[412] Task Force (4)
Shirone and his party followed Mahatu through a convoluted maze.
When the warriors learned he was a messenger of the gods, they all dropped to their knees, and even after they entered together they received the tribe's hospitality.
Unlike Kadum, who poured enormous tributes into the messenger's hands for immortality, Mahatu ran Kergo's funds transparently.
The tribe's quality of life had improved, and passersby wore livelier faces.
They hadn't fought for Kergo itself, but Shirone—who had opened the Geopin Gate and headed for Heaven—was, to them, their savior.
"I'd like to throw a festival if I could, but you all seem in a hurry."
"Yes. We must get to Heaven as soon as possible."
Mahatu didn't ask about Heaven's circumstances.
Kergo's people still worshiped Anke Ra and revered angels, but his priority was the tribe's livelihood.
Sein asked, "How many are on the waiting list? I heard it was full earlier."
Anyone could go to Heaven if the Unlocker opened the Geopin Gate, but to prevent indiscriminate passage the maze had rooms of accomplishment and sacrifice so only chosen warriors could proceed.
If it was full, that meant many were waiting for the Unlocker to arrive.
Mahatu smacked his lips awkwardly. "Actually, not that many. About seven."
"That's odd. Then why block entry?"
"Well… that isn't something I can really say. But you'll understand when you see it yourself."
Gaold didn't bother to pry.
After all, the only reason they were in Kergo was the Geopin Gate.
If any capable fighters were waiting to go to Heaven, he'd take them along, but with the team's level the match would be difficult.
"Fine. Let's go see and clear it quickly."
Mahatu quickened his pace as if to show courtesy.
They arrived at a massive iron door carved with the figure of a giant.
"This is the Warriors' Room. Warriors who wish to go to Heaven wait here."
When Mahatu opened the iron door, Gaold rushed in and the group followed.
The seven warriors Mahatu had mentioned were seated in different spots, each staring at Gaold with sharp eyes.
A swordsman sitting with a longsword across his lap asked, "Are you a warrior or an angel?"
Gaold didn't answer; he scanned the seven faces and then turned to Sein. "You need to be at least an accredited Rank 6. If you're not, you're not worth evaluating."
The mage in the corner frowned. "As if you're guaranteed to be Rank 6."
"And if I am?"
"Haha! So cocky, huh? I've killed so-called certified mages countless times. Judging skill by ranks is outdated. It's about how much hell you've been through—life and death depend on that."
The mage opened his right hand to reveal five rings and rose to approach.
The man with the sword snapped, "Hey, I asked first, didn't I?"
"Doesn't matter. Anyone with skill can go. Isn't that the rule?"
The mage opposite Gaold gave a slight wave of his right hand—a beckoning motion to step forward.
"I'll show you—the realm beyond ranks."
Gaold leveled his blade.
The moment an Air Gun exploded, the mage's body slammed into the wall. Blood sprayed as he hit the floor on his backside and bowed his head so deeply he couldn't move.
"Next."
Shirone narrowed his eyes.
It wasn't that Gaold struck to kill, like in the bunker beneath the Association, but Shirone knew better than anyone the power behind Gaold's Air Gun.
"I must say I agree with that man's words a little," an older mage said, clearing his throat as he stepped to the center.
"There is a realm beyond ranks. But theory without skill is delusion. I am a little different…!"
As the mage's face twisted, Gaold—having already cast a teleport—flung his hand across the man's face.
The mage's head whipped side to side like a punch ball and he collapsed like a log.
"Next."
Watching two people fall in an instant, the remaining five didn't move.
These weren't here to dream of a windfall on Heaven's edge and slip through. They were clearly a task force with business in Heaven.
When no one stepped forward, Gaold pointed at the swordsman sitting with his blade. "Hey, you. Didn't you complain about the order earlier?"
The swordsman clenched his mouth and glared at Gaold. Then his expression suddenly softened and, as if conceding he couldn't win, he raised both hands.
"Heh heh, I give up. I recognize your skill…! Auagh!"
Gaold lunged like a dog and slammed his fist.
When Press magic detonated at the swordsman's jaw, he bounced and his face scraped along the floor as he was flung away.
"Everyone's all mouth and no action."
The room chilled instantly.
Gaold, blinking at the four who stared at him blankly, glanced toward the door and said, "All of you, leave. If you don't want to die."
Without waiting for a cue, the four flailed and bolted out the door.
Only the knocked-out men and Shirone's party remained, and a hollow air settled over the Warriors' Room.
Gaold dusted his hands off and turned back to the door. "Good. Clean."
"There's still one more person left."
Mahatu entered the Warriors' Room.
By skill he'd be a cut above the others here, but even so Gaold thought a trip to Heaven was a stretch.
"What? You challenging too?"
"No. Actually…"
Mahatu hesitated and peered out the door. "There's one more messenger of the gods. He requested that no more warriors be admitted…"
"Huh?"
When Mahatu opened the way, a familiar figure stepped in.
It was Armin, the Eternal Contemplator, Armin of the Radiant Eye.
"Oh ho."
To catch a big fish, you need good bait.
When it came to luring Armin, it was Shiina who was perfect.
Shiina's gaze turned cold. How long would Armin keep treating her like a child?
But seeing Armin's face, the sharpness Shiina expected didn't come out.
"Why did you come, Armin? Did you forget my request?"
"No, I remember. I didn't come to meddle in your life. I came to keep a promise to myself."
Gaold said, "I'm sorry, but that won't do. I don't work with the White Line. I don't know what's inside them."
"I left the Ivory Tower. Isn't that enough?"
Shiina's eyes widened.
If Armin had thrown away the Ivory Tower—magic's ideal paradise reserved for the world's greatest mages—then her resolve had to be severe indeed.
"W-why? And what about Keira…?"
Armin didn't disclose the details. Still, a trace of heaviness flitted across her face.
"Shiina, nothing in this world is more precious than you. Heaven is dangerous. I won't let you go there alone. For the people of the Olifer school who raised me."
"Shiina is a Rank-5 mage."
"Kuan…"
Shiina was surprised Kuan, usually taciturn, had spoken up.
"I don't fully know your relationship, but it seemed too dismissive. And don't worry about Shiina's life or death. No one will die until I do."
Mages are the position that should survive last in a party. For a swordsman, having them die first is a blow to pride regardless of skill.
'Kuan, huh…'
The sword demon who had cut down two against the continent's strongest sword group, Phungjang. If someone like that thought well of Shiina, it was some consolation in the situation of having to follow the mad Gaold, but as an older brother there was still regret.
'Then again, what right do I have…'
Except for Shiina, everyone welcomed Armin's joining.
The world's foremost master of time magic, who had conquered light-speed. Her stop spells that freeze time were the strongest crowd-control in existence.
"Fine. If you're not tied to the White Line, you're accepted. But command remains mine. If you disobey, you'll be removed from the team—understand that."
Armin had no objections. With Shiina taken as a hostage, fighting for the team was the best option.
Thus, with Heaven now within reach, the maze-recovery team was finalized at ten.
'Wow. Seeing everyone together like this is incredible.'
Shirone could hardly believe he belonged to the team.
White, Red, Black—this task force gathered the top talents across the board.
* * *
Mahatu handed over the remaining rooms.
The ten who'd secured private chambers ate dinner and then gathered in the largest room as a meeting hall.
The Geopin Gate would open at 6:00 tomorrow morning.
Given the Association's pursuit, leaving immediately was an option, but even if they crossed over they'd need rest first.
Once inside Heaven, even resting could turn into a battle, so it was better to spend the night here.
Gaold spread on the table a map Kangnan had given him. It was a spray-chart of Heaven with colored dots marking hotspots.
"Heaven is currently undergoing a cataclysm. A revolution has broken out among the citizens; rebel forces are active. What you're looking at is a threat map showing zones of alert level two or higher. Ah—'real-time' is inaccurate. It's from three months ago."
Gaold's guard, who had been conducting reconnaissance missions in Heaven, had sent this map as their last contact before going silent.
Sein said, "After checking Istas, we need to modify the existing strategy. Assessing the maze's condition is the top priority. Depending on what we find, changing the Akashic Record's coordinates may be meaningless."
Etella said, "If the maze abducted Miro from Heaven, we should reassess the enemy's status first. That would mean they already have countermeasures."
"That's right. Preemptive strikes via infiltration will be hard. We'll have to see, but the plan is to stir up as much trouble as possible and then infiltrate," Armin said.
"Stir up trouble in Heaven? There won't be many options. Use the rebels?" Sein asked.
"That's in the plan. But the rebels won't move easily. That's why we need the ancient weapon Tagis. If we can neutralize Heaven's interception system—the Aegis—they might change their minds."
Armin shook her head. "No. Even if you can breach the Aegis, the rebels are unlikely to go to all-out war. Most of them used to be citizens; they know Heaven's strength better than anyone. If Mecha and the Nor are allied, it's a force Heaven can't ignore, but the main issue is fear. Imprinted fear doesn't disappear easily."
"Fear can be eliminated. Heaven's current situation will likely deviate from our expectations anyway. We can handle it as it comes. Besides, we have the Masterpiece," Shiina said.
"What do you mean? Masterpiece?" Sein asked.
Sein looked at Shirone.
"It's you, Shirone. If you succeed, you could have the effect of mobilizing the entire rebel force. So tell us—how exactly are you going to blow Heaven away?"
All eyes suddenly focused on Shirone. He swallowed hard, nervous.
This was a part he had to explain before they went to Heaven, but the atmosphere was different from when he'd spoken to Gaold.
From here on, every word would be part of the battle plan.
Gaold pushed his chin forward as if vouching. "Heh heh heh, don't hesitate, Shirone. From where I'm standing, it sounds like a perfectly mad magic."
'That's why I'm even more worried…'