Yuric visited the research laboratory of Mage Adele. Upon entering, he saw two desks placed against each side wall with piles of books stacked like mountains. Typically, historians have difficulty achieving results in their research and thus rarely get approved for a research room, so it was noted that several mages share one research room like this.
Among them, Mage Adele was the owner of the second desk on the right. She had messy red curly hair and a cute face.
Adele frowned as she read a magic book and scribbled something intensely. Her cheeks hollowed as she sucked on her cigarette, clearly not a novice at this.
When Yuric arrived at the research room, the old mage sitting at the neighboring desk lightly tapped on her desk. Then, he gestured subtly to indicate that a guest had arrived.
With wide eyes, Adele quickly stubbed out her cigarette in an ashtray and looked at Yuric. It was obvious that a handsome mage like him would be quite a shock, especially since she knew her current appearance was rather disheveled.
Adele quickly turned around, roughly tidied up her hair with her hand, and straightened her disheveled clothes. Then, she looked back at Yuric.
“Ah, yes… Who are you?”
“My name is Yuric. You are Mage Adele Reigenstein, correct?”
Yuric extended his hand amicably. Adele shook it gently up and down when she clasped it.
“Yes, that’s right… What brings you here?”
“I have some questions about dragon knights. Do you think you can respond?”
During her time studying at the magic academy, there were a few people who came asking about dragon knights, but this was the first time since she entered the research lab in the Magic Tower. It had been about five years. Since then, she had become a recognized expert, and this was her first visitor.
“Oh, of course. Just a moment. The seating…”
It was impossible for there to be space for another person in such a cramped place. Adele was pondering whether to give up her seat when Yuric asked if they could walk and talk instead. He could tell that there was no space for him to sit either.
“Yes, that works.”
Thus, Yuric and Adele left the shared research room and began to slowly walk down the corridor. Although she was bothered by her disheveled appearance, she had no choice.
“Are you the descendant of the last dragon knight, Lord Reigenstein?”
“You know about that!”
“I read a history book about dragon knights. It said that after about two hundred years ago, the lineage of dragon knights was severed.”
“It’s a sad story. But what can we do? Due to the strained relationship between humans and dragons, there has been no further interaction. Even during its heyday, seeing a dragon knight was rare because it meant the dragon gave everything to humans.”
“I see.”
Yuric guided Adele to a tea shop inside the Magic Tower. He then sat in a deeper corner and ordered snacks and tea for her.
“There’s no need to go through all this trouble…”
“It’s fine. Listening to your knowledge accumulated from long-term research is worth it.”
Mage Yuric was as courteous as he was handsome. Adele, who had never received such treatment before, felt a strange mix of emotions… honestly, it was pleasant. Especially given the common ground they shared about dragon knights!
“So, when did dragon knights first appear?”
“The earliest record is seven hundred years ago, after the war against the demons had been ongoing for some time. There were quite a few dragon knights for about three hundred years after that. It’s said that during its peak, there were around thirty.”
“That’s more than I thought.”
“The ancient magicians and dragon knights played a significant role in reclaiming this much of the continent from the demons. However, due to deteriorating relations with the dragon race, the number of dragon knights began to decline. Unfortunately, my ancestor was the last dragon knight. Even the earth dragons, which were friendly towards humans, no longer interact with us.”
Yuric took a sip of his tea and then asked about Arcanum.
“I’ve heard about Arcanum. It’s said to be a group formed by dragon knights.”
“You’ve done a lot of research. Yes, Arcanum is a group of dragon knights.”
“The records say that the lineage ended with Lord Reigenstein, but I heard there were traces of activity until thirty years ago.”
When Yuric mentioned this, Adele’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I heard this from Senior Mage Oromor. He also introduced me to you.”
“Oh, that makes sense… Yes, until thirty years ago, we managed to maintain some continuity.”
“What’s the situation now?”
“It’s broken off. No one has continued to maintain Arcanum since then.”
“But how well do you know about Arcanum?”
Adele’s expression changed oddly.
“…My father alone carried on the lineage of Arcanum. Of course, the bloodline is diluted, but he was still nominally the last dragon knight’s relative. And, my father passed away when I was just a baby. That was about thirty years ago.”
“I’m sorry. I must have brought up painful memories.”
“No, it’s been a long time.”
Adele waved her hand dismissively.
“In fact, my father was a mage who specialized in researching dragon knights. I inherited his research.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Yes, but they have no interest in dragon knights. They’re not mages either.”
“I see… So, where is the headquarters of Arcanum located?”
“It’s in the central region of the continent, in Ronadium, the city with the mage tower.”
Upon hearing the name Ronadium, Yuric’s eyes lit up. He couldn’t possibly miss it; it was his destination.
The reason the headquarters of the dragon knights was there might be to facilitate communication with ancient mages.
“Yes, I know.”
“I found out it’s somewhere in Ronadium, but the exact location hasn’t been discovered yet. My father tried hard to find it, but he never succeeded… It’s said that access to the meeting place of Arcanum requires draconic language magic. In other words, it has become a mysterious place that no one has accessed since the last dragon knight.”
“It would be a tremendous research achievement if found.”
“It certainly would be.”
Adele’s eyes became distant.
“It would draw a line in the history of historiography. The revival of a two-hundred-year gap in history… Well, since dragon knights have disappeared, it’s nothing more than a dream.”
Yuric nodded.
“Then, what would happen if a new dragon knight were to appear?”
“There would be a commotion. A human who can communicate with dragons? Perhaps it could improve our relationship with the earth dragons. And Arcanum would rise again.”
Just thinking about it made Adele shiver slightly. As a specialist in dragon knights, such a moment would be utterly exhilarating.
“Of course, it’s just speculation. The relationship between humans and the dragon race has been severed for hundreds of years. We’ve come too far to turn back. Dragon knights won’t appear anymore.”
“But why do you continue to research dragon knights?”
“That’s…”
Adele’s gaze dropped. She recalled her father’s words, written in a book she could barely remember.
-“Dragon knights will surely be reborn. The one who continues my research, even though I may not witness that moment, you might see it.”
-“My beloved youngest daughter, Adele. I’m sorry. I couldn’t fulfill my role as a father and leave like this. Be happy. Please be happy.”
“I couldn’t end my father’s research.”
“…That’s admirable determination.”
“It might be stubbornness. After all, I’m the daughter of a specialist mage. Thanks to that, I suffer like this.”
Adele smiled sadly.
Yuric found it hard to offer comfort. How could he ease her loss?
However, he could offer this:
“I’ll definitely find the headquarters of Arcanum.”
Adele smiled faintly. She thought Yuric was trying to comfort her. He was indeed a considerate and kind man.
“I hope so, Mr. Yuric.”
Yuric realized Adele misunderstood his words but chose not to clarify. There was indeed a comforting intention behind it.
“Then, let’s meet again, Miss Adele.”
“Yes, it was a pleasure talking to you.”
After their conversation, they shook hands. Before leaving, Yuric bought a lot of snacks and handed them to her, saying to eat them whenever she had time while working on her research.
“Why are you doing this…”
“Because I learned a lot from you. This is my way of repaying you.”
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy eating them.”
They parted ways.
Adele thought this was the last time they would meet, but Yuric felt he would see her again soon.
“…I hope you’ve been well.”
Having finished his business at the Magic Tower, Yuric stayed one more day at Lake Inn before leaving Bemberg early the next morning.
The morning mist in Bemberg was still dreamy. He felt as if he was walking in a dream.
After leaving Bemberg, the journey became swift and comfortable.
The Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps escorted caravans and made a decent living. Since they charged much less than market rates, the caravans naturally welcomed them with open arms.
And after departing from Bemberg for exactly one month and fifteen days,
Ah—Yuric couldn’t help but stare at the massive and majestic mage tower towering in the center of the city.
A collection of all knowledge on the continent.
A place where anything could be bought or sold, the city of mages.
A place where a thousand years of magic history still thrives.
Finally, Yuric arrived at the city of the mage tower, 【Ronadium】.
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