The Sword Of Salvation
Ch. 4 — Strange Shop & Problems (2)
...—Birmithan—...
Lukhiel sighed softly while then sucking on a cigarette. He was in one of the rooms on the top floor of one of the luxury inns. Celinee and her two colleagues were in the same room. Lukhiel sucked a cigarette while looking at the mayor's building, while the three women were busy moving pens filled with blank paper.
Lukhiel's concerns a few years ago proved to be true: the problem they faced was a prolonged one.
The laboratory that Celinee was worried about was indeed conducting experiments turning humans into half-demons. And the assumption is also true, the mayor himself supported the experiment. The mayor wants to be half demon as a super soldier to be sent to the battlefield. Even worse, the mayor did so on the orders of King Arthur IV.
Doctor Lergen was really taken advantage of by this kingdom.
From the secret documents of the mayor who succeeded Celinee copy, it is clear that King Arthur IV wants the mayor to work on “Super” Warrior Secret Project in preparation to conquer the Great Kingdom of Celtekhna which also has the same project. King Arthur IV obtained information about Celtekhna's illegal project through a spy he sent there.
However, that is not all that makes them often visit this city. The real reason was the existence of an ancient inscription that was in one of the rooms in the laboratory. The letters used on the inscription were the same as the letters engraved on the holy weapon. It inscriptions relics of the time before the appearance of humans: the time of the gods and various other mystical creatures.
From what they already know, the inscription was discovered by Arthur Pendragon when the king plumbed into Lake Erebus—the largest lake in the Western Continent. Merlin with his magic helped King Arthur remove the inscription from the bottom of the lake. Merlin and Morgan Le Fay read the inscription. However, the evidence confirming this does not exist. No record has been found of any translation of the inscription.
However, according to the records of the researchers working inside the underground laboratory, the reason why the inscription was hidden was a concern for what was written there. In order to avoid anyone else who will read the inscription and misuse the information/knowledge obtained, then, Arthur Pendragon planted the prasati on Avalon— Island which is in the middle of Lake Erebus (the lake separating Pendragon, Gothhant, and Breathound).
Arthur IV Pendragon, with the help of Athrecia Le Fay, the owner of Avalon Island, managed to find the inscription. However, Athrecia Le Fay could not read the inscription as his ancestor—Morgan Le Fay. So, the underground laboratory was established. His main purpose was to translate the inscription. The experiment that Doctor Lergen's assistant led was just a side activity.
That was the reason why they often visited this city and infiltrated the laboratory. Lukhiel wanted to know the details of their research. He wanted to know what was written on the inscription. At the same time, Celinee and the others were able to foil the experiment that Doctor Lergen's assistant did.
Their business should be safe. Celinee and her two colleagues were able to kill dozens of people who were made into experiences every time they visited; she was able to observe the researchers' performance safely. However, three months ago they were surprised by the presence of Guinerhea Modred—the member of the Round Table Knights who managed to bear the name Modred. More precisely, Lukhiel was surprised by Guinerhea's existence in the inscription room.
They managed to escape the city.
However, Guinerhea managed to catch up to them while on the way to Londinia. The fight was inevitable. Guinerhea is stronger than the majority of Level 1 Sterminatore. However, Lukhiel managed to kill him. He destroyed the body of the knight leaving no trace. That way, their existence is kept secret.
Unfortunately, Guinerhea had predicted he would lose. So, he had already given the information of their infiltration to the head of the laboratory. Birmithan Defense tightened. Reinforced lab guard. Let alone infiltrate the lab, entering the city just got harder.
Therefore, Lukhiel and Celinee stopped visiting the city for almost three months. However, to this day their guard is still very tight. In addition to the two members of the Level 1 Sterminatore guarding outside the lab, two members of the Round Table Knights were inside the lab. That's why they didn't try to infiltrate.
And they don't have to infiltrate anymore either. Celinee has heard that the results of the research of archaeologists and a number of other experts have been transferred to the mayor's building. Celinee herself had also decided to hand over the matter of the experiment to Sterminatore. Not the Sterminatore branch in Birmithan, but the Sterminatore West Continent headquarters. He and his colleagues were busy writing the evidence.
“Do you need our help for tonight, Mr Lukhiel?” ask Celinee after she finishes writing. “If not, we will directly leave for the Kingdom of Esparossa right now.”
Lukhiel turned his body to hear the question.
The West Continent Sterminatore Center headquarters was in Erazora, the capital of the Kingdom of Esparossa. Celinee and her two colleagues had to deliver the documents they wrote directly to her if they did not want to intervene. The leader of the Sterminatore Birmithan branch was corrupt; having them deliver the documents to it was foolish. Even so with mail delivery services in this kingdom. No one can really be trusted.
“Can't you count on your two colleagues to send it?” ask Lukhiel. “I just need your help. I want you to steal those files when I draw the attention of all the guards there.”
“I am very willing to help Sir, but I am afraid that someone will intercept their trip. More than that, I was worried that Glazzier would realize my two comrades as half demons if they were required to meet him. You know for yourself, there is no one as good as me in hiding the power of the devil.”
Celinee's right. Relying on the other half of the demons to give the document to Glazzier was a mistake. The man would instantly smell the devil in them. Although Lukhiel had suspected that Glazzier had sniffed out the cheating of the Sterminatore leader in Birmithan, he would still demand that the person who brought the documents to give him directly.
“Alright, I understand.” Lukhiel had no choice. “You can go directly. I'm gonna change my ways. I'll infiltrate secretly.”
“I think that's the best way, sir. Then, please withdraw. Thank you for your cooperation so far. I will try to get Madam Rhemea to give a suitable reply on behalf of Mr. Lukhiel.”
Lukhiel just wagged his hands, not caring he would be given a proper reply or not. After all, when he needed help he always went to see the old grandmother. So, helping Rhemea students is not a problem at all.
“You are also careful, Mr. Lukhiel.”
Lukhiel did not respond to those words. He did not say anything until Celinee and his two colleagues were completely gone. He did not have the right words to say in response. Lukhiel is a demon. It was strange to hear those words.
“Now, how will I infiltrate the work of those researchers?”
If Lukhiel had not changed his course, he would have killed hundreds if not thousands of people later that night. Their deaths will make demons appear. With the chaos going on, he would easily infiltrate the mayor's building and retrieve the translation of the inscription.
However, Lukhiel who now has taken a different path with him in the past. There was no way he could do such a vile way.
“What can I do, it looks like it should be the classic way.”
...—————∞—————
...
Mariel found a village large enough to be called a village when the sun was almost setting—this village he came to after visiting more than ten villages.
The inn was Mariel's goal. He did not even have to ask to know the location of the inn. Everyone who set foot in this village will be able to see the inn without needing to ask. In addition to the largest building up to four floors, there is the inscription “Black Blue” Inn at the highest point of the building.
“One room for one night,” says Mariel.
The receptionist nodded and pulled out three keys. “This premium room key,” start. “The price is 500 escal per night. In addition to the most excellent room and food facilities, Master can also choose one of our workers to provide you with ‘special services’.”
“This is an extra room key,” continued the receptionist. “The price is 250 escal. In addition to ‘special services’, the facilities are the same as premium rooms. And this is the normal room key. It costs 100 escal per night. So, which key does the Master want?”
“...Extra room key,” replied Mariel after a dozen seconds of silence while putting two gold coins and five silver coins. “I want food delivered to my room in two hours.”
“Alright, thank you for ordering. Here's the key and please find Mr.'s room on the third floor.”
Mariel received the key and rushed towards the staircase that was a few meters to the left of the reception desk. He walked while taking a long breath. He chose the wrong accommodation. Mariel didn't know this inn was like that. Fortunately, there was an extra and normal room.
Upon arriving on the third floor, Mariel immediately searched for the whereabouts of her room. Room 321 was found after almost three minutes. That is because, even though all rooms are numbered, the numbers listed on the door of the room are not sequential.
Mariel inserted the key, turned it around, and pushed the door knob down. The door is open. However, before he could step in, the door to the left of his room opened.
Selena's purple eyes looked at him in surprise. Two seconds later, the door next to Selena opened, and Ferguso was shocked. A second after, what opened was the door to Mariel's right. The opening of the door was followed by three doors behind the teenager.
“Er, um, hello?” greet Mariel with a smile like someone caught off guard doing an unusual thing.
“You...” / “You...” / “You...” / “You...” / “You...”.
“Mariel!”
Mariel went in and closed the door quickly and locked it tightly.
...—End of Chapter 4—...