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?!"

eyes widened in shock, her jaw nearly dropping to the ground. Malvil's reply was beyond

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

wouldn't be able to participate in the

face, Malvil instantly understood her worries and reassured, "Don't worry. Although it will take me

I can use the flute even when you're still repairing

"Ye."

nodded. A slight smile played on

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

words brought some much- needed relief to Ava. She put her hand on her

if it's like that then

Rumble-!

could finish her words, the whole

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

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

"Just what in the..."

out a small device from his dimensional space and switched

image appeared before him, depicting

"Oh, god almighty..."

happening outside, his jaw

go unnoticed by Ava

"What is going on?"

Ava took a peek at

"Ah!"

at that very moment, when her eyes fell upon the image, Ava wished she had been

the city from the outside

a wave of black demons that stretched all the way till they

The scene looked horrifying.

***

want us to help

voice sounded inside of a dark

"...That is correct."

and emotionless tone

are you trying to achieve by infiltrating

to none other than Durara, one of the elders of

moment, all of the elders were present, and their

an old man with dull grey eyes. He was

that we're currently in the middle of a war? We, by ourselves, face great difficulty infiltrating the place. What makes you think that we can help you

Durara spat.

was filled with annoyance due

hologram spoke up, "I'm trying to look for a human. He's someone that

And why

Another Duergar spoke up.

monocle, the Duergar had thin white hair on

Orion, and he was one of the elders

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

were met with nods of approval from some

but not limited to the time and logistical constraints Inferno currently faced, to

Inferno did not see the need to approve

spoke in a cold, dead

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

the human piqued. To be owed a favor

a tracking system on him. With

"I see..."

the table, Orion

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

contact you later to

"I understand."

replied with an indifferent tone. Moments after, his

the hall moments

do you think? Should we accept the offer?"