Episode 126: Die for now
Iris was surprised to see Shu return to the inn.
Although he was not injured, he was extremely exhausted.
“W-what happened?!”
"I let my guard down. My few weaknesses were exploited. Also, 'Takame' sold my information. I'll talk to you about that bastard later..."
“I’m going to give you a break!”
Iris was also angry.
It can be assumed that he probably sold the information because he trusted Shu's ability. ``Takame'' is that kind of man. They had known each other for a long time, and they understood this.
I can't let my guard down because I happen to do something like this.
"Well, today is fine. I'm going to sleep..."
“We’re going to sleep together!”
"Do whatever you want……"
Normally I would force her to sleep in a separate bed, but today was different.
Iris was surprised by the difference, but happily moved in next to Shu.
◆◆◆
It is said that humans organize their memories when they sleep. Discard unnecessary memories and establish necessary ones. However, even if it is destroyed, it does not mean that it will be completely erased. It's almost like throwing it into another memory area.
And, unusually, Shu was asleep.
Through deep sleep, I sorted out the huge amount of memories I had acquired last night.
"……sleepy"
When Shu woke up in the morning, he felt as if his head was heavy.
This is the first feeling I've had since becoming a monster.
When I suddenly looked to the side, Iris was still asleep.
"Do you want to sleep a little longer?"
Shu fell asleep again.
It was the first time since my reincarnation that I slept twice.
◆◆◆
At night, Shu, who had fully recovered, visited Kuroneko's Bar with Iris.
It's also a private room.
I prepared the highest quality alcohol and meat and was waiting for a certain man. Of course, it's ``hawk-eyed.''
After a while, a suspicious-looking man wearing a mask and a black cloak came over.
"Sorry I made you wait"
"Die"
“Isn’t it dangerous!?”
Shu threw a fork at ``Takame'' who entered the room. ``Hawk Eye'' immediately evaded it with teleportation, but it seemed that he was impatient. I could see that he was upset.
"Unlike 'Shinigami' and Iris, I die easily, right? Awakened magicians are ageless, not immortal."
"I've gotten used to your brazenness of selling my information without permission and acting like a fool. However, I shouldn't be able to complain even if you treat me like this."
"I'm sorry. This is also a business. In order to get involved in the deep side of this country, I needed Jude Rayvan. Actually, as a former nobleman of the Sbarokian Empire, he has various contacts. Thanks to him, there are many things…”
“Of course, I guess you have something to offer as an apology?”
"...I understand."
``Takame'' let out a sigh and sat down opposite Shu and Iris. Then he poured water into a glass and took a sip. The current exchange seemed to have chilled his nerves.
After calming down, ``Takame'' began to speak.
"Thanks to selling 'Shinigami', I was able to get some good information."
"it is?"
"It's a study on how to defeat 'king' monsters like Hades. It seems that it is being carried out not only in the church but also in various countries. It seems that the fall of the Sbarokian Empire was very effective."
"Talk"
Time magic is one of the few methods that can kill the ``King''. It's not a sealing method, it's a killing method. This would be a breakthrough for humans.
On the other hand, from Shu's point of view, it was something he should be wary of.
Even Shu was wary of magic that could manipulate time. This is because it is a way to interfere with Shu before he becomes the ``King''. Although I was able to survive by chance this time, there is no guarantee that I will be lucky in the future. Measures are necessary.
When asked, ``Takame'' nods and takes another sip of water before continuing.
``The first is time magic, the second is space magic, and the third is a type of magic that manipulates cause and effect relationships.Or maybe it's magic equipment.These three are the main types of research. Shall I give you a detailed explanation?"
"Oh, please."
"It's time magic, but the Grim Reaper who fought Jude is probably familiar with it. Then, he uses space magic to banish him to subspace. This is close to sealing, but, well, it's actually murder. Three. The second method of manipulating causality is similar to the Death Magic of the Grim Reaper.It is a method of ignoring the causal event and extracting the result.''
There is a theory that death magic steals energy.
So, in terms of the ability to ignore cause and effect, death magic is probably closer to it. In the first place, the magic and magic power of the ``King'' is a new law itself. For laws that ignore normal cause and effect, there are also laws that ignore cause and effect. This is the third way humans think.
If you have a technique or ability that allows you to kill without any questions asked, you can kill the ``King'' regardless of the amount of magical power.
“And finally, there is the fourth thing, but I don’t know the details either.”
“Four eyes?”
"Yes. It is a method of inhibiting the magic power itself. However, it is currently impossible. Because it can also be used as a technique to nullify the magic equipment of ordinary magicians. It is not a technical problem, but the will of the church. I guess they don't want to create technology that obstructs magical power.It seems like each country is secretly researching it, but the church is actually interfering with it.I don't know the details either.''
"I see. But that would be the worst for Iris."
"It's mine?"
"Your magic weapon of immortality may be nullified."
Even if the magical power was blocked, the dead magic power would never be able to touch it. In other words, as long as there is death magic, Shu is invincible against magic inhibition. But Iris is different. When her magical weapon of immortality is nullified, she reverts to being just a girl.
In the first place, because Iris is immortal, Shu doesn't have to worry about it that much. The methods to counteract it are really troublesome. Not only that, but the barrier technique that Shu is developing that applies space magic may also be nullified by magic inhibition technology.
There will come a time when we will have to consider the technology of inhibiting magical power.
"...I don't want to be too withdrawn."
As for Shu, he was planning to retire to the fairyland and have fun. At least until she gets bored.
However, due to an incident in the Sbarokian Empire, the ``King'' became too violent. Because of the three kings, Hades, Hell King, and Scarlet King, it seemed like the continent of Sladda would be destroyed. Of course you should be wary. Or perhaps it should be said that it was self-inflicted.
"By the way, 'Hawk Eye'. Have you found the research center of the Universal Truth Flarows?"
"Ah. That's the information you requested earlier. It was found, but the church had already taken care of it. I work as an informant, so I have no choice but to ask for information like this." My work has fallen behind."
"That means his magic materials are..."
"Everything...was uprooted and taken away by the church."
"Really"
Once an Awakened Magician of the Great Empire of Sbarokia, Flarous was also a magician. He developed yin magic, yang magic, and soul magic. His research was of interest to Shu, and he intended to steal his research data.
And he had requested ``Takame''.
However, as an informer, his job is to obtain information that already exists. It's not excavation or exploration. There was no way they would have built a research lab in a place where they could easily find what could have been the Universal Truth Flarows, and the Holy Knights of the Church had gotten ahead of them in their search.
"...Well, that's fine. It'll be fine if I develop that kind of magic first. I'll collect the information. Also, have you noticed any other changes in 'Hawk Eyes'?"
“Is that something unusual?”
"ah"
“Then, is there a fairy boom secretly happening in the Eris Empire?”
“A fairy?”
“Yes, there have been fairy legends around here for a long time, and some even say that if you drink the blood of a fairy, you can gain eternal beauty. The knights are increasing their surveillance. The demon religion will not tolerate legends of monsters.''
"Is there a possibility that an awakened magician will come? Someone called Lazard is supposed to be here right now."
"If the existence of the Grim Reaper... Hades is known, he will come. If the Grim Reaper goes berserk in the magic research tower of the palace, I think that will lead to inferences. Death magic... It's well known. Or maybe the church knows about the threat of the 'King' and will force Lazard to withdraw.''
The demon religion is on high alert due to the rampage caused by the three ``kings''. In particular, the Scarlet King, who caused tremendous damage to the vassal countries that were under the influence of the Church, and the Hades, who brought down the Great Svalokia Empire, which was a rival country of the Holy Grineer, should be especially wary.
Even though the Holy Grineer's ultimate goal is the Seven Great Demon Lords who live on the eastern continent across the sea, the biggest threat currently is the ``King'' of the Sladda continent. Since he was currently gathering power, there was a good chance that he would miss the Hades even if he checked.
What bothers Shu is that the fairyland that he took the pains to discover as a safe haven is meddled with.
All I can say is that it was bad luck that S-rank Holy Knight Lazard visited me while I was working here.
"'Hawk Eye', do you think the church's awakened magicians have sealing-type techniques?"
"I'm sure we're prepared. This is just my prediction, so it's not confirmed information."
"I see. Should I take measures?"
For the past twelve years, Shu has not developed any new magic. In the first place, most things can be solved if you have two things: death magic and 《Gluttony Black Crystal Belze Material》. That can't be helped either.
However, magic to counter seals will become essential from now on.
"That's all I have to do. Let's go home, Iris."
“Yes, it is.”
Shu decided to return to Fairyland once.
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