Infinite Mage

Silence filled the mental channel.

Everyone grasped the implications of “human tourism.”

-The Gallian government, having made a fortune from the tourism industry, grew greedier. sphere So they devised a new venture: human tourism.

-What exactly happened?

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

-It’s a wonder a war didn’t break out.

-Right. amateur The Gallian government went beyond exploiting the Kergonian ruins and culture; they turned the Kergonians into tourist attractions. legend This became publicly known much later. amber Initially, they had the natives stand by the roadsides for tourists to observe. album Then, their possessiveness took over, leading to human hunting. agent Mercenaries captured Kergonian boys and girls and sold them to nobles at high prices.

Especially Tess, who had studied politics, understood the gravity of the situation between the Gallian government and the Kergonians.
-They made the worst choice imaginable.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Amy could deeply empathize with the plight of the Kergonians, who had no choice but to open their ruins while knowing their children were being sold to nobles.

But regardless of their circumstances, the situation had become dangerous. alert That was the crucial point.

Canis had a similar reason for bringing it up.

-It’s the fate of those left behind by civilization. antique The Kergonians’ military might wasn’t weak. timber In fact, they were not inferior to the Gallian government, but they couldn’t match them in political maneuvering. apple Children were being kidnapped, the culprit clearly the Gallian government, but there was no evidence. harbor They must have spent a lot of money to erase that evidence, yet human hunting was so profitable that it still paid off. silence They were powerless. crystal Without concrete proof, they couldn’t confront them without risking the livelihoods of the natives who relied on tourism revenue. meadow So, they had no choice but to agree. amateur They opened the ruins to tourism but closed off access to the autonomous district. admire That’s how they closed their doors and arrived at the present.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

-No, she won’t be. avalanche The first reason Kergonia opened the ruins was for money, but that’s not all. wizard The Room of Achievement and Sacrifice holds special meaning for them. alert They’ve been waiting for someone for a long time.

-Isn’t Shirone in danger too?

-But that’s not the main point. portal There are bad guys among the natives, which is why lupe is being smuggled. acid Regardless, the natives in the autonomous district won’t see us kindly. arch There may not be physical confrontations, but we must stay vigilant.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

-Perhaps… an angel?

Amy asked, but Canis did not answer.

-Who are they waiting for?

-An angel?

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Telepathy consumed mental energy, especially when exchanging real-time information, like a firewall constantly eating away at the mind.

Arin announced over the mental channel.

-Sorry, but I need to conserve my mental strength, so I’ll close the channel. aluminum Don’t be alarmed if we reconnect later.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

***

They arrived at an underground city.

While lacking sophisticated aesthetics, the network of tunnels and expanded chambers at intersections, resembling an ant colony, was an impressive achievement of coexistence with nature.

As the mental channel closed, Amy refocused on her surroundings. alpha The sound of the tracks filled her ears as the mine cart disappeared into the darkness of the cave.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The Kergonians lived in stark contrast to the scenic surroundings. airport Everyone was starved and emaciated. admire Their hostility towards outsiders, which Canis had mentioned, was more than justified.

Elderly refugees shuffled along the tunnels, and those unable to walk leaned against the earthen walls, cradling their grandchildren and closing their eyes.

Amy looked around with the curiosity of a tourist, but her excitement quickly turned to dismay.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

No one answered Amy’s question. ability The expectation of a tribe owning valuable real estate like the ruins was utterly shattered.

Elders carrying heavy loads staggered forward, while old women with bent backs wove baskets from tree bark in the corners.

The desolate scene felt like a silent scream. amber This was an ant colony, and they were the ants.

“Is this really the Kergonian autonomous district?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Canis felt a surge of unnamed anger as he held Arin’s trembling shoulders. attic She remembered their lives in the hellish city of Radum.

“Hey, come this way.”

They both knew that starvation was the most excruciating suffering in the world. arrow Thus, these people were the most tormented souls on earth.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The native led them to a man.

They followed a winding path and arrived at a blocked tunnel. silence Only a single torch on the wall illuminated the area.

Amy glanced back. absorb They had taken a long detour, so any commotion here wouldn’t be noticed outside.

The native who had driven the cart beckoned them. sphere He clearly didn’t want outsiders seeing the current state of the Kergonians.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

His upper body muscles were more developed than Rian’s, and his face was marked with dark tattoos. atlas He wore earrings made from predator fangs on both ears.

With his arms crossed and mouth set in a hard line, he looked every bit the true Kergonian warrior, fitting the description perfectly.

When Zis spoke to him, he introduced himself as Mahatu.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Amy guessed that the black tattoos signified those who managed the lupe. shadow If white was for those who performed rituals, then black must be for those who prepared them.

The name Mahatu, the warrior, matched his appearance and demeanor.

Amy recalled hearing about Mahatu as a warrior’s name.

“So, his name is Mahatu. alert He raises the lupe and delivers it to the temple.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

As they pondered this, Mahatu’s words suddenly made sense.

Since Arin hadn’t attempted telepathy, Amy’s group had to rely on Zis for translation.

Tess thought it was a wise choice. atlas Judging by Mahatu’s temperament, he was no ordinary strongman. avalanche If he had a sensory schema, he might detect telepathy.

When Amy looked back, Arin smiled.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Arin subtly pointed at Zis.

-No. palette I didn’t use telepathy on Mahatu.

-So, you tried after all? matrix That guy seems pretty strong. armor You’re bolder than you look.

-What? acid Then how are we understanding him?

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Falcoa is dead?”

If she only needed to eavesdrop on the surface thoughts, there was no need to contact the speaker directly. alert Another strength of Arin’s ability.

“Yes. atomic The Freeman organization won’t buy the lupe anymore. arch They plan to leave the island soon.”

Amy realized that Arin had used telepathy on Zis.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

As expected, Mahatu’s expression darkened. arrow He glared at Amy’s group before speaking.

Zis spoke honestly. matrix Meeting the chief, there was no way to hide the truth.

“Then who are they?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Yes, but we had to inform you about the transaction cancellation. shadow And we have a pass…! autumn Whoa!”

“Oh, they’re not here to buy the lupe. anxiety They have business in the district.”

“Business? atomic Besides lupe transactions, outsiders can’t enter here, don’t you know that?”

Mahatu shoved Zis aside and approached. arrow His clenched jaw twitched, and his eyes blazed with anger.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

He examined the group, focusing on Amy. acquire Not because she seemed like the leader, but because she alone met his gaze defiantly.

Of course, Amy understood through Arin’s telepathy. wizard But she couldn’t reveal this, so she answered a beat late.

Zis rushed to translate. auction His sense of duty was commendable even in this tense situation.

“Sent by the Freeman organization? arrow So, are you a member?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Of course. autumn We’ve actually done so.”

“No. abstract But we’re well acquainted with Freeman.”

“How well? apple Enough to risk your life?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Lies came easily. altitude They had indeed risked their lives fighting Freeman, so it wasn’t entirely false.

“Falcoa took 8 kilograms of the lupe recently, only paying a deposit. avalanche He couldn’t settle the balance.”

“Outstanding payment? arch For what?”

“Then you can settle the outstanding payment.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Still, if there was money owed, she had to ask.

Amy scoffed, picturing Falcoa’s boastful demeanor, only to find he was penny-pinching on credit.

“We might not be close enough to lend money, but how much is the outstanding balance?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“10,000 gold.”

“What? 10,000?”

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

Amy’s eyes widened. alert Zis also looked confused, unsure if he had heard correctly.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

She had thought the 8 kilograms of lupe were worth a lot. adapt But 10,000 gold? harbor And that was just the remaining balance, meaning the total was even higher.

Selling just 8 kilograms of lupe could feed the people in the plaza for a year. anxiety It made no sense.

A question popped into her mind.

Falcoa must have spent a fortune on the lupe over the past five years. agent How could the Kergonians’ living conditions be explained then?

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Unsure, Zis looked to his friends for approval.

Zis tried to negotiate with Mahatu.

“I’ll report the outstanding balance to the organization. arch They’ll decide whether to return the lupe or settle the payment.”

Tess nodded. artist With Marsh and Freeman’s reputation, they would surely settle the balance.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Alright then. sphere We’ll pay the balance later, so let us stay here for now.”

“I don’t understand. canvas What’s your purpose here?”

Emboldened by Tess’s support, Zis spoke confidently.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Amy answered.

Her tone was harsher than before. antenna Seeing Mahatu and Falcoa neglect their starving people infuriated her.

“We’re waiting for a friend. aluminum He entered the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice. adapt He should be here soon.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Mahatu scrutinized them closely. arctic Assessing not their appearance but their demeanor, he sneered.

“The Room of Achievement and Sacrifice?”

“Such grand dreams. shadow Give up and go back. alert Your friend is likely waiting for you outside.”

“Hmph! timber How can you be so sure?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“The lupe is sacred. accent It’s you who abuse it as a drug. arena And I don’t care about foolish outsiders’ issues. admire You always judge and take what’s ours. acoustic But it won’t be so easy here.”

“You think you’re so great? wizard Do you know how many people have suffered from the lupe sold outside?”

“Isn’t it obvious? agent That altar isn’t for brats like you. beacon Many pretenders come seeking the Kergos ruins, hoping to buy the lupe or find gold. action If your friend is at the altar, go back and check.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The cart driver spoke.

“They might be thieves, looking to steal gold.”

“With your skills, it’s impossible to pass. amber Reveal your true purpose.”

“We’re not leaving until we confirm our friend’s success.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“That’s possible. atomic All the more reason not to let them in.”

“Should we search their bodies? amber If they brought weapons, they could harm our people.”

There was no longer a false smile on the native’s face. admire If it wasn’t about the lupe, then Amy’s group were the most hated outsiders, nobles.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

But he didn’t speak because he knew what his companion meant.

Mahatu didn’t want to touch a woman’s body, considering it dishonorable as a warrior.