The Book Eating Magician Chapter 237:

Chapter 237 – Second (1)

The day after arriving in Sipoto, Theodore had breakfast with Heinrich and said goodbye .

Heinrich couldn’t hide his confusion as he asked if there was a problem, but Theodore just shook his head with a smile . Setting aside their age difference, it was easy for Theodore to talk to Heinrich .

If it wasn’t for Heathcliff’s prophecy, Theodore would’ve stayed for three or four more days .

Heinrich seemed to read this in Theodore’s face and sighed with disappointment . He would’ve enjoyed a conversation with Theodore while reading books all day long, but an old man couldn’t keep the young here .

“Huh, you are only staying one night… If I had known this, I would’ve stayed awake talking last night . ”

“My heart wanted to, but my body didn’t obey . I’m afraid I’ll have to take a rain check . ”

Then Heinrich laughed playfully . “Do you want new books?”

Theodore understood that Heinrich was half joking and half serious . “Huh? Ha, hahaha! Sir Heinrich hit the nail on the head . That passion would’ve been great if you walked on the path of a magician . ”

“Hearing such a compliment from the hero of Meltor, this old man’s lungs won’t survive . Hahaha!”

The two people’s hearts met on the same page for a while before they got up .

The servants cleaned up the table, while Heinrich and Theodore walked along the hallway toward the main entrance . This encounter with the young hero who might leave his name in the history books… It was interesting for Heinrich to have met a hero who was interested in knowledge .

They left the mansion and headed outside .  Theodore looked at the carriage in front of the main gate before pausing and turning to Heinrich .

“Then Sir Heinrich, take this . ”

“Hrmm?”

It was an iron piece engraved with two horses . The piece was high-quality iron with few impurities . Obviously, it wasn’t an ordinary iron piece .  Heinrich had lived for at least 20 years in Kargas, so he recognized the iron piece at first glance .

“A badge of the Polonell Company . ”

“Yes, that’s right . ”

“Why are you giving it to me?”

Theodore nodded and gave a brief explanation, “I know this is something that can’t be traded . But it proves my identity . If Viscount Brahms from yesterday or someone else makes a fuss, please go to Bear in the Polonell Company and tell him my name . Then he will help you . ”

“…You are too mature for your age . Despite my reluctance, I will accept your consideration . ” The emotions in Heinrich’s eyes deepened as he received the Polonell badge .  It was easy to overpower or defeat others with force . However, it was rare to pay attention to the consequences that happened afterward . In this turbulent age, Theodore was truly a hero .

Feeling a slight reverence toward Theodore, Heinrich bowed again and thanked Theodore for his goodwill .

After that, Theodore got on his carriage . “Let’s go . ”

The knight sitting in the driver’s seat wielded the reins firmly . It wasn’t done with any sophisticated technique, but it was enough to move the horses .

Hiiiing!

The two horses ran forward, and the carriage soon left Heinrich’s residence . The border city had well-maintained roads, so the carriage’s traveling speed wasn’t greatly reduced in the city .  Theodore sat in the occasionally shaky carriage and regretted the farewell before starting to worry .

‘The unknown enemy… In what way will he come?’

After his numerous combat experiences, Theodore had learned the importance of the first strike . So, he couldn’t help worrying .  If he lost control in a situation where he was already lacking, that would be the end .

He wouldn’t be able to make a preemptive strike against an enemy who might appear anywhere, so he had to prepare countermeasures . If the person had great destructive power like Pan Helliones, Theodore could use ranged attacks . If they were exceptional in surprise attacks like Hyde, then Theodore could use his sensitivity .

He had to think of all the possibilities .  As Theodore remained silent, the carriage continued moving northwards beyond the boundaries of Sipoto, drawing tracks through the wilderness .  The chill on Theodore’s neck signaled that the threat was getting closer . It was a feeling he had felt several times before, but this time it was terrible .

‘…Indeed, it is a sure death . ’

It was similar to what he’d felt when he had still been immature and faced Pride with Ellenoa behind him .  This would be an absolute death which couldn’t be turned on its tables, even if he went beyond his limits .

If victory or defeat was determined with resolve, then even a mouse could kill a lion . However, that didn’t work in reality . Before an overwhelming gap of power, a person’s attitude was worthless . The weak would just be trampled on .

Therefore, Theodore’s condition for victory was to just survive .  He needed to leap over the opponent’s overwhelming power .  As such, he had already made preparations last night .

“Bring it on at any time . ”

His blue eyes shone as he prepared to jump over any adversity .

 

*     *     *

Despite Theodore’s preparations, the assailant revealed himself in front of the carriage without trying for an ambush .

Kkiiiiik… .

The moment that the driver pulled the reins and the carriage stopped, Theodore quickly jumped out of the carriage . It was because his sensitivity had warned him of the enemy’s appearance in advance .

By the time landed on the ground, his circles were already prepared to fight .

“…This . ” Nevertheless, Theodore was one beat late .

“Hi,” a drowsy voice rang out, “Theodore Miller?”

The assailant had dark brown hair and half-closed eyes . His patchy beard gave him a shabby appearance .  He would’ve looked like a homeless person if it wasn’t for the sword at his waist .  His clothes were decent, but that didn’t mean much .

“…If I am, who are you?” Theodore didn’t hide his vigilance as he questioned the man .

“Number 2,” an absurd reply was given, “Zest Speitem . ”

At that moment, Theodore stiffened . If Veronica and Blundell represented Meltor’s power, then the 1st and 2nd Swords represented Andras’ power .  Most people didn’t know their faces, and there was little known about how they fought because most of their opponents had been killed .

Zest, the person who had overwhelmed Sword Master Randolph with one blow, was now appearing before Theodore .

‘Really . ’

Zest’s appearance didn’t matter . The chill that Theodore felt proved the authenticity of his remark . Even if this man wasn’t truly the 2nd Sword, his skill was comparable .

“Hehe . ” Sword Demon Zest looked at Theodore with blank eyes . Then he made a strange sound as he looked at the knight next to Theodore .  As Zest’s eyes blurred, the passing wind stopped like it had been cut by a blade . It was a phenomenon which couldn’t be understood with common sense, but it clearly happened .

‘A human stopping the wind with his will…? What a monster . ’ The nervous Theodore’s breathing became rough .

Then Zest suddenly nodded at the knight . “Hey, who is this guy? He gives off a vaguely familiar feeling . ”

“…Why should I answer?”

“It doesn’t matter . Well, this might be good . ”

Sururung, the sword Zest drew cried out, and he patted the sword politely .  His languid expression disappeared, and Zest Speitem’s voice became clearer, “Thanks to you, I was able to go outside . I am a little sorry to kill you . So―”

Theodore’s breathing quickened as he became tense like a rubber band .

Kaaang!

Suddenly, sparks flew as two swords collided with each other .

“Keok!” Theodore hurriedly retreated backward as the shockwave from the collision of the two swords hit him in the chest .  He coughed a few times, but he couldn’t hide his astonishment .

‘I didn’t see it at all? No, it isn’t in the dimension of fast or slow…’

This was a blow which couldn’t be defined with the concept of speed . Perhaps Randolph had also been beaten by this sword . It was an attacked which surpassed recognition .  Had Zest planned a surprise attack from the front? Theodore’s head would’ve been cut off if it wasn’t for the driver .

“Eh?” Zest tilted his head with sincere confusion . “My sword was stopped? How?”

Of course, Theodore naturally knew the answer . The man, who had been called Lloyd during his life, had the Aura Ability ‘Pathfinder’ engraved on his body after being turned into a machine .

Pathfinder was the ability to read the right ‘path . ’ However, rather than rejoicing at the enemy’s attack being stopped, Theodore was surprised to realize one fact .

‘He blocked the attack, but there was no interval to attack back!’

This was essentially a fight . The winner would be the one who could read ahead to attack or defend . In such an environment, Pathfinder was a very powerful ability .  If the actions of the opponent were known one or two beats ahead, then that was enough to make a counter . In fact, Lloyd had taken down several sword masters that way .

Yet he was barely able to block this attack!

On the other hand, Zest was intrigued . “This is a fun toy . How many times can it endure?”

Zest figured out that the opponent wasn’t human and raised his sword .

‘I can’t miss it this time!’ As Theodore concentrated, the sword disappeared again .

Kakang! The first strike couldn’t be denied . There was no precursor as it cut deep into Gladio’s right wrist . The body of an automaton was different from that of humans, but half of its function was lost when it was damaged .

Jeeeong! The second strike was a piercing blow . Theodore still couldn’t see it at all . Gladio tried to defend but was pushed back by the power behind the sword, which caused serious damage to Gladio’s internal organs .

Kakakang! The stab turned into a slash . The sword was moving at a pace which already surpassed the domain of human cognition . Even a master level person wouldn’t be able to tell what had happened .

Gladio blocked the sword with his left hand, but half of it was cut off .  This was the end . Even an automaton couldn’t maintain its combat ability in this state .  The time it took Gladio to be defeated was two seconds .  Given that there was no big difference between Lloyd’s power in life and in death, Zest Speitem had shattered one of the Seven Swords in just two seconds .

A sword master’s pure power was high, but this was pure skill .

“Reverse summoning,” Theodore called out, and Gladio disappeared into its bracelet .  It would take time and a lot of resources to fully recover from that damage . Clearly, it was safe to say he couldn’t use Gladio for a while .

However, thanks to Gladio, Theodore managed to gain some time .

‘As long as I can’t recognize it, the power is unbeatable . It is suicide to fight in close proximity . ’

Theodore’s seven circles rotated as he gathered his strength, while Zest smiled .  Zest’s face was relaxed as if he could kill Theodore at any time . “It is a fairly well-made toy, but in the end, it is just entertainment . Will the owner be more than that?”

Theodore gulped down the horror as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists . “You will regret that you didn’t kill me just now . ”