Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 112

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A café run by the Heir to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 112
I nodded, and Riley walked toward the prepared space inside.
Biedler arrived just then, opening the door. The person he’d brought was the same as at the last meeting.
Riley stood beside the table and waited for Biedler to arrive before extending her hand.
The two of them exchanged a light handshake and took their seats.
I locked the door, leaned against the wall, and watched them.
“No need for lengthy words—let’s get straight to business. We’ve completed the decryption of the letters. How far has Aide gotten?”
Riley showed no hesitation even in front of Biedler, who was a prince.
Or perhaps because Raven had arranged this meeting, she carried an air of ease.
“Despite comparing against numerous languages and conducting an investigation, we couldn’t decipher it.”
Biedler asked calmly, unmoved by Riley’s statement.
“Where did you find it? What kind of script was it?”
“It was difficult to locate. It was the Demonic Language—research into it is forbidden, and most records concerning it are taboo.”
“The Demonic Language…! It still exists?”
Biedler was visibly shocked by the unexpected identity of the script, his expression one of disbelief.
“See for yourself.”
When Riley extended her hand, Obelia passed her a bundle of papers.
Riley handed them to Biedler for inspection.
It was research material containing the Demonic script alongside its corresponding Imperial language, as well as the sequence and method of reading.
“…It certainly does resemble it.”
Biedler’s grip tightened on the papers, and they crumpled with a crisp sound.
“As for why the Demonic Language appears on the map—we’re uncertain of the reason.”
…….
“What’s certain is that Raven decrypted the script entirely through her own power. Honestly, I’d like to raise the contracted ratio further.”
Riley leaned back in her chair and met Biedler’s gaze directly.
“What if, instead of raising the Mana Stone distribution ratio, we retain ownership of the map going forward?”
“That won’t do. Ownership must naturally be shared. If one side holds it alone, there’s no way to prevent misuse.”
“Trust is what matters in an alliance. As long as our alliance holds, we will never betray you.”
The unspoken message being that the moment the alliance breaks, Raven will use the map however she wishes.
Since Raven had originally possessed the map and played a crucial role in unsealing it, Aide had no grounds to refuse.
Biedler glanced toward me, then nodded.
“We transfer ownership of the map on the condition that any use of it requires agreement from both parties. Do you accept?”
“Agreed.”
“And we’ll set a contract period. We need safeguards too.”
“Would five years suffice?”
“Five years? At least ten.”
Riley appeared somewhat disappointed, but satisfied with having secured ownership of the map, she nodded.
“We’ll draft the contract terms regarding ownership and duration in more detail and exchange them.”
For Biedler, solidifying the alliance for ten years was worth conceding map ownership.
Though I doubted the alliance would truly last ten years, both seemed satisfied for now.
Once the additional contract was finalized, Riley withdrew the map from the Artifact and placed it on the table.
“Then we’ll unseal it immediately.”
“Very well.”
As the tightly rolled map unfurled, letters appeared alongside the form of Alein Mountain, just as they had when the first seal was broken.
Riley placed the paper with her pre-decrypted letters beside it and compared them one by one as she reached out to touch the script.
In the tense silence, everyone held their breath and watched Riley.
As she drew the scattered letters together and arranged them in order, a brilliance far more radiant than when the first seal broke erupted forth.
The intense light made my eyes involuntarily narrow, but it quickly subsided.
All the holograms—Alein Mountain and the letters displayed over the map—vanished.
“Has it unsealed?”
Biedler touched his chin and murmured uncertainly.
“It seems so. But there’s no change.”
Looking at the map, which now appeared to have reverted to its original state, everyone felt something had gone wrong.
Then Meyson, who had stepped back to observe, came forward.
“May I take a look?”
“Of course.”
Since no one here was unaware of Meyson’s identity, Riley readily handed over the map.
The moment Meyson infused Mana into the map, the Demonic Language appeared in abundance around it.
A glimmer of something appeared in Meyson’s eyes as he gazed upon it.
“Even if I can’t read the letters, I can decipher the flow of Mana carved into an object. This is… my first time seeing something like this.”
“How do you use it?”
“Simple. Activate it and it will take you to the designated location.”
“It’s similar to a Teleportation Stone.”
“No, it’s entirely different. A Teleportation Stone has a fixed number of uses and distance limit. At most, two people can use it. But this… has no restrictions.”
“That’s possible?”
I slowly approached the table, listening intently to Meyson’s words.
“It’s not possible. This is an absurd object—permanently usable without limits on personnel, location, or frequency. That something like this exists…”
Meyson examined the map with wonder in his eyes, then withdrew his Mana.
The letters disappeared, and the map became ordinary again in his hand.
“Let’s activate it. You were planning to visit the Mine today anyway, weren’t you?”
Faced with Meyson’s authority, Riley and Biedler nodded without hesitation.
“Everyone, grab hold of this. It won’t tear, so don’t worry. You can hold another person if needed, but make sure you have a firm grip.”
With that, he extended one free hand toward me.
I went to Meyson’s side and took his hand. Everyone else clasped hands with the person beside them.
The moment Meyson activated the map, my feet suddenly felt weightless, and the surroundings blurred past.
It was entirely different from using a Teleportation Stone.
Feeling drawn in, we arrived at the Gorge in an instant.
“We’re really here.”
I released Meyson’s hand and looked around.
If my mother’s Magic Circle had been above the Gorge, the map had guided us into it.
Pickaxes and tools still lay scattered about, and this time, curiously, a cave was visible.
“I couldn’t create something like this. It’s an undiscovered magical technique. If it were revealed, the magical academy would be astonished. Of course, all mages would be too.”
The Demonic Language that had sealed the map.
Everyone recalled that fact and fell silent for a moment.
Then Sophia, spotting loose stones on the ground, let out a squeal of excitement.
“These are all Mana Stones! Even if they’re lower-grade, it’s incredible!”
Biedler, Riley, and the rest of the party dispersed to examine the Gorge.
Everything we saw, touched, and stepped upon in this vicinity was composed of Mana Stones. Everyone struggled to conceal their joy at the tremendous discovery.
“From now on, we need to begin extraction and processing. We’ll need reliable personnel.”
“We’ll need skilled workers who can extract the highest-grade Mana Stones without damaging them.”
“Yes. Processing won’t be easy either. There are black mages in the Swampland, but… they’re hesitant about Mana Stone Processing.”
“First, let’s identify the personnel each side can mobilize and share information. Then we’ll narrow it down among them.”
“We can’t have too many people. Since the supply of Mana Stones available to the public is limited, we need to proceed carefully and systematically.”
“That’s what I want. We can’t draw attention.”
Biedler’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“We’ll establish a separate location. Since using the map requires everyone to gather in one place, it would be better to set specific work dates and times and meet there.”
“Understood. Aide’s side should arrange that.”
“I will.”
“Processing is the biggest problem… the most trustworthy and capable mage would be…”
Riley trailed off and turned to look at Meyson, standing apart in the distance.
Meyson’s interest was solely on the map; since arriving, he hadn’t paid any attention to the conversation.
As I looked around, I picked up a Mana Stone the size of my palm. It seemed to have been abandoned after extraction since it was lower-grade.
I held it and squeezed it in my hand. My palm warmed, and a small light burst forth.
Riley and Biedler, seeing this, stopped their conversation and widened their eyes.
“What did you just do?”
“Processing. I can do it. If it’s a small amount, I’ll take care of it.”
Since leaving headquarters, I’d always carried a weight in my heart, but if it could help Riley and Raven, something like this was nothing.
“You can process Mana Stones? Even among mages, not everyone can do it… How? You’ve never studied magic.”
Riley and Sophia in particular wore expressions of great surprise.
“I only recently found out I had this ability. Anyway, I’ll handle it.”
I glanced at Meyson, who had quietly stepped to my side, before speaking.
“Young one, processing highest-grade Mana Stones consumes Mana. A stone or two might be fine, but to process multiple stones simultaneously requires training.”
“You’ll help me, won’t you?”
I stared at him and asked. Meyson froze for a moment, then his eyes reddened as if moved.
“Did you just ask this old man for help…? Did I hear that right?”

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