The signing of the friendship treaty with the neutral country of the north, Elvenheim, was probably one of the most important undertakings in the past few hundred years.
The Andras Empire, as well as other countries of the central continent, had dispatched their best intelligence operatives. So, there was no doubt that the responsibility of the dispatched delegation was enormous. If the talks were ruined, the consequences wouldn’t have just ended with them, but gone on to affect their family and relatives as well.
However, despite everything, the delegation returned home after signing a historic treaty. The court officials were gathered within the hour of receiving the news. Later historians might say this was exaggerated, but if they knew that even the most isolated nobles rushed out of their homes, they would shut their mouths.
“It seems like everyone is gathered. White Tower Master, report,” the king of Meltor, Kurt III, ordered.
However, Kurt was also a bit different from usual. He was as full of dignity as always, but there was a slight anticipation as he waited for the White Tower Master’s words.
Orta’s words provoked an unprecedented storm as he revealed the contents of the treaty.
– A triple increase in the number of trade items.
– Significant increase in the number of mass production type artifacts to be exported.
– Obtained the right to cut down a limited number of trees in the Great Forest.
– Promised a regular exchange of delegates.
None of these privileges were light. For some nobles and magicians, they were heavier than gold, so they couldn’t help but stir in urgent conversation. If the king wasn’t present, they would have swarmed the White Tower Master for details. Just one of those privileges would double or triple their income!
Finally, once details of the military aid and support forces were mentioned, Kurt III rose from his throne and shouted, “Wonderful!”
Kurt III was a ruler who avoided any formalities or showing off. The court officials had never heard him praise someone like this before. It was also the first time they saw such a joyful expression on his face.
Kurt’s eyes roved across the delegation until they stopped on someone. A familiar young man was standing unobtrusively among them.
My eyes are truly good.
The young man was wearing a red robe, and looked slightly weary. The White Tower Master had given the king a secret report detailing the crucial decisions and actions Theodore Miller had taken during the delegation’s time in Elvenheim. It was a higher merit than even Orta, who cut off the arm of a sword master, had achieved.
If so, Kurt III needed to acknowledge him. “Theodore Miller.”
Theo straightened. “Yes, Your Majesty!”
“It seems that you have also accumulated numerous merits on this mission. Most notably, using the national treasure to elevate the name of the Meltor Kingdom.”
“I am undeserving of those words.”
As Kurt III admired the young man bowing calmly, he revealed the reward. “The achievements you have accomplished are enough to elevate you to the rank of Prime. As of this time, I will declare Theodore Miller a provisional Prime. Any extra procedures will be skipped, and he will be upgraded to Prime the moment he reaches the 6th Circle. Are there any objections?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Okay. I will prepare individual rewards for each delegation member.”
After nodding a few times, Kurt III looked at the calm Theo.
I don’t know why, but the atmosphere around him has changed a bit.
The feeling around Theo had been much lighter a few months ago. Perhaps he had realized something on this journey.
The king of Meltor laughed cheerfully at the thought of the birth of the next tower master. However, he didn’t know that the young man in front of him had already jumped over the wall of the 6th Circle.
***
Theo had been summoned to meet the king as soon as he had arrived in Manavil, but he also didn’t return to his residence until sunset. While the nobles and elder magicians were terrifying in their own right, fortunately, they didn’t bother the people who had just returned from Elvenheim. Theo had been waylaid by Veronica.
Still, she had let Theo leave after stating that they should have a meal later.
“Why should you deal with unnecessary things? Those old people.” The strongest beauty in the kingdom with blazing red hair had stroked Theo’s hair. He had been prepared to be dragged around by her for a few hours. However, she had merely shrugged and laughed, before poking Theo’s heart with a finger.
… It looks like my 6th Circle has been discovered.
He had to admire Veronica, who was aware of it despite his circles being inactive. Well, it was true that she made things more comfortable for him, so he would bring her a dessert box from the capital’s confectionary store later.
Theo opened his door and unpacked his belongings, enjoying the quiet surroundings.
After he unpacked, he lay on his bed and murmured, “Prime, it is definitely an attractive position.”
The Prime rank had the highest honor and prestige in the magic towers aside from the Supreme rank reserved for the tower masters. They could create their own organization or research team, or use a part of Meltor’s budget for their own exploration. Even the princes and dukes of small and medium kingdoms didn’t dare look down on the Primes and elders of the magic towers.
If he had declared that he was at the 6th Circle, he could’ve been promoted to Prime. However, Theo had decided not to walk that path. He would become Meltor’s newest celebrity. As his status and privileges grew, the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders would become heavier. It would be difficult to leave home and travel if he was a Prime rank magician.
The right to use the kingdom’s properties freely meant being part of the kingdom itself. So, the restriction on leaving was natural. The problem was that such a constraint was fatal to the current Theo.
Theo suddenly raised his left hand, “Hey.”
– ……
“I know you are awake. There are many things to talk about, so don’t waste my time.”
– Hmm.
It was impossible for deception thanks to the connection between them. So, in the end, Gluttony gave up on the silence and coughed. Theo tossed the books he had already prepared into its mouth.
[Application of Fire Magic has been consumed. Your understanding is very high.]
[Proficiency in fire magic has increased. The fire attribute affinity has already reached its limit. In compensation, the level of proficiency will rise even further.]
The knowledge in the book percolated through his brain. Theo focused on the sensation for a moment, before looking down at his left palm. It was time for a question and an answer. He had been consistently using it to find answers to difficult formulas as well as explanations and applications of magic.
Theo thought carefully about his words before saying, “What is Myrdal’s identity?”
– … So, it did come out.
If it had been a person, Gluttony would be frowning. The greedy grimoire paused for a moment before replying in a testy voice.
– It is an abstract thing, and I can’t give you concrete information.I couldn’t have even said this much if he hadn’t released the fourth seal.
“Then can you give any information about the other Seven Sins?”
– Not more than you already know.Pride was a special case, since the information wasn’t that important and we had encountered it.If you want to hear detailed information about the other five, you need to release the sixth seal.
Indeed, if Gluttony could answer him, then there was no reason to block Myrdal from speaking. Theo had felt doubts, which was why he asked Gluttony. However, as he had guessed, Gluttony was under some type of constraint, and it would be hard to answer fully.
Then he thought about Myrdal’s advice.
… The secrets I can’t tell you right now, and the secrets that you shouldn’t know…
At the very least, the old man hadn’t shown any signs of malice toward Theo. Maybe Theo just didn’t notice, but he decided to trust his own intuition. If he fell into needless doubts, then he wouldn’t be able to get out of this situation.
He had to take the first step to overcome the crisis.
Theo cleared his mind and said, “Then I will change the question. Is it true that my body will only last five years, like Myrdal said?” 𝘦𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝑙.
– It is true.To be exact, it is 4 years, 8 months, and 23 days.The error range is expected to be within a week.
“… Damn.” He truly accepted it after hearing the details of the deadline a second time.
In fact, wasn’t the grimoire responsible for this? It hadn’t explained the side effects of consuming everything he had encountered, and his life was now suddenly in danger. Thus, it was inevitable that Gluttony should take responsibility for this matter. If Theo died, it would have to find a new contractor and start again, so it would just damage Gluttony as well.
Theo regained his calm and asked directly, “Myrdal told me to expand my vessel. How do I do that?”
– This isn’t a subject that can be answered as a reply to one question.
“Don’t make me laugh,” Theo coldly dismissed the grimoire’s excuse. “I confirmed that you can act on your own discretion during the fight against Pride. If you think of me as your contractor, you have a minimum of responsibility for any situations that you didn’t warn about in advance regarding you. Isn’t that right?”
– Hrmm, you have a point.
It was pointless to make an emotional argument, as the grimoire was more flexible with logic being refuted. Theo had already been connected with Gluttony for a year, so he had some ideas of Gluttony’s personality and behavior.
As expected, Gluttony accepted Theo’s argument and gave in to his demand.
– The easiest way is human sacrifice.
“What?”
– I don’t distinguish by gender or good and evil.It won’t be difficult to expand your soul if you properly sacrifice around a hundred thousand people.It may also help you get beyond the wall of the?7th?Circle.
“… Dismissed, I won’t do that.”
The grimoire didn’t care about ethics and suggested something utterly evil. Human sacrifices? It was the worst sin committed by warlocks a few centuries ago. Sacrificing a hundred thousand… It was an evil on a national scale.
Theo gritted his teeth and shook his head.
Then Gluttony presented a second option.
– Build up your karma.
“Karma?”
– Good or evil, every act that affects the world expands your ‘vessel.’You can save someone.You can destroy someone.Building up dharma will shake off the confines of karma. That is the master level that you talk about.
Gluttony’s words were so profound that Theo couldn’t fully understand it, but he understood the gist. In other words, he had to create a disturbance which affected the material world in any way. It could be good or bad. If he did so, his ‘vessel’ would increase in size.
It was a theory Theo would investigate later, so he asked for the next option, “Other than that?”
– There is nothing else.
“What?”
It might be because the two options were rejected, but Gluttony sounded testy.
– Work harder than you have done so far.The efficiency is lower, but you can meet the deadline.
“I have to do the same thing?”
–Yes.?
Gluttony’s voice echoed in the confused Theo’s mind.
– Hunt original books.