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 her wildest

it was just one week or a

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

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

hurriedly asked, "Really.? I can use the

"Ye."

A slight smile

come and take it. It's not like the

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

that

Rumble-!

words, the whole structure

"_ _!"

"What is going on?"

and Ava panicked. Holding onto the side of the table, the two of them tried to remain

"Just what in the..."

footing, Malvil took out a small device from his dimensional

holographic image appeared before him, depicting the

"Oh, god almighty..."

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

behavior did not go unnoticed by

"What is going on?"

took a peek at the holographic

"Ah!"

her eyes fell upon the image, Ava wished she had

barrier protecting the city

of black demons that

The scene looked horrifying.

***

you're saying is…. you want us

inside of a

"...That is correct."

emotionless

trying to achieve by

belonged to none other than Durara, one of the

and their gazes remained transfixed at the

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

a war? We, by ourselves, face great difficulty infiltrating the place. What makes you think that we can help you enter? In fact, why do you think we would

Durara spat.

annoyance due to the

trying to look for a human.

why should we

Another Duergar spoke up.

Duergar had thin white hair on top of

name was Orion, and he was one of the

for a human? You're not planning on asking us to do this for free,

words were met with nods of approval from some

limited to the time and logistical constraints Inferno currently faced, to get someone to infiltrate

elders of Inferno did not see the

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 compromise then.

"Owe us one?"

"Yes."

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

tracking system on him. With it, you should be

"I see..."

table, Orion

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

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

"I understand."

with an indifferent tone. Moments after, his

fell in the hall

do you think? Should we accept the offer?" Orion