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Chapter 121 – Crossing the Wilderness (1)

Meanwhile, the city of Mana-vil bustled with life as news of the exchange between Meltor and Elvenheim spread throughout the city.

Among them, the busiest people were the merchants from large trading companies. They were better than anyone else at sniffing out the money and didn't miss this opportunity. Some would say it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a jackpot.

One of Meltor's largest trading companies, Polonell thought the same. 'If we pick things up properly, then we can live well.'

However, the boss of Polonell wasn't greedy. The magic towers and even the high ranking nobles knew that the merchants would be drooling and lingering for rights.

Therefore, he picked the next best thing. This time, it was to obtain a large amount of raw materials, since the export of artifacts and goods was going to become three times larger. He would then supply the artifacts and goods to the Magic Society. The bonus was that he could gain extra money as well as a good relationship with the magic towers.

As a result, the top company, Polonell, was able to start a procession heading toward the Central Continent faster than anyone else.

Dagadak, dagadak. The carriages made an upbeat sound as they moved quickly down a road.

Normally, they would be moving slower due to carrying a lot of baggage, but the purpose of this procession was to import raw materials quickly. For that reason, there wasn't as much baggage, and the carriages moved faster than usual.

Furthermore, the carriages they were riding weren't ordinary. It was the carriage Theodore had borrowed when he went home, the express carriage which hadn't been commercialized yet.

In the second carriage from the front, a middle-aged man laughed excitedly as he said, "Hahaha! Magician, you are lucky that you joined!"

He was a man with bushy hair, giving him the impression of a bear. That's why he was actually called 'Bear.' Bear was an experienced merchant who rejected the general preconceived notion that merchants resembled snakes or foxes.

The brown-haired young man sitting in front of Bear raised his eyes. "Lucky?"

"Yes!" Bear nodded without hesitation. "Didn't you just join on the departure date, yet you get to ride an express wagon like this? We weren't able to hire a magician to accompany us because it was such a sudden trip, so it is really lucky that our paths crossed like this!"

"Ah, that might be so."

"Additionally, you're the junior of the hero, Theodore Miller. Isn't this a good relationship?"

Theodore Miller also felt lucky as he laughed inwardly at Bear's words. Using his own name as a recommendation was working well.

That's right. The brown-haired young man with hair which was brown, instead of black, and eyes which were blue, instead of green, was actually Theodore Miller. It would be difficult to find people who recognized him now because his face was different.

While feeling a sense of incongruity from looking at a face of a stranger, Theo recalled the information of the necklace hidden behind his clothes.

[+6 Who am I? (Accessory)]

[-An artifact created from an unknown failure. This artifact in the form of a necklace can circumvent the perceptions of others by subtly changing the wearer's appearance. It shows its abilities regardless of the user's will, and once the magic is released, the medium will be destroyed immediately. It can defend against magical insight, but it can't conceal the fact that the user is 'hiding.'

* The rating of this magic tool is 'Precious.'

* When consumed, a considerable amount of magic power will be absorbed.

* When consumed, the digestion time will be 18 hours.

* When consumed, understanding of transformation magic will increase.]

Just before Theo's departure, Vince had brought him an artifact from the magic tower. It was an equipment usually used to infiltrate enemy territory or carry out secret missions.

Thanks to it, Theo was able to disguise himself without needing to reveal his identity or status. Now, he wasn't the 'hero,' Theodore Miller, but the 4th Circle Theo who was going to visit distant relatives in Kargas.

'I honestly thought the pseudonym was too obvious, but…'

Vince had laughed and shaken his head.

"Sometimes it is better to do this than to conceal your name thoroughly. You will be going around unknown countries, so I don't think you should use an alias. Do the east call it 'hard to tell if it is a sham or real'?" His mentor had explained that a carelessly made lie could attract the human eye more than a moderate one.

In any case, his name would be meaningless if they were a person who could see through the artifact.

"Huuuu…"

In the end, this was the best way to watch out for himself.

Theodore looked out the window as the carriages kept moving. The carriages had traveled far enough that the capital and the top of the magic towers couldn't be seen. He didn't know if he would come back in the next four months or even years. It was then that Theo suddenly realized he was all alone.

His master, who always pointed out the parts where Theo was lacking, the good-hearted and pretty Sylvia, whom he had a meal with once in awhile, and Veronica, who was very caring towards him, even though she was sometimes too much… Theo wouldn't be able to see the people who were like his second family for a while.

'No, I shouldn't have a weak heart already.' He tried to put aside the terrifying thought and pulled out a book from his bag.

It was [Ancient Magic Overview – Balcard] which Vince Haidel had completed after decades of hard work. This was a magic book that Theo didn't understand despite reading it for half a day already.

Pararak.

The carriage suddenly became quiet, with only the sound of paper turning. Even the loud Bear knew what it meant when a magician opened a book, so he kept his mouth shut.

This was why books were good. As Theo studied the indescribable and difficult-to-understand wisdom, any misgivings would fade. The hesitation in Theo's eyes had long since disappeared, and his brain was already drifting away into the knowledge contained in the book.

Theo, who showed intense focus, was truly the image of a magician, regardless of his age.

* * *

As Theo started the journey, and it was different in many ways from what he thought. It was impossible to find the romance of adventure when he was literally in a carriage for hours. Sometimes he couldn't rest at night or could only take a short nap.

Despite this, Theodore, as the only magician and precious guest, wasn't tired at all. However, it was a murderous schedule for the merchants and mercenaries.

[Hoing!]

Of course, that didn't mean Theodore was just sitting there.

'…To the northeast, the distance is roughly 2 kilometers?'

After Mitra's abilities were awakened in the Great Forest, they could now be used in other regions. Right now, her power was telling him of an incoming enemy.

Theo could feel that there were 23 of them. Judging by the weight on the floor, they were hobgoblins. They were enemies which the procession could cope with on its own, but it would be annoying.

So, Theo's magic power spread into the distance.

-Kieeek!

–Kirururk!

It might not be perfect, but the presence of a 6th Circle magician, enhanced with Ring of Muspelheim, was incomparable to that of an ogre. The hobgoblins knew this intuitively and retreated. In this way, he drove back the creatures which had been approaching the carriage. The procession just thought they were lucky, and there was no need to break that illusion.

Theodore's purpose was to get to Kargas quietly, and it would only become noisy if he drew attention to it.

Thanks to Theo, the carriages moved smoothly without a hitch. By the time the horses had started panting heavily, the procession had reached the intended destination for a rest stop at nearly record speed.

It was the Sipoto Plains, which acted as the border for the Austen Kingdom and Kargas Kingdom. Unlike the grasslands which had been green until now, there was a vast stretch of plains where only sparse tufts of grass were growing.

As soon as they reached the beginning of the plains, Bear shouted loudly, "Stop! It is up to here for today! Mercenaries should be alert until the camp is ready, and the rest of the staff should get out of the carriages to install the tents and make the campfire. Then we'll start eating after that!"

During to his hulking figure, Bear's voice was rather loud. The sound of horseshoes was really loud, but Bear's yell went even beyond that.

Simultaneously, the restless horses stopped moving, and sweat poured down like a shower. The carriage drivers hastily poured water on them and comforted them. Then steam rose from the skin of the wet horses. This was the result of running harshly for a week. At least they could eat as much as they wanted today, as well as recover from the fatigue by sleeping.

After Bear gave the instructions, he looked back at Theodore and asked, "Theo. It will take some time for the meal to be prepared. What do you want to do until then?"

Theo thought for a moment. So far, he had hardly left the carriage except to eat. It was because he had turned to studying the ancient magic in order to calm his confused mind.

However, the result of the week long fierce concentration was as followed:

[* Your level of understanding is high. (84.5%)]

He couldn't say that he had mastered it perfectly, but he could use easy vocabulary to trigger the ancient language magic. From this point on, it wasn't just learning but using it directly. So, this wasn't something he could achieve from being stuck in the carriage.

Theodore thought this and jumped out of the carriage. "Then I will go and get some fresh air."

"Alone?"

"There are few creatures in the Sipoto wilderness. I won't go too far away, so don't worry." Theo relieved Bear's anxious expression, then he stepped forward without thinking.

He walked until the carriages looked small and stared at the moon and stars shining in the wilderness.

'After the Sipoto Plains is the continent.'

The Sipoto Plains were different from the creepy Red Plateau. It had a similar bleak landscape, but signs of life could be felt here, unlike at the Red Plateau. Compared to ordinary land, the land here was weak, but it was still an area where people could live. However, there was a lack of food and water, so they couldn't live here long.

The real problem was in the land located beyond it. It was the Austen Kingdom, where the drought had started. The drought had spread and was killing this plain.

Theo had heard about the Austen Kingdom later from Vince, but he couldn't justify their reasons for kidnapping Ellenoa. However, they weren't evil people, and a sigh emerged as he thought about the warriors bending their pride.

So, Theo had to ask once.

"Gluttony. What was the cause of the drought that no magicians or scholars in the world could discover?"

Chapter 122 – Crossing the Wilderness (2)

The number of magicians and scholars who had sought to uncover the cause of the catastrophe far exceeded tens of thousands. It didn't fall under any theory of meteorology, and even Blundell had returned empty-handed back when he was a 7th Circle magician.

However, Gluttony replied in a casual tone, –You want to know the truth of the drought?

"Yes."

–I'm sorry, but I can't answer that question free of charge. If you want to hear it, I will take one of your rights to ask a question.

The reason was enough to require using one of his rights for a question and answer? It might not seem worth it. However, Theodore knew from his experience so far that the information itself was priceless. Even if the information seemed useless at present, it might unravel a knot someday, especially when it was involving something like the drought.

As he nodded without any hesitation, Gluttony opened its mouth and said, -…Hrmm, understood. Then I'll teach you what I remember.

If this place had been in the middle of the Austen Kingdom, they would've cut small ear holes in the wall with a knife in order to listen.

The Seven Sins grimoire, which contained such valuable information, was opening up. Gluttony was someone who recorded the secrets of the Age of Mythology, so he might not know about modern disasters.

However, Gluttony shocked Theo with a single sentence, –The sand dragon, Desertio who lives at the center of the Meuse Desert, is at the epicenter of the drought.

"Dragon?!"

–That's right.

The strongest species, the dragons, were a transcendent species which remained in this world after the Age of Mythology ended. They were monsters who lived for close to an eternity and looked down on all other species.

Sometimes heroes called dragon slayers would kill them, but there were only a handful of such people in the history books. The dragons were born as the strongest and were a species which spread the power of life.

However, the cause of this drought was a dragon…?

Theo couldn't understand the response, and Gluttony continued as though it hadn't finished yet.

–Don't misunderstand. Desertio might not be causing the drought maliciously. The dragon, who has survived for nearly a million years, is already closer to a spirit than a creature. Therefore, he changes the environment around him.

"Indeed, he is a sand dragon."

–If Desertio was a red dragon, lava would flow from that area and a volcano would erupt every cycle. In a sense, desertification is still moderate in some ways. In other words, the sand dragon, Desertio, is just living. His lair is in the middle of the desert, and he is just waiting for the end of his life, without any malice toward the humans.

As the dragon is the strongest species in the material world, it will pay back the world's grace by returning its flesh to nature. Desertio's huge body will probably transform into grains of sand.

The grimoire ended its explanation here. On the other hand, Theodore's face distorted subtly. "What? So, the old dragon is waiting to die, and the Austen Kingdom is suffering from the aftermath?"

–Yes.

"That is too extreme!"

Theodore felt his head hurt at the unexpected answer. It wasn't a monster in the desert aiming for the end of humanity, but an old dragon waiting for his death? Furthermore, the other side had no idea. Humans were just so weak that they couldn't endure being around him.

Gluttony chuckled like it was sympathetic. –Yes, it is as you said. Too extreme. In the ancient times, the number of dragons was high, and this occurrence was more frequent. From the standpoint of the humans and other species, the dragons were too territorial.

"…It can't be."

–Yes, there was a war against the dragons.

It is also known as Dracomachia, the great war of that era, where some records still remain. Most of the species in the material world joined forces to hunt the dragons, who numbered around 1,000.

Even the dragons, the strongest in the world, couldn't endure against hundreds of thousands of enemies. Back then, it was an age where there were 9th Circle magicians in every country.

At the end of the devastating war, the dragons were slaughtered, leaving only a few survivors behind. The remnants of that mighty war still remain in this day and age.

Theodore's eyes shook as he suddenly found out one of the world's secrets.

The reason why the powerful dragons had almost been exterminated was so shocking that horror overwhelmed his curiosity. He now understood what Myrdal meant by 'a fact that you shouldn't know.'

As if it knew how he was feeling, Gluttony advised, –So, if you were wanting to solve the problem of the drought, quit now. A dragon is a species that becomes stronger in proportion to time. If you fight now, you won't even be able to last a second.

"I know that much. I understand that this is a story I can't afford to get involved in," Theodore answered as he turned away from the direction of the Austen Kingdom.

Theo hadn't backed down even when facing Pride, but his opponent was too big this time.

The greatest magician in the kingdom, Veronica, had killed a dragon who had only lived for 3,000 years. Nevertheless, she had complained that she had almost died many times. Theo couldn't guess just how strong was a dragon who had lived for nearly a million years.

Fortunately, the drought wouldn't last forever. According to Gluttony, the next drought would disappear if Desertio died in the next 300 years. Until then, it would be painful, and the kingdom would just have to be patient.

In a bittersweet mood, Theodore walked back the way he came.

* * *

"Theo, you came back!" Bear welcomed him as he returned to the camp.

It seemed like the preparations had finished in the meantime as white tents were fluttering on the desolate plains. There was a fence around the camp to stop things like snakes and scorpions from getting in.

Bear's words that he had crossed the Sipoto wilderness many times didn't seem to be a bluff.

"Yes, the wind was cool."

"Hahaha! It is an annoying place without any trees! It is hot like hell in the daytime, but it gets quite cool after the sun goes down."

Then Theodore made a curious sound. "…? If that is the case, shouldn't we move at night? The hot daytime will make the horses tired sooner."

"Oh, good point! If this was a typical desert or tropical region, that would be the case." Bear chuckled. "But on these plains, there are many creatures who like to move at night due to the reason you said. There are creatures like sand worms and desert ants. They only start their activities after the sand cools down."

"Aha, I see."

Indeed, it was the answer of an experienced merchant. Theo was convinced by the explanation and looked at the bound horses sleeping. The mobility of the party depended on the horses and carriages, so there wasn't enough power to defeat swarming creatures. If Theodore were to reveal his power, they would be able to move at night.

However, Theodore just sat down obediently at where he was directed.

'The meal… Smoked meat in a vegetable soup? Sounds good.'

It was easy to fill the stomach with just meat, but it would be hard to cope with the constant movements if they weren't getting the proper nutrients. Additionally, a tasteless meal would have a negative effect on the morale of the group as well as the mercenaries' strength. This was why top trading companies developed basic and high quality food which could be conserved.

Dalgurak.

Unfortunately, he only took a few bites before Theodore's spoon was forced to stop.

'…What is this ticklish feeling?'

There was an itching on the back of his neck. It was a feeling of discomfort similar to having a piece of grass brushing against it. Theo put down the bowl and gazed in the direction where his senses indicated to look.

The wilderness meant that nothing interrupted his view, but he couldn't find any uninvited guests in the landscape which stretched out before him.

Bear was surprised by his sudden movement and asked, "Theo? What is going on?"

"Wait."

Instead of replying, Theo's eyes shone gold as he used Hawkeye. It was a secondary magic that perfectly reproduced the eyesight of a hawk. In this state, Theodore could penetrate through the darkness of the night.

At the end of his extremely sensitive field of view, a faint dust cloud could be seen.

"-The enemy…!" He shouted as he noticed its identity.

'Enemies?'

Moonlight bounced off blades, and the dust was coming from the animals which people were riding on. They were the cause of the discomfort which tickled his neck, the warning from his sixth about the approaching enemies.

However, he intuitively understood why the warning was weak, and Theodore couldn't help laughing inwardly.

'The opponents are so weak that my senses almost didn't feel it.'

Come to think of it, so far, his opponents had been too strong. From the elder lich born from the power of a grimoire, and Pride who freely reproduced the traits of creatures, to the legend ranked grimoire Laevateinn, that burned the original world trees�� His senses had screamed everyday, so he couldn't help wanting to laugh now.

Theo brushed the dust off his collar and looked around.

"R-Really? Enemies are coming!"

"Take your formations! Archers, hurry up and move back behind the barrier!"

"Put out the campfire!"

The reactions of the merchants and mercenaries weren't bad. They quickly turned off the lights and armed themselves in defense positions. It would be enough to repel the enemies approaching now as the mercenaries hired by the Polonell Company were all skilled.

However, Theodore couldn't expect optimistic results. This was because the power of the group was beyond what he thought.

There were 10 aura users, and the captain was almost at the master level. The swordsman felt similar to Rebecca, who Theo had once competed against. The mercenaries wouldn't be able to go against such a powerhouse.

'I don't know who they are, but it is tough because I can't reveal my identity.'

Theo's trademark move, Magic Bullet, was currently sealed. Any 5th Circle magic and the Ring of Muspelheim were also sealed. The only tools he had available in this situation were Mitra, magic of the 4th Circle or below, close combat, and artifacts. Umbra might be okay if he used it in a manner that wasn't obvious.

'…Okay, I will try it once.' He thought deeply and acted quickly.

Theodore poured magic power into the bracelet hanging from his wrist.

Huuuuuuong!

At that moment, the bracelet started to emit a resonant sound as unknown characters emerged. The bracelet made by the Yellow Tower Master had been crafted with unknown materials and designed to be used for Kurt's self-defense.

The high-level magic contained in the bracelet soon produced warriors in the air from Theo's magic.

Ching! Ching!

It was armor. From small gaps in the armour to the boots and helmet, they looked like fully armed invisible knights. The six suits of armour stepped into the wilderness.

The name of the magic recorded on the bracelet was 'Living Armor.' Depending on the capabilities of the creator, they might be weaker than farmers or stronger than elite knights… and the one who designed these living armours was the Yellow Tower Master.

"Protect the company. This command should be kept until all enemies within a one kilometer radius have disappeared."

[Yes, my master.]

Theo calmed down the confusion of his companions at the emergence of the armor and looked at the approaching enemies. He didn't feel any tension. Neither was there a single trace of fear. Compared to the enemies he'd faced so far, these people were just stones on the roadside.

There was no chanting.

Chapter 123 – Crossing the Wilderness (3)

Hwaruruk!

The 3rd Circle Fireball was the most popular attack magic. Once five large fireballs bigger than an adult's head appeared, the darkness disappeared and revealed the place where Theodore was standing.

The procession members were quite far away, but the light and heat still stung their eyeballs. It wouldn't be difficult to burn a human-sized creature with this amount of power. However, the one who actually made the fireballs, Theodore, looked up at them with a puzzled expression.

'What? I used enough magic power to make only three.'

But that worry was quickly resolved. The circular scar on his left hand, the mark of the 'Ring of Muspelheim,' throbbed like it was boasting of its own merits.

The mark had the ability to dramatically increase the owner's fire affinity and reduced fire magic consumption by half. It seemed like this power acted independent of Theo's will. If so, Theo had to add that variable into his calculations.

Once he finished thinking, Theodore gazed ahead of him.

"…Fast. Is it a quick animal like a camel?"

It was like he said. The dust on the horizon came close enough that he could distinguish the colour of the fluttering turbans. Camels were a rare sight on the northern continent, but in fact, camels were one of the best animals for fast riding. They were short-distance sprinters who could run around 65km/hr.

Aside from admiring it, his cold eyes also caught the targets for his fireballs.

"Go," Theodore declared, and the five fireballs flew forward. They were aimed at the ones coming in the forefront. The vanguard of any group was strong, and the charging power of this vanguard was reduced by half.

"Å￠￠℃￡···?!"

"° C ¥ £ ￠!"

However, Theo's instincts told him there was something unusual as the enemies acted quickly.

They scattered widely in all directions, heading away from the massive magic, while the proficient enemies who remained wielded their swords directly against the fireballs. The crescent-shaped shamshirs moved, and the fireballs literally split apart, bursting in the air.

Theo scoffed in a cold manner as he watched.

Puk! Puuok! Puk!

The brow, throat and mouth… Translucent arrows pierced the areas which couldn't be protected by armour, causing a fountain of blood.

The one who had destroyed the fireball was devastated by the surprise attack and fell off the camel. The thick darkness wasn't a friend. It made them miss the wind arrows hiding behind the fireballs.

This was real magic, different from those obsessed with flashy displays. The previous attack took out five people, so it wasn't too bad.

"￠Å￠! Å￡￠￥Å℃―!"

However, the enemies weren't stupid. In exchange for taking out five men, Theodore had exposed his position. Magicians were strongest in a group battle where they could exercise their abilities in a safe place. The enemy boss knew this and headed toward the lone magician with a few men.

However, he did this without knowing that it was Theodore's aim.

Was it because they had lost a companion…? One warrior came forward recklessly, jumping off the camel while drawing his sword. The light around the curved blade proved that he was an aura user. In other words, he had a power which could cut through magic shields in one strike!

"℃℃Å(Die!)"

"…How simple." Theodore accepted the blade without any hesitation.

Swaeek!

It cut—no, it couldn't cut anything. The warrior who struck with his sword was confused for a moment. There was no feeling of cutting through something despite having clearly cut the enemy. The moment that his movements stopped, Theodore turned off Fluidization and punched out.

'Battle Song. Rhapsody of Power. Mezzo Forte.'

The impact of Theo's attack was strengthened by magic. The first punch penetrated the armour in one blow and crushed the heart hidden in the ribs.

Kwang!

The warrior's breathless body was thrown back.

The enemy leader's face stiffened as he watched the scene. Then he raised his left hand and gave instructions to his men. After his gestures, the camels running in a straight line shifted directions and started circling around Theodore.

'An encirclement command? Moreover, it was done through hand motions? Aren't they more like soldiers than bandits?' Theodore's doubts shifted to this conviction.

As proof of this conviction, the leader came forward to speak after the encirclement was completed.

"Young man, your skills are very good."

"…The north's official language?"

"But I believe that your skills are just up to here. If you resist anymore, I won't be able to spare your life."

Theodore laughed at the threat. "Are you telling me to surrender now?"

"That's right. Our goal is your surrender, and once the ransom for you is received, you can return to your homeland."

"Do you even believe the nonsense that you are speaking?"

It wasn't just the leader who spoke the north's official language that responded to Theo's antagonism. The warriors lashed out as well.

"-This guy!"

"This young man doesn't want to live."

"Stop."

"Let's just kill him, Boss! Even if the mage uses his fist, how can he deal with so many people at this distance?"

"I told you to stop!"

As they argued about his life, Theodore lips parted with cynicism on his tongue. How arrogant were they to think they could decide his life? There was a lot he wanted to teach them properly, but he needed to check something first.

He stared straight into the leader's eyes and asked, "Should I even really call you bandits? Aren't you Austen's regular army led by a Janissary? Or a looting unit?"

"…You."

"Don't say that you're not. The warriors move according to military discipline, and they use the same swordsmanship." Theo cut off the leader with his words before continuing in a loud voice, "Isn't it said that the Janissaries are the Sultan's sword? Then this plundering was ordered by the Sultan?"

The atmosphere changed after that. In the desert kingdom of Austen, the Sultan was the representative of the gods. Unlike the commoners' perception toward the monarchy in common countries, all the people in Austen believed that they were born to serve the Sultan. In particular, the Janissaries were fanatics who would bite off their tongue if ordered to do so by the Sultan.

The enemy's leader—no, the Janissary, replied in an eerie voice, "No, we have no affiliation with him."

"Hmm?"

"And I'm not a Janissary. My men aren't regular soldiers of Austen." A white sword emerged from the sheath hanging at his waist. "Stop the chatter, we are enemies. I destroyed my name and pride, and am just a regular bandit killing merchants on the roads!"

"…Is that so?"

"I will kill you here!"

The Janissary and his men gradually approached Theo without destroying their formation.

There were seven aura users and one of the expert level. Even experienced war mages wouldn't be able to escape from their encirclement. However, Theodore didn't panic at all at the thought of his skin becoming like a beehive. As Theo had known earlier, they weren't ordinary enemies.

'Then I will put the final touches on his self-professed person.'

The preparations were already finished, and Theo counted their steps in the darkness. 30m to 25 m, 25m to 20m… Then finally, it was a distance where they could reach him in one leap.

However, the moment the warriors took one step forward…

[Pall dow!] Mitra's voice resonated loudly from under the ground.

"℃Å￡￠?!"

"£ ￠ ￥ ￥ £!!"

The firm ground collapsed, and the hard floor turned into a sandy field, making them slip on the ground.

There was no way to escape it since they noticed too late. Every piece of land they tried to use as a foothold turned into sand, and every time they tried to move, their heavy weight made them sink further.

Pusususu-… The sound of the sinking sand was creepy.

This terrible sandbox was an ant hell.

"-This, guyyyy!" Only one person, the Janissary, responded to the ant hell. He was one beat late, but he managed to run across the sand and aim the tip of his sword at the culprit, Theodore. If this blow reached, it might reverse the unfavourable situation.

However, Theodore's magic finished quickly. "[Gale, be my blade.]"

The first magic spell he had used from the Balcia Empire shattered the bodies of the warriors buried in the sand.

* * *

The ensuing battle was one-sided.

The warriors that the Janissary had brought with him to attack Theo were the elites, while the others were less powerful. Since the main force had disappeared from the battlefield, the mercenaries hired by Polonell were able to struggle against the remaining bandits.

Additionally, there were the six living armors left behind by Theodore.

Kang!

Living armor itself wasn't that rare. It was an inferior product made by imitating found relics, and nobles often purchased them as guards, despite the lack of practicality. However, disciplined living armour, which could deflect the sword of warriors and then attack exposed gaps, was rare.

At that moment, another warrior lost his life due to a living armor.

"A-Amazing…" The merchant Bear was impressed as he watched.

He had seen the living armour from a noble family fight against a knight but had thought it was nothing more than window dressing. However, what about the living armour currently in front of him? They were just like real knights as their swords slashed at the enemy's neck with smooth motions.

His merchant's instincts wriggled as he was filled with the desire to buy them instantly.

Thanks to the living armor and the resistance of the mercenaries, the enemies started to struggle and were destroyed without knowing their leader had already died. The living armor confirmed the disappearance of the enemies' life force, and their summoning was released.

In the end, Bear could only watch and drool over the empty space. "Ah… Too bad."

"Huh? What is so unsatisfactory?"

"Ah, Theo!"

Bear looked over at the approaching Theodore, who was wiping off the blood stuck to his robes.

Although Bear had complained that moving away from the party was suicidal, the story was different now. He hadn't been able to see it closely, but Theo's performance had been great. They might not have won if Theodore hadn't lured the boss.

Of course, the truth was different from that, but Theo didn't say anything.

"It's nothing. Oh Theo, what happened to the leader?"

"…Dead."

"Oh, by Theo directly?"

"Yes."

Theodore's face wasn't that bright despite the victory, and Bear's words reminded him of the scene from that moment. The Janissary, who had been fighting to the end with his right arm cut off, knew that Theo had been trying to capture him, and made the decision without any hesitation.

He had exclaimed,"Glory to Austen's sun, the Great Sultan!"

Theodore still didn't understand the loyalty which had driven the leader to give up his life for the Sultan. Still, the great drought of the Austen Kingdom had driven a Janissary to looting.

Filled with more complicated emotions than the joy born from victory, Theo looked at the starry sky, realizing once again just how much of a mortal he was.

Chapter 124 – Crossing the Wilderness (4)

There were no more raids after that day.

They may or may not have been regular soldiers disguised as bandits, but their superiors could probably guess that something unbelievable had happened when they didn't return. Thanks to Theodore, the horses could move during the day without hesitation and rest at night.

The Sipoto Plains might be bleak, but it wasn't a bloody place like the Red Plateau.

With a merchant's intuition, Bear, who had been watching the horizon all day, suddenly cried out, "Oh, I am beginning to see it!"

Theodore turned in the same direction and saw sturdy walls. It was a dark colour, like baked mud. This was different to the white bricks of Meltor. They were the walls of Sipoto City, a border city of Kargas, the trade kingdom.

Theodore confirmed the sight and calmed down his senses. 'Phew, I'm glad we arrived without any more difficulty. If people, stronger than those who came the last time, came again, I wouldn't have been able to finish it quietly.'

Truth be told, exposing the living armor wasn't that wise a move. Living armor artifacts weren't rare, but they weren't common either. However, Theodore wasn't so cruel as to sacrifice people who could be saved, especially when their carriages were taking him to Kargas. He couldn't let Bear shoulder that burden.

Some might say it was stupid, but it was part of his beliefs.

As they approached the outer wall of Sipoto, the procession gradually slowed down to be checked by the guards at the gate. The name of the Polonell Company could move a few people out of the way, but Bear chose to wait patiently.

However, his lips weren't good at staying still. "By the way, it was really dangerous! I knew that refugees from the Austen Kingdom had started turning to robbery, but I didn't think we would be attacked as soon as we got close to the border."

"Refugees?"

"Yes, I hear they have increased due to the drought. The price of water has risen 10 times higher, while those in power have run away to other countries. So, it is natural for the people to feel impatient. Tsk, tsk. For the time being, I won't be able to step into the Austen Kingdom."

Bear clicked his tongue, but Theo was forced to smile bitterly.

It would've been better if the people who attacked them had just been refugees. Bear didn't know that the regular army was the one doing the looting. Did this mean that the Sultan's Janissaries were commanders of the looting operations? It was safe to say that the kingdom was accepting it.

However, Theodore wasn't willing to tell the truth.

'At this point, it is too big to publicize carelessly.'

Additionally, the enemies from the raid didn't have anything to prove their identities. The warriors used rough shamshirs, and even their turbans were just pieces of shabby cloth.

The Austen Kingdom would have their honor completely tarnished if this were revealed, so the warriors had used every means to get rid of their identity. Even if this wasn't the case, the scale of the incident wasn't something that Theodore could get involved in.

"…When you go back, you should increase the number of escorts." In the end, Theodore kept his mouth shut and changed the topic.

Bear nodded before exchanging a few more words with Theodore. Fortunately, there was no need to continue the unpleasant conversation when the checkpoint guards approached. As a business company, the procedures were completed quickly. The guards' mood was heavy due to the recent lousy atmosphere, but there were no problems.

The identity card, which had been forged directly in the Magic Society, was enough to prove his identity in any country, and even if it wasn't, the name of the Polonell Company was enough to send Theo in.

Once beyond the gate of Sipoto, Theodore said goodbye to the procession, including Bear.

"Wait, are you going to leave immediately?"

Theo's purpose was in Kargas, so there was no reason to go together. Additionally, his identity might be revealed the longer he stayed with them. It was hard for Theodore to change his diction and demeanor, since he had never been taught to do so properly.

Bear grumbled as he faced Theo's rigidity.

"Hoo, a man who I owe a favour to. I never dreamed I would be sent away like this," Bear said before pulling something out and handing it to Theo.

It was a plaque engraved with the two horses which symbolized the Polonell Company, as well as Bear's name. Sensing Theo's confusion at the unfamiliar object, Bear explained while scratching his head, "In our company, this is given to the top merchants, and one of its functions is proof of identity."

"One way?"

"Well… it is also a type of guarantee." Bear avoided his gaze like he was embarrassed. "If Theo presents this plaque, then you can receive the best treatment from any branch of this company. You can rent a carriage or borrow money without any interest. In many ways, there are a lot of benefits."

"So, the responsibility… Ah."

"Yes, it falls to me since I am the one giving you the plaque."

Theodore realized the meaning of this gesture and accepted the plaque from Bear. In a sense, this plaque was also a request. It was a tool signifying a good relationship between the two of them. He didn't know what value Bear saw in the fake Theo, but regardless of his intentions, the uses for this were endless.

The Polonell Company had many branches in various places, so it was possible to obtain accommodation and other miscellaneous things.

"Thank you, Boss Bear."

"Hahaha! It is nothing. If anything comes up, please use my name." Bear laughed for a moment before speaking in a coy voice, "And that bracelet… Is it really not possible to sell it?"

Theodore shook his head with a wry smile. "I'm sorry. This was loaned to me, so I can't just sell it as I want."

Bear had fallen in love with the living armor after what he had seen that night. There was no need to hire them with money, and he didn't need to worry about betrayal, unlike humans. Bear was willing to pay more than 100 gold for it.

However, Theodore knew the true value of this bracelet, so 100 gold was a ridiculously small amount.

[+? Defend Me, These Tin Cans! (Accessory)]

[This is an artifact made with ancient magic which can summon autonomously moving living armor. The soldiers attached to this bracelet, made by Yellow Tower Master Norden, will move with their owner's magic power. Additionally, their performance will increase if the owner continues to supply magic power. Up to six soldiers can be called at a time, and if they are capable of their full performance, an aura attack will only cause slight damage. The armor and swords are all made of an unknown material.

* The rating of this magic tool is 'Treasure.'

* When consumed, a large amount of magic power will be absorbed.

* When consumed, the digestion time will be four days.

* (Can't be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability.)

* (Can't be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability.)]

The living armor soldiers had a durability which could withstand an aura attack with only minor damage! As a test, Theo had tried fighting them, and their battle skills had been comparable to that of first rate warriors. The surface of the armor had only distorted slightly when hit by 4th Circle magic, so it had the durability of adamantium.

It wasn't at all enough to hand over this treasure for 100 gold coins. Moreover, in the first place, it was something which Kurt III had lent him, so Theo couldn't sell it.

There was no room for negotiation, so Bear soon gave up. Greed was a merchant's driving force, but reckless greed would only hurt him. Additionally, Bear's discerning eyes couldn't discover the truth of the bracelet, so it was best to let it go.

"Then I'll see you later! Take care!" Bear bid Theo a last farewell before walking away. Theo looked at Bear's back for a moment, before soothing the subtle emotions stirring within him. From now on, it was time for the owner of the grimoire, Theodore Miller, to move in earnest.

'Umm… It is still too early to go there.'

After checking the position of the sun, Theodore looked around slowly.

Kargas' border city, Sipoto, had the same name as the wilderness adjacent to it, but the atmosphere was completely different. The merchants and guests from other countries explored the streets, while sellers shouted in loud voices.

It truly felt like an exotic landscape to Theodore. Although Sipoto fell behind the prosperous Meltor, it had its own mood. There were eyes, hair, and skin colours which weren't common sights in Meltor. So, Theodore's eyes naturally moved back and forth, soaking in the sights.

For a brief moment, he forgot the weight on his back and moved like the young man he was.

* * *

Theodore's wanderings didn't last a long time. After eating delicious bread from the street stalls or eating fresh fruits, he realized that the sun was setting. The clear eyes of the young man instantly sank in, becoming as heavy yet sharp as a weapon. The time he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

'It won't appear if the sunset isn't at its peak.'

This was information he'd heard while interrogating Canis, the black merchant dealer in Bergen.

The shadows of the city were naturally close to others like them. Black market traders were famous for dealing with goods, but there were those who dealt in something else, like the Information Guild. Among them, the 'King of Mice' was the best.

"He never sets foot in the north, but in the central continent, he is more powerful than some noble families. I don't know what will happen later, so familiarize yourself with the information now."

As he recalled Canis' words, Theodore entered the back alleys of Sipoto.

'I didn't know I would use that information this way.'

Stories often had simple passwords in bars, but the reality wasn't like that. If they concealed the position of the Information Guild so poorly, who could trust the information coming from them? Therefore, Theodore focused his senses even more, and his eyes turned gold as he used Hawkeye.

He kept an eye on the graffiti carved on the wall, the garbage on the ground, and the shabby roofs.

'Six on the third pillar, three cracked planks…'

Even secretly trained agents wouldn't be as good as Theo. In one glance, he deciphered the password which looked like graffiti. He detected traps with his sixth sense and crossed the maze-like, twisted alleys.

"…Here."

After 10 minutes, Theodore faced a door at a dead end. It was evident that Theodore had come to the right place. Then he lifted a hand without hesitation.

Knock knock knock, knock, knock, knock knock knock knock knock knock.

Three brief knocks, followed by two single ones, then six brief knocks. He didn't know if the knock which Canis had taught him was still valid, but it was good if they responded.

If they ignored it, Theo would step back and find another way. He could use the plaque Bear gave him to obtain information without the need for the Information Guild. Additionally, he could also press with force and take what he wanted.

'Now, how will they act?'

Theodore watched the scene before him and…

Kkiiik-

The shabby door opened, and a burning smell floated out with the wind.

Chapter 125 – Life is Timing (1)

'Does this mean to come in?'

Theo waited a moment, but there was no further reaction. He was a bit curious about the procedure which opened and closed the door, but there existed something more important than a trivial question.

It was dark enough inside that he couldn't see anything from the outside. Some people would be reluctant to step into the darkness, but Theo walked forward without any hesitation.

Step, step.

His clean-soled shoes rubbed against sand and made unpleasant noises. No, maybe they had laid the sand for this very purpose. As a rustling sound entered his ears, Theodore scoffed.

He'd noticed breathing sounds coming from the narrow passages on the left and right. However, it wasn't that their stealth was inadequate; Theodore's senses and Mitra's detection ability were just superior. It was to the extent that he could determine the number and skills of those hiding.

'Six people, among them is an aura user. I'm not sure about a head-on fight, but his stealth is equivalent to a regular knight.'

Just like inhabitants of the dark side of the world, the life which permeated this place was insidious and sticky. For those who lived in the shadows, a head-on battle was only a last resort, and fighting skills wasn't necessary. It was probably a prerequisite that they knew how to strike from the back, not the front.

However, Theo continued moving calmly. The nasty feeling wasn't a problem, but he didn't relax his guard either. He might find them ridiculous, but it would be stupid to not be wary.

Theo put on his best cold expression as he walked on. Then after precisely 100 steps, Theodore arrived in front of a shabby door that he calculated to be around 20 meters below the surface. Finally, a space filled with deep shadows greeted him.

'This information guild… Is he the [King of Mice] of the Sipoto branch?'

The space was unnaturally open, and there was an unusually old-fashioned table in the center of the room. Theo's keen eyes were able to distinguish the good quality of the wood and that it was made by a skilled craftsman.

Theodore looked at the person sitting beyond the table. Under the dim light, the man who boasted a unique appearance grabbed Theo's attention. Despite having the distinct brown skin and brown eyes of the desert people, the man was big enough to be eye level with Theodore while sitting down.

Even so, the presence around him was like a fog.

'Considerably skilled.'

It didn't feel like the man could beat Theo, but it would be hard to catch him if he ran away. Theodore raised his evaluated level of the Information Guild by two stages. The man sitting behind the desk looked at Theo quietly and opened his mouth to say, "…It has been a long time since I've had uninvited guests."

"Uninvited guest?"

Did that mean the instructions Canis provided him were wrong?

However, he got an answer to his question as the man continued speaking, "You aren't a guest that my kids brought, or any of those who work with them. Based on your speech and clothing, you recently came from Meltor in the north."

"How do you know that?"

"There are all sorts of tricks. How you tie a shoelace, the tan marks, dirt attached to the hem, and so on. There are many things that can't be hidden unless you are a properly trained secret agent."

Indeed, Theodore admired the man's keen eye for detail. It had been less than three minutes since Theo arrived at the door. However, that man had casually uncovered Theo's hometown and that he had arrived in Sipoto recently.

If this was the level of the man in charge of the guild, Theo couldn't doubt their credibility.

Theodore sat in the chair before him. "As expected of the best information guild in the central continent."

"Yes, who introduced you to this place?"

"A black market trader called Canis."

The eyebrows on the brown skin raised. "Canis? That cub is still alive. Though there has been no message from Meltor recently…"

"Are you acquaintances?"

"We've done business a few times. His skills aren't bad, but his way of thinking is too narrow. He must've found a pretty good rat hole," the informant mumbled before extending his thick arms. The tattoo of a two-headed serpent on his forearm wriggled.

He reached out as if asking for a handshake, before his rough face smiled. "I am Sipoto's branch chief, Gibra."

"Theo."

Gibra finished the greeting and brought up the subject first. "So, why did you come to find us?"

Theodore was relieved. Asking for the job was the same as accepting the request. He was concerned about being an outsider, but as Canis said, the Information Guild didn't distinguish between the origin and identity of the guests.

The only important thing was whether the customer could pay the price, the black market trader had said.

'Then this story will be fast,' Theo thought with a strange smile as he looked at his left hand.

Before leaving Meltor, he had changed all his goods into cash and stored them in the inventory. It was a tremendous amount when he added in the rewards he'd accumulated from his achievement in Elvenheim. The prices of original books or the sales commission wouldn't even make a dent in it.

There was no reason for Theodore to hesitate, since he possessed both wealth and power.

So, he said, "There are things I want to buy in Kargas."

Gibra listened with a bright expression.

Theo continued,"I want to know the location of all the original books in Kargas and the information about the owners. I will leave it to you to act as the agent for the purchase. The status of the item is fine as long as it is an original, and if the item is bought at a reasonable price, you'll be paid part of the purchase price."

"Original books? You mean the original copy of a magic book? It will take a lot of money to buy all the ones in Kargas."

"How much?"

"30 gold as a deposit, the survey period— …Ah, whoops."

As Theo wondered about the sudden interruption, Gibra scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression. "I'm sorry, but I can't take the commission. I can't."

"How come? If it is simply a matter of the cost…"

"No, it's not that. Honestly, the money is good, but the timing is really bad."

'Timing?' Theodore made a perplexed expression.

"Timing?"

"That reminds me, you're from the north? Then you won't know about a famous attraction of Kargas."

The Kargas Kingdom was the center of the central continent and a trade kingdom, so it didn't have anything to symbolize it. In Kargas, all logistics from the north, south, and center gathered before spreading to the rest of the continent. It was a kingdom where numerous foreigners frequented, and there was a mixture of cultures. It would be strange if there was something unique about this place.

However, there was something behind Kargas. It was the place where money and desire gathered from all over the world in the abyss of the trading kingdom—the underground auction houses.

"Every year, it will be held in secret for a few weeks. There is a saying that the goods that move through there go beyond the yearly budget of a few kingdoms."

"What does that have to do with my commission?"

"The auction is a place where sellers can handle things at the highest prices. Even more so when there are original books on sale."

When Theodore made an expression of realization, Gibra continued, "You finally understand. The auction is more attractive than selling it to an unidentified buyer. The right time for the commission would be a few months after the auction ends. So, I can't accept your request."

Theodore was convinced by the reasonable explanation, so he wasn't embarrassed by the rejection.

The auction house where buyers from all over the world gathered was indeed more attractive than a single buyer. It might be possible to persuade the owner prior to that, but there would be more people who preferred the tradition of the auction house.

As Gibra said, Theo's timing was really bad.

'…No, not yet. There is still a way.'

Theodore's expression recovered as he lifted his head. He looked at Gibra and expressed his idea, "How about participating in the auction directly?"

"If possible, that would be for the best. The auction house isn't just for sellers, as buyers can also get things at reasonable prices." However, Gibra shook his head. "Sipoto's auction house isn't a place for the uninvited. Isn't it an event where the budget of a kingdom is moved? The guild doesn't accept commissions for entry. It will be a problem if we are caught. It is better to wait a few months for the commission."

"That is only true if I was an uninvited guest."

"Hmm?"

This time it was Gibra's turn to be confused. Theodore smiled and placed his hand on his chest. Everything was lining up, so it felt like the heavens were helping him. It hadn't even been a day since he'd received the plaque from Bear. The dim light shone from the palm of his hand.

Gibra's expression turned into one of shock for the first time as he grasped the identity of the plaque.

"The Polonell Company?"

"You know it."

"I would have to die if I didn't know the symbol of the top three trading companies in the north. By the way, I don't know how you got your hands on this at your age."

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that." Theodore shrugged casually.

Judging from Gibra's reaction, this plaque would qualify him to enter the auction house. Who would've expected his journey to produce this result? Theodore seemed to feel an unknown flow of life around him.

Gibra calmed down from his shock and held his chin. The expression in his eyes was different from before, and his blurred appearance seemed unusual.

"You are eligible if you have the mark of the Polonell Company. Prior to that, I want to ask one thing. Guest from Meltor, do you intend to sincerely participate in Sipoto's auction house?"

A remarkably intimidating atmosphere emanated from Gibra, but his opponent was Theodore, the master of a grimoire. Theo wouldn't be overwhelmed by anyone who wasn't a master. Above all, Theo had no time. Just a few months was enough to make him feel rushed. The time limit was decreasing with every day that passed.

Theodore nodded with a serious expression, and Gibra opened his mouth to say, "Okay, then I will call you Employer from now on."

Chapter 126 – Life is Timing (2)

'Commission!'

After hearing that, Theodore's hard expression loosened slightly. The form of the commission had changed somewhat, but the power of the Information Guild could be useful in any situation.

This was the case even if it was the underground auction, which was a hidden specialty of the Kargas Kingdom. It was lucky that Theodore had the qualifications to enter, but if he hadn't found this place, he might've missed the timing for it.

Above all, he liked Gibra's honesty.

'There was no need to talk about the auction, and he could've just accepted my commission. He could've made a lot of money, and I wouldn't have received anything.'

This was the morality of a merchant, whether they were in the shade or the sunshine. There were those who treated it as the fault of the person who was stupid enough to be deceived. Even if Gibra stabbed Theodore in the back, there would be no way to make him take responsibility. Additionally, if he overwhelmed Gibra with force, it would just create another enemy.

Moreover, Gibra had pointed out frankly that Theo's request wasn't appropriate and taught him about the auction. It was evidence that he wouldn't betray Theo for a few extra gold coins.

"First, I need to know about my employer's foundation," Gibra said.

Regardless of whether he knew Theodore's feelings, the story began in a much softer atmosphere.

"Foundation?"

"Budget. Timing is very important, but in the end, the most powerful hand at an auction is money. If you have a thick wallet, you will win."

"The budget…" Theodore thought for a moment before coming up with the answer. "Around 500 gold."

"5-500? If you had come at the right time, you could've swept up all the original books in this kingdom. But with this, we can obtain plenty of books."

"Then I'm glad."

Theodore's sense of money was a little strange, so he didn't feel it. However, 500 gold was tough for anyone who wasn't from a noble family to spend. Of course, 500 gold wasn't all he had. The amount of money that Theodore had accumulated over this year was tremendous. It was to the extent that he could spare this much.

Gibra knocked against the table with a thick finger and opened his mouth, "…Then the budget isn't the problem. Is there anything specific that you want? Or is it good as long as it is an original book?"

"That is good. You can exclude unnecessary items and secure as many original books as possible."

"You want quantity over quality. Now I understand your policy." Gibra nodded a few times before suddenly pulling out a map from the drawer.

The structure of Sipoto was revealed. Theodore hadn't looked around the city yet, but the map had such a sophisticated bird's eye view that he could know its structure in one glance. Gibra pointed to several places and explained, "The auction will take place in exactly three days, after sunset. And separate auctions are going to be held at each of the displayed places."

"Separate… So, there isn't just one auction house?"

"Yes. There are at least seven, and each auction house sells different goods. So, we have to know these things in advance."

According to Gibra, the auctions of Kargas were held by renting out whole buildings in the north, south, east, and west.

The east sold weapons, the west sold clothing, the south sold accessories, while the north mostly auctioned goods not traded in the three areas mentioned above. Theodore's original books belonged in the miscellaneous goods category.

This time, there were three auction houses being held in the north. The quality and value of the goods were lower than in the other auction houses, but the number of places increased due to the large number of goods.

Theodore's expression changed subtly, "Then am I forced to miss two auctions?"

"If you were participating alone, then yes. But we can help you there."

Since a large number of auctions were being held at similar times, the existence of agents was inevitable.

What if they had the plaque of one of the top three companies, Polonell? It meant that Theodore could cover all three northern auction houses without having to go personally. Moreover, the Information Guild's manpower meant they would be better informed than him.

However, that didn't mean he could act casually. Gibra calculated the cost for the three agents before confiding to Theo about the 'special auction' on the last day.

It was a large auction in the center, not the north, east, south, or west, which covered all types of goods! The auction on that day was the crown of the Kargas underground auctions.

Gibra was so eager when explaining this that he couldn't help spitting. "Agents can't be used for such a big auction. Only qualified people can enter it. It will be your fight alone, so please prepare your mind for it."

The informant of the guild gave advice to his young employer in a calm voice, "An underground auction… It will be a different experience."

Theodore gave an interested smile. Truth be told, he had no interest in it no matter how many big people participated in the auction.

Compared to Veronica's fists, the Seven Swords of the Empire, and the grimoires, the powers here were just small. As long as there were no masters, it was rare for anyone here to be capable of threatening him.

In the end, his attitude remained unchanged despite the information.

"I don't know if your attitude is bad or good… Well, okay. I have accepted the commission, so I will do my best. I will investigate the list of items that will be released the day after tomorrow as well as the competitors. If I see something we need to take care of, then I will point it out."

"I understand. I accept."

"Hmm, where will you be waiting for the news? If you have a place to stay, then please tell me."

When Theo thought about it, he hadn't found a place to stay. Theodore pondered for a moment about where it was best to stay, before turning and asking Gilbra. The other person was the branch president of the information guild rooted across all of Sipoto and the central continent. There was no one more suitable to receive a recommendation from.

"Ah, then would you recommend me a good place to stay?"

It was natural that Gibra's face would distort at becoming a guide for a traveler.

* * *

For two days, Theodore wandered around the city without any intents, just enjoying the exotic scenery. Kargas might not have any unique specialties, but there was a value in being the trade kingdom. For Theodore, it was the first foreign land he had stepped on, aside from Elvenheim.

Theo often felt like a hillbilly. However, that didn't mean there were no results during the three days that Theodore waited for the auction to start.

"The branch manager told me to deliver this."

At midnight, exactly one day before the auction, a man in a mask came to Theo's window and gave him a box. According to his sight magic, it contained several books. The masked man left as soon as Theodore took the box, but he didn't care.

He could only respond to what was inside.

"…Original books."

It was a possibility. Although the auction house was a good place to sell, not all items would be sold at a high price. So, it was possible to get original books from those who had no preference or who wanted to sell in a hurry.

If such things appeared, Gibra smiled and promised that he would surely get it. As such, he obtained the information in two days and sent the promised goods.

'[Gentle Breeze], [Understanding of Heat Magic], [Principles of Hardening Magic], and finally… [Canyon Summoning].' Theodore pulled out the books with tense hands and read the information in turn.

Among them, three of the books had information which was easy to understand for beginners, so they had the 'Common' rank despite being original books. According to the information, the authors of these original books fell behind the present Theodore. So, it would be strange if these original books were ranked higher than 'Common.'

However, the final book called [Canyon Summoning] was different.

[Canyon Summoning]

[This book records the history and specifics of summoning substances or living organisms which don't exist in the physical world. The author, Satomer, refused to recognize that this summoning magic was banned and wrote this book in Marduk Canyon, a place which shakes due to an ominous force. Even so, he didn't succeed in summoning a senior ranked creature and died.

* Your understanding is very high. (95.6%)

* This magic book is rated 'Rare.'

* When consumed, your understanding of summoning magic will greatly increase.

* This is the original copy which was written directly by the author. There is a chance to contract with one of the Satomer's summons.]

It was a 'Rare' ranked book, but Theodore gazed at it with a strange look in his eyes.

He knew about summoning magic. In the myths regarding heroes, summoning magic often played a big role. However, in this era, summoning magic was mainly regarded as a remnant of old times without any use.

Summons like rock giants or ice dragons appeared in the stories, but even the best summoner on the continent in present times was limited to intermediate level summons.

Would it be useful to learn this summoning magic? He read [Canyon Summoning] several times because he was interested, but the conclusion didn't change. Theo didn't know why, but summoning magic had a limit.

'Hoo, if the situation wasn't like this, I would postpone it until later…'

It couldn't be helped. The deadline was approaching, so he had no right to grumble about the food. Theodore held out his left hand on top of the original books and named [Principles of Hardening Magic] and [Canyon Summoning] as today's prey.

"Eat, Gluttony."

The tongue moved and swallowed the two books at the same time.

['Principles of Hardening Magic' has been consumed. Your understanding is very high.]

[An original book has been consumed, but the fragment of soul contained inside is too weak for 'Synchro' and 'Transmission.' It will be absorbed into the user's soul.]

"Oh?" Theodore's eyes widened at the unexpected words. He didn't know this would happen because he had never eaten a 'Common' ranked original book.

In a sense, it was good news. If he went through Synchro or Transmission for every original book, it would waste too much time. In that case, if it was a 'Common' ranked original book, he could expand his vessel just by eating it.

The digestion sound of the main dish rang out one beat later.

['Canyon Summoning' has been consumed. Your understanding is very high.]

[Your understanding of summoning magic has greatly increased.]

[An original book has been consumed. Synchro rate will be checked with object name 'Satomer'… It is judged a normal rate. You will absorb a fraction of Satomer's proficiency. The duration of the episode is 40 minutes and 25 seconds.]

[Synchro is starting.]

Shortly afterwards, as always, Theodore's consciousness fell into darkness.

Chapter 127 – Life is Timing (3)

The first sensation Theo felt when his consciousness awakened was the weight of the quill pen being held between his fingers.

He was writing something intently. The lightweight quill pen felt as heavy as a metal spear, and the area from his wrist to his elbow throbbed every time he moved. It was painful for Theodore who had yet to completely awaken.

Still, he calmly reached out with his senses.

Then… 'This- is it a summoning magic formula?'

The hand, which wasn't his own, was writing a summoning magic formula without resting. The writing speed was truly terrifying. This was evidence that he had more knowledge of summoning magic than anyone else.

Theodore was convinced after seeing it. The owner of these dried up fingers was Satomer, the best summoning magician in the modern age. However, Theo wasn't given a chance to be impressed by that face.

"…No, no," an unpleasant voice flowed from his throat. The voice, like scraping iron, sounded like it came from a patient with a serious illness. His phlegm contained blood, and he found it hard to breathe. Nevertheless, Satomer struck the desk with a weak punch and shouted loudly.

Kwang! The ink bottle fell, soaking the sheets of paper.

"This isn't it…!" The magician cried out in a husky voice as he turned his laboratory into a mess. He kicked down the innocent chairs and threw ornaments made of glass. The unfamiliar body was throbbing with pain, but Satomer's frustration was even fiercer.

Theodore couldn't stop the body, so he had no choice but to watch.

The rampage lasted a few minutes. Then Satomer took in rough breaths and turned to looked somewhere. There was a dirty mirror, but it was so dusty that it was hard to see his face unless he got close.

Normally, the surface would've been wiped with a wet towel, but the person in front of it was a magician.

"Clean." The dirty mirror was cleaned with a single word, and the reflection of a middle-aged person appeared in it. He had distinctly pale skin and lips which were bitten repeatedly, with scabs covering them. His eyes looked like they had been unable to sleep for a few days.

'The last summoning magician, Satomer.'

Looking at his appearance, Theodore was reminded that this man hadn't lived over the age of 50. Satomer had a fragile body because he wandered around all types of places in the continent, accumulating fatigue and toxins.

If so, Satomer was already near death at the time he wrote this original book.

At that moment… "Kuk, kukuk, kukukukuk…"

The middle-aged man stared in the mirror with his terrifying eyes, then he laughed hysterically like he couldn't stand it anymore. Satomer laughed while staring at himself in the mirror, but Theodore had the impression that Satomer was looking at him. No, the gaze was intense enough that it wasn't just an illusion.

Unsurprisingly, Satomer talked to him first. "Kuhuhu, did you come to laugh at me?"

'Huh? Laugh?'

"Don't pretend you don't know! Do you want to make fun of this Satomer's summoning magic too?"

According to the records, the possibilities of summoning magic had long been cut off when Satomer was still alive.

The money and materials it consumed were huge, and there was no way to make any achievements. So, in the Magic Society, summoning magic had been treated like an uninvited guest. They might not despise it, but the magicians had factions during gatherings.

Summoning magicians, including Satomer, had been unable to step into any factions. So, in the end, Satomer had left the magic towers, and summoning magic had ceased.

It might be quite unfortunate for Theodore, but that resentment had accumulated for many years and turned into a grudge.

Satomer continued to spit out cynical words, "I don't know why you are here. You are a 6th Circle magician and young, much better than me who stayed at the 5th Circle until I died. Why do you want my knowledge? It is obvious that you want to mock me!"

Theodore wasn't upset by the sarcastic remark. Instead, he felt a bit saddened by the hedgehog-like attitude.

Satomer had been a magician who walked the magic path he wanted until the end, yet he had only been snubbed by the people around him. It was a shame for Satomer, but Theo didn't think Satomer's life was meaningless.

Therefore, Theodore answered in a respectful tone, 'That is a misconception, Senior Satomer.'

However, Satomer's response became even more agitated. He made a hollow expression at Theodore's words, pointing to his own face while muttering, "Senior? I am your senior?"

'I can't think of a proper title. If you are in a bad mood, then I can call you something else.'

"…That's okay, what a funny guy."

What was the reason for this reaction? Satomer spat at his own face in the mirror before sitting down gloomily in his chair. Then he sighed like a tired monk on a hard journey. He stared blankly into space, and Theodore waited patiently for him to open his mouth first.

Satomer continued looking with vacant eyes before speaking. As he recalled Theodore's memories through Synchro, Satomer spoke Theodore's name naturally.

"You are Theodore Miller?"

'Yes.'

"What a blessed child. Reaching the 6th Circle in your early 20s, you are really overflowing with blessings. I don't know why a person like you wants knowledge from a loser like me."

His tongue was still sharp, but this time, it was directed towards Satomer himself, not Theodore. Theodore shook his head as firmly as he could. 'Senior isn't a loser.'

"Fuck, don't try to comfort me just because I'm upset. I don't want to hear it from a child whose hair hasn't even fully grown yet."

'If you look into my memories, you will know that I am the owner of a grimoire.'

"What, are you showing off?"

Then Theodore's rebuttal entered Satomer's ears. 'I asked the grimoire something before I came. I asked it why summoning magic is weaker than every other type of magic and if the summoning magic recorded in the legends is just fiction.'

"…Is that so?"

'The grimoire had an answer. The reason why summoning magic doesn't work properly doesn't have to do with the system itself.'

Satomer was so concentrated on Theo's words that his eyes watered because he hadn't blinked. His eyes were paused in a scary way as the glass he held in his hand broke, causing blood to drip down. Satomer might pretend to be cool, but his essence was a magician. It might just be a fragment of the soul, but the human called 'Satomer' was a mage down to his bones.

So, Theodore told him the truth without holding back, 'As the Age of Mythology came to an end, the barriers around the material world became stronger, making it difficult to borrow the creatures and powers of other worlds. It was impossible to summon a senior rank a thousand years ago, and in your days, it was difficult to even summon a lieutenant.'

"..."

Theodore couldn't guess what the response would be to his cruel answer. It was just that the road Satomer had been running on for his whole life had been broken from the very beginning. Satomer looked down at the ground for a moment, before looking up at the shabby ceiling and biting his lips.

Then he laughed in an unrecognizable way. "Ha, haha, hahahahaha…!"

'S-Senior?' Theodore asked with worry, wondering if Satomer had gone crazy.

"Yes, that's it! That is why they didn't answer my call! The world itself is the problem, so it is meaningless no matter how many times I fix the formula! The material world itself sucks! This damn timing! Uhahaha!"

Theodore was confused about whether this was insanity or joy. Would he react this way if the work he had dedicated his entire life to was all in vain? However, Satomer didn't think so as the raw expression on his face disappeared.

Then he spoke in a pleased voice, "I wasn't wrong! My research didn't fail! My magic… My dream wasn't shabby!"

Satomer rejoiced sincerely. He had tried summoning magic until the end of his life but couldn't obtain anything. Satomer couldn't summon the existences he dreamed of during his childhood. So, the life of the man called Satomer was literally meaningless.

However, that wasn't it. His efforts were correct. The summoning magic he dreamed of did exist. It was simply that he couldn't overcome the powerful obstacle that was this world. So, there was no reason to feel regretful. The life's work of a magician was saved thanks to this enlightenment.

The magician with a strong pride, Satomer, bowed and expressed his sincere appreciation, "Thank you, Theodore Miller. I didn't know I would resolve my lingering attachment in this way."

'What do you mean…?'

"Well, it is okay if you don't know. It isn't easy to explain it with my mouth. Then let's resolve the problem quickly. There is little time left."

'Ah!'

It was as he said. Meanwhile, Satomer's room was filled with an unknown darkness which had already swallowed up half the floor. Theodore had the gut feeling that Synchro would end the moment the darkness touched Satomer's feet. It was proof that the time limit of 40 minutes and 25 seconds was almost done.

Before that, Satomer said farewell, "Take whatever knowledge I have! With your brains, you might be able to get more use out of it than I could."

'Senior…!'

"I'll give you one hint. If as you said, the barrier of the material world is blocking the summoning, a magician will have to break down that barrier or provide a separate doorway."

However, breaking it down by force was out of the question. In order to be able to break down the barrier of the material world, a legendary grand master was needed. Even Veronica wasn't capable of it, let alone the current Theodore. Therefore, Satomer was clearly trying to teach him about the second way.

As though Theo's thoughts were correct, Satomer smiled. "You are still young. I wish I had a young brother like you, but I'm glad we met. If there is a god, their personality must be quite twisted."

'Seni…or….'

"Go, there is no point saying goodbye to a dead man."

As Theo left Satomer's body, Satomer's voice echoed in Theodore's ears, [Your body already contains a door that leads to another dimension. I don���t know where it leads, but if you use that passage with summoning magic, you can call senior level summons.]

'...'

[Take the one who signed a contract with me. I forgot its name, but it will be pretty useful.]

The rough voice of the best summoning magician in the modern age, Satomer, faded into the distance. If possible, Theodore wanted to say thank you. What would Satomer's response be to that? Theodore couldn't help laughing at the thought as he was sucked in by an enormous suction power.

He was on the verge of losing consciousness when he heard a familiar voice,

[Synchro with the target called 'Satomer' has ended.]

[Synchro rate is 76.4%, there is no loss of proficiency.]

[Satomer has handed the coordinates of a contract over to you. If you want to contract with his summons, you will need to link the summoning spell while recalling the string of coordinates.]

[A new feature has been added to 'Ring of Muspelheim.']

Chapter 128 – Kargas' Underground Auction (1)

In the central continent, sunset was one or two hours behind the south and north, where the sun started to fall at 6 o'clock in the evening.

For that reason, Kargas' lively nights were short but intense. No one could deny that such geographical conditions contributed to the rise of the trade kingdom. It was sincere enjoyment when the sun shone, and once the moon emerged, there was more entertainment than any other country.

The trading kingdom of Kargas was this type of two-sided country. Just like how long shadows stretched out behind the radiant light, the subtle desires of people gathered in the back alleys of the bustling city.

The climate of the large border city of Sipoto, where a large quantity of people moved through, was no exception. No, in fact, the night prospered in proportion to the number of outsiders. Those who didn't set up signs during the day would start shouting throughout the city as soon as the sun went down.

Then there were those who gave seductive smiles and suggestive gestures to those passing by.

"The handsome fellow over there! It is a chance to get with a hot babe from the south for only 1 gold!"

"Hey, why are you picking up gum like that? Our store is full of beautiful girls from the north! The best service!"

There were those who aimed for the gap between that.

"A gorgeous half-elf beauty is waiting for tonight's master! Only the first four will be accepted! One time is five gold!"

"Hey! What a shameful human!"

"Isn't it five gold for an hour, instead of the whole night? Stop talking nonsense!"

Of course, sometimes there was a bit of fuss. However, the residents of Sipoto smiled instead of frowning, evidence that such an uproar wasn't anything new. It wasn't uncommon for drunks to hit a brick in the backstreets or for pickpockets to move among the crowds. In other words, this was the chaos of a main street.

However, the atmosphere of the night market was a little bit different tonight.

Ching! Ching! Ching!

Several heavily armed knights marched through the crowd with loud noises. An old man in an unusual outfit followed them leisurely. The knights, who had considerable skills, were escorting him. Then as the entire area fell silent, it was like a lord was making an appearance.

However, it wasn't just that.

"Make way! Agent of the Orcus Company is coming through!"

There was a horse-pulled carriage moving through the road, creating a path through the citizens roughly with loud yells.

On one side of the lavish carriage, there was a flag of a hawk which symbolized the Orcus Company. This was considered one of the top three companies in the central continent! It was also said that the power of money the company could use was equivalent to that of royalty. Even the guards didn't dare restrain them, so the authority they had was obvious.

Additionally, a number of other bigwigs had appeared all over the city. A wealthy person exiled from the Austen Kingdom, a mercenary leader who led A rank mercenaries, nobles visiting from neighbouring countries… They were all well known figures in their field.

These people were those who came a long way to participate in the underground auctions, the hidden specialty of Kargas.

"What a spectacle." However, Theodore ridiculed them with a cold face. "Driving a carriage in the middle of the city… The agent of a business company shouldn't be acting so stupidly."

"Cough, hrmm, cough…!" Someone started coughing at Theo's sharp words. Theodore didn't like the reaction, so he looked over and asked, "Are you afraid someone will be listening? You are the branch director of the Information Guild."

That's right. Right now, the King of Mice, who was the head of the Sipoto branch, was accompanying Theodore. However, Gibra's appearance was different from what Theo had seen underground. Theo didn't know what method was being used, but Gibra's height was now similar to Theodore's, while and his skin colour was similar to everyone else's.

It seemed like an impossible disguise because Gibra had been so unique.

The seemingly ordinary middle-aged man, Gibra, replied in a reproachful voice, "Employer, the Orcus Company isn't just a group making money. You should be careful about any statements you make with your mouth."

"What does that mean? Please explain it properly."

"Uhh… The cost for the information is separate from the commission fee…"

"Tell me." Theodore smiled as he played around with a gold coin. His attitude made the gold seem like it was just a pebble.

Gibra took it quickly, and after confirming it was pure gold, he decided to open his mouth. Five gold coins had already been consumed this way, but Theo had no dissatisfaction because Gibra gave valuable and steady information.

Gibra delivered the information using an aura technique which eastern warriors used. It was called Sound Transmission.

[Don't answer and just listen. This information isn't something I'm sure about. Otherwise, it would be worth at least 10 gold.]

Simultaneously, Theodore nodded naturally.

[The Orcus Company was founded just 27 years ago, so it is still new. There wasn't a solid background or a great deal of business talent.

"..."

[But in less than 30 years, it has grown to be one of the top three companies in the central continent. Even if they got lucky, that growth is beyond common sense. So, our guild decided to send elites to dig out the information.]

It was definitely as he said. A common company growing to become one of the top three in the central continent within less than 30 years…? It was impossible unless the god of luck was at their door.

Theodore thought of more questions after knowing about the Information Guild's actions. Maybe they planned to expand their power by discovering the Orcus Company's secret.

However, Gibra's expression sunk heavily. [None of them returned. They were elites who could at least escape even when the opponent was a master, but none of them came back. After that, we didn't accept any requests from the Orcus Company.]

"…Did you decide to give up?"

[Just the direct investigation. The indirect investigation continued. And we realizing an amazing fact.]

Theodore couldn't help squinting and realized that Gibra was sweating slightly.

[All the people who persecuted the Orcus Company or who stood in their way are dead. It wasn't due to assassins. They died because of a sudden illness, an accident, or were betrayed by the people around them. In the meantime, the Orcus Company easily got what they wanted.]

"Is there any evidence?"

[Not at all. If there was evidence, would we remain quiet? They would've paid a price for all of the dead.]

In the shadow world, loyalty was absolute. Members who didn't feel loyalty toward their organization wouldn't last long.

There were different motives behind the loyalty. Logically, it wasn't a question of good and evil but giving back what they had received. Indiscriminate violence was part of the nature of humans. The Information Guild was relatively moderate, but they couldn't escape from feeling like this.

However, Gibra said that retaliation was impossible.

'…Orcus Company, I have to remember that.'

It might be groundless, but Theodore felt a strange sense of anxiety inside him.

People who had been abandoned by their family and friends, had suddenly become ill, or had encountered an incident… At first glance, they seemed unrelated, but Theodore knew of one possibility which could link them.

Thousands of random illnesses, inviting misfortune such as a lightning strike from the dry skies, and confusing the hearts of others… they were all acts which the Magic Society had declared as taboo.

'Black magic.'

The magic system had mostly disappeared after the necropolis of the warlocks had been subdued a few centuries ago.

In principle, if Theo suspected information about the possible existence of black magic, he should inform the Magic Society and arrange an investigation team. However, the present Theodore was an invisible person hiding secretly in a distant country. He wasn't in a position to communicate with an investigation team or the Magic Society.

Theo could only hope that this foreboding feeling wouldn't come true.

* * *

After Gibra's story about the Orcus Company, the two of them walked through the city wordlessly. Some people felt the uncomfortable atmosphere and carefully avoided them. The unnatural silence continued until they reached the gambling casino which contained one of the northern auctions.

This was when the two people neared the entrance,

"You're here." A man intercepted their path and greeted them with a polite attitude.

Unlike Theodore who didn't know who the man was, Gibra responded as if he had been waiting for the greeting. "You're on time, Akan."

"Yes, Branch Director."

Then Gibra turned to Theo and said, "I haven't introduced you yet. This guy is Akan, a member of the Sipoto branch."

"Ah, yes."

Regardless of whether he knew that Theodore was the employer, Akan bowed and treated Theo as politely as he did Gibra.

Akan didn't look even 30 years old, but since he was a member of the Information Guild, it was meaningless to grasp his identity with just his appearance. The pair became a trio, and they approached the casino.

Then a security guard blocked the three of them. "I'm sorry. Today, we are holding a special event at our casino and won't accept those who aren't invited."

Akan walked forward without any hesitation. "Ha, do you know who I am?"

"Huh? T-That…"

"That's okay. I can tell that you have a dull head, and I will need to make it obvious to you."

This was a pride which went beyond arrogance! The appearance of the polite guild member had completely disappeared. It seemed like he actually was an important member of a business company. The guards became nervous at the attitude of Akan, who was big and using rough movements.

Theodore admired the change in Akan, who seemed like a real actor. 'Indeed, this is the Information Guild.'

The man called 'Akan' was an excellent scammer who could disguise himself and trick the eyes of others. If Theodore had been in the position of the security guard, he would definitely have been deceived. Akan's behaviour was perfect without any flaws.

Within a short amount of time, Akan pulled out an object. It was the item which Theodore had handed him in advance, the mark of the Polonell Company.

"Now, if you have eyes, look! Do you dare to doubt my qualifications after seeing this?"

"…T-The Polonell Company?"

"Hah, you're making another mistake."

"Huh? M-Mistake?!" The guard's body shook at the words. It was obvious that he was uneasy.

"Even though you know my position, you are still blocking the way. Is this a challenge to the name of the Polonell Company?"

"Ah, no! T-that's not it!" The guard quickly cleared the way while bowing at a 90 degree angle. "I'm sorry! Have a good time!"

"Tsk, be careful next time."

"Yes! I will keep that in mind!"

There was no inspection performed for Theodore and Gibra, and the two people followed behind Akan's big steps. The security guards at the front door had seen the suffering of the first security guard. So, there was now no security guard who dared block the three of them.

Gibra chuckled as they crossed the threshold of the northern auction house. He pointed to the stiff behaviour of the guards and said, "How was that, Employer? Wasn't it fun?"

"…Certainly. You do as much as you receive."

"Huhu, it isn't over yet. You will be much more surprised by the end of the auction." Gibra's disguised face smiled.

Step, step.

At a corner of the casino, the steps of the three people walked past the security guards and down the stairs to the underground area.

There was a such a vast space hiding under the casino that Theodore made a surprised expression as he calculated the underground space. It was an area which could comfortably accommodate a thousand people.

The sight which was beyond his imagination didn't end there. This was a special place in the Kargas Kingdom—an underground auction house. The three people descended a few dozen meters before the true face of the auction house was revealed.

"…Hah." Theodore was forced to stare blankly as he arrived at the entrance.

He didn't know that this type of space would be hidden in a city which wasn't even the capital. 'No, I knew but didn't realize it.'

Seeing it with his own eyes was completely different from hearing the information from Gibra. Dozens of colourful chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and from the floor to the pillars, nothing was shabby. All the luxury and debauchery of the city seemed to flow into here.

The bottom of the auction house was alive and breathing. A masked man, a man in a robe, a woman in a dress, a man in armour, a man sipping from a glass of wine…

There was a whirlwind of human desire raging before the magician. It was a desire completely different from the magicians who pursued truth and the causes of various things.

A faint dizziness welled up inside Theo.

"Hey, Employer. What is it?"

"…It's nothing."

Theodore took a firm step forward into his first experience with human desires. The one who had created a storm in Meltor was now entering this rich country.

"Let's go."

The curtain rose on the first day of Kargas' underground auction.