Chapter 231
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 231
“Run!”
“Out of the way! Move!”
While the crowd fled the inferno, we did the opposite, pushing through the panicked masses to hunt our enemy.
Heading toward the source of the explosion, we found that several alleys leading to the square had collapsed, completely blocking our path.
A building collapse triggered by the blast.
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any immediate casualties, but if the explosions and collapses continued, it was only a matter of time before the body count rose. To stop the carnage, catching the perpetrator was the absolute priority.
Shhhk—.
Invoking my enchantment magic, I reduced the rubble of the ruined building to fine particles, clearing a path through the wreckage.
Where… where did he go?
The enemy’s presence had flickered out in the brief moment it took to clear the way. I closed my eyes and attempted mana detection, but with so many panicked people nearby, it was nearly impossible to isolate a specific signature.
In that case…
I had no choice but to track demonic energy.
I had heard that the Sons of Boana inject a small amount of demonic energy into their bodies as part of their initiation ceremony. I tapped into Kabeltar’s power, expanding my detection range until my senses spread out like a fine-meshed net.
Almost instantly, a discordant flow of demonic energy was snagged within that web of mana.
“That way.”
Having pinpointed the location, Ciel and I gave chase, weaving through the narrow alleyways.
Tap, tap, tap—.
After navigating a complex maze of winding paths, I spotted the back of the terrorist fleeing frantically in the distance. I slammed my foot down, channeling my enchantment magic into the ground.
Shhhk—.
The tiled floor rippled like a wave, the pulse of magic surging forward from my boots. The terrorist, caught mid-stride, lost his footing on the undulating ground and slammed face-first into the dirt.
Crash—.
“Ugh.”
The moment he fell, Ciel blurred forward in a single bound and pinned him to the ground.
“Guh, let me go!”
The terrorist thrashed and struggled, but he was no match for Ciel’s monstrous strength.
“Hold him tight.”
I approached slowly, retrieving the Ring of Truth from my subspace pouch. With Kabeltar’s ability to read memories and a ring that could pierce any lie, extracting information would be effortless.
Grip—.
Ciel bound his limbs and dragged him before me. With his sharp, slitted yellow pupils and coarse grayish fur, he looked like a wolf beastkin at first glance.
I stood over him and demanded, “Who hired you?”
“…”
As expected, he only glared at me, his lips sealed in a defiant sneer.
“If you won’t talk…”
There were plenty of ways to force the truth. I stepped closer, reaching out to slip the Ring of Truth onto his finger.
Grit—.
Suddenly, he gnashed his teeth and exhaled a sharp, violent breath directly into my face.
Fwoosh—.
In that heartbeat, a jet-black poison mist erupted right before my eyes.
“…!”
I reflexively shielded my face and stumbled back.
Aegis!
I simultaneously deployed the Aegis Shield to contain the mist and prevent it from spreading. Ciel also scrambled back, but…
“Kuk.”
She had been too close. She had inhaled a small amount of the lethal vapor.
Gurgle, gurgle—.
The man, who had hidden the poison in a hollow tooth or his throat, managed one last rasping sentence as his life faded.
“Successor… we will come for you soon…”
With those final words, the terrorist’s body went limp, his breath silenced forever.
Successor.
His parting words confirmed it—this incident was tied to the Venerables.
But I had no time to dwell on the implications. I bit my lip hard and rushed to check on Ciel.
“Hah, hah.”
Her face was deathly pale, and she was already drenched in a cold sweat. With trembling hands, I rummaged through my subspace pouch for an antidote, but then I stopped myself.
There’s no time.
I couldn’t risk administering a random antidote when I didn't know the nature of the toxin. If I guessed wrong, I might kill her myself. But if I did nothing, I would miss the golden window for treatment.
I carefully lifted Ciel and placed her inside the subspace pouch. Since time barely flowed within the pocket dimension, the poison’s spread would be effectively halted.
Just as I finished securing her…
“Here, over here!”
“Find the terrorist!”
In the distance, the shrill sound of whistles and the shouts of the city guards echoed through the night.
*
Glypheshi Central Hospital.
Ariel, her expression somber and heavy with guilt, offered her apologies to me and to Ciel, who lay motionless on the hospital bed.
“I have no excuse.”
“…”
Normally, I would have told her it wasn't her fault, but looking at Ciel writhing in fitful pain, the words died in my throat. A part of me wanted to lash out and ask why they couldn't stop a few terrorists, but logic held my tongue.
The Sons of Boana are natives of the Sea of Trees.
Although they harbored demonic energy, the amount was faint. Since they weren't true demonic beasts, they could bypass the Spirit King Elahim’s blessing and enter the city at will. It was nearly impossible to single out enemies who were determined to commit a suicide attack. I understood Ariel’s position, but as the one who had to watch Ciel suffer, the resentment was real.
I asked, my voice cold and hard, “What are the results of the analysis?”
Ariel spoke softly, her head bowed in shame. “It’s a neurotoxin foreign to the Sea of Trees. We don’t know its origin, and we don’t have an immediate antidote.”
“…”
Isley interjected from the side, trying to offer some semblance of hope.
“Still, we’ve used the forest’s blessing and the power of the spirits to stabilize her and stop the poison from advancing. Your initial response was excellent, Roen.”
Isley seemed confident that her condition wouldn't deteriorate further.
“Our best researchers are working around the clock on an antidote, so please, try not to worry too much.”
“…Thank you.”
Isley led Ariel out of the room. “We’ll take our leave now. Rest while you can.”
The recovery room fell into a heavy silence once they were gone. I looked down at Ciel. She had passed the critical stage and was now sleeping peacefully, her expression calm, but my own heart was a storm of guilt.
This is my fault.
Everything that happened to Ciel was on my hands. This disaster was the result of my own greed and poor judgment. If only I hadn't chased the enemy so recklessly. If only I had reacted a fraction of a second faster. Or if I had simply given Ciel an Aegis Shield before we engaged.
I was wearing the Silver Dragon Armor, so I was immune to the poison…
Regret washed over me in a suffocating tide, but I knew it was pointless.
“…”
Swallowing my bitterness, I carefully took Ciel’s limp hand in mine. Was this how Ciel felt whenever she watched over the original Roen, who had been so frail he could never leave his sickbed?
We had only been together for about a year, but the bond I felt with her was beyond words. If I felt this much pain now, I could only imagine the agony Ciel had endured watching Roen suffer for years.
“…”
In the quiet of the hospital room, I held her hand and slowly closed my eyes.
*
When I finally stepped outside, I found familiar faces waiting for me.
Freya, Elena, Kiriel, and Beatrice.
I rubbed my weary eyes with the back of my hand and forced a steady tone. “Sorry for making you all worry.”
Kiriel was the first to speak, her voice trembling. “H-How is she?”
“She’s past the worst of it. They say her condition is stable for now.”
Beatrice and Elena spoke in turn.
“That’s a relief, all things considered. I’ve already contacted the Magic Tower and requested their assistance in researching the toxin.”
“I’m sorry I couldn't be of more help.”
Because it was a unique, unknown neurotoxin, Elena’s standard detoxification magic had been ineffective. Finally, Freya stepped forward, her eyes searching mine.
“I’m praying for Miss Ciel’s speedy recovery. Are you alright, Roen?”
“Yes. Thanks to your gift.”
I gave her a brief glimpse of the Silver Dragon Armor I wore beneath my sleeve. If it weren't for Freya’s gift, I would be in a hospital bed right next to Ciel. No matter how fast my reflexes were, I would have inhaled enough of that mist to be incapacitated.
After a brief conversation, I decided it was time for them to leave.
“It’s late. You should all head back and prepare for tomorrow.”
I was grateful for their presence, but I couldn't keep them here.
Ariel has temporarily suspended the festival week.
A curfew had been established to clear the streets, and an order had been issued banning all unauthorized gatherings. Furthermore, the students staying in the dorms were to be moved inside the floating ship tomorrow for their safety. These four had to supervise that evacuation, so they needed their rest.
“What… what are you going to do?” Kiriel asked, her eyes lingering on me.
I answered calmly, “I’m staying by Ciel’s side.”
And then, I was going to hunt down the bastards who did this to her. As my expression hardened, Beatrice spoke cautiously, as if reading my mind.
“Miss Ciel needs you here. Please… don’t do anything foolish.”
“…”
Beatrice was worried—not just for Ciel, but for what I might do in my current state.
I’m grateful for the concern, but…
This wasn't something I could just let go. Beyond avenging Ciel, the fate of the entire city was balanced on a knife's edge.
The fact that they committed an act of terror while specifically mentioning the ‘Successor’ means their true attack is about to begin.
If I didn't act, this city would become a blood-soaked battlefield at the hands of the Venerables. This was a problem that only I could solve.
*
In the dead of night, when the hospital was silent.
I slipped past the tight security and snuck out into the darkness. My goal was simple: track the perpetrators and uncover the mastermind. More precisely, I needed to negotiate with—or eliminate—the enemy before the citizens and students became their next targets.
After all, the Venerables’ main objective was me.
Based on the fragments of memory I had pulled from the dead terrorist, I retraced the path he had taken to infiltrate the city. I could still read the lingering traces of mana even from a corpse.
After navigating the winding alleys of Glypheshi for some time, I reached the city’s edge. Beyond this point lay the wilderness, a place untouched by Elahim’s blessing. It was also where the Sons of Boana had established their base of operations.
To catch the tiger, I had to enter its den.
However…
I felt a familiar presence tailing me. I stopped dead in front of the barrier, let out a long sigh, and spoke to the shadows.
“You can come out now.”
The bushes rustled, and four figures revealed themselves one by one. Beatrice emerged first, looking slightly sheepish as she scratched her head.
“You caught us. I was sure my presence-concealing magic was perfect.”
Next, Elena stepped forward with a bright, determined smile. “Where are you going in such a hurry, all alone in the middle of the night?”
“…You don’t need to know.”
“What do you mean, we don’t need to know?” Kiriel countered. “You’re going for revenge, aren't you? I’m coming with you.”
Freya was the last to chime in, her gaze steady. “Miss Ciel is my friend, too. I can’t just let those bastards get away with this.”
“You all…”
Looking at the four of them, I swallowed the surge of emotion welling up in my chest. I was truly grateful for their loyalty to Ciel and me. But I couldn't accept their help. Not this time.
If I were simply dealing with a terrorist group, I would have welcomed their strength. But the person I was going to meet was no mere mortal.
“…I appreciate the sentiment, but I have no intention of going further. Let’s all go back.”
We needed to return to the safety of the city before our mana signatures were detected. Just as I turned to lead them away…
Shwaaaa—.
A thick, black mist instantly blanketed the surroundings. The mist was so dense it swallowed the moonlight, plunging the world into an unnatural, suffocating darkness.
This black mist…!
At that moment, a chilling voice echoed in my ears, cold enough to freeze the blood in my veins.
“It has been a while, Successor.”
Along with a horrifying pressure that made my heart hammer against my ribs, a familiar face emerged from the gloom. A man radiating a dark, oppressive aura, clad in tattered black robes.
I stared at him, my voice a low growl.
“…Gilean.”
Gilean of the Black Mist. The human Venerable had appeared before me once again.