I pass through the hole in space with Roa.
The first thing I notice is that everything is white and empty, except for the large white chair in front of us, that seems like it would fit several adults.
And on that chair, there’s Taula.
“Yes. We have the right place.”
I whisper unconsciously, and look over at Roa. I was worried about us losing each other when we went through the hole, but I guess there was no need to worry.
We both let go of the other’s hand, and I take out and activate scrolls and Roa readies her spear.
We’re both on high alert.
The room is pretty big, but there really isn’t anything here other than a chair. I don’t even see a door.
We slowly approach Taula and the chair. Her eyes are closed, and she’s leaning against the large, squared backrest. Something that looks to be made of metal is covering her head.
It’s connected to a bundle of white strings that’s coming from the ceiling.
“Master Rust.”
Roa whispers, sounding tense.
I stop immediately and look at her.
“I can’t see. Transparency, long-distance, everything.”
The magic elements in Roa’s eyes and the glasses magic item seem to be working normally, at least from my point of view.
By everything I assume she means she can’t see through anything in this room. It sounds rough, but it can’t be helped.
“Taula. Taula.”
I call out quietly, but there’s no response.
I look over at the 《Transcribe》 scroll, one of the scrolls I have active.
Everything about Taula seems normal.
Strange…
I move the scroll over to the thing on her head, the strings, and the chair.
There’s no response at all!? It’s like they don’t even exist.
I open my eyes wide in surprise. I’ve found a few things I can’t read before, but it’s my first time seeing something whose existence doesn’t even register.
I make up my mind after getting that result, and reach out towards Taula’s head and talk to Roa.
“Roa, I can’t read anything here. I don’t know what might happen.”
“Got it.”
That’s all I get in response from Roa, who is watching my back. But that short response actually feels reliable now.
My fingers touch the thing on Taula’s head.
I grab this cold thing and take it off Taula.
But it’s then that the strings connecting to it move. They pull back from the headgear like they’re being rolled up.
I’m taken aback for a second, and freeze. But I soon come to my senses, and observe the headgear while turning it over.
It’s strange. It’s pretty light for something that seems to be made of metal, and there isn’t a single seam. I have no idea how all those strings connected to this.
I keep looking at it, until a voice calls out to me.
“Master Rust.”
It’s Roa’s cold voice.
“Yes, sorry.”
I apologize reflexively and put the headgear in my backpack.
I wish Roa didn’t stare at me like that while I do it. It’s not like I’m taking this just out of curiosity or anything.
I turn my attention to another active scroll.
“《Manifest》 Rose.”
I’m not sure that will work at first, but apparently it does.
Rose’s vines burst out of the scroll, and gently grab Taula, who still hasn’t regained consciousness, and lift her off the chair.
“Nothing happened… Let’s go back, Roa.”
There was no response after I took Taula from the chair. I’m so taken aback by that that it actually makes me feel more alert.
“…Yes.”
There’s some silence before Roa responds. I’m guessing she also feels this is all too simple.
We exchange a look, and run straight towards the hole in space we came from.
Just a bit more. Three more steps, one…
We go through the hole, along with Rose and Taula, and we’re back in the cave where the ‘Third Seat of Immorality’ was.
“Nothing happened?”
Roa says as she turns my way, as if to check.
“No, this might be bad. The hole isn’t closing.”
Unfortunately, I can only respond with bad news.
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