The First Star, Ryan’s lair.
Getting into the castle and walking around the castle would normally be difficult, sothing they would have to do extrely stealthily.
“How should we do this?”
Cale stared at the person who quietly asked.
“What is it?”
Cotton asked as if she was confused. Cale nonchalantly responded.
“You are quite useful.”
Smile. The corners of Cotton’s lips twisted up.
“It’s just infiltrating a re Dragon’s lair. Why would it be hard? I've even rummaged through the current Demon King's bathroom.”
Cotton had amazingly led them through a path with the least amount of presence as possible, while also choosing an extrely efficient path.
They obviously did not move quickly, but, at least in terms of safety, her guidance was almost unbelievable.
The Sound of the Wind comnted inside Cale’s mind.
– She's got the talents for a great thief.
Cale just ignored this and nodded his head.
“I guess this level of difficulty would be easy compared to the Demon King's bathroom.”
“Yeah. My dream is to one day go through the God of War's safe. I will definitely visit the World of the Gods.”
“…….”
Cale felt as if he had just heard so nonsense but completely ignored it. Instead, he got down to business.
“Are their senses pretty sharp?”
Cale was currently hiding in the staircase heading down from the second floor to the first floor, looking at the door to the basent.
“Yeah. That Elf over there's senses are especially sharp.”
A large wall to the north of the castle. There was a gate to hell on that wall.
The rest of the ten knights were in front of the door, with one being an Elf and the rest being Beast people.
Cotton continued to explain in a quiet voice.
“Even if I want to get closer, the issue is that Elf Knight's Elental. We can’t see it but there is a Wind Elental surveying the area around that Elf.”
She shook her head.
“Whether we turn invisible or hide our body in other ways… Our movents cause air and wind to move when we get near there. We have no way of tricking that Elental's eyes.”
Cale pulled out the docunt Cotton handed him before speaking.
“And even if we get past that door, there should be nurous knights, mages, and a Dragon according to your hypothesis?”
< After looking into it for a month, a set number of knights and mages endlessly headed toward the basent. >
Cale then looked at the information about the Dragon.
< Furthermore, it is suspected that aside from Ryan, there is another Dragon staying in the basent. Believed to be Ryan’s subordinate. >
He heard Cotton's answer.
“Yeah. I saw that Dragon that visited this castle last week head in through that door and he has not been seen since.”
That was why she believed he was still in the basent.
< It was not one of the ten Dragon gods. His identity could not be determined; currently looking into it. >
Cale looked at the docunt once more before putting it back into his pocket.
“Let’s first go in.”
Cotton motioned with her hand, leading Cale to return to the second floor and into a room. It was more like an area for the servants than a room with cleaning equipnt and all sorts of random items within it.
Cale’s group filled the room, making it difficult to move, but it was good enough to chat.
“In my opinion, scoping it out is impossible.”
Cale looked toward Cotton.
The White Snake responded.
“So you think that we need to infiltrate it and sweep it out all at once?”
“Mm.”
Cotton groaned before shaking her head.
“That’s not what I an. You all read the information I gave, right?”
She scratched her head as she continued.
“That guy only stays on the top floor.”
That guy.
She was talking about Ryan.
< When the na ‘Ryan’ is ntioned within his lair, the conversation that follows is always transmitted to Ryan. >
< That magic circle surrounds the entire lair. >
They could not ntion Ryan’s na in this castle.
That was the ‘most important rule for safety’ that Cotton had ntioned.
‘Ryan has relaxed on the magic detection within the inner castle. This lair cannot detect magic as long as it does not cause a flow of mana greater than a set amount.’
‘It is probably because there are mages throughout the lair and they use magic for all sorts of things, making it cumberso to detect it all.’
Cotton continued to speak.
“That guy has been confird to be on the top floor for the past two weeks.”
Two weeks.
It was right after that odd alarm rang throughout the area.
"But we can't put our guard down. The mont we are spotted, that guy will instantly co to where we are. He is extrely sensitive about people breaking in right now.”
“Mm.”
The White Snake groaned and asked.
“You believe that we will definitely be spotted?”
"Who knows? We have a Dragon here too.”
The laundry basket in Choi Han's hand moved before Ran poked his head out from the blanket.
“That’s right, we do!”
Cotton slowly avoided the Dragon's gaze as she continued to speak.
“It won't be hard to use invisibility magic to avoid the eyes of the mages or knights. As long as we don’t run into a Dragon.”
Honestly speaking, not all of the mages here were proper mages.
< It is suspected that there are two mages who can use magic and that the rest are theoretical experts. >
There were very few humans who could use mana.
< They seem to have been educated as mages for research. >
What kind of research was it?
That would determine the strategy they needed to use.
Cale, who had been quietly listening, chid in.
“The problem is the Elental?”
“That’s right! It will not be easy to avoid the detection of the Wind Elental to sneak into the basent.”
"What if we can get past the Wind Elental?”
Cotton scowled as if she was wondering about the usefulness of such a scenario, but she did answer.
“The alarm will go off in a little bit. At that ti, a group of mages will head out from the basent. We can use that ti to use invisibility magic and sneak in.”
She shook her head.
“But the Wind Elental is there so it will definitely notice us. The change in the density of mana in the air as well. It’s because that Elental is extrely strong.”
“Even stronger than the Elental King?”
‘Hmm?’
Cotton tilted her head.
“What did I just hear?”
She blinked and looked at Cale.
Cale casually answered.
“The Elental King is on our side.”
‘To be more accurate, he made a deal with Tasha.
But either way, that makes him on our side, right?’
“…….”
Cotton was at a loss for words.
Cale continued to speak.
“I'll go chat with the Wind Elental.”
“Human, do you an threaten it?”
He just ignored Raon's comnt.
“…Threaten?”
He ignored Cotton’s reaction as well.
“Is that even possible?”
Cotton’s eyes sparkled.
Wiesha's pupils were shaking as she looked at Cale.
Cale ignored everybody.
“Let’s head back down the stairs.”
He motioned to the others with his eyes.
“Just follow .”
His back did not look very reliable.
“Human, you lost so weight.”
Cale once again ignored Raon.
He then arrived at the stairs again.
‘I wonder what he is planning on doing.’
Wiesha kept her eyes locked on Cale.
‘He's on the sa side as the Wind Elental King and can threaten Elentals?
How surprising.
No, how marvelous.’
She was tense as she decided that she would not miss even a single mont of what Cale does.
Her entire body was on edge.
It was at that mont.
‘Hmm?’
Cale pulled out a top's whip.
A golden top's whip.
The savior opened his mouth with the item in his hand.
“Yes, yes. Go bring over the Wind Elental that has contracted with that Elf. I want to chat.”
He then started talking to himself.
“Hey, you guys didn’t hear the news? We made a deal with the Wind Elentals. I heard things are tough for you guys these days? We said that we will help you.
Yes, yes. Now we're understanding each other. But let’s talk one at a ti. It’s too loud.”
‘What is loud?
Everything is extrely quiet except the Savior?’
Wiesha’s pupils started shaking again.
Cale didn’t care or notice and just continued his conversation.
Of course, the Wind Elentals around them were his conversation partners.
‘There’s a human who can hear us?!’
‘Liberation… Freedom… peace……’
‘Hey, hey. He said be quiet!’
‘Anyway, we just need to bring that friend of ours by that Elf, right?’
‘But will that friend help us?’
;Probably? Based on what I heard last ti, his friend, umm, that Elf over there, is not doing this out of his own free will! Apparently he is being threatened with the safety of his hotown?’
‘Oh, then we should be able to talk it out!’
‘…Freedom …Liberation … Threats… Chaos……’
Cale felt like it was annoying and loud but he held it in and spoke again.
“Be quiet for now and go get him.”
‘Okay!’
‘Yeah!’
‘Roger!’
Shaaaa-
A breeze moved past Cale.
He heard a voice in his ear.
‘…Liberation……!’
Cale suddenly felt extrely leery.
‘No way. Of the nurous Wind Elentals, the one that made the move-’
‘The crazy one went!’
‘Just as I expected.’
The weird one had gone by.
However, Cale was calm.
‘The weird ones usually do a good job.’
This was especially true of the Elentals.
The ones shouting things like chaos, destruction, freedom, always seed to do a good job.
Cale felt relaxed as he trusted his experience with such Elentals until now.
‘Uggh, what is it?! Why did you suddenly drag here?! Let go, mm, mmph!’
‘…Liberation!’
Crazy Elentals did indeed do good work.
Shaaaa-
Shaaa-
Cale felt a gentle breeze roaming by his right cheek and opened his mouth.
“Hey.”
‘Mmph, mmph!’
“Hey Liberation. Let him talk.”
‘……Freedom!’
“Uhh, okay. Freedom, please do it.”
The wind disappeared and beca calm. However, it was rowdy by Cale’s ear.
‘What the hell? Did a human just talk to us? How?’
Ssss–
He felt an unexplainable cold air before the air around him all fluctuated.
Cale could tell that the Wind Elental by the Elf’s side really was strong, which led him to speak imdiately.
“I ca to give you an order from the Wind Elental King-nim.”
Of course he was bluffing.
There had been no such order.
However, it should be okay to be flexible.
‘What unbelievable-’
‘Yes, it is unbelievable, but… It is also believable.’
“We will re-establish this world.”
‘……!’
The air around him fluctuated again.
All of the Wind Elentals reacted to him.
However, they did not dare to easily open their mouths.
‘…Liberation……!’
All except one of them.
“I hope you can help us so that we can make that happen. I'm sure you are well aware of the truth. You should know that continuing on this path will only lead this world to ruin.”
‘…….’
"Also, if you don’t listen, I’m going to tell the Elental King-nim that you didn't help us.”
‘I'll do it! I'll do it! I'll help!’
‘As I expected.’
Cale tasted the sweet taste of relying on authority as he nodded his head.
He could have chatted with this Elental to convince him, but…
‘I don’t have the ti for that.’
The ti when this world might be destroyed…
He needed to take care of everything within a month.
Cale felt so gazes directed at him and looked around.
“What is it?”
His people did not say anything.
Cale paid them no more attention and warmly spoke to the Wind Elental again.
“I'm sure you might be worried that you might be betraying your friend, the Elf. But your friend is being forced to guard this place because he is being threatened right? Your friend will soon be freed as well.”
He heard a cautious yet serious voice.
‘…Really?’
It sounded more honest than when he said that he would help earlier.
“Of course.”
Cale smiled warmly and raised his hand. His finger pointed at the ceiling.
"We are going to get rid of that guy soon.”
He will soon get rid of Ryan.
“So please help us just once.”
‘Fine.’
* * *
Daaaang- dang- daaaaang-
The bell on the first floor of the Central Clock Tower echoed out.
It wasn’t a new hour, but this bell was ringing at a random ti.
Click. Click.
The ten knights guarding the large door on the northern wall of the castle quickly started moving.
“……”
The only Elf among the group looked around.
He then motioned with his hand.
Shaaaaaaaaaaa-
The wind scanned through the whole area as it moved by.
The wind approached the Elf, brushed past his cheek and landed on top of his armor.
Swoooooooosh-
A small whirlwind danced by the Elf's ear as if it was talking to him.
“…….”
The Elf listened and then nodded his head.
He then started to speak.
“Open the door.”
There are no intruders nearby so open the door.
So of the armored individuals stepped forward.
They were all Beast people.
They pushed the large door with their hands.
SCREEEEEEEEECH—
The heavy door slowly opened.
There was a row of people standing in front of the door.
They were all wearing mage robes.
Only the person standing in the front of the group was a mage.
“…….”
The Elf bowed and the mage respectfully bowed back.
Daaaang- dang-
The bell was still ringing.
The bell would ring a total of 24 tis.
They needed to move before then.
“Mm.”
However, the mage flinched.
"What is it, sir?”
His subordinate next to him reacted.
“Sothing is weird.”
The mont the mage mumbled…
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
There was a gust of wind.
The Elf awkwardly apologized.
“I'm sorry, sir. My Elental is being extrely mischievous today-”
“Ah, that is okay, sir.”
The mage looked relaxed after hearing the Elf's answer.
‘It was because of the Elental.’
His senses had been sharp because he felt an unexplainable leeriness, but it was an Elental ssing around… That was a relief.
‘I'm being too sensitive.’
The mage smiled nicely toward the apologetic Elf Knight and quickly started moving with his subordinates.
Daaaang- dang-
The bell was still ringing, but it would stop soon.
Shaaaaaaaaaaa-
The wind blew around once more and then Elf soon spoke again.
“Close the door.”
Creeeeeeak— boom!
The door closed.
This door would only open again when the mages returned.
Dang-
The bell stopped as well.
Silence filled the area once again.
Today was no different from yesterday.
* * *
– Human, I let everybody know!
The invisible Cale felt chubby paws touch his back.
– Lock and Wiesha to the first floor!
Raon’s voice reached his ear.
This basent was said to be three floors deep.
– Choi Han and Cotton are on the second floor! Of course, I sent the signal flares to Lock and Choi Han! I told them to run away if it gets dangerous!
Cale felt soft fur touching his leg.
– As for us, we are going with you, human!
The children averaging ten-years-old were going with Cale to the third floor of the basent.
He confird that nobody was around him and opened his mouth.
“Let’s go.”
Swoooooooosh-
A small gust of wind road around the tips of Cale's feet.
It was his ancient power.
Tap.
His foot gently kicked off the ground and Cale quickly moved forward.
The basent was not dark.
He expected it to be dark and rough like a cave since it was a place for shady dealings.
However, it was not like that at all.
‘It’s like a temple.
No.
Maybe more like a laboratory?’
It looked to be a mix of a temple and a lab. It was a completely white area.
The hallways and stairs were completely clean without a single speck of dust.
He could also see nurous facilities.
Furthermore, he could also not tell the width of the area.
‘A basent that is larger than the inner castle and outer castle combined.’
This basent was like its own city.
It resembled the Dark Elves’ Underground City.
Of course, this place was desolate.
It was as if no life existed here.
– Human, be careful!
Cale only headed down without even looking around.
He didn’t have ti.
All he had to be careful about was that other Dragon.
“Hmm?”
An individual presud to be a theoretical mage looked around as if sothing was odd, but Cale had already moved past him and was heading down.
Cale and the children averaging ten-years-old avoided gazes like that and quickly headed down.
Thankfully, there was not a guard at each staircase.
In fact, there was nobody standing guard anyway.
Everybody just looked busy doing their own tasks.
‘That’s odd.’
He didn't sll any blood either.
He also did not hear any screams or groans.
Just like a temple…
It felt reverent and quiet.
Furthermore, the faces of the people passing by did not look bad.
They actually had bright expressions on their faces.
‘…Sothing feels off.’
It made him feel uncomfortable.
He definitely heard that the Beast people were dragged here and unable to co out…
And the thing that Choi Han heard-
‘The cries that resembled the black despair-
Those should contain soone’s pain and despair.’
– …Human.
Cale stopped walking once he stepped down into the third floor.
He looked forward.
He saw a large glass wall.
He could see what was going on beyond it.
There were no facilities on the third floor.
All that existed was a large open area on the other side of the glass wall.
And at the center of that area…
There was a large hole.
It was a black hole that did not fit this completely white area.
He could see an existence standing in front of the pit.
– There’s soone there!
Is it a Dragon?
– He hasn’t noticed us yet.
The existence beyond the glass wall had not noticed them as they were invisible.
‘I guess that makes sense. Raon’s magic is almost at the level of Eruhaben-nim’s now.’
It only made sense for most Dragons not to notice it.
Furthermore, Raon wasn't even affected by the aura of this world.
However, Cale could not easily start to move again.
– Cale.
The cheapskate.
The Fire of Destruction started to speak.
– Can you feel it?
Dead mana.
This ancient power reacted more sensitively than anybody else against dead mana.
– I can feel despair inside that pit.
Cale could not see inside the pit because of the distance, but he could still feel it.
Cale touched his arm.
The back of his hand was covered in goosebumps.
– The black despair. It’s sothing even worse than that. I'm sure of it!
The black despair.
The terrible fluid that Imperial Crown Prince Adin of the Mogoru Empire had created in the past with the Alchemists’ Bell Tower.
The black liquid that held the despair of the dead inside dead mana…
Sothing even worse than that was inside that pit.
‘Shit.’
He had an extrely, extrely, bad feeling about this.
– I think we need to burn this whole thing up?
‘Fuck.’
—
Translator's Comnts
BURN BABY BURNNNNNNNNN!
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