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Episode 69
A Hideout in a Crazy Place (3)
The next afternoon.
Riley stretched and stretched, her tired body getting up.
He seemed very tired from turning the pages of the book for me.
“Eugh… … .”
There were hundreds of books strewn about us in a jumbled manner.
I slowly looked around the sight and let out a sigh of satisfaction.
[Phew… … .]
Burned.
I spent a whole day reading a book.
As the rich guy said, there were a lot of useful books here.
[It looks like you’ve collected a lot of information.]
It felt like a 300-year gap in the library was being filled.
Not only magic, but also various common sense about modern society could be accumulated.
The elation that comes from acquiring knowledge.
I smiled inwardly at that pleasant feeling.
“By the way, Master Magushu.”
[huh?]
“I’m curious, but is it okay for you to read books?”
It was a random question.
I answered Riley’s question right away.
[Why? Is there any reason why I shouldn’t read books?]
“Isn’t this a kind of cannibalism? When books read other books?”
[… … .]
What kind of nonsense is this?
[So if an Ego Sword and a normal sword clash, that would be a fratricide?]
“ah.”
Riley nodded as if she understood and spoke again.
“I see you say that, Master Madoseo. I guess you usually enjoy reading. You read a novel so happily today, too.”
[Um, that’s not it.]
Haven’t I said this before?
I’d much rather be out on the battlefield than be stuck in a corner.
I wasn’t the type to prefer boring hobbies like reading.
I just used to read books in small bursts, just when I needed to, like now.
[The only things I read as a hobby were novels, comics, and the occasional erotic book.]
“… … A collection of erotic paintings?”
That was when.
Riley looked somewhat embarrassed after hearing what I said and continued speaking.
“Is there a collection of erotic art that would satisfy you, Master?”
[Yeah. Of course. Why?]
Riley’s expression became strange.
She muttered, grimacing as if she had seen something disgusting.
“Oh my god. There’s a lunatic who draws pictures of books falling in love with each other?”
[No, you crazy bastard.]
I was human once too.
What the hell is he talking about all of a sudden?
“Oh, right… … .”
It was then that Riley continued her answer, stuttered slightly.
“If you think about it, people and Ego Swords, uh… … . Yeah, there’s a novel that does that, so it’s not really surprising.”
[… … ?]
For a moment, I lost my mind.
[What, no… … . What?]
Did I hear that wrong?
What is the difference between an ego sword and a person?
What are you doing?
[How old were you?]
“I’m 15 years old.”
[… … .]
Oh my god.
Why on earth would someone with no brains look for a book like that?
No, to begin with, the fact that such a trashy banned book exists in this world is shocking.
[Could this also be one of the evils of the Thieves Guild?]
“Huh? No, Master Magus. Wait a minute. It’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t say I saw it… … .”
[You’re making excuses.]
“No, really. Why would I look at a book like that? I didn’t read it.”
[Then what is it?]
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Riley gestured to the other side of the bookshelf.
“I said that after seeing what was there.”
[……uh?]
And as I looked towards where Riley’s finger was pointing, I couldn’t help but freeze.
[… … .]
Right in the middle of the bookshelf.
There, a book with a red cover was placed very proudly.
[Uh, um, uh… … .]
A novel with a title that is too disgusting to even bring up.
It stands out even more because it’s placed among numerous magic books and specialized books.
no.
Why didn’t I notice that sooner?
[Damn, I feel like I’m going crazy just from seeing the title… ]
“Master!”
[… … .]
It was just then.
Of all things.
It was at that very moment that Richie came into the study.
And he said that with a very bright expression.
“Master, I have good news! I have just succeeded in making a neutralizer! Why don’t you go and check it out together… …”
[Hey, you.]
“yes?”
[Don’t come near me.]
“……yes?”
Richie tilted his head and answered.
“What is that… … ?”
[No, if I tell you not to come near, then don’t come near. Get out of here. It’s really disgusting.]
“… … ?”
The guy asked back, bewildered.
“Master? Why are you suddenly like this… … .”
[… … .]
“ah.”
Richie followed Riley’s gaze and was finally able to spot a novel on the bookshelf.
“Uh, um, uh… … .”
Richie looks a bit embarrassed.
The guy’s eyes began to shake in all directions.
In human terms, it’s like an earthquake is happening in the pupils.
“Hey, why is that thing stuck here… … ?”
“… … .”
[… … .]
There was an awkward silence for a while.
There was an indescribable awkwardness between me, Riley, and Richie.
How many minutes passed like that?
Finally, Richie began to speak in a voice that seemed to be crawling.
“Don’t misunderstand, Master. I’m not the one reading that book.”
[Stop talking nonsense.]
“I-I’m telling you, really? Th, th, th-that’s Jeremy’s thing.”
no.
Who is Jeremy again?
“That… … . There’s that Death Knight I introduced you to last time. He was the head of the ‘Heresy Inquisitor’ when he was alive.”
Oh, right.
The name of the Death Knight friend who would rattle around without fail was Jeremy.
[You’re amazing too. Are you now even selling out your subordinates?]
“Yes, yes? That’s not it… … .”
[I’d rather conquer the world. What is this, really, sigh.]
“Oh, no! I said it was all a misunderstanding! Just give me time and I’ll explain everything… …!”
[Shut up. It’s noisy.]
That was when.
Riley, who was right next to us, joined our conversation in a whisper.
“That’s cool, Richie.”
“… … Uh, yeah? What did you say?”
“I understand everything.”
She continued speaking in an even softer voice.
“You’ve lived for so long that you must be tired of everything. You want stronger stimulation. And so you keep reaching for strange things.”
“… … .”
“Yes. I understand everything. I understand.”
Swish─.
As she said that, Riley reached out to the red-covered novel on the shelf.
“So what I’m saying is, can I borrow this book?”
[hey.]
No, stop it.
[Why are you trying to borrow that again?]
“It’s amazing. I wonder what it’s about.”
[… … .]
“Anyway, Richie, can I borrow this?”
Hearing that, Richie muttered in a timid voice.
“It’s not my book. It’s Jeremy’s book.”
[… … .]
“If you have a question, ask him.”
I’m really going to turn back.
[I guess I’ll never come here again… … .]
* * *
“It’s not really mine! It’s Jeremy’s favorite book! I’ve tried to throw it away several times, but he keeps tearing it apart… .”
[Hey, okay, I got it. I got it.]
I cut off Richie’s excuses in an annoyed voice.
My head hurts so bad after listening to that for a few minutes.
[So when are you going to show me the finished product?]
“Oh, that’s right.”
As if he had just remembered, Richie clapped his hands and answered with a bright smile.
“Follow me.”
We followed the guy’s lead out of the study and passed through several rooms.
“Krrrr… … !”
“Whoa, whoa… … .”
The servants they encountered in the middle all displayed aggressive attitudes, but at Richie’s gesture, they all became calm.
How many more rooms and hallways did we pass through?
“Here it is, Master.”
Finally we were able to get back to Richie’s personal studio.
[Ugh… … .]
Squeak──.
When I opened the door, I saw a very messy room.
Dozens of sheets of parchment were spread out on the floor, and various materials and reagents were strewn about haphazardly.
[Still, the desk is clean.]
The only neat desk in the midst of chaos.
There was a bottle of potion on top of it.
Boom, boom─!
A green potion with bubbles of unknown origin rising up.
Just looking at its appearance, it would be believable if it were said to be not a neutralizer that weakens heartworms, but a deadly poison that could kill an elephant with a single drop.
“… … .”
Riley stared blankly at the hideous-looking neutralizer.
Soon she muttered in a voice that was full of caution.
“Could that be the Chinese medicine?”
“huh!”
Riley muttered as she watched Richie answer brightly.
“… … Do you have a grudge against me that you cannot tell me, Richie?”
“Huh? No?”
Richie snatched the potion bottle from the desk and handed it to Riley.
Swish─.
The guy said with a smile.
“What are you doing? Drink it quickly. I made it strawberry-flavored so it’s easy to eat.”
“Is it strawberry flavored?”
“huh.”
“… … .”
Riley took the potion with a look of bewilderment at the unexpected declaration of strawberry flavor.
Gulp.
She squinted her eyes and swallowed the neutralizer in one gulp.
“… … ?”
But the very next moment.
Riley’s eyes shot open.
“Oh, is it delicious?”
“See! It’s strawberry flavored? I put a lot of care into making it!”
It was surprisingly delicious.
After confirming that Riley had drank every last drop of the neutralizer, I immediately asked Richie a question.
[Well, so now Heartworm is definitely weakened?]
“Yes. Now, there will be no problem even if we perform the “Heartworm Removal Surgery” in earnest.”
As expected, it was Richie.
The process of neutralization that had to be continued steadily for 20 years was completed in one go.
I always think about this, but he was really good with his hands.
If he had entered the path of alchemy while he was alive, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he would have become a successful “Potion Maker” on his own without my help.
[Then let’s perform the “Heartworm Removal” right now.]
Once the neutralizing action was complete, removing the heartworm was simple.
If you destroy the spell engraved on the oath of loyalty, that’s the end.
In other words, it was now entirely up to Riley to get rid of the Heartworm.
“Oh, Master! Wait a minute! But there is still one serious problem left!”
[… … ?]
That was when.
Just as I was about to tell Riley how to do the “Heartworm Removal” technique, Richie started to try to dissuade us.
“There is a link between the heartworm and the spellcaster.”
[……link?]
“yes.”
Richie nodded and continued speaking.
“If you were to remove the heartworm, the person who cast the spell would know immediately, because the link between the spell and the caster would be severed.”
[… … .]
In short, if we were to destroy Heartworm, Jan Lantes would immediately notice.
Plague.
If this is the case, wouldn’t heartworm removal surgery and everything else be meaningless?
“Of course, thanks to the neutralizer, Heartworm has been weakened, so there is no problem in carrying out spy activities. Even if you steal confidential information from the Irantes Tower, Heartworm will remain silent.”
“… … .”
“But if we attack Jan Irantes directly… … then the situation might be a little dangerous.”
The moment you make a direct attack on Jan Lantes, Heartworm is activated.
Of course, the best course of action would be to avoid engaging Jan Lantes, but it was better to be prepared just in case.
shit.
So how do we solve this?
It was at that moment that I was in such trouble.
Just then, Riley, who had been quietly listening to Richie and I talking next to her, intervened.
“It’s simple.”
“… … .”
“If there was ever an attack on Yann Lantes, why not just eliminate Heartworm at that very moment?”
It was such a simple and clear solution.
But when Richie heard Riley say this, he shook his head and denied her words.
“No. The Heartworm removal technique isn’t something that can be done so quickly. Even for someone with a great affinity for mana like you, it would take at least half a day to destroy this technique.”
“……is it so?”
“huh.”
After hearing Richie’s explanation, Riley made a half-doubtful expression and immediately closed her eyes.
It was a chance to observe the magic of the heartworm inside one’s own body.
Woof─.
How much time has passed like that?
Finally, Riley opened her eyes wide and opened her mouth.
“I think I can do it.”
“… … .”
[… … .]
It was an answer brimming with confidence.
