The Author's POV

336 Infiltration [4]

[Utility center, fourth level.]

"This is a lot more complicated than I first thought."

Malvil muttered under his breath as he studied the pale green flute in front of him.

After completing his work for the day, he had spent most of his free time analysing the flute.

It was then that he realized that the flute was even more sophisticated than his original estimates.

"...Just how did they manage to make the mana flow this way?"

Touching the shaft of the flute, a white hue emanated from his finger, entering the object.

The moment mana circulated in the flute, it lit up and Malvil was able to see thin vein lines inside. His eyes locked intensely on it, his gaze enraptured.

"I see….. So, in order to create an oscillating sound, the mana is stored and released in short bursts that causes the frame of the flute to burst..."

Taking out a piece of paper, Malvil started to sketch an image of the flute.

Although there was technology that could perfectly capture an image of the flute, Malvil was the type of dwarf who preferred to use a regular pen and paper.

Sitting by the side, Ava curiously looked at Malvil. He seemed to have completely forgotten her presence. The dwarf was utterly fascinated by the flute in front of him.

Having stayed in the workshop for almost a day, she was understandably tired. Moreso than Malvil, even.

Hein and Leopold were still in the facility, but they were currently looking through the other sections, having a merry time.

It was currently just her and Malvil in the room.

"...Excuse me."

"Hm?" Malvil turned, looking at Ava curiously.

"Yer still here?" A hint of surprise in his voice.

"Yes..."

"You should probably go back, it will still take me a while before starting to fix this thing."

That was a half-truth.

Although it would indeed take him a while to fix the flute, in reality, Malvil wanted to spend more time analyzing it. Therefore, he was planning on slowing down the rate at which he was going to fix the flute.

It was selfish, but there was nothing in the world that could stop a dwarf from his craft.

'Consider this as a small payment for fixing the flute.'

Malvil mused as he put more mana into the flute.

Typically, he would've never done this kind of job, but the situation at hand was an exception.

The flute was just that intriguing.

"I can already tell you now, I won't be able to fully fix this thing immediately."

"Is that so..."

Ava dejectedly lowered her head. Her small frame looked pitiful at that moment. There was so much depending on the flute. Without it, her power would drop considerably.

With the current ongoing war, Ava couldn't wait long for the flute to be fixed. She simply didn't have that much time.

Staring at Malvil, she asked quietly, "How long do you think it will take?"

"Hmm..."

Stroking his beard, Malvil put the flute down and pondered more to himself than Ava, "Given that I still don't quite fully know the structure of the flute and the fact that I'm quite busy with other repairs, I would estimate that it would take me at least a year to fix this."

"A year?!"

shock, her jaw nearly dropping to the ground. Malvil's reply

it was just one week or a month, but one year was far too much for

she wouldn't be able to participate in the

Ava's face, Malvil instantly understood her worries and reassured, "Don't worry. Although it will take me over a year to fix the flute,

her head up in surprise, Ava hurriedly asked, "Really.? I can

"Ye."

slight smile

just come and take it. It's not like the flute will stop working once I'm fixing it,

relief to Ava. She put her hand on her chest and

like that

Rumble-!

words, the

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

and Ava panicked. Holding onto the side of the table, the two

"Just what in the..."

an uneasy footing, Malvil took out a small device from

image appeared before him, depicting the

"Oh, god almighty..."

moment Malvil witnessed what was happening outside, his jaw dropped

go unnoticed by Ava who was standing next to

"What is going on?"

took a peek

"Ah!"

eyes fell upon the image, Ava wished she had been

protecting the city from the outside

barriers were a wave of black demons that stretched all the

The scene looked horrifying.

***

you want us to help

voice sounded inside of a

"...That is correct."

cold and emotionless

to achieve

aged female voice sounded; it belonged to none

the elders were present, and their gazes remained transfixed at the hologram

an old man with

difficulty infiltrating the place. What makes you think that we can help you enter? In fact, why do you think

Durara spat.

was filled with annoyance due to

by Durara's words, the old man in the hologram spoke up, "I'm trying to look for a human. He's someone that the

And why should

Another Duergar spoke up.

white hair on

Orion, and he was one of the elders of

look for a human? You're

of approval from

but not limited to the time and logistical constraints Inferno currently

of Inferno did not see the need to

duergars present in the hall from the holographic projection, the human, Mo Jinhao, squinted his eyes and spoke in a cold, dead tone devoid of the slightest trace of emotion, We can compromise then. Help

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

does this human look like?" Orion inquired, his interest in the human piqued. To be owed a favor by such a large organization, the

tracking system

"I see..."

elbows on the table, Orion

at the other duergars present in the hall, confirming their expressions, Orion spoke up, his voice and words on

you later to let

"I understand."

Jinhao replied with an indifferent tone. Moments after, his projection disappeared from the

fell in the hall

you think? Should we accept the offer?"