Chapter 31

The mission was assigned to us by Silversehl's Cadre. As the party already planned that we're going with five people, that includes the vice-captain of the Silversehl's. Although the party has no information regarding the rumoured Toybox mirror, if the stories are true, this might end our lives in an instant. It will be harder for me because, as of now, my Artes is not responding to me and no one knows about it. If I tell them, my pride will be burned, and shame will consume me. I need to do something similar to what Sekki does.

We're currently in front of the Toy Box Mirror. The construction didn't resemble a toy box at all, but rather a large abandoned mansion. I mistook it for an actual toy box.

Outside, the atmosphere is more terrible than anything else. Some hawks were swooping around the sky, as though looking for their next meal. These creatures typically consume human flesh. There's no mistake about it: this place is used to end someone's life.

"Phwee," Zuilly whistled as he stood outside the house, "this looks like an abandoned haunted mansion. I've never been to a carnival, but if this is made available to the public, it will undoubtedly be a hit." His reply sounded silly to my ears.

"W-what are you talking about? Are you a moron? Who would want to go inside that nasty building? " His sister commented, "Us. We were about to enter the dreadful building you were referring to."

"Fear not, my fellow comrades! The vice-captain is here. I will make sure that everyone will make it out alive." Oz said cheerfully, his smile plastered across his face.

I'm not sure how he can smile like that knowing we're about to be killed on the inside. What a strange fellow.

"Wait a minute, vice-captain. We're not kids, you know. Anyways, we should start moving. I don't want to stay here until late at night."

"True. We only need an essential artifact, right? Then there's no need for us to engage in any fights."

Not getting into fights? I believe that not fighting is unavoidable. The house was overrun with Schattens. If they do not assault, then they are not Schatten. But I have my doubts.

"Fighting is a must. We might confront strong Schatten inside, so don't let your guard down." Oz's voice abruptly turned to a solemn tone. Even the expression on his face had changed.

"Then we should get going. Stop the nonsense conversation already." Sekki remarked as he led the way to the Toybox mirror himself. The others followed him as he marched onward. Sekki's face was devoid of humor. This will be my first mission, and Sekki has promised to protect me, but I can't just rely on him. So, I'll have to do all I can to protect myself.

When we eventually entered the said house, the first thing that hit us was the smell of steam and dust. It appears that no one has attempted to enter this house in a long time.

"You guys, it's very dark here. Could someone start a small fire? "

"Come here, my sister!"

Zuilly lit a Feuer with the tip of his finger. It was impressive to see someone who could freely use Feuer. I'm curious what Feuer can truly do; is it like ice that can be trodden on and held? But it is a Feuer, it will be deadly hot if someone makes contact with it. Although, it doesn't seem like that to Zuilly.

The five of us successfully infiltrated the household, the door abruptly shut on its own, and as we went, we were surprised to discover that the hallway was covered with mirrors lined up in a straight line, side by side, and it appears like the mirror itself created the entire area.

"Y-you know, I could sense the terror with these mirrors," Sylvie, who was holding desperately to her brother, added. "E..eh, Sylvie... could you please stop clinging so tightly, I-I might get trip..."

"S-shut up..."

These mirrors will undoubtedly frighten both of them.

"What artifact do we need in the first place?"

Now that Sekki has brought it up, it is true that the Acting Field Commander never specified what we needed to get. We were kicked out, and she only spoke to Oz after that. I'm curious about what they talked about.

"Psst." I halted from walking when I heard something whistling at me.

When I looked in the right-side mirror. What I see is my gloomy reflection staring back at me. It seemed creepy, and a frightening atmosphere emanated from it. I'm completely aware that this is what the Schatten's work entails, but I'm not feeling it anywhere. Perhaps this is an unforeseen result of not having an Artes.

"The Artifact was a bracelet. It was an ancient Raksha's relic that had been trapped here by someone unknown, and the Schatten took use of it to wield its power."

"Bracelet? What size is it? Don't tell us we're looking for something insignificant! "

"Uhh... K-kinda?"

"What?! Are you serious? "

They make a lot of noise. How can they act this way when we're in such a critical situation?

"What's the matter, Euphemia?"

Sekki was looking at me, but, how do I put it, he appears to be too far away. The scenery is beginning to shudder as if it were dissolving in some way. This is unmistakably Schatten's work, "Sekki—"

When I tried to take a step toward him, I had the sense that someone had grabbed me from behind and taken me away.

"Euphemia!"

I couldn't stop myself from being consumed by the darkness.

***

I didn't lose consciousness, but I was carried by someone who is currently standing just in front of me. I don't think he's a Schatten either; he appears to be more of a person than a Schatten.

"Wait, who are you? Why did you separate me from my comrades? "

"I don't feel any Artes from you. Why did you come here? "

The man has long, straight gray hair and turquoise pupils, and he's staring at me. I could see its color even in the darkness. However, I would describe it as dead eyes.

"How could you—don't tell me you're a Schatten accomplice!?"

My brow was immediately flicked by the man. "No, I'm not."

There was this vision that flashed across my head, a distant memory that I couldn't quite recall. It reminds me of him in certain ways.

"T-then, why are you here? I never imagined someone would be here with us."

"I was imprisoned."

This man seems a little dodgy. "How could you possibly survive inside this lair!? T-this…"

"You think I'm weak, that I couldn't survive here?"

"How could I possibly know? I only met you today, and you clearly snatched me from my friends!"

Then he gave me that look again. Is it because he is taller than me that he was dominating me?

"Are you coming with me?" He stated abruptly while standing firmly in front of me, his countenance remaining unchanged. This guy definitely reminded me of Sekki when I first met him.

"Coming with you? Where though? "

"Going out."

"No! What the heck, I'm going back to my friends! "

"Friends?" The guy gave a small smile as if he hadn't expected to hear anything from me. The hair was swaying strangely through his back, and the stillness began. "You've made some new friends. I'm glad to hear that..."

"Huh? " His statements have left me with a puzzling dilemma in my thoughts. Why does this guy act as though he knows who I am? I'm not sure what he's attempting to accomplish here, but he certainly mystifies me.

Again, the smile on his face never got wide, how should I say this, it was rather weak.

"Then we better get going," he adds, marching into the chaotically confused mirror maze.

The earth began to quake violently as soon as we began to move our feet.

"W-what is going on?!"

"It's the Schatten. It's making its move! "

"W-what!?"

***

(The next following chapter will have its own character perspective.)