Chapter 197 – Found It (2)
Linus Voltimoog disappeared from the kingdom about seven years ago.
Perne was desperately chasing his traces, but had only managed to grasp faint clues and had yet to achieve any definite results.
Considering the long passage of time, he had kept in mind the possibility that Linus might have died due to illness or some other cause.
'To think I would see him in the Elf's memory.'
Of course, it had not been clearly revealed that the one-armed man was Linus.
But the circumstances pointed that way.
Leonil had been conducting experiments related to magic, and within that laboratory were piled up unfamiliar magical items.
It was certain there was some connection to Linus, a brilliant craftsman of magical items.
He must be found, at all costs.
In order to use the treasure of the magic tower slumbering inside the spatial bag.
The reasons and justifications were more than enough.
'But the problem is, where is he?'
In Karans' memory, there was almost no information about location.
Transfers had always been made while he was unconscious. At that moment, however, a salty tang unfamiliar to Verden brushed past his mind.
"Sir Edmon, is there perhaps a sea nearby?"
"The sea? No, the kingdom is landlocked and has no access to the sea. But distance-wise, it's not all that far."
"Where exactly?"
"Overseas. If you cross the eastern border and continue on, you'll reach a coastal city called 'Acrien.' It's an independent city, a place where people go in summer to enjoy the beach, a tourist spot. I've been there a few times myself — there's plenty of food, and the scenery is beautiful. Especially the night sea, it's spectacular."
Overseas?
Verden immediately spread open a map of the Eastern Continent.
Tracing from the Estiria Kingdom, his finger moved horizontally until he quickly found the city Acrien. Judging from the map's scale, it was about a week's distance from the border.
Of course, using flight would shorten the time considerably.
"But why do you suddenly ask where the sea is?"
"It seems that Leonil's laboratory is overseas."
"…Explain in detail."
Verden explained what he had seen in Karans' memory.
He trimmed away as much unnecessary detail as possible, speaking only the necessary information, accurately and concisely. Edmon, listening intently, stroked his beard with a solemn expression.
"A blue crystal that beats like a heart, a magic stone the size of a house, an Elf, a peculiar trait-holder Mage, Leonil… and even a one-armed craftsman? I cannot make heads or tails of what kind of experiment this is. It's not something one can guess with mere knowledge. Surely, it would be best to confirm directly."
However—
"There are too few clues. Even if we narrow it down to somewhere near the sea, the coastline is endless. And the place won't be lying openly in plain sight. Even if the Marquisate of Esperanza threw in its full strength, the chance of finding it would still be slim."
It was an accurate point.
To pursue recklessly with such a wide search radius would be folly.
"For now, we should report to His Lordship the Marquis, and then discreetly select personnel and prepare countermeasures. With luck, we might uncover another clue as we did just now. Rushing in won't make a difference — it's not as though we have any means at hand."
"That may be true… but we might not have much time left."
"Hm? And what do you mean by that?"
***
Leonil's objective was unknown.
However, it was not difficult to surmise that the means to achieve it was to infuse refined magic power into the blue crystal.
An experiment, unless it fails, always has an end.
Verden recalled Karans' memory.
As the cruel experiments continued, the heartbeat from the blue crystal grew stronger, and more stable.
In other words—
"The experiment may soon be completed?"
"Yes. And if that happens, the laboratory will be completely discarded before we can even find it."
The reason the laboratory had been built overseas was likely for security.
In that case, they would never leave behind a laboratory whose purpose had already been fulfilled. At worst, they could end up wasting their time searching for a vanished laboratory.
Edmon, looking troubled, scratched his forehead.
"Hah, this is… awkward. Then what do you think we should do?"
"I believe the best course is to act quickly."
When there are no clues, the only option is to go out and search.
Sitting here straining their minds would only be a waste of time.
At that moment, Karans tapped Verden's shoulder.
"Um… brother, are you truly trying to find that filthy, foul-smelling, suffocating, unclean place?"
…Quite a lot of embellishment there.
It only showed how repulsive the experiences in that laboratory must have been.
"Yes."
"I cannot be certain, but I may have a way."
Verden and Edmon's gazes fell upon Karans.
"What way?"
"Through nature."
Nature is not merely something that exists, but the collective of life.
It can sense what others cannot, hear what others cannot, and see what others cannot. Nature is always awake.
And Elves are the dwellers of nature.
Among them, only a few chosen Elves are permitted to commune with it.
Karans was one of those few.
"However, that is only when I am connected to a spirit. As I am now, severed from Foret, I cannot. What's more, Foret has already become a different kind of spirit, no longer one of the forest."
The spirit shimmered.
"Then if we find a forest spirit, it would be possible?"
"Yes, brother. But… spirits are generally averse to outsiders, and it is quite possible that none exist nearby. This is human territory, not a great forest."
So that was why he had said it was uncertain.
"Well, still, it's a better chance than discovering the laboratory outright."
"Asher?"
"Isn't this good enough?"
All they needed was to find a forest spirit.
Of course, searching for one would take effort, but it was an acceptable price.
Edmon blinked, then raised his voice hastily.
"W-wait! Are you planning to take that Elf outside the kingdom?!"
"There is no choice."
"That won't do! It's far too dangerous! And this is not a matter to be decided arbitrarily — at the very least, His Lordship's permission…"
"It takes about three days round trip to reach the Marquisate's main estate from here. What if, in that time, the experiment ends and everything is destroyed? And since we only need to find a forest spirit, there's no reason to mobilize a whole search party."
"But first you must find where that forest spirit is, must you not?"
"Brother, I can instinctively sense the habitat of a forest spirit. So I need no help from humans."
Karans said it with a bright, carefree expression.
Edmon, momentarily at a loss for words, rubbed at his eyes.
After drawing in a long breath, he spoke again.
"Haa… yes. It's true that the sooner we move, the better. However…"
"Human Mage, if you mean to hinder us, step aside. We do not need your help."
"Help is not the issue here. Have you forgotten one crucial fact? If we succeed in finding the laboratory… we will inevitably come face-to-face with the court Mages. And if fortune turns ill, we may even encounter Leonil himself, the one who subdued you. Can you truly handle that?"
"..."
Karans closed his mouth for the first time.
If nothing else, he knew Leonil's strength all too well. The overwhelming power that had left him helpless even when he had fought with all his might as a Guardian Elf.
Of course, Verden was different.
"I can handle it."
"What?"
"Then, may I go now?"
Verden and Edmon's gazes crossed.
Clear blue light, within it lay a blue abyss that reminded one of the deep sea. Truly a peculiar pair of blue eyes.
His gaze did not waver in the slightest.
Whether it was arrogance or confidence was unclear, but one thing was certain — his words that he could handle it were no lie.
'How is that man a Mage in his twenties?'
Everything about him was extraordinary.
A Mage like that… no, a human like that was the very first in his life. Just what kind of life had he lived, what kind of mind had he been born with, to become like this?
It was incomprehensible.
Exasperated, Edmon gave a hollow laugh.
Then, erasing the smile from his lips, he spoke in a low voice.
"I understand your will. I would prefer to stop you if possible… but neither you nor that Elf friend of yours would obediently listen to me."
"I am not your friend."
"Whatever! I permit you to go overseas as you wish. But…"
Edmon pointed to himself.
"I will go with you."
"Will that be all right?"
"I'll be severely scolded by His Lordship, but what choice is there? It's not as though I can leave those Mages committing such vile experiments alone. After all, forgiveness is always easier than permission."
Those were the very words he had once heard from Calia.
"Hahaha, I taught the young lady that myself. And what kind of adult would I be, letting only you and the Elf go to such a dangerous place? Naturally, I must accompany you."
"If our identities are exposed, it will become troublesome."
"No matter how great the court Mages may be, I too am a Magus who has crossed countless deadly battles. Witnesses can always be erased — a simple truth one learns in life. But if we end up facing Leonil Bertanas, the head of the court Mages and a 6th-tier Magus…"
Edmon paused for effect, then held out his hand.
"Let's give it everything we've got and kill him together. That's the only way we'll survive."
If their identities were discovered, retreat was no longer an option.
That was Edmon's resolve. Verden clasped his hand.
"Understood."
"Good, then it's decided. I'll go up and write a letter to send to His Lordship. In the meantime, prepare for departure."
Edmon quickly went upstairs.
It was a relief that persuasion had worked. If Edmon had stubbornly stood in their way, it would have been troublesome indeed.
At that moment, Verden sensed a presence and turned his head.
Karans was holding out his hand.
"…What is it?"
"A handshake, brother."
Karans's voice was earnest.
An incomprehensible gesture.
Verden tilted his head inwardly, but grasped Karans's hand anyway. At last, Karans's face brightened. Around them, spirits sparkled as they flitted about.
'This race is impossible to understand.'
And so, a little later—
Verden and Edmon.
And Karans and Foret left the safe house.
Their destination — the coastal city, Acrien.
***
A prison cell reeking of salt and stench.
Inside, a one-armed man sat imprisoned, draped in rags. As if that were not enough, cuffs fastened his wrists and ankles, chaining him to the wall.
It was a treatment worse than that of a common death row convict.
Creak.
The lock opened, the door swung wide.
From the corridor, a Mage entered. He set down a bowl in front of the man, filled with scraps of food barely fit to be called a meal.
"Meal time, Oesu."
Clang!
Linus chewed and swallowed the food.
With his remaining arm, he ate desperately, and the Mage sneered at the sight.
"Closer to a beast than a man. And yet, you call yourself a craftsman?"
"..."
"Well, I understand. I've starved near to death myself. If you want to live, you eat however you can."
"..."
"But don't despair too much. His Lordship said this experiment will soon be over. And he said your contribution was very great. He even promised you a special reward once it's done… this filthy life will finally be over. So look forward to it."
Linus did not reply, focusing only on his food.
The Mage jeered a little more, then left the cell. Creak. The door closed again with the scream of metal.
Only after the footsteps had faded completely did Linus raise his head.
"That bastard, listen to him run his mouth."
Hkk, spit.
His saliva splattered where the Mage had stood.
"And what's this about looking forward? Once the experiment ends, they'll dispose of me too. As I thought, there isn't a single Mage among them who's sane — only silver-tongued bastards."
Linus knew full well he would soon be killed.
But there was no despair on his face.
Instead, there was a radiant smile.
On the day the laboratory was discarded—
That would be his chance to escape. He had already laid his plans in secret. All that remained was to hunker down and wait, just like now.
'I will never die.'
Linus would not die.
Because he had something he must do. Until he achieved it, he would survive no matter what. Even if it meant throwing away his human dignity.