Chapter 92: Conversation with Syria

“Noelle is my little sister to begin with. Why would I date her?”

‘What kind of crazy person would date their own sister?’

Even back at the mausoleum earlier, if it weren’t for Berna, I would have lost it over that hero story and yanked her hair out.

Considering that, I let it slide pretty smoothly.

“Right now, you’re Olivia, and you’re strangers, aren’t you?”

“Olivia’s great-grandmother is Noelle’s great-grandmother. One way or another, there’s shared blood.”

“Isn’t that practically strangers at this point?”

‘Sure, practically strangers. But still, sharing the same great-grandmother makes it weird.’

Dating between descendants like that just doesn’t make sense.

“And anyway, dating as two women? How does that even make sense?”

“Then would you date a man?”

“No, that’s not…”

‘That’s not it, but somehow, I can’t refute her logically.’

‘Why is it even being assumed that I would date anyone?’

“Here, I object! I’ve been in love with Noah for years. Don’t I deserve some compensation?”

‘Compensation? Really, compensation? Fine, that’s fair.’

‘But she should ask Noah for that.’

“I’m not Noah. I’m Olivia.”

“Oh my, I’m Olivia. Noah? Sure, the mighty one who defeated the Demon King, but that’s not me.”

‘I am Olivia Rapha Ashtar. So I don’t know what she’s talking about.’

“Ugh, even without romance, women often go on dates together.”

Syria stared at me for a long moment.

‘Why is she blaming me? Did I ever tell her to be infatuated?’

“Fine, but even if we went on a date, what would we do?”

“Obviously, explore some ancient tombs.”

“We’re not grave robbers! What kind of suggestion is that?”

‘I’d have to be out of my mind to visit ancient tombs.’

“Then let’s tackle the Third Legion together! A war date isn’t too much, is it?”

“Hm, I’ll think about it.”

“If we strike the Third Legion quickly and retreat, her help might actually be needed.”

“That means joining the war.”

“At least then, I wouldn’t have to deal with that sly emperor or Aslan’s detestable face.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Promise you won’t back out later?”

She rolled her eyes as if testing me, trying to see through my thoughts.

‘Do I look like someone who’d fall for that?’

“Just don’t do anything disgraceful with corpses, and we’re good.”

“Really? Should I pack lunchboxes then?”

‘Who packs lunch for a battlefield? Is she even sane?’

“Do whatever you want.”

***

“Not just that, but I’ll catch that insolent Berna who dared to tempt Olivia!”

‘Tempt? What temptation? That story is way off the mark.’

“Well, if she’s caught, I guess I could reward her. Sure, if she completes an impossible mission.”

I smirked slyly and told her, “If you break both Berna’s legs and bring her to me—”

“And if I do?”

“I’ll grant you whatever you wish.”

‘Not that it’s remotely possible.’

“Wait, I can actually do it?”

“You can’t. You won’t.”

‘If she could, anyone could take down one of the Four Heavenly Kings.’

Even if Syria is a candidate for the next Tower Master, it’s a far-off dream.

Berna wouldn’t let herself be captured, especially since she’s already tasted my magic.

“And if I really catch her, anything I want?”

“Yes. Though it’s impossible.”

Syria’s choice of a teddy bear as an offensive tool rather than a proper summon speaks volumes.

Despite her drawbacks, she’s in line to be the next Tower Master, but against the Four Heavenly Kings? Not a chance.

“Well, you’re underestimating me too much. I can do it.”

“Fine, but listen. Don’t fight with Kise too much.”

“Is Kise my rival?”

Snap!

Instead of slamming her against a wall, I flicked her forehead.

“You have an obligation to hear me out until the end.”

“Okay, fine. So you’re saying I shouldn’t fight with the Tower?”

“Exactly. I need to join the Mage Corps.”

Syria being perceived as my close ally is already a well-known fact in Ashtar.

If she fights with Kise, who’s from the Mage Corps, it’ll complicate my position.

“What kind of nonsense is that? Are you saying you’d abandon me to join the Mage Corps?”

‘What does she want from me?’

“It’s not like I can join the Tower anyway!”

“Well, in that case, I’ll just have to overstep my boundaries.”

“Please don’t. Aren’t you already disliked enough?”

If she continues this stubbornness, the old folks in the Tower are going to despise her even more.

“Then I’ll just replace those old folks with teddy bears.”

“Wow, you’re opening a teddy bear shop now? Stop it.”

‘At least children would love it.’

***

“By the way, don’t you have things from Eldakrath’s mausoleum?”

“Besides the diary, there are other relics.”

“There’s a variety of items, including magical books, safely stored in a subspace.”

“Can I see them?”

“Why would you want to see things from a dead person?”

“Olivia, you’re their granddaughter, right? What’s wrong with a granddaughter taking her grandfather’s belongings?”

‘Well, that does make some sense, but why would I take something from a dead person?’

I haven’t shown them to the Ashtar patriarch yet, but what if I kept them for myself?

No, after all the trouble I went through, isn’t it only fair I take a little reward?

Eldakrath entrusted it to me.

He wanted Berna dealt with, and he handed over those items for that purpose.

And among them, there might be something valuable for magic.

“There’s definitely something about magic involved.”

“Exactly. That’s why it’s even more important.”

“Using Eldakrath’s magic?”

“Honestly, aren’t you curious? Isn’t that right?”

‘I am curious too.’

Since Syria brought it up, maybe it’s worth taking a look.

***

When I entered the room, I opened Eldakrath’s chest.

“Eldakrath’s watch and diary.”

There are various other items as well.

The magic books, in particular, catch my eye.

“This looks like a magic book, doesn’t it?”

“Is it for use during spellcasting?”

There are two types of magic books.

One, as everyone knows, is filled with theories or research about magic—a book containing magical knowledge.

The other type is designed for combat.

Combat magic books are inscribed with various formulas, aiding the mage in casting spells smoothly.

These formulas amplify magical power, speed up casting time, or minimize mana consumption.

At first glance, one might think that the more formulas a book has, the better.

But that’s not the case.

The more formulas, the more pages a book has, making it heavy and impractical for a mage who requires mobility and long-range combat efficiency.

Additionally, the more complex the formulas, the higher the chance of spell failure.

Thus, expensive magic books are crafted by skilled mages with meticulous attention to detail, containing only the most refined formulas on fewer pages.

They ensure reliable spellcasting without failures.

The magic book I’m holding now, Eldakrath’s book, is exactly that.

“Wait, wasn’t Eldakrath not even a mage?”

“Maybe this is just part of a collection?”

‘Knowing Eldakrath, that’s plausible.’

He was the lord who led Ashtar during its prime.

Nobles collecting magic books isn’t uncommon.

“Hmm. Certainly, something like this would fetch a high price.”

Even more so since each page contains only a single formula.

Typically, the fewer pages a book has, the more expensive it is because each page is densely inscribed with high-quality formulas.

“This is quite valuable. Honestly, not even the Mage Tower could craft something this intricate. Look at this—the handiwork, the triple-coating to prevent the formulas from fading. It’s priceless!”

“Is that so?”

Even as someone who’s never used magic books, I can tell it’s impressive. But is it really worth that much?

“Olivia, you wouldn’t understand since you don’t use magic books, but this is incredible.”

‘Why is she so excited?’

“Then why don’t you use it?”

“Do I need to?”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Her teddy bear summons are already handcrafted.

She doesn’t need to write out formulas manually.

There’s no reason for her to need a magic book, and it’s no surprise she’s the next Tower Master candidate.

“But Olivia, don’t you think you might need it? To stabilize your mana usage?”

‘It wouldn’t be bad to control the mana fusion in my body.’

“Me? My arm’s fine, though.”

My arm is perfectly functional—actually, it’s in great shape.

When I absorbed Pector’s sword with Sword Magic, Noelle’s mana provided more support than expected.

“Really?”

“I told you, it’s fine. Using magic isn’t an issue.”

“Then try using Sword Magic. I heard earlier from that washboard that you turned Pector’s sword into a Mana Sword. That might be a problem.”

‘What could possibly go wrong?’

Syria even set up a barrier near the room.

‘As if I’m about to unleash some destructive force.’

“Oh, this…”

When I used Sword Magic, a sinister black aura began to emanate.

I tried to suppress it with mana, but the amount of dark energy was overwhelming.

Due to the mana fusion, it’s become somewhat toxic, causing mana to convert into dark energy.

It’s manageable, though.

As long as I maintain proper mana circulation, I can control it.

‘Maybe I do need to be careful with my arm for now.’

Using a magic book to filter out the dark energy might simplify things when casting spells.

“If you caused this much trouble in the mausoleum, Olivia, remember you are now the Lady of Ashtar.”

‘Who doesn’t know that?’

“Of course, I know.”

“For now, it seems like you need a magic book to handle the instability of your power.”

“Maybe.”

I nodded at Syria’s suggestion.

***

“Among the Four Heavenly Kings, two of them are women, right? Their corruption stems from love, hatred, and vengeance. You know that, Olivia.”

‘Corruption and malice always creep into people’s hearts when they’re at their weakest.’

That’s how demons were born and how the Four Heavenly Kings came to be.

The sources vary, but love and revenge are often their strongest fuel.

Of the Four Heavenly Kings, Pector does as he pleases, while Seto has existed since ancient times.

Berna was consumed by love, to the point she couldn’t even recognize the man she loved, and fell into corruption.

As for Clanis, I don’t know his reasons, but his insanity suggests it’s no different.

Right now, Syria is worried about the remnants of Olivia within me.

“I know.”

“You can see it in the Four Heavenly Kings. Berna and Clanis are lunatics.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t succumb to something like that.”

‘She’s overreacting.’

The fact that I can wield this sword as I please proves I’ve made it entirely mine.

There’s no way I’ll turn into some despair-filled Olivia.

If that happens, I’d overlap with Pector’s role.

There’s no room for something like that to take hold in me.

That’s also why I haven’t killed the Four Heavenly Kings.

Syria just worries too much.