Great Mage Eibon
The lowest level. It looked like a temple. There stood a temple-like structure made of something resembling clean, white marble, and for some reason, a magic furnace was placed there. It was the same type as the initial model I created. Well, if you study history, the initial type is something everyone tries to make because you can imagine its function from its appearance. It's the least expandable structure, though.
Anon was quite excited, not expecting to find a magic furnace.
But we all had a "sigh~” expression. After all, we had already installed one in the castle's basement. We're currently in the process of manufacturing a high-output magic furnace. We're at the stage of soaking the core magic gem in a special solution for processing, so there's nothing to do for now.
"Why aren’t you surprised, Alice?! That thing is worth a country! Every magician wants to research it, right?"
"That thing has no potential for development. Besides, we can't exactly take it back with us. Ostland would claim rights to it."
"Well, it is a discovery of the century, but I don't particularly want it."
"Yeah, it's valuable, but it doesn't hold any special appeal to me."
"There's nothing here that catches Missy’s eye. If we could bring it back, we would, but Ostland certainly wouldn't let it go."
There's no way they would let that thing go. It's one of the three great inventions of the world. Once found, it would be sent to the national research institute for analysis. Even His Majesty wouldn’t be able to hold back his subordinates on this matter. The nobles and magicians would definitely cause a huge commotion. Well, it's probably the power source of this dungeon. There's likely a golem repair workshop somewhere that's being powered by it.
“Huh? I-I mean, it's a magic furnace, right? I don't understand its potential, but it's an amazing thing, no?”
"It is amazing. I never thought one still existed. But what I really want is that grimoire placed on the altar over there... though it's protected by a barrier. And that skeleton hiding behind it is probably the final boss, isn't it? Don't be fooled by its appearance; it's likely Eibon himself."
"What!?"
Then, the skeleton, which thought it was hidden behind the altar, came out. It wore a robe with black as the base color, embroidered with gold and silver, and held a golden staff. Unlike an ordinary skeleton, its movements were smooth.
"Hohoho, so you noticed me? Indeed, I am Eibon. I never expected to meet another Great Mage."
"I'm a magician, though."
"What!? A magician with such immense magic power? Has the world progressed so much while I was confined underground!?"
"No, in Alice's case, it's because she's still young."
"Is that so?"
I thought that building the airship would earn me the title of Mage or Great Mage, but it turns out it's just because of my age. Grr... my grand plan to become a Great Mage and escape my Mother's punishment... It seems I have no choice but to build a temple in the sky to demonstrate my power.
"Oh? You really are as young as you look?"
"Yes."
"I see. But that’s such a foolish thing. Age, gender, birth—none of these matter before magic.
Don't you feel frustrated? Being forced to remain a magician with such enormous magic power... no, it's not just that. You have the eye to command the spirits and yet you remain a mere magician."
"I want to become a Great Mage!! That way, I can escape my Mother's punishments!!"
I declared with my chest puffed out. There is no other reason for me to become a Great Mage.
"Aiming to become a Great Mage for such a reason is truly unprecedented... Please think of a better reason."
"Well, in Alice’s case, the only people she considers a threat are her Mother and the Madame."
"They should just acknowledge it already. There's no way a life of normal princess would suit Missy."
"Pff, ahahahahaha."
Anon burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. How rude!!
"Sorry, sorry. But such a reason, ahaha. It is important to Alice, though."
"... It's a bold and fearless objective that might incur the wrath of the world's Great Mages. But you don't seem too dissatisfied with your current state. So, what brings you here? Unfortunately, I can't offer you tea. It's long since withered away."
"I came to view your grimoire, Great Predecessor."
The grimoire was left open on the altar. The magic furnace next to it was of no interest to me.
Eibon, looking surprised, recoiled.
"Hoho. You're not interested in my magic furnace? You haven't shown the slightest interest in it."
"It's a waste of time to research it. It's based on an already completed theory. In a way, it's an ancient trap. Even if you create it, it has no potential for further development. If I'm going to create something, I have to research it from scratch myself."
At this, Eibon clapped his hands. It seemed that if I had tried to take it, he wouldn't have acknowledged my abilities. My perspective was correct.
"Hohoho, indeed, this is a worthless creation with no potential for development. It took me about 100 years to produce this, but it was a waste of research. How many times I was frustrated with it. To think a girl of about ten years could see through it... Did you also create one?"
"What!? Alice, you made one!?"
"Of course. It was a good way to kill time. Now I'm developing a new magic furnace. I might as well take you along."
"Hohoho, to think my hundred years would be so thoroughly disrespected. But you've done so well that I can only feel admiration for you. Indeed, you could fulfill my wish. However!! You must undergo a trial. If you can defeat the monster I summon, you may take the magic furnace, the grimoire, or even me, as you please.
Come forth, envoy of purgatory. Gatekeeper of Hell, Demon Lord."
A massive magic circle appeared before us and Eibon, and from it emerged a giant demon lord with a ram's head and bat's wings.
"This is bad. The Demon Lord is an S-rank disaster-class demon. Half-hearted magic won't work. It's a nemesis for Missy."
"Step back. This is my trial. Besides, if it's the Demon Lord, I'm more its nemesis."
Everyone looked at me with astonished faces. Indeed, according to the literature, half-hearted magic wouldn't work on it, and it boasts high physical resistance. If we fight it head-on, we would need a hero of my Father's caliber to prevent a country from being destroyed. I never thought Eibon would use a demon. But if this is a trial to obtain the grimoire, it's only logical for me to clear it.
I'll have my brother deal with Eibon if he tries to join the battle.
"... You don't intend to die, do you? Fine, I will deal with Eibon. Lord Grantz, give me that. Let's finish this quickly."
"Indeed. Honestly, it'll be an easy victory with that."
"It seems you've forgotten that I am also a Great Mage, though my body has decayed. Moreover, defeating a Demon Lord with a single magician is an incredibly difficult task. Spirit magic is certainly a threat, especially the light spirits, but her spirit isn't that high-ranking. I won't kill her, but her future will be bleak."
"Alice isn't that naive."
What do you think about this chapter?
