Volume 1 Chapter 73: The Plan

[Author's Note: For bonus chapters, the goal is

25 Power Stones

50 Power Stones

Every Week]

Volume 1 Chapter 73: The Plan

The two statues suddenly stopped, turned around, and began marching back towards their initial locations before they were activated.

The three of them watched in puzzlement as the two statues, who had been ready to fight them just moments ago, suddenly halted on their tracks and walked back. Then, they observed the two statues inserting the swords they were holding on the ground.

The movement of the two statues was so smooth that it resembled a knight sheathing its own weapon after a battle.

The three of them continued to watch the two statues closely, looking for any sudden irregularities. They were particularly puzzled by how the statues didn't deactivate when Eve left the activation range, which was set at 75% of the way into the cave. They also noted the oddity that the two swords didn't deactivate when all three of them were positioned pass at the halfway point of the cave, which was supposed to be the maximum range of the two flying swords.

==================================

Eve, who was at the side, noticed a look of confusion on Carmilla's face.

Carmilla: "Strange."

Pepper, who heard Carmilla's murmur, asked what she was talking about.

Pepper: "Master what is strange?"

Carmilla replied.

Carmilla: "Everything we know about the reaction of the two flying swords suggests that they should return to their original location upon leaving or even stepping one step away from the range of the two flying swords. However, not only do the two flying swords keep targeting us, but the two statues also continue to follow Eve, who has already left the 75% mark of the room. They even use the two flying swords as their weapons."

Upon hearing Carmilla say all of that, Pepper also began to frown. It seems that getting the another hemisphere will be much harder than they thought.

Contrary to Pepper's shocked reaction upon hearing what Carmilla said, Eve didn't react much, as she already knew everything Carmilla had mentioned. Even when they were retreating, Eve had been paying close attention to what was happening in their surroundings.

Carmilla began to speak once more.

Carmilla: "Okay, let's stop overthinking this much and let's just focus on gathering more information rather than wasting our time from overthinking."

After saying that, Carmilla stepped forward, paying close attention to the two flying swords, and especially to the two statues. She wanted to see if they would activate again upon walking past the one-quarter mark of the room. This was the range at which the two statues stopped following them and returned to their initial positions and also put the two swords back on the ground in front of each of them.

As Carmilla took a step forward, she anticipated a reaction from either the two flying swords or the two statues.

Since the walking speed of the two statues was much slower than that of the two flying swords, all three of them could simply run back and continue experimenting with the activation and deactivation requirements of both the two flying swords and the two statues.

While walking slowly, Carmilla was thinking of all these precautions.

Upon crossing the one-quarter mark of the cave, Carmilla expected the two flying swords or the two statues to activate, but there was no activation. So, Carmilla continued to walk vigilantly.

Eve and Pepper also followed Carmilla, each holding a blood bow in their hands just to be sure.

The three of them continued to walk without any disturbance until they crossed the halfway point.

Like last time, the two flying swords flew towards the three of them, just as they did before. Carmilla continued to walk, with Eve and Pepper guarding her back against the assault by the two flying swords.

Carmilla ignored the two flying swords and allowed Eve and Pepper to stop them from attacking her.

Carmilla crossed the 75% mark of the cave, and that's when the two statues activated. Carmilla was on her guard this time, and upon seeing the statues activate, she quickly started to run back.

Eve and Pepper, seeing this, also prepared to push back the two flying swords.

The three of them successfully left the past the one-quarter mark of the room, and the two flying swords and the two statues returned to their initial positions.

Unlike the first time the two statues activated, this time they didn't do anything strange like wielding the two flying swords.

Pepper suddenly suggested.

Pepper: "Master, why don't we just fly past these obstacles?"

Carmilla replied.

Carmilla: "It's a good suggestion, but only if the two flying swords won't attack us while we're in our bat form and also being defenseless in the air."

Eve suggested.

Eve: "Master, how about using blood magic to create blood arrows and block the two flying swords while we're flying in the air?"

Carmilla responded.

Carmilla: "I don't think that it will work either. It would be harder to aim at the two flying swords while we're being chased by them mid-air. Blood arrows don't have enough force to block a flying sword, let alone push it back, without being shot from a bow. Plus, there are still the two statues guarding the hemisphere. We can't just simply sweep down and grab the hemisphere and get out without getting entangled by the two statues. Even if we manage to get it by chance or miracle and manage to leave without being attack by the two statues, the two flying swords would still chase us in the air."

Eve and Pepper were a bit disheartened after hearing what Carmilla said and having all of their suggestions shot down.

Eve inquired.

Eve: "Master, then how will we obtain the hemisphere?"

Pepper asked.

Pepper: "Yeah, Master, what should we do?"

Carmilla explained.

Carmilla: "I have a plan that might just work. First, we need to activate the two flying swords, then also activate the two statues. We'll wait for the two statues to wield the two flying swords, and the two of you will have to stop the sword-wielding statues while I retrieve the hemisphere. I'm sure the statues will do their best to prevent me from leaving with the hemisphere, so the two of you need to keep the statues occupied to ensure I can leave their range. That's the essence of the plan. Do either of you have any questions?"