Chapter 196

Polaris and I left Victoria’s house.

“Now, we’re heading to the place where Victoria’s parents sent the letter from.”

“Is that over there?”

Polaris pointed at the massive water formation swelling like a mountain to the east of Bern City. In the sunlight of morning, it looked like an enormous cap floating in midair.

We could gauge its size as its edges gently swayed above us like a coastline.

“Yeah. The letter from Victoria’s parents came from the eastern part of Bern City.”

I said this while mentioning the address, but Polaris seemed clueless about it.

“Can you find it with that?”

“Yeah, I know how to read addresses.”

By overlaying memories obtained through warmth extraction, my knowledge of Bern City’s geography is almost perfect.

So, without hesitation, we moved forward.

By the way, weirdly enough, some houses are glowing with light. Not a light source but something resembling souls—meaning people are inside.

It’s visible from houses that aren’t empty, even though their doors and windows are boarded up.

While walking and thinking about such people, Polaris whispered to me.

“Bell, we’re being followed.”

“If they don’t bother us, let’s ignore them.”

Since I can see through Polaris’ eyes, I already spotted someone tailing us. Some of them were the same people I saw earlier inside houses.

The strange thing is that they’re following us separately.

What business do they have with a kid like me?

Predicting that I might gain warmth if they try anything, we headed northeast along the well-paved road.

Looking at those following us, it seems like there’s some kind of territory system. Some follow for a bit before disappearing, then others take their place.

Hmm… Is this surveillance?

Still, they’re pretty persistent despite Polaris’ discomfort.

But if we run, they’ll likely chase us. The alleys used by our pursuers are perfect spots to unintentionally stumble into when unaware.

Ah…

Are they testing us?

Currently, many Harvesting Systems are stationed high up in Bern City.

Right now, Bern City is forcibly altering magical energy into something strange, so even healthy people feel lethargic.

Isn’t it odd that bodies don’t use available magical energy? Most living beings here, no matter how little, utilize magic.

So under conditions where magic is sealed, they wouldn’t be able to exert much strength.

Eh? Is Polaris in danger too?

Checking Polaris’ complexion, they seem uncomfortable but not physically ill.

There’s no physical inconvenience except for slightly tight clothing. So, there shouldn’t be any danger.

“Polaris, just in case, try intimidating them. What about throwing a rock?”

“Hmm… That feels like a bad method. If I want to drive them off, I could use magic, but the mana feels so sticky and unpleasant right now that I don’t want to use it.”

However, Polaris frowned and refused.

I didn’t realize that the sensation of mana was something entirely foreign to me.

From the memories, I roughly understand what it feels like, but apparently, using the Harvesting System simultaneously makes even identical spells feel completely different.

If my stomach hurts, I know exactly how that sensation feels.

In fact, during simultaneous viewing, I’ve experienced the pleasure of creating a child, the pain of childbirth, the abnormal euphoria of illegal drugs melting the brain, and even burning to death.

Yet, since I’m not human, these experiences haven’t affected my personality.

While watching one person might go unnoticed, when observing many, sensations become mere noise.

For instance, the agony of someone whose brain neurons are completely fried looks like a clown blowing themselves up due to self-inflicted consequences—something I found laughable. But let’s leave that aside.

“So, they’re just avoiding us because of the color of my hair and yours?”

“Hair color?”

“People who awakened psychic abilities among those given to me can use their powers even without mana.”

Upon hearing this, Polaris looked up at the sky.

As if gravity had reversed, the sea above churned upside down.

The water level covering the sky kept rising, making it incredibly dark below despite being morning.

This means that even in this area where magic doesn’t work, power still extends here. Polaris understood the immense strength of the Harvesting System in this location.

“So that’s why they’re just lurking around. Ugh, it’s annoying… Bell, doesn’t this creep you out?”

It’s exactly the feeling of being stalked. That.

Me?

Firstly, since there’s no direct gaze from them, they aren’t harvesters. Meaning, they’re either potential harvesters or warmth pockets.

“Yeah, there’s no reason to feel bad.”

If they willingly come to offer warmth, why not?

“You’re too lenient.”

No animal dislikes food automatically crawling into its mouth. Though calling this “leniency” is odd, let’s go with it.

I get it.

Particularly since I’m pretending to be a good person on purpose.

Ironically, Polaris misunderstanding me aligns with what I want, so I’m pleased.

Meanwhile, the straight road began to curve, leading us into a uniform area.

Suddenly, the gazes disappeared.

The winding roads were flanked by tightly packed three-story buildings resembling chicken coops. It felt like a perfect spot for ambushes, but they vanished entirely.

“What is this place…?”

Polaris muttered.

Randomly winding paths were lined with identical buildings on both sides.

Most of these buildings were ruins, half-burned black, leaving only skeletal frames. A putrid smell of decaying corpses filled the air.

“Could Victoria’s parents really be in a place like this…?”

North of Bern City is a river. West is the sea. So, if Bern City is sealed, it would only involve the east and south. However, the south gradually ascends to an artificially created cliff, making passage difficult.

Of course, there are routes leading south, but conversely, occupying them leaves only the option of descending cliffs over dozens of meters.

Artillery fire came either from the east side, drawing lines, or across the river.

Thus, the east was essentially a battlefield.

Moreover, since the fighting hasn’t ended, there’s no effort to collect bodies or rescue the injured.

It’s a dangerous space teeming with wild beasts and insects, where an epidemic could break out anytime.

“Hurry, let’s meet Victoria. We might be needed.”

Seemingly predicting an outcome, Polaris looked directly at me and spoke. Understanding, I nodded and walked toward where Victoria was.

Oh, speaking of Victoria, one more thing.

The Twilight Association, including the harvesters within Bern City, decided that if Victoria wreaks havoc in the east, they’ll eliminate both her and the army invading Bern City.

Their logic is flawed.

Victoria is the enemy, and so are the soldiers. Yet, they claim Victoria will destroy the soldiers. Calling them royal puppets implies the soldiers should be on Victoria’s side, right?

They interpret things to suit their benefit and seek profit from it.

Yeah.

Pretty standard stuff.

You see this often in the stock market.

I carefully observed while walking ahead.

Walking straight into a surrounding situation is risky.

Fortunately, there aren’t many straight roads, and buildings block most of the view.

Besides, it’s almost noon, yet it’s as dark as evening down here. Sunlight shining vertically from above no longer reaches the ground.

Because there’s simply too much water.

Which makes it somewhat safer to walk even at noon.

As for Victoria, she’s sneaking through buildings, moving forward.

She mostly stayed hidden even at Daegon’s forward base.

Even after obtaining deadly weapons, she preferred stealth attacks from behind rather than openly wandering around.

Given her nature, it’s not unusual for her to sneak around in such situations.

Rather, with everyone’s attention drawn upward, this is a rational choice.

Perhaps she refrains from using force because the target address is nearby.

She must be cautious to avoid harming her parents accidentally.

However, Victoria soon stopped.

There were only collapsed ruins ahead of the military’s defensive line. No more buildings to pass through.

Curious about what she’d do next, I watched as her gaze shifted upward.

And then, a giant water droplet fell with a splash!

Chaaarrrr!

Water dropped from a height of five stories. Strangely, though, whether due to being a droplet or the falling mass being compressed, the soldiers jumping around didn’t seem badly hurt.

Wouldn’t stronger attacks be needed to breach the defense line?

Tuck.

Tut-tut.

Huh?

Droplets were falling. Looking up, water drops were falling all around—not just small ones like rain but also massive chunks the size of humans.

Could it be lack of power? Or poor control?

I quickly grabbed Polaris’ hand and hurried toward Victoria’s direction. Large droplets make loud sounds when hitting the ground.

We could probably run.

Though it’s far, getting caught in this could be dangerous.

If this water pours down, I might survive, but Polaris definitely won’t.

“Where are we going!”

“To Victoria!”

Polaris followed me with a serious expression, clearly understanding the implications.

The army waiting at the defense line is also scattering in panic. If the water falls, they’ll die too.

Do they want that?

Eh?

Victoria smiled.

Watching the soldiers fleeing helter-skelter, she grinned, saying it was going according to plan.

Ah, yeah. If there are clear signs of such massive water falling, running away would be the first instinct. So, they’re scaring them off this way.

She’s really smart.

Confirming Polaris’ abundant stamina as we held hands, I sprinted hard.

We should cross the defense line while they’re distracted.

So, we ran.

Hard.

Very hard.

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