Chapter 185: Illegal Intrusion
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 185: Illegal Intrusion
“What did you think of him?”
Duran—the man Yeon-woo had dubbed 'Factory Man'—asked his superior in a respectful tone.
Unlike his earlier appearance, where he had been picking a fight with Yeon-woo out of jealousy, his current serious expression and calm aura made him look like a completely different person.
“I’ve heard a lot about him, but…”
Hera—the woman Yeon-woo called 'Turban Woman'—smiled with interest.
The priestesses of the True Fire, the state religion of Barbat, were forbidden from revealing their faces to anyone who wasn't kin. However, she had casually removed her turban in front of Duran.
“He’s far more calculating than I expected.”
“Yes. He likely realized our intentions and acted even more blatantly crude on purpose.”
“Usually, someone that calculating would try to hide it, but he chose to provoke us instead. I suppose that shows just how confident he is in his own abilities?”
“Perhaps it was meant as a warning?”
“Maybe. According to our intel, he respects the honor of Yggdrasil and cherishes his friends.”
In reality, Yeon-woo had simply lashed out because they were being annoying, but the two of them were completely misinterpreting his actions.
If he had been there to hear them, he would have recoiled in disgust, shouting, “Whaaat? Hooonooor?!” Fortunately, he was nowhere to be found.
Hera glanced at the report containing Yeon-woo’s information for a moment before letting out a small chuckle.
“Truly… Yggdrasil is incredible. How do they keep producing such talent?”
“It’s a stroke of luck for us. We wouldn't have been able to use him if Daihara Akito had come instead.”
“True. Both of them possess levels of experience and skill that are unbelievable for students… but we can’t exactly go around making use of the Daihara family. We were lucky. No, perhaps…”
Hera trailed off, looking thoughtful. Duran prompted her.
“Is something bothering you?”
“I’m wondering if it wasn't luck, but rather someone pulling the strings from behind.”
“By someone… do you mean Erin Blair?”
“Yes. That woman always has a smile on her face, but she’s hiding at least three snakes in her belly. When I vaguely mentioned our plan to her last time, do you know what she said?”
“You revealed it to Erin Blair?”
“Heh, they likely know everything already anyway.”
Despite Duran’s surprise, Hera answered calmly.
Malta, Erwan, Barbat.
Each of these nations had their own culture and government, having survived the Great Cataclysm to rebuild human civilization. However, compared to Alfheim, where Yggdrasil was located, they fell short in every aspect.
Whether it was scale, power, magic, science, or manpower—Barbat’s national strength was barely equivalent to one of Alfheim’s seven cities. The other nations were in a similar boat.
Even looking at the 12 Zodiacs, a simple metric of magical power, ten of them were from Alfheim. The power gap was so vast that these governments would struggle to maintain themselves without Alfheim’s support.
“To get back to the point, do you know what she said? She told me to do as I pleased. Even when I mentioned Seo Yeon-woo, she didn't show a hint of concern.”
“Does that mean Seo Yeon-woo is already aware of everything?”
In response to Duran’s question, Hera leaned back in her chair and sighed, looking up at the ceiling.
“Who knows… I’m not sure about that. Regardless, we have her word that they’ll turn a blind eye, so let’s proceed.”
“Understood.”
“Hehe. Still, isn't it fun to be a student again after all this time?”
“I don’t know about 'fun,' but it does bring back memories of how things were when I was younger.”
“I’m jealous. I wish our positions were swapped, Duran.”
“I will ensure that I don't get carried away and ruin the plan. You have nothing to worry about.”
Hera had brought up the light topic without any ulterior motive, but Duran took it seriously and reaffirmed his resolve.
Hera had chosen him precisely because he was incredibly diligent and capable when it came to missions.
With the reliable Duran on board and the plan double-checked multiple times, she should have been at ease, but being human, she still felt the tension of the major task ahead.
* * *
“Close your eyes and visualize your most comfortable space in your mind.”
I followed the instructions of the Barbat teacher—or was it instructor?
A comfortable space, huh… That would have to be burying my face in Professor Erin’s chest, wouldn't it? And not over her clothes, but against her bare skin.
I’ve never actually experienced it, but since I’m a professional gentleman, I can feel that warmth and 'boing-boing' sensation throughout my entire body just through the power of my imagination.
If my imagination fails me, I can just think of the bed where I sleep naked, cuddling with Yukina after having sex until dawn.
“Calm yourselves. Sink deeper into your own consciousness. Your inner self is deeper than the bottomless abyss. Go inside.”
I mean, I don't mind, but is a sea metaphor really appropriate?
In this world, almost no one has seen a proper ocean.
Humanity is stuck behind the Barrier because they can't even handle the monsters on land; they haven't even dreamed of touching the monsters in the sea yet.
The average person ends their life having seen nothing more than the coastal barriers built along the shore. They never get to see the open sea, let alone the horizon.
And that’s only because our government is an island nation. Barbat hasn't seen anything but rivers, so how are they supposed to imagine the ocean?
Do they just make do with videos or something? I thought magic was all about imagery.
While I was grumbling and questioning things internally, the teacher’s voice continued.
“Visualize the magic you use best. You are not manifesting the magic. The place you have sunk into is the magic, and you are within the world of that magic.”
I skipped a bit in the middle because I was distracted, but basically, I just have to keep picturing the magic I want to level up in my head, right?
But does this actually work?
In the game, the levels shot up, so I’m following along without a word, but it’s hard to believe. Everyone else is struggling with mana depletion and spamming spells to raise their proficiency, yet here they claim you can do it just by imagining it.
Think about it.
If I lay on my floor and said, “I’m going to be rich starting today~ Let’s imagine being rich~” and then suddenly started raking in cash and became a billionaire…
If someone told you that to your face, common sense would dictate that they’re either a scammer or a cult leader.
Is it because of that incense burner?
I peeked one eye open and looked at the red smoke drifting from the burner.
The reason this 'imaginary riches' style of cult training only works in Barbat is probably because of that thing.
I don't know what the ingredients are, but in the game, it was just a system mechanic and part of the background that you couldn't take with you.
But this is reality. If I buy that burner and whatever makes that red smoke, couldn't I do this back home too?
How could I pass up the chance to do a one-time special event from the game while scratching my thigh in the comfort of my own room?
I’ll have to ask the teacher if I can buy it after class.
I looked away from the incense burner and checked out the others.
In the wide space, everyone was deep in meditation, either sitting cross-legged or kneeling.
“Focus.”
At the teacher’s word, I pretended to close my eyes.
Does this guy just not like me? He said to take whatever position was comfortable for meditation.
So, I laid on my side with my head resting on my hand, like I was watching TV, and he got all annoyed and kept nagging me.
When I raised my hand and asked if any posture was okay, he said yes.
Shizuka, kneeling with her eyes closed, looked as cool as ever.
Her unwavering posture, calm aura, attractive features and figure, and her long black hair draped over her body like a garment.
She really was on a different level compared to that cosplay samurai hanging around Akito.
Park Yu-jeong found it hilarious when she saw me lying down and decided to sprawl out flat on her back, while Angelica was hugging her legs to her chest with her head resting on her knees.
I don't know if that’s actually comfortable, but Angelica is just cute no matter what.
And then…
“… …”
See, I told you this place didn't suit you.
Chika was clearly struggling with the static atmosphere, her eyes darting around anxiously.
For a mad dog who should be panting and running around a field, a class consisting of nothing but meditation must be torture.
Chika, unable to focus and rolling her eyes, suddenly locked eyes with me and immediately pretended to be deep in meditation.
It was pointless, though; I could see her body fidgeting, making it obvious she wasn't focused at all.
When class ended, I approached the teacher and asked where I could buy that burner, but he shook his head.
“The Ashes of Pasa are not for sale. They are a blessing produced by a sacred relic.”
Dammit, it’s not for sale?
Still, this is reality. Maybe I can pull some strings with the government here to get some?
If not, maybe through illegal channels. Is there some corrupt diplomat who smuggles stuff?
As I was asking for details, determined to get my hands on it somehow, Park Yu-jeong walked up with a smirk.
“Hmm? What’s this, Yeon-woo? Are you interested in that incense burner? Planning to use it when you bring a girl to your room?”
“You’re not even part of the Comedy Duo, so why is that where your mind goes? It’s because the training effect is good.”
“Oh? How do you know if the training effect is good or not? It was only one session, and it just ended.”
“…A genius bishounen like me can feel even the slightest change.”
Are you going to keep being so sharp and suspicious?
In the game, proficiency was shown as a number, so you could compare it to other training and go 'Wow!', but here you just have to feel it for yourself, so there’s no way to know for sure if you’ve actually improved or if it’s just a placebo.
I did my best to ignore Park Yu-jeong’s narrowing eyes as I went through the scheduled itinerary.
We visited tourist spots and learned about the culture as planned, but the classes were incredibly boring.
Most of them were just endless meditation like the one we just did, so even if you weren't Chika, you’d start getting restless.
How do the Lapenta students endure this? Does everyone live like a monk?
Maybe I’ve just gotten too used to Frey beating the crap out of me and wringing my body out like a rag during training, because sitting still is hard for me too.
“The Taehwan Jewel, which contains the Primordial Flame, is the most important treasure and holy relic of our Barbat.”
And I really didn't want to listen to those religious stories I had zero interest in.
The primordial this, the god descending to slay all the monsters that, the monsters being a trial sent by god… I wanted to stop hearing it, but Barbat was such a group of fanatics that their pride was overwhelming.
If I said anything against it here, they’d probably scream “Blasphemy!!” and burn me at the stake.
This was something Yggdrasil had strictly warned the students about before coming to Barbat, so that says it all.
After finishing the itinerary—which was decent enough if you ignored the religion and meditation—we returned to our lodgings.
Usually, on school trips, you have to share a room with several people, but Barbat gave us preferential treatment, assigning us quite spacious rooms for two.
For some reason, I was getting extra special treatment and had a room all to myself.
Is it because I’m handsome? I’d love to brag that it was, but there had been a suspicious vibe since the first day.
The lodgings had a bathroom in every room, so there were none of those perverted sex crime events like peeping on the girls' bath that you see in Japanese media.
Dinner was over, and free time was almost up. Just as the number of students wandering around began to dwindle, my door swung open without a knock.
“Ta-da~ The ladies are here! Which guest would you like to choose, sir?”
You’re a girl yourself; how do you make jokes like that without any hesitation?
Park Yu-jeong made the crude joke as she walked in with Shizuka, Angelica, and Chika.
They had all just bathed, and their slightly damp hair gave off a fresh, youthful vibe.
Ah, now’s not the time for that. I was the one who called the four of them here.
“You’ve all heard that this building was built on top of an ancient site, right?”
“It was?”
Chika, you really didn't listen to a single word, did you? Why did you even come here?
“I heard there was a building from the era before the Great Cataclysm, when humanity was on the brink of extinction. They say it was already burned down by the time Barbat was founded, but ruins with even a trace of that era are rare, so it has historical value.”
Our model student Angelica was cute even when she was giving a textbook explanation.
Chika still looked completely uninterested, while Park Yu-jeong stared at me intently and asked.
“You didn't call us here for a boring history lesson. Why bring it up?”
“Because we’re going into those ruins tonight.”
“… …”
“If there were ruins, Barbat would have finished excavating them already,” Shizuka remarked flatly.
I smirked at her skepticism.
“If they had excavated them, I wouldn't be bringing this up, would I?”
In reality, it might just be a historical relic, but in the game, ancient ruins always contained something incredible.
I didn't go all the way to that rude-as-hell village and earn the 'Good Child' title from an intelligent monster for nothing.
I needed it to… well, not needed, but having it made entering certain ruins much easier.
And since we’re going in anyway, it’s better if we all go together, gain some power, and come back.
At the mention of ancient ruins, Park Yu-jeong and Chika also turned serious and stared at me.
“Two hours from now, once everyone is asleep, gather in this room again. Obviously, don't get caught by anyone. Not even by the friends you’re sharing a room with.”
“Um, is it okay for us to just go into a place like that?”
“Why?”
“If it’s a ruin, it’s probably off-limits, or we shouldn't be trespassing.”
To think the mad dog Chika would say something like that.
While I was being impressed, Park Yu-jeong answered for me.
“If they don't know the ruins exist, there can't be an 'off-limits' rule. Oh my, I’m so glad it’s not illegal.”
“… …”
“In fact, shouldn't they be grateful to us for finding the ruins? Though we’re going to take the good stuff first. Right, Yeon-woo?”
Park Yu-jeong smiled at me.
As expected, she’s the one who reads my mind the best.
Tonight, we’re going to be the first to enter the ruins and extract the power stored within.
Whether or not to tell Barbat about the ruins can be decided afterward. For now, our own benefit comes first.
After all, the people in this room are the ones who will help Akito save the world.