Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 42

The reason he said those words was probably a warning that if I accuse him to the temple, he would counter-accuse me.

I don’t know how strongly the traces of dark magic Cheshire is talking about are left on me.

However, it seemed that the temple wouldn’t be lenient regardless of whether I was a dark sorcerer or a victim of dark magic.

Crimes involving dark magic were heavy.

Now we were each holding onto the other’s weakness.

I continued to ask

What is your intention in approaching me?”

“Because I fell for you at first sight.”

“It might be worth testing if such jokes work in a divine trial.”

“You’re not an easy customer.”

Cheshire awkwardly pursed his lips, and for some reason, it felt like I saw Cheshire’s genuine expression for the first time.

“What I want is to thoroughly observe the traces of dark magic still lingering on you.”

“And?”

“That’s it. Once the seedling’s lessons are over, lend me some of your time. Oh, I might need to hold your hands a bit.”

“Just that?”

Unbelievable.

Cheshire was such a skilled liar that he could deceive even the lie-detection glasses.

I needed evidence that his words were not lies.

“At least, I need to know your purpose to trust you.”

“Customer, we don’t need trust between us. I don’t trust anything, except for magic.”

Perhaps it was the last chance to find out why I was possessing someone.

I closed my eyes and organized my thoughts.

This was a deal where the victor and the vanquished were determined by who wanted it more.

Although Cheshire seemed extremely relaxed on the surface, he probably wasn’t the one who initiated this game.

There must be something he desperately wanted from me.

Even though it was impossible to determine how much urgency was hidden in his languid attitude, I, satisfied with my thoughts, lifted my chin with an assertive demeanor.

“I will allow you to investigate any traces of black magic that remain on me, but on one condition.”

I listed the conditions one by one, extending my fingers.

“You will find out who cast the dark magic on me. You won’t inquire about the nature of the dark magic’s impact on me. You won’t harm me or Ratchet in any way. You will continue Ratchet’s magic lessons. Oh, and while I’m at it, I’ll reduce the rental fee.”

“You do realize you have no conscience customer, don’t you?”

“One more thing. You will tell me what you intend to do with the traces of dark magic you find on me.”

Cheshire’s face, which had maintained a calm composure, darkened for the first time.

“I would have been happy to comply, except for that last demand.

Snap.

His eyes flashed golden, and the rope that had bound him fell to the ground.

I hesitated, considering whether to summon Penadal and Terry, who were guarding the door.

“I will add one condition. Do not disclose our contract to anyone. And for that, I want to cast the spell of silence.”

However, my hesitation was in vain as Cheshire remained motionless, merely flicking his fingers and holding the rope.

“Spell of Silence……?”

“It’s a spell that forbids you from speaking out. It requires the other party’s consent. If you want to trade with me, all you have to do is intertwine your fingers with mine.”

Cheshire whispered.

Why did I think that face was like an angel, catching me so off guard?

‘He might as well be the devil.’

“Don’t you prevent me from accusing you of being a dark sorcerer?”

“Keeping each other’s weaknesses in check is just right for our relationship.”

I felt like I was being possessed by the devil, but eventually, I intertwined my fingers with his.

And the moment our thumbs touched; a complex magic spell I’d never seen in Leo’s class emerged.

“Contract complete. Then, Master.”

As I released my hand, Cheshire unhesitatingly interlocked his fingers with mine, looking down at me with eyes tainted with traces of magic.

However, what he saw wasn’t me.

Perhaps it was the traces of dark magic he claimed to see.

With eyes containing lingering brilliance, Cheshire quietly murmured as he scrutinized the remnants of dark magic.

“What I want is to kill a certain soul. It’s something that can’t be done with ordinary magic.”

Cheshire let go of my hand and returned his usual smile.

“Now that we’ve rearranged our relationship, I’ll tell you this. It seems like someone is trying to assassinate you, master.”

“What?”

“But I won’t tell you because helping the master is not part of our deal.”

This rascal, making things more complicated for no reason.

***

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on Cedric’s door insistently. Cedric sighed and opened the door. Terry, with a flushed face, pushed her way in.

“Sir! That suspicious mage with his enchanting beauty, isn’t he suspicious? After every magic lesson, they’re always doing something together. Who knows what that damn mage is planning with his damn beauty!”

“Yes, yes! It’s suspicious! We don’t know what he might do! Damn, beauty magic!”

Vivian, popping her head out behind Terry, shouted as if cheering.

Despite their fervent opinions, Cedric remained composed and spoke only one sentence before closing the door.

“I also find it suspicious.”

Ten minutes later.

Knock, knock, knock.

When Cedric opened the door again, Terry shouted with the same energy as before.

“Sir! You’re supposed to be protecting your master! A knight is lurking in the room! It´s neglect of duty!”

“Yes, yes. Please keep an eye on it! Neglecting duties!”

Cedric responded calmly again and closed the door.

“Lady Blanche’s room is next door. Keep an eye on her.”

It wasn’t until Terry grumbled and walked away from outside the door that the bird in the cage opened its beak.

-How dare someone knock on Your Grace’s door every ten minutes? I should at least see their faces and pay them some compliments…….

“Penadel.”

Cedric interrupted Penadel and slumped back in his chair.

Since a week ago, when Belinda began her suspicious dealings with the magician, Terry and Vivian had been coming to Cedric, complaining and asking for help.

However, there wasn’t much Cedric could do.

Because that was Belinda’s will.

-Where did we leave off? Ah, yes… It was about finding out about the Master…………..

There was a hint of guilt in Penadel’s tone as he continued.

“I haven’t found anything significant yet.”

– I see. Still, I have made some progress!

Penadel spoke so quickly that it seemed as if he was eager to change the subject.

– I confirmed the route for purchasing the Red Bongma Stone. Due to its rarity, we could trace all the Red Bongma Stones.

Penadel listed the current locations of the sold Red Bongma Stones.

Among them, three had mysterious whereabouts.

All seemed to have flowed into the slums of the royal capital.

– But, Your Grace, why are you suddenly looking into Bongma Stones?

“I discovered illegally distributed Bongma Stones. I should report it to the royal family as a matter of principle.”

Although he mechanically replied as if stealing a predetermined answer, Cedric had another reason for tracking the Bongma Stones.

There was no way that giving Bongma Stones as a gift without the recipient’s knowledge could have a good intention.

The biggest problem was that Belinda was not cautious about the person who gave her the necklace.

So, instead of Belinda, Cedric, as her bodyguard, had to be cautious of Belinda’s potential enemies.

Of course, asking Belinda directly about the person who gave her the necklace would be the fastest and most accurate way. However, somehow Cedric hesitated to ask Belinda.

Ultimately, even if Belinda found out the truth about the Bongma Stone, Cedric hoped it would not be through someone like him, a third party.

‘It would be easier to trace once I have the actual item in my hands.’

At that moment, Cedric turned his head.

There was a commotion outside the window.

– There is an expectation of a large-scale deployment of troops during this meeting… Your Grace? Are you listening to my talk?”

“I’m not listening.”

– Yes, of course. You must be listening…. huh?

“Penadel, I’ll get back to you later.”

– What? I still have a lot to report. Your Grace?

But much to Penadel’s consternation, Cedric cut off the magical connection with the bird in the cage.

Ignoring the mechanical bird that lowered its head with a ‘thud,’ Cedric quickly went out to the courtyard where the commotion was happening.