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Chapter 205: The Red Mountains (2)
As the sun began to dip toward the west,
Oscar and Sasha stepped into an abandoned district that had long been left unattended.
She looked around constantly, the unfamiliar scenery clearly piquing her curiosity.
“Why? Surprised?”
“Yes. I knew a place like this existed, but this is my first time seeing it in person.”
The meeting location was a zone that had been under heavy development 70 years ago before the project was completely scrapped.
It was the same place where they had fought Dirje last time.
‘If it’s here, even a massive surge of mana wouldn’t be noticed.’
To create a long-range portal, an enormous amount of mana would be required.
“Looks like the other two haven’t arrived yet.”
“They’ll be here soon. And from now on, watch your tone.”
“Yes, please forgive any rudeness on my part for the time being.”
“…”
Saying something like that with such a sweet smile only made it seem less sincere.
As Oscar nodded reluctantly, his head turned slightly to the side.
“They’re coming.”
He sensed the mana of Kaya Lockwood and Oran Quil.
A moment later, the two approached them.
“You both actually showed up?”
“What, did you think we’d run away?”
“Wouldn’t say it was impossible. Our destination is the Grey Zone, after all.”
While Kaya exchanged light banter with Sasha, Oran walked over to Oscar.
“Little brother, did you get home alright that day?”
“…Sorry?”
For a moment, Oscar wondered if he’d heard wrong.
But Oran continued, deadpan.
“What, don’t like being called little brother?”
“It’s not that, it’s just…”
“I’m older than you, you know. I’m 28 this year.”
Oscar, who was 30, barely held back the urge to correct him.
He forced an awkward smile.
“Call me whatever you like. But if you’re 28 then…”
Almost without thinking, his gaze shifted to Kaya Lockwood.
If he remembered correctly, she should be 27 this year.
Noticing the glance, Oran lowered his voice.
“I’m a year older than her, but I joined later. Took me a while to reach Level 7.”
“Ah, I see.”
So that’s why he always calls her “senior.”
Oscar hadn’t expected the Violet Brigade to have such a strict hierarchy.
Just then, Kaya, apparently finished talking with Sasha, turned to them and asked:
“So, would you care to explain now? Why did we have to meet so late?”
“Before I answer that…”
Oscar met the eyes of Kaya and Oran in turn before continuing.
“I’d like to go over three rules we all need to follow during this mission.”
“Rules?”
Oran immediately frowned.
“Hey, little brother. You seem confused about something. We hired you as a guide. The Tower Master is only coming along to protect you. Meaning, you’re not really in a position to be making rules.”
“We all need each other right now, don’t we? And since we don’t know how long we’ll be traveling together, thinking of each other as teammates rather than employer and employee will help us work together better.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
Kaya, arms crossed, nodded thoughtfully.
She glanced at Oran and said:
“Let’s at least hear the rules first.”
“Fine, let’s hear it.”
With their reluctant approval, Oscar began.
“First rule: While crossing the Red Mountains, you must follow my instructions without exception. No objections will be accepted.”
“What if you make a blatantly terrible call?”
“That won’t happen. But even if it does, I’d appreciate you trusting me regardless.”
Oran looked utterly dumbfounded, while Kaya chuckled in amusement.
“Go on.”
“Second rule: While traveling with us, no criminal activity of any kind is allowed.”
“Uh… we are technically criminals, you know?”
“Not while you're with us.”
Oscar shut that down firmly and moved on to the final rule.
“Lastly, any form of attack against one another is strictly prohibited. From this point forward, we’re allies.”
“Hmph.”
Oran immediately looked to Kaya.
“What do you think, senior?”
“I don’t really mind. But I am curious—why do we need these rules?”
“For everyone’s safety. In unstable mana zones like the Red Mountains, split-second decisions matter. If too many people try to take the lead, it can get deadly.”
“Listen to this guy. You’d think he’s been through the Red Mountains a dozen times.”
Oran scoffed, but Oscar let it pass and continued.
“Of course, the second rule is mostly for our sake. The Tower Master wants to avoid getting involved in any criminal acts, if possible.”
“Hmph.”
Kaya tapped her arm with her fingers, looking contemplative.
Soon, she nodded.
“Alright. Nothing too unreasonable in there anyway.”
“Thank you. Now, to answer your earlier question—why we’re leaving so late…”
Oscar slowly gathered his mana.
“At this time, the sun has completely set over the Red Mountains. It’s the perfect time to avoid both the Imperial and demonic surveillance.”
“…And how exactly does that matter? We’re not going to reach the mountains for another few days anyway.”
“It won’t take us days.”
Snap!
With a flick of his fingers, space tore open a short distance away.
“A few seconds will be plenty. Let’s go.”
Without hesitation, Sasha stepped confidently into the subspace, but the other two remained still.
With narrowed eyes, Oran watched the portal warily and asked,
"Kid, are you telling us to go in there? What even is that place?"
"It's subspace. I can use spatial magic."
At those words, the two showed expressions of surprise—
As if they were hearing this for the first time.
‘Huh. By now, the rumor that I’ve inherited Master Ado Vail’s progress should have spread all throughout the imperial palace, but I guess it hasn’t reached them yet?’
If that’s the case, it meant the Order’s intelligence network wasn’t as good as he had thought.
As that brief thought passed through his mind, Oran spoke again, his voice tinged with concern.
“...Kid, are you sure this thing is safe?”
“Yes. Even the Tower Master already went in. Want me to give you a seatbelt or something?”
“Oh, there’s something like that? Can I have one?”
“There actually isn’t. Just go in already.”
Gently pushed forward, Oran stepped into the subspace with great caution.
Once Kaya and Oscar followed, he let out a small laugh.
“Damn. Never thought I’d see the day I walk into a subspace. So what now? What do we do from here?”
“I’m going to open a portal connected to the Red Mountains.”
“...?”
Oran turned around with a look of disbelief on his face, as though he’d misheard.
“Kid, do you even know how far it is from Sirin to the Red Mountains?”
“Last I checked, it’s a little over 2,000 kilometers.”
“...And you're saying that knowing the distance?”
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“Because it's possible.”
Oscar smiled gently and boldly pulled at the threads of space.
At the same time, six channels surged with magic, which then streamed out all at once.
“......”
“......!”
Kaya and Oran, sensing an immense surge of magic from him in that instant, narrowed their eyes.
‘This is supposed to be 6th-level magic power?’
‘Holy hell, is that more than me?’
The sheer magic shook the entire subspace and finally forged a new portal.
Beyond it lay a mountain range glowing red even in the darkness of night.
“You’re surprisingly cautious. I’ll go first.”
As Sasha stepped through the portal, Oran hastily offered an excuse.
“Kid, it’s not that I’m scared. It’s just... it’s really incredible. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life...”
“How pathetic. Then I must be seeing it for the second time or something?”
Scared-y-cat.
Kaya mouthed the words, laughing as she stepped through the portal.
“Ah, come on, Senior! I swear that’s not it!”
Face red with embarrassment, Oran quickly followed, and Oscar stepped through behind him.
As he did, the air changed drastically.
Whooooooosh──
Fierce magical winds roared nonstop across the entire mountain range.
It was a place so overwhelming that most wouldn’t even notice nearby enemies.
‘Still as long, as tall, and as red as ever.’
The endless stretch of mountains stood high like a fortress wall, seemingly right before their eyes.
Oscar paused to take in the view.
Every grain of soil and every leaf within the mountain range was red.
Even the trees were white, making the red even more pronounced.
“Holy shit, it really is the Red Mountains.”
Oran, mesmerized by the view, turned back toward them.
His eyes were wide, as if he were staring at some kind of monster.
“Are all spatial mages like you, kid? Wait, no—if they were, there would be rumors, wouldn’t there?”
Shaking his head, he asked,
“So what’s the route?”
“We’ll enter through the Tetra Peaks of the Red Mountains.”
A three-dimensional map formed from magic appeared in front of the group.
Their intended path was quickly traced out on the map.
They were planning to use Tetra, one of the seven massive peaks—chosen for its relatively gentle incline.
Kaya raised her hand slightly.
“Looks like we’re going the long way. If we just take this central peak here, wouldn’t it be the shortest route?”
“This route avoids both the imperial outposts and the areas where battles with demons have occurred in recent years.”
Oscar glanced at the map before continuing.
“And crossing the central peak... is suicide.”
“Why?”
“Do you know why it’s called the Red Mountains?”
“Dunno. Because the whole thing’s red, I guess?”
A simple answer—but not entirely wrong.
In fact, it was about half right.
“A thousand years ago, it was as green as any other mountain range.”
“...That thing?”
Kaya stared at the mountains with an expression that showed she couldn’t picture it.
“Yes, but ever since a certain being took up residence at the center, the whole range turned red.”
“The Red Witch.”
Oran replied dismissively.
“It’s just a folktale now, but there was a time it was considered historical fact.”
“You’re telling me we’re avoiding the shortest route over a legend?”
“That’s not the only reason.”
The central peak was battered by much stronger magic winds than anywhere else.
Just approaching it could destroy a mage’s circuits.
Oran, who had crossed the mountains once before, agreed with Oscar’s path.
“Senior, let’s just go with the route this guy planned. Even the damn demons don’t go near the central peak. The Red Witch or whatever might be long dead, but no point putting ourselves through hell for no reason.”
“...Fair enough. I get it.”
As Kaya nodded, Oscar looked at the three of them.
“Then from here on, please follow closely behind me.”
“Got it.”
Oran answered briefly and lightly loosened up his body.
‘If he ends up being too slow, should I just carry him over my back later?’
The kid’s massive magic power was definitely a surprise, but physical ability was another story.
A 6th-level mage’s body didn’t come close to the reshaped physique of a 7th-level.
“We’re moving out.”
Or maybe not?
Oscar shot off like the wind, disappearing into the distance like a speck.
Oran let out a hollow laugh.
‘Wait a sec... am I the one who’s going to fall behind here?’
For the first time in a while, he’d found an interesting one.
With a grin, Oran took off after him.
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