Chapter 187 – Success (1)
When Verden checked, the state of the blonde Elf was at its worst.
Though still breathing, part of the internal organs had collapsed, so the body could not possibly function properly. Even the slightest twitch of a finger would bring indescribable pain.
That judgment was certainly correct.
'But to think he actually killed Drevus.'
Was it simply a mistake in analysis?
Or was there some other factor that allowed him to endure the pain?
It was undoubtedly closer to the latter.
For in the Elf's hazy green eyes, rage and hatred, loathing and every vile emotion were swirling. The world always contained the possibility of exceptions.
The Elf's gaze lingered on Verden.
Yet, it was as though he was glaring not at Verden himself, but at the entire human race.
At that moment, the Elf's body leaned forward.
'He's coming.'
Verden immediately took his stance.
At the same time, the Elf charged.
It was a ferocious rush, yet not a single footstep could be heard.
Like a silent arrow in motion. The Elf was barehanded, yet his speed surpassed that of a warrior who had activated qi. An extraordinary physique.
'But his movements are unnatural.'
Proof that his body was far from intact.
If he failed to control his strength properly, he might very well die.
So the only choice was to knock him unconscious with minimal impact.
Thud!
The Elf's hand blade struck the mana barrier.
The impact was absorbed, flickering with a blue light.
Verden struck the Elf's body with his staff, then observed his reaction.
The Elf staggered with a gasp. The damage seemed excessive compared to the actual impact.
'This much will suffice.'
Recalling the sensation from just now, Verden extended his hand.
A 1st-tier basic spell.
A pure mana burst exploded near the Elf's chest.
Even at full power, it was no more than enough to fling a single person away, yet for the Elf whose insides were in shambles, it was a deadly threat.
Thud.
"Keugh…!"
Drool dripped from the Elf's mouth.
The pain that had already been overwhelming intensified under the mana burst. Even with strong mental fortitude, it would be nearly impossible to endure any further.
And yet, the Elf did not erase his hatred.
Grrrk.
His teeth ground against each other.
Blood welled from his gums and smeared the corners of his lips.
"Hu… mans…!!!"
The whites of his eyes turned crimson with bloodshot veins.
Then the Elf bared his fangs and lifted his head. At that moment, a fist came flying toward his face.
Thwack!
With a dull impact, the Elf felt his vision blur.
And his hatred and fury, in the end, could not overcome the limits of flesh.
The Elf collapsed to the ground.
Half-lidded eyes, only faint breaths escaped him.
'This is my first time striking a demi-race.'
Verden clenched and unclenched his hand.
The precisely controlled force, maximized in sensation, was perfect. Enough not to worsen the Elf's condition.
'Well, in any case.'
Drevus was dead, and the Elf secured, so the situation was over.
All that remained was the cleanup.
First among them, to take the Elf out of this repulsive laboratory. He already had the route in mind. Verden pulled out a magic stone and unfolded a magic circle.
Binding magic circle, Detain.
Chains of mana bound the Elf tightly.
If he were to awaken during transport, it would be dangerous. Hoisting the Elf over his shoulder, Verden left the laboratory. He stepped onto the mana-driven lift, stained with blood, and pressed the button.
Crrrk, crk-crrk.
With the sound of grinding, Verden and the Elf descended below ground.
***
The artificial lake surrounding Ariente.
Its water supply and sewer were each connected to separate natural lakes.
Normally, the inflow and outflow of water were designed to be exactly equal.
Thus maintaining the lake's level and preventing stagnation. At times, the supply and drainage inlets could be adjusted separately to suit the climate.
A non-sealed artificial lake.
For Verden—or rather, for the Elf—it was the perfect escape route.
Splash.
Verden entered the sewer with the Elf.
Maintaining the breaths of both while guiding the current, such complex manipulation of magic was possible only for a Mage who had mastered Triple Casting.
As it was an unfamiliar underwater environment, Verden paid even more attention than usual.
'…There it is.'
The boundary where the sewer connected to another lake.
The magically treated metal gate, resistant to rust, had small slits for water to pass. Not wide enough for a person.
Terrain Manipulation was impossible here.
So brute force was the only option.
Traces would remain, but that hardly mattered.
By the time anyone noticed, Verden would be long gone.
"Huuuhp."
Verden took a deep breath.
Then, after canceling the two spells maintaining the Elf's breathing, he diverted the freed mana circuits to other spells.
Double Casting.
──Kkaaaaarrrng!
Two massive boulders crashed against the gate.
The shock spread, sending strong ripples through the current. Under the might of a 5th-tier spell, the gate bent inward.
And then.
A spear of earth accelerated along the current.
It struck precisely at the bent center of the gate, creating a large hole. The current surged, pulling Verden and the Elf in, and he made no effort to resist.
Moments later.
Splash!
Verden emerged with the Elf into the natural lake.
Both drenched, he conjured a small flame to warm the Elf's lowered body temperature.
Thus, he had successfully extracted the Elf. Next came the matter of hiding him.
'Until I return to retrieve him.'
Rrrrumble…!
He hollowed a small chamber underground.
There, at its center, he laid the Elf down, then drew out several mid-grade magic stones and placed them in a row.
'A waste, but… unavoidable.'
This was a necessary loss.
Verden used threads of mana to break the frame of the binding circle.
Then, linking part of its inner structure to the mana threads, he connected them to the magic stones.
He repeated the process six times.
This was an improved method to artificially extend the circle's duration, devised by none other than the tower master of Bohemirn, Balrog Bessias.
One of the techniques Verden had learned while being experimented on at the magic tower.
'With this, the circle won't break midway.'
After confirming, Verden left the chamber.
He sealed the entrance tightly, leaving only a few breathing holes. Then he covered it with a concealment magic circle, hiding it from anyone's approach.
'Now only the laboratory remains.'
Verden drew in a breath.
Then he dove once more into the lake.
***
Verden returned to Drevus's laboratory.
There was no difference from before transporting the Elf. Inside the silent chamber, the stench of blood still lingered.
Verden glanced briefly at what had once been Drevus, then spread out his Telekinesis.
He opened every drawer in the laboratory, pulling their contents toward him.
Drevus's research journals.
Verden flipped through several pages of the bundle that landed in his hands.
'Most of it concerns the Elf.'
The Elf's traits, their society and hierarchy.
And, in the Elf's own handwriting, notes about what a Guardian was as a rank among them. The volume was considerable, including much that could not be found in any common text.
…Intriguing.
Of course, he had no intention of examining them now.
The importance of this information could be judged later.
Verden scoured the laboratory, taking anything that seemed important. He stored every last document into his spatial bag.
The laboratory stood empty.
There was nothing more to see here.
'All that remains is to erase the traces.'
Originally, his plan had been to leave it as it was.
But since there was a plausible way to erase all signs of intrusion, there was no reason not to use it.
Verden rode the lift down to the underground prison.
After checking the path the Flame Golem had walked, he moved toward the prison's center.
The old prison wall.
He placed his hand upon it and released mana, but sensed nothing. Likely because the mana of the golem core had been sealed.
'That is, if what Drevus said was true.'
Clunk, clunk.
Without hesitation, Verden pried the wall open.
A hollow space came into view.
At its center rested a processed orb of magic stone, faintly shimmering with a barrier of mana.
'So they inscribed a mana-blocking field into the stone itself.'
To set a natural golem roaming as a guard like this… it was quite the clever idea.
Verden gave a small nod of admiration, then carefully picked up the core.
Confirming the barrier was still intact, he returned to the laboratory.
The circle of sealing had long since faded.
Verden placed the Flame Golem's core beside Drevus's corpse.
And then.
Crraaaack—shatter!
With a single swing of the Oculus, he struck the barrier with force.
Dozens of cracks spread across it at once, then it broke apart. Mana dispersed into the air. The wall separating the Flame Golem and its core was gone.
Boom… boom… boom…!
Heavy tremors shook from the stairway.
Verden, standing well away from the core, kept his eyes on the entrance. Soon, the Flame Golem emerged, climbing the spiral steps.
Fwoooosh.
The heat it exhaled, and the flames it left in its footsteps, began consuming the laboratory.
Crunch! The corpse of Drevus, lying beside the core, was trampled underfoot, treated as foreign matter, reduced beyond recognition.
Thud.
Having regained its core, the Flame Golem sat in the laboratory. Quietly, as it slowly burned everything inside.
'Perfect.'
The plan had gone without a single flaw.
Verden, inwardly pleased, strolled out of the chamber.
***
Exactly 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Cland had pressed the meeting forward with all his might until the time he had promised Verden. First Prince Valrgna, wearied by the far longer meeting than expected, could not conceal his fatigue.
Still, by nature, he had to accept formal courtesies.
The audience chamber of Ariente Castle.
Seated on an ornate chair, the First Prince watched as the members of the secret social hall knelt before him. Robert and the Vintert stood aside, only bowing their heads.
Cland, the dark merchant, spoke on their behalf.
"Your Highness Valrgna, you worked hard leading the meeting. We shall take our leave now."
"Well done. I look forward to what comes next."
"Of course."
Still kneeling on one knee, he bent his waist and head deeply again.
It was excessive formality, but necessary to suit the arrogance of the First Prince. He, satisfied, smiled and waved his hand.
A dismissal.
Thus, all withdrew from the chamber.
Geul, Nelita, Dario, Tolav.
Without exchanging parting words, they departed with their attendants. Of course, they did not forget to give Robert a respectful nod.
Cland donned his bowler hat, and offered a slight bow.
"Travel safely, Robert."
"Yes, we shall see each other later."
"If my skills are needed, call on me. Until then."
Cland turned and walked the corridor.
Verden, disguised as Maltead, silently followed.
With the butler Senuel seeing them off, the two passed through the castle gates.
They crossed the bridge over the artificial lake at a leisurely pace, and entered the city streets.
Though Cland occasionally spoke, Verden answered only with a nod or shake of the head. In public, he maintained the act of Maltead flawlessly.
At last, reclaiming their entrusted horses, Verden and Cland left Esla.
The early evening sky.
Once the city was far behind them, Verden finally spoke.
"The Elf has been secured."
"Phew, you truly did well, Asher."
Cland let out a sigh of relief.
Verden explained clearly the course of events in the laboratory. Cland, listening, suddenly flinched.
"W-wait, you left the Flame Golem in the laboratory?"
"Yes."
Verden nodded.
The Flame Golem had burned away every trace of intrusion.
Not only that, it had reduced everything to ashes, leaving it impossible to know whether the Elf had been taken, or how Drevus had died.
With luck, they might even think it had been no intrusion, but simply an accident caused by the Flame Golem.
'Though, if they find the traces left in the sewer, that would be different.'
But it would take considerable time before anyone realized.
If the transporters opened the lab tomorrow unawares, the Flame Golem would wreak havoc. Cleaning up would be a nightmare.
"Thanks to that, the First Prince will be thrown into confusion."
"Ha…"
Cland gave an astonished sigh.
"You are truly… bold. No, I cannot think of another word. Your recklessness rivals even Lady Calia's."
"At least I didn't try to steal an airship."
"This seems worse than that… ahem, well. In any case, once we recover the Elf you secured and return, it will all be finished. A result far beyond expectation."
Cland's lips curved upward.
The two urged their mounts faster.
And then.
"Stop right there, dark merchant."
A band of mercenaries blocked the road.
One of Geul's lieutenants stood before Verden and Cland, barring their path.