Ankoku Kishi Monogatari ~Yuusha wo Taosu Tameni Maou ni Shoukansaremashita~ Chapter 116.1: Magicians of Gypseal

Chapter 116.1: Magicians of Gypseal

◆Dark Knight; Kuroki

I teleported to Gypseal along with Totona. We arrived at a dark room, the only light visible shining from the magic circle beneath our feet.

The room was filled with sacred hieroglyphs. I could feel the hot air even from within this room. This country was definitely located in the desert. Magic was indeed a really convenient thing in this world. One could go from one place to another in a few seconds.

「Totona, are we really in Putaha Kingdom?」

I asked Totona.

The God’s residence in Gypseal resided in the golden capital, Arnak. Since an alert had been raised in the capital, we couldn’t directly teleport to it. Thus, Totona decided to travel to Arnak from Putaha, a Kingdom where she had the freedom to co and go as she pleases.

Putaha Kingdom was known as the Kingdom of Craftsn, with a population of around ten thousand people. The reason why it got such a nickna was simply because most citizens were dwarven craftsn. Their Pharaoh (King) was also a dwarf.

In the first place, the reason why there were so many dwarves in this place was because this kingdom was given to Heibos by the God king of Elios. In fact, the only Elios Gods famous in Gypseal were Heibos, Ishtar, and lastly, Totona. The three were foreign Gods, but what was truly interesting was faiths attached to them.

As for who was the most famous God here from Nargol, it was the Archwithch, Heqat. She was hailed as the Goddess of dicine. There was even a country where only Toadn resided, the country’s na is Hekat and a grand temple was built for the Archwitch herself.

「That’s right Kuroki, we’re currently in Putaha Kingdom. This place has a branch of the Magician Association.」

Totona nodded as she explained.

In addition to their craftsmanship, Putaha Kingdom was also famous for their Magician Association branch. Totona, the Goddess of Book and Knowledge, was also the Goddess of the magicians. Magius, the great sage who built the Magician Association in Saria, was her apostle.

Now, 700 years after its establishnt, Magius was still in his pri. I heard that he was still involved in the managent of the Magician Association as their honorary president. 700 years after its establishnt, the magicians who learnt everything they knew in Saria had spread all around the world, they kept in touch with each other, and made branches in various places.

And one of those branches of the Magician Association was located right in Putaha Kingdom of the Gypseal region.

「I see. So this is where the famous Gypseal magicians co from.」

Totona looked slightly surprised when she heard my remark.

「Hee, so Kuroki already knows about them eh.」

「Yes, Totona. I hear that Gypseal magicians are famous for their excellence.」

In fact, the Gypseal Magician Association was the second most famous place for magicians after Saria. Reason being because there were only humans in the other Magician Association branches. But, things were slightly different here, in Gypseal’s Magician Association, you could beco an executive even if you weren’t human. Moreover, since the influence from Faeria’s and Oudith’s faiths, which detest necromancy and dark magic, was basically nonexistent in this region, there were almost no restricted topics of magic. With less regulation and more opportunities, it was no wonder that research about magic in this region was more advanced than in other branches, which in turn gave birth to many excellent magicians.

When one speaks of Gypseal Magicians, it was a moniker for excellent magicians.

「Yes. The magicians of this place are really famous. And the branch leader is also my disciple.」

Now it was my turn to be surprised when hearing her remark. To be able to receive direct tutoring from Totona, a Goddess, the branch leader of this place must be a really great person.

「Kuroki, it seems he has co to welco us. Let’s greet him.」

Soone appeared from the entrance of the room. I couldn’t hide my shock the mont I saw that person’s appearance. The one who appeared was a man with the head of a scarab beetle. The insect man was holding a cane in his hand. Does that an he was a magician?

Kuna’s subordinates were insectn too, but I think they’re completely different from this scarab beetle man before .

This was the first ti I saw soone of this race.

「Welco, My Great Teacher, Totona-sama.」

The insect man crossed his limbs (Arms?) in front of his chest and bowed.

「Long ti no see, Kepler. Kuroki, this is Kepler, he’s a beetle man and also the branch leader of the Magician Association here. He’s also a famous magician, otherwise known as the Golden Sage.」

「You overestimate , Totona-sama. Honestly, I’m still embarrassed to be called with such a title. A fledgeling junior like isn’t worthy of that title yet.」

Kepler the beetle man scratched his head with his arm, as if showing his embarrassnt.

「No, Kepler. Your magic research is really wonderful. You’re already worthy of that title.」

Kepler’s forearms moved swiftly, it seems he was really delighted hearing his master’s praise. And then, Kepler looked at .

「By the way, Totona-sama. May I ask the na of this gentleman?」

「Eeh… He’s…」

When he asked that question, Totona looked at with a bewildered look on her face. It seems she had trouble in disclosing my identity. Surely, it might be better to hide my identity knowing that Reiji was in this place too.

「It’s okay, Totona. I believe we can trust your disciple.」

But, the beetle man, Kepler, seed to be soone worthy of my trust. Since that was the case, telling him the truth was much better than lying to him.

He didn’t seem to be the kind of man who would spread rumors.

「Kepler, this is Kuroki, Nargol’s strongest Dark Knight.」

Kepler was visibly surprised upon hearing Totona’s introduction.

「WHAT!! HE’S THE GOD OF THE BLACK STORM WHO DROVE THE ENTIRE REPUBLIC OF ARIADYA TO THE BOTTOM OF DESPAIR?!! AND WHAT’S EVEN MORE SURPRISING IS THE FACT THAT HE’S WITH YOU, TOTONA-SAMA!!」

I had no idea how that happened. But it seed that rumors about had spread to Gypseal too. And not in a good way on top of that. I was curious and worried about what kind of stories were being told about in this place.

「Well there were various reasons for that, Kepler. Anyhow, can you bring us to a quiet place to calm down and to tell you the full story first?」

「We have a parlor room for that. We can talk in private without having to worry about soone eavesdropping in there.」

Kepler turned around and guided us toward the parlor room after he said so. We t people of various races along the way, hippopotamus folk, cat folk, and even humans.

All of them opened the way and bowed to us the mont they saw us. It didn’t seem to be directed toward Totona. Only Kepler knew about the arrival of Totona beforehand. In short, they were bowing toward Kepler.

Looking at their attitude, I knew imdiately that Kepler’s popularity was the real deal in this place.

After arriving in the parlor room, Kepler gave instructions to the staff of the association to stop anyone from approaching the parlor room since he had a private matter to attend to.

The parlor room of the association’s branch was really vast. The floor was covered with a soft carpet. There were various ornants along the wall, and soft cushions stuffed with the best feathers were prepared on the floor.

It seems the Magician Association of Gypseal was really prosperous.

The staff brought refreshnts for us. They brought enough tea for two. Those teas were for Totona and . Kepler didn’t seem to drink tea.

「Eh? This is coffee, right?」

I unintentionally let out such a remark when I saw the tea. It had a black color and strong fragrance. It really looked like coffee.

「Kuroki-sama, this bean tea is made from the seed of a red fruit called Nephentes. I don’t drink it, but it’s secretly consud amongst the magicians due to its various dicinal effects and its ability to keep us awake. Please enjoy.」

Kepler explained while smiling rrily.

「I see… Then, I shall partake.」

I tried a sip of the bean tea. Compared to the coffee in my ho world, the bean tea had a peculiar aroma unique to this world. But, this was definitely coffee. I never expected to be able to drink coffee in this world.

「Kepler, I noticed that the aroma is even more fragrant than the bean tea that I drank before. What did you do?」

Totona tilted her head as she asked.

「Oh, so you’ve noticed it huh, Totona-sama? The truth is, we used the undigested seed from the excrents of the cat who ate the red fruit. It seems using those undigested seeds will enhance the aroma of the bean tea. Nevertheless, I never expected that the seed that I discovered during my al is this fragrant after being processed.」

「I see, good discovery, Kepler. And it tastes good too.」

Totona and Kepler were smiling at each other.

It seems they never thought too deeply about it since it was discovered by accident.

「Well then, Kepler, let’s go straight to the topic. I want to go to Arnak. Can you lend one of Magician Association’s ships to go there?」

Kepler shook his head upon hearing Totona’s request.

「About that, Totona-sama. This branch currently… has no ships at all.」

「How did this happen? I rember that this branch had a lot of ships before. Can you explain the situation to , Kepler?」

「Totona-sama, the truth is, there were repeated mysterious disappearances as of late.」

「Mysterious disappearances?」