Council of Elders (1)
I recovered the mana stones from beneath the rubble of the shattered colossal statues.
Before long, my inventory was nearly full from stockpiling them.
Come tomorrow at dawn, I'd have to swing by the city hall.
Defeated the Colossus of Mercy.
— Experience gained.
Extracting Colossus Circuits.
— Extraction Rate: 52% → 64%
Today, I'd taken down a total of twelve colossal statues—three full sets.
Each set took about an hour of combat, so three hours in total for the day.
Time had passed nicely. Time to check.
I opened my status window.
Berka's Incomplete Hierarchy Ritual
— Remaining Duration: 0 minutes 3 seconds
"Just three seconds?"
In three hours of battle, all it had recovered was a measly three seconds.
That meant... barely one second per hour.
"... Lame."
Still, it didn't seem like a big deal if I didn't overuse it.
I'd just have to ration it carefully.
After that, I used a return scroll to head back to the dungeon's first floor.
The exit on the first floor was far less crowded now, thanks to the fallout from the recent Guard Corps murder rumors swirling around.
At least it meant no more jostling through crowds every time I came and went.
I headed for the dungeon exit.
Just as I was about to cross the gate—
Pop—!
"...?"
A thin membrane-like barrier enveloped me in an instant.
It was flawless magic—precise mana control blended with pure flows.
Even so, incomplete as my grasp of the 5th Hierarchy was, my body reacted to the subtle shift.
I raised my arm.
Extending it straight forward, the membrane stretched along with it.
Normal movements weren't enough to break it.
This time, I raised my staff and focused my mana.
The barrier rippled faintly, disturbed by the mana flow.
Then, thrusting my hand forward sharply—
Riiip—pop!
The thin film tore, only for a new transparent barrier to snap into place the moment it did.
The seamless skill spoke of a true expert.
"......"
I gathered mana again and thrust forward.
Again, the barrier tore—only to reform before I could even register it.
Rip—pop!
Rip—bang!
... Kinda fun?
It felt oddly satisfying, like popping bubble wrap.
I stowed my staff.
No hostile intent, at any rate.
Besides, I knew who was behind it.
I crossed the gate and exited the dungeon.
Hummm—
Night had fallen over the city.
"......"
"......"
The knights and guards stationed at the dungeon entrance stared blankly into empty space, silent.
I strolled leisurely through the city streets.
Behind me, a single presence trailed along.
"......"
I kept walking quietly.
As I passed through the bustling districts and into the alleys, the presence closed the gap more boldly.
I picked up my pace subtly, and so did it.
"......"
"......"
I adjusted the distance to just beyond arm's reach and headed for the mansion.
Upon arrival, I opened the iron gate and stepped inside.
Creeeak—
"Eek!"
A sharp scream pierced through the closing gate.
The iron door nudged forward slightly as something slipped inside.
"... Bro-in-law. You knew, didn't you?"
Shhhrk— A transparent membrane peeled away from overhead and dissipated.
Familiar features emerged before me.
"... Ella."
"Yup~ Long time no see, bro-in-law."
"... Why bro-in-law?"
Ella Prilia.
The puppeteer who treated the forest witch Ilena like an older sister.
She ran a hand through her golden blonde hair, and it darkened to black.
"Black suits me better, right? Blonde's a bit too flashy, even if it's kinda drab."
Ella shook out her hair with a lively flourish, then pointed at me with a finger.
"And you, bro-in-law! What's with that getup?!"
"Bought it at the magic tower. It's specialized for fire resistance, believe it or not."
"Not that!"
Ella jabbed at my chest.
"What's with all this blood?! My sister's been screaming her head off since earlier— the whole forest's a racket."
"It's nothing."
"Right? This isn't all yours, is it?"
"It is, but I'm not hurt."
"... Huh? Eek! Eeeeek! Sis!"
Ella clapped her hands over her ears.
But since she was operating a puppet, her real body couldn't move.
"Sis, please stop crying already... My eardrums are gonna burst!"
Her face twisted in a grimace as she grumbled.
"... What's going on?"
"Ah... Is it some deadly disease? Or did a kingdom knight finally try to off you?"
"Nothing like that."
"... Huh? With that much blood?"
Ella pointed at my chest again.
Looking down, the blood I'd spilled acquiring the 5th Hierarchy spell had soaked my shirt and crusted over stickily.
Hm.
"No wounds."
"I don't buy it......"
"... Who doesn't?"
"Well......"
Ella scratched her head awkwardly.
... What was the point of this conversation?
My shirt needed washing anyway, so I took it off.
"Mana and mental overload from heavy use. Nothing serious."
"Hic, heek!"
"... What're you doing?"
"Ah... Your body's really come along nicely......"
"......"
Ella peeked through her fingers, confirming no injuries.
"Ahem. Anyway, bro-in-law, wandering the city like that draws way too much attention!"
"How long with the bro-in-law bit?"
"Ah... I've been going full bro-in-law mode lately, so it slipped out. Rain? No, wait—and!"
Ella raised both hands in protest.
"Why do you keep popping the stealth spell I cast on you? Unlike sis, it takes a ton out of me every time!"
So it was her laying that membrane spell at the first-floor exit.
Her skill had improved dramatically—impeccably clean magic.
Depending on the spell, but if Ilena had taught her... had she reached the 4th Hierarchy?
No, more importantly—
"So, what's this about?"
"Huh? Oh, right!"
Ella stepped closer.
"You don't happen to know where the Guard captain's gone, do you?"
Guard captain... Den?
I shook my head.
"Haven't seen him lately."
"Figures... He's our only mole in the Guard Corps. If he vanishes, we're in deep trouble."
Ella sighed in frustration.
"So... Could you help out a bit, Rain?"
Help?
Well... she had bailed me out before.
Even if it was unintentional, a favor was a favor.
"I'll hear you out first."
"Sure. Say no if it's too much. Actually, refuse if it's tough—sis has been so worried and noisy about it."
Ella held up a finger.
"A week ago, something went wrong with the puppet I gave Elder Ghirtas of the Guard Corps. Turns out... there's been friction among the elders."
A week ago?
They said Ghirtas stabbed an elder just yesterday.
So... the discord among the elders had been brewing for a week already.
"I asked the captain to look into it. Pulling an elder to our side would be huge. But then..."
Ella folded her finger.
"I heard he'd had a close talk with Elder Ghirtas, and after that... poof, gone without a trace."
"... Yesterday?"
"Yeah."
Ella nodded.
"I got curious about what happened, so I came snooping. Perfect timing with the Labyrinth Lord away."
"I've heard the rumors."
"Rumors?"
I relayed the city gossip to Ella.
"Murder... probably not. But there's definitely trouble among the elders. Why are they after me, though?"
Tell me about it.
I had no guesses, so I shrugged lightly in response.
Having heard me out, Ella clapped as if something clicked.
"Ah, that's why!"
"...?"
"One of the elders slipped out of the city at dawn today, heading to meet the Labyrinth Lord. Probably because of you?"
"......"
Meet the Labyrinth Lord... why?
Reading my confusion, she continued.
"Well, Leah the sub-guild master pushed them back with brute force... Who's above her but the Labyrinth Lord?"
Ella tilted her head slightly.
Then, as if it were perfect timing, she grinned.
"So... if another elder shows up, could you just go along quietly? I'm curious too."
"......"
Hm.
Even knowing it might be a trap, walk right in?
"Ah, I'll guarantee your safety. In fact, that's why I came today."
Ella pulled a small, dried orb-like doll from her bosom and showed it to me.
"Ta-da~ Custom-made for you by me and sis. Infiltrate the Guard Corps with this, and even if they execute you... hehe."
"......"
Ella drew a finger across her throat playfully.
"Cut the link right before death—no pain. I guarantee it!"
I've been through it myself.
I recalled Ilena's mutter.
"What do you say?"
"... To use it."
"Yeah! Gotta rip out your soul... Want me to do it? I've practiced plenty on sis."
"......"
I shook my head—no thanks.
That... hurt like dying.
And besides.
"I have a way out if it goes wrong. Just."
"Just?"
If they botch the soul extraction, that was it—no escape.
I didn't know why they wanted me, but it wouldn't be gentle.
... Ah. One idea did come to mind.
I shook my head lightly and continued.
"I'll give it a shot first."
"Great! Then I'll head out... before the Labyrinth Lord gets back."
With that, Ella bolted the moment I agreed.
I stowed the puppet she'd left in my inventory and returned to the mansion.