Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Even People and Spirits Must Be Quiet in the Library (5)
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To my serious question, the witch grinned until her mouth nearly split. Her lips and the inside of her mouth must have been bright red.
"I'm no such colossal being. Just a lone giantess. I sway like a reed but never lose my roots. I am Lead. One without a title."
"You sure know how to complicate even a simple conversation."
Pretending to give in, I handed over the doll. The item filled with the crown prince and empress's memories slipped right into the mirror.
"Now that you've got the item, no setting fire to the library."
The words came out like I was soothing a child. Lead nodded, flashing that terrifying smile of hers once more.
"As promised, here's the gift from Tenerife."
The mirror soon grew cloudy, and three enormous ravens burst out with a whoosh. They were so huge that, without their cries, I might have mistaken them for eagles.
They vanished in an instant—definitely spirits. Sure enough, when I activated Black Eyes, their true forms came into view.
"A gift from my master? Of course I'll accept it."
There were three ravens in total. One circled above the library, one cawed near me, and the last had bolted away like an arrow.
"Death's Gate!"
The moment I called, Cosmo appeared in a flash. Before I could even give the order, he charged off and returned with the fleeing raven in his jaws.
Meanwhile, I seized the wing of the nearby one, channeled mana into my hand, and jammed it into what felt like the core.
It was disgusting, of course, but effective.
"Capture."
Next, the one soaring overhead was brought down by Teide and Canary. After capturing it too, I stroked the two garden spirits who'd helped, expressing my thanks. They'd grown accustomed to me now, rumbling like dogs and wagging their tails.
In the now-clear mirror, Lead watched me with arms crossed. With an amused smile, she said,
"Western forest ravens. They'll be useful. Messengers who relay news. You can even send greetings to Tenerife with them."
Lead's image began to fade. I hurriedly grabbed the mirror.
"Wait! I still have questions!"
"That wasn't part of the deal."
"I don't care about that. What exactly is the Witch of Illusions? And the Witch of Storms? The corpse-eater Tenerife mentioned, the apostle? Are these connected to the incident?"
Lead dwindled and blurred, murmuring cryptically.
"A power that can rewrite the world. That's what they possess."
"What does that mean?"
"Necromancer Sierra. Even if the world loops, some things never change. Desire."
Lead was nearly gone, so I had no choice but to let go of the mirror.
"Desire? Like the desire to live, I suppose."
"Who knows. The goddess wants something returned."
"Who's the goddess? This feels like I'm getting dragged into something complicated..."
"Say hi to Lagia."
"Who the hell is Lagia?!"
With that, Lead vanished completely. Now the mirror only reflected my hollow expression.
I let out a sigh, grabbed a raven, and set it on the windowsill. It stared at me with its huge, pitch-black eyes, awaiting orders.
This one was meant for use as a messenger, right?
"Relay this to Master Tenerife: I received the gift safely. And now teach me about necromancy."
The raven let out a long cry and flew off through the window into the distance. I stared blankly at the spot where it had departed, lost in thought.
"Come to think of it... I haven't read a single book on necromancy."
Well... since I'm in the library anyway, I should swipe a few to read later.
***
Two weeks until the beast subjugation.
After returning from the imperial palace, we'd been enjoying peaceful days at the duke's castle.
"Master Duke. We have a visitor."
I'd been watching Phin get tormented by Dalia when Dandel came to report. Dalia yanked Phin's head up like she was wringing it out, tied a few pitiful strands of his hair with a ribbon, and threatened him to hold her rabbit doll.
Cosmo, meanwhile, was pilfering the snacks meant for Phin. Phin endured all this humiliation out of pure loyalty to me, but the moment Dandel appeared, his expression changed.
Someone to save me has arrived, he seemed to think as he glanced over.
"Who's here? As your escort knight, I should go greet them..."
"Phinny, stay put!"
"So I can eat this too? Actually, I already did. Nom..."
Watching the chaos at the table was endlessly entertaining.
"Yeah, Dalia. Torment him more! Phin is your enemy."
"Master!"
Dandel, who'd been quietly observing from the side, called me again. I shrugged.
"Whoever it is, if they can wait, let them wait. If not, tell them to come here."
In the end, Dandel went back out to fetch the guest. Even then, Phin kept battling Dalia. Naturally, the five-year-old lady of the house emerged victorious. Phin shot me pleading looks for rescue, but I ignored him.
Instead, watching Dalia filled my heart with emotion.
Yes, Dalia. If left alone, Phin would've been the protagonist who'd drive a massive nail into your heart. But look! If it's a nail you're after, you're twisting one into his hair right now. Yes, this is your revenge too. Good job, Dalia! Good job!
...Why does she actually have a real nail, though?
"Hey, hey, get that nail away from Dalia. Where'd she even pick that up?"
"Yes! Seems she found it during the castle repairs. Miss, give me the nail—no, don't point it at me like that, it's dangerous!"
"Dalia! Dalia! Don't run around with that nail! No! This isn't tag now!"
The one who finally calmed the rowdy tea table was today's guest. The guest, dragging along a mountain of luggage, stepped between me and Dalia. And thankfully, snatched the nail right out of Dalia's hand.
"What terrible hospitality!"
The fuming, indignant face belonged to Helio Heliohelion—a man as straightforwardly rude as sunlight on a fine day.
"Long time no see. First time since the library incident."
I stared openly at Helio's attire, then blinked at the people following him and the heaps of crates.
=================
Name: Helio Heliohelion
Occupation: Weapons Merchant
Personality: Headstrong - Once he takes on a job, he never quits, and his success rate is high.
Traits: None
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[♥]
Helio's occupation was indeed weapons merchant. So...
"Business so bad you're resorting to door-to-door sales?"
"What? Hey!"
Helio bristled. Fun guy to tease.
"Joking. Just joking. You're here to deliver weapons suited for Phin and me, right?"
"Hmph. If it weren't an order from His Highness the Crown Prince, I'd never take on something like this."
"I'm grateful. To His Highness, that is."
"..."
"Should I thank Sir Helio too? Or do you hate that?"
"Whatever!"
Helio hadn't brought just weapons. There were also jewels, books, and other expensive gifts.
As expected. The crown prince was a big spender. Maybe that's what captivated the heroine Anemone and even villainess Dalia.
After hearing the rough prices, even I was tempted. The crown prince suddenly seemed like a decent guy.
"This is the sword for Phin."
A massive crate was placed before us. We unwrapped layer after layer, revealing a rod wrapped thickly in bandages. It was long like a spear, but slender like a sword.
"Have the recipient unwrap it himself. It's a precious gift from His Highness the Crown Prince."
Phin nodded and undid the thick wrappings. Dalia and Cosmo, who'd been playing, came over to witness the sword's unveiling.
As the blade finally emerged, drawing everyone's eyes, Helio smirked smugly. He was clearly proud.
"This is the famed sword 'Lagia,' called the treasure of Mele. The legendary weapon of the mermaid king—we at Heliohelion Traders miraculously acquired it. It can even change shape to fit its owner..."
"Wait, hold on."
I cut Helio off and asked,
"Lagia?"
Lagia—the name Lead had mentioned in the library? Was it an object, not a person? Or just a coincidence?
A vague unease crept in, like I was getting tangled in something troublesome.
"The aura from this sword... It's no ordinary blade."
Phin spoke excitedly, sweeping away the final veil.
[Ah, so damn stuffy. Ptooey.]
"..."
"..."
"..."
Everyone gathered there clamped their mouths shut. I approached Phin. He stared wide-eyed, glancing between the sword and me. Helio did the same—sword, me, Phin, sword again.
[Grown adults crowding around doing what? Suddenly kidnapping me. Humans, I swear...]
I snatched the bandages from Phin's hand and rewrapped the sword without a word.
Yet, a voice that absolutely shouldn't have been heard echoed among us, speakerless.
[Hey! Can't you all hear me? Why no answer, making a fuss? Don't tell me I can't speak now? Hey! You there wrapping the bandages! You flinched, so you can hear... Mmphmphmph!]
After fully rebandaging and closing the crate, I looked at Helio and said,
"I must be going mad—thought I heard voices. Hallucination, right?"
Helio pondered, then cautiously replied.
"I've heard of it. Ego weapons, where a swordsmith's soul gets sucked in, gaining self-awareness. But no info saying Lagia was one."
"You're certain this sword's name is Lagia?"
Lagia. The name the witch Lead mentioned.
I thought it was a person, but it was a sword?
As we repeated "Lagia, Lagia," the crate shook with thuds. Phin startled and plopped his butt on top. I patted his head, praising his quick thinking.
"Yes. Lagia, the sword of the mermaid king who rules Mele. Legend says it passes to each new king, changing form and imparting wisdom for the mermaids' prosperity."
"S-Sir Helio. Seems the mermaids passed on that wisdom... literally. Not figuratively..."
[Mmph! Let me out! I don't like the dark, I tell you!]
The crate rattled nonstop, shaking Phin's ribbon-adorned head mercilessly.
I wanted to ignore it. No—better yet, pretend it never happened. But everyone present shared the same realization.
Once you'd opened the box, you couldn't just close it again.