Chapter 273: The Elf Girl's Pouting
Kurtz had not yet told Serie about heading south.
As he pushed open the door, a familiar scent wafted in, mixed with a faint fragrance that belonged to Serie, which eased his tense nerves a little.
This time, Serie didn't sit in her large chair. Instead, she lay on a small sofa in the corner, swinging her little feet as she flipped through a magic book in front of her. Her movements carried an ease that contrasted sharply with her usual composed demeanor.
Hearing the door open, she didn't turn her head, but simply asked, "Did you finish talking to that guy Fidel? What trouble did he run into this time?"
Although Kurtz has rarely stayed out all night since the last time, he has gone to the palace to discuss matters with Fidel on several occasions. This made Serie very curious.
Kurtz sat down on the sofa next to her, his movements careful as he settled into the cushions. He rubbed his temples and briefly recounted Fidel's concerns about the unusual resource mobilization of the Southern Unified Empire.
"...So, Fidel suspects that the Southern Emperor Leggett might be forging some kind of terrifying weapon, or even something like the holy sword."
After Kurtz finished speaking, he looked at Serie, watching for her reaction.
Serie finally turned around, her head tilting as she met his gaze. A hint of indifference sat on her pretty face. "The holy sword? Ha, humans always like to place their hopes on legendary weapons."
She shifted position, curling slightly toward him but maintaining her composure. "Moreover, the existence of the El sword is a miracle in itself. Although the Dwarf Master is powerful, replicating this miracle is no easy task."
She gestured slowly with one hand. "What's needed isn't just materials and technology, but also a certain opportunity, or rather, a force involving laws."
She shook her head, clearly not believing the speculation. Her dismissal was complete, almost bored.
"But such a large-scale transfer of resources is indeed unusual," Kurtz admitted, his brow remaining furrowed. "The ambitions of the emperor of the Southern Unified Empire should not be underestimated."
"So what?" Serie sat up, moving with deliberate grace. She walked to the table, picked up a new mage assessment report, and said indifferently as she sorted through the papers. "All empires in the world are the same, rising and falling, it's just a matter of time."
She set the report down with precise movements. "Whatever that southern empire wants to do is their own business and has nothing to do with us."
She glanced at Kurtz, with a hint of elven indifference in her golden eyes. "Besides, the association has just received a new batch of mages, including an elf whose talent is quite remarkable. I plan to personally mentor her."
She turned back to her papers as if the matter were already settled. "There is simply no energy left to care what new tricks the human emperor is up to."
Kurtz was not surprised by her reaction. He watched her movements, understanding them as the well-worn patterns of her nature.
Serie's focus has always been solely on magic itself and those she deems worthy.
She has no interest in worldly power games and is too lazy to get involved. Moreover, in Serie's view, she and Kurtz had already saved the world once a thousand years ago, and now it was time for them to retire gracefully.
If it weren't for the sudden appearance of that new Demon Queen, and his connection to the Land of Fallen Gods, Serie wouldn't have been willing to let Kurtz get involved in this matter. A world where you and Kurtz have to solve every crisis is better off being destroyed sooner rather than later.
However, Serie suddenly changed the subject, as if she had remembered something important. "Speaking of which, something interesting has actually happened up north."
She turned back to face him, her expression becoming more focused. "Flamme and Ayla mentioned to me a few days ago that the demons seem to have started a large-scale offensive again, and their offensive is very fierce; they've already destroyed several border cities."
Kurtz's heart sank slightly, his shoulders tensing. He had heard about this from Fidel as well. Sure enough, the scene began to overlap with the vision he had predicted in his dream.
"Ayla seems to be thinking about going to the front lines," Serie said with a hint of amusement, her lips curving into a slight smile. "With her strength, she shouldn't have any problem protecting herself, and she should be able to handle those so-called Seven Sages of the Fallen. As for Flamme..."
She paused, slightly puzzled, her brow furrowing as she turned this over in her mind. "She has absolutely no interest in that, and has even been coming to me frequently lately to discuss the field of fusion magic."
She walked back to the table and picked up a draft from the scattered papers. "It must be said that although this field is dangerous and unpredictable, it is indeed very attractive."
She held up the document, which contained records left by Flamme about the various energy disturbances that would occur when different types of magic were forcibly fused together. Her finger traced one of the entries as she spoke.
"Even I have to admit that this is a completely new way of thinking that breaks away from traditional magical thinking."
However..." she gave a soft hum, her tone becoming more measured, "the magic I possess already stands at the pinnacle of the mortal realm; I don't need to pursue power through such risky means."
"Divine Strike, is it?" Kurtz clearly knew what Serie was referring to. His voice carried recognition and a note of satisfaction. "Indeed, I'm afraid no matter how much future mages research it, they will never find an attack spell more powerful than Divine Strike."
Serie nodded in agreement, setting the papers down with care. Her movements showed the weight of that knowledge.
The two returned to their original topic.
"What did Frieren say? Does she also want to go to the northern front?"
"She's too weak. I told her that if she dares to go, she's not allowed to set foot in the Magic Association for a thousand years."
Kurtz's lips twitched slightly. His shoulders trembled with barely suppressed amusement.
Isn't the timing of this line a bit off?
Besides, Serie could have just said she was worried about Frieren's safety, rather than resorting to such a haughty, coquettish approach.
The invasion of the northern demons and the unrest in the southern empire—all these events happening simultaneously caused Kurtz to sigh heavily. His breath carried the weight of multiple converging threats.
He really didn't want Ayla and Frieren to go on an adventure in the north, especially Frieren, who was far from strong enough.
Although Fidel stated that the situation was temporarily under control and that he had sent messages to the human kingdoms, dwarf kingdoms, and elven kingdoms, and that all countries had responded with support, the Southern Unified Empire, the strongest human empire, was the only one that had not yet responded.
The Empire's actions were like a thorn in Kurtz's side, preventing him from feeling completely at ease.
"It seems I still have to make a trip to the Southern Empire myself." He made his decision, his voice becoming resolute. "Fidel's concerns are not unfounded. I must find out what they are planning."
If it were just a routine replacement of military equipment, that would be fine, but if it were…
He trailed off, but Serie already understood what he meant from the set of his jaw and the distance in his gaze.
If the Southern Unified Empire is indeed building some terrifying weapon capable of overturning the balance of power, then we cannot stand idly by.
"You're going?" Serie raised an eyebrow, tilting her head as she studied him. "In what capacity? Kurtz the Godslayer? Or my disciple? They won't even bother with you if you're just an ordinary person."
When Serie spoke of "my disciple," a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips, soft and unmistakable.
Kurtz glanced at her helplessly, watching that smile bloom on her face.
He strongly suspected that Serie's obsession with this identity was purely to take advantage of him.
But he had no evidence.
"I'm considering it," Kurtz replied truthfully. He turned to look out the window, gathering his thoughts. "Appearing under my original name isn't out of the question, but I'll probably have to fight first and knock down all those mages who doubt me."
He turned back to her. "If I were to appear before the human race directly as Kurtz the Godslayer, it would likely cause an immediate shock throughout the world."
"If it were as your disciple…" he pondered aloud, his voice taking on a thoughtful quality, "that would be possible, but it might not carry enough weight to attract Leggett's attention and wouldn't have the desired deterrent effect."
"Of course, use my disciple's identity!"
Serie answered without hesitation, almost rushing to answer. She puffed out her chest, her golden eyes gleaming with undisguised smugness.
That little thought that one day you'll have to call me Teacher Serie was practically written all over her face.
Kurtz looked at her somewhat childish appearance, the puffed cheeks, the bright eyes, and was momentarily at a loss for how to react. His lips quirked slightly.
Oh well, as long as she's happy.
It's just a title; he no longer cares about such empty honors.
"Whatever you want," Kurtz finally relented, raising one hand in mock surrender.
However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Serie dropped a bombshell. She leaned forward, her voice carrying absolute conviction: "Since you're going, I'll go with you."
"No!" Kurtz refused without hesitation, his entire body going rigid. His tone was more resolute than ever before, unyielding, absolute, final.
The prophecy about her death haunted him like a nightmare. How could he possibly let her leave the relatively safe Magic Association and voluntarily step into the heart of the Southern Unified Empire, where unknown dangers might lurk?
"Why not?" Serie seemed to have anticipated his reaction and was not annoyed. Instead, she stood and moved to him. She placed her hand on the holy sword Athos at her waist and gently patted it. "I have it. It can deploy the strongest protective barrier at any time."
She tilted her head, regarding him with a mixture of confidence and something that almost resembled amusement. "Almost no magic in the world can harm me, and besides..."
She slightly raised her chin, a gesture of unmistakable pride. "Who do you think I am? I'm Serie! Do you need to protect me like a child?"
"This isn't a matter of strength!" Kurtz's frown deepened, his jaw clenching. "Serie, the situation there is unclear. We know nothing about Leggett's secret plans. What if it's a targeted trap…"
"That's why we should go together," Serie interrupted him, stepping closer. Her voice carried calm certainty. "We can look out for each other."
Kurtz shook his head again, his attitude resolute. His hand came up in a gesture of absolute refusal. "No, it's too risky. I absolutely cannot let you..."
His words came to an abrupt end.
Because Serie suddenly approached without warning. She tiptoed, moving with a deliberateness that showed calculation, and her soft, slightly cool lips quickly pressed against his.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Kurtz was stunned, completely unprepared for the elf lady's sudden attack. His entire body froze mid-protest. His nostrils were filled with her delightful, refreshing scent, and he felt the soft touch on his lips. They had kissed many times before, but only this time and during the night raid had Serie taken the initiative to kiss him like this.
They parted after just one touch, Serie pulling back smoothly.
Serie took a half step back, a fleeting blush crossing her fair cheeks. But her eyes shone brightly as she stared straight at him, confident, determined, and utterly in control.
Then, she did something that almost stopped Kurtz's heart.
She tilted her head slightly, took Kurtz's hand with both of hers, and used a posture he had never seen before. Even her voice was much softer than usual, and it even contained a hint of unbelievable coquetry, a softness that seemed almost vulnerable.
"Kurtz... I want to go."
Boom!
Kurtz felt his reason and all his resolve crumble completely in the face of that soft whisper and that unexpected kiss. His hand trembled slightly in hers. He even felt like he was hallucinating, but the warm touch on his palm told him that what was happening was not a hallucination.
My little fairy sister can even act cute now!
Although he didn't know where Serie had learned it from, perhaps even from a romance novel, Kurtz felt a lump in his throat for some reason.
It's really not easy!
Serie's smile deepened as she looked at Kurtz's current state. She could read the defeat in his eyes, the surrender written across his face.
She knew she had won; this man would definitely agree to her request.
"Why?" Kurtz finally spoke after a while, his tone no longer as resolute as before. His voice wavered slightly. "Why do we have to go together?" He tried one final time to regain his stance, though the effort was clearly half-hearted.
When Serie saw him ask this, she knew he had softened. She immediately pressed her advantage and switched back to her usual tone, releasing his hand and moving to the table with casual grace.
"I heard that the royal library of the Southern Unified Empire has collected and integrated many magic books from various countries during this period, including many treasures that even the Kingdom of El doesn't have."
She turned back to him, her expression becoming assertive once more. "As a mage who does it out of interest, isn't it normal to borrow books to enrich the association's collection?"
Kurtz knew perfectly well that the elf lady was probably not planning to return the books she was borrowing. His lips twitched at the apparent deception.
But this reason is indeed irrefutable and can further enrich the Magic Association's library.
Moreover, with me by her side, I can protect her.
Kurtz's defenses have further weakened.
He straightened slightly, his eyes searching hers. Perhaps... this is actually an opportunity? A chance to get up close to Serie and see if that deadly future is connected to the Southern Empire.
However, risks still exist.
He must be fully prepared.
"…Okay." Kurtz finally managed to utter those two words. His shoulders sagged slightly as he accepted his defeat. He took a deep breath, his gaze turning serious once more as he reasserted himself. "But you must promise me that you will never leave my sight. And before we set off, I need to make some preparations."
"No problem," Serie readily agreed. She moved closer to him, her usual composure restored but with a hint of something softer underneath. "Anyway, we wouldn't be able to separate after we went to the unified empire in the south, so this small request is easy for me."
She tilted her head slightly. "How long will it take? I'm thinking of handing that elven mage over to Ayla and the others for instruction."
"About a week, mainly because I plan to bring the El sword and Orger with me." His voice carried the weight of careful planning. "I need to bring every advantage I can."
"That's quite a careful approach." Serie nodded without saying anything more, her expression showing approval at his thoroughness.
The decision was made. The die was cast. And despite Kurtz's careful preparations, he could not shake the shadow of that prophetic dream, the image of Serie's golden eyes going dark, her body falling.
[End of Chapter]
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