Infinite Mage — Chapter 169: Kergos Autonomous District (1)

Chapter 169: Kergos Autonomous District (1)

Amy’s‍⁠ group, having sent⁠ Shirone to the‌ Room of Achievement‌ and Sacrifice, arrived‍⁠ at the eastern⁠‌ altar.

When⁠ Zis presented the‍‌‌ pass, the native‍⁠‍ opened the stone‌ gate.

Zis‍‍ translated that the‌ mine cart had⁠ arrived.

Amy’s‍‍‌ group nodded, but‍ Canis and Arin‌ seemed uninterested.

Arin‍⁠ understood the native’s‍⁠ words through her‌ telepathy, a part‍ of her mental‍ resonance ability.
The underground wasn’t‌ deep, as it‌ was used for‌‌⁠ operating the mine‌⁠ cart.

The⁠ tracks laid through⁠⁠ volcanic ash-covered soil,⁠ and the native⁠‌ waiting with the⁠ cart greeted them‌‌ while chewing gum.‍⁠

His⁠⁠ expression was gentle,‌‌ but his eyes⁠‍ had that unique,‍‌‍ intense look typical‍ of Kergonians, as‍ if they had⁠ transplanted someone else’s‍ eyes.

Zis felt equally uneasy but approached with‍ a professional smile.⁠‌

He‌⁠⁠ extended his hand‍‍ for a handshake,⁠ which the native‌‍ accepted.

“The‍⁠‍ contact person has‌⁠ changed. This is Zis, the new⁠ liaison.”

“Zis? Doesn’t look like‌ someone for this‍‌ job.”

The Kergonian quickly assessed‍‍‌ his demeanor. Smuggling‌ the loop was‍⁠ a serious crime, sometimes punishable by‌ death. Zis looked‍⁠ too mild to⁠ be a contact.

“Where’s⁠ Falcoa? He always⁠⁠⁠ came to pick‍ it up himself.”‍⁠

“Oh,‌ he’s dead.”

“Dead? As in deceased?”

The⁠‌ native mimicked slitting⁠‍ his throat, and‍‌ Zis nodded.

The‍⁠ native looked doubtful.⁠‍ Falcoa was strong‍‍ and shared the⁠ Kergonian temperament. It‍ was hard to⁠ believe that this‍ gentle-looking Zis was‍ his replacement.

“You‌⁠ have the pass,‌ right?”

“Of⁠ course. Here, take⁠ a look.”

The⁠ native’s smile vanished‍ as he snatched⁠‌ the pass.

Amy’s⁠ group tensed up.‍‌ They had thought‌ the pass would‌‍ be the end‍ of it, but⁠ the native’s suspicion⁠⁠ was deeper than⁠ expected.

Moreover,⁠‍ they weren’t there‌ to buy the‍ loop.

Falcoa was dead, and there would be⁠ no more loop⁠⁠ transactions. If the‍ native found out,‌ there could be‍⁠‌ serious consequences.

The‍ pass was genuine.‌

The‌ native’s doubts couldn’t stand against the⁠‌⁠ visible proof.

He‍‌ led them to‍ the mine cart.⁠

The‌‍‌ cart was large⁠ enough to accommodate‍‌‌ all six of⁠ them. A seesaw⁠ lever system was⁠⁠‌ set up to‌ propel the cart.‍

The‍ native grabbed the‌⁠ seesaw and started moving the cart.

It‍ was usually a two-person job, and⁠ Rian tried to‌ help, but the‍ native’s glare made⁠⁠ him step back⁠ awkwardly.

The native’s strength in⁠ moving the cart‌‌ was impressive. However,‌‍ it was over‍ 20 kilometers to‍‍⁠ Toa Mountain. Using‌ such force all‍ the way would lead to exhaustion.

The⁠ tracks sloped downward,‌‌‌ increasing the speed.‍ They felt the⁠⁠ air in their⁠ bellies drop.

The⁠‌‍ slope leveled out,‍ but the speed⁠ didn’t decrease. The⁠‌ tracks were designed‍ to maintain momentum‌⁠ with slight inclines.‍

It‍‌⁠ was clear they‍ would reach the‌ autonomous region faster⁠ than by carriage.‍‌

“Wow!‌⁠ This is insanely‌⁠ fast.”

“Yeah,‌‌ better hold on‌ tight.”

The⁠ cart wobbled severely.⁠ If it overturned‍‌ at this speed,‌‌ survival wasn’t guaranteed.‍

Amy’s‌ group crouched down.‌ The native muttered‍‌⁠ something under his‍ breath, his lips⁠ twitching.

The‍ noise made it⁠ hard to hear,‌‌ but it was‌ definitely not a compliment.

As‍‌ the cart turned,‍ one wheel seemed‍‌ to lift off‌⁠ the track. Though‌‌ the curve wasn’t⁠ sharp, the speed‌‌ made it feel‍ more dangerous.

Arin⁠ gripped the edge‌⁠ of the cart⁠‌ with one hand⁠⁠ and pulled Canis’s‍ collar with the⁠‌‍ other. As they⁠‍ entered a straight‌‌ path, she asked‌‌ Zis,

“When⁠⁠‌ will we arrive?”‍‍

“I⁠⁠ don’t know. Maybe‌ another 20 minutes.‌‌ It’s my first‌ time here too.”‍

“But‍‍ you’ve heard about‍ it, right?”

“Not⁠‌ at all. As‌‌ I said, this‍ is a secret⁠‌ route even high-ranking‌ members don’t know much about. Only‍‍ Falcoa used it.”⁠

Arin⁠‌ estimated roughly 20⁠ minutes. They needed⁠ time to explain‌‍ her abilities to⁠ the group before⁠‌⁠ reaching Toa Mountain.‌

Telepathy‌ magic was on‍ the borderline of‍‍ eavesdropping and confession.⁠‌‍

By‍ dominating someone with‌⁠⁠ mental waves, she‍‌‌ could penetrate their‌‍‌ inner thoughts, but⁠‍ it risked revealing‍⁠ her abilities.

If‍ her mental magic‌ was discovered, its‍ effectiveness diminished since‍ the target would⁠‍‌ be more cautious.⁠‌

Therefore,‍‌ she usually sent‌‌‌ subtle mental waves‍ to eavesdrop on‍ surface thoughts unnoticed.‍‌

She‌‌ extended her Spirit‍‍ Zone into the‌‍⁠ native’s shadow and connected five additional tendrils to everyone⁠ except Zis.

Prepared,‍‍ Arin asked the⁠‌ native,

“How⁠ much longer?”

Hearing‍ Kergonian, the native‌‍ turned to her.⁠ If they were face-to-face, he might‌‌ have noticed the‍‍ discrepancy between her‍ lip movements and speech, but Arin⁠ avoided such mistakes.‌ The cart’s noise‌‍ and speed also⁠ distracted him.

“About⁠‌ 10 minutes, but‌ we’ll need to⁠ go further after‌ that. The slope‌⁠‌ is too steep‍⁠⁠ for the cart.”‍

Amy’s‌ group was surprised‍ to hear the translation, but their‌⁠‍ expressions didn’t change.⁠ They were skilled⁠⁠ enough to hide‌ their emotions.

Zis’s⁠ translation showed his skills weren’t that‍‌⁠ great. Arin’s telepathy⁠‍ was likely superior.⁠

-Arin, did you do‍‍ this?

Amy‌ guessed because her red eyes had‍ activated. The feeling⁠ of her Spirit‌‌‌ Zone’s intrusion was⁠ barely perceptible, like⁠ a gentle breeze.⁠

-Yes,‍⁠ I linked the‍ mental channel.

-Can⁠‌ you read my thoughts?

The‍⁠⁠ idea that Arin‍‌ might read her‍‍ deepest thoughts was‌‌ horrifying.

Thankfully,‍ Arin shook her‌ head.

An‌‌ archmage specializing in‌‌‍ mental magic could easily dominate seniors, but even they‌ couldn’t penetrate a mental construct.

Arin‍‌ found Amy challenging⁠‌ because of her‍ Red Eyes.

-Don’t‌ worry. This is⁠ like a tunnel.⁠ The mental field⁠‍‍ has 12 layers.‌‌ This is the‍⁠ 11th layer, the⁠‍ surface psychology. Only‌ filtered thoughts pass‍‌ through, so I can’t read your‍‌ inner mind.

-What’s‍‍ the 12th layer?‌‍

-It’s‌ the layer above⁠‌ the surface, the⁠‌⁠ realm of reason—forced⁠ smiles, pretense. If‍‌ you resist strongly, the channel will⁠ break. But I’ll⁠ disconnect if you⁠ want.

-No,‌ it’s fine. Reading surface thoughts is⁠‌ convenient. Let’s keep‍⁠ this going.

-Thank⁠ you. I didn’t include Zis. He’s⁠‌ an outsider, and⁠‍‍ revealing my abilities‍ might expose us‌⁠ to enemies. Even⁠‍ if he’s trustworthy,‍‌⁠ reacting to my⁠ abilities could endanger us.

When⁠ Arin opened the‍‌ channel, Rian and⁠‌ Tess’s thoughts flowed‌⁠ in.

-I‍ want to say⁠ something! Why can’t⁠ I speak… Oh,⁠⁠ I can now.‌

-Me‍‍‍ too. Tess, can‍ you hear me?‍‌

-Yes,‍ I can hear‍‍ you. This is amazing.

Amy‌‌ realized how useful‌⁠‍ Arin’s ability was.‌‌ They could talk⁠ while looking in‌ different directions, sharing‌ numerous thoughts.

The⁠⁠ unfamiliar magic was fascinating.

Dark⁠ magic was a minor field. Despite its versatility, it‍ had critical weaknesses.

Dark⁠ attributes were weak⁠ to light.

Moreover,⁠ mental magic struggled⁠ against those with‍ higher mental strength.⁠

But‍ at Arcane’s level,‌ it was different.‍‍ Canis and Arin,‍ as Arcane’s direct‌ disciples in dark magic, were formidable.‌‌

-Amazing.‌ This will be‍ really helpful. Oh!‌

Amy⁠ checked Arin’s reaction.‌‍ Her excitement had‍ surfaced, revealing her‌ thoughts.

Arin smiled in response.⁠‌⁠ Despite Amy’s calculated‍‍‍ thoughts, Arin was‌‍ simply pleased.

Human minds are more⁠‌ self-centered and desire-driven‌‍ than they show.‌‌

Having‍‍‍ read such emotions‍⁠ all her life,‍‌‌ Arin found Amy’s‍‍‌ hidden goodwill nothing.

Telepathy⁠⁠ magic would be‍‍ excellent in emergencies‍‍ or battles. Canis‌ and Arin’s joining‌ was reassuring.

-Haha,‍ this is fun!⁠‌ Amy, isn’t that‍ native annoying? He⁠⁠ kept glancing at‍ my chest.

-Did he? I thought‍‍⁠ he was just‍ ignoring us.

-I’m‌‍ getting hungry. I hope we can eat when we‍ arrive.

The‍‍ mental channel filled⁠‌ with chatter and complaints.

Unfamiliar⁠‍ with magic, Rian⁠⁠ and Tess pushed‍‍ unnecessary thoughts through,‍‍ trying to use⁠ the channel.

Such⁠‌ thoughts barely counted as thinking. It‍‍ proved the saying⁠ that the environment‍ controls the mind.‍

-It’s⁠‍‍ so noisy. Arin,‌ turn the volume‌⁠ down. Or just‍ cut it off.‌‍

At⁠ Canis’s command, the‍‌ channel’s volume dropped.⁠⁠‍ It felt like‍‍ whispers in the‍‌ ear.

If‌ they didn’t focus,‍ they couldn’t hear,⁠‌ so conversation slowed.‍‍

Enjoying‌⁠ the chat, Tess‍‌‌ protested.

-Why⁠⁠ lower the volume?‍‌ I can’t hear⁠ well. Turn it‍‌ up.

-Don’t‍ use the channel‌‌‌ for non-strategic talk.‌⁠ This isn’t a gossip corner. It’s⁠ Arin’s ability. You⁠ can’t just demand‌ she adjust it.⁠

Tess‌ clicked her tongue‌‍ but didn’t change‌ her expression, staying alert.

As the chatter died,‍‍ Arin explained why⁠⁠‌ she showed her‌‍‍ ability.

-As‌‍⁠ you know, this‍‍‌ is telepathy magic.‍⁠ I excluded Zis.‍‌ Revealing my abilities⁠⁠‌ to outsiders is‌‍ risky, and even‌⁠‌ if he’s trustworthy,⁠‌ reacting to my‍ abilities could expose⁠‌ us.

Zis⁠ could understand the⁠ native’s words, so‍‍‌ they could pass‌⁠ quietly if they‍‌‌ didn’t draw attention.‍

-This⁠‌ ability is really⁠‌ convenient.

-Heh,‍ consider it one‌ benefit of our alliance. Whether Shirone‌ passes the trial⁠‍ or not, using‍ Arin’s ability is‍‍ crucial if we‌ form a party.⁠

Though‍ Canis’s pride in‍ his partner was annoying, the ability‌‍ was undeniably impressive.‍‌

-And‌ one more thing.‍⁠ I used telepathy‌‍ because there’s something⁠‌ we haven’t told⁠‌‌ you.

-Something‍ you haven’t told us? What do‌ you mean?

Amy’s‌ gaze sharpened. Even‍‌⁠ with the condition‍⁠ of Shirone’s success,‌ unexpected changes in‌‌ their temporary alliance⁠‍‍ weren’t welcome.

-It’s⁠ nothing major. We‍ didn’t hide it on purpose. We just didn’t think it was necessary.‌ Anyway, Arin and‌‌ I had another‍ reason for attempting‌ the trial. Contrary‌‌⁠ to your expectations,‍⁠ the Kergonian natives‌ aren’t friendly to‌‍ outsiders. They’re quite‍‌‍ hostile.

This‍‌⁠ wasn’t entirely surprising.⁠ They hadn’t expected⁠‍ a warm welcome.⁠‍

But‌⁠ they didn’t see‍ a reason for‍⁠ hostility either.

The‍ autonomous government and⁠ the Kergonian tribe‌‍‌ coexisted, and many⁠ natives had adapted‌‌ to civilization.

-Their⁠⁠ hostility stems from⁠‍ a mistake by⁠‌ the Gallian government. When they first came to the‍ island 100 years‍ ago, they promised‍ significant rewards. The⁠‍ natives, recognizing the‌ inevitable changes, agreed‍ to negotiate. That‌‌⁠ started the tourism‌ industry. Did you‍ know the autonomous⁠‌ region was initially⁠ open to the‌⁠‍ public? But now,⁠ all exchange is‌ cut off.

-I⁠ see. My father‌ faced strong resistance⁠‌ when he first‌ went to the⁠ colonies. It’s understandable.

-That’s‍ part of it.‍ But the Gallian⁠ government went too‍‍ far. They were‌‌‌ too excessive.