The Book Eating Magician - chapter-120

Kurt III had taken the throne with the support of all the magic towers,
led by the great magician Blundell. When Kurt III was crowned, he had
been but a puppet king of the Magic Society in many ways. He had been
merely 20 when he reached the throne of the magic kingdom and jumped
directly onto the battlefield against the Andras Empire.

After decades of washing away blood, the boy king had grown into a king
with sober eyes. He used strong soldiers and a system of reward and
punishment. His rule absolutely adhered to these two principles, and the
kingdom had now reached its greatest heyday since its founding.

He was a ruler who stuck to these principles but didn’t forget to
understand the ecology of magicians and that he could be flexible. This
was the ideal ruler for the current Meltor Kingdom, Kurt III.

Theodore had grown up knowing about Kurt III’s achievements.

‘If they persuade him with proper logic and rationales, he will listen
to the words of a person below him.’

Then the problems which Theodore needed to solve was narrowed down to
one. The question wasn’t how to persuade the king, but how to talk to
the king alone. Theodore had some accomplishments which raised his
status, but it was still difficult to meet the king personally. It was
only possible for the tower masters and the top nobles of the kingdom.

However, his worries were for nothing as shortly thereafter, Kurt III
asked Theodore to join him for dinner.

“Theodore, it is time.”

It was a place where other nobles or servants wouldn’t be present, so
confidential matters could be discussed. Theodore, who wanted to avoid
the attention of others as much as possible, accepted the invitation
without hesitation. He had no idea that things would be resolved so
easily.

Thanks to that, he opened the door with a much lighter heart.

“Yes, I’ll go straight away.”

The middle-aged man waiting for Theo was the one who had delivered Kurt
III’s invitation. The royal chamberlain, Douglas, was a person who had
risen from being a commoner to being the closest to the king. He was
unusual as he gave off an impression that made people comfortable.

“I will guide you there. Ah, if your body feels uncomfortable…”

“It’s okay.”

“Then we will proceed as scheduled. Follow me please.”

Theo was a young man of a lower standing, but Douglas’ attitude
didn’t shake at all. He didn’t care if Theo was a hero or young.
Douglas just served with an attitude that didn’t mix in any personal
feelings. This faithfulness to his duties was probably what had caught
Kurt III’s eyes.

In any case, all the preparations were over.

“His Majesty is waiting inside.”

Douglas stopped in front of a gorgeously lavish guarded door. The
patterns symbolizing the magic towers were harmoniously intertwined with
the patterns symbolizing the royal family.

It meant that neither side was above or below the other and that they
were both the pillars of the Meltor Kingdom. These patterns might be
sensitive to some authoritarian nobles, but it made independent magicians
feel a strong sense of belonging.

Beyond this, the man standing at the top of the Meltor Kingdom was
waiting.

‘…Let’s go.’ Theodore placed his hand on the lavish door without
shrinking back from nerves.

Was there weight reduction magic on the door? Compared to the weight
he’d expected, the door under his palm was much lighter. It was huge,
but he had no problem pushing open the door.

The scene beyond the door unfolded silently.

“Eek.”

Theodore forgot all the words he planned in advance.

* * *

Theodore had no idea how the situation had flowed into this direction.

It was good that he had achieved his purpose of meeting Kurt III in
isolation. The meeting place was also quite good. It was a restaurant in
the palace where no one could eavesdrop—the chamberlain’s restaurant.

However, he never thought there would be such a variable.

“Now, ahh—” Veronica placed a big chunk of meat on her fork and
extended it to Theodore’s mouth.

It was a well-known action used by parents for their children… or
between lovers. It wasn’t to be used at a royal restaurant, right in
front of the king’s watchful eye.

“T-Tower Master.”

“What, do you dislike me feeding you?”

“That isn’t…”

The dour expression placed a high pressure on him, making it hard to turn
her down. Theo eventually ate the meat that Veronica gave him while
feeling like a child. A place for a serious conversation had turned into
this.

Fortunately, Kurt III interrupted the interesting exchange between the
two of them. “Haha, this is the first time I’ve seen this. Veronica
doesn’t take care of anyone, so she must be quite taken with you
Theodore.”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“Don’t be shy. I called this tomboy here for you to relax, so please
do so.”

So, the culprit was the king. This caused Theo to sneak glances at him.
Even Veronica didn’t dare interrupt the king’s meal without
permission. This meant that she had been given permission in advance or
that she’d been invited.

Well, Kurt III seemed to have invited her because he thought Theo would
be nervous if it were just him. In a sense, it was a small consideration,
but it turned out this way.

Theo sighed deeply, looking like a person who didn’t get a good
night’s sleep.

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

Additionally, there was a chance that Veronica would side with him.

The situation was different from what he’d expected beforehand, but it
didn’t change what he needed to do. He conversed with the two of them
while waiting for the right time to bring out the topic.

‘I don’t know if it’ll be more appropriate to talk about it after a
few dishes and drinks…’

They talked about what had happened in Elvenheim. Theo described the
five, out of six, high elves he’d met. He also mentioned the power of a
guardian’s arrow.

During the description of the close battle with Laevateinn, the thirsty
Veronica and Kurt III often emptied and refilled their drinks. One person
was a ruler of a country, while the other was too strong to go on
adventures. Therefore, they felt satisfied hearing his stories.

By the time Theo’s eventful tale stopped, the desserts and tea were
brought out.

Kurt III exhaled and muttered in a weak voice, “…How great. I also
want to live like you.”

“I am undeserving of those words.”

“It is a good thing that I issued you the national treasure. Someone
might say that I had a vision, but it was just luck. This is why the king
shouldn’t be stingy.” Kurt III took another gulp of alcohol and
placed his empty glass on the table.

The king had already gone through a few bottles with Veronica, but his
purple eyes weren’t shaken at all. His expression was as attentive as
always as he asked Theo, “So, what do you wish for now?”

“…!?”

“Don’t say there is nothing. At the very least, you must be thinking
about something inwardly. I’ve listened to your story happily, but that
isn’t the point of this dinner.”

Theodore bowed his head as he struggled not to reveal the astonishment on
his face. He was worried about showing a disgraceful expression in front
of the king. Kurt III had a friendly presence, but Theo was still below
him. This was the man who had brought Meltor to its golden age. Theo’s
ignorance about this area gave him a weakness.

Fortunately, he managed to maintain his composure due to training his
mental power steadily after absorbing Umbra.

“…I’ll be honest.” It meant nothing to avoid it now. Theo
realized this fact and opened his mouth to explain.

Regardless of who spoke first, the hierarchy here didn’t change. Right
now, although he was a hero and worshipped in this country, he still had
to ask for his wish in a respectful way.

After his words, the faces of the two people stiffened slightly.

Veronica didn’t say anything, while Kurt III asked with a puzzled
expression on his face, “Leave? At this time?”

Looking at Theodore Miller’s life, this was the most effective time to
raise his status. He had the biggest merit in the Elvenheim mission. Theo
was a hero who had embarrassed the Andras Empire and elevated the
kingdom’s status. If Theodore captured this opportunity correctly, he
could become a marquis or an earl. No, he could get away from the
nobility and receive the treatment of an elder in the Magic Society.

Kurt continued in a voice which showed his lack of understanding, “You
made a big achievement with the book you took from the Zero Library last
time. It is now a completed version of ‘Battle Song,’ and Meltor’s
military power has increased by nearly 10% thanks to that.”

It was a feat which had raised Theodore up to the Superior rank in the
shortest period of time. Nobody cared even about the excuse he’d made
that the original book had been damaged in the process.

Theodore’s existence was like a good luck charm for the Meltor Kingdom.
The royal family and nobles increased their favorability toward Theo and
would give him rewards.

“So, I will give you the right to take another book from the Zero
Library.”

“……”

“It isn’t just one book. As a Prime, you have the right to freely
rent any books in there. Isn’t it much more efficient to train in such
a rich environment?”

“…Your Majesty.” Theo understood Kurt III’s feelings.

From the standpoint of his country, Kurt III couldn’t let Theo go so
easily.

The king wasn’t concerned about betrayal. However, Theo was confirmed
to be a tower master candidate by Veronica and was a national guest of
Elvenheim. So, it was uncomfortable to place such excellent timber
outside his field of view. The king was also worried about the empire,
who would be furious after this incident.

However, Theodore didn’t bend in his wish. “Your Majesty, please
understand my heart.”

“You…”

“Additionally, I’ve already got a clue about the 6th Circle. I
realized that the experience I gained from the mission is the foundation
for it, and it is different from wrestling with ink in my room.”

Theo raised his head and confronted Kurt III’s grim gaze. There
wasn’t any killing intent or fighting spirit in Theo’s eyes, but it
made the person facing him feel a strong will. A heavy expression
appeared on Kurt III’s face as he turned toward Veronica, who had been
struggling for a while.

The moment that Theodore’s expression was darkening…

“-Hoo, I don’t know,” Kurt III muttered.

All of a sudden, something flew toward Theo.

Tak.

The item which came from Kurt III was caught by Theo. It was a heavy
metal, but it was thin and filled with magic power. This bracelet, bare
of any decorations, was an accessory the king had worn.

Before Theodore could ask what it was, Kurt muttered in a low voice,
“It is a self-defense artifact made by the Yellow Tower Master. I
don’t know if it will help you, but it is better than nothing.”

“Y-Your Majesty.”

“As soon as you leave this room, you will be struck with inspiration
and won’t leave your laboratory for a few months. It isn’t an
uncommon phenomenon. Isn’t that right?”

“…Yes, that’s right,” Theo agreed, noticing the meaning behind
the king’s words.

Theodore Miller was too famous. If he left the kingdom without thinking,
he would have to pay attention to assassins and spies.

So, he should cover up his tracks. Using the fact that magicians were
often shut up in a room while involved in research, they would make it
seem like Theo was still in Meltor. It wasn’t a perfect camouflage, but
it would buy him some time.

In other words, it was the same as allowing Theodore to leave.

After making the drastic decision, Kurt touched his left forearm a few
times. Then he turned toward Theo and said, “Then it is time for you to
go. There is a lot of preparation needed to stay in a room for a few
months.”

“…Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty,” Theo replied in a
small, trembling voice before leaving.

The benefits which Kurt III mentioned were privileges that hardly anyone
else enjoyed. Theo could rent books from the Zero Library freely, and he
would be treated as an elder. It was a huge kindness that the king had
granted Theo’s request.

Theo’s heart was beating wildly, and a strange heat spread from it.

He now understood why so many people praised the cold Kurt III.

* * *

After Theodore left the room, Kurt III and Veronica were silent. They
sipped their bitter tea and swallowed it. Then they bit and swallowed
their sweet dessert. This process was repeated again and again until
someone opened their mouth.

“…It is surprising.”

“Huh?” Veronica looked at Kurt with confusion.

“I thought you would say that you want to follow him. It is rare for
the Red Tower Master to do any work directly. I was going to allow it if
you grabbed my collar and shook me.”

The Blue Tower Master and Red Tower Master… It would be painful for one
of the two pillars of the Meltor Kingdom to leave for a short time, but
that was how valuable Theodore Miller was.

Theo was a magician who seemed blessed by the heavens. He had become
stronger at a faster rate than anybody else, leaving behind achievements
which were usually seen in the old stories. Theo was a youth who was
following the footsteps of a ‘hero.’

Veronica looked down with a strange expression. “Umm, I wanted to
follow him too.”

“But?”

“I was going to go with him when I was struck with a thought. I don’t
want to deal with him at this age.”

This time, Kurt III was the one who made a strange expression. “Was
there an incident?”

“I thought he would catch up with me in 10 years, but it now seems more
like 5 years.” As she said so, she licked her dry lips lightly. The
sight of the red tongue moving smoothly could shake the heart of any man.

Even though it was only a quarter, she was the great magician who had
inherited the lineage of a red dragon. The desires and passion running
through her blood could never be compared to men and women of the human
species. It was the fate of every generation of draconians to ignite
desire in both men and women.

Veronica’s instincts, inherited from her blood, were thrilled.

“…Perhaps I won’t be able to call him a kid anymore.”

Her heart beat violently as she looked at the door through which Theo had
left.