Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Secret Society: Celestia (5)
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Begerton Antares was an authority on life magic.
A madman. A desecrator of life. Doctor.
He had an abundance of such epithets trailing him.
Of course, Begerton himself preferred the title of Doctor above all else.
Begerton Antares hadn't always wandered the world of mages bearing labels like "madman."
Back when he was still young, the word "genius" had always followed him around.
A once-in-a-century genius researcher.
That was the phrase used to describe the young Begerton.
There had been a time when every magic tower vied to court him.
He had even become engaged to the daughter of a venerable earl's family.
—'Please don't forget me.'
The trigger for Begerton's interest in life magic was singular.
The death of his beloved fiancée.
He had sent away first the woman with whom he had shared his youth.
Her final words in that last moment became an indelible curse upon Begerton for life.
From that day onward, Begerton had ceaselessly devoted himself to reviving his deceased lover.
He had even joined and worked with the Extremist Arcane Research Society, which pursued truth without regard for means or ends.
Of course, the revived lover ended up with certain minor issues, leading to an eternal farewell in the end.
As a result, Begerton became one of the few mages on the continent with profound insight into life magic.
Thus, he was sensitive to disruptions in his own vital functions.
"Heart rate. Respiration. Response to stimuli. Everything is impeccably ideal."
"……."
"It's quite a realistic sensation, but... fooling me is impossible. This is a space for some kind of mental connection."
Even in this unfamiliar library, he could detect the "slight misalignment" present in his physical body.
Swoosh.
The middle-aged mage who had been gripping Begerton's shoulder and channeling power fully withdrew his hand.
"You're calmer than expected. Have you been through situations like this many times before?"
"Contrary to appearances, my body has undergone various magical adjustments. So... even slight discrepancies stand out prominently."
Begerton, flashing a smile brimming with curiosity, adjusted his monocle as he regarded the man before him.
Just as Begerton was observing the mage in front of him, the middle-aged mage was likewise scrutinizing Begerton.
The two mages facing each other pondered briefly.
The first to extend a hand for a greeting was the middle-aged mage who had issued the warning to Begerton.
"Creighton Lukbart. Chief Mage of the Arcane Legion."
Creighton Lukbart.
He was a battle mage serving in the empire's Arcane Legion.
Reaching the rank of chief mage meant he had survived countless battlefields staking his life.
He was the real deal, not some half-baked pretender.
Begerton clasped hands with the seasoned battle mage Creighton and introduced himself.
"Begerton Antares. I serve as technical advisor to the Extremist Arcane Research Society. Rather than my name or other titles... please call me 'Doctor.'"
"Extremist Arcane Research Society, eh... Very well, Doctor."
"So, Creighton... it seems you know this library quite well......"
Begerton adjusted his monocle with his remaining hand as he eyed the battle mage before him.
Click.
The enchantment on Begerton's monocle still refused to function properly.
Given that his body was also deviating from its adjusted state, this space was undoubtedly some kind of ritual realm.
Thus, Begerton had only one question worth posing to the mage before him.
"By any chance, do you know if this place is connected to the mana disaster that occurred near the Rogus Border Margrave?"
The massive mana disaster in the empire's north.
It was a question seeking the link between that day's incomprehensible spectacle—which had birthed an alien landscape—and this vast library.
Was Begerton's query unexpected?
Creighton stared at the Doctor in surprise as he spoke.
"Huh... So you witnessed it too."
"By coincidence, I happened to be passing through the empire's north at the time... I wanted more detailed information......"
However, the current Begerton stood within an enigmatic library.
Drawn here by the traces of that very mana disaster.
"In the end, it led me here. Is there some connection between the two?"
"A connection... Yes, there certainly is."
Creighton, looking at him, nodded.
And soon, a grave tone emerged from Creighton's lips.
"That was the aftermath of an experiment that failed to summon this library's 'master' to the surface world."
"......Pardon?"
"What you saw was the result of the summoning magic I conducted. We attempted to call forth this library's master from the empire's north, but it ended in failure."
Blink, blink.
The Doctor's eyes fixed on Creighton for a moment.
He soon grasped the implication of Creighton's words, his face turning flustered.
"W-What did you just say? This library's... master......?"
The Doctor's mind struggled to keep up with the battle mage Creighton's explanation.
According to Creighton, he himself had performed the summoning magic in the empire's north.
And its purpose had been to summon the sole master of this immense library.
But to the Doctor, it was an utterly incomprehensible tale.
A shattered sky.
Pulsing starlight and cascading darkness.
All those scenes still vividly lingered in Begerton Antares's mind.
If that entire spectacle had been merely the byproduct of attempting to summon the library's resident master—.
"Just what kind of being... is the master of this library......?"
Exactly.
What manner of monster breathed within this library?
What sort of abomination had Creighton Lukbart here tried to drag into the world?
Countless questions began chaining together in Begerton's mind.
One doubt birthed another, and contradictions spawned from those doubts.
Faced with such baffling queries, Begerton Antares had only one choice.
To hear the conclusion from the battle mage before him.
That was his sole option.
"Phantasm Library Celestia. That's the name of the library that has bound a grand mage sealed away for centuries."
"……."
"And by good fortune, you've received an invitation from that library's master. So... what do you plan to do now, Doctor?"
In the end, the words from the battle mage Creighton's lips carried a weighty proposal.
A single proposal.
Creighton, with serious eyes, alternated his gaze between the two guests who had come to the library.
"Would you care to come with me to meet that person?"
Of course, Begerton Antares had no reason to refuse the offer.
* * * * * *
The top floor of Phantasm Library Celestia.
From the head seat at the table prepared beneath an ancient, stately tree, I gazed upon the two guests who had come to seek me.
In the end, only two individuals had reached Celestia through the experiment of modifying and enacting the summoning ritual.
One was a girl with radiant golden hair and sparkling golden eyes.
The other—a white-haired researcher wearing a monocle and casting an intrigued gaze—.
Not a bad result for a first experiment.
"So, you're a mage from the Extremist Arcane Research Society."
One of them was a member of the secret society to which the mage 'Alandorf Petreus'—whom I had previously encountered—belonged.
—The Extremist Arcane Research Society.
A technical advisor from that cabal of taboo-treading mages had come here.
His name was Begerton Antares.
Word was, he was one of the empire's wanted criminals, branded a madman by the world at large.
"......Yes. O Great One, if you would kindly address me as Doctor."
Though Begerton himself seemed unwilling to acknowledge that fact.
Rustle.
As I listened to Begerton's words, I turned the page of the grimoire in my hand.
Just like the mages who had visited Celestia before, the guests here each hailed from their own affiliations.
The Blue Tower.
The Arcane Legion.
And now, a mage from the Arcane Research Society had arrived as a guest.
'Just as with Luana Creighton, I have no intention of binding the mages who come here with obligations or loyalties.'
I didn't feel the need for the mages visiting Celestia to be tightly shackled by duty or affiliation.
We were simply together because we had things to offer one another.
I made requests of the guests to Celestia, and in exchange, granted them the magic they desired.
That structure alone sufficed for my relationship with Celestia's visitors.
That was why I had dubbed this modest gathering a "secret society."
'As long as they don't hinder me, it matters little what affiliation a mage hails from.'
No harm done, so no reason to refuse.
The same held true for me and for those receiving the proposals.
Thus, there seemed no cause to reject a mage from the Extremist Arcane Research Society.
The man called Doctor appeared more capable than expected.
"Begerton Antares. From this moment, I grant you access to the tomes of the First Archive. Should you desire to peruse materials beyond that, prove your worth directly."
I conveyed those thoughts to Begerton Antares—that is, the "Doctor."
If you wish to delve into the Phantasm Library's knowledge, demonstrate your utility firsthand—.
Had he received a brief explanation of the library from Creighton?
Upon hearing my proposal, the Doctor's face registered shock.
As if he had never anticipated such an offer from me.
"O, O Great One... You mean it's acceptable for me to peruse your knowledge freely?"
"Indeed, no issue. Within the archives you have permission for, do as you please."
The magics in the First Archive were merely basic utility spells at best.
It mattered not to me how much of the First Archive's magics Begerton perused.
Hmm—.
Begerton pondered for a moment before directing a question at me.
"By chance, how might I prove my utility?"
A way for the two to demonstrate their worth to me.
Naturally, there was only one method.
"I intend to leave this place and descend to the surface world. Any contribution toward that, however small, will earn my acknowledgment."
"Ahh, so that's why you experimented with the summoning magic......!"
"By any means, bringing any magic—it matters not. If you procure a lead that allows me to venture outside, I shall reward you accordingly."
Begerton's eyes gleamed with greed as he regarded me.
He was an exceedingly honest man.
He concealed not a whit of his desire for magic.
Even now, a grimoire was clutched in Begerton's hand.
Rustle.
I continued turning the pages of the grimoire in my grasp.
"And someday, when the day comes that I leave this place—."
"……."
"Then, I shall personally grant your wishes."
At the end of this entire journey, there was one conclusion they could claim.
I would fulfill their desires myself.
That was the entirety of the pact between me and the guests of Celestia.
So long as they harbored no intent to obstruct me, I had no plans to do anything to them.
At the very least, the Doctor's eyes still brimmed with fascination.
It wasn't mere organizational loyalty; he showed no sign of discarding this opportunity.
With that, our conversation with Begerton concluded.
I turned my gaze to the golden-haired noble lady standing beside him.
"You said your name was Peria Alferatz?"
"……."
Ruler of the Astio Empire's western reaches, a grand lord.
The noble daughter of House Alferatz, marquises.
That was the name of the girl with the dazzling golden eyes.
After my voice echoed through the library's top floor, Peria finally snapped to attention and lifted her head.
Swoosh.
Her golden eyes reflected my form.
"Um... I heard this library holds countless magics......!"
Our gazes met in the air for several seconds.
She hesitated somewhat as she looked at me.
What words was she agonizing over?
As such thoughts crossed my mind, the noble lady soon parted her lips softly while facing me.
"By any chance... is there magic to summon a dragon...?"
"……."
Pfft.
Hearing the girl's words, I let out an involuntary chuckle.
Peria Alferatz.
It seemed she, too, was searching for a dragon.