Book 4: Chapter 36: The Darkness of the Mine V


    After Zeke exined his n, the trio left the mine to get some rest. This would be theirst chance to rx before leaving the Danger Zone for good. It was also the first time he got to rest sinceing here. He had spent the entirety of thest three days immersed in research. Therefore, the moment his head touched the pillow, he was out.


    Akashas voice woke him from his peaceful rest a mere momentter. However, despite his certainty that no time had passed, the first rays of the sun were already cresting the horizon. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Zeke exited his tent.


    He found the Chimeroi already up, sitting around the firece and talking in muted voices. At his approach, their quiet whispers died downpletely. He sat close to the two. Nervous?


    Vulcanos nodded, and Gravitas looked away.


    You shouldnt be, Zeke said with an easy grin. I have the hardest part to y, after all.


    That is exactly what has us worried, master, Gravitas said.


    I didnt know you cared that much for me, Zeke said half-jokingly.


    Gravitas gave him an irritated look. It seemed she had grownfortable enough around him to show her vexation openly. This is no joking matter. You know very well what happens to us when you die


    Zeke, who had been in the process of taking a bite from a slice of bread, froze mid-motion. He stared at the piece of bread in deep contemtion. What will happen to them when I die, Akasha?


    <strong>[Notice]</strong>


    I do not yet have a full understanding of the Ritual Magic binding the ves. However, given theck ofws geared toward them, they will likely experience some sort of bacsh  with death being the most probable consequence.


    Well, he should have realized that sooner. Knowing this, it made much more sense that his three ves had voluntarily arranged a guard schedule. It wasnt because they particrly cared for him, but because they would die alongside him.


    Zeke started to chew on his bread to buy some time. Now that he knew the consequences, a half-hearted exnation wouldnt do anymore. He wasnt only gambling with his own life, as it turned out.


    I am not suicidal, Zeke said after a while. I dont even consider myself to be particrly brave, to be honest. I decided to take on the most difficult role because I am most suited for it, nothing more and nothing less. Also, I am confident ofing out of this intact.


    But you are by far the weakest among us, Gravitas said.


    You are right, Zeke said before vanishing and reappearing right behind her. But I am also the most mobile, he whispered before suddenly reappearing in his previous spot. And I am also the only one among us who can heal.


    But your body is so frail, Vulcanos interjected.


    Zeke''s expression crumbled slightly. As a Blood Mage, he had always prided himself on his excellent physical abilities. However, it was true that he couldnt hold a candle to the Chimeroi in that regard.


    Thats far less important than you might think, Zeke said. The Shadow Elementals all have Grand Mage level strength and are geared for offense. If they catch you, then I am pretty certain that they will cut your flesh just as easily as mine.


    Both Gravitas and Vulcanos fell silent. However, Zeke could tell how uneasy they were about the whole thing.


    He let out a deep sigh. Listen. You havent known me for long, and it might be hard to trust mepletely. But there is one thing you should know: I am not somebody who takes unnecessary risks. The fact that I am willing to put myself in danger should tell you how important the ck liquid is for me.


    More important than all our lives? Gravitas asked.


    Important enough for me to risk them, yes, Zeke answered earnestly.


    What could be more important than life?


    Zeke chuckled without mirth. A storm is brewing. A storm the likes of which hasnt been seen in millennia. I can feel it with every fiber of my being. It wants to sweep me away alongside everything I care for...


    There was a long silence as neither of the two Chimeroi knew what to say. It was Gravitas who eventually broke the quiet. And this ck liquid will allow you to weather the storm?


    Zeke shook his head. It will not guarantee victory, but it will increase my chances our chances of living through it.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    The Chimeroi shared a nce before nodding in unison and standing up.


    Then it would be best we get going, master, Gravitas said.


    A genuine smile appeared on Zekes face when he saw the look in their eyes. The uncertainty from moments ago was nowhere to be seen, reced by unwavering determination.


    Lets go.


    ***


    Zeke, Vulcanos, and Gravitas crouched beneath the sea of ck liquid. They were surrounded by dozens of Elementals who were motionlessly staring at them.


    The Chimeroi were visibly unnerved. Their stiffness stood in stark contrast to Zekes rxed demeanor. He had spent enough time around the Elementals to know how far he could push before they would act.


    Give me the next one, Zeke said.


    Without taking his eyes off the menacing shadows surrounding them, Vulcanos handed him the next bottle. Zeke took it and submerged it into theke of ckness above their heads. The bottle immediately began to suck up the surrounding liquid. However, the Elementals still didnt do anything.


    To those silent guardians, this was not that rming. Even though he was bottling up their source, they sensed that he was not actually removing any. Had they been a bit more intelligent, they would have noticed that he was clearly preparing for a heist. s, they did not.


    Zeke even began to hum quietly as he filled up the second bottle. However, his rxed demeanor did not trante to the Chimeroi, who seemed to get more agitated the longer they stayed here.


    Why dont you just use your Space Magic to retrieve it? Gravitas asked while scanning the gathering of Elementals all around.


    I wish that were an option, Zeke said with a sigh. However, I am far too weak to use [Transposition] on a material of this quality.


    What do you mean? Gravitas asked. Despite her agitated state, her curiosity still won out in the end.


    Why do you think trade caravans are still a thing, even though we have Space Magic? Zeke asked.


    Gravitas thought about it but didnt seem to be able toe up with anything. After a moment, she shook her head.


    Its because some materials are very resistant to Mana, Zeke exined. Metals like Voidiron are almost unsusceptible to it. That doesnt mean moving them via Space Magic is impossible, but the level of Mana needed is astronomicalpared to its mass.


    Then what about this ck liquid?


    Well, its not as bad as Voidiron, Zeke admitted, but if I wanted to take this entireke, I would need to be an Exarch, at least.


    How much would you be able to take with your current strength? Gravitas asked.


    Zeke grimaced. Using his palm, he scooped up a mere handful of liquid before dropping about half back into theke. About this much.


    Gravitas scanned the massive cavern filled with ck liquid and then looked at the pitiful amount in his hand. That doesnt seem right.


    Its not just about the amount of Mana, Zeke exined while taking thest bottle from Vulcanos. When I try to control the Blood of another Mage, I not only have to use enough Mana to control the Blood. Instead, I have to ovee their resistance first. This is the same principle. You have to be able to overpower the innate resistance of a material before you can use it.


    I dont think that is necessarily true, Gravitas said.


    Zeke nced at her with a knowing smirk. Your Magic works differently. You do not actually take possession of any object. Instead of controlling anything directly, you alter thews of nature in the surrounding area.


    Gravitas fell silent as she contemted his words.


    Meanwhile, Vulcanos stared at the bottles Zeke had already filled up. Is this really going to be enough? he asked. Wouldnt we have been able to take this much from the fountain as well?


    Instead of exining, Zeke handed one of the bottles to him. Vulcanos was puzzled but still epted it. His eyes widened the moment Zeke let go. His eyes flicked between the floating ck ocean above them and the bottle in his hands.


    Zeke smirked upon seeing his puzzled expression. Heavy, right?


    Vulcanos nodded. The bottle wasnt actually that heavy, but its weight was still surprising, given its size and the material it was filled with. After all, the ck liquid had to be very light to float.


    Zeke took back the receptacle, which was about the size of his head. This is an adventurers bottle, he exined. They have an enchantment which makes them about ten times bigger on the inside. But the more important part is that they have a function to suck in water.


    Ive been told that it is supposed to be used to fill the bottle in a shallow stream. However, it is also perfect for collecting ck liquid. With this suction level, we canpress it quite a bit.


    Zeke grinned, very pleased with himself. Given how little he had actually known about the ck liquid beforeing here, he had been forced to improvise. Using their drinking bottles to both contain andpress the ck liquid had been a stroke of genius.


    Vulcanos nodded with a nk expression. It was clear that the big guy didnt fully understand, but the weight of the bottle seemed to have somewhat convinced him. Zeke wasnt sure about the exact quantity himself, but he suspected that each of the three bottles contained many times the amount of the fountain above.


    After the third and final bottle started to struggle, Zeke stoppered it up. His gaze turned serious as he addressed the Chimeroi. Its time. Do you know what to do?


    Both of them nodded.


    Alright, get going then.


    ***


    Zeke remained below theke, the three bottles clutched to his chest. The casual appearance from earlier was nowhere to be seen anymore. Now that he was alone, putting on a front was unnecessary. Of course, he had confidence in his n, but that didnt mean it wasnt risky.


    He hadnt lied when he told the Chimeroi he didnt consider himself brave. Ever since his first adventure with Vi, Zeke had known that he didnt enjoy the thrill of danger. He had even resolved himself to be a researcher instead.


    The right of the strong, Maximilian had called it. Zeke had not fully understood what his mentor meant then, but now he did. Possessing anything in this world was a privilege one had to be able to defend.


    The Dragon had also told him something simr when they talked about the ves. They did not have the strength to protect their freedom, so they served.


    Zeke felt it was regrettable, but he didnt pity them. He could not afford to. After all, he would end up no different if his true talents were discovered before he was strong enough to defend himself.


    A drowning man could not save anybody.


    Ready! a voice called from outside the circle of shadows. It was Gravitas. This meant that they were in position. That was right. He was finally taking the first step towards gaining the strength he needed. After this, he would get Snow from the auction and leave this desert behind. One step at a time.


    Zeke took a deep breath and cleared his mind. He could not afford any distractions now. He stood up, and with a running start, he tossed all three bottles in the direction of the voice with as much force as he could.


    GO!