Chapter 117
It didn't take Ceres long to interpret the research facility's data. It was thanks to Erich, who had organized all the materials in one place.
And Erich could feel that giving Ceres time had been worthwhile.
― Vwoooom.
It was because of the core, now clearly shining and floating above her hand. Erich could feel a pure, powerful energy swirling inside the core.
Ceres spoke with a faint smile.
"I was able to refine the core up to this point. I still don't know exactly how you plan to use this, but since I received it, I'll give it back to you first."
Ceres extended two cores toward him. Erich accepted them and replied,
"You're giving me both? It's fine for you to keep one."
"I only needed them for research anyway. I got all the data I needed during the refinement."
Erich nodded. And, having taken the cores, he gripped them tightly in his hand.
Seeing this, Ceres focused on Erich's actions. Even though she had refined it herself, she also had no idea how to absorb such immense energy into one's body.
Just as you can't put fire in your mouth just because you're cold, pure energy and the energy flowing through one's body are fundamentally different things.
Therefore, at this moment, Ceres wanted to observe Erich to learn how to harness the core's power.
― Vwoooom.
A strange light seeped out between Erich's wrapped fingers. Then, for a brief moment, the colorful light spilled like dust—
A powerful energy traveled up Erich's hand. Under his skin, colors stirred violently.
But Erich naturally spread the power throughout his entire body and soon tightly shut his eyes.
A foreign energy was being 'digested' inside him.
Ceres' eyes widened in astonishment. Of course, she also knew that swordmasters manipulated the energy called 'aura'.
In fact, the method of manipulating power, even for mages, originated from swordmasters if traced far enough back, so the concept of aura was very familiar to her.
But to absorb the core's energy like this? Such a natural conversion of power was something she was witnessing for the first time.
'... Unbelievable.'
In an instant, the unfamiliar energy within the core melted completely into Erich.
Even though that core's energy had been refined using all kinds of external means, Erich naturally dissolved the power in the process of circulating it.
This meant that Erich possessed either an unbelievably powerful mastery... or, if not, someone had taught him specifically how to absorb this kind of power. Otherwise, it couldn't be explained.
Of course, from Erich's perspective, it was only possible because he already knew the know-how. Naturally, there was no way for Ceres to know this.
Then, Erich lifted the corners of his mouth and spoke.
"The refinement is excellently done."
"... Incredible. You've absorbed over 20% of it into your body. It's a miracle your body didn't explode."
"Explode?"
"... Didn't you feel it? The aura must have run wild inside your body...."
Erich simply smiled.
Unless you were a mage who gained power unnaturally, you likely wouldn't know, but this was something almost all swordmasters experienced time and again.
'There's no way you'd explode from something like that.'
The constant feeling that your whole body could burst at any moment—that was the sensation always felt when releasing aura.
So, merely because some external power entered, it couldn't harm his insides.
Of course, Ceres wasn't wrong either.
In the past, there had been attempts to forcibly awaken people who weren't swordmasters using refined cores.
But those who lacked the sense to handle aura couldn't circulate that energy, and only ended up destroying themselves—losing their lives rather than awakening.
'That's why, in the past, they only used it to strengthen the power of swordmasters who had already transcended.'
Thus, when Erich was still a commander—
He strictly restricted refined core use to "swordmasters only".
Sometimes, there were even those who declared they'd rather die now if it meant becoming a swordmaster.
'Well, there were reasons, since some who tried did succeed.'
Anyway, Erich answered Ceres,
"I somehow managed to succeed. So, does that mean the mage tower now knows everything needed about cores?"
"Now that I know the method, it's time to find efficiency. If we had more cores, I'd try methods to refine them more efficiently. If that works, there would be enormous progress toward mages understanding power."
"I only understood half that, but in any case, you're saying you need more cores."
"Yes, which means our contract is still in effect."
Erich nodded. He also needed someone to keep refining cores for him.
A win-win, in a way.
Erich would gain power, and they would gain the knowledge to wield it.
He didn't know much about mages, but he'd heard the basics before.
'For us, aura regenerates, but for them, it doesn't. So, they're obsessed with efficiency.'
For swordmasters, aura would eventually regenerate with time, but for mages, it was not so.
That was why most mage research focused on 'power efficiency'.
Soon after, Ceres continued,
"By the way, as I was reviewing the data, something caught my attention."
"What's that?"
"All research and experiments have a direction. Even if they seem unrelated, gather them and a fundamental goal emerges."
"So, even here, the facility had such a purpose?"
"Yes. The goal here was a 'power source'."
"Hm. I'd heard reports that the barbarians were artificially creating head hunters."
Ceres narrowed her eyes slightly as if contemplating. Her long lashes trembled.
"I think even that is probably just a part of a huge plan. The head hunter is the byproduct."
"Are you saying they can directly mass produce head hunters?"
"There was an energy source accumulating inside their bodies. Nothing as marvelous as a core, but I believe it's possible."
Indeed, as Erich suspected, they were creating head hunters. There was no direct evidence here, but it must be connected.
However, Ceres' words still lingered in his mind. What on earth was this power source for? Erich voiced his doubt.
"By any chance, do you have any suspicion what kind of magic it could be?"
"I still don't know. I'm only speculating based on fragments, trying to guess what the completed thing is. But if I visit another facility, I think things will become clearer."
Erich let out a low "Hmm."
In the end, it meant they couldn't figure it out just by raiding this one facility.
Anyway, it seemed business at the research facility was now concluded. Erich got what he wanted, and so did Ceres.
It was now time to head to the next research facility. Of course, who knew what might happen along the way.
And after transferring all the data, Erich's unit burned the research facility down. This kind of research was something no one should ever attempt again.
And so, they set out for the next research facility. On their path, dark clouds were gathering, as if a storm was about to break.
***
Upon arriving at the next research facility, Erich's unit found a place with no one guarding it.
They remained wary, wondering if there would be guards or the dead, but right up to the entrance, they encountered no one.
Erich stood in front of the door, lost briefly in thought.
'... An ambush?'
Surely Albrecht knew that other research facilities had already been hit. The natural conclusion would be that the research facilities had been evacuated.
If Albrecht was preparing a final stand, he'd likely concentrate all his forces in one place. With that, Erich's unit would struggle to defeat them with only their own strength.
However, he couldn't dismiss the idea of an ambush.
There were five research facilities in the central region.
Since they could easily predict Erich's next destination if even two or three were visited, unless he deliberately chose a much farther location, there was a high probability that their path would be anticipated and ambushes set.
The nagging feeling about an ambush wouldn't leave him, precisely because he had headed straight for the nearest facility.
Frederick spoke.
"How about we send a small scout team first?"
He was suggesting they send scouts inside. Since Ceres would need time to analyze the data here anyway, it seemed a reasonable course.
If the command group, including Erich, were to enter and the party was ambushed, those outside might suffer severe casualties.
Then Mikhail chimed in.
"Or, I could go myself."
If it was Mikhail, he could handle whatever lurked inside. Not a bad method either. But Erich made a slightly different decision.
"If I were Albrecht, I would also concentrate all my forces in one place. They know that Sir Mikhail is with us, and they know I'm a swordmaster."
"So, you think there won't be a pointless ambush?"
"I'm inclined to bet on that. In fact, they might be waiting for a large-scale frontal battle. That would be more advantageous for them."
Mikhail nodded. As always, even a swordmaster was not an all-powerful weapon. If they tired, they would fall, and if outnumbered, they could be killed.
If, for example, overwhelming numbers and encirclement left no room to escape, when their aura eventually ran dry, a swordmaster would be as good as dead.
'And Albrecht himself is a highly capable man.'
Erich did not underestimate Albrecht. No, quite the opposite. He figured the man must be extremely shrewd.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to have become Watch's chief adjutant under August's eye, all while executing such schemes in secret for so long.
Therefore, he must have prepared something in his own way.
Thus, all Erich could do was try to anticipate what the man had prepared.
Erich moved inside with the recon team. At that moment, Ceres insisted on coming too. Erich made no effort to stop her.
'Unless she's a clueless mage—her practical abilities are outstanding.'
In his own way, Erich acknowledged her.
As they moved further inside, Erich stopped in his tracks at the sight before him. Barnes, who had entered, and the other members also held their breath.
Inside, there were barbarians. Of course, they were only trembling children, but that alone wasn't enough to halt Erich's unit's advance.
― Vwoooom.
Erich stopped for a single reason.
It was the clear power he saw with his eyes. Within them, the head hunter's energy was flowing.
It felt exactly as if they had been produced as mass-manufactured head hunters.
Erich slowly nodded. This was indeed the research facility creating head hunters. At first, the power source; now, head hunters.
All these events were coming together on a huge scale; curiosity about the grand design Albrecht was preparing began to stir in Erich.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】