Chapter 169: Kergos Autonomous District (1)

Chapter 169: Kergos Autonomous District (1)

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

INFINITE MAGE

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Amy's group, having sent Shirone to the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice, arrived at the eastern altar.

When Zis presented the pass, the native opened the stone gate.

Zis translated that the mine cart had arrived.

Amy's group nodded, but Canis and Arin seemed uninterested.

Arin understood the native's words through her telepathy, a part of her mental resonance ability.

The underground wasn’t deep, as it was used for operating the mine cart.

The tracks laid through volcanic ash-covered soil, and the native waiting with the cart greeted them while chewing gum.

His expression was gentle, but his eyes had that unique, intense look typical of Kergonians, as if they had transplanted someone else's eyes.

Zis felt equally uneasy but approached with a professional smile.

He extended his hand for a handshake, which the native accepted.

"The contact person has changed. This is Zis, the new liaison."

"Zis? Doesn't look like someone for this job."

The Kergonian quickly assessed his demeanor. Smuggling the loop was a serious crime, sometimes punishable by death. Zis looked too mild to be a contact.

"Where's Falcoa? He always came to pick it up himself."

"Oh, he's dead."

"Dead? As in deceased?"

The native mimicked slitting his throat, and Zis nodded.

The native looked doubtful. Falcoa was strong and shared the Kergonian temperament. It was hard to believe that this gentle-looking Zis was his replacement.

"You have the pass, right?"

"Of course. Here, take a look."

The native's smile vanished as he snatched the pass.

Amy's group tensed up. They had thought the pass would be the end of it, but the native's suspicion was deeper than expected.

Moreover, they weren’t there to buy the loop.

Falcoa was dead, and there would be no more loop transactions. If the native found out, there could be serious consequences.

The pass was genuine.

The native's doubts couldn’t stand against the visible proof.

He led them to the mine cart.

The cart was large enough to accommodate all six of them. A seesaw lever system was set up to propel the cart.

The native grabbed the seesaw and started moving the cart.

It was usually a two-person job, and Rian tried to help, but the native's glare made him step back awkwardly.

The native's strength in moving the cart was impressive. However, it was over 20 kilometers to Toa Mountain. Using such force all the way would lead to exhaustion.

The tracks sloped downward, increasing the speed. They felt the air in their bellies drop.

The slope leveled out, but the speed didn’t decrease. The tracks were designed to maintain momentum with slight inclines.

It was clear they would reach the autonomous region faster than by carriage.

"Wow! This is insanely fast."

"Yeah, better hold on tight."

The cart wobbled severely. If it overturned at this speed, survival wasn’t guaranteed.

Moreover, mental magic struggled against those with higher mental strength.

But at Arcane’s level, it was different. Canis and Arin, as Arcane’s direct disciples in dark magic, were formidable.

-Amazing. This will be really helpful. Oh!

Amy checked Arin’s reaction. Her excitement had surfaced, revealing her thoughts.

Arin smiled in response. Despite Amy’s calculated thoughts, Arin was simply pleased.

Human minds are more self-centered and desire-driven than they show.

Having read such emotions all her life, Arin found Amy’s hidden goodwill nothing.

Telepathy magic would be excellent in emergencies or battles. Canis and Arin’s joining was reassuring.

-Haha, this is fun! Amy, isn’t that native annoying? He kept glancing at my chest.

-Did he? I thought he was just ignoring us.

-I’m getting hungry. I hope we can eat when we arrive.

The mental channel filled with chatter and complaints.

Unfamiliar with magic, Rian and Tess pushed unnecessary thoughts through, trying to use the channel.

Such thoughts barely counted as thinking. It proved the saying that the environment controls the mind.

-It’s so noisy. Arin, turn the volume down. Or just cut it off.

At Canis’s command, the channel’s volume dropped. It felt like whispers in the ear.

If they didn’t focus, they couldn’t hear, so conversation slowed.

Enjoying the chat, Tess protested.

-Why lower the volume? I can’t hear well. Turn it up.

-Don’t use the channel for non-strategic talk. This isn’t a gossip corner. It’s Arin’s ability. You can’t just demand she adjust it.

Tess clicked her tongue but didn’t change her expression, staying alert.

As the chatter died, Arin explained why she showed her ability.

-As you know, this is telepathy magic. I excluded Zis. Revealing my abilities to outsiders is risky, and even if he’s trustworthy, reacting to my abilities could expose us.

Zis could understand the native’s words, so they could pass quietly if they didn’t draw attention.

-This ability is really convenient.

-Heh, consider it one benefit of our alliance. Whether Shirone passes the trial or not, using Arin’s ability is crucial if we form a party.

Though Canis’s pride in his partner was annoying, the ability was undeniably impressive.

-And one more thing. I used telepathy because there’s something we haven’t told you.

-Something you haven’t told us? What do you mean?

Amy’s gaze sharpened. Even with the condition of Shirone’s success, unexpected changes in their temporary alliance weren’t welcome.

-It’s nothing major. We didn’t hide it on purpose. We just didn’t think it was necessary. Anyway, Arin and I had another reason for attempting the trial. Contrary to your expectations, the Kergonian natives aren’t friendly to outsiders. They’re quite hostile.

This wasn’t entirely surprising. They hadn’t expected a warm welcome.

But they didn’t see a reason for hostility either.

The autonomous government and the Kergonian tribe coexisted, and many natives had adapted to civilization.

-Their hostility stems from a mistake by the Gallian government. When they first came to the island 100 years ago, they promised significant rewards. The natives, recognizing the inevitable changes, agreed to negotiate. That started the tourism industry. Did you know the autonomous region was initially open to the public? But now, all exchange is cut off.

-I see. My father faced strong resistance when he first went to the colonies. It’s understandable.

-That’s part of it. But the Gallian government went too far. They were too excessive.

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