Volume 6 Chapter 39 Infiltration Operation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A week after our Emergency Escape from the dimensional space, I visited the Spirit Clan village.
”Chieftain Fedelate. I truly apologize. Even with me there, for Kororon-sama to end up like this…”
[…Lift your head, Karin. I understand what happened. In fact, it was impressive that you brought the Shaman back under those conditions. Thank you. I am relieved that you and the other Elders returned safely.]
”But still…”
In the dimensional space that supposedly leads to Yggdrasil, the Three Elders and I were attacked by gatekeepers—Griffons and Gargoyles. But thanks to Yasura-sama’s fire magic and Kororon-sama’s wind magic, which wore down her own life force, we forced an Emergency Escape. However, Kororon-sama had used so much spirit energy that she could no longer hold her physical form. She was reduced to a bare essence. Only by sealing her inside the treasure brooch Yohaku-sama wore could we bring her back… The chieftain said that to get her body back, she might need several centuries to gather energy again.
”Kororon-sama… I am so sorry.”
[…Don’t worry, Karin. To me, a few hundred years is just a short vacation. More importantly… I am sorry I could not go with you to the end of the Yggdrasil exploration.]
The loss of that powerful, echoing telepathy in my mind felt terribly lonely.
”Kororon-sama. Chieftain Fedelate. I know it is hard for the Spirit Clan to work there. I will definitely reach Yggdrasil and open the path for the Spirit Clan’s long-held wish. So, please… leave it to me!”
[Very well, Karin. I am counting on you.]
* * *
At the same time, Zerlant Royal Palace.
”Then, Syu’s return is still on schedule?”
”Yes. According to Second Lieutenant Sheena, the cause of the Gate (a portal between worlds) malfunction is still unknown, but the analysis of the event is complete and countermeasures are in place. There should be no problems with the trip back from that side.”
Puruun answered Queen Asuka’s question.
”I see… I wonder if that child has grown even a little.”
”Since we entrusted her to Tomori, I do not think there is any need to worry. Besides, Queen-king, the exchange student from that side who will answer Balmstra Emperor’s invitation is Tomori’s son, Halt-kun.”
”Is that true!? I was upset that I could not send Akari-mama to that side and could not repay him at all… but to think his grandson would come from there. I hope it encourages Akari-mama.”
”Yes. And, Queen-king, about the Yggdrasil exploration… currently, Sir Aaron is working with the Empire to refine the infiltration plan. I am told that once that is ready, a large-scale operation will start soon.”
”But if Syu’s return is safe, can’t we take more time with the exploration? I do not want to see any more sacrifices like Kororon-sama.”
”That may not be an option, I am afraid. Recently, after Karin and the Three Elders returned from the dimensional space, changes began appearing in the flow of the Ley Lines (channels of magical energy) within the Empire. In some areas, the Mana in the air has dropped sharply. According to Yohaku-sama, while this is a temporary event and will not affect daily life right away, it could lead to a wide drop in Mana over time… Also, the Spirit Clan is demanding an early resolution, telling us not to waste Kororon-sama’s efforts.”
”I see. But I heard from my brother that it is a place where you cannot send many troops and where mages are almost useless. Will we manage?”
”The Empire has promised full support, and Sir Aaron will surely find a way. If it comes to it, I will go in myself and take down a beast or two…”
”Honestly. Puru, you are not as young as you used to be. Please do not do anything reckless.”
* * *
At the ‘Tanuki Inn’ on the streets of Moniera, Berylart of the Spirit Clan and the Demon Clan handyman Pathos are having a meeting.
”Hoh, Berylart-sama. So you are saying that the place where that so-called World Tree is located has such dense Mana that the Spirit Clan cannot operate there?”
[That is right, Pathos-kun. Even the eldest Shaman of our Spirit Clan could not use any power and had all his spirit energy stripped away. Truly despicable. And although the Demon Clan’s controlled beast guards that place, the Demon Clan themselves cannot control it, and the Mana is so dense that the elves’ flame magic ended up burning the casters themselves. In the end, it means none of the three tribes can touch that place.]
”No, no. What a… so, that ‘Deterrent’ (a large-scale weapon or guard) is out of work for now?”
[It will not come to that. Taking back Yggdrasil is our long-held wish. If we can use our strong force in a place where neither the elves nor the Demon Clan can act, the situation will change.]
”I suppose that is one way to see it… but understood. I will handle the request as well. We are making progress on our end, too.”
[Good. The return of the exchange students has been officially decided. Please look forward to the ‘souvenir’ they bring back.]
* * *
After parting with Berylart, Pathos returns to the Imperial Capital and shows his face to his client on the Demon Clan side.
”Ah, I have heard about that. The Mana is too dense to use magic as intended, and the transport is poor, so you cannot send in troops, right?”
Good grief. This guy Thirstin gets information fast. At this rate, was there even a point in me going out of my way to get information from the Spirit Clan?
”And about that ‘Deterrent’… the exchange students’ return is decided, and they said they would bring something back as a souvenir. But, can you really bring such a huge thing in without getting caught?”
”Now, now. I do not know what they are bringing, but if it is the Spirit Clan, they will manage somehow. After that, it is our turn. More importantly, Pathos-kun. Do you know? They say the Ley Lines within the Empire have started to become disturbed, and in some areas, Mana has dropped sharply.”
”Ley Lines? What about them? Well, I suppose the Demon Clan would be in trouble if the Mana drops.”
”No, no. I was just thinking it would be interesting if the Mana concentration within the Empire dropped like this as the Ley Lines become disturbed.”
”That would not be interesting at all. If the Mana drops, will you not become unable to use magic or have your lifespans shortened? Wait, could it be that you…”
”No, no, no. I am (Watashi) not involved in the Ley Line issue. I just thought, it would be terrible if that happened.”
”I see…”
Damn. I cannot figure out what Thirstin is thinking. Intentionally reducing Mana—would that not be high treason if it goes wrong? A dimensional space where Mana is too dense and an Empire where Mana has started to drop… I cannot help but think the two problems might be connected….
At that moment, that was as far as Pathos’s thoughts could reach.
* * *
Over a month has passed since we made our Emergency Escape from that dimensional space. Finally, the operation to secure a bridgehead for the investigation was launched. Besides Yasura-sama and Yohaku-sama, I was assigned to serve as their bodyguard. The Beastfolk unit for base construction and security gathered at the Vaulted Peaks side base. However, Master Sharlin and Lady Beyond stayed behind as guards because the Mana would affect them.
And then….
”Karin. How are you holding up?”
”I am fine, Big Sister Puruun. This time, I will watch for things overhead too. But Big Sister is the supreme commander for this operation, right?”
”Yeah. We have to work mainly with Beastfolk who are less affected by Mana. I actually wanted to gather human soldiers too, but the only ones available are in Kashiwagi-san’s territory. They have not arrived yet.”
”I see. But carrying this many people and supplies with just Yohaku-sama alone—surely that is impossible?”
”That is why! Look, I borrowed Ms. Catherine, the expert on simplified Gates, from the Emperor!” Just as Big Sister Puruun said that, a woman of the Demon Clan appeared from her shadow.
”Oh… I think I have met you once before, have I not?”
”Only once, over ten years ago. Since then, Ms. Karin… look here.”
Following where Ms. Catherine pointed, I was astonished.
”Eh. A bear!?”
Standing there was my arch-enemy, the Bear, looking a bit older. He is the Beastfolk simplified Gate user who worked behind the scenes during the Gate-hijacking incident the Spirit Clan and the Demon Clan planned years ago. I had my right arm crushed by this guy. It is a fact of my past that the Spirit Clan’s Chieftain Fedelate had to fix it for me. And that is not the only evil thing he has done….
”You. You were alive…”
To my stunned, wide-eyed look, the Bear muttered back.
”Don’t go killing me off on your own. Well, I nearly kicked the bucket thanks to your Flash Strike, though. It seems that for this operation, a Beastfolk expert in simplified Gates is the most suitable. So I got a special pardon from the Emperor and got out of the slammer… so do not pull any unnecessary stunts.”
”…Well, if you are a Beastfolk, you will not be affected by the Mana that much… I understand. I will not say anything. Just focus on the mission.”
”Oh, Karin. You have grown up, have you not? Well, it just shows how troublesome this mission is that we had to drag him out,” Big Sister Puruun chuckled.
”Now, we will begin the dimensional space invasion operation!”
At Ms. Claudel’s words, the faces of all those participating tightened.
—
Summary:
The Spirit Clan, led by Karin, recovers from a harrowing escape, only to face the urgent mission of reclaiming Yggdrasil amidst a mysterious mana crisis in the Empire. Strategic coordination brings together unexpected allies and former enemies, including a Beastfolk Gate expert, to breach the dimensional space. As the operation commences, the looming threat of the mana-depleted Ley Lines adds pressure to an already high-stakes infiltration.
—
Trivia:
The ‘Tanuki Inn’ serves as a neutral ground for cross-species meetings between the Spirit Clan and the Demon Clan.
Mana concentration levels in the dimensional space are so extreme they cause magical backlash for both elves and the Demon Clan’s own beasts.
Bear is a redeemed criminal seeking redemption through his expertise in simplified Gate technology.
The mana depletion in the Empire is officially unlinked to local interference, yet suspicions remain high regarding internal sabotage.
Notes:
• Chieftain Fedelate – The chieftain of the Spirit Clan, an elder figure who values duty and sacrifice. Kind, gentle, and powerful, Fedelate can use telekinesis and healing magic. He shows a unique interest in Sofia, human experiences, and love.
• Fedelate – The chieftain of the Spirit Clan, an elder figure who values duty and sacrifice. Kind, gentle, and powerful, Fedelate can use telekinesis and healing magic. He shows a unique interest in Sofia, human experiences, and love.
• Kororon – Over ten thousand years old, the oldest and most powerful member of the Three Elders is a nonchalant Spirit Clan Shaman who sacrificed her physical form for wind magic, yet appears as a young girl. Serving as Karin’s protective guide, she speaks with a direct rhythm, uses telepathy to read minds, and expends qi, Ki, and Mana to deploy advanced defensive shields in combat.
• Karin – A vocal young human woman of the Spirit Clan with a once-crushed arm and an uncanny immunity to dense mana. Serving as an assistant caring for the Three Elders, she is deeply committed to their long-cherished wish. Though brave in peril, she worries intensely for her mother and Syu, and always lands at the bottom of the pile during warp teleportation.
• Yasura – The Eldest of the Elf Clan and a member of the Three Elders, they appear as a young girl but speak with an elderly, rural speech pattern, blending aristocratic, superior air with curmudgeonly banter. Armed with ancient knowledge of Elven legends and the World Tree, they analyze ambient Mana flows for geographic navigation and direct exploration near the glacier, providing magical projectile cover.
• Yohaku – An elegant yet whimsical member of the Demon Clan and one of the Three Elders, she desires to travel the world. Gifted with high magical capability, she is tasked with transporting personnel and supplies. She utilizes a provisional gate to teleport her group while tracking coordinates, using specialized spatial warp magic restricted to a four-target limit.
• Syu – An eleven-year-old, long-haired Dwarf Engineer and princess visiting as a student from another world. Large, sturdy, yet softly curved, she is a boisterous, charismatic explorer blending royalty with mechanics. She shares an intense emotional attachment with her companion Halt, but struggles with the impending reality of returning to her home country.
• Sheena – A grey-long-haired Lizardman, military lieutenant, and researcher from the Apocalypse Empire’s teleportation team. Known as No. 47 after a failed gate experiment stranded her in Nevada, she analyzes interworld risk and stabilizes mana chambers for safe travel. Now an AWCC official and Yuuta’s saffle, she made an exception allowing Zau to return to his home country.
• Puruun – A high-ranking figure who acts as a supreme commander for the operation, known as Big Sister.
• Asuka – The Queen of Zerlant sends unofficial messages regarding Ms. Akari’s health. Deeply concerned about her people and the potential for sacrifice, she maintains a poised yet burdened outward appearance. She balances her official identity as a protective monarch with covert, compassionate relationships with outsiders to safeguard her kingdom.
• Balmstra – Emperor of the Apocalypse Empire residing in the Imperial Palace. Wary of the ‘Gate’ due to a traumatic incident ten years prior, he recently initiated a student exchange program with the Elf Kingdom.
• Tomori – Halt’s mother, related to Ms. Akari and entrusted with the upbringing of Syu, is a deeply caring person concerned for the well-being of those around her. She actively provides guidance and warnings to the group, particularly regarding the harshness of the Okinawan sun.
• Halt – A young male protagonist who finds himself navigating the complexities of his relationship with a young princess from another world. He acts as a protector and guide, while wrestling with his own internal moral code regarding their age gap. The son of Tomori and a student responding to an invitation from the Empire.
• Akari – Currently bedridden and staring blankly, this individual suffered a past Gate accident that shattered her life force mechanism, though the exact underlying cause of the incident remains unknown to others.
• Aaron – Duke and Supreme Commander of the Zerlant Kingdom’s military, located north of the Royal Castle. As Queen Asuka’s older brother, he was formerly obsessed with Gate development to seize power. He now serves as a strategist, coordinating with the Empire to refine their infiltration plan.
• Berylart – A male member of the Spirit Clan who does not use vocal cords to speak. Dedicated to securing a deterrent for his people, he coordinates with Pathos to obtain technology from another world and meets with a Demon Clan handyman to discuss strategy.
• Pathos – A Demon Clan male and famous underworld ‘fixer’ based in Desmostown’s ‘Tanuki Inn’. Operating with a strict personal code to always complete his contracts, he serves his clan by gathering crucial information, managing complex logistics, and handling various handyman tasks for those who hire him.
• Thirstin – A Demon Clan male and ex-soldier who acts as a well-informed contact monitoring mana fluctuations. Highly connected in the underworld with deep pockets and a mysterious benefactor, his suspicious nature leads Pathos to describe him as ‘fishy.’
• Sharlin – A master and mentor who stays behind as a guard due to mana sensitivity. They share a close relationship with Karin, whom they highly praised for her intuitive skill in locating others during a rescue operation.
• Beyond – A noblewoman in the exploration party who stays behind to act as a guard due to her severe mana sensitivity, all while harboring a deep curiosity about Karin’s latent abilities.
• Kashiwagi-san – An elderly woman who serves as the host grandmother for the group and provides medical care for their sunburns.
• Catherine – Debuting in Volume 3, Chapter 12, this highly skilled ninja and expert in simplified Gates is a loyal shinobi borrowed from Emperor Balmstra for the operation. Strategic and combat-savvy, she runs an underworld informant network, providing crucial intel to rescue Duke Suicelma and foil the spirit clan’s schemes, making her indispensable to the protagonists.
• Gates – A classmate of Halt’s who prefers American comics over anime.
• Bear – A Beastfolk simplified Gate user who was once an enemy of the Spirit Clan and involved in a past Gate-hijacking incident.
• Claudel – The Grand Chancellor is a strategic Prime Minister who initiates the invasion operation while managing technical logistics for magical operations, including finding ways to penetrate the glacier. Despite overseeing the offensive, they maintain a protective relationship with Karin, expressing deep concern for her safety.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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