Infinite Mage [Remake]-Chapter 165: The Reversal of the Law (Part 2)

Kanya said, "Alright, I'll explain. This place is called the Outer Hell. It's also known as Purgatory."

Shirone asked, "Purgatory? This place?"

Kanya nodded, "Yes, the prison of the land. It's where heretics who rejected the law live. Now I get it. You guys denied the existence of the gods in the land of the heavens. That's why you fell here."

Shirone didn't correct her misconception. Even if he explained, she wouldn't understand, and it wasn't entirely wrong. None of his group believed in Anke Ra anyway.

Kanya continued, "Seeing that you use magic, you must be descendants of the Noor clan. How pitiful. Once you fall into Purgatory, the only thing left for you is death. You'll eventually die."

Shirone replied, "Yeah, we'll eventually die. But so will you."

Kanya puffed up her chest slightly, looking a bit smug. "Not at all. I'm a divine chosen by the gods. That's why I'm guaranteed eternal life."

Shirone recalled the myths of Kergo. If someone could grant eternal life, they could indeed be called a god.

But it didn't feel realistic.

All living beings age and eventually die. Preventing death was impossible, even with the power of magic.

Realizing the identity of Shirone's group, Kanya felt relieved. She disliked heretics, but these were pitiful beings who hadn't even been given the chance to receive the divine power.

Kanya said, "Fine. You're lucky. Follow me. I'll show you a place to stay."

Shirone asked, "Why are you suddenly being so nice? If you're a divine and we're heretics, shouldn't you think poorly of us?"

Kanya turned around, knowing no one would follow. "You're quite suspicious, just like a descendant of the Noor clan. If this were the heavens, I would've driven you out, but it's fine here. In Purgatory, no law protects the divine. You and I are in the same situation. Anyway, we need to hurry. It'll get dangerous once the sun sets."

As they went deeper into the valley, the cliffs rose higher. It was a desolate place without even a single firefly. A bit of moisture and echoes. The only sound was their footsteps in the vast nature.

Shirone asked, "You're not saying something strange will appear again, are you?"

Kanya reassured, "Don't worry. The Valley of the Whirlwind Serpent has a powerful law, so there are no dangerous monsters like the Venom Fang Demons here."

Shirone asked, "What kind of law?"

Kanya explained, "The Whirlwind Serpent. A monster said to have lived here for over 10,000 years. But it's probably asleep now. It doesn't move around during the day. That's why we need to hurry. We need to reach Noor's Sanctuary before the sun sets."

Shirone asked, "Earlier, you said we're descendants of the Noor clan, right? So, is Noor's not a divine?"

Kanya replied, "Of course, they're divine."

Shirone asked, "Then why is there a Noor's Sanctuary in Purgatory?"

Kanya was frustrated but added an explanation, remembering where they came from. "There are three races of divine living in the heavens. The Noor's are one of them. The divine are born with a set lifespan, and when it ends, they gain eternal life. But some of the Noor's couldn't accept that. So, they escaped to Purgatory and created an independent society."

Shirone didn't fully understand the concept of being born with a set lifespan, but he let it go. At least it wasn't as strange as the idea of gaining eternal life.

What he was more grateful for was Kanya's consideration. She thought Shirone was a descendant of the Noor's, so she was guiding them to the Noor's Sanctuary.

Shirone said, "Thank you, Kanya. You're kind."

Kanya retorted, "What are you talking about! No divine is kind to heretics. We're only going because we need something, so don't get the wrong idea. Once we reach Noor's Sanctuary, don't act like we know each other."

Despite her harsh words, she couldn't look Shirone in the eye.

Lena, noticing Kanya's act, puffed her cheeks and added, "That's right. Big sis is only going because she needs something. But I'm going because I genuinely want to help."

Shirone laughed, "Haha! Thanks, Lena. You're thoughtful."

Lena's cheeks turned red at Shirone's praise.

Kanya stopped walking. It was a sensitive age, so she could understand being drawn to strangers, but as a divine under the rule of law, it was a thought she shouldn't entertain.

She grabbed Lena's wrist and pulled her toward the cliff. As Shirone's group watched in confusion, she whispered sternly.

Kanya scolded, "Lena, what's wrong with you? You know it's impossible to be with heretics. Even having such thoughts is blasphemy."

Lena replied, "I know. But that oppa..."

Kanya interrupted, "No means no! No matter how immature you are, good looks aren't everything. If you choose men like that, you'll be in big trouble."

Lena shot back, "How would you know? You don't have a boyfriend either."

Kanya said, "You'll understand when you're older. Anyway, listen to me, okay? From now on, be cold to that guy."

Lena protested, "I don't like Oppa Shirone because he's handsome. I like him because he's kind."

Kanya asked, "Kind? That guy?"

Kanya looked at Lena with a baffled expression. How should she respond to her sister's words?

He was certainly a unique boy. But the reason she felt that way was because he was a heretic. Freedom breeds corruption. In that sense, associating with Shirone was dangerous.

Kanya asked, "Tell me clearly. Do you like handsome guys or kind guys?"

Lena was fourteen, the age when feelings of love begin to emerge. Soon, she would have to play the role of a mother, so she felt the need to change her sister's way of thinking.

Lena replied, "Of course, both. They have to be handsome, but also kind."

Kanya sighed, "Sigh, you're really something."

Lena said, "It's okay, sis. I won't fall in love with someone I've only known for a day. And... we're not so different from them right now."

It was a violation of the law for divines to enter Purgatory without permission. They might be punished, but it was something they couldn't give up.

However, she regretted bringing her sister along.

No matter how much longer Lena's lifespan was compared to hers, it was a lack of responsibility as an older sister.

Kanya said, "I'm sorry, Lena. I..."

Lena interrupted, "I know, sis. Besides, I begged to come. You don't have to take on all the dangerous tasks alone. I also want to give Mom a gift."

Kanya stroked Lena's head. The child who used to cry for milk had already grown so much. She hoped Lena would receive the grace of the gods and enjoy eternal life.

Such a lovely child would surely be granted that by Ra.

Kanya said, "Alright, let's hurry."

The valley was now becoming a maze. Shallow water flowed through narrow paths, and the air was damp.

Amy, using her red eyes, noticed that Kanya's movements were erratic.

It was the typical behavior of someone who was lost.

Amy asked, "It's quite far. Is Noor's Sanctuary still a long way off?"

Kanya replied, "We're not going there. We don't even know where Noor's Sanctuary is."

Amy asked, "What? You said earlier we were going to Noor's Sanctuary."

Kanya explained, "That's the destination. How would we, as divines, know where the Noor's who fled the heavens built their sanctuary?"

Feeling Amy's bewildered gaze, Kanya added, "Don't worry. There's still a way."

Amy asked, "What way?"

Kanya said, "Using drones. Noor's Sanctuary is an open market that anyone can go to. A guide sent from the market is waiting in the Valley of the Whirlwind Serpent. We just need to find that person. That's why we're using drones to search for a place where people might be staying."

Shirone looked up at the two drones flying in the sky.

In their original world, such flying objects would be considered ancient relics. But despite being called ancient, their technology was incomparably advanced.

He suddenly wondered what expression Neid would make if he showed them to her.

Shirone asked, "I get that the machine is scouting, but how can we see what it's seeing?"

Kanya tapped her temple and said, "It's connected to my brain. It's called a frequency."

Shirone asked, "Frequency?"

Kanya explained, "Hmm, think of it like an invisible signal. Similar to sound, I guess? It's a technology called retinal vision. When the drone sends a signal to my frequency, an image forms in my pupil. Take a closer look at my left eye."

An electric field-like aura appeared in Kanya's pupil, and a bird's-eye view of the valley quickly unfolded. Despite being smaller than her pupil, the resolution was high enough to see the landscape clearly.

Kanya said, "This is the valley as seen from the drone's perspective. It might not be clear to you, but it actually takes up half of my vision. It's an image projected directly onto my retina."

Tess said, "That's incredible technology."

Tess couldn't hide her envy. She had always been fascinated by ancient relics, but drones were something that could change the game in espionage.

Tess asked, "Where can you get something like this?"

Kanya replied, "You don't get it; it's issued. Only the Mecha clan receives them. You can get a drone when you turn twelve."

Tess asked, "So, could you get one for me?"

Kanya said, "No. The quantity is strictly controlled. If you're caught sneaking one out, you'll be severely punished."

Tess said, "I see. I want one too..."

Kanya explained, "Other divines also envy drones. But they're locked with a personal code, so no one else can use them. If the owner changes, it immediately beeps and shuts down."

Tess felt even more frustrated that it was an item meant for only one person. She wanted one. But if it was a government-issued item, there was no way to buy it.

Jealous, Tess fell silent from then on.

Kanya said, "I found a place where the Noor's might be staying. It's not far."

Kanya started running and soon arrived in front of a cave.

The drone landed on the back of her hand and transformed into a gauntlet.

The surface displayed the final captured location's scenery. Comparing it with what she saw, Kanya confirmed it was the right place and approached the cave.

At that moment, Tess raised her hand to stop her.

Tess said, "Wait. I smell blood."

Kanya asked, "Blood? I don't smell anything."

Tess replied, "Hehe, of course. I've been trained since I was a child. I guess that machine can't smell, huh?"

Kanya retorted, "What are you talking about? Mecha technology can distinguish 140,000 different scents. It's just that the drone doesn't have that function."

The group finally realized there was an unspoken tension between Tess and the drone.

Well, the drone's reconnaissance abilities were indeed impressive. But Rian found it pitiful that Tess was jealous of a mere piece of metal.

Rian said, "Enough, just hurry up. Don't feel inferior over something trivial."

Rian's comment lightened Tess's mood, and she used her sensory schema to track the lingering scent of blood.

She took a step into the cave, examined the interior, and then looked around outside for a while.

After finishing her analysis, she turned to the group and said, "There's a smell of blood inside the cave. It's certain someone's there, but it doesn't seem like they've come out."

Shirone asked, "Why? Does the smell not come from outside?"

Tess replied, "No. The smell is stronger inside, so I'm guessing they haven't come out."

Shirone asked, "But you checked outside longer?"

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Tess explained, "It's a kind of manual. If there's a smell of blood outside too, the cave is likely a trap."

Shirone said, "So it's not a trap, then. Let's go in."

Shirone cast the Shining light spell.

As the sphere of light floated above his palm, Kanya and Lena were startled. Although the Noor's were a race that used magic, they had never seen such magic in the heavens.

Lena whispered, "Sis, did you see that? He made light from his body."

Kanya replied, "Yeah. People from the land of the earth use strange magic."

Lena added, "Yeah. But that... doesn't it look like that thing?"

Kanya scolded, "Lena! That's blasphemy. Quickly, apologize in your heart."

Lena pouted. The fact that her sister noticed without her saying anything meant she had the same thought.

Anyway, blasphemy was a sin, so she silently asked Ra for forgiveness.