The mansion of Balastos in the forest is a very old and magnificent building, but I can't shake the impression that it is a witch's house. When I was led to the reception room inside, I found Lakra leisurely sipping tea.

"Ah, Master Shosho.
You're looking quite graceful.

　In the fog, where visibility is poor, Balastos contacted Lakra so that he could see her, and asked her if she would help him test you. I want to test you. It seems that Lakra quickly agreed. Even though I don't feel any malice, I should at least have a sense of urgency, but since it turned out to be acceptable to me, I'll let it slide.

I was the most relaxed of the bunch, you know? I had some fun with you.
He switched places without being caught by Harkdok's detection spell or reacting to the chain of ecduk wrapped around Lakra. That's quite an elaborate prank.
I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've never heard of it. That's why I've been manipulating my own magic so that it feels like a faint force. It seems that the chain was constantly acquiring information about the person it was connected to, so I was able to switch places in the middle of the chain to mislead them about the nature of the change.
I know how to do it, but you can tell from the reaction of the Ex-Doics that it's not that easy.

　Barastos is smiling mischievously, but the prankster is probably not too happy about it. The one who was pranked was probably uncomfortable.

My name is Balastos. My name is Varastos. Varastos-Zakzarifluanshriton. I'm also known as The Great Sage, but feel free to call me Balastos.
I won't call you that. By the way, if you're related to Nora, does that mean you're related?
Nora is adopted. My parents are still alive, but when they took me in, they decided to adopt me. Oh, but she's not really a mother, more of a big sister!

　Varathus is appealing in a mocking sort of way, but I find it quite hard to take. The rest of the group looks blank except for Lakra, who is eating a delicious tea cake.

"How dare you say that when you're older than me!
"Well, I'm attractive, but it's a little annoying when you say that. Do you know how old I am?
Sixty-five. ...... No, I'm a little older.
Okay, shut up. Know that to tell you the truth would be to lose your tongue.

　Varathus looks like he's about twenty, but his appearance suggests that he's much older. We have seen many earthlings who have faked their age to look younger than they are.

Are you using magic to change your appearance?
No, I'm not. I'm half-elven. There you go.

　Varathus brushed his hair back and showed me his ears. They certainly look like those of Prince Washekht, the Elf from Selende I once saw.

I see. I see. I never thought the Great Sage would be like this.
"How can it be? I think it was an effective greeting to test your ability to take care of Nora as well as to help you understand my abilities.
"That's what I meant by 'like this'. Do you have any other disciples?
I prefer to concentrate on my own work, and each one has his own agenda. You can't just sit in your house and do nothing.
You're right. Well then, let's get down to business.

　He lays out the ores and plants from the demon world that he brought in front of Balastos. As I expected, when these research workers see rare items, they show a very clear interest in them.

"Ah! Here, here! I've always wanted this ore!
That's the way a town girl would say when she finds a trinket. What I want you to do is to find out which of these items would be safe to sell on the open market, what their uses are, and what their value is.
"Well... It's not impossible.
"Of course, we'll pay for the research, and there's more than one use for these things. Of course, I will pay for the research, and there is more than one use for an object. I will provide a certain number of objects free of charge. As for the remainder, you can do with them as you like.
That's great! You know what you're doing!
But if you ask for too much, you'll have to pay for it, so please be moderate.

　From Barastos's point of view, the materials he needs for his research will come to him for free, and he will also receive money for his research. It's a much more efficient and cheaper negotiation than going to the demon world to purchase them. There's no reason to refuse.

"By the way, it's fine to tell you what it's for, but there are some things you shouldn't put on the market.
That's up to the Great Sage to decide.
Oh, you have a lot of faith in me, don't you?
I trust you, considering your intentions in sending your lovely apprentice to Tarz.
...... Well, it's a country ruled by a king known as the Wise King. I'm sure it's been a good experience for her.

　I've heard a lot of horrible things about Nora, but I'm glad to hear she's a rather good teacher. Barastos had already researched the uses of several ores and plants on his own, and together with the items Nora had researched, he was able to bring a good number of them to market.

I'll have to adjust the prices. I think we should ask Ao to find out how often we can collect each of them.
I'm not sure if it's the ores, but the plants are pretty rare. If you can do whatever you want with the territory of the demon world, you can try cultivating them by trial and error.
"I don't think I can expand my business that far. ....... Well, I'll consult with Jestiff about that.
I'll consult with Jestiff about that. - Oh, by the way, you guys are an unusual combination. I'd like to do some research on that. ......

　Balastus is looking at Ecdysium. I'm sure you're not the only one. It's only natural that she would be interested if there were demons in front of her.



Is that me?
Yeah, it's the second time I've seen a demon in person, but it's not like I've had a chance to examine it. And there's more to you than just demons, isn't there? I'm not sure what to make of this.
"......, the Blind Eye.
That's what it's called. I wonder if it's similar to the curse used by the demons in the ...... Medis region. Hmmm... ...... It has effects other than showing illusions. I'm sure you've heard of it, but I've never seen it before.
You know that much about .......

　You don't have to be a resident of this world to understand how amazing Balastos is. I've asked Ecdysium about the eye before and made a similar theory, but Barastos is confident in his analysis. Lakra only thinks of it as 'a power that can be done somehow'.

It's just a little badly used. If it's a demon's eye that can be easily repaired, but if it's a human eye, the load will be too great. But if you're a demon, there's no problem. But with this much load on it, ...... hmm.

　Balastus growled as he looked into Ecdysiac's eyes. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

I'm a demon, and my healing abilities have increased. I'm not afraid of a little strain. If you can think of something to do, can you take care of Rakura first?

　Ecdysium briefly explained that the "Blind Eye" inherited from Vegragudo had infected his sister Rakura and his mother Natra.

I think the curse is spread by blood, but I'll have to look into the mechanics of that. There is a possibility that the eye can be spread by giving blood to the other person. ....... Oh, you want to try it on me?
I'm not sure I'd try that. ......
You could drain the blood and see if you can put your body together.
No, you can't do that!

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk. I'm not sure that's a good idea.

I don't mind if you give priority to Lakra, but it would be more efficient if you were to accompany me in my experiments. If you fail, you'll be in trouble.
"I see. That's a good point.
"Then you'll be my errand boy for the time being. We'll experiment a bit then. You don't mind, do you, puppy?
"Puppies?" ....... Well, Exduk can fly. I'm going to put him in charge of errands that involve movement.
That's settled then. I'd also like to see ...... that demented-looking kid over there.
No, he's not. His name is Harkdock.

　Balastus stood beside Harkdock, gazing at him from head to toe. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I thought the detection spell was unusually accurate, but I guess it is. You're the bastard that was reported, aren't you?
"Oh, wow. You're the Great Sage of .......
Balastus, can you tell if it's the bastard?
Hmm. I don't know. The organs that generate magic are unnatural. It was the same when I saw Lytiar.

　Some people twitched at the mention of Lytial's name. But, well, it's not so strange.

"You knew him?
"Well, yes. I'm a world-famous Great Sage, and Ritual is a top-tier adventurer. We could have at least made some kind of connection. But we're not on the same side. If you and Ritual want to kill each other, that's your business. I won't have anything to do with it.
I'm only indirectly involved in this.
I'm just doing research. My priorities don't change. I've been approached before, though.
You mean the bastard research.

　Balastus is considered to be the pinnacle of magic after Ygras. If Lytiar's goal is to collect bastards and fulfill the purpose beyond that, he must be one of the people he wants to keep.

"Yes. I turned him down. I had just been nailed by a very disturbing man at the time.
The Colorless Demon Lord.

　The Colorless Demon Lord appeared and warned Nora when she tried to touch the taboo. The name of Balastos was mentioned in his speech. Balastos was also one of those who were warned by the Colorless Demon King in the past when he almost reached the abomination.

He didn't say his name at the time, though. I didn't tell you my name at the time, but I knew you were in trouble. I want to master the truth of magic, but if I die because of one taboo, there's no end to it. I've decided to erase my memory of that contraindication and put off my research in that field.

　If you know you're going to be killed if you reach a contraindication, you're a very bad person for saying you'll do it later. If the colorless demon lord disappears, Balastos will be happy to get his hands on the abomination.



"Oh, I owe you an apology for what happened to Nora. Nora's life was threatened because of my lack of supervision. ......
The only thing that matters is that she's alive. I was surprised when I heard the report, but I was more shocked that he had arrived at the forbidden at that age. I guess being exposed to the knowledge of people from other worlds inspires you in many ways.
Maybe.

　Living in a different world means that one's common sense and ideas are different. Knowing these differences can lead people to new ideas. If Balastos were to be transferred to Earth, he would probably become even more terrifying than he is now.

So, keep up the good work, pup.
As long as it's in moderation.
"Well, let's have some more skin-to-skin contact, shall we?

　Varastos hugs me. He's not very good at keeping his distance, is he? I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to try.

I'll tell you about the Demon Lord's magic in you another time, okay?
"...... All right, get away from me. Don't come at me like that!
You're not cute.

　You want to talk to me privately, I'll make time for you.