Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: The Final Lock
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"Oh... This is...?"
"What do you think?"
"Do you see something?"
'I made this thing!'
A scene from about 530 years ago, when Beonald was fighting a mountain of paperwork in Benofis, came to his mind. It was something his close aide and the founder of the Valderian family, Kerwel von Valderian, had requested him to make.
'Duke~! Please make me a treasure box.'
'...Why are you saying such nonsense again? Just use a suitable box.'
p>'I need a magical artifact box to hide important treasures or magical tools. Not some shoddy thing. Besides, among the things you gave me and my family, there are many like that, right? We can't just let anyone take them, or have them used in family squabbles...?'
'Hmm... Now that I hear it, that makes sense. Alright. I'll make one for you when I have time.'
And so, he created a large treasure chest, protected with various magical formulas for high security, sturdy, and containing the highest-grade magical crystals inside, designed to last over a thousand years. And that very chest was now before Beonald's eyes.
'To think I'd come to open this myself. Truly, fate is mysterious.'
"Do you... see something?"
"Yes, well... As expected, it's a magical artifact for sealing and storing specific items. There are sixteen security procedures... Most of the formulas are voice-input types that require giving the correct answer to a question to proceed."
"No, how can you tell just by looking?"
"I roughly interpreted the characters. As you know, it's writing from 500 years ago..."
Unable to answer, 'Because I made it,' Beonald lied that he had interpreted the formulas and characters floating above the box.
The characters and formulas floating above the box were precisely the 'questions' to unlock its security. To know who the target was, he had to check the content.
'But these contents are really infuriating. Clearly... I let that Kerwel fellow set them himself...'
'Normally, one would answer Paracelsus, the epitome of alchemy, or Watt, who discovered magical formulas...'
This question wasn't testing common sense; it was crucial to understand the intention of the person who set this password.
If it was his close aide Kerwel, who would he naturally consider the greatest alchemist?
The answer was practically predetermined, but Beonald first had to get the two people staring at him with expectant eyes out of this room.
"This may be presumptuous... but there might be dangerous security devices on this box, so in case I make a mistake, I'd like the two of you to keep some distance. I should be able to handle my own mistakes alone. Ahem! Ah, I'm not asking you to leave entirely. Just a few steps back... maintain an appropriate distance."
"Hmm... Very well. Young Master, let us step back together."
"Indeed."
Fortunately, thinking it was just about unlocking a seal and that a few steps wouldn't matter, the two easily stepped back. Beonald then took a deep breath and quietly spoke the answer towards the formula floating above the box.
"The Regent of the Empire, Master of Benofis, Master Alchemist Beonald von Neumel, Duke."
"This damn box... I made it so it would understand even if spoken quietly...! Oh right... 500 years have passed. Ugh!"
He had spoken quietly to avoid embarrassment, but perhaps due to the flow of time or physical/magical shocks, some parts of the formula crafting were damaged, preventing proper recognition of Beonald's voice.
Ultimately, Beonald had to answer the question, 'Who is the greatest alchemist in the history of this continent?' with his own name in a loud voice.
'...How does that bastard manage to make things difficult for me even after death?'
"Hmm, it seems the seal isn't easy to break after all, Uncle."
"If it were easy... there would have been no need to invite him, Young Master."
"The Regent of the Empire, Master of Benofis, Master Alchemist Beonald von Neumel, Duke!"
While the two were talking, Beonald quickly shouted the words from 500 years ago and unlocked the first security.
It was the most embarrassing kind of humiliation. While he lived for the thrill of being admired and crushing enemies, proclaiming he had surpassed all legends of history and humanity was just mortifying.
"Phew... That should be fine now."
'...So you asked me to make this just to put in such trivial questions?'
Feeling a throbbing headache, Beonald swore that if he ever met Kerwel von Valderian in the afterlife, he would beat him to death.
But in a way, this was the ultimate security. While seeming like ordinary questions, no one could give the correct answer without knowing the personality or records of the question's creator.
It seemed reasonable at first glance, but now that Beonald himself was opening it 500 years later, the situation had become utterly ridiculous.
"Grrrrrrrrr..."
"It sounded like he shouted something just now... Is there a problem? I think I heard him shout his own name..."
"It's nothing. I was just psyching up my own brain. You know, like when you swing a sword, you let out a shout?"
"...Ah, right, right."
"Alright! Let's do this! The Regent of the Empire, Master of Benofis, Master Alchemist Beonald von Neumel, Duke!"
Making a plausible excuse to Cedric Valderian, who spoke with concern from behind, Beonald skillfully answered the question.
Thinking the following questions would be similar, he decided to finish quickly. Before the second security unlocked and the third question message appeared, he shouted it out in advance.
"Alright! Alright! The Regent of the Empire, Master of Benofis..."
"...Don't suddenly jump into professional problems here!"
"Why, what's wrong?"
"Ahahaha... It's just... the deciphered problem suddenly jumped in difficulty. Haa~ Anyway, it seems it will take some time."
"I see. It was never going to be an easy task. So, what will you do?"
"Naturally, I plan to... stay here until this is opened. Please bring me meals and water. I've brought other necessities. Ah... and please take good care of my subordinates as well."
"Understood."
After making that request, Beonald immediately began solving the first problem.
He couldn't possibly not know the answer, so he easily answered, 'Incantation Formula, Mana, Medium.' The formula disappeared and moved to the next.
The next problem that appeared was about alchemy.
'...Hmm, another different one this time. So, 'Explain the alchemical use of the 'Balamion' mana herb, and name five types of grass containing ingredients that should not be used together'? This isn't some academy exam.'
Moreover, it was funny how the subject jumped from 'Formula Crafting' to 'Herbalism.'
Kerwel von Valderian. His subordinate, but truly unruly and willful, like a wild dog.
He wasn't originally a knight, but Beonald had taken him in and tamed him, eventually granting him the title of Count.
'Got it? Count Valderian. From now on, you are Count Valderian.'
'Pukakakakakak! Stop! Stop it, Duke! Please! Kyaaaaaa! Me, a Count! Me, a Count!'
'I'll keep calling you until you get used to it. Count Valderian~'
'Kyaaaaak! Save me, Duke!'
As he solved the problems, he remembered that day when the guy writhed in agony after becoming a Count.
After solving the alchemy problem came military strategy, then Unified Empire-era administration, then Unified Empire-era noble culture and manners... The content was becoming increasingly absurd.
'...I have no idea who this was made for. Phew~ It's ridiculous. Anyway, that's just like Kerwel. Let's see... The answer to this problem is fork-knife-spoon-chopsticks order.'
'Ah~ I want to be born as your subordinate in the next life too, Duke.'
'You've become quite good at flattery.'
'...No. I mean it.'
The more he solved, the more past memories flashed by, perhaps because he increasingly wanted to confront that damn Kerwel.
Beonald could solve them, but the difficulty was such that the descendants of the Valderian family could never solve them.
The first two questions could be understood as a procedure to confirm loyalty to Beonald, but the further he went, the more problems appeared that only Beonald could solve. It seemed this chest was clearly designed not to be opened.
'Then perhaps... something dangerous is inside? That Kerwel fellow was wild and unruly, but he wouldn't have done this without any thought...'
At this level, it was more reasonable to say this was a lock level meant to prevent the box from being opened. Thinking this, Beonald fell into momentary contemplation.
He had already passed the tenth security. What if something unmanageable emerged?
'...What on earth did that guy put in here?'
A relic sealed at a level his own bloodline could never open. This growing suspicion inevitably led to more thoughts about Kerwel von Valderian.
From the disgraceful nickname 'Wild Dog' to the honorable title 'Cerberus,' meaning 'Gatekeeper of Hell,' he fought by Beonald's side, and when Beonald was defeated, he fought to the end to protect his life.
'Beyond here is the entrance to hell! Try to cross if you dare! Duke, I'll follow later. Go ahead first.'
'He was the man closest to death among my retainers. But ironically... he probably died later than me. Hmph...'
He was the 'Gatekeeper of Hell' who protected Beonald in his mistakes and a dependable subordinate. That's why Beonald provided Kerwel von Valderian with not only titles and lands but also many supports, including magical tools.
Despite having many flaws as a noble, he offered his loyalty to Beonald, who consistently believed in and supported him.
'This is the last one. It's solving too easily, which is absurd... but they'll think I'm competent.'
'...That guy, until the very end... Hmph.'
Another obvious question, but the feeling was different from when he first saw it.
Amidst nostalgic emotions, thinking about 'Kerwel von Valderian' who left these questions made it feel like he was still conversing with him. Seeing him boast his loyalty until the end felt very much like Kerwel von Valderian.
In a not-unpleasant mood, Beonald shouted the answer to the final question.
"The Regent of the Empire, Master of Benofis, Master Alchemist... and the lord and family of Kerwel von Valderian... Beonald von Neumel, Duke!"
Fwoosh!
The formulas were released, and a light flashed from the massive rectangular chest.
Cedric and Oswald, watching silently from behind, couldn't understand the other words but heard the 'Beonald' part clearly. Thinking it strange, they watched as the chest opened within that light.
And a moment later, as the light gradually faded, what lay inside was revealed.