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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
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Chapter 184
There was no time to change the location.
I heard the conversation of my companions right in front of the hole.
“It must have been the day Professor Pierre caused a big uproar.”
Suddenly, rumors began to pour in.
The death of Dorempa Evans.
Loss of contact with Ivar Waitanka.
Cuculli’s resort escape.
Upon hearing that the children were following her, I could only open my mouth in shock.
“They say they escaped from the island with the help of Lucas Wellington. They are now heading north together.”
“…Together?”
“For some reason, Duke Wellington also testified to the professor. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ he said, apologizing….”
…Even for Yussi, it must have been force majeure.
I sighed involuntarily.
Unexpected events overwhelmed my mind all at once.
Reflexively, I glanced around the hole.
The door made of petals was tightly closed.
‘…Could Laplace’s prophecy be referring to the current situation?’
A grim prophecy that warned that if one did not realize the seasons, myself and my disciples would die at the hands of a betrayer.
I thought it spoke of events far in the future… but perhaps it was a prophecy about the near future.
…Blue was covering the continent earlier than scheduled.
I turned my gaze to the distant north.
At the moment, all I could see were dense trees, but the vivid image of the windy northern plateau was clear in my mind.
‘…Dorempa is dead.’
Many memories flashed through my mind like arrows.
“Let’s meet again, friend! Although the Great Snowy Plains are vast, the ties of fate are strong, so we’ll meet again someday!”
From my very first memory, before I started acting as Ted’s replacement.
“Help my daughter to enjoy many things. Every intense emotion, whether small happiness or anxiety.”
Even the last advice I received on the island.
Unconsciously, I wiped my face with my hand.
The texture on my palm was hard and cold.
‘I never thought it would be the last time.’
I had thought that someday, as Dorempa said, I would see him again.
Once all this was over and peace came, I had thought about meeting him in my original form.
I wondered what we would talk about.
Does he remember me?
If he remembers, what kind of memories?
“…….”
What came to mind next was Cuculli’s innocent expression.
Guilt is a strong emotion.
Despite unavoidable circumstances, ultimately it was I who brought Dorempa out of the north.
It felt like the ground under my feet was sinking deeply, as if it were about to collapse.
But-
“…Professor? Are you alright?”
…I couldn’t afford to be immersed in despair.
The word “Professor” from Pia woke me up.
Right, I am a professor.
The caretaker of the children.
I began to question Pia again.
“Tracking teams must have been formed. Can they catch up before the children reach the north?”
“It’s uncertain… I heard. Cuculli was definitely lost.”
…It’s not good.
I bit my lips tightly.
It’s too dangerous to wander around the north right now.
‘Dorempa’s death couldn’t have been the work of just the remnants of the demonic church.’
Something intervened in his death.
Based on the information given, the most likely thing is Ivar’s betrayal.
Moreover, it is said that contact with Ivar was immediately severed after Dorempa’s death.
‘Was he a traitor within the knights?’
It seems highly probable.
…But, it wasn’t a perfect deduction.
Ivar was originally from the Great Mountain Range, a warrior who lost his homeland and family to the demons.
His burning desire for revenge and hatred had been proven on the battlefield over the past few years.
So why would someone like him suddenly switch sides and kill the Dorempa?
‘In the end, there are two possibilities…’
Either Ivar was truly a traitor.
Or he suffered a transformation like Dorempa.
For now, I consider both possibilities.
‘Anyway, it’s certain that something powerful enough to kill Dorempa lurks in the north.’
I quickly set the primary goal.
Cuculli headed to the sanctuary for the “baptism.”
For now, I will join Cuculli and help her complete her succession and return safely.
In the process, I will also protect the other children.
“And there’s something else….”
Pia relayed significant testimonies from Euphemia and Yusi.
But there was neither the time nor the need to focus on those who were far away.
What’s important now is to reach the north as quickly as possible, that’s all.
Conversations can wait for later.
I silently turned my body northward.
The members who saw my posture all looked puzzled.
“…Professor? Are you planning to run?”
“Aren’t you going to use words?”
Only Noubelmag seemed to have guessed something, furrowing his eyebrows and biting his pipe.
“Words are unnecessary.”
“Yes?”
I slowly nodded.
Now…
“Because I’m faster.”
I spoke before they could even respond.
“You all head to Rosenstark. Under no circumstances come to the north.”
At my words, Kasim, Noubelmag, and Pia all opened their mouths simultaneously.
But I didn’t hear what they were saying at all.
Kwaang-
The sound of fierce wind tearing through the air was deafening.
I become faster.
I don’t get tired.
My steps find balance.
Paradox pushes me forward.
▼
Unique Ability of Black Hope: Activation of the Domain.
▲
The powerful force of gravity pulls ahead.
…It took no time at all to leave the Great Forest behind.
‘One week. Circumnavigate the continent in one week.’
Fighting non-stop for 18 days and embarking on a long and arduous journey straight away was impossible even for Ted.
It was a moment when I felt lucky to be a doppelganger.
* * *
Lucas used the family’s ship to transport everyone to the surface.
But that was just the beginning of the chase.
The children were in a dilemma.
“Um… how are we supposed to catch up with Cuculli?”
“She must be far ahead by now.”
Carriages, horses, walking, everything is slow.
It was Luke, who had been to the Wellington territory for a commission, who came up with the idea then.
“Let’s take the Magic Train.”
“Huh? There’s a Magic Train in Wellington territory? I’ve never heard of it before.”
There was a long line that the Duke of Wellington had installed for tourism and material transportation.
A route long enough to cross the territory.
The children hurriedly headed to that station.
“…But I heard it’s not operational.”
The children stopped in dismay at the empty station.
Although some station staff could be seen, notices indicating that the trains were not running were posted all over the building.
But Luke was not at all surprised.
He already knew that this struggling train industry had failed.
And that the former Duke stubbornly opposed demolition and was barely maintaining the facility.
‘They say a lot of money was wasted because of the obsession with speed.’
Luke grinned and pushed the blond boy who was following the group from behind.
“Go!”
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
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“Uh, okay.”
.
.
.
“So this is the taste of power.”
The children marveled anew with excitement.
Gerald, Leciel, Ban, Evergreen, Luke, Karen who joined after hearing the news, and… Lucas.
The Magic Train ran only for these seven.
Even the crew came out somewhere and provided service with sincerity.
They seemed glad to be working again, as smiles bloomed all around.
“So, after we reach the terminal, we can get a ride from a nearby station and run to North Hale, right?”
Gerald sucked his fresh orange juice through a straw and glanced at one side of the seat.
More precisely, at the boy who was crouching uncomfortably.
“Why did you come along?”
“Because I felt like I would die in the hands of the principal if I stayed on the island.”
Lucas couldn’t forget the terrifying face of the principal he faced in Rosenstark’s quarantine ward.
She vented her anger at the culprit who ruined the career of the respected Hero, and Lucas, who was weak, almost wet himself.
In fact, helping the children this time was a great act of courage for him.
“Uh, but still, why follow us all the way to the north? Why bother?”
“…It’s a chance for atonement.”
“Uh-huh.”
Ban intervened amidst the annoying looks directed at Lucas.
“Well, we can get more direct help like we are now, right?”
The children agreed with that statement.
“That’s true.”
“Gerald, loosen your face a bit. It’s hard to look at you.”
“Damn, I can’t be angry when Ban is being still….”
Of course, it was a fact that Lucas caused great trouble for the children.
…But it was also true that they were at an age where they could easily brush off deep resentment.
The eyes directed at the boy who provided crucial help were much softer.
Lucas was filled with new emotions as he spent time with his classmates for the first time in a long time.
“That… it was said to be on the way to save Cuculli.”
Evergreen provided the answer.
“Yeah.”
“Why did she go? Because of the tribal chief?”
“Yeah, probably, but we don’t know exactly why Cuculli went to the north. But one thing is for sure, she wouldn’t leave quietly.”
“…There’s probably a high probability of revenge.”
“So we’ll join Cuculli for now. If she wants revenge….”
Evergreen’s eyelids quivered once.
It was due to empathizing with her.
What if her father had passed away due to some conspiracy.
If her father had been taken by some conspiracy, what would it have been like?
The green eyes sank infinitely deep.
“I wouldn’t dare stop you, but I might be able to help you.”
Since leaving Rosenstark, Lucas had noticed that his classmates had grown a lot.
A feeling of envy passed through the boy’s face along with a faint regret.
“But is there a way to find Cuculli? North Hale is vast, and human power doesn’t reach well. It would be unrealistic to just search by word of mouth.”
“Well, about that…”
Evergreen wrinkled her freckled nose.
She was about to call out something, and the next moment, she did.
“Shadow!”
A young wolf pup, who had been sniffing around in a corner of the train car, came panting towards them.
No, it wasn’t a pup anymore, it was about the size of an ordinary adult wolf.
Having only glanced at it briefly, Lucas simply mistook Shadow for a pet wolf.
“…It’s known that animals have a good sense of smell, but it wouldn’t be enough to chase Cuculli in that vast territory.”
“Hey, he’s a Rune Wolf.”
Lucas tapped his knee.
The sense of smell of a Rune Wolf was very famous.
It wasn’t just about having a good nose.
It had a magical ability.
The mystical creature had the conceptual power of “finding engraved scents.”
As Evergreen petted Shadow’s head, she spoke.
“Remember when Shadow licked Cuculli’s finger with the wound at the drinking party?”
“Ah…”
Luke and Gerald, who were drunk, swallowed the rest of their words.
The rest nodded vigorously.
“He will lead us to our troublesome friend.”
Panting-
The moment Lucas reached out his hand with a tail wagging in front of him.
Krrrrk-
The train stopped.
Lucas tilted his head in puzzlement.
“What’s going on?”
“Why?”
“I told them not to stop unless they were picking up passengers, but why did they stop?”
Before Lucas could finish his sentence,
Footsteps echoed from the other end of the train corridor.
The sharp sound of military boots with a pronounced click.
Without anyone needing to say anything, the children spread out their senses.
Ban was the fastest.
“Four knights and two civilians presumed to be staff.”
Luke followed behind.
He had already completed his combat preparations.
“It’s too few to call it a pursuit team. Probably people from the Wellington family who came to catch us after receiving a communication.”
Thunk-
The door to the compartment opened simultaneously.
Lucas’s brow furrowed as he spotted the familiar face at the front.
“Master.”
“Step aside.”
“I cannot. The Duke has personally instructed me to escort you and your friends.”
“Do I have to decide whether to keep looking at my old man’s face or face you?”
If Cuculli were here, he would have said, “As expected, garbage doesn’t go anywhere!” with a fierce look.
But the notorious troublemaker’s glory seemed to be completely powerless now.
“I apologize.”
The knight bowed his head, but he reluctantly entered the compartment.
It was then that Leciel, who had been dozing off the whole time, stood up.
Naturally, everyone’s gaze focused on her fluttering red hair.
A calm voice resounded.
“…Just four of you.”
Charrurrk-
The shape shifter held in the girl’s hand made a metallic sound as it transformed into a blunt club.
It had a graceful curve, but everyone in the compartment was caught up in the illusion that the blade was aimed directly under their throats.
The Heart Sword, the rhythm of Hiyashin’s stances, nailed the knights of Wellington to the ground.
One of the knights was so startled that he muttered without thinking.
“…Monster.”
“The responsibility for this….”
Leciel smiled lightly.
The grandmother who didn’t eat with her even once during her vacation.
Just give it a try.
Her crimson eyes then turned to her stunned friends.
“What are you doing. Is this your first train heist?”
Evergreen, Ban, and Luke chuckled simultaneously.
“As if.”
* * *
…Coincidentally, at the same time.
Cuculli, whom they were eagerly chasing, was also facing an unexpected obstacle.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!
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