Chapter 681 - Third Story: Fourth Investigation of Engrio's Secret Books ②
The investigation resumed, and the reading aloud of the secret book ended safely. As expected, the Testament was last. Actually, after resuming, it ended easily. I thought there was more because there were pages left, but some explanation about magic and magic circles that wouldn't be out of place in an overview was written at length. Compared to other parts, the handwriting is different and the ink seems new. I think it was probably added to the empty space. Just the reading aloud of that part took time. When I asked the gatekeeper later, he laughed and said he had added it. Honestly, it was a nuisance.
In that way, the investigation of the fifth secret book ended.
As a result, the general outline of the Testament was understood.
The Testament is magic. A magic circle is not necessary for activation. A magic circle is necessary to learn the magic. In other words, it cannot be learned through an oracle. And to activate the magic circle, several conditions must be met. The fact that it was placed at the very end must be due to its special nature.
The first is the location. The magic circle necessary to learn the Testament was not drawn in the secret book. The reason is that it's a magic circle that can only be activated in a specific place. The design of the magic circle is placed only in that location, and the caster must go to that place to activate it. That place is the center of the holy pentagon drawn by the five secret books. In other words, the Ruined Town. Moreover, it is protected by the magic of the two poles of Light and Dark. I had heard that it was in the basement of the Ruined Town, so that point was confirmed. Being protected by the magic of Light and Dark means, in short, it must be like the experience of escaping from the world where the Demon Lord lives. I hope it's like that.
The second is about the caster. The Testament is ultra-high-level holy magic, and can only be learned by someone in a priestly position. This is, well, it's like "if you say so, then so it is." After all, it can seal the Demon Lord. Doing such a thing can only be called a priest's job.
The problem is that I might have to learn dark magic. If it's okay to combine with the Priestess, or be with Wilson-san, it seems I can manage somehow. However, if it comes to me learning dark magic, I have no prospect at all. The Ancient Priestess who lived with Keira in the current land of Primordia and the Wetlands Priestess when she was alive were priests, so it's not impossible to learn, but I wonder if it can be done. It could probably be learned using Memorize, but I think learning that would be much harder.
Also, the caster will apparently be able to cross various worlds, but I wonder if that's possible for a living human? One would likely be eaten by the Pretas. Surely the one who learns it won't become a ghost. I've been told that the one who learns the Testament will no longer be human, but frankly, that's a problem. If my will becomes an independent entity and forms the Fifth Spirit to activate the Testament, that would still be okay, but I don't know if I'll be safe then.
Thirdly, it seems sunlight is necessary for activation. But if that's the case, it's necessary to draw sunlight into the basement. Just how will it be done?
And at the end of the explanation, it was added that the password for activating the magic circle is drawn on the magic circle.
"It can be said that specific details are not understood at all. Does the one who wrote this think this serves as an explanation?"
That was King Seldic's impression. I think so too. Therefore, I went to complain to the Dwarf gatekeeper. The one who wrote it was the Dwarf. And if I recall correctly, the recorder himself shouldn't write anything unless he has confirmed it.
"I didn't write it. I'm the second generation. So, I took over the gatekeeper's job, but I don't know the background of the written content."
Oh dear, isn't that a bit much?
"Isn't the Dwarf responsible for the contents of that book?"
I ask, though I think it's useless.
"I guarantee that the written content is correct. As a Dwarf."
It's good that he puffs out his chest... but with just that, we don't understand.
"Haven't you inherited the memories from your predecessor?"
The Dwarf makes an "oh!" face. He didn't think I knew that he said such things.
"Listen. There's no way I can inherit all the contents and related matters of such a thick book. Dwarves have a mountain of other things they must inherit."
Knowledge for humans is secondary? Well, it might be unavoidable.
"Have you read the contents of that book?" This time King Seldic asked.
"Yeah, I've read it. As the responsibility of the one who manages it, I have to know."
"Then, can you give a correct interpretation of that text?"
"To some extent."
"Tell us. I will reward you."
"You guys have read all the contents of that book, right?"
"That's right. On top of that, there are parts whose meaning we don't understand."
"If it's just the interpretation of the words, fine."
"That will do."
Amazing. As expected of a king of a nation.
Once outside, King Seldic had his soldiers bring Finis liquor, beer, and even wine barrels to the wall. When the soldiers left, he went inside the wall just like that, and it became a banquet combined with a question time for the Dwarf.
As a result of being taught by the Dwarf, there were things newly understood. Among them, there were things said with a suspicious expression like "Why don't you know that?" In other words, the human side had not inherited it. Presumably, the Southern Church hid it. It must be one of the dark histories of the church.
First, regarding the two poles of Light and Dark, he said it's like front and back.
"You humans use currency, right? That has a front and a back. But is the value of that currency in each of the front and back?"
"No, it's not like that. Both front and back sides together make the value of one coin."
"Right? That's how it is. In other words, both are needed to make one, so one side alone is only half-baked, so to speak."
Light and Dark are each half-baked... To become full-fledged, must both be usable?
"Naturally. Well, I don't know if humans can do that, though."
I heard that the Wetlands Priestess could use both when she was alive. As a result of becoming a ghost, she could no longer use holy magic. Lyudmila is a Vampire Quarter, but she is healed by holy magic. And she can use Dark. In other words, the current me is half-baked. Well, Lyudmila and the Priestess, and by the way, Wilson-san, are also half-baked now.
"Of course, the book didn't say one human had to use it, right? If so, maybe two half-baked people would be enough."
Please, let it be along those lines.
Regarding the world of Light and the world of Dark, he said it's like day and night. It's about the world governed by day and the world governed by night, and the Interstice is dawn and dusk. This is the same as the theory of the Priestess's master. However, the relationship with the Goddess and the Demon Lord is apparently unknown.
"I can't talk about how humans interpreted that. That's human thinking."
"I see. I understand."
This can't be helped. Originally, spirits don't believe in gods. If they don't believe, then they don't exist.
Regarding what it means to cross worlds, he said he has never seen it. However, there are apparently traditions among Dwarves that there are other worlds besides this one.
"In our traditions, the one who made this world is called the Creator. I don't know if it's the same as the god for humans."
"Have you ever met the Creator?"
"You can't meet the Creator. Because he has no form."
"No form?"
"Yeah, the Creator is the power itself that creates and destroys. Form exists and yet doesn't. So, you can't meet him, and yet it's like you're always meeting him."
It doesn't quite click. Everyone is blinking their eyes.
"Does that mean, in other words, that his power always exists?"
It's Price-sama. It seems better to leave such things to him.
"That's right. But, basically, he's invisible to us. His existence itself."
"And, occasionally, a miracle occurs and he becomes visible to the eye."
"Yeah, that's how it is. You understand well, don't you? Oh, right, you were an Archbishop."
"Thanks to you. But, I understand well with your explanation just now. After all, the Goddess is someone beyond the measure of us humans."
"That's the idea. It'll be enough if you understand that."
"Yes. It is enough. Thank you very much."
Since it seemed only Price-sama understood, King Seldic asked for an explanation.
In Price-sama's interpretation, in short, there are indeed several worlds. And it's almost certain that the Demon Lord comes to this world from somewhere else. In short, it's probably easier to interpret it that way. It also matches some traditions. That Demon Lord crosses from the world he lives in into this world... regardless of the form, he moves. If his ability is taken away by firing the Testament, he will become unable to resurrect in this world. In other words, he can be sealed. That is the effect of the Testament. This can't be helped but be called magic that temporarily harbors the power of the Goddess. Only the Goddess can really do such a thing. I'm worried that the delinquent old men who are trying to pay back the Demon Lord after becoming ghosts might not want to learn it.
After that, it was full of things we didn't know. Regarding the location and timing, he said he didn't know. Of course, he doesn't know how to hit the basement with sunlight if it were there. In the first place, he has apparently never seen the magic circle. What kind of existence will the caster who becomes able to go to other worlds be? When asked, after thinking for a bit, he said, "You'll find out if you use it." We can't use it easily then.
"Magic is something you can't learn unless the caster has the magic control worthy of handling that magic and the image at the time of activation. Can someone who can only use basic level fire an advanced level just because they incanted? Impossible, right? So, once you've learned it, it's just as it is. If something happens, it'll be the process until you learn it."
Hmm. That's also true. I feel like I was told my will would become an independent personality and form the Fifth Spirit, but I might find out somewhere. At any rate, it'll be after finding the magic circle.
"Searching means you have a lead, right?" The Dwarf poked sharply.
"Um, it's at the center of the five locations where the secret books are, right?"
I don't know how much everyone knows about this. I think Price-sama knows more than I do.
"I recall it's apparently the Ruined Town. Isn't your church investigating there?"
Look, King Seldic poked.
"At present, nothing like that has been discovered. However, since it exists, it's probably in the basement without a doubt. However, the search for the entrance is still ongoing. Perhaps there is something like this wall, and to deactivate that wall, the magic of Light and Dark might be necessary."
"Suppose Bishop Jeanne is here for the magic of Light; do you have any idea about the magic of Dark?"
"Yes. It's the Revenants who were in the Ruined Town. Currently, our church is holding them as prisoners, but I hear there are several users. Since it's forbidden magic, we can't use it, but as a result of this investigation, we are also considering lifting the ban for limited use."
"R-Really!"
I couldn't help but raise my voice. King Seldic looks at me with a suspicious eye.
"Since it has been forbidden magic for a long time, if the ban is lifted, as you can see from Bishop Jeanne now, a great reaction is expected. It must be handled carefully."
Fortunately, Price-sama followed up. I just bow my head silently.
"If the Demon Lord can be sealed, the ban should be lifted. Why not have the users change their religion to the god I believe in? If your church dislikes it, I could even dispatch a priest from our church. If they are non-believers, it shouldn't count as forbidden magic. It's not prohibited by our country's laws, after all."
That's a wonderful idea! If so, why not build a huge orphanage in Engrio? No, why not just make the Ruined Town an orphanage? Originally, there were many Revenants. There should be no problem with them starting to live there again.
"King Seldic. I have heard your words clearly."
"Yeah, consider it."
This might really lead to restoration. Within the range I know, the choices for Dark users are the Revenants held as prisoners, Wilson-san, Lyudmila, and the Wetlands Priestess, but why not just lift the ban? Originally, it was magic bestowed by the Goddess. We should just make it conditional like Teleport.
The investigation of the secret book is over, but presumably, we must investigate the various materials brought in by the Southern Church. When I opened a few, most were pieces of parchment rolled together and tied with leather thongs, all written in ancient language.
"Um, how will the investigation of these materials be conducted in the future?"
Honestly, I don't think I need to come. Probably Harrison-san too.
"For now, I'm thinking of continuing with the current members. I don't know when it will end, but please participate. As King Seldic suggested when the investigation here began, the final report of the investigation here will be summarized after investigating these materials."
Which means I'm participating too. I exchange glances with Harrison-san, and we both back away little by little.
"However, if Bishop Harris can participate, Jeanne, you may focus on monster extermination. Of course, if there's anything related to the Demon Lord subjugation, I'll leave it, so participate when we investigate it."
When I looked at Bishop Harris, he said, "Leave it to me." It was a help. I've never done an investigation of ancient documents. Honestly, I would only be a hindrance.
"Bishop Harrison, please participate as the representative of the heroes."
It's a complete collateral damage. However, it originated from searching for a way to seal the Demon Lord. It can't be said to be completely unrelated.
"I-I understand. Honestly, it's a field I'm not good at, so I might be a hindrance in some way. Please be generous and guide me."
"Don't worry. Since it's a good opportunity, I will take responsibility and train you."
That Harrison-san looked like he was about to cry.