Mezlen Abduction Incident (3)

It wasn’t very difficult to find Mezlen’s location. After all, this Whispering Leaf was an item created for the convenience of story progression, so its function of finding missing people or lost items was always reliable, no matter where or when.

The place where the four-person party, consisting of me, Ethan, the Hero, and the Saint, arrived was somewhere on the back mountain near the Academy Technology Department Dormitory.

“…Seeing it go down near here, it seems Princess Mezlen is probably somewhere beneath this mountain.”

“B-beneath the mountain…? Th-that means Princess Mezlen is already…”

“Th-that’s not what I meant, Saint-nim! This item cannot be used to find dead people in the first place!”

“Ah, I-I see…. I-I’m sorry for saying something strange…”

Leaving aside Serista’s remark, which could have been blasphemy if spoken wrongly, Gyeotmwa Jyosyegigot, who had roughly grasped the situation, added to my explanation.

“There’s probably a secret facility made for such deeds. Like that professor’s hideout that was in the basement of the building near the Alchemy Department last time.”

“Ah, l-like that time…”

“…Of course, there probably won’t be any horrible monsters like the ones we saw back then. If they kidnapped Princess Mezlen, they wouldn’t have taken her to a facility full of such monsters in the first place.”

“R-right…”

“First, it would be best to find the entrance. As we search, if anyone finds any terrain or facilities that feel even slightly unusual, please share your thoughts.”

“Alright.”

“Got it.”

“…Y-yes, yes!”

With their respective answers, the four people searched for the entrance while circling the mountain.

First, since Ethan and Serista were characters from the game, they naturally wouldn’t know where the secret entrance was, and Gyeotmwa probably didn’t know the exact location either.

‘I didn’t write about the Technology Department’s back mountain hideout in my strategy guide.’

It wasn’t because the rewards were bad or anything; it was simply because there was no reason to proceed unless it was the Technology Department route. The last playthrough I had in my previous life, and the one for which I left a guide, was the standard Swordsmanship Department route of 『Luminor Academy』.

The good thing was that by choosing the Technology Department’s back mountain hideout, it became clear that someone from the Academy’s Technology Department was involved in this abduction incident, and since the number of villains I knew who were from the Academy’s Technology Department was small, it was easy to guess.

‘If that guy is involved, the general framework is similar to the Seraphine Abduction Incident. But in the Seraphine Abduction Incident, there was a justification that Seraphine’s blood was needed, so why Mezlen…?’

There’s no answer to be found by pondering alone. With that thought, I started searching, focusing on the locations I remembered, and within a few minutes, I found some unnaturally raised grass compared to the surrounding ground.

“This way, everyone. I’ve confirmed a place presumed to be an entrance here.”

“R-really…?! Th-then quickly… Ow!”

Serista, who stumbled over a rock on the back mountain and fell once while flustered, and Gyeotmwa Jyosyegigot, who helped her up and approached. And to Ethan, who had somehow come to stand beside me, I pointed out the entrance I had found.

“Only this rounded part has unnaturally tall grass. If you look closely, you can also see that the ground is slightly raised.”

“…It certainly looks like there’s something underneath here. Unless the Technology Department buried some trash or something.”

“What should we do? It seems to be a structure that cannot be opened easily from the outside.”

If push came to shove, I could break it with my Mana Blast, but a magic of that power could collapse the entire back mountain if used incorrectly. It was a method that couldn’t be used unless we intended to bury Princess Mezlen alive alongside her kidnappers. In the first place, if we caused that much commotion, the people who kidnapped Mezlen would kill her and flee.

Fortunately, the Swordsmanship Department Head and Vice-President were here, so there was no problem.

-Swish!

-Slice!

As soon as I finished speaking, the Hero and Ethan swung the swords they had drawn from their waists, cutting the upper and lower parts of the circle.

Their swords cleanly cut through the lock and hinge parts blocking the entrance, respectively, and the entrance to the underground passage, now without its fasteners, was easily moved aside with just a slight lift.

“Well, this should be enough, right?”

“…It’s nothing special.”

…Always showing off in front of women.

It didn’t really matter since their bravado allowed for easy entry.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

After descending the ladder leading to the Technology Department’s back mountain hideout, a rather narrow passage extended inwards.

It was a space so dark that one could barely see ahead, save for the light seeping in from the entrance. The lack of lighting immediately gave the impression that it wasn’t a place meant for good purposes.

“Seeing that they have the capacity to create such a secret facility within the Academy, they might be quite dangerous individuals. For now, Lilith, it would be best for you to stay behind me.”

“…Understood.”

“Serista, you also hide behind me if possible. And if it ever gets dangerous, tell me anytime.”

“Ah, y-yes…”

…Just how long are they going to keep up this bravado competition?

They could have just said they’d go first, but Ethan and Gyeotmwa Jyosyegigot specifically singled out me and Serista. Even though only Serista and I could actually provide light in here.

“Ah, b-but we need light, so, the Orb of Light…”

“Just a moment, Saint Serista-nim.”

“…Yes?”

After stopping Serista’s attempt to immediately fill the passage with light, I first used ‘Blurred Light’, and then had Serista use ‘Orb of Light’.

-Paah!

“When moving inside here, it would be best to move with this level of brightness. If we suddenly shine a strong light inside, the people within might notice our intrusion.”

“Y-you’re right…. I-I was thoughtless, I’m sorry…”

“Not at all, Saint Serista-nim. This bright light will probably be helpful soon, so you don’t need to apologize.”

The Orb of Light, emitting a brilliant glow, was trapped in the mist I created, transforming into a soft, subtle light.

This light was bright enough, but not so bright as to immediately reveal us to those inside.

More importantly, I didn’t just envelop Serista’s Holy Magic with Blurred Light merely for the sake of adjusting the illumination.

‘It’s just a simple illumination spell… but I might be able to use it in combat at least once.’

The four of them formulated their own plans in their minds and moved forward.

Fortunately, it seemed we had entered the right place, as the Whispering Leaf pointed horizontally to where we needed to go instead of downwards, and at crossroads, we moved our steps as much as possible in the direction the leaf was pointing.

‘Indeed, it’s a necessary item since events different from the original story are occurring.’

I might have to hand it over to the Hero later when the opportunity arises. After all, to ensure events proceed smoothly in a story that has already changed because of me, an artifact of this level seemed necessary.

-Step, step.

“…Please stop for a moment, both of you.”

“……”

“……”

“…It seems to be around here. From now on, I will lead the way.”

“Lilith, still, it’s too dangerous for you to lead…”

“…Hmph.”

“……Sorry.”

I understood their concern for me, but now was the time to focus on saving the Princess’s life.

Carrying Serista’s Orb of Light, enveloped in Blurred Light, I led the way and stopped in front of a door, and signaled Ethan, who was following, to point at the door in front of us.

“……”

-Swish, slice.

“……”

-Nod.

As soon as my hand gesture finished, Ethan swung his sword once more, slicing through the door in front of us.

With just two slashes, the door, whose lock and hinges had cleanly fallen off, tilted outwards and collapsed, and the shadows of two people came into view.

“Who…!”

“Take this, Solar Flare!!”

-Whoosh!!

“W-what?! Aaaargh!!”

As soon as I confirmed the silhouette of a blonde lady visible inside the door, I threw the Orb of Light in my hand towards her and removed the Blurred Light that had been covering it to adjust its brightness.

As soon as the Orb of Light stopped in front of Princess Mezlen and someone behind her and emitted an intense light, the man’s flustered voice reached my ears.

‘I only have one chance.’

Taking advantage of the guy’s disoriented and flustered state, I quickly moved to the center of the room and held a dagger in my right hand.

After confirming Mezlen’s body tied to the chair, I used ‘Silent Dagger’ to untie the knots, then quickly hoisted her onto my back.

“Huuuh?!”

…Somehow, she felt strangely lighter compared to when I carried her last time. It might just be due to her losing strength, but seeing the bucket filled with red liquid that caught my eye, it couldn’t be just that reason.

It would be great if I could retrieve that too, but I didn’t have the luxury of time, so just as I was about to quickly move, carrying only Princess Mezlen….

“You insolent bitch…!”

‘…Oh, crap!’

The guy, having regained his senses from the pouring light, swung the automatic knife attached to his right wrist towards me.

“Lilith, look out!”

“……!”

The knife was already sheathed again to carry Mezlen, and since both my arms were occupied carrying her, I couldn’t use a sword or magic.

Just as I was thinking that in the worst-case scenario, I might have to sacrifice one of my shoulders, a small magic circle appeared in front of my face and deflected the dagger.

“Shock, wave…”

-Boom!

…I thought she was just unconscious, but it seems she still had enough energy to cast one spell.