Chapter 28

A vast vertical shaft where the ceiling was invisible, the three people, including Tien, who had reached Mine District 4, were speechless.

"…I didn’t think it would be this bad."

Astrid muttered softly. The entrance to the large tunnel, marked with a sign reading "District 4," was illuminated by a magic lamp. The gently sloping path, however, was blocked by a collapse—and not only that, it was submerged up to their knees.

The path ahead was downhill, and the deeper areas were likely to be even more flooded. It was impossible to imagine what the site supervisor was facing.

"It has been raining deep in the mountain… Tien knew about it, and yesterday, there was a smell of water that I had never smelled before."

"An unfamiliar smell?"

"…If I had thought about it calmly, I would have realized it was a sign of a water accident."

Tien’s shoulders drooped.

(That’s it.)

Astrid understood. Tien had said she wanted to help the site supervisor. Of course, it was because she was a good person. But on the other hand, Tien felt responsible—she thought the accident could have been predicted. That thought had driven her to rush here.

"This is a tragic accident."

So Astrid said,

"And we are here to overcome the accident. Before it’s too late."

"Ah…"

"Is that not right?"

"…No, it’s not wrong."

"Good. Then let’s do what we can—Emiri, how about it?"

When Astrid called out to Emiri, who was near the collapse site, she replied,

"It looks like the next 10 meters or more are buried. Clearing the debris shouldn’t be too difficult, but the problem is the water."

"Drainage… Can you move the water with magic alone?"

"It’s not impossible, but it would be quite a strain. My remaining magic power is already down to half."

"Half? That’s still a lot, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

"Hmm…"

Astrid crossed her arms and thought.

"Clearing the debris is possible. We didn’t even need the drill. The magic lamps will be damaged if they get submerged, so the inside is likely to be pitch black. After clearing the debris, we’ll remove the minimum amount of water necessary for the rescue operation…"

"If you can clear the debris, Tien will go in and check."

"…Tien. It’s dark inside, and you’ll have to swim. You won’t know what’s submerged in the water."

"I understand. But I have the map of District 4 in my head, and even if there’s some debris left, I can clear it. Also, if I can find a place with air, I can navigate the darkness with my nose."

"Hmm…"

Astrid grunted. What Tien said was correct. In fact, Astrid had also thought that there was no other way—Tien would have to go in alone. However, swimming through the darkness was much more dangerous than anything they had faced so far.

Rumble… rumble…

"!"

The sound of a collapse came from somewhere. Emiri looked up at the dark ceiling with a serious expression.

"…We don’t have time to hesitate, Astrid. This place isn’t safe either."

"I know. But…"

"Tien is going. Please use magic to clear the debris."

Tien bowed to Emiri.

(Why go so far… for someone who treated you so badly…)

Astrid looked at Tien with a sense of pain.

"This child knows that if she doesn’t take a step forward here, she’ll regret it forever."

Emiri smiled wryly at Astrid.

"We understand that feeling, don’t we?"

"!"

Emiri had the talent to use "Fifth Rank" magic but couldn’t because of her special constitution. She had always thought it would be unbearable not to be able to use "Fifth Rank" magic. Astrid had been researching the application of elemental magic to sorcery. The path was clear, but she couldn’t succeed no matter what. She had thought she couldn’t die until she succeeded.

(Tien is really a straightforward child.)

She knew that if she didn’t do it now, she would regret it. Emiri’s words were correct.

(Strong… will.)

Astrid couldn’t understand what emotions were behind it. Therefore, even though she knew that stopping her would be the safest option, she was starting to feel the urge to push her forward—Emiri was already preparing to use magic.

"…Alright. I give up, Tien. Be careful… I know those words are meaningless, but still, be cautious."

"Yes!"

"Then I’ll use the magic."

Emiri activated the magic at the entrance to District 4. She calmly performed two highly difficult tasks simultaneously—pulling the debris forward and reinforcing the tunnel. While she was doing this, Astrid asked Tien,

"How big is District 4?"

"About 600 meters to the end."

"Quite long…"

"But if the water has accumulated, I think the site supervisor will be in a place with air. There’s a large square about 50 meters ahead where the tunnel branches out, and the ceiling is high."

"If they’re there, it’s that place."

Tien nodded. In other words, if they weren’t there, the site supervisor’s situation would be hopeless.

"50 meters… no, with this flooding, about 30 meters. Can you hold your breath that long?"

"I can."

"It’s dark, and the water is murky, so you won’t be able to see ahead."

"I’ve walked this path many times."

"Alright. Let’s attach a rope."

"Rope?"

"There’s one on the drill machine. I’ll attach it to your body. It might hinder your swimming, but it will be useful for the return trip."

"Ah…"

Even if Tien could swim 30 meters, there was no guarantee that the site supervisor could do the same. In fact, it would be better to assume they couldn’t.

"We’ll pull the rope from this side. That will speed things up."

"Understood. Please do it."

"The signal will be two tugs, tug, tug."

At that moment, Emiri said,

"The debris is cleared!"

Unlike before, the debris was cleared to the side of the entrance, and the tunnel’s mouth was open.

Rumble…

Another ground tremor.

"We have to hurry."

Tien quickly shed her helmet, jacket, pants, and boots. In her running shirt and pumpkin pants, she looked frail and not at all like a girl. Astrid wondered where such a slender body could have such strength—she remembered Tien lifting a cart and swinging a pickaxe. Astrid wrapped the rope around Tien’s slender body. The rope was probably less than 50 meters long, but it should be enough for 30 meters.

"Alright."

"I’m going."

Tien turned and entered the tunnel without hesitation, pushing through the water. When she was waist-deep, she switched to breaststroke and, after taking a deep breath where her head hit the ceiling, dove underwater.

"That’s some determination…"

"Ah, really—Emiri!?"

Astrid rushed to where Emiri had collapsed.

"You… your magic power is almost gone, isn’t it?"

"Pretty much… I wanted Tien to focus on the rescue without worrying about this side."

"You’re quite stubborn."

"You know that already."

Astrid smiled at Emiri’s words.

"Let’s hope the other stubborn one comes back safely."

"…Yeah."

The rope was smoothly pulled into the depths—.