Chapter 82 (Self Edited) – The Magic Books and the Ancient Sacred Letters
Carine looked at the part where Sheila said that she couldn’t read it, and she immediately understood the reason. Since Carine didn’t expect that the magic books were related to magic, she had never read it until now, but… with this, it was her first time to see that the book was written in ancient sacred letters. It couldn’t be read.
Ancient sacred letters were said to be in the same era to the ancient ruins or perhaps even before that. For that reason, it was completely obsolete and there were few people who could read it. As the Holy Book was written with such letters, it seemed there were priests of Goddess’ Doctrine who could somewhat read it, but… other than them, it was unknown whether anyone in the academy could read it. Of course, Carine also couldn’t read it.
Therefore…
“…Hmm, read it” (Sheila)
When Sheila said so, Carine really worried about what she would say.
It was easier to say that she also didn’t know how. However, she was proud and confident as a lecturer at the Royal Academy. Even though Carine thought that it couldn’t be helped since it was written in ancient sacred letters, she was hesitant to say it to the students.
But, she immediately noticed that she was misunderstood. Sheila gave the book to Soma. Be that as it might, Carine thought that he would be impossible to read it.
Soma’s knowledge was certainly outstanding. She had heard it from a number of lecturers. That wasn’t only it. There were many times Carine thought so when she gave magic lesson.
From the previous conversation, it seemed that they had known each other in the past, but as for Soma reading the ancient sacred letters…
“Hmmm… well, I don’t mind, but what are you planning to do with it? As expected, every time Sheila tried to read a magic book, it was difficult for you to read and and ask me to translate it.” (Soma)
“…For the time being, it will depend on the content. If it really seems pointless, I’ll think of something else. …If there is something, maybe we can learn it?” (Sheila)
“I like your spirit, but there is completely no teaching materials that we can learn, you know.” (Soma)
Carine blankly looked at Soma and Sheila who were interacting as if it was a normal thing.
No, that was really something normal to them. It was based on the assumption that Soma could read ancient sacred letters. So, what was the meaning of this, then?
“…Eh, could it be Soma-kun… can read the ancient sacred letters?” (Carine)
“Yes? Well, I can read it.” (Soma)
Carine again lost her words at the boy who nodded without hesitation.
Far from giving such a look, Soma was tilting his neck. Perhaps, he didn’t understand the importance of this situation, which was why he gave a wondering look.
“Eh… uhmm… I don’t really doubt you but, can you really read it?” (Carine)
“I don’t mind reading it, but since this is a library, I can’t say it out loud… No, well, I don’t need to worry too much since there are no other people right now.” (Soma)
After saying such a thing, Soma got the magic book from Sheila and looked at it. Then…
“[–Year 117 Month 4 Day 3. It is sunny. There was nothing in particular even today. It was the usual day. I hoped that it was an event of celebrating the hundred years soon, but there was no such a thing before in particular…]. Is this really a magic book?” (Soma)
“Since all magic books are made of the same decoration, I guess that there is no mistake, right? This is way too elaborate as for joking round to the point of using ancient sacred letters.” (Carine)
“Hmm, is that a real thing?” (Soma)
“…Isn’t this a diary?” (Sheila)
“I skipped few pages and took a quick look. It seems that only similar things are written. …For now, how about reading other books?” (Soma)
As Soma said that, he received another book from Sheila. Then, he let out a sigh. Apparently, it seems other books were almost similar in content.
“Well this is certainly reasonable to think of it as worthless things…” (Soma)
“…That’s too bad.” (Sheila)
“Well, I think you should be glad that you have saved time from learning ancient sacred letters.” (Carine)
Carine couldn’t see Soma lying in this situation. Besides, even though it was less than a month, if she considered Soma’s personality from what she had seen so far, she didn’t think that he was lying.
In other words, he could really read ancient sacred letters.
“…I see. It looks like you can really read this.” (Carine)
“Hmm…? That reminds me, people were really surprised before, but is it really that great? For me, I only recognize it as old letters.” (Soma)
“Well… to be honest, it doesn’t seem to be a mistake. But, the main problem is when was the specific time for that kind of letters to be used.” (Carine)
As mentioned earlier, it was said that the ancient sacred letters were letters that existed at the same time as the ancient ruins. In short, ancient sacred letters were often engraved in ancient ruins.
Although the priests of the Goddess’ Doctrine were more or less could read it, they could only read it from their holy book. Letters written here were obviously something that they couldn’t read. Ancient sacred letters were known to have unusually high number of letters. It was said that the number was easily surpassed tens of thousands characters. Therefore, it was almost impossible to read what was engraved in the ruins or something like that.
That was why the existence who could read the ancient sacred letters was really rare. That person held a tremendous value at the same time. To say that far… or as far as Carine could say, if this country know his value, Soma, who held that ability, had the possibility to get the job regardless of the skills he had.
It wasn’t something like a farmer or peasant could get used to. It was possible to gain a lot by being able to read ancient sacred letters which were already limited to other people.
Well, it was as a matter of course…
“Hmm… to be honest, I’m fine with anything.” (Soma)
“…Well, I guess so.” (Carine)
Speaking of amazing, Soma was really amazing, but at the same time, he definitely got nothing to do with other people. To those who wanted to use magic, they weren’t only told to become archaeologists, but also they became unhappy since they were told that they hold no value.
“You are really amazing.” (Carine)
To begin with, the details of ancient sacred letters were unknown. Before this, no one could read it.
With Soma ability, it was possible to trace back how things happened, why or when. No matter how much Carine thought about it, that language abruptly appeared at a certain time.
For that reason, something like the words said by the Gods, reproduced the language that was used in the ancient times, and the people who said that they were coming from other worlds, all of them could be analyzed.
“Other worlds, is it?” (Soma)
“Aah, yes. I know they stuck here, but it isn’t really rare, you know?” (Carine)
Actually, until about a hundred years ago, people who were from other worlds rarely found. Many people were said to have been involved with people from other worlds. Some of the technologies from them were handed down until now.
Gun was one of them. Some said that the hero who destroyed the Evil God was actually from another world. Some document also mentioned that many people from other worlds were found before and after the time when the ancient ruins were being made.
Well, to be honest, there were some faking it, but the influence of these people was so big that it couldn’t be ignored. Moreover, their existences hadn’t been officially confirmed for at least until a hundred years ago.
“…Officially?” (Sheila)
“It was actually a different way of saying…” (Soma)
“Aah, that is–… uhmm…” (Carine)
She lost what to say for a moment, but she thought that it wasn’t really a problem to tell them. Perhaps, she should say that it was an open secret. Although it was more or less not a fact, those who knew at that time knew also how it was. Rather than being concealed, it wasn’t a matter to be hid.
“Actually, the Kingdom of Veritas summoned a hero ten years ago. That person was called the hero from other world.” (Carine)
“…From other world, is it?” (Sheila)
“Hero…?” (Soma)
“Yes, to help fighting the Demon King.” (Carine)
Well, after that, the companions for the hero were selected. Incidentally, that person was announced as the hero of that country. Eventually, the person didn’t only not defeating the Demon King, he rebelled or being independent, something like that. As a result of scandals of bad doings by the Kingdom piling up, nothing was done to that person from the start. Moreover, since it was certain that the country became more flourish, there seemed nothing could be done. Especially to those countries concerned, this fact was generally known.
“Well, if you are interested, I think that it would be nice to look it up. I forgot where it is, but it should have been put somewhere.” (Carine)
In this library, the books weren’t only brought from the Kingdom of Veritas. If new books came out, it was supposed to be included in it as many as possible. Since Carine knew there were such books, it meant that it was located nearby.
“Well then, I guess I will read those whenever I have spare time. At any rate, Sensei seems very well informed about this matter.” (Sirius)
“Well. Even though things may appear this way, I was undecided whether to become magic lecturer or archaeologist. If I were to let go, I would do archaeology, so I might think again if I get fired someday.” (Carine)
Being able to read ancient sacred letters was very enviable. Perhaps, if Carine was able to do that, she would become archaeology without thinking twice.
“That reminds me, why Soma can read the ancient sacred letters?” (Carine)
“I can only say that I know how to read it. That’s all.” (Soma)
“Hmm…” (Carine)
Carine judged that Soma didn’t want to tell her. Well, there were things like that. Somehow, it was probably hard to say it.
Regardless of how much she was as a lecturer, one month hadn’t passed since she met him. It was obvious that there was no need to reveal everything.
He would reveal it later someday since she wouldn’t give up asking… When Carine thought whether Soma would teach her about the ancient sacred letters, Soma suddenly looked at her.
“By the way, speaking of the matter in the past, are you familiar with the dungeon here?” (Soma)
“Dungeon? Well, I’m not sure the detailed but I think I know to a certain extent.” (Carine)
“Hmm… then, do you know a way to go into the dungeon now? I mean through the back door.” (Soma)
“…Yes?” (Carine)
Carine was convinced when Soma asked that. She understood that he came to the library for that reason, but… to be honest, she was probably the wrong person to consult about this matter.
“Do you think I will tell you if I know it?” (Carine)
“Hmm… well, if I consider this normally, you will not tell me.” (Soma)
“Of course.” (Carine)
She could feel his amazing enthusiasm, but she also noticed that there was somewhat his feeling of this matter would just going around in circles. Soma probably judged that he should act first rather than to think deeply since he wanted to use magic, but…
“…As a matter of fact, there is no back door. Moreover, you need to receive the formal procedures properly.” (Carine)
“Ooh… there is such a thing, huh?” (Soma)
“…This is my first time hearing it.” (Sheila)
“This is rather unexpected. Don’t you know the rules about this matter exist?” (Carine)
That was some kind of jokes.
She didn’t say it out loud, but if they confirmed the rules, they would understand. Even if they didn’t know, she would tell them if they asked. Even if she didn’t tell them, it could be inferred from other information.
Speaking about paying attention to the students being independence, it sounded good, but the academy existed in such a way.
Incidentally, the information asked by Soma was corresponding to some of the questions she had. Normally, they wouldn’t ask something like hidden method, and Carine didn’t need to handle with such a case, but… well, she didn’t mind doing something extra. Anyhow, the students would be informed during the training of dungeon exploration.
She tried to open her mouth while thinking so, and…
“It is a dungeon where the elementary students are forbid to enter, but actually, there is one exception. That is you need to pass a specific test on top of being led by someone into the dungeon. The guide is limited only to the lecturers. The contents of the test varies depending on the lecturer, but if you want to go to the dungeon now, it is essential to pass the test given by the lecturer who will be the guide.” (??)
Leaving the matter aside, the voice sounded familiar.
However, the voice wasn’t coming among them. Nevertheless, when they reflexively turned around, what they saw was a familiar figure.
“He-headmaster!?” (Carine)
It was the headmaster of the Royal Academy, Hildegard Lindworm.