I Possessed the Heroine’s Teacher

For some reason, talking outside felt awkward, so we decided to move to a nearby teahouse. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had ruined the date, and I felt like I was making Glacies feel awkward. So, on the way there, I apologized to her, saying I was sorry for messing up the date, but her response was as follows:

“It’s alright. The goal I had for today… has already been achieved.”

We had only eaten at a modest, working-class restaurant, so I couldn’t quite understand what goal she had achieved… But if she was happy with that, then that was fine. After all, I am a man with a heart as vast as the ocean.

We sat down and began ordering drinks. Of course, I ordered melon juice, and Glacies ordered a simple black coffee.

Squall flipped through the menu, then, with a nonchalant expression, made her order.

“I’ll have a chocolate cookie latte, but change the milk to soy milk, add honey and syrup, heat the cup to 90 degrees, and don’t forget to sprinkle coconut powder on top.”

What a complicated order. When the waiter seemed flustered, Celestial Mage O Cheon-yeong also closed the menu. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like he would order some green tea or something along those lines…

“I’ll have a Musk Melon Parfait, and add strawberries to the chocolate parfait.”

Could there be an order more mismatched with his face than this? A man who looked like he would only drink alcohol, ordering parfaits like a sugar addict—what an absurd sight. I was worried he might develop diabetes and end up in a bad situation.

However, it was strange that such sweet things were overflowing in a medieval fantasy setting. The historical accuracy seemed to have been completely thrown out the window. Then again, in some Isekai stories, people make braised burdock root and add sugar to cope with food shortages, so maybe this isn’t so bad.

After some time, our drinks arrived, and I took a quick gulp of the refreshing melon juice before asking:

“So, Squall, what brings you here? And before that, what kind of etiquette is it to send a letter saying ‘we’ll both go’? I didn’t grow up in a noble family, so I’m not sure about these things.”

Squall, who had been bringing her ordered drink to her lips, smiled widely and replied.

“Hmm… This isn’t really something to talk about in a place with so many people.”

She said this and snapped her fingers. Then, suddenly, playing cards flew around the café, and when Squall clapped her hands, everyone inside the tea shop vanished. Glacies, surprised, began to look around. Naturally, this was a reaction anyone would have, considering everyone—customers, staff, and even the owner—disappeared in the blink of an eye.

“How did you make all those people disappear…?”

“Don’t worry too much. They’re all sleeping in a false space that I created.”

“How could you possibly do that to so many people…?”

“Revealing the principles of a trick goes against a magician’s virtue, you know. Such trivial details also go against the nature of a thief.”

In short, it meant she couldn’t be bothered to explain it all. That was the Phantom Magic Squall used, a magic that was said to have been developed by her mentor, the infamous thief Darkwing, who was also known for stealing an entire country.

Unlike traditional magic that uses natural spirits, this magic had complex rituals that interfered directly with space itself. It combined alchemy, artifact manipulation, assassination techniques, and martial arts into one intricate skill.

“Hmph… Didn’t I tell you not to be fooled by such trivial tricks, young one?”

Celestial Mage O Cheon-yeong said this as he finished an entire parfait in one go.

“So, forget the tricks. I would like to know why you’re here.”

“Hehe… I came to see my little one, and now you’re being so cold. My little one’s gotten so prickly.”

Squall covered her eyes and began pretending to cry.

“That kid is almost thirty, so stop it. Now, cut the nonsense and get to the point.”

“Oh, right.”

Squall stopped pretending to cry. As expected, her personality was as cunning as a half-demon.

“First, let me relay our leader’s message.”

[There’s a traitor among us. If there’s an elite scout or spy, they might be able to explain the position, but… the fact that they are digging into our personal weaknesses means there’s a traitor. We haven’t found out who it is yet, so Werner, be careful. And… stay healthy, Werner.]

“I understand that it’s important information, so I get why it can’t be delivered by letter, but… is it really necessary to send two people just to convey that kind of message?”

At that, the Celestial Mage Elder’s training-style Blue Thunder Fist landed directly on my head. It was just a punch, but it felt like I had been shocked with electricity, stinging and painful as if I had been hit with a hammer, though I didn’t get knocked out.

“Why are you hitting me, Elder?”

“In a situation where there might be a traitor, how can you say something foolish like only sending one person to deliver this message?”

Ah… so the reason they sent two people was in case the one person they sent was the traitor. If they had, something could have gone wrong. After hearing that, it seemed like quite a reasonable judgment.

Squall shrugged her shoulders and said in a bitter tone.

“We haven’t directly suffered any harm yet, but… thanks to this, everyone’s watching each other now. The once-friendly atmosphere still exists, but… it’s all just on the surface. You can’t even go fishing alone at night anymore, someone’s always secretly following you.”

The fact that comrades were watching each other like this was already a significant threat. Suspicion within a group is the worst enemy.

“It’s hard to imagine. How can they not have found the traitor yet, despite all this mutual surveillance?”

“That’s why the leader first suspected Ricardo. But he wasn’t the one. He gave fake information in the reports to the royal family, and the enemies caught onto it.”

“Oh, fake information… wait, what? You’re telling me he wrote fake information in the documents submitted to the royal family?”

Deliberately writing false information in official documents submitted to the royal family was a serious crime punishable by death. For someone to do that so casually, it seemed like everyone had become rather bold.

“But that was the only way to check if Ricardo was the traitor or not.”

“And I also added my testimony. Brother Ricardo isn’t the traitor.”

Despite his name sounding a bit odd, like that of a dancing uncle, Ricardo was definitely a good person.

“Right, right. Oh, and… we found one of the Black Round Table’s branches near the capital recently.”

That wasn’t exactly something you’d casually announce like a sale on tomatoes next door.

“So how did you find that out?”

“We’ve agreed not to reveal our sources anymore. In a situation where anyone could be the traitor, revealing the identity of the informant would be suicide.”

In short, she was saying that she didn’t even trust the Celestial Mage Elder.

“I’m thinking of going to deal with it next Thursday with the Elder… Little one, are you coming with us?”

“Can you push it to Friday?”

“I can, but… is there a special reason?”

Seeing the sharp glint in the eyes of the Celestial Mage and Squall, it seemed like they were already on guard about anything related to the Black Round Table. Well, that was understandable.

“I have an important appointment next Thursday.”

“Important appointment?”

Now, Glacies was also staring at me with a curious expression. If I said I was meeting with a god, I’d sound like a madman…

“My mom is alive.”

At that, Squall and Glacies jumped up in surprise and shouted.

“Mr. Werner, what do you mean…?!”

“Little one, what are you talking about…?!”

The only one remaining calm was the Celestial Mage Elder.

“So, are you sure it was really your mother…?”

It didn’t really sound very dramatic, saying this while holding a parfait glass, but it seemed that the Celestial Mage Elder was worried I might be deceived. After all, even in the world I came from, many people tried to approach those who were orphaned but later became successful, claiming to be their real parents, so it was a reasonable worry.

“It’s from a trusted person… no, it’s information from an informant, so it has to be true.”

“Who is this informant?!”

Squall was so shocked that she grabbed my sleeve and shook me. She was nearly in a panic.

“But he said revealing the informant is forbidden.”

“It’s fine in front of me, just tell me quickly!”

“Well… they’re older and a bit sharp-tongued, but they’re an informant.”

The Celestial Mage Elder calmly ate his chocolate parfait while speaking.

“Well then… you should meet them.”

“No, Elder! It’s not something we should decide so easily! What if this is a trap?!”

I didn’t think he’d make a trap, given that he was in a position where he could deal with me easily if he wanted to, but still…

“Aren’t we supposed to go with you?”

“There’s nothing more foolish than getting involved in family matters that don’t concern you. Even my master, the Black Winged Sword Saint, advised against meddling in others’ family matters.”

I don’t know who they were, but they must have been quite a remarkable person.

“Just take care of yourselves and go.”

I thought the matter had been resolved to some degree when suddenly, Glacies tugged at my sleeve.

“What’s going on?”

“Um… could you tell me when I should go pay my respects to your mother?”

She looked so cute blushing, but… dealing with all this was giving me a headache.