Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Power of the Earth (3)
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Magic in this world is akin to a kind of superpower, so not all mages share the same sensations.
It's like computers that look identical on the outside but run different operating systems. They just don't know each other.
Water Flow Manipulation feels like kneading invisible water that's entered your sensory range with unseen hands.
Spirit Creation feels like a natural communication channel with the spirit opening up in a corner of your consciousness.
Phantom Inferno feels like designating a virtual zone wherever your gaze lands and setting it ablaze.
So what about the newly acquired Earth Bind?
It matched almost perfectly with what Galen had casually said to Akanksha.
"A transparent barrier... no, armor suits it better. It feels like your whole body is wrapped up tight."
Whether humans had misunderstood on their own and the earth fairies hadn't bothered to correct them, or if the earth fairies' mechanism worked a bit differently—who knew.
At least to Galen, all that talk about 'drawing energy from the earth' was complete nonsense.
The moment he expended mana, a transparent suit of armor simply formed around his body.
"But this armor is heavy."
"It's transparent, but it has weight?"
"Yeah. I'm still at the crawling stage, but I managed to take two or three steps."
What he meant was that two days had passed since acquiring Earth Bind.
The carriage was now approaching Oklane.
Earth Bind Lv.4
Progress to next level: 44%
Before the status window's 'self-study experience penalty' kicked in, steadily burning mana through practice alone raised it by a full level per day.
Of course, a beginner's level 1 wasn't much to speak of.
Still, going through that beginner phase for the fourth time let him discern even the subtle differences at that low level.
"The armor's direction... well, the higher the proficiency, the tougher it gets, but also heavier."
"Ah, so that's why Akanksha was fine even after taking a hit from a giant?"
"Exactly. Tough enough not to get hurt, heavy enough not to get knocked away. Like a rock embedded in the ground."
"Makes sense. During spars, he mostly just defended in place..."
Lilia's head, which had been nodding up and down, now tilted side to side.
"Huh? But if it keeps getting heavier, won't moving become harder and harder?"
"That's the difference between me and Akanksha. Earth fairies probably get physical corrections alongside their mana usage."
To move a body dozens or hundreds of times heavier as if it were normal.
Otherwise, Akanksha's movements made no sense.
In contrast, Galen's body felt no such enhancement.
Even at a mere level 4 Earth Bind, trying to move felt like wearing soaked clothes—heavy and cumbersome.
"A bit more proficiency, and I probably won't be able to move at all. Staying still is fine, though."
"Then it'll still help in battle... since you don't need to move anyway, Brother!"
"Yeah. That's why I'm plenty satisfied."
If he could harness its effects perfectly like an earth fairy, he might pull off a warrior-mage role too.
But why bother? He couldn't acquire martial arts through the status window. Charging upfront and swinging a sword would just be amateurish.
Galen was content with the standard mage role: staying back, using his head, and hurling spells from afar.
So what if he couldn't move? When had he ever moved during combat? As long as it was sturdy, he was golden.
For Galen, who had no real self-defense beyond hiding behind water barriers conjured by spirits, Earth Bind was like rain in a drought.
Especially now that evolved spirits could handle aggressive roles independently.
"Well, the only downside is no time to train, so it won't see use on this job."
"I'll protect you so no attacks get through!"
"Thanks. Always grateful."
Lilia clenched her fists, and Galen smiled warmly.
As the two chatted amiably...
The carriage, bathed in the evening glow, soon passed through Oklane's gates. As a church carriage, it skipped all the lines and procedures.
"It's really small. The tiniest city we've visited yet."
Lilia murmured, peeking out the window.
Excluding over a month in the Dawn Archipelago, her travel experience barely hit three months.
Still, for such a short time, she'd seen plenty, and her assessment wasn't far off.
From the wall height and circumference to the scenery inside.
It was so quaint, you wouldn't hear of it without this incident.
Small enough to cross in moments. The carriage arrived at the church.
"I'll head in first. Gotta let the others know you've arrived."
"Sure! Take care!"
"See you at the ruins!"
Akanksha hopped off and left immediately, leaving Galen and Lilia to enter the church alone.
"We've been expecting you. Come in."
An elderly man greeted them. His name was Jiaba.
Unexpectedly, a bishop. Oklane wasn't big enough for one.
A bit more talk revealed why.
One diocese covered multiple cities, with the bishop stationed in the largest or most important, dispatching priests elsewhere.
Oklane had been minor, with just a priest—until this mess brought the bishop temporarily.
"What a relief you two came. Means this'll wrap up soon."
"You look worn out. We read the reports..."
"The tensest moment of my life."
Jiaba shuddered.
"If I hadn't requested aid from His Eminence right away, war might've broken out. Neither the earth fairies nor the Steelwall Family would listen to me."
"Fairies, sure—but the Steelwalls ignored the church that much?"
"You know how prestigious houses treat the church lightly."
Exaggerated, but not entirely wrong. Galen knew from the Oceanis Family.
Precisely, houses powerful enough to be called prestigious didn't need church aid, so no complaints.
Demon matters had clear justification for deference, but church meddling otherwise? They hated it.
For instance, the church-led pirate purge in Belpas wouldn't have happened if one house controlled it—no need for prestigious involvement.
They didn't outright reject the church, making it tricky to pin down.
"Steelwall's the top house in the northeast. Oklane's just one of their cities. A mere bishop holds no sway. His Eminence mediated barely... but they're still grumpy."
"And the earth fairies?"
"They don't complain openly, at least. Who knows inwardly. Can't gauge their private mood..."
Jiaba sighed, then brightened.
"But with you two, it'll be fine. As you know, we've limited exploration teams."
"Heard. Two Golds each?"
"Right. Exactly two Golds, plus up to ten Silvers as support."
Ruin difficulties varied wildly, so optimal force was unknown.
Minimum: one Gold with aides. Standard: two or three Golds.
Not that two or three could blitz every ruin.
Even if something felt off and they aborted, that force could retreat smoothly.
Agreement: two each side, with Galen and Lilia intervening if needed—six Golds total.
No disasters, no issues.
So Jiaba's 'problem' was different. He lowered his voice, though alone.
"Even worst-case inside the ruins, whichever side acts up, matching two Golds means we can handle it."
"They won't team up against us—four versus two. No point."
"Exactly. Even without assuming that, equal numbers pressure them."
"Don't worry. His Eminence drilled precautions into us."
Galen smiled faintly.
"It'll end safely."
At least for him and Lilia.
The next day.
Galen and Lilia rode out with two priests.
Supervisors could pick their team freely, but no point bringing many if nothing happened—or if it did, too many to protect.
So they requested veterans who could self-heal via Body Fortification miracle. Jiaba sent two.
For Oklane's size, these were probably all the vets.
Off at dawn after breakfast, they reached the site by morning.
The village the Steelwalls claimed to prove ruins ownership.
"...Finally here."
Veron waited there.
"We leave now. Late, and we'll camp midway overnight."
Attitude still sour, but he was right.
Left the carriage in the village, followed Veron and his guards up the mountain half a day.
Three warriors guiding, three church folk with Vitality miracles—only the mage suffered.
Even with Lilia's aid, Galen trailed the forced march, arriving at true destination after sunset.
"Here."
A campsite carved forcibly into the slope.
Torches blazed; tent count showed dozens camped.
Divided left and right around camp like an invisible wall. Obvious why.
Veron led to the central bridging tent. Priests split off.
Moments later.
People filed in—humans and fairies.
"Hey."
Akanksha greeted casually; Veron, having come this far, skipped.
"First time. Alon, Steelwall eldest."
Man like older Veron, curt greeting.
"Heard plenty. Sachet."
Slightly taller earth fairy male than Akanksha—still short—nodded elegantly.
Awkward silence, then Akanksha, closest, spoke for them.
"Night already anyway. No real talks. Just faces."
"Ah, sure."
"No need for meetings. We're set internally; you just supervise well. Right?"
"Yes."
"Breakfast tomorrow, enter ruins. Need rest?"
"Fine."
"We're good!"
"Good. Quick ruin preview, then dismissed!"
Meeting ended abruptly.
As Akanksha moved to exit, Veron spat:
"Don't meddle needlessly."
"You too."
Akanksha snorted and left.
Galen and Lilia followed after awkward nods.
"This way."
Akanksha guided to slope beside camp.
Deeply recessed terrain, like a dug cave.
More torches and guards than camp—ironclad security.
Passed glaring earth fairies and humans split left-right.
Reached deepest recess.
"Entrance here."
"...Sealed."
"Left final bit unbreached on purpose. Breach early, wrong folks sneak in."
"Ah."
"Feel anything? Mysterious vibe, hidden secrets?"
Visually, nothing.
But the mood was odd.
Too odd to dismiss as imagination—like a familiar sensation...
Galen frowned, rummaging through memories.