The Book Eating Magician Chapter 314:

Chapter 314 - Towards the World Tree (1)

[Lemegeton (Severely Damaged)]

[This is a grimoire that contains the power of King Solomon from the Age of Mythology . King Solomon used his wisdom and magic to rule over 72 great demons, wielding the power of the great demons with ten rings . Additionally, Solomon prepared a seal and key in case of his death .

* This grimoire can’t function normally .

* Please note! This grimoire is over 90% damaged . The powers can’t be fully absorbed even with predation .

* When ingested, the imprints of the senior great demons ‘Nebiros’, ‘Foras’, and ‘Flauros’ will be acquired . User can borrow their powers from these imprints or demonstrate special powers .

* When consumed, a very large amount of magic power will be absorbed . ]

 

‘It is definitely not in a good state . ’

More than 90% damaged . . . ? As a book, it was like having all the pages torn out except for one . Even if it was a grimoire, most of its power had already been lost .  It was astonishing that so much had been lost . According to Gluttony, it wasn’t even performing at 5%, yet it still contained the power of three senior great demons . In a perfect state, Lemegeton must have a myth rating .

-Yes, it is as User guessed, Gluttony confirmed it like it had heard Theodore’s thoughts .

“It really has a myth rating?”

-That’s right .  Some of the great demons who contracted with Solomon had high rank and power .

“Demon king . . . like Fulito?”

-If I had to compare Fulito with one of the 72 great demons, he is similar to the 7th one, Amon .

“7th?” Theodore's face stiffened .  

Fulito was only 7th! If that was true, then Lemegeton had at least seven great demons with more power than a demon king, a transcendent who reigned as the master of one dimension and wielded that world according to his will .  It was no wonder that Gluttony reacted to Solomon’s name . He was incomparable to Theodore, who had summoned Magnus in the past . What type of existence was Solomon, who had dozens of high-ranking great demons contracted to him?

It seemed like he was beyond the level of a transcendent . No one would argue if Solomon were called the **** of magic . However, Gluttony had a different opinion of Solomon .

-No, he was just smart .  He became aware of the endless desires of demons and fooled them with a clever contract .  There were some demons who were deceived by some tricks, but others knew about it and passed by .  Solomon was the summoner who called them . The material world of the Age of Mythology was what attracted their attention .

“They came like a sightseeing group?”

-Your words aren’t entirely wrong .  For great demons, another dimension is just a place to ‘play . ’

Pleasure is an inescapable desire for demons who have eternal life .  In that sense, Solomon was a spokesman for those desires and the guide of many demons into this material world .

It was the result of talent and timing creating the situation .

[Ahem!] At that moment, the prohibited book didn’t grasp the atmosphere and interrupted Gluttony . [My creator, Solomon, is a great man! Many powerhouses in the Age of Mythology fell before him!]

-Shut up, used thing .

[Hiik . ] 

The prohibited book shut its mouth, and Gluttony began to speak again .

-I wasn’t expecting a Baal or Agares class, but this is really terrible .  The 24th ‘Marquis’, the 31st ‘Hell Knight’, and the 64th ‘Great Duke’—they are worthless when it comes to battle strength .  That drunkard, Saleos, still remains .

Theodore asked for an explanation, and Gluttony taught him in a disgruntled voice about Solomon’s 72 great demons and the power of these three great demons .  

Number 24, Marquis Nebiros, was a necromancer and controlled the power of ‘Pain . ’  

Unlike the demon’s nickname of ‘Knight’, Number 31—Hell Knight Foras—was the owner of a vast wisdom and gave the summoning the power of ‘transparency . ’ 

Number 64, Great Duke Flauros, possessed the power of ‘Burning Eyes’, which allowed the owner to shake off the temptations of other demons .  

Theodore listened to the explanation in detail and said, “In the middle . . . ” 

It wasn’t enough to call them bad, but the demons didn’t have the ability to help him directly .  The teachings of necromancy were of no use to Theodore who wasn’t a warlock . Additionally, Gluttony’s protections meant that the added bonuses were meaningless as Theodore already had strong mental defenses . The practical powers of ‘Transparency’, ‘Burning Eyes’, and ‘Pain’ were so vague that he didn’t know their purpose .

‘Well, a powerful demon wouldn’t acknowledge me as qualified . Is it okay to compromise to this extent?’

However, Theodore looked at the prohibited book thoughtfully . Looking around at the other shelves, the majority of those present gave off an evil feeling just from the cover . Collecting the fragments of a myth rated grimoire was more appealing, even if it was damaged . More than anything else, he liked that it could exert the functions without predation .

“Hey, prohibited book . ”

[ . . . Yes?] The Lemegeton fragment responded to Theodore’s call .

“Accept me as a temporary contractor . Do you want to be stuck in this sealed room forever?”

[That… Why temporary?]

“I possess so many divinities . How can I make a perfect contract with a demonic grimoire? Besides, if I make a double contract with you, I think there will always be conflict with Gluttony . ”

The Lemegeton fragment contemplated the words for a while before accepting the suggestion, [Okay, I will accept a contract with you . ]

“A wise choice . ”

The moment that the mutual agreement was decided, a thick strand of magic power formed between Theodore and the prohibited book .  It was the magical contract line to symbolize the conclusion of contract magic . The red gem of the Lemegeton fragment and Theodore’s right hand were intertwined with a string, then the last process of the contract occurred . It was the disclosure of the grimoire’s identity, its true name .

[I was called ‘Lemegeton’ a long time ago, but I was deprived of its light and crashed to the ground . The first of five locks, the prohibited book whose head is Lemegeton . . . Until the day that I am perfect again, call me ‘Ars Goetia’!]

“Ars Goetia . ”

[Yes, Master . You can just call me ‘Goetia’ . ]

Theodore picked up Goetia, and the red jewel changed its shape .  The thick book transformed into a small silver ring that wrapped around a finger on Theodore’s right hand . It was reluctant to be on Theodore’s left hand where Gluttony resided .

‘Oh, isn’t this a convenient feature? The 10 rings that Solomon wore were probably a variant of Lemegeton . ’

That wasn’t all . Once Goetia turned into a ring, Theodore realized that his casting speed and amount of magic power had risen sharply . The functions of ‘sub-ego’ and ‘secondary operations’ that Goetia had mentioned started to show their power . The features were simple, but the level of the secondary operations was excellent .

Of course, Gluttony was still uncomfortable about the contract .

-Hah! Ars Goetia? Is it the name of the first chapter of Lemegeton? You picked it well for being so tattered .

[Hiiik!]

Despite having the same contractor, it was unknown if Gluttony’s one-sided abuse of the prohibited book would stop . In the end, Theodore had to intervene . “Gluttony, don’t scare it too much . It is too inferior to you . ”

-Hrmm, I understand .

Theodore walked out of the sealed room while Gluttony suppressed its hostility . Then Theodore closed the door of the room and reset the lock .

Ching! Snap .

The several layers of magic circles overlapped to form a magic spell, and the key in the keyhole faded away . The key to the sealed room was only for one use . Once it was used, it couldn’t be used again . Every time the seal was released, the key would change . This tight security was truly the backbone of the kingdom .

‘Now, this part is finished . Should I go back?’

With four magic books and one prohibited book, Theodore invoked Teleport . No shadows remained in the Zero Library .

 

*     *     *

 

“―Ah . ”

“You took a long time . ”

Theodore discovered an unexpected person when he left the Zero Library .  It was a blonde girl with brown skin, Paragranum . Unlike her appearance, she was actually the head of the yellow tower and a grimoire . She had performed numerous studies in the magic kingdom and might’ve conspired with Invidia .

“Hasn’t it been a long time, Captain? I didn’t know you would return after facing Envy . I need to increase my evaluation . ”

Paragranum smiled and placed the fox, that was in her arms, on the ground .  The fox had three tails; it was Tres .  He was frightened after being caught by Paragranum and rushed toward Theodore the moment he was set free . The warm and fluffy texture entered Theodore’s red robe .

Then the fox cried out with relief .  Yip, yiip . Even though Tres was young, the intelligence of his spirit was high . He remembered that Paragranum had wanted to dissect him last time .

Theodore stared at Paragranum . “You . . . ”

“Aren’t you leaving your pet alone too much? It would’ve died if it belonged to another magician . If you hadn’t come back, this would’ve become my first spirit specimen . ”

“What do you want?” Theodore ignored Paragranum’s joke that wasn’t a joke and stared into her eyes .

Paragranum’s eyes held no emotions at all . It was like they were glass beads .  He realized it when he saw these eyes . This being was a monster, not a human . She could do anything as long as it achieved her purpose of existence . Theodore was convinced that she had joined hands with Invidia to cause the long war in the north .

“Oh, my . Don’t be too wary . You know ‘our’ ecology . Right now, is there any reason for me to be hostile to Meltor? What benefits can you gain from removing me?”

“No . I have no reason to listen to your words,” Theodore replied coldly and took a step back .  

Grimoires had no human emotions, as they were things that would interfere with their principles of action . Encountering something like this was like yelling at a wall .  If he accused Paragranum of working with Invidia, she would nod without any qualms .

Maybe that was why he decided not to ask .  She wasn’t an opponent who should be rewarded with his emotions . Theodore cooled his head and stared at the being that, along with Invidia, was the wicked culprit of the slaughter in the north . One side had fostered sword masters and fed on them .  The other side acted in order to make her research proceed faster .  Grimoires wouldn’t hesitate to do any sins if it meant accomplishing their purpose of existence .

“Well, don’t be so hasty . ” Paragranum didn’t shrink back at all as she faced the angry Theodore .  

Instead, she pulled something out .  It was from a shabby looking dimensional pocket .

“That!”

“Isn’t it too impressive to forget?”

The item was an emerald jewel in the shape of a cube . It had a perfect balance as light reflected off it .  At Paragranum’s request, Theodore had recovered it from the ruin in the Meuse Desert . The Emerald Tablet—a treasure that all alchemists praised as the ‘Door of Truth’—recorded the truths of the universe . Gluttony had drooled over it, so there was no need to explain its value .

“Now, don’t drop it . ” However, Paragranum threw it casually!

“What are you doing?” Theodore cried out roughly as he grabbed the space pocket and the Emerald Tablet .

Then Paragranum opened her mouth, “Can’t I do something kind for others? I’ve handed over handmade potions, catalysts, and the Emerald Tablet . ”

“That’s why I am asking . What are your intentions?”

“Don’t you need to go fight the necromancer that is contracted to Nídhöggur?” Paragranum shrugged as it spoke in a playful voice . “Nídhöggur, the lizard that rots all matter, is the enemy of alchemy . I can’t coexist with a warlock who contracts to such a being . Thus, I will lend a hand so that you can get rid of him . ”

“But didn’t you say you would only give the Emerald Tablet after you achieved your purpose?”

“Unlike Gluttony, I am not obsessed with the original . ” Paragranum muttered ‘copy’ in a small voice before continuing . “It is up to here . This time, I will place a bet on your victory and wait . ”

“ . . . What side was it last time?”

Paragranum stopped for a moment as she was walking away . She didn’t look back as she gave her answer, “It doesn’t matter either way . ”