Chapter 43
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 43: Arrest
Creak—
The sound of the office door closing was short, but the meaning contained in it was heavy.
Between the bookshelf filling the wall and thick display cabinet, the door of the secret study was half open, and inside, a man was turning documents peacefully.
The Grand Duke's man who exchanged greetings politely and returned this afternoon. It was Iden Summonfield.
Kalik Droban stopped walking with his back to the door.
A document stamped with the [Endermit] crest was held in Iden's hand.
Documents summarizing everything from the name Dwirig, banquet hall explosion preparation process, information transmission path, and even the existence of Endermit.
There was no leisure to think long.
Pushing bewilderment to the edge of his eyes, Kalik moved his steps towards the wall as if nothing happened.
Hand movement grabbing the sword hung for decoration was smooth, and the sound of the blade being drawn rang coolly.
Shing—
The face of the 'Happy Walrus' looking warm and dull was nowhere to be seen.
Smile disappeared, and beastly fierce light flashed in his two eyes.
"How did you know."
Sword tip aimed at Iden's heart without hesitation.
Steps of the Baronet who visited for a greeting, Kalik's sword tip realizing the reason and purpose was asking directly.
The calmness waiting for him grasping everything didn't even allow leisure to smoke trivial squabble.
"...."
Iden didn't answer.
Instead turning body slightly towards the window where moonlight seeped, he turned the document one more page.
The original plan was to secure only material evidence and escape the mansion.
But to penetrate the secret space of the study where a suspicious barrier was set, breaking the barrier was the only way.
Traces were bound to remain, and while persuading Grand Duke Your Highness with material evidence, time for Kalik Droban to conspire for the aftermath would overflow.
Whether disappearing, informing the group, or being eliminated, whatever result would inevitably become a big speed bump for him trying to save Galliard by ferreting out opposing forces, and further preventing massive sacrifice of Capital Helon.
Eventually, he boldly decided the final material evidence as 'Kalik Droban'.
"Endermit. Secret society aiming for national subversion. What was selected as the start is the collapse of Wintel Grand Duke family."
Voice reading down calmly was composed.
"Banquet hall explosion is warning nature. Leader's identity and base are unknown to anyone, and one of the high-ranking executives active in Northern Territory now is none other than... Redric Ricardo."
Looking down at the paper, his mouth corners moved subtly.
For some reason, bitter remorse or such also hung.
While it was natural that he, the Final Black Curtain in original work, became a high-ranking executive of 'national subversion force' Endermit eventually, bitterness as if effort trying to escape completely from original work became vain by him recognizing that fact eventually.
But to him who climbed up here taking crisis as opportunity, it wasn't an emotion to be included even in the axis of worry passing by briefly.
"Organized neatly befitting a clerk. Thanks to you, trouble is lessened."
Kalik's face hardened.
He moved steps sideways secretly.
Wall next to study, thin gap covered by display cabinet.
Inside that secret space, there was something prepared for the worst situation.
Hand went inside, then came out holding a small black crystal.
Crystal amplifying secret power only Endermit's followers can handle.
Forbidden condensation body exploding mana with life as collateral.
And nucleus of black magic connecting Endermit followers immediately upon manifestation.
Kalik pushed it into his mouth without hesitation.
Gulp.
Moment it went down the throat, he burst into low laughter.
Although forbidden power gnawing at life, can reverse situation by exploding power extremely in short term as much, and after a while power spread riding thick soaring black veins will overwhelm whole body.
"Shouldn't let you live."
Aiming sword again, approaches one step towards Iden.
"Hand over documents even now. Power will manifest soon. Terrible thing you can't even imagine—"
However, his words stopped in the middle.
Because Iden put his hand in his pocket slowly.
And what he took out was, one pitch-black crystal.
"Is this perhaps what you intended to eat?"
Crystal receiving moonlight shone subtly.
Minute mana imprint engraved on that surface was clearly that of black magic condensation body.
Kalik's pupils shook.
"What...?"
Iden added indifferently.
"I already scanned the entire study interior with search summoned beast. Including secret space inside the closet. Then discovered by chance but recovered since it looked dangerous."
What Kalik swallowed wasn't black magic crystal containing forbidden power.
It was an ordinary black stone of similar size and similar look Iden picked up from garden flowerbed.
Just a dark pebble placed similar just in case.
Kalik's face distorted.
Black veins that should soar thickly by now were quiet, and power that should overwhelm whole body wasn't even felt.
No mana explosion, no black energy rising riding blood vessels, no power wave.
Empty inside body.
Only thick nausea rising gradually.
Last remaining leisure on Kalik's face snapped, snap.
Absurdly he was getting caught in his trap, and that person called Iden wasn't tolerating even a single gap to him.
No.
Rather as if savoring him caught in the trap, chewing and tearing slowly.
Kalik chewed molars at slowly strengthening stomach ache.
Had to go against his flow leading holding situation in hand, but way doesn't come to mind.
With pure force, absolutely cannot subdue him.
As even emergency measure blocked now, it seemed impossible to break through situation with power alone.
As if no justification to aim sword and threaten anymore, nor room to drag time, threw body towards door clenching teeth.
Carpet pushed by strength gathering below knees wrinkled, and greasy physique slid out unbelievably fast.
"Damn it—!"
Words spat out were almost close to scream.
Fingers grasping doorknob twisted turning white.
Iron handle rang creak, and moment door opened cold air rushed in whoosh.
But.
Moment crossing threshold, Kalik felt sensation of air hardening 'hard'.
Thin and hard resistance, as if invisible glass wall is filling door gap.
Kalik's face is crushed colliding head-on with it.
Thud—!
Along with dull impact sound, feeling of flesh pressed and crushed came.
Nose bumped first, then forehead and cheekbone pressed flat sequentially.
Eyes flashed for a moment, then body bounced back by recoil.
"Kugh...!"
Thud!
Huge physique rolled as if flying as is in front of door.
Feet kicked empty air once, rolled few times then eventually fell on floor.
Breath boiled up clogged tight inside chest.
Kalik staggered supporting body with elbows.
Nose tip tingled, and iron taste spread inside mouth.
Fishy taste of liquid not knowing if saliva or blood wet tongue tip.
"Wh, what is this...!"
He glared at the door.
Clearly open.
Corridor seen too.
Even outside air coming in.
Nevertheless, couldn't cross.
"D, don't tell me!"
Only then did Kalik's gaze fall down.
And breath froze.
From the spot where study floor carpet was half turned over, huge summoning circle covering entire room was revealed.
'Barrier Summoning Circle.'
Not clumsy temporary barrier, but fixed barrier summoning circle sealing space itself.
Structure as if detaching this study separately, making into one small world.
Iden was standing leisurely, still holding documents in hand.
Moonlight shines carving his side profile faintly, and silver light stained edge of documents.
"This... crazy...."
Kalik stood up grinding teeth.
Knees shook for a moment, but he caught balance forcibly.
Grasped missed sword again.
But hand trembles at fear coming belatedly.
Illusion as if suffering from nightmare arose.
Feeling like engulfed in absolute helplessness unable to do anything inside nightmare.
Kalik, as if pressing that fear with anger, suddenly shouted.
"H, hey there—!! Is anyone there—!!"
He calls guards shouting repeatedly towards outside open door.
Last struggle pitiful prey caught in perfect trap unable to move an inch can do.
His voice ringing as loud as belly grown by greasing was clearly loud enough to make entire quiet mansion shake.
"......."
But no hand of salvation seen.
Urgent footsteps of guards who should protect family head aren't heard.
He realized only then.
That this barrier isn't simply dividing space.
That even lid was closed so rat inside jar couldn't make squeak sound even once.
"Die—! You son of a bitch—!!"
Eventually he filled with evil swung sword.
Blade flashed cutting through empty air.
Paper dust fluttered brushing book spines of study, and candlestick on display cabinet shook rattle.
Curtain shook fluttering as if wind rose, but all those sounds were heard strangely distant.
As if blocking ears with thick cloth.
"Aaaack—!!"
Kalik's scream rang only inside the study.
Echoed hitting walls, then barrier killed it slowly as if 'absorbing'.
Kalik clenched teeth, and aimed sword at Iden again.
Summoner of the Dark Night said to dig into enemy lines sealing hands and feet in darkness and tightening breath.
Prey trapped inside his summoning circle thoroughly prepared, clearly intended, had to struggle like that.