East Road Quest

Chapter 100: The Mage Who Commands Water

Emerald had swiftly dealt with the matters at the lake.

“The magical object that just appeared is an entity formed of water itself. To control it so intricately and powerfully, the mage must be somewhere where they can touch the water, yet they are nowhere to be seen above the surface. Therefore, it’s logical to conclude that the mage is beneath the lake,” he surmised.

Near the surface, water beads attached to the weeds still flickered, and once again, a water giant arose.

The group was a good twenty paces from the water’s edge, far enough to be out of reach of their attacks, yet they did not retreat.

The water giant patrolled the lakeside like a well-trained guard.

“Could this be the work of Watercon or Watercontrine?” Jade inquired.

“I too thought of that name, but let’s not jump to conclusions,” Emerald replied.

Ruby stared intently at the movements of the water giant and commented, “This is a strange magic. Its application is as flawed as a flower without a calyx.”

“Why do you think so? I was under the impression that it’s a powerful magic,” Emerald questioned.

“If they have the skill to create such intricate forms with water, they could have easily used a spell to kill me in one blow. Why bother creating something like this when a sharp needle of water through the neck would suffice?” Ruby demonstrated by poking her finger at her neck.

“Of course, I have no intention of letting that happen to me.”

“You have a point,” Emerald conceded with a nod.

‘He may seem impulsive, rushing in without measuring the consequences, but surprisingly, he can also make a cool-headed assessment of the situation. He may say odd things at times, but it doesn’t seem to be due to a lack of intelligence.’

However, Emerald didn’t want to show his admiration for Ruby, so he deliberately offered a different opinion.

“It might be some aesthetic unique to that mage. Showing off their patrol so openly could be an expression of confidence.”

“To me, it seems more like a warning to keep away,” Jade cautiously added.

Ruby snapped her fingers with a pop.

“Well said! Isn’t that also rather odd? If they wanted to kill, they should have ambushed us.”

Emerald watched the water giant floating on the surface for a long while.

When he remained silent, Ruby urged him, “Don’t worry about it! Mages often stubbornly cling to the most peculiar things. Hurry up and share your plan with Jade.”

Emerald spoke his thoughts, though it sounded as if he was being forced to speak against his will.

“I’m considering joining forces with Ruby.”

The idea of a cooperative operation did not appeal to Emerald. He had fought alone for centuries, and the notion of suddenly teaming up with someone felt as foreign as tasting a food he had never eaten before.

Ruby, too, clearly preferred to fight alone and seemed to have little experience in joining forces with others.

‘I’m not sure if this is a wise move. She’ll probably refuse anyway.’

Jade looked back and forth between Emerald and Ruby and asked, “What’s the plan?”

“I’ll go underwater to lure them out,” Emerald declared.

“That sounds risky just hearing it. Go on, tell me the whole plan.”

“Our destination is that island,” Emerald pointed out with his index finger.

The island being their stronghold was still just circumstantial evidence. Thus, Emerald somewhat agreed with Ruby’s approach. The plan was to simply go there, knock, and ask, ‘Is anyone home?’

It was a blunt approach, but strategically not a bad one at the moment.

In ancient Elven battles, it was actually a formal strategy. Enemy commander, come forth!

Even if the enemy commander did not appear, they could at least gather some information.

“However, the water of this swampy lake is so light that it can make all floating matter sink. In other words, we can’t cross to that island by boat, nor can we swim there. Conversely, inside the lake, an arrow can fly as if it were shot through the air.”

“You can shoot an arrow underwater? Are you sure about that?” Jade asked skeptically.

“I’ve observed the trajectory of the arrows that hit the water giants; they passed through the water’s surface. If you can shoot an arrow and hold your breath long enough… it means you can fight underwater.”

“The mage must be confident in their ability to fight underwater, hence why they’re hiding in the water,” Emerald reasoned.

He glanced at Ruby and then said, “That’s why I want to only lure out the mage, and after that, I’d like Ruby to take over.”

“Then tell Ruby that,” Jade suggested, looking at Ruby.

But Emerald insisted to Jade, “No, you need to convey my words to Ruby.”

Jade frowned and then asked Ruby, “What do you think about teaming up with Emerald?”

Ruby crossed her arms and pondered. It was unclear whether she was pretending to consider or genuinely contemplating.

After a moment of contemplation, Ruby replied, “Since Jade is asking, I suppose I have no choice.”

Jade conveyed to Merald, “Even Ruby deserves a hit.”

Arms crossed, Merald responded, “Agreed.”

After scrutinizing both, Jade burst out, “What kind of foolish meeting is this? It feels like I’m mediating between two prideful classmates!”

Merald shared the sentiment but didn’t show it outwardly.

‘Why? It’s as foolish as Jade says, yet why do I find this situation amusing? Granny would tease me if she saw me now.’

With that thought, Merald quickly added, “Before I discuss the plan in detail, I have a request. Don’t tell Sage that I planned this cooperative operation.”

“I refuse. I’m too delighted by your collaboration to not make it a part of history! I’ll report it to Sage on a scroll worth a single phone.”

Jade muttered as if annoyed.

Saph, who had been listening, spoke up, “Speaking of Sage, do you remember what he said when we parted?”

“What did he say?” Jade inquired.

“…To be wary of the magician.”

Merald could read the fear hidden in her stoic expression.

“Of course, I’ll be careful.”

Merald wished the magician Sage warned about was an evil demon instead. That way, he could kill it with all his might.

Merald strode into the water. There was some buoyancy, but it was negligible.

‘I’m not one to rush in without information on the enemy…’

The Water Giant, standing on the surface, slid towards him swiftly, but Merald dove in first. As expected, fully submerged, he couldn’t be attacked.

Merald walked along the lakebed towards the island.

The water pressure felt like a slight weight on his wrists and ankles, not a significant hindrance to normal movement. However, the constraint could become a major weakness in battle. And the inability to breathe remained unchanged.

His shirt and sleeves fluttered with each step, following the flow of the water. Normally, he would have tied them down with rope to avoid interference, but now he let them flutter ‘intentionally.’ How naturally he could conceal what he hid in his sleeve was key to this operation.

Ruins of an ancient elf city dotted the lakebed. Crumbled stone walls, homesteads buried in lake mud, and fat columns likely used in temples or large stone statues were sporadically visible.

‘This place was worth exploring before all this happened. Perhaps after it’s all over…’

As he ventured about a duophone into the lake from the shore, a woman’s voice called out, “Stand back.”

The echo made it impossible to pinpoint the exact location.

Merald stopped and readied an arrow on his bowstring, speaking without moving his lips, “Show yourself.”

“Can you even speak underwater?” the woman asked.

It was a technique he had learned over two hundred years ago for underwater missions, though seldom used.

Merald didn’t want to waste breath on idle chatter and didn’t respond. He continued to advance, hoping to provoke more speech from her and reveal her position.

“Stop. You cannot pass through here.”

Her voice was young, but her tone was mature, and the slightly awkward pronunciation and accent were unmistakably that girl from before.

To confirm if she was the same elf, Merald referenced an event from three years ago, “I may have retreated at the Whispering Marsh, but today I cannot.”

Soon after, a large bubble appeared from behind a tilted pillar embedded in the lakebed.

The girl stood within the bubble, which created an echoing effect that made it difficult to determine the direction of her voice.

“Why have you returned after I allowed your body to live and move for three more years? You should be grateful, not reappearing like this.”

Her face was still small, pale, and round. He had wanted to see her again since that time, but not under these circumstances.

‘The thing I feared has happened.’

Merald had hoped for a buffalo-sized hunter, a swamp fish-man monster, the Watercon they always treated as a nuisance, or even the Cauking to appear.

‘If Vuren’s words are true, her name would be Paz. But now’s not the time to mention it.’

Merald held back his words and touched the bowstring. He deliberately turned the hand holding the arrow away from her view, focusing her attention on the swollen sleeve rather than the arrow.

The girl immediately raised her staff.

“Didn’t I tell you not to do anything unnecessary?”

“Have you heard the news?”

Merald continued without removing his hand from the bowstring.

“Heldra and Buffaloord are dead.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then we must continue the conversation we had three years ago.”

The girl aimed her staff but didn’t cast any magic.

‘My breath is running short; should I stop talking? Hasn’t she revealed herself as planned?’ Despite knowing better, Merald couldn’t restrain himself.

“You said back then, ‘You can’t even kill Buffaloord…’ Remember?”

Merald continued, recalling a moment of confession with Saph.

“It’s time to continue the tale. I have slain Buffalord and arrived here. What do you have to say next?”

Emerald had spoken at length, leaving him short of breath.

‘I might need to retreat for a breath if this fight drags on.’

Emerald had expected the girl to show relief, joy, or perhaps anger and sorrow. Instead, she smirked and prepared her magic.

“My words? Did you come expecting praise for your bravery?”

Emerald was direct.

“I came to kill Cauking.”

“Are those naive kids above your allies in battle? Foolish. I had high regard for the Guardian of the Dark Forest based on rumors, but meeting you in person, I see how naive you truly are.”

The air bubble surrounding the girl shifted with her steps, moving here and there.

Emerald’s eyes and the hand on his bowstring unintentionally targeted her head.

‘Focus, Emerald. No need to hit. You mustn’t hit.’

Emerald concentrated.

“The conversation is over. If you’ve brought a packed lunch, I’ll give you the leisure to eat it before you go. Once you’re done, take your trash and return to the embrace of the Dark Forest’s grandmother.”

“I don’t want to fight you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“I could force my way through.”

“Could you now?”

The girl looked down at him with haughty eyes and swung her staff. The water surged violently, pushing Emerald back.

The impact wasn’t severe, but it widened the gap between them from twenty to thirty steps.

Emerald quickly released an arrow.

It lacked the desired power but had enough force to embed in stone. However, with a single wave of her staff, the girl sent the arrow off course, plunging into the lakebed.

It wasn’t meant for her, but the futility of the attack drained Emerald’s spirit.

The next moment, the water’s flow reversed, pulling Emerald toward the girl. The turbulent current tossed him about, and he couldn’t regain his posture.

When the water calmed, Emerald stood on two legs at the very spot where their conversation had begun.

“You say you’ll force your way? Try it. But first…”

The girl narrowed her eyes as if playing the part of a villain and continued.

“How long can you hold your breath?”

Emerald looked up at the lake’s surface.

To breathe, he’d need to leap ten pons high, and she seemed unwilling to allow that.

The air bubble around her moved slowly with the water’s flow, like a warrior flexibly responding to an attack by slightly shifting shoulders and knees.

Emerald used his last breath to calm his mind.

‘I hope you’re only as skilled as a Sage, Paz. Then you’ll react to my movements.’

Without warning, Emerald leaped backward.

An average mage wouldn’t have seen his movement at all. A skilled one might have seen it but not reacted in time. But Paz, sensing his leap, reversed the water’s flow, trapping him.

‘That’s it.’

Emerald used the changing currents to his advantage, charging toward the girl.

She quickly reversed the flow again, pushing Emerald back. Had he not anticipated and moved accordingly, he would have been caught in the same predicament. But his accelerated body broke through the water, approaching the air bubble.

Emerald’s plan was to reach right in front of the bubble, but her swift response allowed him only to get within ten steps. Still, it was enough.

Emerald shot another arrow.

The air bubble containing the girl quickly hid behind a pillar of ruins. The arrow flew off target.

“Ruby.”

Emerald muttered under his breath, nocking a second arrow. Ruby, hidden in his sleeve until now, slipped out.

Ruby had been in his sleeve from the start, clinging unnoticed while the girl’s attention was on his muscular arm and fluttering sleeve.

As soon as Ruby emerged, she grasped the tip of the nocked arrow.

Emerald, considering Ruby’s weight, shot the arrow at the calculated angle and force.

The Ruby-tipped arrow flew past the pillar.

As it passed, Ruby let go of the arrow and leaped toward the girl hidden behind the pillar.

She was surprised by the unexpected arrival but remained composed, swinging her staff. Her magic instantly controlled the water, pushing Ruby away.

Ruby flew twenty steps before landing gracefully. But in his hand was a chain, and attached to it, shackles bound the girl’s ankles.

“When did you…?”

She panicked, striking the chain with her staff. The magic was strong enough to ignite blue flames even underwater. However, the Umphaluton chain repelled her staff.

Ruby began to pull her in with strength.

‘Got you.’

No matter how powerful her magic, she couldn’t withstand Ruby’s strength.

Emerald and Ruby’s strategy was simple.

Emerald would distract the opposing mage.

Seizing the opportunity, Poe hurled the ruby towards his opponent. It was a slight change of plan, having just shot it attached to an arrow.

Next, the ruby would capture the adversary…

Once the ruby had ensnared its target, the rest would be simple. Emerald’s only concern was to keep the ruby hidden, ensuring it wasn’t discovered.

Shooting the chained foe with an arrow would be easy! However, Emerald desired to capture them alive. Fearing that the ruby might employ a lethal technique, Emerald was about to instruct it to merely ‘hold on.’

At that moment, the young sorceress pointed her wand not at the chains, but at the dirt ground beneath Emerald’s feet.

“Hmm?”

A stream of blue light flowed from the wand, seeping into the earth. The lake’s mud began to bubble and soon took on a human shape. Though not as large as the water giants above the surface, it was much faster, roughly the size of the ruby.

Emerald was struck by the mud figure’s fist, falling to the ground and gasping for air from the unexpected blow. He no longer had the strength to endure underwater.

“This won’t do. If I stay submerged any longer, I’ll drown.”

Emerald attempted to crawl away from the bottom.

Another mud figure emerged near Ruby.

Ruby deftly dodged and blocked the mud figure’s attacks while continuing to drag the chain. Bubbles filled with sorcerer Faz’s magic were drawn towards Ruby.

Faz kept conjuring mud figures from the lakebed.

As nearly ten mud figures charged at him, Ruby weaved through them. Faz, tethered by the chain Ruby held, was jerked around in the turmoil.

Unable to free himself from the shackles, Faz began to stir the water around him. Initially, the water swirled around Faz, but gradually, the whirlpool expanded until the entire lake seemed to be spinning.

Emerald lay flat on the lakebed, clutching at anything to avoid being swept away, but to no avail. His body was caught in the vortex, pulling him towards the surface.

Ruby smashed the mud giants with his bare fists. Yet, he too was unable to withstand the swirling waters and was lifted to the surface. Still, he did not let go of the chain, and the little girl caught at its end, unable to unlock her shackles, was pulled up with him.

The lake’s surface exploded, and a water column twenty times the height of Emerald shot up. Emerald was flung into the sky, caught in the column’s crest.

His head spun dizzyingly, but he could finally release the breath he had been holding.

Faz and Ruby were also catapulted above the water almost simultaneously.

Astonishingly, the two continued their battle even in mid-air.

Ruby’s fighting prowess was not surprising. He had always shown a capacity for combat beyond what was expected. But Faz, countering in mid-air, was a sight to behold.