The Book Eating Magician - Chapter 182

Chapter 182

Chapter 182 – Paracelsus’ Legacy (2)

The laboratory of the great alchemist of the Age of Mythology, Paracelsus…!

Theodore’s eyes shook at the unexpected proposal . Traces of the Age of Mythology had been almost completely destroyed, except for some ruins . Some were concealed, while others had been damaged over time .

In this age, there were only a few relics and ruins left intact . A number of magicians would risk their lives to find a laboratory of an alchemist from the Age of Mythology .

‘No, I don’t know if the laboratory is still intact . The offer might be a trap . ’

Theodore took a step back and carefully asked Gluttony, ‘Hey, Gluttony . ’

–What is it?

‘Judge whether the Yellow Tower Master’s words are authentic or not . Paracelsus’ laboratory… Is that possible?’

–Um .  Gluttony was silent for a minute before replying, –I can’t be sure it exists, but it is possible .  Paracelsus didn’t settle in one place but traveled around researching .  It wouldn’t be strange if Paragranum, the grimoire he created, knew about the location of a laboratory .  A laboratory made by Paracelsus might last a few thousand years .

‘Is it possible that Paragranum is lying?’

–For a grimoire, the creator is like a god .  It wouldn’t bring up the name if it was intending to deceive you .  However, what is Paragranum looking for in the laboratory?

Theodore accepted Gluttony’s words .  What did Paragranum need in the laboratory? As the old saying went, the bear would play while the owner earned money .

Additionally, there was a question of what Paragranum would do with the things found in the laboratory . Theodore had already had several encounters with grimoires previously . So, despite the fact that the Yellow Tower Master had contributed to Meltor for hundreds of years, Theodore was wary, well-aware of the dangers of a grimoire .

That’s why he hesitated .  However, Paragranum opened her mouth first, “Are you wondering why I want to visit the laboratory?”

“…Honestly, yes . ”

“I know what you are concerned about, but there is no need for it . I just need the Emerald Tablet and a few materials that I can’t acquire now . ”

‘The Emerald Tablet?’

Before Theodore could ask what it was, Gluttony suddenly raised his voice, –Emerald Tablet?! It still exists?

“I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you to have it, Magic Eater . I need it until the purpose of my existence is achieved . ”

–Are you going to waste that treasure on creating a human body? It is so foolish that there is no way to express it!

“Aren’t you a grimoire? What a thing to say . ”

Either way, Theodore couldn’t understand what was going on at all . He quietly listened to the argument between the two grimoires and carefully interrupted once the quarrel subsided a little bit .

“So, what is the Emerald Tablet?”

–I can’t tell you at Stage 4 .

“Tch, then it must be something pretty great? Is it dangerous?”

–It won’t cause a lot of human fatalities .  It isn’t something meant for fighting in the first place .

“Then it is fine,” Theodore cut off the long story and turned toward Para, who was watching him and Gluttony with a strange expression . “What is included in the legacy that you will give me?”

“Everything else,” Paragranum responded immediately without any hesitation . “The golems, artifacts, magic scrolls… Ah, there is also something that Gluttony will enjoy . ”

“What is it?”

“Creator’s original book, ‘Fairy’s Book’ . It is useless for alchemy, but won’t it be very useful for you who have contracted with an ancient elemental?”

‘An original book from the Age of Mythology!’ For a moment, Theodore’s eyes filled with greed, and he barely managed to suppress it .

That said, it was a bit strange that an alchemist would write a book about ‘fairies . ’ Perhaps the original book was written to be passed down to someone? However, that speculation was rejected by Gluttony .

-User, Paracelsus was an exceptional alchemist, but he was also a rare elementalist .  I think that his book will, at a minimum, go beyond the ‘Precious’ rating .

‘Perhaps even more than that?’

-That’s right .  Maybe eating that book will release the 5th seal .

The values were sufficient . From Gluttony’s 5th seal to the bud on Mitra’s head, several problems could be resolved at the same time with this request .  Although it was hard right now, a grimoire didn’t have the limitation of a lifespan, so it didn’t feel ‘impatience . ’ It would just fulfill the request as soon as possible .

Then at that moment…

‘Ah, wait a minute . ’

One fact that Theodore had forgotten popped into his mind: the sand dragon, Desertio, dwelled in the heart of the Meuse Desert .  At the epicenter of the drought affecting the Austen Kingdom, the ancient class dragon was waiting to die .

Paragranum replied to Theodore’s unspoken question, “Don’t worry . The laboratory is located on the outskirts . Additionally, you are a master, so you can withstand the weathering, even at the center . ”

–It is true .  However, you can’t stay for a long time .

It was hard to accept even with the two grimoires agreeing, but Theodore finally nodded .

There was no need to create discord with fussing . Instead, it was necessary to make this relationship as tight as possible . Moreover, this wasn’t an absurd request . There was no need for Theodore to feel uncomfortable since the promised price was reasonable .

Paragranum cheered after writing two contracts, “Good, then should I give you a prepayment?”

“What…?”

“Just wait a minute!”

Was the grimoire affected by its girlish appearance? Para cheerfully reached into a chest of drawers, pulling out a dagger and a strangely colored crystal .

Then she returned to Theodore and held out the two items . While gazing at him with her red eyes, she said, “Don’t you have the appraisal ability? Pick one of these items . The other one will be given after the task is done . ”

“What is this?”

“SInce I am the tower master, I can’t just speak with words . Take it . ”

Theodore couldn’t refuse .

‘Just one time…’

He stretched out a hand, and Gluttony responded by pushing out its tongue .  The items were a dagger made of a mysterious material and a crystal which shone with unknown colors . Almost simultaneously, two information windows popped up .

[+20 Azoth Sword (Magic Tool)]

[-A dagger that the great alchemist, Paracelsus, always carried around with him . The blade is of an unknown origin, with A Z O T H written on it . It symbolizes the beginning and the end . There is an empty place for a philosopher’s stone to be mounted . In its complete form, Azoth forms the shape of a long sword, not a dagger . In that state, even a demon would submit to the power of the Azoth Sword .

* The rating of this magic tool is ‘Treasure’ .

-Once the philosopher’s stone is installed, it will be promoted to ‘Legend . ’

* When used, all alchemy processes can be omitted .

* (Can’t be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability . )

* (Can’t be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability . )

* Can’t be destroyed by any means in the material world . Can’t be consumed with the 4th stage predation ability . ]

[+? Foolish Philosopher’s Stone (Catalyst)]

[-This catalyst was created from records and is a near-perfect imitation of the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ from the Age of Mythology . It has the same shape and effect as the Philosopher’s Stone, but unlike the stone which boasts a semi-permanent durability, this one is close to a consumable material . It is a catalyst which can convert all materials to a different material, depending on the standards . It is a treasure which Paragranum has completed after decades of trial and error .

* The rating of this catalyst is ‘Treasure’ .

* When consumed, a large amount of magic power will be absorbed .

* When used, you can make the material that you want . ]

“Wow…” Theodore’s mouth dropped open when he saw the dazzling information windows .

‘A legendary artifact could emerge?’ He couldn’t directly use the god-sword which Hyde had carried around, but it would be completely different if it was the tool used by Paracelsus .

The 4th stage Gluttony couldn’t figure out half of the dagger’s functions, but once the Philosopher’s Stone was mounted on it, even a demon would submit .  Demons were a species that once ruled this material world . They were transcendent beings, and the dagger called Azoth was a treasure which could make them submit .

Yet Theodore was going to be given this treasure as prepayment…?

The Yellow Tower Master giggled at Theodore’s baffled expression . “It isn’t something that is really useful to me, but it is a great motivation for you . ”

“…One of the two, yes . ”

“I see?” A playful smile appeared on her face .

Theodore smiled wryly at Paragranum’s scheming .

The true value of the treasures could only be revealed when both the Azoth Sword and the Philosopher’s Stone were joined together . Of course, the Philosopher’s Stone could transform a material into any other material, but it wasn’t something that would appeal to Theodore, who had low skills in alchemy .

It was a blatant but effective scheme .  Theodore impatiently held out his hand toward the dagger which Para was holding .  Between the Philosopher’s Stone and the Azoth Sword, Theodore’s choice was right .

“The Azoth Sword first . ”

“Indeed . ”

As if she had been expecting it, the Yellow Tower Master handed the Azoth Sword over to Theodore, while the Philosopher’s Stone was returned to the drawer .  Then the Yellow Tower Master spoke to Theodore, “Okay, our deal has been established . Now, it is my turn to do what Kurt asked . ”

“……?”

“Why do you look so stupid? You should’ve heard that I would give you a reward . ”

“Ah . ” Theodore regained his sense of reality and nodded .

‘Then the Yellow Tower Master will guide you . ’

It had been a while ago when Theodore had found out he was the captain of ‘Quattro’ and introduced to the members . In fact, it was hard for him to return to reality after talking about an alchemist from the Age of Mythology .

Theodore was reminded that the girl before him was the Yellow Tower Master, and he once again felt nervous .

Regardless of whether she knew his feelings or not, Para continued talking, “What do you want? You can take a book from the Zero Library or a royal treasure . You can choose what you want . ”

“Umm…” Theodore struggled for a bit before asking, “Not a national treasure?”

“You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it . Your body already has several large powers coexisting . They seem stable right now, but it would be dangerous if more power is added . ”

Indeed, Theodore was convinced . If he hadn’t accidentally got his hands on Artificial Yin and Yang from the ‘Art of Onmyōdō’, the two powers might’ve exploded one day .

‘Ring of Muspelheim,’ ‘Aquilo’s Blood Mark’, ‘Umbra’… Additionally, Theodore had the ability to summon an elemental . Increasing his powers might be good in the short term, but it might have an adverse effect on creating his Sorcery .

It was literally just like the saying, ‘too much is as bad as not enough . ’ Too many treasures would be difficult for Theodore to digest .

For a moment, he worried about choosing a national treasure, then he made a decision .

“Let’s go to the Zero Library . ”