Chapter 96
When the Holy King and the count left together, El-san and I were the only ones left in the room. El-san said, "Er, heave-ho," and sat in the chair where the Holy King had been sitting. El-san was quite a brazen person... for a rabbit.
"Er, first, please look over this contract."
A sheet of paper for contract magic slid smoothly across the table toward me.
—Reiji-kun. There are three things you need to check before performing contract magic.
I remembered what Non-san had told me.
(The first point was the paper. This is plant paper.)
—Parchment is more effective, and using 'magic bypass' on it is extremely difficult. Plant paper makes 'magic bypass' comparatively easier, so this is preferable.
As Non-san's use of the term 'magic bypass' suggested, what Non-san had taught me was how to 'slip past' contract magic.
(The second point was the contract formula.)
—When contract magic is not performed directly by someone capable of using it, but instead by applying magic to paper, its effect is greatly reduced—so much so that the contract magic itself may fail to take effect.
This time, the magic had been written directly onto the paper.
(The third point was the contract method.)
—Generally speaking, there are four types of contract magic: formats approved by the state, formats approved by the Church, those used independently by each guild, and those developed by individuals. The first two are old forms that have been used for a long time, and loopholes that limit the scope in which contract magic is enforced have also been studied.
This paper was in the format of the Kurvaan Holy Kingdom.
(Non-san, I did it! This is almost the ideal contract magic!)
If that was the case, I thought, then after entering into the contract, I could use the Church's connections to have it nullified—but...
"Er, there's nothing particularly serious in it, but if you're that concerned, you don't have to enter into the contract."
"...Huh?"
"After all, contracts meant to make people keep secrets are bound to have leaks. Er, you cannot put a door on people's mouths."
"..."
Non-san. The paper's been taken back.
Non-san. It seems what you taught me was all for nothing...
"I-is that really okay...?"
"It's only necessary for the sake of the nation's public image."
El-san wrote my name on the document in flowing strokes. Then, with a flash, the spell formula activated.
"Er, there is even a method called 'magic bypass' for contract magic of this level. If you're interested, er, I can explain it to you."
"N-no, I'll pass..."
El-san actually brought up the subject of 'magic bypass' himself! Cold sweat trickled down my back.
"Oh, really?"
Why did El-san look a little disappointed?! Ah, even though El-san's a rabbit, I'm starting to understand those expressions.
"I mean, is that really okay? What happened yesterday was pretty serious, wasn't it?"
"Er, yes, it was. In fact, as far as I am concerned, er, I believe it would actually be better if this information became widely known."
"You... think so?"
"Indeed. Er, there is little point in continuing to keep it secret. At most, it would make the Holy Royal Family seem mysterious. More importantly, er, I believe the world would benefit if accurate knowledge regarding Talent Jewels became widespread."
The scope of the conversation was enormous.
"So you're saying you'll tell me what I want to know?"
"Er, insofar as I know."
"Then what is the 'Other World'? And what is the 'Pact'?"
"The 'Other World' is merely called 'other' from our perspective. Er, it is said to be an identical world existing on the other side of this one. The 'Pact' is apparently a set of rules regarding Talent Jewels agreed upon with the 'Other World.'"
The answer came out so casually, all of a sudden. Even after hearing it, I was no closer to understanding.
"I'm sorry... I don't really understand."
"Er, the 'Other World' cannot currently be observed in the first place. It seems there was travel back and forth in ancient times, but to stop that traffic, they closed the gate connecting the worlds."
A gate.
That was what the mediator had said—"Darkness, open the gate. Light, open the way."
"Ouroboros... Was that giant snake that appeared the gate?"
"Er, yes. The Ring Serpent—Ouroboros—is an interesting expression. Let's adopt it."
El-san took a bundle of papers from the pocket of their clothes and wrote something down in flowing strokes. Apparently, the term had been adopted for something. How embarrassing.
Come to think of it, the Holy King hadn't mentioned Ouroboros earlier. Maybe the report hadn't reached the Holy King yet.
"Now, because the Pact exists, travel between the two worlds is not easy. Er, only mediators can do so."
"The mediator... Does that mean dragons are mediators too?"
"Oh my, you're well informed. Er, dragons are this world's mediators."
"The dragon said something about punishing humans in accordance with the Pact."
"Oh? You spoke with a dragon?"
Oh no, I'd said too much. I hurriedly clamped my mouth shut, but El-san cheerfully continued without paying any attention to my reaction.
"Er, that is an extremely rare experience you've had. Dragons are said to normally live far from human settlements, watching over whether the Pact is being upheld."
"So there's that 'Pact' again."
"Yes. They say the Pact contains several provisions, including, er, something about not taking too many Talent Jewels..."
"Don't take too many?"
The rabbit nodded.
"Talent Jewels are 'gifts from God'... but at the same time, I believe they are also 'things that circulate.' Er, I am the only one in the Holy King's Palace who says so, however. I suspect that Talent Jewels that disappear in this world go to the 'Other World,' while those that disappear in the 'Other World' come here."
"————"
I just stared blankly. It had never occurred to me, but when you thought about it, it was strange for them to keep sprouting up one after another like plants.
No, but if they circulate, does that mean there's a limit to the total amount? If the population exploded, would more people end up unable to receive a Talent Jewel?
"Er, I seem to have confused you."
"A little..."
"This is actually not my own theory. It was proposed by Dr. Hinga, a leading authority on deciphering ancient documents concerning the Pact and the 'Other World,' as well as on Talent Jewel research. That paper dates back more than twenty years now..."
"————"
That name had appeared before me far too suddenly.
"Who did you just say...?"
My voice came out hoarse.
"Do you mean Dr. Hinga, who was known as the 'Brain of the Kingdom of Folsha' in the Keithgran Federation?"
El-san said it as casually as if it were nothing.
"There was a dispute within the Federation, and the kingdom was annihilated. Dr. Hinga was believed to have gone missing at the time... Er, unfortunately, it seems the doctor passed away."