Free Web NovelChapter 444: Chapter 441: The Secret Room Opens
Inside Moncado Fortress, the Empire Army had hauled away or destroyed a great deal of supplies. The National Guard soldiers who saw this were furious, cursing the Empireists, although they would have done the same if the roles were reversed. Still, it was different. This was Valois land, after all.
However, the National Guard officers’ expressions shifted slightly when they saw this. The Empire Army hadn’t destroyed everything; they could still see the signs they had hung and discern the traces of the enemy’s modifications to the fortress.
Moncado Fortress had been built several decades ago, following outdated design principles, and many of its facilities were behind the times. Yet the Empire Army had managed to completely renovate it in the single month they occupied it. Judging from the signs, they had methodically divided it into comprehensive functional zones. There was no chaos when they destroyed the supplies, either; everything was gathered in one place to be burned and smashed.
Too methodical, too calm.
’Were the Empireists so rigid that they followed procedures to the letter even during a retreat, or was this a trap?’
The logistics officer led Paul and Pascal on a tour to familiarize them with the fortress interior. He had been one of the original defenders. Now, however, the fortress was completely different. An explosion triggered by an Empire Mage had damaged the internal structure, and their own Military Mages had since assisted with repairs, making the modifications even more thorough.
"Lieutenant Paul," the Quartermaster said, saluting before explaining to them:
"The artillery’s equipment needs to be sorted before storage. General supplies will be collected with those of the other units in Warehouse 1; we’ll replenish any shortages. Ammunition is to be kept in Warehouse 3. An officer from the logistics corps must be present when it’s brought in to confirm that all anti-explosion precautions have been taken."
"Much more organized." Paul was satisfied. "Clear categorization and necessary precautions. When we first set out from the grand drill grounds, requisitioning supplies was a disaster."
The Quartermaster looked a little embarrassed. "This classification system... it’s what the Empireists left behind."
All the placards were the work of the Empire Army. To be precise, they were hung on the orders of "Major Turtle" after he had finished reorganizing the layout. The first thing the National Guard did upon taking over was to cover the Empire’s emblems with tricolor paint.
"...There are things worth learning even from the enemy." Paul’s comment saved face for himself, the Quartermaster, and the entire National Guard. Having completed his tour, the Quartermaster excused himself and left.
"Let’s go. We’ll put the felt tarps in storage first. As the weather heats up, the extra fabric will be good for nothing but growing mushrooms." Paul didn’t wait for his superior, Druao, to make a decision. Pascal, however, was preoccupied with something else. "That Kongdi only saluted you..."
"Senior Brother, we’re Casters. Why get worked up over a military salute?" Paul was only focused on the task at hand.
Pascal followed behind him; he was merely a warrant officer. It seemed to be a strange characteristic of Rorschach’s ’senior brothers’—they were always one step behind on the climb up the Celestial Ladder.
As he trailed along, he brushed shoulders with a passing soldier.
"What is it?" Paul asked, turning to see that his senior brother had stopped in his tracks.
"That soldier who just passed... he seemed a little familiar. Never mind. Let’s go."
Nearly discovered, Richard tugged the brim of his hat lower. He now realized it had been reckless to return to the fortress. His standard-issue scrolls didn’t include any for changing one’s appearance, and Schmidt, the one who could walk through walls, wasn’t with him.
Richard had simply knocked out a Valois soldier sneaking a smoke at the base of the fortress and changed into the ill-fitting uniform. He never expected to run into a Mage he had previously faced off against in the narrow corridors of the stronghold. His only magical alteration was using a Trick to change his conspicuous blond hair to the dark brown common in the southern part of the continent.
He still had an Invisibility Scroll, to be activated only as a last resort.
To avoid any more trouble, he quickened his pace. Richard had already made up his mind: if he didn’t find Schmidt in the secret room, he would leave immediately. He couldn’t afford to stay any longer.
The last time they had infiltrated the fortress, the two of them had taken an "unorthodox route," relying entirely on Schmidt’s Wall-Piercing ability for rapid movement. It had been a straight shot to the secret room. This time, he had to navigate the fortress’s actual corridors.
There were two things currently working in Richard’s favor. First, the Valois Mages and soldiers who originally knew about the fortress’s secret room were all gone. Second, the new National Guard was unaware of its existence. The proof was right in front of him: those two Casters hadn’t been summoned to investigate it.
The other good news was that he could still sense the secret room’s magical signature. When a Mage built a personal stronghold, they would naturally choose a location rich in ambient Magic Power, or use certain methods to transform it into a magical hub. So, it was no surprise that Richard could still sense its presence.
The fact that the secret room remained undiscovered was further proof that the Valois Mages inside the fortress were all Low Tier.
However, as he slipped into Warehouse 1 and drew closer to his target, the unusual magical environment finally made Richard sense that something was wrong. ’There aren’t any large-scale rituals going on. Why is the magic still so powerful?’
’Could it be that Schmidt couldn’t accept the retreat and activated the mechanisms in the secret room on his own? Or did he run into some kind of trouble...?’
His memory of their first infiltration merged with the scene before him. The entrance to the secret room had to be in the northwest corner of Warehouse 1.
’I can’t make too much noise...’ Richard carefully used Magic to move the equipment, barricading himself in the corner to ensure he wouldn’t be seen. Then he raised his hand, an oily, acidic liquid covering his palm. He was going to break through the bricks by force.
Before his Corrosive Claw could strike, the floor and wall tiles slid aside on their own, revealing a pitch-black passage.
"Schmidt, is that you?" Richard didn’t dispel the Magic, his other hand resting on his sidearm as he cautiously made his way down. The stairs to the secret room were unlit, but that was no obstacle for him. Through his Dark Vision, he saw the door at the bottom of the stairs swing open as the entrance behind him sealed shut.
Just as he’d thought, a man’s figure emerged. They were about ten meters apart. Richard continued down the stairs until he could clearly see the pale scar on the man’s face.
The scar was utterly bloodless.
"Don’t come any closer. Turn back. I’ll open the door for you again. If you need, I can even help you get out of the fortress easily."
"Schmidt" casually tossed out three Crystal Balls. Richard guessed they contained his Wall-Piercing Magic: the Third Ring spell, Gaseous Form.
With his original level of power, Schmidt shouldn’t have been able to seal that spell. Yet now he had produced three expensive Demon-Sealing Crystals at once. Richard grew even more cautious. He had already dispelled Corrosive Claw and was now preparing the Dragon Breath Skill. So far, however, "Schmidt" had only told him to leave and had shown no hostility.
"Found something good, huh?" Richard asked in a deliberately casual tone, all while acceding to the man’s demand and backing away step by step.
"Nothing. I’m just carrying out a special mission from my superiors. So get out of here before the Valois people find you."
"Fine." Richard had already turned, and the secret door above opened again. Just as he was about to leave, he said suddenly, "Good luck with everything. Nina’s still waiting for you."
Richard had almost reached the top of the stairs, about to step back into the fortress storeroom, when the secret door slammed shut at the last second.
"Richard, you’re very cautious, running one last test," Schmidt’s voice rang out from behind him. "But that was a needless gesture today... and a moment of carelessness on my part."
The real Schmidt had never mentioned any woman’s name to Richard.
With things having come to this, Richard spun around and opened his mouth. The suspicious figure was instantly engulfed in Dragon Breath.
Black smoke poured from the scorched surface of "Schmidt’s" body, reforming the face with the scar on its left cheek. It spoke in a lifeless voice, "Richard, since you won’t leave, you can come help in the secret room."
The voice Richard heard had changed. "Teacher?"
Sometime, without him noticing, two of the original Valois Mages had appeared behind him. Like "Schmidt," they were overflowing with the Breath of Death.
