Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: The Falling Sky Garden
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In a moment of crisis, Fixer reinforcements appeared, arriving on a plane that broke the sound barrier.
The force they’d assembled was so impressive it was hard to believe they had gathered on such short notice.
Single-digit Fixers, by virtue of their skills, were usually scattered to avoid overlapping territories.
For three such individuals to gather in one place was truly an exceptional situation.
But as I remained bound by Vespera's restraints, I quickly noticed what they had in common.
They were all Fixers who operated around Nighthaven.
*Come to think of it, Tempest only noticed Vespera yesterday. If he asked the Association for support in the meantime, just in case… it’s entirely possible.*
The Fixer Association would understand the weight of Tempest’s request; they would never refuse.
Did that mean this was all thanks to Tempest?
I couldn’t help but praise his presence and authority once again.
“Heeey… A prince who ruins my appetite, some tasteless weeds, tough beef, a bookworm loser, and a crow… We all know each other, don’t we? You’ve all changed a little, haven’t you?”
But even in the face of such an absurdly powerful force, was she still overflowing with confidence?
Vespera pointed to each Fixer one by one, a smile playing on her lips as if she found it all amusing.
The Alraune, suddenly called tasteless weeds, and the Minotaur, called tough beef, scowled fiercely.
Luke simply furrowed his brow slightly and replied with an air of disbelief.
“Hmph, the one who’s changed the most is you. Trying to speak so calmly now? It’s so out of character it gives me chills. You psychotic blood-maniac.”
“Heehee, such an old nickname… I’d appreciate it if you forgot about that.”
Vespera covered her mouth as if it were a past she didn’t care to recall.
While the others might not know, she and Luke had a connection dating back to when the other world existed.
The way they looked at each other seemed somewhat special, as if they had been facing each other for a very long time.
But was that feeling, which seemed somewhat affectionate, just a misunderstanding?
Vespera looked around with a weary expression and added her thoughts.
“So, you plan on having a go at me here? Wouldn’t it be better to help that Tempest you all hold so dear? I don’t have much to do with those Liberation Army folks, you know.”
“That is none of your concern. Besides, if we don’t stop you here… you’ll just try to take Sir Tempest’s flesh and blood, won’t you? Am I wrong?”
“Correct. This is why I hate smart people.”
Before her words had even finished, the Fixers, excluding Luke, tensed up.
There was a simple reason for their reaction.
Vespera had suddenly flared her magic, exuding a menacing aura.
It was a dangerous atmosphere, as if she might unleash magic of dizzying power at any moment.
But surprisingly, that intense aura dissipated in an instant, like scattered mist.
The reason was simple.
Vespera, after clenching and unclenching her fists for a moment, relaxed her shoulders.
Just a moment ago, she had radiated a murderous intent as if she would kill them all.
The Fixers couldn’t help but be bewildered by her sudden loss of fighting spirit.
“…Never mind. It’s not like today’s the only day. See you next time.”
“You bastard… planning to run?”
“It seems my body can’t keep up with my magic’s recovery. I think I need to stabilize my physical form a bit.”
Was it possible that even she found it difficult to immediately digest the World Tree Seed?
It seemed she had decided that clashing with this level of power in her incomplete state would be too much.
In many ways, it was a fortunate turn of events for the Fixers.
Even with three single-digit Fixers gathered, the newly empowered Vespera was a formidable opponent whose defeat couldn't be guaranteed.
Unless they could finish her off for good… fighting a battle where they had to accept losses was a losing proposition in many respects.
Thus, Luke, having sensed Vespera’s intentions, seemed prepared to let her go.
With the fight against the Metahuman Liberation Army being urgent, making a complete enemy of Vespera would be the biggest headache imaginable.
“And it looks like things have been settled over there, too.”
“Over there…?”
Vespera muttered to herself, gazing at some distant point.
I instinctively knew she was talking about Tempest.
I’d thought the tremors that felt like they were splitting the Sky Garden in two had stopped a while ago.
It seemed the battle between Tempest and the Liberation Army had concluded.
To know that just by looking into the distance…
It was a fresh reminder of just how exceptional Vespera’s abilities were.
“Heehee, well then, I’ll be off… We’ll meet again later, little one.”
“…”
“Hm? Come to think of it, that girl is…”
“Wow, wow, wow… What a very pretty child!”
She released me from the blood that had bound me, offering a gentle smile.
At that, the Fixers’ gazes, which had been focused on Vespera, turned to me.
*Is she doing this on purpose to make things difficult?*
I massaged my tingling wrist and turned my head to the side, trying to avoid their stares.
But whether Vespera knew how I felt or not…
She left me with a chilling promise before dissolving her entire body into droplets of blood and scattering away.
And perhaps judging that Vespera had completely left the area…
Luke, who had been constantly scanning the surroundings while rotating a sphere of light, finally dispelled his magic.
It was the end of a truly precarious situation, one that could have resulted in countless casualties.
*Why did she have to say something so unnecessary… Now they’re all looking at me!*
But even after Vespera was gone, I couldn’t let my guard down.
Because of the suspicious words she’d left behind, all the Fixers’ eyes were now fixed on me.
If gazes had physical force, I would have already been skewered.
For me, who needed to avoid attention at all costs, the stress was gut-wrenching.
“Hmm, strange. I’m sure I would remember such an impressive face…”
“Shouldn’t we secure her as a person of interest for now?”
“A girl coveted by a True Ancestor… There must be an incredible secret hidden here…!”
*I’m not that kind of person.*
Suppressing the urge to cry, I decided to leave the area first.
Getting caught here would be incredibly troublesome for many reasons.
Though my hair was dyed black, I still had my watch, so my identity would be revealed in no time.
And if I somehow took off the watch to pretend I wasn't an exam-taker, that would be problematic in its own way.
Thanks to my prior interactions with Tempest, the chances of becoming a test subject if caught were low, but…
I would certainly have to give up living as Yuria. And I didn't want that.
But just as I turned my back to flee, Luke, who seemed to be the leader of the group, spoke with a slight frown.
“This is no time for idle chatter. With Vespera gone, Sir Tempest is in urgent need of support. Prepare to move immediately.”
“Uh, but… she seems to be an important witness related to the situation?”
Luke stared blankly at the plant-like Fixer who had retorted.
Was he annoyed that she kept bringing up trivial matters when they were in a hurry?
However, in the grand scheme of things, she wasn’t wrong.
Luke turned his head and spoke to the man who was looking at me with a somewhat bewildered expression.
“Raven, I’m entrusting you with securing the witness.”
“Ah, yes. Leave it to me.”
“Let’s go. Every second counts.”
Luke turned his back decisively, as if he wouldn't tolerate any more pointless arguments.
The other Fixers nodded in understanding, glanced at Raven, and departed.
Right now, Tempest was more important than the mysterious girl who had been near Vespera.
His judgment was perfectly logical. As for me, I was so grateful I could have cried.
And so, in the forest, a mess of blood and battle scars…
Only I, standing awkwardly, and Raven, scratching his head, remained.
“Man, I’m not really good at getting along with girls…”
“…”
“Uh… first off, could you please not run away? I don’t intend to hurt you.”
Raven, who had been awkwardly rubbing his neck as if unsure of what to do…
He finally looked at me and raised both his arms.
Was he trying to show he meant no harm?
His demeanor, as if he were trying to handle a stray cat, made me feel a bit drained.
Even meeting him here, Raven was still Raven.
As I felt some of the tension leave my stiff shoulders without even realizing it…
He, who had been cautiously closing the distance step by step, suddenly spoke, tossing out the words lightly.
“I’m worried you might be badly hurt… Is Alice okay?”
“…”
I paused for a moment to think over Raven’s casual question.
As it happened, I hadn’t run into Alice yet in the Sky Garden.
This was a dangerous battlefield where the Seven Extremes and their Royal Guard were running rampant.
Even someone like Alice could easily find herself in danger in this environment…
But I was sure she was somewhere, unhurt, managing somehow.
However, I immediately sensed I had made a huge mistake.
That brief moment I’d paused to think was, to him, as good as an answer.
“I knew it. Ahh, I had a feeling it might be something like this… You’re Yuria, aren’t you?”
Thump!
A heart-stopping sensation pierced my chest.
*I’ve been found out.* The thought filled my mind as cold sweat trickled down my chin.
To have my identity discovered by the one person I had to be most careful around…
What should I do? Should I take Raven down and run away?
No, he doesn’t know I’m a psychic yet, so maybe I shouldn’t act rashly?
But if I let myself be caught, that would be a problem in its own right…!
Just as my mind became a chaotic mess from the overwhelming confusion…
My body tilted forward sharply.
“…?!”
“What…! Tch, Yuria!”
Losing my balance so completely that I couldn’t possibly stand, I collapsed to the ground, and Raven instantly closed the distance, catching me in an embrace.
I found myself held tightly in his arms, my eyes widening in surprise.
But I soon realized this was no time for such trivial thoughts.
*No way…*
The scene unfolding before my eyes was enough to make my head spin.
Everything was scattering into the air.
Soil, trees, rocks, water—nothing was exempt.
It was an unreal phenomenon, like what might happen if gravity vanished from the Earth.
Held by Raven, I felt a gut-wrenching pressure and realized what was happening around us.
*The Sky Garden… is falling?!*
It was, quite literally, the worst-case scenario I could possibly imagine.