The corrupted and the First Emperor surprisingly had something in common.
They liked building or preparing things underground.
That’s why, when Fernan heard the word “magic barrier” from Wooden, the first thing that came to his mind was one of the First Emperor’s installations.
‘But why wasn’t there any mention of it in the book of prophecies?’
Not all installations had to appear there. The book revealed content sequentially, so it didn’t contain everything.
Regardless, finding one of those installations was big news. The First Emperor’s were always beneficial.
What Fernan deemed most necessary for Aint, he would give him. The rest, he’d keep for himself.
‘The problem is Aria…’
If he had known they’d find something like this, he would’ve done everything possible to leave her behind.
“What’s that look? Like you see me as a nuisance.”
“It’s nothing.”
At least, she was usually reasonable if given her share. It was enough to make her an accomplice.
“The path is really deep. We’ve descended a lot, haven’t we?”
“Over a kilometer.”
They were even deeper than the dwarves’ underground cities. The fact that Wooden had detected this made it even more impressive. Fernan patted him on the head, and Wooden smiled proudly.
They kept descending until—
Chong!
A powerful magical rebound threw Fernan back. He coughed blood.
“What the hell?”
Just a touch, and that was the reaction.
“Are you okay?”
“No.”
By carefully brushing the earth, something metallic appeared.
Bit by bit he cleared it, revealing the form of a massive passageway—10 meters wide, 5 meters high—covered in complex magical carvings.
“…God. Engraving this level of magic on a simple hallway? What is this?”
“I only understand half.”
It was very different from any of the First Emperor’s installations they had seen before.
“Can we open it?”
“No. You?”
“No idea.”
“Then there must be an official entrance. Let’s find it.”
Fernan drank several healing and mana potions. They were facing a great prize; retreating was not an option.
“If it’s this level, perhaps it was made by archmages.”
“At the very least.”
They dug for kilometers until they found the entrance—a cave in the middle of a cliff. Fernan nearly fell, but Aria’s wind spirits caught him.
“…Thanks.”
“It was nothing. But that emblem—doesn’t it belong to the Cult of the Dragon God?”
On the giant metal door was carved the symbol of a dragon. The upper half was gray and the lower, white.
“…A hideout of the Cult of the Dragon God?”
It was far too huge to be just that. A hidden treasure of the cult? Possible, but strange that it wasn’t in their own territory.
Fernan examined the engravings—very advanced spells—and an inscription beside the dragon.
【Awaken with the Sacred Flame, or quench the Dragon’s Thirst.】
“Sacred flame? Dragon’s thirst?”
“Literally. The cult has a spell called Holy Light. It’s like a white flame. And the water probably refers to holy water.”
“So it needs holy water?”
“Let’s try.”
Fernan noticed the layer of dust over the dragon. Decades without anyone touching it—not even the Cult seemed to know about this place.
He uncorked a bottle of holy water and poured it. Nothing. Two bottles. Three.
Dozens.
“…Are you sure it’s that?”
“Yes. Or the cult only has holy water.”
In the end, the dragon absorbed 99 bottles without effect. But upon pouring the hundredth—
Boom!
The dragon’s eyes glowed white. The holy water began floating and was absorbed into the magical engravings.
The door slowly opened.
“…Let’s go.”
The illuminated passage was filled with magical lamps—far more than any imperial installation.
Bang!
Upon crossing, the door closed by itself.
“…Is this safe?”
“I don’t know. All we can do is go forward.”
“What if we take too long? What do we tell the others?”
“I left instructions with Gismond, just in case.”
The door wouldn’t budge at all. They had no choice but to move on.
Fernan collected all the magical lamps at the entrance.
“Seriously? What for?”
“Left abandoned here, they’d go to waste. Outside, someone can use them.”
“…It’s not for the money, right?”
“Guides show the way and charge for it.”
Aria sighed, giving up.
But just as they took the first step—
Crack!
A blue lightning bolt grazed Fernan’s nose.
“…What the hell?”
“I think… I think it triggered a trap.”
There was a magic circle on the floor that hadn’t been there before. Not just there—everywhere along the passage were complex hidden spells.
On the wall appeared a message.
【Only those who pass through all shall obtain what they desire.】
Fernan frowned.
“…This won’t be easy.”
“We should be more worried whether we’ll get out alive. That lightning was too strong for something old.”
Aria’s face turned pale.
***
Morning came.
Gismond, who had stood watch the entire time, let out a long yawn.
‘He’s taking longer than I thought…’
Even though the appointed time had passed, Fernan still hadn’t returned. Surely it was just taking longer to find what he was after.
“Good morning, senior.”
“Good morning, senior.”
“Good work.”
As always, Luina, Aint, and Verian got up. After a light wash, they immediately grabbed their swords and began sparring.
‘Will I ever be able to join them?’
He wanted to reach that level, but for now he didn’t feel up to it.
While the duels continued, Aria would usually sneak off and watch, and when everything ended, Hyde would already have the meal ready.
Fernan would also usually wake up around that time to do something.
That had been the routine for the past few days. But today was different.
There was no Hyde, no Fernan, not even Aria.
“Fernan?”
That Hyde wasn’t there wasn’t strange—he had gone out on an errand.
But that Fernan and Aria were also missing—that was strange.
“Senior, have you seen Fernan? His tent is empty.”
Luina, who had gone to check Fernan’s tent, sat in front of Gismond and asked.
“Aria wasn’t there either. Where could the two of them have gone together?”
“Fernan and Aria? What a strange combination.”
Faced with their doubts, Gismond recalled what Fernan had told him before leaving.
“If I’m late and don’t return at the appointed time, don’t make up weird excuses. Just say this, and everyone will accept it.”
“Fernan went to look for adamantite. Wooden detected it.”
“Ah, then it makes sense he disappeared suddenly.”
“That golem can detect minerals too?”
“Adamantite?”
— What a crazy golem. Can it really detect adamantite?
Aint agreed with Gardner’s words and asked again.
“And Aria?”
“It’s not like Fernan took her with him. She followed him on her own…”
The group accepted it without issue.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Adamantite, huh. If I had even just one sword made of that, I wouldn’t ask for anything else.”
“Ask the senior. He usually ends up getting everything done anyway.”
“…Don’t make me mad. Does he treat you the same way he treats me?”
Aint’s pleading face contrasted with Verian’s clenched teeth, and Gismond felt seen in him.
‘Right, this one used to be a corrupted too. And it was Fernan who forced him to switch sides.’
He felt sorry for him. It was like looking in a mirror.
‘Poor guy. He’s not actually weak, just had the misfortune of being next to the protagonist and Luina.’
Clicking his tongue, Gismond threw more fuel on the fire that was dying down.
“…Senior, what does that look mean?”
“Better not complain about Fernan. If you’re upset, want to train again?”
“No! I’m sure he looked at me with pity…”
Though Verian noticed that compassion, luckily things didn’t escalate.
It was a peaceful day.
____
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