Chapter 164: Late Lunch (2)
dXSc3“Hah, I never thought a day like today would come. Maybe now, I can live a different life?”K57
IEHFDzThe wounds hadn’t fully healed, but at least she had broken through her shell. What remained was to carve out a new life while vividly recalling the pain of the past.qK1M
C4XEBn“What will you do now? I heard someone’s after you.”cGAPyjW
FHUQagFreeman asked.agFjuka
MKGz“We’re leaving. We started as mercenaries, and we must live as mercenaries. Our subordinates want that too. Of course, in this country, we’ve unfairly been labeled as a bandit group.”ljg4M9
aNxSadness clouded Marsha’s eyes. Mercenaries fought for a living, and she had accepted that she could die at any time. Burying her comrades’ deaths deep within, she could still smile.RtZo
5GqShe had never fought for a greater cause or for some shallow sense of justice, but she had always been proud and never avoided a challenge.8kuP
Vwgda0fMarsha at least wanted to grant them the title of brave warriors. She felt that their reputation as bandits shouldn’t stain their graves.diHA5l
dW3HcKUnderstanding Marsha’s feelings, Tess tried to console her.2IM
sLh“Honestly, there’s a fine line between bandits and mercenaries. And in some ways, the same can be said for knights and mercenaries. They’re all buried fighting for their beliefs. Politically outcast groups might be branded as evil, but the tides can always turn.”9MK9v6
1FMcrIRian shared a similar sentiment. Shirone or Amy, who delved into academics, might not relate, but it was a common burden for those aspiring to be knights.fmF67
6m4“There was a time our family was threatened too for trying to remain neutral. And Tess, your father must be having a hard time too.”zs1en
0m6A“True. He’s a hero here, but in the colonies, he’s seen as an invader. It’s politics.”7hh
SytMarsha smiled, realizing that Rian and Tess were sharing their experiences just to cheer her up.4YkKTDN
UIsP4Despite her lingering distrust in the world, she had come to believe in the existence of genuine people.jLsCG
SiXnK‘Such kind children. Shirone’s friends are just like him.’FR2
b5TwDMarsha leaned her chin on the dining table like a lazy cat, and in a rare moment of peace, she pointed a thumb at Shirone.7B90sXo
AaiaXX“What about you all? Planning on some sightseeing?”8KS
irqmGU9“Ah, we’re going to the Kergos Ruins.”Drgy3T9
Fjvb“Kergos? What are you going to do there, you young couple?”RO4HybU
UhcXr“Well, actually…”zrH1
n0Tb72JShirone explained why they were on the island. Listening with interest, Marsha nodded in surprise.3lw
PcJ“Wow, I didn’t know that secret was there. I wasn’t on the island, so I had no idea. Freeman, did you know?”TCpvI
Okp3l“To some extent. I heard stories from the locals.”timVc1C
KCPd“So, you want to enter the Kergos self-governing district?”LkO
SMT1“Yes. But the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice is so difficult that we’re unsure if we can pass.”Mpvi
erzVUvr“So if you can’t, that’s it?”6HMejnf
qt1e“Probably. I do have a backup plan, but it’s not certain.”iJu8
LkBbFreeman chimed in.PbP1BVw
Hgm“If it’s that, we can help.”PVN4J
0B6LKAP“Huh? The Room of Achievement and Sacrifice?”1iT
ehZqoNH“No, even if you can’t pass through that room, you can still enter the district. Falcoa seemed to have made deals with that side and Lupe. If you show Freeman Organization’s pass, they’ll let you in. After all, Falcoa was skilled at that kind of thing.”KWWVUg
XaNDShirone’s group was stunned. It was the first time they heard that one could enter the district without taking the test.uyedQru
qV6ILAmy tilted her head and asked, “Doesn’t that lead to a different path? If two routes exist from the start, there’s no need to have the trial.”2bthg
suSk5“I don’t know about that. What’s clear is that both paths lead to the same place. This was confirmed by those who passed through the trial.”hYO20Q
5iuRUpon hearing this, Shirone was also puzzled. She had expected that passing the trial would lead to a different zone.M2s9
AUT“One place requires passing the trial, but the other doesn’t. Why would they do that?”rANY
kbEbP0TTess added, “We don’t know. Maybe it’s tradition. Old cultures often keep those customs. Or maybe it’s to avoid suspicion.”x6bm
sQAm“What’s the point?”Im9SnvO
OvKAJV“To give the impression that the self-governing district isn’t that special. Hearing about the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice has already lowered our expectations.”llm5e
j7a“Anyway, it’s best to confirm directly. If necessary, we can get you a pass. It can be done right now.”D0D6PF
OfHFreeman concluded.FCzqPc
Zp2OVP“Yes, please.”wo3Rk
FI8KgShirone decided to accept it. They hadn’t decided which route to take yet, but having multiple ways to access the self-governing district was better.kpDc
Js033Freeman called in his subordinate to prepare the pass and then spoke to Shirone’s group.1up
YBCpZQ“Entering won’t be a problem, but you’ll need someone who knows the native language. We don’t have anyone who does.”ykw4BI2
ltXxaf0“Huh? Then how did Falcoa handle it?”HNX
DFgGW“After arriving on the island, he built his own network. Strictly speaking, the existing mercenary group didn’t fit him. Although his private network disbanded after he died, he used to hang out with the smugglers. One of them must have acted as an interpreter.”YkD8
Jal1ml“Hmm, so we need to find an interpreter.”1hqYy3M
uagTojbYuna slowly raised her hand.JeAALIQ
UI0hw“Um, I don’t know if I should say this…”hSsje3p
nd0“It’s fine, say anything.”M2k
zId“My brother knows some Kergos.”n18L
1PnbVz7Amy’s interest was piqued.rdxKeg5
0z88BO“Really? How did he learn it?”OyxG
5u8xf5“He took on various jobs to look after me when we were young. Before becoming a harbor recruiter, he did some tour guide work. I think he learned it then.”rw8
8kY9Freeman added, “That’s great. Let’s ask him. We’d like to help you more, but now that Marsha’s back, staying on the island is risky. The Magic Association is still after us.”Zsq
oyvcA8Shirone nodded understandingly. She didn’t want to burden Marsha, who was already being pursued at a national level.MiPfj3M
pGJy1KZWith their conversation settled, Shirone’s group left before nightfall.viU
CmjeZMarsha placed teleportation bracelets on them.aNi
m36xLjuThe instructions were simple. The bracelet had its own Spirit Zone, so they only needed to visualize the coordinates like casting magic.24pka
BIUpXShirone examined the bracelet Marsha had given himcwKUcW
QnWL3People used these without a second thought, but the idea of linking magic tools to magic circles was truly unprecedented.Uzta
P4iRx7hConnecting two separate Spirit Zones was an impossible feat.vbL4n9
fTLThis could have been how Marsha’s teleportation looked from the outside.gMX7uD8
muRzXVA person inside the spot would only see the hole in space, but from the outside, both the entrance and exit would be visible.KW6aYr
k6H1‘The Labyrinth of Space-Time. Maybe the world is already within a huge secret.’slQlx7
dZNjxIInitially, she thought his case was unique, but she realized he was Alpheas’s disciple.wAEy
XZ9gqzFurther investigation revealed a connection to the Kergos Ruins.7t9Ye
G8XqMoreover, spatial magic was now incorporated into magical tools and spread worldwide.JYvf
3dazShirone suddenly felt fear. Maybe he was seeking something that he shouldn’t, just as the headmaster had warned.vQ3WXwD
IybWhile he was lost in thought, Marsha approached and gave her final advice.EL72n
8AW5wIF“There’s a carriage waiting at the base of the mountain. I might see you again before you leave, but be careful. And once you’re back, find a healing mage to treat your wounds.”FoHB
x1sHg1“Got it. Thank you for your concern.”2DQ
JogN“Hoho! Don’t mention it. Not between us.”ayA
UjVOMarsha covered her mouth and lightly slapped Shirone’s arm. Although she no longer needed to hide herself, she wasn’t much different from when they first met. Perhaps she had used falsehood as a shield, revealing herself through deception.jADo
Ner7“We’re off. If I don’t see you on the island, contact the magic school.”nwl93vy
oq75LD“Don’t worry. Clay Marsha can find you anytime, anywhere.”tecM
vVmxMarsha spoke vigorously with her sleeves rolled up, clearly someone who knew how to lift people’s spirits.p9tHr
LzAOFreeman stood by her side, ever the loyal support. Though their dynamic seemed unequal, it felt well-matched.zvNbnqo
MOoqEiaWhen Shirone entered the forest, Marsha, who had stayed for a long time, asked, “The Kergos Ruins. Will they be alright?”Vv6Z
UskG“Probably not,” Freeman replied calmly.OpoMS
EZbfy6Marsha frowned at Freeman but he maintained his usual composure.ip38IvO
6ju“They’ll make it. They’re strong.”fhQoi9
jQdLkiWith a bittersweet smile, Marsha looked up at the sky. The sound of spatial movement tore through the forest air.Zd4GxP
0gfNQ***zaVoeA
85FjtBy the time Shirone’s group returned to the villa in the carriage, evening had already fallen.giaz
VWB02Zis, who had been pacing the living room despite his injuries, turned around as soon as the door opened.ywpR0sn
Kcl5KJn“Aah…”hRmWlsz
Wp1moTears filled Zis’s eyes. His only sister, Yuna, had returned unharmed.QEPFHUH
iWrIYCZ“Brother!”ihB
PIdru“Yuna!”sDo
Bof4tHZis cried as he hugged Yuna, and the siblings clung to each other, sobbing.Djx0
J3MThe ordeal had been challenging for them. Even Shirone, known for her mental fortitude, had nearly given up multiple times.Cts
AHGrKnowing they had been attacked by such vicious people made Zis and Yuna’s helplessness all the more palpable.Rkn
w6uL1“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”fUC9Z6W
uBDgpcY“Yes. I’m fine. My brother and sisters saved me. But what about you? What happened that you’re all bandaged up?”XXWKhc
5z7FBQ3“I’m fine. As long as you’re back, nothing hurts.”dQK
mqTAIn truth, Zis could barely walk, but he didn’t want to show his pain to Yuna. Her fears were far greater than his suffering.QZL1
rbI8IxvZis looked at Shirone’s group with gratitude and bowed deeply.d7s2
H8xvSlm“Thank you! Thank you so much! I won’t forget this kindness.”VW5c
TGD9z5Tess patted Zis’s shoulder reassuringly. Having heard Freeman’s story, he knew this was something to discuss later.AxDoapZ
mXtmZv5“Hoho! Forget it. Just remember what I said when we set out. If you’re really grateful, show it with your actions from now on.”oa5kN
dLu“Huh? What do you mean?”51kAW6r
R206Zis blinked, confused by Tess’s words, while Shirone’s group and even Yuna smiled at him.lhQeQGY
jPf6Gbg***Lc7
BeQAfter putting the exhausted Yuna to bed, Zis returned to the table. Sipping on herbal tea, he resumed the paused conversation.PJptx
vMk“So, you want to enter the self-governing district through the Kergos Ruins, and that’s why you need an interpreter?”oF8X
ZeY6c“Yes. Yuna says you can help, but we want to know how proficient you are.”Nik
TAd8X4“For casual conversation, I can guide you. But entering the self-governing district is…”f9Bte
7yNfxZis stroked his chin with a concerned expression.IyJ
hWX“What’s wrong? Is there something that bothers you?”rqwD0
X5tQ“No, it’s fine. I’ll guide you. I don’t know why you’re going, but it’s a special place. Not because it’s secretive but because the Galian government strictly controls access. Are you sure about this?”eYL
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