Chapter 119: Relax, It’s Just Forbidden Magic [Part 2]

Chapter 119. Relax, It’s Just Forbidden Magic [Part 2]

My attention had already shifted toward the emerging sequence.

If I were designing a forbidden ritual around this particular arrangement, what would I need?

A central formation, obviously. Twelve peripheral anchors. A suitable location. And probably a celestial condition to determine the moment of activation. Depending on the ritual, the sacrifices might also require a shared symbolic characteristic.

"Is there anything else you know?" I asked, my eyes remaining on the documents.

Lord Veymont hesitated. "I’m afraid that’s everything we’ve confirmed, my lord."

I moved another paper into position. "Nothing about the kidnappers? Their methods? Any magical traces?"

"We’ve investigated the locations, but we haven’t discovered anything conclusive."

"Hmm." I placed the final record beside the others.

Chief Marr shifted in his chair. "Forgive me, but you don’t seem particularly interested in our explanation."

I lifted my gaze. "I heard everything."

He stiffened slightly.

"I simply haven’t heard anything particularly useful yet."

An awkward silence followed.

Well, what did he expect? I got all the points already.

Chief Marr sighed. "Unfortunately, that’s exactly our problem."

His expression darkened. "We don’t know what the kidnappers want. We only have that message about the Dark Lord." He glanced toward Lord Veymont. "Perhaps they’re his followers. Perhaps this is some kind of revenge against the Light Temple. But if that’s the case, why kidnap ordinary women? What could they possibly gain?"

"I think they might be intended as sacrifices." I tapped the first document. "Look at their birth months. One woman from each month. Twelve women representing a complete annual cycle."

"In certain types of ancient magic, twelve isn’t merely a convenient number. It can represent a complete cycle, particularly when combined with celestial movements." I leaned back slightly. "And these women share another characteristic. They’re all preparing for marriage. Marriage represents a transition. The end of one stage of life and the beginning of another. Some ritual traditions attach considerable significance to that symbolism."

I glanced at the records again.

"Combine that with twelve different birth months, and you have a potentially deliberate selection pattern."

The room became quiet.

I could practically see them trying to process the implications.

At that moment, the door opened. The official returned with two servants carrying trays of tea and refreshments. They carefully arranged the cups, a teapot, and several plates of pastries on the table.

I waited until they finished before reaching for my cup. The tea smelled pleasant. Some sort of local floral blend. Not bad. I took a sip, then looked toward the official. "I need astronomical diagrams."

He blinked. "Astro... nomical diagrams, my lord?"

"Charts showing the positions of the sun, moon, and stars, preferably with predictions of their movements over the next several days or weeks."

His expression became helpless. "I’m afraid we don’t have anything like that, sir."

I looked toward Lord Veymont. He cleared his throat. "The Light Temple teaches us to honor the Goddess and the sun. We don’t pay much attention to the moon or the other stars."

I stared at him. You lived beside an enormous ocean. With a harbor. Full of sailors. And nobody had bothered to study the sky?

"I thought fishermen and sailors would at least possess that knowledge."

"They do," Lord Veymont admitted. "But most of it is passed down through generations. They use the stars for navigation and observe the moon to anticipate the tides. I’m not aware of anyone who maintains the detailed diagrams you’re requesting."

I huffed quietly. That made more sense. Practical knowledge wasn’t necessarily the same as formal astronomical research. A fisherman might know exactly when the tide would rise without possessing the slightest interest in calculating celestial alignments for an ancient summoning formation. And frankly, I couldn’t blame him.

Most people had better things to do than spend their evenings wondering whether a particular arrangement of stars could help someone summon an eldritch monstrosity. Unlike me.

I took another sip of tea. "I’ll find a way to get the diagrams."

Lord Veymont exchanged a worried glance with the chief.

"Are you saying these sacrifices could be used to summon the Dark Lord back?" Chief Marr asked, his voice dropping.

"There’s a high possibility," I admitted, tapping the documents. "But I’m not sure yet. We barely have any evidence, no reliable witnesses, and the only thing connecting this case to the Dark Lord is that note. It could be one of his followers, or someone pretending to be one."

I leaned back in my chair. "That’s why I need those astronomical diagrams."

"To figure out where and when they’re planning to perform the ritual?" Lord Veymont asked.

"Exactly. It’s just a guess, but right now, it’s the only lead worth pursuing." I raised my hand.

[Abyssal Formation Creation]

Several intricate magical formations appeared around me, their dark violet runes spinning slowly in midair. Some were circular, others consisted of overlapping triangles, while a few resembled enormous eyes surrounded by ancient inscriptions. Every single one was a forbidden summoning formation I’d studied in my previous life as Evan Veyr. Some I’d discovered inside ancient tombs. Others came from forbidden manuscripts, forgotten libraries, or books written by researchers who clearly had questionable hobbies. My kind of people, really.

The formations hovered harmlessly around me, their complicated runes shifting as I examined them. None were activated, of course. I wasn’t insane. Well, not that insane.

Lord Veymont stared in amazement. "This is the first time I’ve seen a magus create several magical formations directly with his mana."

I glanced between the floating diagrams. "Yeah, it’s pretty convenient. Saves me a lot of time during battles." Especially when someone was trying to remove my head. Drawing magical formations manually while dodging attacks was a terrible way to spend an afternoon.

Chief Marr leaned forward, curiosity briefly overcoming his fear. "What are they? Tracking formations?"

"Oh, no. They’re forbidden summoning formations."

Both men froze. Their faces slowly turned pale.

I continued examining the runes. "All of them require sacrifices to activate. The records aren’t always clear about what kind, though."

Their chairs scraped against the floor.

"Most are also connected to dark magical arts," I added casually. "Which, as you probably know, was the Dark Lord’s specialty."

Another scraping sound.

I turned around. Lord Veymont had somehow moved several steps away from the table. Chief Marr wasn’t doing much better. Even the official and servants near the door had retreated.

I glanced at the harmless formations floating around me. Then back at them. "Why are you guys standing so far away?"

Lord Veymont forced a smile. "Uh... nothing, my lord."

Chief Marr swallowed. "We’re just making sure those magical formations don’t suddenly decide we’re their sacrifices."