episode_0151

Episode 151: 3rd Grade Mission Activity (4)

Past, located in the Northern Continent, with outstanding magical prowess. Those three keywords were all I knew about the ancient kingdom.

The reason I only knew fragmentary information was that the ancient kingdom was mentioned so little. In ‘Akacheonma,’ the Northern Continent wasn’t an important place.

For that reason, I had no information about the castle’s structure, shape, characteristics, etc. In other words, the castle before me was unknown territory to me.

But I couldn’t just stand still. Nothing would be more foolish. I had to explore the castle and find a way to escape. By now, Rana’s side must be in chaos.

I conveyed my thoughts to Ariel.

“What do you think?”

“I think the same. We can’t just wait for rescue here.”

Her decision was quick. Truly, decisiveness befitting a future emperor. Indeed, Ariel was the most rational character among the main cast.

Afterward, we assessed the situation in the subspace. Food was important because we didn’t know how many days we’d be here. We confirmed that we had a week’s worth of food, if we conserved it carefully.

Then, we explored the surroundings. It wasn’t difficult to figure out where this was.

“This looks like a garden.”

“It seems so.”

Frozen grass and flowers. It was a garden that palaces always had.

But that was it. The garden was just a garden, so there was nothing there.

What we did find out was that the castle was blocked off in a round sphere shape, so we couldn’t leave the castle, and judging by the size of the ice, we speculated that there would be a city outside the castle.

We stopped exploring the garden and tried to move into the castle. But on the way, Ariel stared at the ceiling.

“It would be hard to get out through there, right?”

“Yes, you can consider it impossible.”

The sky was blocked by thick ice. We fell from there, through a hole made by the explosion of the artifact. There must be a trace left. But perhaps because of the cold of the canyon, there was no hole.

If there was a hole, I would have thought about escaping through there. But the height was too great, and it was inappropriate to use teleportation because of the canyon’s cold, so I gave up early.

We entered the castle. And at that moment, the chill that had been enveloping my body disappeared.

“It’s warm in here.”

The temperature was like the spring weather of the Empire. The air itself was warm.

It was because of the magic laid in the castle. It maintained the same temperature throughout the castle.

However, the magic method was so unique that it kept catching my eye. It was different from the magic system I had seen while attending Trianis. There was something else mixed in with the magic that I didn’t know. I couldn’t figure out what it was.

The branches of magic were endlessly divided, and even I, who had seen the magic of many worlds while working as a hunter, did not know all the magic. Of course, as my level was what it was, I could roughly read it.

“The magic of the ancient kingdom is very unique.”

Ariel didn’t have a talent for magic, but her innate abilities were still there. She seemed to intuitively recognize the difference from the magic of the continent with her abilities awakened by the blood of the imperial family.

“It seems they had their own magic system.”

“Can you see that?”

“Well, roughly.”

I replied briefly.

That’s how we wandered around the inside of the castle. Then Ariel touched the wall and said.

“But it’s amazing. The floor, the decorations, the paintings. It’s like time has stopped.”

As she said, everything inside the castle was frozen solid, preserving the form of that time without any damage.

“What on earth happened here?”

“It’s hard for me to guess as well.”

Unless we research this place. I couldn’t come to a conclusion just by looking at what was in front of me.

It could be frozen by the cold of the canyon, the magic could have failed, or it could be due to some other reason. There were too many possible answers.

While talking and continuing to move. We found a door leading out of the castle. But it didn’t open easily, perhaps because of the ice.

“Let’s push together. One, two….”

“Three!”

We pushed the door on cue.

Kugugung!

The door made a rough noise. The door got stuck because of the ice on the way, but it didn’t last long when two knights decided to use their strength, and it opened.

And there was a path and a door. It was a passage leading to the outside of the royal castle, to the city. We headed for the castle gate.

“It’s blocked. With magic, too.”

We couldn’t pass through the door. A barrier was blocking the movement between the royal capital and the royal palace.

“I’ll break through it.”

The most effective magic for dispelling magic, I imbued Dispel into my sword and swung it. Clang, but the barrier easily deflected my attack.

I got a little stubborn and used Arden Swordsmanship [Mana Break]. Even though I attacked with enhanced ki, the barrier was unscathed.

“…….”

“Is it not working…?”

“Yes, it seems impossible to break it forcibly unless we remove the medium.”

I was a little embarrassed, but I roughly expected it.

This was a sealing barrier set up by restricting it based on a powerful medium. You can’t pass through the castle gate unless you get rid of the thing that maintains the barrier.

I moved my gaze along the mana connected to the barrier. The mana led to the castle.

“Let’s go back to the castle.”

“Okay.”

We returned to the castle again, and I soon fell into trouble.

“What’s the problem this time?”

“…I think we’ll have to search each room one by one.”

They say the magic level is outstanding. That level was beyond my expectations.

They completely hid the mana itself connected to the medium. Even if I found a trace, it was entangled with other magic installed in the castle, preventing me from tracking it.

I understand that it is the core of the barrier, but it is an excessive method. It would have been better to put that effort into something else.

But now wasn’t the time to argue about that. The important thing was how to find the medium.

At that time, I felt Ariel’s gaze from the side. She was looking at me intently with strange eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just, I’m amazed. I didn’t know you had this side of you.”

“…It’s not like I know everything in the world.”

I’ve shown almost omnipotent abilities so far, but I’m only human, so I naturally have shortcomings and limitations.

But what is this, are you making fun of me? Your words are really….

“I didn’t mean to make fun of you.”

“…I didn’t say anything though.”

“You were thinking that, weren’t you.”

Why do you use your stamina for telepathy? You should save it as the situation is what it is.

“…Okay, I won’t do it then.”

“…….”

Anyway, while I was worrying about finding a solution, Ariel said.

“Can I see the mana traces too?”

“It’s not difficult.”

I thought she could be helpful, so I used the shared vision magic.

“Is this the world that a mage sees? It’s very different from what a knight sees….”

Ariel looked around the royal palace with curious eyes. Knights and mages have different perspectives on the world because of the difference in enlightenment.

“Hmm… Hmm….”

Perhaps because there was no threat inside the castle. She strolled around the castle as if she were out for a walk.

Then she did bizarre things like stomping on the floor or smelling the walls.

I didn’t particularly stop her. She was more talented than me when it came to senses. Rather, this was a case of her fully demonstrating her talent.

After searching the castle for a long time, she found something and led me. The place we arrived at was a room in the castle.

“It’s here. I can feel the traces of the barrier in this room.”

I nodded and opened the door. The interior was a library. It wasn’t as big as Trianis, but quite a few books were packed on the bookshelf.

“Please tell me the exact location.”

“Just a moment.”

Ariel moved slowly, feeling the senses. And she stopped at a bookshelf in the center.

“This is as far as my abilities can go. I know it’s near here, but….”

“That’s enough.”

Just narrowing down the range was a big help. I moved Ariel back.

Then I cast my unique magic [Domain Declaration]. Mana particles spread through the bookshelf. I combined it with the books.

The books in the library became one with my mana. With this, the books in the library came under my control, and I could move them freely.

But I only intended to get information about the medium. I had no intention of wasting mana unnecessarily.

I classified the information flowing in between my senses. The task was not easy. Because they had placed hundreds of fake books that were thought to be the medium of the barrier.

I continued the slightly tedious work, but eventually, after persistent effort, I was able to identify the medium of the barrier.

I withdrew the magic and headed to the bookshelf where the medium was located. There were no traps, perhaps because they believed in the fake medium. Still, just in case, I asked Ariel.

“That book. What do you think?”

She stared at the book intently and said to me.

“It looks okay.”

“Then….”

I immediately broke the ice and took out the book. As Ariel said, there was no magic that was activated separately.

However, I clicked my tongue as I examined the book. Judging from the connected mana, this was not the only barrier medium.

Now that I had figured out one, it wasn’t difficult to find the next medium. Mana was connected, and all of them were placed inside the library.

I arrived at the next bookshelf. And at the moment I repeated the same thing and took out the book.

Click-

I heard the sound of a switch turning on.

Ariel and I immediately took a defensive posture. I only guarded against magic, so I didn’t expect this simple kind. But even after time passed, what I expected didn’t happen.

Instead, a certain figure popped out in front of us.

-Your Majesty, how about this book….

-I think it’s a good idea.

They were having a conversation, those who seemed to be the king and his subject.

-Prince, be careful…!

-Aaaagh!

A child falling and a maid catching it.

-After all, this formula….

-I think the same….

Mages spreading out a magic circle and sharing their opinions.

I knew right away what this was. I guess this is….

“It seems to be replaying the memories that happened in the past library.”

“Memories? But….”

“Is there anything strange about it….”

At that moment, I couldn’t continue speaking at the memory that was replayed in front of me.

-I’ll, help you….

One word that she said to me someday, and the figure of Ariel that came to my mind. It was a scene that took place in the past interview room. So naturally, I also appeared.

-You should have said those words… a little earlier.

With those words, one scene of the memory was cut off.

“…….”

“…….”

I felt dirty. Because the memory I had forgotten came back to me. I don’t know if she, who was pressing her lips next to me, was thinking the same thing as me, but at least I was very unpleasant.

“Let’s just find what we’re looking for and get out of here quickly.”

“Okay….”

We acted quickly. Even during that time, the memories that had been between us continued to be replayed, and they even brought out the memories of the distant past.

-How long will that mask last, I wonder. A month? However long it is, it’s better to keep it for a long time. If this kind of thing happens again….

-I understand.

-You should use even that talent well to help the family.

-To think you would give me this much attention. It’s an honor for the family.

-Don’t say things you don’t mean.

From the scene of talking to Ariel a few days after possessing this body.

-My plan would have been perfect if it wasn’t for you! I would have succeeded if you hadn’t interfered…!

-Don’t blame your incompetence on me. That’s why you’re called a slow learner.

-Aaaagh-!

Up to the scene of being eaten by the memories of the body on the first day of possession and running to her.

All the memories that had happened between us since I possessed this body were replayed.

But that wasn’t the end. Up to here were scenes after I possessed the body, but Kyle Arden and Ariel Trianis had a bad relationship from before.

And this was a past memory that I didn’t know that had happened between us.

-This is my last warning. If you admit your sin even now, and offer a sincere apology to the victim you bullied….

-I’m embarrassed that you would say that. Should a princess of the Empire drive an innocent person as a criminal?

Kyle Arden’s words didn’t end there.

-And isn’t it natural for the untalented and weak to be bullied? Well… I guess the princess wouldn’t know since she has only been at the top with that ability.

-You’re going to the end…!

The replay of the memory was over. I turned off my mind from that side and focused on finding the barrier medium.

‘Damn it….’

But that focus didn’t last long.

‘I wondered why they installed this kind of magic….’

It was to torment the mind by projecting past memories into reality. This simple and straightforward magic effectively gnawed at the mind.

You can tell just by looking at Ariel’s dark complexion, and my head was throbbing as well. Even though I wasn’t the person involved in that memory.

I couldn’t keep paying attention to it. I finished the work and set out to find the next barrier medium.

And at the moment I found the third medium. A woman’s figure appeared in front of me.

-I told you, magic is….

She was wearing a wide-brimmed hat, holding a book in one hand, and explaining diligently.

Noah Celestia.

The woman called the sage, and my teacher who taught me magic.

Ha, this is so fucked up, seriously….”

I never thought even this memory would come out. The unpleasantness reached its peak. But this time, I didn’t ignore the replay of the memory.

It was just an illusion that was realized from my memory anyway. It’s a momentary dream that will disappear when I leave this space. So I didn’t avoid her eyes that were looking at me.

I took out the third barrier medium as well. A total of three books were gathered. All that was left was to destroy these three books.

“Princess, are you okay?”

“Ah, ah! Sorry, because of those memories….”

“It’s okay. More than that, let’s get ready to leave.”

There was no reason to destroy the books in the library. There might be a time limit for opening the barrier.

Ariel and I left the library. And at the moment we stepped out of the door.

Kwaaaang!!!

The left side of the corridor exploded. The power was enough to turn the entire passageway into dust. I immediately spread a shield and shouted to Ariel.

“Run to the other side!”

There was no time to use honorifics in this urgent situation. She immediately followed my words.

Hwareureuk!

But as soon as Ariel kicked the ground, a huge flame erupted in the right corridor.

Kugugung!!

To make matters worse, a huge rock even fell from the ceiling.

“Damn it…!”

The escape route was completely blocked. Inevitably, we returned to the library.

That didn’t mean the magic stopped. As soon as we entered the library, a magic circle floated at the entrance, spewing out the cold of the Northern Continent.

“I’ll block this, so look for an escape route! You must have made one for this!”

“I’d rather use my magic eye….”

“How long do you think you can last with that?”

It’s true that the ability of the magic eye is outstanding, but you can’t last indefinitely. In the end, it’s maintained by stamina and mana.

“…Okay.”

After some consideration, Ariel ran to the back of the library.

“Keuek…!”

I resisted the magic even using the magic of the ring.

At the same time, I racked my brain. To get out of this danger. But no matter what method came to mind, it wasn’t a perfect solution.

First of all, the magic was too powerful. If you only look at the power, it’s close to the 10th circle. As such, if I take my eyes off to help Ariel here, it will be pierced right away.

I also can’t reverse-engineer the magic and return it to nothing. No, I was still trying to do it, but I couldn’t decipher the core formula of ancient kingdom magic, so I couldn’t dispel it.

‘I’d rather just her….’

In the end, the important thing is the safety of the main character. So maybe the best thing to do is to give up the defense and create a slight gap to use teleportation and send Ariel out.

“I just came to do a light mission, but what is this mess….”

I haven’t been having any luck lately.

But then I heard a voice in my ear.

-I told you. Don’t get excited when using magic.

It was Noah Celestia, her voice. The teacher came to my side and muttered as if scolding me.

Even at this moment, the magic of the library continued to activate. The ancient kingdom guys are really vicious.

Immediately after, the teacher’s hand was placed on my hand. But strangely, I could feel the warmth and touch of a person from that, which was only a memory.

“That’s always been your problem. You’re eaten by emotions and miss the important things. When are you going to grow up?”

The teacher’s voice became more realistic. It was as if she was really next to me.

I felt strangeness and turned my head. Then I saw the real Noah Celestia, not some memory.

“How…?”

“That’s not important right now, is it? Now, follow me.”

The flow of mana is transmitted through the overlapping hands. I moved the mana according to her guidance, and it touched the magic circle.

The magic circle was gradually being released. At the same time, I found out the core of ancient kingdom magic.

“See, it’s easy when you calm down, right?”

She put down her hand and moved away from me. The magic had already been almost dismantled. I turned my body and faced her.

“Hello, cutie? Long time no see?”

Her signature smile, so big you could see her teeth. The sharp fangs seen through it still shone attractively.