Chapter 212.2
Underground library had three areas: an archive room where Welner and Lily read books, a secret chamber where Juliane’s soul was sealed and a room from which the capital’s barrier was operated.
Although the city barrier was operated from a separate chamber in the underground library, magic circles that were drawn for that purpose were quite large, and thus they even spread out to the archive room where Welner and Lily read books.
Because of tight security, it must be really difficult for Juliane to mess with the chamber from which the city barrier was operated. Thus, Welner and team decided to focus on the other areas while trying to find the issue with the barrier.
Welner noticed that one of the shelves of the archive room seemed to have been moved recently, so they decided to check that area first.
It turned out that the magic circles were also drawn on floors and the original purpose of the carpet was to protect them.
And the magic circle painted on that section was indeed damaged. This was probably done to keep it from being discovered until the attack on the royal capital. Although the floor itself was not badly damaged, part of the magic circle had been erased.
The Mage Captain and researchers turned pale when they saw this. Even if a magic circle could be drawn, there was no way to draw it without knowing what kind of pattern it had been. The researchers were about to examine the data when Lily, who had received permission to enter the archives and see the magic circles, spoke up.
[It looks familiar to me. I can roughly tell what kind of patterns were drawn on it.]
Of course, Lily was not familiar with magic circles. However, the design of this magic circle was the same as the one on the floor of the place where Juliane had abducted her. She had no idea what the lines meant, but she remembered the approximate shape of a picture or pattern.
Even though she could only make out the general lines, once she knew that much, she immediately informed researchers about it.
Investigators were immediately dispatched to check the details. As a result, it was determined that the magic circle that had been erased could be restored by investigating the magic circle in the ruins.
“The normal barriers are designed to repel monsters from approaching, but it seems that by supplying a large amount of magic power with that magic circle, the strength of the city walls can also be improved.”
“I didn’t realize that the water and sewage systems of the royal capital themselves were part of a larger barrier.”
It was enough to make the Mage Captain laugh when he discovered that as soon as the magic circle was restored, the magic tool researchers immediately started organizing and discussing details without regard to the ongoing battle. “Hmm, does that mean that it – what had been sealed in the underground of the royal capital – was resurrected and damaged the barrier before the demon king’s resurrection?”
“The other party said so.”
Knowing that the war was going in the Kingdom’s favor so far, Lily, who was asked about the situation back and forth, albeit briefly, managed to finish explaining the situation, though her voice was somewhat trembling in front of the King, and let out a small sigh of relief.
There was no doubt that she was somewhat puzzled as to why she was here. However, from the perspective of the kingdom’s upper echelons, she was one of the most important people in the kingdom, and therefore, it was safer for her to be here. In this sense, there was some gap in perception.
“I didn’t realize that one of the Demon Generals (Juliane) had been revived before the Demon King’s resurrection.”
“About that, it appears that the other party (Juliane) was not a Demon General.”
Royal Guard Deputy Commander Goretzka, who was present with Lily, interjected. The King and the Prime Minister looked at Goretzka, and Goretzka explained that he could not find a black gem that remained after defeating a Demon General.
The King and the ministers agreed that it was a different entity from Demon Generals, keeping in mind that it (Juliane) also melted at the end.
“The priestess (Juliane) who brought about the Demon King’s resurrection…shall we call her a Demon Priestess?”
“Mm. How she escaped from the underground library itself is still unclear, though.”
Lily and Goretzka each have a complicated expression on their faces at the ministers’ comments. From their point of view, it would not be a good thing for them to mention Juliane’s name in the presence of other ministers who didn’t know about the situation, so they had to explain the situation in a somewhat vague manner.
Of course, it was agreed that detailed information would be given at a later date, but it was certain that there were people who wanted to hear some simple information. It was also true that, especially for the nobles and ministers who are not directly involved in the defense of the royal capital, curiosity took precedence since there was nothing to do currently.
“Did Viscount Zeavert say anything about that?” (King)
“He seemed to be aware of something, but I didn’t have an opportunity to ask him about it in detail…”
Lily answered the King’s question with a bow of her head. The king nodded. The situation being what it was, it seemed inevitable. As soon as the King spoke further, the entire building vibrated loudly. Screams leaked out from nearby areas were loud enough to be heard even in the conference room where the King and ministers were having a meeting.
“What happened?”
“I’ll find out immediately.”
One of the knights who had been ordered to investigate left the room and soon returned. He said that a number of windows in the corridor had been broken, and that some people had been injured as a result.
“Was there a break-in?”
“No, I think it was probably the result of some kind of large-scale magic.”
“Be on the alert, just in case.”
“Yes.”