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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: 1+1+1+1
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"Books and grimoires are similar, but in reality, they're as different as night and day."
Both books and grimoires were created to transmit one's knowledge or abilities to others.
However, there was a stark difference between the two.
While a book must be read repeatedly to make the knowledge within one's own, a grimoire only needs to be opened.
The moment a grimoire is opened, all the abilities, knowledge, and skills contained within are absorbed like water, imprinted upon one's memory.
"Not that they don't have their downsides, though."
Grimoires, sometimes called gifts from the gods, were not without their flaws.
Among their several drawbacks, the biggest was the inability to know what ability or memory was sealed inside.
If a knight received an ability that used mana, or a mage an ability that used aura, it would become a piece of trash you couldn't even throw away.
"But that doesn't matter to me."
The description for Raktor's Steel Rampart mentioned withstanding mental attacks with mana. In other words, it was a mage's ability, but that was irrelevant to me.
"Because internal energy can be used for either."
I had already verified this when using Agnes and entering the hidden cave. My internal energy could be used as both aura and mana.
"The first one is decided."
Setting aside Raktor's Steel Rampart, I began to rummage through the grimoires again.
"Hmm, cooking, sleeping, swordsmanship, spearmanship…"
Most of the grimoire abilities in the treasury were either practical life skills like cleaning, cooking, and sleeping, or combat skills for swords, spears, and bows.
They were good abilities, but for someone with the heritage of the Sichuan Tang Clan, they were of little use, so I passed them over.
"Huh?"
Just as I had gone through almost all the grimoires, a title caught my eye and stopped my hand.
[Onslon's Watchtower]
Uses aura to double a desired sense. As it doubles the user's base senses, those with naturally keen senses can exhibit even greater effects. This is the ability of Onslon, a scout from the Beolus Kingdom.
"Wow, this one is insane too."
It said it doubled one's base senses.
That meant that as my own base senses or detection range improved, using the Watchtower would double that improved range.
"What a freaking cheat…"
Stunned as if I'd been struck in the head, I shook my head from side to side to clear it.
"This is it."
There was no need to look any further. After neatly stacking the books I had rummaged through, I left the treasury with the grimoires of Raktor and Onslon.
"Have you chosen?"
"Yes, I have."
"To use both of your choices on grimoires… you truly are a unique one."
The king tilted his head as he closed the treasury door. He seemed to find it strange that I had taken two grimoires, which were notoriously hit-or-miss.
"In a situation like this, most people would make a choice with more certainty."
The king was right. If I couldn't see the abilities of the grimoires, I would never have chosen them either.
"I tend to be on the lucky side. I'm sure both grimoires hold abilities that are essential for me."
"You were rummaging around for quite a while. You can't possibly read grimoires, can you?"
"I simply chose the ones with the coolest-looking covers."
"Hahaha! A jest, of course. Even those called Sages cannot read them. It couldn't be."
The king was only joking, but his words gave me a bit of a scare. Even his jokes were sharp.
"Indeed. I hope you get good abilities, just as you say. Let me know what you find later."
"I will."
"So, will you and the Marquis Lox be returning immediately?"
"Yes. We have plans, and I'm dying to try making a weapon with the horn Your Majesty has bestowed upon me."
"Ah, that's right. There was also the horn."
The king nodded a few times, a look of interest on his face.
"Show it to me when it's finished. I'm curious to see what kind of item would make you two consider a duel."
"I will."
"It seems you'll have to visit again soon. You must tell me if you got a good ability from the grimoires and show me the finished weapon."
"I will visit again."
The king held me in high favor. If I were to visit him after resolving a few upcoming incidents, he might offer another reward.
"As you know, our kingdom often faces foreign troubles. If another incident like the one at the Northern Wall occurs, I hope you will lend us your strength."
"I will, of course."
"Good. It was a true pleasure meeting you this time."
"I will never forget the grace Your Majesty has shown me."
I knelt on one knee, bowed my head in respect, and left the audience chamber.
"The rewards are absolutely insane."
As I was heading back to my quarters in high spirits, a familiar face leaning against the wall gestured to me.
"Your Grace, the Duke."
"Don't tell me you took only two grimoires? Hah, you truly are a peculiar man."
"His Majesty said the same thing as you, Your Grace."
"Anyone would think so."
Duke Loper glanced quizzically at the two grimoires in my hands.
"Have you come to see His Majesty?"
"No, I was waiting for you."
"Pardon?"
"Didn't I tell you before? That I would give you something good."
I hadn't paid it much mind, but I recalled the Duke telling me to wait for a reward as we were leaving the Northern Wall.
"I couldn't remember where it was, so I had to turn my entire family's storehouse upside down. Heh heh."
The Duke offered me a black cloth bundle with a sly smile. As I took it, I felt something hard inside.
"What is this?"
"It's an item that has been in the Elion vault for a long time. It was ornamental, but it didn't seem like an ordinary dagger, so I wanted to give it to you."
Hearing the word "dagger," I immediately unfolded the black cloth. Inside was something completely different from any dagger I had ever seen.
"I've never seen a dagger like this."
From the hilt to the blade, every part of the dagger was as transparent as glass, so much so that I could see the lines on my own palm through it.
Its form was so beautiful it seemed more decorative than practical.
"Is it made of glass?"
The material felt smooth and polished, just like a glass dagger.
"I don't know what it's made of either, but I'm certain it isn't glass. It may look fragile, but this dagger is harder than steel."
"Hmm…"
[Activating Creator's Eye.]
[Baekyeongseok Dagger]
A dagger made of Baekyeongseok, a material that only appears in places close to the Spirit Realm. It looks as if it could shatter easily, but its hardness exceeds that of steel. When thrown, the dagger blends into its surroundings, becoming invisible.
Baekyeongseok was a rare material, difficult to find even in the Elven Forest. I didn't know who had crafted such an artistic dagger from the precious stone, but it was a truly masterful work.
"This is incredible."
The Baekyeongseok Dagger was not only an excellent weapon on its own, but it also seemed perfect for deception.
"Do you like it?"
"Of course, Your Grace. Thank you very much."
"Then I'm glad. I couldn't just give you jewels or money, so I was quite worried about what to give you. It would only gather dust in our vault, so I'm sure the dagger will be pleased to be used by you."
"Thank you for your consideration."
The Duke wore a pleased expression, seeing my delight upon receiving the dagger.
"Now that I've given you your gift, I should be on my way. Are you heading back as well?"
"Yes. I want to craft a weapon from the horn as soon as possible, so I plan to return immediately."
"I see. I hope you make something fine. Well then, I'll see you again later."
"Yes. Thank you so much for the gift."
I tucked the dagger into my coat and bowed my head to the Duke with sincere gratitude.
"Think of it as a bribe to ask for your help if trouble arises again."
"Of course. Anytime."
"That's where you're supposed to say there won't be any such trouble, my good man."
"Ah…"
"Haha, just kidding."
The Duke gave a gentle laugh, patted my shoulder once, and headed downstairs.
"Travel safely!"
After watching the Duke leave the royal palace, I returned to my quarters.
"What in the world is going on? This is like a buy-one-get-three-free deal!"
The moment I entered my room, I let out a shout of joy. The God-Slaying Beast's fang, two grimoires, and the Baekyeongseok Dagger—the rewards were running wild.
"All that hard work paid off."
In truth, it hadn't been that much hard work, but I decided to think so for a greater sense of accomplishment.
**
With all our business at the royal palace concluded and all rewards received, we returned to the Marquisate.
"Haaah, Yuren…"
Upon hearing that I had brought back only two grimoires, the Marquis let out a deep, incredulous sigh.
"It was a stroke of heavenly luck that you got a throwing ability from a grimoire. Not all grimoires contain such useful skills."
"I know. But these are really good ones."
"Yes. It was your choice, but there might have been better options…"
The Marquis sighed again and headed to his office, saying he had to catch up on piled-up work.
I decided I would have to surprise him later by telling him what I got from the grimoires, and headed to my room.
"Huu, that bastard Beil…"
I sighed as soon as I entered my room.
When we were leaving for our domain, the Marquis had wanted to see Beil, but Beil had made the excuse of being busy and never showed up.
I suspected that Beil was restraining himself, worried that if he saw me, he would lose control and attack.
"A war with him is now certain."
He would try to kill me and take the fang, one way or another. The problem was figuring out whether his intention was that of Sephiroth, or Beil's alone.
"I need to get stronger, fast."
Since the growth of my Sichuan Tang Clan arts wasn't something I could control at will, it looked like I'd have to rely on the power of my items to win.
I had to read the grimoires, craft a weapon from the fang, understand my new abilities, and pick up my clothes. There was a lot to do.
"First, the grimoires."
Shaking off the distracting thoughts, I took Onslon's Watchtower out of my pocket.
*Click.*
As I undid the snap-like clasp on the right side of the grimoire, the book opened by itself.
*Fwaaa.*
Inside the grimoire were squiggling, worm-like characters, which began to glow and vanish without a trace.
[You have acquired the trait, Onslon's Watchtower.]
"Ah…"
As the light faded, my dazed mind cleared. Nothing remained on the desk where the grimoire had been, but the method for using Onslon's Watchtower was clearly etched in my mind.
"I should test it out."
Looking out the window, I saw two guards heading back after their shift change.
"Perfect."
First, I focused my internal energy into my eyes to observe the guards, then used Onslon's Watchtower to double my vision.
The distance from my room to where the guards were walking had to be over 300 meters, yet I could see their faces clearly.
When I enhanced my vision with only internal energy, their faces had looked like watercolors, but with the Watchtower, their features were distinct.
"Now for hearing."
Similarly, I enhanced my hearing with internal energy and then doubled it with Onslon's Watchtower.
"No, I'm serious. It tastes different."
"Come on, beer is beer…"
"Ha! This is why people who haven't suffered can't appreciate the true taste of alcohol. You need to taste a bit more of life's bitterness."
"You're full of it."
It didn't sound like they were right next to me, but it felt as if they were close enough for me to make out their words.
"With this, I could even snipe."
By enhancing my sight and hearing, I felt I could accurately snipe from a distance greater than that of a bow.
Furthermore, since Onslon's Watchtower was a growth-type ability that would double my enhanced abilities, it would only become more powerful in the future.
"I made a really good choice bringing this."
Praising myself for finding Onslon's Watchtower, I took the second grimoire, Raktor's Steel Rampart, from my pocket and placed it on the desk.
"I wonder how much this one will surprise me."
As I undid the grimoire's clasp, a yellow light filled my entire room.
[You have learned the trait, Raktor's Steel Rampart.]
As I read the message, I was also reading the knowledge of Raktor's Steel Rampart that was being engraved in my mind. And once again, I was shocked.
"What, this is a passive skill!"
Raktor's Steel Rampart was a constantly active ability that automatically blocked mental attacks once a mana hall was registered.
I registered my dantian instead of a mana hall, and Raktor's Rampart activated immediately.
"Ha, this is a cheat too. I see why they call it a rampart…"