Book Eater

Chapter 182: Paracelsus’ Legacy (2)

The laboratory of the great alchemist of the Age of Mythology, Paracelsus!

Theo’s eyes dilated at the unexpected proposal. The only traces of the Age of Mythology lay in a few ruins. Some were concealed, while others had collapsed over time. In this age, there were only a few relics and ruins left intact. A number of magicians would risk their lives to find a laboratory of an alchemist from the Age of Mythology.

No, I don’t know if the laboratory is still intact. The offer might be a trap.

Theo took a step back and carefully asked Gluttony

Hey, Gluttony.

- What is it?

Judge whether the Yellow Tower Master’s words are authentic or not. Paracelsus’ laboratory... Is that possible?

- Um.?

Gluttony was silent for a minute.

- I can’t be sure it exists, but it is possible. Paracelsus didn’t settle in one place but traveled around researching. It wouldn’t be strange if Paragranum, the grimoire he created, knew about the location of a laboratory. A laboratory made by Paracelsus might last a few thousand years.

Is it possible that Paragranum is lying?

- For a grimoire, its creator is like a god. It wouldn’t bring up the name if it was intending to deceive you. However, what is Paragranum looking for in the laboratory?

Theo accepted Gluttony’s words. What did Paragranum need in the laboratory? As the old saying went, the bear would play while the owner earned money.

There was also the question of what Paragranum would do with the things found in the laboratory. Theo already had an idea of how dangerous grimoires were. So, despite the fact that the Yellow Tower Master had contributed to Meltor for hundreds of years, Theo was wary.

So he was hesitating. However, Paragranum opened her mouth first, “Are you wondering why I want to visit the laboratory?”

“... Honestly, yes.”

“I know what you’re concerned about, but there is no need for it. I just need the Emerald Tablet and a few materials that I can’t acquire now.”

The Emerald Tablet?

Before Theo could ask what it was, Gluttony suddenly spoke up.

- Emerald Tablet?! It still exists?

“I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you to have it, Magic Eater. I need it until the purpose of my existence is achieved.”

- Are you going to waste that treasure on creating a human body?

“Aren’t you a grimoire? What a thing to say.”

Either way, Theo couldn’t understand what was going on. He quietly listened to the argument between the two grimoires and carefully interrupted once the quarrel subsided a little bit.

“So, what is the Emerald Tablet?”

- I can’t tell you at Stage 4.

“Tch, then it must be something pretty great? Is it dangerous?”

- It won’t cause a lot of human fatalities. It isn’t something meant for fighting in the first place.

“Then it’s fine,” Theo cut off the long story and turned toward Para, who was watching him and Gluttony with a strange expression. “What is included in the legacy that you’ll give me?”

“Everything else,” Paragranum responded immediately. “The golems, artifacts, magic scrolls... Ah, there is also something that Gluttony will enjoy.”

“What is it?”

“Creator’s original book, Fairy’s Book. It is useless for alchemy, but it would be very useful for you, who contracted an ancient elemental.”

An original book from the Age of Mythology!

For a moment, Theo’s eyes filled with greed, but he barely managed to suppress it. That said, it was a bit strange that an alchemist would write a book about fairies. Perhaps the original book was intended to be passed down? However, that speculation was rejected by Gluttony.

- User, Paracelsus was an exceptional alchemist, but he was also a rare elementalist. I think that his book will, at a minimum, go beyond the Precious rating.

Perhaps even more than that?

- That’s right. Maybe eating that book will release the?5th?seal.

That changed matters. From Gluttony’s 5th seal to the bud on Mitra’s head, several problems could be resolved at the same time with this request. Although it was hard right now, a grimoire didn’t have the limitation of a lifespan, so it didn’t feel impatience. It would just fulfill the request as soon as possible.

Then at that moment...

Ah, wait a minute.

Theo was reminded of something: the sand dragon, Desertio, dwelled in the heart of the Meuse Desert. At the epicenter of the drought affecting the Austen Kingdom, the ancient class dragon was simply waiting to die.

Paragranum replied to Theo’s unspoken question, “Don’t worry. The laboratory is located on the outskirts. Additionally, you are a master, so you can withstand the weathering, even at the center.”

- It is true. However, you can’t stay for a long time.

It was hard to accept even with the two grimoires agreeing, but Theo finally nodded. There was no need to create discord with fussing. Instead, it was necessary to make this relationship as tight as possible. Moreover, it wasn’t an absurd request. There was no need for Theo to feel uncomfortable since the promised price was reasonable.

Paragranum cheered up after writing two contracts, “Good, then should I give you a prepayment?”

“What?”

“Just wait a minute!”

Was the grimoire affected by its girlish appearance? Para cheerfully reached into a chest of drawers, pulling out a dagger and a strangely colored crystal. She held out the two to Theo.

Her red eyes glittered as she said, “Don’t you have the appraisal ability? Pick one of these items. The other one will be given after the task is done.”

“What is this?”

“Since I am the Tower Master, words alone won’t suffice. Take it.”

Theo couldn’t refuse.

Just one time...

He raised his left hand, and Gluttony’s tongue lashed out, touching the dagger made of a mysterious material and a crystal which shone with unknown colors. Almost simultaneously, two information windows popped up.

[+20 Azoth Sword (Magic Tool)]

[A dagger that the great alchemist, Paracelsus, always carried around with him. The blade is of an unknown origin, with A Z O T H inscribed on it. It symbolizes the beginning and the end. There is an empty place for a philosopher’s stone to be mounted. In its complete form, Azoth is a longsword, not a dagger. In that state, even a demon would submit to the power of the Azoth Sword.

* The rating of this magic tool is Treasure.

- Once the philosopher’s stone is installed, it will be promoted to Legend

* When used, all alchemy processes can be omitted.

* (Can’t be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability.)

* (Can’t be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability.)

* Can’t be destroyed by any means in the material world. Can’t be consumed with the 4th stage predation ability.]

[+? Foolish Philosopher’s Stone (Catalyst)]

[This catalyst was created from records and is a near-perfect imitation of the Philosopher’s Stone from the Age of Mythology. It has the same shape and effect as the Philosopher’s Stone, but unlike the stone which boasts a semi-permanent durability, this one is close to a consumable material. It is a catalyst which can convert all materials to a different material, depending on the standards. It is a treasure which Paragranum has completed after decades of trial and error.

* The rating of this catalyst is Treasure.

* When consumed, a large amount of magic power will be absorbed.

* When used, you can create the material that you want.]

“Wow...” Theo’s mouth dropped open when he saw the dazzling information windows.

These two can make a legendary artifact?

He couldn’t use the god-sword that Hyde had carried around, but Paracelsus’ tool was a completely different matter. 4th stage Gluttony couldn’t figure out half of the dagger’s functions, but once the Philosopher’s Stone was mounted on it, even a demon would submit. Demons were a species that once ruled the material world. They were transcendent beings, and the dagger called Azoth was a treasure which could make them submit.

Yet Theo was going to be given this treasure as prepayment?

The Yellow Tower Master giggled at Theo’s baffled expression. “It isn’t really useful to me, but it is a great motivation for you.”

“... One of the two, yes.”

“Right?” A playful smile appeared on her face.

Theo smiled wryly at Paragranum’s scheming.

The true value of the treasures could only be revealed when both the Azoth Sword and the Philosopher’s Stone were combined. Of course, the Philosopher’s Stone could transform a material into any other material, but it wasn’t something that appealed to Theo, who didn’t really focus on alchemy.

It was a blatant but effective scheme. Theo impatiently held out his hand for the dagger Para was holding. It was the better choice between the Philosopher’s Stone and the Azoth Sword.

“The Azoth Sword first.”

“Indeed.”

The Yellow Tower Master handed the Azoth Sword over to Theo as if she had been expecting it, while the Philosopher’s Stone was returned to the drawer.

Then the Yellow Tower Master spoke to Theo, “Okay, our deal has been established. Now, it is my turn to do what Kurt asked.”

“......?”

“Why do you look so stupid? You should’ve heard that I would give you a reward.”

“Ah.” Theo remembered and nodded.

Then the Yellow Tower Master will guide you.

It felt like days since Theo had been made the captain of Quattro and introduced to the members. In fact, it was hard for him to return to reality after talking about an alchemist from the Age of Mythology. Theo was reminded that the girl before him was the Yellow Tower Master, and his nervousness grew again.

Regardless of whether she knew his feelings or not, Para continued talking, “What do you want? You can take a book from the Zero Library or a royal treasure. You can choose what you want.”

“Umm...” Theo struggled for a bit before asking, “Not a national treasure?”

“You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Your body already has several large powers in it. They seem stable right now, but it would be dangerous if more power is added.”

Indeed, Theo nodded inwardly. If he hadn’t accidentally got his hands on Artificial Yin and Yang from the Art of Onmyōdō, the two powers might’ve exploded one day.

Ring of Muspelheim, Aquilo’s Blood Mark, Umbra... Additionally, Theo had the ability to summon an elemental. Increasing his powers might be good in the short term, but it might have an adverse effect on creating his Sorcery.

It was literally just like the saying, ‘too much is as bad as not enough.’ Too many treasures would be difficult for Theo to digest.

For a moment, he worried about choosing a national treasure, then he made a decision.

“Let’s go to the Zero Library.”