The lord's castle of Hadekain.
Yeriel picked up the necklace lying on the desk. It was an artifact, and among those, it seemed to be an accessory that had recorded some scene.
“See for yourself.”
Jorang gestured for her to do so. Yeriel still wore a doubtful expression, but soon imbued the crystal orb of the necklace with mana.
─Just make sure you carry out the mission. No matter how it turns out, just keep Yeriel buried in the territory.
A familiar voice flowed out. Yeriel watched the recording without a word.
─That bastard was only ever useful for that much in the first place.
Jorang scrutinized her expression closely, but Yeriel was not so shoddy as to show agitation to an enemy.
─That bastard's every action is petty, so it'll surely be fine, but add surveillance to the mission list too.
Along with the voice, part of Dekyulrein's figure was reflected. In a mansion of the capital, Dekyulrein sat in a splendid chair. He frowned, swirling a wine glass.
─If that bastard tries to do anything foolish…….
Dekyulrein looked somewhere. You couldn't see who was in that direction. However, a very faint lock of red hair caught the eye.
─You know what you have to do without me having to say it.
With that, the recording ended. It was a short record, but even the date and time of origin were recorded. It was from last year.
Jorang smiled broadly.
“The authenticity of that artifact is something you, the mage Yeriel, would know best, but…… please look at this.”
As he spoke, he held out part of some sealed paper.
“As red hair is not common, as a result of my close investigation…….”
Jorang had fully mobilized his connections at the Adventurer's Guild to restore a certain document. It was the formidable influence of a eunuch who had breached even the Adventurer's Guild, which prioritized faith above all.
“Do you see this target?”
A portion of the Ganesha–Dekyulrein contract. Yeriel looked at the paragraph Jorang pointed to.
──[ Contract for Guild Submission ]──
◆ Summary: The Red Garnet Adventure Party faithfully carries out the mission conveyed by Dekyulrein von Grahan Yukeurain.
◆ Target: Yeriel von Dellun Yukeurain.
◆ Details: Conveyed verbally for security purposes. (*Paid Level 1 confidential fee. Cannot be written on the contract for guild submission.)
◆ Seal /
────/
“You are the target. What kind of mission it might be, well, I don't know. It's obvio—”
“Moron.”
“……Excuse me?”
However, words Jorang couldn't have expected came back at him. Yeriel looked at Jorang and scoffed.
“No, I was wondering if you'd only now realized things are bad between us.”
“……Haha. Is that so?”
“Anyone watching would think I've been oh-so in love with Dekyulrein and pouring myself into territory affairs all this time. Enough. If you're done, get lost already.”
Jorang also didn't show his expression like Yeriel. Jorang continued calmly.
“Then we should get along even better.”
“Get along my ass. Are you actually retarded? You can't even understand when someone tells you to get lost.”
Despite that abusive language, he smiled broadly, but at the very next words, he stiffened completely.
“You dickless eunuch bastard.”
“…….”
In that instant, he clenched the fist hidden beneath the desk. Veins bulged at the corners of his eyes from humiliation and shame. Jorang trembled all over, and Yeriel merely twisted her lips.
“What are you staring at? I told you to piss off, didn't I?”
“……You will come to regret this someday.”
Leaving those words behind, Jorang stormed out the door.
Yeriel quietly watched him leave accompanied by the imperial palace knights, then soon shifted her gaze to the necklace and contract on the desk.
“Young lady.”
Right on time, the butler entered. Yeriel looked out the window without a word.
From that corridor, the thudding footsteps of the enraged Jorang could be heard, but before she knew it, the night had quietly settled.
Pitter-patter. A sky full of stars.
“Hey.”
She muttered lonesomely to her butler.
“Yes.”
“It seems Dekyulrein never intended to keep his promise from the start.”
She placed her fingers on the contract and the necklace.
Yeriel admitted that she had been played by Dekyulrein all this time.
While invoking a sworn oath and putting her at ease, Dekyulrein had been carrying out these dirty dealings in secret. Putting her at ease, and at ease again, with the intention of discarding her once she was no longer useful.
“Is that so.”
Dekyulrein made promises with nothing but his filthy mouth. She had believed his words and accepted nothing. Dekyulrein had already known that she, who still held familial affection, would refuse a sworn oath.
That damnable bastard.
“What should I do?”
But of course, she couldn't let Dekyulrein know any of this. She mustn't reveal even a hint of it.
There was no fear that Jorang would blab to Dekyulrein first. He had come to her because he hated the idea of Dekyulrein gaining more power than necessary.
The butler spoke.
“……We, no, this territory has been on your side, young lady Yeriel, for a long time.”
Those words were meant to reassure, but Yeriel felt a sadness she herself could not understand.
Could it be that in a corner of her heart, she still harbored the desire to grow close to the man she had called brother, the desire to be with him?
“Yeah. Thanks. Go back.”
“Yes. Rest well.”
The lord's office after the butler had left.
Yeriel turned off all the lamps. The night sky outside poured in. In that darkness, she played the necklace's recording again.
“…….”
Listening to Dekyulrein's cold words, and looking at the even more certain contract, Yeriel secretly wiped away her tears.
* * *
……Students returning with their luggage one by one, the occasional sounds of sparring and shouts between knight cadets, the dormitory and shop street regaining their usual liveliness.
Thus, one could tell that the Empire University's semester opening was not far off through the campus scenery.
“Head Professor!”
Students who had returned to the university from their hometowns, or from other lands, enjoyed a peaceful rest while waiting for the semester to open, but from a professor's standpoint, it was quite different.
Not to mention undergraduate professors, even the magic professors were tirelessly busy with class design and preparation.
“Here, I found them.”
I saw Allen approaching while rummaging through documents. Allen, who had seemed likely to leave at the end of last semester, seemed to have decided to stay a while longer.
“These are the old plans you mentioned before.”
Allen held out a pile of documents. They were class plan proposals that friend—still shrouded in mystery, Ipeurin's father—had written long ago.
I had been planning to use these as reference for the second semester classes.
“……Hmm.”
I read the [Lecture Plan Proposal].
「 Lecture Name: The Orthodox Application of the Four Great Elements 」
The gist of this lecture proposal was “handling the elements in a more orthodox manner,” but it was obvious why Dekyulrein hadn't accepted it.
It was an advanced theory lecture surpassing the undergraduate level, which by modern standards would be for master's and doctoral students.
“It will probably be quite an advanced lecture.”
“Ah! An advanced lecture?!”
Allen opened his eyes wide. I nodded, and Allen's face became one of admiration.
Instead, I was thinking of changing this “lecture name” appropriately.
「Orthodox Application of the Four Great Elements: 'Manipulation' Series」, or 「'Earth and Fire' Orthodox Application」, something like that, appropriately matching my aptitude.
To repeat, Dekyulrein's talent is of the manipulation series, and his attributes are the two elements of earth and fire.
“Yeah. Good work. You may go back.”
“Ah, also, there's this! A letter arrived in the mailbox.”
Allen handed over the entire sponsorship mailbox. It was probably just a single letter from Ipeurin.
“Then I'll be going~”
As soon as Allen left, I opened the letter.
[ To my sponsor.
This is Solda Ipeurin.
Yes, I've become 'Solda' now.
Not a debutante.
But…… for some reason, I'm more miserable now than when I was a debutante.
The reason is because I volunteered under the villainous professor named Dekyulrein. Of course, it was my choice so I can't regret it, but that blue snail is far more villainous than I thought……
(Abridged)
……The precious sponsorship money you sent flew away in an instant too. I don't know if it was intellectual property rights or what, but it disappeared as if a snail was gnawing on leaves.
However, Sponsor. I, Solda Ipeurin, promise. Someday, I will surpass that blue snail. I'll become a greater mage and prove that your choice wasn't wrong.
Until then, I'll stop here.
That's all.
Solda Ipeurin. ]
“A blue snail……”
I folded it neatly and put it in the drawer. Then, I turned on the crystal orb showing the inside of the [Assistant Research Lab].
Whoom— The Assistant Research Lab that rose like a hologram held Durent and Ipeurin. Ipeurin was studying, and Durent was researching.
“It sure feels empty.”
The Assistant Research Lab was filled with all kinds of highest-grade equipment. That desk and chair, of course, the air purifier, temperature regulator, everything was top-class, and it was spacious enough for several dozen people to enter together.
Yet with only two people, one couldn't help but feel it was lacking.
If Silvia had been in that spot…….
Indeed, I could feel a certain degree of emptiness. She was a perfect one in attitude, comprehension, and talent.
“……She must be doing well on the Floating Island.”
After all, Yukeurain and Illead were mortal enemies, so this current state was correct. If they stayed together any longer than this, who knew what insane act Gilteon would commit.
I nodded and came out of the office.
Today's work was an inspection in my capacity as Planning Director. The first destination was the 43rd floor, which was currently eating up the most money these days. Luina's office.
Ding—
“……?”
I frowned as soon as I got off the elevator. From the hallway, there were an absurd number of mages.
Luina, who was overseeing them, spotted me.
“Ah, you're here. Planning Director.”
I twisted my lips for no reason.
“……There are quite a few assistants?”
“Ah~ it's the intern period right now.”
“Interns?”
“Yes.”
“How many interns?”
“100. There were too many, so I narrowed it down to 100 for now.”
Luina said nonchalantly.
In reality, it was no big deal at all.
Even if you combined ten of those hundred, they wouldn't match Durent, and even if you combined all hundred, they wouldn't match Ipeurin.
“It's like watching cockroaches swarm.”
Words that slipped out before I knew it.
At that moment, the chatter in the crowded hallway cut off dead. Luina's 100 assistant interns almost simultaneously turned to look at me, but the moment their eyes met mine, they hurriedly focused on their work.
Luina crossed her arms.
“No matter what, calling them cockroaches. You speak too harshly.”
“……Hand over the report.”
“Here. I organized everything.”
She submitted the report as if she had been waiting.
I roughly skimmed it with my eyes and put it in my briefcase.
“By the way, Planning Director. I heard you took in a child from the Luna household under you?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you planning to do taking in that child? She certainly seems talented, but.”
I looked at Luina without a word. Luina looked up at me too.
Now that I thought about it, we were alumni.
Someone who might know even a little about the relationship between Dekyulrein and Ipeurin's father.
Luina, who had been blinking, spoke.
“Well, that's something you should handle yourself, Planning Director. Anyway, here. It's an academic conference invitation. And a ticket for Rokeurallen.”
[ Rokeurallen Conference invites Head Professor Dekyulrein! Welcome! ]
Rokeurallen Conference. Above those words, a quest floated up.
[ Main Quest: Bizarre Conference Rokeurallen ]
◆ Shop Currency +1
◆ Mana +50
Rokeurallen. A place considered to be one of the main quests for mage players.
I solemnly received the invitation.
“Are you coming too?”
“Huh? Ah, I'm busy with work. That Rokeurallen ticket allows for three companions, so you can take anyone.”
* * *
“Oh, did Silvia come~”
Silvia, who had come up to the Floating Island, met Rogerio.
Today's promised location was the 'Pentamall' on the 10th floor of Mejiseion, the largest and most famous library on the Floating Island. It was the 'Gathering Place of All Books in the World,' which Silvia had wanted to enter for a long time.
“Here, take it. It's a one-day pass.”
Entry was only permitted for those ranked 5th class 'Lumiere' and above, and granting entry authority was only possible for those ranked 2nd class 'Aether' and above, yet Silvia had received a one-day entry permit from Rogerio.
“Thank you.”
“Sure. Let's head in~”
Rogerio opened the door with practiced ease.
The 10th floor of Mejiseion—in other words, a space that used the entire floor as a library. At its sheer vastness and the heavy scent of books filling it, Sylvia stared in blank admiration.
“It’s huge.”
“Aye. This library’s size itself has been inflated with an archmage’s barrier magic. It’s probably wider than the capital, eh? That’s how it can hold nearly every book in the world. Not just grimoires, but ordinary books too.”
“Can I borrow anything?”
“Only three books. For anything with authorship attached, you just pay the knowledge copyrigh’ fee.”
“Knowledge copyright.”
“Yeah. Knowledge copyrigh’.”
Sylvia nodded. Rogerio seemed unable to handle complicated pronunciations.
“This here’s the center. If you want somethin’, ask that kid over there. He’s a ‘Library Addict.’”
Arriving at the library’s information desk, Rogerio pointed at a robed mage.
Sylvia tilted her head.
“Library Addict.”
“Aye. There are all sorts of addicts on the Floating Island, and he’s the most useful of the lot. He knows where every book in this library is. His whole head’s turned into a library.”
Sylvia nodded and approached him.
“Do you perhaps have Deculein’s works?”
“There are a total of ten works by Deculein, but two of them are protected by rights.”
Rogerio’s eyes widened.
“Why’re you lookin’ for Deculein’s stuff? Most of that bastard’s achievements are trash. Except for these three.”
Rogerio waved his hand in the middle of the library, and three papers emerged. They were [The Convergence of Pure Elements], [The Composite of the Four Classical Elements], and [Methods for Creating Elements].
“After these three, Deculein lost his brilliance. Of course, he’s made a comeback now. Anyway, these three were the achievements that helped Deculein the most in becoming Head Professor. I must’ve been in my mid-teens then.”
“Heh heh. I still don’t believe Deculein wrote them. Even now that Deculein has achieved greatness, there are many who think those three papers were ghostwritten.”
Another voice cut in. Sylvia turned that way. Gindalf was stroking his beard.
Rogerio pouted.
“What brings you here, old man? Why’d you suddenly show up and steal my explanation?”
“Is this not Sylvia, who will soon stand as our equal? I came to meet her.”
Gindalf smiled benevolently as he looked at Sylvia.
“Sylvia. Coming to the Floating Island was the right choice. What could you possibly learn at the Magic Tower?”
“Oh, right. Sylvia, did you know? That old man fought Yukline because of Iliade.”
“Ahahaha. There is no need to mention that.”
During the family war between Iliade and Yukline in the past, Gindalf had sided with Iliade.
Partly because he had grown up under Iliade’s patronage, but also because he had disliked the previous head of Yukline.
“Thank you.”
Answering only that, Sylvia looked back at the addict at the information desk.
“What is the most recent of Deculein’s books?”
“This one. [Understanding Pure Elements: Yukline Revised Edition].”
When the addict extended his hand, a book floated up. Rogerio smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“Ah. Sylvia. That one can’t be borrowed.”
“Why?”
“Because Deculein sold it as a limited edition—rather, only to select people. Right?”
“Yes. This book was presented by Deculein to only seventeen people in total, and its evaluations are extremely favorable. Though I have not read it myself, Lumiere Creto praised it highly as ‘the finest textbook, condensing everything from the basics of pure elements to advanced courses.’”
“Creto did?”
“Yes. In addition, Addict Astal, who reviewed this book, included it among the ‘100 Theoretical Texts the Floating Island Must Preserve,’ and at the same time lavishly praised Professor Deculein, saying it was ‘the possibility of an era that will firmly establish the vague concept known as pure elements.’”
Rogerio pouted as he listened.
“It’s strange, I tell ya. If he wrote it that well, why isn’t he sellin’ it? Since he won’t sell it, nobody knows how brilliant the contents are. I want to read it too, see what it’s like.”
“Then I can’t borrow it?”
Sylvia asked again.
“Yeah. You can’t borro—”
“It is possible. For Solda Sylvia.”
As if refuting Rogerio’s words, the addict spoke. Rogerio frowned.
“Huh? Why? Even I can’t borrow it, so why can this kid?”
Like a machine, the addict turned his neck with a creak and looked at Rogerio.
“Solda Sylvia exists on the list of approved recipients authorized by Monarch Deculein.”
“……Her? Sylvia?”
“Yes.”
Rogerio looked at Sylvia. Sylvia wore a dazed expression. Behind her, Gindalf stroked his beard with an interested “Hooh.”
“Did you know?”
“No.”
Sylvia blankly shook her head. At that moment, the addict asked again.
“Will you borrow it?”
“Yes, yes. I’ll borrow it.”
As she answered haltingly, [Understanding Pure Elements: Yukline Revised Edition] settled into her small hands. Sylvia remained still, stroking the soft cover.
Rogerio licked his lips and said,
“Sylvia. Can I take a look at that too? No, just tell me a bit about the contents later. I’m curious—hey! Where’re you going! Coward!”
Tat-tat-tat-tat──
Not wanting to hear any more, Sylvia turned right around and ran away.
* * *
……Late at night. The [Assistant Research Lab] on the 77th floor of the Magic Tower.
“I seriously can’t do this! How am I supposed to finish all this before classes start?!”
Epherene burst out shouting.
She was halfway through the third book, The Harmony of the Four Classical Elements.
“Are you okay?”
Drent, who was conducting an experiment beside her, asked worriedly. Drent was performing a formula-response experiment with a mana stone.
Epherene first let out a deep sigh.
“Senior. Why did you apply to be Deculein’s assistant? The rumor that you were threatened is everywhere.”
There was plenty of gossip about Drent, whose future was bright, choosing Deculein. No, the theory that he had been threatened by Deculein was practically accepted as fact.
“Threatened? Please.”
Drent shook his head as if it were completely untrue.
“I came because he corrected my mistake. I’m still sorry to you. Back then, I was so obsessed with achievements that I think I went insane.”
“……It’s fine, I guess. It just means my idea was that attractive.”
“Haha. It was. Sorry.”
“Phew…… But.”
Epherene looked at the piles of books stacked on her desk.
There were thirteen in total, but compared to ordinary books, they were on the level of sixty. Each and every one was nearly seven or eight hundred pages.
“Does this make any sense? Thirteen high-difficulty books.”
Intellectual property rights, copyright, whatever it was. Because of that, all her sponsorship money had been drained. At this rate, she might never eat Roahawk again in her life.
Drent smiled bitterly.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“No…… That professor left for the day, right?”
“Yeah. Two hours ago?”
“Ah~ Then I’ll go home too. I need to rest.”
“Yeah. Take care.”
Drent still seemed to have a lot of work left, and Epherene left the lab.
Just as she was about to get on the elevator—
She suddenly looked at the large door at the end of the hallway.
[Head Professor’s Office].
“Gulp.”
Without realizing it, she swallowed.
One day, her father had told her that he had hidden his research records in Deculein’s office.
Because Deculein had kept such strict watch to prevent him from taking out his own research, he had no choice but to hide it inside there. His research, beneath the darkest lamp……
“He said he left two hours ago.”
Epherene looked around the 77th floor.
It was completely dark.
To begin with, there was no reason for anyone to be here.
Epherene crept toward the Head Professor’s Office.
Step—step—
On her tiptoes, step—step—
A distance that should have taken thirty seconds took her three minutes.
Cold sweat trickling down, Epherene gripped the doorknob. When she pushed lightly, the door opened.
“!!”
Epherene was startled out of her skin.
It had not been locked.
No, perhaps it had been locked, but opened the moment Epherene’s hand touched it.
Could it be that her father had even arranged this much?
“……”
The inside of the office was nothing but darkness. Whether she looked here or there, nothing could be seen in that empty blackness.
Epherene crawled forward in silence.
She crawled like a grub, feeling here and there across the tiles. Her father had said, “Somewhere on these tiles, there will be a part you’ll recognize when you touch it—”
Where is it? Which tile?
Is it here? No.
Where? Where?
Since she could not see at all, she gathered mana in her palm. Using that mana as a light, she groped her way forward.
──Then, at some moment.
Her hand touched something hard. Found it! Epherene clutched that pointed part tightly. However, no matter how much she shook it, it did not budge.
“……?”
Looking closely, it seemed to be some kind of shoe.
What was this now?
Puzzled, Epherene raised her gaze.
“Ah……”
In that instant, her brain stopped.
She froze in the posture of clutching the tile.
“……”
Eerie blue eyes were looking down at her.
A blazing gaze stabbed straight downward.
Only belatedly did Epherene realize.
There had been no arrangement in this office.
It was simply……
“What are you looking for?”
Deculein.
The owner of the office had not yet left.