Chapter 117. Looks Like They’ve Never Seen a Real Beast Before
“Hmm, but Infinite Chain, huh…”
I calmed the atmosphere that only I had taken lightly and faced the situation seriously.
Indeed, if Dekulan were to get their hands on Infinite Chain, things would get complicated.
As I said, the Secret Art of Red Flame or the Heavenly Origin Art could just be burned away, but a thesis couldn’t.
‘Then in the end, things would flow according to history again.’
Just like in my previous life, Paheln would once again rise as the strongest mage in history.
This problem was quite serious.
But wait…
“Lorutel wouldn’t cooperate that easily, would they?”
“Why do you think that?”
Ah, it hasn’t been revealed yet?
‘No, that’s not it.’
I quickly recalculated the timeline and corrected my thoughts.
In my previous life, the head of the Lorutel family was a die-hard martial supremacist.
— “Only martial prowess is the supreme study, all other secret arts are but petty tricks.”
Only, the body and the sword. Two arms and two legs. Weapons, as an extension of that, were the righteous path, and magic along with other secret arts were nothing but trifling skills!
Yes, a lunatic. Even among lunatics, few were that far gone.
Artifacts that knights would kill for weren’t even given a glance. He only pursued pure martial strength.
And such a man would trade with the greatest mage family of the Eastern Continent?
That’s laughable.
But…
‘There’s still some time left before he becomes the family head.’
Then, Lorutel trading with Dekulan was certainly possible. Once I reached that conclusion, my mouth turned bitter. It was plain to see how Dekulan would act once they had Infinite Chain.
“…Do you know something? If you do, share it.”
“No, nothing at all. Anyway, things just got complicated. How much of the situation have you grasped?”
At Parun’s voice, I pushed aside my thoughts for now and threw back the question.
Parun looked at me suspiciously for a moment, then answered.
“For now, things aren’t urgent. The negotiations between Dekulan and Lorutel are still in the early stages. Dekulan has merely made a one-sided proposal.”
“Even for Dekulan, there can’t be that many things worth trading for Infinite Chain, can there?”
“Even so, it’s not like there’s nothing. And it doesn’t have to be a barter.”
“You mean they could borrow it.”
“Right. In that case, Dekulan would have far more cards to play.”
If it were a straight trade for Infinite Chain, Dekulan would have to prepare something of equal value, which would be a burden even for them.
Sure, Infinite Chain had immense value, but once this matter ended, it would be little more than a flashy but useless trinket. But if it were merely lent out for something of lesser value, both Dekulan and Lorutel could be satisfied.
“Then, that means the deal is almost certain…”
“Chances are high.”
“So, the plan?”
I looked at Parun seated at the head. Surely he had called me here because he had some kind of plan. Having obtained this information, there’s no way he’d just sit idly. He must have some scheme to resolve the situation.
But Parun’s answer betrayed my expectations.
“I don’t know.”
“…Eh?”
“I’ll have to start coming up with one now. That’s why I called you. You’re better at this sort of shady business.”
“…”
He wasn’t wrong. He wasn’t wrong, but…Amid Parun’s brazen composure, I couldn’t shake one impression. That this was, to put it bluntly…
“Dumping the dirty work?”
Yes, it felt like I was just being dumped the dirty work. But Parun remained unflinchingly confident.
“Let’s call it division of labor. I do the research, you create a comfortable research environment. That’s all. Surely you weren’t thinking of freeloading the thesis without lifting a finger?”
He had me there.
Not that he was wrong, because I really had planned on freeloading the thesis. After all, freeloading always tastes best. Meat tastes best cooked, but with things like this, the raw bite is the real flavor.
But now that things had come to this, what choice did I have?
I had no choice but to jump in with both feet.
“Anyway… give me a briefing. Through what channels you got this info, and how Dekulan and Lorutel are moving.”
“A wise choice. People are meant to work, after all.”
Meant to work?
Then maybe giving up on being human was worth considering.
* * *
After finishing my talk with Parun, I headed straight back to the Academy, walking briskly.
‘Still, there’s quite a bit of time left.’
For something Parun had summoned me so urgently about, the negotiations between Dekulan and Lorutel weren’t imminent yet.
Between two great houses. A deal between such massive groups involved far more than just profit and loss. From the date of the deal, to the location, to the negotiation method and those responsible, down to even the pettiest details, out of that house-style pettiness, all would have to be arranged.
Anyway, I drew the board in my head based on the information I’d gotten from Parun.
‘Dekulan are the ones pressed, while Lorutel aren’t in any hurry.’
If so, if I could exploit this point, I might be able to reap the rewards without lifting a finger… The principle is always to draw the maximum profit with the minimum effort. Not just because I’m lazy, but because that’s the safer path.
With my thoughts ordered, I arrived at Lapiter.
“…”
I stood in the darkness and took in the sight of the Academy’s Lapiter.
So this is the Eastern Continent’s greatest library? Its scale was indeed overwhelming.
Only three stories tall, but its sheer area truly deserved the word ‘vast.’
The dim silhouette under the falling night was like a massive beast coiled up, exuding an indescribable sense of oppression. And above its grand gates, upon its decorations, a pair of eyes loomed like gatekeepers, gazing down upon the ground below.
Beeeeep! Beep!
That was Breakfast No. 1.
Why such a sudden “Breakfast No. 1,” you ask, that story goes back to yesterday.
— “I’ll provide you an entry ticket, but it’s not good for it to be known that you’ve entered Lapiter.”
Even in the middle and lower floors it might pass quietly, but the upper floors would be controversial.
And indeed, it was true.
‘A vagrant from the Grey Area entering a space reserved for royalty, great houses, and high nobility? Unthinkable.’
If this fact became known publicly, not only I but even senior Headmaster’s standing would take a hit.
That was why we chose this evening.
And what else did he say?
— “I’ll introduce you to a bookworm. Someone who’ll help you with access to Lapiter from now on.”
Right, he said he’d introduce someone. Since contact with the librarians was inevitable when entering Lapiter, better to be introduced to a discreet one.
Beep, beep!
With Breakfast No. 1 perched on my head, I stepped into Lapiter.
My lonely footsteps echoed through the empty building. After passing the antique lobby, I eventually stopped in front of a door.
“Here?”
Beep, beep!
Crying softly in affirmation, Breakfast No. 1 was much better-behaved since the flick on the forehead.
Creeeeak!
With a faint squeal of hinges, the inside was revealed. The Headmaster senior was talking with an old man, and it wasn’t long before they noticed me.
“So, about that brat with no manners… Ah, you’re here? You’re late.”
Brat? Were they talking about me? Paranoid? No, not paranoia.
“Hmm, hm. Anyway, close the door and come in. The air’s rather cold.”
“It’s hot, though.”
“…When you’re old, your bones ache.”
What aches isn’t the bones, but the conscience. Or maybe it just means time’s up. But I didn’t voice it. It was our first meeting, after all. First impressions are important.
So I entered the modest office. The Headmaster senior offered me a seat, then introduced me to the old man.
“Do the honors. This here is that brat with no man… no, Aster. Aster, introduce yourself. This is Teheman, director of the Lapiter Library. The bookworm I mentioned.”
“…”
Wait, the bookworm he said he’d introduce me to was the library’s director?
The way he spoke, I thought he’d stick me with some cheeky librarian like Rayleigh.
Caught off guard, I quickly composed myself and gave my politest bow.
“How do you do, Director. I am Aster, of Zenion Academy, Magic Division, Class M3.”
“…Huh.”
Was he astonished? The Headmaster senior let out an incredulous breath. He seemed to have a mountain of things he wanted to say, but for some reason he didn’t speak.
But then, why was that?
The library director’s attitude seemed strange.
“…”
His eyes glared at me as though he’d seen something unspeakable. His pupils quivered minutely, and his stiff face carried a hard-to-read blend of discomfort.
But was it discomfort? It felt more like confusion, like he couldn’t understand.
As his stare threatened to bore holes through my face, the Headmaster senior stepped forward.
“What’s the matter? Is something wrong?”
“…”
The director didn’t reply. An awkward, stifling air filled the room. Even Breakfast No. 1 tilted its head with a ‘beep?’ as the director, ignoring the Headmaster senior, fixed his gaze solely on me.
No, “fixed his gaze” wasn’t quite right.
‘Those eyes…’
The director’s eyes were oddly clouded. If you didn’t look closely you wouldn’t notice, but once seen, it was undeniable.
‘…Blind?’
Yes, the library director was blind.
And once I realized that, his firmly sealed lips opened.
“…Schwartz. Is the thing standing before me truly a human?”
“…”
What? Personal attacks out of nowhere? For the record, I was human. I worked, after all.
But why was it? The Headmaster senior nodded, as if he understood the director’s opening jab.
“Sometimes he’s worse than a beast, but he’s definitely human.”
This guy?
Looks like he’s never seen a real beast before. Well then, what should I do? Expanding a senior’s horizons is also a junior’s duty.
I resolved that someday, I would show him a real beast.
“…No, no. That’s not what I meant.”
The director shook his head gravely. Then his voice lowered with heavy seriousness.
“Schwartz, would you mind stepping out for a moment? There is something I must say to that… thing called Aster, alone.”
Now I was a “thing.” Clearly treated as an object.
‘Combo strike?’
For the record, my fists discriminate against no one. Strong or weak, man or woman, young or old, I strike back exactly as I’m struck.
I began drawing up my inner aggression.
“Hmm, I suppose if I ask, you won’t tell me anyway, will you?”
“Don’t ask. Neither to me, nor to that thing. It’s better that way.”
“I don’t know what this is about, but fine. I’ll come back once you’re done.”
Creak! Click!
The Headmaster senior left, as if encouraging me to make a soul-to-soul fist connection.
I clenched and unclenched my fists discreetly. Since he was the Headmaster senior’s acquaintance, and a library director at that, I’d grant him a few more chances.
But then, the director spoke.
“Are you… a grimoire? How can a grimoire wear the mask of a human?”
