Chapter Nineteen: Ancient Weapons

I reached out my hand toward that curtain-like barrier of water, and something struck me with such force that my body trembled in pain. I quickly withdrew my hand; deep gashes marked my fingers, blood dripping down, and I was nearly left crippled. What was that veil of water?

Lamia took hold of my wrist, tending to my wounds with a medical syringe. Her touch was gentle, entirely at odds with her usual brisk and decisive demeanor.

I looked toward the members of the Sword and Shield Society, hoping they would offer an explanation. Milsay, now back in his armor, asked, "Count, why did this happen?"

The Wolf-Armored Count replied, "I don't know. This phenomenon is just as unexpected for us. Full alert, everyone! Be prepared for anything!"

They formed a circle, with another, shorter figure in wolf armor at the center. Only then did I notice the sword-and-shield insignia—he was a Duke!

There were only nine Dukes in the Sword and Shield Society, also known as the Nine Hermits. Second to none but the leader, they stood at the pinnacle of power within the society. Their bloodlines were ancient, each a scion of old nobility, and rumor had it that each possessed a legendary ancestral artifact. Legends claimed these artifacts could summon storms, though I doubted such tales, suspecting instead that they were simply advanced technology. Regardless, the Nine Hermits held unparalleled status and possessed fearsome combat prowess.

But why was one of the Nine Hermits here?

The Duke spoke, "Perhaps this matter should be blamed on me." The voice was young—either a woman or a child, which explained the smaller stature.

The members of the society listened in respectful silence, but I had no such reservations. "Did you cause this?" I asked.

The Duke answered, "When I opened the wormhole, it may have also caused its expansion. We are inside the wormhole now."

Fury rose within me. "What have you done? What is a wormhole? Why have you dragged innocent people like us into this?"

The Wolf-Armored Count barked, "Quiet! Longinus! Show respect to the Duke!"

Lamia interjected, "Can we get out?"

The Duke replied, "I'm afraid not, at least not until our mission is accomplished."

"Is our lives at risk?" Lamia pressed.

The Duke answered, "I fear so."

"Then we have the right to know what you intend to do, and what your objectives are," Lamia insisted.

The Duke removed her helmet. Her face was gentle, no more than fourteen years old, with long black hair cascading like waves over porcelain skin, and eyes the color of sapphires. She glanced westward—or so I thought, for I could no longer discern direction—and said, "Hmm... the wormhole's radius is about three kilometers, contracting at a rate of one hundred and twenty meters per hour."

"What are you rambling about?" I asked. "I may not care about my own life, but my honorable commander Lamia, her brother Salvador, and the lovely Miss Betty—what will become of them?"

My words were artful, presenting myself as brave and selfless while praising each companion to the skies. I was quite pleased with myself, though their expressions betrayed no reaction. No matter—Rome was not built in a day.

The Duke said, "We have twenty-four hours to complete our mission, with one hour reserved for retreat. Time is short, brothers."

The Sword and Shield Society chorused in unison, "As you command, Your Grace!"

I approached them, demanding, "Explain this to me!"

Milsay replied, "Longinus, step back. I cannot allow you to shout at the Duke."

Seeing the gleaming swords at their sides, I decided it was unwise to test their limits.

The Duke said, "Follow me. I will explain on the way."

Given that there was no escape, Lamia saw no other choice and followed. The members of the society began to move.

The Duke spoke, "My name is Vasilisa, but I prefer you call me Duke."

"Alright, Vasilisa," I replied. The looks I received from the society made it clear they were ready to thrash me, so I kept my distance.

Vasilisa explained, "A wormhole originally refers to a 'spacetime tunnel' that allows an individual to travel instantaneously from one place to another. But what I refer to is a gateway into an alternate dimension."

"So, Lisa, what do you mean by alternate dimension?" I asked. The society's glares grew more dangerous with each use of her nickname, and I was certain that if Lisa showed the slightest displeasure, they would draw their swords and cut me down.

Lisa replied, "There is a theory that human civilization was destroyed because the otherworld overlapped with our own, allowing demons to invade. I am skeptical of this, as humanity was technologically advanced at the time and would not have been helpless. Nonetheless, alternate spaces do exist, and many of the demons we see today come from them. The environment of these spaces differs from Earth, which is why demons are uncomfortable in sunlight."

"You explain things very well, Sha—simple and clear," I replied.

She frowned, and several burly society members approached, so I hid behind Lamia, knowing when to back down. It was time to drop the jokes.

The Duke continued, "The artifact I possess is called Ivan's Mirror. At the right location, it can open a wormhole to the alternate dimension. That is what I did earlier. The entropy level by Blackwater Lake is high—something has been deliberately concealed there. Our mission is to uncover what is hidden."

"What do you mean, 'deliberately'? Who did it?" I asked.

The Duke replied, "Humans of the previous era—our ancestors in the Sword and Shield Society."

Lamia asked, "If they knew how to open and close wormholes, why did they perish?"

"I have pondered that myself," the Duke said. "Perhaps only a few possessed the technology, and it was never widely used. Or perhaps they summoned the demons deliberately."

"Deliberately?"

"Yes, perhaps humanity was not invaded but summoned the demons to enslave them, only to be destroyed in turn. I don't have all the facts, so I cannot draw a firm conclusion."

She looked ahead, and I saw an astonishing sight—we had reached the sea. The ocean stretched endlessly, its black waves rising and falling like mountains, swelling and collapsing in silence, as if the sound had been cut from a broken screen.

"Based on recovered records," said the Duke, "I am certain that a powerful ultimate weapon lies concealed below, sealed away by the ancients. That is why I initiated this mission and am here in person."

"Are you sure?" Lamia asked. "From your description, this weapon sounds unreliable. Is it deep beneath the sea?"

"The records do not lie," the Duke replied. "Allow me to quote: 'If used properly, the object described herein shall become our ultimate force. All nations of the world will bow before us.'"

"But they said 'if used properly.' What if it's used improperly?" Lamia pressed.

"With Ivan's Mirror, I can seal this place and withdraw. Besides, the pursuit of truth at any cost is the unwavering creed of the Sword and Shield Society—the only way for humanity to escape its current plight."

"Then why did you attack us?"

"Activating Ivan's Mirror takes time. While waiting, we discovered you. I didn't know who you were, so I had to eliminate any potential threats—especially since you were illegally carrying the sword of the late Juran."

"Can you let us out now?" Lamia asked.

"No," the Duke replied. "Ivan's Mirror lacks the energy to repeatedly open and close wormholes. Recharging takes too long, and I cannot take that risk."

I whispered to Lamia, "We have no other choice now."

She sighed deeply.

I continued, "I'll find a chance to kidnap Vasilisa—hold a dagger to her throat and force her to let us go. We'll take her hostage all the way back to the Black Coffin, and we'll be rich."

Lamia stared at me, her gaze suggesting she thought I was mad.

"Look," I explained, "she may be bundled up, but she's still just a little girl. Sooner or later, nature will call. They don't know about my Amon's Water. I'll turn invisible, wait for her to sneak off into the bushes, and then it's as good as done. She's the leader of the Sword and Shield Society—what a prize!"

Lamia whispered back, "We've only just formed an alliance with them."

"It's a law of nature: the weak are prey, and hearts are unpredictable. Think about it, Commander—if they really do find this 'ultimate weapon' and turn on us, won't the Black Coffin be in danger? As the saying goes, strike first or suffer later—"

Lamia cut me off, "Absolutely not! Get that idea out of your head!"

Deep inside, I sighed, "Lamia, Lamia, you're always too soft, too soft, shouldering all the burdens yourself... cough cough... Well, it falls to your loyal and decisive subordinate to make up for your shortcomings."

I resolved to disobey Lamia's orders—not for the first time—and I was convinced this was the wise and correct decision.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The apocalypse needs not saints, but those willing to do whatever it takes.

Suddenly, the Duke spoke. "Oh, right—you're Longinus, aren't you?"

I forced a smile. "What can I do for you, Your Grace?"

"You seem to have some connection to our Sword and Shield Society," she said. "Let me remind you—I don't need to remove my armor for any, ah, personal needs."

A chill shot through my veins.

"Our armor is like a space suit," the Duke went on. "It has automatic waste disposal and cleaning systems. I would never sneak into the bushes to... you know."

I laughed awkwardly—a sound that, even to my own ears, resembled sobbing. "Of course. Someone as noble and pure as yourself would never have such base needs."

Lamia asked, "You heard our conversation?"

"Yes," the Duke replied. "My hearing is excellent."

Every nerve in my body tensed. If the Duke so much as hinted at arresting me, I'd be out of there in an instant. Luckily, she walked on ahead, not even sparing me a glance, as if I were nothing more than an insignificant insect.

Ah, what terrible humiliation. But I am broad-minded; I won't hold it against her.