novelraw Chapter 67 : Chapter 67
Chapter 67 : Chapter 67
Chapter 67: Shura (2)
Coming out of the tavern, the sky was dark.
Faint moonlight scattered gently through the blizzard.
Our party headed to the Intelligence Bureau safe house.
While Cassion was looking after Shura, it had been decided that we would have dinner with Arika at the Intelligence Bureau safe house.
'In the future, the Tunnel-Digger defects to the Otherworld.'
It had been so in the past life.
It was information Arika had obtained during the interrogation of Ios.
It was the day she had learned that Ios was the true culprit who had killed the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and that the Tunnel-Digger had already fled to the Otherworld.
By then, it was already too late.
The number and whereabouts of the Otherworld Mages who had infiltrated through the increased number of tunnels were impossible to track, and Serzila was already shaking.
As if to prove it, the Otherworld advanced south the following year.
All of this had happened because Elaine had neglected the tunnels.
That was why she had belatedly recognized the existence of tunnels related to the Otherworld.
But it wasn't Elaine's fault.
'It's my fault.'
Elaine had turned a blind eye to the tunnels because she sympathized with the Mages of the continent.
It was a feeling that had arisen from her association with me.
Therefore, even if Elaine neglected the tunnels, I should not have. I should have kept paying attention to the tunnels.
'Ios's tail was long. That's why he was caught. But the Tunnel-Digger was not caught.'
That wasn't simply because the man was as cautious as a mole.
The problem was the Tunnel-Digger's companion.
That Mage, whose Origin was a mask, had been perfectly hiding the already cautious Tunnel-Digger.
Even the regressed me did not know the Tunnel-Digger's true identity. No, I had never even met him in person.
'How did Ios make contact with him?'
Ios's original purpose was not the tunnels.
When he first infiltrated, the man did not know of the existence of the tunnels.
He must have learned of them only after settling in Serzila.
'Is there a separate method of contact? Through a broker? No. The Tunnel-Digger is a cautious man.'
It was unlikely that he could be met just by being introduced by a broker.
If he were the type to be caught so easily, he would have been caught by a broker long ago and become a machine that only digs tunnels.
"He could be fat, or thin. A man, or a woman, a baby, or an old woman. That's what that side said."
Arika said.
Cassion, who had returned from deploying the 2nd Knights to the tunnels, was also with us.
Kubel gently opened the small door and came out.
Shura was asleep in that small room.
"But they said it would definitely be two people."
"That's right."
The Mage whose Origin was a mask was with the Tunnel-Digger.
"I won't ask how you know. This is not the time for that."
I knew things that even the Intelligence Bureau did not.
And it was about matters concerning the Serzila domain.
It was a suspicion she had had for a long time, but Arika did not ask now.
There was no one in this room who did not know the seriousness of this situation.
"The Otherworld has discovered the tunnels and has begun to cross over. But we have neither the ability to block the tunnels, nor the time to find them all. Is that correct?"
Arika summarized the situation.
The already serious faces of Ellen, Kubel, and Cassion became even more serious.
The Otherworld had just discovered the tunnels.
It was obvious that their interest in the tunnels would grow as time passed.
"We could block them if we call the Church."
"Are you insane."
Arika said sternly.
In exchange for blocking the tunnels, they would build a church in Serzila.
It would only give the Church a pretext to exert influence in the North.
"The Church is not an option."
The Church and the Empire were close to potential enemies.
An enemy that wanted to chip away at the North's power and keep it underneath them.
"I'm not keen on it either."
The intervention of the Church was something even I was reluctant about.
I was confident I could hide my identity, but the opportunity to build a foundation would disappear. I would not be able to brandish my magic as I did now.
Crucially, the future would be greatly distorted.
In my past life, the Church had never set foot in the North.
"Anything found?"
"...Nothing about the Tunnel-Digger."
Arika answered, biting her lip.
It was shameful that the Intelligence Bureau had no information.
Moreover, it was even more so because the one who wanted the information was Ellen.
"It's alright."
It was a natural result, if anything.
How could the younger Arika find the Tunnel-Digger that the Arika of the past life couldn't?
Moreover, there was less information now than back then.
'How on earth did Ios find the Tunnel-Digger.'
I was newly impressed by that 4th Rank of the Ivory Tower. So, without realizing it, I turned my gaze to Cassion. That man was also from the Otherworld.
"I don't know."
"I didn't expect you to."
"I didn't even know of the existence of the tunnels before I met you."
"That's not something to be proud of."
I clicked my tongue and shook my head.
Cassion had to be treated as a knight, not a Mage.
"Um... by any chance, what is the Tunnel-Digger's objective?"
Suddenly, Kubel said, slightly raising his hand.
"Objective?"
"Yes. Animals all move according to their objectives. It's easier to hunt a thirsty or hungry animal."
Kubel spoke like a hunter.
"You're suggesting we use what he wants as bait."
"Even if not that, if we just know his objective, wouldn't we be able to narrow down the scope?"
I nodded my head.
"Objective."
Kubel's words had a point.
But nothing came to mind.
'What did Ios give in exchange for the tunnels?'
Just then, Cassion muttered as if to himself.
"Asylum?"
"If that were the case, they would have been the first to do it."
The Tunnel-Digger of the past life had defected fourteen years from now.
"Goodwill? He wants to help the Mages of the continent seek asylum."
"If that were the case, there's no way the tunnel exits would be in different places."
If it were to help with asylum, all the tunnel exits should have been in the Second Stage Boundary.
Even if the Tunnel-Digger was from the continent and didn't know the location of the Otherworld, that would be the case.
"What about money?"
This time it was Arika.
That was the most plausible.
The price of the tunnels differed depending on the location of the exit.
Of course, that would be the price set by the brokers, but they must have at least reached an agreement when the tunnels were first dug.
"I'll have to meet the head of the brokers."
Arika stood up.
There was a limit to armchair theorizing.
"Do you know who it is?"
"I've narrowed down one new tunnel and the person who manages it."
In that short time.
I was newly impressed with Arika. She was indeed worthy of being the future Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
"Fat and thin, a man and a woman, a baby and an old woman..."
Suddenly, Kubel muttered.
His eyes constantly moved from left to right. He seemed to be recalling the customers from when he ran the tavern.
Or perhaps his neighbors.
'Ah. He has no neighbors.'
Kubel didn't get to know his neighbors well.
The person living next to him didn't even know of Shura's existence. It was because Kubel was a Mage.
'Shura would probably know more.'
Unbeknownst to them, Shura had been noticed by the domain's residents.
It was because she had wandered the streets whenever Grex of the Liberation Faction of the Liberation Tower came to visit.
There was no Northerner who wouldn't be concerned about a child wandering alone.
"I know."
Just then, a voice was heard.
Shura was peeking her head out from between the open doors.
"I saw them."
That young face was somehow resolute.
"It was a man, but he was a woman. An old woman, but he was a man."
Shura's green eyes glistened with something.
I doubted my eyes.
But reality was cruel.
"...Magic."
It was clearly magic.
* * *
Shura.
Was an extremely mature child.
She had grown up quickly. She was observant of others' moods and knew how to distinguish people.
It was because of Kubel.
Because he was a Mage, Shura had to be mature. She couldn't be honest like her peers, and she had to learn how to live in hiding.
She had to constantly be conscious and worry about someone suspecting her father's identity.
...It was a misjudgment.
She should have been even less honest, and she should have known how to hide even better.
She had to be more conscious of others than I could have ever imagined.
That is to say, Shura was several times more mature than I had thought.
Even though she was born a Mage, Shura had hidden that fact from Kubel.
It must have been a thought she had had since she could see the world clearly.
Because the timid Kubel must have lived in fear, constantly worrying about whether his identity as a Mage had been revealed.
To such a Kubel, Shura did not want to add another burden.
"...Good heavens."
Wasn't the Kubel in front of me proving that reason?
Upon discovering the magic that rose in Shura's eyes, Kubel could not dare to look at his own daughter.
The correlation between Origin and genetics has not been proven, but there is no parent who is not conscious of it.
Kubel knew better than anyone what the life of a Mage on the continent was like.
Arika and Cassion, who had been having dinner together in harmony, were at a loss for words.
Ellen's eyes were wide open. Her mouth and Kubel's mouth opened at the same time. Anyone could see it was a sigh.
"No wonder she was so bright."
I cut off that breath. He smiled gently.
"You were a genius, Shura."
At my smile, Shura trembled once.
"...Is it okay?"
"Is there a reason it wouldn't be? I am a Mage, and so is your father."
"You're a demon."
"Who. Me? Your father?"
Shura shook her head.
"Then there are no demons here."
I nudged Ellen and Kubel in the ribs.
I glared at Cassion and Arika. They smiled awkwardly.
"...Isn't it a bad thing?"
Kubel had despaired at being a Mage.
Shura had grown up watching such a Kubel.
That must be why she had hidden it.
For fear that Kubel would despair even more.
"Don't you hate it?"
Shura's body, which had mustered up courage, was trembling slightly.
No matter how mature she was, she was only ten years old.
"How could it be bad. And how could I hate it."
Having approached at some point, I crouched down and gently stroked Shura's head.
"It's not bad, it's special. It's not hate, it's surprise. And that's understandable, isn't it? Since it was a secret you revealed for the first time today."
"...Yes."
Shura nodded cautiously.
Her gaze briefly turned to Cassion.
It seemed that the catalyst was that man.
"Everyone has secrets. It's just that your secret, Shura, is a little more special."
The Otherworld is the land of the Outer Gods, and a Mage is a demon who believes in the Outer Gods. The Church says so.
I knew well how nonsensical that bullshit was.
There are no gods in the Otherworld.
A Mage is simply born that way.
"The reason your father had to hide was not because your father was bad. It was because the world is stupid."
"..."
"Well, in fact, the world isn't that important. It may be unfair, but if you have a clear conscience, then who cares."
I turned my head.
I saw the four people sitting at Shura's eye level.
"There is no one so idle as to watch over the entire world. Everyone is busy just watching their own surroundings. I am the same, and so are those people. Shura, you will be the same."
Shura nodded her head.
Her eyes, which had been glistening with magic, were now shining with tears.
"Do you think your father, will hate you?"
Shura shook her head.
"What about Ellen, who loves your father's food the most? Does she seem to hate you?"
Ellen smiled as brightly as she could.
"...No."
"Then your surroundings are the same."
The hand stroking her head came down to her back.
I slowly patted Shura's back.
"The fact that you are a Mage is not a problem at all. We will still love you."
Shura did not answer.
She did not nod or shake her head.
"I know. You have more people around you. There are your friends in the alley, and the people of the Inner Fortress. And, it will get wider in the future."
"..."
"You know this, but you mustn't tell them."
Squeeze. Shura gripped the hem of her shirt and pulled it down. Her head drooped.
"So please wait a little."
Tears fell from her bowed head.
It was then that I opened my mouth.
"I am a rather idle person. I may not be able to watch over the entire world, but I can watch over the North."
"...?"
"Soon, the North will become smart, enough to accept Mages. I intend to make it so."
Shura lifted her head.
"When that time comes, you can tell everyone."
I met Shura's eyes.
I smiled gently and stroked her head.
"No, on the contrary, you should boast about it. Saying that you are special. At least, that's what I intend to do."
"..."
"Can you wait until then?"
I held out my hand.
"...Yes."
A tiny hand was placed on top of that hand.
It was an extremely small hand.
I had to carry the weight for her.
Sniff!
Suddenly, the sound of someone blowing their nose was heard.
"You, you were a good person."
Cassion was sniffling.