Free Web NovelChapter 148: The World’s Greatest Threat
"He’s the one you wanted to introduce me to...?" Mika repeated Gerard’s words, looking crooked.
But the man, whom Mika was fighting just a few moments ago, was even more confused as he tilted his head in confusion.
"What’s the meaning of this, Gerard?" he asked.
Mika shifted his gaze subtly between the two, wondering what their connection to each other was.
However, as the man, whom Gerard called Mr. Togin, put away his weapons, Mika also decided to sheath his sword.
Gerard walked over to the two.
"This is Hecto Togin. He was also imprisoned in that tower until the invasion began." Gerard explained with a smile.
"?"
But Mika still did not see the bigger picture.
"I’ve never seen or heard of him before."
"Of course not." Hecto replied, smirking proudly. freёweɓnovel.com
"After all, my existence was kept a top secret." he added.
"So? Why did you want to introduce me to a criminal, Gerard?"
"You’re talking as if the same wouldn’t apply to you, criminal." Hecto shot back.
"Well, in the least, I can say that I was thrown in that tower due to the authority’s abuse of their power."
"And who said that it was not the same case with me?"
And just like that the hostility between the two sparkled again as they fiercely looked into their eyes.
"I see that you still haven’t learned your lesson, brat! Let me teach then!"
"Lesson? What kind of lesson were you trying to teach me, you lunatic, who attacked me out of the blue?!"
Then, they drew their weapons again.
"!"
However, at that moment, multiple roots emerged from the ground, splitting the two up as they jumped aside.
"C-could I please continue talking...?" Gerard asked awkwardly, letting the roots he summoned vanish.
Mika sighed.
"Sorry. I will let you speak." Mika apologized, putting his sword away.
"..." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Hecto, too, regained his calm composure.
"Alright, thanks."
Gerard picked up the initial conversation.
"Mika, I heard from inmates and wardens that you were interested in the existence of the individual, who was kept in a cell right below the disciplinary committee’s headquarters."
"Ah, do you mean that rumor?"
"Yes. I thought that you were still interested in seeing who that individual was in person."
"That’s true... But it’s hopefully not that man over there, right?" Mika chuckled.
"Hey, Gerard. Can I smack him?" Hecto asked Gerard, pointing with his thumb at Mika.
"Ehm, Mika... You see... It’s actually Mr. Togin..." Gerard replied, scratching the back of his head.
"Huh?"
Mika stopped laughing.
"So the person, who’s considered the greatest threat in the world is him...?!" Mika muttered astonished.
[Seems so.]
"World’s greatest threat?" Gerard wondered.
"I like how it sounds." Hecto huffed as he caressed his chin with a finger.
"Either way. As you know, Mr. Togin led a small group against the demons near the tower. I was among that group. That’s why I got to know him and that’s also why I’d thought that it would benefit you as well to get to know h-"
"Enough of the chitchat."
With a wide smirk, Hecto walked over to Mika.
"?"
Suddenly, he grabbed Mika by his collar and pulled him closer to himself.
"World’s greatest threat you say? So you at least acknowledge my potential, huh?"
"Potential...?"
[He is a well-known person across the whole world. There was a time when every nation wanted to have him.]
[Back then, he was affiliated with Loogam, so the higher-ups decided to frame him for a crime he did not commit in order to imprison him here. This way, the other nations would let him be.]
"What did he do...?" Mika mumbled.
"Hm? Was I wrong about you? I thought you knew what you’re talking about?"
Seemingly gotten disinterested, Hecto tossed Mika away.
"..."
Mika stared at him like he was trying to analyze Hecto.
"I’m Hecto Togin! The world’s greatest engineer!" he introduced himself vigorously.
"Engineer? How can an engineer be a threat to the world?" Mika wondered quietly.
"You imbecile!" he shouted at Mika, making him flinch.
"I’m not just an ordinary engineer. I’m THE engineer! There’s no person around here who doesn’t know about the magic tools I’ve created!"
Mika pointed his index finger at himself.
"Wha-"
Hecto was flabbergasted.
He looked at Gerard, who could only laugh awkwardly.
"Are you perhaps mistaken? I don’t see why he should be a threat?" Mika muttered inaudible to the others.
[I should have known that you would say that. But to your dismay, it is true. The invention of magic tools was groundbreaking, leading to other nations almost fighting over him. And considering his potential, he is one of the individuals, who will heavily influence the world in the future.]
"Magic tools, huh...?"
Mika had a pensive expression.
"Goddamnit... Did you live in a cave or something like that?" Hecto mocked Mika disappointed.
A vein was popping on Mika’s forehead.
"Tch..." Hecto clicked his tongue annoyed as he pulled out another dagger.
This time, the dagger looked strange.
It certainly had the features of a normal-looking dagger, however, seven marbles in different colors were engraved inside the blade.
"Hmm... For demonstration purposes... I will go with fire, I guess."
And at the same time, the dagger emitted fire as one of the pale marbles glowed in red.
"What...?"
Mika widened his eyes.
According to Hecto’s eye color, he should only be able to use plant magic.
And yet, he witnessed him using fire magic.
"Wait... Could it just be a relic, which allows him to additionally use fire magic...?"
"Sorry to disappoint you but this is not a relic. This is one of my many creations. A magic tool, which everyone, who can use magic, can use."
"?"
"Water."
Again, another marble began to glow, whereas the previous marble’s glow faded away. This time, the marble glowed in blue.
Now, water engulfed the dagger.
"Impressed now?" Hecto said with a confident smirk.
"..."
Mika’s jaw was open and could not be closed due to the amazement.
"Well, this is just a prototype as it can only reproduce low-ranking magic." Hecto elaborated while he put the weapon away.
"I’m an engineer, who strives to create dozens of masterpieces, no matter what kind of price I have to pay and no matter how society may regard me. That’s why I’m also willing to go so far as to make a pact with the devil."
Hecto approached Mika slowly.
"Now tell me. What kind of relic do you possess? There’s no point in lying. You’ve fought against a few demons, right? I don’t mean to sound harsh but for you, it’d be impossible to survive without a relic." he said calmly.
"Let’s say I have a relic. What do you plan on doing with that information?" Mika asked cautiously.
"No need to worry, Mika. Mr. Togin is-"
Hecto signaled Gerard to be quiet by stretching his arm to the side.
"I want to create masterpieces. Tools that can rival or even surpass those relics. Therefore, I want to gather as much information about every kind of relic as possible."
"And then? What will you do with those so-called masterpieces? Wage a war?" Mika retorted.
Hecto sighed.
"I understand your concern and I’m glad that you think that far ahead."
"So-"
"I won’t wage a pointless war." Hecto reassured Mika.
He turned to Gerard.
"Sorry but could you please let me talk to him alone?" he asked politely.
"S-sure..."
Thus, Gerard slowly and confused walked away, leaving the two alone.
"Hm? What are your intentions?"
"Haven’t you noticed yet?"
"Notice what?"
"I talked a little bit with Lucio about you."
"?!"
"I know it’s rude but I went through your reports and it seems like you encountered a demon in the Great Jungle and another bunch of demons in the Desolated Fortress. And every time, you came out alive."
Mika instantly put his hand on his sword.
"Relax, I won’t do anything anymore."
[You can rest easy.]
"..."
Reluctantly, Mika listened.
"And during your time in the academy, you have surely met those, who were wielders of relics, correct? People like Ophelia Ross, Ralph Arma, Zack Yorn, Xander Maystra and since recently, also Lily Hayth."
"Get to the point."
"Some relic wielders use a weapon-type relic, whereas others don’t need a weapon. But if we look at those weapon-type relics, they are sinister black, remember?"
"That’s true but does the appearance play a role?"
"Whenever they’re used, darkness-like steam gets emitted."
Mika nodded his head.
"I was fortunately enough to be able to research a relic thanks to the wielder’s cooperation and I came to the following conclusion."
"?"
Hecto opened his mouth.
"But I’m not telling you yet!"
He burst into laughter.
"You b-"
"However."
He turned serious again.
"To answer your previous question. I don’t plan to wage a war."
"You’re repeating yourself."
"If you cooperate with me, I can tell you about that research more when I deem you trustworthy."
Mika only listened while Hecto kept talking.
"You’re asking what my goal is? Heh, that’s simple."
"I want to free this world."
