〈 Chapter 173 〉 Water Sage (5）

*

“Wasn’t it better if you hadn’t saved me?”

At that, Luel’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

I suddenly realized I might have overstepped and added,

“Of course, it’s a rude question to ask someone who went out of their way to save me, but I’m just really curious.”

However, she quickly regained her composure and replied,

“No, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

Yet, I didn’t miss the momentary flicker of unease that crossed her face.

‘The fact that she was disturbed means…’

There’s a sensitive point there.

Moreover, she didn’t outright deny it, instead feigning ignorance.

She was clearly not entirely confident right now.

‘For now, it would be wise to observe her a bit more cautiously.’

She was a useful character who could provide essential information about Blood Magic, but at the same time, she might be a dangerous one.

I had no idea where further prodding might lead.

That question was probably about my limit.

‘By the way, if her heart isn’t completely changed yet…’

This issue would require some thought.

I had presumed she could have completely transformed from the typical Hundred Braves persona after saving me, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

‘Still, if she’s started to question things a little, that’s a glimmer of hope, I suppose.’

Perhaps there might be a possibility.

There was a chance that the story of the Twin Sisters, which the users had been fervently praising the script team for, might change.

Cough.

On a separate note, there was still no sign of progress with Blood Magic.

“Let’s call it a day here.”

As Luel spoke, her complexion didn’t look great.

It seemed I had made the right choice to stop there earlier.

If we were to continue our conversation, it would have to wait until tomorrow or sometime later.

“Thanks for today.”

“Yes?”

“For teaching me about Blood Magic.”

With a sigh, Luel replied,

“Don’t mention it. In the end, it’s a fair trade for the knowledge you possess from another dimension.”

Having said that, she left the study.

*

‘Was it better if I hadn’t saved him…’

Luel thought as she walked down the corridor of the library.

‘That might indeed be the case.’

This had become clear to her over the last few days of conversation with him.

He clearly had the will to dismantle the plans she had been preparing.

If he hadn’t been tempted by the knowledge from another dimension, she might not have helped him at all.

‘And besides, mastering Blood Magic in two weeks was outright impossible.’

No, to be honest…

She had no reason to keep him alive right now.

Killing him in any manner would probably have been better for her plans.

‘So why am I doing this?’

She tightened her grip around her arms that were hugging the book.

‘Just for the sake of some knowledge from another dimension?’

That couldn’t be the only reason.

While she loved all knowledge, the degree of affection varied for each type.

Even knowing other-dimensional knowledge did not clarify her current situation.

‘Then why?’

Why was she saving and helping Allen Pleuk?

Pondering endlessly, she arrived at a sculpture in a corner of the library.

It was a statue shaped like an owl.

“As the Water Sage, I command.”

The voice that flowed from her was distinctly different from her usual tone.

Normally calm and composed, her voice carried a deeper, heavier tone now, exuding pressure.

“Open the door.”

With those words, the sounds of mechanical devices began to activate, and the owl statue started to rise.

Clunk

As the owl statue rose, what was revealed was an elevator.

Once she stepped into the elevator, it began to descend downwards.

After some time, the elevator came to a stop in a certain room underground.

‘It’s too humid down here.’

This was her secret space passed down from the previous Water Sages.

Here, she had conducted various experiments and secretly carried out operations.

‘First…’

It’d be best to make contact.

She walked toward a large device in the middle of the room.

This device was equipped with numerous levers and something resembling a receiver.

Click

Lifting the receiver, she held it up to her ear.

However, all she could hear was static; nothing else was coming through.

‘Did they change the communication magic’s formula again?’

The formula for communication magic was quite complex.

But due to its complexity, creating new formulas was also challenging, so it was common to cycle through several formulas periodically.

Thus, interfering with communication magic was not easy.

‘What are they up to this time…’

However, since the formula somewhat followed a specific pattern for each caster, it wasn’t impossible to predict.

For reference, the Sakh government’s classified communication network operated under a pattern where one dot appeared around the Sakh symbol each month.

If one made a rough guess, predicting it was quite simple.

‘Last time was about tteokbokki…’

However, the formula of this guy lacked any discernible pattern.

Moreover, they were a genius with communication magic, typically creating a new formula each time.

‘Still, they inform me right after changing it, so that’s not an issue.’

Just before the formula changed, there was a record of reception.

It was…

‘Allen Pleuk?’

Why was it his name, of all people?

Feeling a bit uneasy, she decided to try moving the levers.

‘For Allen Pleuk, this lever goes like this…’

After adjusting the levers for a moment, she lifted the receiver again.

Nom nom…

A strange sound came through the receiver.

Splash splash…

Judging that it was indeed Violet, she spoke up.

“Violet.”

To which, a dull voice followed by a scream came through the receiver.

Kyah!

She somehow felt that something strange was happening again.

“It’s me, Luel.”

Luel? You finally got in touch! What have you been up to?

Violet treated her like an old friend.

To her, Luel pondered for a moment and finally said,

“I saved Allen Pleuk.”

Oh, I see. I figured that might happen when I saw Lucy taking him away.

Her library was in a special fog, preventing Violet from seeing the location.

Thus, Violet wouldn’t know what had transpired there.

But why did you save him?

Naturally, this question had to come up.

After all, saving Allen Pleuk could negatively impact their operation.

However, she had prepared an answer in advance.

At the same time, her voice lowered.

“Would the church really escort Allen Pleuk to the Church Headquarters if they caught him?”

From her perspective, knowing the true nature of the High Priest, that was a likely scenario.

But the Demon Kings, who were still unaware of the High Priest’s identity, would think differently.

“There’s no way. They will try to involve Allen Pleuk in the battle of the Central Sea System by any means.”

Thus, she felt a little guilty, but planned to tell a small lie.

“The reason they issued a bounty was solely to catch him themselves while dodging the attention of the Demon Kings.”

To catch him?

“Think about it. If they hung a banner saying, ‘Welcome Allen Pleuk to the Central Sea System’ how do you think the Demon Kings would react?”

They’d likely try to stop Allen Pleuk whatever it takes… Oh! That makes sense now.

“Right, so I chose to take the alternative route. I kidnapped Allen Pleuk to bring him under my watch.”

Of course, there was no need to help him once she had him.

There were plenty of opportunities to kill him as well.

But that was something she didn’t mention to Violet.

Just like a true Water Sage. But… what now?

“That’s…”

Her voice grew higher again.

In fact, even if she kept Allen Pleuk from joining the Heroes, it didn’t solve everything.

Even now, the Demon Kings were being pushed back by the Heroes on Central Island.

They were attempting to reinforce their forces late, but clearly, they weren’t able to seize the right timing to cross the sea and retake Central Island.

‘Unless an unexpected variable occurs, it would likely be tough.’

Ultimately, for the mission, retaking Central Island was necessary.

However, it was clear which side would have the advantage—Heroes waiting on land or Demon Kings crossing the ocean to invade.

Thus, the Demon side was merely waiting for some sort of variable to occur.

“Just hang on a bit longer.”

It couldn’t be helped.

The current situation was too uncertain.

However, Violet said to her,

Luel, I’m sorry, but I don’t know how long Levia can wait for that.

That was understandable.

The ones eager to destroy the world were the ones involved here.

Moreover, Luel had her reasons to accelerate this plan.

‘I might not have much time left.’

Soon enough.

Before that day comes, she must…

‘Destroy the world.’

It absolutely had to happen.

At least until she learned about that man.

‘Allen Pleuk.’

*