Chapter 98 - Chapter 15: Sign #4 (1/2)
Chapter 98 - Chapter 15: Sign #4
Silvan worked really hard. He struggled until late at night and caught 19 caltos which was about twice of Amita’s requirements.
Felicia rewarded Silvan by kissing his cheeks and his shoulders expressed his happiness. It was a happy night for everyone.
The next morning...
Silvan ordered the crew members to collect small materials while the ruins exploration began.
”There are three major ways to explore underwater ruins. One is to split the water while the other two ways involve entering the water.”
In a world where magic existed, mysterious and radical methods could be used. Felicia folded down one of her fingers and explained further,
”However, the first method is hardly ever used. The amount of magic power needed is too much and if it goes wrong, it can destroy the environment. Due to this, I mainly use the other two methods.”
As Felicia explained, Delia handed out a magic tool that looked like a bar split in two.
”It is a tool that allows you to breathe in water if you put the middle part in your mouth. It consumes magic power constantly but if you have the magic power, it can be used forever. I have prepared it just in case.”
It was a familiar yet unfamiliar tool for In-gong. It was used for support in Knight Saga, but this was the first time he had actually used it.
”Then does that mean we are going to use another way?”
”Too sharp. That's right. We’ll use the third method. I am a specialist in ruins exploration after all.”
Felicia teased in reply to Carack’s question and chanted a spell. Every time she pointed at a party member, a large air bubble formed.
“Wah.”
Caitlin’s eyes shone as she looked at the air bubble around her. She touched the air bubble carefully like she was afraid it would pop, but it didn’t burst that easily.
Felicia, who had gained verification due to Caitlin’s little experiment, grinned at the air bubbles and continued to explain,
”Put the magic tool in your mouth just in case something happens. If you go inside, make sure to follow my lead. Got it?”
”Understood, Unni.”
Caitlin responded by putting the magic tool in her mouth. The rest of the group nodded and Felicia, who then confirmed everyone’s condition, started to move.
Felicia was used to exploring dungeons with a small group of elites.
The party included In-gong, Carack, Felicia, Delia, Caitlin, Seira, Silvan and Daphne, totalling eight people.
While the surface was golden, the water was quite dark. Felicia couldn’t see that far, so she chose a gentle light instead of a bright one in order to avoid provoking the creatures in the lake.
'I have to look closely.’
It was a lake where a huge monster like the sea serpent had lived. It was clear that not only small and beautiful fish but also various aquatic monsters would live here. It was psychologically quite burdensome to face a group of monsters in the water when they couldn’t move freely; this was the so-called phobia of the deep sea.
In-gong focused on the mini-map instead of the darkness to see if any underwater creatures would pop out. The mini-map was especially useful in an environment like this where not all of In-gong’s senses could be used.
‘Okay, this looks like the entrance.’
After finding the entrance, In-gong signalled to Felicia and started to lead the way. He had found a path in the water and, except for Silvan, the group followed In-gong without questioning it.
The entrance to the ruins that In-gong found was in between a large pile of rocks. Curiously enough, there was no water inside like it was blocked somewhere. There seemed to be enough air inside as though there was ventilation somewhere.
“Indeed, Shutra.”
Felicia released the air bubbles and made a sound of admiration. She had experienced In-gong’s guidance abilities several times. However, this was underwater and not on land, so it was natural that she was surprised.
”I will take the lead from now on. Felicia, give me directions.”
Silvan drew his sword and stepped forward. If it was just about combat power, it would be convincing since Silvan was the strongest in the group.
However, Felicia shook her head.
”Shutra is the best in this area. Shutra and Carack will be at the front while Oppa will protect us from the rear. I will be in the middle with Daphne and Delia. Caitlin and Seira will be behind us.”
Silvan seemed somewhat uncomfortable, but the rest of the party nodded like it was natural. So, Silvan didn’t object and moved to the back of the party.
After arranging the formation, the party started exploring the ruins. As it had been recorded in Thunderdoom Fortress, this was Violent Kaltein’s lair, so the space was big.
The party moved slowly around the ruins without any haste.
He couldn’t confirm when they were from but there were signs of fighting everywhere.
There were places where the ruin had collapsed and the bones of the invaders and dungeon guardians were scattered all over.
Unlike Thunderdoom Fortress, there were no remaining dungeon guardians or traps.
Felicia frowned as she investigated the signs of magic power remaining in the ruins.
“This ruin... It seems like the function has been lost for at least a thousand years. It is much more serious than Thunderdoom Fortress that had only been abandoned for hundreds of years.”
‘A thousand years.’
In-gong was reminded of Ainkel who he had seen at Enger Plains. She was also killed a thousand years ago.
The Great Enkid had left his lair for some unknown place, but what about the Violent Kaltein? Had he also departed his lair? Or had he been killed like Ainkel?
Additionally, if he had been killed, who had the strength to murder an elder dragon with the power of a god?
In-gong recalled the slab he had seen at Fort Thunderdoom. The four people standing against the six elder dragons...
Conquest, War, Death and Famine.
The last flame had said that the Knights of the Apocalypse were those who craved destruction and wanted to bring about the end.
If so, was it them?
Had the four knights killed Ainkel and Kaltein a thousand years ago?
If that was the case, why?
‘Master.’
Green Wind called out to In-gong. In-gong then realized that he had been walking without realizing it.
The party was standing in front of a large mural.
In-gong couldn’t tell if it was a coincidence or something else, but he raised his head and looked at the mural. Many areas were broken or exposed to the flow of time, so a clear form couldn’t be recognized.
”There is some writing.”
Felicia approached the wall excitedly but soon became upset. They were characters that she was seeing for the first time.
In-gong examined the characters. They weren’t dwarf characters or dragon characters.