Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Assault Magitech Armor: Sirius (2)
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Monsters from the outer world.
Beings that had escaped the laws of the world where the Library's members resided.
For the first time since arriving at the Library, I was facing one of these reason-defying monsters up close.
And even more unfamiliar was the sight of one such being offering me a gift.
“A gift, huh. Didn’t expect you to have any social graces.”
Swish-.
I gazed at the pale green gem the monster before me had handed over and spoke.
A beautiful gem with a faint sparkle.
A type of gem I’d never seen before in my life, yet somehow I knew exactly what it was.
It was one of the favorite snacks of these extraterrestrial monsters.
A human soul—.
It belonged to one of the earthbound humans ensnared by black magic, stolen away as payment for a contract.
“So, you’re telling me to take this now?”
- …….
And one such stolen soul was now resting in my hand.
Wriggle-.
The tentacle before me twitched faintly, affirming the fact.
Perhaps because it was a monster that traversed the distant cosmos.
It seemed to have judged that I would like this gift.
“…….”
Seeing the monster’s attitude, I closely examined the soul now in my grasp.
—A human soul.
To be honest, it wasn’t the type of gift I particularly liked.
Unlike the monster before me, I didn’t eat human souls, nor would receiving one make me happy.
It was a present more suited to cosmic-swimming monsters.
‘But the monster in front of me clearly thought otherwise.’
However, the monster lurking in the shadows with its avatar seemed to see it differently.
That made sense—its gaze toward me wasn’t the attitude of a monster seeking a contractor.
If anything, it looked at me like something equal to itself—
Or perhaps something greater, with an air of fear.
‘At the very least, the essence it perceives in me isn’t all that different from itself.’
That realization gave me much to ponder.
The reason I struggled to descend to the surface.
Perhaps it was closely tied to how this monster perceived me.
That was the thought that crossed my mind.
“Well, since you’ve given me a gift, I’ll graciously accept it.”
- Kiek.
My contemplation of the soul was brief.
I decided to quietly accept the gift from the monster before me.
It felt a bit rude to outright refuse after it had been offered.
I had some soul-related experiments planned on the surface soon anyway, so putting it to use there wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Toss-.
I flung the gem into the air once, and it quietly settled back onto my right palm.
Perhaps because so much time had passed since it became a soul.
I could read fragments of memories flowing from it and the echoes of thoughts trapped within the gem.
“Paladin… a soul from the religious order called the White Order on the surface.”
Paladin. White Order. Austin Reinert.
Several memories swirled in my mind.
A frail soul that had lost its body and drifted through space.
It even had a lover left behind in the Empire’s north.
Finding time later for a proper chat didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“Anyway, putting that aside—. It seems our conversation isn’t quite over yet.”
Having tucked the gem into my pocket, I looked down at the black shadow at my feet.
Had it decided it had fulfilled its role by giving the gem?
Slither-.
The tentacle that had crawled out from the shadow was now slowly sinking back down.
It was trying to end the summoning ritual and return to where it came from.
But the moment it heard my voice, it froze rigidly in place.
Flinch-.
I spoke to the trembling, stiffened tentacle.
“You seem capable of bringing outer-world objects here.”
- Kiek…….
Wriggle-.
The tentacle formed a hook as if to say it knew nothing about that.
But I ignored its feeble denial and continued.
“It just so happens I’ve been feeling the need for something like that myself.”
Clatterclatterclank-.
Black iron chains descended from the void, binding the tentacle tightly.
A minimal measure to prevent it from fleeing before our talk was done.
It temporarily sealed the monster’s avatar, trapped in the mental space, from escaping this place.
Otherwise, it might bolt right here and now.
“First, let’s talk contracts.”
- …….
With its form restrained, it was time to discuss a contract.
What was the essence of black magic?
Paying some price to another being and wielding its power in their stead.
The relationship forming between me and the monster before me would be no different.
“It won’t be difficult. You just need to route the ‘realms’ of a few items through here.”
Wriggle-.
The tentacle submerged in the shadow writhed, seemingly trying to protest.
But I didn’t entertain its objections.
Crunchgrrrrind!
Chains extended from the air, tightening around the wriggling tentacle and slowly dragging it outward.
It thrashed violently, resisting as its avatar was pulled from the shadow.
“As payment… I’ll save you once in a dangerous situation down the line.”
- Kieek……!
Boom! Baaang-!
The black tentacle lashed out, slamming against the Library floor.
“If you don’t want to use that chance right now, behave.”
- …….
But that lasted only a moment.
Plop-.
Soon enough, it quietly coiled its tail and began listening to me again.
Watching it, I smiled in satisfaction.
“Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but not dumb either.”
It had decent brains and social skills.
A small spark of anticipation flickered in my chest.
What changes would this new magic I’d encountered bring?
It would surely be a source of amusement going forward.
* * * * * *
Lead Mage Creighton Lukbart.
After the commotion in the margrave’s territory ended, Creighton—promoted to Lead Mage of the Magitech Corps—spent the next while in a whirlwind of busyness.
Having taken a key position tantamount to real power on the northern front, he received congratulations from many, including knights he knew.
Even the Frontier Count personally sent a letter celebrating his promotion.
On top of that, it fell to him to wrap up the previous Lead Mage’s affairs after their transfer to the capital.
As a result, Creighton hadn’t gotten proper rest for days.
“I’ll have to drink till morning today.”
But his ordeal ended today.
Perhaps his days of toil had finally paid off.
Creighton managed to clear all urgent matters by now.
No forced schedules loomed for the foreseeable future.
With the fires put out, he could afford a leisurely day.
With that in mind, he hit the bed early today and chose to enter Celestia sooner than usual.
All with the ambition to drink himself senseless till morning.
“Hmm… Come to think of it, there’s that whiskey I’ve never tried here. Might as well have some today.”
Pondering his drink for the day, Creighton began walking through the antique-atmosphere Library.
Step, step-.
His footsteps echoed through the sparsely peopled Library.
Having arrived earlier than usual, no one was there to greet him today.
No matter.
He planned to drink all day anyway.
Creighton’s steps crossed the quiet Library.
“…….”
By the time his lightened footsteps neared the dining hall.
Tap, tap-.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from behind him.
“Lord Creighton.”
A voice that felt familiar somehow.
But one he’d never heard in the Library before.
Creighton’s face naturally turned at the sound.
Swish-.
Turning his head, his gaze quietly settled on the figure behind him.
“…….”
“…….”
A somewhat dopey, awkward face.
Not a shred of trustworthiness in its impression.
And eyes whose thoughts were utterly inscrutable.
There stood someone Creighton had been with not long ago.
“Hmm-.”
Blink, blink-.
Creighton blinked his eyes several times, confirming the figure before him.
As if doubting his own senses.
But only for a moment—.
Soon, he turned away and resumed heading to the dining hall.
“Guess I’m getting old.”
“……Pardon?”
“…….”
“Lord Creighton? No, Lord Creighton……!”
Step, step-.
Creighton’s footsteps crossed the Library without hesitation.
The hurried steps of someone chased swiftly after him.
Tadadadak-.
The sound of running—out of place in the Library—rang out clearly.
“Lord Creighton! Why are you ignoring me!”
“…….”
“I-it’s Austin! Don’t we still have much to talk about!”
“…….”
Even as they spoke, Creighton’s legs carried him swiftly across the Library.
Step, step-.
Arriving at the dining hall with spry steps unfit for his age, he firmly gripped the door.
Behind him, Austin came running up in a panic.
“Mage, it’s me, Austin! Austin!”
Creak-.
Creighton flung open the dining hall door.
Right then, Austin’s hand desperately grabbed his shoulder.
Huff-.
Amid Austin’s ragged breaths spilling out.
The paladin, catching his breath, glared at Creighton and spoke.
“Come on, let’s talk! Why keep ignoring me!”
Grip-.
Austin’s voice echoed as he clutched Creighton’s shoulder hard.
Creighton quietly turned to look at him.
A dark face tinged with complexity.
He pried Austin’s hand from his shoulder and spoke in an utterly serious tone.
“I’ll drink and come back.”
“……Pardon?”
Thud-.
The dining hall door shut.
Only Austin’s hollow gaze remained, staring beyond the firmly closed door.