Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Grimoire of Magic
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The fantastical tome said to contain every spell in existence.
The Golden Mage Tower's [Grimoire of Magic] had fallen into my hands.
"Haa... haa... *cough*!"
My trash-tier body was pounding with excitement from just letting out a little shout, heart racing and breaths coming short, but that wasn't enough to quell this rush.
'This is on par with an encyclopedia... no, maybe even more.'
There were a few books treated as treasures in Ardenia. The Ming Empire's [Encyclopedia], the Holy Empire's [Scripture of Light], the Crystal League's [World Tree Chronicles] and [Iron Flame Engineering Manual], and...
'The Grimoire of Magic.'
In Ardenia, mysticism wasn't just mere knowledge.
It was power, and in this barbaric world, power meant authority.
'That's why the Golden Mage Tower holds the strongest influence in the Eight Kingdoms, not the royals.'
An academic and military organization boasting over a thousand mages, projecting its influence across the entire continent—and the supreme treasure they revered was this very Grimoire of Magic.
"Hoo."
I steadied my breathing. I'd chosen my words. Now, back to Ardenia.
"Login."
I sat on the jade throne, looking down at the mages.
The eyes of the old man kneeling at the forefront burned fiercely.
Saruman High Magic.
His name alone screamed mage. He was Ardenia's strongest mage and the master of the Golden Mage Tower.
"You know this magical knowledge holds no value to me."
At my words, the mages who had been bowing grew fierce.
Wooong—
The mana surging in unison even produced a resonance hum.
Clank.
The knights arrayed around us naturally grew murderous in their aura. Some had even laid hands on their swords.
But 4th-class master Saruman acknowledged my words with an unshaken expression.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. We've heard you raised over a thousand mages in a single year."
"Over a thousand? No way."
"...It seems I was misinformed."
I was inwardly surprised at Saruman's lack of pushback.
'He's really groveling hard. A mage tower lord could've spoken down to kings.'
Of course, with the monster hordes' great assault and the grandeur of Iron Castle seen from the guild tower, it made sense. But considering the status mages held in Ardenia, this was still impressive.
'No fool could become the continent's top mage.'
Reaching 4th-class master with Ardenia's garbage circling system alone proved his talent was no ordinary thing. More precisely, not just extraordinary—genius level.
'Hm? Wait.'
A sudden thought struck me.
"Logout."
Back on Earth, I searched the fan site.
The answer came easily.
[White Sage (Legendary)]
"Ah, there it is."
Revenge's classes encompassed Ardenia's history, plus every possibility from past, present, and future.
A genius like that? Of course a class existed.
"If the era and circumstances aligned, he could've gone legendary. Too old now, though."
Of course, there was a way. Hand him the Legendary White Sage class card, like with Hayes, and he'd gain legendary powers instantly.
Naturally, I had zero intention of doing that.
"Login."
Back on the throne, I looked down at the mages and spoke.
"Smile, how's the mage training going?"
Smile, standing before the mage legion, replied.
"As of now, 7,413 apprentice mages have begun handling mana. 3,217 have formed circles and become 1st-class mages, 117 are 2nd-class mages, and 4 are 3rd-class mages."
"Too steep a drop from 2nd circle."
Smile gave an awkward smile.
"Most had no basic education... But it's just a matter of time. It'll resolve soon."
Dozens of mages stirred at Smile's response.
"Wh-what...? Seven thousand? Three thousand?"
"And how's that possible for 3rd-class mages in so little time!?"
Inconsiderate for the setting, but a natural reaction.
'It has to be.'
In Middleland, reaching 1st class made you a proper mage, 2nd an acknowledged expert anywhere, and 3rd a high mage.
Even talents took ten years to form a circle. Training thousands in a year? Pure disaster to them.
'Yeah. A disaster.'
It had to be. Mages had been treated like kings just for being mages, heads held high everywhere. This meant their status was crashing.
They'd probably expected lavish treatment with dozens of mages. Fat chance.
Useful firepower, sure, but the Human Empire wouldn't obsess over it.
"The Human Empire teaches magic equally to all at the Magic Academies in Iron Castle and Wild Boar. Ultimately, we'll place them in every castle."
In Revenge, the difference between mages and warriors was just magic damage vs. physical. Reality? Totally different.
Unlike aura users, mostly useless outside combat, mages had endless utility.
Mass-producing them would boost the empire's military, tech, and convenience massively.
"......"
But even hearing that, Saruman clenched his eyes shut. The mages behind him brimmed with rage.
Non-human shall not pass.
This dressed-up knowledge monopoly wasn't new. They'd enforced it with blood and flesh, not words.
'Yeah. That's why I never released cultivation methods or swordsmanship freely.'
Twenty years ago, dumped in Ardenia, I knew plenty of cultivation arts. If I'd wanted, I could've made the strongest mercenary band.
But I only taught Steelstone and Swordsman, whom I trusted implicitly. Never distributed them.
Not because future knowledge was precious.
'Too dangerous.'
If my subordinates grew faster than Ardenian norms, and it traced to advanced cultivation, the powers-that-be would've killed me for it.
That's why I couldn't release something world-shaking like Quick Advance Gong.
'Of course... after becoming lord, I planned to use it gradually.'
Even then, under max secrecy, to a select few. Gates opening and realizing logout changed everything.
"Your Majesty, magical knowledge is non-human shall not pass. How can you bestow such precious lore on the lowly?"
Saruman admonished calmly. I nearly scoffed.
"Isn't that narrow mindset why you lost to monsters, lost everything, and got chased out?"
"......!"
Saruman flinched. The mages behind forgot decorum, mouths agape.
"How dare you speak so crudely...!"
"Non-human is about propriety!"
"Granting power rashly to the unfit harms everyone!"
"Upside-down hierarchy, crumbling order...!"
They shouted boldly before glaring swordsmen. Seemed they believed it righteous, sparing no life.
But.
Domination, Intimidation, Heavy Gates Opening.
Emperor's Majesty.
Wooong!
Chakra ritual activated, silencing the 20th-floor audience chamber instantly. No point persuading the unpersuadable—shut their mouths.
'Yeah, persuasion's impossible.'
Not because they're irredeemable villains. Interests override logic always.
The world runs on power.
If not for this situation, even I'd restrict spell and cultivation spread. That power could turn against me.
But not here.
'No need.'
I could flood spells, classes, power freely because I'm strong.
Factions form? Nobles plotting cabals? Schemers manipulating opinion?
Pointless.
With Flying Emperor sweeping tens of thousands per slash, mere worries.
'Man, Emperor's Majesty is handy.'
No huge utility, but convenient luxury ritual.
'Got the knack, so I can craft any ritual. Emperor title makes it grow fast without training.'
First use, solid effect. Satisfied, I spoke.
"Humanity faces unprecedented crisis. No time for petty ego guarding privileges. That's why I released the Sky Library's knowledge."
Mages' eyes shook, mouths forced shut.
"That's..."
"...My god."
"The Sky Library..."
Groans erupted among mages. My subordinates like Flower and Smile didn't stir.
'Well, it's been canon for ages.'
Sky Library.
Heavenly repository of all worldly knowledge.
'In Revenge, just an event dungeon for skill books, but...'
Ardenian myths portrayed it grander, and I exploited that.
"I transcribed books penned by the God of Magic from the Sky Library. The results? Far beyond human magic."
"Oooh... oooh..."
"God's knowledge... God's grimoire..."
Mages gawked in awe. My mage legion puffed proudly. I sighed.
'Jeez. Feels like I'm a cult leader.'
No choice. Couldn't say I learned the spells myself or brought from Earth.
To explain my gifts in terms they'd grasp, this setup was key.
I held up the Grimoire of Magic in my right hand, flipping through.
"Again: spells herein hold no great value to me. But... the history and tradition of this book? Worthy. I accept the exile of 4th-class mage Saruman High Magic and 88 others. Pledge loyalty, and I'll grant safety and knowledge."
No privileges granted, but mages bowed eagerly. God's grimoire had broken their minds.
"We pledge our utmost loyalty, Your Majesty."
"Utmost loyalty!"
"Utmost loyalty!"
As mages bowed en masse.
[Thornwood Orcs have declared siege!]
[Target: Letman Castle]
Personal message followed.
[Siege declared on your castle!]
[Target: Letman Castle]
[Siege must begin within max 6 hours!]
I frowned instinctively.
'No, these guys are swamped already.'
Alarm on, I turned.
"Smile. Guide the mages on their new lives."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Alright."
I opened the guild tower wall via castle management building tab.
Whoosh!
Wind whipped as I kicked off the audience floor.
"Wha—...!?"
"What!"
Mages screamed, but irrelevant.
"Come, Kasim."
Poof!
White drake materialized midair. I caught its falling back saddle.
"Graaaah!"
Roar and wingbeats! City shrank instantly.
'Ah, how much more thrashing till they stop hitting castles?'
I lamented into headwinds.
The emperor was, truly, a busy being.
* * *
"My... god."
Even after the emperor vanished, mages remained overwhelmed, frozen.
Naturally, Kasim's fault.
"That's... that thing from the rumors?"
"Yes, legendary pet. White Drake Kasim."
Jaeyeon, with mythic class already, barely felt it. But Kasim's aura was immense. Even valiant knights staggered at its growl.
Knights were used to it; mages seeing Kasim first? Devastating shock.
So overwhelming, even Golden Mage Tower's lord Saruman stammered.
"Legendary pet... wasn't that the grand prize this contest?"
"Yes, Tower Lord."
"Wasted on... scribbling novels...?"
Saruman, dazed by the unbelievable.
A mage from an early Human Empire mage tower spoke.
"Rumors say the emperor's power ties to literature..."
"Write."
"Pardon?"
Sudden command. Firm tone drew eyes. Saruman's face stayed stern.
"I said write."
Jaeyeon had figured mages would obsess over the new magic system. Spot on. They were enthralled by Earth's incomparable system.
Wars once raged over a few spells; their mass defection no coincidence.
But Jaeyeon—the emperor—overlooked one thing.
Unlike the new system, whose value they hadn't fully grasped...
A legendary pet was right there, plain as day.
"But literature isn't..."
"How can we, researchers of magic, stoop to writing?"
Protests weak-voiced. They'd seen Kasim. The gleaming white drake had them hooked too.
Saruman declared.
"We're the continent's top intellects. Our writing should surpass illiterate peasants, no?"
"That's... true."
"Damn it! Just write novels or essays!"
Watching excited mages.
"Yes."
Saruman's eyes gleamed coldly.
"The legendary pet will be ours."
Thus, the Golden Mage Tower, defected to the Human Empire, began its activities.
Writing.