Chapter 100
The effects of the Mana storm had not spared the magic tools.
On the contrary, because it had erupted so violently with Aquila at its center, the magic tools he wore had taken the brunt of the damage.
The mana stone had shattered, and all the stored Mana had leaked out.
Of course, even without stored Mana, one could draw from within or from the surroundings. The real problem was that the magic formulas themselves had beco distorted.
Aquila Reschenhardt clicked his tongue as he examined the cracked Communication Bracelet.
‘At this rate, I cannot even inform them where we are.’
When he had planned his secret departure to the East, he had fully intended to stay in contact through the bracelet.
He would teleport near the Eastern dungeon, then carry out what he had planned while House Reschenhardt—or anyone else—made their way east.
After all, he needed to monitor their movents.
And yet, who could have imagined that the bracelet would be ruined?
Worse still, Heinen’s bracelet was in no better condition.
He had been the one standing closest to Aquila when the Mana storm erupted. Naturally, his magic tool had not escaped unscathed.
‘Is apologizing for not expecting an explosion supposed to make everything fine?’
Glaring at the bracelet with its dangling gem, Aquila felt his anger toward Ark swell once more.
What baffled him most was why they had been sent here rather than near the Black Dungeon.
Washerd Forest occupied nearly one-third of the East.
Heading southeast from there, one would reach another forest—not as vast as Washerd, but still expansive. This was the Sliana Forest, where the village of Senetalia lay.
A thousand years ago, it had all been one great forest. But after various other races carved up the land among themselves, boundaries had been drawn.
‘This is quite far from the Black Dungeon. Why throw here? If it is to avoid the Imperial Court Mages’ pursuit, that seems rather crude…….’
Because Ark Batchel of all people would never fail to evade the pursuit of imperial mages.
Not if he was the Ark who had lived through the previous cycle with Aquila.
Suppressing his anger with difficulty, Aquila began explaining the bracelet, hoping they might possess suitable tools.
“A magic tool that allows communication over long distances so long as Mana is stored within it……”
Another problem quickly surfaced.
The Blue Scale descendants had no knowledge whatsoever of such a device.
Unlike artifacts that had existed for centuries, this was crafted by the first-rate magic tool artisan, Beirets Hurbel.
Aquila knew that—but each mber of their clan was practically a master mage. Perhaps they might recognize sothing.
“So the formulas are structured like this. ……Oh? There is distortion here. I wonder what its original form was…….”
Tesser examined the bracelet with a grave yet fascinated expression.
“To embed magic formulas in such a manner…… How were these disparate formulas bound together so seamlessly?”
“The circuits are intricate. If you adjust this here—oh ho! The one who made this must have been quite the eccentric.”
The other Blue Scale descendants gathered beside him, adding their own remarks as they inspected the craftsmanship.
After thoroughly examining it, Tesser returned the bracelet to Aquila.
“…It is certainly an interesting object. However, there is nothing in this forest that could repair it. Perhaps in a place where humans dwell.”
As expected.
There were no tools here capable of repairing a magic tool.
Aquila had anticipated as much and rely nodded.
“Then we must go where humans gather. Is it far from here?”
Heinen, who had remained silent until now, asked.
“Not particularly. For us—or elves—it would take less than half a day. For humans, perhaps two days. Three, if you are slow.”
“…Then it would be best to depart as soon as possible. By now, the capital—and Igrail as well—must be in chaos.”
Aquila Reschenhardt had been attacked in the heart of the capital and forcibly transported away.
Even without knowing the details, everyone present could imagine the turmoil unfolding there.
“Lord Lexenbert will surely head to the capital. He treasures the Young Master.”
Porzelin spoke gravely.
To Aquila, the notion of Lexenbert cherishing soone still felt strange—but if it were true, it would spell trouble.
Had he not withheld information from Ianpel about what would occur in the Frost Forest, precisely to prevent Lexenbert from leaving?
He had inford the Imperial Family as well. With the Frost Forest unstable, Lexenbert’s departure from Igrail should have been prohibited.
But—
‘His son disappeared in the capital where the Imperial Family resides. He will not heed them properly.’
This visit to Denimarad had not been Aquila’s sche. He had been summoned by the Imperial Family, the Temple, and House Friadel.
Lexenbert had been reluctant to send him.
He had only relented because he trusted that security would be tight in the capital, where the Imperial Palace stood.
‘He nearly lost his son without even knowing. It would be stranger if he did not move…….’
In any case, repairing the Communication Bracelet ca first.
“Then, if you are both able, we shall leave the forest tomorrow and head toward human settlents—”
“Ah. Forgive the interruption, but the path toward human lands is currently closed.”
“…What?”
The sudden pronouncent drew the gazes of all three n to Tesser.
The one who spoke—appearing almost like a mischievous girl—continued,
“The spirits are angry. They say it is dangerous. So they will not open the path.”
“…The light spirits that illuminate the forest?”
“How did you know they were light spirits? Human eyes cannot see spirits.”
Tesser’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Aquila seed to know far more about this forest than expected.
Of course, Aquila knew not from books or hearsay—but because he had been here before in a previous cycle.
“It is not only the light spirits. The trees and flowers, the grass and shadows…… All the spirits have blocked the path.”
The speaker this ti was striking—long hair tied to one side, her left eye entirely covered in blue scales.
Their nas were Fiana and Zelik.
“…Is this re caprice?”
“I wish it were. But it is not.”
Tesser shook his head.
The Blue Scale clan did not lie. If they said so, it was true.
Aquila fell into thought.
“When was the path closed?”
“Approximately a week ago. Though the spirits had been murmuring for longer.”
“Is only that direction blocked?”
“To reach human lands from here, you must cross the boundary and head northwest. But at present, both the north and west are sealed.”
“North and west…… The path toward Washerd.”
“Correct.”
Aquila’s brow furrowed further.
‘Black Swamp…… No. Though it lies within Washerd Forest, it is not near the dungeon but far east, within elven territory.’
He continued thinking—but could not identify any event around this ti that would anger the spirits.
Porzelin, equally serious, asked,
“If that path is blocked, could we not circle south instead?”
“You could. But to leave the forest entirely and return from there would take over two weeks for humans.”
“Two weeks…….”
At Fiana’s words, not only Porzelin but Heinen as well frowned deeply.
“…He said we would et again in the East. Is it not possible for soone to hear?”
“With the screams and the Mana distortion, perhaps not. If anyone did, it would be Lady Yujelia—but we cannot be certain.”
Yujelia had been focused on healing Shen.
And the massive magic circle might have drowned out the words.
In the end, they needed a way to reconnect.
Porzelin and Heinen’s expressions darkened.
Aquila covered his face briefly with one hand, then pushed his hair back.
“Could we ask the spirits to open the path?”
“They did not heed our request. Though we had little need to cross.”
“…If the spirits claim it is dangerous, perhaps they sought to protect you. But we are human. We are not their concern. Surely relaying our words once would not be difficult.”
“That is a rather clever sophism.”
Tesser seed to ponder, then turned to Fiana and Zelik.
Suddenly, he began making subtle hand gestures and emitted sharp hissing breaths.
Fiana responded in kind, answering with similar gestures and soft hisses.
Though incomprehensible, they clearly understood one another.
Watching in confusion, Porzelin whispered,
“…They appear to be conversing.”
“Yes. Their language.”
Indeed, it was the private tongue of the Blue Scale descendants.
Their use of the common language of Delvion earlier had been a courtesy.
After a brief exchange, Zelik cupped his hands around his mouth and let out a short hiss.
“…It seems Zelik intends to help us.”
“Pardon?”
As Aquila finished speaking, Tesser addressed them again.
“Zelik will convey your words to the spirits. But rember this—we do not wish to incur their wrath. He will speak only once.”
“That is sufficient.”
Aquila imdiately thanked Zelik, who smiled faintly.
After a few more exchanges in their own language, they nodded.
A decision had been reached.
“Then we shall take our leave. The ssage will be delivered tomorrow morning. Spend what may be your final day here wisely.”
With that, Tesser rose.
Before stepping fully outside, he looked back.
“We accepted you because you know Seneterini. Do not wander about tonight. You are outsiders—and we do not favor many quiet footsteps.”
“We have no such intention. Do not worry.”
When Tesser and the others left, Porzelin waited until their footsteps faded before turning back.
“How did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That Zelik would help us.”
Aquila shrugged and bit into the fruit.
“A feeling. More importantly, eat well. Once we leave tomorrow, we may not have proper als for several days.”
With that, he began eating without further comnt.
Porzelin reluctantly followed suit.
Heinen stared silently into his stew, deep in thought.
In the quiet, the three continued their al.
They all agreed to store a few fruits for the journey.
***
The next morning, they followed Zelik along a forest path.
The notification appeared so abruptly it almost felt absurd.
“From here onward, the spirits have closed the way.”
It was just as Zelik raised the lantern he had brought.
Ding!
【You have received a new ssage!】
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