"I entered the inner section through the opposite side and that was the only area that wasn't enclosed by the flames back then. But by now, I'm sure that the flames have formed a closed border around the inner section."
Lumine had no reason to lie. Her words also explained why she was late. If she had to search for a path through the wall of flames it would've taken a lot of time.
'But who created this wall of flame?'
The exhaustion was robbing me of my ability to think. However, the answer to the question wasn't hard to get.
'Baratos spoke about 2 prophets who know facts unknown to common people. Prophet is word for people who know the future.'
The clues lined up. 'If I think of the treasure inside the inner section that the Baratos spoke about then it can only be Port. And 'she' is the only one who should know about the Port, other than me.'
Unknowingly, I pressed my middle finger and thumb together. 'That idiot Goddess! She is the one messing up my plan!'
From Baratos' words, it seemed that Melione was searching for me. Baratos mistook me for someone who kidnapped the 2nd Prophet and forced information out of him. So, he tried to take me out here.
'Baratos said, "Two weeks ago, the timing matches", thus Meliona also gained her memories around the same time as me. Yet, she is able to command the Holy Knight Commander.'
The conclusion gave me a headache.
'Melione reincarnated as a high-ranking nobility, a very high-ranking one at that. It must be Zagerus' doing.'
After Baratos was defeated to up till now, not even two minutes had passed. I stood up to go search for an exit. Even if Lumine said there was no path out, I couldn't waste my time sitting idle.
I let Lumine hold the baby Griffin and was about to move when she opened her mouth.
"Are you a descendant of Solomon?"
My body stiffened. Before I could react any further, Lumine shook her head.
"No, that was a foolish question. Forget it."
I nodded, but secretly I tightened my grip over the hilt of my sword and moved away from Lumine. But she must've noticed my actions. Her voice hurried to explain herself.
"Your appearance and ability are similar to how the Saviour Solomon has been described in the legends."
'Saviour Solomon?' This was the first time I heard such a title. Lumine continued to clear my confusion.
"You called yourself 'Demon' a while back, didn't you? They are the 72 generals of Solomon, that was why I thought…."
I turned to Lumine and said to her, "Daemons and Demons are two different beings."
Inwardly, I was also surprised and confused. Why had I called myself a Demon back then?
"But…" Lumine stretched her words and added a bit later. "Why do you know about Solomon? As far as I know, no human records of Ragnarok have any information about Solomon and Beyonders."
'Beyonders?' Another term that never appeared in the novel came up.
If it was a piece of minor information like the mana coating under the armor of knights, it would be understandable that I forgot about Beyonders.
However, for some reason, I felt that it was the opposite. Beyonders might be related to the reason the past Solomon, when he was at his peak, lost his powers.
'I want to ask her more about Solomon and Beyonder, but now's not the time.'
Lumine tried to stop me, "Where are you going? Didn't you hear what I said about the wall of flames?"
"I might have a way."
The black grimoire appeared in front of me.
—
<Contract>
<Level: 1>
<Cost: 1000 Magic Power>
<Slot: 1/1>
<Description: …..>
<Level Up Cost: 100,000 MP>
<Level 2 Benefits: The contractee can share their skills with the contractor.>
<Level 3 Benefits: Reverse Summoning. Increases Slots by 2.>
<Level 4 Benefits: Can revive a dead contractee.>
<Level 5 Benefits: ???>
—
The description of the skill was useless in this condition. My eyes focused on the Level 3 Contract benefits.
'Orca hasn't died, I can tell. He must've escaped to the other side of the walls of flame after waking up. If Reverse Summoning works like I think it does, then with it I can teleport to the other side where Orca is.'
The pages fluttered and I checked the total life points in my possession.
Name: Sol Lionel
Life Points: 3,57,286
Soul Points: 00
Occupation: Summoner
Occupation Level: Level 4
Summon Capacity: 5000
Accumulated Life Points to next Level: 3,92,836/1,000,000,000
'I hope this is enough.'
|| Would you like to upgrade Contract skill to level 2? ||
|| -100,000 Life Points ||
|| Congratulations, Contract level 2 learned ||
|| After reaching Contract level 2 'Favorability' has been unlocked ||
|| You can now use skills of your Contracted Summons ||
A new page added to the Grimoire. But I ignored it and focused on the requirements for Contract level 3.
—
<Contract> Level 2
Upgrade Cost: 250,000 Life Points
—
'Yes! I can upgrade it!'
Upgrading the Contract again would leave me with a paltry amount of Life Points. However, I upgraded without hesitation.
|| -250,000 Life Points ||
|| Congratulations, Contract level 3 learned ||
|| Contract Slots increased by 2 ||
|| Reverse Summoning Skill unlocked ||
—
<Reverse Summoning>
<Level: MAX>
<Cost: 1000 Magic Power>
<Description: The skill allows you to summon yourself to your Contracted Summon's side. Can be used once per day.>
—
The description confirmed that I could go to the opposite side of the wall of flames. I hurriedly went toward the unconscious Baratos and looted his items. A single plate of his armor and his beloved sword, Dainsleif.
Then I forced the blue zoa berries I had on me down the Baratos' throat. These berries could be used to create prank food but, if eaten raw, your skin would turn purple for the next 24 hours along with a severe migraine and fever.
It was a good substitute for a fake poison if you wanted to terrorize the enemies without harming the hostage. The only side effect was that eating raw Zoa causes severe diarrhea. I guess I'll restock later to feed Jae-sung, like I originally planned to do.
"Lumine, continue searching for a gap in the wall of flames. And come find me as soon as you do. Bring the Holy Knight Commander and the baby Griffin with you."
"Eh? Wait, what are you doing?"
"I have a way to leave."
"...."
Lumine didn't say anything. She seemed to be hesitating about something, but I didn't question her.
I was instead using extra MP to create a few summons for a battle. Chances weren't low that I might need to fight immediately after reverse summoning.
"Take this."
She suddenly stepped close to me and tied something around my neck. A pendant.
"It's a protection amulet capable of blocking one attack from an ascended rank."
'An item? But I can't check its details and ascended rank can mean anything above Master rank. I hope it can block Jae-sung's attack, who is Grandmaster. Though it would be better if I don't need to fight him.'
"I appreciate your concern, but are you sure about giving this to me?"
"Don't worry. I can't have you dying before you fulfill your side of the deal."
She also gave me a few of those healing fruits. I took them happily and shamelessly because eating them also restored my MP.
Taking a deep breath, I muttered. "Reverse Summoning."
I lost my eyesight, then the sense of touch, sense of taste, smell, and lastly sense of hearing escaped me. But before that, I heard Lumine advising me.
"The fruits won't restore your mana, but they can heal you. Make sure to not eat too many…."
Vupp—!
My surroundings changed.
