Volume 2 Chapter 45 Sparring with the Late Sage Emperor
In the forbidden library beneath the empire.
I was able to get my hands on the book I was after.
Just as I thought about heading home.
'Wait a moment'
A voice echoed from somewhere.
When I turned around, a book was floating in front of me.
"Th-that voice is...! No way!"
The fairy Lilinne was anxiously looking around.
She seemed somewhat pleased.
Flipping...!
As the book turned its pages on its own, a translucent figure was summoned.
It was a man with long silver hair and a stern face.
"Are you perhaps the Sage Emperor?"
'That's correct. Though, I'm not the real one. I've traced my memories and personality into this book, and shaped it with magic, so to speak, a pseudo-personality.'
"Is that even possible? Truly the Sage Emperor."
'Well, to be fair, I didn't create the book; it was made by my extraordinary but dear friend.'
The Sage Emperor smiled sadly.
"Your Majesty Anti! It's been a while! What brings you here?"
'Ah, Lilinne. It's been a long time. I just wanted to have a little chat with him.'
The Sage Emperor approached me silently.
His translucent body resembled that of a ghost.
Well, it actually was.
'I've seen your achievements and your strength. However, because of that, I cannot easily part with this book.'
"I see, you're worried it might be misused. What would it take for you to acknowledge me?"
'Could you spar with me for a bit?'
Lilinne said, trembling.
'Your Majesty. That would be too cruel. You are the strongest sage in history. There's no way this insignificant man could win.'
'Lilinne. He wasn't serious. Right?'
"Well, yeah. Burning the book would be a problem."
'B-but even if you hold back, that strength is just...!'
The Sage Emperor smiled and snapped his fingers.
A magic barrier unfolded around us.
'In here, we can fight without worrying about the surroundings.'
"I see, then let's get started."
I faced the Sage Emperor.
'Then, to start, Multi-Cast [Gale Slicer].'
Four massive magic circles appeared around me.
A colossal tornado emerged from there.
'As expected of Your Majesty the Sage Emperor! Casting immense magic without an incantation! And deploying 4 spells simultaneously! How's that? Are you impressed now?'
Crack...!
The tornado was destroyed in an instant.
'Whaaaattttt!?'
'Hoh, breaking magic by hand, are you? Anti-magic, perhaps?'
"No, I merely reverted the magic back into mana with the Hand of God."
'Haha, I see. Impressive, truly.'
The Sage Emperor nodded in admiration.
'Then, how about close quarters combat?'
He closed the distance in an instant.
A palm strike was aimed at my solar plexus, as magic was deployed simultaneously.
He activated the same wind magic from earlier, directly from his hand.
Using immense magic at point-blank range──but I anticipated it and had already created distance.
'[Celsius Coffin]'
A magic circle had already been laid at the spot where I stood.
In an instant, immense ice magic activated, constraining my body.
'As expected of Your Majesty the Sage Emperor! Such remarkable martial arts techniques! And magic so refined! Hahaha! How's that! Isn't it amazing!'
'No, Lilinne. It seems he surpasses even me.'
Crackkk!
The ice coffin shattered, and I stepped out of it.
'T-That's impossibleeeee!'
I approached the utterly stunned Lilinne and the others.
'It's inconceivable! No way! That immense magic seals the target within an ice coffin, trapping both the body and consciousness──there's no way to escape it! And you broke through His Majesty the Sage Emperor's highly potent magic!? How did you do it!?'
"I smashed it with my bare hands."
'That's absolutely impossibleeeee!'
Lilinne swayed her body back and forth in disbelief.
Meanwhile, the Sage Emperor nodded once more, deeply impressed.
'I see, you were constantly deploying a circular defensive barrier using the Hand of God. That's why you could move even within the ice.'
"So, I've been found out."
'Heh, well, my discerning eye is second to none. Now then, hmm, I've grasped your skill and personality. Lilinne.'
'Y-Yes...?'
The Sage Emperor smiled warmly as he addressed the fairy librarian.
'I grant him access to this library. From now on, no more mischief.'
'Wha—!? Why!?'
'His strength is genuine. And he possesses a truly pure heart. His eyes burn with purpose—I cannot imagine him engaging in wicked deeds.'
'How can you say that so confidently?'
'I told you, didn't I? I may be weak, but I can read people well.'
'No, no, no! Your Majesty, you're plenty strong! It's just that this Demon Lord is a total monster!'
The Sage Emperor looked at me, narrowing his eyes in nostalgia.
'A monster, huh? Tell me, what is your name?'
"Zeke."
'Zeke. You are just like my late dearest friend—strong, wise, and kind. That is why I have taken a liking to you. I shall entrust these tomes to you.'
"I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty."
Kneeling on the spot, I lowered my head in quiet reverence.
'Enough of that. Just come talk to me from time to time, would you? It gets terribly dull here.'
'For the Sage Emperor, so highly revered... to take a liking to a Demon Lord... No! Nooo! I refuse to accept this!'
And so, I was granted access to the forbidden archives.
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