“Among us… There is this 『Friend』 of Infinite Variety…”
“Kuh…”
When you think about it, when he used his magic, it was a gravitational magic with a low killing capability, this was probably to not kill the informant inside.
Everyone here except me is a suspect. There are a lot of people who know of the name 『Akasha』 for the strategic class Golem, but only a few people knew that we evacuated to the research facility close to the 『Alain Column Ruins』.
Fortunately, his best disciple, Sofia, is crossed off the list of suspects. From all the disciple, it would have been very painful to lose a talented disciple like Sofia.
Noto look down and confirm each disciple facial expressions. Tension. Fear. Anger. With a mixed of various emotions together, the second disciple say.
“Bu… But even if there was an insider… The relocation was sudden. There is no way to inform Infinite Variety…”
“There are… Even a lot of way. It is much easier than finding us by himself with no prior information.”
I know of the past history of every disciple. As far as Noto knows, no one has any contact with Infinite Variety. But this is now no longer relevant. Were they threatened or were they coax? None of it matter.
The most important thing right now, is to prevent further information leakage. To a Mage, there is nothing more deadly than exposing their hand. Even if you set up a trap, it will become useless if there are informants inside.
Now that I think about it, the fact that the magical attack of all the disciple was invalidated might have been because he already knew what kind of magic they will cast. There is almost no Mage who mastered all kind of magic. Even Noto’s disciples have their own favorite magic they are good at.
Although it is difficult to prevent all attack, there are several ways to prevent an attack if you limit the kind. I suppose he was so defenseless even when we attacked him is because he already took countermeasure against us.
“I will declare it first. That man who dare to insult me to be a Rabbit researcher… I will kill him.”
When Noto declare this, all the disciples are quivering. He has powerful revengeful eyes. However, there was no one who dare to stop his behavior.
No, there are no one who are confident enough to refute him. Until now, there was no one who was doubting him. While touching his favorite wand to check it, all the disciples hold their breath and waited for his next word, as if they were waiting for their conviction.
Perhaps he couldn’t stand the silence, among all the disciples the oldest, the second disciple speak out.
“S… So, Teach1, that 『Friend』 of his… Who is it?”
“It is irritating… He isn’t showing up. Well, whatever…”
He already decided in his heart long ago.
Certainly, Noto didn’t have the power to detect who was the insider. But if you don’t know, who it is… All you have to do, is to remove anyone who are suspicious. Even if they are his disciple, there was no mercy. As he is doing that kind of research, he was already expected to do something like this when the time comes.
The research will be delayed, but all its results are already in Noto’s brain. And there is Sofia. If we can destroy our natural enemy, it will not be difficult to recover.
“…Eh”
The second disciple eyes are widely opening and his straight back swayed. His posture collapses and falls to the floor. There wasn’t even a scream. Only the sound of several bodies falling is heard.
Now there is no more insider. He has lost most of his disciple, anyone who knew of the existence of the research. But the battle is not over yet. When Sofia comes back, I have to start over again. Now, Infinite Variety will surely know that his informant is dead.
The next time I saw him… It will be your end, Infinite Variety.
In a room where nothing is moving anymore, Noto, who mercilessly cast his magic, threw a cold look at his disciples who was on the floor.
§
Noto raised his face when small footsteps was detected by the intruder detection magic. His eyes were inflated. The dark circle under his eye shows the deep fatigue accumulated in his body.
However, contrary to his exhausted expression, you can see deep inside his eyes a bright flame shining.
“So, you are back, Sofia.”
“Yes… I am back… Teacher.”
The door opens. The one who enter was Sofia… A woman who is wearing a sober gray robe.
Fiery crimson hair came off after she pulls down her hood. Beautiful blue eyes and an ephemeral look for a very talented Mage. She doesn’t look like a Mage who was working on forbidden research. Perhaps she has just return to the Imperial Capital, Sofia’s outfit remain the same as a travel outfit. She carried a large bag in her back.
Sofia. Sofia Black.
From the long career of Noto Cochlear, this woman is the most talented from all the Mage he taught. She is a woman bless by heaven who will one day exceed Noto when she accumulates more experience.
Even if she is inexperienced right now, she sometimes impresses Noto with her work. To the society, she will never be appreciated to her just value, she will only be chained by them.
And the 『Tower of Akasha』 can bring up her talent.
“I am sorry to call you so suddenly. It is an enemy.”
“An enemy of Teacher Noto… I will etch it in my heart.”
Despite being called suddenly from her leave without stating his reason, there is no resentment from her expression. She looks up at Noto with her calm eyes, reminiscent of a quiet lake, and ask him briefly.
“Where are everyone else?”
“There was an insider. I disposed of it. You are the only one left.”
Sofia’s eyes slightly open. She was confused for a second. Her soft cheeks move and a speak with a soft voice.
“This is… If it is fine for you… Could I have their corpse…”
“… You can have it later. For now, there is a more urgent matter”
It was erased immediately but it was certainly a smile.
It is not like Sofia had a bad relationship with the other disciples. But still… To the announcement of the death of her comrade who researched together. There wasn’t any feeling of sadness that could be felt from their death.
Pure intellectual curiosity is sometimes really close to bad intent. That sensitivity, which was so far away from ordinary people can sometime be seen, it is one of the main reasons Noto Cochlear highly evaluate Sofia.
To their death announcement, Sofia put her bad down on the floor and nodded her head.
“Understood. Teacher, before talking can I have some of your time?”
“… Why?”
It is a first priority matter. Until now, Infinite Variety didn’t attack this base, but he can come here at any second. To Noto who asked while breathing roughly, Sofia took out a small box from her bag and make a faint smile.
“Teacher’s state is a little bit too tired… I brought some chocolate as a souvenir. Let’s talk about it over a tea.”
Thank you for reading this! Here’s part 2! You underestimated Cry, Noto. he can find you even when he doesn’t think of finding you. But still, so reckless to kill everyone just because of one traitor. Well it does show he is a bad guy. And here come the second most dangerous people in Akasha that Strange Grief are after. How will Cry fight against them? Tchao à plus!
1. Teach: In Japanese he is saying “Shi” from “Shisho” which can be translated as master or teacher. So, I translate it to “Teach” from “Teacher”.
“Among us… There is this 『Friend』 of Infinite Variety…”
“Kuh…”
When you think about it, when he used his magic, it was a gravitational magic with a low killing capability, this was probably to not kill the informant inside.
Everyone here except me is a suspect. There are a lot of people who know of the name 『Akasha』 for the strategic class Golem, but only a few people knew that we evacuated to the research facility close to the 『Alain Column Ruins』.
Fortunately, his best disciple, Sofia, is crossed off the list of suspects. From all the disciple, it would have been very painful to lose a talented disciple like Sofia.
Noto look down and confirm each disciple facial expressions. Tension. Fear. Anger. With a mixed of various emotions together, the second disciple say.
“Bu… But even if there was an insider… The relocation was sudden. There is no way to inform Infinite Variety…”
“There are… Even a lot of way. It is much easier than finding us by himself with no prior information.”
I know of the past history of every disciple. As far as Noto knows, no one has any contact with Infinite Variety. But this is now no longer relevant. Were they threatened or were they coax? None of it matter.
The most important thing right now, is to prevent further information leakage. To a Mage, there is nothing more deadly than exposing their hand. Even if you set up a trap, it will become useless if there are informants inside.
Now that I think about it, the fact that the magical attack of all the disciple was invalidated might have been because he already knew what kind of magic they will cast. There is almost no Mage who mastered all kind of magic. Even Noto’s disciples have their own favorite magic they are good at.
Although it is difficult to prevent all attack, there are several ways to prevent an attack if you limit the kind. I suppose he was so defenseless even when we attacked him is because he already took countermeasure against us.
“I will declare it first. That man who dare to insult me to be a Rabbit researcher… I will kill him.”
When Noto declare this, all the disciples are quivering. He has powerful revengeful eyes. However, there was no one who dare to stop his behavior.
No, there are no one who are confident enough to refute him. Until now, there was no one who was doubting him. While touching his favorite wand to check it, all the disciples hold their breath and waited for his next word, as if they were waiting for their conviction.
Perhaps he couldn’t stand the silence, among all the disciples the oldest, the second disciple speak out.
“S… So, Teach1, that 『Friend』 of his… Who is it?”
“It is irritating… He isn’t showing up. Well, whatever…”
He already decided in his heart long ago.
Certainly, Noto didn’t have the power to detect who was the insider. But if you don’t know, who it is… All you have to do, is to remove anyone who are suspicious. Even if they are his disciple, there was no mercy. As he is doing that kind of research, he was already expected to do something like this when the time comes.
The research will be delayed, but all its results are already in Noto’s brain. And there is Sofia. If we can destroy our natural enemy, it will not be difficult to recover.
“…Eh”
The second disciple eyes are widely opening and his straight back swayed. His posture collapses and falls to the floor. There wasn’t even a scream. Only the sound of several bodies falling is heard.
Now there is no more insider. He has lost most of his disciple, anyone who knew of the existence of the research. But the battle is not over yet. When Sofia comes back, I have to start over again. Now, Infinite Variety will surely know that his informant is dead.
The next time I saw him… It will be your end, Infinite Variety.
In a room where nothing is moving anymore, Noto, who mercilessly cast his magic, threw a cold look at his disciples who was on the floor.
§
Noto raised his face when small footsteps was detected by the intruder detection magic. His eyes were inflated. The dark circle under his eye shows the deep fatigue accumulated in his body.
However, contrary to his exhausted expression, you can see deep inside his eyes a bright flame shining.
“So, you are back, Sofia.”
“Yes… I am back… Teacher.”
The door opens. The one who enter was Sofia… A woman who is wearing a sober gray robe.
Fiery crimson hair came off after she pulls down her hood. Beautiful blue eyes and an ephemeral look for a very talented Mage. She doesn’t look like a Mage who was working on forbidden research. Perhaps she has just return to the Imperial Capital, Sofia’s outfit remain the same as a travel outfit. She carried a large bag in her back.
Sofia. Sofia Black.
From the long career of Noto Cochlear, this woman is the most talented from all the Mage he taught. She is a woman bless by heaven who will one day exceed Noto when she accumulates more experience.
Even if she is inexperienced right now, she sometimes impresses Noto with her work. To the society, she will never be appreciated to her just value, she will only be chained by them.
And the 『Tower of Akasha』 can bring up her talent.
“I am sorry to call you so suddenly. It is an enemy.”
“An enemy of Teacher Noto… I will etch it in my heart.”
Despite being called suddenly from her leave without stating his reason, there is no resentment from her expression. She looks up at Noto with her calm eyes, reminiscent of a quiet lake, and ask him briefly.
“Where are everyone else?”
“There was an insider. I disposed of it. You are the only one left.”
Sofia’s eyes slightly open. She was confused for a second. Her soft cheeks move and a speak with a soft voice.
“This is… If it is fine for you… Could I have their corpse…”
“… You can have it later. For now, there is a more urgent matter”
It was erased immediately but it was certainly a smile.
It is not like Sofia had a bad relationship with the other disciples. But still… To the announcement of the death of her comrade who researched together. There wasn’t any feeling of sadness that could be felt from their death.
Pure intellectual curiosity is sometimes really close to bad intent. That sensitivity, which was so far away from ordinary people can sometime be seen, it is one of the main reasons Noto Cochlear highly evaluate Sofia.
To their death announcement, Sofia put her bad down on the floor and nodded her head.
“Understood. Teacher, before talking can I have some of your time?”
“… Why?”
It is a first priority matter. Until now, Infinite Variety didn’t attack this base, but he can come here at any second. To Noto who asked while breathing roughly, Sofia took out a small box from her bag and make a faint smile.
“Teacher’s state is a little bit too tired… I brought some chocolate as a souvenir. Let’s talk about it over a tea.”
Thank you for reading this! Here’s part 2! You underestimated Cry, Noto. he can find you even when he doesn’t think of finding you. But still, so reckless to kill everyone just because of one traitor. Well it does show he is a bad guy. And here come the second most dangerous people in Akasha that Strange Grief are after. How will Cry fight against them? Tchao à plus!
1. Teach: In Japanese he is saying “Shi” from “Shisho” which can be translated as master or teacher. So, I translate it to “Teach” from “Teacher”.
