Chapter 146 (2/2)

「What do you mean?」

「Which means…」

Hikaru examined the sign to find that it was only tied to the rod with a string. It was most likely the guards' doing. Wrapped around the rod were rings, fifteen centimeters in diameter, evenly s.p.a.ced. A metal lump sat on top which showed traces of being snapped.

「I think this rod is part of the roof…」

Hikaru had seen this shape before. A sorin. A vertical shaft made of metal, which topped a five-storey paG.o.da or a temple.

The rod before him didn't look like the right form, perhaps because whoever made this only had his memories to work with. In other words, it was made by the j.a.panese person who lived here before.

「Did you say a part of the roof? But it's buried underground.」

「That's exactly it.」It came to him.「The building itself is buried underneath.」

Hikaru hesitated whether or not to tell Katy about this right away. Given that it was only a theory, he decided to look around some more first.

Something's buried here… If it was done on purpose, then it makes sense that the ground is loose.

Hikaru resumed his trek down to the valley. He took a detour around the steep slope and cliffs, and eventually found a sloping path. It got darker as he went down, and his ears caught the sound of water. Light couldn't reach the bottom of the valley. A few newt-like monsters appeared, but after Lavia roasted one with her magic, the rest scampered away.

「The path is well-trodden. Looks like that guard was right. People have been here countless times.」

「Why would they come here often?」Paula asked.

「Probably patrolling. They protect the ruins not only from humans, but monsters as well. They're probably checking the bottom of the valley too and killing monsters they find.」

「I see.」

「That means we can safely check the place out.」

The bottom of the valley was only about ten meters wide, with a small stream flowing through. Hikaru could hear the gentle flow of the water in places.

「I think that signboard was somewhere around here. Be careful, you two. Footing's not so good.」

It appeared that the soldiers hadn't actually walked the bottom of the valley. It was hard to walk properly with all the stones scattered about. Hikaru didn't know what was up ahead. He simply followed his Instinct and got all the way here, but hunches could be wrong sometimes.

They had walked down the stream for five minutes. Hikaru lent his hand to Lavia as she was about to fall over, and his feet dipped deeper this time, wetting his shoes. He glanced around and found nothing.

「I guess that guard was right.」

「That there's nothing here?」

「Yeah. All right, let's head back.」

「Hikaru-sama, there's a slimy lizard-like monster over there.」

Paula spotted a friend of the monster that Lavia roasted earlier. Clinging to a slope, it scurried away as soon as it saw them.

「What?」Hikaru couldn't believe his eyes. The newt just vanished.「I-It disappeared? How? Oh!」He quickly activated his Mana Detection.「I see a cave!」

It appeared to be a plain, steep slope. One could call it a cliff, even. Anyway, there was nothing out of the ordinary, at least at first glance. But his Mana Detection clearly picked up a blue curtain covering the cliff.

「Lavia, is there magic that can hide caves?」

「Yes. Even magic items.」

「All right. Wait here a bit. I'll check it out first.」

Hikaru left the girls and approached the blue screen alone. Before him was an ordinary steep slope. But when he stretched out his arm, it went in easily. Steeling himself, he took a step forward and made it in.

「Hikaru?!」

「Hikaru-sama disappeared!」

「It's fine. I just entered the cave.」

Light streamed from outside the cave, illuminating the cave somewhat. Hikaru could see Lavia and Paula scurrying towards him.

The three entered the cave. The cave seemed to go deeper, the path clearly leading to the place where the signboard was placed.

「Whoa… So there's a cave down here.」Lavia said.「It's like being in an adventure story, and we just found a treasure.」

「This is a great discovery!」Paula exclaimed.「We might actually find treasure in here!」

「What now, Hikaru?」

Hikaru smiled.「I'll tell Katy about this, of course. But not until after we take a quick look around. Let's just call it a special right of the first discoverer.」

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