Chapter 214 - She Leaves Via the Window (1/2)

Robin scowled. ”So we can only wait until tragedy has already struck?” She asked. If they did not get rid of all the magic beasts in the sewers, then it would be like a ticking time bomb threatening the safety of the city.

”I'm afraid so.” Marin replied. ”My magic tower surveillance only covers the streets and common areas, as well as the areas that are off limits. It doesn't cover the insides of the buildings aside from those of historical or monumental worth.”

”Urgh...Sheesh!” Robin ruffled her hair in frustration. Then she had an idea.

”Do you have an item enchanted with magic communication?” She asked.

”Unfortunately, no. We usually send missives via a familiar.” Marin shook his head.

”Urgh this is a world of swords and magic, for goodness sake! There's gotta be something!” Robin paced back and forth. ”Think, Robin, think!” Her mind travelled back to the light novels she'd read. Wait, hadn't there been something....

Robin blinked. ”Hey...I'm a bit new to this magic stuff, but, have you ever heard of...”

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”Impressive. That you could discover such a structure so quickly is highly praiseworthy.” Jasmine admitted, seeing the narrow passageway ahead of them. From then on, they could only travel through one at a time.

”Liam, if you would?” Chelsea asked.

”Got it.” Liam stepped forward, shielding the two behind him from possible attacks from the front. They then travelled single file down the narrow passageway.

Due to the somewhat stifling air of the place, none of them really felt like talking for a bit. Rather, they were watching out and listening. Surely the black Merchants guild must have placed some traps for safety precautions, right?

But after several minutes, nothing happened. In fact, soon enough, they could see a light up ahead past the passageway exit. This caused them to slow down cautiously. If they hadn't encountered traps in the passage, then would they be in the room beyond?

Liam finally stepped out into the room, keeping alert for possible ambush or traps. However, he was unable to anticipate what happened next. Chelsea suddenly tugged Jasmine back with her, and just in time, too.

A stone door slammed down right where Jasmine had been standing. If Chelsea hadn't tugged her, Jasmine would have been killed, or seriously injured. Liam instantly tried to break the door open, to no avail.

”Chelsea! Are you all right?” He called.

”We're fine. But the path behind us has been blocked off as well!” Chelsea called back. ”Looks like we'll be trapped here for a while!”

”Hold on, I'll get you out of there.” Liam called.

”It's no use! Not even a dragon could break down that door.” A voice called out from behind him. Liam turned to see a strange sight. A young boy sat in a silver bird cage suspended over an immense pile of treasure. He leaned against the bars with a smile.

”The door is not really made of stone. But no one knows how it was made, or what it is made of. It was taken from an ancient ruin. The only thing we can determine is that it is nigh on indestructible, which is why father placed it there as the door.”

”Tch! So I really can't break it, huh? There must be a way to open it, somewhere...” Liam looked about for a switch of some sort.

”It's no use. Anyone caught in that trap will first be cut off from the rest of the place, then the gate will open, and flood the room with water. Unless your friends can last for 3 hours without air, it is practically impossible to survive.”

”Three hours, you say?” Liam asked.

”Yes. 3 hours.” The lad said.

”I see...” Liam trailed off as he headed towards the treasure mound.

”Huh? You're a rather cold-blooded one. Aren't you worried about your friends?” The lad asked.

”Need I be worried about them? I'll see them again in 3 hours, won't I?” Liam asked.

”Like I said, they'll be dead by that time.” The lad repeated. ”You're not worried now that you won't ever be able to talk to them again?”

”No. I am not worried.” Liam replied. ”They can take care of themselves.” He strode closer.