Chapter 53: New Knowledge

Chapter 53: New Knowledge

Returning to my room, I let out a sigh, stretching my tensed muscles. I had exerted quite a bit, thanks to the apprentices of the Grand Mage.

[Youve worked hard.]

Dark Sage appears, thinking its finally time for a conversation. I had glared at her several times to stay still, so she had avoided talking altogether.

I sneak a peek at her, then start to remove my jacket.

When Eleanor was asleep, did you see anything?

To my question, Dark Sage firmly shakes her head.

[Not at all. Do you really think theres an evil spirit inside? The more I see, the more I feel thats not the case.]

......

Seeing me stay silent, she subtly moves closer, mimicking an offer to hold my jacket for me. Of course, she cant physically hold it, so I hang it on the coat rack, disregarding her gesture.

Seemingly miffed, she crosses her arms and poses a counter-question.

[And you? In this domain, youre more of an expert than I am, arent you?]

I know.

That she didnt see anything.

Still, I had to ask.

Because...

I, too, didnt see anything.

No presence of any evil spirit or monster I didnt feel any energy whatsoever. I had suggested to the princess that maybe if she slept I might see something.

Yet I saw nothing, which left me a bit perplexed.

.

Seated on the chair, I crossed my legs, but soon stood up again, yearning for a sip of coffee or tea. The room was equipped with essentials for me: tea leaves, coffee beans, a grinder, and a teapot.

Normally, Id boil tea, but tonight, given that Id likely pull an all-nighter, I started grinding coffee beans.

*Whirr, whirr.*

As I turned the hand grip, the rich aroma of coffee playfully teased my nose.

Suddenly, I thought of Finden Ai.

I had once told her not to touch the tea leaves as when she prepared the tea, it tasted like pigs urine. But after that, she seemed to have developed a taste for brewing and kept bringing me more without my asking.

All of them tasted atrociously bad. Honestly, it was mostly lukewarm water.

I bet shes doing well right now.

She might be tackling a highly challenging dungeon, but it was the combination of Aria and Finden Ai. Given their prowess in close combat, possibly the best, my trust in them was absolute.

Yes, all I need to do is perform well here.

To roam the kingdom proudly as a necromancer, I need to resolve this matter.

After brewing the coffee, I sat back down on the chair. Dark Sage was gazing at me, seemingly irritated.

[Since you also didnt see anything, dont you think its not related to evil spirits? I heard the saintess also failed, so it seems like its not a spiritual issue but something else.]

......

[No, is the princess even truly having nightmares in the first place? Isnt she just mentally ill? Maybe delusional?]

... Is there a way to enter someones dream?

I too had felt something was amiss, and thus, wanted to dive into the dream myself.

To that, Dark Sage replied with a peculiar expression.

[Is it even possible? Even if some sort of soul-to-soul connection is feasible, entering dreams might be impossible. We dont even understand the nature of dreams in the first place.]

Hmm, youre right.

As I firmly shut my mouth, deep in thought, Dark Sage, after observing me for a moment, proposed with a hint of pity.

[Lets run away at dawn.]

Hmm?

Her sudden statement seemed out of place, but she was dead serious.

[This isnt something we can handle. Its not our expertise to begin with. So, lets run away. After all, its normal for a dark mage to flee.]

Haah.

Such needless words and worries. I sip my coffee, not even deeming it worthy of a response.

Considering it was brewed by an amateur like me, the flavor and aroma were rather impressive, probably due to the good ingredients.

I gaze at King Orpheus.

His clenched fists already indicate his resolve to save his sister. So, I added fuel to the fire.

Thats the magnitude of the challenge. We must confront the impossible head-on.

* * *

Since yesterday, the plan has progressed rapidly.

Following the kings directive ready to do anything to save his sister on the surface, the research began centered around the Grand Mage. However, in reality, I would be leading the initiative.

After all, I was the only one with knowledge and understanding of the being named Mack.

After changing my clothes and stepping outside, the Grand Mages disciples were still waiting for me, clearly irritated.

To travel anywhere, I had to have these two by my side.

It was undeniably inconvenient, but it couldnt be helped.

As I walked with these thoughts, Princess Eleanor suddenly appeared from around a corner.

Seeing the princess, both the disciples and I promptly paid our respects. Eleanor, with a hint of awkwardness, cleared her throat and spoke.

Deus, is this reality?

Napoleon Bonaparte. Originally a soldier in France, he became Emperor through the coup of the 18th Brumaire.

Having prepared the character in advance, I smoothly relayed the information. Eleanor, listening blankly, tilted her head in confusion.

France? Napoleon? Am I the only one not aware?

When I shrugged my shoulders, she asked the two disciples beside me, and they too shook their heads in discomfort.

We... Were also unfamiliar.

Its the first time weve heard of it.

Hmm, interesting.

The princess nodded, looking somewhat relieved, and walked past us. She probably thought it was a simple story I had crafted within me.

Yet, after that, Princess Eleanor kept seeking me out on a whim.

Even during meal times.

De, Deus? I think I just dozed off for a moment. Is... is this reality?

There was a website full of videos called YouTube. I used to frequent it quite often.

You, what? Vid... what are you talking about?

Even while conducting research.

Deus! Is this reality?

Theres a theory called the Theory of Relativity, posited by Albert Einstein. Its a vital concept that explains the fundamental laws of the universe.

...I really have no idea what youre talking about.

And as evening approached, on my way back to the room-

Is this reality, Deus?

...Theres something called a cell phone. Its a versatile device that can take photos, send texts, and make calls.

Hm, quite the peculiar object.

Eleanor nodded with satisfaction.

As she was about to turn away, I called out to her.

Princess, do you simply find pleasure in listening to these tales?

Wha-?!

Eleanor responded in alarm, fluttering her hands about. Her face turned a bright shade of red.

I-Its not like that! I genuinely need to verify if this is reality!

Although she said this, her embarrassed demeanor made me think I had some insight into why she acted the way she did.

Meeting me and briefly discerning reality probably brought her relief from her ongoing stresses.

As if addicted to that sensation, she kept seeking me out.

I, I, Ill excuse myself!

Whoosh!

Watching her swiftly turn and leave, I couldnt help but think Id be dealing with this quite often.

--- End of The Chapter ---

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