Book Eater

On the outskirts of the magic empire Meltor, a strange territory existed. There were no lords who existed there, and even magicians who weren’t afraid of nobles didn’t dare to approach. It was a territory that was impossible to enter or exit without permission.

That territory was the home of Theodore Miller, the Imperial Guardian.

In the past, it was known as the Miller Barony before it was devastated by the undead uproar, Death’s Worship.

However, the resulting scars were no longer visible. Theodore had directly intervened and enchanted the territory. Now, the soil had been revived and was much more abundant than before.

As such, on the hill that he once lived, a large and magnificent mansion was built. It served as the home of the Theodore family and as a villa for the Miller family.

On top of that, in the center of the mansion’s courtyard, a magnificent ash tree grew. It had sprouted from a seed that had been divided in half with Ellenoa.

It wasn’t the World Tree as expected, but its growth was rapid. Plus, the flowers that bloomed every year scattered a pleasant scent.

The tree not only promoted the growth and vitality of the surrounding animals and plants, but also had a beneficial effect on human health.

That tree was why the Miller siblings liked this house.

In a quiet room, the only sound was that of pen tips moving.

The epicenter of the noise was none other than Adellia and Verus, the siblings who had returned home for the holidays.

Verus had been quite diligent since the Pupil Tournament and was currently doing his vacation homework. Adellia, who had already achieved the 5th circle, was studying for the Superior qualification test and up on magic engineering. The thickness of the books piled up in a corner of the desk was truly terrible.

After studying for dozens more minutes, Verus’ concentration ran low and he put down his pen.

“Ahhh, I’m dying! How many hours has it been?”

Adellia answered without taking her eyes off the book.

“We started at 8:30 so it has been a bit over three hours.”

“...Sister, isn’t it hard for you? I’m more tired from this than training with Mom.”

“Well, there is a difference in aptitude. Or maybe it is just a habit.”

It would be stranger if Verus had the same level of concentration as Adellia, who had been a model student for over 10 years. Verus was convinced and slumped down. Adellia had a bitter smile on her face as she also put down her pen.

They had been studying for three hours, so she thought it was okay to take a break.

Adellia closed the bookmarked book and asked, “Would you like to have a cup of coffee?”

“Yes!”

Verus answered like he had been waiting and immediately rose from his seat.

There was no need to go anywhere if all he wanted to do was drink coffee, but he wanted to move his body that was a bit stiff from sitting.

The siblings left the study room and diligently moved their feet.

The sound of footsteps echoed inside the spacious and quiet mansion.

Theodore had spent around a month with them before leaving for Elvenheim. Meanwhile, Veronica and Sylvia went to do their work as tower masters. There were only a few people along with the Leonardo husband and wife remaining in the mansion today.

Perhaps that was why it was strange that the siblings encountered someone when they went down to the first floor hallway, which was quieter than usual.

Adellia recognized him and greeted him first.

“Hello, Uncle.”

“Oh, Adellia. Verus as well.”

Leonardo greeted them naturally and looked at the two children with blue eyes.

Perhaps due to his resemblance to their father, Theodore, but Verus didn’t bother to hide his happy expression.

“Uncle Leo! Where are you going again after you just came back last night?”

“It isn’t a big deal. Brother asked me to do something. I’ll probably be back after dinner.”

“Uh? Father?”

Adellia listened to the conversation and belatedly realized that Leonardo’s attire had changed a bit.

He wore armor over a neat tunic and had a sheath at his waist.

Both the necklace and ring, which looked like jewelry, were practical artifacts. He was clearly dressed in preparation for a fight.

Besides, he was leaving through the front door without using space movement?

Was there a fight near the mansion?

“Huh? Ah, hahaha.” Leonardo saw Adellia’s anxious expression and laughed.

“As expected, you are quick to catch on. In fact, it isn’t a big deal. It is just destroying a dungeon in the back mountain.”

“A... dungeon?”

The siblings’ eyes widened at the unexpected words.

A dungeon.

It was a den of evil created by an unknown process which could occur due to several reasons. It might have been created artificially by someone with malicious intentions, have arisen due to a distortion of the elemental veins, or other natural reasons.

In the early days, it could be conquered by a few mercenaries. But if they missed the timing, a power on a national basis would be required to conquer it.

However, Leonardo just laughed lightly and tapped the hilt of his sword.

“This dungeon hasn’t even existed for a week. It is a matter that I can handle alone, otherwise Brother probably wouldn’t have come forward and requested it of me.”

It was true. Would Theodore, who cared so much about his relatives, send his only brother to a dangerous place?

Theodore was the type to give Leonardo dozens of artifacts to wear despite knowing his skills. Even with just one or two artifacts, it was possible to solo an army. If all of them were used, the mountain might collapse.

However, Leonardo soon faced a challenge that couldn’t be solved by using all his artifacts.

“Uncle! Take me to that dungeon as well!”

Verus grabbed his sleeve with shining eyes.

“What? No! What would my sister-in-law say...?”

The greatly flustered Leonardo glanced over to ask for help, but Adellia turned away with a gentle smile.

She was also quite interested in dungeons.

“Huhu, won’t it be okay?”

“Adellia?! You as well...”

“There is something called a field trip.”

Leonardo spoke sternly after finding out that there were no allies.

“No matter how much you ask, I won’t do it! My life will be in real danger if I take you with me and you get hurt.”

Verus abandoned his regular method and sighed. “Then it can’t be helped.”

“Oh, do you understand?”

“—I should tell Auntie about the last time you came in after drinking!”

“What?!”

Leonardo had just become relieved when his hairs stood up.

Rebecca was generous about most things, but she had a few things she was strict about. Alcohol was one of them. Unlike Randolph, she grew up as the successor of the family and hated even the smell of alcohol.

This tendency became stronger after pregnancy, so much so that Leonardo even stayed in a separate room for a day after he went drinking.

“Hey, Verus! That was a secret between men!”

“Uncle, you were being mean first! It isn’t a big deal, so you can take the two of us, right?”

“Is that the same thing?!”

At this moment—

“Huhu.”

Leonardo looked over as a chill went down his spine. Adellia made a strange laugh and whispered, “Isn’t that an interesting story, Uncle?”

“Excuse me, Adellia...?”

Adellia ignored Leonardo and looked at Verus.

“We might forget everything if we go to the dungeon, right?”

“Yes!”

Leonardo covered his forehead at this threat that wasn’t really a threat.

It was a de facto gesture of surrender.

* * *

Eventually, Leonardo left the mansion with the siblings.

The preparations were simple because it wasn’t far away. The three of them soon reached the mountainside. Despite the fact that there was a dungeon nearby, the scenery of the mountainside was calm.

As they walked, Leonardo didn’t waste any time.

“Undead?”

Adellia’s eyes widened as she listened to his explanation.

The undead were beings that broke out from the cycle of life or death. They were the dead, who were brought back by black magic and blindly hate the living.

Leonardo nodded and continued, “Yes, according to Brother’s words, the dungeon has likely become a den of the undead. Even if it is a small dungeon, there are ghouls and wights... perhaps even an undead like a lich will emerge.”

The cause of this dungeon was obvious. It was the death energy left by the undead created by the grimoire ‘Death’s Worship.’ Theodore foresaw this and soon came up with a countermeasure.

Instead of a wide area purification with poor efficiency, it was better to set up a barrier to concentrate the death energy in one area and subdue the monsters or dungeons that would arise there.

This was the role that he left to Leonardo.

“There won’t be too much of a problem with your skills. But, don’t let your guard down and be vigilant. If your goal is to gain experience, don’t think about using any of the artifacts I gave you earlier.”

“Yes.”

“I understand!”

Adellia had a few practical experiences and was calm. Verus also showed no signs of nervousness, perhaps due to this bold personality.

Leonardo observed the two of them before laughing heartily.

‘As expected, blood can’t be deceived. Not only do they look like my older brother, but they also resemble my sister-in-laws. I don’t think I have to worry about them.’

Regardless of whether they knew what he was thinking, the siblings chatted with calm expressions during this period before entering the dungeon.

They walked up the mountain for a few more minutes.

“Oh, we’re here.”

Leonardo, who had been moving without hesitation, stopped and briefly exclaimed.

It was because he instinctively felt the strength of the magic wall that appeared before him.

He wouldn’t be able to cut it even if he tried his best.

“Let’s see...”

Therefore, Leonardo took something like a bead out of his pocket and placed it on the surface of the barrier.

There was an immediate response.

The earth shook.

It was as if great gates were opening.

The barrier touched by the bead opened up a gap that was large enough for a few people to pass through.

“Now!”

Before Adellia and Verus had time to admire its majesty, Leonardo grasped the siblings’ hands and immediately jumped in.

Immediately, the barrier that had been split open joined together again.

Then the faces of the three people stiffened.

“...These are definitely the undead.”

The stench of rotting blood and flesh hung in the air, while the ground stained with death energy clung to their ankles like mud.

It was such conclusive evidence of the undead that there was no need to check it again.

Gulp.

Adellia and Verus couldn’t help but gulp due to the terrible stench. Meanwhile, Leonardo stepped forward with a fierce grin.

“Don’t be so nervous.”

One step, and then another step.

“I am here.”

It happened at that moment.

Kyaaaack!

A scream tore at their eardrums. The undead popped out with a roar that shook the listener’s mind.

Were they hidden in the muddy ground?

There were no signs of life, unlike living monsters, so it wasn’t easy to detect them. There was no sound of breathing and no heartbeat. If it wasn’t for the smell, it could be said that they had the sufficient qualities to be assassins.

However—

Kakiing!

They picked the wrong opponent today.

There was only one slashing sound.

Yet, dozens of ghoul carcasses fell down like rain. Dark red blood, which was a fierce poison to humans, was repelled by the blue aura.

This was the spectacle that Leonardo’s sword created.

The aura blade emerged from the sword and cut through the foul-smelling air before fading away according to the user’s will.

Leonardo sneered as he put his sword away.

“It is nothing special for a welcoming ceremony.”

Adellia and Verus saw his performance and finally remembered.

‘This is Uncle Leo’s real ability...!’

Leonardo Miller was famous for being Theodore’s younger brother.

However, while he wasn’t famous due to his brother’s prestige, he was a genius who rose to the position of sword master in his late 20s. He was a monster that caused even Randolph Clovis to feel outraged by his genius.

There was no exaggeration to be found in what he said at the beginning.

The dungeon formed from the debris left by Death’s Worship was just a small matter that acted as his warm-up.

“Now, shall we begin?”

Leonardo gestured to the two of them with a cool smile.

It was the beginning of the full-fledged attack on the dungeon.