27 - The Victim of the Academy

The Chain of Hatred (1) Even though I decided not to investigate, I couldn't help but think about it. What could possibly be the purpose? The scientists of Ex Machina might be insane, but they aren't dumb. They wouldn’t release such a machine into the world just for an experiment. "The intricately interlocked gears and the steam engine that powers its massive body are fascinating... yet, as a weapon, it seems to lack something." It might appear to be high-level technology at first glance, but in reality, it's nothing more than a toy. I watched Ariel take to the skies, while flames shot towards her from the gear-constructed machine. - Whoooooooosh! “That sound doesn’t seem to be coming from the steam engine. Is there a speaker inside? It really is a toy.” The firepower spewed by the flamethrower was far less impressive than its intimidating appearance suggested, and the finely interlocked gears seemed like they could crumble at the slightest pressure. "A display piece for others to see. Nothing more, nothing less." So, why is such a toy rampaging? I soon understood the intentions of the mad scientist. More precisely, it was when I hastily stopped Ariel from deploying magic, seeing an elderly technician frantically waving us to halt as I realized the opponent’s purpose. "Pl-Please stop! Lady Ariel! We mustn't destroy it!” Greedy eyes stared through. It was obvious what this person had in mind now. “What?! Th-then what should I do?!” "We need to subdue it! But you must ensure it doesn’t lead to complete combat incapacitation, can you manage that?!” It seems they wish to study that high-performance toy to absorb Ex Machina's technology. “What a peculiar request... and who might you be?” “I am Koran Rekias, affiliated with the Imperial Palace's technical division.” The situation is indeed ironic. The machine, currently causing chaos, has a structure with its insides laid bare. Observing it externally could provide a wealth of information. The puzzle pieces fit easily. This is blatant. “A deception... no, a bait. Trying to divert attention?” Though it’s obvious, it’s too tempting not to take the bait. The technology of Ex Machina is so advanced that even the empire pretends not to know their base location, despite being aware. Waiting earnestly for a chance to steal their technology. But Ex Machina knows this too. The moment their technology is fully seized, they'll face ruthlessness, having lost their worth. Hence, the geniuses of Ex Machina have created security measures before unveiling inventions to the world. They've embedded various self-destruct mechanisms to prevent their inventions from falling into others’ hands. But, this one’s an exception. Even without a self-destruct device, its structure can be understood just through external observation. "It'll be noisy for a while." I sighed watching Ariel struggle with a senior official's long-winding speech. A storm seems to be approaching. * * * “Huff… Huff… I-I’m back, Sir Johann.” “You’ve worked hard.” Ariel returned utterly exhausted after being tossed around by the palace's senior officials. She reaped what she sowed. She could have just ignored it and destroyed it outright. Ariel ended up using her unique abilities to create a space to confine Ex Machina's machine. The machine, constantly emitting steam, was roaming around, trapped behind invisible walls. It was thoroughly sealed off. Meanwhile, the officials who had tried to stop Ariel earlier, along with recently arrived technicians, built surrounding barriers, sketched, photographed, and investigated the machine. “Brilliant.” “What, huh... What is?” The machine was isolated on the premises of the Cradle, a claimable space. Although the palace is currently leading the investigation, it won’t be long before the Cradle sends a team to inspect it too. However, as both are official establishments authorized by the emperor, there won't be serious conflicts over ownership. They might exchange sharp words for a bit, but the odds are high they will eventually enter a collaborative research agreement. Despite the stricter security due to being official institutions authorized by the emperor, the real issue lies with the technicians, who are mostly madmen. They dislike any intrusion fiercely, often clashing with the Cradle's security. Checking the background of a single researcher will probably not be easy. With the authority researchers hold, even Olga Hermod could find it hard to suppress them with force. If things go this way, the barrier between the Cradle and the outside world will become rather thin. “It’s the perfect time for an intrusion.” “Don’t just keep it to yourself, share some details with me too, will you?” I had anticipated this when Saint Tillis was to enter the Cradle. Since she tends to make enemies wherever she goes, I figured there would be at least a few lunatics eager for revenge... Clearly, those holding a grudge against Tillis are quite cautious. Seeing how they’re targeting the barrier of the Cradle to attract other revengers too. “Lady Ariel, you seem exhausted. Shall we just head back?” “I realize you weren’t listening to me... but why so suddenly?” “You look terribly worn out.” “...I’m fine. Sir Johann, you mustered up courage to come out too. I can’t just head back due to a little fatigue.” “It didn’t take any courage, though.” I haven’t had any real qualms about venturing out from the Cradle. The inside is already in a mess, so why bother? I was merely waiting for the storm to pass, unlike during the cult disturbance, Tillis isn't targeting me this time. Moreover, even without Ariel, Yuna is around so it would have been okay. “I'll make sure to protect you!” “Uh, yes.” What kind of resolution has Ariel made within herself? She’s a truly inscrutable person. In the end, not wanting to leave the eager Ariel behind, I took her and headed toward our original destination. And, being the kind of person who knows how to show a bit of courtesy, I thought of buying her an ice cream on the way back. Just as we gathered the necessary reagents and were about to return, it happened again. "…Another attack." Ariel had halted, seeming to perceive the signs of another assault. I was in disbelief. "How can people even live around here?" I mean, how do people manage here at all? I could accept that a terrorist attack might occur every time I step out, but twice a day? This place is uninhabitable. "Maybe it's just that we have rotten luck. Both Sir Johann and I have plenty of people who'd target us." "Good grief." Being a student of the Cradle already makes me a target, and it seems our combined presence amplifies that. I scanned the surroundings, wondering what novel kind of lunatic was attacking us this time. "Well, on closer look, is that one of our kind?" Soon, a muscular man appeared, shirtless from the waist up. His aura was like that of a beast not fully tamed by society. "…." No, he was literally a beast. As evidenced by his species, the man was a beastfolk. Ariel frowned as she watched him. The attacker's identity became evident. Not that it wasn't obvious at first glance... "Barbarians." The northern region's resistance group, 'Blades of the Winter's Tale,' had long been absorbed by the Empire. Though they call themselves a resistance, they are looked down upon as mere barbarians. From their uncivilized demeanor, their cruel and savage nature was apparent. Initially, their spearheads were aimed to topple the Empire, but those spearheads long ago started pointing at random innocents. Moreover, even other beastfolk, their kin, weren’t spared. Despite their foolishness, they managed to survive due to their considerable power. In terms of combat ability alone, they're on par with notorious terrorist groups like Lemegeton. No need for further words. The 'Great Warrior' leading the Blades of the Winter's Tale is also a candidate for a final boss. "A turncoat who abandoned nature, don’t expect mercy from me." "Where do these vermin keep crawling out from?" "Ah, I’m really scared someone might hear us, Lady Ariel. Might I suggest speaking a bit more delicately? While I don’t mind, you need to maintain some decorum as a noble." "It's fine. If I kill him here, you’ll be the only witness, Sir Johann." Ariel’s disdain was intense. For Ariel, who constantly had to deal with society’s judgment for being a beastfolk, resenting the Blades of the Winter’s Tale was logical. Her cumbersome witch's hat she wore daily was in fact to hide her rabbit ears. "Shall we then…!" Crash! Before the barbarian warrior could finish, a cascade of spells shot towards him. In less than a second, dozens of spells Ariel had earnestly deployed appeared complete. "So feeble! Relying on such trifling tricks instead of your innate body!" Yet, the unknown barbarian was sturdier than anticipated. Despite taking direct hits from Ariel’s magic, he charged forward without taking a step back. "Hmph." Thunk! But his advance was abruptly halted, as if pinned in the air. The invisible barrier created by Ariel's psychokinetic ability. It was a one-sided assault. Even though the barbarian warrior endured the barrage of spells without retreating, he ultimately couldn’t overcome the telekinetic barrier. "Graaa!" Boom! The barbarian's knees began to buckle. The outcome was already decided. Given that they don't use their brains, they likely don't harbor any secret trump cards. If time passed a bit longer, only a bloody, fleshy mess would remain where the barbarian stood. However... "Sigh, I told you to retreat." Ariel had already used too much magic today. When we went to the workshop for potions, she had likely drained her mana to the bottom, and right after exiting the Cradle, she had to seal Ex Machina's machine. And then there was the continuous magic barrage against the barbarian. She was already at her limit. Of course, from the outside, she appeared perfectly fine, and she probably thought so too. In fact, she might even be feeling euphoric. And that means— "Lady Ariel, at this rate, you’re going to die." Her condition was deteriorating. The illness where a body unable to contain its talent transcends into the world—a disorder where the boundary between the physical and mana becomes blurred if magic is consecutively used over a short period. And the more this happens, the closer one gets to the truth and rebirths into a grand mage. "Tsk." I immediately sprang into action, seizing Ariel who was suspended in the air, mindlessly casting magic repeatedly. Fortunately, it appeared she didn’t regard me as an enemy. “Uh?! Sir Johann?” Cradling her in my arms, I began sprinting with all my strength. “What… wh-what’s this?!” Had she lost sensation in her limbs, and even her tongue was getting twisted? It seemed asking her to stand on her own feet was out of the question. "Krah, krahahaha!" "What’s this now? The Blades of the Winter's Tale... they’re more like Under Chain!" Having endured so much of Ariel’s magical onslaught, did he still have the stamina to chase after us? The sight of the barbarian, bleeding profusely yet charging forward, resembled a scene from a horror film. “Sir Johann! Let me down. I’ll finish him for good this time!” “Stop blabbering and stay put.” With a throbbing headache, the girl in my arms was busy planning her own demise out of sheer battle euphoria. Maybe because of this battle-induced high? Ariel seemed unable to grasp her current state. She must have often slipped into this state even at ordinary times. However, Ariel possessed the convenient ability of telekinesis. Even normal walking or running could be mimicked using her telekinetic power. Unfortunately, it led to some bad habits. "Just stay put and don't worry unnecessarily. I'll handle it." I quickly scanned the surroundings. It wasn't to get a lay of the land. I was searching for Yuna's position and soon found her. Perched on a nearby rooftop, gazing our way, was Yuna. The smile on her face was breathtakingly beautiful yet chilling. It was as if her sole purpose was to show me that smile, for the moment our eyes met, she vanished. Though brief, she seemed to be looking at this situation with interest. "Sigh... Is that so?" I understood Yuna's thoughts. I had planned to ask for help, but it seemed she wanted me to navigate this situation myself. And that meant— "She's telling me I've got this figured out, huh?" It indicated that I could resolve this situation entirely with my own strength.