Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 320 Political Significance (First Update)

What do elves and insects have in common?

Phototaxis.

Salomon thought for a moment and gave the entry a thumbs up, because the sentence clearly and simply explained the characteristics of the Light Elves of Alfheim. Next to the joke, he also noticed a line of delicate, childish handwriting that mentioned the legends of the Dark Elves and indicated the exact location of the book containing related information, although that book wasn't here.

The person who wrote this was very meticulous; Salomon was referring to the meticulousness in the writing, because every letter is almost the same size, and even the strokes are exactly the same. He believes this line was probably written by a nobleman, now working in an administrative or clerical position, during his childhood.

It could be the same court steward he had met; he seemed to have severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.

He turned the pages, his profound knowledge allowing him to read this book written in runes without any difficulty. The only obstacle was the occasional swirling of fine dust. It had been fifteen hundred years since anyone had last opened this book. Even though the magic that preserved the books in the library was still in effect, dust inevitably traveled through time and settled on the pages. With each page he turned, he could smell the gloomy odor, like moldy parchment mixed with ink weathering into dust in a neglected corner.

Salomon knew Heimdall was trying to fob him off with some worthless books. As mentioned before, Asgardians loved gold, and all the valuable books in Asgard were written in golden ink, just like the ink Salomon often used, which was mixed with various gems, herbs, and blood—all used for copying serious content. Even more extravagantly, Asgardians would draw illustrations in some books and imbue them with magical effects to enhance their aesthetic appeal. Such books were extremely expensive; he had seen Asgardian spellcasters selling such books several times at Vandazar Falcon, before he started his alchemy business and his savings didn't allow him to buy them.

The book's content was completely unworthy of such effort; the ink used for writing was merely ordinary ink, and there was a bottle of it on the table where he was using it. Moreover, the book's binding did not use leather, wood, or metal, but simply plain hard paper.

However, he wasn't in a hurry. Queen Frigga would give him magical lessons, which would take place after the formal invitation at the banquet.

Although he verbally stated that he wouldn't participate, he still needed to make an appearance so that the Asgardian nobles could recognize him. This was to avoid any offensive or awkward situations, such as not knowing the other party's status or insignia and thus treating them as a low-ranking noble.

Asgard is a feudal society, and inquiring about a stranger's status through polite social interaction is a basic etiquette for nobles. Even the most banquet-loving Asgardian nobles become adept at various intricate methods over time. As a guest, Salomon must adapt to local customs and apply the court etiquette he learned in the past—things taught to him by the Sorcerer Supreme. Even if he had only heard about how to unite with various local lords and how to avoid the intrigues and schemes among nobles vying for succession, Salomon could remember them perfectly well.

However, the Sorcerer Supreme never used these things after learning them; under the magic of the Holy Sword and Merlin, any conspiracy was rendered useless.

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"Of course, of course, runic magic is naturally omnipotent, just like the Father of the Gods who sits on his throne. We are merely subjects, only able to see the tip of the iceberg of great magic." Kasirius was clearly a seasoned socialite; having taken the Elixir of All Souls, he nonchalantly poured mead into his mouth. In Asgardian social circles, only those who could drink were qualified to speak, and only those who drank two goblets first were qualified to start a conversation. Kasirius remained completely unaffected by alcohol for an hour; before the potion wore off, no one could outdrink him.

He's currently arguing with a group of Asgardian nobles, spouting a bunch of meaningless nonsense.

These nobles were high-ranking nobles with the right to stay overnight in Kamar-Taj, similar to ministers who could stay at Versailles. The women in their families were handmaidens of Queen Frigg, and through court gossip, they knew of Kamar-Taj's status. Even if not, there were spellcasters in their families who were aware of the Sorcerer Supreme's transcendent status.

They knew that the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj must have come to Asgard with a purpose, so they did not make things too difficult for Kasirius at the banquet.

Salomon, who should have attracted attention, retreated to the side with a drunken, curious yet sharp scrutiny after a brief introduction from Cassirius, avoiding any interaction with the others. Cassirius only intended for Salomon to become familiar with the public today; his social occasion wasn't here—the formal banquet tomorrow, hosted by Queen Frigga, was his real opportunity. Formal occasions were for announcing more important matters, such as Queen Frigga's plan to provide Salomon with magical education.

The act of a noble entrusting their heir to another noble for education is a very serious matter, worthy of being announced in a formal setting. Generally, entrusting an heir to another noble (usually a noble of a higher rank, and less often a courtier or from a different branch) signifies submission (for example, in A Song of Ice and Fire, the youngest son of House Squid was sent to House Stark, though not voluntarily). This situation is not what Salomon represents now, because although Odin, the Allfather, and the Sorcerer Supreme are nominally vassals, it is because the Sorcerer Supreme does not care about the title of Prime Material Plane, and Midgard possesses independent sovereignty; their submission to Asgard is merely nominal.

Another scenario represents an alliance between two noble families, which in some cases even surpasses marriage. It involves cooperation between the two lords in various fields, including military, economic, cultural, and even religious matters. This cooperative relationship can even extend to the heirs of both lords, or even the heirs of the heirs—both sides can influence the heirs of the other. This is a very rare and precious relationship of trust, and therefore, it is also quite uncommon.

But in fact, it was Asgard that took the first step.

That's right, that's why Odin chose Earth as the location for Thor's exile—to send Thor to the Sorcerer Supreme for his education. However, the Sorcerer Supreme was merely the mastermind behind Salomon's actions, something Odin hadn't anticipated. Even so, the Sorcerer Supreme still managed to complete Thor's education, and it's perfectly reasonable for Salomon to be receiving his education in Asgard now; Queen Frigga will ensure he receives the complete education that Thor received.

This is why the Sorcerer Supreme was so hasty in sending Salomon to Asgard; even the Sorcerer Supreme hadn't expected that the martial spirit of the Asgardians was actually serious. Even if Thor was foolish, what he had learned back then was something Salomon couldn't possibly master in a short time—literacy, arithmetic, politics, horsemanship, swordsmanship, archery, and court etiquette—Salomon would have to learn everything again.

Damn it! I was the last to know. Salomon sullenly took a sip of sweet wine, a glass he had asked a maid to bring him, and the one with the lowest alcohol content of the entire banquet. Even so, the Asgardian drinking glasses were ridiculously large. Although this glass wasn't as big as a horn, he still had to hold it with both hands, this jewel-encrusted, exquisitely carved silver cup, sipping the cold, sweet liquid in small sips.

At least Asgard's brewing technology is still the best in the entire universe.

Damn, I only realized it's my birthday after I finished writing this. I was thinking of taking the day off to go see a movie by myself, but I think I'll pass... Remember to vote!

(End of this chapter)