Magician in Type-Moon

Page 359

Shion frowned slightly, clearly somewhat dissatisfied with Kiz's attitude, but she did not refute it, after all, the other party's assistance had indeed allowed her to successfully arrive at this Lostbelt.

"So?" She stared at Kiz, her tone slightly cold. "What do you want me to do for you this time?"

Kiz shrugged and smiled even more. "Don't be like that. Just consider it repayment for my help. Don't worry, my request is very simple."

Ziyuan continued to stare at him, clearly not having much faith in the word "simple".

Kiz then put on an innocent expression and raised his hands to indicate that he meant no harm:

"Actually, this matter is also somewhat related to your Atlas Institute. However, let's deal with the immediate trouble first. I've been quite disoriented by the series of events here, but the details you mentioned... have reminded me of some key things."

Ziyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone somewhat indifferent: "What is it?"

Kiz continued:

"You should also have it in your memories, right? It's a 'rumor,' a rumor that caused panic throughout Egypt—the 'Pharaoh murders' incident."

“...Rumors..." Ziyuan’s pupils contracted, and she instantly realized something. “You mean, Tsbia Eltnam Atlasia is in this country right now? How dare he return to Egypt? This is the headquarters of the Atlas Academy.”

"Who knows? Maybe he wants to see what it's like to become a mummy or something, haha."

............

"Latio obtained the method for connecting to this place via a secondary key from his brother, Sefer Kurdris Hyram, as well as the spare—Ptolemy's activation code for the mechanical bird—which he discovered during his research."

In response to Matouike's question, Latour replied.

"Where is he?" Matou Ike asked.

“Three years ago, Cipher drowned.”

"Drowning? Was it really drowning?"

Matou Ike was puzzled; the drowning death of the alchemist from Atlas Academy was truly a perplexing event.

"Literal meaning. Also, there's the sea in Alessandra, which is why Latio started investigating this ruin."

Latio continued his explanation without changing his expression.

"So, this great library in Alexandria was found by your brother Cipher?"

Matou Ike continued to ask questions, which to outsiders seemed like he was interrogating a prisoner, but Latour herself didn't feel that way at all; on the contrary, she preferred this way of communicating.

"Yes, there's no doubt that Sefer Kurdris Hyram was the alchemist closest to the secrets of the Library of Alexandria at the time. He may have already approached the fourth level of the governing body; that guy is always several steps ahead of Latio."

In Latio's eyes, there seemed to be a flickering shadow of someone.

An alchemist from the Atlas Institute who died three years ago.

"Why is your brother, that alchemist named Cipher, going to the Library of Alexandria? Do you have any clue?"

Latio lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing how to begin.

"Latio can tell you this, but please don't tell anyone else."

Matou Ike frowned slightly upon hearing this.

"Even people from your Atlas Academy can't say that?"

“That’s right, including Latio’s father. Because you were in the know, Latio was able to tell you that this is the ironclad rule of the Atlas Academy.”

Matou Ike nodded in understanding.

He had just recalled the ironclad rule of the Atlas Institute—that one's research results should only be disclosed to oneself.

Having received Matou Ike's assurance, Latour then said:

“Latio inherited the research work that Seifer had been investigating—about a ritual called ‘Elgo’ that had lasted for two thousand years.”

It turned out to be the case.

No wonder Wuzhiqi brought that guy here.

Matou Ike nodded slightly, then asked, "When did Mr. Rogge's contact with Monarch Meastia begin?"

Latio hesitated slightly before replying in a low voice, "My father? As far as Latio knows, that should have been after the excavation and investigation team was established."

Matou Ike's gaze remained unwavering, and her voice remained calm: "Are you sure?"

Latio was clearly uneasy, his tone revealing a hint of hesitation: "...No, I should say I'm not quite sure. Since what happened with Cipher, Latio has been frequently leaving the Atlas Institute."

“I see.” Matou Ike pondered for a moment, then asked, “So, Mr. Seifer, have you met Meastia?”

“Sefer?” Latio raised an eyebrow. “Are you suspecting Meastia is the murderer?”

“No.” Matou Ike shook his head, his tone calm. “It’s just that the magicians of the Clock Tower are usually full of deception, and I want to consider all the possibilities. For those who have mastered the research on Cipher, the depths of the library where Pharaoh Ptolemy’s heart was pulled out may not be a simple secret room.”

Latio frowned: "...Exactly."

Matou Ike's gaze grew increasingly cold and stern.

"Before the joint excavation and investigation team, the alchemist Cipher had challenged the Great Library of Alexandria alone. Before his remains were found in the waters of Alexandria, how much did he really know about the library? If Cipher was murdered, to what extent did the killer have access to his research? If so, was the person who stole Ptolemy's heart the same person who killed Cipher?"

Latio paused for a moment, lost in thought...

............

After a period of rest, the group arrived at the door between the second and third levels.

If the second tier is the Crystal Forest, then the third tier is close to the Crystal Jungle.

There are still a few crystal pillars.

but.

A more accurate description would be that they are protrusions with branches and flowers.

Moreover, the crystals have taken root in the ground, with brambles entwining them, creating a surreal, scroll-like scene.

Wandering in such an environment, one can't help but feel one's breath turning into crystal.

With every step you take, you can hear the sound of something breaking.

"Wow! That was so exciting...!"

Monarch Mayastia lifted his foot several times to check if he had been pricked by any shards.

The crystal shards scattered on the ground appear to be of low strength.

It will tragically turn into powder if you step on it with a leather shoe.

Each tiny sound they made sounded like their protest.

Medea picked up a shard of crystal and whispered:

“Each crystal pillar is a recording medium, but this pillar has changed compared to its original form. Ah, no, it should be said that it has grown.”

Medea's meaning was clear to Matouchi; she was saying that these things had developed the ability to think and react independently.

It was given a personality.

This is Atlas Institute's consistent practice.

Monarch Mayastia examined the fragments he had collected with great interest.

"So, the flowers and branches we see now are also part of the bookshelf's protective mechanism?"

"That's right. On the second level, you can gather intelligence as long as you have the appropriate equipment, but it's much harder to extract information from the crystals around here."

Roger, who was walking ahead, replied.

Upon hearing this, Matou Ike suddenly spoke up:

"So you think that even with the corresponding key, it's impossible to read information from the crystal?"

"That's right. I think it's quite difficult."

Roger shook his head in reply.

After receiving this answer, Matou Ike simply shrugged and asked again:

"Are there any problems with the map surveying so far?"

The first priority in exploring the labyrinth was to draw a map, a task assigned to the people of the Atlas Institute.

Upon hearing Matou Ike's question, the alchemist named Quart touched the ground beneath his feet.

He gently touched the crystal, his palm gliding across its surface.

The map showing the route the group had taken was printed on it.

"This is so convenient! No, actually, after seeing it with my own eyes, I found that it has even more uses than I imagined. If possible, after the survey team's work is over, would you be willing to work with me? Although the salary won't be very high, I can access the archaeological department's data!"

"Monarch. Meastia shouted excitedly. He seemed a little off, but considering that the man's personality was still unclear, Matou Ike could only ignore him for the time being."

The group continued walking forward.

After a few minutes.

"Wait a minute," Rogge, who was walking at the front, suddenly called out.

But actually, no reminder was needed; everyone stopped in their tracks without prior notice.

because--

Just ahead.

In the darkness, a certain aura arose.

Chapter 403 The False King's Military Might (4k)

It is neither a living thing nor an inorganic matter—it is a restless guardian in the third tier.

Something dripped onto the ground, making a soft but unsettling sound.

The world twisted violently in the next instant.

The tranquil world, bewitched by crystal, shattered, replaced by a howling desert. Sand grains danced in the air like blades, obscuring the view.

The sky was no longer the deep, dark ocean, but a dazzling red sun, its blazing light seemingly burning everything to ashes.

"This...what is this?"

Tika's eyes widened as she looked around, her voice filled with barely concealed terror.

The once crystal-clear world has completely disappeared.