Book Eater

Chapter 352: Overload (2)

- Well, there is nothing to say except that the opponent was too lousy. Simon Magus is a monster that even the?6th?stage Pride would lose to. Prometheus’ Sloth wouldn’t be a big deal.

Not a big deal?

- Originally, Sloth would’ve expanded infinitely if it wasn’t for the Cage of Chronos. But Prometheus tricked it into accepting him as a contractor and restricted its expansion, keeping it at the center of this swamp. Moreover, in the end, he released his power to act as a spear and shield at the same time.

It had brought out four transcendents as a last hurrah, but fortunately, Theo and the others had the power to stop it. In the end, Sloth couldn’t flee or fight and was struck by Simon Magus’ Dimensional Banish. There was no way to escape, even for one of the Seven Sins.

“―It seems my job is over,” Simon Magus stated.

Theo, who was surprised by the unintentional checkmate, stared blankly at him.

Theo faced Simon Magus head on. “T-Thank you for the good work.”

“Stop the silly greetings. I might be pretending to be human, but Simon Magus is just a piece of junk left behind in the grimoire,” Simon spoke coldly. “Slightly less dumb guy, I don’t think you’re smart enough to understand me, but I will leave you with a few more words.”

Theo hadn’t understood at first, but he now realized how important Simon’s advice was. So, he immediately focused as Simon spoke.

“Since you contracted that damn tongue, there will come a day where you’ll reach a crossroads.”

Theo frowned. “What...”

“Shut up and listen. The 8th Circle is the limit of a mortal, but what then is the limit of the 9th Circle? What wall will block you?”

It wasn’t a question that a Theo who had just awakened his abilities could answer. Rather, Simon Magus didn’t seem to expect an answer in the first place, and opened his mouth. However, nothing came out of his mouth. Simon noticed it himself and glared at Theo’s left hand.

“You.”

- I won’t allow you to say anymore, Simon Magus.

“Hah, what will you do? Will you delete my soul? Or lock me like last time?”

- I promise that it won’t be as good an experience as you think.

The atmosphere suddenly became ugly, and Theo watched the confrontation between the two with wide eyes. So far, he had called dozens of magicians using Gluttony, but this was the first time he had seen a hostile interaction like this. It was like they knew each other. It seemed that Simon Magus wanted to give Theo a few clues, but Gluttony wouldn’t allow it. However, victory and defeat had already been determined from the beginning.

“Tsk, I’ll drop it. I will go back and sleep like a dead person.” Simon Magus might have been a transcendent in his life, but he was currently just a soul fragment captured by Gluttony. Despite receiving better treatment than other souls, he couldn’t resist the grimoire that he was bound to.

At least, he couldn’t do anything alone.

“... You too, you’re speaking like that,” the words had escaped from Theo’s mouth without him realizing. Simon Magus couldn’t help turning to him in response.

Theo didn’t miss this moment and asked quickly, “Can I know why?”

“Well, you heard it. You aren’t stupid anymore.” Simon Magus smiled for the first time. Perhaps Theo’s direct question had triggered something. “Yes, your guess is accurate. I was one of the magicians who had a contract with Gluttony. Unlike you, I was a genius who reached the 9th Circle on my own. But I guess I am a loser now.”

Theo inhaled sharply. Gluttony had existed for many years and contracted with magicians before. Furthermore, 9th Circle magicians had been much more common in the Age of Mythology. But Simon Magus would certainly be qualified as the strongest among them. The word loser was a bit jarring, but Theo’s thoughts were interrupted.

“I know there’s more that you want to ask. But that damn tongue is restraining me, so I can’t talk about it. Dig into it with your own power.”

“Yes,” Theo expressed his gratitude to the senior who led him to a higher level, “Senior, thank you for teaching me.”

“...” Simon Magus’ grim expression transformed to a laugh. “Your personality is still the same despite awakening your powers? Indeed, I know why Prometheus picked you.”

“Huh? What does that...?”

“I can’t say. Listen to the rest from those who are coming soon. I will return now,” Simon’s body scattered moments after he finished speaking.

The peak magician of the Age of Mythology; his actions were as fierce as his tongue. Any disciples he had would have been very troubled. Theo couldn’t help laughing at the thought.

***

“And that’s all that happened.”

Theo gave a short description to the three dragons who returned.

It wasn’t an easy fight.

The dragon lord was fine, but the two dragons were in bad shape. Brasmati had lost an eye and one arm, while Erucus was covered with injuries that cut down to the bone. They used to have a presence that dominated the area, but now it seemed much weaker. It almost felt like Theo could beat both of them.

[I understand. You did well, Theodore Miller. I am deeply grateful as a representative of the dragons,]

Clipeus bowed gratefully.

Theo demurred as much as he could. “It’s nothing. I just did what I was supposed to do.”

[Though it may seem forced to you, the value of your actions are still unchanged. It won’t be a big problem if I hand over my baton to you.]

“Huh?”

Was it fashionable to talk like people from the old days? First, it was Simon Magus and Gluttony, and now, this gold dragon was also difficult to understand. As a distorted view was built up in Theo’s head, Clipeus spoke with an embarrassed expression.

[It is a story you will come to know in time. Someday when you get the key to the material world, I hope you will lead it in the right direction.]

“I don’t understand it at all, but okay.” Theo nodded.

The dragon lord guilelessly switched topics.

[Ah, can you give me your hand once before you go? It won’t take long.]

Theo was befuddled. “My hand?”

[Yes.]

It was a strange request, but Theo didn’t hesitate to hold out his right hand. There was no reason for Clipeus to attack him. His super sensitivity which had evolved to a higher level was also quiet.

[In the name of Clipeus,]

The golden dragon placed their palm lightly on the back of Theo’s hand and invoking its power,

[As infinite gratitude to the benefactor of this world, I will make him the successor to an old but great mission.]

This...!

Theo was very bewildered, but he didn’t pull his hand back. Then something that existed in Clipeus’ body had moved to his hand and was mixing with his magic power. A golden pattern glowed on Theo’s right hand.

Clipeus released heo’s hand and smiled in a manner that was less sparkly than before.

[I have handed it over.]

Theo’s voice was subdued, and he replied hoarsely, “... The burden is heavy.”

[The order of the material world will be led by the human race in the future. Only you qualify for that role, Theodore Miller, humanity’s last transcendent.]

Clipeus, the dragon lord, had handed him more than half of the control authority of the material world. He could now drag out all of the existing resources and even temporarily reverse some natural laws. As Theo grasped his new abilities, he was thrilled to realize just how powerful the child before him was.

Oh, my god. This strength is god-level, and it is possible to reverse the entire gravity of this star...

As Gluttony had said, Clipeus was literally the final weapon of this material world. They would be the absolute destruction of any enemies of this world. The dragon lord, who had been born for this purpose from beginning to end, forsook the reason for their existence.

Theo had no choice but to answer, “I will do my best.”

Fortunately, Clipeus grinned at the answer. They turned to the half-resigned dragons.

[Now, let’s disband. In the future, it will be a world where we aren’t needed. So, let’s try to live our own way.]

“... I understand, Lord,” Brasmati said bitterly.

Meanwhile, Erucus sounded like the sage of the forest, “It’s time for the leaves that have played their role to scatter, haha.”

Aquilo was still unsure of the situation and alternated between looking at them both.

[Aquilo.]

“Ah, yes! Did you call, Lord?”

[Do you plan to follow him?]

There was a moment of hesitation at the unexpected question before Aquilo nodded with a determined expression. She had been called to the swamp by the lord. Otherwise, she would have enjoyed playing around Theo.

“Yes, if the boy will allow it.”

[Umm...]

Clipeus made a strange sound and smiled.

[Okay, be well.]

Aquilo was very confused. “Huh...? U-Understood.”

[The fate of our species hangs on you.]

Aquilo muttered, “Why have my shoulders suddenly become so heavy?”

Meanwhile, Clipeus turned to Theo and invoked their dragon power.

Flash!

It was a space transfer that was fundamentally different from magic. The light disappeared, and no one was left in its place.

Aquilo looked around uncertainly. “W-What happened? Boy, do you have any guesses?”

Theo was equally in the dark. “I don’t know.”

Aquilo had a rare look of panic on her face. “Why does the fate of my species hang on me?”

Titania and Randolph couldn’t help laughing as Aquilo glared at them. It was a skit that couldn’t be found anywhere else in the continent. After all, there was no place on the continent that had a sword master, a high elf, and a dragon all together.

Is it time to return?

The disturbance in the southern swamp was now somehow settled, and Theo had no reason to investigate anymore after reaching the 9th Circle. So he decided to return to Meltor. Aquilo was still grumbling while the other two sprinkled potions on their wounds.

“Don’t move,” Theo said.

He had never tried this before and never thought it would be possible. Orta would never have even imagined jumping from the swamp in the southernmost part of the continent to Manavil in the middle of the north. Yet, a giant magic circle had now appeared at their feet.

I can do it.?

Theo was confident. It didn’t seem hard. He turned his palm over and felt the almighty feeling of the world moving according to his will. The circle below him connected to the magic circle in the underground laboratory in Manavil. The distance was more than a thousand kilometers and protected by several layers of magic, but the connection was easy.

「 Open. 」

ABRACADABRA (It will be done as you say).

Flash!

... And it was done.