Chapter 182: Reversal of the Law (2)
hACTHbAs they moved forward another 10 meters, the smell of blood grew stronger.5QOzJ
6D18Tess, feeling the tension rise, was about to suggest to Shirone to slow down.m9kWQ6
FhpSuddenly, the cave shook, and blunt pillars shot out from the walls. They were large and fast enough to crush a human.2yzCYPq
vD5q7Shirone’s group instinctively backed away.2pQxa
oBlivUFrom a safe distance, they saw dozens of pillars crisscrossing from the cave walls, creating a bizarre sight.2F4cd
ungEj8“Is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?” Shirone called out.
Amy’s response came quickly.OMqK1
WdIIGjq“Yeah, I think we’re all fine. What about you, Shirone?”kwmJJL
k98ArJ“I’m fine too. Could this have been a trap?”eoW
lH3idw“No, there are no signs of artificial modifications in the cave. Besides, the activation was too quick for a trap,” Tess said.41xf2b
1K5Tess was right. If they truly wanted to kill them, the trap would have been set off at a point where escape was impossible. But these pillars seemed designed to block their advance rather than kill.vk5A3q
D7Iw“If it’s not a trap, then what is it?”YqGht
Sdp7UHA boy’s voice echoed from the end of the cave.kdS
70sWg“Identify yourselves! I won’t miss this time!”hKU
TcAN2ICShirone extended his Shining spell, illuminating the interior.ABjjbu
VzjmZLA boy of similar age was crouched, with both hands on the ground. Behind him sat a bearded man with a strong presence, sitting with his legs stretched out and blood seeping through his fingers clutched over his stomach.JaRV
OS0It was the guide from Nor’s Haven, Gardrock.KCK
rm5g6Gardrock, scrutinizing Shirone’s group, spoke to his apprentice.qt7OOO
fvy“Clove, I told you not to use earth magic in the cave. If the ceiling collapses, we’ll all die.”NMv
9Dmshn1Clove slowly stood up, but his wary eyes remained fixed on them.moAlVWC
az16cShirone felt a strange familiarity from their conversation. Although he didn’t understand the Nor language, the pronunciation and intonation were similar to the common language of the continent.gzzJ
VtfigvfKanya approached them, speaking in Nor’s language.9txo1fV
ioWrAr“You are Nor, right? We’ve been looking for you.”vOue
DQA“Oh? It seems you’re esteemed divine subjects. So, what brings you Mecha tribe, who hate exploration and adventure, here?”8ROesn
Bqykona“Of course, we are here for Nor’s Haven…”2HhEA
l64Kanya paused to examine Gardrock’s condition. Though he was smiling, his face was pale.0Zlb9K
WpRBlood was flowing from his stomach.eMgM
qok8a6It was strange. What could cause an injury in the Valley of the Vortex Serpent, where only one law exists?xnpS1y
B8Vt“You’re hurt? Was it the Vortex Serpent?”8VB2z7
OnbN0“No, it wasn’t the law. It was the Kergos.”txH
amSCjdThe term “Kergos” hit Shirone’s group hard. They initially thought they had misheard, but Kanya, translating Nor’s language, confirmed it.mKNUCVx
7QC7“Kergos? They came hunting all the way here?”nbAszTP
gBKfqnF“This place has no heretics, so it’s not really hunting. They deliberately targeted us. I avoided a fatal wound, but if the bleeding continues, who knows what will happen.”EXo
dapotHShirone interrupted their conversation.iVnkm
RxPtkt“Did you say Kergos? What did they do?”n5ixFQx
ZLP“Kergos are another race of divine subjects. The Valley of the Vortex Serpent is safe because no monsters live here, but it’s a common route for heretics trying to reach Nor’s Haven. And where there are heretics, there are other hunters.”g2Ex3pG
DID“So, the Kergos hunt heretics.”Bf0YHww
TQtaBe“They’ll probably catch up soon. They are excellent trackers. Plus, they use the Giants’ techniques. Finding this place by scent, like Tess, wouldn’t be a problem for them.”T5c1
7VXJZGShirone guessed that the Giants’ techniques referred to Schema. If so, there was no time for idle talk.Xr3gb3
R0nSybArin tried telepathy directly with the Nor.ylmg
J29“Can you take us to Nor’s Haven?”kEWoG
ST2GW4GGardrock and Clove’s expressions turned to astonishment. Although the language was incomprehensible, the meaning was understood.Ehf
uBpZXnz“What are these kids? Do they have the power of fairies?”10nApaW
bZ4N“No, they’re from the land of the earth. They use magic like you. It might be different, but they seem to be descendants of the Nor.”CbSp
zgo9fKanya framed Shirone’s group in a way that would make the Nor more accepting. Survival in Purgatory depended on integrating into the Nor community.zads
PmDvovm“So, are they mock beings?”KWGHf55
QRmClove’s gaze turned disdainful.d2klS7
LQjcDqThe Nor, known for their curiosity, were the most law-abiding race in Heaven. They knew more forbidden secrets than even the Mecha tribe.q6J1PD
kd8The same was true for knowledge about the land of the earth.Z362vj7
Gs3bS6XThe land of the earth was said to be a shadow imitation of the perfect world of Heaven. Hence, humans there were considered mere imitations of the divine beings in Heaven.Ickf
5pERiTo Clove, Shirone’s group was less than anything in Heaven. The gap between the Nor and mock beings was as vast as that between creator and creation.RG6
yah1r2“Mock beings? What’s that?” Shirone asked.xsSwJF
Ot6nZIgnoring Shirone, Clove pointed to the bags lined along the wall.S67
nKaps“Hey, you lot. Come and carry these. One each.”0ensJal
Bv2JrThere was no need for telepathy. Clove’s tone was filled with contempt. His arrogant posture made Amy retort sharply.cD1tGkb
Q2Trjif“Why should we carry your bags?”3idRwJ
cwba9“Isn’t it obvious? We need to flee.”E5P
DBW“Then why should we carry them?”Q0rsAEX
is8HTWD“Because you’re mock beings. Without us, you wouldn’t exist. You should be grateful.”trILs
IIeFClove seemed to believe it was a given that Shirone’s group would obey his orders.SQ0YpT
S0CMeanwhile, he sneered and touched Amy’s hair, his nostrils flaring.zKA3db
k7d“For a mock being, you’re not bad. How about joining my household? Don’t you want to live safely in Purgatory?”9wopul
GFHa8nxAmy’s eyes grew sharp.3IEd1
Cd3FBvyThe issue of divine subjects and mock beings was one thing, but touching a woman without consent was simply bad manners, unrelated to Heaven’s customs.DotnPI
oe1Y“Get your hand off. Or I’ll knock you out.”EKRx9T
X7QXjg1“Haha! You? Knock me out? I guess mock beings can use a bit of magic. But you can’t beat me.”PMH
vNfo6Z“Enough, Clove.”vax
hyEbTEThe anger in Gardrock’s voice made Clove step back.KM9opP
N9G2COnly then did the group feel the tension in the air. Shirone’s group glared at Clove with murderous intent in their eyes.u0p9Rj7
Ophq1HP“What? What will you do if you glare at me?”nI2aEt
QbVXJ32“Clove, we don’t have time. Do you want me to die here?”TToF
SSgoTzRealizing his master’s condition, Clove hurriedly supported Gardrock. Leaning on his apprentice’s shoulder, Gardrock apologized.mu6
2MQW“Sorry. Even I have never seen mock beings before, so our response was inadequate. Anyway, you’re human too. I am Gardrock. We need to leave here. Can you help? You seem to be heading to Nor’s Haven. We’ll guide you.”dvFvj
ikAZ1vGardrock, unlike Clove, acted more like a mage. Apologizing in front of his apprentice wasn’t easy, but he understood that cooperation was essential for survival, whether they were mock beings or not.WYTQqDR
zhsfShirone’s group agreed, knowing it was dangerous to stay longer, and shouldered the backpacks.jYnsKV
fhaExZXThey reached the area where Clove’s pillars were intertwined.N4Td2
LJ8Supporting Gardrock, Clove struggled to find a way through.T6toJ
lK5cHAmy smirked. Seeing him suffer from his own magic was satisfying, but it also indicated his lack of foresight.J70wPl
1buShirone was less concerned with Clove and more intrigued by the magic he had used.O77v7VM
gY6hThe magic that caused pillars to emerge from the walls was forceful and dynamic. But replicating it in a way he knew seemed highly inefficient.GgbB9Ks
jQYsPerhaps ancient magic had different principles. With this thought, Shirone asked Gardrock.FTOBXo9
9QpI“What kind of magic is that?”oNGrtTY
s8cCCt8Clove, with a mocking laugh, answered instead.Zn5
lrlJn“Haha! What, you can’t do it? This is ridiculous. Earth magic is basic.”bLmi
138dWinking at Amy, he added.Bw25m
zPxjkL3“I could teach you, though.”y7qZ
Fnbr5Yh“No thanks. I don’t want my friends to suffer.”gn6
ViKigD4Mocking Clove’s earlier behavior, Amy’s comment made his face turn red.P1iCg
WFEEGardrock, too, was curious about Shirone’s magic. Despite being mock beings, they wielded unusual magic.uA08nFP
C3HSLCHe knew that the light orb Shirone was holding was impossible to create in this place. The cave was a domain of darkness.gdJm
7PQ91Unless he had a contract with a light spirit, which didn’t seem to be the case given its inactivity.LBVpMDH
VMI“Hmmm, it’s hard to explain. Do you not use such magic?”Bcw8EF
pQ3Hue“We use earth-based magic, but nothing like creating pillars in caves.”nDYZAuk
9tp2mm“The principles might differ. We borrow the power of nature to use magic. Fire magic where there is fire, water magic where there is water. Clove used earth magic for the same reason. He just didn’t consider the collapse risk.”Fe6Bd
GdDGp“I really was desperate back then, master,” Clove defended.Yc4w
3aEBut Shirone’s group wasn’t listening. They were engaged in a telepathic conversation through the mental channel, ignoring Clove’s rambling.ql2fvU
RI03-Using the power of nature is quite unique.j4J08b4
QNoK3kg-The destructive power was significant. The magic Clove used would be quite advanced in our world. Yet he did it easily despite being so dumb.Fyml
p0KECAmy added to Canis’s remark.mNDg
79Rjv-The advantage of borrowing nature’s power isn’t just its strength. One person can handle multiple types of magic. It’s different from our specialized training.OHkhC
ik22xeArin pointed out a drawback.dmX
SGjHXnk-But it also limits flexibility. They’re bound by the environment. If the desired element isn’t present, they can’t cast the magic.Fzf3YVl
La339eSummarizing ancient magic: it was broad, powerful, and versatile but heavily constrained by the environment. Sometimes, the magic itself could be sealed depending on the conditions.tT82
1EjHeaven’s magic versus Earth’s magic. Determining which was more efficient remained uncertain.jVG8
5dB0MOutside the cave, Kanya looked back at Gardrock and asked.btp
LhNGRKR“So, where is Nor’s Haven?”lUELlch
VVGZ9YF“I can’t tell the Mecha tribe that. Just know it’s not here. We have to use magic to get there, but it’s impossible here. Follow me.”1ubKoMK
fwNgAt that moment, Rena, receiving a signal from the drone, checked her retinal vision and shouted.NSH9e
cWl6BC“Sister! Big trouble!”HpXp2Z
jv8Kanya also closed one eye to receive the drone’s information. A group was approaching rapidly from a nearby canyon.vUrO38
OZtEFa“Damn, it’s the Kergos! We need to hurry!”TYudp
5rOGardrock’s eyes filled with resignation.Rj5
yUtj“It’s too late. Their sense of smell is incredibly sharp. They’ve caught the scent of blood.”jGhx
NCxThere was still no sound of their approach. Yet, if they had detected the scent of blood, it meant at least one of them was a master of sensory skills.qZI5hG
EsPm“What do we do? What do we do, master?” Clove asked, panicking.5gAC
hZYeUGardrock had no brilliant ideas.XPhx
0VAM1UAccording to Rena, there were about twenty pursuers. Gardrock was injured, and Clove lacked combat experience. If they clashed now, it would be a massacre.uVCek6C
4YOi4m“Perhaps, we can try this.”26ReuC
NFKb55All eyes turned to Shirone.NWE
NoBES3***nYlPWj
ES0Z0The Kergos pursuit squad, riding black horses, galloped across the stream.mAGHbSg
gZxgO3Their red armor reflected the sun, and their eyes gleamed like newly forged swords.nXe17m
FL0uArriving at the cave, the squad leader raised his hand to halt.jzgWBO
bMnBp9“Stop! They’re inside the cave!”g7rAC
bpnOjr5Leading the group, the twenty subordinates stopped. A woman with her hair tied in a ponytail rode up to the leader’s side.0rSq8zT
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