Book 2: Chapter 51

When the Holy King and the Earl left, only El-san and I were in the room. El-san sat on the chair where the Holy King was sitting, saying “Eh, finally.” Kind of a shameless person… just like a rabbit.

「Eh, please check the contract first.」he said, sliding the paper detailed with the contract magic across the table.

I remembered what Non-san taught me.

——Reiji-kun, check for 3 things when performing the contract magic.

(First, is the paper. This is a plant-based paper.)

Using a parchment is highly effective, and it is extremely difficult to perform “magic omission”. Whereas, it is relatively easier to do “magic omission” on plant-based paper, so this paper is in my favour.

What Non-san meant when she explained “magic omission” is, to “slip out of the contract magic”.

(Second, is the contract technique.)

——If the user who can use contract magic does not perform the magic directly on the person, but performs the magic through paper, the effect will be so low that sometimes the contract magic itself may not be established.

This time, the magic is written on the paper.

(Third, is the contract method.)

——There are four types of contract magic that are commonly used: one that is approved by the state, one that is approved by the church, one that is used independently by each guild, and one that is developed by an individual. The former two have been used for a long time, so loopholes that can limit the extent of the contract magic are already being studied.

This paper was the contract method of the Kruvan Holy Kingdom.

(Non-san, we did it! It is the almost ideal contract magic!)

If this is the case, after concluding the contract magic, I can cancel it using the church’s secret methods. Just as I was thinking that–

「Eh, it doesn’t have much content, but if you’re so worried about it, you don’t really have to sign the contract.」

「…What?」

「After all, no amount of contract can keep a secret from leaking out. Eh, you can’t put a literal zip on people’s mouth.」

「……」

Non-san. The contract paper has been collected.

Non-san. It seems that everything you taught me went to waste.

「…I-Is that really okay?」

「It’s just necessary for the sake of appearance.」

El-san quickly wrote my name on the document, and the magic was activated with a flash of light.

「Eh, and also, there is a method called “magic omission” for this kind of contract magic. If you are interested, I can teach you.」

「I-It’s fine…」

The other party is bringing up “magic omission”?!

Cold sweat formed on my forehead.

「Is that so?」

Why do you look a little disappointed! Ah, even though he’s a rabbit, I’m starting to understand his facial expressions.

「Is this really okay? Isn’t everything that happened yesterday dangerously important stuff?」

「Eh, that’s right. Rather, I think it would be better if this information were to spread.」

「Really?」

「Indeed. It doesn’t make much sense to keep it a secret. It just makes the Holy Royal family look mysterious, that’s all. Rather, it’s better to spread the knowledge about the skill orbs worldwide. Eh, I think it’s more beneficial that way.」

The scale of this story is getting bigger.

「Does that mean I can ask you what I wish to know?」

「Eh, if it’s within the scope of my knowledge, certainly.」

「Then, what is the “Other World”? And what is the “Covenant”?」

「It is simply called the “Other World” by the people of this world. Eh, it is said that the “Other World” is the exact same world as this, which lies on the back side of this world. The “Covenant” seems to be a rule regarding “skill orbs” that was agreed with the “Other World”.」

I didn’t expect to get an actual answer. But, even upon hearing the answer, I have no idea what any of it meant.

「Sorry, but I don’t really get it.」

「Eh, now, of course, we can’t observe the “Other World”. It seems that there was traffic between the two worlds in ancient times, but in order to stop that traffic, we closed the gate that connects the worlds.」

Gate. That mediator said —「Darkness, Open The Gate. Light, Pave The Way.」

「Ouroboros… Is that the gate where the giant snake came out of?」

「Eh, that’s right. The looped snake is an interesting expression. Let’s adopt it.」

El-san took out a bundle from his pocket and started drawing on it. Speaking of which, the Holy King didn’t talk about Ouroboros. I wonder if the report hasn’t arrived yet.

「Right now, we can’t go back and forth between the worlds easily because of the “Covenant”. Eh, however, only mediators can.」

「Mediators, huh… Are dragons mediators too?」

「Oh? You know about that? Eh, yes, dragons are the mediators of this world.」

「The dragon was saying something about punishing humans according to the “Covenant”.」

「Oh? You talked to a dragon?」

Crap, I said too much. I closed my mouth in a hurry, but El-san didn’t mind it, and continued delightedly.

「Eh, that is an extremely rare experience. It is said that dragons are usually found only in remote areas, watching over whether the Covenant is being abided.」

「The “Covenant” again, huh?」

「Yes. It is said that the “Covenant” has several important points, and one of them says something about not taking too many skill orbs or something.」

「Not taking too many?」I asked.

The rabbit nodded in response.

「Skill orbs are said to be ‘”God-given”… but I think it is also a “circulating thing”. Eh, though, I am the only one who believes that in the Holy Royal Palace. I have a theory that skill orbs that disappeared in this world go to the “Other World”, and the skill orbs that disappear in the “Other world” come to this world.」

「————」

My mouth was gaping wide-open. I have never thought of it like that, but it is also strange to think that it is something that grows out of the walls of a mine, like a mushroom.

But if we consider that it is in circulation, doesn’t that mean there is a limit to the total amount? If the population rises explosively, wouldn’t more people not receive skill orbs?

「Eh, it seems that I have caused confusion.」

「A little…」

「To tell the truth, this isn’t really my theory. It was advocated by Dr. Hinga, who was a leading researcher in the deciphering of ancient documents on the “Covenant”, the “Other World”, and the study of “Skill Orbs”. It was a research paper from more than 20 years ago…」

「————」

I was shocked to hear that name appear out of nowhere.

「Sorry, but… who did you just say?」

My voice was faint.

「Dr. Hinga, who was called the “Brain of Forsha Kingdom” in the Keith Gran Federation.」El-san said, offhandedly.

「There was a conflict in the Federation and the kingdom was destroyed. He was declared as missing at that time. Eh, unfortunately, he must have died.」