Infinite Mage — Chapter 192: Nor’s Haven (6)

Chapter 192: Nor’s Haven (6)

Thirty⁠⁠ seconds passed and‌‌‍ the signal appeared‌ indicating that the‌⁠ saving had been⁠ completed.

The‍ drone, after scanning‌‍ both eyeballs, sent⁠‍‍ the signal to‌‌‍ the left eye.‍‌

Tess‍ was so startled⁠‌ that her breathing⁠ almost stopped.

The‍‍ image captured by‍ the drone was⁠⁠ superimposed over the‌‍ landscape she saw with her own‌ eyes.

With⁠ that function alone‍‌ it was already⁠⁠ worth the same as a schematic‍ sheet.

After⁠‌⁠ taking off the⁠ drone and assembling‌‌ it in the form of a gauntlet, Tess nodded⁠ again and again‌ while listening to‍ the explanation.

Kanya‍ told her that‌ it also had‍‌ a language deciphering‌ function and another⁠ that, by saving‌ a specific brain‌ wave, allowed it‌‌ to track the‍ signal and automatically‍‍⁠ locate the target.

Unlike Shirone’s group, excited‍‍ by the reinforcement⁠⁠ of their combat‍‌ capability, Clove moved‍ his eyes with‍‌ unease.

Even⁠ for the heretics,‌‌⁠ the word Nephilim carried an overwhelming‍ weight.

It‌‌ was not the‍⁠ fear felt before⁠⁠‍ a strong enemy.‌

The⁠‌⁠ Nephilim provoked an⁠ unknown fear, independent‌ of the level‌ of power.

Remembering⁠⁠ the attitude he‍‍ had shown toward‍‌ them until now,‍ Clove wished that‌⁠ Shirone would not⁠ cast some strange‍‌⁠ curse.

Just as he feared,‌ Shirone approached.

Contrary⁠‍ to what he⁠ had imagined, instead‍⁠‌ of punishing him,⁠ he took out⁠‌ a yellow elixir‍ and placed it‌‍ in his hand.‌‌

It‌ was the commission.

Clove‌ hesitated for a long time before‌ putting it into‌ his pocket.

“T-thank‌‌‌ you. You didn’t‍‍ have to give‍⁠ me so much.”⁠‍‌

“It’s⁠ fine. Anyway, elixirs‌ can’t be divided.”‌

“Are you… really a Nephilim?”

“I‍‍ don’t know. I’m‍‌ just a student from a magic⁠‌ academy. It doesn’t⁠⁠ matter what they call me here,‌ that won’t change.”‍

“Sorry⁠⁠ for having been‍‍ so harsh. I thought you were‌ a person from‍‌⁠ the earthly realm…”‌

“Even if I were,‍‌‍ you shouldn’t treat anyone like that.”⁠

“Y-yes…‍⁠ I’m sorry.”

Shirone⁠‍ did not want‍ to continue talking.⁠⁠

Scolding‌⁠ someone who has⁠ already surrendered to‍‍ fear has no‍‌ meaning.

Even⁠⁠ if you told‍⁠⁠ a cockroach to‍‍ bow, it would‍ do it.

He‌‍ stopped paying attention‌ to Clove and‍⁠‍ headed to the place where the nor were gathered.

After‌‍ all, that was‍ also part of‌‌‍ the community, so‍‌⁠ he at least⁠‍ wanted to ask.⁠

“Excuse⁠ me, do you‍‍ know a woman‌‌ named Miro?”

The‌ nor reacted in⁠⁠ confusion.

When‌ Shirone was about‌⁠ to turn away‌‍ with resignation, an‌‌‌ old man leaning⁠⁠ on a cane‍ approached.

“Miro?‍⁠ Did you say⁠‌ Miro?”

“Yes.‍ Do you know‍ her?”

“I heard about her⁠ when my parents‌ were still alive.⁠⁠‍ Could she also⁠‌ be a Nephilim?”‌⁠‍

“Huh?‍‍ Ah… yes.”

In‌ this world, unlockers were considered Nephilim.⁠

He‍‍ did not know⁠ Miro’s origin with⁠‍‍ certainty, but since‌‍ she was also‍ an unlocker, it‌‌‌ was not incorrect‌‍ to affirm it.‌‍‍

“She‌‍ denied the law‌ of Ra.”

“What‌‌ exactly does that⁠‍ mean?”

“I⁠ don’t know. I only heard that.‍ But my mother⁠‌ did not hate her. Even though⁠‌ she was a faithful devotee of⁠ Ra. For me, who was a child, it was⁠ something shocking.”

A woman who denied⁠ the law of⁠ Ra.

The‍‌ information was simple,‌‌ but reflecting on‌ it conveyed many things.

To‍ begin with, it‍ was certain that‌ Miro had reached‌ the sky.

And‌‌ she had returned‌‍ after understanding many⁠ more things about‍‌ this world than⁠‍ he did.

And⁠ even so, she denied Ra.

When‌‌ this journey ended,‌ what decision would‍‍⁠ he make?

Would he come to‌‍ understand Miro, or‍⁠ would he end‌ up denying her?‌⁠

While⁠‍‍ he was immersed‌ in those thoughts,⁠ Amy approached.

“Shirone,⁠ it seems the‌⁠ sun is about to set. They⁠⁠‍ decided that today‌‍ we will sleep⁠‌ here. What do‍⁠ you think?”

“Huh?⁠‍ It’s fine with‌ me. We’ve been fighting since morning‌‍ and I’m tired.⁠‍⁠ Let’s rest from⁠ now on.”

“Um…”⁠

Kanya‌⁠ approached to speak.

Just‍‌‌ by seeing her‌ expression, Amy understood‍‌‍ it. From the⁠‌‌ way she had‍ followed them, it⁠‌⁠ was clear she was worried about‍ the relationship between‍‍ her and Shirone.⁠‌

“What’s‍‌ wrong? Do you‌‌ have something to⁠⁠ tell me?”

“I‌‌‍ taught Tess how to use the‍ drone.”

“Ah, I see. Thank‍‍ you.”

“Lena⁠ and I will⁠ also stay to‌‌ sleep here. At‍ this hour the‌‍ guides rest. We⁠‌ will probably leave⁠ tomorrow morning.”

“Ah…⁠‍ I see.”

Shirone⁠ left the sentence‌‌ hanging.

If‍‌ Kanya left in‍ the morning, they‌ would also have‍ to follow her.‌

The⁠⁠ problem was that‍⁠ they still had⁠‍ not reached an agreement.

Kanya,‌ after glancing sideways‌ at Amy, spoke.‌‌‍

“You‍‌ said you were‍‍‍ going to enter‌‌ the sky, right?⁠⁠ If you don’t‍ mind, could you‍ spend one night‌‍⁠ at our house?”⁠

They‌‌ planned to go‌‍ to the sky,‍‌⁠ yes, but staying at Kanya’s house⁠ was another matter‌ entirely.

Perhaps⁠⁠‌ it was because of her mother,‍⁠ who did not‍ have much time‌⁠ left to live.‌‍

Or‍ perhaps she wanted⁠⁠ to introduce the‌‍ Nephilim to parents‍‌ who were fervent⁠‌‌ believers.

Whatever the reason, there‌ was no reason⁠ to refuse.

He‌‍ could only be‌ grateful that she‍ accepted his goodwill‌‍ as such.

When Shirone accepted, Kanya’s‍⁠⁠ face turned red.⁠

Amy‌ did not like⁠‍‍ that, but since‌‌ she could not⁠⁠ complain openly, she‌ snorted and left⁠ with Tess.

While‌ they were organizing the plan for⁠⁠ the day, the‌ outside of Nor’s⁠ refuge became noisy.‌

A group ran shouting⁠ at the top‍ of their lungs.⁠‌

“Patrol! Hide! Get down!”⁠‍

Without‌⁠ even having time⁠ to ask what‍‍ was happening, the‌‌ nor scattered in‌ all directions.

Shirone⁠ took Kanya’s hand⁠ and ran toward‌‌ where Gardrak was.‌

His‍ friends must have‌‍ thought the same⁠‍ thing, because they⁠‍ also gathered there.⁠⁠⁠

Lying‌ among the bushes,‌‍ Shirone listened to⁠ Gardrak’s explanation.

He⁠‌ said that when⁠‍⁠ the moon became⁠ completely full, angels‍‍‍ patrolled the surroundings‌ of purgatory.

The‍ reason and purpose‍ were unknown, but‌ it was a revelation transmitted among⁠ the heretics for‌ thousands of years.⁠‌⁠

From‌‌⁠ the sky came‌ a sound that‍‌⁠ made the world‍ vibrate.

The‌‌ air trembled as⁠ if tens of‍‍‌ thousands of locusts‍ had gathered.

As⁠ the sounds overlapped‍⁠‍ in layers, the‌ dissonance disappeared and‌‌ a single melody⁠⁠ passed through their ears.

Could‍ it be the⁠ most beautiful string⁠ instrument in the‍‌ world?

Shirone‍ remained absorbed, lost in a reverie.‌

Gardrak‌ pulled him out‍‌ of that state‍⁠ abruptly.

“Snap⁠ out of it!⁠‌ Don’t let yourself⁠‌ be carried away‍‍ by the sound!‍‍ We can endure it because we‍⁠ are magicians. If⁠⁠ they were other‍ races, they would⁠‌ already be unconscious.”‌

Shirone‍ looked at Tess‍‍‌ and Lena.

They‌ were kneeling, crying.‍‌⁠ They had not‌ lost consciousness, but they were already‌ in another world.⁠⁠

What‌‍ exactly was that‌ sound?

Was‍ it possible to‍⁠ shake a person’s⁠ mind with just one note?

“Where⁠‌ does that sound‍ come from?”

“Each⁠ angel has its‌‍ own vibration. It‍ is the oscillation⁠ emitted by its‍ very existence.”

“The‍‌ vibration of its‌‌‌ existence? How can that be possible?”

“In‌⁠ the sky they⁠ call angels the‍ tuners of the‍ law. As primary entities of causality,‍⁠ they are above‍ all laws. The‌ vibration is proof‌ of the exclusive‌‍‌ domain of each angel.”

Shirone‍ looked up at⁠ the sky.

From‌ the frequency of⁠ the vibration, it‌⁠ seemed that it‍‌‍ would soon pass⁠⁠ over Nor’s refuge.‌

Even‌ though they had⁠ raised a veil‍ with light magic, he could not⁠ get rid of‌ the uneasiness.

“Could⁠‍ the angel see‍ us?”

“Maybe‌ yes, or maybe‌‌ not.”

“What⁠ does that mean?⁠ Can it see‍ us or not?”‌

“Have‌ you ever checked‍ your fingerprints today?”⁠‍

“No.”‌‌

“It’s‌ a situation similar‌ to that. If⁠‌ they wanted to, they could project‍ the veil of⁠ light as many‌ times as necessary.⁠ But in the‍ vast purgatory they‍‌ do not usually‍ fly that way.‌⁠‍ As long as⁠ they do not⁠⁠ feel like changing‍ their mood today,⁠‍ nothing will happen.”‍

From⁠ the bushes on⁠⁠‍ the outskirts, someone‍⁠ shouted.

“They’re⁠‍ coming!”

Shirone raised his head.‍

Four⁠ silhouettes were crossing⁠⁠ the sky at‌‍ great speed.

He‍ could not even⁠‍‍ blink.

An‍‍ angel dressed in‌‌‍ a white robe‍⁠ flew at the front.

It⁠⁠‍ spread wings of⁠⁠ light ten times‍⁠ larger than its⁠‌‌ own body and⁠‍ held golden metallic‌ fragments in its‍⁠ hand.

But‌‍ what attracted the‍‍ most attention was the luminous sphere⁠‍‌ floating above its head.

Those‌ forming a triangular‍ formation around the‌ angel were creatures⁠ he had never⁠‌ seen before.

The‍ ones guarding the‍‍ left and right‌‌ flanks had a form similar to‍ humans, but their⁠ skin was red‌‌ and blue.

Behind‍⁠ them advanced a monster composed of‌ countless fused creatures.

Above‌⁠ their heads floated‌ elongated triangles of red light, like‌‍ horns.

Some‍‌ had one, others⁠‌ two or even three.

Although‍‍ they were not‌⁠ cones, they maintained⁠ the same shape‌‌⁠ from any angle.‍

“What‍ is that monster‌‍ at the end?‍ I think I saw octopus legs and a snake⁠⁠ face.”

“Those are the mara.‍‌ Second-level entities of‌ causality. They are‌ also called executors‌‌ of the law.”‌

“Executors‍‌ of the law?”‍

“I⁠⁠ told you that‌ angels are called⁠‍‌ harmonizers of the‌‌ law. They are‌ the first individuality‍‌ created by the‍ god, and they‌ have the right⁠ to freely interpret⁠‌ his will. Do⁠⁠ you know what‍ that means? That⁠⁠ they can manipulate⁠ the law at‌ their whim. They‌ are on a completely different plane⁠‌⁠ from the giants.‍ When the angel⁠‍ harmonizes the law,‌ the mara act.⁠ That is why‌ they are called‌ executors of the‌ law.”

Shirone⁠⁠ understood that he‍ was facing the⁠‍ pinnacle of the⁠ hierarchy of this⁠ world.

If‍‌ the god was the law, the‍ angels were the⁠ judges.

Then⁠ the mara would‌‌ be something like‌⁠ the assistants who‍ carry out the‌ judge’s orders.

“There‍‌‍ was something floating‍ above their heads.‍ The angel had⁠ a sphere, and the mara something⁠‌ like horns…”

“Exactly,⁠⁠ they are horns.⁠‌⁠ Although they are‍⁠⁠ not real horns,⁠‍‌ but entities of‍⁠ thought. The more⁠ horns they have,‌‍ the higher the‍ rank of the‌ mara. From their‌‍ birth they receive⁠⁠ unique abilities, and⁠‍ the source of⁠‌ that power is⁠‌⁠ the horns.”

“Then‌⁠ what is the‍‌ thing the angel‌⁠ has above its‍ head?”

“That‌‌‌ is called the⁠ sacred body of‌ light. It is‌ not an exaggeration⁠ to say that‍⁠ the angel’s power‍⁠⁠ resides there. I do not know‌⁠‌ the principle well.‍‍ Even when I was a believer,⁠ I rarely saw angels.”

Clove‌‍ said, his jaw‌‌ trembling.

“Here,‍‍ however, we see‌ them more often.”‌

Shirone⁠ felt invaded by‌ a strange sensation.⁠⁠

If‍ angels really existed,‍ were unlockers truly⁠ Nephilim?

Was the power to⁠⁠ cross dimensions at‍‍ will, Miro’s scale‌‌ magic, an angelic ability?

His‍⁠‌ head began to‌⁠ hurt.

Since⁠⁠ the first day‍ in the sky‍ he had obtained‍ a great deal‌ of information, but‌⁠⁠ the puzzle was‌ so large that‌‌ he could not‍ see the whole‍‌ picture.

Shortly after the angels‍ departed, the moon‌‍‍ appeared.

It‍⁠ was a gigantic‌⁠ moon, so large that, if there‍ were a mountain,‌‌⁠ it seemed it‌‍⁠ could be touched⁠ from the summit.⁠ It was unsettling.⁠

When‌‍ the angelic patrol ended, the day of the nor‌ came to an‍‍‍ end.

Shirone,‌ who had rented‌ a twelve-person barrack⁠‌‌ in the tent camp, lay down‍‌ beside his friends.‍

Perhaps‌ because of the‍‍ fatigue, calm breathing‌‌‍ could be heard‌⁠ from different sides.⁠‌

He⁠⁠ wanted to keep‌‌ thinking, but he⁠ could feel in his body how‌ his physical functions⁠⁠ were weakening.

Without⁠‌ realizing it, Shirone‌ fell asleep.

In‍⁠ his dreams he‍‌‍ met Miro.

It⁠ was not a nightmare.

***‌

Following‍⁠ Gardrak, Shirone’s group‍‍ arrived at the‍ valley of the‌ vortex serpent.

Although‍⁠ the law had⁠ been broken and‌⁠ it could no⁠ longer be called‍ that, a name‍ maintained for tens‌ of thousands of‍ years would not‌‌ disappear easily.

Gardrak said that they‌ would no longer⁠ be able to⁠‍ find guides in that place.

Now‌ that the vortex⁠ serpent had disappeared,‍ there was a possibility that a new law would‍ be established.

Whatever‌⁠‌ it was, it‍ would not be⁠ favorable for them.‌

“One day you will⁠ see it. The⁠⁠ law is finite,‌ but the human‍ being is infinite.‍ Even if the‍‍‍ sky collapses, Nor’s⁠ refuge will not disappear.”

After⁠‍‌ saying that, Gardrak left.

The⁠⁠ phrase the human⁠‌⁠ being is infinite⁠‌ resonated in Shirone’s‍ chest.

Even⁠ in a place⁠ tens of thousands⁠⁠‍ of light-years away,⁠⁠ humans were still⁠⁠‌ living.

The‌ group launched three⁠ drones into the‍ sky.

After‍‍ having experienced Kergo’s‍ heretic hunt, the‍‌ importance of surveillance‍ was even greater.⁠

When Shirone asked about‍ the sky, Kanya,‌ unlike their first⁠ meeting, explained it‍ kindly.

“The⁠‍‌ sky is composed‌⁠ of seven heavens.‌ From the seventh‌‌ heaven, Arabot, to the first heaven,⁠ Shamayin. The faithful‍ live in the⁠⁠ first heaven, Shamayin.‌ Meca, Nor, and⁠‍ Kergo, the three⁠ races, fulfill their‌‌ tasks while respecting⁠ the law. Kergo⁠ produces, Meca processes,‍‌ and Nor is⁠ in charge of‌‍ distribution.”

“But‍ isn’t that unfair?⁠‍ It means that⁠ work is decided‍⁠ from birth.”

“That⁠ is how we have lived for⁠⁠⁠ hundreds of thousands‌ of years. We‌‍ only follow the‍ law of Anke⁠ Ra-nim.”

From‍ what Shirone knew,‍‍ in his original‍‍ world civilization had⁠ at most ten thousand years of‍⁠ history.

If‍ the sky had‌‍ existed for hundreds‌⁠⁠ of thousands of⁠⁠ years, beyond social⁠‍ problems, the normal‌‍‌ thing would be⁠ for there to‍ be overpopulation.

When‌‍⁠ he expressed that thought, Kanya tilted⁠ her head, confused.‌

“Having‍⁠ that kind of‌‌ doubt is blasphemy.‌‍‍ Anke Ra governs⁠‌ the world. Until‌ now, the population⁠ of Shamayin has‌‌ never increased or⁠ decreased. It always⁠ remains the same.”‌⁠‍

“How is that possible? Some kind of‍‌ birth control?”

“Whoever‌ respects and follows⁠‌ the law obtains‌⁠ immortality. They enter‍⁠ the third heaven,‍‍ Shehakim, and live‍ eternally.”

“Then,⁠ do those who do not obtain‌⁠ immortality die?”