179-173 Astonishment

We bought the two maps at the Mages Guild, but we hadn't seen them yet, so we didn't know where the grimoire was, so we followed Mr. Orford.

I expected to move through the mirror again, but Orford-san started moving in the opposite direction of the mirror, where there is a magic circle decorated as an imitation.

'These aren't ornaments?'

Woof woof. We're going to jump right out of this magic circle.

Who would recognize a magic circle that seemed to symbolize the Mage Guild as a real transition magic circle?

We stood on top of the magic circle as Mr. Orford happily spoke.

The three of us followed and entered the magic circle, but there was one thing that bothered me.

''Is there a limit on the number of people?''

But it's a short trip. There's plenty of room for ten of us.

I was relieved to hear that answer and waited for the magic circle to be activated.

And when I thought it immediately emitted light, I had already flown from the guildmaster's room to the grimoire library.

The grimoire was built in the shape of a cylinder, with bookshelves lined up along it.

I couldn't help but be surprised when I thought that there were this many books in this world.

We're here. I will go and find the books that are restricted. You can read the books you are interested in. Also, since there are only a few people in and out of this place, if anyone has any questions, you must mention my name.

'Alright. So I just have one question: why is it called a grimoire rather than a library?

It was certainly an overwhelming sight, but it seemed to be losing its name to call itself a magic library on its own.

Hearing this, Mr. Orford laughed and went to the back room in silence.

He didn't know what that smile was trying to convey, but the two people next to him were fidgeting, so he gave them instructions.

''Well it can't be helped. The fact that they went without saying anything means that they're basically free to go, I guess. Both of you should try to read a book that interests you. I'm sure there will be more to come in the future, but you won't always be able to read the books you like.

Yes. Thank you.

I can't believe there are so many books in the library, I don't know where to start.

They were happily going through their books.

I looked at them smilingly, but I regained my composure and sat down in a chair that was nearby.

From the fact that Mr. Orford was holding back his desire to talk about something, there must be a trick.

But what stuck in my mind more than that was the hardcover map and the Mages Guild booklet I had purchased earlier.

So I decided to read these two first.

''I'll start with the booklet that's the key to getting in and out of this place. Hmm?

Looking closely at the booklet, I noticed that there was a magic circle carved into it.

''........Could this be the key to entering this storeroom.......with an auto-lock and even a security feature that lets you know who has entered?　I didn't think you'd go that far...

Lord Leinster would be able to do this well enough, so it was only surprising.

I might be able to absorb a lot more than regaining the Holy Attribute Magic here.

When I think of that, my heart races with anticipation.

I took a deep breath to quiet it down and then proceeded to read the booklet of the magic guild.

And as soon as I read it, an item caught my eye.

Why did they put the Mages Guild headquarters in the airborne magical independent city of Nerdal?　

Yes, it's like a synopsis.

I know that this Nerdal didn't make it for the Magic Guild.

I'm sure because I asked him (Leinster) directly.

If so, why?　When I read the rest of the book, it said

He who controls the sky, controls the world.

It was a line I had heard somewhere, and it was written as it was.

It is a very important part of the story," he said, adding that the head of the Mages' Guild at the time was deeply impressed by the words and asked the heroes to let Nerdal establish a Mages' Guild.

'How dare you not revise this part of the book. Have you made some kind of pledge?'

I mean, he's so much more than just creating a nation of healers in the first place, so he's creating two nations, right?

I read on as I can no longer do anything but sigh.

The brave man made a condition for the placement of the Mage's Guild in Nerdal.

It wished not to be disturbed or bothered by anyone, and only those who explored magic and had a purpose for it were allowed to enter.

'This is similar to Rockford, only in a different field... is that what Lord Leinster wanted to do, a monopoly on technology?

If this is true, it is named the headquarters of the Magic Guild, but in reality it is a facility where those in search of magic are only researching new magical techniques day and night.

As I read through the booklet with this in mind, it seems that all kinds of research is being done.

The main classification is magic tools and magic, magic technology, and then the rest is classified into more detailed categories.

The magic tools are classified by combat and general use, and furthermore seems to be researched by attribute magic stone.

It's a good idea to be able to use it in the future.

And lastly, magic, this was also classified as magic ancient magic, mixed magic, spirit magic and dragon magic, magic that can be used by beastmen as well.

The research facilities for all of those were listed in detail.

''The more dangerous the labs are, the further down it goes?　More importantly, this Mage Guild might be...

I have a very bad feeling about this, but I also think that for the time being, studying here will be a plus for the future.

Thus, I looked through the booklet to some extent.

I looked up and checked my surroundings, but Mr. Orford hadn't come back, and Nadia and Lydia seemed to have started reading to see if there was a book they wanted to read, too.

I was just about to open it to check it out, followed by a hardcover book with an overview of Nerdal.

Light flooded out of the book, and then a three-dimensional image came to life.

'Welcome to the magical independent city of Nerdal. I am the brave person who created this aerial city. Hopefully, you will be someone who understands my romance.

It was just a short three-dimensional image.

'What the hell did she want to do?'

His whole body was blurred out for some reason and I couldn't make out his face, but there were a lot of similarities to the Lord Leinster I had seen in Rockford before.

Well, I can't help but think about it, so I'll read on, but from there it's just a normal book with no crafting, a detailed outline that gives you an overall picture of Nerdal.

The magical independent city of Nerdal is actually very small in spite of being a city, it is a distorted circle with a diameter of three kilometers and is only about two kilometers deep.

I'm sure Lord Leinster wanted it to be an aerial city that he could knock down if he wanted to.

It seems that Nerdal has a strong ward, and even the black dragon's breath can't hurt it at all.

''I don't know how great the black dragon is, but it's not like that guy is crazy now.

I rolled up the page and froze when I saw a sentence.　

The defensive function of this Nerdal is due to the magic circle concocted by the heroes, but it is said to be made possible by the twin dragons of wind and water dragons, but I'm not certain.

''Well I haven't heard about it. I thought it was only wind spirits!

I would look at the information in the book and yell at him.

There was nowhere to vent this hazy and complicated emotion and I couldn't stay calm.

''Luciel-sama, are you alright?''

Is something wrong, sir?

Nadia and Lydia came over to me, looking worried, which made me feel sad and sorry for them.

''I'm ... sorry. Don't worry about it. Maybe it's because I'm no longer a healer, or maybe it's because I'm not a healer anymore, or maybe it's just the ups and downs.

'You don't have to laugh so hard. We are here as your followers.

Say what you want.

For some reason, the more devoted they were to each other, the more apologetic they became.

'Thanks. But now that I've got a few things to think about, leave me alone. Since it's your free time, the two of you can read a few more books.

Okay, I understand. Well, if you need anything else, please let me know.

I'll be right over.

Yeah. Thank you.

After telling them that, they go back to where they were.

I take a deep breath and then drop another look at the book that was written about Nerdal.

I wondered if the information in it was really correct.

Then I realized something.

'Huh?　Wait. Maybe.....

I hurriedly rolled up the pages, and the Magic Guild was in the center of Nerdal, with towns east, west, north and south surrounding it.

'Then what about the fountain?'

I picked up the booklet and examined it, and found that a fountain existed in the courtyard of the Mage Guild.

''If all the conditions are met... then the bad feeling I had earlier...''

Somehow the disparate pieces in my head all connect together.

Then a depressed looking Mr. Orford came back to me.

'I knew there wasn't a single story of you losing a job through the use of forbidden arts.

Mr. Orford, there are two pieces of information I'd like to know.

What is it?

I guess I was a little too excited and I surprised him.

Getting my mind back on track, I decided to ask two questions.

'If the dragons described in the fairy tale were to be reincarnated, would Nerdal fall?'

Hmm. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I've already carved a floating magic circle in Nerdal in preparation for that.

Relieved that the worst case scenario was gone, I decided to fill in the last piece of the puzzle.

''For example, is there a magic or magical tool that can break the seal of the Evil God class?''

No.

The expression on his face as he replied that he didn't have one didn't change, but I felt that the aura radiating from his eyes also added to the intimidation.

'So, suppose there is a dragon, do you know of some sort of potion that could seal the wound?

I've never met a dragon before. Well, let's not be so hasty.

It's a power I hope to regain soon.

'Well, settle down. The Pope has told me that you have aptitude for several attributes. It's not too late to practice them, is it?

As it stands, I've found that anything I say to Mr. Orford is futile.

I guess he has some thoughts in his mind.

I decided to reset my head once and read through the books in the collection, this time in Nerdal, while training in magic.

''........I understand. I want to try out some other attribute magic once.

That would be good. I'll be the teacher.

Mr. Orford laughed with satisfaction at the answer, but he also decided to find out why he had been so stubborn in deflecting the question from me.