The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City-Chapter 142: The Relic Hunter Violet! (4)

The Federal Mobile Unit’s rampage was short-lived, and soon enough, we gathered up the miscellaneous relics and loaded them into the car’s trunk.

"We found a lot, but none of the ones we wanted..."

I clicked my tongue in disappointment. What we were hoping for were top-tier artifacts. Things like defensive shield generators or relics that could block a specific attack no matter what.

At this rate, it felt like one of those cheap mobile games where they force you to endlessly grind dungeons until the item you want finally drops. Despite searching every nook and cranny of the room, all we had were trash items.

Before we knew it, it was time for lunch.

We set up a lavish meal. My inventory was packed with freshly cooked hot dishes. There was more than enough for the hundred members of Violet Squad and the six boys and girls.

"Enjoy your meal!"

"There’s so much!"

"It feels like we’re on a picnic..."

It was always fun to watch the team’s surprised reactions. Aside from Daphne and Irene, who had gotten used to my inventory, the others looked like they were seeing food for the first time.

"We should’ve caught those beasts earlier..."

While we were having our late lunch, the Violets exchanged a few words.

Violet 795 took a spoonful of lasagna and then turned her gaze toward Levi. She had finished eating and was now cleaning her ballista. Granite was also polishing his axe.

"Ugh! From now on, I should only move when it’s absolutely necessary."

Violet 795 muttered, and Violet 129 responded.

"Well, I don’t think it’s the team’s fault. You didn’t properly tell us what to do, did you?"

"That’s true..."

Thinking back on it, I realized it was also my fault for being so focused on the relics that I forgot to communicate.

"Next time, I’ll make sure to send clear instructions to the team via the radio! The radio Violets are listening too, right?"

Violets using radios, including Violet 76, responded.

"Roger that!"

Once the radio Violets confirmed, we moved on to the next agenda.

"Considering how many relics we’ve gathered, it might be time to head back and sell them."

"Should we go to the deeper areas after that?"

"Of course!"

There were quite a few relics loaded on the truck.

Most were just fabric bundles or worthless relics, and some were metal scraps of unknown origin. We could sell them, but they were of relatively low value. ŗ𝓪ꞐỘᛒЁ𝐒

The truly valuable relics we were looking for could only be found deeper within.

The deeper zones were more dangerous, teeming with monsters, but because fewer people ventured there, we might be able to find rarer relics.

After finishing our meal, Violet Squad’s commander, Violet 167, briefed the team on the next steps.

"We’ll sell what we’ve got so far and then continue working. Tomorrow, we head past the deep zones!"

Lucian, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"The deep zones are divided into several areas too. Have you thought about where we’ll go specifically? Verdant Hotel, the railway station, or maybe the industrial complex?"

"We’ll hit them all! But first, we’ll go to the hotel."

At the mention of the hotel, Granite, who had been quietly listening, raised his hand.

"Hey, when you say hotel, you mean the one famous for its wine, right?"

At the mention of wine, Kalia seemed to recall something and exclaimed with a sudden realization.

"I’ve heard of it. The news about someone becoming rich after finding a wine cellar. That was the place, wasn’t it?"

"That’s right! It’s that one!"

Kalia was correct. Somewhere beneath the hotel we were visiting was a wine cellar.

The wine that had been altered by ether turned into a bizarre elixir with strange effects, and it sold for high prices. Even if it wasn’t altered, century-old rare wine fetched unimaginable sums at auctions.

Daphne looked up at me, her expression cautious.

"A hotel... there will be a lot of people there, won’t there?"

"If you’re worried about conflicts, don’t be. We have plenty of people too! And we’re not going there just for the wine."

While money was important, securing useful relics was the priority.

We discussed a few more details about where we would go next, then got up from the table.

**

After returning to the base camp in the restricted zone, Lera felt a throbbing headache as she listened to the explanation from a member of the Department of Mystical Investigations, Division 3.

“According to the analysis, the relic has lost its functionality.”

The member explained about the relic retrieved from among the fanatics.

Though it might have value as research material, its practical use had been destroyed long ago.

“Well, it can’t be helped. We’ll need to search other locations. This isn’t the only known cog sphere anyway. The priority remains the Vision Prism. Finding it takes precedence. Since the particle accelerator is broken, we’ve been instructed by the Director... no, the Grand Mage, to consider alternative methods.”

She stepped out of the container office.

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Nearby, members of the team and hired mercenaries were busy with various tasks.

“There’s more bad news. A report came in from the safe zone just now — the Federation is making a move. According to an insider from their side, it seems they’re also after the Vision Prism.”

“Suddenly? How large is their force?”

The member gave his report.

“One tank platoon and multiple mechanized units of unspecified numbers.”

Lera calculated the available power of the clan in the current region and compared it to the typical combat strength of the Federation forces.

The quality of the awakened troops was low, but the firepower of their vehicles and non-awakened soldiers was considerably lethal.

It was best to avoid direct confrontation, especially with fanatics roaming the area.

“...This is troublesome.”

A Vanguard agent, lounging nearby with subordinates, scoffed.

“Ha, those Federation fools, always relying on their weapons. If you’re already scared, what good are you? Leave the big problems to us; we’ll handle it.”

The modified mages donned their sealed masks again and stood up.

After the report ended, Lera strolled around the camp, deep in thought.

‘If the plan is to stay on track, we must act quickly.’

With the underground research facility of the academy being inexplicably damaged, alternatives were necessary for both the Board of Directors and the clan.

Suddenly, Lera recalled Crosell’s warning about unknown enemies.

Enemies clad in black combat suits using teleportation, who identified themselves as the Obsidian Legion.

It was a time of crisis.

‘Even so, the project must succeed. For the world’s sake.’

She gazed beyond the camp.

The shadow of the dungeon remained pitch-black.

**

I went to the safe zone and sold off all the items.

“Woohoo! Money!”

Though the quality was low, the earnings were decent.

After all, it was enough to fill three truckloads.

The staff at the sales center looked astonished, as if wondering where I had found such a quantity of relics.

“No one can hide from numbers!”

The method was simple.

If hundreds of people combed through wall cracks, mouse holes, and even the stomachs of beasts, the effort would pay off.

Numbers are power and wisdom!

Once I sold everything, the truck’s cargo bay, which had been full until moments ago, was now empty as if nothing had ever been there.

I left the sales center with Irene.

Thanks to my friend, I had managed to get a little extra profit.

By late afternoon, the forward base in the safe zone was even busier than it had been in the morning.

It was like a marketplace.

I bought a few consumables, such as signal flares, from a nearby stall.

While looking around, vehicles started lining up out of a cargo elevator.

They were large, armored buses.

The buses bore the logo of a familiar academy.

“Aegis Academy?”

It’s been a while.

What brings them all the way out here?

As I returned to the truck where my team was waiting, someone called out to me from behind.

“Excuse me? Pardon me, but…”

I turned around at the familiar voice and was greatly surprised.

I hadn’t expected to run into someone I knew in such an unexpected place.

“Oh, hello!”

“As I thought, my guess was correct. It’s been a while. Nice to see you, junior!”

I stammered in surprise.

Before me stood Adela, with her golden, wavy hair and amethyst-like, confident purple eyes.

Her appearance had changed from the first time I saw her.

Instead of the white school uniform she wore back then, she was now clad in a coat and breastplate made of reinforced fiber, resembling a stylish military uniform.

Her combat-ready outfit accentuated her mature beauty.

Adela’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and delight, as if she had discovered an unexpected gift.

“Irene! What brings you here? Are you here for work? Vittorio Arcade is dangerous for beginners... Where are your parents? Do you have any other guardians?”

With a face full of joy and a touch of worry, Adela began bombarding me with questions.

I was a little flustered.

How did she recognize me?

“My recognition-disrupting equipment isn’t on!”

“Ahhh! I forgot!”

Darn it.

As 167, I had removed my mask temporarily for external activities.

“Irene, you say…”

“Who’s this person next to you? A friend?”

The real Irene, who stood next to me, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

I was at a loss for words.

Why did I have to use my friend’s name as my alias?

I shot an imploring look at her, begging for her understanding, and she decided to play along.

“Yes, I’m Irene’s friend. So, I’m…”

“Violet! What are you doing here?”

Someone suddenly called out to me.

I turned in shock to see Daphne standing there with two crepes in hand.

“They sell these here. They looked delicious, so I bought some. By the way, who’s this?”

“...Violet?”

Adela, who had apparently overheard, looked at me with a slightly suspicious expression.

“Daphne, what are you talking about? I’m Irene!”

“What are you saying all of a sudden…?”

I tried to bluff my way through, but Kalia suddenly tapped my shoulder from behind.

“Hey, Violet. Done with your business? Let’s go. The team’s waiting.”

“No! I’m Irene!”

“What nonsense is this kid talking about?”

Deception was no longer an option.

Adela muttered in confusion.

“So, you’re not Irene? Violet? Why did you lie about your name?”

Ah, I’ve been found out.