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The Scales that Announce Global Upheaval – Part 06

“W-Wait, Elder, are you sure about disclosing this to Silver Face? That’s top secret information, unknown even to most of our village.”

“It’s fine. We want Silver Face on our side.”

Ignoring Raiga, Hikaru continued. “Soaarunay used a special type of sorcery that I’ve never seen before. They cast a spell without preparing an array.”

“Was it sorcery, and not magic?”

“I think so. It wasn’t elemental magic or holy or unholy magic.”

“I… see.”

“Let’s get to the point. Why can’t I use the spell for crossing worlds?”

This time, the elder answered readily. “It’s likely due to the revival of the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The dungeon itself represents the essence of the Saak family’s magic. They’re trying to encompass this world through sorcery. And in doing so, they’re attempting to control the flow of souls.”

It had turned into a tale of epic proportions. Encompassing the world through sorcery. Controlling it?

Wasn’t this a kind of divine act that affected the fundamental principles of the world, such as universal gravitation or molecular structure?

“Is such a thing… possible?” Hikaru asked.

“I don’t know. But they have certainly set their sights on it. They don’t care if it consumes an enormous amount of magical energy.”

Hikaru fell into thought. Was that ditzy Soaarunay really attempting something so audacious? Well, she could still have knowledge of sorcery while being ditzy. She did use a spell that Hikaru didn’t know, causing him a lot of trouble.

“So, if we suppress the labyrinth again…”

“That would be difficult. The labyrinth is too huge.”

“How can you be so sure? It went dormant once, didn’t it?”

“Another sorcery accident that could turn an entire plain into a wasteland might suppress it.”

“Hmm.”

An accident of the same magnitude would undoubtedly kill Hikaru. Should he ask Soaarunay to stop whatever she was doing?

I don’t think it’s possible.

Hikaru recalled his conversation with Soaarunay.

“You obtained mana at Mt. Midori because I helped Mr. Doyama. Am I wrong? You could at least show some gratitude.”

“I… can’t.”

“You can’t?”

“We’re done here.”

Afterward, Soaarunay changed the subject.

Can’t could mean two things. One, it was impossible to achieve. Even with Soaarunay’s power, it just couldn’t be done. The other was could do it if wanted, but won’t kind of can’t.

Considering the past accident that stopped the great labyrinth and how quickly Soaarunay changed the subject, Hikaru felt it was more likely the latter.

For Soaarunay or the Saak family, it might mean they can’t because it would cause tremendous damage.

“The great labyrinth is the source of the magic, and the only solution is to stop it? Or is there another alternative?” Hikaru asked.

“You should ask Ultimate Mirk for the details. I’ll arrange it.”

“Thanks.”

“Shall we go, then?”

“To the Ultimate Mirk?”

“No.” The elder shook his head. “We’re gathering all the villagers now. A meeting will be held to officially announce the revival of the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas, and everyone in the village will be occupied with preparations for that. You would be better off talking to the Ultimate Mirk later. You understand, don’t you? By then, everyone will probably be more cooperative.”

The elder smiled thinly, and for the first time, Hikaru felt wary of him. It was impossible to discern the thoughts behind that smile, a smile so profound that hinted at a life span far longer than Hikaru’s.

At that moment, bells tolled from afar.

“Elder, it’s the summoning bell.”

“So it seems. Shall we, Silver Face?”

Hikaru nodded to Paula and stood up.

Now, what kind of commotion would unfold?

---

The light pouring in from above turned a crimson hue, casting the vast cavern in a soft orange glow. It was a somewhat mystical sight.

Figures began gathering in the previously-empty central square. Their clothing varied—some in coveralls, others in short sleeves despite it being winter (though the space itself was warm). Young Bees also showed up.

Facing the central square was a mansion with a large balcony protruding on the second floor, where the Grand Elder could be seen with the other elders. Hikaru was ushered towards them.

When the Man Gnomes noticed the two human outsiders, both wearing dubious masks, a murmur rose.

The male elder leading Hikaru walked on nonchalantly, ignoring hundreds of gazes, including those from the balcony. The other elders were clearly surprised by his association with Hikaru, an indication that the elder had contacted him on his own without consulting the others.

With a sigh, Hikaru looked up and noticed something he hadn’t seen before—a tall watchtower-like structure behind the mansion with a bell installed. The vast space inside the mansion lacked furniture. As they went up to the second floor, the other elders’ gazes—now clearly hostile—bore into the male elder.

“Seventh Elder, what are you doing with the guests?” one of the female elders asked.

Hikaru learned that the elder who brought him along was called Seventh Elder. Come to think of it, he hadn’t asked for his name. Not that he was interested.

“I thought I might enjoy hearing some unusual stories from the outside.” The Seventh Elder played dumb.

“Don’t patronize me. Did you really have to talk to the human so urgently that you had to fake a stomachache to leave in the middle of our discussion? What exactly are you plotting?”

“I’m not plotting anything. I’m not as experienced as my more senior colleagues. I simply wanted to hear what they had to say.”

“Raiga. I never thought you’d become a pawn of the Seventh Elder.”

The Seventh Elder continued to feign ignorance, so the irritated elder redirected his frustration towards Raiga.

“It… was an order,” Raiga mumbled with a grimace.

Hikaru couldn’t help but think that Renka would be disappointed if she saw this. Despite being angry at her father for his decadent lifestyle in the outside world, she seemed to enjoy listening to his stories. Even he couldn’t defy societal hierarchies.

“Enough. Calm down, Third Elder. It’s not fair to attack Raiga,” the Grand Elder intervened. “Anyway, we will start explaining things to the villagers.”

The Third Elder, the woman who clashed with the Seventh Elder, audibly clicked her tongue before turning towards the balcony. Meanwhile, the Seventh Elder approached the Grand Elder calmly.

“Everyone, thank you for gathering while fulfilling village duties, the responsibilities of the Man Gnomes.”

These duties likely referred to their daily tasks. As the Grand Elder began to speak, the square fell silent. Though no megaphone was visible, the Grand Elder’s voice carried clearly.

“Some of you may have had your speculations about why the elders have been restless the past few days, and I will clarify things now.” The Grand Elder delivered her words in one breath. “The Grand Labyrinth of Runay-aas has returned, alongside our old foe, Soaarunay Saak.”

There were yelps, and some were so shocked they sank down where they stood. Angry voices demanded to know what was happening, while others exchanged hurried whispers with their neighbors. In no time, the central square descended into chaos.

Armed figures, reserves from the Distant Girdle, moved in to restore order. But it was no easy task. Hikaru quickly counted over 500 people gathered, with barely 20 attempting to calm the commotion.

This is going to take a while, Hikaru mused to himself.

“Hey! The Grand Elder is still speaking!”

A man strode across the central square from the opposite side. Taller than the average Man Gnome, almost Hikaru’s height, he wore travel attire with a cloak, a stark contrast to the village Man Gnomes. A member of the Distant Girdle, perhaps. He was a handsome man with neatly trimmed blond hair. Behind him stood five other Man Gnomes.

“I, Granryuk, leader of the Distant Girdle, have returned.”

As he stepped forward, the Man Gnomes parted to make way for him. Hikaru couldn’t help but feel his name was quite unconventional for a Man Gnome.

Granryuk fixed his gaze on the Grand Elder standing on the balcony. “Grand Elder, isn’t it premature to proceed without summoning all of Distant Girdle?”

“We cannot afford any delay.”

“I’ve heard that initial reports of the Saak family’s revival came in days ago. Yet you did nothing these past few days. Your words are hardly convincing.”

The Grand Elder shot a piercing glance at the elders and the Attending Awl, questioning who had leaked the information.

“We’ve spent these days gathering conclusive evidence. Today, with confirmation in hand, we are ready to make our announcement. Rest assured, Distant Girdle will receive accurate information.”

“Really now? Did you get this evidence from those humans? I never thought you’d take the word of humans at face value. You’ve changed, Grand Elder.”

“What are you implying, Rikido?”

“M-My name is not Rikido. It’s Granryuk!” For the first time, Granryuk displayed agitation.

“You just gave yourself that name. In the village of the Man Gnomes, you’re Rikido.”

I thought his name was strange for a Man Gnome.