Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Black Sun Bargain
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"A deal?"
The retort emerged from inside Prisvia's helmet, modulated into an emotionless mechanical tone.
Fortunately, she seemed intrigued—no killing intent poured out like before.
I crept cautiously toward the control facility in a crouch. And sure enough... I let out a sigh of relief as I held up my Black Sun Rin.
"This is the divine treasure that the Black Sun Karenden bestowed upon the descendants of Emit."
"Hoo?"
"I thought it was just a magic tool that restores mana... but couldn't it serve as the energy core for this battleship base? There's even a slot here that fits it perfectly."
She wasn't someone I could deceive or bluff. There wasn't even time for that.
Prisvia approached without a hint of hesitation, as if she could dodge my attacks anytime, anywhere, and peered down at the spot I indicated.
For a moment, her movement froze. There... was a small slot. Perfectly sized for the Black Sun Rin.
"If this battleship base activates, it could bring change to all the research you've been unable to complete so far... What do you think?"
"......"
"Please help us. In return, I'll lend you this Black Sun Rin. Until your research is done."
Prisvia slowly alternated her gaze between the Black Sun Rin and the slot, as if running calculations.
For a brief silence that weighed on my shoulders, then suddenly—huh, heh heh, heh heh heh... a chilling laugh leaked from the gap in her helmet.
"I didn't expect things to get this interesting."
"......?"
"I was planning to move the beastkin past the barrier in exchange for wings from Alakishi, but heh, this changes everything."
She took the bait...
My fist clenched cautiously.
It was a loan, not a gift, so it depended entirely on Prisvia's conscience.
"Black Sun Rin, huh. Who knew it was an energy core. Heh heh, fine. Lend it to me until my research progresses. About ten years should do it."
"Ten years... Ten whole years?"
I'd nearly asked if that was all, but my shock twisted the words. I'd expected decades.
"Heh heh heh, I'll fend off the undead until the beastkin safely pass the barrier and fight alongside the ancient being that killed Alakishi—ten years is a bargain, isn't it?"
"Even so, ten years feels too long. Let's make it three."
"Is that code for breaking my neck? Heh, five years. No more compromises."
It would be a lie to say no inner conflict arose amid my personal regret.
I'd already received meaningful aid from the Black Sun Rin's supernatural power countless times. In magic volleyball, wandering Harbadonia...
But what I'd clearly felt in the recent clash was that Prisvia was an overwhelmingly superior warrior. Her subordinate adventurers must possess tremendous skill too.
"Rain...?!"
As I unwound the Black Sun Rin's chain from my neck, Kasena cried out in bewilderment.
"We need Prisvia's help to overcome this desperate situation. Five years is long, but cheap compared to the price of our lives, right?"
And if she refused to return it, or tried to seize it by force, I had no counter. Agreeing to the deal was the best option now.
Just as I moved to hand over the flickering Black Sun Rin from my palm amid deep personal regret—
A clear jingle rang out first from the side as Kasena extended her hand toward Prisvia.
"No, then lend mine instead!"
Beneath her tightly clenched fist dangled the Black Sun Rin on its chain, swinging like a pendulum.
What...?
While I watched in a daze, Prisvia grasped the Black Sun Rin, but Kasena didn't release her grip on the chain.
"You'll keep the five-year promise, right? No extensions or anything!"
"Of course. We Ain always speak after perfect calculations."
Prisvia affirmed it, then removed her own helmet and unfastened the metal tag from her neck, handing it to Kasena.
"If you can't trust me, hold this as insurance. Heh, exactly five years from now, we exchange."
It was an adventurer's identification tag, engraved with "Prisvia" in mechanical script over pure platinum.
For high-ranking adventurers, that tag was proof of identity and a symbol of honor—enough to borrow immense sums from alliances or banks.
Prisvia ranked first in platinum grade; its value defied numerical estimation.
But no matter what, it was trivial compared to the Black Sun Rin's treasure of the Black Sun...
"Miss, what... That's your family's heirloom! It doesn't make sense for you to be without the Black Sun Rin!"
Snapping to my senses, I tried to hand over my Black Sun Rin instead, but Kasena grabbed my arm and shook her head.
"Not yours. You're an incredibly skilled mage—it has to stay with you."
"But even so...!"
"By five years from now, I'll have become a mage who needs the Black Sun Rin too. So it's fine!"
My stomach churned. I had no word in my mental dictionary for this warm ache rising in my chest.
Prisvia slotted the Black Sun Rin from Kasena straight into the groove. The base's ominous red emergency lights shifted to blinding white radiance.
Prisvia nodded in satisfaction at the steady rhythm.
[Heavenly Core linkage confirmed. Charging full-sphere positioning power... This Heavenly Core can supply only 4% power to the main hull.]
Without waiting for the message to finish, Prisvia turned the gears of her mechanical armor and strode past us toward the exit.
Wondering what next, as we stared blankly, she pointed at the screen hovering over the command dais.
My gaze snapped there, and my heart leaped. In the blizzard engulfing the beastkin rear guard, a fierce bloodbath raged.
"Grab that Black Sun Rin from the slot and follow."
"?"
"Our ultimate goal is toppling the ancient being, right? For that, you lot need to be somewhat useful, heh. Scared? You can stay here and watch if I keep my end of the deal."
"......!"
"But to find Alakishi, it'd be better to fight directly and end this commotion quickly?"
Kasena stared blankly at Prisvia, then asked in a trembling voice.
"You said Alakishi was dead?!"
"Not confirmed. And a true dragon wouldn't die that easily anyway."
"Then why say all that?"
"Heh heh heh heh, just one means to break your will and kill you easily and surely. I use every method available when hunting."
Hearing that explanation nearly buckled my knees. Three convictions struck me.
This Ain hadn't reached the platinum pinnacle by luck, and like Valensidis, was a pro at slaughter and hunting.
And I'd never grow close to her, no matter how much time passed...
"Let's fight together. But if you half-ass it, the deal's off."
Prisvia scoffed at my warning, jutting her chin.
"Heh, who do you think I am? I'm a lady who always keeps her word."
* * *
Rushing out of the battleship base, a mournful horn blast instantly conveyed the crisis.
Bwooo, bwooooo bwooooo...
Terror-stricken beastkin screamed as they fled south; the few warriors hastily grabbed torches and rushed to the rear.
"Miss."
The clamor reflecting off the snowy night was so intense we had to cup hands to our mouths and shout to converse.
Before mounting, I handed Kasena the basket of dragon eggs strapped to my back.
Kasena understood without asking... bit her lip powerlessly, and muttered something.
"...Don't."
"What?"
"If you die, I won't forgive you!"
Unable to promise anything, I gave a feeble smile, mounted, and spurred the pony onward.
The closer to the commotion's source, the harsher the cold; desperate shouts and anguished screams crisscrossed everywhere.
In the blizzard where visibility was zero, only distant roars buffeted my ears.
"Don't let a single one escape!"
"My god, they keep coming endlessly!"
"S-spider, it's a spider!"
Determined to restore order first, I leaped from the horse.
The barrier array formed three layers of triangles; runes inscribed: 열 (Row) · 지 (Hold) · 결 (Seal).
Bestowing row (vast spread), hold (long duration), and seal (closing) properties on a 3-star single-target fire spell.
Chaaaaang—fwoosh!
A clear chime as I gripped and shattered the magic circle over my palm, draping a crystalline flame mirage across the distant horizon.
Like dawn piercing black rock, the billowing fire curtain blocked the blizzard, broadening and brightening visibility.
Simultaneously, chilling screams erupted from all sides as undead wreathed in flames shrieked in agony before collapsing one by one into the snow.
"Rain, Rain, Rain."
Spotting the mana, perhaps—a clear wing-flap sounded, and soon a warm creature alighted on my snow-covered head.
"Peach, you're safe."
No sooner had I sighed in relief than Barlzen came running from Peach's direction, with Durankus tribe warriors.
"Rain!"
"Barlzen, head straight to the barrier's west gate now. We've arranged to open it!"
"The fake wolves listened to you?"
Barlzen blinked in shock, then grinned wolfishly, splitting his muzzle wide.
"Ya hear that, you useless pups? My friend's opening the barrier gate!"
Warriors led by each tribe's champions began joining us one by one.
I glimpsed the one-eyed polar bear Opus; as expected, the eagle beastkin Griffion commanded the largest group.
Beyond the flame barrier, countless undead and the ominous primordial spiders called "the Old Ones" swarmed, their hundred legs emitting ear-shattering ultrasonic threats.
"The barrier gate's opening?"
"Yes, and Prisvia's adventurer party will cover you. So move fast!"
The warriors exchanged dazed glances of disbelief, but soon their eyes blazed with resolve.
The fire named hope surged blood vigorously through their veins.
Then, from behind, Prisvia arrived with a neurotic gear whine, leading a dozen subordinates, chuckling sinisterly.
"No, these stragglers have no choice but survive or die. Heh heh heh heh."
No need to ask why.
No need to wonder at the terror dawning on the warriors' faces as they turned east.
Unconsciously, I muttered.
"It's coming..."
Amid primal dread, cold sweat trickled down my forehead; my breath quickened involuntarily.
The flame curtain that lit the world and repelled darkness began flickering desperately before fading powerlessly.
The raging blizzard howled like a flute playing cosmic melodies... and amid that white timbre and utter cold, ancient beings danced grotesquely...
At their center emerged the White Duke Shar'kas.
Was it defiance against fear, or feral instinct whispering of peril if the foe went unchecked?
"No—"
A dozen nearby eastern beastkin warriors charged Shar'kas in a pack.
Before my urgent protest could leave my throat, spiderwebs whirled like dimension-slicing blades... severing limbs, staining the snow crimson.
A vague, eerie vision of death brushed past the warriors' eyes. It must have happened in reality too.
"......?!"
"......?!"
"......?!"
Had it not been for the fierce pillar of fire erupting from the ground, incinerating those webs in white smoke.
"Fall back! It's not something we can fight! That's the White Duke Shar'kas! One of the Spider Lord's five vassals!"
Was it the afterecho of 4-star instant calculus? Clutching my throbbing forehead, gasping, those words came from Rain Ludwig.
"White Duke...?"
"Shar'kas...?"
"Rain, is what you just said true?"
As all turned puzzled gazes to the boy, the White Duke Shar'kas cocked a brow in interest.
"Rain? Rain Ludwig?"
That instant's terror disordered my breath utterly.
What.
How does that thing know my name?
"This is surprising. I thought you'd fled swiftly beyond the barrier. Is this the king's grace too?"
Shar'kas advanced barefoot over the white snowfield in geta clogs, each step eerily silent.
"Did the Queen of Time truly seek you? Did Karenden send you here?"
I stared blankly at Shar'kas. Doubts amplified into hyperventilation, muddling my mind.
I'd only told Alakishi that.
Can it read minds? Then it's a mage's natural enemy?
"How...?"
Then Kasena cried out in a frail voice.
Filtering the abyss with mana, she didn't spew blood and collapse like last time, but her face was deathly pale.
Shar'kas showed no reaction to the question; she clenched her fists and shouted again.
"How did you do it to Alakishi...?!"
Shar'kas tilted its head briefly, then a childlike yet wicked smile bloomed.
"Ah, that. Yes."
Shar'kas snapped its fingers, and from the thick, distant blizzard, 'it' emerged, shaking the earth.
None of us could utter a word upon seeing 'it' behind Shar'kas.
My heart hammered like it would burst, as if everything would soon end...
"Greet your old friends, Bardumkus."