Chapter 112
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: The Hidden Map
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“How are we supposed to get there? By fighting our way through those damn monsters?”
Amy asked, horrified by Ethan's suggestion.
I agreed with Amy. It was doubtful we could even make it there alive.
Besides, something Aurora had said when we spoke on the phone earlier was bothering me—about the roads being blocked at Westmore. I quietly mentioned this fact.
“She said the roads at Westmore are blocked, so even people in the capital can't get out. It might be difficult to reach Notium by traveling above ground.”
“Who did you hear that from?”
In response to Knox's question, I explained the call I'd received from Aurora today.
Then, I brought out the blueprint for Happy House and spread it across the table. Not the front, of course, but the back.
Number 1 is Brunel, Number 3 is the spring, Number 6 is Hague, Number 8 is Notium.>
“But everyone, look here. What if this text is describing paths connected by the underground passages?”
I explained the hypothesis I had come up with earlier while I was alone.
“There wasn't just one or two paths in the underground passage. Perhaps if we keep clearing the way forward, we might find even more hidden routes.”
When I finished explaining, a stunned silence fell over the group. Ethan, his expression suddenly grave, muttered quietly.
“So, you're saying there are at least eight paths.”
“Yes. And as you can see here, one leads to Hague, and another to Notium.”
“If we can just find the connecting passage, we could not only bypass Westmore but also get straight to Notium in the capital.”
Ethan was right. If that was the case, he wouldn't have to leave alone, and we could even get his help in clearing the passages, couldn't we?
*And...*
Benton is nestled against the Lubelt Mountains to the north, surrounded by a river on its other three sides.
*Did they build a tunnel under the river?*
I don't know how they managed it, but if it really connects all the way to the capital, the scale of these passages would be immense.
Could a project of this scale be completed with time alone? Wouldn't it have required the help of someone with immense capital or power?
Or perhaps it wasn't Baron Ruskin who built the passages at all, but someone else entirely.
“Who on earth would build a passage like this, and why? The more I think about it, the more... suspicious it seems.”
“And it's a little scary. I can't imagine what they intended to do with it.”
Victor and Emma stared uneasily at the back of the Happy House blueprint, where the memo in question was written in Baron Ruskin's hand.
“Miss Cherry, is there any guarantee that these passages are safe?”
Knox asked, his brow deeply furrowed. As he looked up at me, everyone else turned to face me as well.
“Who would think to build something like this in a rural town, in a ruined house, and for what purpose?”
Ethan, who had been listening quietly, voiced his doubts once more.
“But thanks to these passages, we successfully took over Brunel. We were able to expand our safe zone. If we use them correctly, they could be a huge help.”
My counterargument silenced the group for a moment, then one by one, they began to nod.
“I understand why you're all worried. But think about it. Is there anywhere in this world that's completely safe right now?”
Having made my point, I once again asked for everyone's opinion.
“So, do we all agree that we should explore the passages further?”
In response to my question, Amy shot her hand up and nodded enthusiastically.
“Honestly, I don't know how much longer we can last here. We might even be able to find a safer place through these passages. I'm with Star Candy on this.”
Amy's words seemed to be the deciding factor. After she spoke, everyone nodded emphatically and voiced their agreement to explore the passages.
“It really does seem like my luck improves whenever I'm with you, Cherry. Yep.”
Ethan nodded, muttering to himself again.
In any case, my hypothesis had enough credibility that a plan was quickly formed.
We decided to divide into teams to manage the passages and clear the paths. We also needed to create a map—a map of the tunnels.
Later, when Harrison and Ethan returned, they took over,
and Jose, who was on watch on the roof, switched with Knox. Only then could we fill them in on the situation.
The plan went smoothly. It would have kept going smoothly, too, if those damn bastards from Kintne hadn't started causing trouble.
*I'll have to teach them a lesson they won't forget.*
We took over Brunel. Why couldn't we take Kintne, too?