Chapter 163

Chapter 163

After bestowing Alice her new royal title, the [King] said that Cecilia would be called upon for her own royal title within the next week. Then he shooed Alice and Ethan out of the throne room.

Once they got back to Ethans manor, Alice told Ethan about the information her new Perk was giving her. Even now, Alice could feel as if something Northwest of Illvaria was calling to her, and Alice wanted to take advantage of this information and see if she could fix all of this. Naturally, it would be much easier to make things happen with Ethans help.

So you think that the mainframe of the System is in the Northwest somewhere? asked Ethan, after Alice finished explaining her thoughts.

Alice nodded. I suspect its what my new Achievement is picking up, at least. I could be wrong, since the only thing I know for sure is that theres something important to the northwest. But I think its plausible that the mainframe of the System is there, and if I could see it... maybe I could figure out how to repair it, she said.

Ethan frowned.

That is unfortunate. Of all the directions it could have been in how far away is it? Does your Achievement tell you?

It doesnt, sadly. I know that its not in Illvaria, because I do have a rough mental map of Illvaria from my Perk. Beyond that, I only know that its far away.

Ethans facial expression grew darker. There are only a few places northwest of Illvaria, and all of them are problematic. The first place your Achievement could be leading you to is somewhere in the Sigmusi Colonia. In which case, if we wanted to investigate it, we would need to get a way into the Sigmusi Colonias territory. Asking them for passage sounds like an awful idea. Just a week ago one of their Immortals tried to either kidnap or assassinate you. Waltzing into their territory is just asking for them to try again.

The Sigmusi Colonias territory extends all the way to the western and northern coasts of the Southern continent, so there are no other countries or locations that your Achievement could be leading you towards that are on the southern continent.

The second place the Achievement could be leading you towards is the western continent, which is filled with the worlds most powerful monsters. The final place your Achievement could be leading you towards is underwater. Trying to access something thats underwater would be a massive logistical hassle. Not to mention, that particular region of the ocean is controlled by the Sigmusi.

Alice winced. Every single one of those locations sounded frustrating to access and investigate.

Without submarines, I can definitely see why operating underwater would be a major hassle, said Alice, as she thought of the possibility of the System being underwater. Maybe there was some way to get around the problem of breathing and moving underwater with enchantments?

As Alice was lost in her thoughts, Ethan started speaking again.

Actually, there is a fourth location the Achievement could be leading you towards, now that I think about it. When your Perk gave you a glimpse of the mainframe of the System, did you see any hints that would indicate whether the System was underground, underwater, or perhaps flying in the sky somewhere?

Alice brightened up as she considered the possibility of an airborne System. Trying to find a flying enchantment might take a lot of effort, but it sounded much less dangerous than the other locations that Ethan had mentioned. Not to mention, flying using magic was something most powerful [Kinetic Mages] could do, so the logistical problems of accessing the System would be far easier to solve.

Alices good mood only lasted a few moments, until she worked on recalling her memories of the System again. She had only seen the mainframe of the System once, while using her Perk to learn more about various types of mana, but based on what she could remember

I think the System is underground, Alice said, trying not to feel disappointed. Theres a chance that maybe the vision my perk gave me all those weeks ago was incomplete or something. But I dont think the System is flying, unless its a giant enchantment floating in the sky and surrounded by several layers of stone. Alice paused. Actually, maybe the Systems mainframe could be in the moon? Is the moon northwest of here?

The moon is most definitely not northwest of here right now, said Ethan. According to most [Scholar] estimations of the moons orbit, at this moment it should be a bit to the south and also beneath our feet.

So much for that idea then, said Alice. She felt a bit of relief at Ethans words.

Is there any way at all we could get into the Sigmusis territory, to start looking around? asked Alice, hoping that Ethan had some sort of solution she hadnt thought of yet.

Unless we declare war on the Sigmusi, then successfully conquer the country I doubt it. And honestly, I dont fancy our odds against them unless the other Shil Confederacy nations back us up. And wars take time.

Alice sighed.

She absently grabbed a world map and started scanning it, hoping to find something that was Northwest but wasnt one of the three locations Ethan mentioned. Maybe looking at the map would provide Alice with some sort of inspiration?

There were no good locations for the System to be in. Every single one was problematic and hard to access.

The only thing Alice got out of looking at the map was a vague guess about an alternate location for the Systems mainframe. Alice felt that Ethans argument about the Systems location made sense. The Western continent was probably the most logical place for the System mainframe to be.

However, there was one other obvious alternative spot.

Far to the northwest, there was a place that was renowned for being incredibly rich in mana. It was a massive shipping hazard, and it was filled with monsters. In fact, Alice had heard about it before she just hadnt considered it important, and so she had just ignored it afterwards.

The maelstrom, said Alice, looking at the large plot of ocean marked on the map. There were even a few small islands noted to exist in the middle of the maelstrom although much like the western continent, nobody had ever explored them, because the dense mana and powerful monsters were too problematic.

Ethan paused, and looked at the map in front of Alice. Finally, he nodded.

The maelstrom would also make sense. I think the Western Continent is a better candidate for the location of the System, but the Maelstrom would be my second guess, he said.

Then, Ethan sighed.

Regardless of which location the System is in, we dont have enough information to make plans. And we also have massive roadblocks that get in the way of our actions. Ethan shook his head in frustration.

Alice laughed bitterly. I guess well just have to keep muddling our way forward the way weve been doing so far. Repairing the mainframe of the System is the easiest way forward, but there are a lot of other things we can do to contain the damage right now. Speaking of which, would it be possible for you to help me find a few more people above level 75? I still need to figure out how to control the Alice mana in my brain, she said, trying to push down the feeling of bitterness rising in her heart.

Im still having some of my [Messengers] look for people. Its a bit difficult, since people who reached above level 75 are rare. But ultimately, there should be more people to look at soon, said Ethan.

Alice nodded, before she sighed and left.

She spent a lot of time that night thinking about how to proceed, now that the most obvious paths forward were blocked off, but couldnt think of an easy solution, even during the extra thinking time afforded to her by the {Sleep Reading} Perk.

When she woke up the next morning, at breakfast, she was surprised to see Ethan was in a rather jovial mood. Before Alice could ask, Ethan grinned at her.

Youre lucky. Trying to find the mainframe of the System might not be as hopeless as I thought. The sixth Immortal of Illvaria returned to Metsel last night.