Volume 8 Chapter 160, Steady Advance ~ 13
The next morning, after receiving the bread and other items they had ordered, they left the town of Clatta. Driving a horse-drawn cart, their destination was the Haivan's checkpoint, which is located on the border with Liese.
Normally Satoru would be somewhat excited when entering a different country, but that was not the case this time. He is concerned that there is a plague spreading in the country of Liese where they were heading.
According to the information Rico had gathered in the town of Clatta, the infection is not very strong, but at first eczema appears on the skin, and pus begins to come out of the skin. Eventually, the internal organs weaken, the disease deteriorates, and eventually, the soul is destroyed and the person dies ― it is said that the disease can be cured if proper treatment is given in the early stages of the disease, but in Liese's country, which is not very powerful to begin with, the infection does not seem to have slowed down.
Even with Rico's information gathering, she could not get very good information about Liese's domestic situation. Even in the town of Clatta, medicinal herbs and other products were selling like hotcakes and were out of stock.
There is a saying that sickness starts with the mind.
In this world, in addition to physical strength, there is the element of magic power, and when the body is weak, the soul is also small, and magic power is also weakened. When the soul weakens first ― for example, old age ― it weakens the body as well.
For the time being, Satoru has prepared enough magical tools for everyone to counter Leia's 【Life Force Absorption】 as a precaution, so the probability of contracting an infectious disease has been lowered.
Since you cannot share your soul or transfer your magic power, prevention and strengthening your physical strength and soul are essential.
「The way magic power is passed through the body, it can blow away even a slight illness. The magic power is efficiently circulated throughout the body.」
Isolde said proudly, but at this point, only Solor is able to properly feel the flow of magic power, even at a modest level.
Satoru's biggest concern is Minerva.
He is worried about the effect on the child in her belly, and the mother's resistance and immunity are also lowered because of the child's nutritional needs. Even though Minerva is naturally proud of her physical strength and has more magic power than most people, the baby in her belly is not normal either.
「You are overprotective. Well, I'm sure she'll be fine since it's just a normal disease that can be treated as much as you want.」
Leia is optimistic, but Satoru would like to eliminate as much worry as possible. While riding in the suspension-less carriage, Satoru thought of what would happen if food and water were filled with magic power.
「――That's my idea, what do you think?」
「It is possible, but it would be remarkably inefficient. For example, suppose there is a pot full of water. Even if I put all my magic power into it, the effect would only be about one-hundredth to one-thousandth of what it would be.」
Leia also realized this after she responded. What if it was Satoru?
What would happen if a large concentration of magic power was taken into the body was something that had been studied for a long time.
In the past, experiments such as drinking directly shaved magic stones have been tried, but it has been concluded that magic crystals and magic stones are no comfort at all because the amount of magic power decreases dramatically once they are disintegrated. There have also been experiments with putting magic power into bread, meat, etc., but the results have not been satisfactory.
「What would my magic power do? Don't you think it's worth a try?」
「It'd be a hell of a thing if it worked.」
The experiment was conducted when they stopped for a short break, with even Isolde getting excited.
Although it is not clear whether this is the case for all carriages in this world, the wheels are solid wooden spokes, but there is no suspension, and the road is simply a well-trodden street, so it was impossible to experiment with water because the shaking was so severe while the car was running.
After the two horses were given a tub of water, the experiment was conducted using a cooking tub.
「Hmmm...」
Satoru concentrated his nerves on the water that filled the tub and sent an image of pouring power from his fingertips. Satoru has not yet grasped the effect of Isolde's training, which is to solidify the image of magic power flowing throughout the body, and since he has been 【Granting】 the object through chanting so far, he has not yet grasped the feeling of putting magic power in his imagination.
Concentrate your strength on your fingertips with a rough sense, and from there become more conscious of sending pure force throughout the water; concentrate your consciousness for a count of 30, and then pull your fingers out of the water with a splash.
「......How is it? I think I put a lot of magic power into it.」
Satoru turned around to face Leia and Solor. Before Leia could use the art, Solor's silver eyes narrowed slightly. She must have exercised the art of reading magic power without chanting.
「This is indeed a great density of magic power caged ...... but」
「But?」
「The magic power is volatilizing at a fairly rapid rate. Now it's about half of what it was at the beginning.」
It took about 10 minutes from the time Satoru finished putting magic power into it to the time Solor reported. That's why she says it's volatilized to half.
「No, it's still a huge concentration!」
Leia is excited, but Satoru is somewhat sour. Solor nonchalantly reads the flow of magic power.
「The volatilization is still going on. At this rate, by the time I counted another ten, the magic power would be zero. ...... as I thought, water doesn't seem to be suitable for holding back magic power」
「Hmmm......... By the way, how much magic power was there when Solor first saw it if we were to put it into numbers?」
「It is not an exact number, but it is about 2000 when converted to a soul value....... now, it's zero.」
Should they say that even if Satoru thought he was caged in a certain way, it would only be 2,000. It is a bit tough if it only lasts for 30 counts or so.
「Then, let's move on to the next experiment」
Satoru again put his finger in the water and again put magic power in it. After pouring in half as much magic power as before, he pulls it out and at the same time freezes the water in the tub. Satoru's face is smug, while Solor again squints her eyes with extreme calmness.
「The moment Master froze it, the volatilization slowed down considerably. It's not perfect, but even in this state, it's probably the same as a magic stone with a soul spirit value of around 800.」
「But zero volatilization?」
「Yes.」
According to Solor's estimation, if it can be maintained frozen with water of this value, it would last for 40 days. Of course, the water can't be transported frozen, so another means would be needed.
Satoru tilted his head a little.
The problem is the concept of magic power itself.
According to Leia, magic power is magic power, and that's the only way to describe it. It is only because Satoru's magic power is so otherworldly that it is possible to put magic power into the water, but pure magic power is something that cannot be seen and is just there.
The perception that it is invisible and just there―In Satoru's mind, then, it occurs to him that magic power is like air, akin to a gas.
「If we put a lid on it, would it stop the volatilization somewhat?」
「That's a possibility, yes.」
「In that case ......」
Satoru rummaged through his own backpack and pulled out a bottle that had been lying quite deep inside. A plastic bottle. Isolde, Liz, and Solor roll their eyes at the bottle.
He dissolved the water in the tub again, poured the water into the plastic bottle, put his finger in it when it was full, and poured magic power into it again. Because the amount of water is so small, he stops about the same sensation as before and instantly puts the lid on.
「How about now」
With a ton, Satoru put down the plastic bottle and looked back at Solor. Sorol also seems to be carefully assessing the situation.
「......The concentration is still quite high in liquid form. The soul value is about 2,000, but it is still volatile, but much less so than in the frozen state.」
Oohhh, Isolde and Leia shouted at the same time. Quickly, Satoru made water filled with magic power and showed it to the other. Water that was filled with 2,000 magic powers. Water with a concentration of magic power never before attained by any human being in this world. Everyone stared at the plastic bottles in wonder.
「That's why magic stones and magic crystals are crystalline bodies.」
The fact that volatilization is stopped by the lid means that magic power is like a component of air. Liquid only volatilizes ― from Satoru's point of view, it is the idea of carbonated water. People in this world cannot pour carbon dioxide, which is the source of magic power equal to carbonation, all at once, so it volatilizes from the first ladle it is mixed in, and cannot be maintained as carbonated water. However, with Satoru, it is a different story.
The people of the Ancient Magic Kingdom must have studied and studied to create the magic stones, but they could not maintain it in liquid form, and as a result of their research, they must have perfected the solid form.
「This is a bit awesome. ......」
Leia groaned deeply. It might be because of the technology of Satoru's world of PET bottles, but this kind of liquid caged with pure magic power is unbelievable even for Leia. Even if Leia were to do the same, the value would probably only be in the single digits ― once again, she feels Satoru's uniqueness.
「However, it is difficult to find the technology to seal such a liquid in this world, isn't it?」
Satoru lifted up the plastic bottle with great effort. Leia is the only one among them who has ever touched a plastic bottle. Rico and Minerva have only seen them. Solor, Isolde, and Liz were curious about the strange water bottle they had never seen before.
In this world, water is stored in jars and barrels, as well as in tubs and other containers. When water is carried on the move, it is carried in a water bag, which is also made from the entrails of livestock, carefully washed, and covered with skin on the outside. The lid is simply tied over the entrance with a string. In the case of barrels, cork is used, but it is still volatile.
「The other question is whether there are any adverse effects if living creatures drink this water. ......」
The water is so highly concentrated that it is difficult to drink. It was the first time for such highly concentrated water to be produced, so even the knowledgeable Leia was not sure about it.
「The water is purely filled with magic power, so I don't think it will have any negative effects,....... What do you think? I can't say for sure.」
「I'd like to experiment.」
Leia nodded her head in agreement.
「I think it would be a good idea to catch some beasts and give them something to drink. It would be dangerous to try it on a human.」
「I agree.」
Satoru nodded in agreement with Isolde's advice.
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
In a certain Mistletoe of Normad, north of the center of the continent.
Unfortunately, the Mistletoe of Normad was in a state of decay. Originally, it was made by a nation called Yorkor, but about 150 years ago, Yorkor lost all of its leaders in a succession struggle that left the nation unable to function as a country. The people who lost their leaders were confused, and the country became a war-torn place where small countries stood up on their own and repeatedly fell into ruin and rose again.
Because of this state of affairs, the number of travelers who try to visit the area is extremely low, and no one is willing to maintain the Mistletoe of Normad lodge, which serves as free lodging for travelers.
Still, it has walls and a roof, so it still fulfills the role of a Mistletoe of Normad, even if only for a moment. There were three figures in this mistletoe that, by all accounts, no one would use.
「Hmph. Such a thing happened near a Deep Green Forest.」
A small man in a long robe with a hood pulled over his eyes nodded with a hint of amusement in his voice. Kneeling at his feet was a swordsman in partial sheet metal armor, a man who had fought many battles in the past. He continues his report with a reverent attitude with his sword at his side.
「A short time later, the Chalk Tower of the Academy of the Wise in Ares exploded, and the Royal Castle, the Strahltraun, was crushed by a rock of extraordinary size that rained down on it.」
「...... the Academy of the Wise, eh.」
The man in the long robe wandered thoughtfully behind his hood at the swordsman's report.
The series of disturbances that occurred in the city of Ares has been reported not only in the suburbs but also in various other places. This is because the Sorcery Guild is overseen by the Academy of the Wise, and what happens there is informed through the guild.
The Sorcery Guilds do not only work in the field of sorcery. The biggest income is from sending letters using the art of 【Transfer】. Prices vary depending on the distance and number of letters, but of course, the price is not something that the general public can afford. The organization has developed in its own way by fixing the coordinates of the 【Transfer】 to reduce the amount of magic power consumed and by designating the designated location as a sorcery guild.
The Academy of Wise, the headquarters of this huge organization, is the dream of sorcerers all over the world, and the Chalk Tower is revered as a symbol of this organization.
The role of the High Mentor, who is in overall charge of the school, is by no means small.
「It is said that Graham Coogan, the High Mentor, in his senility, failed a ritual and had an outburst.」
The man in the long robe shook his head from side to side at the swordsman's report.
「That's impossible. He was quite old, so he might have been a little senile. It's not likely that he would have had an outburst, even if it was a ritual.」
Sorcery's outburst―A person who aspires to become a sorcerer often has a deep spirit of inquiry and research, and there are many cases in which a person studies sorcery that he or she cannot master, and as a result, fails to control the sorcery, causing it to explode. The amount of magic power handled is enormous when it comes to rituals, so the damage from such an outburst would be great, but the man in the long robe brushed off the report published in the name of the Academy of the Wise.
Graham Coogan, who had been the head of the Academy of the Wise, was an adventurer-turned-sorcerer and had been in office the longest in the history of the Academy, surpassing even T'Lai, the first High Mentor of the Academy of Wise, who had established the foundation of the Sorcery Guild by developing the information network through the art of 【Transfer】. He is an old sorcerer who boasted the longest tenure in the history of the guild. He was known for his serene and thoughtful personality, and although there were occasional hints of his dogmatic ways, his sorcery skills must have remained considerable even in his old age.
It is hard to believe that such a man would have been so foolish as to let ritual sorcery go wrong or even explode.
The man in the long robe was flanked by a beautiful, bewitching woman with lustrous black hair who stood silently by his side. Her skin, illuminated by the moonlight leaking through the cracked wall, was pale.
The man in the long robe plays with the beautiful woman's silky straight hair with his pale fingers and murmurs quietly.
「Anyway, High Mentor Graham Coogan is dead.」
「It will be an academy funeral. I'm not surprised that he passed away, given his age.」
The man in the long coat nodded and clenched his left fist several times to confirm something.
「Still, it's okay. ...... Let's go take a look at it directly.」
The woman in the long robe and the swordsman nodded gravely at the man in the long robe's mutterings.
Checking the swordsman man who stood up quickly, the long-robed man let go of his fingers that were playing with her hair and carved a mark in the hollow.
「【Group Transfer.】」
The man murmurs the words of art that only one human in this world is supposed to be able to use right now.
With a "pon," a sound like an explosion in the air, the three figures there vanished.
Immediately, the empty house was distorted with a cracking sound, and then it tilted and collapsed with a roar. It was as if all traces of human presence had been erased.
It would be three more days before it was discovered that this 200-year-old Mistletoe of Normad had collapsed.
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