Chapter 101
Kkiieee!
But there was no time for idle chatter. Another monster was charging at them immediately.
Swish!
Elegia quickly slashed at the monster’s neck and stepped back. As the head of the massive serpent-like beast tumbled to the ground, the next monster—a hippo-like creature—opened its mouth wide and lunged forward.
Kaang!
A magical beam rained down on the hippo beast. It was Finn’s attack.
“Step back further! There should be a point where even they’ll hit the wall!”
Following Finn’s shout, Elegia jumped back several times in large bounds. Then, the next monster attempted to swallow her, but…
Thunk.
It hit an invisible wall.
Just as Elegia had experienced earlier, it seemed the monster had collided with an unknown transparent barrier.
Thunk, thunk, thunk.
After repeated attempts, the monsters realized they could not enter further and retreated with frustrated squeaks.
Elegia also gradually stepped back. The monsters looked around in confusion, seemingly no longer recognizing her. After some time of this standoff…
Kkiieee…
One by one, as if giving up, the monsters slowly disappeared beyond the forest. Confirming that the situation had settled, Elegia finally turned to Finn.
“You were able to use the relic?”
“…Well.”
Finn added with a troubled expression,
“The fact that I can use it is still a secret…”
Officially, no one is supposed to be able to use it, but internally, Finn is registered as a user. That would explain why he couldn’t immediately reveal it to a visitor like Elegia.
Wait, could that be what the quest meant?
“Do not reveal Finn’s identity.”
Since he’s from the mage tower and can use the relic, that’s definitely unusual!
He might have another role. That would explain why he has a hidden identity.
And I can understand why he’d want to keep it secret.
A relic that even the high priest could not use, yet a mere magician can. If this were revealed, it would be a huge blow to the temple’s reputation. The repercussions would be massive.
Thinking this through, Elegia asked,
“How critical is this secret? How much can I know?”
“…It’s better if no one knows, ideally.”
“…Huh?”
Surprised, Elegia’s expression stiffened.
Could it be that even the temple doesn’t know?
Seeing her puzzled expression, Finn spoke honestly,
“In fact, Lord Flumen doesn’t know either. Probably only the previous and current heads of the mage tower are aware.”
What?! That’s way bigger than I thought!
This is no small matter to just let slide. A secret the mage tower has kept from both the temple and the royal palace. Nervously, Elegia asked,
“Th-then, does that mean… I, as an eyewitness, need to be handled?”
Finn replied calmly,
“No, but it’d be better if you kept this quiet with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“You, my lady, also entered using the relic, didn’t you?”
“Ah…!”
That’s true.
“If this fact is revealed, you’d be at risk too.”
Compared to Finn, who is vouched for by the mage tower head, Elegia—suspected of stealing the relic and constantly under the high priest’s scrutiny—would clearly be in much more danger. She nodded with a complicated expression.
“…That makes sense.”
“By the way, how much time do you have left?”
“…!”
“Not much, I think. It’d be better to step outside for this conversation.”
So the time limit is the same for all relic users?
Elegia reluctantly placed her hand on the ‘Return’ button. Finn was right—after facing monsters in the forest and with a time limit in effect, continuing the conversation here would be risky.
“But when I return, will I just go back to my original spot?”
“You should.”
“And no one is in the relic storage right now?”
“Yes.”
Finn nodded reassuringly.
“There shouldn’t be anyone, as there’s still time left. Actually, I called for you to tell you about your reservation, but… since you weren’t there, I came to find you.”
Elegia understood. Finn had followed her here after she entered the storage.
“…Alright. Let’s go back for now.”
Elegia pressed the ‘Return’ button on the notification.
Return selected!
Ding. With a cheerful sound, the surroundings shifted. The relic storage looked exactly as it did before. Checking the bracelet, still neatly stored, Elegia turned her head.
Shushushuk.
Finn appeared from thin air, returning immediately after her.
“Where should we talk? Your reservation time is almost up… Would you like to see the mage tower head’s office?”
Elegia instinctively frowned.
Can I just enter the head’s office like that?
But the mage tower head probably knows the most about the relic and Finn. Being so close, he likely knows his secrets. Maybe he even hinted for her to use the office freely in situations like this.
“Did you get permission from the mage tower head?”
“As you know, he’s on a business trip, and he said it’s fine to use it anytime.”
“….”
As expected, Finn’s calm answer left Elegia uneasy. His usual composed demeanor now seemed slightly unfamiliar.
How can he be so calm?
Normally difficult to read, but knowing his secret made him even more inscrutable. He should have been flustered now that his ability as a relic user was revealed. Yet his expression…
Pressed lips, composed voice, but eyes subtly sparkling.
…Could it be he’s excited?
Elegia’s curiosity deepened. Did he actually want to be found out? Why?
She asked directly,
“What’s so good about this?”
“Huh? Good?”
Only then did Finn look truly surprised. Then, after a brief pause, he placed a finger over his lips and whispered,
“For now, until we move, you should be careful who’s listening. We can go over detailed questions later.”
Makes sense.
“Of course, other questions are fine. For example…”
Finn guided Elegia toward the magical elevator, continuing as he operated it.
“Snacks available in the tower, what foods can be delivered at this hour… things like that.”
“No, those are all food questions. Do you think I live only for eating?”
“Some of the dishes, I dare say, are the best in the empire.”
“…I’ll have to try them.”
Elegia muttered, recalling the excellent refreshments she had when she first arrived at the tower.
No, don’t get distracted now.
She returned to a serious face, thinking,
The important thing is how the tower treats me.
She had just uncovered the tower’s most closely guarded secret—the fact that Finn could use the relic. And now, she herself had been caught using it! How on earth should she navigate this?
“Lady, which do you prefer—fried chicken or spicy noodles?”
“Both, please. They seem calming.”
“Indeed, a very wise choice.”
After this trivial but oddly deep conversation, they finally arrived at the mage tower head’s office.
Elegia looked around curiously. Compared to the sub-head Jerome’s office, this space was larger with higher ceilings. But towering stacks of books, documents, and magical items scattered throughout slightly diminished the grandeur. Yet this chaotic atmosphere gave it a cozy, human feel.
“It’s a bit messy, sorry. Work’s been hectic… You can sit here.”
The guest sofa, however, was well-maintained, luxurious, and soft.
“The food will be delivered automatically, so no one will interrupt. Soundproofing and security are probably the safest in the entire tower.”
“I see. Then I can ask properly.”
Without hesitation, Elegia asked,
“What is the place you traveled to using the relic? What kind of place is it?”
To her, it was the ‘Seiros Saga,’ but the locals surely thought differently.
“…It’s another dimension, for now.”
Finn chose his words carefully.
“More precisely, I think it’s a dimension that ‘perished before ours.’ It shares many similarities with ours and is also connected.”
Yes, there were definitely many similarities.
Monsters, maps, even the principles of magic and sword skills were similar. Knowing it was a game, Elegia had assumed it was just the same game system, but the locals clearly had a different perspective.
“And not only did monsters destroy that world, but they are now trying to invade our dimension as well.”
“…How?”
“Sometimes gaps appear between dimensions. We usually seal them, but recently these gaps have become more frequent and larger. If this continues…”
Finn trailed off. The implication: this world might be in danger too. In Remegol, the protagonists managed to block it, but what happens afterward is uncertain.
“That’s why the mage tower has researched that dimension extensively, even before the relic appeared. They could traverse dimensions to some degree before the relic was discovered.”
“Ah, that explains…”
If research on dimensional travel was advanced, discovering how to use a relic to move dimensions before the temple did wouldn’t be surprising.
“However, not every magician can traverse dimensions easily. It suits me better, so I’m often assigned to scout between dimensions.”
A study secretly conducted by the tower for the world’s safety, but revealing it publicly would risk conflict with the temple. Elegia quietly bit into the hot fried chicken delivered to them.
“In that case, I’d rather not get involved. I’ll leave it to the tower.”
Already burdened by current issues, she didn’t want to meddle in the power struggle between the tower and the temple. And since she was asked to keep the secret, she intended to.
“However… I still have a question.”
Elegia suddenly recalled the space where she first arrived—the cozy attic, evidence of magic and sword use, and the notes.
E. came and went.
“…Did someone live there?”
