Chapter 168: A Philanthropist’s True Colors (1)
“Most of the noctaniums have gone missing in the past two days.”
In the basement of Cannavaro’s manor, which was heavily protected with a host of magical devices, there gathered Cannavaro and 30 dark magicians. Seated around a large and elongated table, these thirty-one magicians relied on a single flickering candle for light. Cannavaro lifted his gaze against the dim and gloomy scene. With his hands placed on the table, he noticed a fruit fly flying around.
“…”
He was suddenly curious as to how in the world the fruit fly made its way into this space, which allowed no intruders. Then, he wondered if these creatures just came into existence out of a void. This mystery was unsolvable even with his profound magical knowledge. However, he soon pushed the thought away. Something else mattered more, and it definitely wasn’t a fruit fly. The noctaniums had gone missing. He spoke toward the dark magicians.
“As you all know, each was placed in its location after we considered all potential factors. It sat in the area farthest from the gazes and footsteps of the people coming to Namaran, and it was the place that could create the strongest magical vibration for the wall. And yet, the noctaniums went missing. Every one of them.”
“Could it be that Count Namaran has taken notice of things?”
The magicians were wearing a hood that hung down heavily. One of them spoke. Cannavaro shook his head.
“That is not the case. There are no signs that he is on the move,” replied Cannavaro.
“And yet the skulls and noctaniums went missing in the past two days?”
“It is the case, even though it sounds hardly believable.”
“…”
A heavy silence hung over everyone. Cannavaro spoke to break it away.
“We do not know who did this. But an organization or individual with unexpectedly great power is certainly behind this.”
“It is certainly the case. The skulls bore countless magical spells that prevented any robbery, including magic that evades detection.”
It indeed was the case. That was why everyone had lowered their guard. They believed with a firm conviction that no one would be able to discover these skulls, and even if it happened, removing the magic would be an impossibility. But reality turned out to be different.
The magic in the skulls was lifted? And all the noctaniums have disappeared.
Everyone was flustered, and they felt empty. It was like a year’s worth of harvest was stolen in one day. They clenched their fists in rage, recalling the blood, sweat, and tears they put in to produce and bury the noctaniums. But now wasn’t the time to be consumed in anger. Cannavaro, controlling his anger, raked over everyone with his cool gaze.
“Now, let us think objectively,” he suggested, “what’s gone is gone now. There is no point in focusing on what is no longer in our hands.”
“Then, what do you plan on doing?”
“We cannot let this small tribulation become a hurdle to our great cause,” he answered.
“That means…?”
“We will push ahead with the revolt as planned.”
“But how can we?”
One of the dark magicians asked, and his question received several affirming nods from the others. Installing the noctaniums took a lot of time and effort. But the day of the revolution was coming soon, and there was only one final preparation left.
“Our revolution is impossible without the noctaniums. I thought you knew that better than any of us…”
“I know it very well,” Cannavaro replied coolly.
“Then?”
“Instead of installing the skulls, we can activate the wall ourselves. Then, it will go according to schedule without delay.”
“But-”
The dark magician’s mouth, which was revealed under the hood, jerked in dismay. But before they could rebut him, Cannavaro interrupted.
“After all, the skulls were only a means to an end in the first place, a proxy to ensure we wouldn’t have to erect the wall ourselves.”
“Yes, that’s right. It is important that we do not expose our identity during the revolution.”
“But think about what is important.”
“…”
“Our identities staying hidden? Or is our revolution coming to fruition?”
“…”
“I presume no one in this room will tell us that our safety comes first, am I wrong?” demanded Cannavaro as his gaze swept across everyone at the table.
“Well, that’s-”
“Aren’t I right?”
“…”
Cannavaro’s eyes held a glint of madness. The dark magicians clamped their mouths shut altogether.
“Originally, I wouldn’t have chosen this option, but our hands are tied. The revolution must proceed as scheduled. I’m sure all of you already know. This affair is bigger than us. Our job is only one of the many cogwheels that revolve toward a grander scheme. In other words, our delay will only become an obstacle to the entire group,” argued Cannavaro. “There could be no more delay or postponement. We must move forward on our own. But we do not have to take on all the risk like a fool.”
“Do you have any plan in mind?” one of the magicians asked.
“I am thinking of activating the wall at the safest moment.”
“By the safest moment…”
“When all the knights in the city are gathered inside the castle,” replied Cannavaro.
“Oh…!”
Everyone gaped in amazement. Yes. The noctanium wall they planned on erecting was a powerful curse that concentrated life into one place after absorbing the energies of every creature inside the wall. And no one could cross to the other side once it was up. No one could enter from the outside or leave. Penetrating it was impossible unless the person was a sword master. So, if they put up the wall at a time when the knights and other forces were within the castle, no one would be able to come out of it. And they’d be sucked out of life. That alone would eliminate all the enemies that threatened them.
“How about we mobilize reinforced zombies as guards?” one of them suggested.
“Good idea.”
“But I am still concerned. If we expose ourselves when we do not know who stole the noctaniums…”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“Do you have a backup plan?” asked a dark magician.
“I will protect you all.”
“Are you saying you will protect us?”
“Of course, I will. After all, you all deserve at least that much protection,” answered Cannavaro.
“Oh…”
At last, a sense of relief rushed through everyone. They can stay rest assured if Cannavaro was out there to protect them. He was that much of a powerful dark magician.
“Besides, the defensive magic, a corollary to the magical wall, will protect you all on its own. Only a sword master can hurt you. Otherwise, not a single soul can even touch a strand of your hair. With my protection on top of that, there is nothing you should be afraid of.”
“You speak the truth. I am now relieved.”
The dark magicians grinned, and Cannavaro did so, too, as he looked at them.
Fools.
The promise of giving them protection was obviously a lie. To Cannavaro, these magicians were nothing more than expendable tools. Sure, though it was slightly a waste for them to die so easily, nothing mattered more than activating the wall. Once it was activated, there was no way to stop it other than break the wall itself.
“So, now, let us flesh out our plan.”
Hiding his heart that was as venomous as a viper, Cannavaro smiled with great satisfaction.
A few days passed.
Now, let’s go over the plan once more.
Javier sat as he pondered hard. He stared at his apron, and it was wet because he had intentionally spilled water there. The insides of both his skirt and shoes were wet as well.
“My goodness, what should I do?”
A woman stamped her feet in anxiety, for she thought she was responsible for the spill. That was understandable as Javier bumped into her stealthily and on purpose. And he had let go of the bucket in his hand at that very moment by design.
“My golly! Please watch where you are going, ma’am,” said Javier.
“It could have been worse. Miss Ella? Are you hurt?”
People, who were moving food ingredients in the soup kitchen, lashed out at the woman. She apologized several times, thinking that it was her doing. Javier put on a soft smile.
“I am all right,” cooed Javier.
“Far from it. Your skirt and shoes are a mess. Whew. You could’ve hurt your pretty feet because of me. So, do you have clothes and shoes to change into?”
“Um…”
“I suppose you don’t.”
“…”
She looked more apologetic right now. Javier, too, felt sorry as the pang of guilt attacked his conscience. But he didn’t show it. Instead, he simply hung his head and rubbed his hands. That alone did wonders.
“Then, will you change into mine? I left them in the small quarter beside the food storage. Do you know where it is?” the woman asked.
“…”
“It may not be your size, but I am sure it will be better than working in a wet skirt. Go and change, all right? I’m asking because I feel bad.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Don’t even worry about it. It was my fault.”
“…”
I sincerely apologize madam, Javier apologized internally as he bowed inside his mind. Then, he hurried out of the kitchen. But he didn’t go to the storage as she’d told him. Instead, he made for the Cannavaro’s house.
He goes to the basement at this hour.
Javier learned this fact after a few days of observation. He wouldn’t have learned this had he not volunteered in the kitchen as a woman and, by chance, ran an errand in the basement. So today, he meant to look into the second floor of the basement. That was why he’d spilled the bucket. He needed an excuse to leave the kitchen.
Sprint! Javier moved like the wind. And his wet apron and clothes hardly mattered at all. One marvelous wringing. That was all it took to lose most water dripping down. And when Javier arrived at Cannavaro’s manor, he cut across the garden through the blind spots and rushed into the small door behind the garden. Thankfully, he didn’t bump into anyone on the first floor. Like a shadow, he then slipped down to the basement, where the gate stood shut in front of him. It was bolted shut with a magical lock. Javier raised his hand.
Ziiing! Javier rotated one magic circle as he recalled the mana pattern he had seen a few days ago. The mana pattern was in the magical key the butler used to go in and out of this door.
Crackle…! A geometrical shape of mana appeared along his fingertips, and his mana smeared into the lock as it followed the precise and accurate mana pattern. The lock then shone.
Clack. The lock opened.
Perfect.
Javier’s eyes glimmered. Surely, he held enough power and strength to break or smash the magical lock as he pleased. But he could not do so. It would leave a trace, which would put the others on alert. This was the moment his efforts of a few days to make his way into the basement came through. Just like that, Javier entered the basement.
“…”
Javier cut across the dim and unpopulated basement and later found a stair that led to the second floor of the basement. But instead of going any further, he stopped in the corner and stood breathless, even stabilizing his palpitating heart and blood flow. Every rhythm in his body and energy were made to harmonize with his surroundings. In other words, he removed all traces of his presence from the area. Then, he waited. First, for ten minutes. Later, for thirty minutes. And when his waiting reached about an hour, Javier heard footsteps from afar.
Step. Step… Someone was approaching, their steps were careful. Javier noticed that the man studied his surroundings at each step to check for anyone hiding around or following behind him. He seemed to have an unwarranted amount of awareness of his surroundings.
Cannavaro.
Javier’s eyes were slightly contracted. Cannavaro was down in the basement with a careful look on his face, and he stood in front of the gate to the second floor of the basement, with Javier watching him. Then he fished something out of his pocket. A mana-loaded key. Bzzt!
The mana inside the key entered the lock, vibrating and rotating the magic circle. The lock opened. Clack!
Cannavaro looked around once more before heading down to the second floor of the basement. The door finally closed, and the magical bolt was locked. Afterward, Javier stood in the corner without moving for the next 30 minutes until Cannavaro came out again, passed Javier, walked up, and disappeared. But Javier remained rooted to the ground and remained still like a statue. Only when he could not feel Cannavaro’s presence did he move again.
“Whew.”
Javier was at the gate that led to the second-floor basement. He stretched his hand toward the lock and recalled the mana flow and pattern the key gave off when Cannavaro pulled it out of his pocket. Javier reenacted the same mana pattern using his Asrahan Core Technique. He succeeded in copying it.
Clack. The magical lock opened.
“…”
Javier collected his breath, asking himself what would lie beneath down there and whether what he was doing at the moment was right. That is, his current actions as he was secretly digging around someone’s background.
“…”
If Mister Cannavaro’s basement was revealed to be nothing special, that is, if it was a secret vault of any other rich men, Javier promised to himself that he would grab Lloyd by the collar and declare that he must accept defeat and keep his promise. Thinking so, Javier grabbed the doorknob and turned it. It opened.
Creak. The door created dissonance as it revealed the basement. And the truth was revealed at the same time.
“Grrr?”
A zombie, aimlessly going around with its head missing, stretched his two arms at Javier.