The Book Eating Magician - Chapter 190

Chapter 190

Chapter 190 – Uninvited Guests (3)

“Quattro’s Captain, have you found something?”

It was a short moment, but Kurt didn’t miss the change in Theodore’s complexion .

Simultaneously, Theodore’s thoughts became complicated .

Aside from him, the only person who knew the existence of the laboratory was the Yellow Tower Master, so Theodore had to decide if he should disclose the information . However, if Theodore kept his mouth shut, Kurt III might be led to agree to Mujak’s conditions .

Unlike Austen, which wasn’t a threat, it would be fatal if the Andras Empire got their hands on the ruins .

‘I don’t like this situation, so I can’t stay silent . ’

As long as the Andras’ excavation team occupied the site, he wouldn’t be able to visit it alone . Moreover, he didn’t like the tricks of the Austen Kingdom, which had tried to kidnap Ellenoa .  So, this was a reasonable choice which would block both Andras and Austen .

Theodore made his decision and opened his mouth, “Yes, Your Majesty . I thought I remembered seeing it somewhere and realized I recently heard a story about these ruins . ”

“Hoh . ”

“What? S-Such a thing…!” Mujak’s face shook slightly .  To think that the information Mujak wanted to use as a bargaining tool was already known? If Theodore’s words were true, this was disadvantageous to Mujak .

A pleased expression appeared on Kurt III’s face as he nodded . “Interesting . Continue . ”

“Sorry, I won’t be the one telling you . ” However, Theodore had no intention of assuming responsibility . “Can I leave it to another person from now on?”

“Hrmm? Can I ask why?”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Theodore replied to Kurt’s question and turned to look at Para behind him . “There are differences, but I heard it from the Yellow Tower Master . So, I think that Superior Para, his disciple, is the right person to explain this . ”

“The Yellow Tower Master? Is this true, Superior Para?”

Paragranum, a grimoire under the skin of a girl, her true nature peeped out for a moment, but she bowed politely like she understood the situation . “…Yes . Captain’s words are true, Your Majesty . ”

“Give me the details,” Kurt said .

As Meltor’s finest watched, Theodore’s party member started telling the story .

“This is something my teacher told me sometimes . Alchemy, the magic that forms the foundation of the Yellow Tower, is a heritage from the Age of Mythology . They are teachings passed down from the great alchemist, Paracelsus . ”

“The great alchemist, Paracelsus…”

“Yes . The alchemy of our Yellow Tower originates from Paracelsus’ teachings . That place should be where his legacy is stored . ”

The moment she was about to explain the ruins on the map, the quietly listening Mujak jumped up . “Nonsense!”

At that moment, Kurt III shouted in an urgent voice, “Veronica!”

It was instant . Before Mujak could blink, flames emerged and wrapped around his neck .  With Veronica around, even a sword master was at risk .  The whip, made of hellfire, could kill him instantly . If Kurt III’s voice had been half a beat later, Mujak’s head would be rolling around on the ground .

Gulp .  Mujak gulped as he realized how close he’d come to death .   Veronica recalled Hell Fire just before it reached his neck .  This attack was just an advance notice that she could kill him if he moved .

Without missing a beat, Para continued speaking, “It is unbelievable but true . It is easy to prove after seeing the ruins . ”

“…What does that mean?”

“The set of 300-meter-long ruins is a dome made of a silver-white metal . Even a sword master’s aura won’t be able to scratch the metal easily . ”

“H-How do you know that?” Mujak couldn’t deny it because he had seen it directly .

A silver architecture built in the middle of the desert… It was a mystery which couldn’t be reproduced with the techniques of this age . This girl described it so accurately that it couldn’t just be her imagination .

“It looks like her words are true . ” Kurt grasped the truth from Mujak’s reaction and grinned . “Now, this is the only information you’ve brought me about Andras . Don’t you think the price is much too low?”

“…What more do you want?” The cornered Mujak eventually lifted both hands .  Aiding Austen would cost at least hundreds of thousands of gold . There was no way the information he had left could cover this price .

“Write a contract . ” Kurt was grinning with a relaxed expression, but his eyes were like that of a ferocious predator . “You will escort Meltor’s investigation team to the site and not ask for any shares in what we find . Besides, doesn’t our Yellow Tower Master have the right of inheritance in the first place?”

“It is in Austen’s territory!”

“You can’t deal with Andras . Also, you seem to still be mistaken . This isn’t a negotiation . ” With a cold voice and eyes, this was the monarch who ruled the kingdom . “If you can’t accept it, I will put the restraints on you again and lock you up . Then you can wait quietly until this is over . ”

“Kuk…!” Mujak drooped his head because he had no way out . This situation was inflicted upon them by themselves, from their attempt to kidnap the high elf to their unauthorized entry into the capital .

Despite knowing that the conditions were unfair, Mujak was forced to sign a contract with Kurt .  It was an ending caused by his recklessness .

*     *     *

Mujak’s negotiations ended there . He signed the contract stating he would devote himself to the investigation team, then he was dragged out . Mujak wouldn’t be able to do anything until the investigation of the ruins was over .

The fainted Janissaries were also taken out .

“Phew, it is finally over . ”

“I wanted to fight…”

Of course, everyone here was scared of being caught up in Veronica’s fight .

Soon after them, Kurt raised his hand and stopped the chattering . “Then I will select the investigation team to be sent . ”

Since a conflict with Andras was inevitable, this wouldn’t be a typical investigation . As such, it was natural to recruit people with excellent combat capabilities .

“Veronica, you go . ”

“Is it finally my turn? Indeed, I am better than Blundell in a desert . ”

It was as she said . As a magician dependent on moisture, Blundell’s firepower was weakened in the desert .  On the other hand, these conditions were good for Veronica . The heat of the desert would add to her strength instead of harming her .

However, Kurt’s words didn’t end there .

“Quattro, do you want to participate?”

“Yes, Your Majesty . If you send us, we will surely capture the ruins . ”

“Good, go and investigate with Veronica . ”

This was an opportunity to see a set of ruins from the Age of Mythology . Setting aside the artifacts Para was supposed to give him, he would be sorry to miss such an opportunity as a magician .  Moreover, Andras had a debt to pay .

However, an unexpected topic was then brought up .

“Your Majesty, what about the guests from Elvenheim?”

“What about them?”

“According to Quattro’s captain, Lady Ellenoa’s two escorts are master level . So, perhaps we should seek their help . ”

“No, we can’t . ” Kurt opposed it right away and gave his reasons . “They are Meltor’s guests . We can’t ask them to fight for us because of this, and that desert is harmful to elementals . It would be impolite to ask them to accompany the investigation team . ”

“Uh, you’re right . I was too short-sighted . ”

The person stepped back with shame, while another person spoke up .

“Your Majesty, when will the investigation team depart? The Magic Contest has just started . ”

“That’s right . Therefore, the enemies won’t think that we will move at this time . The team will head to the Meuse Desert as soon as the preparations are complete . ”

“Yes, Your Majesty’s words are correct . ”

Everyone nodded at Kurt’s words, and the emergency meeting ended there . They were tired from preparing for the Magic Contest and last night’s banquet, so their footsteps were quick in leaving .

Shortly afterward, only the Quattro members, the tower masters, and Kurt remained in the room .  From here on out, the conversation wasn’t as serious .

Blundell stroked his white beard and spoke to Kurt first, “Five people . No, isn’t it six if we add the person from Austen? Your Majesty, is it okay with just six people?”

“Old Man, what? Don’t you believe in my skills?” Veronica scoffed .

“I would feel more relieved if you went alone…”

“What are you saying?”

Blundell was a man who looked foolish and carefree on the outside . However, Sylvia had joined the team, so he was worried that something would happen .

Theodore looked at the two great magicians with a tired expression . These two people were already closer to natural disasters than humans . Anyone caught up in a fight between the two would end up badly .

However, Veronica’s hand shot out like lightning and grabbed Theodore .

“Eek . ”

“Since the kid is also a master, don’t we have enough strength? Isn’t that right? Old Man, say something!”

“H-He is still not fully a master…”

“Ah, he hasn’t learned ‘Sorcery’ yet . ” Veronica remembered what she had forgotten for a while .  Meanwhile, Theodore was distressed about still being in her grasp .

Fortunately, Veronica quickly let go and spoke cheerfully, “Well, the journey won’t take one or two days . I will teach you about Sorcery along the way . It will be easier to understand coming from me than from Orta . ”

“Cough, certainly, but…”

“Right . ”

The other two tower masters agreed to let Veronica teach Theodore’s Sorcery .

Theodore didn’t know what it meant . Why was it better to learn from Veronica than Blundell or Orta? It was still an unknown conversation for Theodore, who only knew the concept of Sorcery .

At that moment, Kurt, who was watching them, opened his mouth, “Veronica, Orta . ”

“Huh?”

“Yes, Your Majesty . ”

“Tomorrow is the dawn . ”

Kurt spoke suddenly, but the two of them understood the meaning of his words and nodded .  Kurt III was looking toward the end of the war which had lasted for centuries, and this ruin would be a cornerstone of the fight .

‘It will be in the next 10 years, or maybe earlier . ’

The long, long war between the Northern powers was reaching its end .