The Villain is Too Good at Sniping - Chapter 110
Only Noblemtl
Episode 110. Magic Expo (3)
“… Therefore, it is safe to say that the history of Elysium began with the Ivory Tower. The Ivory Tower existed before the city was built, and as magicians flocked to the Ivory Tower, the current Elysium was created.”
The next morning.
Guided by Professor Reina, we visited the venue where the exhibition was held.
“and…….”
“Is that real?”
“Wait a minute, this thing looks alive and moving? Huh?!”
Arsene was not the only one invited to this year’s Magical Engineering Expo. The venue was packed with people, at least a few hundred. There must have been at least a few hundred magicians from all over the continent.
A variety of magical tools and artifacts on display in the hall.
The chimera trapped in us was occasionally visible. Sensing the cadets’ gaze, the man standing in front of us spoke.
“Chimera is an artificial life form created by a wizard. It is attracting attention as a possible replacement for golems in the future, and unlike weaponless golems, they are all living, moving creatures.”
The chimeras on display ranged from those the size of a small rat to those as big as a person.
Still, it was relatively less horrifying than the original chimera I knew. Since it was an exhibition that many people visited, it seemed that they had mainly selected chimeras that looked relatively normal.
Kyle walked around the venue like a child, as if he had never seen a place like this before.
Lara Stillheiden was equally interested. Of course, in Lara’s case, the direction she pursued was slightly different from Kyle’s.
Lara Steelheiden immediately frowned.
“This is a chimera… so, an artificial life form created in the Magic Tower?”
“Yes, sir. On your shoulder… is that a spirit?”
A peacock elfin was sitting on Lara’s shoulder.
He pretended to pick feathers indifferently, but there was a hint that something was bothering him. Perhaps he was uncomfortable with the very act of artificially creating life.
As the cadets spread out like children visiting a zoo for the first time, Reina gave them a stern warning.
“Please don’t go too far away.”
Even though I said that, the cadets’ attention was already focused elsewhere.
I understand both sides. This exhibition was directly invited by the Ivory Tower, the magician’s idol, and the people from the Ivory Tower are personally guiding us. It will be a unique experience that you have never had before.
Even Professor Reina, who is older than him, would rarely have met people from the ivory tower in person.
But I don’t really feel anything.
This is my second visit and I know what to expect, so I can’t help but enjoy the fair.
Still, seeing the chimera being built in the ivory tower was a more novel experience than I expected.
Originally, I had planned to attend the exhibition under the pretext of going out. Even if that wasn’t the case, since I was already being treated as Arsene’s staff, I would have ended up visiting the exhibition hall through some kind of circumstances.
I never thought I would be standing on the same stage as the main characters, but since I’ve come this far, I have no choice but to see it through to the end.
I looked at my watch.
[Current time: 12:00:00]
It’s already lunchtime. It’s time for the biggest event of the expo to begin.
On the stage-like event venue, the ivory tower’s people were climbing up. We, who had gathered in the center of the exhibition hall, followed Professor Reina and sat down in front of the stage.
The host, who had been standing on stage earlier, picked up the microphone.
“Is everyone enjoying the exhibition?”
Perhaps the most important event of the expo and one that should not be missed.
“This event was actively prepared by the Ivory Tower and the Magic Tower of Elysium, and was able to be held successfully thanks to the support of numerous nobles and magicians outside. Before I begin my full introduction, I would like to express my gratitude.”
There was no response in return. Silence fell off the stage.
Behind the host, there are rows of magicians working in the ivory tower. They stand solemnly, without saying a word, but because of that, they have an air of inaccessibility.
And, in the center of those wizards.
“The one who helped me the most in organizing this fair, the wizard of the ivory tower, the father of Elysium who has worked hard for many years for the prosperity of Elysium!”
Step, step.
Up on the stage. A man in white walked out from between the colorful robes. He was a plain middle-aged man with monocles, but the authority he exuded made everyone’s mouths fall silent.
“Welcome. I am Melverton, the authority on magic engineering from Elysium.”
The moment the host took a step back, applause erupted from all directions.
The man in white standing on stage bowed his head humbly. The applause that erupted grew louder.
At that moment, curiosity arose. Did the student council that had come for a preliminary inspection actually meet that man?
‘… No.’
I shook my head as the thought occurred to me. If I had, Rebecca would have definitely taken action.
The opponent is hiding his magic, but I can see it.
A monocle and earrings that look like jewelry worn by a man called Melverton. They are all an artifact.
Artifacts for infiltration that conceal and absorb Melverton’s innate magic.
Now, Melverton is completely hiding his presence, but Rebecca, who is also a mine, cannot help but know. She has already had her body stolen once before, so she intuitively senses it.
The exhibition hall is said to harbor some evil intention that he is unaware of, something that must not be overlooked.
But there is no evidence. That is the most difficult part. Without solid evidence, Rebecca cannot take action.
That’s why Rebecca came to see me as I was leaving for Elysium and gave me a warning.
“Oh, yes. You want to tell me yourself?”
“… Yes.”
“Then, please explain.”
The host on stage stepped aside and Melverton took the microphone. As is typical of wizards in the ivory tower, there was no coquetry. As soon as he took the microphone, he immediately gave the signal and revealed the new test subject, which had been covered up until then.
“What you are seeing now is a chimera being studied in the ivory tower.”
As the curtain covering the iron bars was removed, retching sounds could be heard from various places.
There was a huge lizard that looked like a man. No, it would be a stretch to call it a lizard. It was something strange and terrible, a mixture of the characteristics of many animals: birds, dogs, horse legs, goat horns, and so on.
It is 5 meters tall. Its fingernails are long and vicious, and curve like hooks. Its eyes are closed, but that makes it even more creepy.
I instinctively felt that if it opened its eyes, something bad would happen. I guess I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
“This is the first Chimera to be used as a next-generation war weapon, its name is ‘Adam.’”
At Melverton’s gesture, an anatomy diagram appeared on the screen.
From the design process to the body structure, what abilities it has and how it will be used.
Melverton continued his calm description of the strange and terrifying artificial lifeforms, the first war machine that would eventually replace Elysium’s defense forces—
“What is that?”
Kyle, next to me, was more shaken than anyone else in the room. He looked genuinely shocked.
“… You’ve heard about the chimera. It’s exactly the same as the ones on display so far.”
“Still, that’s a bit weird. How should I put it… …”
“It’s terrifying, but it’s also a type of magic. It’s also a field that the academic world considers important.”
Although Ashley tried to calm Kyle down somehow, Kyle still looked distraught. Lara Stillheiden, who was standing next to him, was the same. She was covering her mouth and retching.
“… artificial life form.”
However possible and useful it may be.
“I’m fine. So calm down, Elfin.”
The two feel uncomfortable with the very fact that humans create creatures.
Professor Reina also frowned. Although she didn’t say anything, it seemed like she didn’t know something like that would be openly displayed.
But more than anything, the biggest factor that stimulates Kyle and Lara is.
“Then I will conclude my explanation. I am truly honored to be able to introduce myself to you through this opportunity. I think this will be an opportunity that will never come again.”
The man in white, Melverton himself, introduces it nonchalantly.
“… That’s all.”
As he tried to head backstage, Kyle got angry and tried to storm out, trying to blurt out what he had been holding back.
Perhaps, as in the original, he sensed Melverton’s malice.
What happens after this will probably be exactly the same as the original.
Kyle, full of a sense of justice, will grab Melverton and demand an explanation of why he made such a thing and what his true intentions are, but will be stopped by security guards.
He’ll probably get his temper tantrum from Professor Reina and then, like in the original, he’ll cause a huge accident.
But I stopped Kyle from rushing forward. There was no need to catch that man’s eye.
“Not now. So for now, calm down.”
“Zion, you… … .”
“I know. I understand that he’s hiding something, and I understand wanting to find out.”
“… … .”
“No matter what, it can’t be done now.”
Kyle was still confused until then, but eventually he gave up and backed off.
I understand. But for now, there’s nothing we can do.
The opponent is a wizard from the ivory tower and a man with the title of authority on magic engineering. On the other hand, we are just cadets, freshmen who have just entered the school.
A single cadet is no match for him. No matter what Kyle appeals, the Ivory Tower will dismiss it as child’s play, and if he goes too far, he will be forcibly kicked out of the fair.
If it ends at that level, it would be fortunate. In the accident that happens after that, the main characters, including me, will get through it without any damage.
However, hundreds of people visiting the fair are killed in accidents.
Melverton said that Adam was an incomplete being. This was because the ‘soul’, which was the most important element in operating the Chimera, was not yet complete.
To conclude, the ill will felt by Rebecca and Kyle is real. It is not something to be dismissed as a feeling.
Malice so clear that even people without [a sense of] guilt can sense it.
Melverton will use those who attended this event as sacrifices to awaken the chimera, ‘Adam’, who has not yet been completed.
‘Next generation war weapon… … .’
I don’t know how strong Adam is. The original Adam was not completed and was discarded midway. He was burned to death by Kyle and Lara, who found out the secret of this exhibition.
However, many people who visited the exhibition ended up dying. Among them was Arsene’s cadet who came with us.
Of course, that was just the original story.
Step, step, step… … .
Melverton eventually disappeared completely behind the stage. Kyle looked at me with half-doubtful eyes. It seemed like a bit of resentment in his eyes.
“Zion, that is… … .”
“I know, too.”
Perhaps Kyle felt it instinctively.
That we must not let it come to fruition, and that now is the only time we can stop it.
The incident will happen anyway. Melverton will finish all preparations to activate Adam tonight.
In the original, the main characters came forward after an incident occurred where people who had visited the exhibition hall went missing, and since they had no other choice, they had no choice but to start off by getting beaten up.
It’s different now. There’s no reason to come forward after something like the original happened.
So this time, we strike first.
Time left until event occurs – 11:45:23