Magician in Type-Moon

Page 465

"About you."

"And your magic."

The air seemed to freeze suddenly, and all the clues converged in that instant.

Chapter 520 Location of the Temple

Kiz's upright profile revealed an emotion that was hard to discern as either joy or interest.

It's an attitude somewhere between casual and serious, like a seasoned traveler who finds a rather interesting pebble in the desert.

Perhaps sensing Matou Ike's provocative gaze, he slightly raised an eyebrow; such a look was perhaps not common for him.

"Tell me about it, Matou."

Kiz spoke, his tone calm, as if to say, "Then I accept your challenge."

Matou Ike smiled slightly, as if he had already anticipated his reaction, his tone calm but sharp.

"I've had this question for a long time."

"Hmm, heh, heh." Kiz chuckled, seemingly enjoying the conversation. "What question?"

"You are so beautiful."

Matou Ike spoke slowly, his tone completely calm, as if he were simply stating a common fact.

But those words subtly changed the atmosphere in the room for a moment.

Kiz blinked, looking somewhat confused.

"Although it's a bit inappropriate to use the word 'beautiful' to describe a man, it seems perfectly natural to describe you."

"...What does that mean? Are you praising me?"

Kiz tilted his head, as if he was genuinely confused.

However, Matou Ike simply shook her head indifferently.

"No. That means something else."

He looked up and stared directly at Kiz, then slowly said—

"Beauty can also be magic."

Before anyone could recover from Matouike's words, Isilid froze.

As a descendant of Kiz, she is also the person who, apart from Bai Ruolong, can best understand Kiz at this moment.

His pupils contracted slightly, as if struck by a sudden realization, and he even subconsciously held his breath.

"...How could that be? You mean..."

Matou Ike nodded slightly, and without keeping her in suspense, said directly:

"Kiz, the magician of the Wandering Sea, possesses beauty that is a byproduct of some great magic trick."

After those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze for a moment.

Kiz's smile didn't disappear, but an empty look appeared on his handsome face, as if he were reminiscing about some distant moment, or confirming that he hadn't forgotten something.

"……hehe."

He neither affirmed nor denied it.

He simply chuckled softly, "An interesting hypothesis."

It's not "reasoning," but a "hypothesis."

Matou Ike understood.

Kitz is emphasizing that this is not a game between a detective and a murderer, or even a confrontation between a detective and a victim, but a contest between two magicians.

"Hmm, ha, ha." Kiz laughed again, as if enjoying the process.

Then, he looked at Matou Pond with great interest.

"So, what magic trick do you think it is?"

"The hint is a dispute between Ruolong and Van Fem, who made a contract with you."

Kiz raised an eyebrow slightly, a lazy smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, as if he had heard some interesting gossip.

"Oh, is that so?" He asked in a light tone, as if he were hearing it for the first time.

Of course, he was still dead until just now, so he naturally wouldn't know such a thing.

Bai Ruolong, whose name was called, slightly turned her head and closed one eye, seemingly unwilling to explain further. Van Fem was silent for a moment, then sat back down in her chair, clasped her hands together, and gestured for Matou Ike to continue.

“Van Fem seems to have inquired about the location of the temple,” Matou Ike said calmly. “In contrast, Bai Ruolong flatly refused, stating that she absolutely could not reveal it. As a result, the two almost came to blows, which has given Monaco a real headache.”

"Heh, heh." Kiz chuckled softly, a cryptic glint in his eyes. "Truly loyal. But what does that have to do with me?"

Matou Ike stared at him, then suddenly asked:

"What is most beautiful for a magician in the age of mythology?"

There was a brief silence in the room.

Kiz's smile faltered slightly, and his breath seemed to falter for a moment.

"...Are you asking this question?" His voice was lower than before, with a hint of interest.

"Is it weird?"

"Yes, of course it's strange."

Kiz tilted his head, gazing at Matou Ike, but the smile in his eyes gradually faded:

“In this day and age, there are still magicians who are not focused on modern magic, but have such a persistent interest in the magic of the mythical era. You have already mastered ‘power’, but you are not satisfied and even try to pursue the magic of the ancient times.”

"Power is just the foundation," Matou Ike said matter-of-factly. "Without the corresponding magic, even the most powerful treasure is nothing but a dusty piece of trash."

Kiz nodded thoughtfully, as if agreeing with Matouike's deduction.

Matou Ike paused slightly, then continued:

“It is only natural that modern magicians build workshops.”

Temple.

The word echoed in the air, as if carrying a heavy, weighty meaning.

Just as modern magicians build workshops, magicians in the mythological era constructed temples. This is not merely a matter of "upward compatibility," but rather an inevitable consequence of the fundamental differences between modern magic and magic in the mythological era.

“I’ve heard that magic in the mythological era didn’t exist in isolation, but rather in stages,” Matou Ike said slowly, his tone calm yet sharp, pressing down with each step. “What we know is magic that forges contracts and connects with divine power. So, if that’s the case, the meaning of the ‘temple’ becomes clear.”

He gently raised one hand, his fingertips tracing the air almost imperceptibly, as if sketching some concept.

"In other words—that is the place to welcome the deities who made the pact and to readjust the connection."

As he finished speaking, Kiz narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Have you heard?” Kiz repeated the word meaningfully, then glanced at Medea standing on the other side.

Matouchi naturally understood what he meant.

Kiz speculated that Medea, as a magician from the Age of Gods, might be able to analyze his magic from a deeper level.

However, Matou Ike didn't stop. He simply looked directly at Kiz and posed a question:

"So, where will you set up the temple?"

His gaze was deep and unfathomable, as if he had seen through everything.

"Let me repeat the question from before." His voice was calm and unhurried, yet carried an undeniable force, "What is it that you should most strive to make beautiful?"

The air seemed to freeze for half a second.

"That is……"

Isilid opened his mouth, his voice soft but filled with disbelief.

He realized it.

The expressions of the other gamblers also changed, and shock appeared in their eyes, as if they had finally pieced together a complete puzzle.

Only Bai Ruolong, as if she had already seen through everything, sighed softly, raised her hand to cover her face, and looked like she thought, "Oh well, I knew it."

"It's only natural that you're beautiful."

Matouchi's words were like a pebble falling gently, yet they stirred up a storm on the calm lake.

"Because the temple is not outside of you."

He paused slightly, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"You yourself are the temple."

Chapter 521 Using Beauty as a Weapon

"uh-huh!"

Kiz let out a soft hum through his nose, a frivolous smile playing on his lips—a smile that seemed to be a mixture of pleasure and a hint of anticipation.

"How delightful, Matou. It's truly delightful."

His tone was playful, and his eyes flashed with a dangerous light.

"Hey, do you want to become my disciple from now on?"

The air seemed to freeze for a second.

"……what?"

Even Matou Ike, who was used to seeing all sorts of things, frowned slightly, revealing a hint of doubt.

"Since you understand this principle, you should be able to understand that magic in the mythological era is fundamentally different from modern magic."

Kiz slightly raised his chin, his voice carrying a certain condescending confidence.

"In other words, you can learn under my tutelage. You've seen those disciples who serve as 'proof,' haven't you?"

Matou Ike narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly nodded.