Chapter 83

Having successfully defeated the Mithril Golem, the four of them proceeded to the innermost chamber of the ancient ruins.

Upon entering the deepest chamber, what caught their eyes was a vast room filled with bookshelves storing a large number of books. At the center of the room, a massive magic circle was drawn on the floor.

Leord, in his surprise, left the three others frozen in place and rushed to the magic circle, kneeling down to examine it. If it was the same as in Makoto's memory of the game, the magic circle drawn on the floor was the transfer magic circle that Leord had been hoping for.

After confirming the entire magic circle, Leord looked up. Convinced that it was the transfer magic circle from Makoto's memory, Leord couldn't help but make a small fist pump in joy.

As Leord celebrated alone, the three others approached him. Noticing their footsteps, Leord turned around to look at their faces.

"Thank you. Because of you all, I was able to come this far. I am truly grateful."

"That's great, but what exactly is this place...?"

"Indeed. It's understandable that you wouldn't know. This is a remnant of a lost ancient civilization. And the magic circle at our feet is one that can activate the legendary transfer magic."

"What!?"

"Is that really true!?"

"It's no wonder you're surprised. But it is a genuine transfer magic circle. However, there are parts of the magic circle that are damaged. If we can repair those, it should be possible to activate it."

"Please wait. Lord Leord, how much do you actually know about this?"

Isabel couldn't help but wonder why Leord knew so much. After all, the transfer magic he described was from a lost ancient civilization and a legendary existence. It wouldn't be strange to know the name, but how could he determine that an unseen magic circle was a transfer magic circle? At the very least, one would need the knowledge of an archaeologist.

However, it didn't seem like Leord had the knowledge of an archaeologist. But since Leord was from a ducal family, it was possible that he had access to materials related to the transfer magic circle.

"That's not something I can tell you."

"Then, how about as a reward for contributing to the defeat of the Mithril Golem?"

"Is it that important to you to know?"

"Yes. I want to know why you can determine that this magic circle is a transfer magic circle. I want to hear the solid proof."

"Hmm..."

Leord was flustered, wondering how to explain it so that they would understand. Indeed, the other three had probably only heard of transfer magic but never seen it, as it was one of the lost magics. It was natural that they would question how Leord knew about a magic circle he had never seen.

However, Leord couldn't answer. If he said it was from the knowledge in Makoto's memory of the game, they wouldn't believe him.

Even if he tried to dodge the question, Isabel had made a significant contribution to defeating the Mithril Golem. Without Isabel, they might not have defeated the Mithril Golem. As a reward for her contribution, Isabel wanted to know from Leord the proof that the magic circle at their feet was a transfer magic circle.

"Still, I can't tell you. I can't reveal it."

"Why not! Is it that important that you can't say?"

"That's right."

"Then, please answer one question."

"What is it?"

"If the royal family... if His Majesty the King asked, would you still not explain?"

"...Yes."

"...I see. I understand. Please forget about this."

If the King really wanted to know, Leord wouldn't have the right to refuse. Even if he refused, he could be charged with a crime, and in the worst case, face the death penalty. Isabel understood that this must be something more important to Leord than his life. She realized that she would likely be surprised by Leord in the future.

(If I told them, who would believe me? This world is actually a game...)

The reality was just like the game. The knowledge from Makoto's memory was applicable in this world. The game's strategy knowledge was useful and revealed a cruel future.

A future where he would die.

He wasn't the protagonist but a stepping stone for the protagonist, a sacrificial pawn. In a certain heroine's route, he would become the final boss, but no matter what, he would die a miserable death.

To avoid such a future, he was now struggling. He didn't expect anyone to understand. This was, after all, a hideous ego.

Even the transfer magic circle they had just discovered was something that should have been found by the protagonist and the heroines. While there was no rule that Leord couldn't find it, it could be said that he had altered the course of history.

For his own selfish reasons.

But Leord didn't want to die, so he was twisting fate. He had sworn from the beginning that he would never accept a miserable end.

He would resist fate, avoid death, and survive.

However, he also had a cowardly side and didn't want to oppose the country. When Isabel asked him earlier, he was just putting on a brave face. If he were actually asked, Leord would undoubtedly reveal everything.