The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 102



Only Krnovel

Episode 102

“There are a lot of mechanical dolls. The place I used to live was also rumored to have a lot of mechanical dolls, but compared to here… … .”

Quilbian looked at the mechanical dolls moving along the drain as well as in front of the store.

“We increased the number of operations because it is much more efficient than people for simple repetitive tasks.”

“It’s a wealthy place, a nice place to live.”

I looked at the mechanical doll waving a promotional slogan in front of the store.

“Or maybe the world in general seems like a better place to live in.”

As I was looking around the lively market, I soon arrived at the entrance to Naeseong.

Beyond the bridge that divided the moat, a castle with an overall round shape was visible. Are pointed things out of style?

There was a single spire standing tall, but it seemed more like a watchtower than a residential one.

“Let’s go.”

I entered the inner castle, leaving behind the saluting guards.

Unlike the densely built streets of ordinary cities, the streets of Naeseong were designed to be open and refreshing, with no obstructions to the view.

“The building code has changed quite a bit.”

“I don’t know much about that part, so it’s hard for me to explain. If you want, I can invite a separate instructor… … .”

“Okay. And don’t pay too much attention to what I say. I’m the type of person who talks to myself a lot.”

“All right.”

I entered the castle.

There were works of art placed all over the hall where guests and enemies were greeted. As I looked around, my eyes were caught by a stuffed bear head.

“It’s so dirty and big.”

“The 8th Gibel Sword… … It is an object that our ancestors hunted and brought back, and is like a symbol of our family.”

“That’s cool. I used to have a hobby like that. I’d catch all kinds of things, cut off their heads, and hang them on trees.”

Quilbian looked at Rookie with a smile. Rookie’s face darkened in real time.

“I’m joking.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Actually, it’s not a joke.”

He was a friend who had a taste for teasing.

I guess you could say it was the typical clumsy behavior of an inexperienced young master. It was funny how he reacted as I poked him.

I went up to the second floor.

Unlike the hall, there were no ornaments to distract the eyes. Only spare weapons were occasionally visible.

Is this the code of conduct for the nobility of this era, or is it the taste of the castle lord?

The rookie who had been away for a while has returned.

“Father has given permission. Let’s go in together.”

“You’re a very friendly person. Please meet me right away.”

“He is a person who values ​​practicality over etiquette.”

I walked down the long hallway following Loki.

On the way, I encountered two armed men, who didn’t even give me a glance and just looked straight ahead.

The training was well done.

“Do you still call people like that knights these days?”

“Oh, yes. He’s a knight.”

“There are many things that have changed, but there are also many things that have not changed. People’s lives are still similar.”

Knock, knock. Loki knocked on the door with the silver bear engraved on it. After waiting for about ten seconds, Loki pulled the door open.

“You’re back.”

A middle-aged man sat at a desk with his back to a large window. He had a nicely grown mustache.

Quilbian waited silently. He would introduce himself when the time came.

There was a conversation between the rich and the poor. Reports on the mission failure, followed by reprimands.

As I listened to the story, my heart started to tingle, so I glanced at the bookshelf decorating the wall. There were all sorts of books on it. The rolled up parchments also caught my eye.

I’m bored, should I watch that?

That was when I was thinking like that.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I can’t abandon the procedure since I was born that way.”

A middle-aged man stood up and said.

“It’s okay. I can understand that part.”

“Come this way.”

He pointed to the sofa that decorated one side of the room. I sat down without hesitation.

Rookie stood behind his father and straightened his posture. His stupid expression was nowhere to be found, no matter how hard he looked. His father seemed quite scared.

“I heard a rough explanation from my son, but I only believe what I see.”

“That’s the way it should be.”

Quilbian lit a cool flame using the magic of the Sitpin Hwang type. The man who was sharply looking at the rising flame boldly put his hand into the flame.

“It’s not really hot.”

“I can make it hot for you.”

“It’s okay. It’s summer so the weather is hot.”

The man smiled faintly, looking at the sparks on his hand.

“I can feel the mana, but it’s strangely low in density. The magic that has gone through the manifestation of the imaginary world, the magic, will enter a dangerous state where it can’t even be touched.”

“Because it’s not magic.”

“Then what should we call this unknown force?”

“Let’s call it magic.”

“Sorcery. Your Majesty has developed a mysterious method of mana utilization.”

“I didn’t develop it, I just happened to get used to it. It’s not a very pleasant story.”

The man nodded.

“I won’t ask any more questions. Since you don’t enjoy food, I’ll skip the tea… … .”

“No, tea is fine. Do you have coffee, too?”

The man winked at Rookie. Rookie left the office.

“I apologize for being late in greeting you, your Majesty. I am Kuhad.”

“I guess you’ve said a lot in a short amount of time.”

“He may be immature and lacking, but he’s not stupid. That’s a good thing.”

Kuhad stroked the end of his mustache.

“You want to meet with the Barara tribe.”

“Yes, that’s all I ask.”

“I can give you a seat, but the choice is His, not mine.”

“It seems even nobles can’t do whatever they want. People like the Barara tribe.”

“Yes. Since it is a special position, it is difficult for me to exert my strength. If he is in a good mood, he will meet you, but if not, you will have to wait. Sometimes he leaves without a reason, so it may be impossible to contact him.”

“It’s okay. I also have some time to spare.”

“I feel relieved when you say it like that.”

Rookie returned with coffee, brown water sloshing in a sleek white cup.

I drank coffee from time to time until I was sick of it, but in reality, it was my first time drinking coffee made for me by someone else.

I slowly enjoyed and savored the scent.

“The sourness is outstanding. This is really good.”

“You know the taste. There are many people who stick out their tongues because they don’t like sour taste.”

After exchanging glances with Kuhad, he smiled happily.

“Ah. I should introduce myself formally. I am Quilbian. I used to live in a village called Rookin, but I don’t know what happened to me now.”

“If you want, I can look into it.”

“There’s no need to go that far. Everyone who had a close relationship with him would have already gone to the graveyard.”

Kuhad put down his glass.

“Is it okay if I say some comforting words?”

“Thank you for your concern, but it’s okay. It’s natural for people to die after they’re born. Except for a few weird guys, everyone lives and dies like that, so there’s no need to console them.”

“I guess you, Quilbian, belong to that strange group.”

“It’s a curse. A damn curse.”

“I envy you. I have a lot of work to do in the future, so I’m sad and scared that it’s time to leave.”

Quilbian looked into Kuhad’s eyes over the raised teacup.

“There is no secret to eternal life. It is a curse, and it is not something I would recommend to others. So instead of being greedy for what you cannot have, talk about what you can have. I like the phrase “love that comes and goes.”

“Now that you mention it, I guess I’ll have to put aside my greed and bring up the subject of trading.”

Kuhad opened his mouth in a much more relaxed posture.

“The escaped residents were scheduled to be deployed to the development zone.”

“I have caused damage to your estate.”

“No. I am more than grateful that you saved my son’s life.”

Kuhad got up, went to the desk, and brought out a fountain pen, ink, and paper.

I don’t know what manufacturing process it went through, but it was a smooth-surfaced paper. It looked quite expensive.

“How about staying in my territory while I prepare for my meeting with the Barara tribe?”

“I won’t hesitate.”

“There must be something you need. If you write it down here, I will try my best to find it for you. Whether it’s an object or a person.”

“Can you help me get the dragon too?”

The area under Kuhad’s left eye appeared to be twitching.

“Blood is thicker than water, so you easily respond to such questions. I’m joking.”

“I guess I looked lacking. I must have been so flustered.”

Quilbian picked up a fountain pen.

“I think I’ll have to live here for a while. While I’m at it, I want to learn a little about the outside world.”

I just wrote one word on the paper: ‘knowledge’.

“Knowledge is important.”

“It doesn’t have to be professional knowledge. Worldly stories, all kinds of rumors are fine. Oh, speaking of which, aren’t there any rumors of seeing will-o’-the-wisps these days?”

“Yes. There have never been any such rumors in our territory. Although, sometimes adults bring it up to scare the children.”

“I guess so. It’s not common.”

“… …Do will-o’-the-wisps really exist?”

“Yes, but if you see it, don’t stick your hand in there without fear like you did a little while ago. You might end up in the wrong place and have a hard time.”

“I will pass it down from generation to generation. Be careful of will-o’-the-wisps.”

Kuhad folded the paper and put it in his bosom.

“If you wish, I can provide you with a room in the castle.”

“No. I don’t like fancy places like this. I’ll go around the houses. There are places I want to see.”

“The guide is… … .”

“I need money right now, not a guide. Could you lend me some?”

“I will give you a slightly lower interest rate than usual.”

“I also like cheap things.”

I left the office with a greeting that I would see him again soon.

“I like him because he’s so cool.”

As soon as I came down alone with Rookie, I saw a neatly dressed servant waiting with a box.

Rookie received the elegantly decorated chest and opened it.

There was a heavy pocket inside.

“This is the currency that is commonly used. It is handled by major merchants, so you can use it anywhere in the territory with ease.”

“Write it down in the ledger. You have to do the math correctly.”

“My father told me to tell him that you can receive it in peace.”

“I always feel bad when I receive money for free. Sometimes I feel strangely attached to it. Anyway, since I’m borrowing it, I’ll take it.”

As I was turning around with my pockets in my hands, Rookie hurriedly stood next to me.

“I don’t need a guide.”

“No, this.”

It was a gold plate the size of two fingers put together. It had the shape of an angry-looking bear engraved on it.

“If you show this when you are in trouble, everything will be solved.”

“I don’t intend to cause trouble, but I’ll take it anyway. Just in case.”

“You can use it comfortably. And the inn I recommend is ‘Ott’s Bedroom’ which you can see right after leaving the inner castle. It is a well-managed place so you will not experience any inconvenience.”

“I’ll go there. Don’t follow me now. I’ll be busy.”

As I came out of the castle, I saw Rookie’s men. They were lined up on one side and facing straight ahead.

Quillvien approached them.

“If you can’t sleep because you’re angry or feel like you need to make a fuss, come see me anytime.”

“no!”

“Then that’s fine.”

After tapping his shoulder once, he left the room.

“Good. A place where people live.”

Although the gap felt real, experiencing it in reality had a different feel.

It was when I was crossing the street, looking at the faces of the people passing by one by one.

Quillvian frowned slightly.

A faint trace of Nak was discovered.

A salt-filled nak.

It could be someone’s excrement.

(Continued in next episode)