BXBX NOVEL Chapter 97 – The Envoy of the Lutein Kingdom (3)
Chapter 97 – The Envoy of the Lutein Kingdom (3)
‘To subdue Maximus so effortlessly—just what level of mastery is that?’
The conclusion was immediate.
‘Top-tier superhuman.’
Anyone who had reached that level would likely be able to overpower Maximus as Ketal did. Even within the realm of superhumans, the difference was like night and day.
‘Heroic level… that’s uncertain.’
The compatibility between Maximus and Ketal was terrible.
Maximus’ attacks were based on physical force.
This barbarian had even toppled the Demon of Gravitas.
While Elene thought Ketal would be disadvantaged due to their elemental matchup, the opposite was true.
Based on the strength Ketal had displayed so far, he wasn’t at the heroic class.
But surely, Ketal hadn’t shown everything he had.
‘What if it had been me?’
What if he had fought Ketal?
Previously, he lost.
But that was against his puppet.
Compared to his true form, the puppet had the speed of a slug and a minuscule amount of mana.
The Tower Master pondered.
‘I wouldn’t lose.’
The barbarian’s weakness was clear.
He couldn’t break through mysteries.
He was deceived by a simple illusion spell cast by Adamanth, unable to locate the real body.
He was the Tower Master.
If he set his mind to it, the barbarian wouldn’t even be able to approach his true form.
So, could he defeat the barbarian?
‘…I don’t know.’
It was uncertain.
Ketal’s body was a mystery in itself.
He could catch aura with his teeth and withstand Adamanth’s magic with his bare body.
Though his magic was perhaps embarrassingly inferior to theirs, he still couldn’t imagine that body being injured.
‘How fascinating.’
For the Tower Master to be unable to envision his own victory—that intrigued him about the limits of this barbarian.
“By the way.”
As the Tower Master continued his musings, Ketal turned his gaze toward him.
“Sorry for mistaking you for Patrick. It was rude of me.”
[He must be quite similar. From what I hear, he was an ordinary human. How could he be confused with a fleshless skeleton like me?]
“He was truly similar.”
His movements were perfectly identical to Patrick’s.
Yet, it was astonishing that he was someone else.
If this weren’t a fantasy world, he would’ve believed him to be Patrick until the end.
‘Truly, there are all sorts of things.’
Ketal, who had been lightly pondering, lit up.
Due to various problems, he hadn’t been able to focus on it, but in front of him stood the Tower Master.
A true mage.
One who had reached the pinnacle of his craft.
This was the first time Ketal had the leisure to converse with such a mage.
Containing his excitement, he asked,
“May I ask you a question?”
[What is it?]
“I want to wield magic. Is there any particular restriction on using magic?”
[Magic?]
A barbarian already strong enough as him seeking to learn magic?
The Tower Master looked at Ketal with a puzzled expression.
But upon seeing his face, he understood.
‘This barbarian follows his curiosity.’
[It should be possible. The issue lies in grasping the mystery. Once you find the direction, anyone can learn magic.]
The difference lay in the level.
Some people could only manage basic detection spells after a lifetime of effort, while others could use teleportation within a few months.
The start wasn’t that difficult.
Having explained this, the Tower Master quietly asked,
[From your words, it seems you have an interest in magic. If you grasp the mystery, will you abandon aura and use magic?]
“Can’t I choose both?”
[Both?]
The Tower Master showed a puzzled expression.
[It is possible, but.]
“Is it really possible?”
Ketal’s face lit up.
The Tower Master shook his head.
[It’s not a good choice. The ways of handling mysteries are too different, which can cause conflicts. You won’t be able to master either.]
“There’s no such thing as a Magic Swordsman, then.”
[A Magic Swordsman? What’s that?]
The Tower Master looked puzzled by the term itself.
Ketal roughly explained the concept of a Magic Swordsman.
A Magic Swordsman who uses both magic and swordsmanship.
Though often seen in fiction, evaluations were mixed.
Some praised them as versatile and without weaknesses, while others criticized them as being mediocre in both aspects.
How would it be in this world?
The mage chuckled.
[Even delving deeply into one is hard enough to master the mysteries, let alone both.]
“As expected.”
In real fantasy, it was the latter.
Having gathered the information, Ketal smiled contentedly.
[It would be better to focus on learning magic rather than becoming a jack-of-all-trades.]
The Tower Master subtly suggested.
Ketal shook his head.
“I would like to, but unfortunately, my body cannot sense the mysteries.”
[…Cannot sense the mysteries?]
“Indeed. It’s unfortunate.”
The Tower Master quickly processed Ketal’s words.
‘A body that cannot sense the mysteries. Is this a characteristic of the White Snowfield? A restriction of a body that blocks the mysteries?’
He concentrated on each of Ketal’s words.
This was a valuable opportunity to gain information about the White Snowfield.
Ketal, as if remembering something, asked,
“By the way, there’s something I’d like to ask you. Do you know what this is?”
Ketal took out a translucent gray cube from his pocket and handed it over.
The flame in the Lich’s pupils flickered for a moment as he received the cube.
[…Where did you find this?]
“I got it from a dungeon.”
Ketal replied nonchalantly.
The Tower Master could tell that this was a lie.
Because this cube was an artifact he was familiar with.
After defeating Karthos, he had retrieved most of the artifacts Karthos possessed, but this cube had not been among them.
He had wondered where it had gone, and it seemed Karthos had kept it even after becoming a Lich.
‘…This barbarian defeated the Lich Karthos.’
He must have secretly taken it during that process.
Suppressing a sudden chuckle, the Tower Master spoke.
[This is an ancient artifact that once belonged to the empire, long ago.]
“Oh, so you know about it. What does it do?”
[Its effect is quite simple. This cube can store mana by itself.]
“Isn’t that true of other artifacts as well?”
[Other artifacts have mana in a fixed form. It cannot be used for different purposes.]
For instance, the artifact pouch Ketal possessed also contained mana.
However, that mana was only used to expand space.
It couldn’t be used for other purposes.
In contrast, this cube was special.
[With the mana stored in this cube, you can use magic.]
“…What?”
Ketal’s eyes widened.
The Tower Master confirmed his thought.
[It means that even you, who cannot sense the mysteries, can use magic if you handle the cube.]
“Is, is that really true?”
[There’s no reason to lie.]
“Oh, ohhhh.”
Ketal trembled with emotion.
Great magic.
To think he had an artifact that allowed him to use it from the beginning.
What an incredible stroke of luck.
“How do I handle it?”
Ketal asked urgently.
He wanted to use magic immediately.
But the Tower Master shook his head.
[It’s not that simple. You need to learn the basic methods of using artifacts, and how to infuse mana into it. Currently, it’s empty. You can’t use it in this state.]
“I, I see….”
[Visit the Tower later, and I will teach you how to use it.]
The Tower Master handed the cube back to Ketal.
He wanted to take it, but he couldn’t, given the opponent was this barbarian.
Ketal smiled and stowed the cube away.
“Thank you. I will definitely come.”
He now had a very strong reason to visit the Tower.
The Tower Master spoke.
[You seem interested. Do you have any other questions about magic? If so, I can answer them.]
“Oh, is that possible?”
[There’s time to spare. It’s a rule to teach those who wish to learn.]
“That’s very kind of you.”
Ketal smiled broadly.
The Tower Master was unexpectedly kind.
‘Well, not all strong people have to have bad personalities.’
It was just a prejudice, Ketal thought.
Of course, the Tower Master wasn’t that kind by nature.
He was actually known for his bad temper among his disciples, as well as with Cain and Barbosa.
But his opponent was a barbarian from the White Snowfield.
A being friendly to humans despite being different, the Tower Master had no choice but to be kind.
‘I’m doing something out of character.’
The Tower Master grumbled inwardly, but outwardly, he explained as kindly as possible.
* * *
Time passed.
Ketal was enjoying himself. It was a meaningful time where he could learn about the basic methods of magic and types of introductory magic from the Tower Master.
And a day later.
Envoys from the Lutein Kingdom arrived.
In preparation, everyone in the royal palace, except for the minimal necessary attendants, had been given leave under the pretense of a holiday.
They were puzzled but delighted at the rare vacation.
For those who remained, the Tower Master created a barrier.
And the doors of the audience hall opened.
A young man entered.
He flinched upon seeing Ketal but soon bowed to carry out his duty.
“Envoy of the Lutein Kingdom, Robros Gemaine, greets Barbosa Denian.”
“Raise your head.”
At Barbosa’s words, Robros lifted his head.
“You seem quite displeased.”
“…How could I not be?”
Robros frowned slightly.
“You refused all our requests to send the princess back. And now, suddenly, you allow the envoy’s visit. The Lutein Kingdom is very confused.”
“I’m sorry about that. But I couldn’t force her to go back when she didn’t truly want to,”
Barbosa replied.
“…Princess.”
“Hello, Robros,”
Elene said calmly.
Robros sighed deeply.
“His Majesty is looking for you, Princess. The Queen is in tears as well.”
Robros looked at Elene with a gaze full of concern.
“Please stop running away and return home. His Majesty and the Queen are willing to grant whatever you desire.”
“I refuse, take Farman with you. But Aaron and I have no intention of returning.”
“Why? What are you so dissatisfied with?”
Robros asked, his frustration evident.
“Didn’t you hear from Adamant and the Green-Blue Knights?”
Robros’ face twisted in frustration.
“Do you truly believe that? That we are not human?”
He sighed deeply, looking at Barbosa with an exasperated expression.
“Barbosa, you are a reasonable man, aren’t you?”
“I am. Which is why I didn’t send her back with you.”
“Do you also believe the princess’s delusions?”
[She’s not the only one. I believe it too.]
A skeleton appeared, causing Robros’ eyes to widen.
“T-Tower Master! Why are you here…?”
[It was such an interesting story that I couldn’t resist.]
The Tower Master chuckled. Robros cried out in disbelief.
“Tower Master, do you also believe we’re not human? Do you believe the princess’s delusions?”
[I wish it were a lie, but unfortunately, I can’t say that.]
“Nonsense! We are human! Barbosa, you can verify this, can’t you?”
“That’s true.”
“Then am I human or not? You should be able to confirm this!”
“Well….”
Barbosa had an uncertain expression.
He had been informed that Robros was human.
Meeting directly with the envoy from the Lutein Kingdom was not the issue.
But from this point, a problem arose.
They genuinely believed they were human.
Even if he wanted to communicate with Nanos, there was no way to do so.
Barbosa looked at the Tower Master, who chuckled.
[Even I can’t force their true nature to reveal itself. We agreed this was a sort of gamble, didn’t we?]
“I thought pressing them would reveal their true nature. It’s not going as smoothly as expected,” Barbosa admitted.
[That’s life. I can’t expose their true identity either.]
We don’t know what they desire, if they can communicate, or even if they have a self-awareness.
[However… I do know of someone who might be able to.]
The empty flames in his eye sockets turned to Ketal.
“Me? I can do it?”
[Elene mentioned that you saw their emotions, didn’t you?]
“Well, yes, but I’m not certain. Does it matter?”
[It doesn’t matter.]
“In that case…”
Ketal approached Robros, who recoiled in fear.
His eyes were filled with terror.
What would it take to draw out the hidden consciousness of the Nano?
“You did not know the fear of death, because you don’t die.”
In any situation, they wouldn’t reveal themselves.
But there was one time when they did show emotion to Ketal.
When he clenched his fist and killed part of the Nano.
The ones who didn’t know death finally understood it.
At that moment, emotions flowed from Adamanth’s entire body, from the clothes he wore to the staff he held.
“In extreme situations, everyone takes off their masks and shows their true nature.”
“What are you talking about?”
“So…”
I will kill you.
“Uh.”
“Ah.”
At that moment, Barbosa and Elene’s faces turned pale.
Their bodies trembled. Aaron, losing strength, unknowingly sat down.
[Calm down.]
The Tower Master waved his hand, lessening the pressure on them.
“Th-thank you.”
[Just the simple killing intent, without any mystic power, is enough to exert physical influence.]
All of Ketal’s killing intent was focused on Robros.
Only a small portion of it spilled out.
It was just the aftermath, but even that was enough to exert an overwhelming pressure that could break the mind of an ordinary person if exposed for long.
Is this really possible?
Even as he witnessed it, the Tower Master couldn’t believe it.
“Ugh, ah.”
Robros’ face turned pale.
He struggled to breathe, his body visibly distorting.
“Ugh, aaaah….”
Finally, his body collapsed.
Not metaphorically, but literally.
The human form fell to the ground.
And slowly, it revealed its true appearance.
Barbosa widened his eyes, and Elene’s face contorted.
The Tower Master let out a dry laugh.
“Oh ho.”
Ketal laughed.
“So this is your true nature. How interesting.”
[Human…]
A voice echoed.
It was Robros’ voice, but the entity could no longer be called Robros.
[What is the meaning of this?]
A dark figure with a human shape stood there.