If I Had To Say, I Would Say I Am A Evil Magician 227 (Patreon)

A Single Look

When Hazen and Jill hurriedly returned to the mansion, Liana was lying down while palpating violently.

"......at best, probably a few more days"

The Magic Physician who was assigned to her answers indifferently and leaves.

Instantly, with an about-to-cry expression, Jill pats her softly.

"Haa......haa......Jill......Otou-san, you came huh"

At Liana, who's making a smile, even as she's making an agonising expression,

"......of course. Don't worry, just a bit more and I'll be able to save you"

Hazen makes a forced smile with all his best and strokes her forehead.

"Un......I know"

It had already long passed, the time to give up. It's already too late, at this point, for despair. Having no choice but to let Hazen, cling to the hope she knows is non-existent, Liana simply smiles and appreciates, such feelings of her father.

"......sorry, Asch is......somewhere else......"

"Fufu......"

"......what's the matter?"

"Otou-san......you're lying"

"......"

"Asch said......he doesn't want to meet me, right?"

"Wha-......why is that stupid Magicianーー"

Liana nonchalantly raised her hand and stopped Jill, who got angry as though it was her own matter.

"......it's fine, that's the kind of a person he is after all. I'm sure, he's saying not until he fulfils the promise of the promise......that's the kind of a person he is"

"Bu-, but......that's......"

"For my sake, Asch is, doing his best. That's why......it's fine. But......Otou-san. May I......make just one selfish request?"

"......what?"

"The figure of Asch......even if it's far away......it's fine. Just one look is fine......I want to see him......can I......not?"

"......of course you can"

What selfish......something like that, isn't called, selfish. Something like that......

From Hazen's eyes, several drops of water fall to the ground.

"Fufu......thank you, Otou-san"

"......Jill, depart after Liana's condition calmed down. I'll reserve an inn near the mansion beforehand. Let's meet up there"

"Understood......but, what about Hazen-sensei?"

"I......have some business, to settle first"

Leaving those words behind, he leaves the room first and hurriedly heads to the Taboo Mansion.

If it's just showing her one look from afar. It won't be an issue if he just dyes that hair of his that's stained white. All that's left is, albeit against his wishes, to control Asch and make it seem like he's doing researchーー

・・・

Hazen, who runs pantingly, suddenly, comes to a halt.

"......haha, I......sure am the worst"

Despite coming up with it himself, he abhors his own idea. To fake his daughter's final wish. To falsify the man who loved his daughter and dedicated his everything. Who the hell, does he think he is. Did he get lionised by the people around him as the strongest Magician and feel like he became God or something. When in reality, he can't even, save a single daughter of his.

However......even so......

Desperately smothering the emotions that welled up one after another, Hazen entered the laboratory.

but, the figure of Asch, wasn't there.

The moment he moved his eyes to what's next, an unbearable wave of chills assailed Hazen.

The safe has been opened.

"Im-......possible"

Asch can't use Light Magic. There are no indications of an intrusion either. However, the test tubes in there are gone.

"Kuh......"

With his thoughts still in jumbles, Hazen walks around inside the mansion. All while hoping that the worst scenario hasn't occurred somehow, despite it being pretty much, a certainty that it has.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　・・・

"Aah, Hazen-sensei"

In the end, Asch was still inside the mansion. Inside the Dark Magic's laboratory, by himself.

However.

"......u゛u゛u゛eeeeee"

Hazen, reflexively, gagged.

"What is the matter? Are you unwell or something"

His tone has returned to normal, and the jet-black glint in his eyes has also returned. His hair is stained white as always, but other than that, he can't spot any part that's strange body-wise.

What was abnormal was, his vicinity. His clothes have been stained by dark red fresh blood, and there are innumerable corpses scattered around him.

And then, Hazen saw it, without a doubt.

"Asch......what......were you doing?"

He was devouring......this fellow was, without a doubt, devouring......humans.

"More importantly, Hazen-sensei! It is a success......I can tell. The power that is welling up from my body. If it is this, it will be able to save Liana"

His eyes are straightforward, and there isn't even a slither of hesitation.

"Answer me......Asch, what the hell......were you doing!?"

"Geez, what is the matter with you. Are you still, trying to nitpick on my research? Indeed, I am more or less hungry. There is the demerit of having to consume meals containing magic power. But, that is all......"

"......is that so"

"That is so. Now then, let's quickly go to where Liana is. Then, I can fulfil my promise toーー"You......turned into an genuine monster huh"

Hazen, softly said, and took a fighting stance.