The Book Eating Magician - chapter-146

“Look, I’m right,” Randolph spoke grumpily while wearing a mithril
alloy breastplate, gauntlets, and leggings, and carrying his falchions.
He was fully armed as they were facing an opponent who the death knight
couldn’t even compare to.

“First a warlock and now a dragon… When I’m with Young Master, I
can meet all types of existences.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. As I said before, this is my choice,
and I’ve always wanted to see a dragon at least once.”

Randolph grinned and shook his head at Theodore’s apology. For a
warrior, facing death always raised a master’s level. A person who
turned away from it wasn’t qualified to be a master.

Three days had passed, and it was time to visit Aquilo. The duo
desperately prepared countermeasures. They armed themselves with the
highest level of equipment on the island, as well as magic scrolls and
consumables.

However, Theodore’s brilliant mind was well aware of the odds.

‘Even if we fight 10 times, it would be lucky if we won once.’

Despite everything the two people had done, their odds of victory
didn’t exceed 1%. Gluttony had given him information about ‘Dragon
Words’ and prepared a secret destruction word, but there was no
guarantee it would work properly.

If possible, it was best not to fight. Theodore realized this again and
gulped.

“Well, don’t be too nervous.” At that moment, Randolph knocked on
his shoulder and said, “Isn’t a dragon famous for its fickleness?
There is no point worrying about things with no answers. So, just think
about it after we meet her.”

“…Surprisingly, you can sometimes say good words.”

“What are you saying?!” Randolph, who had given him good advice,
raised his voice.

On the other hand, Theodore suppressed his anxieties. The vicious being
had an ‘unpredictable’ nature, so it was impossible to guess her
actions. He had been preparing for the last three days, and now, he would
have to face her head on.

Theodore opened his mouth with a faint smile. “Then let’s try it
once.”

Randolph laughed at his aggressive words. “Okay, let’s go!”

With more intense speculation and determination than ever, the two men
left the inn.

* * *

The Sea God Festival.

It was a festival held once a year on the Pirate Archipelago. Even the
rulers who separated the islands into four zones didn’t dare set a
schedule, and Theodore quickly guessed the reason.

‘It is probably on Aquilo’s whim.’

The four rulers were all a smokescreen. The true owner of the Pirate
Archipelago was Sea Dragon Aquilo, and the four rulers were peasants who
managed the islands according to her commands. It was just his guess, but
this Sea God Festival might’ve been decided three days ago. Shortly
after talking to Theodore, she had prepared a place to lure him in.

He was convinced after seeing this bustling scene.

“Hey! You bastard, where are you looking?”

“Don’t make such a fuss when I am looking straight ahead!”

“What? Do you want to fight here?”

In the narrow marina, people were arguing, and there were sometimes fist
fights.

Unlike the other islands, the center of the Pirate Archipelago where the
Sea God festival would take place wasn’t connected by bridges. So,
people had to move to the center island by boat. It was natural that
there weren’t enough boats compared to those who wanted to participate
in the festival.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Theodore and Randolph didn’t need to
take part in the struggle for boats.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Theodore.”

“I’ve been waiting for you, Randolph.”

While people were struggling over boats, two people emerged from amongst
them and approached Theodore and Randolph.

The hull was decorated with gold, and the flag depicted a dragon on a
black background, the symbol of the Pirate Archipelago. It was a
privilege which couldn’t be enjoyed by normal executives or people from
the outside.

‘Don’t ride it… I can’t choose that option.’

Theodore raised his eyebrows before climbing onto the boat. He didn’t
want to stay in a place where he had attracted attention, but he realized
three days ago that it wasn’t good to oppose Aquilo. Randolph climbed
onto the other one, and the boats started moving with the current. As
soon as the boatmen moved their oars, the gold boat moved through the
water.

Chwaaak! Chwaaak!

Their hands were very skillful. The boatmen moved the oars with several
times more skill than those in the other boats around them.

‘No, to be accurate, it isn’t normal.’

However, Theodore could see that his boatman’s eyes were shining blue,
meaning he was controlled by Aquilo’s ‘Dragon Fear.’ In addition to
that, they had the divine blessing, so it was natural that they excelled.
Additionally, the casual use of Theodore’s and Randolph’s real names
was proof that they were under Aquilo’s control.

After a while, hundreds of boats gradually gathered at the central
island. When the party’s boat arrived, Theodore and Randolph gulped as
they saw the altar of sacrifice to the sea god.

“T-This…!”

“…Amazing.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say there was a mountain of gold piled up
in front of the altar. There were gold coins, jewels, trinkets, weapons,
and even food that could be eaten year round stacked up like dry leaves.

As the two people were impressed, the boatmen spoke at the same time.

““The Sea God Festival refers to the day once every year, when half
the goods in the Pirate Archipelago are offered to the sea god. The
greater the offerings, the better the blessing.””

“W-What?”

“…Once a year.”

Unlike the confused Randolph, Theodore reexamined the explanation and
asked, “Then how many years has the Sea God Festival been held?”

““Including this year, 52 times.””

Disbelieving expressions appeared on their faces. If this had happened
for 52 years, how much gold and treasures were piled up in Aquilo’s
lair?

There was a reason why a dragon slayer quickly made a fortune. Some
dragons liked to receive tributes like Aquilo, while others would plunder
them. Most dragons enjoyed their lairs being decorated with rare pieces.

One million gold? 10 million gold? Maybe there was 100 million gold
inside the lair. Theodore couldn’t help feeling breathless, despite
having no greed for riches. The rumour that a kingdom used up most of
their assets to hunt a dragon wasn’t so farfetched after all.

‘Human greed has no end, and they always repeat the same mistakes.’

Theodore sighed as he saw the greed in the eyes of the spectators. Maybe
this was Aquilo’s intention. For a dragon who loved blood and
destroying things, this was enough to induce a punishment.

Waaaaaah-!

In front of that lavish landscape, the authentic Sea God Festival
started. Nearly naked dancers shook their bodies in front of the gold,
silver, and treasures, while the spectators cheered them on. The
combination of gold, alcohol, and naked beauty was enough to seduce any
male eye.

Only Theodore looked around with an unconcerned look.

Shortly afterwards, he heard the voice he’d been waiting for.

[Ah, I’m bored. It has been decades since I started this, so I’m
becoming bored.] The voice whispered directly into Theo’s mind. It was
a sweet poison which melted his senses like when he first heard it.

“…Aquilo.”

[Can you relieve my boredom?]

Simultaneously, Theodore’s boat started to slowly change directions.
Only the current flowing around Theodore’s ship moved in the other
direction. Maybe it was because the flow was so calm, but Randolph still
hadn’t realized that Theodore was moving away.

No magic power could be felt, so it must be the inherent power of a
dragon who controlled natural phenomenon. Theo didn’t resist as he
asked, “Didn’t you ask me to come with my companion?”

[It doesn’t matter if you want to come together, but I might feel a
little worse.]

“…I will go alone.”

It was what he’d expected in the first place. So, Theodore accepted it
without any complaints. His policy was to avoid a fight if possible, and
he didn’t want to drag Randolph into this. Anyway, there was nothing to
lose in trying. It was right to try conversing first, until Aquilo showed
that she wanted to become enemies.

Chwaaaaak!

Before long, Theodore’s boat was pulled through a crack in the cliff.
The water depth became shallower, and eventually he reached the shore
where the boat couldn’t move anymore. The boatman put down the oars and
pointed inside the cave. “Enter.”

Theodore stepped onto the land instead of responding to the boatman.

‘Um, this scent?’

A curious scent coming from the cave tickled his nose, but it wasn’t
toxic. Theodore calmly walked inside while clearing the scent with magic.
Stalactites grew everywhere, making it seem like a natural terrain.
However, the torches stuck on the wall at regular intervals were
unnatural.

‘I’m getting closer. In the next 10 steps…’

He reached the epicenter of the scent. The moment that Theodore thought
so and took a step forward…

Chill.

His feet touched the ground, and his five senses started screaming. It
was an inevitable death. There were no gaps to escape. He didn’t know
what attack was coming, but Theodore Miller would die here.

Even with his nerves accelerated to the extreme, the attack was too
powerful and fast to be seen. Additionally, it was small. The attack was
smaller than a coin and similar to a grain seed. It was like Alfred’s
Magic Bullet, but it wasn’t a magic projectile.

However, the attack reached before its identity could be discovered.

Puk!

It punched straight through Theodore and continued in a straight line
into the wall. The attack was so strong that it only stopped after
penetrating half a stone wall that was tens of meters thick. It wasn’t
a power which could be defeated by 6th Circle defense magic.

However, Theodore survived that blow.

‘A water droplet shot at ultra-high pressure…?’

Theodore’s neck was sweating as he barely escaped the crisis. Then he
saw Umbra shining on his right arm and realized how he’d survived. If
Fluidization had been delayed even a little bit, the attack would’ve
gone through his skull, leaving only a dead body behind.

He might’ve been able to do something if the water bullet was made with
aura or magic power, but the pure physical damage would’ve dealt a blow
that he couldn’t endure. In some ways, this could be called superiority.

…Hah, the one with the complete advantage was waiting. Theodore scoffed
at his own judgment and glared into the dark room beyond. This was the
epicenter of the strange fragrance, which also contained the one who shot
the water droplet at him.

“Ara, you survived?” The terrible voice filled Theodore’s ears.
Theo barely managed to ignore the instinct which was telling him to bow
his head and lick this woman’s feet.

“…Can I ask for the meaning of that attack?” Theodore’s blue eyes
shone as he prepared to rip his teleport scroll.

However, Aquilo replied to Theodore’s question in a voice of deep
boredom, with absolutely no hostility felt at all. “It isn’t a big
deal. I am fickle in many ways, so I decided to act like this.”

“Like this? A surprise attack?”

“No. I wanted to attack once to see if you would survive or die. You
did very well avoiding it. I honestly never thought you could avoid it,
so you’re more interesting than I thought.” Aquilo flicked her
fingers as she gave the terrible reply.

Clack!

Then the beads attached to the room lit up, making the dim cave brighter.
Naturally, Aquilo’s appearance in the darkness also became clearer.

“Uh!” Simultaneously, Theodore’s body stiffened.

With hair as blue as seawater, fluorescent eyes which glowed with a
bewitching light, two horns which sprouted from between the blue hair,
and gorgeous white shoulders which were exposed by the luxurious cloak…
Any man would be forced to feel lust, including Theodore.

He had met a few beautiful women before, but none of them were those who
oozed ‘femininity’ in order to seduce men. Aquilo was stunning, even
with her chest to lower body covered by the long cloak. Even the
extravagant gold accessories, which could seem tacky, were nothing but
subtle decorations for her.

As she held a strange looking pipe in her mouth, Aquilo faced Theodore
with gently curved eyes.

“-Now, let’s start the story.”