Ch.58Grave Robbing and Theft (1)

Carisia, who had been pressing her temples, finally spoke.

“What kind of artifact is it? An Antiquity? Or a Relic?”

Though they’re conveniently grouped together as artifacts, strictly speaking, there are two types. First, Antiquities—man-made objects.

These are magical items collectively known as artifacts. Among them, only those of exceptional quality that have been passed down for ages earn this prestigious title.

Second, Relics—things that cannot be reproduced by magic. For example, items created by gods or dragons. Most sacred objects preserved by the churches of vanished gods fall into this category.

“It’s an Antiquity.”

The artifact suitable for Astrape wasn’t some divine relic. According to information stolen from the Blasphemia branch, there were several ancient ruins where sacred objects might be hidden.

However, now wasn’t the right time to use Blasphemia’s information. If they were discovered by Blasphemia during the excavation, they might mistake us for Argyrion and track us down.

The information about the artifact they were seeking was actually recorded in the original work.

Since it was an artifact used by Astrape in the original, it naturally suited her well.

“The Torres School has several excavation sites from the ancient Mage-King era. In one of them lies an artifact called the Talisman of Thunder.”

In the original novel, Astrape was sold to the Torres School and subjected to various modification surgeries. All for the Torres School’s long-cherished project of creating a backdoor to secretly access the Ten Commandments.

The Torres School used every available artifact for Astrape’s modification, considering it a necessary sacrifice to create the perfect ether hacker.

Among all their artifacts, the Talisman of Thunder was powerful enough to serve as the core of the modification.

Originally, magical bodies require periodic magical energy recharging. A powerful mage can self-charge to some extent, but reduced combat endurance is the inevitable result.

The Talisman of Thunder was an artifact that overcame this limitation of magical bodies. It was an ancient artifact that could supply endless lightning-attribute magical energy, albeit conditionally.

After hearing my explanation, Carisia tilted her head.

“Why hasn’t anyone found it until now? An artifact that constantly emits magical energy should be easy to detect.”

“The Talisman’s performance is proportional to the wearer’s mana control.”

Magical energy is fundamentally consumable.

A mage’s soul can produce magical energy on its own, but this natural recovery ability varies greatly depending on the mage’s condition and constitution.

Replenishment through magic potions or magic stones is possible, but consumables have carrying limits.

Therefore, combat mages train in magical absorption to convert the abundant mana in nature into magical energy for quick recovery.

The magical absorption recovery process has three major steps:

1. The mage takes control of the mana within their sphere of influence.

2. They convert the controlled mana to match their magical energy attribute.

3. They absorb the converted magical energy.

In steps 2 and 3—mana-to-magic conversion and magical energy absorption—inevitable losses occur, which is why this method of magical absorption has its limitations according to general assessment.

The Talisman of Thunder was an artifact that optimized the conversion and absorption process to nearly zero loss.

In other words, if the wearer’s mana control was sufficient, it could supply more magical energy than was being used at any moment, essentially creating an infinite power source.

Fortunately, due to the limits of an individual’s total magical energy capacity and the recovery time of converted atmospheric mana, it was impossible to truly accumulate infinite magical energy.

If that had been possible, Carisia would have unhesitatingly said, “Let’s turn this into a bomb, shall we?”

“I see. Since it’s currently buried without a wearer, its conversion and absorption abilities must be deactivated. No wonder the Torres Tower is having trouble locating it.”

“Yes. All the towers are currently focused on Argyrion’s Elysion terror attack. I plan to take advantage of this opportunity to retrieve the artifact before the Torres School does.”

***

Carisia summoned Arabel.

Arabel discovered, to his despair, that he was gradually getting used to being called by his superior in the middle of the night.

‘I shouldn’t be getting used to this. Damn it.’

However, what brought Arabel even greater despair was the moment he entered the president’s office.

“Oh, you came quickly. Thank you for coming at such a late hour.”

Not only Carisia but also Ortes was in the president’s office. His instinct screamed that this meant mandatory overtime.

‘If you know it’s late, you shouldn’t have called me…!’

But regardless of the warning, Arabel could do nothing. What could he possibly do when summoned by the president?

In a normal workplace, he might have handed in his resignation, but unfortunately, Hydra Company was a lifetime employment workplace that did not permit resignations.

“Director Arabel. Do you have any materials on the Torres Tower?”

“Ah. The people Criton was dealing with? Didn’t you personally wipe them out?”

“There’s been no connection between Etna City and Torres Tower since then. But it seems there will be one soon.”

Ortes’s sly smile. Arabel’s mind became complicated. Argyrion’s terror was spreading throughout the entire ether network.

In such a situation, a tower that the secret inspector of Blasphemia would soon have to visit…

‘Could it be that Torres Tower has joined hands with Argyrion? No. Logically, that would be too risky a choice…’

“What kind of information about Torres Tower do you need?”

“About the ruins they’re excavating.”

“Ah. That’s simple.”

Ruin excavation was the kind of business that was difficult to keep secret even if one tried. First, there was the issue of the manpower involved in the excavation.

Unless it was a remote location like an extra-dimensional danger zone, bringing in large numbers of people would inevitably attract attention.

If they hired mercenaries or fixers out of concern for depleting the tower’s internal mage workforce, keeping it secret would become even more difficult.

Arabel waved his hand once and brought up a hologram list. Torres Tower was currently excavating three ruins.

“According to the form, one is presumed to be a temple from the Mythic Age. The other two appear to be ruins from the Mage Era.”

The Mythic Age. The era before the advent of the Mage-King, when there was no magic, only sacred prayers. This was followed by the Mage Era, which was opened by the Mage-King and flourished under his ten disciples.

Arabel secretly thought Ortes would need information about the Mythic Age ruins. If there were ruins that would interest a secret inspector of Blasphemia, they would more likely be from the Mythic Age than the Mage Era.

However, Ortes was only looking at the information about the two Mage Era ruins.

***

Which one is the right answer?

My mind became confused. Damn. Since it’s an artifact related to magical energy, it’s definitely not from the Mythic Age.

‘Should I just guess?’

“Head of Sacred Investigation Ortes.”

As I was contemplating between the two candidate sites, I heard Arabel’s voice.

“Yes?”

“But why are you looking for information about these ruins?”

“Ah…”

I first checked Carisia’s expression. The alliance with Lampades had not yet been confirmed. Even the reason for going to Elysion was officially for Kine’s preparation to enter Mouseion.

I couldn’t disclose a contract being conducted in secret without the president’s consent.

A slight nod. Carisia nodded her head. Meaning she would leave it to my discretion.

I carefully chose my words.

***

“There’s a high possibility that an artifact particularly helpful for sacred investigation is buried in one of these two ruins.”

I thought it was a truly random excuse. Wouldn’t sacred objects be more likely to be found in the Mythic Age?

“To be precise, it’s the additional effects rather than the artifact itself that would help with sacred investigation, but I’ll explain only this much for now. It’s not yet a confirmed matter.”

Arabel’s thoughts accelerated. Additional effects, not the artifact itself.

Not yet a confirmed matter.

And a secret inspector of Blasphemia…

“So Torres School is indeed dealing with Argyrion?”

“Pardon?”

It was clear bewilderment. That reaction gave Arabel more confidence. Those inhuman narrow eyes finally showed a human-like reaction for the first time!

Excited by Ortes’s confusion, Arabel began to explain the answer to the puzzle he had instantly completed.

It was an instinctive action born from the joy of being able to make his boss, who had consistently forced overwork on him, uncomfortable even for a second.

“You said the additional effects, not the artifact, would be helpful, meaning the excavation situation itself is important. Due to its nature, excavation sites have frequent entry and exit of external personnel. There’s no sense of incongruity even if a large number of unfamiliar mages flow in.”

Therefore, Torres Tower is suitable as a place to hide Argyrion’s personnel.

“Um, Director Arabel. Isn’t Argyrion currently known simply as a group of Infectors? Who in their right mind would attempt to negotiate with Infectors?”

Arabel snorted.

“Of course that’s how they’re known. But isn’t the truth that they’re an organization of Blasphemia’s rebels?”

Ortes recalled that before departing for Elysion, Carisia had explained to the directors about Blasphemia’s rebels.

It was an explanation at an appropriate level, so the detail that they were both rebels and Infectors had been omitted!

‘This would require explaining my and Carisia’s past, so it’s something I can’t talk about…’

“It’s common knowledge that ordinary Infectors are impossible to compromise with. But if it becomes known that they are beings that can be reasoned with, the towers’ response would change as well.”

It was well known that Torres Tower had long been eyeing the position of the Imperial Thunder Tower. As the second-ranked lightning attribute school, they were so weak that the Imperial Thunder Tower didn’t even pay much attention to them.

“Argyrion probably revealed their identity first and proposed a negotiation. They would offer information that could be advantageously used in the succession battle with the Ten Towers in exchange for cooperation in spreading silver gift hosts. It’s an open secret that Torres Tower buys slaves from all over the world. Using that distribution network would be a great help in deploying silver gift hosts.”

Blasphemia would naturally be sensitive to excavation sites related to superstition, so they would be excluded from Argyrion’s trading locations.

Arabel stated his final conclusion.

“You’ve discovered Torres School’s secret pact with Argyrion, and you’re planning to catch them in the act to expose it? When you say it’s not a confirmed matter, it’s because you haven’t yet confirmed their honeymoon relationship?”

As an inspector of Blasphemia, you couldn’t overlook such an act of treason. Arabel declared with full confidence.

Ortes covered his mouth with his hand.

‘How on earth did he reach such a conclusion…?’

“No. It’s for a completely different reason.”

“Then what exactly is your purpose in going?”

“I cannot answer that at this time.”

Arabel nodded with satisfaction upon hearing that famous evasive response. It felt like winning for the first time.