Book Eater

Chapter 111: Towards the Storm (5)

Gluttony’s tongue wrapped around Laevateinn, who had been trying to run away. In many ways, it was an odd sight. In the epicenter of the fire that was burning the clouds, a bead of light was caught by a tongue.

However, Theo didn’t have room to enjoy the curious sight.

[Hey! Swallow it quickly!]

Fluidization was quickly reaching its limits. Despite the fact that Gluttony had restrained Laevateinn, the heat was getting worse, and there was no way Theo would survive. Theo would die the instant Fluidization was released. Somehow, he had to win before that.

Gluttony sensed Theo’s urgency, and its tongue grew more taut as it shouted in a voice which couldn’t contain its joy.

- Bastard! Resisting, meaningless!

Then it pulled on Laevateinn as hard as it could.

Huwoook!

This was the final, desperate struggle. Flames soared into the sky through the gaps of the tongue that was wound tightly around it. The atmosphere above the clash distorted as the clouds were vaporized.

Laevateinn’s last ditch effort was comparable to Veronica’s Dragon Breath. Theo was amazed as he squinted at the distorted sky.

If that flame had turned on us...

They would have been killed instantly. The elemental ruler’s power would have shattered under that level of flames. If Laevateinn had transformed into its fourth form, it may be able to unleash these flames infinitely.

However, with a final roar, Laevateinn’s body lost the power to resist. Gluttony had pinpointed this as a weakness of the third form. The grimoire’s core would lose its defensive abilities in order to unleash its full offensive potential.

Gulp!

A gulp echoed in Theo’s head as Laevateinn entered Gluttony’s mouth. Simultaneously, he received the newly updated information about the legend ranked grimoire, Laevateinn. Everything that had previously been veiled with question marks were now revealed.

[Laevateinn]

[This is a grimoire where the realm of fire, Muspelheim is sealed. At the time of Ragnarok, Surtr had fully unlocked the power of the grimoire and burned the world tree by releasing Muspelheim. However, in return, he was reduced to ashes, and the grimoire, who had lost its owner, closed its eyes and waited.

* The rating of the grimoire is Legend.

* When consumed, fire magic affinity will rise to the limit. The magic power consumed by fire magic will be reduced by half. Fire damage lower than the user’s level will be ignored. Fire damage above the user’s level will be reduced.

* When consumed, Ring of Muspelheim will be acquired. Muspelheim’s fire can be used according to user’s level.

* When consumed, user cannot control the power of this grimoire with user’s current capabilities. User must reach at least 8th Circle mastery or the 9th Circle to be recognized as its master.]

It was truly ridiculous.

... What is this?!

Theo was so astonished that he forgot about the pain. In fairness, the other legendary ranked grimoire sealed in his inventory, Death’s Worship, was just as ridiculous. It had promised the ability to absorb 50% to 100% of a 9th Circle warlock’s ability and control the undead, but at a risk of having his body being taken over. All in all, though it was astonishing, it might not be unusual that Laevateinn would grant those abilities.

At that moment, the brightness from Laevateinn’s flames faded away.

[Urgh...?!]

The whole world seemed vague. His pupils had reached their limit, so he closed his puffy eyelids. He didn’t need to see to guess what had happened. The world had returned to its original state after the source of the heat and light, Laevateinn, had disappeared. The only question left was whether he would survive his injuries...

“Theo!”

As the air evaporated, his hearing came back. Theo heard the magicians approaching and turned off Fluidization as he started to feel dizzy. He expected Sylvia to take the proper measures. Then the pain from his blackened flesh and boiled blood reached his head.

“-Aaaack!”

Horrible pain!’

Theo now understood why burning was the most brutal death sentence. Even the wind passing by caused his burned nerves to tingle and seize. The damage he had suffered during Fluidization had been transmitted across his entire body.

Sylvia looked at his condition and instantly used magic. “Hold on!”

Her hands shone with a blue light as she used Chilling Touch and lightly supported Theo’s neck. There would be no chance of recovery if the heat remained in the wounds.

Theo’s breathing calmed down a little bit. The rest of the group, who came a beat later, added a helping hand to his treatment. They squeezed out what was left of their magic, creating a bright flash of healing magic.

The high elf, Alucard, asked for help from the water elemental ruler, who was still summoned. “El-Mare, please heal him! If the price isn’t enough, I will prepare a tribute for you in the future.”

The elemental rulers were so lofty in status that even high elves didn’t dare make demands of them. The water elemental ruler, El-Mare, stared at Theo with a blank expression. The mana which Alucard provided had already run out, so she would have to use her own power to heal him. Originally, she wouldn’t have accepted the request even with a tribute, but in this moment, she nodded.

[The one who extinguished the flames that were the world tree’s enemy and averted a catastrophe… It is an achievement I can’t overlook. I won’t accept a tribute. Young human, be proud of today’s feat.]

El-Mare spread her palms.

Wuuuong!

An auspicious light spread. The arid soil grew dark with moisture and a little bit of vitality returned to the uninhabitable land. It was similar to what the high elves could do, but intrinsically more powerful. When the light played over Theo, his skin started to return to its original color. Torn nerves were restored, and his pain disappeared as new skin glowed beneath the charred injuries.

As the pain disappeared, Theo rose shakily to his feet and bowed to the water elemental ruler, who provided him with such grace.

“T-Thank you.”

[Don’t mind it.] El-Mare shook her head and glanced at Theo’s left hand before speaking again. [The heat in your body has been driven out, but you shouldn’t carelessly use the power that you have accepted, or you will know the consequences,]

There was now a tattoo resembling the sun on his hand. It was the power which Gluttony had extracted from Laevateinn, the Ring of Muspelheim. The power to summon Muspelheim was too much for a mortal who had yet to even reach master level. The slightest slip would result in him being burned to death.

Theo smiled wryly and bowed. “Yes, Water Mother. It was an honor to meet you.”

[I never thought I would meet one being from the Age of Mythology, let alone two. It was an exciting trip.]

Other people might not have understood, but Theo couldn’t help flinching.

Indeed, the eyes of the elemental ruler didn’t miss Gluttony’s and Laevateinn’s existences. However, El-Mare didn’t seem like she wanted to expose him as she smiled strangely before disappearing from the material world. A gust of wind blew across them as her massive presence vanished.

As everyone understood that the situation was over, the group couldn’t help sighing.

“Hooo... It’s gone.”

“Somehow, I can’t believe it.”

“Same here.”

Their reactions ranged from confirmation of their own mortality and disbelief that they had actually survived. In fact, Theo was the only one injured. However, if he hadn’t taken the last step, then the whole continent would’ve turned into hell.

The fight against the legend ranked grimoire had been horrifying. It had been so difficult that the victors didn’t have the energy to enjoy it.

... It’s good that we won.

The exhausted Theo leaned against Sylvia and stared up at the sky. He was still feeling the adrenaline. Theo looked at the sky distorted by Laevateinn, then down to his left hand.

Ring of Muspelheim.

“I understand… I think.”

El-Mare's advice had reminded him that the power was like an overwhelming fountain which would hurt his body. It was like an active volcano and was still too much for Theodore Miller. If he freed it now, he would burn himself and everything around him.

Right now, it was time to concentrate on his goal while keeping an eye on this power from the Age of Mythology. The 6th Circle was carved into his heart. This was proof of the 6th Circle which Theo had wanted before leaving for Elvenheim. However, it was painful to close his eyes and concentrate internally.

Sylvia carefully held his side and asked, “Theo, are you somewhat okay now?”

“... Yes, I’m okay. And thank you for the help. It might’ve been dangerous if it hadn’t been for you.” Theo felt a subtle discomfort as he answered.

Just like with Death’s Worship, what would’ve happened if he and Gluttony weren’t here? Could he have won against the Laevateinn who had burned the world tree and Elvenheim? They had only survived since Gluttony was a natural enemy of grimoires, and their victory had not been a frontal confrontation. It was very likely that Laevateinn would have taken everything Elvenheim could have thrown at it and still come out victorious.

I don’t know if an incident occurs wherever I go, or if I happen to go to places where incidents will occur.

It might seem the same, but his behavior could vary greatly depending on the cause. The nemesis of grimoires... Gluttony’s existence itself was a strange thing, let alone having such a function. It was like a carnivore drawing in prey with its scent.

However, Theo’s thoughts didn’t go much further than that.

“Hua! I thought I would die out there!” At that moment, high elf Alisa floated down to the party after recovering her power.

She must have been quite tired from calling the wind elemental ruler for several hours, but her movements were still brisk and energetic. When she arrived, the group gained enough strength to start moving. However, Alucard didn’t seem to demonstrate the same recovery ability.

“Then shall we go back?” Alisa pointed at the forest behind her with her thumb. “Let’s have a celebration as soon as we return!”