"Fujimaru-sama, you don't happen to be interested in this wisdom book, do you?" she narrowed her eyes and suddenly asked.
"Miss Reines, you're overthinking. I have no interest in any wisdom book."
"I see." she carefully observed his face and then said, "Actually, even if Fujimaru-sama had any interest in the wisdom book, it wouldn't matter. Because the one on display here is a forgery. The authentic one was stolen long ago."
"Stolen?" he was taken aback.
She nodded slightly and said, "Probably around nine years ago, after my uncle returned from Fuyuki City. The British Museum was targeted by thieves, and the authentic wisdom book was stolen. Till now, no one has found out who the thief was."
"That's really unfortunate," he said, but in his mind, he thought, who would go and steal such an embarrassing thing?
There were many visitors around him, discussing this notebook with great interest.
He felt a strong sense of embarrassment and urged Reines to quickly take him inside the Clock Tower.
The Clock Tower was tucked away in the British Museum, cleverly hidden behind Bounded Fields. To the average person, the British Museum seemed like an ordinary museum.
Gaining access to the real Clock Tower required identity recognition, a necessary step to navigate through the Bounded Fields. Trying to force entry would only be seen as an act of provocation, something best avoided.
That's precisely why he opted to enter the Clock Tower through Kenneth.
Reines used her privileged access to the Bounded Field, effortlessly leading him into the depths of the Clock Tower.
As they walked through the passageways, Reines couldn't help but be curious about Shirou's purpose. "By the way, Fujimaru-sama," she began, her voice laced with a friendly tone, "which friend are you seeking at the Clock Tower? If I happen to know them, I could have taken you straight to them."
He shook his head and said, "It's not someone important."
She smiled, but deep down, she doubted his words. The fact that her uncle had specifically asked her to escort him and had stressed the importance of being courteous hinted that the person Shirou was meeting was far from ordinary.
Moreover, the way he had shown remarkable insight throughout their journey and his confident and assertive way of speaking all pointed to his extraordinary nature.
Most importantly, she couldn't figure him out!
Reines was a clever and cunning child with a mischievous streak. She took delight in witnessing the downfall or slip-ups of serious individuals, relishing in their frustration. It brought her immense joy. It was this inclination that made her, at such a young age, skilled at reading people's minds.
Yet, even after their encounters, she still couldn't penetrate this person's thoughts. On the contrary, it seemed like this person had an uncanny ability to see right through her, as if he held her in the palm of his hand, looking down on her.
"By the way, something feels off today. Normally, when I step into this place, I see students happily mingling and engaging with one another. But now, I can't spot a single soul... Huh? Fujimaru-sama, what's the matter?" she asked curiously, noticing his sudden halt.
Shirou turned to face Reines, his gaze filled with curiosity. "Miss Lenis, if I recall correctly, you're someone who dislikes tranquility and constantly seeks excitement, am I right?"
"Yes, you've hit the nail on the head, Fujimaru-sama," she replied with a smile.
"Well, then you've accomplished your goal."
"What?" Her expression shifted to one of confusion.
As they stepped into the Clock Tower, Reines expression suddenly changed.
Right upon their arrival at the main hall, they were met by a group of distinguished Lords, with an elderly man at the forefront, emanating wisdom and authority.
The instant Reines laid eyes on this old man, a flicker of panic crossed her lovely face. Swiftly, she lowered her head, executed a noble gesture, and stammered, "Um... Greetings, Lord Zelretch."
The old man standing before them commanded respect from everyone, even the high-ranking Lords. It was none other than Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the Wizard Marshal, renowned for his mastery of second magic and his unrivaled status in modern magecraft.
Reines quickly understood why the academy grounds were devoid of any student activity. With the presence of the legendary Magician of Second Magic, no one would dare to make a disturbance or even appear casually in his sight. Even the influential Lords themselves refrained from speaking nonsense in his presence.
Yet, she couldn't help but wonder how he ended up in this place. Her mind was filled with confusion and curiosity.
Zelretch completely disregarded Reines and never took his eyes off Shirou from the moment they met, his expression forming a sneer. "Just looking at your face makes me feel thoroughly disgusted."
"Unfortunately, the feeling is mutual," Shirou replied.
No... it can't be, right?
Reines looked at Shirou, whose expression remained calm, and cold sweat dripped down her forehead.
Could it be that this guy was looking for Lord Zelretch?
And judging from Lord Zelretch's attitude, they seemed to be old acquaintances from a long time ago?
Who... who is this person?
This question not only lingered in Lenis's mind but also echoed in the hearts of the Lords who followed behind Zelretch.
However, unlike Reines, these Lords managed to maintain their composure.
Shirou glanced at the Lords and commented, "Quite the entourage you've got there. You really know how to make an entrance just to meet me."
Zelretch sneered and shot back, "Don't get it twisted, Guinevere. I couldn't care less about what others think. I only do what I want, and these guys just happen to be tagging along. Welcome, hehe. You're one of the few people I detest, right up there with Crimson Moon and Merlin."
"Unfortunately, I feel the same way about your despicable hobbies. I detest them as well."
"So, what brings you here to find me?"
Shirou glanced at the people surrounding them, subtly hinting at his intentions.
"You know, it's pretty amusing that you actually give a damn about what others think," Zelretch sneered, then gestured towards the inner hall. "Come on, follow me."
He nodded with a slight nod and trailed behind him.
Zelretch cast a quick glance at the others and bluntly stated, "Don't follow."
"We understand, Lord Zelretch," the Lords nodded in understanding.
As they observed Shirou and Zelretch walking away, the Lords burst into a whirlwind of discussion.
"Who is that guy? He seems to be quite familiar with Lord Zelretch!"
"I have no idea! According to the legends, Zelretch despises Crimson Moon and Merlin, but could this person be his third most detested?"
"Who is that person?"
The Lords looked at each other, clearly perplexed. Eventually, their eyes settled on Reines, and one of them addressed her, "Lady Archisorte, as the head of the Archisorte family, do you have any idea who the person you brought in is?"
"I... I honestly don't know," she stammered, her voice filled with uncertainty. The Lords, who were adept in schemes and now seeking answers, all shared the same question she had.
In that moment, her mind flashed back to Shirou's earlier words. It dawned on her that this mysterious person held complete control over everything.
But who exactly was this person? she couldn't help but wonder.
...
Shirou followed Zelretch into a dimly lit, old room that exuded a gloomy atmosphere.
Glancing around, he couldn't help but comment, "Wow, this room of yours is really worn down. It's like stepping into a musty rat's nest."
Zelretch, unperturbed, responded with a hint of smugness, "Hmph. I spend most of my time observing parallel worlds, so the condition of this room holds no significance for me. Although, I must admit it doesn't quite compare to the grandeur of your palace."
Pulling out a chair, Zelretch sat down and asked, "Now, tell me, what sort of trouble have you found yourself in that led you to send Merlin to fetch me?"
Shirou placed the two Class Cards he had brought on the table in front of Zelretch, saying, "Take a look at these."
"Interference from a parallel world again..." Zelretch furrowed his brows.
"What do you mean by that?"
Zelretch paused for a moment, then directed his gaze at him, "Surely you are aware, Shirou. Or perhaps I should address you as the Eternal King?"
"What is it that I should know?" Confusion formed on Shirou's face,
Zelretch spoke with a solemn expression, "The Age of Gods in this world may be on the brink of resurrection!"
"What did you say!?"
Shirou's expression grew serious. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Over 1,500 years ago, he had fought hard to suppress the Age of Gods, and now it seemed like it was about to be unleashed again?
"You're not messing around, right, Zelretch?" He couldn't help but ask, his voice filled with concern.
The consequences of the Age of Gods coming back were too dire to ignore. Just the shift from the modern era to the Age of Gods, with the resurgence of the "True Ether," would be enough to cause widespread death.
Just as the people from the Age of Gods couldn't adapt to the modern world, modern people couldn't handle the effects of the "True Ether."
If the Age of Gods were to be revived and the "True Ether" spread across the globe, it would be like a deadly gas, choking the life out of everyone across the globe!
The outcome was so terrifying that he couldn't help but question if this grumpy old man was merely messing with him.
But unfortunately...
"I'm afraid it's true," Zelretch replied.
Shirou took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and asked, "What's really happening?"
"The exact reasons are still unclear," Zelretch shook his head and explained, "But the 'True Ether' revival has indeed begun, stirring within the Inner Sea of the Planet, getting ready to surface. Moreover, several Divine Spirits have already descended."
"Divine Spirits..." Shirou furrowed his brow, "So, where did these Divine Spirits go?"
"That arrogant thing had the audacity to descend and point its finger at my nose, demanding that I kneel before it. So, I simply pressed it down and crushed it," Zelretch recounted with a hint of satisfaction.
Shirou: "..."
Well, this outcome didn't come as a surprise.
While gods may sound impressive, in the Nasuverse, they didn't hold a candle to magicians.
No, to be more precise, their level of impressiveness couldn't even compare to Zelretch.
The definition of magic was simply the enigma that modern science couldn't replicate, and it didn't always guarantee genuine power. However, Zelretch was an entirely different story. He could traverse infinite parallel worlds, maintaining his uniqueness, and effortlessly tap into the abundant magical energy of those worlds. That, in itself, made him a truly formidable force.
The fact that becoming a Dead Apostle was a substantial power boost for others, yet a significant handicap for Zelretch, spoke volumes about his extraordinary abilities.
"When did this phenomenon of the Age of Gods' revival begin?"
"It started nine years ago."
"Nine years ago?" He couldn't help but feel astonished. It happened to be the same year when he journeyed more than 1,500 years into the past through the Root.
"Exactly nine years ago, you used the Root to travel to Camelot over 1,500 years ago and left your own records in Pan-Human History. Shortly after your departure, Merlin discovered the revival of the 'True Ether' and promptly informed me about it."
"Merlin never told me about this,"
"That's only natural since the indications of the revived 'True Ether' were extremely subtle, and I personally sealed them. There was no need to inform you with that information. In fact, if it weren't for you presenting those two cards, I wouldn't have brought up this matter."
"What do you mean?" Shirou furrowed his brows.
"I suspect that the revival of the 'True Ether' is a result of interference from other parallel worlds. That's why for these nine years, I have been observing those parallel worlds, while Merlin has focused on observing this world."
"Have you discovered anything significant?"
"Nothing of note."
Shirou furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on the Class Cards resting on the table. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. "Pandora's Box..."
"What about Pandora's Box?" Zelretch asked curiously.
He glanced up at Zelretch, a curious expression on his face. "If someone from a parallel world were to intentionally open a Pandora's Box, would it have any impact on our world?"
"What kind of strange question is this? Parallel worlds are all about divergent timelines resulting from different choices. Aside from someone as magnificent as myself, who could possibly mess with parallel worlds?" Zelretch replied, clearly displeased.
"But what if they used the power of the Holy Grail?"
"The Third Magic, huh..." Zelretch's brow furrowed in contemplation.
Shirou gestured towards the Class Cards. "See these two cards here? They're exactly what I was talking about, brought over from that hypothetical world. So, let's say the intense animosity of the gods towards humanity, which resides within that opened Pandora's Box, somehow got transmitted to our world through the power of the Holy Grail. Is it possible that it triggered the resurgence of the Age of Gods in this world?"
Zelretch fell into a brief moment of contemplation before responding in a measured tone. "I can't say for certain. However, as a starting point, we can begin by observing and investigating the aspects you've mentioned. It might lead us to some answers."
He reached out and picked up the two Class Cards, "Alright, I'll hold onto these for now. They'll serve as reference points, allowing me to navigate and explore the parallel worlds you've mentioned."
"If there comes a time when my assistance is needed, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be ready to lend a hand."
Zelretch scoffed at his offer. "The interference of parallel worlds? That's my expertise! As for you, who can't even meddle with them, all you can do is sit back and wait obediently for my result!"
"But let me ask you this," he continued, a sly smile forming on his lips. "Did you actually come here following the rules? Is that your idea of justice? It's honestly laughable! Heh, with your immense power, you can practically toss these rules out the window."
Shirou calmly responded. "It's not about justice; it's about respecting order. The collapse of order would bring about the devastation of countless lives. In my past, I held the role of a king, dedicating myself to establishing and upholding that very order. So, I won't take any actions that might disrupt it."
Leaning in a bit, he continued, "And let's not forget, even someone like you, who scoffs at the concept of justice, once stood tall and faced Crimson Moon 1,500 years ago. Now here you are, busy preventing the revival of the Age of Gods."
"A king who respects order, huh..." Zelretch muttered, a hint of disdain in his voice. "Well then, enjoy the warm welcome those bastards in London have in store for you, Eternal King."
With those words, he vanished, slipping away into the cracks of the world. Shirou watched as he disappeared, feeling a slight headache creeping up as he rubbed his temples.
As the old man's words settled in his mind, he couldn't help but realize that the power struggles within the Clock Tower were bound to entangle him. It was becoming evident that, being favored by Zelretch, he had become an invaluable asset in this high-stakes game of power.
Without needing much contemplation, he knew that there were numerous individuals eagerly waiting for him beyond those doors.
As he had suspected, representatives from various factions had indeed gathered, each harboring their own agenda.
They whispered amongst themselves, speculating about Shirou's true identity, while discreetly preparing to greet him with false displays of hospitality. Their ultimate intention was clear: to lure him into their faction and harness his influence to strengthen their own power.
Indeed, those representatives were oblivious to Shirou's true nature and the veil of mystery shrouding his abilities. However, the mere fact that he had garnered Zelretch's favor was reason enough for them to try to win him over.
In this complex game of social dynamics, one's talents and identity were merely chips to be maneuvered strategically. And to possess the favor of someone as influential as Zelretch, Shirou held tremendous weight as a bargaining chip.
Although Shirou and Zelretch didn't share a particularly close bond or even like each other, their outwardly perceived relationship seemed amicable to outsiders. It was this very perception that fueled the factions' determination to win him over.
In reality, Shirou and Zelretch used to be allies in their fight against Crimson Moon. However, despite their shared history, he couldn't stand Zelretch.
After all, that old geezer was constantly pushing him to cross-dress and transform into a magical girl.
How was he supposed to put up with that?
The power struggles within the Clock Tower were intense, so it wasn't surprising that as soon as Shirou showed up, he started getting invitations from different factions.
Shirou didn't pay any mind to those invitations. Instead, he pointed at a perplexed Reines and said, "I apologize, everyone. I already have an appointment with the Lady Reines. Let's talk next time. Thank you."
The representatives from the other factions redirected their attention towards the innocent-looking Reines, narrowing their eyes as they contemplated whether the El-Melloi faction had something significant in the works.
In fact, they couldn't help but wonder if the Archisorte family was plotting something. Their speculations carried a malicious undertone.
Things shouldn't have escalated to this point initially, but the influence of being the "favored by Zelretch" was just too weighty. The Clock Tower was a breeding ground for ruthless competition, where everyone hunted each other down like savage beasts. One misstep and you'd be torn apart by the others. So, naturally, they speculated with the cruelest of intentions.
As for this turn of events, Reines couldn't help but let out a sigh and remarked, "Fujimaru-sama, you're truly using me as a shield, aren't you?"
He responded, "Miss Reines, didn't you long for a life full of excitement? I'm simply granting the desires that reside in your heart. Besides, wasn't it Kenneth who requested you to show me around the Clock Tower? If I were to leave you behind, it wouldn't be easy for you to explain to Kenneth. I'm genuinely concerned about your well-being."
Reines stared at him in a daze, especially his sincere, innocent eyes that seemed to shimmer with a bright flame.
It suddenly dawned on her. How could she have mistaken him for a normal young man? He was clearly a cunning fox hidden beneath the facade of a boy!
If she thought of herself as an eager little fox eager to showcase her intelligence, then the person standing before her was an experienced old fox, concealing his wisdom and pretending to be dull and easily fooled.
In comparison, she was the true naive one!
Reines couldn't help but wear a bitter smile on her face.
She had been completely and thoroughly played!
After gathering her thoughts and sorting through her complex emotions, she asked, "So, Fujimaru-sama, where would you like to go? Just to clarify, there are certain restricted areas we cannot access."
"Don't worry, I only need you to give me a casual tour."
"Fujimaru-sama, you're using me as a complete shield, huh?... I'm just a young lady trying to receive a proper education. Shouldn't you go a little easy on me?"
"Using your own feminine identity is indeed clever. However, regrettably, when you assess the value of others to exploit, you yourself are being evaluated by others based on your own worth. Those who manipulate the thoughts of others eventually find themselves manipulated in return. It's as simple as that."
He added, "Alright, Miss Reines, let's have a splendid afternoon together. You can be my reliable shield. Make sure all the factions' attention is on you and your family. But don't worry, I'll acknowledge your efforts and commend you accordingly."
Reines: "..."
She couldn't stand him. He was so similar to her, relishing in manipulating people's emotions, and to make matters worse, he had a superior skill level compared to her!
Reines's face twisted in frustration, feeling utterly powerless in the situation.
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