Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Dragon of Myriad Forms
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Olbern emerged carrying a thick book. She plopped down right atop the stack of books and flipped it open, muttering rapidly to herself.
"But this is a bit unexpected. What sparked your sudden interest in dwarven legends? From a human perspective, they're nothing but absurd tall tales. The kind of old stories kids might enjoy... Hmm, when did I write this again? Looking at it now, there are some parts that need fixing... This notation's wrong—no, it was correct back then..."
Even with a guest right in front of her, she dove straight into the book as if she'd written it herself. What a weirdo. She seemed oblivious to the mumbling spilling from her lips, her voice fading to a near-whisper by the end.
This went on for quite a while.
After muttering to herself alone for some time, Olbern stood up, reached for a fan on a distant shelf, then startled and whipped around to face me.
"Oh dear! I'd completely forgotten about you! Sorry about that! Just find somewhere to sit for now."
I glanced around at her words. But there was nowhere to sit. The place was crammed floor to ceiling with trash and what looked like research materials.
As I stood there awkwardly doing nothing, she scurried off and returned, shoving things aside with her short legs.
"The chair..."
"Ah, the chair. It's a fine piece, but there aren't any suitable ones to sit on right now."
As Olbern said, there wasn't a single chair in the mansion fit for sitting. The few peeking out from the clutter were precariously stacked with what appeared to be valuables, performing unwitting feats of balance.
After clearing a spot for me, Olbern swept aside a space for herself and plopped down as well. It seemed the concept of cleaning simply didn't exist in her mind.
I'm gonna get dizzy.
Tak-!
"Alright, ask away! Whatever you're curious about."
Olbern set the large book down right beside her and smiled.
"Does Rem Drain really exist?"
At my question, Olbern flashed a peculiar smile. She even mimed stroking a nonexistent beard—a gesture so oddly cute I nearly burst out laughing.
"Someone comes seeking knowledge on Rem Drain, only to ask if the subject even exists... How much do you actually know?"
"That runes might originate from Rem Drain... That runes could be a means of communication with colossal beings. And that 'Rem Drain' might not refer to a single entity."
"You don't know much, do you?"
"That's why I'm here, isn't it?"
Olbern nodded and stood. Curious what she was up to, I watched intently as she popped open the lid of the beer keg I'd brought as a gift. She poured right there, plucking two cups from the junk around her.
Even in this chaotic mansion, there must be some underlying order. She ladled beer into the two cups, sauntered over lightly, and sat back down.
Swoosh-
Olbern offered me a cup of beer. Honestly, I didn't want any.
"As you said, the odds are very, very high that 'Rem Drain' doesn't refer to a single entity. It never appeared in the same form twice."
"Then..."
"But conversely, the odds are also high that it is a single entity. Colossal beings—what are they? Mysterious, unknown existences. Creatures that wield mana and cast spells? Changing their form would be child's play for them. But that's not the point right now. What matters first is confirming whether Rem Drain truly exists."
Olbern drained her beer in one go and stood again. She wobbled a bit before heading back to the keg for a refill.
"Before that, I have a question for you. Care to answer?"
"What is it?"
"Why are you investigating Rem Drain? What do you plan to do once you find it?"
"Well..."
Why was I investigating Rem Drain? It was pure personal greed and curiosity. A tale intertwined with the mystery of runes. Digging into it might reveal the truth about the lost runes and their origins.
There's a difference between mere knowledge and true understanding...
It was certain to aid my growth as a mage.
And that wasn't all. I wanted to confront every existing colossal being in this world firsthand, experience their mysteries, and chronicle them in a book.
"I want to know."
"Hmm. That's awfully lukewarm... No grand ambitions?"
"Nothing like that. Just personal greed and curiosity. And no plans to do anything with it. I just want to see it."
Gulp gulp-
Olbern chugged the beer in her hand and nodded vigorously. Then she poured another.
"I like that answer. Then get ready."
"Ready for... what?"
"To investigate, of course. You want to know if Rem Drain exists? Then we have to go to the places where it was sighted and check it out."
Sure, that made sense, but wasn't this a bit sudden?
As I sat there stunned, she tossed her beer mug aside lightly and turned.
"I need to pack too, so wait a moment."
"You're... you're coming too?"
"Of course! Were you planning to go alone without me? Don't even think about it. Do you know how long I've waited for someone like you?"
Olbern's bold retort left me utterly flustered. This was far beyond my expectations. No deep discussion. No rundown of her research. I shot to my feet and blurted to her.
"Wait, no explanation of your research materials?"
"Materials? Of course I have them. They're mostly bundled old tales... If you're curious, just say so. I'll lend you the book."
"But... doesn't that mean you don't know anything either? Weren't you researching Rem Drain?"
"Naturally, I did research. Scoured history books for records, tracked down elders for their stories..."
"And then? Did you ever visit the sighting spots to investigate?"
Olbern tilted her head at my question. Then she declared confidently.
"Of course not. How could I go alone to those dangerous places?"
"What..."
"That's why this is perfect. I'd half-given up because of all the monster-infested danger zones, but then a talented mage like you shows up with the same goal. It's fate, isn't it?"
With that, Olbern dug a sagging bag out from under the junk. Peering inside, she bustled about, stuffing in various items.
"I'll be ready soon, so hang tight. This is my first outing in ages—I'm quite excited!"
I'd met many mages over the years, but none with Olbern's personality. The bartender's words came back unbidden. She's got a peculiar temperament.
What an eccentric dwarf.
Still, better than investigating alone...
I crossed my arms and pondered briefly. If nothing came of this visit, I'd planned to legwork it anyway, gathering intel. She had compiled stories of Rem Drain into a book, so she must know the sighting locations.
I let out a sigh and spoke.
"Hold on."
"What's up?"
"I can't move right now. I've got my companions... and we just arrived in Nari. We need some rest and prep."
"Hmm. Fair enough... How long should I wait?"
"Tomorrow at the earliest. Latest by the day after."
"Really? Promise?"
Olbern thrust up her right hand and wiggled her pinky.
So that's what she does to pass for an old dwarf man to others.
After leaving Olbern's mansion, I grabbed some dinner and headed to the inn. Durel and Simo had already returned. They were chatting in front of my door when they sensed me and turned.
"Welcome back!"
"You're back!"
Seeing the two greet me so eagerly reminded me of large dogs blindly devoted to their master. I nodded with a half-hearted expression, and Durel naturally stepped forward to take my luggage.
"We've only been back a short while ourselves. You got dinner? Before we eat, we picked up..."
"Hand me the key. I'll unlock it. If you'd given it before heading out, we'd have tidied up..."
Everything was fine, but sometimes their kindness felt overwhelming. I gently pushed Durel and Simo aside and unlocked the door.
"Oh, you two free tomorrow?"
"Pardon? Something come up?"
"Of course not."
I'd expected as much. My two disciples had abysmal social skills with anyone but me. No way they'd made plans in a new city.
"We need to head somewhere. Get ready."
"Ready for wha—"
"Understood!"
Their reactions split perfectly. Simo stared blankly, while Durel responded briskly. As expected of my first disciple—comprehending and nodding without explanation.
I nodded in satisfaction and headed inside.