I and the Witch of Time Who Seeks the Past

Chapter 4 – Magical Fluctuations (4)

We crawled forward across the snow, split into three teams. Our clothes were crusted with a thick layer of snow on our backs. Every few yards, we pushed the snow back with our legs, trying to erase the traces of crawling while the night was at its darkest to reduce the chance of being seen.

This was my method—maybe unbelievable, but I'd learned this kind of stealth technique before.

It was also a gamble: if we were spotted halfway through, everything would be ruined.

I pushed toward the objective, praying the other two wouldn't mess up.

Seconds ticked by, and the cold made me shiver. A guard's lantern beam swept past; we drew closer.

His steps sounded heavy, and he let out a yawn.

I knew this was the opportunity, but I couldn't rush. I was about ten meters behind him; I had to close to within ten meters and approach from behind to grab him.

From our starting point, we'd already covered fifty meters, and with all the precautions, my stamina had dropped a lot. I could only hope the three of us could subdue him quickly.

I buried my face in the snow. When the footsteps receded a little, I accelerated my crawl.

Twelve meters... eleven...

He had his back to me; I edged closer.

Ten... nine...

We muffled the sound of throwing snow as best we could.

Not yet—the timing wasn't right.

Although he walked at a normal pace, crawling wasn't fast enough.

I had to move on my feet, crouched.

Slowly, I rose and began to move in a low squat, making as little noise as possible.

I glanced back: the others had ended their crawling and were now crouch-walking as well.

We were nearer, but to avoid making noise, we couldn't move quickly.

Six meters... five!

I held my breath and closed in. Now we were at the perfect distance—I lunged.

"What the—uh!"

My tackle interrupted him.

I threw myself on top of him, clapped a hand over his mouth, rolled us both to the ground, found an opening, and put him in a choke hold without his clothes getting in the way.

The other two dashed over and pinned him down.

"Mm! Mm!"

He struggled wildly, but to no avail. Although we were all exhausted, the three of us still had enough strength to keep him down.

I tightened the hold.

Three seconds later, his resistance faded; he went limp.

I released him at once and checked his breathing.

... He's okay—he passed out.

"Quick! Jack, put his clothes on!"

I whispered.

"Changing now!"

Sean picked up the lantern that had fallen and gave it a signal toward our starting point—our prearranged code to tell Lijedahl to hurry over. Some team members would stay behind; some would return to the cars to handle any emergencies.

I shoveled the snow away. As soon as Lijedahl arrived and finished her spell, we'd bury him.

Lijedahl arrived in a blur, air magic propelling her at incredible speed. She hit the ground and immediately began to condense the air with a spell. At the same time, Jack had finished dressing: he tugged his cap down and took the lantern, stepping into the role of "guard" on patrol.

Just then, I heard the two of them cast their spells.

"Grant this man warmth."

"Bind the wind together."

I saw a transparent red warmth flash through the air; a gust of condensed wind blew toward the guard. In an instant, the plan worked.

I quickly buried him, leaving a small breathing hole, and turned to Lijedahl.

"We did it, Miss Lijedahl. Use air magic to lift us up onto the curtain wall."

"Mm."

She took our arms, rose into the air, and hovered close to the wall for a moment.

Lijedahl asked Captain Sean, "Is anyone up there?"

"I just used the heat-sensing spell—there's no one above right now. The other guards are some distance away, but on the front side, behind the second wall, there appears to be a small window for observation. If someone's inside there, we'll be spotted."

"Then stick close to the wall. Keep using your heat magic to watch. If that doesn't work—"

I drew an unconscious dart from my coat.

Then I picked up my pistol and attached a silencer.

"You... are you going to kill him?"

Lijedahl sounded surprised.

"No. The pistol is for emergencies. The main thing is this dart — if it hits, the target will feel drowsy within seconds and then pass out. If it's difficult to get close, try firing it with your air magic; I'll help aim. It should reach."

"My goodness — if I taught you air magic, you'd use it for all sorts of crazy things."

"Can't be helped... Captain Sean, are you seeing this clearly?"

"It's tricky, but I can confirm: there's no one inside right now."

"All right. To be safe, when we're holding onto the curtain wall edge, check again."

Lijedahl hauled us up. When we reached the edge, we clung to the wall while she hovered below, holding position. After a short wait, Captain Sean got a full read on the interior.

"There's nobody inside, but there's a guard standing at the top of the second wall — he's got his back to us."

"Don't waste time. Let's climb over now! Miss Lijedahl, hurry!"

We scaled the wall at high speed and dropped into the interior; Lijedahl followed closely.

Captain Sean and I fell fast — if Lijedahl failed to catch us, we'd be lucky not to break a leg.

That familiar floating sensation hadn't returned yet, and the ground rushed up. I was starting to panic a little, but I forced myself to stay calm and trust Lijedahl to catch us.

...seven meters... five meters.

The familiar feeling came back at last. We landed more quickly than expected; only our feet throbbed, but nothing serious.

There were still guards inside, but thanks to nearby obstacles, Sean and I hid behind cover the instant we touched down. Lijedahl adjusted her landing angle and slipped down silently beside me.

A guard swept his lantern over our area. We pressed our heads to the ground and waited.

"... Weird."

The guard muttered. I listened to his footsteps as he walked away. After he receded, we relaxed.

"Will! That was reckless of you!"

Lijedahl whispered, scolding me.

"It's fine. As long as it worked, nothing's the matter."

"Mr. Will... that really wasn't a good plan. If Miss Lijedahl hadn't caught you, we would have failed."

Captain Sean looked a little helpless — clearly, I'd given him a scare.

"Ah... sorry. It was an emergency; we had to take a risk. If there's a next time, I promise not to be so reckless."

"If there's a next time, the Task Force will handle it. This mission really shouldn't have involved a Table of Truth member."

"All right, all right. It's done now. Let's get past that next wall."

I eyed the wall. Although Lijedahl's air magic could get us over, would that draw too much attention?

"Mr. Will, that way leads to the central area."

I followed Captain Sean's pointing and saw the large iron gate. Three guards stood around it.

"How are we going to get past them? There are three of them."

"You can use your darts, Will!"

Lijedahl suggested. I checked the darts in my hand.

"All right."

I took out three darts — one for each of us.

"Listen. We need to act simultaneously. Lijedahl, you take the nearest guard. Captain Sean, you handle the middle one. I'll take the last. Once they're down, drag them behind these obstacles. Understood?"

"Understood, Mr. Will."

"I'm with you, Will."

With the plan set, we moved. Around the iron gate, there wasn't much cover, but their gazes weren't toward the dark side where we were, so we could hug the wall and circle to their backs before striking.

"Captain Sean—"

"No need to say more. I know."

He shot me a look; I understood. As expected of a soldier, his stealth was excellent — his crouch-walking was almost soundless.

He led us forward. When we reached the section with no obstacles, he kept to the dark along the wall as I'd suggested. With him guiding us, the approach felt easier.

We were very close — I could even hear their voices.

"Been stuck here till four again, huh? Just ten more minutes until the shift change."

"Ugh, when I go home, my wife'll nag me again, thinking I was out drinking."

...

Captain Sean, who stood at the front, stopped and reversed the unconscious darts in his hand, signaling us.

3

2

1

Now!

Captain Sean at the front moved first, rushing up behind the second guard.

Lijedahl and I followed close behind, then split to take them out.

"Who are you—!?"

They hadn't finished their shout before we plunged the darts into their skin. I brought down the guard I was assigned, then dragged him away.

"Quick! They said there'll be a shift change at four. We have to hurry!"

"Understood!"

We executed each step of the plan, then immediately used Lijedahl's air magic to leap over the iron gate and into the central area.

There were still guards inside; nearly every building entrance had someone posted. The situation was far from safe.

"Miss Lijedahl, can you still sense the magical fluctuation? Where is it strongest?"

"I can. It's in the very center building."

She pointed at a huge, ancient Norman-style structure—solemn and grand.

I looked closely: it was a cathedral.

"St. John's Church!? It's there?"

Captain Sean said in surprise. "If I'm not mistaken, that's where the royal family holds religious ceremonies."

Lijedahl murmured, as if recalling something.

But time would not wait.

"Let's hurry. There are still two guards at the church entrance."

"We can't slow down. Give me the darts—I'll fire them with air magic."

I quickly handed over two darts.

"You poor thing—using your favorite magic for this."

"It can't be helped. It's better they only fall asleep than get hurt."

She raised both hands and began to weave her spell. My darts hovered in the air as the wind condensed; each dart trembled faintly above her palms, the air magic primed to fire.

I steadied her arms from behind and aimed the darts at the two guards.

"Miss Lijedahl, don't fire until I say so."

"Mm."

We had to make it count. I adjusted her aim by a fraction.

"Fire."

The two darts shot out and struck true; the guards collapsed soundlessly before they even realized what had happened.

"Good! Lijedahl, lead the way and tell us the direction."

"Mm."

We kept our voices low as we ran to the cathedral, eased one half of the great doors open, and slipped inside one by one.

A hush and the cathedral's chill met us upon entering, but there was no time to admire it—we had to find the source.

I scanned the interior; there were no guards, and I urged Lijedahl on.

"Miss Lijedahl, where is it?"

She stood motionless in the center of the nave, head bowed, staring at the floor.

"Miss Lijedahl?!"

Captain Sean called, puzzled, but she didn't respond.

Suddenly, she turned, and in the dim cathedral I saw panic in her eyes.

"I can still sense the magical fluctuation, but..."

She shook her head frantically, trying to steady herself.

"What's wrong?"

"The source is underground—right beneath our feet."

That news hit like a thunderclap.

"Ah?!"

Damn—what did that mean?

Captain Sean slammed his fist against the wall in anger.

"Damn it, how do we search the basement? This place is a maze; we'll never find it!"

I was at a lo,ss too. I checked my watch; it was already 3:59.

"This is bad! One minute until four! We have to get back—now!"

At that moment, shouts came from outside the door:

"Raise the alarm! Someone's fainted—there's a body hidden behind the crate at the entrance! Intruders—get them!"

...

"Damn it—we failed!"

Captain Sean swore and immediately readied his magic, shifting into combat mode.

"Don't engage yet, Captain Sean! While the guards are still unprepared, let Lijedahl fly us out!"

"... All right!"

"Run out and, if you meet anyone, use close combat fighting! Do not kill unless absolutely necessary!"

After Lijedahl shouted that, she shoved the great doors open. We bolted out and ran for the nearest wall.

"I see people! They're over there!"

Alarms blared across the night. Panic drove me to run harder than I ever had; I flicked the safety off my pistol, ready for anything.

"Stop! Take one more step and I'll shoot!"

Two guards suddenly charged out, pistols aimed at us.

I didn't hesitate. While they were still yelling and before they could react, I landed a hook to the nearest guard's jaw—he went out cold. At almost the same moment, Captain Sean efficiently took down the second guard. We didn't pause; after subduing them, we fled.

"Guards have been struck—open fire!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Gunshots erupted. I felt bullets whistle past me.

"Will! Sean! Grab me!"

Not daring to waste a second, I latched onto Lijedahl and we rocketed into the air. More gunfire cracked behind us; I twisted in midair and fired two shots toward the pursuing guards.

I intentionally missed slightly—enough to make them afraid to chase. It worked: they ducked for cover, giving us the chance to fly.

Lijedahl's speed was incredible. Within three seconds, we cleared the wall and reached above the Tower of London.

In the distance, we saw several police cars roaring toward the convoy, tailing the three vehicles relentlessly.

"That's our car!!"

Captain Sean said, shocked.

"Lijedahl, we have to go there. I'll shoot the tires of those police cars—don't let the Task Force get captured!!"

I yelled to Lijedahl.

"All right! Hold on tight!"

She bore down toward the convoy as police fired at the cars below. We hovered directly overhead; I took aim with my pistol.

"Lijedahl! Closer! They're about to get onto London Bridge!"

"Mm!"

"Mr. Will, I'll hold the rear car—shoot the front one!!"

Sean shouted.

"Understood!"

We closed in. The police spotted us and shouted:

"My God! Who are those three people?!!"

I caught the words faintly, then fired at the front car's tire.

The first police car spun out of control. I quickly shot the second car's tire as well. Then I heard the sound of a tire exploding behind us—Captain Sean's heat magic had done its work. The second car spun and came to a stop by the roadside, the same fate as the first.

We'd reached London Bridge; Lijedahl drew slightly nearer to the convoy. The three cars' windows were open, and Captain Sean urgently called to his team:

"Anyone injured? Is everyone accounted for?"

"Yes—Jack made it!"

Jack clambered into the second car without even having time to change.

"Good. Dump all the cars out in the suburbs! Lose the police and return to the Savoy Hotel—stand by!"

"Yes, Captain!"

We flew back up. Once Lijedahl took us to a vantage point where we could see all of London below, she hovered and came to a stop.

"All right—this is definitely safe. Captain Sean, what now?"

Lijedahl and I looked to him. After a moment's thought, he lifted his head and said:

"No one saw our faces, and we've at least confirmed the source of the magical fluctuation. Although the operation failed, we've gained a huge lead. I'll report everything to Lord Helles—this report will outweigh the losses. Honestly, getting out alive and the fact that the Task Force suffered no casualties is a miracle; for that, I thank you both. If you ever need anything I can help with later, I'll do my utmost."

He bowed to us sincerely.

Seeing that, we had no more objections.

"What we must do now is return to the Savoy Hotel without drawing attention. Once we arrive, the two of you should split up."

"All right. Oh, Captain Sean—when you report to Lord Helles, downplay my involvement. Describe me as just an aide; say the plan and the action were mostly yours and Miss Lijedahl's, and if anything seemed reckless, attribute that to me."

Both Lijedahl and Captain Sean looked slightly surprised. Lijedahl asked directly:

"Why?"

"Miss Lijedahl, I'm only your assistant. I've already attracted too much attention. If I keep acting so prominently as a mere assistant, it will bring more trouble to you within the Magic Association. Today was exceptional—please, captain, do me this favor."

That was one reason among others.

"... Very well. I understand your reasoning. I will record today's actions as Miss Lijedahl's plan executed by me, with you in a supporting role."

"Thank you."

Lijedahl was quiet for a moment, and the matter ended there. We had other problems to solve.

It was now 4:11.