Eps 184
Infinite Mage
Eps 184 Reversal of the law (5)
But upon reflection, Howling wasn't the issue. Magic that transformed them into a massive flash of light and flew them into the sky was unheard of.
"How on earth did they do that? Who are those people?"
Two experts in pursuit began to follow the traces of Shirone and his group. One sniffed around like a dog, while the other looked up to the sky with his tongue out.
The man using his sense of smell declared his surrender.
"Captain, the trail is blocked. We can't follow them."
The man using the taste buds held on a little longer. With his tongue down to the tip of his chin, he returned his eyes with white eyes.
"I can track them by taste. They went that way."
The captain mounted his horse as the reinforcements arrived and turned in the direction indicated by the expert in tastebuds.
"They've only gone over one wall! They couldn't have gotten far! Pursue them!"
“Hiyahiya!”
The pursuers returned the way they came, making odd noises.
1 minute after that.
Shirone and his group descended back to their original location riding a flash of light.
It was Shirone's idea to exploit the Kerugo' tracking ability.
The area was already saturated with their scent, making tracking impossible. Therefore, they will return only after checking all points.
Godlock was supported by Clove again. And he pointed to a deep crevice in the valley.
"Thanks to you, we've survived. For a while, we shouldn't run into them. Let's go this way. There should be a path."
Amy asked skeptically.
"Where exactly is Nors Shelter? How much farther do we have to go?"
"That's what I want to know. How do you freely control light magic? Are you extracting it from the air?"
"We don't use that method. Why do you ask all of a sudden?"
"To move to Nors Shelter, we need a place where light gathers. The magic you cast is similar, but we can fly much further. Anyway, just trust me and follow. We'll soon reach a Shining Spot."
Perhaps the magic that Godlock was talking about was Spatial Shift. It seemed to be a method of flying by using the power of photons gathered in a place of light to fly directly to Nors Shelter.
It was a wise choice. This way, even if the guides were killed by pursuers, Nors Shelter would remain undisclosed.
The Nors's way of thinking was definitely that of a mage. What kind of place would Nors Shelter place be, where such individuals gather?
With a little excitement, Shirone exited through the gap in the valley to the other side.
@
"Where could they have hidden?"
The captain of the pursuers was serious. Despite searching the surroundings for over 20 minutes, they couldn't find a trace of their scent.
A group of scouts rode up on horseback. The look of failure was evident from the look in their eyes.
"There's nothing. We couldn't find any signs of them entering Maru Valley or Buchae Creek."
"Damn! To let them slip through our fingers!"
"But captain, don't you find it strange? How did they escape during our fight? That place wasn't what the Nors describe as an area where light converges."
The captain was pondering over the same question.
As far as he knows, there is no mage in Nors who uses such magic. It could be an alien species, but they bore many similarities to humans.
Having hunted heretics for now 400 years, he recalled a hint from ancient history.
"No way…Are they a person from earth?”
A sharp light flashed in the captain's eyes. If they were indeed humans from the earth, the pursuit wasn't the issue.
Meca delves into what they know, and Nors delve into what they don't know. However, Kerugo was the only subject who delved into god and therefore knew all the truth.
Humans from the land were not just any imitation. At least for Kerugos, they was a serious variable that could affect the law.
"Cease the pursuit. We're returning to Shamain. Reporting comes first."
The captain's men turned their horses to follow him.
Suddenly, a vibration emanated from the ground.
Everyone, who looked around indifferently, opened their eyes wide as the vibration gradually strengthened.
"No way…?”
The reason why the Nors used the valley as a mid-point was because it was a clean zone that, if they avoided one law, would keep them safe from any harm.
Therefore, this vibration was something that should never happen. The story of a whirling serpent appearing when the sun was up was an event that was never recorded in history.
"The law... is being violated.”
As a strong wind blew, a black curtain fell over the sight of the twenty men.
Blinded and unable to see anything, what followed were screams and cries of despair.
As time passed, their cries faded away.
When the darkness lifted and the sunlight illuminated the cold valley again, thousands of pieces of flesh were floating on the crimson stream.
@
"Shamain?"
As Shirone gave a puzzled look, Canya realized he had been brief in his explanation and added more details. As they encounter people outside of Heaven for the first time, they sometimes forget that they are from the land of Earth.
“Even in heaven, this is the area where the divine citizens live. It is also called the First Heaven.”
"The First Heaven? So, it's like the first sky?"
Godlock answered that question. Being a heretic, he felt less burdened explaining Heaven compared to Canya.
"Heaven is divided into seven regions, from the First to the Seventh Heaven. Among them, the area where the divine citizens live is called Shamain."
Shirone recalled the scenery he had seen from the sky.
Within the huge circular castle wall, there are 6 areas divided like a pie and another area located in the middle.
The seven heavens Godlock mentioned referred to these.
"Does every race live together in Shamain?"
"Yes. Though they live in different quarters, everyone resides in the First Heaven. Even the Kerugos behave themselves there. Divine citizens are basically protected by the law. However, Purgatory is beyond the reach of divine sanction. That's why the laws of Heaven don't apply here. Surviving in this place isn't easy."
"How many races live here, exactly?"
"Including Purgatory, there are countless species. There are many creatures of unknown origin, termed as extraterrestrials. The Thornback you mentioned encountering is one of them. However, so far, only three races uphold the divine laws. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, collaborating to form the foundation of Heaven. Nors are explorers, and Mecas are researchers."
“Then what does Kerugo like?”
Godlock's lips curled up in amusement.
"They love the gods."
"Godlock! Such blasphemy!"
Canya retorted, but Godlock was unfazed.
From the moment he decided to become a heretic, no law governed him. He suffered a painful life in return for abandoning god, but that was also his own will.
"Kerugo thrives on conflict. Their role is hunting, making them the only race granted access to Purgatory. Of course, the parties involved seem to be interpreting it strangely.”
This time, KCnya had no choice but to agree.
"It's a race I really don't like. Using the power of giants doesn't make them giants. It's annoying to see them mimic the upholders of the law."
"But what exactly is the law?"
Initially, Shirone interpreted the term based on his world's understanding, but it seemed to hold a different meaning here.
Canya asked back with a puzzled expression.
"You don't know what the law is? Are there no laws in the kingdom of earth?”
“No, there is, but do you have to strictly follow them?"
"Of course. The law represents the will of the great Ra. Those who oppose it cannot exist. That's why it's called the law."
Shirone spread his hands in frustration.
"But aren't we breaking the law right now?"
Canya seemed more frustrated and lost her temper.
"That's why we're suffering in Purgatory! Can't you understand? Would you want to live your whole life in such a place?"
Clove responded to the disparaging remarks about Purgatory.
“Hmph, what's so bad about living there? It's much better than living in such a cramped place for the rest of your life."
“Oh, is that so? Then go ahead, live well. Spend your life being hunted by Kerugo as heretics."
The moment Clove was about to retort, Godlock opened his mouth.
"Things like that happen, too. After all, we are those who defied the law. Though we've been banished to Purgatory, so what? At least we've gained freedom."
"How is that freedom? It's just fear. The fear of not knowing when you'll die."
"Indeed, we don't know when we'll die. But the right to die belongs to me. Isn't that enough?"
Canya's expression hardened.
Although divine citizens were known to receive eternal life, death was still a sensitive issue. In particular, the fact that the word ‘right to die’ came out of the mouth of a heretic was a mockery of heaven.
Canya couldn't hold back her anger and fired back.
"Shouldn't divine citizens naturally follow the divine laws? After running away on your own accord, now you wrap it up with talk of freedom and the right to die. Do you think your lives improve by saying such things? This is why I dislike the Nors."
Lena stopped her.
"Stop it, sister. Fighting with a heretic will lead to the same outcome anyway."
Canya knew too. They could never see eye to eye with those who stood on the opposite spectrum of divine laws.
However, Godlock was determined to see through the end of the situation that had already unfolded. Having lived in Purgatory for a long time, he had his own accumulation of grievances.
"Do you really think so? Do you think you're right?"
"Of course! We are different! The reason I came out to Purgatory is because elixirs and such are not used in Heaven. Once we acquire the items, we'll return to Shamain and live happily under god's protection for the rest of our lives!"
"There's no need to sugarcoat it. You too are just a creature thirsty for eternal life, aren't you?"
Canya’s eyes were filled with killing intent.
The reason she stayed quiet even in the profane conversation until now was because there was an acceptable line. But Godlock had just crossed that line.
“I can’t forgive you for saying something like that, no matter how heretical it is. I could kill you right here."
"Sister, don't."
Canya shook off her younger sister's hand and took out her Arc. But Godlock just looked at her calmly, and in a way, with his sympathetic gaze.
"Then why did you come looking for me? No, what are you trying to find at Nors shelter?"
Canya's shoulder, which was aiming the Arc, flinched.
"It's obvious without saying. Soon, someone from your family will receive the elixir of Ihwa, right? That's why you've come here to buy Nors medicine."
The aim of the Arc wavered. At this distance, if she let go of the handle, there would be no way to block the projectile. However, she ultimately couldn't shoot. Tears uncontrollably spilled from her eyes.
"Wha- What's wrong with that? What's wrong with thinking about my parents! This has nothing to do with the divine laws! I just... I just want our mom to..."
Men from heaven, it seems, are also weak to a woman's tears, as Godlock's emotions softened. Once, he was a divine citizen too. Therefore, he understood Canya's feelings better than anyone else.
Lena said to Godlock while hugging her sister.
"I'm sorry. My sister is just..."
"I know. You don't need to apologize to a heretic. The Meca race has strong family bonds. I got unnecessarily agitated, it seems. It's all because of this wound."
Godlock sheepishly examined the wound on his abdomen. The muscle was cut, but the organs were unharmed. The issue was the amount of bleeding, which wasn't severe but hadn't stopped either.
Godlock turned and said.
"Don't worry. Nors don't put emotions into objects, so you'll get what you want. But you'll probably need a lot of elixirs. Nors are excellent at doing business."
Canya wiped away her tears and spoke bravely.
“Hmph, don’t worry about that. I've saved up enough for a year."
A sad smile appeared on Godlock's lips as he walked away.
Shirone, who was watching their conversation, felt gloomy. Many of the words were unfamiliar, and the motive for the emotional outburst was unclear, but this place was not governed by absolute values either.
What is the elixir of Ilhwa? Is Ra really a god? Is this place heaven, or just another world?
Will he be able to return with all the answers once this journey is over?
|Note
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