Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Assault-Type Magic Armor: Sirius (3)
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Austin Rainer.
One of the White Order's holy knights, and a martyr who chose sacrifice in his battle against Lionel.
He was currently seated in an antique library, watching the scene unfolding before him.
If a great artist poured their soul into creating something, would it feel like this?
The dreamlike library surrounding Austin was breathtakingly beautiful.
Moreover, at a table in the library's lowest level, a few people were gathered, conducting a meeting.
“…….”
There were six attendees in total.
With only one person seated at the head, the others flanked him like attendants.
And in one of those seats sat Austin Rainer, the uninvited guest.
—Celestia Secret Society.
The secret organization's meeting that Creighton had once mentioned was unfolding right in front of Holy Knight Austin.
“So, you're saying you're a holy knight from the Order who was in the investigation team with Mr. Creighton.”
“Something like that. Though I never dreamed we'd meet again like this.”
“As expected of you, Senior... You have a real talent for brushing off things like nothing happened......”
Austin's gaze turned to the unfamiliar girl conversing with Creighton.
A girl wearing a witch's hat, her face weary with fatigue.
Bearing the Blue Tower's official mage badge, she chatted amiably with Creighton, calling him “Senior.”
From their prior conversation, she seemed like a rising star who had garnered attention in the mage tower.
‘A mage from the Blue Tower? And a highly talented one, at that.’
A genius mage whose papers, published monthly at a high level, had caught the tower's eye—
That was Austin's assessment of Lua Polaris, the Blue Tower's new prodigy.
“Archmage Johan will make the final decision, so it's not for me to butt in.”
“I think so too.”
Swish—
Next, Austin's gaze shifted to the middle-aged mage seated beside Lua.
Combat mage Creighton Lukbart.
The mage once famous in the north for his magic soldier unit now wore the robe symbolizing the lead mage.
‘His robe color changed while I wasn't looking.’
Considering he had been chief mage the last time Austin saw him, this must be a recent promotion.
It seemed some deal had been struck between Creighton, the magic soldier unit, and the investigation team Austin had joined.
He wished he could hear the details from Creighton—
Regrettably, Creighton was still avoiding conversation with him.
“Still, isn't it a good thing that such an esteemed person has come?”
“......Lady Feria. Are you taken by Sir Austin's tales of valor?”
“A man who fought to protect his comrades against evil black mages... It's a bit touching.”
Next, Austin's gaze fell on the girl referred to as “Lady.”
A noble girl with radiant golden hair.
Did she have servants tend to it daily?
Her hair was impeccably groomed.
As the daughter of a high-ranking family, even lead mage Creighton treated her with respect.
Slurp—
Watching her drink tea with elegant poise, Austin's mind raced to piece together information.
‘Noble lady... But she doesn't seem like a fragile flower raised in a greenhouse. Her presence at this meeting suggests she wields considerable influence in her family?’
His sharp instincts sifted out key details.
Perhaps this noble lady called Feria handled more than typical duties for someone of her station.
His thoughts extended to that possibility.
Of course, even as Austin busily analyzed, the meeting before him continued unabated.
After all, he wasn't the only attendee.
“Stories of good deeds and martyrdom are all well and good. But didn't you say he died once already?”
“The doctor is right. Sir Austin undoubtedly met his end before my eyes.”
“Then that means there's no body left outside.”
Clack—
A researcher adjusting his monocle began speaking as he surveyed the meeting room.
“In essence, only his soul remains, adrift in this thought-space.”
“You seem to have some inkling.”
“I can guess why His Greatness brought a holy knight here.”
Austin Rainer's gaze fixed on the researcher before him.
The monocled man was someone Austin knew well.
—The madman, Begerton Antares.
A deranged researcher from the Extremist Magic Research Society, wanted across the empire as the worst criminal.
His name had also appeared in the black mages' investigation results Austin had last reviewed.
‘A doctor from the Magic Research Society... So he was part of the secret society too. The black mages were right that a doctor conducted the experiments.’
Begerton reflected in Austin's eyes, tinged with complex emotions.
And that doctor's gaze met Austin's with a serious expression.
Magic Research Society and the Order.
It was no surprise for members of these hostile groups to eye each other warily.
‘And he's been staring at me far too intently... Does he plan to extract some information from me?’
Yet the doctor's serious gaze felt different from an enemy's hostility.
It was as if he were dissecting and analyzing Austin thoroughly.
As if conducting research through him.
“Ahem, ahem......”
Austin tried to avoid the doctor's stare.
The man seemed so lost in his research that holding eye contact felt burdensome.
Instead, Austin pondered the people before him.
Blue Tower genius mage.
Magic Research Society doctor.
High noble lady.
Magic soldier unit lead mage.
Each held significant standing in their respective factions.
People who would be respected wherever they went.
‘Celestia Secret Society... So I've been up against a cabal of such heavyweights.’
And these people had gathered to serve a single individual, acting on his behalf.
Swish—
Finally, Austin's gaze turned to the one seated at the head.
The being revered and looked up to by every member of the secret society.
Master of this library that seemed straight out of a fantasy.
The mage even the infamous mad doctor called “His Greatness” and worshipped.
‘Johan... That's the name they all used.’
—Archmage Johan.
Austin beheld the legendary archmage who had dwelt in this library for a span far beyond a human lifetime.
The black-haired young man with sharp features appeared strangely devoid of emotion, almost inhuman.
Rustle, rustle—
His hands indifferently turned the pages of the magic tome he held.
“I'll give you options.”
Austin had only just begun staring at the young man at the head.
Soon, the one who had been reading the tome spoke.
“......”
“......”
At that, every member of the secret society, including the doctor, showed respect and listened intently.
A heavy atmosphere descended.
Gulp—
Austin's tense eyes fixed on Johan.
“If you wish to remain a martyr, I won't stop you.”
“......”
“But if you want a chance to prove who you are, I'll lend you a doll to use on the surface for a while.”
Johan continued turning the pages without even glancing at Austin, his face impassive.
Beneath him, a black shadow writhed with tiny tentacles.
Austin replayed Johan's proposal in his mind.
Die as a martyr—
Or live as a heretic—
Faced with this binary choice, Austin asked the being before him in a trembling voice.
“Is the latter proposal... asking me to betray the Order......?”
“I impose no ideologies or beliefs. You merely chose of your own will.”
An inscrutable reply.
Yet Austin's earnest eyes never left the young man before him.
Of his own will.
That phrase revived memories of the monster said to have raided the holy city of Partia.
“But... surely you launched an attack on the Order......?”
Austin's trembling voice spilled out.
Johan continued impassively.
“What I asked of you was only two things from the start.”
“Two things......?”
“First. Find a way to summon me.”
“......”
“Second. Prepare magic for me. Beyond that, do as you will—it's none of my concern.”
At some point, Austin realized the young man's gaze had turned to him.
Sharp eyes pierced him.
Pupils that seemed to see through to one's very essence.
With eyes steeped in deep darkness, the mage at the head gave a faint smile.
“You mentioned the Order. Investigating my plans, you said.”
A brief silence.
In the slowing time, tension gripped Austin's heart.
An irregular heartbeat spurred the holy knight.
The obtuse holy knight looked up at the mystery before him.
“I am no force for good. Nor am I something to be called evil.”
“......”
“What I offer you is merely a fair transaction. So choose, Austin Rainer—”
Master of the illusory library—
The mage who had amassed incalculable wisdom spoke to him with incomprehensible eyes.
“Where you die, and how. From now on, decide with your own hands.”
The naive holy knight's eyes beheld a miracle.
He faced a gray calamity unbound by good or evil.
To live ugly.
Or die great.
All of it was for Austin to decide.
“......”
His heart pounded in the silence.
The chest of the cleric who had chased holiness conveyed a faint ache.
This entire moment awaited only Austin's choice.
“I......”
Austin Rainer.
A man born in the empire's north, who died as a holy knight.
At the very end of his life, the young man who gained a chance lifted his head.
After deep deliberation, his decision was made.
“This is the decision I have reached——.”
Austin's voice echoed clearly through the library.
* * * * * *
A small bakery located in Rogus Border Pale Fortress.
There, a girl with an honest face busily kneaded dough.
The girl named Mary was like the bakery's mascot to its visitors.
Beloved by all who came for freshly baked bread.
A source of vitality for the family running the bakery.
That was Mary's significance in this place.
“I wonder what Sir Austin is doing right now?”
Her mind was filled with thoughts of someone who had left the north.
A steadfast young man with a pure demeanor.
The image of a certain man who frequented Mary's bakery surfaced in her mind.
Holy Knight Austin Rainer of the Order was the lover Mary cherished.
He occasionally showed clumsy sides, but his pure nature was what made him attractive.
“No way there are vixens clinging to Sir Austin, right?”
To Mary, Austin was the most splendid holy knight in the world.
So splendid that she worried the virgins of Baron Varion's domain might flock to him.
Sigh—
Mary let out a deep breath for a moment.
Then she set down the dough in her hands and spoke.
“This won't do. I should go find Sir Austin right away.”
Thud—
Mary shook the flour from her hands and glared at the closed door.
“Sir Austin is a faithful holy knight, but... who knows what vixens might try to corrupt a cleric! So it's right for me to go!”
Having made her resolute declaration, Mary wiped her hands.
Her father, who had heard her, rushed over with a flustered face.
Swish, swish—
Ignoring her father, Mary tried to remove her apron.
She intended to stop baking and dash outside.
“......”
Had the door not suddenly opened, she surely would have.
Swish.
Mary's eyes turned to the bakery door.
“Huh? Priests from the Order......?”
Creak—
The thick wooden door swung wide.
From beyond, clerics in holy robes began entering.
Mary's eyes lit up with expectation in an instant.
“We've come at Sir Austin's request. Is Mary here?”
Moreover, the moment they entered, the clerics began asking for her specifically.
Austin Rainer—
Hearing the familiar name, Mary stepped forward with sparkling eyes.
“Priests! Has Sir Austin returned?!”
Mary's eyes looked to the clerics.
However, their faces appeared somehow grave.
Ahem—
The man at the front of the group cleared his throat.
Then, the man at the very back extended a small hair accessory.
“Please accept this.”
“Huh? This is......”
“A gift Sir Austin asked us to deliver as his final request.”
Swish—
Mary's hand received the pretty hair accessory.
Her sparkling gaze examined the ornament in her palm.
An individualistic piece crafted in an exotic style.
No matter how she looked at it, it was a gift Holy Knight Austin would choose.
As she gazed at the hair accessory, another word from the cleric rang clearly in Mary's ears.
“A short while ago, Sir Austin returned to the Guide's embrace.”
“Yes......?”
Clatter—
The hair accessory slipped from Mary's hand.