Extra in a Romance Fantasy

158 – Inside (1)

I was the one leading the way.

It was a simple reason. I judged that I would be the easiest to respond to whatever might happen.

In other words, I could say I was the one with the least risk.

Rachel and Ira looked at me with somewhat worried eyes, but in the end, they didn’t voice their concerns.

Anyway, I stepped beyond the veil—

In the next moment, I was standing in a different space.

“…….”

It was quite a fascinating sensation.

I had merely taken a step forward, yet I had been transported to an entirely different space.

Usually, in that process, a sense of alienation tends to envelop the body, but this time, that alienation was remarkably minimal.

Perhaps, unless one had keen senses, they wouldn’t even notice it.

While I felt wonder at that fact, I didn’t let my tension slip away.

No, rather, I was maintaining my alertness sharper than ever.

I had thought that there was a possibility of an enemy launching an attack the moment I entered.

However, should I say it was fortunate, there was no immediate enemy assault.

No, beyond that, there was not even a hint of presence detected around me.

I expanded my senses and surveyed a fairly wide area, but there was no sign of hostility, not even a trace of presence.

“…….”

Was there really no enemy nearby?

Or was it a characteristic of this space itself?

As I pondered those thoughts, still keeping my tension high, I was scanning the surroundings.

Tap—

I heard footsteps, and someone entered right after me.

As I turned my head, what came into view was Rachel, her eyes wide open as she surveyed her surroundings.

And starting with Rachel, the rest of the group began to enter one by one.

Aira, Alexis, Cedric, Chris, and Wilhelm.

And finally, Ethan.

Thus, the entire party stepped into the curtain.

“This is… peculiar.”

Alexis was the first to express her thoughts.

I silently nodded in agreement.

This sight truly warranted the description of peculiar.

“Should we call this… a forest?”

A forest.

Yes, perhaps that description wasn’t entirely wrong.

Like other forests, the space we stood in was also lined with trees, filling the view to the brim.

Except for the fact that every tree was so distorted it felt like something out of a surrealist painting, it was no different from an ordinary forest.

“……”

It was a bizarre and grotesque sight that evoked an instinctive discomfort in those who beheld it.

“…For now, there are no signs of life detected in the surroundings.”

I quickly spoke up to capture the sinking atmosphere caused by the grotesque scene.

“…I see. Then, it might be best to analyze this space for now…”

Alexis stepped forward cautiously, suggesting an analysis of the area.

However.

“Where would we find the time for that?”

Ethan’s dismissal of the suggestion was immediate.

With a few short words, he silenced Alexis, then began to stride forward, his face showing no hint of tension as he passed by the group.

“……”

The others, including Alexis, looked at his back with astonished expressions, but none dared to stop Ethan.

There were several reasons for this.

First, his status as one of the Ten Blades.

It was something all rulers of the continent coveted, something they would pay a fortune to acquire.

Even though he currently belonged to no faction, if he wished, he could easily obtain a title equivalent to that of a high noble.

—

There was no way that Ethan, who proudly held his name among the Ten Blades, would be affected by their background.

And the second reason was likely due to the reputation of the man himself, Ethan Bertrand.

Warriors confident in their strength are fundamentally overflowing with self-assurance and possess a strong sense of self.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that most of those standing at the pinnacle, like the Ten Blades, share this trait.

However, the rumors surrounding Ethan Bertrand take it a step further.

He fundamentally disregards the opinions of others, and if something displeases him, he is quick to overturn the table.

His temperament is exceedingly violent, and his reckless words and actions spare no one.

That was the reputation of the figure known as Ethan.

In fact, there are tales that suggest that those who foolishly provoke him end up beaten to the point of being as dusty as on a rainy day, with the number of noble children who have suffered such fates reaching twenty carriages’ worth.

Ethan showed no consideration for the status of his opponents.

Perhaps that was the reason.

It’s hard to believe, but there were even rumors that some noble families instructed their children to never lose their manners in front of Ethan.

Whether that was true or not, I couldn’t say, but seeing Wilhelm, who boasted an arrogant personality, remain quiet suggested that it wasn’t entirely unfounded.

…Well, I didn’t particularly care about Ethan’s feelings, so while I could have tried to dissuade him, I had no intention of doing so this time.

I believed he was right.

It was clear that something was happening within this place, and if we delayed any longer, the chances of something good happening for us would be significantly diminished.

…Moreover, to ensure the safety of Merina and the outsiders and to minimize damage, we needed to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.

We didn’t have the luxury to analyze everything one by one.

Thinking this way, I did not stop Ethan.

“…….”

Alexis wore a slightly troubled expression but soon adjusted his face and began to walk behind Ethan.

Thus, our group started to move deeper into the grotesquely twisted forest.

I walked at the very back of the group.

Just in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Though it seemed calm at a glance, we had no idea when something might happen, and likely, only Ethan and I would be able to respond smoothly to such unexpected situations.

I intended to leave the front to Ethan while managing the rear myself.

In this manner, we were slowly making our way through the distorted forest.

Suddenly, Ethan, who had been leading the way, vanished from sight.

“……!”

Alexis, who had been following Ethan, immediately stopped in his tracks.

And the other members of the group quickly halted as well.

—

—

Then, with eyes full of vigilance, he began to survey the surroundings.

It was a calm judgment.

The group, especially the wizards among them, strained their eyes, trying to grasp what had happened.

However.

“What’s going on?”

Their efforts became futile as Ethan reappeared, looking perfectly fine.

“…Ah, I think I get it.”

With a somewhat bewildered expression, Ethan glanced around and at the group before suddenly nodding to himself.

Then, he turned again and took a step forward—

Once more, he vanished from our sight.

And before we could even react to that fact, he appeared before us again, looking perfectly fine.

*

Trusting Ethan’s words that we were safe, we boldly stepped forward.

Immediately, a slight sense of dissonance brushed against us, and in the next moment, we found ourselves facing a landscape that was subtly different from before.

“It’s a different space.”

Chris, who had been carefully observing the surroundings, concluded.

“Similar scenery, but it’s a completely different kind of space.”

“Definitely…”

“…I think you’re right.”

Alexis and Rachel agreed with him.

At those words, I wore a rather heavy expression.

“That means…”

“It suggests that there could be many more spaces structured like this ahead of us.”

That was the problem.

Fortunately, this space seemed to pose no significant issues, but there was no guarantee that the spaces we would encounter in the future would be the same.

Perhaps we would face extraordinary spaces that far exceeded our imagination.

“Considering the nature of dungeons, it might be expected.”

Alexis added.

I nodded silently.

Dungeons, a special structure that exists only within this academy.

To the students of the Academy, it is often perceived merely as a training ground or a place to take exams, but if we delve into its essence, it is a ‘spatial phenomenon.’

A ‘spatial phenomenon’ created by the Academy’s unique environment.

“…….”

I fell into a moment of contemplation.

It is true that structures known as dungeons exist only within the Academy, but it is not the case that there are none similar to dungeons at all.

There are places where structures resembling dungeons exist, and I was well aware of such a place.

Specifically, the forest near Darville.

Upon reflection, the forest and the Academy share many similarities.

Though it is not a dungeon, something akin to one exists, and above all, unlike other parts of the continent, the flow of magical energy here is distinctly unique.

Is the fact that these two spaces share similar characteristics merely a coincidence, or is there a clear cause behind it?

Regarding that answer, I had some inkling.

However, I could not articulate that speculation into words and had to pull myself away from my thoughts.

I lifted my head.

And, not long after, Ethan’s gaze shifted.

“They’re here.”

Upon hearing those words, my companions began to prepare for battle, their faces tense as they drew their weapons or summoned their magical energy.

And then.

Krrr—

A disturbing cry echoed from all around.