“Anyone who cuts in line will find themselves at the very back! Got it!”
“Yes!”
Where do you think you’re cutting in line? I stirred the ingredients in the large pot vigorously with a mithril shovel, making sure nothing stuck to the bottom. It’s a bit disappointing, but this should work out somehow.
Are the others doing okay?
I glanced over subtly at the soldiers who were also stirring the contents of the pot with giant ladles, just like me. I wonder if it turned out tasty after all that.
Of course, having not eaten properly for a long time, I’d probably eat anything that isn’t terribly bad—like the blinking-blob-eye thing on a bad day. At least, that’s what I thought.
I did enjoy a lot of weird food back on that deserted island.
During those times, anything that could fit in my mouth went down the hatch. I even ate poisonous mushrooms and rotten meats, and miracle of miracles, I’m still alive.
Brushing off the dark memories that suddenly resurfaced, I focused back on the cooking.
The soldiers eagerly waiting for a warm meal lined up, so I shouted while dishing out the stew with my uniquely shaped shovel which had a concave blade.
“Quit your whining and just take what I give you!”
Anyway, I doubt anyone’s daring enough to think about resisting me.
——————-
“It’s good to finally have a full meal.”
“Did it suit your taste?”
“Have you ever cooked in large quantities before?”
At Kalintz’s question, I shook my head. I had made enough for about five people, but that hardly qualifies as large-scale cooking.
“I just threw things together. The ingredients were so good that as long as you get the seasoning close enough, it’s edible!”
“Well, we did seize some splendid ingredients…”
As we chatted, I stared blankly at Principal Merlin and the wizards setting up the portal. I wanted to replicate the level of difficulty to teach Elisa, but it seems a no-go for someone who’s a complete novice in magic like me.
Maybe I should consider learning some magic eventually.
In the game, it was as easy as just pressing buttons, so learning about real magic would definitely come in handy. Rue’s magic here feels otherworldly, which makes it hard to learn from…
…Maybe the magic Rue uses is a new type included in the true ending DLC.
I might sound like a true ending nerd, but what can I say? The true ending DLC feels like a mystery to me.
If only I had completed the true ending DLC, I probably wouldn’t even be dealing with this now. By now, I would have gathered all hidden elements and crushed Harpas and his crew.
Of course, the issue is surviving a deserted island for ten long years.
Perhaps the deserted island was also a bonus location in the true ending DLC…
“You look troubled.”
“Can you blame me?”
“Right, right…”
Kalintz muttered and gazed up at the sky. Unlike the barren land of the West, the night sky had darkened quite a bit, and the stars looked like they were stuck onto a black canvas.
“…I can’t wait to see my granddaughter again.”
“I’ll catch Harpas as soon as possible and send it to you.”
“Haha, I appreciate it. But how do you plan to catch something that’s not even showing its face?”
“I have a way.”
“You do?”
“Is that really true?”
When did Principal Merlin arrive again? I quietly turned to see him join the conversation, looking curious as he stroked his beard and impatiently awaited my answer.
“It’s a bit imperfect, but I do have a method.”
“Imperfect?”
Yeah. Imperfect. This method relies on gamble and bending the rules.
The risk of failure is so high I can hardly even guess, and the return on success is a mystery.
In the worst-case scenario, failure might occur alongside throwing the war into chaos.
“Yes, it requires knowledge that’s not easily accessed, so it’s close to a gamble.”
“Ooh.”
I could feel the gazes of the two elders fixed on me. They were both really curious about what I had come up with.
I hesitated a moment before pulling out an old book from my pocket and saying, “Do you perhaps know how to summon a demon?”
“What?”
Generally, summoning demons is considered a taboo; if caught, even nobles could see their families ruined—it’s extremely risky.
Yet, there have always been people trying to summon demons on this continent.
It’s not easy to resist the sweet reward of ‘granting wishes for a price.’
From grieving parents to those merely seeking to fulfill their desires, those who summoned demons paid their dues and wished upon these very demons.
All knowing it leads to ruin.
…At least that’s what came up in the original work.
“You don’t mean you’re planning to summon Harpas, do you?”
“That’s correct.”
“…Are you out of your mind?”
“I assure you, I’m completely sane.”
I expected it to sound crazy, but the reaction was more serious than anticipated.
“Summoning demons is illegal according to imperial law.”
“It would be far better to pound the pavement searching for him instead… still, you wouldn’t mention this without giving it some thought; what led you to consider such a method?”
“Harpas won’t show up easily. He’ll probably wait for us to tire ourselves out or force us to scatter. We need to make the first move before that happens.”
“There must be other ways.”
[Yeah, no, summoning a demon is way too risky, don’t do it!]
“I can’t say we can stay stuck here infinitely.”
I need to protect Karina, and Principal Merlin needs to safeguard the academy. And while Kalintz doesn’t have much going on, I’m sure he’s eager to see his granddaughter too.
…Geren comes off as if he doesn’t care much.
“Nonetheless, summoning a demon is too reckless. First of all, you have no idea how to go about it, do you?”
“I have a way to figure out how to summon Harpas.”
I took the old book out again; it was the one I had brought from my room in Yeomyeong-gwan. This was the key to defeating Harpas.
“What’s that book? I’m sensing something ominous about it—”
“I believe you’ve heard the rumors, Principal. This is the magic book that grants wishes.”
“What…?”
“You mean it actually exists?”
The two stared at the old book I pulled out with shocked expressions. Were they trying to determine whether the rumors were true? I quickly tucked the magic book back into my pocket, preparing for any possible mishaps.
“If we use this magic book, we should be able to summon Harpas without much cost.”
“How can you know if that magic book is real or not?”
“Isn’t it something Principal Merlin can determine? The magic flowing within the book?”
“Well… it does indeed contain terrifyingly powerful magic, but…”
Principal Merlin still wore a skeptical expression. Thinking back, it was quite natural.
A magic book capable of granting wishes? Is that even possible? This is something you can only wish for after having made sacrifices to a transcendent being like a demon, right?
Of course it does.
It was practically used in the original work; there were definitely scenes where it was successfully utilized. Of course, due to the nature of the game, its usage effects worked like a reset token for the traits and skills up to three times per run.
Since this is reality, it’ll probably grant my wishes.
But this magic book doesn’t seem inclined to kindly grant wishes just because I asked.
It operates on a twisted mechanism known as the ‘Monkey’s Paw’ where wishes come at a cost.
“I plan to use this book to wish for help.”
“Such a method might find a way to summon Harpas, but wouldn’t it be better to find an alternative? Through the magic book, of course.”
“I think so too.”
The opposition had come in pairs… expected. Yet I had no intention of searching for another method.
Arrogant as it may sound, if things go as I envisioned, I could secure a definite advantage over this war.
“Your face shows you’re ignoring what I’m saying.”
“If things go the way I want, we can swiftly and reliably bring Harpas down.”
“…That’s too reckless. I’d prefer to take my time…”
“Principal Merlin, Kalintz, have I ever achieved anything ordinary?”
Gathering the old timers, rebuilding the fortress, all that was far from ordinary. The two acknowledged my words with reluctant nods.
“Regardless, we’ll intervene if it gets too dangerous.”
“Thank you for your permission.”
“…First, we’ll need a secretive space.”
“Are you really considering allowing him, Merlin?”
“Kalintz, I’ve been watching Sir Quartz closely. He has consistently chosen the most plausible path regardless of the situation. At least, I don’t think he’d throw this idea out there thoughtlessly.”
“Hah. I still stand against it. It’s too risky a method.”
[Yeah, Contractee, how about we look for another way?]
…Even Rue seems worried about me.
“Ha! Whatever it is, I’ll take out any demon myself!”
“Geren? When did you arrive?! And do you even understand the seriousness of this matter?!”
…When did Geren show up? I was intentionally gathering without him and Pierre.
I hope Pierre the Archbishop isn’t going to show up as well.
“First, just zip it.”
“I don’t heed orders from anyone weaker than me!”
What the heck is this guy?
“Geren, this is a very important matter. Can you please keep silent?”
“I do not follow orders from anyone weaker than me…”
“Geren, don’t you simply state wishful thinking? Wasn’t I the one who brought you to the West, allowing you to hone your skills outside of boring mountain training?”
“Hmm, but…”
“Geren, if it weren’t for me, you would’ve lived your life stuck in mountain training. This chance I provided is a benefit in itself, isn’t it?”
“You’re not wrong!”
“So can you let this slide just this once? In return, I’ll let you take the lead.”
“Ooh! Yes! This Geren will allow a request from a promising sprout! Understood!”
…Phew.
That worked.
I somehow managed to close Geren’s mouth, now next…
“If there’s even a hint of danger, I’ll put my foot down.”
“Thank you.”
Is the persuasion over?
I tightened my grip on the shovel that I had slung over my back.
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