Book Eater

Chapter 156: One Year Later (2)

Of course, Theo hadn’t been idle over the last year. He’d collated all the information from Gluttony’s daily answers, and he’d compiled a vast amount of knowledge about inefficient magic and Dragon Words. However, none of this helped to break through the wall of the 7th Circle.

Gluttony’s advice was simple.

- User might’ve already realized this, but the realm of master isn’t one you reach by steadily improving. It requires redefining one’s world views and destroying one’s own limitations.?

A magician from the distant past had once said that if the process of advancing from the 1st to 4th Circle was like climbing a staircase, then the journey from the 4th to 6th Circle was like climbing a sheer cliff. In that case, what did the wall of the 7th Circle and the master level look like? Theo still remembered the explanation from a book placed in an unpopular corner of the library.

The transcendent, so-called master, level contains a power that is inherently beyond mortals. It is the act of destroying the shackles that confine destiny. It’s something that can’t be reached with just natural talent... It is also a shackle. If you are reading this book because you want to become a master, you can’t walk or run. Instead, you need wings.

It was common sense that no matter how far away a destination was, one could eventually get there if one just moved toward it. If a person kept climbing up a mountain, they would eventually reach the peak surrounded by clouds. However, it was meaningless for a magician to use hard work to reach the master level. A master could fly without wings and breathe underwater without gills. They were transcendent beings who could do impossible things.

There was no official pathway to such a level. Theo was reviewing everything he had learned when he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Theo, are you inside?”

“... You already know, so just come in.”

Wasn’t Randolph a master swordsman with a perceptual ability which stretched out over kilometers?

Randolph opened the door with a shrug. “I thought you might be doing something important. Don’t magicians hate people entering their space without notice?”

“It isn’t just magicians who hate it, though? Anyway, what is it? I thought you would be training in the backyard.”

“Ah, someone came looking for you.”

.

Theo recalled sensing someone approach his wards. He hadn’t sensed any hostility, so he had dismissed them. Randolph must have greeted them. As Theo looked questioningly at Randolph, the latter took out a letter covered with ornate decorations.

“He asked me to deliver a letter to the owner.”

“... Marquis Piris,” Theo murmured as he looked at the seal on the envelope. He was in a strange relationship with the ruler of this territory, Marquis Piris. They were neighbors, but their relationship had been limited to one interaction.

In addition, my identity hasn’t been revealed.

Marquis Piris didn’t know their identities and histories. But the almost absurd price Theo had paid for the mansion had the marquis treating them with caution. A hidden noble from another country might bring trouble to the entirety of Soldun Kingdom.

Theo had easily provided the thousand gold thanks to the pouch Aquilo had given him.

“I didn’t think he would come this year...”

Maybe something had happened. Theo was curious as he opened the seal of the letter that Randolph gave him. He slowly read the excellent handwriting and raised his eyebrows. “... He will visit tomorrow afternoon? And he will bring guests?”

Marquis Piris’ polite words showed caution. Theo knew some of the marquis’ men still patrolled around his mansion, so what was this visit for? Maybe somebody else was behind it. Many speculations crossed his mind, leaving a few possibilities behind.

This was impossible to refuse. What justification did he have for refusing Marquis Piris’ visit?

Theo put down the letter with a small sigh. “I should prepare to meet the guests.”

He felt the first signs of trouble arising in the previously peaceful city.

***

The next day, Marquis Piris arrived precisely at noon, as per his letter. He was accompanied by Prince Elsid, who was interested in the people with unknown identities, and the Baek Family, who had arrived the previous night. They were relying on the family’s sword skills, and Baek Jongmyung was fluent in the language of the continent.

Baek Jongmyung wanted to take a look at their new home. As the chateau came into view, Baek Jongmyung’s mouth dropped open with admiration. “Oh...! Indeed, it is magnificent enough to be our home, just like Lord Piris promised.”

“Do you like it, Master Baek?”

“Yes. The mansion is luxurious, and it is surrounded by spacious gardens and hills. Moreover, the feng shui is very good.”

The marquis and Elsid didn’t know what feng shui was, but they quietly sighed in relief. A martial artist of the east was similar to a nobleman of the west, and a sword master of a family was equivalent to a marquis or a duke. Baek Jongmyung had to move due to difficult circumstances, but it had been a long time since he had been treated as an ordinary person.

Elsid spoke to him in an informal manner, “That is welcome news. I will take back the mansion and give it to you, so let me finish the preparations.”

“Yes. Thank you for Your Highness’ generosity.”

Inwardly, Elsid felt bitter as Baek Jongmyung maintained a polite and formal attitude. If Elsid had one or two more military retainers like this sword master, his kingdom wouldn’t be in this state.

The current Soldun Kingdom was a battlefield between the loyalists who struggled to defend the kingdom and parasites who were only loyal to the neighboring kingdoms. He was determined to win over Baek Jongmyung, and the first step would be giving this mansion to him.

Suddenly, Baek Jongmyung stopped moving.

Marquis Piris asked quizzically, “Master Baek, what is it?”

“... Hoh.” Baek Jongmyung looked admiringly around the mansion. “This mage is truly exemplary. I have seen many mages in my life, but I’ve never seen one capable of such sophisticated wards. The citizens of the western continent live up to their name as the pioneers of magic.”

Marquis Piris cautiously ventured, “Mage… Are you talking about a magician?”

Baek Jongmyung nodded. “Yes. I don’t know who it is, but I’m impressed.”

Elsid and the marquis looked at each other with perplexed expressions. A sword master was praising the magician staying in the mansion? The report had only mentioned two people living here, a young man named Ted and his bodyguard. As such, the young man should be the magician.

Before they could confer, the gates opened, and the young man in question walked out.

“Welcome, Marquis Piris.”

A blond swordsman stood behind the young man in a relaxed but alert stance. It was proof that the swordsman hadn’t taken the job just because of money. Just as the marquis was about to greet them...

“Hah! This continent is truly a land of sleeping dragons!” Baek Jongmyung’s sudden cry attracted everyone’s attention as he looked at the two men in open admiration. In contrast, Theo’s face stiffened slightly.

The strong always recognized each other, and the three men perceived each other’s strengths the moment they faced each other.

Baek Jongmyung met Theo’s eyes. “Such incredible strength for one so young.” His eyes flicked to Randolph, “And an expert too! My perspective has been greatly broadened today.”

For a moment, no one knew what to say. Baek Jongmyung’s retainers were amazed at the effusiveness of their lord, while Marquis Piris and Elsid were struggling to orient themselves.

“... Wait!” Elsid regained his tongue before anyone else, as befitting of a prince. His eyes were still widened in surprise as he asked Baek Jongmyung to confirm again, “Master Baek, are the words you just spoke... the truth?”

Elsid was desperate for it to be a lie; however, Baek Jongmyung heartlessly told him the truth, “Yes, that’s right. You should be friends with them, rather than enemies. They are strong people, so you shouldn’t face them as enemies.”

“... This is nonsense.” Prince Elsid, who finally embraced the ridiculous situation, shouted as he looked at the two men, “Why is a sword master hiding in a place like this!?”

His reaction was natural. A sword master wasn’t just a strategic asset who was treated as the pillar of a nation. They were also the continent’s best assassins. This was the reason Kurt III always had Veronica or Blundell by his side. The presence of a sword master in Soldun, which had no such precautions, was no different from an open threat.

However, Theo and Randolph were calm. They were prepared to fight, but the easterner didn’t show any hostility towards them. The young man who seemed like royalty was flustered, but he didn’t show any signs of wanting to fight either.

A conversation is better than a meaningless fight.

Royalty and a sword master... The two guests were more trouble than he’d anticipated, but Theo remained calm. This wasn’t much compared to the turmoil which had occurred a year ago.

“I'm sorry, but I don’t think this is the place for this conversation.” Theo stepped to the side and gestured to the mansion, “As Marquis Piris said earlier, how about we relax and talk inside?”