Offer a Tribute and Become an Archmage - Chapter 199



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Offering Tribute to the Archmage Chapter 199

He Who Will Be King [3]

Episode 199.

I know the futility of life.

The correct interpretation of the words was that they were probably referring to the identity of the god that the child of the offering would meet.

It was a tone of voice that seemed to indicate that if he died with his will fulfilled, he would not die completely but would remain on this earth and become a wandering god.

‘I know.’

A great wizard who has lived for four hundred years.

Besides being a child of tribute, Ronobe also knows of the existence of God.

If you didn’t know God, you wouldn’t even be discussing the futility of life.

The question is how did you know?

“How did you know?”

“Wisdom that cannot be had at a young age. And great strength is always there for a reason. There is no such thing as coincidence in this world.”

In that case, I read the blank letter that Ronobe accidentally sent… But even so, Ronobe wasn’t so foolish as to say that in this situation.

“Big, do you know the child of tribute?”

Ashwald smiled in an incomprehensible manner.

“You know most of them are dead.”

“…”

I had felt it subconsciously.

Even though Cloud didn’t know, he had that kind of feeling when the Nightmare Light came.

Maybe that’s why.

“Are you Genos?”

Ashwald smiled faintly as if to say yes.

“I can’t help but think that the reason you’re still alive is because of your extraordinary abilities, but also because you’re lucky.”

I don’t know why Genos didn’t come.

But that was a stroke of luck. In other words, if Genos had moved, Ronobe would have died.

This also meant that Ashwald knew Zenos well and was confident in his power.

“How strong is Genos?”

“He is the one who wants to swallow God.”

There is no clear answer.

But Ronobe seemed to know.

‘Stronger than God.’

A being far stronger than a normal god.

I thought it would be okay to perceive it that way.

‘The same goes for Nightmare Light.’

Before Zenos gets drunk, he says he must see the god first.

This time he even mentioned Ashwald.

He swallows God.

What Genos wants as a tribute is not Ronobe, but the gods he possesses.

The god himself, connected to the child of the offering.

‘If I get caught, does that mean Yonterion, Karankar, and Anna will all be swallowed up by him?’

I don’t know how that’s possible, but if it’s true, then he’s really crazy.

As far as Ronobe knows, Zenos is a great magician of the empire who has lived for hundreds of years like Ashwald. Then, the number of children of tribute he has swallowed and the number of gods they have is at least in the hundreds. A great magician who has swallowed hundreds of gods like Urdisa and Ageidon. The power that Zenos possesses can be described as that of a demon king.

“You look upset.”

“It’s shocking…”

Ashwald nodded his head.

“Cloud was just a coincidence. But the Nightmare Light you met was not a coincidence. The same goes for the other wizards who have set foot in the kingdom.”

Ronobe was startled.

“Aside from Light, has another wizard from the Empire come to the kingdom?”

Ashwald nodded.

“She is the Ashes’ Romo, and the Witch of the Fall. Ashes gave me a hard time because I tried to cross the desert where I am, so she will not appear again until I fully heal my body.”

So if Ronobe was someone to watch out for, it was Fall.

“Fall will block your path at any moment. Here is something I want to tell you.”

“I will listen carefully.”

The wizard came after him.

Two more. My heart was complicated. But Ashwald was worried about me. Even if it was for the sake of the kingdom, Ronobe felt good. It felt like he had a strong ally.

However, I couldn’t help but feel puzzled by what came next.

“Do not kill the wizard of the empire.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Don’t kill the wizards of the empire?

Ronobe’s eyes frowned.

“Xenos holds his disciples’ lives as collateral. The wizards who are now seeking you are his disciples. If a wizard dies, Xenos will surely know.”

“… then.”

“One is fine, but if more than one dies, he’ll definitely get suspicious.”

It was no different from saying that he might run away from the empire.

“If Genos appears, there will be no way for you to escape.”

Zenos was also afraid of Ashwald. He never said it out loud, but it seemed like he was extremely averse to his very existence. If Ronobe were to face him, he would surely die.

That’s what I’m saying.

To avoid.

“he is…”

Ronobe was speechless for a while.

I thought I had gotten pretty strong.

I killed two wizards.

Even though he was young, he had defeated a black magician. He felt that he would now be among the strong. It felt as if the kingdom was revolving around him.

Strength.

There was a sweetness to it.

‘No, it wasn’t.’

But that was no different from the arrogance of a frog in a well.

‘The kingdom is narrow.’

To begin with, the kingdom is an infinitely small country compared to the empire and other principalities.

A small country that exists only at the tip of the continent.

That is the Bright Kingdom.

Ronobe is a wizard who exists in that kingdom.

That was it.

He wasn’t special yet.

He wasn’t strong yet.

He was still weak.

“thank you.”

Ronobe bowed his head.

Through conversation with him, I realized anew how fleeting the factional strife in the kingdom surrounding me was.

It feels like the category through which I perceive the world has broadened a little.

It was a good decision to come see Eschwald.

That was the only thought in my head.

‘If a wizard had appeared, I would have just fought and killed him.’

Because they are the enemy.

But now it’s different.

I found out the truth.

Ronobe will no longer kill the wizards of the Empire. It will be much harder to subdue them alive than to kill them.

But I had to do it.

“Oh, a guest has arrived, but you didn’t even offer him a cup of tea. Could you please offer him some tea?”

Ashwald suddenly said.

I wondered if there was anyone in the cabin, but there was none. The sand fell from his hand. The fallen sand piled up and rose up.

‘Golem?’

no.

It wasn’t a golem.

What emerged from the sand was a sharp-faced girl.

“!”

The girl glared at Ronobé, then walked to the cabin and prepared tea.

I knew it the moment I saw it.

‘It’s a grimoire.’

It was creepy.

Living Grimoire.

That unique presence and atmosphere was exactly like a grimoire.

“You know right away. It’s common for other kids to see it but not admit it.”

I showed it to him on purpose. Ashwald laughed heartily as if he found it amusing. It seemed to be one of the few pleasures of an old man.

Looking at it this way, he was clearly an old man.

However, contrary to its light appearance, the artificial life form reflected in Ronobe’s eyes was a shocking truth.

“How is the grimoire alive…”

As he spoke, Ronobe recalled the story of Yonterion that he had vaguely heard.

‘Yonterion was like that too.’

The highest level of wizard.

There may come a day when we see a living grimoire.

This is probably the story.

“As you might have guessed, it’s a grimoire. It’s called Estelle.”

“…”

Unlike Ashwald, who had a calm expression, Ronobe’s head was full of complicated thoughts.

‘As soon as the grimoire becomes a god, it is absorbed by the god and ceases to exist.’

This is also the reason why those who have become so famous that they are legendary do not have grimoires. The reason why those who will become gods absorb grimoires is because they themselves become magic and miracles.

But that it was born as life…

“You wish for death.”

Whether Ashwald dies of old age or dies fighting Marquis Bane, it is a given that he will become a god. If he becomes a god, Ronobe can learn his magic by offering tribute.

‘Eschwald knows of the existence of God. But he has no intention of becoming God.’

Even though I don’t know how he did it, it’s clear why he created Estelle.

It is to protect the kingdom even after death.

Perhaps Estelle will continue to guard the kingdom’s desert even after Ashwald’s death.

“… Anna, how are you?”

Eschwald did not answer Ronnobe’s question. Instead, he asked about Anna’s well-being.

“Do you know my teacher?”

“He was an excellent child… It’s just a shame that he had such a kind heart.”

“…”

As I was thinking about Anna, Estelle handed me some tea.

“Estelle likes you. It’s the first time she’s looked at someone other than me for that long.”

“How is it in general?”

“Don’t throw the tea.”

“…”

Ronobé received the car.

It was a rough and sturdy teacup.

There was lukewarm tea and a little sand in the teacup.

“I’ve been practicing, but it’s not improving at all. Still, drink it all. If you leave any left, I’ll hate you.”

“…”

Estelle stared at Ronobé.

I couldn’t tell if he was glaring or just looking.

Ronobe sipped lukewarm tea.

‘It’s not tasty.’

The tea was bitter and even had sand in it.

But he still ate it anyway. It was possible because he was a Ronobe who had been trained by eating the grassroots soup he ate as a child and often chewed on dirt.

It’s just sand, you can just swallow it.

“You really eat that…”

Ashwald pretended to drink the tea Estelle had made and then quickly threw it away.

“No… what? You said I was hated!”

“That’s right. That’s why I’m always hated.”

Estelle’s attitude was that it would be better to be hated than to drink tea.

It was absurd.

I just thought I’d be hated.

As he was about to open his mouth, Estelle grabbed Ronobe’s lips with her hand.

“Eww! Eww!”

“I guess you really like it.”

Estelle grabbed Ronobé’s lips and stroked his head.

Then it turned to sand and disappeared.

Her lips and hair were covered in sand.

“Even though he looks like that, he’s a very emotional child. Isn’t that amazing?”

“… Yes. It is indeed interesting.”

He answered, brushing away the sand that had accumulated.

It’s certainly amazing. That Grimoire can become human like that.

“She is like my daughter. Even though she looks like that, we have been together for a hundred years. So, even if I die, the kingdom won’t have to worry too much.”

“I see, that’s what happened.”

Estelle was a child created by Ashwald with his afterlife in mind.

What did she say?

‘Homunculus? Spirit?’

It was a similar existence.

“The child of the tribute has eyes like a wizard. He has a face that seems to want to hear the story of Estelle’s birth.”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious. I still can’t figure out how that’s possible.”

A grimoire is a magical tool.

The wizard is just an object that manifests miracles externally. But it transforms into a human and becomes an independent life form.

It was something that was difficult to understand.

‘I thought it was something similar to the Ego Sword. That’s just on a completely different level.’

Ashwald closed his eyes tightly as if recalling a distant memory and said:

“It’s a miracle. If that’s not a miracle, then what is?”

“That is an unbecoming statement for a great wizard who has written a book on magical theory.”

“Magic theory is only for children who are just starting out. It’s just a theory that can serve as their wand. For someone like you, there are more important things than theory.”

Something more important than theory.

Ronobe thought that it was probably the wizard’s strong wish and desire.

“Aren’t you more sensitive? You’re not an ordinary child of tribute, I see. You’re… a wise man of the forest, aren’t you?”

“…?”

Ronobe’s thoughts paused for a moment.

“You know how to make such a foolish expression. You don’t know anything about the Sage of the Forest.”

“I’ve heard of it from a gnome who used to handle slime. But I…”

I just thought it was another word for child of tribute.

But listening to what Ashwald said, it seems like he means something different.

“If a child of tribute is loved by the gods… he is a being loved by the forest. They usually grow up walking the paths shown to them by the forest. They grow into wise men by nourishing themselves with the knowledge and power that the forest gives them.”

“!”

dream!

The dream that Ronobe had seen so many times.

It was talking about the path of dreams.

‘So the child of the offering… is only related to the gods, and has nothing to do with dreams?’

I never dreamed of it.

I never thought they would be different.

‘Why didn’t you say anything, Yonterion, if you knew!’

I have something to ask.

But I needed time to sort things out. I only knew that he was a child of tribute, but I knew that he was different from the Sage of the Forest. It was important to find out what the Sage of the Forest was.

“What is the wise man of the forest?”

“It is a being created by the forest. The forest is different from God. Perhaps it is the destination that God will reach.”

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

What is God’s final destination?

‘But remember this. If you don’t know something, just ask Yonterion.’

The more I talk to Eschwald, the more questions I have, but I also learn a lot for sure.

Very helpful.

‘By the way, am I a wise man?’

It was also a very pleasant remark.

It is also true that the more you walk down the path of dreams, the more powerful magic you learn.

Ronobe was a child of tribute and at the same time a sage of the forest. He was loved by fate.

“If only you had appeared a hundred years earlier… then maybe I would have taken a different path.”

“…”

Ashwald handed over a rolled up, sealed piece of parchment from his bosom.

“This is…”

“When the time comes, hand it over to Meraine.”

“Is this Meraine?”

“Merain von Bane. The Marquis Bane you met.”

Bane’s name was Meraine.

Ronobé tried to put the parchment in his bosom, but opened his mouth and put it in the snake cage.

The time he was talking about was probably not in the near future.

The day Bane faces Ashwald.

It was probably a will that Ashwald would pass on to Bane after his death.

It is better to store it in a snake pit so that it can be stored for a long time without being exposed to light.

“Do you know space magic too?”

“yes.”

“But why is it like that…”

The sight of someone swallowing something with their mouth was not a pleasant sight. When Ronobe was embarrassed, Eschwald looked at him intently and said.

“You’re more stupid than I thought, aren’t you?”

“Why are you saying that?”

Ronobe grumbled without realizing it and flinched. As he talked, it seemed like he felt similar to Yonterion, so he became comfortable with him.

“Well, you are still young. It must be fate that we met like this. I will teach you. Tell me about the magic you possess. It seems like there is more than I thought.”

“… Then. I will tell you.”

Ronobe told all about the magic he possessed.

This is just a feeling, though.

‘Eschwald is friendly to me.’

It’s probably not a lie that he’s nearing the end of his life.

Even if Ronobe had not been a magician, anyone would have known that the shadow of death was hanging over Ashwald, as he was no different from a walking corpse.

Ronobe spoke calmly about the magic he possessed. What types of magic he had, how he used them, and what combinations he used.

“Phew.”

He was out of breath because he had said so much at once. After hearing the whole story, Ashwald closed his eyes and collected his thoughts.

When I opened my eyes again, there was a sense of longing and sadness in them that I couldn’t explain.

“First of all, I think it would be a good idea to start with your spatial magic. I don’t recommend mixing magic with magic, but you seem to be used to it. You also have more gods in your possession than I thought. You’re almost like a priest.”

“Are you a priest?”

“The child of tribute originally meant a chosen priest who served a god. It was also a characteristic seen among the minority groups in the north or the south. Well, that’s not the important thing. First of all, your magic called ‘Snake Jang’. Why didn’t you think of mixing it with other magic like Yu Bing?”

“Uh… The snake is inside the body. The concept of mixing it together is…”

I don’t think it will be difficult.

I don’t even know what to mix it with.

“hmm?”

Ashwald narrowed his eyebrows as if he found something strange.

“How long have you been learning magic?”

“It’s been three years.”

“…? What? What did you say? Say it again.”

“Three years.”

This time, Ashwald’s soul was lost.

For a wizard who had lived for four hundred years, three years seemed like a very short time.

“I should ask you this first. What magic are you most confident in?”

Ronobe answered confidently.

“It’s oil magic.”

Of all the magic of Ronobe, the one that is used the most is Karankar’s magic.

It was Jiyu.

Although Victor’s eye peck and Ageidon’s sound-eating feet and fangs are used a lot, Karanqal’s magic is still unrivaled.

Ashwald smiled faintly.

It seems like the word oil brings many things to mind.

“Then let’s try it with oil.”

“Huh? What?”

“You said Jiyu. Jiyu and Baemjang. You’re telling me to combine them and use them.”

If that happens.

“You don’t have to swallow a sword or a parchment.”

Although he spoke quite lightly, it was a difficult order for Ronobe.

Magic is an image.

It’s imagination.

However, it is difficult to make something magical just by thinking of it.

Solid evidence.

It requires confidence.

If the wizard using it does not have confidence, it is natural that the manifestation of magic itself would be difficult.

If you can create all kinds of magic just by imagining it, then you have reached the realm of a great magician.

“The snake intestine probably means an organ inside the body. But have you ever seen one?”

“Uh… no.”

Ashwald nodded as if he understood.

“Then, when you use Jiyu, have you ever seen how the oil in the ground is dispersed and how it is drawn up?”

“Uh… no.”

“Why didn’t you try to see it?”

“that…”

Because it’s possible even without looking.

Because you can do it even if you don’t know.

Because there was no need to find out.

As expected, Ashwald nodded.

“Magic theory points out these problems. Of course, it is possible to activate magic without knowing the principles of the system. The magician’s miracles are quite kind. However, you should not be fooled by that kindness. Magic is a path that you create yourself.”

“Well… but that would be impossible. Ageidon’s magic does not work outside of his own body.”

The magic of Ageidon.

Agadon once said that when applying sound-eating feet to magic.

So, Ronobe can only apply this to water-soaked threads that are pulled out of the body. Eschwald’s words overturn all basic premises.

But he just snickered.

“The snake is like another organ, forming a space reminiscent of an organ. Is that right?”

“yes.”

“Then, is that snake always inside you?”

“Huh? That’s…”

I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.

It probably won’t always exist.

“So you create a snake cage whenever you need one, but where do the things inside the snake cage go when you’re not creating it?”

“…”

I was left speechless at his question.

That’s ignorance.

I didn’t know anything.

“It’s inevitable because you know too much magic. Your snake is a concept from another dimension with fixed coordinates in a certain space. Then there’s no need to think of it as a part of your body’s organs. The point is, it depends on how you think about it.”

“but…”

“Now, look at this.”

Eschwald raised his hand before even hearing Ronobe’s question.

“You know, I work with sand. You know that?”

“Yes… I know.”

Anyone from the kingdom will probably know this.

But why am I saying this now?

Ronobe listened silently.

“Then is my body made of sand?”

“Yes? No.”

That was when.

Suddenly, Ashwald’s right hand turned into sand and poured down.

“!!”

“I’ll ask again.”

Ashwald asked again.

“Is my body made of sand?”

“…”

Ronobe was speechless.

The poured sand gathered again and formed his hand.

It’s a magic that’s hard to believe even after seeing it.

‘The body became magic.’

It was the moment when Ronobe’s common sense was turned upside down.