Infinite Mage [Remake]-Chapter 153: Kergo Autonomous Region (Part 2)

Amy (telepathically): "What exactly happened?"

Canis (telepathically): "The Galliant government, having made a fortune from tourism, grew even greedier. They came up with a new business: human tourism."

Silence fell over the mental channel.

Everyone could guess what "human tourism" meant.

Especially Tess, who had studied politics, understood what had transpired between the Galliant government and the Kergo people.

Tess (telepathically): "They made the worst possible choice."

Canis (telepathically): "Yes. The Galliant government treated not just the Kergo ruins and culture, but the Kergo people themselves as tourist attractions. Of course, this only came to light much later. At first, they had natives stand by as people rode carriages to watch them. Then their greed took over. It escalated to human hunting. Mercenaries captured boys and girls and sold them to nobles at high prices."

Amy (telepathically): "It's a miracle war didn't break out."

Canis (telepathically): "It's the fate of those left behind by civilization. Of course, the Kergo's military strength isn't weak. At least, not weaker than the Galliant government. But politically, they were no match. Children were being taken, and it was clear the Galliant government was behind it, but there was no evidence. They must've spent a fortune erasing evidence, but human hunting was so rampant it was still profitable. The Kergo were helpless. They couldn't start a fight based on mere suspicion, as the natives relying on tourism capital would've been left destitute. So, they had no choice but to make a deal. They opened the ruins in exchange for sealing off the autonomous region. That's how they closed their doors, leading to the present."

Amy felt the Kergo's anguish deeply, knowing their children were sold to nobles while they had to keep the ruins open.

But regardless of their plight, the situation had turned dangerous. That was all that mattered.

Canis had mentioned this for the same reason.

Canis (telepathically): "But that's not the important part. There are bad apples among the natives too, and it's because of them that Loop is smuggled. In any case, the natives in the autonomous region won't view us favorably. Physical conflict might not happen, but we can't let our guard down."

Amy (telepathically): "Does that mean Shirone is in danger too?"

Canis (telepathically): "No, that's unlikely. The first reason Kergo opened the ruins was money, but it wasn't the only reason. The Chamber of Achievement and Sacrifice holds special meaning for them. The Kergo have been waiting for someone for a long time."

Amy (telepathically): "Who are they waiting for?"

Canis (telepathically): "Hmm. An angel... perhaps?"

Amy (telepathically): "An angel?"

Amy pressed, but Canis didn't answer.

Arin, sensing the time was right, announced in the mental channel:

Arin (telepathically): "Sorry. I need to conserve mental energy, so I'll close the channel now. If it reconnects later, don't be startled."

Telepathy is also a form of magic, and it consumes mental energy. Especially the method of exchanging information in real-time through a channel gnawed away at the mind, much like a sustained Fire Wall.

As the mental channel closed, Amy looked straight ahead. Her hearing opened, and the sound of iron tracks filled her eardrums.

The minecart disappeared into the darkness of the cave.

The place they arrived at was an underground city.

Though it lacked aesthetic charm, the tunnels branching out like an anthill and the expanded plazas at each intersection were remarkable achievements born from coexistence with nature.

Amy, now a tourist, looked around. Her excitement was short-lived, as her eyes wavered with confusion.

The lives of the Kergo people were starkly different from the scenery. Everyone was starving and emaciated. It was far worse than she had expected, even after hearing about the Kergo's hostility toward outsiders.

Elderly people, resembling war refugees, shuffled along the tunnels. Those who couldn't walk leaned against the earthen walls, holding their children and closing their eyes.

It felt as if the desolate scene was screaming. This was an anthill, and they were the ants.

Elderly people, burdened with heavy loads, took one impossible step after another, moving further away. In the corners, hunched grandmothers wove baskets from tree bark.

Amy: "Is this really the Kergo autonomous region?"

No one answered her question. The expectation of a tribe owning valuable real estate like ruins was completely off the mark.

Canis, feeling an unnamed anger, grabbed Arin's shoulder. Her shoulder was trembling too. She was remembering the life in Radum, a place called the city's hell.

Both of them knew that starvation was the most terrible pain in the world. And so... these people were the most suffering beings in the world.

Native: "Hey, come this way."

The native who drove the minecart gestured. His expression made it clear he didn't want outsiders to see this sight.

After passing through a winding path like a rapid stream, they arrived at a blocked tunnel. A single torch on the wall illuminated the area.

Amy looked back at the path they had taken. They had taken a long detour, so even if a commotion broke out here, no one outside would notice.

The native led Amy's group to a man.

The man, with his arms crossed and lips tightly sealed, looked exactly as one would imagine a true Kergo person to be.

His upper body muscles were more developed than Rian's, and his face was marked with dark tattoos. He wore earrings made from the fangs of beasts.

Jis: "Ah, so this guy's name is Mahatu. He raises Loop and supplies it to the temple."

Amy guessed that the black tattoos were the mark of those who managed Loop. If white was for those who performed rituals, then black must be for those who prepared them.

Since Arin didn't attempt telepathy, Amy's group had to wait for Jis to translate.

Tess thought it was the right decision. Given Mahatu's temperament, he was no ordinary strongman. If he had sensory abilities, he might detect telepathy.

Just as everyone was thinking this, Mahatu's words suddenly became understandable.

When Amy looked back, Arin smiled.

Arin (telepathically): "So you tried it after all? That guy seems pretty strong. You're tougher than you look."

Amy (telepathically): "No. I didn't cast telepathy on Mahatu."

Arin (telepathically): "Huh? Then how is the translation working?"

Arin subtly pointed at Jis.

Amy finally realized. Arin had cast telepathy on Jis, who was conversing with Mahatu.

If you only intend to eavesdrop on surface-level thoughts, there's no need to contact the speaker directly. This was another advantage of Arin's ability.

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Mahatu: "Falcoa is dead?"

Jis: "Yeah. The Freeman organization won't be buying Loop anymore. They plan to leave the island soon."

Jis was honest. There was no way to hide the truth now that they had met the person in charge.

As expected, Mahatu's expression darkened. He glared at Amy's group and asked sharply:

Mahatu: "Then who are they?"

Jis: "Ah, they're not here to buy Loop. They have business here."

Mahatu: "Business? Don't you know outsiders aren't allowed here except for Loop transactions?"

Jis: "We know, but we had to inform you about the cancellation of the deal. And we have a pass...! Ouch!"

Mahatu pushed Jis aside and walked forward. His jaw clenched, and his eyes seemed to spit fire.

After scrutinizing the group, he singled out Amy as the one to talk to. Not because he thought she was the leader, but because she was the only one with a defiant look in her eyes.

Mahatu: "Sent by the Freeman organization? Are you a member?"

Jis rushed to translate. Even in this situation, his sense of responsibility was commendable.

Of course, Amy understood through Arin, but she couldn't reveal that, so she answered a beat late.

Amy: "No. But I'm close with Freeman."

Mahatu: "How close? Close enough to risk your life?"

Amy: "Of course. I've actually done that before."

The lies flowed smoothly. It wasn't entirely false since she had indeed risked her life.

Mahatu: "Then you can pay the remaining balance."

Amy: "Remaining balance? What balance?"

Mahatu: "Falcoa took 8 kilograms of Loop after paying only a deposit. He hasn't paid the rest."

Amy snorted, recalling Falcoa's face. He had boasted so much, yet he was doing shady credit deals.

Still, since there was money to be collected, she had to ask.

Amy: "I can risk my life, but I'm not close enough to lend money. Anyway, how much is owed?"

Mahatu: "10,000 gold."

Amy: "What? 10,000?"

Amy's eyes widened. Jis, who translated, also seemed confused, possibly mishearing the amount.

But Amy knew through Arin's telepathy that it was indeed 10,000 gold.

She thought it was just eight kilograms of tree roots. But 10,000 gold? No, since a deposit had been paid, it meant at least 10,000 gold or more.

Suddenly, she had a question.

Falcoa must have been buying Loop for five years with a fortune. Then how could the Kergo people be living like this?

Selling just eight kilograms of Loop could feed the people in the plaza for a year. It didn't make sense.

Jis tried to persuade Mahatu.

Jis: "We'll report the balance issue to the organization when we return. They'll either return the Loop or pay the balance."

Jis, lacking confidence, looked to his friends for agreement.

Tess nodded. Marsha and Freeman, who valued honor, would definitely pay.

Encouraged, Jis spoke confidently.

Jis: "Alright, that's settled, right? We'll pay the balance later, so let us stay here for now."

Mahatu: "I don't understand. What's your purpose for coming here?"

Amy: "We're waiting for a friend. He entered the Chamber of Achievement and Sacrifice. He should be here soon."

Her tone was sharper than before. Seeing them earn so much yet not solve their people's starvation made her think Mahatu and Falcoa were no different.

Mahatu: "The Chamber of Achievement and Sacrifice?"

Mahatu scrutinized the group. Judging their temperament rather than their appearance, he smirked.

Mahatu: "Dream big. Give up and go back. Your friend will be waiting outside."

Amy: "Hmph! How would you know?"

Mahatu: "It's obvious. The altar wasn't built to call kids like you. Countless amateurs come to the Kergo ruins. To buy Loop, to seek gold. You sent your friend to the altar and now you're here to insist? Do you think we'd allow that? At your level of scheming, you'll never pass."

Amy: "You think you're so great? Have you thought about how many people outside have become addicted to the Loop smuggled from here?"

Mahatu: "Loop is a sacred item. It's you who abuse it as a drug. And I don't need to know the foolish circumstances of outsiders. You've always been like this. Judging and trying to take what's ours. But it won't be so easy here."

Amy: "We're not leaving. Not until we know if our friend has passed the Chamber of Achievement and Sacrifice."

Mahatu: "You'll never pass with your skills. Tell me your real purpose for coming here."

The native who drove the minecart said:

Native: "Maybe they're thieves. Here to steal gold."

The native's expression no longer held a fake smile. If it wasn't for Loop trade, Amy's group was just another group of outsiders he despised, nobles at that.

Mahatu: "That might be it. We definitely can't let them in."

Native: "How about we search their bodies? If they've hidden weapons, the villagers could get hurt."

Mahatu, even as an enemy, didn't want to touch a woman's body. It was shameful for a warrior.

But he remained silent because he knew what his comrade meant.