Academy's Second Seat [part 2 Complete]

Chapter 248: Past and Future (15)

Everything went according to plan.

We were able to raid Perrian's subspace as Ian had hoped, and thanks to a heads-up, the guards avoided death.

The deputy warden was seriously injured, but I managed to get him out quickly, saving his life.

Of course, the destruction of the underground dungeon was a major problem.

We couldn't determine who among the prisoners had died or escaped, and managing the criminals that needed to be locked up was challenging.

However, a bigger problem awaited us.

"...Gone?"

The mana stone containing the powerful mana Ian had seen inside Perrian's subspace wasn't there.

Naturally, we expected to find the mana stone in the subspace, but there was no trace of it.

"Was the mana stone kept separately?"

"Let's keep looking for now. With so much stuff, it's possible we just haven't found it yet."

Despite being filled with enough items to fill a room, it was unlikely that more than five people looking would miss it.

If it were filled with mana, its presence would have been felt.

Yet, we didn't feel such strong mana here.

We searched the room several times over, as Ian suggested.

"Ian Astria. Shall we stop now? If we haven't found it after all this, it probably means it's not here."

When Rie spoke to Ian, he sighed and nodded.

"Alright. Let's start by organizing the information we have here."

It was only after Ian said this that some degree of organization began.

The people who had been searching for the mana stone left, leaving me, Rie, and Ian at the site.

The three of us read through the documents Perrian had collected and analyzed the magical tools he had been trying to create.

After a while,

Rie yawned, feeling stiff.

Then she looked at me and spoke.

"I've skimmed through it, but I still don't really understand."

"Understanding this could help us understand Perrian's plans."

"That's true. But still, that mana stone is the most important thing, right?"

At Rie's words, I nodded, and Ian added,

"Even if that mana stone were only used to cause an explosion, it could blow up the capital. So, taking this amplifier doesn't mean it's all over."

"Hmm..."

I read through Perrian's documents while listening to Ian.

"Shouldn't we hurry and catch Perrian then?"

"If attack too strongly, we don't know what the other side will do. It's better to assess the situation slowly first."

Hearing that, I looked at Ian.

"Is it because of the possibility that Perrian might detonate the mana stone in the capital?"

"Yes, imagine if the mana stone were to explode in the capital. Some people might survive, but would the rebels just stand by?"

The attack of the rebels following the disappearance of the capital.

An unprepared fortress and soldiers without a command structure would not stand a chance against the rebels.