The Book Eating Magician Chapter 205:
Chapter 205 – Together with a Dragon (2)
Kurt couldn’t properly grasp the situation, but his reaction was quick . He naturally accepted the greeting of the five people and soon noticed there was a person missing .
It was Austen’s guardian, Mujak . The man, who had been arrested for authorized entry and kidnapping, was nowhere to be seen .
“Where is Mujak?”
Theodore responded to Kurt’s question, “Is it okay to explain that with the report?”
“Hmm, okay . Rather…” Kurt glanced toward Aquilo behind Theodore . Instead of Mujak, Kurt was much more worried about the dragon who had suddenly appeared . As though she felt his glance, there was a slight flash of light from where the dragon’s body had been floating behind the party . It was enough to make people blink a few times .
“…Uh!”
People reflexively closed their eyes and opened them again . In the spot where the dragon had been, there was now an impressive-looking woman with sea-colored hair . Horns rose from her head, and her fluorescent eyes showed that she was different from humans . Despite her bewitching appearance, she gave off a feeling of oppression .
In this silence, Aquilo slightly bent her knees . “It is nice to meet you, king of Meltor . I am Aquilo of the blue clan, daughter of Surmidon and Asophos . ”
This was the moment when the historical tyrant, the sea dragon, met the ruler of the Meltor Kingdom . The people present realized the seriousness of this meeting and gulped while the air filled with tension . How would the king of Meltor respond to this greeting?
Unlike their expectations, Kurt’s answer was quite ordinary . “The current king, Kurt Turai von Meltor, welcomes your visit . I heard a lot about you from Lord Theodore . ”
Aquilo gave a bewitching smile at his words . “Hrmm, is that so? Boy, you talked about me?”
“Yes, I was able to pass the crisis thanks to you . ”
“That is a common thing . ”
Theodore’s answer seemed the right thing to say as the atmosphere loosened up . Then Kurt encouraged them to move into the palace, “Let’s talk about the remaining story inside . It seems that there are many things to talk about . ”
“Then… I will follow Your Majesty’s will . ”
Aquilo nodded, and Kurt led everyone into the royal palace . Their new location wasn’t the meeting hall but the reception room used for occasional guests .
Kurt III sat down, while Blundell and Orta stood on both sides of his chair . Even if there was no chance of winning, their role as **** was to block the slightest possibility of Aquilo attacking Kurt .
Once both Aquilo and Veronica were seated, Kurt naturally turned toward Theodore . Veronica was the one in charge of the mission, but she was preoccupied having a staring war with Aquilo .
“Quattro’s Captain, please report . ”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Theodore responded to the call .
‘Where should I start?’
The memories of a few days ago were engraved in Theodore’s head . Defeating Mercurius and entering the laboratory, receiving compensation from Paragranum…
Yes, he would start exactly from here .
* * *
–Before I ask my favor, I have to check something first .
–To check something?
–Yes, I have to check whether something is possible for you . I’m not trying to insult you, I’m just really curious .
Aquilo made a questioning expression upon hearing Theodore’s words . He should know better than anyone else . After all, they had fought at each other’s backs . So, Theodore’s brilliant brain would’ve already understood her abilities .
If she wanted to, she could break down a city or two, or even cause floods and tsunamis . Yet there was something he wasn’t certain whether Aquilo could do?
She cocked her head as Theodore spoke in a low voice, –Is it possible to revive a river on a national scale?
The blue dragon was famous for being cunning . Aquilo raised her eyebrows as she guessed his intentions .
-…Boy, are you trying to use me as a negotiation material?
It was as she said . Theodore shrugged and nodded without retreating . Desertio’s death meant the desertification phenomenon would disappear, but it was another story to restore the water which had dried up over centuries .
The drought wouldn’t happen anymore, but there was no future for a land which had been completely exhausted . Austen wouldn’t have an opportunity to recover, and they would perish . However, what if Aquilo’s power assisted in the recovery?
A high elf couldn’t surpass a dragon when it came to their attributes . When it came to the supply of water, Aquilo was more effective than a high elf .
Aquilo thought about Theodore’s question for a while before answering, –It is possible . Are you talking about the Pilar River? I won’t be able to restore it to its original state, but I can turn it back around 10 years .
–T-That means…!
Mujak trembled as he listened to the conversation . It was natural . A miracle he had never expected was being considered right before him . They were discussing the restoration of the Pilar River, Austen’s lifeblood! Now that the drought was gone, there would be no further problems if the river was restored . Maybe this would become Austen’s golden age .
Mujak was thrilled, falling to both knees and bowing his head . -Sir Theodore! How should I repay this favor?! The Sultan will greatly repay you for your help!
–Thank you, but it isn’t certain yet .
–What…?
–Aquilo has to agree to this favor .
Mujak turned to Aquilo with a desperate expression . If the dragon refused to do Theodore’s favor, this golden opportunity in front of him would disappear without a trace .
However, Aquilo just laughed at Theodore’s uncertainty . –Well, I don’t care . I am in need of a new lair because of you . It is the middle of the desert, but it should be okay if it is the Pilar River .
–T-That means you agree? Mujak asked .
–Instead, I have several conditions . Aquilo smiled at the anxious Mujak and raised her fingers one by one . –First, a residence to my satisfaction must be built . Secondly, what happens after the recovery is irrelevant to me . Thirdly, publicize my name through the country and make me the guardian dragon .
–Cough! Well, if it is that much…
–There is one last thing .
The third condition for the Sultan fanatics of Austen was a little annoying, but there was nothing wrong with treating her as a divine being . Mujak was prepared to nod, but Aquilo added a fourth condition .
–Apart from the boy’s favor, I will charge a price every time you borrow my power . If the payment is ever overdue, I will cancel the agreement and leave .
–No, that is a little too much!
–If you think so, then don’t pay . In my view, the desert isn’t a very attractive place .
It was literally an unfair contract . Mujak protested, but Aquilo didn’t budge . Generally speaking, this request was a favor to Theodore, and anything else was a bonus . It meant they needed to pay separately for anything else . Austen might owe Meltor, but they needed to make a separate deal with Aquilo .
After all, Austen was the only one with something to lose, not the dragon . In the end, Mujak had to grudgingly agree to deliver the proposal to the Sultan .
* * *
“Kuk . ” Kurt let out a small sound of laughter that he couldn’t repress .
Mujak, the old fox of the desert, had suffered such a humiliation . The Sultan fanatics would face difficult circumstances in the future . The Janissaries never had any experience of Austen itself being held hostage .
Kurt tacitly acknowledged their plight and then praised the person in front of him, “As always, your achievements are beyond my expectations . Now, Meltor has completely taken the lead in an alliance with Austen…”
Austen wouldn’t reject the offer . Kurt didn’t know if the Sultan was foolish or naive, but he had heard that the Sultan of this era was quite smart . It was hard to imagine anything more significant than the restoration of Pilar River .
‘With this, we have taken one step ahead . ’
The Austen Kingdom had long been a country which intersected with the Northern powers and was located a little bit south of the border . It was only after passing through the Sipoto wilderness that one would enter Austen territory . As such, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that it was a territory which could be taken if Andras or Meltor reached out .
However, for centuries, none of the Northern powers had invaded Austen . It wasn’t because Austen was too strong or because the Northern powers couldn’t afford it .
The drought, which had plagued Austen for centuries, was the enemy which had fended off the Northern powers . It wasn’t easy to grow crops in Austen, and there were no roads or ports which could be used as trade routes . There was no profit in capturing such a territory .
The culture of worshipping the Sultan also played a part in fending off the Northern powers . A country which couldn’t be colonized was impossible to manage and was on the verge of destruction . That was Austen .
‘…But from now on, that will change . ’
Andras didn’t know about the removal of the drought, and the value of Austen had surged .
After restoring the river and removing the threat of desertification, Austen was no longer a helpless spectator . If a little time and support were added, Austen was a variable which could become a strong ally . Unlike the borders in the North which were all guarded, a strategic advantage could be obtained if Meltor marched through Austen .
All of this was due to one man, Theodore Miller . If it hadn’t been for the sea dragon, Aquilo, it wouldn’t have been possible to gain leverage over Austen or end the drought .
Kurt scanned Theodore up and down with gratified eyes and called out, “Quattro’s Captain . ”
“Yes, Your Majesty . ”
“If you wish for something, then tell me . You can even ask for a national treasure . ”
Simultaneously, the eyes of the other people present widened .
The number of people who had been awarded a national treasure since Meltor’s founding barely reached the double digits . Additionally, the people who had received two or more were just two or three legends . Now, Theodore was being treated like those legends? It was unexpected, even for Kurt who always awarded achievements fairly .
However, Theodore’s answer was even more surprising . “Your Majesty is very generous, but can I save that wish for later?”
“Why? I am feeling very good today . Maybe I will change my mind, and you will miss your chance . ”
It felt like a test, but Theodore just smiled . “Right now, I want to concentrate on myself . I was taught Sorcery by the Red Tower Master, and I feel like I got a clue on this journey . ”
“I see . ” A satisfied smile appeared on Kurt’s face . “I like your attitude . I will take care of the procedures so that your training isn’t hindered . Don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need . ”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty . ”
That wasn’t a lie . Theodore looked at his left hand as he bowed . It was true that he had received enlightenment from Veronica’s teachings and that he wanted to focus on something before receiving a national treasure .
Alchemist Paracelsus’s original book, the Fairy’s Book…
Eating it had finally unlocked Gluttony’s fifth seal . At stage 5, Superbia had been able to overpower an adult dragon . It was inevitable that Theodore was looking forward to the result . In his mind, Gluttony’s information window was counting the seconds down one by one .
[Unsealing of stage 5… (3 hours 35 minutes and 12 seconds remaining)]