บท 22: EP 22 – Hidden World
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Being friends with someone for 10 years, meant that you have a lot of experiences and knowledge of each other. Including, those hidden from the public's eyes.
In other words, Beatrix not only knew but even became somewhat used to Elnore's bizarre behavior that appears from time to time.
"Hey."
Still, there are times that even she couldn't stand it.
She doesn't know why but Elnore has been looking like an anxious addict since earlier.
She would just sigh or her eyes would turn bloodshot out of nowhere. She was acting like a rollercoaster, up and down.
"What is it this time?"
"…"
The pen Elnore was holding in her hand snapped.
Beatrix sighed when she saw the pen made of solid ore breaking like some kind of rotten twig.
This amount of force that Elnore was exerting with her hand was a sign that she's 'holding back' something.
Hence why her response was rather brusque compared to the usual.
""
"Don't remind me of it. I just barely convinced myself to forget. I can't focus on my work."
"…Then explain why, bi†ch."
Beatrix curtly pursued, but Elnore simply shook her head instead of answering.
"Fine. It's not like it'll get resolved if you talk about it. Don't worry about it. If anything, aren't you working hard right now?"
This, Beatrix had to admit.
Although Elnore wasn't a lazy slob, her current working momentum was simply terrifying.
"…But this is for the better. It's pretty busy lately."
"There's indeed a strange amount of administrative work. Is there some important project going on or something?"
"They say it's a transfer student from the Tribal Union. I'm sure you've heard of the name."
Hearing this, Elnore frowned and checked a nearby document.
"Are they the forces behind the coup? The Chief's daughter?"
"Yes. The Empire accepted this."
If she was indeed the Chief's daughter, then she's basically a celebrity comparable to the Imperial Family.
A VIP figure of this status would most likely have an 'entourage' which the academy, that normally insists on equality among students, had to acknowledge.
In fact, it would not be unreasonable to say that it's their whole family tree who have fled en masse from the power struggle.
"In addition, there will also be a regular delegation from the Holy Land next semester. The Saintess herself is coming."
"…"
Elnore wordlessly nodded and kept the documents away.
Though, her expression was more strained than before.
"…If it's a regular delegation, isn't it just a matter of convention? Why would such a high figure need to move herself?"
"I don't know. There are rumors that the academy has made some requests. They also say that the president's influence was strong on this one."
Elnore's expression hardened.
"Why are you so upset?"
"Even with just these bits of information, it's very clear that the academy is up to something."
""
"I suppose so. It's not like their the type to shy away from things like this."
"There's also something weird going on with Dowd. They're definitely planning something big with the Chief's daughter and Saintess."
"…Is that so? But would they really get involved with each other? The status of the two is too high to even consider involving someone from a small Baron family."
Beatrix's replied with narrowed eyes, but Elnore responded in a clear voice.
She was serious and calm.
"Logically speaking, that would be the case."
"So what's the matter?"
"I just doesn't sit well with me."
"…"
"Why do I have to think of him and some women at the same time?"
"…"
Beatrix massaged her forehead.
"What nonsense."
"When I think of Dowd, I only want to think of him. The fact that you have to think of other women together in such a situation is-"
"Just do your work. Before I have to knock some sense into you."
With that, Elnore sighed and grabbed another pen.
"I suppose so that there wouldn't be any problem even if I take a day off."
A day off our of the blue?
No wonder she's working so hard, she need to clear the entire schedule for a day.
Beatrix tilted her head and asked.
"Why, do you have an important appointment?"
The sound of a pen breaking once again starkly echoed in the office.
Elnore had tightened her grip as soon as she heard the question.
""I will bill you if you continue that."
"Then don't keep reminding me."
"…So explain what it is and stop with the nonsense. Just tell me. You'll destroy all the furniture at this rate."
Elnore pondered for a moment.
She then gently placed her hand on the chair's armrest.
Soon, creaking noises sounded from it.
"…"
What is she holding back so much that she's acting like this?
As Beatrix was having such thoughts, Elnore finally spoke with great difficulty.
Her voice was very solemn, painful, and melancholic.
"Beatrix."
"What?"
"I miss Dowd Campbell."
"…"
Beatrix clutched her face.
The headache she barely managed to control was coming back.
"He asked me to meet in three days. So shouldn't I finish all the work until then?"
"…"
"How can I not see him for three days? That's too much-"
"…This is the last warning. Get to work."
Beatrix coldly declared. Elnore pouted and picked up another document.
Fortunately, the contents interested her.
"The Full Moon Festival is in three days?"
"Oh, has it already come to that time?"
The Full Moon Festival.
It is the most celebrated day among the imperial holidays.
Even the academy faculty and staff who are working next to the Void Zone take a break at this time.
'Hence why it's also the time when the defense is the most vulnerable.'
As someone who grew up wielding the sword, that's all Elnore can think of.
Surprisingly, such a holiday coincided with the day she'll be meeting Dowd.
She smiled and put away the documents related to the Full Moon Festival.
Anyway, all she needs to remember is that three days later is an important day.
In more ways than one.
●
< System Message>
[ Updated additional information on the Main Quest! ]
[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 1 – Purifier 〗
[ Successfully resolve the events in 'Twilight Iris'! ] [ D-3 ]
[ Reward: Branch benefit from the main scenario! ]
I looked at the system window in front of me.
This came up after receiving the invitation from Marquis Riverback.
'Branch benefit.'
I scratched my cheek as I read what's written on the rewards section.
I know about this reward as it randomly appears a few times in the game.
Originally, if you refuse Marquis Riverback's "offer" in the Twilight Iris, what would follow is either a high stakes escape or battle. Chapter 1 is all about fast-paced progression.
Branch benefit basically adds a much easier option than the original two outcomes.
'That's nice.'
As a Chapter 1 boss, you don't need to worry about the PURIFIER anymore once you've beaten them at once. At least, it's far better than the subsequent chapter bosses that require repeating boss battles.
It's just a little difficult to do it all in one go.
'That's why I brought this person here.'
Thinking so, I look at Elijah, who was rubbing her hands saying that it was cold. We're currently in a quite high altitude.
"…"
She will be of great help in this endeavor.
I initially thought persuading her would be difficult, but she didn't even need to listen to what it was and just agreed straight up.
"We're friends. Is there anything to worry about?"
–She's even so enthusiastic about it.
I called out to Elijah with a smile.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Take this."
Elijah tilted her head in wonder when she saw the item I held out.
"…What it this?"
"You will need it."
This is the only explanation I can give right now.
Her asking what it was was natural.
After all, what I gave her was a several meters long iron rod. One couldn't even imagine what it was used for.
Meanwhile, I'm holding a disc that's big enough for to fit at least two humans.
Nonetheless, Elijah took the rod and then looked up at the sky, checking her watch from time to time.
We're currently at the rooftop of Gregory Hall, a building that originally served as a spire and is now being used as an observatory.
Although it falls a bit short compared to the clock tower at the center of the academy, it is one of the tallest buildings in Elfante.
"…I know you asked me for help but what are we trying to do in a place like this?"
"For the gathering."
"…Yes?"
"Wait a little."
I said while focusing at the sky.
Soon, what I had been waiting for began to unfold.
"…Uh?"
Elijah uttered in confusion as a cluster of light suddenly began to gather at a height so high that it was even difficult to see from the observatory's viewpoint.
Even in Elfante, where all kinds of abnormal things happen, this phenomenon only comes once every few months for only a very short amount of time. Hence, most faculty members, let alone students, are unaware of it. It's natural for Elijah to be confused.
"Alright, get ready."
"Yes, yes? How, what should I prepare for?"
I then instructed the fidgeting Elijah to hold the stick to the ground, to which I rolled the disc over on the tip.
It looked like a spoon lying on the ground.
"Great, now lie down here."
"…Yes?"
"Quickly."
Saying that, I flop down onto the disc. I tap the seat next to me and urged her to do the same.
"What are we going to do?"
Despite her grumbles, she nonetheless laid down next to me.
"So are we just going to lay down here and watch the night sky together?"
"For now."
After saying that, Elijah hesitated for a moment before replying.
"…Hee. They're shining romantically. So, what do you want me to do instead of leaving it to Princess Tristan-"
"Is it romantic? Well, it does look pretty."
"Yes? Why?"
For ordinary people, the Gregory Hall may no more than be a 'tall' building, but for players who have cleared the Sera DLC, it holds a special meaning.
In the game, this is where the portal to the 'Netherworld' opens. A place where materials with all sorts of bizarre effects, that had never been seen before in the main story, appeared.
This was the space where those angels were gathering before.
"That is the entrance to the Netherworld."
"…"
Elijah alternately looked at the clustering lights in the sky with a loading bar above her head.
It was then that she finally processed the meaning of my words, and her face gradually turned pale.
"…What did you just say it was?"
"I said it's the entrance to the Netherworld."
"Why would something like that pop up in a place like this?!"
Her reaction was normal.
This "Netherworld" can be simply expressed as the "Hell" in Savior Rising's world.
In the first place, it can only be accessed by purchasing the DLC after completing the main story. Needless to say, the survival mode was difficult.
'…Actually, I don't really want to do this either, to be honest.'
I wouldn't have even considered this as an option if the damned storyline hadn't been fcked up. Now, I have to go because I need something in there.
I gritted my teeth while fiddling with the black card in my pocket.
The portal to Netherworld that opens in the Gregory Hall isn't the only one; there are others like the Spirit World.
Perhaps the President already knew that I would use it to enter such a place when she gave me this "otherworldly key."
I just need to enter and quickly leave right after obtaining everything I need. Staying in such a dangerous place for long is a no go.
I never expected her to know the 'Netherworld', which is considered the worst in terms of survival difficulty among all other worlds.
"…"
And I'm sure she wouldn't expect what I am about to do.
"…Fortunately, we're far away from it. It doesn't seem like it would affect us much, since it's so high up in the sky."
"I guess so. It's normally impossible to even get close to that place. And, at the very least, you need to have the ability to survive in there to even attempt to enter."
It is in that context that portals are created at such a terrifying height.
Like each profession need to master their own skills to enter.
For example, a Priest must have at least enough skill with divinity to make an 'air bridge' up there, a Knight must be strong enough to jump up there, and a Mage must be capable of floating or flying magic…
In any case, it is a place filled with complex and powerful restrictions.
"But that is if it's done normally."
"…Why do you say that?"
Elijah's expression suddenly became strange.
She probably noticed that her body was 'fixed' on the disc.
This was because I activated it by pressing the button underneath the disc.
"…"
"…"
As Elijah was silent, wondering what was going on…
There's the sound of the iron rod that she had been laid down earlier being driven into the floor.
"…Mr.."
"Eung."
"No way, no, is it what I'm thinking it is?"
"Eung."
The rod bent into an arch.
And the disc tilted at an angle.
Yes.
It's just like a 'catapult' before launching a stone.
These two items are a set. However, they have very limited use and cannot be used for multiple purposes. That's why they been gathering dust in Elfante's Vision Warehouse. But its performance was certain.
It was originally designed to shoot 'projectiles' at a very fast speed and high into the sky, with terrifying momentum.
Naturally.
It has enough power to 'launch' me and Elijah to that portal.
"Are we going in there now?"
"Uh."
"…In the Netherworld, without any equipment?"
""
"It's okay. It will be over soon."
Uh. It should work.
I confident that it will.
It's definitely dangerous, though.
"…"
At this time, Elijah suddenly smiled broadly.
"You really are crazy, fck."
"…"
Before I could even respond.
Elijah and I were shot into the air at a terrifying speed.
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