Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 42: The Ancient Grimoire (2)
Chapter 42: The Ancient Grimoire (2)
Though Meltas and Marina had called Gadena an extreme bigot, in truth, Gadena wasn’t particularly unusual.
He was an elf, and most of his kind treated other races with casual disdain.
Many found this elven attitude irritating, but no one could deny it on all fronts. After all, the elves possessed lifespans several times longer than other races, an equivalently slow aging process, and, above all, a constitution favored by elementals.
These factors, touted as proof of elven superiority, carried a certain undeniable weight.
...Which was why Gadena was so perplexed.
Grimoires, books imbued with mana that formed a will of their own, were a type of elemental, most of which favored elves over humans.
This should have been especially true given the comparison: Gadena, a master of ancient lore, versus a human who answered a simple riddle with a vulgar joke.
Yet, the grimoire seemed to prefer Risir.
“...”
“?”
The elf, Gadena, finally directed his attention toward one of his unwelcome guests, the young human man.
After a brief observation, he concluded...
“This grimoire seems greatly fickle in nature.”
The human possessed power of the 4th rank’s final stages, which was noteworthy for his age, but nothing more.
Gadena could find no other reason for the grimoire’s preference. The young lady, Henya, was a prime example.
Despite his general disinterest in humans, he was well aware of Henya’s reputation. A prodigious talent, a genius mage who had garnered considerable attention even outside the Gray Tower.
Gadena heard she’d reached her current level within a year of formally studying magic, which was remarkable, even among elves. And Henya had stated that the most knowledge she’d gleaned from the grimoire at any one time was a single page.
He didn’t know how long the human man’s magical training had been, but he was certain of one thing: it must have been longer than Henya’s single year.
It was only logical. Even in all of Bondalles, few possessed a magical aptitude comparable to Henya’s. Therefore, it was reasonable to view the grimoire’s reaction to the man as not favoritism, but mere caprice.
Gadena quickly shared his findings to forestall any insulting assumptions about the grimoire’s apparent preference for humans over elves.
As everyone knew of Henya’s talent, they would surely understand.
“...”
“...”
“...”
“?”
But he didn’t get much of a reaction from the other three, who exchanged hesitant looks.
“I think it is favoritism...”
“Meltas, what are you implying?”
“...It’s nothing. Just continue with what you were saying.”
“...?”
Their reactions bothered Gaden, but he dismissed them. What could humans possibly know about elementals? What could they know about grimoires?
The aloof elf simply continued on his path.
“I’m not certain, but it seems like a grimoire crafted by a mage of Dallatzan.”
“Dallatzan?”
“Yes, a magic society that flourished in ancient times.”
“How can you tell just by looking at it?”
“The question-and-answer method of imparting knowledge. Dallatzan used to place such grimoires in public libraries to seek out potential successors.”
“They searched for successors that way?”
“They were, in many ways, a pure magic society.”
Gadena retrieved the grimoire from Risir. Opening it, he addressed the book directly.
“Am I mistaken?”
<No, you are correct. I did not expect someone in this era to know of Dallatzan. I suppose it’s to be expected of an elf. Your knowledge is extensive.>
A satisfied smirk touched the elf’s impassive face. He sensed that the grimoire possessed the power and will of at least a mid-tier elemental, even though it seemed not to have fully awakened yet.
Receiving acknowledgement from a grimoire of this level was encouraging, even for someone of Gadena’s stature.
Emboldened, Gadena invited the grimoire to challenge him.
“Ask me another question, Grimoire.”
<You know of Dallatzan, yes? Then let’s see if you know this as well. Tell me of Ra-Diman.>
“Ra-Diman...Ra-Diman...”
Gadena spent a while pondering the word, then handed the grimoire back to Risir.
As if entranced, he turned and began rummaging through the bookshelves.
***“So what’s Ra-Diman...?”
Risir mumbled to himself in dejection. The elf gave no explanation, nor even an apology. It was a textbook example of abandonment.
“Did you know, Risir? This is VIP treatment by Gadena’s standards.”
“I’d understand if it were just me. But the way he acts even with two master mages and Miss Henya, a lady of prominent nobility...I can’t help but respect such unwavering disdain for humans.”
“Hey.”
Henya, as if struck by a thought, asked him.
“Earlier on, why did you answer like that?”
“Earlier on?”
“The number of legs on a horse seen from afar. Isn’t the answer normally two?”
The number of legs on a horse seen from afar is two.
Though Risir didn’t know, this was a famous proverb and riddle known by all mages.
“Why two...?”
“What are you saying? Of course it’s two. I should be asking why you answered five.”
Henya’s question was a mixture of vexation and curiosity. The grimoire’s unusually positive reaction had convinced her that Risir’s answer contained some hidden wisdom she’d overlooked, fueling her competitive spirit.
Risir was unaware of how much Henya’s estimation of him had risen since their duel.
“...”
He avoided her gaze. How could he explain the truth? That the hidden meaning behind his answer was a vulgar joke unbefitting a noble lady’s ears?
Of all the things, the one answer that came to mind...
Risir blamed himself, though it was too late. Henya’s innocent reaction was somehow more discomfiting than outright scorn.
“Hey! Why are you ignoring me?!”
“...Henya.”
Unable to watch any longer, Marina revealed the truth. Though Henya grasped magical concepts with lightning speed...she needed extensive explanation on this particular topic.
When she finally understood, her elegant face instantly turned crimson.
“...You can think of it that way too?! Interesting. You’ve got wit!”
Even as she writhed in embarrassment, she tried to maintain a facade of nonchalance, unwilling to admit her ignorance on such matters to her rival.
Of course, it was far too late for that.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
“Anyway...”
As the culprit behind this awkwardness, Risir took it upon himself to steer the conversation.
“Why did the grimoire react so favorably to me? Was it just a whim, like the expert said? Henya, did it usually act so capriciously?”
“Capricious...I’m not sure if I should call it that. For starters, I’ve never seen the grimoire in such a good mood before.”
“Risir. If you’re so curious, why not ask it yourself? The grimoire just so happens to be in your hands.”
“Uh...Can I just open it whenever I want?”
“It belongs to your now, so why hesitate?”
“That’s not what I meant...”
Risir focused on the sensation in his hand holding the grimoire.
The ominous aura he had faintly sensed before had intensified, to the point where he thought, Holy crap. I didn’t know it was this dangerous.
Deciding this was too much to bear alone, he shared his observation.
“What? An ominous aura...You’re saying it could be related to black magic?”
The mention of black magic made Marina’s expression turn serious.
“Why would such a thing be in our family archives...?”
Henya was equally shocked.
“Black magic? Isn’t it fine then?”
Meltas’ casual response startled them both. Marina stared at him, wondering if she heard right.
“Meltas, did you just say...it’s fine because it’s dark magic?”
If not for their long acquaintance, Marina would have immediately launched into a scathing interrogation. Meltas’ nonchalance was something expected of black mages who welcomed such dark powers.
“Hm? Ah.”
Meltas seemed to finally register Marina’s reaction, a strange smile playing on his lips.
“I see you’re not aware yet.”
“Not aware of what? That you’re a former black mage?”
“Don’t say such dangerous things.”
Meltas gestured toward Risir with the air of an artist presenting a masterpiece.
“There’s no need to worry about black magic. At least not when this young man is around.”
“...?”
“...?”
Marina and Henya could only stare back and forth between Meltas and Risir, bewildered.
Black magic was the most dangerous, malevolent, and mysterious power in existence. Unless one fully succumbed to it, true understanding—and thus, true countermeasures—were nearly impossible.
The more one knew, the more one feared. Wise and experienced mages were wary of black magic.
Marina and Henya couldn’t comprehend Meltas’ casual dismissal. What’s more, he seemed to base his confidence on Risir.
The young man was undoubtedly talented, but he was still only at the 4th Rank. Marina was confident she could handle him like a child, and Meltas likely could as well.
“Meltas. Unless you’ve finally gone senile, I hope to hear a reasonable explanation.”
“Heh, very well. But I warn you—you’ll be in for a surprise. Do prepare yourself, so you won’t be too shocked.”
Meltas began his explanation, practically bursting with pride like a doting parent. His flippant attitude made their expectations plummet, yet...
“...He defeated a necromancer?”
Marina and Henya were left astonished despite themselves.
Necromancers were servants of death, who yearned for death and wielded its very powers. As transcendental beings who held even the concept of mortality beneath their feet, their names were not to be uttered lightly.
Could even all the master mages of the towers combined stand against a necromancer? Marina wasn’t sure. Yet this young mage, standing before them, had defeated one.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I know, it’s hard to believe unless you see it with your own eyes. Isn’t that why I’m telling you as a firsthand witness?”
“...”
“Risir possesses a special ability.”
“A special ability...?”
“A power that exerts absolute influence over negative energy. He used it to banish a summoned necromancer back to the Spectral Plane and to expose the black mage Tulan, who was making a mockery of the Gray Tower and its masters. I suspect this mysterious power is Risir’s Intrinsic Color.”
“...”
As the two women struggled to process this information, Risir questioned Meltas in a hushed whisper.
“Master Meltas. About that incident...didn’t she tell us to keep it confidential?”
He referred to Salana, the master assassin of the Assassin’s Guild. A figure no less fearsome than a necromancer.
Meltas could never forget a promise with someone like her.
“More precisely, she said not to divulge anything about herself.”
“...”
Risir was astounded. Meltas was willing to risk(?) his life to brag about someone else.
“...”
Even Marina was taken aback by Meltas’ behavior. The old man had stern features and a rigid personality to match, yet somehow, he had ended up turning into a doting grandfather.
Speaking of which...it was that boy who solved the Tulan incident.
Finally convinced, Marina crossed her arms and spoke with a sigh.
“So, what’s your point? Do we use Risir’s ability to purify the grimoire or something?”
“Can you do it, Risir?”
“...”
After a brief pause, Risir nodded. He opened the grimoire once more.
***
[Title : Guys when does the Asking Grimoire Fate quest unlock?]
Post : I’ve unlocked 14 pages so far.
: u get a trait at 21 pages then that starts the fate quest
-[OP]: UGH still fking halfway to go.
-[OP]: What’s the maximum number of pages you can unlock per question?
: prolly 2?
: na its 2 only when your mastery trait is S rank
up 3 possible if ur support mastery also S rank
i saw a screenshot for that
: wtf lol are u kidding me, showing off S rank for both mastery and support
: fr game must be hella fun for that bro
***
[Title : SIRS about the trait the Asking Grimoire gave me...]
Post : Ancient Heart
do I gotta remove this?
tried using and my magic power shot up like hell with it
: u can see ur magic getting boosted like hell
but cant see ur character dropping into hell ig q.q
: ya keep using it. lets see what happens.
-[OP]: seriously just being curious, what happens?
Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.
: all ur other magic traits disappear, leaving only that one
: ya then the Asking Grimoire takes it back
-[OP]: wtf bro it’s actually an Ancient Parasite
***
[Title : FUGGING BITCH ASKING GRIMOIRE LOL]
Post : i thought we were friends for a while hahaaha
asshole suddenly implants ‘Ancient Magic Power’ in me like some parasite
then talks shit like “make it stronger if u wanna live gl” hahaHA
and even if u increase that power it takes it back and resets your magic power and traits what a fUCKIN LEGEND HAHAHAHA
: for real i saw pics of it being all cold to people with low-rank traits
so I felt so fcking warm an fuzzy inside when it was all friendly
then it suddenly turns round and treats me like a parasite host. am was mind blown
: ofc it be nice when ur the host offering up nutrients KEK
: Who told you to trust kindness in this game?
: Seriously, kindness = incoming betrayal.
Its about time yall learned
***
[Title : so what the hell IS this asshole parasite Asking Grimoire?]
Post : whys it using humans as hosts to boost magic power?
: It’s the command the mage who created it left
“Develop magic.”
But since a book can’t develop magic power or research magic it uses humans
-[OP]: sounds like some AI horror story
***
[You have resisted]
***Gadena’s hand trembled as he held an open book.
“Ra-Diman...”
The word’s meaning and etymology had led him to a particular sect within Dallatzan who dabbled in every form of power: orthodox magic, white magic, elementalism, as well as black magic, blood magic, and sorcery.
These were madmen, relentless in their pursuit of magical advancement...and the grimoire brought by the humans was their creation. He could scarcely fathom the devastation that would follow if its power and knowledge were unleashed.
“This isn’t something a mere 4th rank mage should possess!”
Gadena hastily searched around him, but his eyes widened in realization—he’d left the grimoire with that human man.
The elf bolted from the archives, returning to the others.
When he arrived, he spotted the human man opening the grimoire and screamed in panic.
“No! You must close it, now!”
A voice echoed his warning.
<Close it!!!>
It was the grimoire.
<My magic power!!! That’s my magic power!!!>
The grimoire wailed like a peasant being robbed, while Risir’s magic power suddenly surged, nearing the 5th rank.
The elf couldn’t even begin to comprehend what had transpired in his absence.
