25-203

EP.203 [The Crazy Little Sister Elizabeth Exposes the Mating Between Elf Priscilla and Eugene.] 

“The debuff magic poison is simple, but since it was used by the drake, I did think it was impressive. But to think it even used telepathy in such a concrete way…” 

After hearing from Eugene about the drake’s telepathy, Elizabeth’s eyes widened for a moment, then she nodded slowly, deep in thought. It looked as if her brain had momentarily frozen before switching tracks. 

“Perhaps that drake is actually a being from another dimension that has taken on the drake’s form.” 

Elizabeth’s words matched the hypothesis Priscilla had made after witnessing the drake emit unimaginable mana. 

‘Oh, as expected, Elizabeth is saying the same thing!’ 

For Eugene, Elizabeth’s reaction only made him trust that hypothesis more. 

“If you say a being from another dimension changed its form?” 

Victoria and Jeanne, hearing this for the first time from Elizabeth, immediately looked puzzled. 

“It means a high-level being related to the demon race’s priests or demon gods descended into this world by transforming into a drake. Even just talking about this is an extremely rare occurrence.” 

Indeed, in “mage mode,” Elizabeth was completely different from her usual self. When it came to romantic drama, she couldn’t control her expressions and would go into crazy mode, but as the party’s mage, she was thoroughly professional. 

Just as she was called the “ice princess” by outsiders, Elizabeth explained her knowledge to the party with a smart expression and persuasive diction. 

“Miss Priscilla and the Captain seem to have already caught on to some extent, judging by how little you’re reacting to what I’m saying.” 

“Yes, that’s right, Mage. After observing the creature up close, Priscilla came to a similar analysis. It was emitting an incredible amount of mana. Priscilla said that a normal drake couldn’t possibly release that much mana externally.” 

Elizabeth watched her companions’ reactions, tailoring her explanations accordingly. She noted that Eugene and Priscilla seemed the least surprised, so she pointed that out. 

“If the opponent is such a transcendent being, doesn’t that mean our current party is in trouble? We formed this party to target a top-tier monster drake.” 

Jeanne, who had been listening to the conversation between Elizabeth and Eugene, voiced her thoughts. The mention of a higher-dimensional being sounded like a major problem for their quest. 

“That’s a bit complicated, uh-no, Captain Jeanne.” 

Elizabeth almost slipped up with the honorifics but caught herself. She was a pro at controlling her expression, but still not used to the titles. 

“A higher-dimensional being is certainly powerful. But they can’t always use that power. The right environment has to be in place. They’re extremely sensitive to mana.” 

Elizabeth answered Jeanne’s question calmly. 

“For example, if the being is related to the demon gods, just like in ancient times, if there isn’t enough demonic energy, they can’t maintain their full power for long. Even though the ratio of demonic energy in this Enclama region has increased, it’s still not enough for higher-dimensional beings to use their powers freely.” 

Elizabeth explained the weaknesses of higher-dimensional beings in detail. 

The best example of this is Princess Priscilla. Elves are also clearly a race belonging to higher dimensions. But even elves, after spirit energy dwindled on the continent, now only live on Symphonia Island where the World Tree is. Outside of that, they have to use various methods to supply spirit energy and maintain themselves. Regardless of tier, there are real-world limitations. 

“Priscilla living under a different appearance until now is a good example of that.” 

Priscilla, despite being affected by the debuff magic poison, was resting safely in her tent. Jeanne, listening to Elizabeth’s explanation, immediately thought of Priscilla-how Eugene had said she revealed her true form in a crisis and, after using great power, was heavily affected by the debuff. 

“That’s right, Captain Jeanne. That makes the drake’s form even more understandable. That form uses less demonic energy, helps defend against external attacks, and serves as intimidation.” 

The reason higher-dimensional beings transform into monsters isn’t complicated: it lets them efficiently conserve their own demonic energy and fit in anywhere. Of course, it’s harder to use their highest-level abilities, but they make up for it with overwhelming physical power. 

“But as far as I know, if a higher-dimensional being really has appeared, you can’t judge the situation just by the change in quest difficulty.” 

Victoria, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. 

“That’s right. That’s actually the core issue. If a higher-dimensional being appears, then what’s happening on the continent can’t be a coincidence. It means even more serious events are coming.” 

Elizabeth understood what Victoria meant and agreed. The sudden appearance of a higher-dimensional being is a kind of warning sign, meaning the foundation for such beings to descend has been laid in this world of Gaia. 

‘Hmm… The things the drake said to me are starting to sound even more ominous…’ 

Eugene looked back and forth between Victoria and Elizabeth. The drake’s words about opening the demon god’s eye kept echoing in his mind. 

“Mage, I’m here.” 

The emergency meeting ended, but Elizabeth had asked Eugene, as the Red Fox Mercenary Band’s assault captain, to visit her tent after he finished his personal maintenance. Her tone was more that of a party mage than a cheeky little sister, so Eugene entered the tent respectfully. 

“Yes, please come in, Captain Eugene Caesar. Have a seat here.” 

Elizabeth, now changed into fresh clothes, was already seated at her desk. 

‘Hmm, Eugene Caesar…’ 

Eugene noticed something was off. Elizabeth had never called him “Caesar” before, even when being formal-she’d always used “Captain Eugene.” He sensed she was using the name intentionally. 

“The test results are in, Captain Eugene Caesar. Fortunately, there were no side effects from the drake’s debuff mana poison. Since this could be a personal matter, I wanted to tell you directly.” 

“That’s a relief. I was wondering if I’d have to stay quarantined in my tent until the results came out.” 

Elizabeth’s first topic was the results of the test for aftereffects from the drake’s debuff magic poison. Everyone present had been tested, but Eugene and Priscilla’s tests were especially detailed and strict. For the others, it was more of a formality. 

“It was so clean, there was nothing more to check. Same for Elf Priscilla. In her case, it was just accumulated fatigue.” 

Eugene’s demon blood had been very effective. If there had been any abnormal symptoms, they would have done more blood tests the next day, but the drake’s debuff couldn’t penetrate Eugene’s body at all. 

“But then, I discovered something completely unexpected. That’s actually more than half the reason I called you here.” 

Snap! 

Elizabeth, who had been looking over the test results, put down the papers and turned to Eugene. 

“What is it, Mage Elizabeth?” 

Eugene’s response seemed less out of curiosity and more to see if the unease he felt would be confirmed by Elizabeth. 

“Captain Eugene Caesar, your mana-its fundamental quality has increased dramatically.” 

What Elizabeth brought up was none other than Eugene Schneider’s newly strengthened mana. She had noticed a major change in her beloved brother’s energy level. 

“At this level, as a mage, I’m certain you’re now at the Sword Seeker level.” 

Elizabeth first used a technical term, then directly stated that Eugene had become a Sword Seeker. 

“Ah, so that’s what you meant. Hmm, I hadn’t found the right time to bring it up, but yes, Mage. I reached Sword Seeker during the battle with the drake.” 

Eugene’s eyes widened for a moment-he’d been watching carefully to see what Elizabeth would say, but hadn’t expected her to mention Sword Seeker. Still, he calmly admitted to her that he had reached that level. 

“I understand. Sword Seeker… and at just 21 years old. That’s two years younger than the previous record for youngest Sword Seeker. It’s almost on par with Duchess Marianne, the youngest mental-type Seeker.” 

Elizabeth nodded, agreeing that Eugene hadn’t found the right time to mention it. Generally, there are fewer than ten Sword Seekers even in the Imperial Knights, and most of them are nobles who spent 20 to 30 years with a sword to reach that level. But Eugene had done it at 21, which would shock not just the camp but the whole Empire. 

The previous youngest Sword Seeker Elizabeth referred to was none other than Eugene’s father, Ulysses Schneider. 

“That’s why I have to ask, Captain Eugene Caesar.” 

At that moment, Elizabeth de Sel Oblaing’s gaze changed slightly. Her question about Sword Seeker seemed tied to her use of the name “Caesar.” 

“How did you achieve such rapid growth?” 

Elizabeth asked directly about the background of his sudden advancement, her eyebrow twitching with sensitivity. 

“Did you perhaps achieve this as a result of doing something steamy with Elf Priscilla???” 

A genius mage and even a witch of black magic, Elizabeth had clearly deduced that Eugene became a Sword Seeker through his intense mating with Priscilla.