An answer found

- *Ahem* Where exactly are we heading? Asked Atlas after clearing his throat.

- I know a safe place in the area. Declared the old man.

- Glad to see you're all there, father.

- ...

- ...

- If that's what you want to hear, I'm sorry. Okay, Asha?

- So you still remember my name! That's impressive coming from someone who completely forgot my existence and ignored me completely for the past few years while I came here every day to feed you and risked being noticed by the person who hates you the most in this town. And even when I tried to save your life from that same person, almost crying in front of you, you continued to ignore me for your so-called research that still leads nowhere.

Faced with these words, old Owen could only listen without saying a word... or that's what he should have done. Instead, he replied to Asha, saying that her research is much more important than she thinks. This, of course, only served to infuriate her even more than she already was.

In the midst of this raging father-daughter dispute, the two travelers, Alpheus and Atlas, listened, occasionally exchanging looks filled with astonishment, incomprehension, and a desire to know what would happen next.

Although all of this was particularly interesting to them, they had to put on serious faces when Owen opened the door to a house in an equally ordinary corridor. It was their hideout to plan what they would do next.

Atlas understood this well, so as soon as they closed the door behind them, he asked a question that had been on his mind for a while:

- What are your researches about, sir?

- Here's a rather direct young man.

- It's better to speak frankly before it's too late, sir.

- Owen, call me Owen. He quickly replied, thus easing the atmosphere.

- Okay, Owen.

- My researches focus on magic in general.

- That's a very vague answer.

- I know. I don't trust you enough to reveal such a thing.

This scientist's response disappointed both Atlas and Alpheus, who had a strange feeling that these researches could have helped them in their quest in one way or another. Their only options were to give up or to somehow succeed in convincing the old man.

...

They were continuing their conversation calmly when a strange glow appeared in front of Asha, unfolding a parchment containing a message.

Unlike the world of the inept where people still communicated by letters, there existed in Aspell a very effective means of remote communication.

It was a discovery by the dwarves years ago. With this incredible discovery that had a significant impact on Aspell, they had positioned themselves ahead of the elves in their race for the title of best researchers, scientists, etc.

During an expedition, a small group of dwarf researchers had discovered a small transparent ore with strange properties.

When held in hand while thinking of someone and infusing it with a bit of their mana, it decomposed in their hands to reassemble in front of the person they were thinking of. It was an incredible phenomenon even for the greatest mages of the time.

Even today, scientists cannot explain it. They can only formulate hypotheses and try to provide a subjective explanation. But it was from this ore and its extraordinary property that the dwarf researchers were able to create what the inhabitants of the world of mages called a "message parchment".

After buying some from any merchant, since they all sold them, all that remained was to write, think of the recipient of the message, infuse it with mana and wait for the job to be done. The parchment which disappears in front of the transmitter reappears instantly in front of the recipient. That was the parchment in front of Asha.

After quickly reading the message on the parchment, she made it disappear with a wave of her hand. Then, after taking a deep breath, she looked at her father for a few seconds, as if a ton of thoughts were crossing her mind, before saying:

- Sorry, but I have to go, I'm called to work.

- So my little girl has a job, what is it? He asked curiously.

- Don't pretend to be interested in me now. She replied frustratedly under her angelic face.

- *sigh*

The old man contented himself with a simple sigh as he watched his daughter leave.

Atlas and Alpheus, however, seemed perplexed. Their instincts made them feel that something was wrong with this story, especially regarding Asha's reaction after reading the parchment.

Atlas wanted to follow her to learn more. He used, to slip out of the room, a stratagem known to all for its incredible efficiency: "Oh my... I think I have some business to take care of too, I'll be back later."

Alpheus, on the other hand, didn't seem very interested in following Asha and had therefore left this task to his companion. He preferred to stay with the scientist to follow him in his work and maybe find out what he had discovered. But he knew it wouldn't be easy before gaining the old man's trust.

'If I want to have a chance to learn what this old man has discovered in his research, I'll first have to earn his trust. But that's precisely the problem. It's harder to prove one's trustworthiness when you can't take action. Locked in this room with him, I'll have to convince him almost solely with words,' he thought, watching the old man delve back into his research, but this time in a more practical manner.

He had taken two cups, placing them facing each other on a worktable, about thirty centimeters apart. Then, he began his experiments. He made strange gestures with his hands as if trying to control the cups from a distance. Alpheus, not understanding the purpose of his action at all, tried to scratch for some info.

- What exactly are you trying to do there? He casually asked the old scientist.

- What's the point of knowing, anyway? You wouldn't understand. He replied after gazing at the young man for a long time.

- Listen, I know you don't really trust us...

- Not at all, actually. I said otherwise earlier to calm my daughter. I didn't really mean it.

- ... you don't trust us, me and my companion. And I perfectly understand your position. It's hard to believe in someone you've only just met, especially when we were sent here to kill you in the first place. But, at least give us the benefit of the doubt.

Owen hardly reacted to Alpheus' words. The latter understood that he needed to react quickly and continue before the situation became even weirder.

'This old geezer isn't budging an inch even as I humble myself before him. Tsss... I'll have to appeal to his emotions. It annoys me, but I have no choice,' he thought, trying his best to hide his frustration.

"When I met Atlas, my companion, he immediately seemed dubious to me. Events would have had us as enemies, since we both wanted the same thing. Yet he kindly offered me a solution that could benefit us both.

I'm still trying to understand him today, and I must admit that I don't entirely trust him. But I do know that he has some good in him, and for that, I wouldn't hesitate to entrust him with my life (of course, I would hesitate to entrust him with my life, this guy is too shady).

It's this situation between us right now. You don't trust us, but it's certain that we want to help you. That black market man is vile and wants to thrive even if it means causing suffering to others. That goes against my beliefs, and the least thing would be for him to no longer be in business.

The question now is: what do you think of these two young people trying to help you?"

"..."

A brief moment of silence separated Alpheus' long sentimental speech from Owen Lian's reaction. But finally, the latter didn't remain silent.

- Why do you want to know so badly what I'm doing? Owen asked, curious.

- I'm not really sure, I just have this strange feeling that it could help us in our journey.

- Your journey?

- Yes, we're searching for certain things. But we're not really sure where to start.

- Hmmm... I see. My research could indeed be useful to you. But it concerns something that could tip our world, and many will want to seize the fruit of my research. If you want me to reveal this secret to you, you'll have to do me a small favor in return.

- I'm listening.

- Get Santa-Rosa rid of that merchant thug, and you'll get what you want.

- It's as good as done. But... maybe while we wait for Atlas, who is probably already on an interesting lead, you could tell me about what you're trying to do without revealing your secrets.

- You're persistent, kid. That's a quality that can quickly turn into a flaw and cause misfortunes. Owen said, momentarily looking saddened. "Alright! Come here, Alpheus."

- Yes!

- I have a question for you. How is it that a message parchment always finds its recipient, even though we ourselves don't know where that person is?

- That's a question that no one can answer today. Not even the greatest scientists who created it.

- Good answer! Nobody knows, at least not yet. Second question: do you know why, among the relics of legend, only the one containing the same law as a person can resonate with them and make them, for example, more powerful?"

- That theory remains only a supposition, maybe these relics actually confer no power.

- It's possible, we can't say until we've verified it ourselves. Hmmm... Many have embarked on the pursuit of these relics only to miserably fail. I pity those who still believe they can reach these things; they will all be consumed by the power of the imperial monsters.

- ...

Alpheus simply couldn't respond to the scientist's words. A sense of fear slowly began to creep over him as he thought about what he and Atlas might have to face to accomplish their goals.

- Alright! Enough blabbering. I have an answer to these questions that have never been answered.

- An answer?! The fruit of your research?!

- Exactly!

- ...

- THE LINKS OF MANA!

****

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patreon.com/Death_Side

There you will find exclusively, images of your favorite characters, information about them and also about the world of the book, without forgetting the possibility of chatting with me.

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