Chapter Fourteen: The Curse of the Evil God

Within this magical tower, the presence of various outsiders is overwhelming, and the number of offices is equally impressive. Yet what truly piqued Louis’s curiosity was the so-called “Special Office for Handling Arcane Affairs.”

From Helen’s description, this office appeared to specialize in all matters mysterious, involving outsiders, fantastic creatures, wizards, Muggles—even dragons, demons, and cultists. They seemed to oversee nearly everything—such authority was extraordinary!

But this raised some doubts in Louis’s mind. How could two newly minted wizards, who had failed their assessment, be assigned to such a department? With Osicris’s limited connections, was it really possible for her to arrange entry for them into a major office like this?

“You know, Louis,” Helen whispered conspiratorially, “I’ve spent years in the academy, but I’ve almost never seen agents from this office! They say these people are the elite among Aurors—the most enigmatic wizards in the Ministry of Magic.”

“Each one has a legendary story!” Helen’s words stirred Louis’s interest, yet when they arrived at the door, he hesitated for a moment.

It appeared the door was covered in dust. But once inside, his worries eased; the interior was much better than the exterior—though dust lingered there as well.

Still, it looked quite proper, as if it were a small base for agents. The room contained all manner of equipment: astrolabes, divination cards, alchemy stations, even a small magical herb garden, a damaged miniature portal, and a magic circle etched with demon incantations.

There was also a medical room—presumably for treating injured agents.

The environment was excellent, though a bit desolate. The person in charge was a bald, middle-aged wizard, the sole occupant of the room.

He was Director Triff. Though unremarkable in appearance, he was far from ordinary. He was a disciple of Oliver, making him a senior to Osicris.

Director Triff was also an authentic nobleman, albeit only a lord—but his family was ancient, with ties to numerous princes, dukes, and earls.

Through their conversation, Louis learned that Mr. Triff had indeed been an Auror, serving for thirty years—the last two spent in this department.

As for the other agents, their credentials were equally impressive; their records were intimidating.

This excited Louis. This department was truly exceptional!

To be part of it was an honor beyond measure.

During their talk, Louis learned that Director Triff would be away for a while, and the other agents had recently been dispatched elsewhere.

After some introductions, Triff donned his tall hat and hurried off. Osicris, with a solemn expression, gave Louis and Helen careful instructions.

She would soon take over as Head of the Teaching Department, and thus would rarely be in the office. According to her, the matters handled here were quite important.

Exorcisms, field missions, capturing anomalies, quelling dark creatures, negotiating with demons, investigating cultists, even rescuing hostages from dragons or dark wizards—these were frequent tasks.

Essentially, whatever Aurors managed, they handled, and whatever Aurors couldn’t, they handled as well.

Her words stirred a wave of excitement in Louis’s heart.

What were they here for? To level up, defeat monsters, and strive for supremacy, surely!

They weren’t here for some “cross-species experimental project,” to muddle about with female orcs and goblins. With the mission of a traveler, how could he waste time on such nonsense?

Ahem... An approval rating of eighty—that must be quite high, right? The office of the dragon girls didn’t seem far away, either.

“But, sister,” Helen asked, eyeing the empty seats with puzzlement, “isn’t there usually anyone here?”

“Well... The Ministry has numerous external offices, so there’s some overlap in functions,” Osicris’s expression grew strange. “Ahem, you two should train here well; there will be more opportunities in the future.”

Louis’s heart skipped a beat.

Overlap?

Functional overlap was never a good sign.

And what did she mean by “more opportunities”?

“Ahem, Louis, Helen, don’t underestimate the work here,” Osicris suddenly adopted a stern tone. “This job involves many diplomatic matters and is quite challenging. You must not slack off. Of course, as newcomers, your workload may be lighter.”

“So that’s how it is!”

Louis exchanged a glance with Helen, and both nodded deeply.

No rush—take it slow.

Osicris continued. Though the two were currently temps, or interns, if their performance was outstanding, they could eventually secure a formal post in the Ministry. The tasks would then become more arduous.

But the salary would be substantial!

After Osicris’s speech, Louis felt reassured.

He had been overthinking it.

Today’s assessment had not gone well, but it was an Auror’s trial, after all.

And though Osicris’s status wasn’t great, a dried-up camel is still bigger than a horse.

Arranging a top-notch department for her juniors was only reasonable.

Still, was the work here too challenging? With all these medical facilities, it seemed dangerous!

After Osicris left, the two were left feeling both excited and nervous.

Helen spoke at length about her hopes for the future. In summary: although she was a super-rich second generation, with wealth and connections, she wanted to rely on her own efforts. This work in the Special Office for Handling Arcane Affairs was their first step on the path ahead.

Louis wholeheartedly agreed.

Perhaps this storybook had brought him here to save the world.

His destiny would surely be fraught with hardship and suffering. He must be ready to face trials and challenges.

With this thought, Louis felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier, his heart more resolute.

That very afternoon, their first difficult challenge began.

A goblin arrived.

This goblin gentleman was impeccably dressed in a suit, his mustache neatly trimmed, but he walked with a limp.

After they invited him in, he refused to sit, removed his hat, and stood with a grave expression. “I am cursed by a terrible spell—I can never sit... never again.”

He began to explain:

“People envy the ‘Belief’ family, praise us as great bankers, but they do not know our family harbors a secret…”

“Every single one of us is tormented by this demon!”

“We must have offended some evil god or ancient deity, and now suffer a dreadful curse!”

“This is a god’s prank… divine punishment, fate!”

“Director Triff warned us: if we truly want to escape this curse, we must follow his advice… But how can we work without sitting? Oh dear, sir, miss—please help me.”

With that, the suffering goblin lay down on the bed in the medical room, expertly removed his trousers, and raised his posterior, pointing to it.

Seeing the goblin’s actions, Louis felt a sense of impending dread.

Moreover, wasn’t this medical room meant for agents wounded in battle with demons?

Why was the goblin so skilled at getting onto the bed?

Miss Helen was diligently climbing the tall bookshelf, searching ancient tomes, but after hearing the goblin’s story and observing the afflicted area, Louis’s expression grew more peculiar.

He fell into contemplation.

Isn’t this hemorrhoids?

Isn’t it?!

Is this my first assignment?

Did this storybook bring me here to cure a goblin’s hemorrhoids?

And is that a mouse hole, sir?!

Are you uncomfortable because a mouse or snake crawled inside?

“What should we do, Louis?” Helen wiped her brow, alarmed by Belief’s anguished wails and explanations. “Should we ask Miss Osicris for help? This terrifying wound must be the result of the ‘Finger of the Evil God’ curse!”

“It is rather deep,” Louis muttered, rubbing his face.