A NEET’s Guide to the Parallel World: Healer, the Strongest Cheat?

Chapter 94: Unable to process

We were at Khalifas house, wed arrived earlier than planned thanks to Leonards carriage. Leonardo was actually pretty quiet during the ride, Id expected to hear more about his country or the empire but in the end he wasnt even sure why the empire attacked Razhousen.

He said for the last 20 years no move had been made. Although I wasnt really sure how long 20 years was for a country. I mean, I knew what 20 years would be like for me, Id have a few more wrinkles, maybe be a little taller but.

We had arrived as Khalifas house, I didnt bring Leonardo with us because I didnt want him to hear the conversation. Instead I told him to go kill some time while we talked.

After a little while Khifa brought me a drink and sat down.

So, how was the dungeon? Was it fun?

Honestly, it wasnt what I expected. I thought dungeons would be treasure trove, but it turns out its just a house.

As I thought, that means that youre a candidate as well.

Khalifa seemed to know from the beginning.

Why did you know that I was an abyss user?

Intuition.

Intuition?

Yeah, you look like a normal person but at that age you were able to take care of several S ranks in Razhousen right?

Well, yeah..

So with that, and the abnormally strong magic power its normal to assume that the abyss is involved. Although even I cant feel your magic power anymore.

It appears that I exceeded Khalifas level by a little too much, although level 2009 is a little unreasonable isnt it?

Then can I ask what you saw in the dungeon Khalifa?

Sure. Although you can probably already imagine it since you know whats inside a dungeon right?

More or less.

Zephyr. He was the candidate.

In other words that dungeon was Zephyrs right?

From what I gathered from your story, probably. There was old gert there as well.

Afterwards Khalifa began talking slowly.

5 years after the war the original 5 adventurers that made up dragons heart went into the dungeon. It was definitely a dungeon, but inside was a small hill theyd all seem before.

This place.

Khalifa was confused.

They had just been walking through an old ruin moments before but when Zephyr grabbed the handle the scenery changed.

Yeah, its the hill outside Beyoment.

For everyone but Shawn this where theyd spend their childhood. Although for Shawn it was where he had watched the town recover.

Then a wand appeared.

What are you?

I am your other half, Maxwell.

A carving of a head, that if not for the red eyes would have looked like a saint, spoke.

I have been waiting for you.

Maxwell began to explain somethings to Zephyr and eventually he came to understand.

Abyss? Whats that?

Your own magic is the magic of the abyss.

Zephyr knew of the abyss, it was written in the spell book, but what is the abyss and who is Maxwell?

Whatare you talking about?

If you dont want to believe me then you can forget about it.

How did he know? Maxwell then answered as though he was reading Zephyrs thoughts.

Because I am your other half.

Maxwell talked for a while and he was quite hard to understand, even for Zephyr so it was much harder for the others. After a while Maxwell stared at the ground and spoke.

I wont give advice to anyone but my other half so let me just say this. Dont get swallowed by the abyss.

After that he didnt say anything else but the other four didnt care too much as they had no idea what he was talking about or what he meant. Zephyr thought that this whole thing might actually be a joke.

This is youre home now so please use it as you see fit and please accept the abyss.

Then Maxwell looked at Zephyr.

Do not doubt the abyss.

This was how all 5 of them learned of the abyss but none of them had any idea what it was.

Present day.

By the way, about the statue in the god country. Werent you a little vague?

Yeah, that wasnt particularly important though. Just that there was a strange wand in Adams hand.

A strange wand?

Yeah, we all knew immediately and Guinevere confirmed that it was a talking wand.

Meaning that Adams was also a candidate.

Seems like it.

It was as Bell expected.

Khalifa, how much do you know about being a candidate?

Khalifa sighed, it looked like she hadnt wanted to be asked that.

Khalifa?

Sorry Im not that familiar with the abyss. It was under Zephyrs jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction?

Well as you probably know, Maxwells memory was lacking.

The same as Bell.

I probably dont know much more than you do.

Then what about Adams warning?

These are just things I want to know, if theres risks I would like to know and avoid them.

Im sorry, I dont actually know what it means. Besides when he wrote swallowed it may have just been things he himself thought.

Isnt it written in that grimoire?

The grimoire doesnt have anything about the abyss inside it. Just some spells and a warning.

In otherwords it cant help solve my mystery.

Zephyr would probably know something.

Is it possible the memory just hasnt returned yet?

I wonder..

Well even if that was the case, she wouldnt know. When Khalifa spoke again her expression seemed a little worried.

Zephyr looked a lot, I know at one point he was searching for the text left behind by Adams two disciples.

Disciples huh?

What was it that he wanted to know?

Khalifa was mumbling, it seemed like she didnt know anymore than that. However I suddenly felt tired again, I hadnt been able to get the answers to all my questions after all.

Well, whatever, it cant be helped.

Sorry.

No its fine, Ill figure it out myself. Could you talk a little more about objects?

Oh right, Tanya village right?

Yeah, thats where Oliver Joes body is, its probably all rotten but Zephyr didnt say anything about that so.

I understand. So, what do you intend to do?

Ive been thinking quite a bit, do you mind?

Go ahead.

I would like you Khalifa to go retrieve Olivers cocoon. If you mention my name to the villagers they will probably tell you where its at.

I said that first.

Ok, and then?

Ill go to the dark country, I dont know how to recover the cocoon so Im just going to bring back the whole corpse. Will that work?

Yeah thats fine.

Honestly I just found it a hassle to go back to Tanya village where Ive already been before

So, how fo you recover cacoons?

Khalifa took out the grimoire.

Its the insulation magic in this book. It tears the life information from the body.

I see.

Then its probably not even possible for me.

So, it that fine for now then?

Yeah, no problem.

Khalifa was convinced.

Sorry about. All this.. Zephyrs request

Dont worry about it. Its a chance to go to the dark country, I also have things Id like to ask Zephyr.

I stood up.

Huh, youre leaving already?

Well actually were students at Halekuwait and the qualifiers for the match between schools is about to begin.

Khalifa touched a finger to her lips. This seemed to be a habit of hers when shes thinking.

Youll be up against Fishnatica right?

Yeah, are you familiar with it?

A bit.

Khalifa smiled a little.

Perhaps you dont just have the abyss on your side but luck as well.

Luck?

Although it seemed like she knew something she wouldnt tell me anything. It was the same before I entered the dungeon too.

Thank you for the drink.

Toa returned the cup to Khalifa.

The next time we meet itll be time to go get Zephyrs corpse. But if anything happens before then just ask the school or a woman named Francesca with magical communication.

Magical communication?

Yes.

Khalifa laughed.

Ok, got it.

Well then, we shall be off.

I bowed.

Nito?

When Khalifa called my name I was confused.

I can wait so, prioritize your journey. It wont be too late.

It seems Khalifa still understands the importance of adventure.

I understand, Ill do that.

Although I intended to do so from the beginning, after all its not a journey to help Zephyr. Its are journey and we decide where we go and what we do next.

We left Khalifa behind.

I stopped outside of town, Leonardo had told us to meet him there when we finished. I saw him waving his hands over his head.

Done already?

Yeah, but more importantly I have something to request of you, do you mind?

Of course, what is it?

I told Leonardo about our talk with Khalifa.

So you want me to take this Khalifa to Tanya village and then bring her back to Beyoment?

Yeah, but I also want you to know that I havent decided to cooperate with Dams Arden yet.

Leonardo expression didnt change even though I said that.

Ill decide after I I sightseeing.

Well then me and..

Not yet.

Leonardo was a little to eager.

Ive got some business to take care of, since Razhousen is involved I would like to give you some priority. However myself and my journey have priority. But Ill stop by during my trip since the war hasnt started yet.

Yeah, I dont imagine the war will start until the other countries have responded to Razhousens request.

Right? So Im going to put that off.

I understand then, let me take you from here.

Hm? No we can walk from here.

Toa looked irritated immediately.

No please let me take you.

But then youd have to turn around and come right back?

That doesnt matter, its not that long of a trip.

I looked at the other three, Toa wasnt saying anything, Sufilia was giving me a fake smile and Nem didnt look like she cared.

Alright then, please take us.

Leonardo smiled.

All aboard then.

We got into the carriage.

And off we go.

The carriage began to move, Id felt that something was different the last few days with the dungeon and the town, but it wasnt that I had any extra knowledge.

Whats wrong master?

Nem was staring at me.

Hmm? No, nothing.

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Sorry about the last 2 days guys, idk wtf is going on here but Im ready to strangle the plumber