NOVEL NEXT chapter 29
29. The Rise of the Resistance
“As for the plan, we’ll analyze this magical tool to locate the place of the abduction.”
“And the elite of the Resistance will protect the supplies.”
“I want everyone else to maintain the supplies and gather information in this city.”
Aira calmly announces the roles, and the members of the Resistance follow the instructions with familiarity.
“That’s all! Everyone! We’ll rescue them as quickly as possible!!”
At that command, everyone responds with spirited agreement.
◇◇◇
At a certain renowned magical tool shop,
“This is impossible.”
We were at the magic tool shop known as the best in the holy city,
having requested an analysis of this magic tool.
“This complex thing? It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this in the holy city. Plus, with such a powerful barrier, the analysis isn’t going well.”
I exchanged glances with Wide.
The two of us expressed our gratitude to the shop and left.
“Haah—”
Ayla and Wide’s sighs overlapped.
“If this doesn’t work, then there aren’t any magic tool craftsmen in this city who can analyze it.”
“That’s right… Even our own magic tool craftsman could only figure out the teleportation by combining it with the magical power present at the site, and said anything beyond that is impossible.”
“Haah—…”
The two of them let out another deep sigh.
With shoulders slumped, they began to walk when they heard a voice calling from behind.
“Hey, you two over there!”
It was the clerk from the magic tool shop, calling out to Wide and Ayla.
“Y-yes?”
Wide responded, a bit confused.
“I heard you two are going around the well-known magic tool shops in this area, right? I don’t know the details, but I know a good place.”
The man pointed, saying, “The rest of the story is at the tavern.”
Wide and Ayla exchanged glances and followed the man.
◇◇◇
“Well, let’s skip the complicated stuff and get straight to the point:
there might be someone with connections.”
The man spoke succinctly.
“Is this person someone who needs to be talked about away from the noise of a tavern?”
The man pondered for a moment before answering.
“Well, I’ll need to explain a bit. This city has two sides. First, the front—
a faction that adheres to the teachings known as the Saintly Sect.”
And then there’s the other side:
“The underground faction, known as the Heroic Faction,
a group of capable individuals led by heroes who demonstrated their strength in the last great war.”
The man paused for a moment before delivering his words.
—
“The two factions are competing beneath the surface of this city.”
Wide and Ayla, aware of the city’s circumstances, feel anxious that they might be caught up in something significant.
“So, the person I want you to meet is
the leader of the Hero faction, a man called Rainer.”
“Rainer?”
Wide echoes back, as if in disbelief.
“Yes, he is the hero who saved the nation in the last great war, but this country, in its strict adherence to the scriptures, has neglected heroes like him. Angered by this, he has united the city’s outlaws and now boasts immense power in the underworld.”
The two, taken aback, pose a question.
“If that’s the case, isn’t it unlikely we could meet such a person easily?”
“Not necessarily. It seems Rainer is currently preparing to take action and is gathering forces. If you can demonstrate your capabilities, you might receive his cooperation in return.”
As the man says this, he pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket and stands up.
“What I can do ends here. This isn’t just a kindness; I owe Rainer a debt and am recommending individuals of potential.”
The two brace themselves slightly at his words.
“And that paper is an invitation. It’s a magical item, and if anyone other than you holds it, it will vanish.”
“Well then.”
With that, the man blends into the crowd of the tavern.
“Is this something we have to go along with?”
Wide looks at Ayla.
“Seems like it. We have no choice but to do this.”
The two solidify their resolve, pay the bill, and leave the establishment.