Chapter 287 Preparation

What they saw in the folder was a shock.

It turns out that this experiment has been going on for quite some time. Longer than Erend, Billy and Adrien know.

It all started when a man named Conrad came to the nation's palace and asked to see the President.

Conrad was no ordinary civilian. But a member of the special forces lost in the middle of an operation in the forest.

Because of that, access to meet the President is also much easier for him.

Especially when he showed that he could do something with Magic.

Since then Conrad's whereabouts immediately moved to the presidential palace.

He explained everything about what happened to him. And the most important part about that, is Conrad gave the artifacts of the Elves and showed that he could use Magic.

Conrad also said that the artifact is a key to the fountain that can grant eternity.

The President saw the potential of Conrad's power. So he started the experiment process which was named 'Project Apple'.

"That is indeed the man who stole our keys," Aurdis said.

"Yes. It all starts from there," Erend said.

There is a lot of data in that folder. From various kinds of failures until they finally managed to find something that works.

The experiment with so many failures obviously cost a lot of money.

But of course, with the ambition to be able to master such power, it doesn't matter how much money the President will pour out.

Data on LTC. Ibis and LTC. Coil treason is also in it. And marked as a failure because the President trusted his subordinates too much.

It was also a sign that, that kind of power could indeed make people tempted to do treason.

"We don't have time to see everything," Adrien said. "Just find out where the place is then we'll go to stop the experiment."

"Yes sir," Billy answered and then immediately searched for information containing the location of the experiment.

Although there are still some files that Billy wants to see.

After searching for several minutes, he finally found the information.

"I found it," Billy said.

Billy then opened a folder. Inside the folder was a picture of a farm located in a very remote place.

The farm is small and located next to the forest. Behind it was a grove of trees so densely packed that it was impossible to see what was beyond the trees from the front angle.

However, Billy finds another picture that reveals what's behind the trees.

It was a spacious building located in the middle of a forest.

There is a caption next to the photo explaining that the building will not be visible from the satellite.

"They hid it well," Billy said.

It was a very remote place and no one would have guessed that there were more than just farms there.

In addition, the technology to cover satellite observations also makes the disguise even more perfect.

"Your technology is quite similar to Magic," said Saeldir after observing all that.

Those words made Erend, Billy, and Adrien chuckle.

"We still have nothing compared with the Magic of the Elves," Billy said.

"I just said 'quite similar' I know how far it is from our Magic," Saeldir replied.

Billy snorted. But he didn't say anything to deny it. Because it's true.

A few moments later Billy was finally able to find the address of the facility.

"East Westmere. It's a village in the town of Mensfield."

Hearing that, Erend and Adrien sighed in annoyance.

"What's with that place?" Saeldir asked.

"That place is very far from here," Adrien replied.

"We should at least take two to three days to get there," Erend said.

"Then what are you waiting for? We have to hurry," Saeldir said in a hurry. He seemed to encourage them to move faster.

"We can't just leave. Our jobs are important too," Billy said. "If we are not at the military headquarters for three days, it could be a big problem."

Saeldir and Aurdis looked at each other. Then Aurdis said.

"If it's only three days, maybe we can help."

Erend frowned. "What do you mean?"

"We can create clones that are exactly like you. No need to worry," Saeldir replied.

Erend, Billy, and Adrien's faces looked a little relieved.

"Then at least the problem has been resolved," Adrien said.

They then started getting everything ready to travel.

~~~

Steve suddenly felt something burning inside him. This was a feeling of anger that he couldn't explain.

He felt like he was back at the initial stage when he could use Magic for the first time.

The unbearable feeling of restlessness and anger was like a fire burning within himself.

Finally, having nothing to do, Steve meditated again in his room.

He entered the world of the red barren land again. He didn't know why he came here again.

Steve began to think that there was some purpose that brought him to this place.

This time, Steve decided to spend a little more time in this world.

'Maybe I'll find something,' Steve thought.

He walked towards the strangely tall tree.

~~~

Meanwhile, where they were observing Steve, Conrad was with Thomas.

Conrad studied Steve with a very focused gaze. Even his eyebrows were knitted together.

Thomas who was eating a cup of noodles next to him turned to Conrad.

Seeing Conrad's expression, Thomas became curious.

"Something happens?" he asked.

"Not really. It's nothing important." Conrad replied without taking his eyes off the monitor showing Steve.

Thomas of course does not buy that answer. Judging by Conrad's expression, he knew something was wrong.

"Are you sure?" Thomas asked.

"Isn't it strange that Steve is meditating at this hour?"

Instead of answering Thomas' question, Conrad gave him a counter question.

"What's so strange about that? He doesn't normally meditate at this time of day. But he might just want to improve his Magic control. Or just want to calm himself down," Thomas said.

Conrad didn't say anything and continued to stare at the monitor screen.

"By the way," Thomas said. "About that bad feeling, you had at the time. Turns out it was something bad."

Conrad immediately turned his head. "What do you mean?"

Those in this secret facility rarely heard from the outside world.

They are too busy with all kinds of business here. The various things that were here alone were enough to keep them busy.

They are not allowed to contact people outside this facility because it will increase the risk of this place being discovered by wiretapping or hacking.

All news that comes only comes from General Lennard who is directly supervising this project.

"Something happened while the special forces were doing training in the sea. It looks like it's all Magic," Thomas replied.

It was clear that Conrad's brow furrowed. He also looked a little shocked.

"What Magic?" he asked.

"General Lennard said that there was some kind of strange energy that came and made the soldiers who were supposed to be acting as pirates turn mad."

"They killed the rookie special forces that came aboard the ship. What's even weirder is, they were able to hide in some kind of veil that made them invisible."

"Then as soon as the members of the special forces let their guard down, they come out and ambush them. Their appearance is like tearing through space-time."

Upon hearing Thomas' explanation, Conrad's face stiffened. His eyes opened wider than before.

"You know anything about that?" Thomas asked.

Conrad paused and looked thoughtful.

He was searching through his memory for something that might be related to that incident.

However, Conrad found nothing.

"No. I don't know anything," Conrad shook his head. "There are lots of bad things in that other world. But I don't know what happened in that sea."

"Actually, I thought of something," Thomas said.

"What's that?"

"Could it be that the Elves now want to take turns invading us?"

Thomas's words are not unreasonable. But Conrad knew that the possibility was very slim.

Why did the Elves invade a world they considered inferior to them?

But if not the Elves, who had spread that Magic to this world?

It was definitely some kind of Magic. But the same question popped up in Conrad's head again.

Who exactly was spreading that Magic and what was their goal?

"I'm not sure about that. But it's very unlikely," said Conrad.

"Then what is it? General Lennard told us to find out why. He looked very angry when we met."

"I told you I don't know."

Then Thomas shrugged his shoulders. "Well, then. It can't be helped. But, that's quite interesting to find out. Don't you think?"

"Yeah," Conrad answered, glancing at the monitor screen showing Steve. "That's quite interesting."

'Could this have something to do with the weird feeling I get when I'm around Steve?'

~~~

When they finished their dinner, Aurdis and Saeldir drew three Magic circles in the living room.

They drew the Magic circle with some green liquid.

Even though they only do it by hand, their level of precision is extraordinary.

They can draw circles perfectly as well as paint various spells in the Quenya language.

It wasn't long before Erend, Billy, and Adrien came up to them with clear questioning looks in their eyes.

"What's this?" Billy asked.

"With this, we can create clones for you," answered Aurdis with a smile.

"Hmm... Like what Slimes did?" Billy asked Erend.

Erend just shrugged his shoulders.

"What slimes?" Saeldir asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," Erend said. "Are you guys done?"

"Soon." Saeldir then proceeded to continue to paint the floors.

A minute later they were done.

"We can start. You three please stand within this circle," Aurdis said.

~~~