The AI Archmage - Chapter 30

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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AI Archmage Episode 30

 

Sion also knew about dark magic.

 

But if you asked whether he knew it well… that wasn’t the case.

 

In the first place, dark magic itself was different from the path Sion pursued, and he had reached the conclusion that deeply researching dark magic was not good.

 

Originally, considering his goal of Magic Popularization, dark magic was a path that should never be intertwined with it.

 

However.

 

‘The situation is different now.’

 

Until now, he had been Altair, ultimately from the perspective of a magic tool craftsman.

 

But if it was Sion as a mage, the story became somewhat different.

 

‘…A virus.’

 

Why had Akasha defined dark magic itself as a ‘virus’?

 

Sion was curious about that fact.

 

Perhaps the Akashic Record he had researched throughout his lifetime might have been deeply connected to dark magic.

 

‘How regrettable. Should I have properly focused and researched it from the beginning?’

 

He felt somewhat regretful about having intentionally turned away from dark magic during his Altair days.

 

Anyway, if he approached it through knowledge, it wasn’t impossible to do.

 

Soon, Sion cleared his thoughts and meticulously analyzed the information coming in through Edan’s life as a sacrifice.

 

“This bastard…”

 

No matter how he looked at it, this wasn’t power built up systematically.

 

“He wasn’t originally a dark mage.”

 

Rather, he was originally a pure mage who had obtained the power of dark magic through ‘some means’.

 

And that means was…

 

‘A magic tool?’

 

It resembled the magic tools he had created countless times as Altair in the past.

 

In some sense, it was also similar to Akasha.

 

Of course, only the principle was similar; the level was incomparable.

 

‘…Don’t tell me Magic Engineering was used in dark magic?’

 

But he soon denied that speculation.

 

If it could have been utilized in such a way, his past self would have researched dark magic long ago.

 

But even so… he couldn’t hide the thought that it wasn’t completely unrelated.

 

[Perhaps it might be a new form of dark magic, Human. A ‘New Generation Black Magic’ different from what has been known to the world so far.]

 

‘That’s… not good.’

 

Sion shook his head with a disgusted expression, as if it was utterly revolting.

 

He had pride in Magic Engineering. If that were to be applied to something like dark magic… that would be unacceptable.

 

“…Tsk.”

 

Sion clicked his tongue briefly and extracted something from Edan’s body.

 

The Mysterious Object presumed to have given him the power of dark magic.

 

Most of it had melted away, but still, a fragment about the size of a fingernail remained.

 

[…I don’t sense any immediately dangerous aura, Human.]

 

‘Let’s keep it stored for now.’

 

With those words, he removed his hand from Edan’s face.

 

Edan’s body, drained of everything, soon crumbled without a trace.

 

It was the end of one who had dabbled in dark magic.

 

“S-Sion!”

 

Lumia hurriedly approached Sion.

 

“W-what happened? Why did that bandit leader suddenly turn to dust…?”

 

“There seems to have been some loss in the process of extracting information. Well, it’s not a big problem.”

 

Sion said this while lightly dusting off his hands.

 

Since the man had committed enough sins to deserve it, ending him like this didn’t leave a bitter aftertaste.

 

Sion approached Barean.

 

“Now then, senior. The major problem has been resolved for now. It’s time to return to the beloved Blue Tower.”

 

“Uh, hmm…”

 

However, Barean’s reaction to Sion’s words was subtle.

 

“I certainly want to return to the Blue Tower. However, without me, the villagers would be in considerable trouble…”

 

“That’s true enough.”

 

“Besides, even without the bandits, the villagers are always exposed to danger. I wonder if it would really be alright for me to just leave…”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Of course it would matter.

 

From the villagers’ perspective, that is.

 

But if you worry about every little thing like that, there’s nothing you can accomplish.

 

However, in this case, the solution isn’t difficult.

 

“It’s fine. That shouldn’t be a big problem.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Isn’t the cause of all these incidents simply that the village is located on very unfavorable land?”

 

“That’s… right?”

 

“Then wouldn’t it be fine to just move them to a safe place?”

 

Barean tilted his head at this logic, which was like saying you could just put an elephant in a bag.

 

“Isn’t it because they can’t do that that the villagers live in such a place?”

 

“That was true until now.”

 

“Uh… no, well, the village isn’t exactly small in scale, and there are quite a lot of residents, so a ‘safe land’ that could accommodate all of them…”

 

“Tower Master.”

 

Sion turned his head toward Lumia and asked.

 

“The land that the Blue Tower currently owns. Isn’t there an excessive surplus?”

 

“Uh… th-there is a surplus, but it’s not immediately suitable for people to live on, is it?”

 

“But it’s still several times better than this place, isn’t it?”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“Perfect then.”

 

Sion grinned.

 

“Let’s go. Originally, things like this should be carried out immediately when you think of them.”

 

“W-wait a minute. Sion, what are you trying to do?!”

 

“What am I trying to do?”

 

Sion continued speaking.

 

“I’m trying to make a good proposal for everyone.”

 

* * *

 

“Now, now, pay attention.”

 

Returning to the village, Sion had Barean gather all the villagers together.

 

“What, what’s this?”

 

“The teacher called for us, but who is that young man?”

 

The villagers gathered in one place with bewildered expressions.

 

Since Barean was a respected teacher within the village, every single villager had gathered without exception.

 

Sion looked at everyone and spoke.

 

“First, let me share some good news with you. The bandit group that has been tormenting you has been completely eliminated as of today.”

 

“…!”

 

At those words, the villagers opened their eyes wide with expressions of disbelief.

 

“I-is that really true?”

 

“That’s right. Even Edan, their leader, died by my hand, so I can be certain.”

 

Then he showed them evidence including the corpses of the bandits.

 

“Ah, ahh…!”

 

Joy filled the eyes of the villagers.

 

Among those present here, there wasn’t a single person who hadn’t suffered damage from the Edan Brotherhood.

 

“Th-thank you! How can we ever repay this debt….”

 

“So I’d like to make a proposal.”

 

At Sion’s words, the villagers tilted their heads.

 

A proposal?

 

Some people became a bit nervous.

 

They worried that Sion might demand something excessive as payment for eliminating the bandit group.

 

And the words that followed were.

 

“Now, is there anyone who loves this land so much that they’d want to stay here even if it means getting completely destroyed by monsters?”

 

These were words that none of the villagers could have expected.

 

“…?”

 

Naturally, there weren’t any.

 

There was no way such a village would have any great history.

 

Like any frontier village, they were simply living here because there was no other option.

 

Good lands wouldn’t accept them into the territory itself, and lands that weren’t good required enduring unreasonably high taxes.

 

So this place was what they found through process of elimination.

 

The village’s history was less than fifty years.

 

So while they might have affection for their neighbors, there was no way they could have attachment to this land.

 

“Uh, we don’t have any?”

 

One of the village people raised their hand slightly and said.

 

Sion nodded as if he had expected this.

 

“Yes, you wouldn’t.”

 

“But why are you suddenly asking about this…?”

 

“Well! I’d like to introduce you all to a good product.”

 

“A, a product?”

 

Sion naturally began his presentation using magic in front of everyone.

 

“Now, now, let me explain from here. First, the advantage of the land I’m introducing today can be explained with just one thing. ‘No monsters’!”

 

“…!”

 

“Of course, the land condition isn’t good so it’s not suitable for growing crops, but that’s not without solutions either.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Moreover, there’s one more major advantage!”

 

Sion revealed the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Tower through magic.

 

“The landmark called the Blue Tower is nearby! What does this mean? It means you can receive the benefits of magic!”

 

“Oh, ooh…!”

 

Naturally, the residents’ gazes focused on Sion.

 

Something was strangely captivating.

 

“Normally, it would be proper to collect a move-in fee…”

 

“Ah…”

 

“If you move in now, I won’t charge any money! Of course, you’ll have to start from the ground up, but conversely, that could be an advantage where you can ‘pioneer’ your very own village.”

 

“Then, what about taxes…?”

 

“20% of your income.”

 

“…!”

 

It was surprisingly low!

 

Considering that even the most benevolent territories had tax rates close to 40 percent, this was an unbelievable figure.

 

“Then, what’s left for the Blue Tower lords?”

 

“Haha.”

 

Sion burst into hearty laughter and continued speaking.

 

“You all remain.”

 

“…!”

 

Such benevolent words they had never heard from any lords…!

 

Barean shook his head with an expression of disbelief.

 

“…But that kind of person was the scoundrel the Tower cast out?”

 

“Yes, really.”

 

“Huh.”

 

On the way back, Barean had heard from Lumia about Sion’s past.

 

…To be honest, it was hard to believe.

 

A talentless mage who couldn’t even properly use 2nd Circle suddenly became like that?

 

It was absurd.

 

But.

 

‘…There are always monsters beyond normal standards in this world, and countless circumstances.’

 

Barean knew this.

 

So he decided to accept it.

 

Actually, if he tried to think about it logically, there seemed to be no answer, so he just decided to roughly accept it.

 

And a little later, the villagers had long ago very naturally agreed to Sion’s ‘proposal’.

 

“Pioneer! Pioneer! Pioneer!”

 

“We too have the right to live a good life! Glory to the Blue Tower!”

 

“A vote for Sion Rostery!”

 

Something seemed a bit strange about what they were saying, but anyway, the important thing was that the villagers agreed.

 

After finishing the agitation, Sion came down from the platform and said with a bright smile.

 

“Well, that’s done. We’ve secured additional labor force nicely!”

 

“…Labor force?”

 

“We help them, and they pay compensation through labor. Isn’t it good when things work out well?”

 

“Is that right?”

 

“Let’s say it is.”

 

Anyway, the village problem was also resolved.

 

Cleanly, Alhaio Village on the continental frontier was set to move near the Blue Tower.

 

* * *

 

After Sion disappeared.

 

On the land that had been used as the Edan Brotherhood’s base until just a few days ago.

 

There, in an instant, the black pool began bubbling and something revealed itself.

 

【…Disappointing.】

 

It quietly moved around the area, scanning the place where the battle had taken place.

 

【I hoped they would grow more and create sacrifices, but I suppose that was too much to expect.】

 

It slowly examined the traces that had been here.

 

And the moment it finished its analysis, it was slightly shaken.

 

Because something completely unexpected had happened.

 

【Unreadable.】

 

It could confirm that Edan had despaired over something and died, but it couldn’t determine who his opponent was or what means they used to overwhelm Edan.

 

However, there was one thing confirmed.

 

【…Blue Tower.】

 

Blue Tower is behind all of this.

 

And if Blue Tower has the possibility of interfering with their plans, then perhaps….

 

‘I’ll need to raise the danger level a bit.’

 

It reached that conclusion and then disappeared.

 

As if it had never existed from the beginning.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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