Chapter 89
We decided to split into groups.
Having twelve heroes gathered in one place not only attracts attention but is also inefficient.
One member of Haellion’s team and one member of Yanick’s team formed pairs, with me and Fin included in each group.
A total of five groups.
It may seem insufficient to search the entire city given the numbers, but we are not alone.
The heroes and clergy of the existing Durtmund faction are also active separately, so the actual numbers are not small.
Fin is in the same group as Kanturman.
I acted with Gaon and Yanick.
It seemed deliberate that I was placed in a different group from ‘Crashanol,’ who had insulted me unilaterally rather than having a dispute.
And now.
One of our group members, Gaon, speaks.
“It would be nice to maintain the same appearance at least… but that’s unlikely.”
“Since the Twelve Gods can freely polymorph, it’s impossible to find them by appearance. Gaon, that’s why your strength is needed more than ever.”
Yanick squeezed Gaon’s shoulders with his thick hands, which were twice as large as those of an ordinary person.
Knowing this from the beginning and sensitively operating his mana detection, Gaon said he would check this place for a moment and focused even more with his eyes tightly closed.
I was amazed when I saw him subtly releasing mana waves into the air.
His mana particles spread in all directions like a school of fish swimming in a river. The particles were very small and dense, indicating considerable skill.
Indeed, even if Gaon had the lowest hero ranking among Haellion’s team members, he was worthy of being the youngest to come in.
If we don’t leave any traces for Amahungkle, Gaon will be able to scrutinize even the faintest traces of mana left behind after a few weeks.
Especially distinctive creatures like Phrikkanrisk will stand out. He was a crucial figure in the search.
“There are no traces here at all.”
“Is that so. Then we should move on to the next location.”
Yanik scratched the back of his head roughly, indicating the next location where Phrikkanrisk was predicted to have moved.
Since the division of tasks at the beginning, the assigned areas were predetermined, and they only operated within them.
Upon arriving at the next point, Gaon scratched his head again.
“Not here either.”
“Hmm. Not here either…”
Yanik pondered, stroking his sparsely grown beard. It didn’t make sense that Phrikkanrisk, no matter how well he hid his mana, wouldn’t leave a trace.
It would be noticeable, unlike with humans.
I inferred his dilemma and asked. It was a statement made with the assumption that his thinking was rigid.
“According to the church’s report, Phrikkanrisk violently destroyed the previous village. However, since coming here, he has been unusually quiet and discreet.”
“I know. That’s why we are personally searching for him.”
“Although Phrikkanrisk’s intentions in Duteretemunde are unclear, he is not just impulsively committing murder but is moving with a plan.”
For some reason, the church kept records of her. Suddenly going mad, destroying the village, and devouring people.
─But even if we simply consider it as being not in his right mind, his current behavior is unnatural.
Even if destruction and killing were his sole purposes, the fact that his strategy is not straightforward indicates that conquering this place won’t be easy.
“In that case, we need to change our search method.”
“What specific approach?”
Upon Yanik’s question, I looked at Gaon and spoke. This was something only Gaon among Haellion’s team members could do.
“Even if we narrow down the range of mana detection, we need to increase precision.”
“It’s not that I don’t know that increasing precision is good. Realistically, if we do that, we might end up running out of time.”
It’s a bit tiresome to explain everything, but Yanik is a seasoned warrior.
His methods so far have become rigid and inflexible, so I have to lubricate them.
“Phrikkanrisk has been searched for even before we arrived. It’s been almost a week. Yet, if there are no results, it means the method was wrong or simply didn’t exist from the start.”
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But Phrikkanrisk is undoubtedly in this city.
Therefore, we need to change our approach. Quality over quantity, not quantity over quality.
“So?”
Yanik looked at me with a slightly displeased look.
It might seem like he’s trying to belittle me, thinking I don’t know anything, but I interpreted it differently.
“If the supernatural being took special medicine or was cursed to hide his mana, then the existing method is all in vain.”
This was a plausible thought given the age primarily dealing with curse magic.
Not only did the prideful twelfth supernatural being pierce the sky to hide within a humble person, but did he also take medicine or get cursed to hide his mana?
Even a four-year-old child would shake their head in denial.
“It sounds absurd, doesn’t it?”
“…In its own way, it seems to make sense, but still…”
“I also find it unreasonable.”
Yanik, who found it strange that I was denying what I had said, furrowed his brows and scratched the back of his head. It was a reaction of not understanding.
“It’s hard to imagine that the generally high-nosed aristocrat would go that far.”
Frickenrisk is not simply insane.
He has a clear purpose and method.
That is certain.
“However, assuming she is in this city, she spared no effort to evade the pursuit of heroes. That’s why she hasn’t been exposed so far. We cannot exclude this possibility.”
In fact, I am already convinced.
I am just curious about the reason.
What drove her to such an extent?
Is it truly to destroy this city?
If not, is it to find something else?
Whatever the end goal is, she is trying to gather information within this. It’s as if she doesn’t care about turning everything upside down.
“Vargan’s words make sense. I think it’s worth a try.”
Gaon affirmed my words.
Yanik, scratching the back of his head, nodded in agreement, his expression showing a hint of satisfaction.
“Let’s do it that way.”
As expected.
This man, Yanik, wasn’t uncomfortable with my suggestion; he was analyzing it in his own way.
As expected, he doesn’t seem to have a completely closed-off personality.
“Too bad. If this was the case, shouldn’t we have discussed it when everyone was together? Then it would have been easier to pass on to the other groups.”
Yanik made a face as if he had tasted something bitter. I shook my head.
“Magic to detect the use of potions or curses, besides Haelion, only Gaon can do it. Also, convincing everyone takes more time than convincing a few, and Haelion will handle it.”
And regardless of what happened, others needed to investigate on their own. To control Frickenrisk’s movements, and to be prepared in case I was wrong.
“Why didn’t we reveal it right after splitting into groups?”
“Because we need to show it directly. Wouldn’t that strengthen the argument?”
“Well, what if Gaon was placed in a different group than you?”
“I would have informed only Gaon in advance. There’s no need to complicate things.”
Yanik’s mouth twitched slightly as he smoothly spilled out his words. It was a quite satisfied response.
The fact that even such a guy showed a favorable response proves that trust and sincerity in my words will change in the future.
…Well, it’s more comfortable in many ways than being negative. I’ll ask later.
“You, you’re an interesting fellow!”
We immediately continued tracking in a new way.
Precision was at its maximum, but there was no need to worry. With Yanik and me, there was enough mana, even to spare.
After changing our approach and two days passing, there was a reaction.
Remarkably, there was a trace of Frickenrisk using mana externally.
Honestly, I thought it would take three more days since the church might not have completely stopped using this method. We were lucky.
This is to some extent.
No, it can be considered quite a significant progress.
***
Haelion’s group and our group arrived at the location where the response came. We informed the other groups and continued to search for clues and leads individually.
The first clue Gaon found came from an alley behind a tavern.
“How about it, can you see it clearly?”
When Yanik asked with a slightly teasing tone, Gaon, who was concentrating on his senses with his eyes heavily wrinkled, exhaled heated breath and lowered his head.
“It’s not clear. However, I can vaguely recall the moment when Phrycanthrisk used mana.”
“Right, even that much is impressive. Restoring traces of Phrycanthrisk after stirring up a lot.”
Yanik waited for his response slowly, acknowledging that he had been somewhat hasty. Gaon spoke.
“So… Three days ago. Phrycanthrisk used mana here. It seemed to have changed its appearance using polymorph… and used elemental magic suspected to be ice-based.”
Gaon continued. He accurately read the past actions of Phrycanthrisk.
“She used that to kill two people.”
“A supernatural being killing people… The church’s information seems to have been accurate. Phrycanthrisk is violating the law and causing harm. She’s planning to engulf this city.”
Yanik made his judgment, and no one objected. Haellion, too, was lost in thought.
Although my thoughts differed, I decided to observe for now. This is not the stage for me to assert my claims.
“Is it possible to track where Phrycanthrisk went based on the remaining traces of mana?”
“Well… It might be a bit difficult right now. I’ll try to find using my familiar, but it’s quite extensive, so it won’t be easy.”
“Then we’ll need to replenish the church’s personnel. We must act quickly before Phrycanthrisk’s mana completely disappears.”
Among the familiars, there are children specialized in tracking.
Gaon, who excels in detection, may have one or two with him, but the situation lacks numbers.
Therefore, Yanik is seeking additional help from the church.
No matter how much one changes their appearance with polymorph, it’s impossible to alter the inherent nature of mana that living beings possess.
Concealment through magic or curses is merely a veil.
Let me assist from here on. Isn’t Gaon specialized in the field of familiars?
“There’s no need to seek additional help from the church.”
Considering the events to come, it’s advantageous for me not to do so.
“What do you mean? How will you manage without help from the church?”
“I’ll use my familiar.”
“Bargan. I understand you’re remarkable, but with just the two of us, we lack numbers. To cover this vast Durtmund, we need at least ten more…”
I shook my head.
Gaon is also unnecessary. As long as the target’s mana is present, a city of this size is sufficient for me alone.
“What mysterious and remarkable familiar will you show us this time?”
Haellion looked at me with a slightly expectant gaze. Gaon and Yanik wore puzzled expressions.
Well… Naturally, since it’s my familiar, it’s an impressive one, but this cute rodent type values the owner’s abilities the most.
If I were to say, it’s a search method made possible by the vast amount of mana it possesses.
“If Phrycanthrisk doesn’t leave the city, we should be able to find her within two days at the latest.”
“Bargan. There’s no need to rush. Just coming this far has already been more than enough for you.”
With Yanik’s voice in the background, I summoned one of my familiars.
A small body covered in black fur, with cute round eyes that were red and circular.
“A mouse?”
“It’s not just a mouse.”
I infused magic into ‘Squeaky.’
From my fingertips, blue magic flowed into Squeaky’s body like ripples.
Tremble.
Dizziness.
Magic surging out as if to release everything.
“Wait! How long do you plan to draw out magic like this? What if you end up with mana deficiency symptoms!”
“No need to worry about Vargan’s magic. Let’s just observe for now.”
“Halion….”
I continue to pour out magic. Sending it with the highest possible concentration to make it arrive as quickly as possible.
Ah, this should be enough.
“…Not even a flicker of change in your expression. I poured in more capacity than all my magic combined…. hahahaha. It’s beyond impressive, almost absurd.”
“My magic is not important right now. Gaon, please give me the pure mana crystal of Frikcanrisk.”
Gaon immediately handed over the collected pure magic shards, and I presented them right in front of Chikchiki’s nose.
“Find this little one.”
Chikchiki, upon receiving the command, began to handle the small magic like a piece of cheese. Sniffing with its tiny nose, realizing it’s edible, it swallows it whole.
Every time its mouth moved, its long beard swayed.
I immediately gave instructions to the little one.
And then.
“…Just being with you makes me constantly surprised.”
Chikchiki clearly dashed out.
But a residual Chikchiki remains.
⎯Chijik!
It dashes out again. And yet, another Chikchiki remains like a bug.
One Chikchiki became two.
Three, four, five….
With each dash of Chikchiki, one more was added, and even the children who had already run out easily exceeded a hundred.
“These children do not share vision, but that might be considered fortunate.”
Chikchiki continues to count, showing the vastness of the inflated mana. The children who ran out already surpassed 200.
The moment Chikchiki stopped increasing was precisely when it reached 329.
“If the senses of all these children were shared, my brain wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
I say again.
Finding won’t take long.
Two days will be enough.
Let’s move the story along quickly.