Chapter 142

The Federal Mobile Unit swept through in a frenzy, but we quickly gathered various relics and loaded them into the car’s cargo space.

“We picked up a lot, but none of it is what we wanted…”

My mouth turned bitter. What we were hoping for was an extraordinary artifact. Something like a barrier-generation device or a relic that could block a specific attack without fail.

At this rate, it’s like one of those cheap mobile games that force you to endlessly grind dungeons until you finally get the items you want. I searched every nook and cranny of the room, but all I found were junk items.

Before I knew it, it was mealtime.

We set up a lavish feast on the table. My inventory was filled to the brim with freshly cooked hot dishes. It was enough to feed a hundred Violets and six boys and girls with leftovers to spare.

“Enjoy your meal!”

“Wow, there’s so much!”

“It feels like a picnic…”

It’s always fun to see my team members surprised. Aside from Daphne and Irene, who are used to my inventory, everyone else looked like they’d never seen food before.

“I should’ve taken down those monsters back then…”

While we had a late lunch, the Violets chatted among themselves.

Clone 795 scooped up a spoonful of lasagna and turned to Levi. He had finished his meal and was fiddling with his ballista. Granite was also cleaning his axe.

“Ugh! From now on, I should only move when necessary,” Clone 795 grumbled, and Clone 129 responded.

“Well, I don’t think we can blame the team. You didn’t properly instruct us on what to do, did you?”

“That’s true…”

Thinking back, it was my fault for being so preoccupied with the relics that I forgot to communicate properly.

“Next time, let’s give timely orders via radio on what the team should do! Radio Violets, are you listening?”

The radio Violets, including Clone 76, responded.

“Confirmed!”

After the radio Violets concluded their conversation, we moved onto the next agenda.

“Considering the amount of relics we’ve collected, I think we should go back and sell them.”

“Should we head to the deep zone after that?”

“Of course!”

The relics currently loaded onto the truck were quite a few.

Most were just piles of rags or worthless relics and unidentified metal scraps. We could sell them, but they would fetch a relatively low price.

To find the truly good relics we were after, we would have to go deeper in.

The deep zone is swarming with more dangerous monsters than the boundary zone, but that also means fewer people come through, making it a prime spot for rare relics.

Once our meal was finished, the commander of the Violet Squad, Clone 167, briefed his friends on the way forward.

“First, we’re going to sell what we have and then continue our mission. Let’s head beyond the deep zone by tomorrow!”

Lucian, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“The deep zone is divided into several specific locations. Have you thought about exactly where to go? Verdant Hotel, the railway station, or maybe the industrial complex?”

“We’ll hit them all! We’ll start with the hotel.”

Granite, who had been quietly listening, raised his hand.

“Uh, you mean the place famous for its wine, right?”

At the mention of wine, Kalia pondered for a moment and then exclaimed, “Oh, I remember! There was news about someone getting rich after discovering a wine cellar. So that’s where it was!”

“That’s right! That’s the place!”

Kalia was correct. Somewhere in the basement of the hotel we planned to visit was a wine cellar.

Wines transformed by Ether become peculiar elixirs that sell for high prices. Even if they aren’t transformed, aged rare wines from a century ago fetch unimaginable prices at auction.

Daphne lifted her head and looked at me with a cautious expression.

“The hotel… there are going to be a lot of people, right?”

“If you’re worried about conflicts, don’t be. We have numbers on our side! Plus, we’re not going just to find wine.”

While money is important, finding a useful relic takes priority.

We discussed a few more places to go and then got up from our seats.

*

As soon as we returned to the base camp in the boundary zone, Lera felt her head throb as she listened to the report from the members of the Mystic Investigation Department’s 3rd team.

“According to the analysis, the relic has lost its function.”

The member explained the relic they brought from the zealots. While it might have had some research value, its practical use had long been ruined.

“We can’t help it. We’ll have to search more locations. The known cog spheres aren’t everything. Besides, the priority is the Vision Prism. That’s what we need to find first. Since the particle accelerator is broken, the chairman… no, the Grand Mage ordered us to consider alternative methods.”

She stepped outside the container office. Team members and hired mercenaries were idling around.

“There’s bad news. We just received a report from the safety zone that the Federation is on the move. According to an insider from the Federation, they seem to be aiming for the Vision Prism too.”

“Suddenly? What’s the scale of their operation?”

The member reported.

“One tank platoon and several unknown mechanized units.”

Lera calculated the current strength available to the clan against the usual combat power of the Federation army.

Though the quality of awakened troops is low, the firepower from vehicles and non-awakened soldiers is somewhat lethal. It’s best to avoid direct confrontation. The fanatical zealots are also roaming about.

“…This just got complicated.”

A Vanguard agent sitting next to them snickered.

“Hah, those Federation fools who rely on their weapons. Are they already scared? We’ll handle any big problems; just leave it to us.”

The modified mages donned their sealed masks and rose from their seats. After the report, Lera walked around the camp, contemplating.

“If we want to avoid disrupting our plans, we need to move quickly.”

With the underground research facilities of the academy currently falling apart for unknown reasons, both the board and the clan needed alternatives.

Suddenly, Lera recalled the enigmatic enemies that Croscelle had warned her about. Enemies in black combat suits who could teleport, identifying themselves as the Obsidian Legion. It was a time of crisis.

“Still, the project must succeed. For the sake of the world.”

She gazed outside the camp. The shadows of the dungeon remained dark.

*

I went to the safety zone and sold off all the items.

“Yay! This is cash!”

Though the quality was low, the earnings were decent. It was enough to fill the whole truck.

The sales staff had a look as if to say, “Where on earth did you get such a quantity of relics?”

“No one can hide when numbers are involved!”

It’s simple, really. Just let a hundred people split up and scour through wall crevices, rat holes, and even monster insides. Numbers equal strength and wisdom!

Once I sold everything, the cargo space of the truck, which had just been packed, was now completely empty.

I left the sales booth with Irene. Thanks to my friend, I made a bit more profit.

In the late afternoon, the forward base of the safety zone was busier than the morning. It was bustling like a market.

I bought a few supplies that looked like signal flares from a nearby stand.

While I was browsing the area, vehicles began to come in line from the cargo elevator. They were large armored buses. The bus bore the logo of the academy I knew well.

“Aegis Academy?”

It has been a while; I wondered what brought them all the way out here.

As I turned back towards the truck where my team was waiting, someone called out from behind.

“Excuse me? Sorry to bother you, but…”

I turned around at the familiar voice, surprise flooding me. I never thought I would see someone I knew in such an unexpected place.

“Oh, hello!”

“Just as I suspected! Long time no see, prospective junior! It’s great to see you!”

I was so surprised I stumbled over my words. There stood a woman with flowing golden hair and violet eyes full of confidence reminiscent of amethyst. It was Adela!

Her appearance was different from when I first saw her. Instead of the white school uniform she wore, she was dressed in a stylish coat made of reinforced fabric, complemented by a plated breastplate.

Her battle attire accentuated her mature beauty.

Adela’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and joy, looking like a child who had just discovered an unexpected gift.

“Irene! What are you doing here? Did you come for work? Vittorio Arcade can be dangerous for beginners… Where are your parents? Or any guardians?”

Adela began to bombard me with questions, her face filled with excitement and a hint of worry.

I felt a bit flustered. How does she recognize me?

“Wait, I’m wearing the recognition inhibitor!”

“Ah! I forgot!”

Oops, Clone 167 had taken off her mask for a moment during our outing.

“So, Irene…”

“Who’s that next to you? A friend?”

The real Irene, standing next to me, looked at me with a puzzled expression. This is a mess. I have no idea why I picked a pseudonym that sounds like my friend’s name.

I shot a pleading look at my friend to help me out, and she agreed to play along.

“Yes, I’m a friend of Irene’s. So, I…”

“Violet! What are you doing here?”

Suddenly, someone called my name. I exclaimed in surprise and turned to the side. Daphne was standing there with two crepes in hand.

“They have these too. They looked so delicious that I bought some, but who is this?”

“…Violet?”

Adela looked at me with slight suspicion as if she had just heard something odd.

“Daphne, what are you saying? I’m Irene!”

“What do you mean all of a sudden…”

I was desperately trying to mumble my way out of this when Kalia tapped my shoulder.

“Hey, Violet. Aren’t you done here? Let’s hurry. The others are waiting.”

“No! I’m Irene!”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

It was no longer possible to keep up the deception. Adela muttered with a look of confusion.

“So, you aren’t Irene? You’re Violet? Why did you change your name?”

Oh no, I’ve been found out.