𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑𝟕
Two days after arriving at the first tower, we reached the last one in the evening.
We stopped the carriage by the side of the nearby road, and as we were about to get off, a voice called from the driver’s seat.
ㅤ
“It’s getting dark and hard to see.
Isn’t it better to wait until tomorrow morning?”
ㅤ
“It’s fine. I can see even in the dark.
I want to set up the barrier as soon as possible and return to the palace.”
ㅤ
“Is that so? If you can see, then it should be alright, but. . .
Please be careful.”
ㅤ
“Understood.”
ㅤ
Just as Wei was worried, it was pitch dark when we got off the carriage.
We can cast a spell to see in the dark, but
It’s not unreasonable for Wei, who doesn’t know that, to worry.
ㅤ
As Chris held me and waited, Kyle cast a recognition-inhibition spell on the carriage
And lifted a wooden box containing magic stones with one hand.
By the fourth time, he had become skilled, and the preparation was finished in no time.
ㅤ
“Ah, I can see now.”
ㅤ
While casting a spell on my own eyes, I also cast it on Chris and Kyle,
The two immediately looked around, on guard.
Hmm? . . .Do I sense people? They’re still a bit far away, though.
ㅤ
“It might be the border knights on patrol, but it could also be Kokodia’s knights.
Wei, Fel, don’t go outside the carriage, alright?”
ㅤ
“Understood!”
ㅤ
At this distance, we can’t see them, and we can’t tell if they’re friend or foe.
Still, it’s better to be cautious, so we move quietly through the forest.
ㅤ
After advancing a little further into the deep forest, a tower covered in vines appears.
This is where the master was.
When I opened the door and entered, I felt the remnants of magical energy.
Ah, the magical formula left by the master is still here somewhere.
ㅤ
Unlike the other three towers, this tower’s first floor had belongings left behind.
Some bundles of paper were placed near a pile of books.
The master continued researching until the end. . .
ㅤ
“Somehow, this tower has a different atmosphere.”
ㅤ
“Are these belongings from that time?
The witch here was studying magic too. . .
Even trapped in a place like this. . .
I wonder where the determination to continue honing magic comes from.”
ㅤ
Chris, who is curious about the difference from the other towers,
Kyle, who quickly notices that magic was being studied here, is impressed.
I heard, but without responding, I went up to the second floor.
The second floor room also had belongings left as they were.
A small bed and a desk. A broken chair remained.
ㅤ
“Can you sleep on such a small bed?”
ㅤ
I understand the thought. This bed is for children.
Witches don’t grow. They stop growing when they undergo the witch ceremony.
They don’t remain young, they just don’t grow.
Continuing to exist in a child’s body. That’s what a true witch is.
Witches like myself and the master were special.
ㅤ
“. . .This is the fourth tower.
The three towers we’ve been to only supply magical power.
By activating the magic here, the four towers work together.
This tower is like a magical tool.
It amplifies the magical power in the four towers and creates a long barrier wall.”
ㅤ
“A magical tool. . . So that’s how it works.
So how do you activate the magic here?”
ㅤ
“I’m going to do it now. . .Can you stand back a little?”
ㅤ
“Is it dangerous?”
ㅤ
“I don’t know if it’ll have an effect.”
ㅤ
With that being said, both of them move to the wall.
I’ve never activated it with other humans in the tower.
I think it would be better if they went outside, but
Under these circumstances, I can’t imagine them leaving me.
. . .Will it be okay if they’re this far from the magic formula?
ㅤ
ㅤ
Cutting just a bit of the right index finger, a drop of blood oozes from the fingertip.
I carefully stretch out my magic energy and create a transparent sheet.
I write on the board about the size of both arms spread wide with blood.
Rather than writing, it’s closer to fixing the blood with magic.
Embed ancient words in the gaps where circles and triangles intertwine complexly.
A technique called ancient magic that is no longer used now.
When the last character is written,
The circle starts to spin, and the magic formula rises and glows pale blue.
ㅤ
When the light of the magic formula fills the room, the light flies from the small window.
This light connects to the other three towers, and the magic is activated.
You can’t see it from here,
A barrier must have been set up as if it were rising from the ground along the border.
ㅤ
The barrier’s wall can even dig into the ground beneath it,
And it’s designed to prevent anyone from crossing over the wall.
It should last for three or four years if you place only these magic stones.
If you add more magic stones during that time, you can maintain the barrier even longer.
Now, not a single person can pass through the border with Kokodia.
ㅤ
“. . .Is it finished?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“Do we need to go to the border and check if the barrier is set up?”
ㅤ
“No, it’s okay without looking. The barrier was properly set.”
ㅤ
“. . .Then, let’s go back to the carriage.”
ㅤ
I can tell what the two of them are thinking about the current magic.
They’ve probably never seen ancient magic before.
Being scared and unable to make eye contact, I’m embraced by Kyle just like that.
No one spoke a word until we got back to the carriage.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- How to Deal with Your Cringey Otaku Classmate (Without Turning into a Weeaboo Yourself)
- My Brain on UFC: Why I’m Convinced I Could Totally Take on Adesanya (I’m Lying, Don’t Tell Dana)
- Yo, Millennials: This TikTok Dictionary Translates Gen Z So You Don’t Sound Like a Boomer
- Itachi Uchiha: The Ultimate Husbando?
- That Cringey Anime Obsessed Kid In Your Class: A Guide to Not Being That Guy (Or Gal)
Leave a Reply