Chapter 48
Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Desert Caravan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The talk of preparing a feast was no empty promise. Massive platters arrived one after another, piled high with dishes I'd never even heard of. Normally, food in this world was made from whatever was locally available—that was common sense.
But the spread laid out before us defied that logic entirely.
"We prepared these with catches from the sea. I hope they suit your taste."
Eating seafood in the middle of the desert—what a lavish meal this was. And they were fresh, too. The thin slices of some nameless fish glistened with a natural sheen.
"We're... supposed to eat this meat... raw?"
"Old man... I don't like that one. Its head's still moving around... I'll have the grilled stuff next to it..."
"Hmm..."
Vasek, Renila, and even Durel wouldn't touch the sashimi. They seemed repulsed by the unfamiliar presentation. Only Kalian and I kept picking at the red flesh.
"You seem right at home with seafood. Did you grow up by the sea?"
"Not really... I just don't picky about food."
"Mm. That's the right attitude. Best not to be fussy with meals."
The real conversation didn't start until everyone had eaten their fill. Kalian set down her utensils and lifted a sparkling crystal goblet. A liquid as red as desert sand swirled inside it.
Dozens of humanoid golems that had served the food now stood in neat rows around her.
"So, Vasek. As per your request, the Balam is heading straight for Hayar's headquarters. Now, don't you think it's time I received fair compensation for the deal?"
Vasek's face twisted at Kalian's question. He spat out the nameless fish he'd been chewing and opened his mouth in anger.
"What are you talking about? Didn't you promise back then? You said if trouble arose and I summoned the Balam with the guide golem, you'd always lend a hand."
Kalian chuckled lightly at Vasek's retort. She tilted her crystal goblet, shrugged, and replied.
"Of course, I made that promise. But it was just between you and me, wasn't it? My commitment extends only to you—not that I ever said it included anyone else."
"What... That's outrageous...!"
"Outrageous? How is this outrageous? Caravan deals are always fair."
Mana began gathering around Vasek at Kalian's words. The telltale sign of a spell about to manifest. As a mage herself, Kalian couldn't miss it.
Before Vasek's magic could take form, sharp blades snapped out from the arms of her golems in unison.
Clank!
'Talk about trigger-happy.'
No one dared move. Even hot-headed Renila and impulsive Durel grasped the gravity of the situation—the golems were that intimidating.
Did we stand a chance? I scanned the room. Over thirty golems stood right beside us. Factoring in the ones scattered about, we were looking at well over a hundred.
And down below, hundreds more golems dragged massive iron chains. If they all joined in, this fight was a lost cause.
Running might be an option. But even that, I calculated, would leave me barely escaping alone—without the others. So, time for plan B. My eyes were free. Arcana's starlight began slowly sweeping the bizarre space.
Vasek wasn't foolish. Years brought wisdom. After a moment's thought, he sighed and dispersed the mana he'd gathered.
"What do you want."
"We're short on mana stones lately. Think you could spare about two tons?"
"Ridiculous..."
"Too much?"
"An absurd amount... Even Hayar headquarters doesn't have that much."
"Shame... That's exactly what I need..."
The haggling between Vasek and Kalian dragged on. Her initially ironclad demand started shrinking as the talks wore on. Proposal, breakdown, proposal, breakdown, anger, counteroffer, breakdown.
The stalemate suited me fine. The longer we stayed in this space, the more options I had.
I'd seen plenty of barriers by now. Methods varied, but the principles were similar: twist space between spaces, lock the door. Sever external ties, hide in the gaps—that was the core.
I'd observed from outside and inside. Like studying detailed anatomy. Enough to know what touching where would do, how small flows sparked changes.
Calculations complete. Now, just wait for the right moment.
I glanced at the two still bickering and asked lightly.
"How much longer till we arrive?"
"We should have arrived already. This is a different space from the outside. Distances, time—all flow differently. The fact we're still moving means..."
"The negotiations aren't over yet? So we can't stop."
I knew we'd arrived. I'd noticed we were circling the same spot. Just needed confirmation.
"Mr. Vasek. Looks like no one's from headquarters come to greet us."
"Of course... In a severed space... You can't see beyond..."
Suddenly, Vasek's trembling gaze met mine. I stood casually and walked over. A light breeze brushed Durel's cheek; he rose too, naturally drifting toward Renila.
To onlookers, it probably looked like we were just shifting seats. Few paid our movements much mind.
I approached Renila and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her puzzled eyes turned to me.
"Why?"
"You're hurt. Why didn't you say anything?"
"What? Hurt? Where? Where?"
Renila twisted her head, searching for a nonexistent wound. Frowning, I called out to the other mages who'd come with us.
"Anyone got bandages or salve? Kid's injured, and you're all just stuffing your faces?"
My sharp tone got the mages stumbling to their feet, confused. Word spread that someone high up in Hayar was hurt. No one stayed seated.
"Mr. Vasek. You should take a look."
Even I was surprised at how natural it sounded. My lie flowed effortlessly, every deceptive move seamless as running water.
"This is..."
Vasek approached cautiously, eyes darting. The moment everyone clustered within range.
The three mana circles in my heart roared to life. The second circle's power: stealth and circulation. No ordinary mage could sense my mana flow.
Silently, swiftly, vast mana surged within me.
"How bad is it? At least bring some medicine?"
A woman who'd clawed her way to caravan leader—had she sensed something off? As Kalian stood, I reached toward empty air.
Thud!
The sensation of yanking space itself was vivid. The laws of magic crumpled in my grasp, unleashing a massive shockwave across the ship.
"What...!"
Forcing a locked door open. To alter a completed spell, I needed a gap—then infuse mana.
Kiiing!
My released mana spread through the space, merging with the spell's structure.
Fwaaah!
Foreign mana causes backlash. Solution: alter its nature. Simple—I was used to mimicking. While maintaining control.
Counterflow complete. Now, pure instinct.
"You—what have you...!"
As Kalian's golems moved, the space I'd gripped tore open. Blazing sunlight poured in, revealing the red desert beyond.
Vasek kicked off the ground, shouting.
"Everyone, out!"
Renila first, then the mages rushed out. Durel and Vasek lingered last. I leaped into the desert with them, sealing the space behind.
Boom!
Mages plummeted from the sky, landing and channeling mana for the fight ahead. Sensible prep—but futile.
Vasek hit the ground in combat stance, but the sealed space didn't reopen.
"They're not coming out..."
"They can't."
As we exited, I'd shifted the mana's nature. Until the internal rejection resolved, that massive ship wouldn't emerge in the red desert.
'That'll buy us about a day, at most.'