Chapter 1366: Chapter 1366

Mr. Hood explained, pointing to the text on the paper.

"If we can't open the gate to the other dimension with the Silver Spoon from the Mysterious Realm, the plan is to detonate the methane pools beneath Nolan. They'll use it as a sacrifice to force a gate open. While it won't let a large number of aberrations into the material world, it will be more than enough to cause chaos.

That would at least fulfill the deal between the aberrations and the Tree House, and the ambassador would have completed his mission. The aberrations would apparently be compensated by the Tree House later... but what exactly is this Tree House?"

Mr. Hood asked, puzzled. Jenkins, who knew the details, gave a brief explanation. He omitted the parts about ascending to godhood, but even so, Mr. Hood and Mr. White Cat were convinced they were dealing with a group of lunatics.

"But does Nolan even have methane pools underground? I've never heard anything about them."

Jenkins searched his predecessor's memories before asking. This time, it was Mr. White Cat who answered:

"There are, in eastern Nolan, near the edge of the city and the mining district. They're very close to the Good Luck Steam Plumbing company. The pools serve as a supplement for coal fuel. They were built more than a decade ago, but since they aren't considered critical city infrastructure, most people don't know they exist, and the press never covers them. If the goal is to maximize casualties, detonating those pools is the perfect way to do it."

Knowing their destination, the trio decided to leave at once—there was no time to waste. But first, they knocked the restrained stranger unconscious. They carried him and the letters out of the courtyard, found a police patrol, and unceremoniously dumped the man and the evidence at a nearby street corner. Then, they immediately set off for the eastern part of the city.

It was three in the morning. Since it was spring, dawn was likely only three hours away. But the three men, despite having been up all night, felt no fatigue. Instead, they were running on adrenaline, energized by the knowledge that their efforts were paying off. They were only one step away from putting an end to this crisis.

Good Luck Steam Plumbing was Nolan's second-largest steam pipe company, its services including pipe installation, on-site repairs, and supplying gas and heat. Thus, even at three in the morning, black smoke still billowed from its chimneys, and the factory inside was a hive of activity.

But the factory itself wasn't their destination. According to Mr. White Cat, the methane pools were located in the hills north of the industrial area, connected to the factory via underground pipes. Before they started up the wide, gravel-paved road, he gave his friends a pointed reminder:

"Whatever happens, do not, under any circumstances, use fire-based abilities or charms. And avoid anything that causes significant tremors."

Mr. Hood and Jenkins understood his concern perfectly. It just meant that if a fight broke out, their hands would be tied.

The methane pools were located in the hills, far from any residential areas. According to the letters, the aberrations planned to connect the pools' external pipes to the nearby steam lines. With the help of an insider bribed with gold pounds by Ambassador Corey Wilson, they intended to spread low-concentration methane throughout the city's entire pipe network. Thɪs chapter is updated by N0velFire.ɴet

Then, using a specific ritual and an unstable alchemical additive, they would detonate the methane-laced steam, destroying at least a third of the buildings in Nolan.

In principle, the plan was sound. The main difficulty was the sheer number of people required to inject that much methane into the city's steam network without being detected by the Church of Creation and Machinery. The crucial point of failure—or success—was tampering with the pipes near the methane pools. That was precisely why Jenkins and his companions were here.

"The letter said they'd set it off at dawn, but we can't be sure they'll stick to that schedule," Mr. Hood analyzed. "I suspect they've already made their move. After all, their first scheme has tied up most of the Church's and police's manpower in the city, which means security at these neglected methane pools is likely to be lax."

He then took out the scarecrow—which had been shrunk to the size of a keychain—and restored it to its full height. As he picked it up, Mr. White Cat and Jenkins moved closer.

The pipe company had built a few simple stone houses on the hill above the methane pools to serve as living quarters for the maintenance staff. It was nearly four o'clock by the time they spotted the row of buildings in the distance. Though the starry sky still blanketed the heavens, the eastern horizon was already beginning to pale.

The trio picked up their pace. Mr. White Cat once again summoned shadows to cloak their forms. Just then, the cat, having finished its nap inside Jenkins's coat, nudged open a button and emerged. It yawned, stretched, and climbed onto his shoulder, surveying the mountain scenery with keen interest.

Jenkins said abruptly, his gaze fixed on the side of the wide, gravel road.

"What is it? Did you spot an enemy?"

Mr. White Cat asked nervously.

"Not an enemy. An acquaintance. Hold on, it looks like we'll have to take a detour."

Following Jenkins's lead, the three veered off the main road and into a sparse wood. After a two-minute walk, Jenkins abruptly veered again, heading down a low slope. There, tucked away on the shaded side of the hill, a country villa came into view.

Jenkins gestured for Mr. Hood to put away his scarecrow and for Mr. White Cat to dismiss his ability. Leaving the two of them outside, he pushed open the courtyard gate, strode up to the house, and rang the doorbell.

He waited for a full five minutes before the door finally creaked open, revealing the face of Silver Flute Miss.

she exclaimed in surprise, her eyes darting to the cat on his shoulder. She ushered him inside in a flurry, assuming some new problem had arisen with the Doomsday Illusion.

"It's not about the Doomsday Illusion. Oh, and Mr. White Cat and Mr. Hood are waiting outside. We're in the middle of an operation to save Nolan. Care to join? I have a feeling you won't refuse—after all, your house would be the first to get blown to smithereens."

Running into Silver Flute Miss here was a sheer coincidence. After hearing Jenkins's brief explanation, she grasped the gravity of the situation. She quickly threw on an overcoat, used a charm to obscure her face, and followed Jenkins outside to meet Mr. Hood and Mr. White Cat.

For the sake of convenience, the other two men had also forgone their usual masks and hoods, using rituals or charms to conjure up false faces instead. And so, for the very first time, the four of them could actually see one another's expressions.