"Although they are collectively called alchemists, there are also many different levels of magicians among them. Overall, however, the ultimate goal of alchemy is to transcend the limits of humanity and approach the realm of the 'gods'. ”

Squinting his eyes as if searching for ancient memories, Astarut replied faintly.

"Why, then, do most alchemists reassemble objects into metal?"

"The change in gold is a by-product of the alchemist's approach to the 'gods'. Because the principle of alchemy is to turn all imperfect existence into perfection. ”

"I see, in order to achieve the purpose of becoming a truly perfect life being? So the desire to be a truly perfect 'God' is it? ”

Remembering the image of the red and white alchemist turning the trees into steel in an instant. For alchemists who pursue extreme perfection, the trees that will wither sooner or later due to the end of their lifespan, and the near-immortal steel, are more perfect.

"So what is their ultimate goal?"

"The definition of the word 'God' is too vague to answer. However, if you want to keep ** and gain near-permanent life, there have been successful examples in the past. ”

"Success story?"

"One is you, Xiao Gucheng. The fourth true ancestor who was born as a human being, but received the power of a vampire. But that's the exact opposite of what the so-called 'gods'—"

"Is that so?"

Vampires are indeed immortal, but the source of their power is the "negative" life force, which is the opposite of God's blessings. After death, you will not be called to heaven, nor will you be reborn, let alone become a Buddha. The reason why they were able to obtain the power of immortality was only because they had a body cursed by the gods.

If the source of God's power is to use light to evolve into perfect life forms and gain eternal life, then vampires are cursed and can never be freed from the curse. I can only live alone and alone.

It's just a monster that can survive by relying on the evil way, and even if it lives for tens of thousands of years, it is impossible for a vampire to evolve into a god. On the contrary, they can only become beings who regard God as natural enemies.

This is nothing more than a complete failure for an alchemist in his quest for true perfection.

"What about the other one?"

"It's the 'sage's spiritual blood.'"

"What?"

"The specifics are unknown. However, it is said that Nina Adillard has gained immortality and endless magic with the 'spiritual blood of the sage' created by herself. ”

"Adillade......!?"

Yesterday's alchemist's words echoed again in his head.

The monastery of Adillad - he did say so. It was also said that there had been an accident there five years ago.

"That's the great alchemist of antiquity, a legendary figure. If he were still alive, he would be more than two hundred and seventy years old. ”

With that, Astarut fell silent. The knowledge she was instilled in should be all there is to it.

"Tea, please."

Astarut poured new tea into the cup of the ancient city. The artificial lifeform girl sitting face-to-face with the ancient city was indeed some—though only a little, more pleasant than usual.

"The Monastery of Adillad (Harila Monastery) ......?"

Stuffing the freshly boiled spaghetti into his mouth, he tilted his head slightly and asked.

This is the student cafeteria during lunch break. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of students crammed with empty stomachs, Gucheng sat side by side with her at a narrow table.

"Ah...... Speaking of which, it seems to have this name. It's the ghost house behind the exhibition park, right? ”

"Why did you give the monastery the name of an alchemist?"

"It's nothing. Alchemy has been strongly influenced by pagan magic, and there are many dangerous spells that come with forbidden spells. In order not to be suppressed, there are many people who donate large sums of money to the king or the church. ”

When she mentioned it like this, she vaguely remembered that she had heard of this kind of thing. In the education curriculum in the "Demon Special Zone", this seems to be the basic knowledge included in compulsory education.

"Mess around, the world still depends on money......"

"Yes. In fact, there are many princes and nobles who are worried about money, as well as those related to the church, who are also devoted to the study of alchemy. It's a common thing. ”

With that, Shallot reached for a second plate filled with spaghetti. Contrary to the slenderness she seems, she actually has a big appetite. The noodles for two are quite reserved for shallots. The ancient city watching from the side is already almost overwhelmed.

"So, do you know what happened to this monastery five years ago?"

"Well, I can't remember that. After all, that was when I was in elementary school...... And they were told that it was too dangerous, don't get close to it. ”

"Really?" Gu Gu Zou frowned, "It seems that it's a bit troublesome!" ”

"Huh?" While eating, he fiddled with the shallow onion of his mobile phone with one hand, staring at the screen and making an unhappy sound. It seems that I was going to investigate the records of the accident, but it didn't go well

"What's wrong?"

"I searched for it and got no results...... Data is eliminated? ”

"What?"

Gucheng looked at the shallow mobile phone in amazement, the document server of the artificial island management commune, all the information of the people on the island was recorded, even if it was fifty years later, it would be well preserved.

However, what happened in the monastery five years ago, although the ancient city is not clear, is the cause of the death of all the members of the monastery except for Natsuin.

Then, the artificially managed commune on Xianjin Island would not have preserved all the relevant information at that time, however, since the shallow onion had not searched for relevant information about that time.

Well, there's only one answer!

It was the high-level officials of Xianjin Island at that time who unanimously decided to maliciously delete the information at that time, in order to block the information about that time.

After thinking about it, Gu Gu glanced up at the shallot: "Can you help me find the link related to that time from the artificial island management commune, and see if I can find some records." ”

"However, I think it's better not to intervene casually, it feels a little dangerous. Perhaps, the artificial island management commune itself is shady or even more dangerous! ”

As he spoke, Shallot turned off the power on his phone.

Only some close people know that Shallot is a hacker, and he is also a genius technician hired by the security department of the artificial island management commune at an unusually high price. She knew all about computers.

Knowing that you can't get the information you want from the computer, the only option left is to go to the scene and maybe find the relevant clues.

Standing up, Gucheng said to the shallots: "I'm sorry, I have something to do in the afternoon, go out a little." ”

“…… Ha? ”

Shallot was speechless and looked at the ancient city that stood up with a tray.

"Help me go and talk to Natsuki-chan, I'm going to ask for leave in the afternoon!"

"Wait, ancient city! Wait a minute, hey! ”

Ripping off the remaining spaghetti from the plate with the force of angry waves, the shallots stood up roughly. Before the ancient city reached the shoe cabinet in front of the gate, she caught up with her stride like a professional sprinter.

"What are you chasing after you?" Gucheng looked at the shallow onion that had caught up with him, and asked in a cold voice.

"You're the one who want to go out of school?"

was questioned by the other party with a ghostly face, and the ancient city said helplessly.

"To see the former site of the monastery, you need to confirm something."

With a quick finish, the ancient city ran out of the school building at a rapid pace. But the shallots changed into leather shoes and chased after them.

"What? What do you mean by that? ”

"Cats."

"Huh? Cat......? ”

The ancient city's words were too brief to comprehend, and made her mood even worse, once she got angry like this, it was impossible to convince her. Presumably, before she saw what the goal of the ancient city was, she would die and bite the back of her ass.

However, this time it was just a matter of going to the monastery to confirm, so there was no need for the ancient city to dump her.

The purpose of going to the monastery in the ancient city is twofold. One is to confirm the scene of the accident. Although it has been five years since the accident, this is the only clue. Clue. And then another purpose is cats.

On the site of the former monastery, Natsune Hase took care of the kittens he had picked up. At that time, the cats were helped by the ancient city and Nagisha, and everyone found their adopters safely.

However, a few weeks have passed since then. Judging from Natsuin's personality, there is no guarantee that she will not pick up a new cat.

Once because of the cat's matter, Natsune appeared in the monastery again.

Then, the alchemist who heard the news would definitely come and attack her in high spirits. That's got to be stopped—

Having said that, the only thing the ancient city can do now is to make sure if there are cats, and if so, take the cats away from here.

However, suddenly the ancient city stopped, and a pair of black pupils suddenly shrank.

Without any further hesitation, the ancient city immediately turned sideways not far to the right, and in the next moment...

"Whoosh"

Where the ancient city was standing before, there was a sound that seemed to be caused by an object deflecting and hitting the air, if it weren't for the ancient city to detect the aura of this mysterious attack first, this invisible impact would definitely hit the ancient city's body alive.

"Ancient, ancient!?"

Shallot ran over in a panic. She didn't notice the mystery's attack. In her opinion, it was an ancient city that was walking on the road ordinarily, but suddenly stopped and rolled sideways.

Don't come here, I just wanted to drive away the shallow green ancient city like this, but my expression froze because I found a figure in the corner of my field of vision.

"Light onion ——!"

"Huh!? Huh!? ”

was suddenly and forcefully pulled by the ancient city, and the light onion lost his balance. Gucheng hugged her and almost fell on her back, and then gagged her with his hand.

"Don't be noisy, be quiet!"

The ancient city whispered roughly in the ear of the struggling shallot.

"No, don't...... ...... in this kind of place"

Contrary to what she said, shallot's resistance was very weak, her eyes were slightly moist, and she looked at the ancient city with a pitiful expression.

However, he was ruthlessly retorted by the ancient city: "Don't give me something strange, are you a prostitute?" Look over there? ”

"Long-winded, not a prostitute! Wait a minute... Huh? ”

Following the sight of the ancient city, the shallots slowly looked around.

It's a small park that's less than a 10-minute walk from Caihai School Park.,Surrounded by greenery.。 In the depths of it can be seen a small gray building, which is the monastery of the ancient city to their destination. Around the monastery, men were fully armed, armoured with guns and weapons. The posture of the vigilant people around them, apparently trained combatants.