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 ground. Malvil's reply was beyond

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

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

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

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

"Ye."

A slight smile played on

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

Ava. She put her hand on her chest and sighed in

that

Rumble-!

finish her words, the

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

onto the side of the table,

"Just what in the..."

footing, Malvil took out a small device from his dimensional space and switched it

appeared before him, depicting the situation

"Oh, god almighty..."

jaw dropped in shock.

behavior did not go unnoticed by

"What is going on?"

body slightly, Ava took a peek at the holographic

"Ah!"

her eyes fell upon the image, Ava

was because the barrier protecting the city

borders of the barriers were a wave of black

The scene looked horrifying.

***

want us to help you

inside of a dark

"...That is correct."

cold and emotionless

to achieve

to none other than Durara, one of the elders of

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

the hologram was an old man with dull grey eyes. He was a

What makes you think that we

Durara spat.

annoyance due to the

trying to look for

And why

Another Duergar spoke up.

monocle, the Duergar had thin white hair on

name was Orion, and he was one of the elders of

care about helping you look for a human? You're not

were met with nods of approval from some of

lot of resources, including but not limited to the time and logistical constraints

did not see the need

projection, the human, Mo Jinhao, squinted his eyes and spoke in a cold, dead tone

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

inquired, his interest in the human piqued. To be owed

tracking system on him. With it, you should be able to locate

"I see..."

table, Orion interlocked his hands

the hall, confirming their expressions, Orion spoke up,

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

"I understand."

an indifferent tone. Moments after, his

the hall

think? Should we accept the offer?" Orion