Firefly In The Dungeon

「Fragment VIII」The Last Gift of Calamity

   Bound by magic arrays, the magic stone left afloat on the ceiling, while thin mist of Mana appeared around it before dispersed to the surrounding. Glowing in a soft light that erases shadow from the room, it was a proof that the Concealment Barrier finally set in motion.

   ". . . You, placed it on the ceiling as a replacement for the lamp, didn't you? Right." Geūr commented.

   "Oh? I was caught, it seems." Alice giggled playfully to the bird. "Now, do you, mind to tell, how is the barrier?"

   To Alice question, Geūr turned its head cutely, left and right, before closing its eyes in silence, trying to discover any flaws within the magical structure.

   In truth, Geūr was called not to assist Alice in the process of setting up the said magic. Instead, Geūr's part comes after that; to maintain the barrier itself. Enclosed by a type of territorial magic, the affected area is turned into its nest, as the bird could sense all that exists within it. Morever, Geūr could perceive current condition of the Barrier.

   It might seem redundant, given Alice's confidence in her own abilities, but one can never be too careful.

   Before long, Geūr finally answered with a nod. ". . . Flawless as it should be."

   "Very well." Alice said, then paused, taking a glanced at the window.

   Dusk is around the corner. She thought, and as her expression shift into more of seriousness, the girl finally says, "I shall be, taking my leave, to venture, outside. Keep your, sense open, Geūr."

   "I am." Geūr responded, as it watched Alice leave through the door, along with her beloved staff and lantern.

. . .

   It was already another night.

   Fleeting; The existence of time feels like an illusion until one is truly conscious about it.

   . . . While Nyx covered the sky with a blanket made of darkness, Orario turns quiet as every door is closed shut.

   In this situation, only Adventurers dared to roam around, and even so, it was limited to those one scheduled to patrol during such hour, unless it is a madman trying to play with danger. As for those people without home, they hurled together in the corner, like a pack of rats under the rain.

   Of course, the Guild do care about their reputation. But as they had their hands tied with those lunatic, they were unable to do much about it, aside from occasionally giving some free meals to reduce people dissatisfaction before it reaches a boiling point.

   But note that even it was only occasionally, because by doing so, the Guild had to open their gold pouch, which is already drained thin due to the downfall of Orario's economy.

   The future is bleak indeed.

   With a long sigh, Alice sat on a bench near fountain within the heart of the city. Under the night, eerie silence dominated by terror is the only one to accompany the girl.

   Observing a patrol team of adventurers passing by the street, Alice find her existence remain elusive.

   Not every Adventurers could see through my concealment, it seems. Alice thought with a bit of relief.

   Ignoring her surrounding for a moment, Alice raise her right hand towards the sky within sight, and peeked through the gap between her small fingers.

   What greeted her is a sea of stars, adorning the night sky like a million fireflies.

   "They are, forever distant, aren't they?" Alice muttered.