AKM Act 11-5.2
Act 11-5: Strolling Around Saria
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1[1-2], R2[3-4]
Part 3
There was no need to be honest with someone who shows up without an appointment.
Even if that person was the relative of the hero.
「Um, Kyouka-san... Your request seems to put them in a pickle, so... um... We should still have some time, so maybe we could ask Magius-do—I mean, Magius-sama—later... Uh... Oh right! How about we take a walk around Saria in the meantime!?」
Kuroki made such suggestion to Kyouka.
It would be troublesome if they went back to the library and then she forced her way to enter the Forbidden Archieve.
The plan was to have her pass the time by sightseeing in Saria, then send her back to her inn.
As far as Kuroki was concerned, it was disappointing not to be able to enter the Forbidden Archieve, but there was no helping it.
Both Mitsuami and the soldiers cast cold glances toward him.
That was only natural since the Great Sage Magius' status in Saria was akin to that of a king.
He wasn't someone who could meet them on request.
It’s only natural that the soldiers who serve him wouldn’t look kindly on that.
Many of the magicians in Saria wish to receive direct teachings from Magius.
However, since Magius was a busy person, not everyone could receive his teaching.
It was no surprise that Mitsuami harbors resentment toward Kyouka for trying to make a direct request to Magius.
「Oh my, so Kuroki-san is going to be my guide around the city! I can't wish for something better, please do!」
Completely oblivious of Mitsuami and the soldiers’ reactions, Kyouka happily throws her arms around Kuroki in a full-on hug.
There was no sign of disappointment on her face about not being able to enter the Forbidden Archieve right away.
It seems she didn't really have any books she particularly wants to read, nor does she seem all that eager to enter the Forbidden Archieve.
「Ahahaha, let's get going then, shall we? Come with us too, Mitsuami-san.」
「Haah. Can't be helped then.」
Kuroki invited Mitsuami.
Being alone with Kyouka could easily lead to a mistake.
Thus, he concluded that it would be much safer when there was a 3rd party.
And so, Kuroki and the others ended up walking through Saria.
◆
Chiyuki sits at the same table as Magius, Gadfes, and Sabina.
The seats are made of wood, something that could be found anywhere else, but there was a cushion-like item placed where one would sit, showing a level of consideration not often seen in restaurants from other countries.
It was likely meant for the moody magician.
It was clearly different from a place that caters to tough, free-spirited warriors with hard, stone-like postures.
In front of them were herbal tea and baked goods filled with dried fruits.
The tea was served in what seems to be dwarf-made porcelain, giving it an elegant touch.
Additionally, sweet treats were popular among magicians, likely because they help with mental focus, and this shop offers a variety of such confections.
It was a shop that made it easy to understand why it was popular among magicians.
「It’s truly unfortunate that the Hero of Light, Reiji-sama, couldn't attend the council.」
Sabina takes a sip of the herbal tea and spoke, looking disappointed.
It was something that Chiyuki used to see.
Reiji was handsome, thus there were many women who wanted to meet him.
However, there was something about Sabina's words that felt somewhat insincere.
Chiyuki had met many women who expressed their desire to meet Reiji, but from her perspective, it seemed that Sabina wasn't truly interested in meeting him.
It felt similar to the polite conversation Chiyuki had just exchanged with Gadfes.
「Yes, we have a lot of work piling up waiting in Eld after our trip to Seard Inlet.」
「I see. In that case, it seems that only Chiyuki-sama has come to Saria this time.」
「No, I came with Kyouka-san this time.」
「Uhm, never heard about her before. If I may, what's her relationship with Reiji-sama?」
Sabina spoke while tilting her head.
At first, Kyouka couldn’t use magic and didn’t accompany the others on the Demon King subjugation either.
Thus her name was relatively unknown back then.
「She's the hero's little sister, Sabina-dono. I want to recruit her to join the association too due to her massive amount of magical power.」
Magius replied to Sabina's question.
「Oh ho ho ho ho... So the little sister of the Hero of Light has come, has she? Rumor has it she’s quite the beauty, guess I’ll just have to go see for myself. Ufufufufu...」
Gadfes chuckles upon hearing that Kyouka was in Saria too.
「Gadfes, don’t do anything foolish and anger the Hero. If he gets serious, he could erase Saria from the map.」
「I know, Magius. But still, there’s no harm in meeting interesting people or getting involved in something that seems fun. Curiosity is the key to everything. Kufufufu...」
Gadfes replied cheerfully.
Gadfes’ travel journals, in which he recorded his journey around the world, observing and documenting various things, were Chiyuki’s favorite reading material.
Thanks to the curiosity of this old magician, Chiyuki could learn about the customs and cultures of many parts of the world.
「I see, so Reiji-sama's little sister is coming too...」
Sabina muttered quietly.
Unlike Gadfes, she didn’t seem to be interested in that news.
「Uhm, is something the matter, Sabina-dono? You don’t seem to be too cheerful?」
Magius asked upon noticing Sabina's change of attitude.
Part 4
「No, it’s nothing. Well then, I must be off. Chiyuki-dono, let’s have a proper conversation next time. And Magius-dono, regarding that matter, please take care of it.」
Sabina stood up from her chair as soon as she spoke.
Naturally, the same goes for her disciple.
As she walked, a young male magician sent her a passionate gaze.
It seemed that he inhaled too much scent magic.
Chiyuki thought to herself that, given she was already beautiful, there was no need for her to use something like scent magic.
「It's the same when we met before, she hasn't changed at all. Hmm, come to think of it, what exactly is that thing she mentioned?」
Chiyuki was curious about the thing Sabina mentioned a while ago.
「Ah, yes, I believe she wanted to enter the Forbidden Archieve. If she has a valid reason, I will naturally permit her to enter, but Sabina-dono hasn't revealed her purpose. The Forbidden Archieve contains a vast number of dangerous books, so I cannot allow her entry without a legitimate reason.」
Magius replied with a troubled look on his face.
「I'm actually quite curious about that Forbidden Archieve too.」
Hearing about the Forbidden Archieve, Chiyuki’s curiosity was piqued.
There might be knowledge in the books of the Forbidden Archieve that Chiyuki herself would want to know.
「Even you, Chiyuki-dono. Well I guess it's only natural for magicians to pursue even more knowledge. However...」
Magius' expression darkened as he said the last part of his sentence.
「It should be fine, Magius. If it’s Chiyuki, there shouldn’t be a problem. She won’t misuse the knowledge kept in the Forbidden Archieve.」
「You’re right, that may be the case. However, it is originally entrusted to us. I’m sorry, but please give me more time to think about it, Chiyuki-dono.」
「No problem. I can wait. But I'll be happy if you give me your permission.」
Chiyuki bowed her head.
Tons of secrets were kept in the Forbidden Archieve.
Her curiosity was now truly piqued.
◆
The bewitching sage Sabina left the dinner, accompanied by her circle of disciples.
She was about to return to her abode.
None of her disciples said anything upon seeing Sabina's unusual attitude.
（Not just Chiyuki, but even the Hero Reiji’s little sister is here. That person is apparently coming too... What should I do now?）
Sabina was thinking about a certain person who was visiting Saria right now.
A being of immense power, respected by the divine race.
It was that kind of personage who visited Saria.
And since the person she was thinking about had always been in conflict with the Hero of Light, she couldn't imagine what was going to happen if that person met the comrade of the Hero of Light in this Saria.
However, Sabina was too weak to stop that person.
In the first place, she wasn't worrying about that person's safety since that person had never been defeated.
（Well, it doesn't matter. That personage is seeking something within the Forbidden Archieve. If I find it first, it will surely earn me some favor. I haven’t had the chance to meet that personage yet, but this time, for sure…）
That was the reason Sabina had been so eager to enter the Forbidden Archieve.
The problem being she had no idea what that person was looking for.
However, she knew that if it was something that even that person desires, she should recognize it when she saw it.
Unfortunately for her, gaining Magius' permission was much more difficult than she had expected.
She hesitated over whether to be honest, but this wasn't someone she could deceive with lies or half-truths.
Thus, she tried to use another method.
Sabina imagined herself being cherished by that person and couldn’t help but smile sweetly.
「Is something the matter, Sabina-sama?」
Seeing Sabina smile, one of her disciples grew curious and asked.
「It's nothing. Don't worry about it.」
Sabina made a dismissive gesture as her expression returned to normal.
Many of Sabina’s disciples were women with striking appearances.
The disciples around her now are all women like that as well.
Sabina had once used some of them as sacrifices.
（Well, it would be better if there’s something more than just the books in the Forbidden Archieve. Maybe I should sacrifice one of these gi--- Hmm?）
When Sabina thought so.
She saw a beauty that she had never seen before walk toward her direction.
（Eh? Who's that girl? Why have I never seen such beauty before?）
Sabina had already done some research on the women in Saria, intending to use them as sacrifices.
And she was sure that the beauty before her was not among the list.
The beauty, though stunning, was walking arm in arm with a man who had a plain, unremarkable appearance.
「Uhm, wait a second? I've never seen you before, may I ask for your name?」
Sabina asked the beauty who was passing by her side.