The Traveling Hero Won’t Let the Innkeeper’s Son Escape

"Now, you all know about Zagres. I'm sorry that Ruth had to talk to you with that body. Thank you. Let's get together a report on the status quo. - Cyrus, can I talk to you for a second?

"Okay."

After being named by Geo, Cyrus began to talk about the current state of the world.

What we now know is that a crack from the Magic Cube that appeared in the sky - the "Gate of the Sky” - opened, and from there appeared a non-living creature that resembled a monster. The creature - the creature of another world - is going to each city. It is also known that they are attacking mainly "people” such as ethnic and sub-ethnic people.

Cyrus kept talking as he watched the footage on the central table. Ruth was a little surprised at the technology that was far from the village life, but everyone around him seemed to be used to it and didn't care.

There was a strange creature that grew hands and feet, whitening and shaping like an egg. It resembles a simplified atmosphere in space clothing. He was about a kid in size, but had a black thing in his hand that resembled a firearm.

"So far, our unified capabilities are not strong, and we can deal with adventurers, mercenaries, and the military capabilities of various countries. But as the days go by, we are also seeing large organisms... proportional to the widening of the sky gates."

According to information collected by Cyrus, organisms seem to be talking to each other, and are likely to be as intelligent as we are.

(... intelligence... only people attack... are you trying to invade?

Looks like someone was thinking the same thing as Ruth, and it was already under investigation.

We still don't know what reason or understanding they are coming to this world, but it is the team's view that even if they are targeting people and not showing deep interest in inorganic objects, it is likely that they are coming to invade this world.

"Weren't you working with Zagres?

"I can't discard that possibility... but there's no sign of alien life being directed by Zagres at the moment."

"Instead, as the sky gates open, is it likely that larger species will emerge?

"I think it could be enough. In the first place, the Magic Cube itself is stupid. That big means there's something on the other side that needs that size."

Some of them went to check on the Sky Gate, but they said it wasn't a very investigative situation. As soon as they got close, they were exposed to intense fire from alien creatures and evacuated at their peril. Since then, they have been monitoring the sky gates while maintaining a certain distance, and if large species emerge, they are rushing to contact the destination. At this stage, large species are not moving so fast, so the message is in time, but I don't know how long it will last. It is the judgment of the investigation team that this is not the way to end.

"You still have to figure out how to close the Sky Gate early....."

Geo breathes because he is deep.

Following Cyrus's detailed report, one of Alec's associates, Nerf, stood up.

"It's a way to close the gates of the sky, but after all sorts of research, there are none other than the three that I mentioned before."

The only way to create that giant magic cube in the sky is through its magic amount, technical problems, and timing. Therefore, the Magic Cube - the gates of the sky can only be closed by Zagres, or the Magic Cube can be cut off by Zagres, or it can be closed by force with greater force.

I don't know exactly what Zagres thought and made that stuff, but according to the information from Hildegardo earlier...

(To turn people's minds toward one purpose)

Zagres is trying to make his mission a reality. It is blind, and perhaps the means and consequences are no longer relevant to him. In the present situation, some purpose should have been achieved, but in the past, the end of the war caused distortion again. I don't think Zagres, who has that experience, can easily close the gate. Anyway, if you're being attacked by alien creatures, people all over the world are focused on it.

(But... as it stands, alien creatures will attack us, leaving no one around the world, which doesn't seem to suit Zagres's purpose either.)

Perhaps that is the ultimate goal of Zagres.

If there are few people, there will be no more scattered thoughts and no strengths. Zagres creates a world under his control. --just like he was when he was born.

"It's impossible to ask Zagres to shut it down voluntarily. I know it's hard because it has failed so many times in the past."

The last thing left is to force the seal with greater force. Thomas and Geo are currently in a hurry to develop it, but it is doubtful whether it can be implemented in the first place because of the magic amount.

That's the size of the Magic Cube. I can't be sure it will work when Geo, Wonok, Spirit King, Hildegardo, and many others join forces. If Zagres is the “one who fulfills the wishes of the stars” who is fully awakened, it is only natural that he has no line-up power.

(... the power to line up, if Alec is right)

"What about Alec asking Alec for help? Rescue them from the ark first, and Alec will be able to seal the Magic Cube!

Ruth took it for granted that everyone would rescue Alec, even if it was difficult now. At the same time as I shut the gates of the sky, I was thinking about him. So if we rescue Alec first, we won't be short of power.

But, according to Ruth, the air in the conference room froze.

"... um... Alec... of course he'll help you, right?

Curtis responded to Ruth's question.

"Alec is now in the ark. From the amount of magic traveling around the ark, it is certain. But inside the ark, it's a situation where people can't get close."

"Can't you get close?... what the hell is going on?

"The barriers around it are not just boundaries, but enchantments that rob intruders of their magic."

"Stealing magic?

"Yes"

The technique is quite advanced, so even Geo can't easily disarm it. Instead, if you get closer to unlocking it, you will be deprived of magic without resistance.

Besides, the magic that was taken away...

"It is quite likely that it will be used to open the gates of the sky even more."

According to the survey team that is measuring the magic flow of the ark, the magic still absorbs a small amount of magic floating around the building. I know that the magic is flowing to the Magic Cube that opens the gates of the sky.

"In other words, as long as the boundaries are tight, we need to get help....?

"... yes. According to the research team, there were some people who just came close and caused a lack of magic."

The more powerful the magic, the faster it tends to be absorbed, so it is said that the area around the ark is kept away from some investigators. Black smoke in the first place, and it doesn't seem easy to get close.

When approaching the ark, magic is taken away, and its magic is reduced to the power to open the gates of the sky. For these two reasons, it seems we are still unable to rescue Alec.

"Given that large organisms are emerging in proportion to the opening of the ceiling gates, we can't get too close... because if we get too close, we'll open the sky gates faster."

"So, Alec rescue....."

"... unfortunately, it's in the form of a pending decision."

"That's right... but!

"... Ruth. The magic in the ark is beyond my control, so it's hard to pick up Alec right now. Forgive me."

…………

Ruth couldn't respond to Gio's words.

The surrounding sights get farther and farther. The sigh goes into my ears, but it doesn't go into my head.

"Ruth, Ruth...."

Silas called and stroked his head, and Ruth turned his consciousness back to reality.

"Ah...."

When I was careful, no one was in the conference room. Apparently it was already over.

Turning to Cyrus behind him, he spoke gently with an unspeakable expression.

"You can't help being here, can you? Shall I go back to my room?"

"Ah... yes..."

Cyrus hugs me again and leaves the room empty.

"Ruth, don't be discouraged...."

……

Ruth couldn't respond well.

Cyrus sighed as he saw Ruth. "Keep it to yourself," he adds at the outset.

"That's what Geo and Curtis said in front of the world dignitaries at the meeting, but they're not giving up on Alec's rescue."

"Eh...."

"I'm thinking about how to close the Sky Gate and how I can rescue Alec. However, given the current state of affairs in which nations are being attacked by alien creatures, we cannot speak out about Alec's rescue. The gates of the sky are troublesome."

"... well, Alec..."

"I don't say 100 percent. As Curtis said, just approaching the ark is sure to take away the magic. And I don't even know where Alec is right now."

Inside the ark seems to have turned into a magical vortex, and we haven't been able to find out from the outside where Alec is in that big building yet.

However, regarding magic absorption, Geo-san and the others are mainly investigating. That's not why the possibilities are zero. Remember that. "

"Yes"

According to the information from Cyrus, Ruth felt the fire light again on the hopes that had withered away.

"Looks good, Ruth. Don't give up hope of rescuing Alec. There must be some way. If you stop thinking, it's over, but if you keep thinking... and it's not good for your body to give up."

Ruth nodded to Cyrus laughing.

"... yes, thank you. Mr. Silas."

Ruth left the meeting room with Cyrus, thinking positively again.