Chapter 134 The True Identity Of 'Magister Temple'
Three days after Aaron led the guild's scouting team to the 46th floor.
Deep underground in the [Holy City of Necronia], in a basement where outsiders would never accidentally wander.
Ail Hermit visited a room lit by bright lights that seemed out of place in the dark basement.
"Logan, how's the preparation going?"
"...Ail. Yeah, I'm just doing the final checks."
Logan, who was sitting on the sofa and carefully checking the chemicals and weapons spread out on the table, looked up to answer.
This was Logan Abrams' personal room in the secret society called Chronosphere.
Even though it was called a personal room, it was a bare space with only the bare minimum of furniture. However, he thought it was quite comfortable to live in once he got used to it.
This was because, even though the underground facility, including this personal room, wasn't a place Logan could freely enter and exit, he was able to relax to some extent without frequent "peeping" or "eavesdropping," contrary to his initial expectations of strict surveillance.
From Chronosphere's perspective, there was no need to constantly monitor Logan, who was restricted in his words and actions by the [Testament (Contract before God)], and who could not move freely without the cooperation of someone who could use teleportation magic.
It was like how guards don't watch prisoners in a cell every single second.
Still, a minimum level of caution was necessary.
As they discuss this plan, especially so, Logan leans against the wall of the room with his arms crossed, staring intently at Ail.
"Relax, no one can see or hear us right now."
"That's true."
Logan nods in agreement, then shifts his attention to the table, checking the weapons and tools.
He pays special attention to the status of the weapons, his nerves on edge. In fact, he's checked them multiple times already, but this time it's different.
The opponent he's about to face is someone who's definitely going to be the strongest he's ever faced.
No matter how many times he checks, it's never too much.
He's gathered all the materials he needs, the most durable longsword, to withstand his own "true power" for just a moment. He's expecting it to be consumed in this one battle.
If this were an explorer's fight, it would be a definite loss. But Logan can't help but smile wryly at the thought.
"So, what's up? Don't you have anything to say?"
Logan looks up at Ail, still silent, and shoots him a sarcastic glance.
"...In 2 hours, the operation will begin."
Ail finally opens his mouth, asking quietly.
"Will you regret it, Logan?"
"Regret?"
"About your name becoming infamous as a century's greatest criminal?"
"Ah, come on, I've heard that one before."
"But even so, your thoughts might change just before the fact."
"...Can I still make it, then?"
"..."
The silence was his answer.
If Logan were to make a break from the plan, Ail would definitely make him do it. His imagination seems to confirm this, and he slowly opens his mouth.
"At that time, I thought you were the only one. But maybe, using Aaron would be enough to get the job done."
"Who do you plan to face Aaron? Honestly, Ail, even you wouldn't be able to fight Aaron for long, would you?"
"..."
"Besides, there's no guarantee that Aaron will use his Sword Saint skills against you. He doesn’t know the situation, and we can't tell him. If you're defeated instantly, we can't achieve our goal. Am I wrong?"
"..."
Even after disappearing from the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫, Ail and the others had been investigating Aaron's movements and strength.
They needed 3 pieces to destroy the [Temple]. They had set their sights on Logan, Chloe, and the last one was Aaron Gale.
So, Ail already knew that even with the 'activator (nectar)' he used, Aaron was a powerful presence that overwhelmingly surpassed him.
Even though it's a Unique Job, 'Hermit' is still a scout-type job. Its combat ability is definitely weaker when compared to Aaron and Logan.
More than anything.
As if he wouldn’t give in on this point, Logan spoke with a stronger tone.
"I am the only one who can make Aaron get serious."
He added, with a fierce smile.
"I have no regrets about becoming a wicked sinner or taking your hand. But... in our plan, fighting Aaron is my enjoyment. I won't let you interfere with this, Ail."
"......I see. You're quite the battle maniac."
Ail forced a smile and swallowed the words of apology he was about to say.
He felt it would be insulting to Logan's resolve.
Remembering the events instead. Logan joins Chronosphere and tells the whole story of his situation.
* * *
In the private room given to Logan at the secret organization Chronosphere...
In that room, Ail was waiting for Logan's return.
Over an hour had passed since Logan was taken away, and normally, he would be coming back without any major issues――that's what Ail thought as his keen senses picked up Logan's arrival.
In a corner of the underground facility with many rooms connected, Ail sensed the appearance of Logan's magical energy after he teleported.
Considering there was no detectable magical energy from a space magician other than Logan, it's reasonable to assume the contract was sealed successfully. If there had been surveillance, they would have stayed on guard. The lack of such activity meant they didn't need to be vigilant anymore.
Eventually, Logan walked back into the room, opened the only door, and entered confidently.
Closing the door behind him, he calmly asked.
"Is it okay for me to speak now?"
"Sure, go ahead."
replied Ail, reassured that they weren't being watched.
"Alright then――"
Logan began approaching the seated Ail on the sofa. From a ring, he drew a sword in one swift motion, positioning it with a fluid glide, targeting Ail.
The long blade seemed to be drawn towards Ail's neck, just before halting a few millimeters away.
Speed, momentum, center of gravity――all of these showed that this attack was genuine, but the sword was somehow...no, it was as if Logan's body was making an unreasonable move, forcing the sword to stop against his will.
"Ugh...! I see, it's like this..."
"If you're going to kill someone who can't be killed, the contract won't hesitate to limit your actions. Be careful."
"I understand now, it's sunk in."
Logan, who had strained his muscles with his unreasonable movements, gritted his teeth in pain and returned the sword to the ring.
"Well, just to be sure, I'll confirm one more... no, 2 things."
And so Logan sat facing Ail, taking out paper and pen from the ring this time.
He tried to write something on the paper, pressing the pen to it――but his hand movement stopped without writing a single character.
"It's not allowed to write, is it?"
"You can't leave the organization's secrets in a way that lets someone else see them."
"It's like that, then. Well, one more thing..."
And so Logan finally whispered out loud the article he was about to write on the paper.
"――The true identity of Magister Temple is Sir Jilva Caduceus."
"If you have received a [Testament (Contract before God)] and are sharing information, you are not subject to contractual restrictions."
"Hmm, I see... so that means you can finally tell me about your situation, Ail, right?"
Ail nodded with a "yes".
It was just yesterday that hw fought Logan in the 46th floor of God's Remains Labyrinth. Then, he pulled Logan into Chronosphere and finished treating him yesterday. And today, Logan truly became a member of Chronosphere by receiving the Testament (Contract before God) from Magister Temple.
In order to talk about Ail's secret and purpose, the other party must also receive the Testament (Contract before God), which is an absolute condition. It was finally fulfilled today.
Ail thought about what to say.
If he were to explain it to Logan, he would explain the secrets of the [Four Great Families of the Seals], the purpose of the secret society Chronosphere, and finally, Ail's own purpose, in that order, and it would be easier to understand.
"Logan, first of all, let me correct one misunderstanding of yours."
"Understand what?"
Logan tilted his head, with no hint of recognition. That's to be expected. No one would bother to explain it, and this is a topic that even those in a higher position within the Four Great Families of the Seals don't know, so it's natural.
Ail said.
"The True Identity of Magister Temple is not Sir Jilva."
"But I'm sure I met him just a little while ago."
Logan was bewildered. He never expected to be corrected like that. After all, Logan knew Jilva's face and just met Jilva at the "Magister Temple" earlier.
However, Ail firmly denied it.
And he revealed a truth that seemed completely insane to many.
"That is not Sir Jilva. ...That is the 'god of Chronosphere'."
"It is――"
As Logan tried to ask for more details while becoming more confused, suddenly, the presence of a third person filled the room.
"!?"
"!?"
Both of them turned towards the presence at the same time.
With the appearance of the third person, their conversation was postponed until about 11 days later, when Logan underwent the "adept" transformation surgery and his condition began to stabilize.
But at that moment, Logan's mind was filled with pure astonishment rather than the frustrating feeling of having their conversation interrupted.
"Hey, you two, sorry for interrupting your rest."
"'Magus'... why are you here?"
Ail, who knew the true identity of the man who appeared through teleportation magic, called out his nickname.
On the other hand, the man with blond hair and golden eyes, known as 'Magus,' had a handsome face and spoke in a casual tone, as if talking to a friend.
"Did I surprise you? No, I just came to pick you up because Logan's surgery preparation is complete. ...It's been a while, Logan. I'm glad you came here."
Logan, who was spoken to, opened his eyes wide and spoke with a trembling voice.
"Sir Noah... Are you alive...?!"
Logan didn't see him as a 'Magus.' But...
――Noah Kirke.
He was someone who, during the Stampede, was eaten by a monster right in front of Logan and was thought to be dead.
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