Anagin Chronicles

Chapter 94

The Thread of Freedom.At first glance, it was a scroll made of worn-out fabric, but surprisingly, it was a magical tool.

Why it was called the Thread of Freedom did not suit its shabby appearance, and no one really knew the reason......

In any case, according to rumors, it was an item created by a blasphemous mage who had challenged a god. Well, that part was outside Anagin’s interest, so he let it pass.

What interested Anagin was its function.

Ponytail, who had already dealt with Anagin several times, explained the core point first.

“Mm, to put it simply, it’s a magical tool that lets multiple people share information. You’ve used a village notice board before, right? Think of it as a larger-scale version of that.”

Just as he said.

The ‘Thread of Freedom’ was a magical tool for sharing information. The method was.......

“There are multiple magical tools exactly like this one.”

“Exactly how many?”

“I don’t know that either. Rumor says 100..., but it’s not certain.”

It was said that the blasphemous mage had made 100 Threads of Freedom, but no one had ever confirmed it with their own eyes.

Moreover, the era in which the mage had been active was from a very long time ago.

Thus, the exact number was a question no one could answer.

There were even rumors that somewhere, imitations of the Thread of Freedom were being made.

“...Well, I get the general idea. Anyway, quite a lot of people use it?”

“If there were too few users, it wouldn’t function properly.”

Judging that it would be better to show than to explain further, Ponytail unfurled the Thread of Freedom.

The scroll, a rough blend of gray and brown, spread out coarsely.

“Ho....”

Before they knew it, Sphinx and Sanchonius had come to Anagin’s side to watch together.

The two seemed even more interested in the Thread of Freedom than Anagin.

“Now, take a look.”

Ponytail pointed to the Thread of Freedom spread across the table.

On the rough, crude fabric, black ink seeped in, and letters began to appear.

Tiny characters lined up so densely that it was dizzying.

When Ponytail placed his hand on the Thread of Freedom, the text soon rearranged itself into a more readable format.

Spaces appeared between lines, and the letter size was adjusted to make it easier to read.

Anagin found the sight fascinating, yet puzzling.

“Why are you so skilled with it?”

“Did you really think none of the reporters would have one of these?”

His question was immediately answered. Indeed, reporters could have one. In fact, it was only natural.

“Senior reporters who managed to get one skillfully use this to find news material. They say running around in person is too outdated. Though some seniors look down on it, saying it’s too convenient.”

On the unfolded Thread of Freedom, information was being shared by region or by interest.

As if information was being shared in real time, existing text would occasionally disappear, replaced by new writing.

“You borrowed it from a senior?”

“That’s right.”

“Really?”

Anagin asked again with suspicion. He had asked if it was borrowed, but he did not believe it.

Ponytail grinned.

“Wouldn’t it still count as borrowing if I didn’t say anything and just took it for a moment? I did get caught halfway through, though.”

“How are you even still alive?”

Anagin asked sincerely, truly curious.

He did not marvel as much as Sphinx or Sanchonius, but that did not mean he failed to recognize the value of this magical tool.

To share information with countless people through a single scroll was, in itself, a weapon.

It was astonishing that he had stolen this and was still alive.

“I may not look it, but I have connections. You could say I was born with a golden spoon.”

“That’s a relief.”

Anagin said it sincerely. If he had not been born privileged, he would likely have suffered a terrible fate.

“You should consider it a relief, too. Because I used it briefly, I can teach you like this. If it were someone else, they wouldn’t.”

“Should I pay you a fee?”

“Yes, customer. From now on, I will teach you the operating instructions. First of all, this one is currently registered to Neiron as the user.”

“User?”

“The Thread of Freedom is a convenient and safe magical tool anyone can use, but you have to register a user. You just drip a drop of blood.”

Blood.......

“Can’t I just use it as it is?”

“That’s also an option, but then you’ll stay connected to the people Neiron was communicating with. That would be inconvenient.”

The Thread of Freedom did not merely share information.

You could establish communication ties with others who shared certain interests.

That communication was—

“It’s a function that lets you converse with specific people. It’s just exchanging text through the Thread of Freedom, but it’s quite convenient. However, once you establish communication, it’s hard to cut it off. Both sides have to agree to end it.”

Sphinx, who had been listening, carefully advised.

“Wouldn’t it be better to register a new user first?”

“Why?”

“There’s a high chance he’s connected to mages affiliated with Magno.”

Ponytail nodded in agreement.

“That’s entirely possible. Magno, being a mage organization, owns quite a few Threads of Freedom. They even use them as an emergency contact network.”

“So?”

Despite Sphinx’s advice and Ponytail’s agreement, Anagin responded as if to say, so what?

Even if he had taken the Thread of Freedom from Neiron, what could they possibly do?

“When you put it that way, I suppose I have nothing to say. The Thread of Freedom can’t have location-tracking magic placed on it, so if it’s lost, that’s the end of it.”

“You really are well informed.”

Sanchonius admired Ponytail’s fluent explanation. He had not known it had such features.

“Reporters of Talaria Weekly, who serve Hermes, tend to be well versed in stolen goods.”

“...Stolen goods?”

Sanchonius pointed out the odd phrasing, but Ponytail pretended not to notice.

“If you want to use it as it is, go ahead. Quite a few people do. But some might contact you, asking if you killed Neiron, or saying they’ll take revenge. That could get annoying.”

“That much is nothing.”

Anagin brushed it off lightly.

That could simply be ignored.

More than anything, he doubted those Magno fellows were that tightly knit.

Afterward, Anagin heard more about the functions and usage of the Thread of Freedom.

How to filter and view only information of interest through searches, how to post messages, how to exchange information through transactions, and how to conceal one’s identity, since it was basically anonymous.

Satisfied after hearing the full explanation, Anagin allowed Ponytail to accompany them.

Though he had not intended to refuse in the first place.

Anagin and his party went to bed, and the next morning, after waking and eating, they headed toward Chiron Tower.

For reference, before leaving, they briefly spoke with Makon, the appointed merchant of the Dysis Polis, and the village innkeeper.

Like a true merchant, Makon expressed his gratitude to Anagin with all sorts of flowery words. Thanks to Anagin, the city had once again gained considerable profit.

The innkeeper also expressed gratitude. Unlike Makon, his words were simple, but they were sincere.

In any case, thanks to Anagin, the village had been saved from nearly becoming embroiled in war. In addition, they were able to expel the village chief who had tried to gamble away the money from selling the village.

Anagin responded without much emotion that he understood.

After all, he had not done it for their sake.

“May the blessing of the gods be with Lord Anagin.”

Leaving Makon’s farewell behind, Anagin returned along the path they had come.

Just as when they had first arrived at the village, they set out peacefully on the road back to Chiron Tower.

“The meat is burning! Flip it! Keep the juices in!! The stew is boiling!!”

“I can cook just fine, so quiet down! And stew is supposed to boil!!”

“I will watch the stew.”

“Do you all live like this every day? Mind if I write this into an article? And Anagin, what are you writing?”

Of course, peace was a relative concept.

Sphinx and Sanchonius had to do laundry and cook while listening to Anagin’s nagging, and Anagin lazed about copying something down. Ponytail was simply Ponytail.

Still, as they traveled like that, before they knew it, they arrived at Chiron Tower.

“Welcome back.”

As they approached the guard stationed on the first floor of Chiron Tower, a butler who worked in the tower came down to greet them.

“You’ve returned sooner than expected. And who might this be?”

Before Anagin could introduce him, Ponytail spoke first.

“I’m from the Talaria Weekly.”

At the words Talaria Weekly, the butler’s expression twisted.

He clearly remembered the article from not long ago that had tarnished the reputation of Chiron Tower.

However, he did not mention it openly. As an institution that raised heroes, Chiron Tower had to maintain its dignity.

The butler asked Ponytail the reason for his visit.

“And what brings a reporter from Talaria Weekly to Chiron Tower?”

“I’ve come to apologize.”

“Apologize? For what..., wait. Surely you don’t mean......?”

“Yes, I wrote that article.「The Practitioner Killer Who Protected Practitioners from Erysichthon! Turns Out He’s a Practitioner Protector?!」That one.”

Upon hearing the specific title, the butler’s mask of courtesy slipped slightly.

Judging by his expression, he had read the article.

Though he did not show it outwardly, Ponytail felt a small sense of satisfaction.

He felt a thrill at the fact that his article was controlling someone’s emotions.

Indeed, this was the taste that made being a reporter worthwhile.

* * *

Regardless of his shaken expression, the butler was a professional.

His expression had wavered for a moment, but only for that moment.

He soon composed himself and said he would personally guide him. The title of reporter from Talaria Weekly seemed to carry more weight than expected.

“See you later.”

Although they parted ways with Ponytail, Anagin did not feel particularly regretful.

Not only was parting from him not something to regret in the first place, but Anagin also had things to do.

“I will take my leave as well. I must make a report.”

Even Sanchonius, who had been ascending the tower with them, departed, and Anagin arrived at the fifth-floor forge with Sphinx.

“Hah! You really came.”

Upon seeing Anagin, Grumbal spoke as if he had been waiting.

It seemed he had already heard that Anagin would be arriving.

“The item?”

In contrast to the flowery butler of Chiron Tower, Grumbal went straight to the point.

The point, of course, was Orichalcum.

The Orichalcum presumed to be within the Ruins.

Anagin pulled out the Interspatial Bag hanging at his waist and took out the Orichalcum ingots.

Thud! Clang! Thud! Bang!

Gold ingots tinged with a reddish hue poured out of Anagin’s bag, making a loud clattering noise.

These were Orichalcum ingots.

Before long, the workers in the forge gathered around Anagin and Grumbal.

“It’s really Orichalcum...?”

“And in cast form at that. High purity, and clean, no enchantments placed on it.”

“This is insane, I’ve never seen something like this before.”

The blacksmiths who saw the Orichalcum ingots exclaimed one after another. Especially the seasoned veterans.

Orichalcum, which could only be extracted from ancient relics or magical tools, inevitably contained many impurities due to its nature.

Miscellaneous metals mixed in, pre-existing enchantments, and so on.

To obtain proper Orichalcum, one first had to meticulously remove such impurities.

It required high proficiency and skill, and it was labor-intensive.

In that sense, what Anagin had brought exceeded expectations.

“Hah.... Impressive.”

So impressive that even the stubborn Grumbal offered praise.

Unfortunately, Anagin did not know just how remarkable it was. The proof was.......

“Fine. As promised, I’ll repair your sword and the Giant’s Bed.”

“While you’re at it, I’d also like to request enhancements for a few magical tools.”

......He was not content with just repairing the Beast Cleaver and the Giant’s Bed, and even requested enhancements for magical tools.

"Are you kidding me?"

Grumbal’s eyes flashed at the words that differed from their agreement.

But Anagin did not back down either.

“Do I look like I’m kidding? I went through more trouble than expected.”

Anagin pulled out the Giant’s Bed from his Interspatial Bag and pointed at the cracked section.

“This sturdy thing ended up like this because I worked so hard, so throw in a little extra.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. What we agreed on was repairs for two items. One sword, one bed. Exactly two.”

“Then from now on, let’s make it five.”

“What?”

Grumbal scowled deeply and tilted his head at a sharp angle.

It was a gesture that said, let’s have a go.

Suddenly increasing the quantity to more than double could hardly be interpreted any other way.

“To be precise, two items to repair and three to enhance. Five in total.”

“You think I’ll give in just because you’re whining, brat? What I promised in exchange for Orichalcum was two items, and even if you did a good job, I might touch one more at most. But five? Not a chance!”

Grumbal was serious.

The Orichalcum Anagin had brought was top-grade, but even so, he could not grant everything asked of him.

If Anagin begged desperately, he might work on one additional item besides the Beast Cleaver and the Giant’s Bed, but no more than that.

Let alone for someone standing there so brazenly stiff-necked instead of pleading.

“What if it’s not whining, but a deal?”

“A deal?”

Anagin once again pulled something out of his Interspatial Bag.

It was so large that it was not easy to take out, but after some effort, it finally emerged.

The item was.......

“A bronze statue?”

“More precisely, a bronze statue that can move through magic. And mixed with Orichalcum. It was discovered in the Ruin.”

“......What Ruin was it?”

Grumbal asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

It was like an occupational disease of blacksmiths. When they saw outstanding craftsmanship, they had to study it.

“A bronze statue workshop from an ancient city. And at a fairly high level.”

Anagin pulled out several sheets of paper from his coat.

They were copies of the information about the Ruin that Sphinx had recorded.

Anagin had copied them bit by bit on the way back to Chiron Tower. For use at this very moment.

Without realizing it, Grumbal reached for the papers.

Anagin pulled them back.

“A deal?”

Grumbal’s beard trembled as if in frustration.

However, the choice was obvious.

“Damn it! Fine! A deal!”