Book 5 Chapter 23
Chapter 125
"A deal?"
The question echoed from inside Frisvia's helmet, modulated into an inorganic, mechanical sound.
Fortunately, it seemed to show interest, as it wasn't emitting killing intent like before.
I carefully crab-walked to the control facility. And sure enough… I breathed a sigh of relief and held up my Black Sunscale.
"This is a divine treasure given by the Black Sun Kalenden to the descendants of Emitsa."
"Oh?"
"I only knew it as a magical item that restores magic… but couldn't it also be used as the energy core for this battleship base? There's even a perfectly fitting slot here."
This wasn't an opponent to hide my hand from or deceive. There wasn't even time for that.
As if Frisvia could evade my attacks anytime, anywhere, it approached without the slightest hesitation and looked down at the spot I pointed to.
And for a moment, its movement stopped. Because there was… a small slot there. A slot perfectly sized for the Black Sunscale to fit into.
"If the battleship base is activated, I think there will be changes in the research you haven't been able to complete until now… what do you think?"
"……"
"Please help us. Then I will lend you this Black Sunscale. Until your research is complete."
Frisvia slowly alternated glances between the Black Sunscale and the slot, as if making a calculation.
For a moment, a silence that pressed down on my shoulders seemed to flow, then suddenly, a chilling laugh, *fweeh, fwehehe, fwehehehehe*… seeped through the gaps in its helmet.
"I never thought things would get this interesting."
"……?"
"Originally, I was thinking of moving the beast-kin beyond the barrier in exchange for wings from Alakish, but *fweeh*, this changes things."
It took the bait…
My fist cautiously clenched.
Since it was a loan, not a gift, it was a deal that had to rely on Frisvia's conscience.
"Black Sunscale, to think it would be an energy core. *Fweheh*, alright, lend it to me. Until my research progresses. About 10 years should be enough."
"10 years… 10 years?!"
I had almost asked if it was *only* 10 years, but I was so flustered that the words came out that way. I had expected it to ask for decades.
"*Fwehehehe*, to fight off the undead until the beast-kin safely pass through the barrier, and even fight alongside an ancient being who killed Alakish, 10 years isn't a bad price, is it?"
"Even so, 10 years seems too long. Let's make it 3 years."
"Is that a request to break your neck? *Fweeh*, 5 years. There's no further compromise."
It would be a lie to say that no conflict arose from personal regret.
I had already received significant help from the Black Sunscale's supernatural power several times. In magic volleyball, and when wandering through Harvadonia…
But what I had definitely felt from the recent engagement was that Frisvia was an overwhelming master. Its subordinate adventurers would also possess incredible skill.
"Rain…?!"
When I removed the Black Sunscale's chain from my neck, Kasena cried out in dismay.
"We need Frisvia's help to overcome this desperate situation. 5 years is long, but isn't it cheap compared to the price of our lives?"
And even if I didn't give it to them, if Frisvia tried to take it by force, there would be no way. At this moment, agreeing to the deal was the best option.
In deep personal regret, just as I was about to hand over the Black Sunscale, which flickered in my hand.
From the side, a clear *clang* sound was heard first, and then Kasena extended her hand to Frisvia.
"No, I'll lend you mine then!"
Beneath her clenched fist, the Black Sunscale, hanging from a chain, swung like a pendulum.
What…?
As I watched blankly, Frisvia grasped the Black Sunscale, but Kasena didn't release her grip on the chain holding it.
"You'll keep your promise of 5 years, right? No extensions or anything!"
"Of course, we Aein only speak after making perfect calculations for everything."
Frisvia affirmed this, then took off its own helmet and removed the metal object from its neck, handing it to Kasena.
"If you truly don't trust me, keep this as insurance. *Fweeh*, it's an exchange exactly 5 years from now."
It was an adventurer's tag, with the name Frisvia engraved in a mechanical script on bright platinum.
For high-ranking adventurers, such a tag was both a proof of identity and a symbol of honor, and with just that, one could borrow enormous sums of money from the Alliance or a bank.
And Frisvia was none other than the #1 Platinum rank holder; the value of that tag was immeasurable in mere numbers.
But no matter how much, it was still trivial compared to the value of the Black Sunscale, the treasure of the Black Sun…
"Lady, what…? That's your family's treasure! It's absurd for you not to have the Black Sunscale!"
Regaining my senses, I immediately tried to hand over my Black Sunscale instead, but Kasena grabbed my arm and shook her head.
"Not Rain's. He's an incredibly skilled magician, so he absolutely needs the Black Sunscale."
"No, even so…!"
"By about 5 years from now, I'll also be a magician who needs the Black Sunscale. So it's fine!"
My stomach churned. What to call this warm ache swelling in my chest, it was a word not found in the dictionary of my mind.
As soon as Frisvia placed the Black Sunscale, received from Kasena, into the slot, the dim red emergency lights illuminating the base transformed into a dazzling white light.
Frisvia nodded with satisfaction at the uniform regularity.
- Celestial Core synchronization confirmed, charging power for autonomous positioning… This celestial core can only supply 4% of power to this ship.
Without waiting to hear the rest of the words, Frisvia turned the gears of its mechanical armor and moved past us toward the entrance.
As I stared blankly, wondering what it would do next, Frisvia pointed to a window that had appeared above the dissecting table.
As soon as my gaze was drawn there, my heart leaped. A fierce battle was already underway in the blizzard that had engulfed the rearguard of the beast-kin.
"Take the Black Sunscale from that slot, pick it up, and follow me."
"?"
"Isn't the ultimate goal to defeat the ancient being? To do that, you'll need to be at least a little useful, *fweeh*. If you're scared, you can just watch here to make sure I uphold my end of the deal, I don't care."
"……!"
"But if you want to find Alakish, it would be better to fight directly and end this commotion quickly, wouldn't it?"
Then Kasena stared blankly at Frisvia and asked in a trembling voice.
"You said Alakish was dead?!"
"It hasn't been definitively confirmed. More importantly, a True Dragon wouldn't die that easily."
"Then why did you say such a thing?"
"*Fwehehehehe*, it was just part of my methods to break your morale and kill you easily and certainly. I always use every possible method when I hunt someone, you see."
Upon hearing that explanation, which almost made me collapse from sheer shock, three convictions settled within me.
The conviction that this Aein had not reached the peak of Platinum rank by luck, and the conviction that, like Valencidis, it was a professional in slaughter and hunting.
And the conviction that I would never become close with this Aein, no matter how much time passed…
"Let's go fight together. But if you fight half-heartedly, this deal is off."
Frisvia tilted its chin as if my warning was laughable.
"*Fweeh*, who do you think I am? I am a lady who always keeps her promises."
* * *
When we rushed out of the battleship base, the mournful blare of horn trumpets immediately conveyed the gravity of the situation.
*Bwoo, bwoooo bwoooooo*…
Terrified beast-kin screamed and ran south, and the few remaining warriors hastily grabbed torches and headed for the rearguard.
"My lady."
The commotion reflecting off the snowy night was so intense that we had to cup our hands around our mouths and shout to converse.
Before getting on the saddle, I handed the dragon egg basket I had been carrying on my back to Kasena.
Kasena simply understood the meaning of my action without asking… she bit her lip weakly and mumbled something.
"…leave it."
"What did you say?"
"If you die, I won't forgive you!"
Unable to promise anything, I gave a weak smile, then got on the saddle and spurred my pony.
As we approached the source of the commotion, the cold became extreme, and urgent shouts and desperate screams intertwined from all directions.
In the blizzard, where not an inch ahead could be seen, only the distant, raging clamor echoed in my ears.
"Don't miss a single one!"
"My goodness, they keep coming!"
"Sp-spiders, spiders!"
With a determination to first bring order to this chaotic situation, I jumped off my horse.
The magic circle I formed was a triple triangle, and the runes I inscribed were "Yeol" (列), "Ji" (持), and "Gyeol" (闋).
I bestowed the "Yeol" (spreading widely), "Ji" (long-lasting), and "Gyeol" (closing a gate) properties upon a 3-star single fire attribute magic.
*Chaeaeaeaaeng— Hwarreuk!*
Following the clear sound of the magic circle rising in my palm and breaking, a pure mirage of flames stretched across the distant horizon.
Like dawn breaking through deep darkness, the rippling curtain of fire blocked the blizzard, opening up a wide and bright view.
At the same time, I saw the undead, engulfed in flames and screaming piercingly from all directions, fall one after another onto the snow-covered ground amidst horrifying screams.
"Rain, Rain, Rain."
Perhaps it recognized the magic, for I heard the clear flapping of wings from somewhere, and soon a warm creature landed on my snow-covered head.
"Pippie, you're safe."
No sooner had I breathed a sigh of relief than Barlsen came running from the direction Pippie had flown from. The Durankus tribe warriors were with him.
"Rain!"
"Barlsen, go to the west gate of the barrier right now. They've agreed to open the gate!"
"The fake wolves listened to you?"
Barlsen, who had blinked in considerable surprise, grinned widely, stretching his wolf muzzle.
"Did you hear that, you useless bastards! My friend got them to open the barrier gate!"
Warriors led by the chiefs of each tribe began to join us one by one.
One-eyed polar bear Opus was also briefly seen, but the one leading the largest number of warriors was undoubtedly the eagle beast-kin Griffion.
Beyond the fire barrier, countless undead and vicious primitive spiders, referred to as the "ancient ones," still swarmed, emitting ear-splitting high-frequency sounds with a hundred arms, threateningly.
"The barrier gate is opening?"
"Yes, and Frisvia's adventuring party will cover you. So move quickly!"
The warriors exchanged blank stares, as if unable to believe it, but then their eyes lit up with resolute fighting spirit.
The fire named hope caused their blood to circulate vigorously through their bodies.
Just then, Frisvia, who had followed, leading a dozen subordinates with the nervous grinding sound of gears, let out a sinister laugh.
"No, those left here have no choice but to survive or die. *Fwehehehehe*."
There was no reason to ask why.
There was no need to wonder about the reason for the dread that was spreading across the faces of the warriors looking back to the east.
Unconsciously, I muttered this.
"They're coming…"
In primal fear, cold sweat streamed down my forehead, and my breathing involuntarily quickened.
The curtain of flames, which had illuminated the world and blocked the powers of darkness, began to flutter wildly as if screaming, then weakly faded.
The savagely howling blizzard sounded like a flute playing the symphony of the universe… and amidst that pure white timbre and extreme cold, the ancient beings danced ludicrously…
In the midst of those beings, who had no warmth of life, no soul to return to light, and no mercy for the living, Baekdoryeong Shar'kas appeared.
Was it that they didn't want to succumb to fear, or was it their primal instinct whispering that it would be dangerous if they didn't deal with the being before them?
"No—"
About a dozen beast-kin warriors, closest to the east, rushed at Shar'kas in a group.
Before a desperate voice of dissuasion could even escape their throats, by spider webs that whipped around like dimension-cutting blades… their limbs were butchered, leaving crimson bloodstains on the snow.
A vague and eerie vision of death thus swept past the warriors' eyes. Surely, that would have happened in reality.
"……?!"
"……?!"
"……?!"
If, at that very moment, those spider webs hadn't burst into white smoke and burned away by pillars of fire vigorously erupting from the ground.
"Step back! This is not someone you can fight! That monster is Baekdoryeong Shar'kas! One of the Spider Monarch's Five Protectors!"
Perhaps it was the aftershock of a 4-star magic's instantaneous calculation, but the one who shouted this, clutching their forehead with a headache and gasping for breath, was Rain Ludwig.
"Baekdoryeong…?"
"Shar'kas…?"
"Rain, is what you just said true?"
As everyone turned to look at the boy with bewildered eyes, Baekdoryeong Shar'kas also raised an eyebrow, as if intrigued.
"Rain? Rain Ludwig?"
The fear of that moment was so intense that my breathing became uncontrollably erratic.
What?
How does that guy know my name?
"This is surprising. I thought you had swiftly escaped beyond the barrier. Is this also the King's grace?"
Shar'kas walked out onto the pure white snow barefoot, wearing wooden clogs, and each of its movements was strangely silent.
"Is it true that the Queen of Time was looking for you? And that Kalenden sent you here?"
I stared blankly at Shar'kas. My questions amplified further, and now my mind was a mess from hyperventilating.
The only one I had told that to was Alakish.
Can it read thoughts? If so, isn't it like a natural enemy for a magician?
"How did you do that…?"
Then Kasena cried out in a faint voice.
Filtering the abyss with magic, she didn't collapse spitting blood like last time, but her complexion was utterly pale.
When Shar'kas didn't even react to her question, she clenched her fist and shouted again.
"What did you do to Alakish…!"
After briefly tilting its head, Shar'kas's face immediately formed an innocent yet wicked smile.
"Ah, there was that."
As Shar'kas snapped its fingers, "that" walked out from within the deep, distant blizzard, shaking the very earth.
The moment we saw "that" appear behind Shar'kas, none of us dared to open our mouths.
My heart pounded violently as if it would burst, as if everything was about to end…
"Say hello to your old friends, Bardumkus (Purpose)."