Magician in Type-Moon

Page 367

"Time-space bubble"

Although confined within the bubble, it physically connects two different spacetimes.

The brane cosmology theory, a type of superstring theory, posits that the universe is composed of an almost infinite number of bubbles.

What the Atlas Institute accomplished in the past, though very limited, had vibrations powerful enough to break through spacetime.

In the past, in the Great Library of Alexandria, these appeared to be tools used daily.

This is the allure of the Age of Gods.

Compared to creating a simple communication device, it was much simpler for the Atlas Institute at the time to use spacetime bubbles to warp space.

However, Matouike was able to rule out the pharaoh as a suspect.

One reason is that he was revived after the Six Sources of Atlas arrived in this place.

Secondly, this access was only granted after Latio deciphered the data about "Elgo".

Matou Ike still remembers the actions and expressions of everyone present when that holographic projection appeared.

At that moment, Matou Ike discovered through the Deconstruction Mystic Eyes that, in addition to Latio who was reading the information, Pharaoh Ptolemy was also receiving the information.

However, after receiving the information, neither of them seemed to explain their thoughts.

As an outsider, Matou Ike naturally didn't want the whole trip to proceed in such a muddled way.

At this point, the scene descended into complete chaos.

Whether it was swept away by the sea or captured by the time bubble.

Among this joint excavation team were those who wanted to reach the fourth level of the Great Library of Alexandria.

They could no longer hide it; they simply "blended" their way into the fourth tier.

The person who actually manages to reach the fourth level is undoubtedly the prime suspect in this case.

“At the same time, it also gives those guys time to commit crimes secretly, doesn’t it?” Matou Ike murmured.

............

Those who were captured by the spacetime bubble and transferred to the second level of Alexandria are now in a standoff.

Tika.

Quarter.

Meastia.

"It seems that Lord Meastia, as a monarch, lacks the magical ability to deal with that kind of simple and direct violence."

Quart of the Atlas Academy stood before the two in the clock tower and commented as follows.

"Looks like we're being treated like a down-on-his-luck person. How about we use this time to get to know each other better? I haven't had much of a chance to chat with you guys before."

The monarch of the Clock Tower, Meastia, smiled gently.

"Is that so? Then I'd like to ask you a question too."

The man ran his hand through his multicolored hair and stared straight at Meastia.

“Lord Meastia, aren’t you in possession of Sefer’s secondary key?”

"Hey, hey, hey, what's with all this talk, Quart? I don't remember having anything like this, don't you think, Tika?"

Meastia protested, but Tica ignored him and picked up her soiled glasses to wipe them clean.

"Stop playing dumb, monarch of the Clock Tower."

Quarter said coldly.

"No one would think that everyone here shares the same purpose and passion. A joint excavation and investigation team for the Clock Tower and the Atlas Institute? No one would believe such a pipe dream."

Upon hearing Quarte's undisguised hostility, Meastia's eyes, hidden by her hair, seemed to blink slightly:

"Oh dear, Mr. Cipher, you're the alchemist who investigated the Great Library of Alexandria, aren't you? But didn't you say before that it was suspicious for Mr. Cipher to venture so deep alone?"

"That's obviously nonsense. Cipher is one of the best among our peers. If he had been a few years ahead of us in investigating the Great Library, he would undoubtedly have achieved the same results."

Quarter continued without hesitation:

"I wonder who did this. There are signs that some of Cipher's research results appeared on the underground auction market and were sold. Was it you?"

"Huh? Could it be that you've been observing Lady Meastia all along?"

"Tika said."

She put her glasses back on and explained calmly.

"During the exploration of the Great Library, you were observing Lady Meastia's actions, weren't you? When you were trapped in the illusion of the past by the Memory Weapon, you seemed to be watching how Lady Meastia would react—"

She paused and continued:

"—Even though there's such a dazzling guy in this team (Matou Ike), you've been keeping an eye on Lady Mayastia's actions. I think you're the one who's really suspicious!"

Quarte clicked his tongue, seemingly unaware that while he was spying on others, others were also spying on him.

"Of course. If the monarch of the archaeological discipline personally participates in a joint excavation and investigation team, it is perfectly normal to assume that he has a hidden purpose."

“…I see.” Meastia nodded slowly.

"However, if that's your thought, you could have asked me earlier, right? Why did you only bring it up now? Was it because other people were still present?"

“Of course. I want to avoid distractions,” Quarter said coldly.

"Excuse my frankness, but I attended the underground auction where Mr. Seifer's secondary key was leaked. As you said, I am also the monarch of the archaeological discipline, and I will participate in any auction that has value. As for the items in that auction, although 90% were junk, there were some rare and good things."

The monarch said weakly.

"Oh dear, what a pity, I really didn't have anything decent to show for it. The financial situation of archaeological science is already tight, and we can hardly produce anything worthwhile."

"Do you expect me to believe this?"

Quarter narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Then there's nothing we can do."

Meastia sighed.

"Don't act rashly!"

Quarter raised his hand.

A liquid that looked like sweat dripped from his hand.

The floor, which was touched by the liquid, melted with a creak.

His abilities are the same as Giuseppe's.

Just as Giuseppe excels at heating, Quarter excels at dissolving.

"Don't even think about reciting a short section of the incantation. You can only answer my questions."

The air is hardening rapidly.

The pervasive hostility attacked those around them like sharp thorns.

"Oh well, then we'll have to use it here."

Meastia suddenly turned to Tica.

"Don't move!" Quarte threatened, but he didn't take any further action.

Perhaps this is the unique purity within the magic world, especially for the Atlas Institute alchemists who increase time density through high-speed and segmented thinking—

The value of time has increased.

This contradicts the scheme of taking a roundabout route.

Because conspirators always weigh the ultimate benefits gained through their schemes against the resources wasted in the process.

Alchemists are not good at plotting and scheming.

As a clock tower magician who manipulates power, Meastia could certainly see through this, after all, the clock tower was a battlefield where one had to be constantly thinking and cautious in order to survive.

The monarch turned his back and confirmed with his assistant.

"Um, is everything alright, Tika?"

"Although it's not very good, I know Lady Meastia is a very stubborn person, so take it."

"Haha, I'm so sorry."

Tica handed the precious briefcase to Meastia, who was smiling wryly.

The monarch laid the briefcase out on the ground; strange things were inlaid inside.

It was an old-fashioned machine made up of multiple lenses, glass tubes, gears, and multiple tubular structures—resembling a wondrous creature.

These are items that only appeared in tokusatsu films from the era of black and white films.

Quarter felt this was not the time for fighting, so he lowered his hands and frowned.

"What's that thing in your hand?"

"This is the most prestigious formal attire that the Meastia family is very proud of."

"What--?!"

The twelve monarchs who ruled the clock tower.

The twelve families that produced monarchs each possessed a special ceremonial attire symbolizing their family, known as the Supreme Ceremonial Attire.

Even Quat of the Atlas Academy knew of this existence.

However, the monarch of the archaeological discipline displayed this thing as if nothing had happened.

Let alone magical costumes, the thing in his hand looked far too mechanical.

Meastia's fingers fiddled with the finely polished lenses, and the so-called Supreme Attire clicked and popped several switches on and off.

"Well, that fulfills the prerequisite. Thank you so much, Tica."

With the tube in one hand, Meastia squinted for a moment and plunged the tip into his arm.

Soon after, his blood began to flow into the transparent tube.

Similarly, the motionless formal attire began to vibrate strangely.