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?!"

dropping to the

just one

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

Although it will take

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

"Ye."

smile played on his

take it. It's not like the flute will stop working once

to Ava. She

like that then

Rumble-!

finish her words, the

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

the side of the

"Just what in the..."

Malvil took out a small

before

"Oh, god almighty..."

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

by

"What is going on?"

her body slightly, Ava took

"Ah!"

moment, when her eyes fell upon the

because the barrier protecting the

the barriers were a wave of black

The scene looked horrifying.

***

what you're saying is…. you want us

voice sounded inside of a

"...That is correct."

cold and emotionless tone rung

are you trying to achieve by

to none other than Durara, one of the elders

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

man with dull

great difficulty infiltrating the place. What makes you think that we

Durara spat.

was filled with annoyance

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

why should we

Another Duergar spoke up.

had thin white hair on top

and he was one of

human? You're not planning on

met with nods of approval from

the time and logistical constraints Inferno currently faced, to get someone to infiltrate Henolur. Moreover, they had

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

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

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

in the human piqued. To be owed a favor by such a large organization, the

right now, but we have a tracking system

"I see..."

the table, Orion interlocked his hands

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

you later to

"I understand."

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

fell in the

you think? Should we accept the offer?" Orion