Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Shadow of the God: Creighton Lukebart (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To the battle mage Creighton Lukebart, the nightly sight of the library that visited him every evening was a liberation and a blessing.
A liberation from nightmares.
And a blessing for the path ahead as a mage.
The miracle that had come to him at a not-so-young age had changed many things in Creighton's life.
That was why Creighton cherished the library that greeted him every day so dearly.
“…….”
Creighton's evening routine today was much the same as always.
The illusory library existing in his dreams.
There, with a face flushed from drink, he turned the pages of the magic tome in his hand.
Rustle, rustle—.
The book he was reading today was an earth-series auxiliary spell from the First Archive of Celestia.
To relieve the mental fatigue accumulated from the carriage journey, he had chosen to read in the library tonight.
Was it because the noisy voice of his young companion, Austin, who rode in the carriage with him, lingered in his ears?
Even though Creighton had chosen a relatively quiet hobby, he couldn't shake off a vague sense of disorder.
‘He had good instincts. There must have been a reason they sent that seemingly clumsy guy to the investigation team.’
Holy Knight Austin Reynert.
Creighton recalled the familiar name, and the face of his traveling companion flashed through his mind.
Creighton's face twisted.
He tried to regain his composure by continuing to read.
Heh heh heh—.
However, the laughter echoing from behind Creighton shattered his focus once more.
“Getting along well with the friend from the Church?”
“……Doctor.”
The identity of the one addressing Creighton.
It was Begerton Antares, the eccentric researcher with a monocle over one eye and technical advisor to the Magic Research Council, who had come to see him.
Creighton's eyes turned to gaze at the doctor before him.
Click—.
The doctor spoke to Creighton in a voice laced with amusement.
“If you happen to get close to a cleric from the Church, might you show a bit of mercy before killing them?”
“He's a steadfast one. At least, not the type to betray the Church.”
“What a shame that is—.”
“And I have no desire whatsoever to get friendly with anyone from the Church.”
The chance to befriend a holy knight—.
Creighton rejected the doctor's teasing joke.
He already felt irritation surging every time their faces met; there was no way he'd suddenly feel like laughing and chatting with the guy.
“Hmm, I see—.”
Creighton's words carried emotion.
Hearing them, the doctor looked at him with a face full of curiosity.
“You seem to hate the Church even more than I thought.”
The doctor asked Creighton.
“Of course I hate them.”
And Creighton answered the doctor's question.
There wasn't the slightest hesitation before his answer of hatred.
—The White Church.
That name alone was enough to draw out the emotions seared into Creighton's heart.
“If I could, I'd prefer not to even deal with them. That's my honest feeling.”
“Well then, I'll stop with the joke about befriending clerics.”
Was it because he understood Creighton's feelings?
The doctor nodded quietly.
Swipe—.
The doctor's hand picked up one of the magic tomes Creighton had set aside.
It was a magic tome inscribed with the spell formula for Chain Rock Flow, the magic Creighton had acquired from the Second Archive.
“You must have some grudge against the Church.”
Rustle—.
The doctor began slowly turning the pages of the magic tome.
Creighton felt as if the doctor's gaze was reading not the tome, but him as a person.
“A grudge…….”
But he didn't bother hiding himself.
He was someone who had lived without regard for means or methods until now.
Even though he had lost everything in the process, Creighton considered even that outcome a mistake he had to accept.
“My younger brother was a black mage.”
“Past tense.”
“He died in front of me. That's all there is to it.”
Creighton Lukebart said that and closed the magic tome in his hand.
Thud—.
Beyond the closed tome, he could see the doctor reading his book.
It seemed today wasn't a good day for studying.
His mind kept filling with stray thoughts, after all.
“Any more questions?”
Instead, Creighton chose to entertain one more question from the uninvited guest before him.
He opted for an adult conversation weighted with the gravity of life.
Even though the researcher before him was the most suspicious presence in the library.
“Does the great one wish to undo your mistakes?”
The doctor asked without hesitation.
“I don't think all wrongs can be righted. And Doctor, the next question will be your last.”
Creighton answered without hesitation.
Doctor Begerton Antares.
Hearing Creighton's response, he smiled faintly.
“Then what are you fighting for?”
The doctor's final question.
Hearing it, Creighton rose from his seat.
Drag—.
The antique chair scraped backward with a sound that echoed.
And the final answer to the question flowed out.
“For everything I have left, I'm working hard.”
The answer was simple.
Every place he lived was a battlefield to him.
* * * * * *
Holy Knight Austin Reynert had spent most of his life in the holy city of Partia and the border fortress of White Ridge.
Even when heading to the holy city, his journeys consisted only of stopping by small villages in the corners.
So, this was his first time visiting Marsent, the central city of the Bariyon Marquisate.
“Sir Creighton, what a beautiful city!”
Creighton and Austin.
After several days of travel from Rogers White Ridge, the two had finally arrived in Marsent, the city of the Bariyon Marquisate.
The beautiful scenery of Marsent that greeted them was enough to captivate Holy Knight Austin's eyes.
Towering large buildings everywhere.
People in exotic attire passing through the streets.
Gazing at the cityscape not covered in pure white snow, Austin exclaimed in admiration to Creighton.
“The buildings are all so beautiful one by one… and it seems people from other countries visit often too.”
“Marsent is a city frequented by merchants for trade with foreign lands.”
Creighton responded to Austin's words with an indifferent face.
However, Austin paid no mind to Creighton's reaction and continued surveying the streets.
Step, step—.
The footsteps of Creighton and Austin alternated, resounding on the street.
Austin's steps, mixed into the street's clamor, were much heavier than usual.
In contrast to his extremely lighthearted expression.
As the two headed toward the Magic Corps stationed in Marsent—.
“Chief Mage Creighton. We've been waiting for you.”
“It's been a while, Grom.”
Creighton's steps halted upon encountering a man standing in front of the building.
A mage with the Magic Corps insignia embroidered on his robe—.
Creighton greeted the unfamiliar mage.
The man called Grom bowed his head to Creighton, then approached him with a dark expression.
“I have an urgent report to deliver.”
“What's the matter? Can I go in with the Church's guest?”
“It's an internal Magic Corps matter. Lead Mage Owen wishes a private meeting with Chief Mage Creighton.”
An internal Magic Corps matter—.
The mage's gaze flicked toward Austin as he said that.
Austin faced the mage with a bright smile.
Facing someone with a smile meant there was nothing to lose—that was Austin's philosophy.
“…….”
A brief silence.
Creighton, standing between them, pondered with a complicated expression for a moment.
Soon after, Creighton turned to Austin and spoke.
“Sir Austin. I'll step away for a quick talk.”
“We can guide you to the reception room to wait if you'd like.”
The mage named Grom suggested guiding Austin.
Austin's gaze alternated between the two men.
Squeak—.
A thin whistle sound reached Austin's ears.
It was a faint noise, buried in the clamor, one that wouldn't be heard without focus.
The two seemed not to have heard it, still waiting for Austin's response.
Thus, Austin shook his head, choosing to decline Grom's offer.
“Looks like I have some time, so I'll take a quick tour of the city.”
“That alright?”
“Since we're in such a fine city, wouldn't it be nice to pick out a gift for Mary on the way back?”
Haha—.
Creighton sighed at Austin's awkward smile.
Hearing Austin's answer, Creighton waved his hand.
“You're consistent as ever. Do as you like.”
“I'll be back without delay.”
“See that you do. I'll wrap up my business before you return.”
That concluded the two men's conversation.
Having finished talking, Creighton entered the building with Grom.
Austin watched the Magic Corps mages for a moment, then turned his steps toward the street.
“It's definitely very different from the holy city or White Ridge.”
Step, step—.
Austin's footsteps wove through the crowded streets.
The holy knight's sharp eyes moved in search of something suited to his lover.
“There are so many nice things. Mary would love a gift.”
His eyes, filled with anticipation, scanned the streets for a few minutes.
He stopped before a street stall in one corner.
It was a stall lined with colorful accessories.
Reach.
Austin reached out toward the stall and picked up a pretty hairpin adorned with a flower.
It matched perfectly with Mary's hair color back at White Ridge.
“Hmm… Think Mary would like this?”
Right after Austin's hand picked up the hairpin.
Tap, tap—.
Two taps came from behind him.
It was the contact signal from the Church's dispatched agent.
Austin showed no sign of reaction, calmly continuing to examine the item in his hand.
“What do you think now that you've met him in person?”
A small voice rang in Austin's ear.
It was a thin voice meant only for Austin at the stall.
Austin responded in a relaxed tone, lowering his voice.
“Nothing special. He just seems to dislike clerics a bit.”
“Anything else noteworthy?”
“Nothing suspicious so far. Though he might have received other orders beyond the investigation.”
Turn—.
Austin's finger turned the accessory in his hand.
The brightly blooming flower decoration brought Mary to mind.
In Austin's head, a vivid image formed of Mary happily receiving the gift.
“In the holy city, we're focused on analyzing the monster traces left around it. Your role is closer to a monitor watching the Empire's investigation process.”
“I'm grateful for entrusting me with such an important position.”
“Do your utmost in the role assigned to you. The diocese clerics may mock you, but at least His Excellency and I trust your instincts.”
Nod—.
Austin, gazing at the hairpin in his hand, nodded.
“If there's anything special to report, leave it under the third seat from the left in the chapel.”
“…….”
“We wish you luck in your mission.”
With that, the familiar male voice no longer sounded in Austin's ear.
Only then did Austin sense that the contact agent assigned by the diocese had left.
He knew without turning his head, by instinct.
After the contact who had heard his report departed.
Austin looked down at the hairpin in his hand with a complicated expression.
“…….”
Austin Reynert had always had good instincts since childhood.
From the moment he approached this city, he had felt an unprecedented level of unease.
He didn't know the cause.
Just that, for some reason, it felt bad.
This was the first time he had felt this way since birth.
He felt like fleeing the city right now.
“Mary…….”
However, even so, Austin couldn't run away from here.
Sometimes, there are situations where one must step forward even knowing it's dangerous.
That was the duty of a holy knight.
And Austin was a man who knew his duty.
“I'll return safely and propose. Wait for me, Mary.”
The name of his beloved slipped from Austin's lips.
Guide me, look upon me with mercy—.
The holy knight recited a prayer to his god.
* * * * * *
A plain located on the outskirts of the Bariyon Marquisate.
There, the black mage Lionel gazed at the paper in his grasp with eyes filled with ecstasy.
“B-Branch Chief… We've finally succeeded in the extraction……!”
“…….”
The paper stained with dull light reflected in Lionel's blue eyes.
The small scrap of paper in his palm.
It was the result of secretly extracting part of the ritual conducted at this location.
The black magic that borrows power from outerworldly beings—‘Adroin's Eight Fingers.’
This spell could trace the memories of objects or sites, and even extract hidden secrets or phenomena.
After offering many sacrifices to the black tentacles spread on the ground, Lionel had barely succeeded in obtaining the magic the doctor had performed.
“How much flesh remains?”
“We put almost all the traces left by the doctor into the ritual. It seems impossible to extract more.”
“I see. Well, this much isn't bad.”
Lionel, wearing a satisfied expression, carefully caressed the blackened paper.
Of course, the paper in Lionel's hand was not the key to fully deciphering the ritual formula used here.
What he had extracted was the ‘magic’ itself, not the spell formula that created the magic.
But with it, he could at least imitate the ritual once.
Meaning, with this item, Lionel could replicate the doctor's dangerous experiment.
“…….”
If he succeeded in making a deal with a dangerous entity, borrowing power repeatedly afterward wouldn't be hard.
A few sacrifices.
And a contract binding himself.
The secretive beings interested in the earthly realm would lend their power for just that much.
“I need to prepare the ritual. Have the dwarf we caught last time set up the altar.”
“Yes, Branch Chief!”
The immense power to be bestowed from transcendent beings.
The grand scene that would make the entire continent tremble in fear.
Imagining those in his mind, Lionel smiled.
Even if it cost a few, a few dozen, or a few hundred lives—it didn't matter.
If they granted him tremendous authority, Lionel was more than willing to offer sacrifices to the outer entities.
“Erase all traces left here. We'll recreate the ritual at the branch and proceed with the analysis.”
One of the Five Candles belonging to the Veil of Truth—the Black Candle, Lionel.
He moved his steps with eyes overflowing with confidence.
Wriggles—.
Beneath Lionel's shadow, tentacles stained in darkness stirred.