The Book Eating Magician Chapter 154:

Chapter 154 – Tell me your wish (2)

In a short period of time, many choices crossed Theodore’s mind as he closed his eyes .

‘What is the best thing to ask from Aquilo?’

Original books? …Dismissed . He didn’t know if she had any rare original books, and Aquilo didn’t seem like someone interested in magic books . After making such a request, he might cause a disaster such as all the libraries on the continent being plundered by a dragon .

Smashing the Orcus Company… dismissed . The identity and structure of the organization behind it were still unclear . Not everyone who belonged to the Orcus Company would be warlocks, so innocent people might be crushed along with the company .

Should he demand a large amount of assets? …On hold . Getting gold coins for a dragon’s grace was a bit sad .

Then Theodore came up with a good idea .  It was difficult for him to make the decision, so he should leave it to the opponent . At the very least, the dragon wouldn’t cheat or deceive him when paying back the favor . Their pride didn’t tolerate such acts .

“-Give me what you think is most valuable among what you own . ”

It was an ambiguous favor . What was Aquilo’s most valuable thing? It might be a rare ornament or perhaps beautiful jewelry . In a sense, it was a gamble for Theodore .  Aquilo’s eyes widened with amazement, before her expression changed into that of an unknown emotion .

“Boy, are you serious?”

Theodore was curious about her reaction and asked, “Is it okay?”

“Hrmm… No, well, if that is what you want . ” Aquilo bit her lips and shook her head .  Then she rose from her seat and used her long finger to beckon toward Theodore .

“Okay, come closer . I’ll give you what you want . ”

Why did her voice sound bewitching, like a devil’s voice? However, he was the one who brought this up . Theodore rose from his seat and stood carefully in front of Aquilo . He was only a few steps closer than before, but his body was tense now .

At that moment, Aquilo’s hands wrapped around his shoulders .

‘What…?!’

It seemed like a light hold, but the force was so strong that he couldn’t resist! However, he didn’t feel any risk toward his life . So, Theodore didn’t struggle as Aquilo looked into his eyes .  As her breath reached his nose, Theodore unconsciously stopped breathing .

Her stunning eyes and aroma caused him to feel dizzy .  It couldn’t be helped since she looked like she was going to lick his face .  Theodore had never seen a basilisk, but he felt like being petrified by it would feel like this . Theodore’s body stiffened as Aquilo’s lips neared .

She whispered in a low voice, “Don’t be nervous . There might be pain at first…”

Shortly after that, Theodore felt a painful sensation at his neck .

“Ack?!”

She had bit his neck .  Before Theodore could accept the situation, Randolph yelled agitatedly at the muffled groan, “-What are you doing, Dragon?”

Blood flowed from the bitten area, but Theodore wasn’t just surprised at the pain . Randolph pulled out a sword one beat later, but a voice stopped him .

“S-Stop!” The urgent voice was coming from the bite victim, Theodore .

“What? Young Master, aren’t you being attacked right now?”

“No . This isn’t an attack . ” Theodore tried to explain but couldn’t help falling silent in the end .  It was because cold energy was coming from the area where Aquilo was biting . No, the feeling was like some type of magic power liquid .

The beautiful woman continued biting the young man’s neck, and the bizarre confrontation soon came to an end .

Smack .  Aquilo’s wet lips made a sound as she let go .

She licked her lips which were red with Theodore’s blood and nodded with a satisfied look .

“It went well . There was no rejection, so this might be surprisingly good . ”

“…What did you pour in?”

“Huh? It is my blood, of course . ”

“What-” In contrast to Aquilo’s calm reply, Theodore looked down at his body with surprised eyes .  Aquilo’s blood, a dragon’s blood, had been injected into his neck .  Whether it was true or not, he was able to discover something around his collarbone . It was a tattoo which shone blue like Aquilo .

“This?”

“Blood mark . ” Aquilo explained in a drowsy voice, “Among everything I possess, this is the most valuable thing . It is the only thing that fits the criteria, apart from myself . ”

Theodore might’ve saved her life once, but it wasn’t enough to make Aquilo his possession .  So, Aquilo adjusted the reward according to the conditions proposed by Theodore .

“Boy, can you use summoning magic?” Without waiting for Theodore to reply, Aquilo continued, “If you think you need my help, you can call through the blood mark . I’ll help you unconditionally once . I will leave it to your discretion, okay?”

“…Do I have any other choice?”

“Ahaha! Well, you don’t have to use it . There are a few other effects, but you can look at those yourself . ”

She playfully concealed the abilities, but unfortunately, Theodore had Gluttony’s Appraisal ability .  When Aquilo glanced away, the tongue emerged from Theodore’s left hand and brushed against his neck .  Simultaneously, the familiar information window appeared .

 

[+14 Aquilo’s Blood Mark (Imprint)]

[This is an imprint using the blood of the sea dragon, Aquilo . As the number of clan members declined, the dragons attempted to make more kin with their blood . This blood mark is the result of that attempt . The attempt to create more family members failed, but the act of granting a blood mark created a linked relationship . If the relationship with the partner of the blood mark becomes hostile, it will naturally be destroyed .

* The rating of this imprint is ‘Treasure . ’

* The user’s water affinity will significantly increase .

* The user will be given the ‘Sea Dragon’s Blessing . ’

* It is possible to summon the sea dragon, Aquilo .

* The conditions of use for ‘Dragon Words’ isn’t met . (1/2)

-Own a certain amount of dragon’s blood . (O)

-Understand the system and principles of Dragon Words . (X)

-Once all of the above conditions are met, it is possible to use Dragon Words three times a day . ]

At first, he read the information window with calm eyes, but he soon started shaking . Affinity with water was a natural effect because she was a sea dragon, but the aspect of ‘Dragon Words’ was an entirely different matter .

If he could learn how to use ‘Dragon Words,’ the value of this blood mark just skyrocketed .  He was also given the right to call an adult dragon, a being equivalent to two masters .  Theodore’s eyes were stunned at such a huge jackpot .

All of a sudden, Aquilo extended her hand outside the terrace, toward the horizon where the fog created by her power was located .

[отменен (Vanish) . ]

With one word, the fog in the horizon started to return to Aquilo .

It was the end of the barrier which had protected the Pirate Archipelago for decades . As requested by Theodore, she took back all the privileges she had given to the Pirate Archipelago . The same was true of the ships docked at the harbor . The pirate ships would now have to go through the water with their own skills .

After finishing a series of things in a few minutes, Aquilo shrugged and looked at the two men .

“It is finished . Now, this is no longer my island . So, I’m going to move my lair . ”

“…The Pirate Archipelago is completely over . ”

“I guess so . ”

An attachment might form when one stayed somewhere for decades, but Aquilo showed no signs of that .  Rather, she was a notorious dragon and felt good about abandoning the pirates . For her, the pirates were just ants who gave her tribute . She could discard them at any time and collect more .

Aquilo agreed before rummaging through her space .

“Here, some change . ” She threw out a pouch .  Theodore grabbed it reflexively .

Then she smiled and turned away . “All three requests have been granted . ”

The two men watched on as Aquilo climbed onto the terrace .  Then she said goodbye in a playful manner, “Then bye!”

Aquilo jumped in a parabola toward the distant sea . The duo watched with absurd expressions as she changed into a dragon in midair and then moved away at a rapid pace which they couldn’t follow .  

After that, Aquilo never returned to the Pirate Archipelago .

“Hah…” Theodore watched with a bemused expression before opening the pouch .  Randolph approached and looked over his shoulder, before crying out, “Heok!”

They were forced to swallow their breaths .

 

*     *     *

The next day, the passenger ship arrived, and Theodore’s group departed for the Soldun Kingdom .  Thanks to Theodore’s ‘Sea Dragon’s Blessing’, the speed was well above normal, and the two people were able to reach a coastal city in the Soldun Kingdom in less than a week .

Ah, what happened to the Pirate Archipelago after that?

It understandably collapsed .

The four rulers panicked as they learned that their blessings had been removed . Soon, those with ambitious eyes tried to take control of the island, and the peacefully coexisting Pirate Archipelago became filled with blood and death .

The pirates split into four factions according to the four rulers, each seeking their own way to live .  Some returned to their usual work of raiding .  Others returned to land and hid in the shadows .

However, either path didn’t make much difference in the end . The pirates couldn’t show the glory of the past and were killed by the army . Meanwhile, those who returned to land couldn’t hide their nature and were caught as criminals .

It was the end of the Pirate Archipelago, once called the paradise of criminals and the land of pleasure .

One year had passed by since then .