The Tenth Research - Divine Kingship (3)
I had never truly enjoyed fine dining since reincarnating into this medieval world. In my childhood, I only ever chewed on those rock-hard black breads, and during my time as my master’s apprentice, I ate merely to survive.
‘Noble banquets?’
Even those fell far short of the palate a modern person like me had once enjoyed. In a world where magic existed but starvation was rampant, texture and flavor took a backseat to food preservation and sheer quantity.
‘This is a land where obesity is considered a symbol of wealth. That’s why even the rich flaunt their fortune through sheer volume of food rather than delicious meals.’
The wealthy focused on piling as many dishes as possible onto the table, or serving meats slathered in exorbitantly expensive spices. Even that would seem like an unimaginable luxury to the serfs who survived on nothing but stone bread…
‘Still, it’s nowhere near enough to satisfy the tastes of someone who lived in a capitalist society with a developed culinary industry.’
Culinary Traditions
[Culinary Lore acquired!]
[Experience +10]
[Lore Point +1]
[90/100 until Level 26]
[Lore Points: 39]
But.
The high elves were different.
‘A race that must live for a thousand years naturally pursues a wide variety of pleasures. That’s why hedonism runs so deeply through high elf culture.’
Thanks to that.
They had even invented the Bread of Eternity.
“Does this satisfy you, Grey Sage?”
“Hmm.”
I had received the secret recipe from the high elf mages and recreated the Bread of Eternity. The moment I tasted the bread I had created with my own hands, I knew the recipe was flawless. One bite, and the flavors of fried chicken and pizza flooded my senses.
“Yes. Ambassador Glorimmar.”
“I am glad it pleases you.”
“It tastes exactly like the flavors of my homeland.”
For the first time in a long while, a satisfied smile spread across my face as I looked around at the humans in the banquet hall. Iron Mace Rodrick was weeping while eating the bread. Belladia had completely forgotten her refined noble lady act and was devouring the Bread of Eternity like a knight who hadn’t eaten in three days. The high nobles following Rodrick were no different.
“Truly, high elf culture is superior.”
“The Bread of Eternity is merely an appetizer.”
“Indeed. Compared to your people’s true pride, culinary superiority is a trivial matter. No matter how remarkable the Bread of Eternity is, it cannot compare to the magic that tames dragons.”
High elves.
A race that lives for a thousand years.
A people who enjoy an advanced magical civilization.
“I finally understand why the human kings and dukes envy your kind so much. When I only read about it in books, I could never quite grasp it…”
Elegant appearance.
Ageless bodies.
Innate talent for magic.
These were the three elements that proved the high elves’ innate superiority over humans. Yet the acquired gap between them was even greater than the innate one.
“I heard your cities have flush toilets. Is that true?”
At the Grey Sage’s sharp question,
“It is true.”
Ambassador Glorimmar answered proudly.
“Flush toilets are the true symbol of civilization.”
“Indeed! Now I understand why you consider all humans to be barbarians!”
And that wasn’t all. Elves granted equal rights and duties regardless of gender, and even royal authority was restricted by a form of constitution. Nobles could not exploit commoners at will.
Modern-minded pointy-eared people living in the Middle Ages.
That was the defining characteristic of the high elves.
“I understand your perspective as well.”
After all,
I was a reincarnator.
And a mage.
“Mages are different from ordinary humans, after all.”
Mages were persecuted in many lands for various reasons. They were seen as anti-establishment groups opposing imperial power, or as wicked heretics who defied the Sun God’s gospel. It was difficult for them to find a place to settle.
“That is why the Harrington family is so precious to me.”
“…”
“They were the first to truly acknowledge me.”
After parting ways with my master, I wandered the continent in search of a patron. The foundation of magic is research, and research always requires a sponsor.
“Those in power either hate us mages or fear us. Sometimes both.”
Mages.
Mysterious spellcasters who wield unknown powers.
That was how nobles viewed mages.
“At the same time, they crave the power and convenience magic brings. That is why we mages occupy such an ambiguous position in human society. Much like your own high elves.”
Humans both admire elves and burn with insane jealousy and possessiveness. After all, elves possess everything humans desperately desire but can never obtain.
“…Hmm.”
The high elf ambassador, Glorimmar, stroked his chin.
“You keep emphasizing our similarities…”
The ambassador had noticed.
That his counterpart was trying to persuade him.
“It seems the Sage has studied rhetoric.”
“Indeed. My master was quite versatile.”
Rhetoric is the study of effective persuasion. According to its classifications, persuasion consists of three core elements.
First. The speaker’s credibility.
Second. Empathy with the audience.
Third. Logical grounds for conviction.
“Ambassador Glorimmar, you are someone who closely monitors the trends of the mortal world, are you not? Therefore, I assume you have already gathered sufficient information regarding the reputation I have built among the kings and dukes of the Central Region.”
The Grey Tellorian.
The Sage who prevented both drought and war.
Moreover, a prophet who could see into the future.
“You must have confirmed with your own eyes that it is no empty fame.”
“…”
This was.
The speaker’s credibility.
“I have also sufficiently demonstrated that I empathize with the elves’ position. I wished to prove that I can be a trustworthy trading partner from your people’s perspective.”
This was.
Empathy with the counterpart.
Building rapport.
“What exactly are you planning to propose?”
“The proposal I intend to make, along with its logical basis.”
Glug glug.
Elf-made wine was poured into a dwarf-crafted glass.
“Which would you like to hear first?”
“…”
The ambassador found the wine glass Tellorian offered him uncomfortable. The aroma of the grape wine that tickled his nose was excellent, but the vessel itself had been crudely shaped by the rough hands of those dwarf bastards.
‘It’s just like the Grey Sage’s proposal.’
The content was intriguing.
But the form in which it was presented felt unpleasant.
Because the man acted as if he held the upper hand.
‘Then I shall seize the initiative first.’
Tellorian was undoubtedly a figure who would soon be called a Grand Sage. A super-genius who appears perhaps once every thousand years. Though human, he possessed wisdom and magical prowess comparable to high elf mages — a true mage.
‘To short-lived humans, a talent like that must seem like an omnipotent being. After all, in their brief lives, they would never encounter such a genius again.’
However.
He was a high elf.
Moreover, an elder who had encountered countless such individuals.
‘I rode beside the conqueror Zaherion. I have witnessed countless dynasties rise and fall. I even saw the first Archmages establish the Sage Council.’
An empire?
Nothing more than a rising power.
One that had only been ascendant for five hundred years.
‘I am Glorimmar, the Silver Eagle!’
The legendary diplomat who even successfully negotiated with the Sage of Death!
‘I shall overwhelm him with eloquence!’
You mere child—
“The Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent.”
?
What?
Why was he mentioning that?
And at the negotiation table, no less?
“You are the ones behind it.”
“What is the Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent?”
“Your poker face is excellent.”
Tellorian smiled faintly.
“However, the correct response you should have given, Ambassador, was ‘What does the Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent have to do with our current negotiation?’ After all, as a high-ranking elder of the high elves, there is no way you would not know what it is.”
The Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent.
The end of the world spoken of in elven mythology.
“!”
“Now your expression is finally cracking.”
“…”
Once the main scenario begins, the term Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent is used in two ways. One is as an idiomatic expression elven characters use to refer to the apocalypse. The other is—
“You intend to annihilate the Empire, don’t you?”
“…”
“Or rather, you will be the ones annihilated if you don’t.”
It referred to the highest-grade confidential operation that high elf leaders had been preparing for the past century.
“I can understand your motive for preparing the Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent. If you are destined to be dragged into extermination camps by the Empire within the next hundred years, then setting the world on fire isn’t necessarily a bad choice.”
If you’re going to die anyway,
You might as well drag everyone else down with you.
That was perfectly understandable.
“But not anymore.”
“…”
“Stop the apocalypse plan.”
“…”
“If you dawdle, I will expose the secret.”
The Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent had not yet begun.
Moreover.
The first head had already been eliminated.
In other words,
It was a plan that could no longer be realized.
“I know that the Elf Queen has been working with the Abyss to prepare the Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent, and I possess sufficient evidence to expose that fact.”
Therefore.
If you wish to avoid the exposure of that secret,
You will unconditionally accept my proposal.
“This is the rational basis for my proposal.”
“…”
“I have placed the specific proposal here.”
He handed over.
A scroll.
“Every single clause.”
Without exception.
Must be carried out immediately.
High Elf Ambassador Convinced!
[Experience +10]
[Lore Point +1]
[100/100 until Level 26]
[Level has reached Tier Limit!]
[Experience gained from now on will be accumulated!]
[You must ascend your Tier to raise your Level.]
[Remaining Experience: 0]
[Lore Points: 40]
“We.”
High Elf Ambassador Glorimmar answered in a calm voice.
His complexion did not change in the slightest.
“Do not know what the Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent is.”
“?”
“It is nothing more than a childish tale from an ancient myth. Every race has stories imagining the end of the world, don’t they?”
Therefore.
We do not know what the Three-Headed Dragon’s Descent is.
“However, we could consider making a new friend for the Eternal Court among the human race. After all, the world becomes a more beautiful place when shared with friends.”
Glorimmar read the scroll.
Carefully and quickly.
“Therefore.”
As a gesture of goodwill toward the Grey Sage Tellorian — the newest friend of the Eternal Court and the wisest human alive — we shall review the proposed treaty very favorably.
Thud!
He stamped the seal.
“I have approved half of the treaty under my own authority.”
“The remaining half will require Her Majesty the Queen’s approval.”
“Correct.”
“How long must I wait?”
Glorimmar fell into thought.
“Two weeks.”
“What are the chances the Queen will approve it?”
“She will most certainly do so.”
If not,
I will personally persuade her.
＊＊＊
“Wow… Ambassador, you were truly mesmerizing.”
“…”
“What do you think, Master?”
Once the banquet ended, a concert was held following traditional diplomatic protocol. The royal musicians of Essil, the kingdom’s pride, performed at a high level. However, Ambassador Glorimmar declared it an insult to music, took up a lute, and stepped onto the stage himself.
“Master?”
“Do you understand what they are singing about?”
“Does that matter?”
Belladia gazed at Glorimmar playing the lute with an entranced expression. He was a perfect musician. His voice was angelic, and the movement of his fingers plucking the strings was elegant. Combined with his dazzling appearance that could even make Tellorian look like a squid, even middle-aged nuns could not take their eyes off the ambassador.
“Just watching him is enough.”
“They are singing about loss.”
Faded glory.
A setting sun.
“High elves once possessed everything, but now they are losing it all. That is why the elegy the ambassador sings is filled with a sense of loss for bygone times…”
Kyaaaah! Ambassador! Take me!
“…”
Belladia ignored her own commentary and waved her steel sword like a glow stick. She looked exactly like a girl facing her beloved idol.
‘She looks completely uncultured, but it’s not bad.’
It was the first time
she had shown a girlish side.
Research Subject: Belladia Harrington
Specimen has experienced what ‘passion’ is.
Research Clues: 2/10
[Experience +10]
[Lore Point +1]
[100/100 until Level 26]
[Remaining Experience: 10]
[Lore Points: 41]
‘At any rate, I have now secured someone who can guarantee bloodline legitimacy. The problem lies with the nobles loyal to the existing royal family and the Sun God Church.’
The loyalist nobles
could not be persuaded.
A decisive battle would be necessary.
‘In that case.’
It was time
to organize the research I had accumulated.
To ascend to a new realm.
Recognition as a Magister
Research Topic: Write a Grimoire.
Reward: Level Cap Unlocked