Chapter 108: Though Life Hangs by a Thread, Is There No Path to Survival?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: Though Life Hangs by a Thread, Is There No Path to Survival?
The reason Yernil took a job at Lilweed's errand center in Flandre was because Lilweed was an elf.
For a young elf like her, who knew little of the world and wandered alone after leaving the Fairy Forest, everyone she met was a stranger. Still, Yernil needed someone she could place a sliver of trust and affection in, and at the time, the best she could hope for was someone of the "same race."
It was like the relief one feels meeting a fellow countryman in a conflict zone in the Middle East.
Yernil felt at ease when she met other elves.
Especially someone like Professor Dalstream, who had lived for an immense time—someone who would be treated as an elder in the Fairy Forest.
Yernil revered such a wise and experienced elf.
"Greetings."
She bowed, stepping one leg back in a formal salute.
It was the proper etiquette for greeting the elders of the Fairy Forest.
"Ah... hello."
Dalstream blinked his wrinkled, drooping eyes.
"You're one of Caleb's party members, aren't you?"
The professor had never spoken to Yernil, but he had seen her with Caleb a few times at the Adventurers' Guild and the Magic University.
"Yes. My name is Yernil. What brings you here, Professor?"
A faint smile touched Dalstream's lips at her innocent question.
He never expected an outsider to ask him such a question in the Public Security Headquarters' archives.
The professor had a research agreement that allowed him access to the archives twice a week. In truth, he was the one who should have been asking Yernil what she was doing here.
But Yernil was a citizen constable.
Though a bit clumsy, she felt that as someone affiliated with the headquarters, she should welcome the professor, an outsider, as a guest.
Like a new employee trying to give a company tour to an external director visiting for the first time in ages.
Dalstream decided to respect her adorable sentiment.
"I'm here for research."
Their conversation was like a centuries-old tree and a young sprout becoming friends.
"There are two institutions in Sohen best suited for studying historical records," the old professor said. "One is the Magic University, and the other is the Public Security Headquarters."
"I'm writing a paper comparing my findings from the last labyrinth expedition with old documents. That's why I'm here, looking for references."
"I see."
"And what brings you here, Yernil?"
"Caleb said there were some documents he wanted to see here."
"Caleb?"
"Yes."
"So you're looking for them on his behalf?"
"Ah... yes. And I plan to read them too. I don't think Caleb will have the time."
Yernil said awkwardly, her dejected hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
Now that she'd said it out loud, she felt a wave of embarrassment.
Dalstream would surely know, of course.
That a student had been murdered at the Magic University, and that both the university and the Public Security Headquarters were pulling out all the stops to investigate it as a hate crime against slaves.
There were two likely next targets: Caleb and Yernil of the Magic University.
One of them was leading a large group of Deep Layer adventurers, spearheading the operation on the front lines, while Yernil was...
"Th-this is the only thing I can do..."
Yernil's ears turned red. From a crushing sense of helplessness.
In truth, her spirit wasn't so weak. In her heart, she truly wanted to throw herself into danger in Caleb's place.
But the gap in their abilities had created this disparity. And that made it all the more upsetting.
"..."
Yernil's eyes suddenly welled with tears. She hastily wiped them away.
"Ah... I'm sorry."
The name Hyedam, the Eight-Tailed Fox Spirit Deep Layer adventurer she had never even met, kept coming to mind.
What if Hyedam were here instead? The thought kept nagging at her.
She couldn't help but compare herself.
Hating how pathetic she felt, Yernil began to sniffle.
"Oh, dear."
Dalstream gently patted Yernil's shoulder.
"Shall we look for the documents you need together?"
With the wisdom of his immense age, the old professor instantly read her heart.
"Many of the documents here are written in unfamiliar scripts, depending on the author. It would be difficult for you to decipher them alone, Yernil."
Dalstream led Yernil toward the stacks.
"Let's study them together, one by one, Yernil."
*
Maria shot Bisan a wary glare.
"Help with what? Don't do anything!"
In truth, many of the Deep Layer experts gathered here could subdue Maria in an instant.
Even I could do it.
For instance, I could flip the hourglass and hit her with a single blast of Superconductivity to stun her with an electric shock.
The professors could easily put her to sleep with a spell like Narcolepsy.
Or someone with Mugol's speed and strength could rush in and shove their fingers into her mouth to stop her from biting down on the poison.
But no one dared to make a move, because they couldn't guarantee a 100% success rate.
What if the poison capsule shattered between her chattering teeth as she was electrocuted by Superconductivity?
What if Maria stabbed me with her knife the moment a professor began chanting the sleep spell?
What if Mugol rushed in but made a split-second mistake and couldn't pry her mouth open in time?
The risk of failure, however small the chance, was too great to ignore.
It would result in a flood of casualties—not just the twenty-odd personnel from the Public Security Headquarters and the Magic University, but also over thirty civilians.
The people near the club's entrance had already fled, but those drinking and dancing by the stage and tables deeper inside were trapped, not daring to approach where Maria was.
That was why the Consul, the professors—no one—could recklessly confront Maria, leaving them at a standstill.
However...
"The Spirit Race Taoist will only use his magic with your permission, Maria."
I tried to persuade her in the calmest tone possible. Maria shot back, incredulous.
"Wh-what? You think I'm going to give you permission?"
"Yes, I think you will. Because I'm going to ask him to use the Wall-Piercing Light spell to send you and me outside of Sohen."
This time, it was the professors who cried out in alarm.
"What did you say!"
"Caleb!"
Maria's eyes wavered.
That's right. You must have heard.
You must have heard the rumors circulating around Sohen these past few days.
About the Wyndham duo who showed up at the dormitory before you and made a mess on the night you tried to kill me and Yernil. It's obviously them.
They broke through the constables' encirclement and vanished like smoke using some kind of magic.
That's what you heard, right?
"That spell was Wall-Piercing Light. Bisan, please use it to move just Maria and me."
"Absolutely not, Caleb!" Isilof shouted, agitated.
"Are you worried about us? This is no time for that! You need to think only of your own life!"
"I'm sorry, Professor. This is the only way. If I'm the target, I'll handle it myself."
"Caleb!"
"What do you say, Maria? If you give your permission, the Spirit Race Taoist over there will cast the spell."
"..."
"You don't want to harm innocent civilians, do you? The people dancing here, the constables—they aren't your enemies. Your only goal is to kill me, isn't it?"
I watched her expression as I calmly reasoned with her. The side of her face, resting on my shoulder as she held me from behind, was trembling with tension and fear.
She's hesitating.
She was halfway convinced.
She was acting like some tragic martyr, holding me and threatening a bombing, but in reality, she was just an ordinary shopkeeper from the countryside.
Of course she's scared.
What she wants isn't just to kill me. It's to kill me and escape Sohen.
She resorted to this suicide bombing stunt because of her unplanned collision with Yernil, which leaked minor details like her hair color.
It's because Sohen is under lockdown, and the Public Security Headquarters is closing in on her.
This whole incident is just something she did in a panic. The truth is, this country bumpkin just wants to escape Sohen.
Right?
That's why you're holding onto me, dragging out this standoff, and spouting nonsense, isn't it?
Let's stimulate her primal survival instinct a little more.
"Bisan. This club is close to the city wall, so we could get outside, right?"
"It's possible."
"Shut your mouth, you pale-faced bastard!" Meldini yelled at Bisan.
"You just try using a spell like that. I'll throw you straight into an Ethereal Quagmire!"
The professors' reactions were genuine.
They must believe that if I go outside the city walls with Maria using Wall-Piercing Light, there's a very high chance I'll be killed with no one to help me.
I hope that sincerity reaches Maria, too.
"But... why... why would you do something like that?"
Maria's breathing grew ragged. Her hands, holding me, were trembling.
"There's nothing to gain for you outside Sohen! It'll only make your situation worse than it is now. So why...?"
"Maria, I'm sorry, but."
I'm worried about Dalstream.
"We're out of time. Yes or no, just give me an answer."
If you say no, I'll move on to Plan B.
"Caleb. Are you serious?"
The Consul looked extremely troubled. His face was pained, caught in the dilemma of having to protect me while also protecting the civilians trapped here.
"I'm serious. I'll go out with Maria, and whether we blow ourselves up or fight it out, I'll handle it."
"..."
The Frostian mage from Blackdog nudged Krom's shoulder.
"Well, that's good, isn't it? The club won't collapse."
"...Tch."
Krom clicked his tongue.
"But you don't look very happy, Krom. You've grown fond of that kid, haven't you?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
I gestured to Maria again with my eyes.
"Well?"
"..."
"If you're against it, speak now. Otherwise... Bisan. Please."
"Alright. A Tier 8 spell is taxing, but..."
Bisan took out a stack of paper talismans.
"You're not going to try and arrest us while I'm suffering from the spell's side effects, are you?"
"You'll be fine. You have nothing to do with the hate crime. I'll even settle the matter of you attacking me."
"Hmph."
Bisan snorted.
"Before that, don't forget what you promised me earlier."
He was talking about the location of the elevator.
"Though life hangs by a thread, is there no path to survival?"
Bisan held up a single talisman. Imbued with magic, it shot forward on the wind as if it had been fired.
Right in front of Maria and me.
Maria couldn't resist.
"This is Wall-Piercing Light."
A Tier 8 movement and escape art.
The final tech for skills and spells like Shadow Step, Sentinel's Relocate, or Ethereal Jaunt.
A spell that bypasses all restraints and obstacles to instantly teleport to a desired location within a certain range.
With the spatial shift, the fields outside Sohen unfolded before us.
I felt a little dizzy.
[Your turn. Time remaining: 60 seconds]
[Action Points: ■■■■■■]
I flipped the hourglass.
*
"Gasp... gasp..."
Maria was dropped abruptly outside Sohen's city walls.
"Ugh!"
She staggered, dizzy to the point of nausea. She steadied herself by grabbing onto the city wall.
The wizard's words hadn't been a lie.
I really escaped Sohen!
It was shocking.
Maria looked around, searching for the wizard.
He was standing right in front of her.
"Peaceful Mind."
He was casting a spell on himself to calm the nausea from the teleportation.
But...
"Wh-what is this?"
Something was strange.
A coat of magic, crackling with golden electricity, surrounded his body, emitting a brilliant light.
It was so dense and intense it was clearly visible to the naked eye.
And above his head...
Ruuuumble!
...a massive bank of clouds was gathering.
Whoooosh!
Pouring a torrential downpour onto the ground.
"Superconductivity."
The wizard cast a lightning spell on himself.
Kra-koom!
Bolts of lightning struck from all directions, coursing through the golden magic coat. Arcs of electricity flared and flashed all around him.
Thud!
Stunned, Maria collapsed to the ground.
It was too intense a sight for a simple shopkeeper from the countryside.
"Maria," the wizard said.
"Even if you blow yourself up to kill me now, this Electrostatic Coat will protect my body from being destroyed."
"What...?"
"Your scrolls can't reduce me to dust. My soul preservation won't be broken, and the constables will come and resurrect me."
"..."
"You can no longer kill me."
Utterly bewildered, Maria scrambled backward.
"Why... if you could do this... why did you bother coming out here?"
She couldn't understand.
"If I had summoned the clouds inside the club, it would have flooded, sending everyone into a panic. And since everyone would have been soaked by the rain, they all would have been electrocuted when I used my lightning magic."
This operation wasn't planned solely for the safety of the civilians.
It was to minimize uncertain variables.
"My main concern about summoning clouds inside the club was..."
"..."
"...that in your panic, you might bite down on the poison."
The corpse explosion would have dealt me a critical injury (even if I could be resurrected), and I would have been buried under the building's debris, taking a significant amount of time to recover.
"But I knew it would be fine out here."
In this open field, the rainwater just drains into the ground.
There are no constables, no Consul, no other mages nearby.
"I want to have a calm conversation."
Caleb aimed his wand at Maria.
"Peaceful Mind."
Maria's dizziness subsided.
And fear began to fill the void in her heart.
She felt like a rabid animal that had just been subdued. The wizard's intention in pulling her out from among the shouting, screaming crowd in the club wasn't some tragic resolve, nor was it a trick.
"First, spit out the poison. Value your life."
It was to calm her down.
The wizard's endless composure made him seem like an unfathomable giant.
It was too much. It was bizarre.
His rational calm was so absolute that it felt inhuman in a different way than Teramond's, and it was terrifying.
"Wh-what... what do you want to... talk about..."
Maria, now just an ordinary village shopkeeper again, backed away.
"About the disguised professor you met."
He kept his wand aimed at her.
"Tell me everything you know. Everything. And I'll ask the Public Security Headquarters to take your circumstances into consideration."