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?!"

widened in shock, her jaw nearly dropping to the

understood if it was just one week or

flute here to get fixed, then she wouldn't be able to participate in the war. It

will take me over a year to fix the flute, that

in surprise, Ava hurriedly asked, "Really.? I can use the flute even

"Ye."

A slight smile played on

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

to Ava. She put her hand on

it's like that then

Rumble-!

could finish her words, the whole structure started to shake

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

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

"Just what in the..."

a small device from his

holographic image appeared before him, depicting the

"Oh, god almighty..."

Malvil witnessed what was happening outside, his jaw dropped in shock.

did not go unnoticed by Ava who was standing next

"What is going on?"

took

"Ah!"

when her eyes fell upon the image, Ava wished she had been in

protecting the city from the outside

of black demons that stretched all the way till they

The scene looked horrifying.

***

what you're saying is…. you want

voice sounded inside of

"...That is correct."

and emotionless tone

trying to

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

were present, and their gazes remained

was an old man with dull grey eyes. He was

What makes you think that we can help you enter? In fact, why do you

Durara spat.

filled with annoyance due to the

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 special attention

And why should we

Another Duergar spoke up.

white hair on top of his balding

and he was one of the elders

helping you look for a human? You're not planning on asking us to do this for

nods of

would take a lot of resources, including but not limited to the time and logistical constraints Inferno currently faced, to get someone to infiltrate Henolur. Moreover, they

was a reward, the elders of Inferno did not see the

human, Mo Jinhao, squinted his eyes and spoke in a cold, dead tone devoid of the slightest trace of emotion, We can compromise

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

Orion inquired, his interest in the human piqued. To be owed a favor by such a large organization, the leaders

now, but we have a tracking system on him.

"I see..."

both elbows on the table, Orion interlocked his

a look at the other duergars present in the hall, confirming their expressions, Orion

we'll give it a thought. We'll contact you later to let

"I understand."

Moments after, his projection

fell in the hall

Should we