32 – Three Ducks (6)
The train, with its tail car torn off, continued its journey and arrived at its destination after another full day.
The Sky Island on the 44th floor.
The uninhabited land, a floating island known as the “Sky Territory,” now resembled a shrunken version of the capital of the long-lost kingdom of Andalusia.
Although there was no one living there, spirits inhabited the empty buildings and ruins, testing the abilities of those who dared to challenge them.
Veron, the head of information, who was waiting on the platform, immediately apprehended the remnants of the bees that simulated a terrorist attack as soon as the train arrived.
The survivors were two people: Betty Crow of the Celusia family, who was arrested on the first floor, and Toby Solot, ranked 38th in the Franz family.
It would have been good to capture the remaining three as well for investigation, but it was already too late after the incident involving the Gresia faction.
And even if there was no interference from Cien, it would not have been easy to obtain Toby’s identity in front of the pure-blooded magician.
Neither Niflheim nor any other family in the Matap had a forgiving nature towards those who had been hostile to them.
“You say you saw a monster, and that bees looked cute… Tsk, this guy I captured is really losing his mind.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s nothing. Anyway, it seems that Franz’s case is closed.”
The person they found in the first-class corridor was in a panicked state and could not even have a proper conversation.
It seemed that he had done all this to save his missing younger sister in the Sky Territory, but the outcome was not good at all.
Both siblings failed in their ascent, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there was soon another vacancy in the Baekga.
After confirming that he was being led to the first basement to become a graduate student, Veron expressed his gratitude to the man who stood next to Cien.
He had been an up-and-coming figure since recently becoming known in the lower levels for his involvement in this operation.
He looked clean and had good skills, making him a talent worth noticing in the information department.
If only he didn’t have the habit of not taking his eyes off the location note when talking to adults, his evaluation would have been even better.
“Thanks to you, we were able to arrive safely without stopping the train. The resources required to restart the express train are substantial, and if the boundary of the Sky Territory were to close unexpectedly, it would be quite troublesome.”
“No, it’s not because of me. It was just a coincidence that I happened to be in that position and did what needed to be done.”
“The feats in the Magic Department and the Grand Maze were impressive. Ah, now that I think about it, I heard she’s from the Haesoo School. By any chance…”
“Sir.”
“Ahem! Putting that aside, Sien here is from the Gumin Sphere, right?”
“Yes, we were classmates at the entrance tower.”
Bervon, who was about to ask about Anes Iter’s whereabouts, closed his mouth when he met the gaze of the top ace of Information Division 2.
Currently, she was wanted for about 17 minor crimes, including going around the entire magic tower giving food to the hazardous crew treated as Grade 3 magic users in the cafeteria.
Of course, apprehending her, a Septenary, was practically impossible, so it was merely a formal question.
“Anyway, since you contributed to the arrest of the criminal, you will receive a reward through the administrative department. Is there anything else you want separately?”
“I have one question. Who does the Information Division suspect as the mastermind behind this terrorist attack?”
“Well, there’s room for misunderstanding, so it’s not the time to blurt it out recklessly. However…”
Since the train arrived safely at the theater, the Information Division intended to wrap up the case at this point.
Because if there was a group capable of attacking Niflheim, they would undoubtedly have a similar level of power.
Securing a hiding place inside the train and smuggling in six magicians was not a trick that an ordinary magical family could pull off.
They should at least be a high-ranking family of a hundred or more, or another pure-blood family.
“I see.”
Clark slowly nodded and closed the location note.
From Noble mtl dot com
An ordinary magician should be grateful for not losing their life after getting involved in such an incident, but there was no trace of fear in his eyes.
Suddenly, Bervon recalled the sight of Toby being discovered.
He must never meet Jutak’s gaze-. He was desperately keeping his eyes fixed on the ground.
*
The investigation committee of the Interdimensional Gate Incident was held in the center of Gongyeon, the tower known to be owned by the First Tower Master. It had been a neutral space for centuries, as no faction had been able to meet the challenge conditions.
The castle, bustling with the footsteps of numerous wizards, was filled with a busy atmosphere. As I was trying to find the leader of the bees based on the information from Toby and Vernong, Vina gestured to me.
“Where are you going, Supervisor?”
“Yes? Since I can’t attend the meeting, I thought I’d look around.”
“It seems like you’ve forgotten, but this is a dangerous place that doesn’t match the Supervisor’s magical abilities. Stay here without moving a single step until I come out.”
“….”
Her finger pointed to a stone chair that looked uncomfortable enough to make even a corpse restless.
I tried to convey my unwillingness to die, but Vina’s attitude of “So what?” didn’t change.
Helplessly, I took out my secret weapon. It was now an ice cake with many decorations missing, quite tattered.
“If I get too bored, I might end up eating this throughout the entire meeting.”
“No, you can’t. After it’s over, I’ll take you to the ice fishing cafe you like, so endure it.”
I’ve never liked that kind of thing.
It was a guess, but it seemed that Vina felt an itchy sensation whenever she was interfered with by me. That’s why she often left her seat frequently on the train, washing her hands. Even with a face that seemed like not a drop of blood would come out if pricked, her lips or eyebrows trembled when she touched the cake.
When it got worse, she would suddenly lose strength in her legs while walking normally, so I would quickly release her from interference and support her.
“There’s not much time until the day we leave Gongyeon, is there?”
“Still, it’s not allowed during the meeting. If you want, I can extend the deadline.”
“I’m the type to take care of overdue assignments right away.”
“Don’t lie. Every time, every time I ask you to prepare something for class…”
Snap!
As another line was engraved on the cake, Vina’s mouth immediately shut.
With her knees pulled up, she let out a rough breath and chewed on her lips, looking up at this side with a resentful gaze.
“I told you not to do it…”
As her waterfall-like hair cascaded down her arm, the curve of her beautiful back, wrapped in a black dress, stood out.
Passersby couldn’t take their eyes off me, leaning against my body.
“Do you find it ticklish?”
“It’s not ticklish… hm!”
Not only Yeongchang or Suin, but even a magician who could disassemble a train with just their will, they didn’t know what to do with just one of my fingers, and that sense of superiority emerged.
It was an act that was not allowed to her, who had an overwhelming gap in status, hierarchy, and reputation within the Ma Tower.
But for some reason, I had a strange conviction that I could get away with this kind of mischief.
After all, it was a situation made possible because she openly allowed me to do favors for her.
The fact that she still didn’t release the constructed spell formation was evidence of that.
As the gold on the cake increased, Vina’s waist trembled even more.
A faint blush appeared on her icy cheeks.
If I just keep going like this, I felt like I could completely shatter the magic.
“But surely other people don’t do this, right?”
Sienna suddenly remembered the promise she made to give magic as a punishment for breaking promises.
It seemed to be a characteristic of alchemists that they have always been in debt and unable to buy anything.
Come to think of it, before they broke up, he had suggested going to the next party together…
“What are you thinking right now?”
“Huh?”
In an instant, her focus was disrupted, and her complexion returned to normal.
Although the soles of her shoes continued to tap the ground as if in a hurry, the innocence she had before was gone.
“Do you know that those who interfere with magic can be interfered with in return?”
“……”
“It’s about granting. When you get involved with a magician like me for so long, you can easily skim through the head of a supervisor.”
To think that such a weakness existed in the interference device.
As I thought about being more careful in the future to hide my identity, Vina spoke to me.
There was a hint of jealousy in her voice.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“Really?”
“Supervisor, wait for me here until I finish the meeting… Hmph.”
The gloved hand pointed to the hard floor just below the stone chair.
*
—–
[Night has fallen]
The bullies lifted their heads and started to move around.
– “I’m bored today. Let’s go beat someone up.”
– “It’s been quiet lately. It would be nice if something big happened.”
– “Didn’t an entire bulletin board fly away recently? That’s a big event, I think.”
—–
—–
[So, did the investigation committee find out who caused the incident?]
Does anyone know who solved the mystery of the Gate to the Abyss?
– “It seems like the work of dark wizards, but there are no leads yet.”
– “Since today is the first day, we should keep an eye on it a bit longer.”
– “Isn’t the investigation committee just for show? They gathered because they want to fight for ownership of the White Dog’s territory anyway.”
– “I heard that one of the Seven Sages broke through from above and caused all this trouble. At the very least, it’s certain that a specialized team for demons is being formed.”
– “Where is the top of the Seven Sages, you idiot?”
– “You’re the one who seems clueless. There are people who have stepped down because of the restriction of having only one representative per faction.”
– “Can you do something about it then?”
—–
—–
“I’m trapped on the 44th floor. Please help.”
“I’m trapped on the 44th floor. Please, anyone, help me. I’m trapped on the 44th floor. Please, anyone, help me. I’m trapped on the 44th floor. Please, anyone, help me…”
I decided to change my plans after spending the first day on the cold stone floor without moving an inch.
After the meeting, I was free to move around at night when everyone was asleep.
Without making a sound towards the room where Vina and Christina were sleeping, I sneaked out of the mansion.
The contrast between the scarce presence of people and the vibrant city lights created a desolate atmosphere.
“But what should I do now?”
Although I managed to get out of there due to my frustration, Vina was right. This place was not suitable for my magic skills.
The condition for reaching the 44th floor was to obtain ownership of at least one location in the battlefield.
However, the conditions were so diverse that if I set foot in one and couldn’t leave before the barrier closed, I would be trapped without any options.
Vina wasn’t warning me for no reason.
Searching for the sorcerer who impersonated me in this vast city was impossible, and most of the people who attended the meeting were probably sleeping in a safe place.
There was no lingering attachment to the resources or treasures in the battlefield, so I could challenge them later when I came back.
“Should I just go back?”
Thinking of it as a late-night walk to change my mood and get some rest, I coincidentally found a piece of writing on the gallery.
—–
[Hey guys, I’m in the battlefield right now, and I think I found something amazing.]
I was cleaning the meeting room and the hallway just now, and I unexpectedly found a passage leading underground.
It was right below a weird-looking stone chair. Could this be the way to obtain the ownership of the palace?
—–
It was the exact spot where I had been sitting just a moment ago.