True Magician

Chapter 79

Rondel.

A satisfied smile shone brightly on my face. It was almost as bright as the summer sun in a cloudless sky. I walked back to the tavern to ponder my next steps, and at the same time, I remembered how the meeting with the Japanese man's group had gone.

Itami Yuji, as he introduced himself, introduced me to his entourage some time after the 'duel'. Yao Haa Dushi, a dark elf, Tuka Luna Marceau, a wood elf, Mimosa la Mel, the Great Sage, a mage and one of the elders of Rondel, Lelei la Lelena, a young mage, and, most importantly, which, in fact, I already recognized, Rory Mercury, the Apostle of Emroy.

The last one glared at me with a look that promised death while the others asked a bunch of different questions, mostly about the Nasurverse. They were interested in the structure of the universe, the levels of powers, the concepts on which the Root operates, and all that sort of thing.

Of course, I was either silent or vague, which made it impossible for them to get reliable information. And there was no need for that, since the Japanese warrior-otaku had already told them everything. Although in general terms.

Itami himself was very eager to know how true what was written in the wiki, or what was shown in the anime. The elven girls insisted that I tell them how 3rd magic works, and Lelei and Mimosa asked about the concept of magic itself. But as I said earlier, they didn't get any answers.

By the way, if at that meeting in the torture hall, they were looking at me with suspicion, that's not the case now. The reason is very simple. With that duel, I showed that I was not Goetia or Solomon, but myself. Itami, in spite of his not very mature character, understood perfectly well that whatever I said could be both true and false, and equally so. And having finished the conversation, we went our separate ways, remaining 'strangers'.

To me, that seems like the perfect outcome to what could have happened. That way, no one owes anyone anything, even if one of them is going to die right in front of the other. Plus, I had a good laugh at the expense of the loli-apostle. I think I should visit Ama-chan to pull the same thing.

It didn't take long for me to reach the end of the tavern. And upon entering it, I would have just gone to my room, however, the state of the people inside caught my eye.

Their eyes were completely blank, just like the ones in that torture chamber. They were all just standing there doing nothing, staring, it seemed to me, into the void. But there was an exception.

In the center of the first floor, which was reserved for the dining hall, there was a table where two people were sitting. One was the familiar Anma, whose serious gaze was drilling the man across the table. The other was a woman, as plain as could be. It was impossible to say anything about her except that she was a woman. Nothing memorable or unusual. Just 'woman'.

After a couple moments, their eyes shifted in my direction, which looked eerie given the atmosphere around them.

- "We meet again, otherworlder," the woman said in a calm and neutral tone, almost resembling a machine, "Or better yet, Romani Archaman? Have a seat. We've been waiting for you."

I stood for a few more seconds, and then sighed tiredly and headed for the table.

After all, I need information.

- "When I said we'd meet often, I didn't think it would be this often," I said to Anma, sitting down on the magic chair and looking around at them, "So, why were you waiting for me? I remember you didn't want me to interfere, did you?"

- "That's..." Anma muttered, but didn't add anything more.

- "You're right," the woman nodded, and then continued, "But that was then."