CH 280.2

The Smart sisters have opposite personalities. Liz is innocent, impulsive, and sometimes mature, while Sytry is rational, firm, and sometimes childlike. And Sytry prefers to give rather than to be given something. This must be one of the reasons why she is successful as an Alchemist.

I also like Liz, who pulls me by the arm and forcibly drags me around when I am lazy, but Sytry, who accelerates my uselessness, was a comfort to me (By the way, it goes without saying that Anthem is the one that gives me the most sense of security. Was it because of Liz and Sytry, who is such a lively duo, that they were able to create an older brother with such a reliable personality?).

I ate a meal prepared by Sytry, who was in a great mood and decorated with multiple Relics, and then laze around while watching Kilkill-kun do his gymnastics.

Sytry remained *niconico* smiling the whole time. I feel like I don’t need an escort since I have no intention of leaving the room, but apparently, it was a nice refresher for her.

When I made a big yawn, Sytry *sowasowa* fidgety approached me.

“Come to think of it, Cry-san――Look at this! I heard what you said yesterday and brought some research materials!” (Sytry)

“Research materials? Of what?” (Cry)

“It is a compilation of evil curses. It is a special compilation of dangerous phenomena, evil cursed items, etc. discovered so far, and not available on the market. For you Cry-san, I worked very, very hard to steal――To take it outside of the institution!!” (Sytry)

What the hell is with that dangerous book――I am fine with you being excited…… But I didn’t ask for it!!

If you put such a thick book with a disastrous binding, as if it were cursed, on the desk, I feel like something will creep on me from behind.

“…… If I pick out one that I want, will you give it to me?” (Sytry)

I won’t give it to you. Apparently, it seems that another strange rumor is circulating again. It is the same for Franz-san, but what in the world do you think I am?

“Most cursed items are hidden. And just knowing its existence is dangerous. This is a really rare book. I did this for Cry-san, only for Cry-san.” (Sytry)

Sytry frequently emphasizes that it is for my sake, but even I, a Relic collector, have no interest in cursed items.

I didn’t know anything about the magic sword Eliza brought, so it was inevitable. Besides, evil curses you say――.

I am curious about what Sytry, who is always so serious, wants, but there is no way a cursed item would be lying around in the Imperial Capital in the first place.

Wasn’t using it prohibited by law? I think you are in the clear if you just possess it, tho’? Well, items with disadvantages do have high abilities.

Sytry *surisuri* rubbed my neck. I put my hand on my chin and opened the book to a random page.

The illustration was of an ominous tree that was completely black from its trunk to its branches and leaves. And I read the text on the page.

“Lemme see, lemme see. The Black World Tree――It was created as a replacement for the mysterious, one and only, World Tree in the world. Unlike the World Tree, which draws its power from the earth’s veins and circulates it throughout the world, the Black World Tree is a legacy of a magical civilization that attacks life and drains it of its magical power. It is said that when the Black World Tree fully grows, it will take root and transform everything inside a thousand kilometers radius into a magical wasteland where no Magic can pass.” (Cry)

“When you can’t use Magic, the whole civilization will change.” (Sytry)

“I see………… It is not a big deal. Well, I don’t need it tho’……” (Cry)

It is not like I can use Magic. That is quite a problem if I can’t charge my Relics, but――When you say Cursed Item, you will think that it will cause a lot of casualties but it seems that it is not always necessarily the case.

The World Tree is a legendary divine tree. It is said to be the finest material for wands and boasts an immense amount of magical power amplification that surpasses that of Relics, but the truth is unknown. I have heard that there is a single tree that still grows in the deepest part of the great forest managed by “Spirit People (Noble)”, and that it is the object of Spirit People’s faith, but this is a doubtful story. Lapis and the others told me that they have never seen it.

But wouldn’t this picture… Wouldn’t the Black World Tree make the Spirit People furious if they saw it? Is it on point?

Now, by the way, what was on Sytry’s mind already?

Just as I was about to check that with my childhood friend, who couldn’t help but have her eyes twinkling, the door opened vigorously.

It was Eva with a bloodless expression that came in. And almost at the same time, the Symphonic Stone on the desk that Franz-san had given me started to shake.

“It is terrible, Cry-san! The Zebrudia Magic Academy has been destroyed by an unidentified giant monster!” (Eva)

“Haah? What are you saying all of sudden――” (Cry)

The Zebrudia Magic Academy is the best Magic school in the Empire. It is also the institution to which the teacher to whom Lucia is an apprentice belongs.

The site is vast, and the school buildings are very tough and protected by many magical barriers, making it one of the safest places in the Imperial Capital. It is impossible for it to be attacked and destroyed by monsters. That place will be safe even if a dragon attacks, you know.

It must be misinformation. Many high-level Hunters as well as renowned magicians are affiliated with that place. They are not on the same scale as Thawne Rowell’s swordsmanship dojo.

In the first place, there is no way a huge monster or anything like that could have entered the Imperial Capital. Sytry and Kilkill-kun are also staring in wonder.

Eva came close, breathless, and hit the desk vigorously, trying to say something――When suddenly she looked at the picture on the page of the book I had just opened and screamed in a shocked voice.

“It, it………… It is this!!! It looks just like this!!” (Eva)

Oh boy, I am having trouble understanding you. What are you so excited about?

The Symphonic Stone keeps shaking while I am talking with her and it is very noisy. Franz-san is persistent too, what business does he have? I am busy right now.

When I took a deep breath to calm myself down, I made a serious expression and said.

“Eva, this isn’t a monster, it is a cursed item, you know.” (Cry)

“Who cares about that! Look, there――!” (Eva)

Eva goes around and points out the window. I have no choice but to get up and look out the window alongside Sytry.

Beyond the building, in the far distance, I saw something jet-black that should not have been there before. The fact that I could see it through the building means that it was quite large.

As I rub my eyes, Sytry *tsuntsun* pokes me in the shoulder.

“It is not a big deal. Right, Cry-san!” (Sytry)

“………… Un, un, that’s right.” (Cry)

It is not a big deal and by the way, this is completely irrelevant to me.

Eh? What? I have to go there? ………… Well, it is true that Lucia might be there.