Chapter 56, Strategy Meeting, Part 2

Translator: Lizz

Edward didn’t bother to hide his displeased expression as he asked Calogero to use his sin-revealing skill.

“It’s an untrustworthy skill, but better than doing nothing.”

“The untrustworthy thing is your sin, isn’t it? It’s about time you atoned. Listen, just because someone did something to you doesn’t mean you can do the same back – that’s childish reasoning. And you should recognize that it’s an actual sin. You’re not that young anymore, are you?”

“I’m younger than you, though.”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t boast about a mere two-year difference. And if you’re aware that you’re younger, you should learn the phrase ‘respect your elders’. From now on, speak to me in polite language.”

“I speak politely to people I can respect.”

“That’s not quite true. You’re so childish you don’t even realize it. What a problem.”

After their usual bickering, Gina looked at the two with exasperated  eyes.

“…I’ve had more than enough of your friendly banter. So, shall we get back to the topic?”

The two looked apologetic at Gina’s words, which were spoken with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Calogero cleared his throat and said,

“…Marquis Onofrio is well acquainted with my skill. He shouldn’t be sending anyone of unknown origin or spies. …However, this skill isn’t all-powerful. If the person doesn’t recognize their actions as a sin, I can’t see it.”

He explained.

“That’s fine to a degree. Either way, we have Lady Silvia’s magic.”

Edward replied.

That [Domination] magic was a mystery.

Or rather, Silvia’s magic attribute itself was a mystery.

According to Edward’s theory, Silvia was manifesting her own will as magic.

He couldn’t understand why it was called ‘livelihood magic’…

Sometimes he thought it would be more fitting to call it ‘imaginative creation magic’.

Gina nodded deeply at Edward’s words.

Her magic attribute was water, but she couldn’t do much with it.

After receiving guidance from Edward, she became able to use it in supportive roles during combat, such as blinding or deceiving the enemy.

However, since she didn’t have much magical power, she used it only as a last resort in emergencies. Running out of magic would be more dangerous, so she generally avoided using it.

To Gina, Sylvia’s magic could only be described as magnificent.

She deeply admired Sylvia, who had taken control of the entire fortress and even brought the whole fortress town under her dominion. Gina felt truly grateful to the gods for having met Sylvia, so much so that she could wholeheartedly say it was the right decision to leave that house back then.

Calogero also respected Sylvia, of course, but he worried that her magic had flaws.

Last time, due to his own mishandling, they failed to capture the bandits. But it was also true that a crack had formed because of Sylvia’s assumption that ‘no one would be walking around at night’.

In other words, unexpected situations could cause [Domination] to falter.

That was why he wanted to filter as much as possible using his own skill, but even his skill had its flaws.

He couldn’t help but imagine someone who didn’t see their actions as sinful, who deceived themselves and accepted Sylvia’s [Domination] while still managing to betray her.

Seeing Calogero deep in thought, Edward spoke.

“…I pretty much get what you’re thinking. We’ll take measures for that too, so stick with us a bit longer.”

Edward was serious as well, thinking that if he had to go out again and Sylvia ended up crying like last time, it would be the worst outcome.