The Book Eating Magician Chapter 103-104

Chapter 103 – Exotic Guests (1)

In the center of the elf kingdom, Elvenheim, there was a giant tree which reached up into the clouds. As the last remaining world tree in an era where the power of the myths was almost lost, Yggdrasil was the ident.i.ty of the big tree.

300 years ago, the four high elves had gathered all their strength to make this world tree, which was still a 'premature baby.' Ordinary humans would stop breathing as soon as they got close and even senior magicians were barely capable of withstanding the mana pressure. Yet this was only around one-tenth of the original world trees in the primordial world.

Nevertheless, there was an area surrounded by a fog of mana which was difficult to access even for elves. It was a place where only the gardeners of the world tree, the high elves with Arv's blood, could access.

This was the most secret place in Elvenheim, located on top of the roots of the world tree. There weren't many elves who didn't know about it, but it was considered a taboo to even talk about it. It was a wooden building called 'Heart of the Forest.'

"They have already arrived? Ahh, I should've gone to meet them!" Alisa, the female high elf with bright blonde hair like the sun, cried out. Alisa's eyes were like the sea, and her unique playfulness stood out.

She had the appearance of being the youngest among the dark elves gathered here, but she was actually the oldest. Hers was the voice which had first disturbed Theodore.

"You can't. If we send you, their whole image of the elves and high elves will be crushed like dry leaves."

"Oh, that is an excessive compliment!"

"It isn't a compliment!" The elf with the angry voice knocked on the table. With dark skin and silver hair, the elf looked like a species which was already extinct in the continent, while the wide shoulders and angular body indicated he was male.

Alucard, the dark elf who looked up at the moon instead of the sun, snapped in a nervous tone, "You are unworthy to be the oldest one. Why do you act more like a child as the years pa.s.s?"

"Isn't a child's heart precious?"

"f.u.c.k you!" In the end, a vulgar curse emerged from the high elf's mouth.

The bickering would've continued, but another high elf intervened.

She was an impressive female with brown hair and gentle eyes, like a herbivore. "Both of you calm down. Is this something worth arguing about? We should talk about the guests who have come a long way and the problems that have arisen recently."

"…I understand."

"Sorry, sorry." Alisa's answer was still playful, but she finally shut her mouth. At the very least, she wouldn't interfere with the meeting.

Then with perfect timing, Ellenoa spoke with her eyes closed as half of her consciousness was still with her clone. "…I have arrived. I will guide them to their quarters and then send Edwin to his original location. I'm going to call a few people to act as guides. What do you think?"

"I agree."

"I also agree."

"Me too!"

There was one voice missing, so they naturally looked in that direction.

With bushy hair and half opened eyes which displayed sleepiness, the high elf stared at them before muttering in a low voice like he was speaking to himself, "…Agr…ee."

It was a unanimous decision. Ellenoa started focusing on her clone in order to lead the delegation to their accommodations and summon a few elves. She was still inexperienced with Ratatoskr, so she couldn't manipulate the clone while paying attention to her body at the same time.

Then the rest of the high elves naturally moved onto the next agenda.

"The following is a suggestion from the dryads. These days, there are many creatures damaging the trees in the eastern part of the forest. They want to know if the numbers can be reduced. What do you think?"

"Hmm, the dryads. Aren't they protected due to a contract with the ents? Isn't that enough to protect them?"

Alucard was the first one to raise objections. Dryads were a type of fairy species which were parasites to trees. They had the ability to deceive and chase out those who damaged forests. So, they had a friendly relations.h.i.+p with the moving trees, the ents, to protect their physically vulnerable bodies.

The ents born in the Great Forest had a vitality that was many times stronger than those in other regions. So, even senior creatures avoided fighting with them.

However, Lumia's expression darkened and she shook her head. "The damage is still too great. Two ents in the eastern area have already been burned to death, so there may be a high ranking creature that uses fire."

"…I agree. That is enough to send one guardian."

"Edwin needs rest, so choose another!"

"…One… person… agree…"

If possible, they sought a unanimous decision, but if that wasn't possible, they decided using the majority vote.

Ellenoa didn't speak in this meeting, but all four high elves, including Lumia, agreed. They decided to dispatch one guardian to the eastern forest as a master would be able to crush even the most serious problems.

The next agenda concerned some species which were causing headaches.

"The chief of the Stone Lion Tribe, Orlando, has come. He says that a suspicious person recently appeared in his area. I couldn't find any signs of that, and it may be a prank by the fairies. So, he has come to make a request."

"The Stone Lion Tribe, what a stupid person."

In a rare moment, Alisa responded to the agenda in a chilly voice, "That idiot who would kill a person and then say that they fell? Just ignore it."

"Judging with personal feelings isn't a good habit," Alucard spoke with irritation, but he was also sick of dealing with the ignorant tribe chief. If Orlando wasn't representing the beasts of the Great Forest, he would've been expelled in disgrace sooner.

"…Put it on hold. I will send a few investigators, and if they can't find any traces, he will be sent back."

"Che, it can't be helped."

"…Agr…ee."

"Then I will send an investigation team."

The conclusion of the third agenda created a stiff atmosphere. The four high elves exhaled for a moment and waited for Ellenoa's next words. They couldn't help feeling curious about the guests who had just arrived.

At that moment, there was a bolt of lightning inside Alisa's head as she cried out, " —Ah!"

The other three people were surprised and wanted to ask her what happened.

"Wait! That reminds me, the chief of the Stone Lion Tribe is there!"

"There…?"

"Eh?"

Unlike Lumia who was still confused, Alucard sucked in a breath.

The foolish beast chief who liked to talk with strength… Orlando of the Stone Lion Tribe was staying in the area given to the Meltor delegation. During the time of slave hunting, the beast clans were also sold at a high price by humans.

When he thought about Orlando's temperament, 'that' would certainly happen.

"Ah, no. Ellenoa, guide them to a different place right now…"

"—I'm sorry." At that moment, Ellenoa spoke with a blank expression, "They have already met."

*     *     *

The beast clans, also known as the werebeasts, were born with two advantages. They had the intelligence of humanoids and the violent nature of beasts. Their prosperity was based on their ability to hunt wild animals and creatures, as well as their intelligence to build a developed civilization. At least, they thought so.

However, their pride was shattered by human development. Magic and aura overwhelmed the beast clans, who had relied on their natural abilities for generations. They had been drunk on their own strength and ignored the development of civilization, which led them to eventually having to flee from the humans.

The werewolves, who had caused many villagers to tremble in fear, had been slain by the swords of knights, while the bears who had received tribute as master of the mountains had been turned into fire by the flames of magician.

The beast clans then realized they were no longer the strongest and had escaped to the ends of the continent. They hid in the Great Forest which was out of reach of the humans. It had already been more than a hundred years since they fled.

As new generations grew up, the fear in their blood thinned and turned into anger. Yes, just like right now.

"Hey, you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! Come out and explain!"

The shout was so loud that some elves covered their ears with a pained expression. It was from a man with an extraordinary body over which was two metres tall and had unusual traits. He stepped forward suddenly and shouted rudely at the party, "Why did you bring humans into this forest?! Did you forget how humans persecuted us? Or did you get deceived by their sly tongues?"

Ellenoa couldn't stand it anymore and raised her voice, [Step away right now, Chief Orlando. The people you are being rude to aren't 'humans' but guests of Elvenheim.]

"Don't command me!" The muscles under Orlando's scarred skin swelled menacingly. Orlando didn't practice aura, but he gave off an intimidating pressure as he bared his teeth at the party. Unfortunately, the people he was confronting were stronger than him.

The White Tower Master standing beside Theodore muttered quietly, "A beast clan, what a rare presence. What do you think is the best way to resolve this?"

"…It isn't a moderate atmosphere, is it?"

Orlando was bold. The man whose hair resembled a lion's mane wouldn't drop his head easily. The fact that he was yelling at a high elf in Elvenheim proved this. As Ellenoa's voice became increasingly colder, Orlando pointed with his sharp claws toward the nearest human, Theodore.

"You're treating humans better than the chief of the Stone Lion Tribe! Why did you give the VIP room to that guy? I won't leave this place unless he proves his credentials!"

[Chief Orlando, if you keep continuing like this…]

As Ellenoa raised an eyebrow, Theodore stepped forward with a sneer.

Theo wasn't afraid of the pressure coming from the two-meter-tall body. Compared to Veronica's pressure, this was just at the level of a breeze. It was almost embarra.s.sing to compare it to the killing intent of one of the Imperial Seven Swords, Lloyd Pollan.

Theodore stared into the beast's eyes and opened his mouth to say, "Then what are your qualifications?"

TL: For those wondering, the sixth high elf is t.i.ta, previously mentioned in chapter 101. The author has stated that she won’t appear in this arc, because she is busy elsewhere.

Current schedule: Next Patreon goal has been reached!! Thank you for the support. There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.

Chapter 104 – Exotic Guests (2)

Theo's outspoken att.i.tude confused Orlando. Considering how Orlando was over two meters tall and had the blood of a lion, Theodore just looked like a dwarf next to him. The elves had strange powers, but none of them could go against his sheer brawn.

Then why was no one stopping this human's cheeky impudence?

'No, I clearly felt something ominous…'

Unlike his ignorant image, Orlando's intuition was moderately sensitive. If not, he wouldn't have survived as the clan leader in the Great Forest, where all types of dangers were present. The moment Orlando found himself in a really dangerous situation, he would run away without any hesitation. Likewise, as soon as he realized he couldn't win, he would bow his head, allowing him to preserve his life until now.

Right at this moment, his intuition was giving off alarm bells.

"…Don't make me laugh!"

However, Orlando ignored the warning. Why should he be scared of a soft and weak looking human male? Additionally, many elves were watching the commotion. Orlando had grown up sheltered and only knew about humans from the old adults of the tribe, so overconfidence filled his eyes.

Crunch, crunch.

Orlando's ma.s.sive muscles swelled as his skin changed to that of a beast, while his sharp and long nails had enough strength to tear steel. He could normally beat a troll, and in this state, he could even kill a twin-headed ogre. The hard rocks and big trees wouldn't be able to withstand his fists.

This was the Beast Form, the symbol of strength for the werebeasts.

"My qualifications! A weak human dares to question this Orlando's qualifications!" Orlando raised his head as he shouted in a menacing manner. His hairline receded in Beast Form, but he didn't become stupider.

Orlando seemed to think that maybe this human male before him was confident because he was a 'magician.' The human wasn't wearing a sword at his waist or protecting his body with metal. Only magicians would come forward confidently like this.

'I will make it so that guy's mouth can't speak a spell!'

He looked at the still blasé expression on Theodore's face and shouted while pointing a finger, "The Stone Lion Tribe is a brave tribe that uses our fists! If you want to be qualified, prove it with your body! It won't be unfair if we exchange fists!"

Of course, it was unfair. This was the result of Orlando's frantic thinking. If the opponent didn't accept the challenge, he would call them a coward and run away. If it was accepted, he could knock out the human. Orlando was terrified of magic such as fire and lightning, but he was convinced that he could win if they competed with fists.

So, the reaction of his opponent was even more surprising.

"…Exchange fists just once? Is that all?" Theodore asked, and the other magicians couldn't resist smiling or covering their mouths.

Didn't war mages kill knights on the battlefield? Moreover, Theo was the person who had overpowered Rebecca, the aura genius of the empire. So, they had no choice but to laugh. It was the moment when the words 'brave and ignorant' entered their minds.

Their reaction stunned Orlando, but Theo stepped forward and turned to Ellenoa.

She realized his meaning right away and nodded. [I understand. I will a.s.sume the role of notary in Elvenheim for the two of you. Chief Orlando, you made this suggestion yourself, so you won't have any complaints later?]

"O-Of course not!" Orlando replied and stepped toward Theodore.

Considering the difference in weight, it was a gap where he could knock out the opponent with one fist. Orlando had made the offer himself, but for some reason, he felt sweat flowing down his back .

'It can't be! My fist can't be stopped!' He tried to readjust his mindset as he stared at Theo.

"I will give you some concessions. Do it calmly," Theo said.

Those words were decisive. Orlando's wounded pride caused him to get angry, and his fear disappeared far away. The beast then made a fist. 

Kwaaaaang!

Along with white smoke, there was an electrifying roar. The roar of a powerful man, who ruled as the leader of a clan in the Great Forest, scared off the birds. However, the even more threatening thing was his fist. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the fist which contained the extremes of physical force could break down a small hill.

'Die!'

Orlando punched out with strong determination and…

Paang!

Theodore's left hand blocked it.

"…Your punch is weaker than I thought it'd be. Now, is it my turn?"

Thanks to Battle Song which Theo had received directly from its founder, Theo's physical abilities were at a level comparable to Orlando. When it came to martial arts, Theodore's fighting techniques were several times more complex than those of the chief of a beast clan, which was just a crude fist containing power.

However, Orlando didn't know the difference and was devastated.

Theo took one natural step forward and stretched out his fist. Duk.

Then he lightly applied power. Kwaang!

The Beast Form flew into the air, and Orlando couldn't even scream as he was turned upside down. His mind was already devastated by the shock. The sudden hit penetrated his rigid muscles and bones, damaging the insides. If Theo had wanted to kill him, Orlando would've died instantly. What more could be said after he flew 10 meters through the air?

"Kuwek, kuweeeek…" The unconscious Orlando was leaning against a tree, but n.o.body cared about him.

[Then I will continue giving instructions.]

Ellenoa's face brightened as the party pa.s.sed by the miserably fallen Orlando and climbed a wooden staircase.

Some magicians even kicked Orlando several times, but none of them stopped. There was no dignity left for the fallen lion.

*     *     *

"He was a foolish fellow." Theodore laughed as he arrived in his room and recalled the werebeast that he fought.

Orlando's power itself wasn't bad. No, it was really excellent. If Theo fought a knight with such power, it would be tricky in many ways. One example was Rebecca. Strength harmonized with technology had turned her into a bigger threat.

Compared to that, Orlando's punch was nothing new.

"Without technique or aura, he won't be able to deal with me. Now I know why the beast clans retreated from the continent."

A voice responded to Theo's cynical soliloquy, -Well, don't be too discouraged. There is a reason for the decline of the beast clan.

"What is it?"

–It is ambiguous. It is a mixture of information that can't be said and intermediate information. You might not be able to understand, but if you want to hear it, I will tell you.

This seemed to be information which hadn't been known before. If historians were here, they would give their gallbladders to find out. However, it was just a mere curiosity for Theo, who nodded. 

Then Gluttony replied with a single line of explanation, –It is because the beast king, Fenrir, was murdered by someone.

"…I don't know that name."

–I knew it.

Theo didn't ask anything more, but Gluttony had raised his curiosity.

Although Theo had read many books in the magic tower's library, Fenrir was an unfamiliar name to him. It had only been 500 years ago that the beast clans had started to decline. However, according to Gluttony, there was more behind it.

However, Theodore's worries didn't last long.

–This is an interesting forest. A world tree that is reproduced using Arv's power, a refuge for the fallen species… It is amazing that an elf kingdom is established in the middle of it.

"Are you talking about Elvenheim?"

–That's right. Elves originally lived in colonies, but they aren't a species with a strong sense of attachment. High elves are their focal point, but a kingdom goes against their ident.i.ty.

It was difficult. Theo was merely 20 years old, no matter how clever he was, whereas Gluttony was a grimoire whose years couldn't be counted. It might be common sense for Gluttony, but it was forced to speak many words in order to explain.

Elves shouldn't have created a country? Or maybe they couldn't make one? Did Elvenheim already exist?

As he was thinking those questions, the next blow emerged.

–I didn't know there was a grimoire here. Seems I won't be too bored staying in this forest.

"What, grimoire? In the Great Forest?!"

There had been a day in the past few decades, or maybe centuries, when magicians gathered and organized the characteristics of grimoires which had popped up in history. Some grimoires had looked like books, or the grimoires had chosen their owner using free will.

The inherent knowledge was different, but there were many points which matched up when the grimoires were arranged by behaviour. There were those who skipped s.p.a.ce with no constraints, those who chose their owner regardless of the owner's will, those who had an unknown method of communicating knowledge, and those who controlled the owner's body. The fact that grimoires were rarely seen in the human world was one of the few things they had in common.

However, Gluttony said that he felt a grimoire in the Great Forest. It spoke in a pleasant tone, like it had been expecting Theo's reaction.

–That's right. I remember this wave of power clearly. I can feel the power of the grimoire that started Ragnarok, the war that ended the Age of Mythology.

"Ragnarok…!"

–At that time, Surtr the great archmage got his hands on the grimoire and burned the original world trees. The name is [Laevateinn].

After Gluttony spoke, the information of the grimoire popped up in front of Theo.

[Laevateinn]

[-A grimoire where the realm of fire, Muspelheim is sealed. At the time of Ragnarok, Surtr had unlocked the power of the grimoire fully and burned the world tree by releasing Muspelheim. However, in return, he was turned to ashes, and his whereabouts after that are unknown.

* The rating of the grimoire is 'Legend.'

* When consumed, ???

* When consumed, ???

* When consumed, ???]

…A legendary grimoire equivalent to Death's Wors.h.i.+p! Theodore's eyes shook as he read the information window.

It was the same rank as the grimoire which had made its host an elder lich in three months? Furthermore, the contents of the information about Laevateinn were even worse. Laevateinn was a grimoire with a sealed off world which burned the world trees. Its timing seemed like it was aiming at Elvenheim.

Theodore cried out involuntarily, "Gluttony, you said you felt it? So, do you know where the grimoire is now?"

However, the answer from Gluttony was disappointing.

–I don't know. The distance was too far, and the power only manifested for a moment. It was a fluke that I even figured out it was Laevateinn.

"Then how do I find it in this wide forest?" Theo asked nervously.

Gluttony just chuckled. –Don't worry, it will close on us soon.

"What?"

–The grimoire needs sacrifices to release the seal and exercise its power properly. And Laevateinn's favourite food is all around us.

The grimoire's fire which burned the world trees… A thought flashed through Theodore's mind.

Gluttony opened its mouth and said with perfect timing, –If it lights a fire in this dense forest, it will be able to free at least two seals… This forest also has an offering that is more excellent than anything else.

"…World tree."

–That's correct, Gluttony confirmed in a sweet and dark voice, like a demon. –Stay calm and wait. The day will come when [Laevateinn] reaches our mouth.

Current schedule: Next Patreon goal has been reached!! Thank you for the support. There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.