Chapter 311 – The Grudges of the Magicians

“I look forward to hearing good news then.”

“Yes. I’ll see you again soon.”

“Indeed.”

After being seen off by King Eberhart, we left the royal castle and headed toward the grounds of the Sages’ Academy.

It had been decided that books and materials would be brought to Termwills for deciphering and research. There were apparently various items that could and couldn’t be taken out from the Sages’ Academy, but the academy side would compensate by having the elders continue their work.

In short, while we needed to occasionally come to Silvatoria to hear updates, there was also the purpose of checking whether there were any movements from demons. It was necessary work and shouldn’t be too troublesome.

“Ah, Theodore-kun.”

We showed our faces at the tower within the academy grounds. The members of the seven families were in the process of pulling out various books and documents from the forbidden library and treasure room and lining them up on desks in the grand library.

When we appeared, they stopped their work and gathered around.

“Good day.”

“Well, it’s good you came.”

After greeting the members of the seven families, they each offered words of welcome. They seemed quite pleased that we had shown up.

“We heard you and Lord Siegmund were coming, so we were just bringing out the prepared books from the inner library.”

Let’s see. This was Emil Orgran, one of the heads of the seven families, right?

His appearance was different from when we last met, now sporting a monocle and mustache style. He was Charlotte’s father.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. This is about all we can do.”

Emil said this with a laugh.

“Father.”

“Charlotte? Is something the matter?”

Charlotte bowed to Emil. Seeing this, Emil’s expression turned serious. Perhaps because Charlotte’s atmosphere had changed from before. Maybe he had some thoughts about Charlotte’s transformation.

“I spoke with Theodore-sama at the castle.”

“Oh?”

“Hmm. We should share the previous discussion with everyone as well.”

Old Siegmund said this while looking at me. I nodded and explained to everyone what I had learned from my conversation with Volheim and about the role of the Sealing Shrine Maiden.

“So that’s why – since the seal has already been broken, the contract might not have been established.”

“I see… It seems we’ve been falling behind.”

“That might be true. However, I’m considering inheriting the sealing technique. While reconstructing the demon’s seal is also a goal, it would definitely be a loss if the technique itself were lost.”

“Is that so. So that’s why Charlotte…”

“Father. May I also head to Termwills, like Grandfather Siegmund and Valentina-sama?”

“…Yes. Go prepare for your journey.”

When Emil nodded, Charlotte left the grand library with a serious expression to gather her belongings.

“I’m sorry to have my daughter under your guidance. You must be busy enough as it is.”

“No. Returning what Mother left to where it originally belongs… is something I should do too.”

“Is that so…”

Emil closed his eyes. Was he remembering my mother?

As if collecting himself, Emil nodded and picked up a book.

“These ancient documents here contain descriptions related to Termwills’ labyrinth. I believe information about seals and barriers will also emerge as deciphering progresses.”

“So they’re secret techniques after all.”

“Indeed. However, in our view, considering the roles that Theodore and his companions will bear in the future, we believe you should be the one to inherit them.”

“As the direct descendant of the Wilcloud family with deep connections to the labyrinth. And as a battle mage who has slain demons. Things related to the labyrinth should be placed in the labyrinth rather than left in our care.”

“…Then… I’ll take custody of them.”

I said this with a bow.

“Good. We’re preparing the items that can be taken out, so please wait here a little longer.”

“Yes.”

Past materials contained spell formulas for using the labyrinth, barrier magic, and sealing techniques. Plus research on Volheim’s miasma techniques. We would take back whatever we could from these and conduct research and deciphering in parallel at both Termwills and Vinesdora.

“While we work, we’d like to hear about your demon-slaying story too.”

The elders smiled.

“That’s right. Come to think of it, we’ve heard that Theodore-kun defeated demons, but we don’t know the details.”

“Ah, indeed. I’m quite curious.”

…So it came to that, and I shared the detailed circumstances of the battle with the demons, also with the intention of sharing information about the orbs and miasma orbs… but…

Starting with Linette, then Blazing Heat, then Dancing Sword – each time a demon’s epithet came up, the elders’ laughter grew drier.

At some point, Irmhild started playing music as if providing BGM, adding realism to the story of the battle with demons. Charlotte, who had finished packing her belongings, returned to the grand library, and before I knew it, it had turned into a recollection session about our battles with demons.

Marlene too, with Seraphina on her shoulder, both listening seriously with earnest nods. Thanks to that, there was plenty of merit in telling the story.

“My, my. A demon who manipulates summoning magic is already quite unusual, but Blazing Heat and Dancing Sword…”

“Unusual… Is that so?”

“Those fellows tend to be overly focused on their own power.”

…Yeah, that might be true. While Linette didn’t possess miasma characteristics… the hole she left behind might be unexpectedly significant for demons.

“Blazing Heat, with its intense heat, made approaching impossible even if you blocked the miasma, and I hear he was a master swordsman even without using heat.”

“Dancing Sword too. They say he sent out countless swords and cut down the subjugation team without moving a single step.”

“To think you managed to defeat such beings… We had thought that to defeat high-ranking demons, you could only create situations where they couldn’t escape with barriers and fight them with numbers, taking turns to wear them down.”

“Indeed. To deploy multiple barriers against heat, and shield deployment in all directions… and still manage to fight. It seems your ability in magical power control is on a completely different dimension from ours.”

The elders nodded as if convinced.

“We’ve also heard you defeated the Corrosion Princess… Are there others?”

“After Dancing Sword came Black Bones.”

When Sheila said this, the elders’ faces stiffened.

“Black… Bones!?”

“Gardinis of the Black Skull! You actually defeated him!?”

What was this? Their reaction seemed slightly different from when we mentioned Blazing Heat and Dancing Sword.

“Yes. He seemed to be the founder of the Duoveris Cult. Is there something about that demon?”

“Something? He’s the direct enemy of our ancestors! This is a great achievement!”

“…I didn’t know that.”

Indeed… he seemed to have combat experience with battle mages and knew how to deal with them. He also spoke as if he had confident information about the loss of teleportation magic… So he had direct karma with the seven families.

“The one who fought him was the head of the Burgmüller family at the time, I believe.”

“Indeed. When retreating from Beriondora, he served as rear guard to let the people escape. There, together with the white wyvern Boldonov, he stopped the pursuit of the Black Skull.”

“So you’ve avenged my ancestor’s enemy!”

The current head of the Burgmüller family said this while patting my shoulder with a beaming smile.

“I’d very much like to hear about your battle with the Black Skull.”

“Well then. First – it started when the Duoveris Cult launched an attack.”

“Ah– So you stole techniques during your fight with him.”

“It’s like a striking method that transmits impact through magic shields and such.”

Saying this, I created a block of ice and delivered a light impact strike through a shield. Then fine cracks appeared in the ice block.

“Oh…”

“This is fascinating.”

The elders looked at the ice block I created with curious expressions.

“…This would be terrifying technology if used by an enemy.”

“No wonder the Black Skull was notorious as a magician killer.”

Valentina, who had returned after packing her bag, and Charlotte nodded in agreement.

“–Well, that was an interesting story.”

“But what concerns me are the words Gardinis left behind.”

“‘The first one as an ancient demon.’ That ‘youngster’ part is concerning.”

“Perhaps their leader? I hear the Black Skull was fixated on his achievements. For such a demon to mention someone alongside ancient demons… They can’t be ordinary.”

A demon that Gardinis considered worthy of comparison.

“…We should probably assume they’re at least equal to Gardinis, or possibly superior.”

“We don’t know their identity, but if they’re that significant, might there be some record somewhere?”

Grace, who had been thinking, said this. Rosemary, hiding her mouth with a feather fan, nodded in agreement.

“Since he particularly emphasized ‘youngster,’ perhaps we should also investigate damage caused by relatively new demons.”

“They might be mixed in there. If we trace from there… we might be able to figure something out.”

At Ashley’s words, Claudia closed her eyes.

“That’s true. High-ranking demons tend to intentionally spread their infamy. But a ‘youngster’ according to a veteran demon… the range is ambiguous.”

“Then let’s investigate that as well.”

The elders nodded. Regarding recent demon information, I should probably ask King Melvin about it when we return to Termwills. He might have information from neighboring countries too.