Chapter 62

"Good evening, Grandpa. Sorry for being so late."

"Oh, you finally came. I was just about to close up. Can you wait inside?"

Grandpa said this while moving some items around.

"No, I can help."

"Is that so? Thank you."

He quickly finished tidying up and moved to the living room.

"...So, what brings you here today? Coming at this hour, it must be something related to magic, right?"

After sipping the warm green tea in his teacup, he asked me why I came at this hour.

By the way, green tea is a green beverage imported from a country in the eastern part of the continent, with a well-balanced sweetness, bitterness, and astringency. It's a rare drink, but I like it and often drink it.

"Yeah, actually, I'm developing a new magic spell and I thought I could get some advice."

As I said this, I showed him the paper with the spell formula written on it.

Grandpa is an incredibly skilled magic tool craftsman and is also very knowledgeable about magic.

He's the one who made my storage magic tool and taught me the basics of magic. In terms of knowledge about magic, I can't even compare to him.

This is just my guess, but I think Grandpa was a famous magic tool craftsman whose name was known throughout the world. If you randomly asked ten people, "Who is the greatest magic tool craftsman in the world?" at least eight of them would say Cavadale Evans. And Grandpa's name is Cavadale too.

I don't know why he taught me about magic, but I don't intend to tell anyone about him. I do promote him as a general goods store, but I haven't told anyone that he's a magic tool craftsman.

"That's an interesting magic spell. You're truly my disciple."

Grandpa smiled and praised me.

"Thank you. It's a confidence booster to hear that from you."

"Ho ho ho! You're already far superior to me in magic development. So, what do you need advice on? It looks almost complete."

"Yeah. I can see the final form, so I think I can complete it on my own. I'll need to experiment after it's done, though. What I want advice on is the activation time. This magic takes too long to activate. If I need to use it immediately, I can't afford to wait."

"Ah, I see. So, you want to reduce the activation time. That's a tough one. Given the nature of this magic, it's impossible to shorten the activation time. It can't be simplified either."

"Really? That's a bummer..."

I slumped my shoulders. I couldn't think of any way to shorten the activation time, and it seems Grandpa has the same opinion.

"How about making it a continuously active magic tool? I can make that for you."

A continuously active magic tool... Many magic tool craftsmen are working hard to establish that technology, so don't say it like it's no big deal...

"That's a possibility, but it would attract monsters, right?"

"Yes. Even if a few defenders are elsewhere, they would definitely head straight for Orun."

"I don't want to carry something that scary... But wait! I just thought of something! This might work!"

I told Grandpa about the idea I just came up with. It was inspired by Will's double-edged sword.

"Indeed, that might be possible. There would be an interval, but you could activate it immediately when needed. If we integrate that mechanism into your storage magic tool, it shouldn't attract monsters any more than it already does. Do you want me to make it for you?"

"Can you do it? If it gets this complex, it would take me years to develop on my own. I don't have that much time."

"Sure. I understand. Orun is like my dear grandson. A grandfather will do anything for his grandson. However, you'll have to complete the magic yourself."

"Got it. Thanks, Grandpa!"

"You're welcome. I'll make a prototype in the next day or two, so let me know how it feels. Fine-tuning will take some time, though."

In the next day or two... This guy is really out of the ordinary...

◇

After that, I had dinner with Grandpa and left the general goods store, heading to a certain bar. I didn't plan to go there, but I heard some unbelievable information from Grandpa just before I left.

Amonzars is active in the southern Great Labyrinth.

I had to verify this information. Grandpa is well-informed, and I don't doubt him, but given the nature of the information, I want to confirm it with multiple sources.

Amonzars is one of the two major criminal organizations, alongside the Cyclamen Sect.

They don't harm ordinary people. So, why are they counted among the two major criminal organizations? Because they kill a large number of explorers.

Amonzars claims that the Great Labyrinth should not be explored. They kill explorers who ignore their warnings. This is a huge nuisance for explorers.

Why is exploring the Great Labyrinth so wrong? In fact, after the Western Great Labyrinth was conquered, the empire's economy improved due to the abundance of materials from the lower levels. Although the appearance of monsters has stopped, and it's no longer possible to obtain magic stones from the Great Labyrinth, there are many other labyrinths within the empire, so there's no risk of a shortage of magic stones.

In daily life, magic stones and labyrinth materials are indispensable. While they can be obtained from regular labyrinths, the Great Labyrinth has everything you need, including magic stones. I think there are only benefits to advancing through the levels of the Great Labyrinth.

I looked around the bar and confirmed that the bartender I was looking for was at the counter. I sat down in front of him.

"Give me your best."

I showed him five gold coins as I said this.

The bartender glanced at them and started making a cocktail.

He served a clear blue cocktail that looked delicious. I held the glass, activated my "Taste Block," and drank it in one go.

This drink is apparently harmless but extremely unpleasant to drink. I've never actually tasted it, so I don't know.

This bartender is an unusual information broker who will tell you what you want to know if you finish this drink.

"So? What do you want to know?"

For a palate cleanser, I was served a proper cocktail. I can't taste it because of the "Taste Block," though.

"I heard that Amonzars is active in the southern Great Labyrinth. Is that true?"

"It's true. Several high-level explorers have already been killed."

To enter the Great Labyrinth or regular labyrinths, you need a guild card. Amonzars members are on the guild's blacklist and can't get guild cards. So, how can they enter the labyrinth? They can create their own substitutes for guild cards. They use these to enter the labyrinth and kill explorers inside. They've been quiet recently, but it seems they're active again.

"Does the guild know about this? I haven't heard any announcements from the guild."

"They probably know. They're likely controlling the information to avoid causing panic. I can't say for sure, though."

I understand the potential for public panic, but isn't this putting the cart before the horse? The explorer guild is supposed to support explorers.

I should alert my clan. Their targets are high-level explorers. The lower levels of the Great Labyrinth are vast. If you're lucky, you won't encounter them, but the possibility isn't zero.

They specialize in combat and have the skills to reach the lower levels.

They are truly troublesome.

Moreover, I didn't expect to hear about Amonzars so soon after the Cyclamen Sect.

Thank you for reading to the end.

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◇ Announcement ◇

The book adaptation of this work has been decided! This is all thanks to the support of the readers. Thank you very much!

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Due to the book adaptation, the update pace might slow down. (I'll try my best to maintain the pace until the second chapter is complete!)

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