Chapter 559 - Target (1)
At the site where the unofficial laboratory had once been built, a bottomless pit had formed, and the surrounding terrain shifted to cover it.
The exterior was rugged, the interior hollow.
There was no doubt.
It was here that Dahit Wethroel had unleashed a superordinate spell. From the crude aftermath—whether or not traces remained—his personality and magic could be discerned.
Balrog spoke, his tone sharper than before.
"Who was in charge at the time?"
"Elder Hiram… his current whereabouts remain unknown."
At the reply of High Elder Tilon, Balrog immediately opened the space imbued within his artifact.
Short staves, engraved with special magic circles, spilled out and arrayed themselves around him.
These were Balrog's magical tools, using blood as a medium to forcefully link magic circles—able to confirm the life and location of the magic tower's personnel and test subjects, and even issue remote commands within a certain distance.
But… among them, some had lost all magical function.
There was only one explanation.
The Coercion linked to each staff had vanished.
Meaning Elder Hiram had suffered a grave misfortune.
And not only him.
Counting the staffs that had lost their light, Angelo was unable to suppress his shock.
"H-how could it be, Tailroad and Boldrak as well…?!"
Rayshen Tailroad, who had sent word through the magic tower branch that he had secured Isabella, his linked staff lay silent.
Even Omar Boldrak, who had taken Rayshen with him.
…Perhaps some form of seal had temporarily severed the magical connection. That possibility was sufficient.
But the opposite was just as plausible.
Assuming the worst, then two elders of Itium and the tower master's second disciple were dead. Counting their subordinates, the number was not small.
Excluding the power core rampage from three years prior… Balrog's reign had never suffered such damage.
Not even in the early days of the war with Black Hour.
…
The entire area sank into silence.
As his presence steadily grew heavier, Angelo and Tilon broke into cold sweat. Balrog, still gazing down at the ground, spoke.
"The last confirmation was two days ago. While we were distracted by the hierarchy breakthrough incident and the Transcendent Conference, they struck precisely at that gap."
"Ma-magic tower master…"
"I swear upon my name, the management of Bohemirn magic tower is flawless. And yet, our secrets have leaked to the usurpers. It must be the work of outsiders."
Tilon's throat bobbed nervously.
"Then, are you saying… betrayal?"
"To date, the only group that has approached me with knowledge of these unofficial experiments was one. Would this time be any different?"
Balrog gathered the staves and stored them into subspace.
"…Yes, lately their demeanor in trade had grown uncharacteristically passive. Elder Hiram was dispatched here precisely to discern their true intentions. Though it may not serve as conclusive proof, it is far too coincidental to ignore."
That his own creation, Coercion, was being broken and turned against him, Balrog did not even consider.
At least, not yet.
At last, the command came down.
"Immediately shut down all unofficial experiment facilities near the allied front, and move every scrap of data and material to the magic tower. Tilon, how far has the enhancement experiment advanced?"
"Yes, the research progress in the field of 'emotion' is at approximately 89%. We are now adjusting variables for actual applica—"
"Skip the stabilization phase. It is nothing but a minor margin of error. Whatever the reason, since Black Hour has struck Lucard Maniacs and Rayshen Tailroad, the other disciples will also be targeted."
Balrog's jaw tightened.
"…Much as I would like to rip Wethroel to pieces this instant, the nature of Black Hour's great hall makes it impossible to strike first. Therefore, we accelerate the existing plan."
"At your command, my master."
"While I study the ancient bloodline secured in Karnadel, apply the enhancement experiments not only to Rovellin but to the others on the list. Use them as bait, as suicide soldiers, to greatly diminish Black Hour's strength."
Balrog turned his head.
"And Angelo."
"Yes."
"From the rear, discreetly command Sandir Paen and the brainwashed test subjects to locate Gluttony. Engrave Coercion upon them and gather intelligence."
"I will assemble my direct unit at once. But if you have resolved upon this course… then you mean to abandon the trade?"
"Yes. Even if they had nothing to do with this raid, it matters not."
Rumble, rumble, rumble…!
An overwhelming force erupted.
All of nature, all things, bowed before Balrog.
"Bring to me the true body of the one who sent a proxy to bargain—Gluttony's third fang, Beldoran. Without fail."
By Black Hour's unexpected raid, the balance was shaken, and the potential threat of his trading partner grew.
Thus, their mutual cooperation was shattered.
Gluttony, unaware, had become the target.
***
The bare winter brush swayed as broken branches fell in a flurry. Startled birds took wing high into the sky.
With each pounding step, trees blurred past on either side.
"Huff, huff…!"
A transplant, robed in bloodstained cloth, ran desperately. Each ragged breath quickened his blood flow.
Across his chest, a deep sword-scar swelled with blood and torn flesh.
Then, from the left, crimson lightning flashed down like a thunderbolt.
───Aaaaaargh!
From some distance away, thunder mixed with a dying scream.
Ignoring it, he pushed his legs harder.
Next, from the right, came a wind heavy with frost. From above, a frozen mage shattered as he fell, his spell still clutched in hand.
"…!"
Then, from behind, a sharp sound split the air near his ear. Screams and shouts echoed, then abruptly ceased.
Instinct screamed danger.
Sensing the approach, the transplant twisted his waist and swung his arm.
Clang!
Blades clashed.
In an instant, Adrian nearly cleaved his neck, but the transplant activated the Red Fragment in his spinal cord, maximizing his reflexes, and his lungs swelled.
Striking without the mediation of the brain, rapid chained blows.
The transplant did not yield a step, colliding again and again in place. Then, releasing his energy, he unleashed a unique technique.
回却 — Return Reversal.
Reproducing the martial art of the warrior whose body had been used in the transplant. Along the arc, straight sword-qi slashed again and again at close range.
Yet each strike was blocked by Adrian's light-blue radiant sword, intercepting every path.
'Couldn't kill him.'
As the transplant withdrew to plan his next move—
Crack.
"What…."
The teeth of his blade dropped, then the edge itself shattered. Though alloyed with top-grade metal, however small the portion.
That was when he felt the sinister magic.
A wave of freezing cold swept over the area in an instant. The tide of frost carried razor-sharp edges.
Upon it, blood fell sluggishly.
"Who… are you…! Are you of the Ark…?!"
Though he hurled himself aside, the transplant's body was half-pierced and frozen, leaving him immobile.
Striding forward with long steps, Isabella crooked her finger.
"Finally caught you. Persistent thing."
"?!"
Crunch.
With her Brilliant Eyes she pinpointed the Fragment's location and ripped it out whole. With his spine gravely damaged and his source of life gone, his regeneration weakened visibly.
"The Ark… I never heard of people like you among them."
The transplant strained his voice, both hostile and bewildered.
"How… could you have found us…?"
"Shut up."
Adrian's sword strike carved straight down. A beat later, violet sword-qi flashed.
Split in half, the transplant perished.
Snap.
Isabella flicked her fingers, reducing the body to crystalline fragments.
The forest grew silent.
She rolled the Red Fragment in her hand, examining it closely.
"This makes the second Fragment, but… the essence is too alien to properly discern. And how it was made, I can't even guess. To condense life force—a fusion of qi and mana—and use it like a magic stone, that's simply beyond the realm of magic."
"Moreover, they could manifest techniques through specific parts of the body. It seems they can mimic the skills of the transplanted warrior. It isn't only magic that defies understanding."
Adrian, by habit, shook his sword once before sheathing it. Just then, Verden approached, holding [Interis].
"I cannot name the exact year, but the organization has certainly existed for centuries. That they defy common sense is, in some ways, to be expected."
"Even ten years feels long, but centuries? That's unfathomable. Here, take this."
Isabella handed Verden the Fragment seized from the transplant.
At that, Alpha, nestled in the nape of [Ainber], tapped the [Compass of Black Hour] it clutched tightly.
[Needle confirmed. Next, east.]
Unfortunately, Beta had to be excluded from this operation. Though its size could be reduced, its weight could not, making it unsuitable for the current pursuit.
Not only that, according to Alpha's explanation, since Beta was based on the core of a natural golem, he could not transfer his consciousness into a mini golem.
Thus, Beta remained in Alpha's laboratory, devoting himself solely to developing an independent golem.
"So, east from here. If we go straight, I believe there's a city."
[Within the Arnak Empire of the western continent lies the city-state 'Daunt'. It is a commercial city where logistics are concentrated, structured with three interconnected cities. Shops are active both above and below ground. Its scale and population are greater than that of the average city.]
Alpha rattled off the history of a city he had never even visited, as if reading from an encyclopedia. It turned out he had memorized entire books containing information on countries and cities across the continent.
Isabella gave a dry laugh.
"Like a walking world map, aren't you… Anyway. If they're hiding in that city, taking care of them will be troublesome. We can't just rampage without regard for collateral damage."
"If you lack confidence, wait outside. My lord and I will handle it."
"Watch from the sidelines? That might've been the case before, but with my current strength, I think I'd be better suited for fighting inside the city. Hey, want to make a bet?"
"Bring it on."
Adrian and Isabella raised their voices, debating who would be able to track and hunt more of Gluttony's agents.
For the four of them—including Alpha—to venture outside together like this, it was the first time since they had infiltrated the great hall of Libereas, the demons' world.
Their morale could not help but rise.
Verden spoke.
"Previously, the fifth fang of Gluttony, Rupel Rains di Gardran, whom we disposed of, was a high noble of the principality. The entire Gardran family itself had fallen into Gluttony's hands. So just like then, we cannot dismiss the possibility that a high-ranking officer of Gluttony is disguised under noble status in Daunt."
He activated [Raindia], opening the subspace housed within the ring.
"We currently hold three Red Fragments. Once we arrive in Daunt, we'll split up and search the entire city."
The number matched that of the [Compass of Black Hour]. Including the one Verden had originally possessed, there were two incomplete models and one complete.
'The difference lies in range and accuracy.'
If multiple targets with identical mana existed, the incomplete models, unlike the complete one, would spin their needle erratically until brought within a certain distance.
The tracking method was the same as before.
By using alchemy to extract the alien aura—Gluttony's fragment—from the Red Fragment, then binding it into a prepared magic stone, fusing it with mana.
The black-colored magic stone thus created was placed into the compass, pointing toward the direction of Gluttony's implants.
'In the Principality of Riviant, after killing Rupel, the black stone vanished.'
Gluttony's fragment imposed a special restriction, fusing with the host's body like a parasite so that betrayal or revealing secrets would be impossible.
'Circumstantially, the Fragments of Gluttony might be derived from, and connected to, the five heads called Gluttony's fangs.'
Hence the aftereffect.
But it was not yet certain.
Just because Rupel had died, did not mean that the implant hosts who had received Fragments from him perished simultaneously.
'Regardless, if we pursue them to the end, it won't be long before we encounter one of Gluttony's lieutenants operating in the western continent.'
And then they would uncover what conversations had taken place with Balrog Bessias, and what bargains had been struck.
"Move out."
[Proceeding.]
Verden's group set course for Daunt.
***
Angelo's direct unit, dispatched from Bohemirn magic tower, invoked Coercion upon Gluttony's implants captured alive after sealing their limbs.
"Aaaaaaaaaargh!"
Wracked by unbearable pain, they were forced to act and compelled to reveal their deepest hidden secrets.
But.
Boom!
"Urk?!"
The implants answering questions suddenly exploded, scattering pieces in all directions. Any bearer of Gluttony's Fragment who attempted betrayal was destroyed down to the cellular level.
There was no way Bohemirn magic tower could have known this.
"Gluttony. Truly a remarkable organization. Attaching and detaching the tissues of living beings to humans wasn't enough, even the magic circles of transcendents do not function upon them. With such absolute secrecy, how could the world possibly know of them?"
Sitting on a rock, Sandir cradled his spear and raised the corner of his mouth. With congenital psychopathy, his emotions were faint, so it was not genuine joy or amusement.
It was merely imitation of a reaction others might show.
"Well, at least we managed to drag out a word or two."
He tossed a Red Fragment.
Angelo caught it naturally, glanced at Sandir, then turned his back. Arrogant as he was, Angelo did not bother pointing it out.
For Sandir was a being of a different dimension than the other brainwashed subjects.
"So, I hear the next target is a city. What will you do? If you act yourselves, the streets will be in ruins, and your identities may be exposed. That would be troublesome indeed. Shall you leave it to us?"
"..."
If they acted rashly, Bohemirn magic tower's abnormal movements would be noticed, and suspicions would arise everywhere.
What a nuisance.
To prevent that, their master had commanded them not to take the field, but to guide the test subjects from the rear.
Angelo's lips parted.
"Be sure to find them."
"An excellent choice."
Sandir planted his feet on the ground, slung the spear across his back, and spoke to the unofficial test subjects under brainwashing and thought distortion.
"To Daunt."
The implant that had just died, under Coercion, had at least revealed that it had received its orders from Daunt, in the western continent.
Though its identity remained unknown since they had asked location first… whether they could find it or not hardly mattered.
If they annihilated the city itself, their prey would have no choice but to crawl out.
***
In a certain inn in Daunt, an old grandmother shared a meal with her innocent granddaughter. A shabby stew, barely sufficient for nourishment, was their dinner.
"…Ha."
If she could, she would have liked to give her granddaughter a proper meal, but she could not. Their meager savings were nearly gone.
In the past, she could have earned travel expenses by reading cards, foretelling a customer's future and offering advice, but not anymore.
Since last year, she had lost the ability to divine fate.
She did not know why.
All she knew was that no matter how she shuffled, the results came out in shambles. She thought it temporary, but the situation had not changed.
"Ugh!"
Then, her granddaughter—Aisha—shivered violently. She even dropped the spoon with which she had been eating stew.
"W-what is it, Aisha?"
"Grandmother…!"
Aisha strained her lips open.
"Da-Daunt… I feel like something terrible is going to happen. But, I don't know. Should we run away, or stay here? Wh-what do we do?"
Aisha had been born with unusually sensitive, uncanny senses. As she grew, the trait had become increasingly pronounced.
But never before had she trembled in fear like this.
"Calm yourself. Do not panic. I'll take you to our room, focus on steadying your heart."
"Yes, but before that… could you use the cards?"
"Aisha, that's… No, never mind. Very well, I shall try."
She could not foresee anything anyway, but it was all she could do. For her granddaughter, there was nothing she would not try.
Shuffle.
The grandmother shuffled the cards, took a deep breath… and carefully laid down three cards, one by one, from the top of the deck.
The first, Death (reversed).
The second, God (reversed).
The third, Human (reversed).
Her eyes widened.
"This is…"
Death symbolized death, God symbolized birth, Human symbolized life.
Reversed death.
Reversed birth.
Reversed life.
It was chaos, a world of possibility where destiny did not exist… and the second such omen she had seen in all her life as a seer.
Two years and several months ago, in the Principality of Riviant, when she had met the gray-haired man named Cohen—that was the first.
What in the world could this mean?