Abyss Slayer.
It is an item that possesses resistance to 'chaos,' the origin of Jormungand, on its own.
– I really found it by chance.
Before the regression, Alonso lost the tavern owner who was his close friend.
Because the territory was devastated by the current state of Kaediam, Alonso was convinced that his close friend had died.
So he wanted to resist chaos.
For the revenge of his close friend, the tavern owner.
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And really 'by chance,' Alonso found a magical circuit that could resist that chaos and transplanted it into his sword.
That's the Abyss Slayer.
"...Hm."
I looked around at the Abyss Slayer I received from Alonso.
'It's really amazing.'
Before the regression, it was almost identical to what Alonso had used in a hurry.
Anyway, it seems that the Alonso before the regression 'accidentally' developed the Abyss Slayer like this and then realized its true nature a little later.
"Hercules."
Zing.
With the trigger word, Hercules appeared again.
But it's a bit different from before.
What should I call it?
"...Has the output increased a bit?"
As he said, Hercules' output has increased a bit.
I felt it intuitively.
As a test, I aimed at Hercules and fired a shield with a higher intensity.
Zing!
The shield pierced through.
What I just sniped was not just ordinary steel, but a high-quality special alloy made by magicians.
However, even that high-quality item couldn't withstand Hercules' attack.
Of course, since it wasn't reinforced by aura or magic, Hercules' attack cannot be considered completely effective against knights or magicians above a certain level...
"But with this power, it will definitely be useful in many ways."
Should I say it has become more versatile? It would be quite useful against a large number of soldiers or followers.
Anyway, I'm satisfied.
Because it was exactly the Abyss Slayer I remembered.
With this, I will be able to deal with the Chaos church more efficiently in the future.
'Just by having it equipped, resistance to chaos increases.'
From my perspective, who has to deal with the Chaos church, having obtained this is truly like acquiring the ultimate weapon.
So I must have also obtained the Abyss Slayer.
Now what's needed is.
"A person."
Because I need a magical corps.
But if I create a magical battalion with mediocre people, it will be useless.
"…It won't be easy."
The magical battalion I want is not just someone who is good at using magic.
Above all, they must be able to fully utilize the power of the completed 'Abyss Slayer' that Alonso will create.
Usually, such 'unique' magicians get along well with those from Babel...
"Should I go to Babel?"
But if I do that, I'll be visiting there sooner than planned...
I was contemplating this.
"Your Excellency."
Lepentair cautiously bowed his head and spoke to me.
"Regarding the previous discussion about the visit to Babel, how should we proceed?"
"Hmm?"
It hasn't been long since the regression, so I had momentarily forgotten.
"If it's about the visit to Babel, it's clearly… the pilgrimage of the undergraduates?"
"That's correct."
Right, that was it.
The pilgrimage to Babel.
Like a believer making a pilgrimage to a holy site, it is about revisiting a place that left a significant mark in magic.
In essence, although Babel's magicians are known as researchers obsessed with madness, there is no one who doubts their abilities.
Because it is a fact that they are exceptionally talented.
That's why, from the perspective of noble families, such pilgrimages were welcomed.
Why?
Because the fact that Babel's undergraduates make pilgrimages means that it is an attractive place for magicians.
Excluding the word 'crazy,' Babel, the Tower, is truly the best educational institution on the continent.
And being recognized by such top talents who trained at the best educational institution means that it becomes easier to recruit magicians.
In any case, that's it.
The problem is.
"It might be difficult. Our family is not in a presentable state to be shown to outsiders."
"That… is…"
"Well, what can we do. It's the truth."
"If Your Excellency says so."
Lepentair nodded with a dark expression.
"If I may offer advice to Your Excellency, it might be better to refuse this visit. There will be more opportunities for the pilgrimage to Babel in the future."
"Hmm."
"Of course, I believe in Your Excellency's abilities. After all, you have been working hard to regain the glory of the Graves."
Lepentair said with unwavering eyes.
"But I think now is the time to plan for the future, while crouching down."
"Is that so."
Lepentair's words were sincere. Even as he said that, he seemed quite angry.
His words are valid.
There is simply no reason to show the state of the family to the outside world, which is in a mess.
But.
"No, proceed with it."
When I heard this, I felt a thrill.
Crisis? No, this is an opportunity.
"…Yes?"
"Proceed with it."
I said to Lepentair, who seemed confused.
"Come on. I came up with a pretty interesting plan."
The young mage of Babel are coming.
Some may worry about exposing the family's shortcomings to these young mage.
But I see it differently.
Unlike others, don't I already know everything about the future and knowledge?
'They are the young mage of Babel that have not been tainted yet.'
Moreover, their talents have been verified.
Especially if they are talents verified at Babel, they are perfect for the plan of this magical corps.
And at this time, the towermaster who will lead these young mage is undoubtedly...
'I can make use of this.'
Yes!
If I play my cards right, I might be able to get unpaid magical slaves in droves!
Ah, I can't stand it.
—
"Wow!"
"This is the Grave Duchy…!""
A group of people in robes revealed themselves at once. Most of them were young wizards with a lively appearance.
And the middle-aged wizard who was leading these wizards was looking around with a solemn expression.
"Hmm, for a declining noble's territory, it's not bad."
Dezium, a 7th-ranked wizard of the Tower.
He was tasked with leading the Tower's young mage.
No matter how indifferent the Tower is to worldly affairs, once you take on such a role, you should at least know the situation of a high noble family.
'The Grave Duchy.'
Dezium looked around with a sneer. The state of the territory itself is not bad.
But isn't it a duchy?
It's natural that it's not bad.
In fact, to Dezium's eyes, the current state of the duchy looked very similar.
'For a noble family with a high reputation in magic, the commercialization of magic tools is almost nonexistent.'
Among the wizards, the Grave Duchy was quite talked about.
Should the Grave Duchy be considered a 'noble family of magic'?
Are they truly a family with enough value in the history of magic to be respected by wizards?
Especially this tendency has become more pronounced recently.
In the past, the Grave's magical battalion had many high-ranking wizards and was considered the best single group.
But now, the Grave's magical battalionis lacking compared to back then.
Especially the current commander, Sairo, is only a 7th-ranked wizard and is not even properly recognized in the academic world.
To have such a person as the commander of the magical corps, his level is quite clear.
"Director Dezium, the duchy does seem different in some ways! From the buildings…."
"You fools!"
Dezium interrupted the student who was about to talk about the duchy with an excited voice.
"Where is the beauty of magic in this place! It's no different from many other territories!"
"I-I'm sorry?"
"I don't see any properly commercialized magic tools here! Aren't even the carriages on the streets drawn by horses, not magic tools?"
That's right.
To Dezium, who dreams of the 'sophistication of magic,' the current appearance of the Grave Duchy is nothing more than an ordinary territory, neither more nor less.
And if this territory is even called a prestigious magical family, even more so.
He couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"It's lacking, it's lacking! I came to this territory because my sage commanded it, but all that remains is disappointment!"
"I-Is that so…."
The students exchanged worried glances as they watched Dezium, who was visibly upset.
It was the perfect time to throw a tantrum.
The students instinctively felt that it was not a good idea to get further involved in this topic.
In any case, Dezium confidently made his way to the duchy's mansion. He had always done so until now.
He was familiar with it, as he had also come here as a guide during the previous duchy.
That's how Dezium confidently arrived at the duchy's mansion.
Of course, it was more like a castle than a mansion, with an overwhelming scale!
"Wow!"
The young mage of the Tower looked around with shining eyes, seemingly amazed.
"No, are these guys…!"
Dezium felt his blood boil as he opened his eyes wide and stared at the main gate.
'Why aren't magicians guarding the main gate!'
It's a wonder. Dezium is a magician who believes that the world revolves around magic.
He was already scolding the laxness of the Grave, which had not even filled its usage with magicians.
"Director Dezium is starting again…."
"He's probably wondering why knights are guarding the main gate in his mind, right?"
"I don't think that's quite it…."
The students exchanged worried looks as they talked about Dezium.
Dezium was still staring fiercely at the main gate with his eyes narrowed.
At that moment, a knight guarding the main gate approached Dezium and asked, "Are you from the Tower?"
"That's correct."
With an expression full of displeasure, Dezium nodded.
"I will guide you. His Excellency is waiting for you."
"Hmm, is it the Duke?"
Dezium was a little surprised.
Surely the Duke himself is waiting for them.
'Is it because he doesn't care about the state of the family, or is it…'
Is there a corner of trust?
With such thoughts in mind, Dezium followed the knight. And it was around the time they arrived at the main hall where the Duke resided.
He waited for the door of the main hall to open.
But at that moment.
"…Hm?"
Dezium opened his eyes wide.
Something that should never be seen in his eyes was there...
"W-What is that!"
It was a magician.
A 7th-ranked magician like himself, wielding powerful mana.
The problem is.
"What is that!"
Dressed as if he were a knight, wearing armor and a sword at his waist.
And he was also wearing a cloak with the symbol of the Grave. A 7th-ranked magician pretending to be a knight.
"W-What, what, what…!"
Trembling, Dezium glared at the magician in question with a shaking cane.
"Hmm?"
As if waiting, their eyes met.
In the Tower, there were many types of lunatics.
Dezium was playing the role of a 'magic devotee,' who almost worshipped magic to the level of religion...
A meeting of two wizards with majestic hearts took place.