Chapter 298 – Victory Scar (2)
Wuuuong…!
The Umbra imprint shone. The green light emerged in the form of a silver string, and Theodore felt his mental strength being sucked into it. It might be a minor undertaking for Jerem, but this was a daunting task for Theodore.
However, this was natural. After all, interfering with a soul was only possible after becoming a real transcendent, in the realm of the 9th circle. Theodore wouldn't be able to try it at all if it wasn't for Umbra.
'Stay focused. Sister will die if I fail once!'
There was no second time. Veronica's life was at stake, causing Theodore to raise his concentration to the limit. Theodore sighed with relief as the light from his right hand entered Veronica's heart.
"Okay, step one is successful."
Their two souls were connected. After the next trial, Veronica's soul would be bound to his.
"Huuu―…" One last deep breath. He couldn't afford a moment like this later on. Theodore held his breath as he concentrated his remaining mental power on the imprint on his right arm.
The mind was just the tip of the iceberg that was called the soul. At the body's surface, there was the conscious mind. Then once you delved into the bottom of the mind, the soul would naturally be reached.
This was the domain of the soul. Theodore's soul was compressed in one breath and sank deeply. As his eyes dimmed, the light from the imprint became clearer. His consciousness flowed down from his brain to his right arm. It rode through the cerebral blood vessels into the arteries of his right arm, reaching his wrist and palm. This process occurred while Theodore was in a trance, and his soul left his body.
'Now!'
It was time for stage two, escaping the body. A part of the soul was sent out of the body, directly interfering with the contractor's soul. From Theodore's right palm into Veronica's body, a green soul bead dug in.
"―Hak!" Veronica screamed and convulsed.
'Ugh!'
It was a natural reaction. He would've been thrown back at the pressure coming from her if this was a fatal blow. However, Veronica was in a critical state and her resistance was considerably weakened. Thus, Theodore overcame the pressure and dug into her wounded heart.
Then inside Veronica's wound, her soul was visible in front of him.
[Damn, it is serious.]
It was like the claws of a large animal had torn at her soul.
[The soul's nucleus is at 30%. Even a soul master would only last a few minutes. If she wasn't a quarter dragon and I hadn't fed her the elixir…]
Veronica would surely have died. Theodore felt a chill at the future that hadn't happened. Still, he had work remaining. Theodore looked at Veronica's wound and gently touched the surface. If he couldn't fill this hole, she couldn't survive.
Then the two souls met.
[―Kuk, what is this suction?]
His soul was being sucked somewhere. It was like a drain collecting rainwater on a rainy day. Veronica's instinct to repair her soul was demanding Theodore's soul. At first, he panicked, but he soon realized that he could use this situation.
It would be easier for him to interfere if she didn't resist.
Kiiiiing!
Simultaneously, the two souls began to resonate.
―························!!
Somewhere, Theodore heard a voice that didn't belong to his memories.
–Something like you, a child that shouldn't be born…!
–Dragon blood? Are you a reptile or a mammal? You smell fishy, so can you not come near me?
–Ack, hot! Were you trying to kill me? You monster!
–Huhuhu, I will get a lot of money if I sell this kid.
Contempt, loathing, hatred, greed… Voices filled with negative feelings resonated from all directions. These were memories that stabbed at someone's heart, someone's trauma. They didn't exist in Theodore's memories. Then perhaps these memories…
[Sister's memories…?]
It was the childhood of Veronica, who always looked dignified and strong.
[This is too much!] He yelled in resentment, but no one answered.
It couldn't be helped. They were just echoes of Veronica's past. Nevertheless, Theodore couldn't help shouting. Despite his experience in Bergen Academy, he didn't have such terrible memories.
How had Veronica managed to go from this terrible past to what she was now? The strongest magician in Meltor, the incarnation of destruction that all magicians feared… To think that the exciting beauty had these shadows.
There was no distinction of time as the flood of memories continued. Theodore couldn't remember clearly from then on. He just knew that he was angry as he cried and yelled, unable to do anything about the emotions that Veronica had felt in the past.
Then he escaped from that flood of memories and opened his eyes.
"…Eh?"
Somehow, Theodore had returned to his own body.
'Was it successful?'
He could feel the warm body temperature and beating heart under his palm. It was weaker than usual, but it was not life-threateningly weak. Theodore focused his mind. His soul had filled the hole inside Veronica's heart. With his soul eyes, he could see that his right arm and Veronica's heart were connected by a green cord.
"I succeeded…" Theodore's legs weakened, and he fell to the ground.
He was falling out of the trance. Maybe the dragon blood and connection to Veronica had made him stronger. It was good, but if he didn't concentrate, he would faint.
'Not yet, not yet. I need to bring both of them to Bergen.'
He somehow got up and carried Veronica's and Randolph's bodies. The omnipotent feeling he'd gotten after entering the 8th circle had long since disappeared. This meant that the power he had consumed to heal Veronica's soul was enormous. His magic power, physical strength, and mental strength were at their limits.
He drew a small magic circle with his toes and cried out, "Mass Teleport!"
Was it thanks to reaching the 8th circle? Unlike before, Theodore succeeded in moving through space with a brief chant. Then there was a bright light. Flash!
The destination was Bergen, a magic zone preset as the retreat area. From the middle of the desolate Nadun Mountains, the three people quickly jumped across the wall of space. There was a touch of cold air, and Theodore opened his eyes as he felt the success of space movement.
"…Theo?" A crying voice greeted him. Sylvia came running with red eyes, like she had been crying for a long time.
"…Sorry, I'm late."
"It's okay! Everything is okay! Your body? You aren't hurt anywhere? I won't forgive you if you die in front of me!"
"I'm exhausted but fine." Theodore shrugged, causing Sylvia to cry with a relieved expression. She helped him place the two people he was carrying on a stretcher, before entering Theodore's arms and rubbing her red nose against his chest. Her emotions overflowed again.
"Grandpa. Kuk. Theo, Grandpa…!"
"Yes, Sylvia."
"Liar, liar. He said he would officiate… sob… my wedding… H-He left me…!"
"Yes, Blundell is really bad."
"No, my grandfather isn't… sob… bad…" Her words were a mess.
Theodore smiled bitterly and patted Sylvia's back. She had lost her family in this fight. He wouldn't be stingy if he could comfort her with this weary body.
'Ah, I am reaching my limit.'
Theodore had abruptly reached the 8th circle, and there had been the unreasonable soul healing as well, so the burden on him was considerable. The last thing he saw was Orta rushing at him.
Staring blankly at Sylvia, Theodore hoped that Orta would take care of things well.
Then the long and fierce day ended.
* * *
If he had to describe it in one word, it was a library. There were piles of books and bookshelves decorating the space. Books were stacked from floor to ceiling, with the smell of parchment tickling a person's nose.
It was no exception for those who were sleeping, and it helped to wake up the consciousness of someone lying on a mountain of books.
"Umm." Theodore opened his eyes in an unknown place. "This place…?"
It was a familiar place. Theodore explored the landscape of the library and realized it was a separate space. This place was similar to Gluttony's library, but it was slightly different. He knew what he would see if he opened a book. This was a space made up of Theodore's memories. It was the spiritual world that existed at the bottom of his consciousness.
"I see. I fainted when I tried to comfort Sylvia."
Theodore identified the situation and sighed. Was the fatigue from healing Veronica's soul so much that he'd sunk down to the bottom of his consciousness? Maybe even a little bit of mental power was lost.
He sighed at overcoming the crisis and looked at the scattered books.
'Should I do a review?'
Theodore's memory was excellent. He never forgot a book that he had read once and could write a brief summary on the spot. For him, a 'review' was just a tedious and repetitive task. If he read a book that he already knew, what new and interesting knowledge could be acquired?
"…Well, it is better than nothing."
In the end, just as Theodore was about to pick up a book…
"―What, neglecting me after leaving me alone with your possessions? You are a bad person," a playful voice spoke out from behind him.
"…"
"What is with this reaction? Why do you have a stupid look on your face?"
Theodore stared at her and muttered in a quivering voice, "…Sister?"
"Huh?"
"Veronica, Sister."
Veronica realized why he was surprised and laughed. Then she walked over and pulled the stiff Theodore into her arms. It was a soft and warm touch. Veronica whispered in an affectionate voice toward Theodore, who stiffened in another manner, "Yes, I'm your Veronica now. Thank you for saving me."
Then he realized it. This body that felt good to touch and the warmth that was conveyed… All of his senses proclaimed that she was alive. The terrible memory of the bleeding Veronica came to his mind, and Theodore reflexively inserted more strength into his hands.
"Ah." Veronica made a noise.
However, Theodore kept holding her tightly. He was terrified that she was going to disappear.
"I'm sorry."
He was guilty of having given her a dangerous role. He felt sorry for having looked into her memories. He hated his own inexperience when he healed her soul.
"I'm sorry." Theodore kept repeating his apologies.
"It's fine." Veronica patted his head as he hugged her. "Everything is okay, so don't cry my little one."
Chapter 299 – Victory Scar (3)
The two people held each other firmly and stood there for a while. It was a distance where their warm breaths could be felt, as well as the rise and fall of their chests.
Theodore's unfamiliar tears quickly subsided.
However, Theodore kept burying his face in Veronica's hair. When was the last time he'd cried? It had been at least 10 years since he stopped letting his emotions run wild. These weren't tears shed from extreme pain.
He didn't want to show his face to Veronica because he himself didn't know what he looked like.
'Ah, I don't know why, but I feel relieved…' He had a personal desire to stay where he was.
However, he couldn't fool Veronica's senses.
"Are you okay now?" She gently pulled slightly away, wiping away the tear marks still left behind on his face.
Veronica's touch was so mild and sweet, so different from her normal self that Theodore felt his face flush.
"Ahh… My kid, you are really cute." Unsurprisingly, Veronica noticed his blush and playfully ruffled his black hair.
Maybe their inner turmoils were easily revealed because this was his spiritual world. Just as Theodore didn't control his feelings, she did actions that she wouldn't normally do. Veronica realized what she had done and stiffened.
Meanwhile, Theodore released the hug and opened his mouth, "Sister, there are many stories that I have been hiding."
There was a mountain of stories that no one knew aside from Vince―no, some even Vince didn't know. Veronica was connected to him with an eternal contract, so he wasn't worried about her betraying him. Above all, she had almost died from Invidia's sword, so she deserved to hear Theodore's secrets.
Everything had started the moment Theodore met the grimoire, Gluttony. He was about to confide the whole truth when―
"Oh, that's enough."
Veronica pressed her fingers against his lips.
"Huh?"
"I already know. Just as you were looking into my memories, I was watching yours. Let's just say we are a draw when it comes to this part, okay?"
Theodore looked at her with bemusement, before asking a question, "…Then why don't you blame me?"
"Huh? For what?"
"You became Invidia's target and ended up like this because of me."
"Why is it because of you? It is the fault of that damn monster. And I am responsible for protecting myself. Don't be sorry about not protecting me, understood?"
Was she angry? Veronica stared fiercely into his eyes. This caused Theodore to bow his head and mutter, "Still, now you will die if I die."
There was no way to release a permanent contract. Even if he reached the 9th circle, the bound souls would still be the same. The person with a quarter dragon's vitality would die when Theodore died.
It had been the only way to save her, but Theodore couldn't help feeling guilty. However, Veronica's reaction was unexpected. "Uh, it is fine."
"…Huh?"
"I don't hate it because I feel connected to you…" Veronica stopped speaking the moment the words popped out. However, she couldn't swallow down the words that had already emerged, causing the two of them to hide their red faces.
Then Veronica remembered something. "Ah, that reminds me, I did see one thing that made me angry."
Before Theodore could respond to the change in expression, Veronica got right up close to him and growled fiercely, "The things you did secretly with that worm, I saw it all."
"Eh?" Theodore was embarrassed by the unexpected words when Veronica's hands hit his chest. "Uwaaat!"
As expected from the power of a quarter dragon, it was enough to blow Theodore away. Theodore flew through the air for a few meters, before landing on a fluffy floor. No, it was a fairly large bed. This place was filled with a pile of books just before, so why was there suddenly a bed?
"This is your mental world, but it is possible for me to interfere as long as you aren't hurt. It isn't a big deal to turn this library into a bedroom."
Rather than the scent of parchment paper, there was a sweet fragrance and red curtains draped over the bookshelves. It had the subtle atmosphere of a typical bedroom. Theodore was about to speak when a red robe fell and covered his eyes. "W-Wait a minute."
Just after that…
"I won't wait," Veronica declared.
While Theodore was throwing the red robe to the side, Veronica got on top of him and pushed down on his chest with her left hand. It might be different with magic, but she was stronger when it came to pure arm strength.
With one hand holding Theodore's body, she pulled off the rest of her clothes. Her smooth curves were revealed as her clothes were removed. By the time she was left in just her underwear, Veronica realized that all of Theodore's resistance beneath her had disappeared.
"Haaah… Theo." She took her hand off his chest and touched his face.
There were no thoughts about running away. As she looked into Theodore's eyes, Veronica whispered sweetly, "Now, are you ready? More time is needed before your body wakes up…"
Subsequently, her red hair mixed with black.
* * *
Tweet tweet, chirp chirp.
The cheerful cries of birds announced the morning. Some people were sleeping and wouldn't hear the sound, while others had already started their day. It was a common thing. The same thing would be seen differently from other points of view.
In that sense, this morning was a special moment for Theodore Miller.
"…Ah…."
He raised his eyelids and made a bemused expression.
'This place…?'
It was a familiar ceiling of a room in his distant memories. Then Theodore looked around and met her eyes. The great magician, Veronica, was lying on the opposite bed. She stretched out like she had just woken up and looked at him with blurred eyes.
"―Did you sleep well?" Veronica sent him a bewitching smile, making his stomach spin.
"Uh!" That was enough to send an electrifying feeling shooting down his spine, and the buried memories overflowed. In the depths of the spiritual world, they had spent a few days in a place where only the two people with connected souls could share.
Well, no, a few days wasn't accurate. It might've been a couple of minutes or a few months. In the midst of the pleasure, the two of them hadn't rested for a single moment until their bodies were restored.
'Sigh, I don't know what face to make after that.'
Theodore, who had been famous for his chastity during his school days, had old-fashioned ideals. The relationship they had in the spiritual world wasn't light and couldn't be treated as nothing.
On the other hand, Veronica was perfectly at ease. She was watching him happily like a lioness who was full. This bizarre atmosphere continued until the servants entered the room. They finished the meal, and there was a brief overview.
"Red Tower Master Veronica and Captain Theodore. His Majesty desires an audience. However, he said that if you want, you can rest until the sun goes down," the servant respectfully bowed as he spoke to the two people.
Theodore and Veronica had lost consciousness for four days and were injured, so he gave them some time. However, this matter was so heavy that Kurt couldn't help feeling anxious. Veronica guessed the situation and laughed lightly, getting off the bed. "It can't be helped. Then what now?"
Veronica hugged Theodore's arm.
"Vero―ah, no, Red Tower Master…"
"Are you going to be shy now? I think it is too late."
It was true. The nature of her relationship with Theodore had deepened. He tried to suppress the memories that the touch of her arm recalled and spoke her name, "Veronica."
"Yes, Theo." She no longer called him a kid. They called each other's names because they were now on an equal footing.
The two people stood shoulder to shoulder naturally and left the infirmary, with the people outside creating a path for them. Blue Tower Master Blundell had died, so there was no one who could block the path of two 8th circle magicians.
They walked through the corridors and passed into the uninhabited hallways of the palace. They were almost to the room where Kurt III was waiting when Veronica spoke. Her voice was unusually quiet, reminiscent of her exquisite elegance.
"Theo."
"Yes?"
"Don't worry about our relationship. I was the one who pressed you down, and I didn't think it would last long after waking up."
"But―"
"Besides, there is a confession that you haven't answered."
He paused, but he then managed to take another step. That's right, there was Ellenoa's confession. She was someone who had sincerely whispered that she loved him.
It was too much to hold onto another's woman's hand while leaving Ellenoa to wait.
"…Thank you, Veronica."
Veronica laughed and hugged his arm more firmly. "Heh, anyway, I am yours. I will be by Theo's side, no matter who you choose."
"Isn't that a bit difficult?"
"You will understand if you have a red dragon's blood."
Even if he insisted on logic, it was nothing in front of a charming beauty. Theodore realized it and faced the door of the reception room in front of him. Did the king want to secretly meet both people?
Unlike other times, there were no guards or servants present. Before Veronica could kick down the door, Theodore reached out his hand.
Kukukukung…!
The giant door split open, and the king was revealed.
"First of all, thank you for agreeing to my unreasonable request." The face of Kurt the third, the king of Meltor, was more haggard than usual. His wise purple eyes were blurred with fatigue, and his bright golden hair had lost its shine.
There were too many possible options to guess the reason for his tiredness.
The two people approached and tried to give their greetings.
However, Kurt waved his left hand and stopped it. "There is no need for formalities. I shouldn't trouble you after you just got out of bed. I wanted to give you a few more days to rest, but a king's duties don't go away."
"It isn't a problem, Your Majesty."
"I'm thankful for your words. First, I heard a series of reports from White Tower Master, but only you know what happened after Blundell's death. Please tell me."
There was no one better for this role than Theodore.
"…I understand." Theodore stepped forward, away from Veronica, and faced Kurt. Was it due to his repeated struggles with so many monsters? The king's face now looked middle-aged and fatigued.
"However, I have something to say before that."
If so, the hesitation belonged to Theodore, whose hesitation was unrelated to external factors.
Unlike his plan to face the king with all his determination and seek cooperation, the words didn't fall easily from his mouth. After all, he had hidden it for several years. It wasn't easy to talk about it to the ruler of a country whom he didn't have a close relationship with, unlike Veronica.
Kkuok.
Did she read his hesitation? Theodore trembled at the warmth that grabbed his right hand and he soon relaxed. She, Veronica, was with him. What did he need to be afraid of?
"Your Majesty. I, Theodore Miller―"
Theodore jumped with his own free will over the wall he had hit.
Chapter 300 – Victory Scar (4)
Grimoires—they appeared in the forms of books, with a call to power and disaster that mocked a mortal's common sense. None of the existing magicians could interpret them, and all remaining records in the world only explained the scars left behind by grimoires.
It meant that the owners of grimoires were the cause of worldwide massacres. Just look at Giovanni to be convinced.
The magician, Giovanni, had been investigating the ruins discovered in the Miller Barony. Then he discovered the grimoire, Death's Worship, and was turned into a warlock who commanded thousands of undead. If Theodore hadn't contained the situation so quickly, a catastrophe would have occurred in Meltor a month later.
Theodore knew the risk of revealing this truth about himself better than anyone else, but he told Kurt the whole story anyway.
"…The owner of a grimoire." Kurt touched his chin and nodded. "It is funny to say it now, but that was one of the possibilities we came up with."
"What does that…"
"A person stuck at the 2nd circle for nearly 5 years suddenly jumped beyond the best genius in the kingdom in just a few months. It is natural to question that growth."
It was as the king said. After all, who could have imagined that Theodore Miller, the dunce of Bergen Academy, would manage to win against Blue Tower Master Blundell's granddaughter?
His master, Vince, was quite talented, but he couldn't compare to a great magician of the kingdom. A hidden talent might've woken up after years of insecurity, but that wasn't enough for Theodore to have jumped over so many walls in a short period of time.
This hadn't been the 3rd and 4th circles, but the 5th circle. This was a 'wall' that magicians often called the gateway to senior magicians. It didn't make sense for Theodore to have overcome that wall so quickly unless a shortcut to accelerate growth had been used.
Yes, it must be a grimoire or a national treasure.
"This fact isn't well known, but it isn't unprecedented. 200 years ago, the 7th Red Tower Master was the owner of a grimoire called 'Evil Lamp.' According to records, the grimoire looked like a giant flame and supplied the magic power to use 8th circle fire magic many times."
"…I see."
If there had already been a precedent, then Kurt's reaction wasn't strange. After all, if he knew that a grimoire didn't only cause disasters, then it was the role of a ruler to find ways to take advantage of it. Theodore realized the point he had missed and fell silent for a moment.
Then Kurt laughed with his weary face and said, "It isn't uncommon. A magician with a grimoire is more valuable than a national treasure. If this secret is revealed before the person is strong enough, idiots would try to steal it, without knowing that it is pointless. So, your behavior was wise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"As proof of my acknowledgment of your good behavior, I won't question you about the grimoire. Moreover, based on the report, the problem hasn't been solved yet."
Kurt was right. This caused Theodore to nod immediately. "Yes, the remnant of the warlock that I released still remains in the world. And I couldn't confirm the life or death of Crowd von Russell, 1st Sword of the empire."
"Certainly, neither of them can be overlooked."
Jerem had been badly damaged by Mitra, but a warlock of the 9th circle was still a disaster itself. The strength of the Pale Rider and the undead was alarming. It was imperative to pull out their roots as soon as possible. Compared to that, Crowd was a slightly lower priority. However, he still wasn't a person to be treated lightly. He was a man with the ability to reverse the war, which was almost over.
Misfortune could still occur if they were careless.
"…Even so, the horrible history of the war in the North was the experiment of a grimoire… It is a truth that shouldn't be recorded in history."
"Yes, I think so as well."
"I wonder if I should be relieved that it is over or feel angry about the rest of the work that needs to be done. These days, the weight of the crown has increased even more." The king laughed as he spoke.
He was glad that the war which had lasted for centuries was finally over, but he was sad that all this bloodshed had been from acting as someone's puppet. It was the first time Theodore had seen Kurt look like this. The wise king of Meltor, the one who led the magic kingdom, was speaking sincerely to him. Was it from the fatigue? Or―
'Ah, I see.' Theodore finally realized his own position. 'Blundell is gone, while Veronica is tied to me. It isn't intentional, but Meltor's power has been swallowed up by me.'
One of the two magicians who reigned as Meltor's pillars had died, and the other one was tied to Theodore. Theodore was also an 8th circle magician, so he was the only one who could be called superior to Kurt. He was unquestionably the supreme power in Meltor.
Facing this, Kurt had two choices—no, it was only one. He had to be open and sincere, sharing the matters of the kingdom with Theodore. If he tried to push Theodore away from the kingdom, he would lose too much.
The alliance with Elvenheim that Theo was the cause of…
The alliance with Austen that was based on Aquilo's strength…
Two 8th circle magicians…
For Meltor, who had consumed a great deal of power in this war, these losses would be a huge blow to the national force.
'Well, I don't want to leave in the first place.'
Theodore could grasp this kingdom if he wanted to, but he didn't have that type of desire. He would rather grab a few books from the Zero Library. Setting that thought aside to ask about later, Theodore brought up a topic that Kurt hadn't mentioned. "Your Majesty, about the Yellow Tower Master…"
"Yes." Kurt cleared his throat in response to 'Yellow Tower Master.' "The Yellow Tower Master—no, Paragranum. I know its identity. It is a secret passed down through generations of the royal family. I'd like to arrange a separate place to talk about it. You have just woken up, and I don't want to keep you for too long."
"I'm fine… but if that is Your Majesty's will."
Indeed, was there a secret between the royal family and Paragranum? Theodore felt curious as he accepted the proposal. If Paragranum had planned to flee, it would've already been gone by the time Theodore returned to Mana-vil. However, it still remained, showing that it was confident it could persuade Theodore.
"Okay, the talk will end here for today."
The two magicians nodded at the king's command, and the unexpected audience came to an end.
* * *
After separating from Veronica who had work to do as the Red Tower Master, Theodore walked through the empty hallways of the palace.
Had it been Kurt's consideration to allow him to avoid meeting people in public? Theodore walked away from the palace, where teleport magic was blocked. He intended to move to his room in the red tower as soon as he could use Teleport.
-User, Gluttony suddenly spoke up, -I didn't get to mention this to you before, but I have something to say.
"What's going on?"
-Let's start with my conclusion. There is no need to worry about that warlock called Jerem.
"What?" Theodore stopped moving at the words, before continuing again. "Even though his soul is severely damaged, isn't he a 9th circle magician with countless undead? I've only just reached the 8th circle, so I'm not sure I can win."
Theodore wasn't acting weak. The two undead summoned from Tartarus, the ghoul prince and helix ogre, were monsters that could only be killed by a few 8th circle magicians. What if there were hundreds more of those monsters? It was clear that Theodore would need to reach the 9th circle or a dragon on the continent would have to move to defeat them.
-But not at this time. Gluttony didn't agree. -The damage from Mitra's divine power has greatly limited his abilities. If he hadn't reached the 9th circle in his life, he would've perished on the spot. It isn't the kind of damage that can be recovered in a short period of time, even if he uses Life Drain or another technique. In the next few years, it will be difficult to use 8th circle magic, let alone 9th circle.
"…So, I can defeat him now."
-That's right. And about his undead… I agree that User can't go against them, so I handled it with my own authority.
This time, Theodore's feet couldn't move from the ground. "You handled it with your own authority? What does that mean?"
The undead hidden in the negative dimension—Tartarus—of the ancient warlock, Jerem, was enough to ruin the entire continent. How had Gluttony dealt with it despite not being able to escape from Theodore's palm? He couldn't understand it.
Then Gluttony replied in a somewhat satisfied voice, -After I ate Death's Worship, I gained control of the negative dimension. However, the creator of the negative dimension is still the boss. I decided to break in using a backdoor and try to steal the undead using the sub-master's authority. Moreover, if User was planning to go down the path of a necromancer, I had to dispose of any shortcuts as quickly as possible.
It was a reasonable point. Theodore nodded at the explanation and told it to get to the point.
-So.
"So?"
-I swallowed all of them and changed them into User's library points.
"…Huh?!"
The undead had been turned into Theodore's achievement points! Theodore's eyes widened with amazement, while Gluttony added to his joy.
-There are quite a few undead that couldn't be converted, but the harvest isn't bad because of the number of them. A dragon lich's life vessel is very rare. The chimera made of a demon's heart is also worthwhile. Thus, more points were obtained from the undead than I thought.
"Somehow, it feels like selling stolen goods."
Theodore was stunned as he had a large problem resolved and also obtained a lot of achievement points.
"How many points did I get?"
-Huhuhu, don't be surprised, Gluttony encouraged Theodore's expectations. -157,329 points.
"…Say it again."
-157,329 points. It is at least twice the points you got from Laevateinn. After this, the accumulated points total over 200,000, so a special function within me was released.
It wasn't enough that he had gotten over 100,000 achievement points in one go. A special function had been released as well. Theodore felt like this was a dream and knocked on his forehead several times. Fortunately, it wasn't a dream. As Theodore tried to regain his composure, Gluttony continued in an excited voice, -Isn't it better to see it once than listen a hundred times? I���ll show you.
Simultaneously, several notification messages popped up.
[Your cumulative achievement points have exceeded 200,000 points.]
[A hidden function of Gluttony has been discovered. The user should check the information about the function. This function will work normally regardless of the rank.]
[A grimoire that collects the strength and wisdom of books and artifacts. All of the magical pioneers are sleeping within Gluttony's soul. You can use the accumulated points to learn the knowledge of these distinguished magicians.]
[The Hall of Fame has been opened.]
Chapter 301 – Hall of Fame (1)
Flash!
Theodore appeared with a flash of light. As soon as he escaped from the teleport blockade, he moved from the halls of the palace to his private room.
He didn't want to walk around, but neither did he feel so tired that he wanted to lie down in bed right away. If it was as Kurt explained, no one would know that Theodore had already woken up. In that case, there was no need for him to cause a disturbance.
'I am worried about Sylvia and Master, but… His Majesty would've told me if something has happened to them.'
In Meltor, information could no longer be hidden or limited restricted to Theodore. Kurt knew this, so wasn't it impossible for him to hide news about Theo's people? It was right to think that nothing had happened in the meantime.
"Gluttony."
-I'm listening.
Theodore sat in his chair and requested, "Explain the feature called the Hall of Fame."
He had read the message a few times, but all it said was 'learn the accumulated knowledge of magicians using achievement points.' How could he learn it and what was included? He was forced to ask Gluttony directly.
-Okay. Unsurprisingly, Gluttony replied like it had been waiting. -As implied by the name, the Hall of Fame is a special function that exists to preserve the souls of memorable or worthy magicians. This feature applies to writers of books eaten by all users, from the Age of Mythology to present day. Only the most brilliant and outstanding ones are eligible for this function.
"…Since the Age of Mythology?"
-That's right. There is a magician who pulled an asteroid from outer space, and there's also a magician who made an underwater city at the bottom of the sea. Every single one of them has made a mark in the history of magic.
Meteor fall was a catastrophe which had been unintentionally caused by a great magician whilst exploring the sea of stars. The legendary underwater city known as Atlantis… Records said it was an island which had been sunk by the hands of Atlas during the Age of Mythology.
Some of the magicians were wicked, and others were good. However, their alignment didn't matter. Gluttony only cared about the magic. Thus, he collected the souls of over 100 great magicians. Sometimes, they were the enemies of his user. There were other times when they were disciples or heroes who fought on the battlefield together.
The Hall of Fame was like Gluttony's history built over thousands of years, maybe longer.
Theodore asked without hiding his surprise, "I can learn from them directly?"
-If you want. It is also possible to receive their assistance if you have enough achievement points.
"Assistance? Is it similar to the one question one answer function?"
-The question and answer is the most basic assistance, Gluttony gave a vague answer. Then it made a direct suggestion, -It is quicker to experience it once. How about it?
"Now?"
-Yes. You don't seem to have anything to do. If I am mistaken, I will apologize.
Theodore was a little worried, but his hesitation was brief. This was something he had to experience once, and it was hard for him to leave the room right now. He got up from the chair and moved to the bed before giving an answer. After all, be it Synchro or the Library, he had lost consciousness every time he used Gluttony's functions.
"Okay, I will try it once."
-A wise decision.
Gluttony moved at Theodore's consent.
[At User's request, the Hall of Fame has opened.]
[User currently has 157,329 achievement points.]
[Reconstructing the list of the Hall of Fame… Complete. The structure has been fixed in the form of a 'gallery', according to the user's recognition structure. There are three frames registered by User.]
[Connecting to the Hall of Fame.]
Theodore felt his consciousness being sucked away as always. Behind his eyelids, his spirit was being drawn into the hole on his left palm. The connection with his five senses faded, and the distinction between reality and his consciousness blurred. He was sucked into the vortex of irresistible attraction―
…Or he should have been.
'Uh, aren't I enduring well?'
Unlike before, Theodore remained conscious.
'Is it because I reached the 8th circle? If I go this way, I can enter Gluttony…'
Not long after that, Theodore clenched his teeth and prepared for the dizziness. Then his consciousness was sucked into Gluttony's vortex.
Kiiiing-! There was a sharp noise ringing in the mental world, where there was no concept of sound. Simultaneously, a wave of dizziness came over him. Theodore was stunned, dizzy, and then nauseous. Even so, he patiently endured it for a few minutes. Finally, the dizziness stopped. Theodore opened his tightly closed eyes and looked around.
[Ah…!]
Then he became thrilled.
[Is this the universe inside of Gluttony?]
There was a sea of endless darkness filled with shiny beads of light like the stars in the night sky. It was a huge and desolate universe. These were the words of old scholars: The sky, the earth, and the universe were wide and rough. If the study of magic touched the world, then the universe was waiting at the final destination.
Theodore refuse to imagine the end of the world that was infinitely expanding even now. It was a spectacular universe inside the grimoire, Gluttony of the Seven Sins.
-Hoh, you didn't lose consciousness. Gluttony recognized him. -If you look at it every day, you'll get no inspiration. But the first impression is the same for any user. Civilization as well. Once you observe it, you have no choice but to pursue it. Regardless of whether it is magic or science, there is nothing in history that hasn't challenged the universe. User, Theodore Miller, are you the same as the prophets?
[…I am a bit ashamed, but I can't deny it.]
Theodore's heart was beating rapidly. He'd thought that pursuing a dream was purely a privilege of childhood, but now a new fire was burning in Theodore's heart. A magician with eight circles could destroy a kingdom. However, even they weren't qualified to leave this earth and challenge the universe. Only a person who had become a true transcendent by completing nine circles, the circles beyond the frame of life, could qualify.
'Per ardua ad astra (Through adversity to the stars),' Theodore recalled an old saying he'd heard somewhere and clenched his fists.
-Here we are.
At that moment, gravity returned to Theodore's body.
"Wah!" Theodore stumbled a few steps due to the sudden change and opened his eyes after barely regaining his balance. "…This place."
In a simple word, it was a corridor. A gentle light shone from the lamps on the wall, and the passage was a straight path. There was a red carpet at his feet as he took careful steps. It was a landscape that could be present in a royal palace, but Theodore found a strange point.
Countless portraits hung along the corridor at regular intervals.
"Simon Magus… Georg Faust… Aleister Crowley…?"
There were nameplates at the bottom of the portraits lined up on the left and right. Even if he knew the history of the Age of Mythology, the great people who played active roles in that era were unknown. Theodore only knew about Surtr, the owner of Laevateinn and Paracelsus.
-You can touch it if you want.
Theodore reached out a finger according to Gluttony's words.
[Would you like to open Aleister Crowley? 48,316 points will be consumed to awaken this soul.]
"4-48,000?" Theodore panicked at the absurd number and let go, causing the message to disappear without a trace. If he thought about a grimoire that was worth 70,000 points, this was a truly ridiculous cost.
Then Gluttony chuckled and said, -I'm sorry, but this is just at an ordinary level, User. Simon Magus next to him requires 150,000 points to wake up.
"What? What type of magician is he?"
-He was the peak of gnosticism. He died in the challenge of the 10th circle, but his capabilities are considered within the top three inside this Hall of Fame.
Theodore gulped involuntarily. He didn't know who Simon Magus was, but Gluttony placed him within the top three despite having collected magicians for thousands of years? A monster that had reached the peak even during the Age of Mythology, where there were 100 grandmasters… He wasn't something that could be easily awakened with achievement points.
"Eh?" At that moment, there were some portraits that caught Theodore's eyes. "…Why are these portraits shining?"
The portrait before him wasn't reflecting the light. Rather, the frame itself was actually emitting light. Moreover, it wasn't just one. Theodore looked carefully at the contents of the portraits and staggered back. It wasn't because he discovered an unfamiliar face. On the contrary, it was because familiar faces welcomed him.
Gluttony confirmed Theodore's thoughts, -It is as you are thinking. These portraits are the souls personally collected by User.
From left to right, they were Heathcliff, Abe no Seimei, and Paracelsus. They were magicians worthy of being in the Hall of Fame.
"The authors of the books I ate are here…" Theodore looked at the three portraits with a strange sentiment.
Meanwhile, Gluttony continued, -They don't need to be opened up separately, and it doesn't cost a big price to talk to them. It is also possible to get their help easier than other souls if you use achievement points.
"Their help… For example?"
-The lingering attachments left by great magicians like them are usually hard to solve. Furthermore, in the case of a unique ability, it is often impossible to learn even after completing Transmission. It is like Paracelsus' Discerning Eye, that is innate to him, or Heathcliff's Prophecy.
Theodore nodded. Their unique abilities were extraordinary and powerful. If he could borrow these abilities at will, it would be worth spending the achievement points.
'Ah, that reminds me.' Theodore looked at the portraits and remembered the past. 'When you have reached the boundary of a mortal, go once again to the world tree… Should I ask Paracelsus about that?'
Having gone from the 7th circle to the 8th circle, there was only one wall left to transcend. So, Theodore probably met the criteria now. He looked at Paracelsus' portrait. Paracelsus was a dignified and elegant magician with a white beard. However, there was an unquenchable curiosity and playfulness in his eyes.
'…No, it would be hard to hear a proper answer.' Theodore's intuition spoke to him. The hint that the old man gave Theodore previously was the only thing he would hear, so it wasn't worth wasting achievement points. Thus, Theodore stood in front of a different portrait and reached out a hand.
-User, will you receive his help?
"Yes, please."
-…I don't understand your intentions, but okay. I will approve the request and call the soul.
At the same time, several notification messages popped up.
[Heathcliff's soul has been called.]
[It is a soul directly collected by the user. A conversation with the soul won't consume any achievement points.]
The left hanging portrait shone, and the shadow of a man walked out. He was a middle-aged bearded man in white robes. It was the former master of the white tower and writer of the Book of Clouds, Heathcliff.
"Ah, you called me." He saw Theodore in front of him and his eyes widened. "��What? You've already reached the 8th circle? It isn't uncommon to be surpassed by juniors, but I never had that experience. I didn't know I would fall behind first."
"I-I'm sorry?"
"Don't worry. My stomach is just slightly sick," Heathcliff started the conversation with a silly joke before nodding calmly. "So? Why have you called me, Junior? You hardly need my help now with your skills."
"If only that was the case." Theodore had a purpose for calling Heathcliff. "I would like to request for Senior's specialty."
"Hrmm, my specialty?"
"Yes." Theodore took a deep breath and confronted Heathcliff's hazy eyes. "Please read the mysteries known only to heaven for me."
Chapter 302 – Hall of Fame (2)
Heathcliff's eyes narrowed at the cryptic words. "…Read the mysteries of the heavens?"
"Yes."
It might sound strange, but the two people knew what it meant in this situation.
In the Eastern language, the phrase 'reading the mysteries of the heavens,' meant literally reading heavenly secrets. It was a phrase that metaphorically pointed to 'future work', an area that those with predictive abilities knew about but didn't want to commit to.
According to the long memories of Abe no Seimei, one of the greatest shamans in the east, reading the mysteries of the heavens was a taboo that shouldn't be violated.
"Sigh, you have penetrated the essence of my magic." However, Heathcliff didn't respond to the request directly. He gave a long sigh and scratched his head several times.
Theodore nodded without saying anything.
The White Tower Master Heathcliff's unique power wasn't to control terrible storms, neither was it magic like Supercell. Instead, it was actually the ability to read the mysteries of the heavens! It was different from short-term predictions, including Alfred's super sensitivity. The ever-changing future was fluid and was an area where mortals couldn't intervene. Heathcliff made predictions by observing the curves.
Theodore had inferred Heathcliff's essence by looking back at his old memories after reaching the 8th circle.
-Well, I ended up dying in the middle of nowhere.
-Don't tell me…! Didn't you see into the future?
-Maybe, maybe not. I don't know what happened after I died. Now, it is your turn.
Even though seeing the future was rare, it didn't mean that death could be avoided just by seeing the future. If there was a prognosis that called for death, it was a foreknowledge that a mortal body couldn't bear. Heathcliff's foresight wasn't something that could be acquired, even if Transmission was finished. The power to read the mysteries of the heavens was Heathcliff's only Sorcery, a unique magic that had barely completed during his lifetime.
"Well, okay," Heathcliff accepted Theodore's demands. Then he advised, "I want to tell you one thing before that. Reading the 'heavens' reduces the life of a mortal. But I'm dead. Do you understand what that means?"
"…I have to pay for the reading."
"Correct. I don't know how much, but a huge amount of your achievement points will be consumed. If you don't mind that, I will take a look."
The heavens was an area that wasn't accessible to mortals. It contained confidential information that could only be found by transcendents of this material world and couldn't be used without a penalty.
"Yes, it doesn't matter." Yet Theodore accepted it without hesitation.
'Surely it won't cost 100,000 points?'
Theodore now had points to spare after stealing from Jerem's Tartarus. Then a notification window appeared before him.
[You have chosen to use target name Heathcliff's Reading the Mysteries of Heaven. That rating is B+. Depending on how far and how closely you look, the consumption of achievement points will vary greatly.]
[The minimum range for Reading the Mysteries of Heaven is one month, and the achievement points consumed is 3,000 points.]
[It is set according to the user's discretion.]
'3,000 points.'
It wasn't bad. This was a bigger expenditure than he'd expected, but it was at a level that he could afford easily with 150,000 points. However, he thought a month was too short. How much achievement points would be consumed if it was at least three months?
The notification window appeared again, as if to answer the question.
[The duration is 3 months, the accuracy is high, and 48,000 points will be consumed. The capacity will increase as the time zone expands, so the consumption of achievement points will increase.]
[Error! You can't set the accuracy as 'high.' By adjusting the accuracy to the 'normal' level, 24,000 points will be consumed.]
Theodore took a deep breath and swallowed hard. 48,000 points… and now 24,000 points for ordinary accuracy! Reading the heavens cost the same amount of achievement points as opening the soul of a great magician. Theodore felt conflicted for a brief moment.
He was worried about Jerem's presence, but did he need to spend 24,000 points for an inaccurate prophecy?
'No, it is worth it if there is danger in the future.'
Furthermore, even though Heathcliff couldn't read the future accurately… If Theodore wasn't careful about threats, he might suffer more damage than when Invidia attacked. In the end, Theodore decided on the painful expense. "Then please do so, Senior."
Heathcliff closed his eyes. "…Okay, let's take a long look."
It was called looking at the future, but one's eyes were useless when it came to predictions. No, they were more of a hindrance. This was why the ancient prophets sometimes dug out their eyes. Heathcliff soon opened his eyes.
"Ah." Theodore covered his mouth from the shock. It was natural that he do so, since Heathcliff's eyes had turned completely blue and were swirling like a wave.
"…Ohh… Oh…ohhh…" He groaned like an ill or dying person. "…Seen…"
Reading the Mysteries of Heaven was used.
「The worshipper of death hides. 」
「The shadow of the false god is lifted. 」
「 The person who devoured the remains of the light and was exiled will return. 」
「Big birds and snakes are surrounding a tree. 」
「The squirrels will help you to repay the favor. 」
It was exactly five sentences. After that, Heathcliff's murmuring stopped, and his blue eyes returned to their original state. A magician who understood the true meaning of those eyes didn't exist in this era.
Theodore summarized it simply, "It is vague."
They might be key clues, but it was impossible to understand before the situations occurred. The worshipper of death was certainly Jerem, but there were doubts about the false god, the remains of light, the big birds and snakes. The same was true for the squirrels who would repay his grace.
"Prophecies are originally like this. There are no prophets in the myths or legends who explain clearly."
"Is that so?"
"That's right." Heathcliff shrugged and stepped back. "Well, then my role ends here?"
Was he returning to his portrait? As his form became increasingly blurred, Theodore threw out a forgotten question, "Ah, Senior! Is there a lingering regret that Senior left behind?"
"Huh? A lingering regret… Let's see?" Heathcliff made a noncommittal reply while returning to his portrait. "I'll tell you when I think about it!"
Then he was gone. The frowning Theodore was left behind, and the Hall of Fame sank into silence. Even though he was dead, Heathcliff's free-spirited personality hadn't changed much. Theodore regained his composure and looked at the other two portraits.
'There are many things I want to discuss with both of them, but… right now, it is better to focus on the prophecy. I will call Seimei after I became a transcendent.'
Theodore spoke into the empty space, "Gluttony, I will leave now."
The notification messages were Gluttony's reply.
[At User's request, the Hall of Fame has closed.]
[User currently has 133,329 achievement points.]
[Closing the Hall of Fame.]
* * *
The next day, Theodore was analyzing Heathcliff's prophecy when he made a surprised expression. "His Majesty called me?"
"Yes, Captain Theodore." The servant bowed politely as he delivered Kurt's message. "It isn't just you. The White Tower Master and all of the people who participated in the last battle have been called."
"What is the reason?"
"Well, it is…"
The servant's words were unsure, so Theodore felt like he had to listen to Kurt speak personally. Kurt had concealed the fact that Theodore had awakened from people. The fact that he was calling Theodore, the White Tower Master, and other people meant it was something big.
"Let's go." Theodore put on a red robe and left his room.
"Follow me please." The servant took three steps in front of Theodore and led the way. This was to avoid the attention of others. Thanks to the servant, Theodore could reach the royal palace without any disturbances and entered the room where Kurt was waiting.
Then several voices rang out as Theodore entered.
"Theo!"
"…You've woken up. I am glad to see that you are well."
"Not even giving me a hint, isn't that too much?"
Sylvia, Orta, and Randolph greeted him in turn, while more and more people were attracted by the fuss. Surprisingly, there was no reaction from Veronica. However, when Theodore looked at her, she blew him a kiss. In some ways, it was the behavior of a victor.
After a few minutes of turmoil, Kurt entered and settled on the throne, causing the room to calm down. "I'm sorry about the sudden call. However, this issue isn't something to be treated lightly, so I gathered all the parties involved."
There was one thing that everyone present had in common. They had been mobilized against Andras and involved in the battle against Invidia. Aside from the two guardians of Elvenheim, the seriously wounded, and the dead, everyone else was gathered here.
"Last night, an envoy arrived from the Andras Empire." However, Kurt wouldn't have called them here if it was just that. "I received a letter with the official stamp of the emperor of Andras."
This caused a great stir. It was natural as the emperor of Andras, the monster called Invidia, had vanished without a trace in the Nadun Mountains. Now, a self-proclaimed emperor had appeared in Andras. Hadn't Invidia died? Or had the fight for the throne ended in just a few days, with the crowning of a new emperor?
"The name of that emperor was also written in the letter," Kurt continued.
Then in front of all the people with questions, he read out the words at the bottom of the stamped letter, "Andras' 19th emperor, Crowd von Andras."
Chapter 303 – End of War Agreement (1)
Crowd—there was no one who didn't know that name. Amazement and doubts filled their faces. The surname was slightly different, but his identity was obvious.
He was the empire's 1st Sword, Andras' strongest swordsman. They didn't know how it happened, but Crowd von Russel had become Andras' 19th emperor.
"…I don't remember seeing his body in the Nadun Mountains."
"Yes, but being coronated in a few days…?"
"It is a ridiculous replacement."
Among the buzz of the people's chatter, the white-masked Orta muttered in a quiet voice, "It isn't impossible if he used force. Now that almost all of the Seven Swords are dead, there is no power in Andras that can stop him."
It was as Orta said. The swordsman Crowd was the best swordsman of this age, so he could take over the throne with force. He wouldn't raise an eyebrow even if all of Belfort's army went against him. Crowd was literally the strongest person in Andras. In a nation which had been founded upon the idea that a strong man stood on top, it was highly probable that Crowd had become emperor of Andras with his own power.
"I also agree with White Tower Master's words," the king sitting on the throne, Kurt III, agreed with Orta's opinion. "Until now, the monster called Invidia had worn the emperor's mask, so he didn't dare try. It was how the imperial bloodline was maintained in a single family up until now. But after Invidia died in the last battle, there is no obstacle in the way of Crowd's rule."
"Additionally, the national ideal of the Andras Empire is to follow the strong, so there wouldn't be an uprising."
"That's right. From this point on, we must recognize him as the emperor of Andras and evaluate his letter based on the appropriate standards."
The 1st Sword of the Seven Swords was a great position, but it was incomparable to the emperor's authority. The value of this letter was the same. The letter written by Crowd von Russel and Crowd von Andras was like the difference between heaven and earth.
Kurt looked at the letter in his hand and continued speaking, "Crowd, the emperor of Andras, has asked for a ceasefire in order to negotiate terms."
"Ceasefire… to end the war?"
A ceasefire and ending the war… The meaning was similar, yet significantly different.
Kurt nodded at Orta's words and read the letter again to deduce the author's intent. "Perhaps it is a preliminary negotiation. If we don't agree, he knows they have no chance of winning if we keep fighting."
The empire had already been defeated—Kurt firmly asserted this. "Crowd might've survived, but there is no way that Andras can win when the empire's Seven Swords are almost collapsed. By ascending the throne, the queen chess piece has become the king. He is in a position where he can't freely move. He has lost his ability to act as a trump card and doesn't have the power to reverse the situation anymore."
"They are fair words."
The emperor was the strongest sword master, but an emperor had two important roles.
It might be possible if half of the empire's Seven Swords were alive to support him. However, without a rook, bishop, or knight, the movements of a king were severely limited. Moreover, unlike a queen, Crowd already knew that the Andras Empire was completely defeated.
Thus, he had asked for a momentary ceasefire in order to present some conditions.
"From here on, I'll read out the contents." This was the main point. Kurt held the letter and started reading it. "I hope that Andras and Meltor will move their armies away from the forefront and discuss the end of the war in the northern part of the Sipoto Plains, which is the midpoint between the two places. I, Crowd, will come directly as the representative of Andras. I will acknowledge our defeat in this war and make a few promises first."
Kurt raised an eyebrow at the next words but continued reading the letter.
– – – –
One. The Andras Empire promises to give up the name of the empire. I will build an autonomous nation where people of ethnic minorities, who want freedom, can live.
Two. The Andras Empire will hand over 30% of the territory close to the border of the Meltor Kingdom and permanently give up the right to occupy them. The choice of territory is entirely up to Meltor.
Three. I will establish a semi-permanent non-aggression treaty between Andras and Meltor, as well as designate a safe zone where we can trade regularly. I hope to promote a friendship between the two nations. All tariffs incurred in the trade zone for the next 10 years will be borne by Andras.
– – – –
"…Now, anyone here can negotiate these terms."
After Kurt was done, the expressions of the people present changed.
As if to represent them, Orta opened his mouth, "The conditions are bad. No, it is hard to negotiate any further. Andras was able to dominate the Northern Continent because of their territory and population. Now they are giving up both things. They do actually mean to end the conflict in the Northern Continent."
There were those who would want to keep fighting, but the people gathered here weren't stupid. Even if they continued the war to subjugate Andras, it was impossible to tightly control the vast land. It was a different story if they could take over 30% with peaceful bargaining. That would be enough to make up for the power Meltor had lost in the war.
Andras would become an autonomous state and trade zone…?
That was nothing more than a roundabout declaration of surrender, cutting off their hands and feet. Andras might survive the end of this war, but they would never beat Meltor again. That's why the facial expressions of those present were strange.
"By the way, there is one unrelated condition," Kurt spoke again and turned to Theodore. "Emperor Crowd has demanded that Theodore take part in the negotiation. He has a story to share with you, regardless of whether you are the leader or just part of the group. Perhaps it is something related to the former emperor, Invidia. What do you want to do?"
"I…" Theodore was troubled for a moment.
It was true that he was curious about the information Crowd had. The information was obviously closely related to Invidia. If Invidia had truly wanted to kill him, even Crowd would've died in the Nadun Mountains. It now seemed necessary to grasp why Crowd had become the emperor.
"I will accompany the group."
"Your Majesty, I will follow. Won't it make things more certain?" Veronica raised a hand after Theodore's reply.
It made sense. Crowd might've become the emperor, but there was the possibility that he was seeking Theodore's neck. However, he wouldn't be able to do anything against two 8th circle magicians moving together.
"Please do so," Kurt agreed with her and nodded. "The date for the signing of the new agreement is in a fortnight. You all can relax, while Theodore and Veronica will prepare as the heads of the group. White Tower Master, please assist them if they require it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I hope that this agreement will bring peace to the Northern Continent. I am ashamed to rely on you again when you aren't in perfect condition. After this situation is over, I will provide proper compensation."
The meeting abruptly ended.
* * *
A fortnight… It was both a long and short period of time, but every moment was valuable to Theodore. He escaped from the palace grounds and moved to an area near the capital. It was the new Miller estate that he planned to visit. The guards were surprised by the unexpected teleportation, but their eyes widened after seeing his robe.
"No, who are you? Heok, that robe…?"
"A-Are you perhaps Prime Theodore—no, Marquis Miller?"
There was no need to respond with words. Theodore nodded, and they instantly saluted. It was a normal reaction. As Meltor's hero, Theodore was a person whose name was heard at any busy area in this kingdom. He didn't know it, but his popularity had long overtaken the king's.
"Oh, my. Who is this?" A woman embraced him as soon as he entered the drawing room. The warm and familiar smell disarmed all of Theodore's alertness. She could use perfume and cosmetics now that she was a senior noble, but his mother was still the same. Holding Theodore firmly in her arms, she then looked back.
"Honey! Leo! Theo has returned!"
"What?! Who came?"
"Brother! It really is Brother!"
His father had thinning hair, and his brother, Leonardo, was much bigger than before. His family gathered in an instant around Theodore. He was awkward after not seeing them for a long time, but his parents and brother talked without noticing.
There were stories about Theodore's achievements or earls he didn't know. Theodore made a surprised expression when he heard that Leonardo was better at the sword than at magic.
"Really?"
"Indeed. It is so cute how he plays with a wooden sword all day. What did the knight who taught him say? He said he wanted Leo to be his disciple."
"Wow, Leo. Don't you have amazing skills?" Theodore patted Leo's head, causing him to giggle.
Was it because he wasn't accustomed to being praised by his brother? Theodore watched him approvingly before secretly asking his parents for the authenticity of the story. If it was true that his brother had talent, then Theodore would recommend a proper teacher for him.
"Is there someone that you have in mind?"
"There are two possible people."
They were Randolph and Rebecca. One was a sword master, and the other was facing the wall to becoming a master. Both of them would be suitable to be Leonardo's teacher. However, Randolph had shown his skills in the war, so he was likely to become a high-ranking noble. Such a person couldn't become a tutor.
'I will ask Rebecca later.'
It might be different if she went up the master ranks like Randolph, but she couldn't stay beside Theodore with her current abilities. As such, it was more efficient to make her Leonardo's teacher and entrust her with protecting his family. Finally, Theodore stopped worrying. He wanted to enjoy this time with his family.
Then came the very next day. After breakfast with his family, Theodore returned to Mana-vil Capital. He walked around the infirmary looking for a certain name. Although he could ask the receptionist, Theodore didn't want to attract unnecessary attention.
[Vince Haidel]
Soon after, Theodore found what he was looking for.
"…I'm coming in." He entered without waiting for a reply.
His teacher, whom he hadn't seen in a few months, was lying on the bed. Vince Haidel, the war mage in red robes, looked haggard, but he welcomed Theodore with a large smile. "Ah, I was wondering who would be so impolite. I've heard all about your activities. You did really well."
"Master."
"You don't have to feel sorry for me. I fought my best on the battlefield and got this result. Rather, I am proud that I survived the western front."
His words weren't wrong. It was a miracle that he had survived the onslaught of Invidia and the surviving Seven Swords.
Vince pointed to the empty left leg socket and said with a refreshed expression, "It is done. Vince Haidel will now live as a magician, not a war mage. I might be suited for it, but I didn't really like fighting. A small library room with a pen and parchment is good enough for me. The things you tell me are sufficient to last the rest of my life."
Thinking of the analysis of ancient languages to the reinterpretation of ancient civilizations, Vince laughed like he was really happy. His face sincerely showed that he didn't care about a lost leg. In the end, Theodore couldn't help laughing as well. The weight of the elixir in his pocket was unbearable. If he handed the elixir over now, Vince would wave his hand and tell him to use it for more important situations. Theodore Miller knew from a very long time ago that he was such a person.
'I don't know who was worried about whom.'
Theodore took off his robe and sat in the chair next to the bed. He forgot all the complicated stories and chatted with his teacher. This chat started at noon and continued until the sun went down.
"Why do you keep moving around?"
Until the day of the promised meeting, Theodore met and talked with people.
He went to see the injured elves, and he comforted Sylvia, who was saddened by her grandfather's death. Theodore also shared a cup with those who celebrated his victory and spoke with elders of the Magic Society.
Time passed by, and the promised day arrived.
Chapter 304 – End of War Agreement (2)
The Sipoto Plains…
It was a boundary dividing the northern and central parts of the continent, a neutral zone that didn't belong to any powers. Dry winds blew throughout the year, with clouds and raindrops hardly ever present. It was a desolate wasteland. This wasn't a suitable environment for nomadic people to live in, so they wandered around the continent instead.
Hwiooooong…! The wind blew.
It had become moist since a while ago. This westerly wind, which had a bit of moisture, had started to blow after the sand dragon, Desertio, died.
Some knew the story, but most people didn't.
Nature had realized before anyone else. This was no longer a wilderness where only weeds could grow. The seeds of eaten fruit dropped onto the clothing of travelers, rolled off their carriages, and into the ground, where they started sprouting buds. The change couldn't be felt in a few years, but after a hundred years, nobody would be able to call this place a wilderness anymore.
However, visitors arrived before a hundred years had passed.
Flash! There was a bright flash of light, and a majestic magic circle appeared on the ground that previously contained nothing. Unlike the disposable magic circles that disappeared after arriving, this one was built for round trip purposes. The white tower had invented it many years ago.
The people who appeared on it looked at the dust clouds.
"Cough, it looks like we need to do something about the dust clouds." The young man wearing a red robe waved his hand, lifting the dust cloud and revealing the scenery.
There was a beauty, also wearing a red robe.
Then there was a man with two swords hanging at his waist.
Finally, there was a magician in a white mask and white robe.
This was the moment when Theodore Miller, leading the main powers of the Meltor Kingdom, took his first step onto the Sipoto Plains.
"…Amazing," Orta spoke while walking behind Theodore. "Creating a magic circle from Mana-vil to Sipoto by yourself. Even the Red Tower Master and Blue Tower Master couldn't do this… Your Sorcery is more special than I imagined."
That's right. The person who invoked the long-distance teleport set up in Meltor palace's garden hadn't been White Tower Master Orta but Theodore.
"Well, I don't fully know yet." Theodore looked down at his hands with a subtle expression. He didn't think it was much to be excited about, but it was different if both Veronica and Blundell had failed to do this. The reason for it was possibly his Forced Harmonization, just like Orta said.
'I feel like I have taken a step further.'
He couldn't help looking at his right arm. The Umbra imprint, the tattoo that had given him its power, had disappeared. Of course, it didn't mean he had lost the ability. After he reached the 8th circle and healed Veronica's soul, the mark no longer appeared on his skin. It was perfectly within Theodore's body and naturally lent its power. Umbra was also a multidimensional power, so there was no reason for him to be lacking when it came to comprehending space magic.
"Theo became better than you in a day or two? How refreshing," Veronica muttered from next to him
Randolph nodded. "I'm not trying to ignore you, but isn't it too late to be surprised now?"
"…Indeed."
Theodore had called a dragon, a god from an old era, and an ancient warlock… Just as Randolph said, it was too late to be surprised simply because of space magic.
"It seems like Andras has arrived first." Theodore used flying magic to look around and soon found the Andras flag.
There was a splendid building that had just been erected. The empire's distinctive architectural form appeared on the wasteland. The tower rose into the sky, and a familiar presence was felt.
Crown von Andras—Andras' strongest sword master and its emperor—was waiting for them.
"Ah, we've been noticed."
Just as Veronica said, Crowd had noticed their arrival one beat later, and his presence became greatly exaggerated. Should they fly over? A magician who could use flying magic didn't have to walk up stairs. Randolph was one person, so it was possible to carry him.
The shadow of four people appeared in the sky and then landed on the ground.
Tak.
At this moment, Theodore and three other people landed on the tower that contained Crowd. It was in a few blinks of an eye. Crowd didn't show any surprise by their sudden appearance and greeted them slowly, "You came, dear enemies."
He had black hair and turquoise eyes that weren't shaken, despite the power he was facing. The 19th emperor of Andras stood in front of them without a sword.
"You have no fear… What if we try to kill you?" Veronica couldn't help asking.
"It is a fight I can't win. It is better to come with bare hands, since you would be alert if I was armed," Crowd answered openly.
Theodore felt a strange trust in the Crowd who didn't hide his intentions and intervened in the conversation between the two. "Do you really intend to end this northern war?"
"I think that it can't be helped. If we keep fighting, the defeat of the empire is definite. Maybe we can strike you until the end, but what is the value of the blood that will be shed?"
"…You are serious." After obtaining another divinity, Theodore could see the truth contained in another person's words. Knowing that Crowd was talking from his heart, Theodore fell silent for a moment.
Unless Crowd was trying to make a move, this agreement would be a huge benefit for not just Andras, but Meltor as well. Even if victory was confirmed, a war would still cause blood to flow and national power to be consumed. There was a possibility that the benefits gained from achieving victory would be low by the time Andras was completely destroyed.
This was an opportunity to completely cut off the chain of hatred that had been inherited for hundreds of years due to Invidia.
"But there is an answer that I must hear before that," Theodore spoke in a cold voice as he cut to the chase. "You, what is your identity?"
Crowd had survived at the hands of Invidia who could wipe out Theodore's group of four without hesitation, a monster that had even repelled the incomplete god-king, Nuada. There was a sword master that wasn't killed despite mountains being crushed by the aftermath of the attack? The only way Crowd could have survived was because Invidia had spared him.
Thus, Theodore had to find out why. It was enough to have one monster who concealed his identity as a neighbor.
"Sigh, coming all the way here only to hide it would be funny." For the first time, Crowd showed some emotion. This was clearly an expression of self-mockery. "I am a waste."
"What?" The four people were surprised by his words.
"A chunk of waste that Invidia, the 'envy' of the Seven Sins, couldn't consume. An excrement of unnecessary ego, strength, and memories. To put it more plainly, I am food waste."
"…"
"500 years—no, counting from the beginning of the founding period, it has been nearly 700 years. The number of sword masters eaten by him was in the hundreds, and the accumulated egos and remnants of memories reached saturation. So, he made me. He wanted to isolate any unnecessary human debris outside his body."
It was terrible. The four people were like statues as Crowd's words continued. Even Veronica, who had grown up in a bad home environment, paled. Crowd wasn't a human. He had been made by necessity and sometimes used depending on the purpose. Simply put, he was a 'tool,' something that shouldn't have awakened an ego and formed emotions.
"…Crowd von Andras," Theodore pushed down the feeling of nausea and spoke while staring into the Crowd's eyes, "If this is true, why are you the emperor?"
Invidia had referred to the North as a 'breeding ground,' a breeding ground where Andras and Meltor fought each other in order to nurture suitable sword masters.
It was a place where loyalty and patriotism weren't rewarded.
The wreckage filled Crowd's body was a residue of this. He couldn't avoid feeling hatred, and he couldn't avoid blaming someone. Crowd was eligible to hate Andras more than anyone else. Rather than defending the empire, it wasn't strange if he tried to destroy it.
"I also thought so at first. If the day comes when my sword regains freedom, I will destroy it personally."
A question of 'Why didn't you?' was present in Theodore's eyes.
"200 years," Crowd spoke in a voice that sounded old. "After 200 years, the anger boiling inside me cooled down and the hatred lost its sharpness. I watched humans who knew nothing, raised disciples who knew nothing, and fought against enemies who knew nothing."
"So?"
"I realized that my hatred was aimed in the wrong direction."
Their deaths might've been tragic, but the knights inside Crowd had devoted themselves to the nation. Since childhood, they had lived lives of loyalty, honing their sword skills and gaining honor. Crowd didn't know what Meltor was like, but these people loved Andras in their own way and were faithful to it.
Once his anger and hatred scattered, Crowd barely became aware of his own wish.
"Roy hoped that no one else in his hometown would die of hunger. Dixen prayed for a country where children could laugh. Carlos wanted the great empire to last forever. I received this life from them. So, it wouldn't be strange for me to want to preserve Andras." Crowd finished his story that was both long and short, and no one could open their mouths. Maybe it was because he had been born a non-human that he wanted to live like a human more than anyone else.
The hostility of the four people disappeared. Monsters couldn't be understood, but Crowd's heart was understood by all of the four people present. Crowd might have been born of a monster, but he was all too human.
"…A non-human has become a human."
"I think it is quite funny."
Theodore couldn't help laughing, and Crowd smiled as well. The rest of the people were the same. A light breeze filled the tower as a decision was made.
Then Theodore took one step forward and said to Crowd, "Your Majesty." Unlike before, Theodore was now polite and courteous. "Meltor acknowledges your appointment as emperor of Andras and promises to participate in this meeting for an agreement to end the war."
"Heh. Thank you, Sir Theodore."
It was the greeting of a formal envoy. As Theodore remained on one knee, he spoke of his anxiety before starting the full-fledged talks. "By the way, what did you want to talk to me about? Surely it isn't about the terms of the agreement."
"Ah, I called you because you are involved."
"What does that mean?" Theodore made a bewildered expression.
This caused Crowd to answer with a strange smile, "The warlock who you released into the world, Jerem, approached me."
"What?!"
The four people stiffened at the startling words.
Chapter 305 – End of War Agreement (3)
It was a surprising story. The 9th circle warlock—that had been released from the grimoire, Death's Worship—had tried to contact the emperor of Andras?
Maybe Jerem was aiming to fill the vacancy left by the former emperor, Invidia. Most of the Seven Swords had been lost, but the power of Andras was still strong. They had wide lands and a vast population, which was something that would be hard for a warlock to ignore.
Andras had humans to supply as offerings.
They occupied close to 60% of the Northern Continent. Sacrificing just 1% or 2% of the population would be enough to gain a tremendous power. If Jerem obtained the throne of Andras, Meltor would have to devastate Belfort with their full power right now.
With a cold light in his eyes, Crowd started to talk about the warlock, "Somehow, he knew my identity and looked for me. He thought I was a power-blinded traitor and said that we could control this Northern Continent if we joined hands."
"Hah, it isn't out of the question."
"If I were interested in necrophilia, I would've thought about it for five minutes."
Theodore laughed at Crowd's words. It was true, despite being a joke. If Crowd had concealed this fact and colluded with Jerem, most of Andras' population would be used as sacrifices for black magic. The Northern Continent would've turned to hell in one month, rather than the three months that Heathcliff had seen.
"But I didn't want to rule over rotten corpses, so I refused."
"Did he step back?"
"No way. He revealed his true colors on the spot. Vampires, banshees, and other things appeared behind him." Crowd stroked his empty sheath and his eyes deepened as he looked back at the memories of that time.
After all, Jerem was a legend who had reached the status of the 9th circle. So, it was a terrible experience even for Crowd, who could be called the strongest swordsman of this era.
Crowd continued speaking in a much heavier tone, "Honestly, it was pretty dangerous. This is despite the fact that he was in a terrible state and I was in perfect condition. If my helper hadn't arrived at that moment, it is likely that this meeting would've been canceled."
"Helper?"
"Haven't you seen him once? The bow master who possesses the ability of foresight, he helped me.
"Ah." Theodore was convinced.
He had been wondering why the bow master hadn't shown up with Invidia. If that person was Crowd's helper, then it was natural that he wouldn't join in on the wild suicide mission. For a mercenary, this was merely a contractual relationship. It was rare for mercenaries to accept a mission where they would die, even if they were paid for it.
As one knot unraveled in his head, Theodore asked another question, "So? Did you kill Jerem?"
"No, he ran away. Somehow, he couldn't show off his full ability. It was clear that the longer the fight went on, more energy was being consumed. He held on for an hour before giving up."
Theodore nodded. As Gluttony said, Jerem had suffered a deadly blow. Despite his opponent being inferior to him, Jerem had retreated because he couldn't continue fighting. This meant Theodore could defeat Jerem now. Theodore had to quickly search for Jerem while he wasn't in a perfect state.
"From now on, it is the main point." At this time, Crowd spoke with a serious expression. "In the process of trying to sway me, I was able to find out the warlock's intentions. I know what he is trying to do and where his next destination is."
"…Where?"
Theodore couldn't help reacting by leaning his upper body forward, which caused Crowd to smile.
"Heh. I can't tell you everything."
"What?"
"Now, let's start the agreement to end the war. I wonder what concessions I can get with this information."
Theodore lost his composure and raised his voice, "You are using information about Jerem to negotiate? Don't you know that neglecting him will cause a disaster for the entire continent?"
"I'm sorry, but we are also on the brink."
"Kuk…!"
It seemed that Crowd was already taking action as an emperor, regardless of how long it had been since he was crowned. The frustrated Theodore was forced to take a step back. Clearly, it was impossible to persuade the ruler of Andras, who sat on the throne of responsibility. Moreover, it wasn't Theodore or Veronica who was in charge of the negotiations but Orta.
"…Sigh. Then please do so, White Tower Master."
Orta nodded and replied, "Don't worry. Not everything will be decided with this agreement. Just think of it as the basis of diplomacy."
"Thank you."
"Still, it will take a few hours. I will try to conclude it as quickly as possible." Orta sat facing Crowd on behalf of Theodore and pulled out the stack of documents he had prepared in advance.
From here on out, these would be the real negotiations.
How far would they go and what would they get? This was a battle that went beyond the military forces. Veronica hated the sight of documents, Randolph only knew the sword, and Theodore only had knowledge from the library, so it wasn't a struggle they could involve themselves in.
Three hours later…
"…This seems to be the primary agreement."
"I agree. I'm a little tired."
The two people—Crowd and White Tower Master Orta—talked in the same language, but the matters were so complicated that it was difficult to understand what they were saying.
The brief summary was as followed:
The designation and development of the trade zones, excluding some of the mines in Meltor's 30% territory that they obtained, would be divided into 5:5. Unlike the conditions in the first letter which were one-sidedly disadvantageous, Andras could get reasonable benefits.
"Okay, I will keep my promise." Crowd had a tired but satisfied face as he turned to Theodore. The half-dozing Veronica and Randolph woke up, and the story began again in earnest.
"He said he was heading to Lairon."
"Lairon, what purpose would a warlock have there?"
"I didn't hear that much. I just know it has something to do with the royal family. It sounds like Jerem is looking for something left from the old days."
"A warlock and a religious kingdom…"
It was incomprehensible, but Theodore was satisfied with the clue to Jerem's location. Theodore organized the information in his head and spoke to Crowd, who was still looking through the documents, "I have to ask. Will you help us capture him?"
"No," Crowd replied decisively. "I'm sorry, but I can't afford to act independently, regardless of my will. Don't you know that all of the empire's Seven Swords are dead except for me? I can't give up the role of the king to become support."
It was an answer that Theodore had expected.
"Then how about the bow master? If he is a mercenary, I will willing to pay appropriate compensation."
"That… He can't. I can't tell you everything, but he can't do it right now."
"Later is good. When he is free, tell me."
"…I will do so."
Thus, the conversation with Crowd was over. Turning his back to Crowd, Theodore faced the three people who were waiting for him. Orta asked Theodore a question first, "Now that the negotiations are over, what are you going to do?"
"Let's see… The negotiations went well, but it would be nice for me to stop by Lairon."
"Then what about Red Tower Master and Sir Clovis?"
Veronica and Randolph answered instantly.
"I will move with Theo."
"I don't want to go back without doing anything."
It was as expected. Orta sighed lightly and nodded to Theodore. As the negotiator of the contract, Orta was obliged to report to Kurt. Before flying away from the tower, Theodore briefly looked at Crowd.
A human born from a monster, who had become a king of humans…
"Crowd."
Crowd faced Theodore without asking why.
"I feel like I won't fight you again."
"…Hut, what are you saying?"
An unknown consensus was formed between the two men involved in the Seven Sins.
Why…?
Somehow, Theodore could sense it. For the rest of his life, he would never fight this man. Theodore flew away from the tower convinced about this despite there being no basis for it.
That was the day when the unique empire of the West Continent disappeared.
* * *
Flash!
This time, light swirled in the sky. It was the principle when moving to a place where the coordinates weren't clear or unknown.
Teleport to at least 100 meters up in the sky—this was the first advice that a magician learning space magic was taught, since it wouldn't threaten the life of someone unlucky. Theodore had also learned the warning, so he set the farthest point in the sky as his arrival point, even if it was a place without humans.
"I don't know where this is. Theo, where is this place?" Veronica asked while floating in the air with magic.
It was unfamiliar terrain.
"It is the northwest part of the Soldun Kingdom. I've been here before in the past, so I remember the space coordinates."
"Ah, you thought up to here? There are many places in Lairon where teleporting doesn't work."
"That's right. They are wary and appearing suddenly can be considered a hostile act by the Meltor Kingdom."
Theodore maintained the flying magic on Randolph while speaking. It was well known that the religious kingdom of Lairon hated magicians and magic. However, many people didn't know that the temples scattered through the kingdom obstructed magic itself.
This was the power of a divine power barrier on a national scale.
Lairon didn't have any physical defenses, but it was excellent for detecting elaborate teleportation or the activation of large spells. It was nothing they couldn't break through with force, but it was better to avoid attracting attention until they knew where Jerem was.
'I can't let him run away.'
It had been a few centuries ago when warlocks were declared a public enemy of the continent, but they had still survived. This was because it was impossible to find a warlock when they were determined to hide. A 9th circle warlock could definitely conceal himself from the pursuit of Theodore, an 8th circle magician.
"Now, we should go north. In my memories, there should be a city…"
Then at that moment…
"Theo."
"Hmm?"
"The north is that direction, right?" Randolph's voice was low and heavy, causing Theodore to turn his eyes in that direction.
Then Theodore's expression hardened. "…Smoke?"
The sky was turning black. It was evening, when the sun sank toward the west and the moon rose. He thought the red light was from the sunset, but the dark light on the horizon wasn't from sunlight scattering. It was the color of a large amount of flames burning and gaining momentum.
'No, let's concentrate.' Theodore focused his five senses, and heard screams and the sounds of clashing metal.
It was clearly the noise of battle. Seeing his signal, the other two people prepared themselves for battle as they waited for Theodore to talk. Should they rush over and check it? He was too nervous about the disruption taking place in Lairon to leave it alone.
"Let's go."
Using flying magic, the three people quickly shot toward the west.