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?!"

to the ground. Malvil's

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

able to participate in the war. It would be extremely detrimental both to Ava and

and reassured, "Don't worry. Although it will take me

her head up in surprise, Ava hurriedly asked, "Really.? I can use

"Ye."

slight smile played on his

it. It's not like the flute will stop

much- needed relief to Ava. She put her hand

like that then there is

Rumble-!

the whole structure

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

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

"Just what in the..."

maintaining an uneasy footing, Malvil took out a small

holographic image appeared before him, depicting the situation

"Oh, god almighty..."

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

did not go unnoticed by Ava who

"What is going on?"

took a peek at the

"Ah!"

very moment, when her eyes fell upon

the city from

wave of black demons that stretched all the way till they

The scene looked horrifying.

***

you're saying is…. you want us to

inside of

"...That is correct."

cold and emotionless

trying to achieve

none other than Durara,

elders were present, and their gazes remained

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

ourselves, face great difficulty infiltrating the place. What makes you think that we can help

Durara spat.

was filled with annoyance due to

to look for a human. He's someone

And why

Another Duergar spoke up.

Duergar had thin white hair on top of

name was Orion, and he was one

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

words were met with nods of approval from some

time and logistical constraints Inferno currently faced, to

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

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

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

the human piqued. To be owed

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

"I see..."

table, Orion interlocked his hands

present in the hall, confirming their expressions,

contact you later to

"I understand."

Moments after, his

in the hall

you think? Should we accept the offer?" Orion