Book Eater

Chapter 199: Traces from the Age of Mythology (2)

Paragranum stared at the Emerald Tablet as Gluttony talked to Theo. It had been a treasure even in the Age of Mythology. It was incalculably precious in this age. Even Theo, who wasn’t interested in alchemy, was briefly attracted to the glitter, but it was literally just for a moment.

“... I have accomplished my first purpose,” she muttered absentmindedly.

However, Theo had a question as he looked at her. Thus far, it seemed like the key to this research facility and the dimension containing the Emerald Tablet was clearly the Azoth Sword. However, she had handed over such an essential item as a down payment? Not even a dumb human would make that mistake. A grimoire had an intellect surpassing humans, so she wouldn’t make such an obvious mistake.

Theo faced Paragranum and spoke carefully, “Paragranum, I have something I want to ask.”

He was already 70% certain, and the remaining 30% wasn’t really him being doubtful. However, he couldn’t leave here without checking. After all, it was easier to deal with someone who was classified as an enemy, than someone who wasn’t.

In any case, Para’s dominance in this set of ruins was absolute. Unsurprisingly, Para acted like she knew his question. “I can already guess your question. Well, just speak.”

“It wasn’t a mistake.” The 30% disappeared as Theo grew convinced. “Why did you hand me the Azoth Sword? It isn’t just the key to obtaining the Emerald Tablet. If this dagger is Paracelsus’ favorite, it must be worth more than that. It should have a multitude of uses in these ruins.”

“For example?”

“It’s the key to controlling Mercurius.”

This part was purely Theo’s speculation. It might be possible, but it was a reasonable guess. If Paragranum denied it, he didn’t have any arguments. After all, he had no evidence to back up his hypothesis. Theo was hoping that Paragranum would laugh. He didn’t want to become hostile toward a monster who was equal to a grandmaster in this set of ruins.

Para clapped and exclaimed, “Correct! As expected of Gluttony’s host, you have a good head.”

“You!” Theo was about to curse, but he barely stopped himself and lowered his voice, “Answer me. Why did you hand me the Azoth Sword?”

“What do you mean? It was your choice.”

“That-”

That was true. Theo was the one who had chosen the sword when presented with the option of the Azoth Sword or the Philosopher's Stone. The grimoire had never forced him to choose it.

Para looked at the temporarily speechless Theo. “The Philosopher’s Stone or the Azoth Sword. I only respected your free will. As a result of your choice, you fought Mercurius. Life is continuously climbing the ladder, so I can’t have a companion who can’t endure it.”

Theo immediately recognized the meaning of what had happened. “... Did you test me?”

“In a sense.”

“What if I had been killed by Mercurius?”

“Unfortunately, I would have to come alone. It isn’t a big deal for me to retrieve the Azoth Sword after securing this laboratory.”

Theo gave up on understanding his opponent. Even if she looked like a person, she was still a grimoire. It would be fatal if he judged her actions from a human’s perspective. Above all, he didn’t gain anything from this stand-off. After confirming that Paragranum had no intention to fight, Theo stepped back and changed the topic. As it happened, he had a ready excuse.

“Do you have anything to say about this Fairy’s Book?”

“Huh?”

“This slab.”

It was a dark, gleaming slab of an unknown material. He had received it as promised, but he didn’t know how to read it.

Paragranum understood belatedly and scratched her head. “Whoops, I forgot there are no more of them in this age.”

“How do I use this?”

“Inject it with magic power. At your level... Yes, can you use 3rd Circle magic?”

Theo made an uncertain expression and inserted the proper amount of magic power into Fairy’s Book. It started to glow dimly as the magic power lit up a strange and mysterious letter on the cover. Theo had never seen anything like it before.

At that moment...

Piing!

A light suddenly shot out of the slab, aimed at the middle of Theo’s forehead. It couldn’t be blocked or avoided.

「Checking the user’s magic power pattern. 」

As before, Theo heard an unknown voice.

「From page 1 to page 50. Introducing the concept of the elemental world and the four elementals to the user.」

Knowledge from the Age of Mythology was forcibly transmitted into Theo’s brain.

“Urghh!”

As soon as fifty pages of knowledge were transferred over, Theo held his throbbing head. He had been prepared, so the sudden rush of information hadn’t knocked him out. However, this was several times stronger than what he had ever experienced. It was the same kind of pain he had felt when he consumed a large amount of books in a short period of time and the processing power of his brain had reached its limit.

Para grinned. “Ahahaha! As expected of Gluttony’s owner, you have a really good head. This is a primordial character used in the Age of Mythology which can compress dozens of words into one character. Most people would have fried their brain.”

“So, how many characters are there in this book?” Theo gritted his teeth.

Para answered quickly, “Thirty six characters. Creator had a habit of storing fifty pages in one character, for a total of a thousand eight hundred pages.”

“... You should give me a warning beforehand next time.”

“If it makes you feel better.”

... She didn’t say she would. Theo turned his gaze away anyway.

Paragranum pointed to a half full shelf. “Now, shall we handle the balance?”

She had promised to give him everything except for the Emerald Tablet and a few materials. There were thirty three kilograms of platinum, sixty five kilograms of gold, and three hundred kilograms of precious materials, as well as one hundred and eighty two bottles of various potions ranging from recovery to attribute resistance. There were also five 8th Circle magic scrolls and twelve 7th Circle magic scrolls, along with two bottles of elixir and one Philosopher's Stone.

Lastly, there was a golem in the corner. Para pointed to the knight in full body armor and suddenly paused. She made a strange expression before looking like she got a good idea.

Then Para turned toward Theo with sparkling eyes and asked, “Hey, can I take that golem?”

“Is something the matter?”

“Nothing like that. The ego died a long time ago and I recently picked up some decent material. I want to try remodeling it.”

“Decent material? What… Ah.” Theo closed his mouth.

It was Lloyd Pollan. Para planned to use him for her experiments. Even though he was an enemy, Theo couldn’t help feeling sympathetic. However, Theo had no intention of going against the grimoire, so he just grunted and looked away.

It isn’t worth quibbling over.

Didn’t Theo have to fight Mercurius because of him?

“Go ahead. I hope it isn’t too late.”

“Okay, I finally have something to do in the Tower. It’s been a long time.”

Para didn’t hide her cruel joy as she laughed and pointed at the items. It was what she had agreed to give him, but there was so much. It wasn’t an amount which could be put in a box.

“How will you take all this? Ah, will you put them in your dimensional pocket?”

“There’s no need,” Theo answered bluntly and raised his left hand. It was safer and bigger than the dimensional pocket, so the entry to the Inventory opened in the palm of his left hand.

The tongue was attracted by the pleasant smell and emerged, so Theo gave it permission. “Swallow everything and put it all in the Inventory.”

After thousands of years, the warehouse in Paracelsus’ laboratory was completely emptied.

***

After completing the secret deal, Theo was returned to his room. The fluffy bed and books looked exactly the same, with the exception of the presence of the Fairy’s Book.

Theo sat on the bed and sighed, “Hoo... My head still hurts. Gluttony, did you know about this slab beforehand?”

- I thought that it wouldn’t be a big burden for you.

“Then why didn’t you say anythin- No, forget it. You’re a grimoire. I had forgotten.”

It was meaningless to blame it for something which had already happened, and grimoires didn’t feel remorse or apologize for anything. The grimoire would just be more careful next time and focus on the road ahead.

This is a primordial character? It is quite efficient.

The dozens of pages in the Fairy’s Book were condensed into one character, and then transmitted. He had done it once, and his understanding of the book increased to 2.7%. In other words, he had acquired understanding just by reading.

The primordial characters on this slab was a technique which could change the concept of studying. However, it was rather risky for the user.

- Your reasoning is correct.

What?

- The computing ability of humans in the Age of Mythology was superior to current humans. Thus, learning using the primordial characters was easier. However, as time passed, the functions of the brain deteriorated, and the primordial characters were banned.

Humans have fallen behind technology... How scary.

The technology from the Age of Mythology was tantalizing to present humans, but they couldn’t endure it. Theo looked down at the slab in his hand. The stinging headache was still annoying, but he could ignore it if he focused. As long as the act of reading was straightforward, he could have Gluttony eat the book before the sun rose. Theo could decide to not overdo it, or he could endure the pain.

He hesitated for a moment before adding magic power into the slab. Although he didn’t want to be in pain, he didn’t like this situation either. Theo was drawn in by Para’s intentions and had no power to resist. However, no matter how great Para was, that wasn’t an excuse for powerlessness. Such an excuse wasn’t suitable for the owner of a Seven Sins grimoire.

Piing!

A ray of light struck his forehead and knowledge flowed in from the Fairy’s Book. The great alchemist, Paracelsus...

Theo would see his face before the sun came up tomorrow.