CHAPTER 73 THE GREAT SAGES RESEARCH

Oh! I see now But doesnt it all feel a little too surreal?

Merc gave Astard, who asserted his own point with a confident expression on his face, a puzzled look and expressed exactly what she thought without sugarcoating her words.

The theory presented by the Chulice Empires Dr. seemed reasonable.

The theory had not been broadly acknowledged when it was initially introduced, and Merc had not fully grasped it even during her time as Estert. Nonetheless, she was able to recall the sensation of her vanquished opponents Mana being transferred to her as Life Force based on her own experiences.

However

The unexpected notions about the soul and how it had wandered till her reincarnation were still difficult for her to swallow. Given that this was not a myth or fable; it was fair that Merc cast Astard a skeptical glance.

W-Whats with that look?

Astard frowned bitterly at Merc after catching her gaze.

When Astard was wearing a hood over his face, his visage appeared unusually terrifying and intimidating, but now that he looked like a young girl, it didnt have the same effect.

Merc shrugged her shoulders and averted her gaze.

So what? I just thought, Thats the Great Sage for you, since you spoke so confidently about theories that are full of holes.

Good grief Didnt I mention at the start that this was only a hypothesis and that I couldnt prove it or provide evidence? Id like you to understand, however, that that is the most likely scenario. Its because your Life Force increased that you reincarnated as an elf, which is known to have long lifespans.

Is that really the case? Whatever the case may be, the fact that I was reincarnated as an elf girl wont change. In the first place, I never hoped to expose the truth.

Merc was skeptical of the hypothesis that Astard was so enthusiastic about, regardless of how much he favored it. Nonetheless, this was a chanced reunion.

Merc decided to settle the matter at a suitable time, rather than making too much fun of Astard and greatly worsening his mood.

Apart from that, just what are you doing here? You mentioned someone named Count Fonan You havent gotten yourself involved in anything suspicious, have you?

How rude. Im only conducting study on a certain topic in partnership with a certain individual; Im not doing anything wrong

Tell me whos that certain individual. Does it have anything to do with the Gai over there who are busy gathering magical stones?

Astard averted his eyes to avoid Mercs, but his expression remained unchanged. Merc approached him and pressed her palms against both of Astards cheeks, forcing him to turn around so she could ask him a question.

Please dont do this with that face of yours. Its weird to be approached by a girl like this

Look at you flapping your mouth, even though you have a girls face! To begin with, because you only have eyes for the Saintess, you dont give a damn no matter how many gorgeous ladies approach you.

I guess youre right Fine then. If its you I think I can trust you.

Astard took Mercs hands off his cheeks, gave a slight nod, and started speaking.

Just now I explained the Principle of the Strong to you. The thing where people or Magic Beasts can absorb the Mana of those they defeat as Life Force. If thats the case, dont you think itd be easier to increase ones Life Force if there was a means to get magical power without having to defeat others?

Magic Stones?

Correct. My companion and I believed that Magic Stones might be used to gain Life Force.

A Gai who had been gathering Magic Stones from the rock walls on the fifth level came racing with a basket on his back at the same moment as Astard nodded his head.

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It then placed the basket in front of them. Inside were a plethora of recently obtained Magic Stones. They were gleaming and glistening, like gems of various colors and sizes.

The Magic Stones inside the Dungeons are imbued with magic power. Although the nature and amount of magic power housed in each variety of stone varies, they are mostly employed as a conduit for magic by magicians.

I know. They are also useful as ornaments. There are occasions when you might want to carry a Magic Stone with a specific effect as an accessory and utilize it when needed. Experienced adventurers used to do this often.

That is correct. There are even Transmission Magic Stones that have been put to practical use and have a plethora of applications today.

Astard stated, his arms crossed, as though approving of Mercs response. Merc, for her part, tilted her head.

So? Is your research on extracting power from Magic Stone doing well? In the first place, what are you going to do with that power? Youre not going to abuse it, are you?

Estert. Do you really view me as that sort of person?

No. Im sure you wouldnt do something like that Your partner, on the other hand Can he be trusted?

Hearing that one of her former companions was being led around by the nose was unpleasant for Merc.

It was inconceivable that Astard was being exploited by others since he was such a brilliant researcher to the point of being nicknamed the Great Sage and had a strong interest in magic and sorcery.

Although, he may be rather foolish at times

Astard, on the other hand, merely shrugged off Mercs concerns.

He can. To begin with, he isnt conducting this research in order to get power from the Magic Stones. He only thought of it when he was attempting to figure out what had caused the calamity.

What caused the calamity? Which calamity are you talking about? The research of which calamity would lead to the conclusion that Magic Stones can increase Life Force?

Oh my! Is it really so difficult to figure out?

Astard gave Merc an intentionally skeptical look, as if mocking her for still not understanding what he was talking about.

Whether he was pleased to have the upper hand or it was a comeback to Mercs earlier mockery, Astards grin, which he couldnt suppress, was quite off-putting.

It is.

As Merc mumbled nonchalantly, Astard shook his head exaggeratedly.

Urgh, how annoying.

Good grief Listen closely then. This calamity occurs every few centuries or so, and it can even wipe out entire kingdoms. It has claimed many lives, and the most recent one took place around a dozen years ago. Do you still dont know what Im talking about?

I don Wait You cant possibly mean

That is correct. The calamity that my friend was investigating is the emergence of the Falgaro1.

Astard, with a smirk on his face, was referring to an occurrence that could easily be classified as a tragedy.