Chapter 7

One evening, Ziek visited the village for the first time in a while, accompanied by Feri.

The barrier he had set up around the village reacted last night.

It seemed whatever had tried to enter had given up and not approached the hut, so he thought it was just an animal and didn't consider it a problem. However, he decided to check on the situation while doing some shopping.

It was a small, peaceful village on the border, but as soon as he entered, he was struck by an odd sensation.

"Something doesn't feel right."

"The air is a mix of unease and relief. It seems something happened, and it was resolved to some extent, perhaps?"

Indeed, Ziek was impressed by the accuracy of the observation as he greeted the villagers.

"Teacher! Thank you for the other day!"

Conny ran up, waving enthusiastically. She must have just finished her farm work, as her face and clothes were still covered in dirt.

Before Ziek could ask about the village's atmosphere, Conny started talking.

"Listen, Teacher. Last night, an army suddenly arrived from the capital and occupied the village until this morning."

"That doesn't sound peaceful."

It wasn't just a thousand or two, but a unit of about a hundred. The eastern neighboring country, which had recently tried to kidnap Ziek, was close by. However, on the surface, it had good relations with the Holy Kingdom. Considering the scale and the timing, it was probably—

"A powerful monster... a Dragon?"

"Exactly! You're as sharp as ever. Apparently, a Dragon appeared on the main road near the border, and after failing to slay it, it fled to the eastern side of the mountains here. What a nuisance."

The unit had been chasing the Dragon and had stopped in the village to rest. There were no strong monsters in this area, so the villagers must have been quite confused by this sudden development.

"But they left this morning, right?"

If the unit had once cornered the Dragon, they would at least drive it away. So, Ziek thought it wasn't something he needed to worry about.

"Yes, as long as they're gone, it's fine. But—"

Ziek frowned at her next words.

"Luna was taken with them. Well, she insisted on going. She challenged the unit's captain to a duel, got her skills recognized, and left with a determined look."

Ziek sighed heavily.

"Should she have consulted you first? The village chief tried to stop her, but she was really determined..."

"Yes, I would have stopped her too. But given her personality, she would have ended up joining the expedition anyway."

"Well, she listens to you, Teacher. But it's too late now."

It was evening. A hundred-man march could have already reached their destination. However, there was still a good chance that no battle had occurred yet.

He quickly finished his errands and left the village. As soon as they entered the forest, he confirmed there was no one around and took off his pack.

"Are you going to follow Luna?"

"Yes, she has the highest accuracy among the trainees. I can't afford to lose her. Besides, I'm also curious about who tried to enter the village last night."

The unit was chasing the Dragon, so they had no ill intent toward the village. Armed soldiers wouldn't attract animals.

Therefore, someone else must have tried to enter the village with malicious intent.

"In a way, this could be an opportunity. If handled well, a lot could be accomplished."

Ziek touched his collar and cast a spell to block communication, then removed the collar.

"Please return and act as me."

"Understood. I will prepare immediately."

As he tried to hand over the collar, Feri also put down her pack.

"Feri? Are you staying here?"

Feri started to undress, slipping out of her maid's uniform. She didn't care about being naked, folding her clothes and putting them in her pack. She straightened her back, closed her eyes, and increased her magic power. A faint light enveloped her, and her appearance transformed into an exact replica of Matis.

This was her unique "Transformation Magic," which could even replicate clothing.

"I would have preferred to do this after returning..."

"There is a possibility of being stopped on the way back."

While the chance was extremely low, it wasn't zero.

"Thank you, as always. You look exactly like her."

"However, the 'Rivra's Necklace' implanted in me can only last until dawn. The inability to maintain it permanently is due to my lack of power."

"Huh? That's not it. I forcibly connected it to your magic circuit, which is not how it should be used. It's natural for some issues to arise."

On the contrary, the fact that she could not only transform her appearance but also her clothing and do so multiple times was an improvement in functionality.

"Then, I'll be off."

It would take less than an hour to go, deal with the situation, and return. He put the collar on her—Feri, now transformed into the Supreme Sage "Matis Lutius."

"Will you handle the Dragon?"

"‘I’ would do so without considering the circumstances. But—"

Ziek shrugged.

"‘I’ will talk to it first."

Feri pondered Ziek's words as he ran off.

(How many people in this world can actually converse with a monster...)

She picked up her pack and returned to the hut.