Dungeon Reconstruction (5)

Calix stood in pitch-black darkness, devoid of anything.

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He knew exactly what this sensation was.

It was the feeling of peering into someone else's memory, like the one he'd experienced when acquiring the fragment of divine authority in the Golda Plateau ruins.

But unlike last time, when he'd observed the world from a step removed, this time his five senses screamed in agony.

It was like the massive storm of sensations a newborn baby faces upon entering the world from the peaceful amniotic fluid.

"C-C-Cold……!"

Hecatria's thoughts, banished to the surface, transmitted vividly.

She lay collapsed naked in an alleyway.

Cursed snowflakes poured down from the sky in buckets.

Each flake that touched her bare skin brought burning pain.

It would have been better if she'd had a frail human body that quickly numbed and froze to death.

But she still retained the stature of a demigod. Even fainting was impossible.

She had to endure the bone-chilling cold that burrowed endlessly into her core.

Calix, linked to her senses, felt the same.

He thought he might go mad.

Then, a massive shadow fell over her.

It was an umbrella held by someone.

He removed his overcoat and draped it over her.

Thanks to the lingering warmth in the fabric, the frenzied pain subsided.

At the same time, Calix felt the sensory synchronization fading.

Calix slowly lifted his eyelids. His eyes stung from the long-absent light. His vision was filled with alarm messages that had popped up during the ritual.

"Are you coming to?"

Calix knew exactly whose voice this was.

A Class 6 archmage, no less.

A rare talent, but unfortunately, those with the "Lonely Researcher" temperament were almost impossible to recruit, as they had no interest in power or wealth.

Calix had wanted to bring him into the dungeon but gave up because he couldn't offer enticing terms.

'But things are different now.'

From the report on Edirn that Yurin had provided, he'd realized the man was researching body enhancement rituals.

He'd also gleaned the approximate materials needed from the research expense logs.

With that info, predicting his goal wasn't hard for Calix.

'Blood of Chimera.'

A forbidden ritual blending monster blood to strengthen the body.

Developed by Hecatria's followers to mass-produce low Class 4 soldiers in short order.

Of course, it failed.

Rare successes were usually due to freak ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠constitutions that instinctively absorbed mana.

Calix wasn't one. But his curse, Perum Infinitus, produced the same effect.

Even Calix himself hadn't expected to go this far—throwing himself into an unverified ritual.

"Now that you're lucid, it's time to answer my questions. And don't think your fancy knight will save you. I can melt a worm like you before he arrives."

Krout must have done well, judging by how this near-hermit was worked up and grilling him.

Calix had no intention of kicking away this gift from the heavens.

"Good to see you again. You might not remember, but I'm Calix of the Szczecin County."

"You think I'm doing this to hear your name or status? Where the hell did you learn about the Blood of Chimera ritual? You couldn't prepare so perfectly without knowing the process inside out!"

Edirn pressed sharply, but Calix, with his scenario ready, remained utterly calm.

"Looks like the ritual succeeded."

"Answer me!"

As the agitated man raised his hand, a fist-sized black mist formed. It seemed unremarkable but was a potent poison cloud spell that could dissolve a person in seconds.

"People often mistake you for a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠black mage."

Edirn scowled.

Calix's attitude—ignoring questions and spouting nonsense—gave him indigestion.

"Insolent brat. What's this 'black mage' you speak of? Someone who studies black magic? And what's black magic?"

"Heh, most would think: those who sacrifice infants, raise corpses, summon demons for pacts to gain great power… that sort."

"And you're saying that's not it?"

"Barring a few lunatics, no serious mage studies it, I think."

"……."

"So why is the terror of 'black mages' so infamous?"

"Enough games. Answer my question."

The black mist around Edirn's hand thickened.

But Calix pressed on.

"One day, reading history, it hit me. Black mages… aren't they a lie fabricated by the seven churches to purge Hecatria's followers?"

"……And what of it?"

"I'm asking if you're one of Hecatria's followers, like me."

"What?"

"After the ancient magitech empire's fall, her followers scattered, unrecognizable even to siblings. Conversely, those mistaken for black mages are likely her followers."

Seeing Edirn's face stiffen, Calix knew his guess was right.

He was definitely one of Hecatria's followers.

Of course, the black mana blazing from Edirn's hand showed no sign of weakening.

"You, who can't read a single rune, claim to be Lady Hecatria's servant? Think I'll buy that?"

Edirn cited Calix's lack of magic as reason not to believe, but Calix thought the hardest part was over.

Since the one who sent him here was Hecatria herself.

"Did you know? Lady Hecatria had black wings."

Calix recalled the scenes from acquiring the divine fragment—truths hidden from the world's records.

But a follower might know.

Edirn stared into Calix's eyes.

Hesitating whether to believe, he grimaced and groaned.

"Ugh! Fine. You dared invoke the goddess—if it's a lie, she'll punish you herself."

Convinced Calix was also a follower, Edirn stopped pressing.

But one issue remained.

"Even so, you must pay for the ritual. Know how much it cost to restore your body? The rare monster blood and herbs alone are worth 1000 gold. Don't dream of stiffing me. I'll chop you up and sell your parts to recoup it."

A threat worthy of an organ trafficking ring. But a faint smile played on Calix's lips.

He'd have been disappointed without it.

Only by demanding payment could he bind Edirn and keep him around.

"Let you examine my body's changes. That should suffice as payment."

"Kahaha! Never seen such a madman. You dare offer me that pittance?"

Heat haze rose from Edirn's body—a sign he'd cast without hesitation at more nonsense.

Bam!

"What happened?!"

Krout, waiting outside for Calix to wake, sensed the ominous aura and burst in.

In the stone chamber, Calix sat casually on the table, facing Edirn radiating murderous intent.

Krout prepared to attack without hesitation but halted at Calix's raised hand.

Not taking his eyes off Edirn, Calix spoke.

"Is that so? You already know one success doesn't perfect the ritual. Until you analyze my unique 'constitution,' it's still half-baked."

"Ahem!"

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Edirn coughed dryly and averted his gaze.

Calix was right. He hadn't pinpointed why the ritual—failed countless times—succeeded now. He vaguely suspected something special about Calix.

In truth, it was the Perum Infinitus skill's effect, but Calix knew and hid it. Better to keep Edirn hooked longer.

"What'll it be? If you promise a clean parting, I can offer 300 gold as severance."

"Don't mock me! Wipe your mouth with pocket change?"

"Your choice, Edirn."

"Tch!"

Calix was certain he'd accept.

Holtshtain Marquisate.

"Pardon the intrusion."

Antonio Holtshtain peered at Servio Viscount over his reading glasses, who had come to his office early morning unannounced.

"Rare for you to visit without notice."

"Dropped by Variegata a few days ago and found something amusing."

"Variegata?"

Servio was one of the few with full access there. He silently placed a few documents on the desk.

"What's this……."

The marquis skimmed them, tilting his head—then paled.

"Corvus was a rare sword owner among dark knights. Even with dungeon reconstruction, to not escape… such a pity."

"Y-Yes, indeed."

"My failure caused you needless worry, Marquis. So you must have hired him separately."

"Ahem! You should have handled it properly. Quite so."

Antonio nodded but averted his eyes in vague embarrassment.

"Your daughter will soon be queen consort—backroom dealings ill befit… but that's just nagging."

Antonio felt heat on his back.

"My oversight for not grasping your concerns. But Calix is just a green boy skulking in a rural fief. Leave trifles to me; focus on the royal marriage as planned."

"I'm worried about your daughter, pensioned in Szczecin. If luck favors him and he captures her, he might demand release……."

The marquis trailed off.

Speaking it aloud, he realized it might endanger Stera Countess.

Yet Servio, her father, remained utterly serene.

"I have many children. Better to leave her for later use. However……."

"However?"

"If it bothers you so, a warning to the brat wouldn't hurt."

"Heh, good. Very good!"

"Leave that to me. You focus on your daughter. Ensure the first prince is smitten until a sturdy heir is secured."

"Ahem! I've arranged a retired salon madam. Best in the capital at seduction and bedchamber arts."

Servio moistened his throat with black tea and continued.

"The plan to scatter the royalist faction failed due to the first prince, breeding doubts in your leadership. Soothe them. Especially the western border lords with strong military power—keep them from flipping at any cost."

"Understood. A meeting's set in days; I'll show my mettle then."

Servio nodded.

Antonio's narrow vision led him astray at times, but it hardly mattered.

His house's history, tradition, and blood were his power. Why even a talented Servio settled as second-in-command.

"By the way, contact with Corvus cut near Poznyu."

"Yes. Any issue?"

"Hmm… no. Might paint a fine picture. But I'll need a letter from you."

"Hoho, no worries. A hundred if needed. Been ages since I saw your fine handiwork."