![[Silver Ash] - Become The Strongest In Another World](https://pub-808a39b4257a4970ba241a999948d404.r2.dev/-silver-ash----become-the-strongest-in-another-world.webp)
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"Whatever happens, you're not alone."
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Early morning, Eisen.
Some shadows seemed to be running around jumping over buildings that were still in the repair phase. Their movements are very agile. They all jumped over everything that blocked their path.
The sky was still dark, and the sun had not yet fully risen either.
If any civilian saw how easily a group of people were running and jumping from roof to roof, they would be finished.
"Why should we leave in the early hours? "
One of them commented in a voice that sounded displeased. Despite that, he did not stop his steps and meticulously avoided all points that were within the range of the guard's surveillance.
"Are you stupid? If we don't leave now, they'll find us. I don't mind if it's just me, but it's gonna be a very important thing if they find you."
The voice came from Noelle whose body was covered by a huge black robe. With that robe, there was no way anyone else would recognize him.
Noelle jumped back when she saw a large piece of rock blocking her, and easily passed through it.
Someone who ran by her side, Olivia also followed her movements perfectly. There was absolutely no doubt about their movements.
Meanwhile, Rico who previously complained can now only try to match the speed of Noelle with others.
Currently, they are on their way to save Cryll.
In terms of time it may be too early, but now is the perfect time to go.
As much as possible, Noelle wanted to avoid Earl's supervision. Therefore he decided to leave in the early hours, so that their guard was off guard.
"Don't complain and focus on the mission. This is part of your contract" Noelle said with great emphasis.
He then landed, and stopped right at a building before reaching the city gate.
"What's wrong? "
Norman warily asked him, trying to ascertain the situation.
For the record, Norman, Kaira, and Iris had returned by midnight the previous night. They are told about Noelle's plan to save Cryll.
Norman easily agreed. After all, he also wanted to save Cryll, the person he always thought of as a friend.
Rico was really grateful because everything went well. His choice of not telling Norman about the 'exploding hostage' beforehand was the right thing.
" … There is no. Let's go on."
Once she was done confirming the situation, Noelle again jumped up and passed through the gate with great ease. Followed by Olivia, Stella, and everyone behind her.
Chloe's not coming because she has to keep Levina inside《Reign》.
"Hey, Noelle. Can I ask you something? "
As they had all left the city, and were running through the forest by the river, Kaira took the initiative to ask Noelle something.
"What's? "
Noelle's tone sounded faint, as if showing that she was not interested in what Kaira was going to ask.
Kaira must have realized that. However, he simply ignored her and continued to give the question that had filled his head since earlier.
"About this mission .. Do you know where Cryll's location is being held? "
"Of course I know. Otherwise, there's no way I'll propose this plan."
Noee only answered him with an annoyed face.
"And? Where is that? "
For this question, Noelle already has the answer, but is confused about how she should answer.
"That's .. I can't explain it in detail. But, the location is on one of the small islands located in the sea area close to Eisen. The location is pretty close, so we'll get there in the near future."
Kaira thought about it for a moment, before finally discovering the awkwardness.
"Wait, if the place is indeed on the island in the Eisen sea, can't we go there through the port? "
What Kaira said was true. But, what Noelle answers next will easily break that opinion.
"Are you stupid? How are we going to cross? You expect to rent or steal a boat? It's just a waste of time. The route I choose now is the shortcut."
Even though Noelle said that, hardly anyone believed what she said.
After all, their current location was already further and further away from downtown Eisen. They were currently in a large forest crossed by a long river. The river current was pointing directly at the ocean that was in the Eisen region, and they were currently walking in the opposite direction of that current.
It was clear that they would be suspicious of the route Noelle had chosen.
However, Noelle was just calmly facing them.
"For now, just follow me. It'd be better if you guys saw it."
"If you say so … "
—Then there was no other choice but to believe it, was what Norman wanted to say.
Noelle and Olivia glanced at each other for a moment, before they both nodded simultaneously.
Previously, Noelle had told Olivia the route they would take. So the two of them could alternate in navigation and monster handling tasks.
It only took a few minutes before they finally reached the place Noelle meant.
It was a dead end. It was blocked by a gigantic stone wall that appeared out of nowhere.
Noelle nodded as she looked at it, and pressed her own palm against that wall.
As soon as he put some of his magic energy inside, the wall showed a huge vibration reaction accompanied by the appearance of a large hole in the middle of the wall.
The hole slowly widened, and formed a gate with a variety of perfect decorative patterns.
None of them could see inside the gate. It was because the gate that had suddenly appeared had an extremely bright light coming out from within it.
"What is this ... A kind of portal? "
Norman who was already quite familiar with the similar magical scene turned to Noelle to make sure. Noelle's answer did not disappoint either.
"really. Just think about it again. The enemy suddenly just appeared out of nowhere, right? If they were from an island in the ocean, they would have to use a ship to reach Eisen."
" … You're right! "
It seems that Rico already realized what Noelle meant. He got a bewildered look from Norman and everyone in his group.
Realizing their confusion, he could only helplessly explain.
"As Noelle said before. The enemy had to use the ship to reach Eisen. But, Eisen has a very strong level of security be it at sea, or even air. Therefore, the enemy should not be able to infiltrate using ships."
As soon as Rico said it, everyone finally understood.
"So they used the teleportation gate to reach Eisen, yes ... But, Noelle ... How do you know this is all? "
Noelle shrugged her shoulders, and answered ambiguously. "Well, I have quite a lot of sources of information."
"Well, let's discuss that later. For now … "
Noelle unhesitatingly entered the portal, followed by Olivia and Stella who were walking right behind her.
Norman and the others simply stared at each other in confusion, and then followed the three of them.
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"How should I say this ... This is absolutely crazy … "
The astonished voice came from Rico who was staring at his surroundings in awe.
After they all came out of the portal, the first thing that greeted all of them was the line of trees standing very neatly. It was a little too tidy that anyone who saw it would definitely think that all the trees were planted and positioned in such a way intentionally.
Not only the row of shady trees, the small river that flows right to the west it looks very calming so that it makes the scenery around it seem unreal.
Noelle naturally agreed with what Rico said. However, this is not the time to be amazed.
He must prioritize Cryll's rescue. The sooner this plan goes, the better.
As long as the enemy was not aware of his presence and everyone who was with him, he could carry out his plan with relative ease.
Noelle walked with the line of trees as her guide. And as soon as she reached the point that had been marked in the map, Noelle was again taken aback.
It was because the large building that was before him at the moment had a very strange structure.
All parts of the building were made with very strong metal, and were coated again using metal plates in certain parts.
Noelle was aware of the presence of Norman and the others who were walking ever closer to her. He immediately backed down and stopped them.
"What's? " ask Norman.
"That building may have a powerful detection system. It'll be dangerous if we approach it directly."
"Noelle."
As Noelle warily scanned her surroundings, Olivia walked up to her and pulled the edge of her shirt. He then pointed to a single point while looking at Noelle.
"There. There's another building."
Noelle looked in the direction that Olivia pointed, and found a small building that was completely covered by thin metal plates.
If it was just that alone it would not make Noelle feel suspicious at all. But, there is something that makes Noelle interested in going there.
It was a chain that had been cut very neatly, and a cut mark on that part of the metal door.
Noelle wordlessly walked up to him and started investigating the place.
Behind him, Norman, Kaira, as well as Alan gave everyone instructions to stay alert and maximize their concealment.
"Noelle, this … "
Noelle nodded at Olivia who suspiciously traced the rest of the not-so-flat pieces using her finger.
Standing diagonally behind them, Stella with her eyes wide open had found something that might be a clue.
"Cryll's Hair! "
Thas right. What Stella has just discovered is a beautiful shiny blonde haircut with the condition having been partially covered in sand.
There's no mistaking it, it's Cryll's hair.
Noelle takes the hair from Stella, and begins to investigate it in various ways.
First, he tried to play the hair with his fingers to check the texture. Then, he dripped water from his fingertips to get rid of the sand that had stained the hair.
"It's her hair."
"Why did Noelle know that? "
Olivia who saw everything Noelle did to investigate the hair inevitably looked at her with empty eyes.
He really did not expect that Noelle would be able to recognize other men's hair with just its texture and color.
"Same as the hair of both of us. Cryll hair has characteristics that contrast with ordinary people's hair. The color is brighter, and the texture is a little rough. I've never touched any blond hair other than Cryll and Charl's, so I guess it's easy to tell the difference."
"Once, yes … "
Although Noelle's answer sounded very reasonable, Olivia was still difficult to accept.
On the other hand, Stella just put on a worried face the whole time while paying attention to the building.
Noelle of course realized it. So he quickly put together a few sentences that would probably calm him down.
"This building is empty. But, I can feel some traces that indicate that Cryll has been here before."
The trace that Noelle meant was of course the hair that Stella had previously found. In addition, he also found some pieces of metal that were clearly not suitable to be in what appeared to be a warehouse.
The metal had a long, pipe-like shape, but one end had been broken in such a way that it produced a sharp jag that would hurt anyone who touched it.
The only person who came to Noelle's mind was Cryll. Noelle naturally knew that Cryll had high survival skills. He would definitely create weapons from the surrounding items just in case.
But, there was one awkward thing Noelle was thinking about.
It was about a match between the time in which Cryll was in this place, with Cryll appearing in the threat message Nuko sent.
That is, the footage was taken right after Cryll escaped from the building.
(The fool .. He ran away from the cage, only to enter the tiger cage..
Inevitably, Noelle could only sigh helplessly at the thought of everything Cryll had done.
Now, he was at a loss as to whether he should tell Stella about this.
(I think it would be better if he didn't know.)
As Noelle shifted her gaze, she found a pile of white powder on the edge of the metal door.
Noelle without saying anything else went straight to the powder, and tasted it.
"This … "
It tastes sweet, and a little intoxicating. His head felt very light, and his body also became more relaxed. The sweet aroma the powder produced seemed to invite everyone closer to it. They all confusedly watched the silent Noelle.
"Noelle? "
Olivia approached him and called out to him in a worried tone. However, Noelle then shows a smile that indicates that she is fine.
"It's drugs. Don't touch."
As he said that, Rico with a dumbfounded face then asked him.
"You just tasted it, didn't you? "
"Hmm? Yeah, of course."
" … How do you know it's drugs? "
" ……… "
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