Free Web NovelOnly suffocating darkness reigned around them. A bottomless enclosed space where it was impossible to tell whether there were walls or a ceiling. Air that had stagnated for centuries settled heavily in the lungs like rotten water, turning every breath into torment. However...
Whoooosh—
A stream of wind slipped into the space that seemed frozen in eternal stillness. It was a tiny current, but to the prisoners it felt so refreshing that it instantly washed all the moldy heaviness out of their lungs.
— ...Wind.
As soon as someone murmured the word with solemn grandeur, a cheerfully contrasting voice answered:
— Yes, that’s wind. Fresh air, not that stinking dampness.
Spinning around, he jabbed the elbow of the companion curled up beside him.
— Why are you silent at such a glorious moment? Say something at least.
— Sniff... I-I knew Gunther would definitely handle everything.
— Oh come on, why cry on such a good day? Did you skip your pills again?
— Yeah, sniff.
One way or another, the three prisoners basked in bliss, savoring the change. This prison was a space that symbolized the shackles placed upon them. The bonds that had not moved for hundreds of years were slowly loosening as Gunther fulfilled the “conditions.”
— Phew, at least we can breathe now.
Of course, it was comparable only to a tiny pebble breaking off a massive cliff. But the realization that they had taken even a single step forward filled their hearts to the brim.
Clap—
Alphonse of Red Street threw an arm around the shoulders of the King of Knights like a brother and whispered:
— So how does it feel, meeting your beloved after all this time?
— You ask difficult quest—
— In simple terms, your “ex” beloved! Hah-hah-hah-hah!
Bam—!
A fist in a gauntlet slammed down on Alphonse’s head. Looking down at the flattened joker, the King of Knights sighed heavily and leaned his back against the wall again.
— ...Seiran is the same as ever. Just as headstrong... just as...
— Ch-charming, right? — the Drug-Addicted Saint added with a gentle smile. — It’s a pity she didn’t notice us... I would have liked to speak to her, even briefly. It seems that even with our rank increased, we still cannot cross the barrier.
At her complaint, the King of Knights merely shook his head with a dark expression.
— ...These shackles are not so easy to remove. Everything may change if Gunther fulfills the next condition.
— Hey, why do you all look so worried? — Alphonse grinned broadly without even trying to stand up. — Gunther will handle it, so relax. Don’t you remember what it was like when we were first imprisoned? Compared to that time, we’re doing great. Light breaks through from time to time, and now there’s even wind. Who knows, maybe soon someone will set up a table with drinks.
— That... is true.
— Back then we couldn’t see any hope at all.
At those words, the other two gods inevitably remembered the distant past... the moment when their era was approaching its end. When all their comrades had fallen to the Seven Evil Gods, and nothing remained except despair. Gathering their last strength, they barely managed to leave preparations for future generations, yet even then they were not sure it would work.
“That was terrible.”
All they had been allowed then was despair, uncertainty, and the fear that all those sacrifices would prove meaningless. But now small yet certain changes were happening. And they were happening not in someone else’s hands, but in “his.”
Clap—
Alphonse suddenly jumped to his feet and, placing his hands on the shoulders of the King of Knights and the Saint, smiled. The very smile their comrades had loved so much faintly appeared in the light summoned by Gunther.
— Let’s just believe and watch.
.
.
.
— Phew...
Having barely finished his training, Gunther slowly rose to his feet. Brody, who had been watching him anxiously, approached carefully.
— ...Gunther, are you alright?
— ...Sorry for making you worry.
Everything around them lay in ruins. The mana he had failed to fully control had burst outward, scattering earth across the entire wasteland; clouds of dust swirled in the air.
— Oh...
The subordinates’ eyes were like those of frightened rabbits. Yet in those frightened gazes there was also something close to reverence. Where else could people from the outskirts of the Lower City witness a scene of someone absorbing mana to the very point of saturation? Roanna and Eddie were more shocked than anyone. As contractors, they at least roughly understood the extraordinary level of mastery displayed before their eyes.
[You have engraved the status “Reverent Awe” into the souls of your subordinates]
[Commander experience increases significantly]
— Handsome brother... looks like you were being way too modest with us before.
— ...The skill he used to cut down a paladin in one strike hasn’t gone anywhere.
— Oh? Brother cut down a paladin in one strike?
— Yeah, just like this — swish! Didn’t I tell you?
Gunther looked at his hands. Back then he had relied on the power of divine descent, but now perhaps he could do it with his own strength. Mana 60 — that was exactly that kind of number. Moreover, thanks to reaching the third stage of the Art of the Pure Heart, his other attributes had not merely recovered but made a qualitative leap. Judging purely by raw stats, he was practically already standing at the threshold of the late stage of the third hierarchy.
“The Ruler of the Oceans helped far more than I expected.”
[The Drug-Addicted Saint proudly declares that in their era she was considered the greatest mage]
“I see... Hm?”
Gunther nodded in agreement, then suddenly froze, sensing something strange.
“What... Now you can mention the forgotten era?”
[The three gods grin and nod]
Remembering this, he realized that as a reward for his personal scenario, the status of the old gods had risen.
“So the shackles have weakened!”
Now he would be able to ask them about everything that interested him. Gunther’s eyes flashed with excitement, but he immediately muttered:
“Ah.”
“Time...”
Unfortunately, now was not the moment for questions. Just because he had raised his attributes did not mean the road was finished. He had become incomparably stronger, but it was still catastrophically insufficient to face the two “Table Companions.” The preparation had to continue.
— Well then, everyone. See you later.
Gunther hurried away, leaving his subordinates behind.
Rustle—
However, just before leaving the wasteland he stopped for a moment. Turning around, he looked at Brody. Bathed in the rays of the setting sun, she stared back at him in confusion. Behind the perfectly pressed suit and mature manners hid a girl barely twenty years old, who, embarrassed by the ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) sudden gaze, nevertheless gave a small smile.
— Gunther? Why are you looking at me like that?
Gunther did not answer.
In the previous life her death had been entirely his fault. In this life he would not allow that sin to repeat. No matter what.
Strengthening his resolve, Gunther continued on his way.
***
As expected, the reaction of the platoon members was explosive.
— Gunther...? My god, what happened in these few days? Your mana...
Behind the lenses of his glasses, Levain’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. Unable to explain everything in detail, Gunther simply waved it off.
“I made a contract with a new god.”
Strictly speaking, that was not a lie. Levain and Blanc congratulated him as sincerely as if it were their own success. Although for some reason Blanc looked slightly depressed.
— Un-be-liev-able, rookie! Handling such a heavy double contract! I’m jealous...
— Sincere congratulations. But you checked everything carefully, right? There are plenty of gods who demand absurd prices.
— Le-vi. Lecturing a grown man like a mother isn’t cool.
— .........
After that, things proceeded along familiar lines. Gunther met Seraz, received the assignment to “clear vacant houses,” and headed to the Upper City.
[Alphonse of Red Street asks why you are going to the Upper City again when time for battle preparation is already so limited]
Of course, Gunther himself understood that theft would not bring much benefit. But he was not going there solely for profit.
Inside the elevator. Gunther stared out the window with a grim expression, then tapped the communication device at his ear.
— Dimona.
[......]
— Dimona, you can hear me.
[......]
— This is urgent. Answer.
As expected, there was no reply. But Gunther did not give up. Dimona should currently be in the Upper City. Even if there was no connection right now, if he kept calling once he reached the top she would certainly respond.
This was not blind hope. She had been observing him periodically. How he fought, what decisions he made — surveillance to determine whether he was worthy of being her ally. No matter how busy she was, someone as calculating as her would not abandon observation halfway through.
“No, she will answer.”
Today he absolutely needed her.
[The King of Ninety-Nine Defeats asks what plan you have devised this time]
Instead of answering, Gunther took a deep breath.
“The second step necessary to overthrow the ‘Table Companions’... you could say that.”
Starting an open war with the “Table Companions” would be like stirring a hornet’s nest. Even if you won, it was unlikely the threat would end there. As long as the possibility of the situation worsening remained, mechanisms were needed to reduce the risks...
“And this plan is exactly such a mechanism.”
Clang—
At the moment the elevator reached the Upper City station, Gunther’s gaze changed. The first thing he needed now was additional time. Time in the Upper City was limited. To manage everything, he had to hurry.
— Guys.
— Huh?
— Let’s finish quickly. Just trust me.
Naturally, the theft itself presented no difficulty. These were houses he had already robbed once before. Entry routes, alarm placement, blind spots — everything was clearly engraved in his memory. Gunther methodically “cleaned” the houses one after another like a textbook example.
His speed and precision. To the teammates watching from the side, it looked like the embodiment of mastery. freewebnovёl.ƈom
— Gu-Gunther! You can’t just barge in like... oh? How did you—
— Do you live here or something? How did you know the safe was exactly there?
The time spent was reduced by almost half compared to last time. The teammates were no longer just admiring him — they began casting suspicious glances, questioning his former profession.
— Maybe we should think twice before inviting you to visit...
After Parco’s joke, the final house was successfully cleared. Bringing the frightened Tarsha outside because of the “suspicious traces,” Gunther asked his comrades for a small favor.
— Sorry, could you go to the elevator first?
Naturally, questions followed, but the answer had already been prepared.
— Huh? What about you?
— I need to meet someone.
— Someone...
— Remember that Arcane Runner who helped us in the Labyrinth?
Usually, acting alone during an operation was not encouraged, but...
— Ah, that guy? He lives in the Upper City?
The Fourth Platoon were understanding people. Tarsha waved her hand and pushed Gunther in the back.
— Anyway, thanks to you we saved a ton of time. Go handle your business, and if anything happens — just fire the flare gun. Big sister will come running.
— I-I’ll come too! Don’t you trust your little brother?
— Ha-ha, me too of course.
...Judging by their words, they were ready to break through even if they had to slaughter the entire Upper City guard. That was both frightening and encouraging. In any case, the agreement was obtained. Time to act.
— Phew...
Taking a short breath, Gunther slipped alone into the shadow of an alley. Tense to the limit, he constantly looked around. Even on an empty street, you never knew who might appear and when. Especially since his appearance now did not match the image of an Upper City resident at all. If someone reported a suspicious person, it would not take five minutes before a heavily equipped patrol arrived. And the guards here were far stronger than ordinary adventurers.
“Then the eighteenth life would begin.”
All that remained was to hope for a quick response from Dimona. Blind spot of the magical surveillance devices. Holding his breath, Gunther tapped the connector. The metal chilled by the night air responded with a sharp click.
— Dimona.
[......]
— Dimona, can you hear me?
[......]
No answer. Gunther crouched and checked the entrance of the alley again.
Whoooosh... Step.
Together with the wind came the sound of patrol footsteps. For a moment his entire body froze... but then Gunther realized that his excessively enhanced mana was detecting signs of movement even at great distances. Exhaling with relief, he made a third attempt.
— Dimona... please...!
At that very moment, when the cold wind rushed past Gunther—
Psssh—
A quiet sigh reached his ear.
[Whew...]
— Dimona.
[Gunther, unauthorized communication in the Upper City carries a high risk of tracking. I cannot maintain the connection for long. I will disconnect in 10 seconds.]
The voice was dry and official, completely mismatched with their level of familiarity. There were even notes of irritation in it, but Gunther continued without hesitation.
— My life depends on this.
[......]
The silence did not last long.
[I will try to maintain the connection for about one minute. How can I help you?]
