Chapter 221. To the Tomb (1)
The Seekers, commissioned by Verden, began their journey to find an unknown ruin.
In the past, there was a relic expedition team that went missing while searching for the same kind of ruins.
They moved along the faint traces left behind by them, blurred by the passing years. Thus, the search area was reduced from across the entire Kingdom to three specific regions.
'First, the Teinche Hills.'
They wandered across vast, gentle mountains and rolling hills. Looking around, the landscape spread out widely, refreshingly open to the eye.
It was not the kind of environment where one might expect to find ancient ruins. In other words, there was a lack of solid information regarding the search. Still, since there had been actual cases of ruins hidden in the hills, they could not dismiss the possibility.
In the midst of it all, they were fortunate to find traces of the missing expedition. The exploration of the hills concluded more than twice as quickly as expected.
'Next, the Arregon Mountains.'
The tangled terrain of many mountains, the deeper it went, the more suitable it was for concealing something. It was time to use the accumulated knowledge and experience that formed the 'pattern' of ruins.
On the way, they were ambushed by a band of Kingdom thieves, but it was no problem. The thieves were slaughtered without a single casualty among them.
The wealth they plundered from the thieves' hideout was a decent side profit. Such was common for relic expeditions.
Comparing the gathered mountain data with the established patterns, they concluded that this mountain range was unsuitable for the existence of ancient ruins.
Of course, that did not mean there was "absolutely nothing", but the likelihood was extremely low.
Cutting away lingering attachments without hesitation was a mindset the expedition had to uphold. Otherwise, wandering about would waste a vast amount of time.
Clients greatly disliked such unforeseen patience. They immediately withdrew from the mountains.
'Lastly, the Eastern Marshlands.'
A region long abandoned by footsteps.
Even thieves and criminals did not dare hide there. Everywhere, monsters lurked for prey, and poisonous plants always posed a threat.
Frankly speaking, it was an extreme environment, even harsh for the Seekers.
Though composed of veteran adventurers, mages, and scholars with strong mage-like tendencies, even so, consumables such as potions and antidotes were quickly consumed.
Normally, mages would handle resupply, but the skies here were not free. Flying above the marsh inevitably drew swarms of grotesque birds and insects.
Considering the wasted magic power against them, one could easily end up devoured. A mage without magic was no different from a warrior with both arms severed.
Sending half away for supplies posed too great a risk to the main group. Thus, the entire expedition had no choice but to move together.
Two supply runs had already consumed valuable time.
In the midst of it, they did not forget to send exploration reports to the client. Supply intervals were roughly set at fifteen days.
The stench of the damn marshlands was enough to make one sick. Though none said it aloud, given the chance, they would have burned the swamp to the ground.
So thought even the leader of the Seekers, Raivan Crusoe.
'In such conditions, finding a ruin was fortunate indeed.'
Raivan rolled his eyes while drinking water.
Gigantic trees blocked out the sky.
In the heart of this marshland where light scarcely reached, their destination lay.
A massive man-made structure jutted abruptly out of the ground.
The structure, overgrown with vines, strangely had its door left wide open. Beneath it, a staircase led down into a pitch-black underground.
"I've never seen an ancient ruin of this form… quite peculiar."
The instinct of a mage and researcher surged within him.
The unknown always made the heart race. The Seekers led by Raivan existed for precisely this reason.
Hans approached from the side.
"Raivan-nim, the preparations for exploration are complete."
Within just two hours of discovering the ruin, they had completed an exploration camp.
They moved in perfect order, carrying out their assigned tasks. Forming magic circles to prevent intrusion, setting up tents for rest, inspecting equipment, and completing their preparations.
"Haha, perhaps it's because we suffered for months, but everyone is highly motivated. Then let us form the advance party. First, we must explore the underground to identify what kind of ruin this is."
"Understood. But, when should we contact the client?"
"Hm…"
The client, Asher.
Among their agreements, one condition was the client's direct participation in the exploration. It was something that had to be fulfilled.
For Asher carried the blue sapphire believed to be the key to the ruin.
"Let us first complete the preliminary exploration, then send word. After all, we've only just set up camp, and rest is necessary."
"Of course. Quite right, sir."
Hans smiled obsequiously.
Thus, the advance party was formed.
The leader, Raivan, and his second-in-command, Hans, were among them.
Ancient ruins harbored all manner of dangers.
Sending only one or two members to "take a look" was reckless. If they too went missing, searching with only a small group would be…
A situation to avoid at all costs.
"There's no need to repeat the precautions, you all know them well. Those not in the advance party may rest freely, but be ready to respond immediately should support be called for."
"Yes, Leader."
Everyone nodded.
Next, each member of the advance party was imbued with magic.
Raivan, a 5th-tier Imbuement Mage from the Helion Magic Tower, cast his spells. Thanks to this, the risk of instant death from ordinary traps was minimal.
"Now, let us descend."
At the front, a Platinum Rank adventurer and two veteran warriors took point. The mages would give them thorough support.
Step, step.
They slowly, firmly descended underground.
Lighting the darkness with portable magic stone lamps, they saw multiple grooves carved along the walls, running the length of the corridor.
Hans tilted his head as he looked.
"Hmm? Raivan-nim, these grooves… don't they look familiar?"
"…Indeed."
They looked familiar.
The other mages reacted the same.
Nothing was certain yet.
Descending further in silence, they reached the end. There stood a door, wide open as if to welcome intruders.
But what drew their attention was not the door.
The grooves lining the passage.
All converged upon a single symbol above the door.
A Supreme Octagram.
Each empty point was filled with different magical characters. It was not a mere symbol, but a great magic circle.
Raivan let out a voice.
"That is the flag of the Magus Nation…"
The Magus Nation was in the Western Continent.
And the Kingdom of Estiria was in the Eastern Continent. There should have been no connection.
'Unless there is one possibility.'
The vanished pinnacle of magic from the distant past.
"Demon King Oldarc."
At those words, the expedition gasped.
"R-Raivan-nim. Are you saying this place is… the ruin, the t-t-tomb of the Demon King…?"
"The possibility is very high. Otherwise, there would be no reason for that magic circle to be engraved here. And come to think of it, the ruin itself resembles those of the Magus Nation, which is why it looked familiar. At the very least, it is connected to the Magus Nation, and at most, it is… the tomb of the Demon King."
Raivan's thoughts raced swiftly.
At length, as he stared at the ruin, he cast a spell. A 2nd-tier elemental magic he had learned as general knowledge struck the wall, yet failed to leave so much as a scratch.
"…I had wondered why, though it looked ancient, there were no signs of weathering. The structure itself is imbued with magic power. It cannot be damaged by ordinary impact."
None other than the technique of the Magus Nation.
This lent weight to Raivan's assertion. Silence fell over the entire advance party. Their vacant eyes fixed on the symbol and the darkness beyond the door.
Raivan stroked his chin.
'It seems the client already knew.'
That was why he had tried to join the expedition.
And why he had refused to hand over the relic, the blue sapphire. In hindsight, every condition he had demanded now made sense.
'Just who is Asher?'
A mage who concealed his identity.
He had overpowered Hans with ease, yet who was he, to possess a relic of the Demon King? Perhaps he was an envoy dispatched from the Magus Nation.
Something was off.
Finishing his thoughts, Raivan spoke.
"Let us return to the surface and make preparations first. Then we will contact the client…"
"Raivan-nim."
Hans seized Raivan's arm.
"Let us begin the main exploration at once."
"What?"
"It is the Demon King, Raivan-nim! The Demon King, who stood at the pinnacle among transcendents! If artifacts of the Demon King are lying here… then they belong not to the client, not to anyone, but to us."
Their eyes met.
Hans's spectacles gleamed with naked desire. It was the instinct of a mage.
Raivan swallowed and said,
"Hah, but the key is with the client."
"The blue sapphire is not necessary. Look, the doors here and there are already open. It is clear that a previous expedition carrying the same relic passed through. Perhaps the key is lying within even now. Would that not make sense?"
It was a persuasive insight.
Yes, it was highly possible.
They did not seem to be the first Seekers to reach this place.
Raivan turned his head.
The other expedition members shared Hans's thought. Their eyes glistened with greed. And Raivan himself, too.
Raivan Crusoe.
He was from the magic tower.
"…Let us return above and take a vote."
They promptly ascended to the surface.
Gathering the Seekers, Raivan announced a decision.
The result was unanimous.
Naturally, there were no objections.
The exploration of the Demon King's ruins began.
***
"…The Seekers cut off contact?"
At Verden's question, Perne nodded.
"The report should have arrived already. They have clearly violated the contract with you, Asher-nim. If they had perished or gone missing in the Eastern Marshlands, that would be understandable, but otherwise…"
Perne glanced sideways.
Verden, covering his lips, was staring at the report.
'The last report states they proceeded with their third expedition into the Eastern Marshlands.'
The Seekers had already failed twice.
In other words, they had become familiar with the marsh.
It was a forbidden zone of the Kingdom, so they could have faced unexpected danger, but it was hard to believe the entire expedition had been wiped out.
'Then only one possibility remains.'
The Seekers discovered an ancient ruin.
And,
'They realized it was connected to the Demon King.'
Thus, they excluded their client, Verden.
He knew all too well the nature of mages. All the more if the other party was from the magic tower.
'But the key should be with me.'
They did not have the relic of the Demon King, the blue sapphire.
If they still pressed on, then either they had obtained something similar, or they no longer needed it.
It was not incomprehensible.
The Demon King's tomb was an ancient trial designated by the Ark. The Listener had mentioned that there had been challengers before Verden, and none had ever returned.
Thus, perhaps relics like the sapphire had been found, or perhaps the doors were already open.
'Whatever it may be, I must see it myself.'
At once, without delay.
Verden gathered the report and rose from his seat.
"You intend to go to the marshlands? With you, Asher-nim, there should be no problem, but the report alone won't be enough to track them."
"I do not plan to go alone."
For in this tavern, there was a forest tracker quietly enjoying a cocktail.
Then it happened.
Kwaang!
The tavern door burst open violently.
All eyes turned to a lone figure, staggering inside.
Disheveled hair, broken spectacles.
His blood-soaked robe was torn in many places, his body in tatters. Even a soldier returning from the battlefield would not look so ruined.
The intruder was a face Verden knew.
"…Hans Deikel?"
The Seekers' second-in-command, Hans.
At the sound of his name, he raised his head. His blurred focus sharpened as he recognized Verden.
"Y-you…"
Thud.
Hans collapsed, powerless.
He groaned in pain but had no strength to rise.
Verden's gaze was cold.
"I do not recall granting permission to explore the ruin without me."
"T-that…"
"Are they all dead?"
"I-I don't know."
Hans clenched his teeth.
"M-magic traps went off everywhere, h-half of them died. So we tried t-to retreat, but suddenly a magic circle activated… scattered us apart… I alone barely escaped…!"
"Why come to me?"
"P-please… help…!"
The Seekers had collapsed.
Hans was the only confirmed survivor. They had lost their foundation to do anything. Their only option was to beg their client, Verden, for aid.
If anyone knew about the Demon King's ruin, perhaps he could tell them where the others had gone.
Brazen, considering they had broken the contract.
But Hans was the only one who knew the precise location of the Demon King's ruin.
Verden spoke.
"Lead me at once…"
Then, a magic circle flared across Hans's body.
"Huh? Huh? W-what's this…?"
Hans fumbled at the glowing circle.
Of course, it would not disappear.
In that instant, Verden analyzed the magic circle.
It resembled the face of a clock. When the moving second hand made a full turn, the delayed spell would trigger.
'And the spell imbued within is…'
"…?!"
Verden's eyes widened, he shouted.
"Perne!"
"Eh—Kyaah!"
Verden grabbed Perne's arm, pulling her behind him.
He activated his mana circuits at full power, and slammed Orient into the ground.
< Terrain Manipulation >
"Urgh?!"
The tavern floor surged up, swallowing Hans.
It was not nearly enough.
"Karans! Blue! Help me!"
"Understood, brother!"
Flash!
Verden's voice was urgent.
He was even sweating coldly. Never had they seen him this shaken.
Thus, they moved without question.
"O forest!"
The spirit of the forest.
At Karans's will, spirit magic was invoked.
Tree roots burst through the floor, entangling Hans's position. Verden layered < Gravity Barrier > over it, while Blue unfolded a veil of water to shield the bystanders.
Darkness descended upon the tavern.
Hans's eyes fixed on the second hand of the magic circle, reaching its end.
Tick.
A flash that devoured all light.
A massive explosion swallowed Perne's tavern whole.