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HELHEIM SCANS
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Chapter 96
There had originally been merchant groups established in Cascadia.
However, as the territory began to falter, all the practical merchants had fled, and only now were people starting to poke around again.
Of course, there was no reason to give another opportunity to those who had fled when things got shaky, so the vacant spots remained unfilled.
“I’ve already done a bit of research. Currently, there’s a shortage of merchant groups in Cascadia.”
“That’s true. Setting up a branch isn’t easy.”
It requires both capital and infrastructure to sustain itself.
“Can you grant permission?”
I closed my eyes and pondered her proposal quietly.
If Melissa vouched for her, she was likely trustworthy, but it wasn’t something I could decide on immediately.
Therefore, I decided to use a secret method.
“Why the paper…?”
When I prepared some paper and a quill, she tilted her head curiously.
“Pick either number 1 or number 2.”
“Huh? Oh… I’ll go with number 1.”
I then drew a ladder on the paper.
Two vertical lines with numerous messy horizontal lines across them.
At the bottom of each vertical line, I marked an ‘X’ and quickly drew down to the bottom.
Aurora, who had been blankly watching, let out a gasp.
“Wow… you weren’t completely talking nonsense.”
“What did I say?”
“Nothing, I just called you crazy… Oh, oops. That was a slip of the tongue. Hehe.”
Seeing her innocent smile, I made my decision seriously.
“Alright. I’ll allow the branch to be established.”
Because it didn’t land on the ‘X.’
“Who decides business matters with a ladder game?”
“Right here. And Melissa’s the one who’ll be responsible, not me.”
Hearing my confident reply, both Luna and Aurora exchanged speechless glances.
“By the way, who will be managing the branch?”
“I plan to send my secretary for now. However, within a few weeks, I’ll personally take charge.”
Her eyes sparkled.
And so, a few days after she left—
Thirty artifacts I had personally created were sold in the empire.
Since just one had caused a storm of rumors, thirty of them being released caused even more of an uproar.
With the added functions I had included, the buzz grew even bigger.
* * *
The hottest topic in the empire’s social circles was a certain artifact.
There were countless nobles and organizations in the empire, but only thirty people had managed to acquire one.
Some had received raffle tickets out of curiosity and won by chance.
Others had deliberately targeted them and succeeded.
There had been plenty of pressure during the process—people leveraging their status or using other tactics.
There were even attempts to manipulate the raffle, but Aurora somehow ensured the process remained fair.
And the unanimous opinion of those who obtained the artifact?
Astonishment.
Those who had used the rumored artifact began sharing their experiences in social circles, and the impact continued to grow.
Requests for additional stock flooded the Planeteria Merchant Association in the empire.
However, the trustworthy Aurora firmly declared that the creator had no plans to make more.
Yet a new problem arose.
Those who didn’t have one began storming in, demanding the creator’s identity to petition directly.
In noble society, when a trend spreads and others have it while you don’t, it can stir up a rigid sense of propriety.
Compared to me with my past life’s memories, Melissa seemed far less like a conventional noble in this regard.
The nobles weren’t the only ones making noise.
Places like the Magic Tower and the Magi-Tech Guild, having experienced the artifact’s capabilities, tried various means to understand its principles and structure.
With so few available, the Magic Tower had only managed to examine one.
At present, multiple mages had gathered around the artifact placed at the center of the meeting table.
“So this is the artifact they call ‘Paradise.’”
“Paradise, huh? What a grand name.”
One mage scoffed, but the Tower Master who had purchased the artifact shook his head.
“You shouldn’t dismiss it so easily. I’ve used it once myself, and this is no mere toy.”
“What? So the rumors are true?”
“They’re not wrong.”
“See? I knew it.”
“If anything, the rumors understated it. Illusion Tower Master, try it out. We’ve already used it.”
“What? You all already took turns with it?”
“No. It now has a function for simultaneous use by multiple people.”
“You’re kidding. High-quality illusions applied to several people at once?”
The Illusion Tower Master, a specialist in illusions, placed his hand on the artifact quietly.
After activating it, he opened his eyes exactly thirty seconds later.
“This is insane. What is this thing?”
His hands trembled as he muttered.
“How is it?”
“How is it? How can this small item contain such an enormous amount of detailed information? Is that even possible?”
“Even you, an archmage, don’t know?”
“This is fundamentally a matter of data. Even the greatest archmage couldn’t do this. We need to take it apart right now!”
When he tried to disassemble the artifact, the other tower elders and masters rushed to stop him.
"Let go of this! As the master of the Tower of Illusions, I have a duty to check the state of the interior!"
"Then why don’t you buy it and check yourself! If it breaks, you’re responsible! Got it?!"
Although those who already purchased it were free to resell or break it, given the limited number of items, they had to be cautious.
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HELHEIM SCANS
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In the end, the mages had no choice but to investigate the interior using magical methods rather than physical dismantling.
For mages, 300 million sel wasn’t exactly a huge sum.
Magic was a money-draining field, after all.
Their research alone could easily cost hundreds of millions, even billions, so what was a mere 300 million?
However, their caution wasn’t about the money—it was about the artifact’s value.
What they found hard to believe was that something containing such absurdly advanced technology was valued at only that amount.
As the mages scanned the artifact’s mana structure, they all turned to look at the Black Tower Master.
"Hey, Black Tower Master. This seems to be wrapped in necromantic magic, doesn’t it?"
"Necromantic magic?"
"Yeah. It looks like the interior was sealed with necromantic magic to prevent observation. Can you undo it?"
"Hah. What do you take me for? Hand it over."
A young-looking woman clicked her tongue and reached out for the artifact.
As if to prove her status as an archmage, a massive amount of necromantic mana began seeping into the artifact.
"Sealed with necromantic magic, huh… It’s certainly an interesting method, but foolish."
"Foolish?"
"Necromantic magic has a relatively wide range, right?"
"Of course. Isn’t that why your tower always gets crushed in magic duels?"
"Shut your mouth. Anyway, because it covers a broad area, its density is relatively low. That makes it inefficient as security magic. It’s especially easy to interfere with if you’re up against another high-level necromancer… Wait, what?"
As she tried to breach the necromantic security on the artifact while explaining like a professor teaching a student, her expression grew puzzled.
"What’s wrong? What happened?"
"Hold on."
The Black Tower Master frowned as she touched the artifact again.
Then she tilted her head.
"What’s with this magic structure?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Is this really necromantic magic? The mana used is necromantic, but… the method is entirely different…."
Despite her status as an archmage, meaning she was above the 6th Circle, she couldn’t comprehend it.
"What the heck… How is this barrier so tough?! There’s no way to interfere with it!"
They needed to break through the necromantic barrier to even get a glimpse of the artifact’s interior.
The Black Tower Master furrowed her brow, determined as if her pride was on the line, and tried desperately.
"Using this method? No, that’s not it. Maybe if I try it this way…."
Despite racking her brain and attempting every method she knew, there was no solution.
The core mana was necromantic, and even its source was the same, so why couldn’t she understand it?
It was like someone claiming “1+1 equals 3” rather than 2—her knowledge and logic were being completely overturned, leaving her expression increasingly grim.
Of course, the other mages waited in silence, knowing they couldn’t verify the interior without bypassing the necromantic barrier.
After much deliberation, she finally spoke.
"There’s one thing I’m sure of."
"What’s that?"
"There’s no way to figure this out right now."
With that, she examined the artifact from different angles.
And then she said:
"There’s nothing here I can immediately understand. We need to conduct a proper study."
Crash!!
At that moment, the other mages rushed in to restrain her.
"Don’t pull any tricks, Black Tower Master."
"Where do you think you’re taking that?"
"Damn it! I told you I need to examine it! I’ll return it after just a little look!"
"Who gave you permission? Hey! Someone restrain this crazy woman!"
"Argh! No! At least let me figure out who made it!"
Though they might appear dignified and composed to the outside world, these mages were clearly thirsty for new knowledge.
Even if it leaned more toward magitech than traditional magic.
* * *
Although the artifact could be used individually, the new feature added this time made it even more popular.
"So, this is how it’s done."
In the early prototype stages, each artifact could only be used by one person.
But this new version was different.
One artifact could now be used by up to five people simultaneously.
There were several reasons for the innovation.
One was that Aurora’s Planetaria Trading Company had increased its supply of materials.
Another was the expansion of possibilities thanks to the fusion of magitech and necromantic magic.
It was an ordinary day.
The teleportation gate’s safety inspection was nearing completion, and it was about to be connected to other regions.
[Lord Leon, this is High Priest Nabel.]
A letter arrived from Nabel, the one who had once introduced herself as a self-proclaimed High Priest.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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