Episode 577: The Wizard of Time (2)
A relief team from the Holy Kingdom of Bretus arrived in Lederbelk.
After the initial vanguard of 300, the number of Holy Kingdom relief corps under the Holy Knights and Priests who entered Lederbelk was 2,000.
A large group of people, totaling 2,300 people, dispersed to Lederbelk and began providing relief.
Originally, the priests of Lemria had agreed not to touch the authority of the empire in any way, but 1st Princess Eileen accepted the opinion that they would still provide relief.
Considering the size of the city, where the total population exceeds several hundred thousand, 2,300 people may seem like a small number at first glance.
However, Lederbelk, where violence was occurring in many places, began to regain stability surprisingly quickly.
The sense of stability given by one priest rather than 10 guards calmed the anxiety of the citizens.
“The power of religion is scary.”
The guard who saw that the street, where incidents had been constant, had become as quiet as if it had been hit by cold water, spat on the floor.
“It’s useless for someone to get out of the way and go through all the trouble, so does it make sense to just have a priest come and say a few kind words and become quiet?”
“There’s nothing you can do about it. “To begin with, we are not the ones to criticize with good words, and we are not the ones to use divine power like those people do.”
“It’s not easy for us to make efforts to protect the city.”
As the guards were grumbling like that, the priest who had just finished chanting came out and made eye contact with them.
The priest bowed his head and walked away as if his business was over.
The guards exchanged glances with each other as if they were surprised at the sight.
“Are you really leaving without doing anything? “Don’t you normally do missionary work here?”
“According to reports from above, the members of the Lumensis Church are said to be moving only for relief purposes.”
“I had to listen too, but at first I thought it was just a lie. “Would a sparrow pass by a mill?”
“But if you see things going on like this now, it might be true. “I guess they were more sane than I thought.”
The wariness toward the Lumensis Church disappeared as if melting into water due to their sincere actions.
Naturally, 1st Princess Eileen was receiving all reports about the situation.
“The city is quickly regaining stability.”
“The church members only gave slogans and retreated, as if they were keeping their promise.”
“Rather, the number of citizens who want to become believers of the Lumensis Church is increasing.”
Eileen frowned at the news coming from everywhere.
“okay. “As expected, the power of religion is strong.”
If the crime rate is rising, all you have to do is raise security.
If you eliminate criminal organizations, increase the number of guards, and administer severe punishment, things will become quiet on their own.
But this surreal natural disaster was a different story.
In a situation where neither the state nor the guards nor the knights can protect us, what is the use of having them by our side?
Religion is the opium of the people.
It was natural that the Lumensis Church would be well-received.
Since this incident was caused by a dream demon, it is natural that the number of people who want to believe in Lumensis, which is the opposite of such a demon, is increasing.
The influence of religions on society as a whole has not rusted at all even if they have been silenced for 20 years.
“These are people who attack others anytime, anywhere, without borders or society, and eat away at their hearts.”
Naturally, Eileen didn’t like their actions very much.
There were reasons that did not fit her tendency to control all situations with thorough reason, but what was more worrying than that was the Lumensis Church itself.
‘In the past, the church was associated with the origins of our empire. ‘My father even begged me several times not to mess with him.’
There is something about the Church of Lumensis.
Because of that uncomfortable feeling, Eileen couldn’t look at them positively.
However, it was an undeniable fact that their power was very effective in the current situation.
Eileen tried to calm her discomfort while closely observing their movements.
To find out if something suspicious was going on.
‘More than that, I don’t know where Director Luthus and Grand Wizard Clinton are and what they are doing.’
* * *
“This is surprising.”
Lutus Wardot stared at the place he had arrived in disbelief.
A large cathedral located in the Grand Chapel of Lederbelk.
It was the Lederbelk Parish of the Lumensis Church.
“I didn’t know you were such a faithful believer.”
Naturally, Luthus did not come here of his own volition.
The one who brought him here was Clinton Rothschild.
In terms of magic, he was the strongest man in the empire, or rather, the man who achieved the highest level of all mankind.
“haha. Do you think I believe in God?”
“Isn’t it?”
“I have never questioned the existence of God. But God is God and I am me. Have you forgotten that all I want is to explore magic?”
“What connection does that magical quest have with this place?”
“Oh, let me explain that.”
A third voice intervened in the conversation between the two.
Luthus and Clinton’s eyes turned to the man approaching them.
Lutus frowned when he saw the middle-aged man smiling.
“What are you doing here, Cardinal?”
“haha. “Do you know anything about me?”
“You brought so many people to this city, how could I not know?”
“I don’t know what to do now that the greatest sword of the empire remembers me like this.”
“I’m done flattering you.”
Lutus snorted and exhaled.
“I’d like to hear an explanation as to why. “And the reason why they even called me separately.”
“yes. Sure. Do not worry. “After listening to the whole story, Director Luthus will be fully convinced.”
Patricio said so and took the lead to personally guide the two people.
As we entered the cathedral and walked down the hallway, Patricio opened his mouth.
“Chief Lutus, do you know about the hierarchy of wizards?”
“I know enough to know.”
“I guess so. Then, you must know how high the level of your friend Mr. Clinton is.”
“Friends are just acquaintances. Still, I’ve never seen a wizard better than this old man, so I guess it’s not wrong.”
Even as Luthus said that, a man’s face came to mind.
Ludger Chelsea.
The level of pure magic was below Clinton’s, but what about the level of utilizing that magic?
Those idle thoughts were shattered by Patricio’s explanation that followed.
“7th rank wizard. “Among humans, Mr. Clinton has achieved a unique level.”
“Why is that story coming out all of a sudden?”
“But what if there was a next level?”
Luthus stopped for a moment when he heard the words “next level.”
Although that moment was only a moment, Luthus could not hide that he was quite surprised.
Lutus’s gaze turned to the face of Clinton, who was walking silently next to him, and then fell.
“Is the next level the 8th level level?”
“yes. 8th rank [Grander]. “It is an unknown state where it is not known whether it exists or not, something that is only told in legend.”
“Why are you talking about that all of a sudden?”
“Would you believe that that state is real and that the being who achieved that state is still alive?”
Luther’s steps did not stop this time.
From the moment I said those words, I vaguely sensed that something like this would come out.
However, knowing and hearing about it did not completely go away the shock.
“There is a being alive who has achieved that level?”
“yes. “It has been around for a very long time.”
“…You are not human.”
Patrazio, who had been walking ahead of Luthus, looked back for the first time and nodded.
“yes. Even the name of that realm, which has only been passed down in legend, is simply taken from her real name. In other words, the state of the 8th level is nothing but a pronoun that refers to herself.”
“so.”
Lutus asked, slightly gaining momentum.
“Why is this story about her suddenly coming up here?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Instead, it was Clinton who answered.
Eventually, Patracio arrived in front of the large door.
“Here we go.”
As Patracio approached, the door opened of its own accord.
An immensely dense energy wafted from the open door.
A strong smell of blood as if it had been aged for hundreds of years.
Luthus, who has keen senses, frowned and instinctively raised his auror.
But when I saw that Clinton wasn’t doing anything, I naturally calmed down.
“You’re quick to notice.”
A voice came from beyond the darkness of the door.
I thought she was some kind of horrible monster because she had lived so long, but her voice was strangely clear and pure.
What was even more surprising was that what was beyond the crack in the door was not darkness at all.
‘It was simply that the density of the airway was so high that I couldn’t see anything.’
When I strained my eyes, I could clearly see the space inside the door.
A blonde girl was sitting at the table meant to greet guests.
It was small and cute like a doll, so I couldn’t believe that it was the owner of the energy I was feeling right now.
‘It’s as if something huge has curled up its body as much as possible and mimicked a small girl.’
That’s how strong her Grander’s force was.
Luthus felt his fingertips trembling.
Interest in the strong and the desire to win have come to the fore.
The opponent, Grander, also showed interest.
“Hoo. Are they the strongest human wizard and the strongest swordsman? And even one disgusting seed.”
“haha. It’s disgusting. You are saying too much. “I think we could be good trading partners.”
“Shut up.”
Grander’s red eyes turned to the three people.
“So can you give me what I want?”
Sharp fangs were revealed between slightly parted bright red lips.
“If you called me this far, I will have to give you a befitting answer.”
* * *
“Come in.”
Ludger entered Gariel’s hideout.
The room, which had not been cleaned for a long time, was full of all kinds of books, bundles of paper, and dust.
Even though it was a fairly large space, there was barely enough space to step in, so Ludger shot Gariel as if it was ridiculous.
“I’ll just tidy things up a bit.”
“no. bothered. “Anyway, just lying down and sleeping is enough.”
Gariel answered while scratching her head.
“ruler. Sit here. Still, since you are a guest, I will treat you well.”
“I think the response went beyond the point where I was asked to sit somewhere like this.”
Ludger’s expression turned cold when he saw the messy room that had not been cleaned for a long time.
Isn’t this truly a place where abandoned people live?
It was an unbearable space for a neat and clean Ludger.
Slur.
Ather Nocturnus, who was holding Line in his arms, noticed and carefully settled down in the corner of the room.
Gariel, who was sipping freshly brewed hot coffee, looked at Liné, who was sleeping as if she had fainted.
And I was so focused on it that I ended up tilting my coffee cup too loudly.
“Oh, it’s hot!”
“Drink slowly. “No one will steal it.”
“…write. after. Okay, let’s listen to the story first. “Why are you here and how did Rine end up like that?”
Just as Ludger did not understand Gariel, Gariel also did not understand Ludger.
Ludger explained to Gariel what had happened.
After hearing the whole story, Gariel’s expression changed moment by moment, and finally she sighed.
“…I really don’t know what to say. “What is a dream demon, and did you realize all of Rine’s sealed memories there?”
“Not everyone. It’s just a fragmentary memory. But one of those memories…”
“It was the memory of you killing your sister.”
Ludger did not respond to Gariel’s sharp point.
Gariel tried to say something but shook her head.
“No, I’m sorry. “You had a similar situation.”
“done. “Because it doesn’t change the fact that I did it.”
“The priority now is to resolve this situation first. Line’s magic power ran out much faster than originally planned. “It means we don’t have much time left.”
“But there was income.”
So far, we have learned exactly what Liné’s magic power, which has been revealed to be non-attributed, is.
“Yes, spatial attribute magic.”
“What do you think? “If you are a time wizard, you must also have some expertise in space.”
“under. I? Even though I’m a time mage, I’m only half-hearted. “In the first place, even if it is time, there is a clear limit.”
Time magic had many limitations, but there were too many.
Rather than fighting someone, they are specialized in avoiding fights.
Even if you stop time while trapped in a room, there is no way to escape the room.
That’s why Gariel never thought that her magic was truly amazing.
It wasn’t like that at first.
How happy I was when I learned magic from my teacher.
However, as I learned and used magic and witnessed its limitations, my mind began to harden.
I realized desperately how half-assed the magic I had learned was.
“In order to learn this magic, I had to abandon everything about other attribute magic.”
The characteristic of time magic is that it makes the user focus solely on [time attribute].
Even his talent for other magic was devoted solely to learning time attribute magic, causing the hexagon to grow strangely long on one side.
Gariel, who was originally able to rise to at least the 5th rank in various fields, was only able to use all magic at the 1st rank as a result of learning magic at this time.
“That’s not what’s important. “A very strong curse is needed to suppress this magical power of Liné.”
“Curse you. “An ordinary curse wouldn’t be enough to suppress the power to transcend space.”
“That’s why we need the power of a warlock.”
“That’s perfect. There are so many on this island that you can’t get your feet wet.”
Gariel shrugged his shoulders and added another comment.
“Not long ago, that is.”
