Chapter 232
‘Why can I feel Ignis’ energy in two places?’
Powerful fire mana that was said to have been detected in the basement of the Palace of Versailles.
And now, the powerful fire mana felt beyond this passage.
The energy of Ignis was emanating from both places at the same time.
What kind of situation is this?
‘Isn’t the mana Adela felt in the basement of the Palace of Versailles not the mana of Ignis?’
Is the powerful fiery mana detected in the basement of the Palace of Versailles not Ignis’, but a separate energy or something?
Adela didn’t know anything about Ignis for sure, so it wouldn’t be strange if she was mistaken.
‘no. That’s probably not it.’
It was the Palace of Versailles where Adela sensed the powerful mana of fire.
It was one of the places Miho chose because it was where Ignis was.
The mana of fire sensed in such a place could not be related to Ignis.
‘Location, circumstance, timing. Considering all the factors put together, there is a high probability that both are real.’
The basement of the Palace of Versailles.
And here is the secret passage to the shopping mall.
There is a very high probability that the fiery mana spewing out from the two places was Ignis.
‘Then, assuming that the probability that one of the two is fake is excluded.’
Why could Ignis’ aura be sensed in two places at the same time?
I pondered the reason.
‘Two things come to mind. One is when the medium of Ignis is divided.’
If the medium itself is split, it makes sense for energy to radiate from both places at the same time.
‘And one is if the underground passage of the Palace of Versailles and the secret passage here are connected.’
What if Ignis is sleeping in the basement of Paris?
What if the way to get to that place is the basement of the Palace of Versailles and the secret passage here?
At the same time, it is not impossible for Ignis’ energy to flow out.
‘Then, if I put in the information that Miho detected Ignis in three places at the same time, and that Ignis couldn’t find the right location… … .’
The hypothesis that Ignis is in a split state gains further credibility.
If Ignis remained intact, there was no way Miho could not have sensed it.
Instead of detecting all three at the same time, he must have caught Ignis buried deep underground.
So, Ignis is really divided… … .
‘no. no.’
It is too early to conclude
There’s still something going on.
‘This secret passage. It has excellent shielding properties, enough to completely block me and Miho’s detection.’
I don’t know why.
However, this secret passage had a level of shielding that could not be detected by my eyes or by Miho’s soul detection.
If all three areas are guarded with this level of security, it is not unusual for Miho to sense Ignis at all three entrances at the same time.
‘If Miho sensed the energy of the soul that flowed out slightly every time the three passages opened… … .’
The theory that Ignis is on the ground under the ground also makes sense.
‘Tsk. This is the starting point again.’
My thoughts took a big turn, and I came back to the starting point.
If so, now is the time to continue thinking in a different way.
I continued my reflection in a new direction.
‘Whether Ignis’ medium was split or not. It’s certain that Ignis’ medium lies beyond this secret passage.’
I kept the contemplation of Ignis’ condition in one corner of my head.
I started looking into this secret passage.
‘And this secret passage was made by or used by the Black Mage Tower.’
This time has to do with the Black Mage Tower.
It was a conclusion that did not require deep thought.
‘If there is a connection between Ignis’ medium and the Black Mage Tower… … .’
If so, the next point is what kind of relationship the Black Mage Tower and the medium of Ignis have.
‘One possibility. The Black Mage Tower discovered Ignis’ medium and is experimenting with it.’
There are many possibilities, but this is the most likely one.
‘They’re the ones who searched for spiritual cores and experimented on them. If, by chance or whatever, I found an artifact with great power called Ignis’ medium, there’s no way I wouldn’t use it for an experiment.’
According to this hypothesis, this secret passage is a passage to the laboratory.
‘The key is whether this passage leads to the large laboratory in the middle. Or is it connected to a small laboratory nearby?’
If it is connected to the middle large laboratory, it means that there is a high probability that it is also connected to the Palace of Versailles.
In that case, it would mean that Ignis was not divided.
If connected to a small laboratory.
It means that Ignis is split, and that the Palace of Versailles and the secret passage here are not connected to each other.
‘In the end, even with this hypothesis, it is impossible to conclude whether Ignis was split or not.’
A little more thought has been advanced, but the conclusion about the current state of Ignis, which is really important, is uncertain.
‘My head hurts. I have to confirm what Ignis’s current condition is before I can make the next plan.’
The plan is bound to change depending on Ignis’ condition.
If Ignis was split, as it was split, if Ignis was intact, as it was.
As long as Ignis had to be acquired, the method of acquiring it would inevitably be different depending on the state of the target.
The next question is what to do with the Black Mage Tower involved in this.
‘How should I check… … .’
I changed my mind again.
This time, consider the solution.
Based on the hypotheses and questions that have been established so far, we seek reasonable answers.
The answer came sooner than expected.
‘One way. Infiltrate the secret passage like this and gather information.’
This is, well, a no-brainer.
There is a suspicious passage in front of you and you know how to open it.
Then you just have to go in and do some research.
‘The advantage of this method is that if it works out, all doubts can be cleared. The downside is that my life could be in danger if not resolved.’
You can literally call it high-risk high-return.
‘Two ways. Investigate the National Knight School, which has not yet been investigated.’
If Ignis is split, there is a high probability that the energy of Ignis flowing from the National Knight School will be different from the energy flowing from the secret passage here.
Unless it’s perfectly divided into thirds, there will be even a little difference.
Just detecting it solves everything.
‘The advantage of this method is that it is safe. The downside is that there is a high probability that you will not get any hints.’
Finding the secret passage here was pure luck.
Even if there is a secret passage on the National Knight Academy side, it will be quite difficult to find it.
There is no risk, but the return is hard to get.
‘Which of the two methods should be used?’
Both methods had pros and cons, so it was difficult to decide right away.
‘In fact, the best thing is to go to the basement of the Palace of Versailles and feel the fire that Adela felt.’
that’s hard
The basement of the Palace of Versailles is not a place you can enter just because you want to.
Adela wouldn’t know, but idiots like me can never go in.
‘What should I do?’
The moment I try to fall into trouble again like that.
“I just need to guard the entrance, what else are you saying to patrol?”
“I know yeah.”
I could feel the men who appeared to be guards approaching from behind.
‘Has it been too long.’
The energy of the mana circle is detected around the heart.
is a wizard
It’s roughly around 4~5 circles.
‘Let’s get out of bed. I can think about it after I go back.’
My stealth isn’t perfect yet.
I don’t know if it’s a 4th circle, but if it’s a 5th circle wizard, there’s a good chance they’ll detect my stealth.
Now that we are at least a little bit far apart, we must run away.
I let go of the secret passage and flew up into the sky.
* * *
After that, after returning to the inn, I told Mimir about today’s events and the conclusions I had come to.
10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes.
As the situation is the situation, the story has become very long.
After about 35 minutes, my talk was all over.
“… … .”
Mimir, who heard everything, thought with a serious expression on his face.
I’m guessing you’re re-arranging what you’ve heard.
“If you’re in trouble, you’re in trouble, and if you’re lucky, you’re in luck.”
“That’s an accurate expression.”
It’s embarrassing because it’s a situation where the black magic tower is entangled.
I was lucky enough to notice that, so if you’re lucky, you’re lucky.
“The situation was neatly organized. I don’t think I have anything more to add to the hypotheses the Heir has made.”
For some reason, Mimir gave an OK sign without arguing.
Mimir seems to have the same thoughts as me.
“Mimir, which of the two methods do you think you would use?”
“I am the second way. I’ll start by investigating the National Knights School. It’s not that I don’t have time, and it’s not that I don’t have a relationship with you.”
“As expected.”
Mimir puts a lot of importance on safety when deciding on a job.
It was natural to choose the latter.
“But isn’t it necessary to ask? First, investigate the National Knight School. If there’s nothing in there, then you just have to infiltrate the secret passage.”
“It doesn’t.”
As Mimir said, the two methods are compatible.
As Mimir said, it is most efficient and safe to infiltrate after investigation.
“You can ask Adela to collect some mana in the basement of the Palace of Versailles while investigating the knight school.”
“ah. That’s right. You can use a mana flask.”
It was a blind spot.
Come to think of it, there is no reason for me to go directly to the basement of the Palace of Versailles.
There’s a nice item called a mana flask.
“In the meantime, Shadow and Charles. Contact them as well to get some information.”
“That is hard. First of all, Shadow is under surveillance by Hermes, so it is difficult for me to contact him first, and it is difficult to contact him separately since Commander Charles is also conducting diversionary operations in Korea.”
“but. There is no point in contacting them. I’m not in a situation where I can get help.”
“right. In the first place, Shadow doesn’t seem to know about this.”
If he had known, he would have given me a hint when I said I was going to France.
Since there was none of that, it means that Shadow doesn’t know what’s going on here in Paris.
“No matter what, this is a situation that the heir must solve alone.”
“yes.”
There is no element to get outside help.
“Of course, if you investigate and find that the movements of the Black Mage Tower are unusual, you should contact them, but for now, it’s better to do it alone.”
Currently, my only reinforcement is Adela.
“Then I think it’s more appropriate to start with the National Knights School investigation.”
“Isn’t that true?”
I wanted to infiltrate the secret passageway even if it was a little overbearing.
Also, the risk is too great.
There must still be plenty of time, so it’s right to do research first.
“Then, should I meet Stella Binoche first?”
“right. I’m going to call you when the sun rises today.”
First of all, we need to find a way to get into the National Knights Academy by meeting with Stella Binoche.
This is the first and foremost condition for this operation, and it is an indispensable condition.
* * *
11:30 a.m. local time.
I was waiting for Stella at a private room cafe near the National Knights School.
Currently, I am sitting by the window on the second floor.
The school gate side is a very good place to see.
It seems that there are many students eating outside during lunchtime, and quite a lot of people are coming out.
‘That’s why I asked to meet you at this cafe.’
Considering the popularity of Stella Binoche, you wouldn’t be able to have a proper conversation in an ordinary cafe.
“Forgive me for being late. Were you waiting?”
As I was looking out the window like that, Stella appeared.
It was an unexpected appearance.
I didn’t see it come out.
Didn’t it come out of the school gate?
“Where did you come from?”
“ah. I sneaked back through the back door. It’s hard to say with my own mouth, but it’s because I can’t help but draw attention in many ways.”
Unlike when we met at the airport or shopping complex, Stella is letting her hair loose.
Blue hair that goes all the way down to the waist.
It definitely stands out.
“You seem to want to talk quietly, so I came back as quietly as possible.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“It was nothing.”
Stella laughed lightly.
“Did yesterday’s work go well?”
“yes. It worked out well.”
Stella started talking about the follow-up of yesterday’s work.
To put it all together, everything went well. There will be nothing to worry about.
This will be enough.
“You are resourceful.”
“It’s an overstatement.”
While Stella feigned indifference, she smiled as if she were feeling good inside.
“So that… … . Are you here today to hear about the post-processing of the case?”
Stella asked quietly, expecting something.
I want to learn a few things from me.
I want to mix the swords at least once.
It was an expression of such determination.
I’m expecting that the reason I came today is to sparring lightly.
“no. I have come to ask you a favor.”
But unfortunately, I didn’t come here with that intention.
“ask… … You mean?”
A look of disappointment passed by.
However, it was only for a moment, and soon returned with a bright smile.
“What request?”
It seems that he has no intention of refusing unless it is an unreasonable request.
It must be because he owes me.
“I would like to ask for a guide to the facilities of the National Knights School.”
“I want a facility guide… … . May I take that as saying that I want a temporary pass?”
“similar.”
Stella’s expression became subtle.
The expression that I don’t know why I want to go to school.
It looked like he was wondering if there was an ulterior motive.
“What are you trying to do after coming to school? … May I ask you a question?”
A hint of doubt crept into his eyes.
‘As expected.’
It was not a particularly unexpected reaction.
I would have been suspicious if I asked for permission to go to school.
“Before you misunderstand, let me tell you in advance. There is no evil purpose.”
So I prepared a separate persuasive speech.
“I was curious about the skills of the French knights academy, which is called the last ark of knights.”
Stella’s eyes widened slightly.
“That word… … .”
It’s an expression that knows what I’m going to say next.
Also quick-witted
“Yes, I am looking for a disciple.”
“also… … .”
The doubt quickly dissipated from Stella’s eyes.
“Then you didn’t mean a visitor’s pass by the temporary pass… … .”
“Temporary Instructor Card.”
temporary tutor.
It is a kind of external lecturer.
What is the difference in terms of duration?
Unlike external instructors who are in charge of one-time classes, temporary instructors work for a period of one to two months.
“How is it? Do you think it’s possible?”
The temporary instructor’s certificate is a master key that allows me to freely investigate the inside of the National Knights School for one month.
It is a necessary authority for me now.
