Chapter 136
Audrey’s eyes twitched slightly as she made a subtle expression.
“Wait a minute. Isn’t the Angel’s Key sothing the Foundation absolutely needs? They should be offering us a relic or two in exchange, not putting it up for sale… Selling it?”
“Of course, we’ll offer a discount. Honestly, we can’t just give away sothing worth hundreds or thousands of gold coins. Also, there’s no guarantee that the Angel’s Key is what we truly need. I can’t give a definitive answer.”
“Likewise, we might not be able to afford sothing worth hundreds or thousands of gold coins. You’re not expecting us to pay it off monthly, are you?”
After a mont of deliberation, Estevan made a decision.
“Very well. I’ll distribute five relics that you all can use. However, locating the survivors is a mandatory task. We don’t have a way to verify it independently, but we’ll trust your conscience.”
Audrey, seemingly satisfied with the terms, nodded readily.
“That works. Don’t think it’s unfair. We’re also taking on significant risks here. Even the rcenary groups under the Foundation couldn’t succeed, right?”
“Precisely why you are being given the opportunity. Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”
Ian swallowed the at in his mouth and pointed his fork at Estevan.
“Do you have any information on the location or details of the ruins?”
“I’ll guide you to the entrance. As for detailed information… Unfortunately, I don’t have much. Since the ruins have turned into an Otherworldly Zone, I can only tell you there will likely be monsters. The limited information we have is the reason for the substantial reward.”
Estevan stood, pushing back the chair he had been sitting on.
“With that, I encourage you to enjoy tonight to your heart’s content. If you haven’t arranged accommodations, feel free to stay here. I’ll prepare rooms for you. Now, I’ll take my leave. Departure is tomorrow. Enjoy your evening.”
Before anyone could stop him, Estevan bowed politely and left.
After the client left, Gawain imdiately handed Ian a clean glass while holding a wine bottle.
“Why this silence? In such a fine place, with exquisite food and drink in front of us, shall we simply sit idle?”
“…Gawain.”
“My comrade, let’s share a drink.”
The glass was thrust forward insistently, almost pressing against Ian’s cheek.
Gawain poured the wine unceremoniously, the violet liquid glinting as it splashed into the glass. Ian let out a bitter smile.
The color violet symbolized the Black Mana of the Outer Seas. While it had co to represent misfortune in modern tis, it was tacitly accepted when it ca to fruits, vegetables, and certain liquors.
Diem and Rease attempted to quietly leave their seats but were swiftly intercepted by Gawain.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
Rease awkwardly smiled, a bead of sweat forming.
“It just felt like we didn’t belong here anymore.”
“Don’t say such disheartening things. If it’s a matter of status, don’t worry. We’re comrades who will soon face life and death together, aren’t we?”
Ian spoke slowly.
“Relax and have a drink. At least here, no one will look down on you because of your status. If anyone complains later, I’ll protect you. Just bla it on the drink and say you don’t rember anything.”
In the end, even they returned to their seats. Although they appeared uncomfortable at first, as the alcohol flowed, their tension eased, and they began to share all sorts of stories about their past.
The initial awkwardness soon faded, and they spent a considerable amount of ti together, well into the night.
***
Deep within the rocky mountains, hidden within dense fog, a massive ruin revealed itself.
It appeared as though it had been carved into the mountain itself, blending seamlessly with nature.
Its scale was truly overwhelming. Nurous stone structures were interconnected, though so had partially crumbled over ti.
The atmosphere was both mysterious and eerie, captivating enough to leave one speechless.
“Wow…”
“Amazing.”
Everyone, except Estevan, was similarly awestruck, unable to tear their eyes away. The sheer magnitude of the ruins was overwhelming.
“What do you think?”
Estevan sidled up to Ian and posed the question.
“This is indeed a relic from the Terramin Era. Although there are faint traces of the Rogolrod Era, it’s definitely from a transitional period.”
Ian scanned the surroundings. Stone pillars lined the path leading to the entrance as if guiding the way.
There was no roof, and the overgrowth of vines and moss hinted at its long abandonnt.
As they approached, intricate carvings beca visible on the pillars. While many had been weathered by the elents, the relatively intact ones were still indecipherable.
“Can you read it?”
The question carried multiple implications.
Ian shook his head. The script did not match any known era; it was entirely unfamiliar.
Despite his years of treasure hunting and exploring nurous ruins across the Zail Empire, it was a first.
“I used to think I knew a lot, but this is new to .”
“While we can’t interpret it, the Foundation suspects it’s the language of angels. Personally, I think it’s related to worshiping a deity. And as a side note, the scenery you see now might change the mont you cross that boundary.”
As Estevan extended his hand, ripples appeared in the air. A transparent barrier, like glass, was revealed, encircling the path ahead.
While Ian seed familiar with this, the others found it a novel sight.
“So this is the Otherworld. It’s my first ti seeing one.”
“The only way out is to destroy the rampaging Outer Gate, right?”
Diem murmured, and Rease silently wondered aloud. Ian answered imdiately.
“Don’t worry. There are at least two other thods. First, using an artifact imbued with teleportation magic.”
“…Like we’d have sothing so rare.”
“Second, breaking through with an imnse amount of mana. But ordinary techniques won’t work. This place is like a powerful current. While entering feels like being carried by the flow, escaping requires overcoming the torrent.”
“Would sheer strength work?”
A naïve question. Ian chuckled softly.
“Well, if you had mythical strength, perhaps. Enough to destroy a mountain with a single punch.”
“So it’s impossible, then.”
It wasn’t said to extinguish hope but as a warning to face reality. The implication was clear: escaping the Outer Gate would require its closure. Running away wasn’t an option.
“Looks like last night’s al might’ve been our final feast.”
“Don’t think so negatively. If we successfully complete the mission, we can feast and drink again, just like last night. Estevan will surely arrange sothing.”
Estevan, now the center of attention, closed his eyes briefly before replying.
“Of course, that’s possible. But consuming as much as you did yesterday might be difficult.”
“There wasn’t much left to waste, was there?”
“True, you did well. But… never mind. There’s no point in dampening morale before an important mission. Off you go, and if you return safely with the Angel’s Key, I’ll fund another banquet.”
“You’d better. Now, let’s do a final check and head in.”
Ian addressed the group. Once inside, there was no telling what kind of monsters awaited them.
Audrey chanted a spell, and two shield-bearing golems materialized in the air.
“Well then.”
Gawain lowered the visor on his helt, steeling his resolve. Diem prepared his bow and arrows, while Rease, as the group’s priest, recited a prayer, granting blessings to the party.
Ian also gripped the sacred sword tightly.
“Hold on, comrade. I’ll go in first since I’m wearing armor.”
Ian nodded and stepped aside, allowing Gawain to take the lead.
With a tallic clink, Gawain carefully advanced. Although he appeared tense, there was no hesitation in his steps. Soon, he crossed the boundary and disappeared from sight. Ian followed closely behind.
The sensation was imdiate—his body was propelled forward, as if swept by a strong current. But it lasted only a mont.
“You’ve arrived?”
Gawain stood waiting, his greatsword resting at his side. For now, there were no monsters in sight, but the surroundings were noticeably different from what they had observed earlier.
It was evident the outer gate’s rampant energy had warped the environnt, rging it with elents from another world.
“Ugh!”
“Ack!”
“Eek!”
Diem, Rease, and Audrey stumbled in one after another, struggling to regain their balance. The golems, however, entered with perfect composure, imdiately adopting a defensive stance.
“Let’s move.”
With his greatsword slung over his shoulder, Gawain led the way.
The path leading into the ruins was strewn with skeletal remains, rusted armor, and shattered weapons.
“Can you tell which nation this armor design belongs to, comrade?”
“Theramin. It’s plain, likely belonging to soldiers, but the distinctive features of that era are still intact. Looks like there was a war here a long ti ago. But what could have driven so many people to fight in such a desolate place…?”
“It must have been for that Angel’s Key. I doubt the foundation covets it without reason.”
Ian surveyed their surroundings. Thankfully, none of the skeletons showed signs of reanimating. They were simply piles of lifeless bones.
As a cold wind brushed past, they arrived at the entrance of the ruins. The massive structure, likely a temple, required them to ascend dozens of steps to enter.
The stairs were intricately carved with peculiar patterns, almost as if warning those who dared to approach.
“Doesn’t it feel strange? My head’s spinning, and I feel queasy,” Audrey remarked with a frown.
It likely wasn’t just her imagination. Such patterns were rarely re decorations—they often held deeper, sotis ominous, anings.
‘Didn’t they say this was a place for worshiping a god?’
If that were true, seeing these inscriptions should bring clarity or peace of mind. The fact that they had the opposite effect suggested they might have been corrupted. It was also possible the foundation’s information was flawed.
Though Ian wished he could decipher the patterns, they consisted only of unfamiliar symbols and engravings. Without any accompanying illustrations, their aning was nearly impossible to discern—even for a renowned scholar.
The only advice he could offer was this:
“Don’t stare at them too long. For now, let’s focus on climbing the steps. From here on, I’ll take the lead.”
Gawain silently stepped back, allowing Ian to move ahead.
With each step, a faint ripple seed to radiate from the stairs. It wasn’t the sound of footsteps, but rather a whispering echo. At so point, the wind stopped blowing altogether.
The atmosphere grew increasingly ominous, thick with foreboding, as if sothing was about to happen.
When they finally reached the top, they found the entrance visible ahead—a wide, open area before the temple.
Ssssssss—
Although there was no wind, dust-like particles began to gather before the entrance.
Then, a figure erged. Dressed in a pure white robe with a hood pulled low, they stood motionless, their presence chillingly ethereal.
———
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