Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Changes (2)
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- The regular assembly is coming up soon.
Frost Moon's 12th day.
That's probably when everything will be decided.
It's finally time to make our move.
Ever since I set foot in this place, they've been fidgety like hunters itching for the hunt.
I've held back plenty already.
It'd be fun just to watch, but this time, I'm planning to step in actively to expand my influence.-
A regular assembly...
Frost Moon's 12th... that's three months from now.
And the location was specified too.
Philip Deran didn't seem too thrilled about the venue.
- Being outside the boundary bothers me, but since it's the main hub for this affair, there's no helping it.
Time to prepare is tight.
Come to think of it, Vinsen mentioned humans chasing us.
Since Vinsen will stay at the castle anyway, those guys can just fizzle out on their own.
What I need to worry about is defenses outside the boundary.
Hmm... First things first, I should recover the artifact I gave Vinsen.
I was already pondering when to take it back.-
The artifact he gave Vinsen... a treasure-grade spell calculation artifact?
The diary ended there, and my thoughts naturally drifted to the artifact mentioned.
Its ability to handle spell calculations would shine tremendously in combat, where split-second decisions are key.
For someone like me who prepares everything in advance, I figured it'd just be a convenience boost, but treasure-grade changes everything.
Humans really are rationalizing animals, huh.
Now that it's in my hands, I'm mulling over its potential uses.
Plus, lately I've learned way too much information that surpasses my current level.
It made me uneasy in a bizarre way.
All this intel I've picked up feels like the eerie calm before something starts.
Having even one useful tool ready couldn't hurt.
'This artifact would help with attack spells... but those spells are pretty underwhelming to begin with, so not much impact.'
Even optimizing 5th-circle spells—ones I learned as an afterthought—boosting their power and speed wouldn't make a dent against Transcendents. Might as well be swapping gravel for rice grains.
Back when I was tinkering with all sorts of junk in my hometown, I'd had thoughts like this.
My trait of trait conversion. And shaping magic that could sustain mana for a long time, if not permanently.
Combine those two... and maybe I could create something akin to a living being?
No, more like a clone, precisely.
Not a being with its own ego, but another me reflecting only my will.
I'd already developed tech to transmit voice over distances.
Apply the same principle, and transmitting my will to the clone should be feasible.
Once I could forge unique mana patterns too, that daydream had stretched that far.
The conclusion, naturally, was impossible.
Mana is the power that manifests will, sure.
But for a clone, my will transfers to mana, then reconverts to will inside it.
If making a person, that means circulating blood, twitching every muscle fiber, the subtlest quiver of pupils.
Countless commands per second, transmitted via mana and reconverted.
No 7th-circle mage could handle that computation.
Transcendents? Hard for me to gauge, so no firm answer.
Besides, even if feasible, what practical use?
But thinking of the spell calculation artifact revived that old fancy.
Just offload all the computation to the artifact, right?
Of course, something as intricate as a human is out.
But a skeleton?
Philip Deran became a lich, then a skeleton.
I don't know his exact appearance... but folks like Anonymous (1) and Vinsen who knew him well are still around.
And I have Philip Deran's unique mana pattern secured.
'The regular assembly coming up soon...'
Of course, his associates might know he's dead.
But what if the real deal shows up right in front of them?
From Philip's perspective, he never imagined Anonymous (1) popping up to kill him, so no precautions.
The diary cutting off like that confirms it.
...Anyway, first I need to check this treasure-grade artifact's capabilities.
If it underperforms, my whole idea goes to waste.
I slipped out of the carriage where the mages were resting.
"Need something?"
A junior knight guarding the carriage approached me.
I waved him off saying I was fine and headed forward.
The sun was high noon, so the procession moved slowly.
Parovian rode at the lead, Raistel beside him.
"Ivan? What brings you all the way up here..."
I considered Raistel, but artifacts weren't his domain, so I approached Parovian instead.
Oz wasn't here; she'd opted to return separately, skipping the knight escort.
"Looks like you've got business with me."
"Yes."
"What now? How are you planning to shock me this time?"
Said like I was some reckless troublemaker.
"About that artifact you promised me before. Mind if I take a quick look first?"
"...Putting me in a tough spot again."
"Just a peek while we're heading to the capital. Might not even get handed over to me. Purely for viewing."
"Hasn't been approved yet. Ever think not to touch it?"
I glanced at Parovian.
His lip curled slyly upward. His tone had that playful edge from the start.
He wants to tease me a bit.
"You know how into artifacts I am."
"What if you disassemble it? Swap it with a fake?"
"...Do I look like a pickpocket to you?"
"You do. The one who stole my granddaughter..."
"Pardon?"
"Ahem."
This old man's seriously misunderstanding my relationship with Oz.
Her crying and clinging to me must've hit hard.
...It shocked me too. Totally unexpected.
I figured he'd tease lightly then approve. Miscalculated.
Fine, my turn.
"Blocking a junior mage's growth opportunity like this? What if the communication orbs and pattern scanners Commander loves stop getting supplied?"
"Ugh, we can't have that."
Raistel chimed in casually from the side.
Parovian shot him a quick side-eye, then turned back to me.
"...Resorting to childish tactics?"
"You started it, Commander."
"Not a word yields, huh."
"We've already exchanged over ten words."
"Sheesh, tsk tsk. Daron, you guide this boring guy."
"Yes, Commander."
The knight called Daron dismounted, handed his reins to another, and approached me.
"Follow me."
He strode to one of the cargo carriages and unlocked the door.
Inside were relics gathered from ancient ruins.
Daron entered and pulled out a chest from the corner.
Unlocking that revealed a yellow sphere inside.
It resembled a communication orb superficially, but its surface was covered in engraved magic circles and geometric patterns.
"The artifact you're after. Shall I hand it over like this?"
"Better if I just examine it here in the carriage. No need to lug it elsewhere."
"Ah, right. Go ahead."
"..."
I entered without further word.
Daron closed the door.
This was a cargo hauler, windowless and unlit for passengers.
...Darkness didn't hinder artifact inspection anyway.
Any mage can trace mana flows to grasp functions.
Like how Anonymous (1) or (2) quickly figured out the manaphone.
Wait, not Anonymous (1), I think.
Anyway.
I lightly grasped one mana stream extending from the yellow sphere.
Then followed it slowly, like threading a needle.
Just as rumored.
Any spell triggered instantly gets its formula calculated.
Simple terms: a calculator. But with advanced 'judgment' baked in.
Optimizing formula combos and activation structures.
Wonder if it's a miraculous fluke or has an owner.
Philip Deran couldn't have made it... he probably stumbled on it somewhere.
Limit was 7th-circle, though.
Still, a priceless treasure for non-Transcendents; oceans of gold wouldn't buy it.
No wonder it was treasure-grade.
Explains Vinsen's leap from mediocre mage to 7th-circle.
'This is worth a real shot...'
Short-term? Impossible.
Aim for three months out... time's a tad tight.
Sending a perfect Philip Deran double to the assembly could yield tons of intel.
I rolled the yellow sphere on my palm, deep in thought.
The sudden idea did spark my curiosity, sure.
But worth risking the concerns and investing three months?
Without this artifact, the thought never crosses my mind.
Without Philip's link to Anonymous (2), even less.
So if I commit, it's purely to aid a faceless Anonymous (2). Plus a dash of intellectual itch.
'If it works, great; if not, oh well...'
Then the slate at my waist hummed.
I pulled it out.
The info from '0' was spot on.
Made me ashamed of all my doubts.
So, um...
I want to buy more info.
...She's definitely feeling the pressure?
Or maybe the World Tree issued orders.
Normally, it'd catch on before other Transcendents.
Why the sudden attitude shift?
Anyway... I saw this coming. Why else would I plan a Philip Deran clone for the assembly?
Anything you want in exchange for info?
Anonymous (2) wants precise details on Palewood and the forces of evil.
She didn't even know why the Followers of Evil were joining hands.
That let me gauge the limits of her intel.
At least, I know more than she does now.
No need for payment.
Consider it an extension of our previous deal.
Really okay?
Oho.
This is starting to feel like we're a group.
Since we're at it, how about naming the group?
Still, better lay some groundwork.
If the Philip clone fails, my info reserves will dry up fast.
Asking payment now wouldn't fit the mysterious persona I've maintained.