Book 4 Chapter 12
Episode 86
The exam period was over, and the weekend had arrived. I planned to go on a healing trip over the weekend, while also organizing some information about the recent confusing situations. A trip – my heart was already pounding with excitement.
“May I go?” I asked cautiously.
The librarian responsible for the restricted section of the Central Library was a stern and serious-looking middle-aged man, but as I gently waved the insignia I received from Madellia, he immediately nodded.
“I had already received a call from the Chancellor the other day.”
“So, I can go, right?! Because I have the insignia!”
“That is correct.”
“Right? Because I have the insignia! The insignia!”
“…Yes. You may use the Restricted Section 3 through 6.”
Then, as he placed his hand on the heavy iron entrance door, countless magic circles appeared on its surface and began to rotate like cogs.
- Qualified individual recognized, entry approved.
As the door opened, an amazing world unfolded, and a pleasant aroma wafted out.
The smell of dust accumulated over long ages, and of paper decaying… the unique breath of a library with a long history. Just smelling this made me feel fantastic.
‘If this isn’t a trip, then what is it? Maybe it’s a drug. The only drug permitted by the Papacy.’
It was a three-story duplex structure, and bookshelves filled every visible space, cherishing thousands of ancient books.
A wide grin spread across my face.
Even without reading, just looking at the sight of countless books piled up made me feel good. A smile naturally formed on my face as I looked at their immense weight.
‘It was worth all the effort I put into taking care of Kasena Page.’
All right, let’s calm down the excitement a bit. I came here today to organize some pretty serious information. After wandering around the section with history-related books, I soon found the one I wanted.
『History of the Pre-Tersia Era』
The history of the pre-era was also the history of the Abyss, so detailed information was not publicly disclosed.
That’s why, even during Lynn’s time, I heard most of the information from Ristana Friede…
The book itself tells the reason as soon as you open to the beginning.
[It is taboo to call the Lords of the Abyss by their true names. Therefore, they are now called the <Forgotten Kings>.]
It is said that merely uttering the true names of the <Forgotten Kings> weakens the power of their seals… It’s hard to believe, but that’s what they say.
[Table of Contents.]
- Pre-Era, Age of the Abyss.
- Who are the <Forgotten Kings>?
ㆍ1.1 Lord of the Deep Sea, Whispering Madness.
ㆍ1.2 Lord of Insects, Squirming Chaos.
ㆍ1.3 Lord of Spiders, Unholy Mystery.
ㆍ1.4 Lord of Lizards, Howling Ruin.
ㆍ1.5 Lord of Time, Enticing Jest.
It is possible to grasp general information from the aliases listed in the book.
For example, in the case of ‘Whispering Madness,’ one can tell that its sphere of activity was the sea, and for ‘Squirming Chaos,’ one can tell that its familiars were insects.
The ones that appeared 300 years ago were the lizard familiars of ‘Howling Ruin.’ We headed to the South Pole to prevent its seal from breaking.
[2. Appearance of the Gods.]
- Who are the <Ones Who Came>?
ㆍ2.1 Sun of the Blue Sky, Terbel.
ㆍ2.2 Blood-Red Sun, Shurigan.
ㆍ2.3 Black Sun, Karenn.
ㆍ2.4 Pale Moon, Maxencia.
ㆍ2.5 Noble Moon, Jeyannir.
ㆍ2.6 Pathos-filled Moon, Tersia.
ㆍ2.7 Creation Star Moon, Meian.
[3. War between the <Forgotten Kings> and the <Ones Who Came>.]
ㆍ3.1 Blades of the Gods, Elmine Knights.
……
……
(…omitted…)
……
……
ㆍ3.10 Battle of Tarhye Rondel.
The gods, called the <Ones Who Came> because they arrived from another world, are said to have brought light to this world that was only darkness, dispelling the Abyss and gifting humanity with peace and freedom.
By the <Ones Who Came>, the <Forgotten Kings> were sealed in various parts of the continent.
The Lord of Spiders was sealed in the Arctic, north of <Snowy Great Wall>; the Lord of Insects in the Idia Peninsula, land of fairies; the Lord of the Deep Sea in the Mediterranean Sea; the Lord of Lizards in the South Pole where <Wall of Fiery Myriad> was established; and the Lord of Time in the Blade Peninsula, where the Papacy is located.
Incidentally, the three suns and four moons that illuminate day and night were all surprisingly created by the power of the <Ones Who Came>.
‘And these Elmine Knights…’
They are the first five heroes.
It is correct to say they are the strongest soldiers that humanity is currently emulating under the name of Fae-Warrior.
Their origin is uncertain, leading to divided opinions on whether they were originally fairies, humans, or creations of the gods.
[4. Dawn of Civilization.]
- Departing Gods, Appearance of the Three Divine Dragons.
ㆍ4.1 Overseeing Radiance, Light Dragon Haradriman.
ㆍ4.2 Rampaging Might, Fire Dragon Bel’dakidun.
ㆍ4.3 Piercing Gaze, Water Dragon Yeriserica.
Finally, before departing this world, the <Ones Who Came> created three divine dragons as administrators.
The Light Dragon, who commands the Golden Dragon Legion, is famous for leading religion as the Pope of the Papacy and overseeing everything in the world.
The Fire Dragon, whom I met in person during Lynn’s time, leads the Red Dragon Legion and protects the civilized world from the Abyss in the South Pole’s <Wall of Fiery Myriad>.
The Water Dragon is said to protect the World Tree and the light of the gods with the White Dragon Legion in the fairy land, Idia Peninsula, but not much information is known to humanity.
‘Reading ends here. I came here today for two reasons.’
Who sent me Lynn’s biography and diary?
Which <Forgotten King> do Valensidis, Livadin, and Ribeni serve?
I had a vague guess for the answer to number 1. It’s highly likely to be the Light Dragon Haradriman. There’s no other explanation apart from that divine being.
The fact that the Papacy manages Lynn’s relics strongly supports this suspicion.
Then, why there has been no direct contact is a question for me too… Perhaps they want to let me enjoy my new life, like Friede did?
‘Moving on to the next key point…’
If I can identify the <Forgotten King> they serve, then it becomes possible to devise a countermeasure. After all, the powers differ depending on who the Lord is.
Ribeni said that he was the vessel to contain Lynn’s soul.
In that case, he must intend to use my body in some way, and I can use this to identify their goal.
‘The Lizard Lord’s other alias is ‘The Devourer of Death’… Does he intend to devour my death and resurrect himself?’
If not the Lizard Lord, then it’s the Lord of Time. The Queen of the Abyss who interferes with the world line, changes the position of world points, and twists the timeline itself.
‘What if they intend to extract my soul from a timeline where I didn’t die and implant it into that body?’
Even after racking my brain for a long time, no answer came. Should I go find Haradriman and tell him about the situation so far?
But what if Haradriman doesn’t know me?
Wouldn't I immediately be gleefully tortured by the ‘Golden Children’ as a heretic who believes in reincarnation and a madman claiming to be Lynn's reincarnation?
“Ah, damn it, I really don’t know.”
Just as I was scratching my head furiously, the librarian in charge of the restricted section approached.
“What is it? Is there a daily usage limit or something?”
“No, the Chancellor is looking for you, young master. An order has come down to bring you immediately.”
Me? Why me again? Surely not to take this insignia away now that they’ve gotten all the benefits from it?
No way!
I went to the Chancellor's office with a bit of annoyance and worry, but the reason I was called was truly unimaginable.
“A party?”
Then, as if busy with something, Madellia quickly finished signing some documents and nodded.
“Yes. As I said before, due to our busyness, the reward for what you’ve done for our family was too meager compared to your contributions.”
“Huh? No, I’m fine with receiving this insignia.”
“There’s no need to be modest. We’ve prepared a party, though not a grand one, to celebrate your becoming the top student for two consecutive terms. Let’s go together now.”
A party… The moment I heard that word, goosebumps broke out all over my body.
I’ve hated them since Lynn’s time. Mingling boisterously with many unfamiliar people, and having to strictly adhere to etiquette while doing so.
I was planning a quiet trip to the library this weekend; there’s no way I can be disturbed.
“I ardently wish to attend, but my family is returning to Bellwynn today, and I feel I must see them off.”
“Hmm, really? You truly wish to attend but can’t for that reason?”
“That is correct. It’s a great pity.”
That was my undoing.
As soon as I said that, a sly smile flashed across Madellia’s lips.
“Then there’s no problem! After all, Brim said he’d bring your siblings along and attend.”
“What?”
“If you really didn’t want to come, there would be nothing to do, but since you ardently wish to come, this truly can’t be helped.”
I sighed and pressed a hand to my forehead.
Seriously, how can my damn family not be helpful at all…? Meanwhile, I desperately racked my brain.
“Actually, that too, but I didn’t bring a single formal outfit when I came to school. Unfortunately, I can’t attend looking like this—”
“—Kenneth.”
Madellia snapped her fingers and called for her secretary, who soon entered with two maids. They carried an armful of formal dresses…
“Everything is prepared. You just need to show up, Rein Ludwig.”
Madellia’s eyes sparkled as if daring me to come up with another excuse… And after all those twists and turns, this is how I ended up.
Having my hair polished and being dragged to the Page family mansion, dressed in a luxurious formal outfit that didn’t suit me at all.
It was a sight that made me understand the feelings of a pig being dragged to the slaughterhouse. I’m going to stop eating meat for a while, I swear.
“Kenneth, are the preparations done?”
“They say everything is finished.”
“Good.”
As soon as I arrived at the mansion’s small ballroom, led by Madellia’s hand, lively music was played by the orchestra.
Though it was called a small ballroom, it was large enough to be comparable to Bellwynn’s grand ballroom.
“Rein Ludwig, congratulations on being the top student for two consecutive terms.”
As Madellia, who was walking ahead, turned back and smiled gently, applause erupted from all directions.
Rein wasn’t aware, but by healing Kasena’s leg and bringing vitality back to the mansion, he had gained great favor with all its members.
In a situation he didn’t quite understand, Rein tilted his head with a bewildered expression.
“Uh, so, um, I’m not sure. Why am I receiving such congratulations from the Page family…?”
Then, a middle-aged man with a somewhat irritable expression walked out, calming the commotion.
Kasena’s father, Yuren Page.
He strode over, seemed to let out a big snort, and then suddenly grabbed Rein’s shoulders firmly and nodded.
“I heard from Madellia and Kasena. That Kasena’s remarkable performance in this exam was all thanks to your achievements?”
“What can be called an achievement—”
“—I, Yuren, am truly moved! Therefore, I will show you the utmost respect and have decided to acknowledge you. As a man worthy of becoming my son-in-law!”
A headache suddenly returned.
This story again?
I can’t understand why they suddenly bring up marriage proposals whenever something happens these days… As soon as I thought that, my trustworthy bodyguards stepped forward.
“Uh, Your Highness? Even so, isn’t this moving a bit too fast…? Perhaps Rein also needs time to gather his thoughts.”
Mother, as expected! I knew I could count on you!
And Serri Ludwig added another blow.
“Th-that’s right! Most importantly, Rein oppa promised to marry Serri later! So this can’t happen!”
You just keep quiet…
Yuren shook his head as if he wouldn't listen to such objections, then clapped his hands and exclaimed at the same time.
“Kasena, now you tell him yourself!”
Clack, clack… tap-tap… Along with the sound of crutches scraping against the marble paving stones, hushed gasps emanated from all around.
It was truly a beauty beyond compare.
To the point where Rein let out a whistle for a moment.
Her elegantly tied-up pale purple hair shimmered, reflecting the light, and her perfectly clear features within the smooth curves of her face stimulated everyone’s hearts.
“How can she be so beautiful…”
“What do you mean? She’s been beautiful since she was a child…”
The hem of her dress, a harmonious blend of gold and pale purple, swayed gracefully as it slid above her ankles, which were slowly gaining muscle.
It was the first time. The first time seeing Kasena Page dressed up like this, or seeing her face with aristocratic makeup…
Because of the Page family's unique hair color, it was a beauty unique in the world. A beauty that men would covet even more precisely because it was one of a kind.
“Pfft, puhahahaha…”
At that moment, someone burst out laughing.
It was Rein Ludwig.
At first, everyone thought the boy laughed out of embarrassment, but the words he uttered while laughing revealed that he truly found it funny.
“Maybe it’s because it doesn’t suit her at all, but seeing the always-grumpy young lady dressed like that is really funny.”
Indeed. To Rein, who had no particular interest in the opposite sex, it was merely at the level of, ‘For some reason, the young lady decided to dress up a bit.’
“S-shut up! My dad practically forced me to wear it too! You, Rein, are the one who looks utterly ridiculous!”
“I was also forced to wear it by the Chancellor. So this is what 'fellow sufferers' means.”
“Fellow sufferers? What’s that?!”
“It means that patients suffering from the same illness pity each other.”
“What? Yes, Rein and I are exactly in that situation. Heh, heh-hoo-hoo-hahaha…!”
As the topic threatened to stray oddly, Madellia cleared her throat and called Kasena. Kasena nodded and then primly cleared her throat.
“Hm, hmm-hmm! Forget what Dad said—those strange things. Why would I marry you anyway?”
“Right, I thought so too?”
“I’m a Page! The status difference between me and a Ludwig is like heaven and earth!”
Then Yuren roared.
“What are you talking about, Kasena! Aren’t you being too harsh on my son-in-law, Rein?”
“Dad, just be quiet! You’re not helping!”
Perhaps because he heard such harsh words from his beloved daughter, Yuren, shocked and pale-faced, was instantly pushed out of the center of the conversation.
Kasena, who had been flustered with a bright red face, composed herself and spoke again.
“I called you to, well, give you a thank-you gift. Dad, Mom, and I decided this after discussing it.”
Then, leaning on one crutch, she pulled a luxurious wooden box engraved with the Page family crest from her arms, adorned with gold and silver treasures.
What is this now?
The moment I instinctively took it and opened it, a light not of this world enveloped my entire body, and I was utterly spellbound.
“This can’t be…”
It was a jewel. A jewel, yet not a jewel. Because it was an object that couldn’t be valued in the first place.
How on earth could I describe this?
A ring-sized sphere, glistening with a jet-black light, impossible to imitate with any supernatural power in this world.
Such a small object, yet it twisted, absorbed, purified, and amplified the flow of magic in the atmosphere.
“You like it, don’t you? You must!”
Kasena, who had been carefully observing Rein’s gaze, exclaimed with a relieved expression.
“So, this, uh, that, huh…”
As Rein couldn't even speak properly due to the tremor sweeping through his body, Madellia chuckled and approached.
“What you’re thinking right now is correct. It is the Heukyangrin (Black Sunstone).”
Heukyangrin. A treasure among treasures, always mentioned in every book dealing with the history of magic. The ideal for all mages.
The effects of this artifact, which the Black Sun Karenn gave as a gift to Emissa Page, the progenitor of magic, when he left this world, were truly unique.
To say nothing of effects like magic amplification and increased spell power, its most incredible feature was its magic recovery effect.
Originally, mages had to rest or meditate to recover their magic.
However, this Heukyangrin stabilizes the caster's core and reactivates it on its own. In short, it automatically recovers magic at any time.
There is no other magic stone with such effects anywhere in this world. The problem is that only one pair of these Heukyangrin exists in the world.
[It has traditionally been considered custom to bestow a Heukyangrin upon one who enters into marriage with the head of the Page family…]
Of course, it’s not simply given away.
It’s lent.
When the head of the family passed the position to an heir, the spouse would return it to the Page family. Knowing this, Brim spoke up.
“Senior, isn’t this the Page family’s wedding gift?!”
“That’s right. But this case is a bit special. Rein, it’s fine even if you have no intention of marriage. Please accept it.”
For a moment, I couldn't believe my ears.
This, the gift of the Black Sun Karenn, they’re telling me to accept it now?
“You only need to return it far in the future, when Kasena’s child becomes the head of the family. I’d like to give it to you outright, but we must uphold family tradition, you see.”
“But Senior… what about the person who marries Young Lady Kasena later?”
“In my heart, I’d like to have them marry just like this, but if they themselves don’t want to, there’s nothing we can do. Can’t we just explain the situation to the fellow who marries her?”
Who on earth would say anything?
They would say he’s the person who made the wife you see before you walk again, the person who made her smile like this again.
Madellia placed her hand over Rein’s, then gently closed the wooden box and nestled it into Rein’s arms.
“You are my—no, our Page family’s lifelong benefactor. I truly hope you accept it.”
I really want to accept it. I want to have it. I truly want it, but no matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem right.
This is the Page family’s heirloom. The relic of Emissa, the progenitor of magic.
Should I, who might have no connection with the Page family after graduating from the academy, accept this? No. I thought that and looked up.
“Take it, Rein.”
Mother nodded with a proud smile and said this:
“To be able to joyfully accept another person’s sincere goodwill is also one of the virtues of an adult.”