The Book Eating Magician - Chapter 233

Chapter 233

Chapter 233 – Old Books Maniac Heinrich (1)

The trading kingdom, Kargas, which was in the heart of the Central Continent, was close to being a non-aggression zone . Since ancient times, Kargas had known it was meaningless to expand with force . Its military power was just like a reed before the storm that was the Northern powers .

Andras and Meltor… Over the centuries, these two powers had repeated a war which was far beyond Kargas’ capabilities . Kargas had long since been convinced that it would be impossible to confront them with force .

–Then we must survive in other ways, someone had said . –The power to control this world isn’t just through violence .

Power, financial resources, intellect… all species wielded these things . With politics and the economy, this so-called society wasn’t so simple .  If the power gap was obvious, then there was no reason to compete with power .  Fortunately, Kargas was able to become a key trading area and receive the secret assistance of other nations that didn’t want to share a direct border with the Northern powers .

It was like the idiom ‘without lips, one’s teeth would feel the cold (fig . intimately interdependent) . ’ Over the years, there were a few kings who had tried to gain Kargas’ wealth, but no one had ever achieved it .

It was unacceptable for the other kingdoms to let what they had developed to enter into the hands of others . In a sense, Kargas had survived as a result of exploiting human psychology . If it was put nicely, they were clever . If it was put badly, they were sly and cunning . This was the way of survival for weak countries .

「 A strong person doesn’t survive . It is the survivor who is strong . 」

This was a type of worldly wisdom .  If the Kargas Kingdom had tried a military expansion, it would likely have been destroyed without surviving 100 years .  A kingdom with a different name would be built in this place, and this process would be repeated over and over .

As a result, Kargas was successful . The evidence was that it was completely calm despite being the closest kingdom to the North .

Austen suffered from the drought which occurred on an irregular cycle, while Soldun suffered from the actions of the kingdoms it was surrounded by . Lairon, on the other hand, was a kingdom full of fanatics .

So, Kargas was safe and abundant compared to all of them . Moderately famous people settled in Kargas .

‘I have been living in Sipoto for 20 years already . ’ The Old Books Maniac, Heinrich was similar .

After retiring, he had moved to Sipoto in Kargas . He enjoyed buying rare books and didn’t plan to leave .  Heinrich had completely withdrawn from political circles and thought his plan was going smoothly .

…If only his hobby hadn’t brought in a new problem .

“Haha! Sir Heinrich, famous for your collection of books . Your library is truly amazing . ” The person who spoke had a mustache and a greasy looking face . His fat belly proved his laziness, while his expensive clothing hung in several folds .

The man was like a big toad, and Heinrich barely managed to suppress his sigh as he said, “I am undeserving of your words, Viscount Brahms . ”

Heinrich wanted to kick him out right away, but Brahms’ status wasn’t one that was easy to deal with . Brahms was a noble and senior magician of Kargas, and it was rumored that he had recently challenged the wall of the 6th Circle .

It wasn’t uncommon in Meltor, but a 6th Circle magician in the Central Continent was strong .  He wasn’t someone an outsider could handle .

“… What book did you come for today?”

There was only one reason why Brahms would come to Heinrich . Brahms’ real purpose was to steal rare magic books in the name of ‘renting’ them .  Unsurprisingly, greed filled Brahms’ eyes which resembled those of a toad . “Excuse me, I have to ask you a favor today . There are rumors that you got your hands on ‘Book of Clouds’?”

“No, where did you hear…?” Heinrich stopped himself, but it was already too late .  

Viscount Brahms rubbed his palms together and urged Heinrich to answer, “I don’t know the source of the rumor, but can I borrow it? I swear on my name, I will reward you generously . ”

“Ummm…” If Heinrich believed that, he would be a goldfish, not a man .   It would be fortunate if Viscount Brahms paid even half the price of the book . Moreover, he didn’t want to lose a book like the Book of Clouds .  Was it okay to refuse at least once?

Heinrich made a cautious look and shook his head . “I’m sorry, but it’s a little difficult . ”

“Hah, thank yo… Hrmm? What did you say just now?” Brahms’s frivolous expression turned to stone .

Simultaneously, Heinrich felt his heart grow heavier as he saw Brahms’ expression . This wasn’t uncommon . The magicians who came to him didn’t understand why an old man, not a magician, would collect magic books . They would demand the books, stating that they were the ones who could make the best use of them .

Viscount Brahms had the same look and tone .

“Insolent…!” Viscount Brahms’ thick flesh shook as he shouted wildly at Heinrich . “How dare you refuse when you don’t even know the greatness of magic? I am Viscount Brahms, who will be in the higest position in the next 10 years!”

“V-Viscount . ”

“Hey, shut up!”

This wasn’t unusual for Heinrich, but he lost sight of who Brahms was .  Intense magic power filled the room and pressed down on the old man .  Even though Heinrich wasn’t familiar with fighting, Brahms’ killing intent was instantly revealed . “It is annoying to visit here every time . I’ll just erase you here . ”

At this moment, Heinrich regretted his past for the first time . It was because he realized that by forgoing other relationships and status, he had made himself vulnerable .  There was no reason for Brahms not to kill him . Sipoto’s rich old man, Old Books Maniac Heinrich, was only this much .

‘Huh, it is ironic . ’

He had chosen Kargas because it didn’t choose the path of violence, only to get robbed and killed here .  Heinrich predicted his own death and laughed hysterically .

“Laughing? You, don’t you understand that you are going to die?” Brahms was furious and started chanting a spell .

There were rare books here, so he couldn’t use a massive attack spell .  In the first place, why would he need such a strong spell to handle an old man who didn’t know how to fight? A few Magic Arrows would be enough . The blue magic power grew and turned into arrows .

Then at that moment…

Paang!

The magic arrows were dispersed, and the recoil hit Brahms . His five circles creaked, and some of his blood vessels broke, causing him to kneel on the floor .  If the magic had been more than the 4th Circle, then he would be vomiting up blood .

[This garbage can’t be recycled,] a cold voice rang out in the room at that very moment . [You dare to use your magic as a means to look down on others? I didn’t want to do this, but I can’t let you go . ]

“W-Who… are you?” Aside from his rotten personality, Brahms was a 5th Circle magician and knew the meaning of this phenomenon .  His magic had been intercepted by a superior magician! Moreover, a difference of more than two circles was required to block his Magic Arrow . In other words, Brahms’ opponent was a magician of at least the 7th Circle .

However, Brahms didn’t get to know the identity of the other person even until the end .

“You don’t need to know,” Theodore said, appearing behind Brahms . Then he sentenced Brahms with a grim expression, “You will no longer be a magician . ”

Brahms lost consciousness before he could say anything . Magic power flowed from his spine and carried it all the way to the circles in his heart . If Brahms were conscious, the two powers might’ve collided and he would’ve died trying to repel the force .

This was what Theodore intended .

However, it was annoying to kill a person who was a senior magician, and he didn’t want information to leak by showing his face . Therefore, Theodore went for the next best thing—Circle Sealing .

Circle Sealing was closer to the application of magic power than a spell, and it was a way to seal the circles of a weaker magician . The Magic Society occasionally used this technique as a method of discipline . However, Theodore was a 7th Circle magician, so it was equivalent to a seal .

Kargas didn’t have a 7th Circle magician, and the masters of other kingdoms weren’t willing to be hostile to another master for someone they didn’t know . Since someone at the same level as Theodore was required to remove it, Brahms’ future as a magician was dead .

Pajik .

After Theodore finished the procedure, Brahms sprawled across the floor like a broken doll .  For the time being, he would remain unconscious from the shock .  This was Theodore’s first time using it, but it had turned out great . He felt a strange sense of accomplishment . Theodore expected Heinrich to have a startled expression, however…

“Circle Sealing, this is the first time I’ve actually seen it . ” The old man was gazing at Theodore with interest, rather than surprise . “Besides, the capability to block the circles and the age of your voice, despite your changed appearance… Theodore Miller, Meltor’s hero . I never thought I would directly meet the rumored person . ”

“…You are very quick to notice . ”

Theodore’s identity was discovered as soon as he appeared . The battle of Babarino Plains had revealed that Theodore was a master, but Heinrich was very quick to put the rest of the information together and come to a conclusion .  From the very beginning, Theodore had a hunch that Heinrich wasn’t ordinary .

Then Heinrich shook his head at Theodore and gazed at the collapsed Brahms . “It isn’t that I noticed everything . Maybe you don’t realize how famous you are . ”

“I never wanted to be popular . ”

“Hoh, if you don’t mind, I would like to hear more about you . ”

Heinrich’s mood changed easily, and Theodore couldn’t help laughing . He didn’t know their meeting would turn out like this .  If he had been a few minutes later, Heinrich would be dead . This was truly lucky .

“Then I should greet you since we are reunited . ”

‘Reunited?’ Heinrich thought .

Before the bewildered Heinrich, Theodore raised a hand to his face .  It was to reproduce the appearance he had used as a disguise the last time he had been in Sipoto . Heinrich’s fearsome intuition would notice it without needing an explanation .

Indeed, as Theodore thought, Heinrich’s eyes widened . “…Huh, d-don’t tell me?”

“Yes, your thinking is correct . ” Theodore was satisfied with Heinrich’s reaction and nodded . “Thank you for your actions at the underground auction house, Sir Heinrich . ”