Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Hilario
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The library was vast, but its structure was extremely simple. Just the bare minimum space to sit and read books, and shelves dozens of times larger.
The building was said to consist of five floors. Stacking a structure this wide up to five stories using continental architectural techniques would not have been an easy feat.
As books were added, the spacing between shelves had gradually narrowed. Clear traces remained on the floor where the bookcase supports had been moved multiple times, and a distinctive beige scent wafted from the bone-dry books. A fragrance that even the most diligent librarian's dusting could not fully erase.
Richer called over the female librarian guarding the entrance. She wore neat black clothes that resembled a suit, but instead of formal shoes, she had on low, comfortable ones.
"Hey."
The librarian turned her body with mechanical precision and bowed her head to Elder Richer.
"Hello. Mr. Richer."
"This fellow is my disciple. Register him for the library. His name is Kim Tae-jin."
"What level of access privileges should I grant?"
"As high as possible. You can even transfer my authority."
"No separate transfer is needed. With your identification, Mr. Richer, we can issue privileges up to a silver badge, the same as yours."
Elder Richer's expression upon hearing this was not particularly bright.
The conversation was brief, and the librarian fetched a silver plate about half the size of her palm. She engraved Tae-jin's name on it using magic. From her skillful handling of mana, it was clear she was no novice mage.
The librarian handed the silver plate to Tae-jin and said,
"You may use the library up to the third floor. I hope you have a fruitful time."
There were no further explanations. She turned on her heel and vanished between the shelves.
As soon as she disappeared, Elder Richer scowled and grumbled.
"Being a War Mage isn't all good, I tell you. It always trips you up when you least expect it."
"What happened?"
"The membership badge is silver. If I weren't a War Mage but a mage affiliated with the Magic Tower—even one less skilled than me—I could have gotten a gold badge."
This was incomprehensible to Tae-jin. If they assigned grades to mages, shouldn't it be based purely on skill?
"Why is that?"
"War Mages don't pursue truth; they're just simple war weapons. Since they don't seek truth, they don't need materials beyond a certain level. And it's true, which makes it all the more irritating."
Elder Richer was furrowing his brow more than usual.
The two wandered between the bookshelves, continuing their casual conversation while their eyes scanned the titles on the spines.
"Anyway, read whatever books you want in the library. Common knowledge is good, magic-related ones are good, even stuff on gates. But don't look for anything on space magic. You know why, right?"
Tae-jin nodded. If he got caught searching for clues on space magic here, the Empire might 'recruit' him. Of course, he had no idea what form that recruitment would take.
Elder Richer continued.
"That said, you should be able to find some basic information on space magic."
"How?"
"Not books specifically on space magic, but ones that cover numerous branches of magic in a shallow and broad manner. Those kinds of books deal with superficial info on all sorts of miscellaneous magics. You might pick up very basic details on space magic bit by bit."
"Got it. So, what kind of books are on the fourth and fifth floors?"
"The fourth floor is accessible only to gold badge holders. I've heard it has some history books, philosophy texts, and magic tomes. The fifth isn't that important."
"Why? Usually, the top floor has the most valuable info, right?"
"No. Magic books end at the fourth floor. The fifth supposedly just has history, rare information, and some imperial records. Even gold badges can't enter the fifth. It's facial recognition only."
Tae-jin replied in a small voice after hearing this.
"I see? Hmm... looks like I might need to check out the fourth floor too."
Richer glanced at Tae-jin's face and scowled.
"Don't even think about it. The third and fourth floors are blanketed in alarm magic. Remember the Volterio Kingdom border? Don't go wandering around using invisibility."
He had pinpointed Tae-jin's thoughts just from his expression. After years together, Richer read Tae-jin's face with uncanny accuracy.
"Yeah, they wouldn't leave it that easy to sneak around. Since we're here, it'd be nice to find some gate clues below the third floor."
Richer pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Just wait a bit. I might be able to get you some materials from the fourth floor."
"How?"
"Gotta swallow my pride and ask someone. Ugh."
"Really?"
"Yeah. For the next few days, just search for anything space-related. There'll be plenty you don't know even in the materials below the third floor anyway."
"Okay. I'll poke around a bit and head out, so go ahead and eat dinner without me."
"Alright. I have some business to attend to."
Richer left Tae-jin at the library and stepped out onto the street.
Occasional familiar faces greeted him midway, but Richer returned them curtly and walked briskly.
His destination was the Empire's Central Magic Tower, the place where the most information on magic in the Empire converged.
As Richer entered the tower, a junior mage guiding visitors on the first floor asked,
"Hello. How may I assist you?"
"I'm here to see the Sub-Tower Master."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No. But if you pass the word, he'll meet me."
"Without a prior appointment, I'm afraid that's not possible."
"If you say Richer is here, he'll know. Please relay the message."
The simple exchange ended quickly, but as soon as Richer's name was mentioned, permission was granted without delay.
He could feel all sorts of complex gazes crawling over his skin.
Suspicion toward unfamiliar faces, joy at seeing someone after a long time, respect for a high mage, contempt for one who abandoned the pursuit of truth.
As far as Richer knew, the Magic Tower was the only place where one could encounter such a diverse array of looks in a single spot.
Elsewhere, it was simpler: trust and fear on battlefields, respect and awe on streets.
'This is why I hate coming to the Magic Tower.'
Richer felt like a criminal on trial, but he held his head high and proceeded to the Sub-Tower Master's room.
A mage, yet unable to fit into mage society. Becoming a War Mage meant accepting all of that. After so many years as one, old wounds no longer stung.
'The voice inviting me in should come any moment now.'
Before Richer even reached the door, an old man's voice came from inside the room.
"Come in."
Unlike the others, that voice carried only two emotions: joy and pity.
The man seated before Richer looked like a wizard straight out of imagination brought to life.
A gray pointed hat, snow-white hair and a bushy beard, a kind smile etched with fine wrinkles. The musty scent of an elderly man.
Yet Richer admired everything about him. After all, everything Richer was stemmed from this man.
Hilario, Sub-Tower Master of the Magic Tower. Richer's teacher. The spiritual father who had picked up an orphan from a defeated nation and raised him into a proper mage.
Hilario spoke again.
"How have you been? No troubles?"
Richer, standing before the elder, looked like a child.
Not the sharp-witted middle-aged face he usually showed, but the innocent smile of a child missing milk teeth.
"I've been well. But there have been troubles. Plenty of them."
"You quit being a War Mage to live without troubles, and now you say there were? Fascinating. Tell me some."
"I've had nothing but fun adventures you'd love. You'd be stunned just hearing them one by one."
Hilario laughed in his raspy voice.
"Yes, let's hear what grand tales you've gathered. It's been two springs since you vanished, so your stories must have piled up like the accumulated sunlight."
"I'm spoiled for choice on where to start. Hmm, what for the first one..."
Richer trailed off with a smile, then suddenly hardened his expression fiercely.
"I've found out who killed Mila."
Mila. Richer's wife. The woman who slept so peacefully amid white flowers. But Richer's eyes held not enmity, but regret.
"So it wasn't natural causes or illness after all."
"No. Curious who the culprit is?"
"Do you need help from your old teacher?"
"No. I need no help at all."
"Then I won't hear it."
"Just as I thought."
The old man chuckled.
"You expected that?"
"I know you, Master."
Hilario smiled warmly.
"What kind of man am I?"
"One who doesn't lend an ear to malicious words."
"The best policy is to keep your feet out of bad business."
"Yet you asked if I needed your help."
"For my disciple, what wouldn't I do?"
Richer smiled purely, like a child.
The old man gazed at him steadily.
"You have other stories too, I suppose?"
"Of course."
"Bad news?"
"No."
"Good news?"
"I'm not sure."
"Don't tease. Tell me."
Hilario said with a light laugh.
"I crossed the gate. For a short time."
"You mean the Kaiso Kingdom gate?"
The old man couldn't hide his surprise.
"Yes. I saw another world."
"Fascinating. How on earth?"
Richer burst into hearty laughter at the question.
"Who do you think I am? Naturally, I snuck through."
"Even in old age, you haven't shed your mischievous streak."
"Human nature doesn't change that easily."
But curiosity filled Hilario's face as well.
"Fascinating. Tell me what you saw."
Richer began his tale like reciting poetry.
"Humans live in enormous towers."
"Silent carriages roam the streets."
"Iron birds fly through the skies."
"There are no stars in the sky."
"But stars rise from the ground."
"Countless people live there."
"Yet they haven't conquered death."
"There was no way to revive Mila there either."
It was a tale of regret, but Richer grinned.
"Still, I got a good story out of it."
Hilario gave a pained smile.
"Yes. An astonishing tale."
"It's not over yet."
"What do you mean?"
"I've taken a disciple."
"You mean Ariete?"
"Ariete became independent long ago."
"You've taken a second disciple?"
"It just sort of happened."
"You said you'd never take another."
"As you said, Master, the world is unpredictable."
"So that's why you came to see me today."
"Exactly. I have a favor to ask."
"Not just to chat with this old man, then."
Hilario laughed. Brat.
"But you'll grant it anyway."
"Yes, go on."
"I need a magic tome."
"What kind?"
"A tome on space magic."
Hilario's expression turned serious.
"Why seek a space magic tome from me?"
"Because I can't let others know."
"Your disciple isn't from the Empire, then."
"Correct. He's an otherworlder."
"Tell me the details."
"It was a small connection."
The story continued.