we can’t be certain.”  

“Fair point, but troubling. Regular beasts are already overwhelming, and now there are even stronger ones…” 

Valery stroked his mustache, as fear spread among those who’d survived beast encounters.  

“I’ll take down the matrices,” Rita declared.  

“But I can’t do it alone. I’d appreciate help.”  

Her earnest tone silenced the room.  

Forcing all supreme-ranks to join would be ideal, but Rita believed they deserved a choice.  

“I’d like to follow the great mage,” Eilin said.  

“I’ll follow Sir Rita, too. Marquis Grendel will handle army command,” Sercia added.  

“This old man can’t miss out if the Princess is going,” Valery chimed in.  

“As a faithful servant of Rihanes, I’ll join,” Mikael vowed.  

Eilin’s aide Floria, Sercia’s knight Bailey, Mikael’s priest Roen, and Holy Knight Commander Felix also raised their hands.  

Pleased with the voluntary support, Rita smiled.  

Sercia’s gaze then turned to Talos and the elders, curious about their intentions.  

Rita quickly intervened, “I’d like Master and the elders to join the main camp and assist.”  

Though polite, her words stung Talos and the elders, implying they were unhelpful.  

Elder Torgo whispered sarcastically to Talos, who ignored it, wary of public eyes, but tried a subtle ploy.  

“Rita, a mage going alone? That won’t do. I’ll assign aides—”  

“I’ll take a few peers,” Rita cut in firmly.  

Talos called her name again, but her cold gaze silenced him.  

He realized further insistence would lead to public humiliation, as before, and stayed quiet.  

“Then we’ll form a separate unit to hunt matrices,” Valery said.  

“A team of about twenty, including mages. We’ll begin searching after noon once the mages are assigned.”  

Everyone nodded, exchanging resolute glances, and the morning meeting concluded.  

Rita headed straight to the mages’ tents to recruit capable mages to join her.  

***

‘What?’

At the mages’ tents, Rita froze.  

Among the bustling crowd, one figure stood out: pink hair like paint, bright green eyes, a petite frame, and a youthful, innocent face adorned with fine accessories and shoes.  

Exuding nobility, this person wore the Mage Tower’s white cloak.  

“Why is Alois Gradius here…?”  

“Rita! Meeting done? I was waiting!” Brena popped up behind her, grinning playfully.  

Noticing Rita’s stiff expression, she followed her gaze.  

“Oh, that guy? The noble kid from the Gradius estate. You saw him, right? He volunteered to fight. His master vouched for him.  Apparently, his master’s close with Duke Gradius.”  

Though informative, Rita frowned, displeased.  

It was a past matter, and Alois was technically blameless, but he still unnerved her.  

Swallowing her discomfort, she thought, 

‘He’s not that skilled anyway. He’ll probably just follow Talos around. We won’t cross paths.’ 

Brushing it off, she prioritized finding mages to join her.  

“Everyone, gather around,” she called, tapping her staff on the ground.  

The resonant sound drew the mages’ attention.  

They hesitated but soon surrounded her.  

“There are superior beasts, presumed matrices. We’ll form a special unit of supreme-ranks to track and eliminate them. I’d like support from second-class mages or higher.”  

Silence fell, broken by Brena’s enthusiastic hand raise.  

Rita sighed but smiled at her eager grin.  

Her gaze then found Seth, standing with one leg propped up on the left.  

Their eyes met briefly; Seth clicked his tongue but slowly raised his hand with a grudging expression.  

Rita smirked, satisfied.  

‘Should I give up on the rest?’

The crowd exchanged wary glances, murmuring hesitantly.  

Most were scared or reluctant to follow the younger Rita, especially older mages.  

Better to take just Brena and Seth than drag along dead weight, she thought.  

The Mage Tower had few mages she deemed worthy by her high standards.  

Thanks to Brena and Seth saving face, she decided to wrap up.  

“Then the volunteers—”  

“Me! Me!”  

A loud, trembling voice cut through.  

Alois Gradius stepped forward, hand raised.  

Rita’s expression hardened.