Chapter 78

"Such a thing happened, huh."

Raoul said with a weak smile.

"I wonder if it's too much to expect that the ring I gave you would be enough to clean up this mess."

Ring... Raoul probably only knew it as one type of artifact that emits strange magical power, but Renock had a fair idea of what it entailed.

The giant tree root pattern revealed through the transformation. It was surely a clue deeply connected to an old wizard family.

Not only that, there was a good possibility that it could be a key to uncover something hidden.

But instead of explaining such things to Raoul, Renock simply nodded.

"You're not wrong."

"I'll try to find something useful among the items my children have made. I hope you can bear with it a little longer."

"........."

While their combat abilities may be relatively weak, they are experts in the field of bestowal-type black magic.

Considering they have been maintaining and running businesses in Sector 44, they wouldn't hand over anything less than what is expected.

Although he didn't come to boast about his past deeds, there was no need to refuse what was offered.

Meanwhile, Raoul said with a troubled expression.

"An incantation ritual... Although it's not a type of ritual our faction deals with, I have heard and seen a few things."

"Please tell me."

The core of the incantation ritual is essentially to entrust the risk that the caster must bear to another being.

Prepare the necessary body or equivalent materials and finish reciting the incantation.

Unlike the complex rituals and diverse materials required for summoning, which also need tremendous luck, an incantation ritual can be used as long as the summoned being consents.

However, once a being has obtained a body and undergone the ritual, it is granted complete autonomy, which the caster cannot interfere with until the being's magical power is depleted. In the distant past, it was common for such summoned beings to kill their casters.

In modern academic circles, various methods have been studied to prevent the serious dangers of such incantation rituals, aiming to impose restrictions and seals on the actions of the summoned beings. However, these methods ultimately ended up being inferior to summoning rituals, sharing similar pros and cons.

Eventually, the incantation rituals, which had been pushed out of mainstream magical theory, were adopted by black mages, who continued their lineage, leading to the current practical faction.

The princes of mixed blood who accept any useful rituals.

The conversation had now shifted beyond the incantation ritual to the history of the black mage factions.

"The practical faction has taken a different path from the black mages who have been delving deeply into a single branch."

"Practically, it's best to see it as an organization moved by the strong will and character of Craid Tillian, who is effectively the elder. Of course, I have always respected Craid's ability to gather those who were disappointed in their magic and achieve so much..."

Raoul dropped his shoulders and smiled weakly.

"So it has come to this."

"......What do you think is the reason they sought knowledge related to artificial intelligence?"

"I have some idea, but... I'd like to hear your thoughts first."

"........."

"Though I haven't seen your face many times, I can tell from what I've seen."

He twisted the wrinkles around his eyes and said.

"You are a wizard with the most intuitive talent I have ever seen. Your ability to hit the core of the matter so effortlessly, the insights contained in the casual sentences you throw out... You speak with the specialization of someone who has lived for decades, despite your young age."

"........."

"Croken must have recognized these aspects in you, which is why he allowed you to contact us. Honestly, I suspect you're hiding your age."

'This is quite surprising.'

He has spoken face-to-face with Raoul fewer than five times.

The number of times they discussed magic was even less.

Yet, Raoul could sense a strong talent from those brief interactions with Renock.

I thought he was just an old man swept away by the situation, but perhaps his experience and wisdom run deep.

And to someone who has honestly shared such insights, a straightforward answer is due.

Instead of adding to what Raoul said about his talent, Renock frankly laid out his thoughts.

"An incantation ritual and artificial intelligence. It's easy to mistake them as completely different fields, but there is a very strong common point between the two."

"What is it?"

Extinguishing the cigarette he was smoking, Renock answered.

"The wish for someone to do what you cannot do yourself...."

"........."

"The root that lies at the foundation, beyond the principles of the ritual or the understanding of engineering."

—The roots of a giant tree.

The image that flashed through his mind made Renock hesitate for a moment, but fortunately, Raoul immediately understood what he was trying to say.

"A wish... Indeed, that's it. You have the talent to see beyond the mere ritual to its deeper meaning."