Chapter 412
Chapter 412
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 412
Chapter Title: Task Force (4)
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Shirone’s party followed Mahatu through a complex labyrinth.
The warriors, having learned they were messengers of God, all bent their knees. Even after entering the commune, they were welcomed warmly by the tribespeople.
Unlike Kadum, who had offered vast tributes to the messengers of God to gain eternal life, Mahatu managed the Kergos’ funds with transparency.
The lives of the tribespeople had improved, and the faces of those passing by were full of vitality.
Though he hadn't fought specifically for the Kergos, Shirone, who had opened the Gate of Guffin and headed for Heaven, was essentially their savior.
“If it were up to me, I’d throw a festival, but it seems your situation is urgent.”
“Yes. We must get to Heaven as soon as possible.”
Mahatu did not ask about the situation in Heaven.
The Kergos still worshiped Anke La and revered the angels, but what mattered most to him was the life of his tribe.
Thain asked.
“How many are on the waiting list? I heard earlier that it was at capacity.”
When an Unlocker opens the Gate of Guffin, anyone can go to Heaven, but the labyrinth had established the Rooms of Achievement and Sacrifice to prevent indiscriminate passage, ensuring only chosen warriors could cross over.
If it was at capacity, it meant that quite a few people were currently here, just waiting for an Unlocker to arrive.
Mahatu smacked his lips awkwardly.
“Actually, there aren't that many. About seven.”
“That’s strange. Then why did you block entry?”
“Well… it’s not really something I can discuss. But you’ll understand when you see for yourselves.”
Gauld didn’t care.
His only business with the Kergos was the Gate of Guffin.
If there were any skilled individuals among those waiting to go to Heaven, he would take them, but given the high level of his team members, it would be difficult to find a match.
“Whatever. Let’s just go, see what’s what, and get this over with.”
Mahatu quickened his pace as if to show his sincerity.
They arrived at a massive iron door carved with the image of a giant.
“This is the Warrior’s Room. The warriors who wish to go to Heaven are waiting here.”
When Mahatu opened the iron door, Gauld promptly entered, and the rest followed.
The seven warriors Mahatu had mentioned were scattered in different places, sitting and watching Gauld with sharp eyes.
A swordsman sitting with a longsword in his arms asked.
“Are you a warrior or an angel?”
Gauld didn’t answer. After scanning the faces of the seven, he turned to Thain and said.
“They need to be at least a Certified Grade 6. Anything less isn’t even worth evaluating.”
A mage in the corner frowned.
“You speak as if you’re a Certified Grade 6 yourself.”
“And if I am?”
“Haha! Is that why you’re so arrogant? I’ve killed countless so-called Certified Mages. Judging skill by grade is anachronistic. It’s how much hell you’ve experienced that decides life and death.”
The mage revealed the five rings on his right hand and took a step forward.
The man holding the sword spoke irritably.
“Hey, I believe I asked first.”
“Does it matter? Anyone with skill can go. Wasn’t that the rule?”
The mage, now standing before Gauld, beckoned with his right hand.
“I’ll teach you. The realm of one who has surpassed grades.”
Gauld’s index finger aimed at him.
The moment the Air Gun went off with a *bang*, the mage’s body was slammed into the wall. Spewing blood, he slumped to the floor and, with his head bowed low, did not move again.
“Next.”
Shirone’s eyes narrowed.
It wasn't fired with the intent to kill, like in the Association's underground bunker, but he knew the power of Gauld’s Air Gun better than anyone.
“I, too, agree with what that man just said.”
An elderly mage cleared his throat and walked to the center.
“There is a realm beyond grades. But for those without the skill to back it up, theory is nothing but delusion. I am a bit diff—!”
Simultaneously, as the mage’s face crumpled to one side, Gauld, having teleported, backhanded him across the face.
The mage’s head snapped left and right like a punching ball before he collapsed like a log.
“Next.”
Having watched two of their number get eliminated in an instant, none of the remaining five moved.
This was clearly not a team dreaming of a quick fortune on the outskirts of Heaven.
This was a task force with clear business there.
When no one stepped forward, Gauld pointed at the swordsman who was still sitting with his sword.
“Hey, you. Weren’t you talking about turns earlier?”
The swordsman stared at Gauld, his lips sealed tight.
Then, his expression suddenly relaxed, and he raised both hands as if he couldn't be beaten.
“Heh heh, I give up. Acknowledging skill is also… Ugh!”
Gauld rushed forward like a dog on all fours and swung his fist.
Press magic exploded on the swordsman’s jaw, and his face was sent flying in the direction he was hit, sliding across the floor.
“All of you are nothing but talk.”
The atmosphere in the room rapidly chilled.
Gauld glared at the remaining four who were staring blankly this way, then jerked his head toward the door and said.
“All of you, get out. If you don’t want to die.”
As if on cue, the four men scrambled out the door, flailing their limbs.
An empty chill filled the Warrior’s Room, now occupied only by the unconscious and Shirone’s party.
Gauld dusted off his hands and turned back to the door.
“There. All clean.”
“There is still one more person.”
Mahatu entered the Warrior’s Room.
His skills were certainly a cut above the others who had been here, but in Gauld’s opinion, he was still not ready for Heaven.
“What? You want a challenge too?”
“No, sir. The thing is…”
Mahatu hesitated, then glanced outside the door.
“There is another messenger of God. He asked me not to let any more warriors through…”
“Huh?”
Mahatu cleared a path, and a familiar man entered.
It was Armin of the Wide Eyes, the Eternal Contemplator.
“Well, well.”
To catch a big fish, you need good bait.
And for catching Armin, Shina was indeed perfect.
Shina’s gaze turned cold.
Just how long did he plan on treating her like a child?
But upon actually seeing Armin’s face, her tone wasn't as sharp as she had intended.
“Why are you here, brother? Did you forget what I asked?”
“No, I remember. I didn’t come here with the intention of interfering in your life. I came to keep a promise to myself.”
Gauld said.
“Sorry, but that’s not going to work. I don’t work with White Line. Can’t trust them.”
“I’ve left the Ivory Tower. Isn’t that enough?”
Shina’s eyes widened.
To cast aside the utopia of magic, a place only the world's best mages could enter, like a worn-out shoe meant his resolve was anything but ordinary.
“Wh-Why? And what about Keira…”
Armin remained silent about the details. However, a shadow of gravity briefly crossed his face.
“Shina, nothing in this world is more precious than you. Heaven is a dangerous place. I will never let you go there alone. Not for the sake of the people of the Olipher School who raised me.”
“Ms. Shina is a Certified Grade 5 mage.”
“Mr. Kuan…”
Shina was surprised that the quiet Kuan had spoken up.
“I have a rough idea of your relationship, but I feel you’re being too dismissive. And you don't need to worry about Ms. Shina's life or death. Because no one will die before I do.”
The mage was a position that had to survive until the very end of a party.
Regardless of skill, for them to die first was a matter of pride for a swordsman.
*‘Kuan, is it…?’*
The demon of the sword who had cut down two members of Pungjang, the continent's strongest swordsmanship group.
It seemed such a man held Shina in high regard.
While that was some comfort in a situation where he had to follow the madman Gauld, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment as her older brother.
*‘Then again, what right do I have…?’*
Except for Shina, everyone seemed to welcome Armin’s inclusion.
The master of time magic who had conquered the speed of light.
His Stop magic, in particular, was the world’s most powerful crowd-control ability.
“Fine, if you’re not with White Line, I’ll accept you. But I’m the one in command. If you disobey, you’re off the team. Make sure you understand that.”
Armin had no complaints either.
With Shina as a hostage, fighting for the team was his best option.
And so, on the brink of their journey to Heaven, the final 10-person Labyrinth Retake Team was formed.
*‘Wow, looking at everyone together, this is truly incredible.’*
Shirone couldn't believe he was part of such a team.
It was a task force of the most skilled individuals, regardless of their affiliation with White, Red, or Black.
***
Mahatu gave them all the remaining rooms.
After getting their own rooms and having dinner, the ten of them gathered in the largest room, which they designated as their meeting hall.
The Gate of Guffin would open at 6 AM the next morning.
Considering the Association’s pursuit, leaving immediately was an option, but they would have to sleep first anyway after crossing over.
Once they entered Heaven, even getting rest could become a battle, so it was better to spend the night here.
Gauld spread a map given to him by Kangnan on the table.
It was a spray chart of Heaven, with colored dots marking various points.
“Heaven is currently undergoing a massive upheaval. A revolution has broken out among the citizens, and rebel forces are active. What you’re looking at is a real-time threat map showing areas of Grade 2 or higher. Ah, I should take back the ‘real-time’ part. This is from three months ago.”
Gauld’s personal guard, who had been on an intelligence mission in Heaven, had gone silent after sending this map.
Thain spoke.
“After checking with Istars, we’ve found it necessary to revise our original strategy. Confirming the state of the Labyrinth is our top priority. Depending on the situation, changing the coordinates of the Akashic Record might be meaningless.”
Etella said.
“If they kidnapped Miro from Heaven, shouldn’t we re-evaluate the enemy's status? It means they’ve already made preparations of their own, doesn’t it?”
“That’s right. A preemptive strike through infiltration will be difficult. We’ll have to assess the situation first, but we’ll use a strategy of causing the biggest diversion possible before infiltrating.”
Armin said.
“Cause a diversion in Heaven? There can’t be many ways. Are you thinking of using the rebels?”
“That’s definitely something I’m keeping in mind. But the rebels won’t move easily. That’s why we need the ancient weapon, Thagis. If we can neutralize Heaven’s interception system, ‘Aegis,’ they might change their minds.”
Armin shook his head.
“No. Even if you could penetrate Aegis, the chances of the rebels launching an all-out war are close to none. Since most of them were citizens, they know Heaven’s power better than anyone. If Meca and Norr were to unite, it would be a force Heaven couldn’t ignore, but the problem is fear. Ingrained fear is not easily forgotten.”
“Fear can be removed. In any case, Heaven’s movements will likely deviate greatly from our predictions. We’ll adapt as we go. After all, we hold the masterpiece.”
Shina asked.
“What do you mean? A masterpiece?”
Thain looked at Shirone.
“It’s you, Shirone. If you succeed, it will have an effect comparable to mobilizing the entire rebel army. So let’s hear it now. How exactly do you plan to blow Heaven away?”
Suddenly, all eyes focused on him, and Shirone swallowed nervously.
It was something he absolutely had to explain before leaving for Heaven, but the atmosphere was different from when he had told Gauld.
From now on, every word he spoke would become part of their strategy in a real battle.
Gauld jutted out his chin as if to say he vouched for him.
“Hehehe, no need to hesitate, Shirone. From what I’ve seen, it’s a properly insane piece of magic.”
*‘That’s why I’m even more nervous…’*