Chapter 118

Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 118

Chapter Title: Guardian and Underground Tomb (6)

'There it is.'

About a minute of walking later?

A dead end appeared.

And there, inside a coffin embedded in the wall, I spotted a single grimoire.

It was exactly what I'd been looking for.

'Fancy.'

The grimoire's name was Underground Noblewoman Grimoire.

It had a purple cover that exuded an antique air, with a texture and feel as smooth as silk.

'Wonder what magic it's hiding...'

I gazed quietly at the Underground Noblewoman Grimoire.

Its name was similar to the Underground Guide Grimoire and the Underground Manager Grimoire, so I was curious about what spells it held.

But I deliberately avoided listening to its voice.

This was a grimoire I had to deliver to Count Dustin.

Hearing its voice might leave me with lingering regrets, so I'd cut off that possibility in advance.

"Found it."

I turned to Randolph, who'd been following behind me, and said as much.

Upon confirming the Underground Noblewoman Grimoire in my hand, he let out a deep sigh before replying.

"Finally, we can hold all those delayed funerals."

"Won't it still take some time for the mystery manifesting in the underground tomb to fully dissipate?"

"True enough."

Ways to dispel the manifested mystery.

I knew of two.

One was to move the grimoire causing it to another location.

The other was for a mage to read the grimoire causing it, making it vanish.

The latter was more effective.

The mystery dissipated faster than with the former.

"If you want to dispel it quickly, just say the word. I know the method."

I tested Randolph.

At my words, he narrowed his eyes.

True to his experience as a seasoned mage, he seemed to instantly grasp my intent.

"Are you saying you'll read that grimoire?"

Randolph's reaction was even stronger than I'd anticipated.

The moment I saw it, I decided reading the Underground Noblewoman Grimoire was off the table.

"Just kidding. Calm down."

Randolph, who'd been staring at me, burst into a hollow chuckle.

"The worst joke I've ever heard."

'Glad it all went off without a hitch.'

Having exited the underground tomb, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Three hours after entering, we'd made it out.

If not for the skeletons ambushing us along the way, we could've returned even sooner.

"Any injuries?"

Perhaps concerned about casualties, the priest who'd been waiting with Count Dustin's knights at the tomb entrance scanned our group and asked.

Stepping forward, I replied.

"No, everyone's safe."

Count Dustin's knights couldn't hide their surprise at my words.

They seemed to have experience exploring the underground tomb.

That explained their reaction upon seeing us.

"What of the mystery in the underground tomb?"

Right after announcing our safe return.

A man standing beside the priest questioned us.

His attire was quite fine.

His green tunic had vivid color, and his brown hose fit his legs perfectly, like the work of a skilled tailor.

'Count Dustin's servant.'

I vaguely remembered seeing him at Dustin Castle.

Thus, I quickly recalled the man's identity.

"We found the grimoire causing the mystery. It should fully dissipate in about a day."

I politely replied while holding up the Underground Noblewoman Grimoire.

The servant nodded at my words and stated his purpose.

"My lord awaits you."

Why was Count Dustin waiting for us?

Curious about the commission's success?

Sure, that was part of it.

But the biggest reason for his urgency was undoubtedly the magic tools we'd found in the underground tomb.

'If I were Count Dustin, I'd act the same.'

I glanced back.

Cedric and his friends.

And the sturdy men from Rabbit Farm and Evergreen.

All of them were stuffed with weapons.

Surprisingly, every one was a magic tool.

They'd held their form perfectly despite the long time spent in the underground tomb, so their quality had to be better than weapons merely enchanted with hardening magic, at minimum.

"Are we heading there now?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

The servant turned and led the way the moment I finished replying.

On the way to meet Count Dustin.

Matilda suddenly spoke to me quietly.

"Heros."

"Yes."

"You want the Underground Noblewoman Grimoire, don't you?"

Matilda asked, narrowing her eyes.

I shook my head immediately.

"No."

"Liar."

"Really. Necromancy grimoires are useless to me. Hard to trade for others too."

"You won't trade it. You'll read it yourself."

"No way."

"You will."

"Who says?"

"Can't name names. Multiple people voicing the same opinion all at once."

"Multiple?"

"Oh, I hear voices. Started with one, but more joined over time. Now five talk to me. Neat, huh?"

"Ah..."

Hearing voices.

Likely a side effect of magic.

That probably explained her vacant stares too.

'Does she believe the voices are real?'

As I thought that.

Matilda continued.

"But here's the really neat part. These voices never lie. They've always told me the truth. Saved me from near-death a few times. Ah! They're saying it now too. That you want the Underground Noblewoman Grimoire."

Could she be hearing the voices of the gods?

The thought crossed my mind.

From my encounter with that nameless girl, I'd realized grimoire creators were gods.

With that knowledge, Matilda's voices didn't seem like mere hallucinations.

Well, it didn't change anything.

To keep up my act of disinterest in necromancy, I replied with a smile instead.

She spoke up.

"Don't worry. I'll help you get the Underground Noblewoman Grimoire. Consider it thanks for that spectacular fire magic."

With that, Matilda winked and returned to Randolph's side.

How exactly did she plan to help?

I pondered.

At that moment, the servant's voice rang out.

While chatting with Matilda, we'd arrived.

"We're here."

The servant opened the door as he spoke, revealing the familiar interior of the hall.

"The heroes of Dustin Castle have arrived!"

As we entered the hall, Count Dustin, seated at the head, called out with a face full of mirth.

Having neatly resolved the underground tomb issue, his attitude toward me and the group felt warmer than before.

So, what was my move now?

Nothing but to bow humbly.

I wasn't the one reporting, after all.

"My lord, we have secured the grimoire causing the mystery unharmed and recovered a total of thirty-three magic tools after clashing with skeletons inside the underground tomb."

Randolph stepped forward and reported.

Count Dustin's already uplifted mouth corners shot up toward the ceiling.

"You've all done well. I've prepared a feast for you—enjoy it to the fullest."

Addressing the group, Count Dustin's gaze turned to me.

"And Heros. I offer my deepest thanks for all you did in Forefront. As promised, I'll do my utmost to support your goals in the north."

"Thank you."

I bowed to Count Dustin once more.

I wanted to whoop for joy, but the heavy atmosphere forced me to suppress my emotions.

Then, Matilda stepped forward.

"My lord. What do you plan to do with the grimoire from the underground tomb? Managing an ominous necromancy item will take a lot of effort."

Matilda asked innocently, even with Count Dustin and his retainers watching.

But the count responded matter-of-factly, as if used to her ways.

"Matilda, do you have a good idea?"

"Yes! How about giving the grimoire to Heros? He's leaving the castle ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠anyway. Handing it to him solves everything neatly."

"Hm."

Count Dustin hummed at her words.

He soon looked to me and asked.

"What do you think, Heros?"

Matilda had set the board perfectly.

So I just needed to act reluctant, like I had no choice but to accept for the count's sake.

Make a show of it.

"Having received such great favor from you, Count Dustin, how could I refuse? I'll take charge of that grimoire."

I said it with a slight frown.

As if displeased at handling a necromancy grimoire.

What would Count Dustin think?

He'd see me swallowing my dislike to uphold his authority and accept Matilda's suggestion.

A hearty man like him wouldn't let that slide.

"I've heard that necromancy grimoires are shunned by all mages—black mages excepted, of course. Entrusting you with such an item demands commensurate reward. I'll give you another grimoire along with it."

"My thanks for your consideration."

I bowed politely.

It was from the heart.

The Underground Noblewoman Grimoire was plenty, and now another on top!

The generosity of a great noble.

"Ah, my lord."

As things wrapped up.

Matilda called to Count Dustin again.

Then she said.

"One of Heros's knights broke his sword fighting in the underground tomb. It was due to the power of a magic tool wielded by a skeleton. The problem is, it was a sword bestowed by Count Chester. Irreplaceable with an ordinary blade."

"And?"

"So how about you grant him a new sword, my lord? Then Heros and his knight will recall your grace every time they see it."

Honestly, the broken sword didn't matter.

Count Dustin had promised support, hadn't he?

A new sword was natural.

Yet Matilda brought it up specifically.

I couldn't fathom her intent.

'Too much.'

For mere thanks for showing fire magic, what she'd done for me felt excessive.

There had to be more to it.

As I tried to guess her true motives...

"I well know what a sword means to a knight. And that the sorrow of losing one can be mended by gaining a new."

Count Dustin spoke meaningfully.

Eh?

Could this be...?

I waited expectantly for his next words.

Finally, he spoke.

"Heros's knight, choose your new weapon from the thirty-three magic tools. I gladly bestow it upon you."

Count Dustin said, looking at my men.

Hearing that, my heart surged with joy.

I wanted to scream and jump in place.

But I held it back with all my might.

Some were opposing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the count's decision, after all.

"These magic tools were all used by my lord's ancestors or their retainers. Handing such treasures to outsiders? You've already promised Heros support. The reward is excessive."

Randolph, glaring at Matilda, stepped forward and spoke.

Count Dustin replied firmly.

"A fine lord does not go back on his word once spoken. Randolph, those were your words ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to me once. Do you mean to make me a poor lord?"

"No, my lord..."

Randolph immediately withdrew his objection.

Having brushed aside the opposition, Count Dustin urged us.

"Choose."

I sent Gilbert forward.

The choice was already set, in fact.

The weapon that had broken his sword.

That was the one.

Simple reason.

It looked like the best among the thirty-three magic tools.

"Count Dustin. Sir Gilbert cannot speak due to a grave injury from the past. Please forgive any perceived rudeness on his part."

As I explained Gilbert's muteness to Count Dustin.

He made ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his pick.

I confirmed Gilbert lifting his new weapon and desperately held back my laughter.

Heros was biting his lip.

Matilda realized he was holding back laughter.

He must be thrilled.

Only then did she finally relax.

She'd scored plenty of points.

She'd catch an earful from Randolph and the other retainers over today's antics, but she could bear that gladly.

'There, that should do it, right?'

Matilda asked inwardly.

A reply came.

The five voices noisily filling Matilda's ears.

She sighed as she listened to their chatter.

'Just how great a mage is Heros for them to all insist on staying on his good side like this?'

Matilda wondered briefly.

But she soon dismissed the thought.

She was certain today's events wouldn't harm her.

Five voices.

She'd never suffered loss by following them before, so surely not this time either.