Chapter 207 – The Depths
The next day, Nina and I slipped out of the garden and entered the trapdoor that Mel had told me about.
The place was more narrow and dusty than I had imagined.
We descended the iron rungs of the ladder.
Faint, orange light illuminated the bottom, where we were greeted by a thick steel door. However, you needed a key in order to open it.
“What should we do? We cannot get through like this.”
Nina said. I inspected the keyhole carefully.
“There must be some way for me to open it.”
“Perhaps lock picking would do the trick?”
Nina and I gave it a try. But the door remained tightly shut.
“I’ve never seen a lock with such a complex structure. I think it won’t be possible unless we find the real key.”
I nodded at Nina’s observation.
However, I felt that we were running out of time. And it would be too late if we went back now and tried to search for the key.
Perhaps the assassins would act again. Perhaps they will move their base of operations.
Besides, Ms. Ellie and Ms. Lyza would likely be found out soon. The transformation potion would not last forever. And in any case, they were slacking off and talking about wine and gambling…
“We must get through by using some non-traditional method then.”
“But how…”
Just as Nina muttered, it happened.
There was the sound of footprints from the other side of the door, and we gasped.
“This is bad. They will us.”
I put a hand on Nina’s shoulder in order to calm her down.
“We will hide in the corner next to the door. It’s dark, and we are using concealment magic. As long as they are not too cautious, and we erase our magic energy, they won’t find us.”
And so we hid and held our breath.
The footsteps stopped behind the door. And then the sound of a key turning in the lock. Then the door slowly opened with a creak.
A masked man stood there. He was tall and large.
Broad, strong soldiers. You could see that he was muscular, even though he was covered in black clothing.
He turned his back to us and closed the door. Just as he inserted the key, I unleashed my magic, causing him to slam against the door and wall.
A single hit to the neck.
Once I saw that he had gone limp, I cast a sleeping spell for extra caution.
“If you have no key, then you just need to steal it from someone passing through.”
“You sound like a bandit.”
“I prefer the word genius.”
“You seem…more tough than before, Noelle.”
Nina said with a far away look in her eyes.
“Perhaps. It’s because my partner is reckless and always acts on his own. I suppose I’ve become more brave as a result.”
“No, you were always brave.”
“Really?”
“Yess. You would jump and kick the leader of the neighborhood bullies.”
“Are you thinking of someone else? I don’t remember that.”
Apparently, I was more of a tomboy back than then I thought.
“In any case, let’s strip him of all valuables.”
“You really are a bandit…!”
The clothes had a nice scent. Some kind of perfume. I checked the pockets and found a strange relic and notebook.
After looking through it briefly, I turned to Nina.
“Would you mind putting his clothes on?”
“You want me to wear that?”
“You can do a lot more if you wear a disguise and bend in with the enemy.”
The real reason was that it would be safer for Nina. But I doubted she would accept it if she knew.
(In the first place, the size was not quite right for me…)
Of course, it was also too big for Nina. But with the belt adjusted, it was not too bad.
Nina put the mask on after rubbing it clean for what seemed like an eternity.
“Still, this man sure is muscular.”
“Yes. Abnormally so.”
“It cannot be natural.”
“Now that I think about it, there was something about that in Luke’s investigation documents. Potions and relics that boosted your physical and magical strength.”
I said, while the vague memories returned.
“It’s not just that. There must be something done to control their brains as well.”
“Control their brains?”
“Yes. I think there must be a relic that alters memories and even brainwash you… And they can make powerful and loyal soldiers…”
Indeed, there had been something about the masked men that unit 7 fought against. Something that lacked human uniqueness.
(They must be crushed at all costs.)
Nina and I opened the heavy door. We hid the body amongst some objects and then stepped foot into the enemy base.
Aside from being a hideout for the armed soldiers, it also seemed to be a research facility.
From all over the place, I sensed a strange presence of mana in the air.
We snuck into an empty room and searched. The room was filled with giant tanks.
And inside the tanks of purple fluids, floated figures with masks and black body suits.
So this is where they were experimenting.
Aside from the abnormally muscular figures, there were even some who were combined with animals.
It was all very disturbing.
I grabbed a few documents and quickly moved to the next room.
“I’ll check the room to the right.”
“Alright, I’ll take the left then.”
We split up in order to work more quickly.
The next room was where they experimented controlling memories and the mind. There were eight tanks with people inside of them.
I opened one of the reports that lay on the desk. It was about how to erase memories and destroy the heart. It noted various effective methods of modifying the brain. A hell created by humans with intellectual curiosity. What would happen if this was done?
An instinct similar to a child killing a bug.
It should not be allowed. It must not be allowed.
But even then, there was a part of me that was a little curious to know.
After all, I was one of those people who was said to like magic a little too much.
(Even more reason to put a stop to this.)
That’s when I heard the door open behind me.
“Don’t move.”
A group of masked men entered and surrounded me.
“How did you come in so far?”
Said a man who wore a mask with ‘IV’ carved into it.
“Noelle Springfield. You never cease to amaze me. Without an organization to back you, you still managed to find this base after infiltrating a cathedral protected by barriers.”
“How did you know we were here?”
The masked man gestured to the others, and they dragged two nuns forward.
It was Ms. Elli and Ms. Lyza, who were now bound up.
“Um. Where is the wine…?”
“You said that I would be allowed to gamble…”
“…”
“The battle is over. I am sure you understand. There is no way for you to get out of this now.”
Said ‘IV.’
“One month ago. With the help of Luke Waldstein and the rest of your subordinates, you were to defeat three of us. It should have been a hopeless situation, and yet you got out of it, in spite of lacking experience. But now, you are alone.”
He said calmly.
“So, since you cannot escape. I have a proposition to make.”
“What?”
“I rate you quite highly. It is clear that your reputation as a Royal Magician was not exaggerated. You have a gift that cannot be replicated with potions and relics. If you work for us, we will triple your old salary.”
IV extended his hand.
“Become one of us, Noelle Springfield.”
I stared at his mask for some time. I could not see his expression, but felt there was an honesty in his voice. As if he really meant what he was saying.
I let out a deep sigh.
“Fine. I will join you.”
I said while offering a hand. He chuckled..
“You are a good liar.”
“Really?”
“You are trying to set a trap by lowering our guard.”
“Well…why would I ever join you, idiot? My purpose is to drag my friend back, so he can pay for what he did. So, tell me where he is. Also, stop trying to assassinate the Saintess. If you agree to my terms, I will only beat you up instead of killing you.”
“You’re the one who is on the verge of death. Do you really not understand that?”
“No, it’s you. I suppose you want me to think these subordinates here are as strong as the ones we fought last time, but they are not. I can feel that their magic is weaker. Besides, the others must have been strengthened with some kind of special potion in advance.”
“It doesn’t matter. You do not have your unit with you this time.”
“I can fight alone. It’s what I’m good at. Once you’ve experienced a harsh situation, the next time is easier. I know how to fight you people now. Besides, when strengthened by potions and relics, your movements become limited. Also, I know what kind of spells you like to use.”
I stared at him confidently.
“You would do well to not underestimate me this time.”
Thanks for the chapter