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?!"

her jaw nearly dropping to the ground.

She could've understood if it was just one week or a month, but one year was far too much for

here to get fixed, then she wouldn't be able to participate in the war. It would be extremely detrimental both

look of dejection on 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, that doesn't

asked, "Really.? I can use the flute even when you're

"Ye."

A slight smile played on

you need the flute, you can just come and take it. It's not like the flute

some much- needed relief to Ava. She put her hand on her chest and

it's like that then there is

Rumble-!

finish her words, the whole structure

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

of

"Just what in the..."

a small

image appeared before him, depicting the situation

"Oh, god almighty..."

happening outside, his jaw dropped in shock. The colour of his face paled

not go unnoticed by Ava

"What is going on?"

slightly, Ava took a peek at the holographic

"Ah!"

eyes fell upon

the barrier protecting the city from

borders of the barriers were a wave of black demons that stretched all

The scene looked horrifying.

***

you're saying is…. you want us to help you infiltrate

raspy voice sounded inside of a dark

"...That is correct."

cold and emotionless tone rung

to

voice sounded; it belonged to none other than Durara, one of the

the moment, all of the elders were present, and their gazes remained transfixed at the hologram before

old man with dull

in the middle of a war? We, by ourselves, face great difficulty infiltrating the place. What makes you think that we can help you enter? In fact, why do you think we would even consider

Durara spat.

annoyance due

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

why should we

Another Duergar spoke up.

had thin white hair

Orion, and he was

we care about helping you look for a human? You're not planning on asking us to

met with nods of approval

resources, including but not limited to the time and logistical constraints Inferno currently faced, to get someone to

the elders of Inferno did not see the need to approve of the

in a cold, dead tone devoid of the slightest trace of emotion, We can compromise then. Help us capture the human. In exchange, we will owe

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

interest in the human piqued. To

tracking system on

"I see..."

on the table, Orion interlocked his

the hall, confirming their expressions, Orion spoke up, his voice and words on

contact you later

"I understand."

Moments after,

the hall moments

do you think? Should we