Chapter 710: Presence
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 710: Presence
When mirrors face each other, they reflect an infinite number of mirrors.
This is a fundamental principle of physics.
However, the mirror before Ariel was no ordinary mirror, and thus the images it captured were far more than mere reflections of light. The outlines of the corridors framed within each mirror symbolized a "mirror space" that appeared indistinguishable from reality.
"You mean... there are infinite mirror spaces like this?"
Ariel’s expression grew grim. "That’s insane. With infinite spaces, forget ordinary people—even the most experienced mage would probably never find their way out once trapped. Even if they realized something was wrong with the mirror, they’d still be stuck."
She didn't believe for a second that a crude method like smashing the glass could break a false dimension created by an Ancient Artifact.
"This was originally a cage specifically designed to imprison mages. Because mages have too many tricks up their sleeves, most locks in this world cannot hold them. That is why, a long, long time ago, someone created this."
An lightly traced the intricate patterns surrounding the mirror’s frame. The style of these engravings was starkly different from the current era—complex and exquisite, resembling a cluster of perfect geometric shapes that had been precisely calculated and then imprinted together.
Needless to say, this was a relic from a millennium ago.
Only that era could produce something so sophisticated and miraculous.
"Unfortunately, it is now incomplete."
"Incomplete?"
"Can't you tell? To project infinite mirror spaces, you need two mirrors facing each other. There is only one here."
An gave a light wave of her hand, and the smooth, metal-forged surface of the mirror seemed to melt. The reflection in the seemingly ordinary mirror now showed only the two of them and the desolate corridor behind them.
"Are you saying the Mirror of Bewilderment was originally a pair?"
"Correct. While it is formidable as a cage, the Rules governing the Mirror of Bewilderment are actually quite simple—or rather, too weak. They are easily bypassed by those with the right skills. One only needs to remove one of the mirrors—specifically, the one in the real world—and its mirror spaces will collapse. The current mirror has long since lost the ability to project infinite spaces. Though it has been patched up to some extent, it can probably only maintain a dozen or so mirror spaces now."
"From infinite down to a dozen..." Ariel’s lip twitched. "That’s a bit of a steep drop-off."
"Ancient Artifacts are like that. They are born of Rules, and they perish by Rules."
An sighed softly. "There are many such Ancient Artifacts in this city, but fortunately, most are in a state of semi-ruin. Otherwise, a reckless infiltration like yours would have been no different from a suicide mission."
"Is that so..."
Ariel scratched her head sheepishly. Looking back, her infiltration had indeed been a bit impulsive.
Fortunately, that "suicide mission" scenario was only a hypothetical. After all, if the Demon Race truly possessed that many intact and powerful Ancient Artifacts, they would have used them on the battlefield to shatter the Empire’s defenses long ago, rather than leaving them in Gutons Fortress as toys for the Grand Duke of Bewitchment’s bedroom antics.
However, compared to those concerns...
Ariel stole a glance at An’s flawless, composed face.
It was clear that Miss An was very young—so young that reaching the Fourth-Tier Realm was already the mark of a peerless genius. Though she possessed a dignified and steady temperament, the youthful aura between her brows was impossible to hide.
Therefore, she couldn't be a historian who had spent a lifetime buried in ancient texts, nor a demon expert who had spent decades dealing with the Abyss, and certainly not some "false person" disguised by an old monster.
But if that was the case... why did she seem so familiar with this city?
An ancient city that even Ariel's own teacher only vaguely recognized?
If Ariel’s guess was correct—considering An's status as a beautiful young girl and the fact that she had emerged from that room—she should have been "captured" by the demons and brought here, just like Ariel herself.
They were both infiltrators, so why did An know so much? Had Ariel’s time in the Abyss been for nothing?
"Is something wrong?"
Noticing Ariel’s gaze, An tilted her head slightly.
"No, it’s nothing."
Ariel’s expression instantly stiffened into a serious mask. "I just thought Miss An is very beautiful."
"Thank you."
An gave a slight nod and turned back. It seemed this sudden, overly familiar compliment failed to stir even a ripple in her eyes.
So cold, Ariel thought, pouting.
An’s temperament was indeed chilly, but it wasn't the same as Celicia’s—which was a coldness born of personality and bone-deep pride. An’s was a coldness of indifference, as if she were utterly unconcerned with anything external. It was as if nothing existed in the depths of those dark gray eyes.
With someone like this, forget "winning her over"—even just becoming friends seemed like an uphill battle.
But Ariel didn't lose heart. She even secretly pumped her fist to cheer herself on. After all, she was a veteran of many setbacks now; her heart had grown resilient enough to face any hardship. How could she retreat over a little coldness?
If she gave up now, how could she ever reclaim her grand ideals? How could she reunite with the destined Miss Muse?
"Let’s go."
An had no idea what Ariel was thinking, and even if she did, she wouldn't have cared. To her, whoever Ariel fell for had nothing to do with her.
Unless she fell for the Young Master—in which case, she would be reincarnated as a maggot, and An would have to "clean up."
Fortunately, this girl liked women, and based on An's experience, that wasn't a lie.
An pressed her hand against the mirror. As ripples spread across the surface, she stepped directly inside.
Seeing An disappear into the glass, Ariel hurried to follow.
There was no sensation at all—she couldn't even feel herself passing through a physical object. When Ariel looked up, she found herself in a pitch-black space. An was already standing in the middle of a dozen identical mirrors.
Without hesitation, An walked toward one of them.
It seemed that while they were chatting, she had already been searching for the true exit among these mirrors.
Ariel looked around and saw the dozen mirrors arranged in a precise, staggered pattern, like a labyrinth.
But in the end, there were only a dozen. Even if someone were trapped, as long as they noticed the mirror's anomaly, they would eventually find the exit with enough time.
But if the Mirror of Bewilderment were in its complete state, as An had described, this space would be filled with countless identical mirrors, with only one leading to the exit.
That would be a true labyrinth. With infinite mirrors intersecting, the probability of someone escaping would be less than one in a hundred million.
"Ancient Artifacts... they really are terrifying," Ariel whispered in awe.
*
Stepping through the mirror, Ariel found herself back in the corridor.
Aside from the lack of any signs of a violent struggle, it looked exactly like the one in her memory, but Ariel knew for certain that this was reality.
The proof lay in the several demons sprawled at her feet.
Blood flowed, staining the floor crimson. Several red-skinned Low Demons had eyes wide with terror, but judging by the lack of struggle, they hadn't been able to make a sound before they died.
"This was likely the work of those who escaped before you," An remarked.
"Probably..."
Ariel rubbed her chin.
Miss Feifei and the others were even more capable than she had imagined.
"Despite having an Ancient Artifact like the Mirror of Bewilderment, they only had a few Low Demons guarding it. The Demon Race truly is short-handed these days."
An stepped over the corpses, warily observing their surroundings.
"This is a good thing. We can—hm?"
As she spoke, An suddenly froze.
"What is it?" Ariel looked at her, confused.
"I think I..."
An’s small, delicate nose suddenly twitched. She began to sniff the air, moving around as if trying to confirm something.
"Miss Ariel, could you help me burn these corpses? And the blood as well," An requested.
"Happy to help."
Though she didn't know An’s goal, Ariel found it hard to refuse a request from a beautiful girl.
She gave a casual flick of her hand. Raging flames swept across the floor, instantly consuming the demon corpses and the pooling blood.
The sound of sizzling filled the air as the stench of burning flesh rose, only to be quickly dispersed by the draft of hot air.
Soon, as a light breeze drifted through, the corridor was free of any lingering odors.
Sniff, sniff...
An continued to sniff the air like a cat that had discovered food.
With all interference removed, she could finally be certain.
No—perhaps she had been certain from the very first moment; she just hadn't dared to believe it.
"What is going on?" Ariel asked again, unable to contain her curiosity.
An shook her head, offering no answer.
But in that moment, the aura of indifference surrounding An vanished. The dark gray in her pupils cleared like dispersing mist, erupting with a brilliant, vivid light.
Ariel was stunned. Although they had only known each other briefly, she had already pegged Miss An as a cold, aloof beauty. An maintained her dignity, elegance, and meticulousness at all times—even her footsteps were so consistent they seemed measured by a ruler.
But now, her emotions were clearly spiraling out of control.
The shock of this sudden change was second only to the time Ariel had seen Celicia smile at that loathsome Muen Campbell.
No, I can't compare the two!
Ariel wanted to slap herself. Why did she think of that bastard in every situation? There was no way Miss An, whom she’d met here in the Abyss, could have anything to do with him!
"Are you alright, Miss An?" Ariel stepped forward, concerned.
"I'm fine... I just..."
I just sensed the Young Master’s presence.
Yes, it was definitely the Young Master’s scent. Even though it was incredibly faint, she could never be mistaken.
Her "Young Master Radar" was absolute within a five-kilometer radius!
Which meant...
An’s gaze swept across the dark corridor, past the numbered rooms on either side, and finally landed on the mirror at the end of the hallway—the one they had just emerged from.
The mirror reflected her excited, glowing face.
"The Young Master... he’s also imprisoned here."