Chapter 68 - Rhine Kingdoms Underground Dungeon 2 (1/2)
Still, just in case, some monsters had been included to serve as guards. They were native species to the Corcas mountains that had been plucked and spread about the dungeon.
Although they didn’t attack Joanna, they showed extreme hostility towards Woohyuk.
They were still bound by the orders which the Black Dragon Drakia had left them
Swissh!
He swung Grandia to cleave an Elder Troll in two, as both halves plopped down to the ground.
This was the four hundred and sixtieth one, as Woohyuk continued to advance.
“Will you be fine without any health potions?”
“It’s not a problem.”
Woohyuk’s abilities were on a different level compared to other adventurers. Just based on his Stats alone, he’d be ranked in the top 10. That was an incredible feat when taking into account the number of Growth items which he had on him.
He could without a doubt take on dozens of these common mob monsters at once.
‘I should hurry.’
While he was gone, he had left Arnold to oversee state matters. He didn’t have much of a choice, but was worried since he clearly lacked proper judgement when it came to politics.
Not to mention that the rebellion hadn’t been entirely stamped out yet. Things might become difficult if this was to drag on for too long.
“To be honest, I still can’t believe that I have the Clavis family’s blood flowing through my veins. What happened to them in the past?”
Her Borges family line had a long and rich history. They had ruled the Lydia kingdom from generation to generation ever since the Great God and Demon war.
If the prestigious Clavis family had married into them however, it would have made sense to make it public.
By doing so they could stake a claim to the Rhine kingdom’s throne and control the entire Ionel Peninsula. The fact that it was never publicized, perhaps meant that the Clavis family members had never even informed them.
Still, because this all would have occurred such a long time ago, it was quite difficult to uncover the truth behind it all.
“Maybe there will be some clues to be found in here.”
If there indeed was a Hidden Treasure to be found within the Rhine Royal dungeon, it was highly likely that only Joanna would be eligible to obtain it.
That thing shed some light on the secret of the Clavis family.
Woohyuk’s eyes gleamed as he continued to slaughter the monsters before him.
‘Joanna is the key.’
In the past, it was said that Joanna had been killed by Count Ludwig’s daughter, Anais. She had felt that she was standing in her way of becoming Queen.
In his opinion, it had been a big mistake.
“What will you do after this exploration, Lord Regent. Will you let the world know that I am from the Clavis family?”
“No I will keep your secret.”
Jonna was certainly a woman that was worth keeping by his side, despite the noble’s resistance.
Even after he would be sitting on the throne, he would still keep her next to him, in the palace. Perhaps he would even give her the role of Regent. He wouldn’t have much time to stick around and actually govern, so he needed a trusted and competent person to take care of that in his stead.
Joanna, who had helped King Frey the Honorable rule for so long, would be the right choice.
‘I should try to get closer to her.’
Taking her as his Queen wasn’t his ideal scenario, but aside from that he would support her in any way.
Later, when he moved on to the Holy Aperian Empire, he wouldn’t have time to worry about a small kingdom like Rhine.
At that point, Joanna could aptly fill the role of Regent.
As Woohyuk thought how he could draw her to his side, a bronze door appeared before them.
Unlike in the Arachne Temple, there was just the one this time.
“Can I also go in?”
“Of course.”
He didn’t think that there would be a Boss monster waiting this time. Perhaps it would be a different trial entirely. Of course, considering the type of dungeon it was, it was necessary to be accompanied by Queen Iona’s descendant.
KKiiiic
As Woohyuk opened the bronze door, a chapel with large columns came into view.
It was dark and the entire atmosphere gave off a spooky vibe.
‘ Is it a holy place?’
There was no rule saying that holy places were only to worship Gods and Demons.
It could also be dedicated to a hero or saint which left their mark in history.
As Joanna walked forward, Woohyuk warily examined the chapel.
‘There’s someone here.’
He could faintly feel their presence, a spirit of the dead.
It didn’t look like it wanted to reveal itself just yet, as if it wanted to observe them a while longer.
“I don’t think there’s anyone here.”
“Why don’t you go have a look at that?”
Woohyuk pointed at an old book which rested on a worn out altar.
Joanna nodded, as she walked up and turned to the first page.
-Iona, Queen of the fallen kingdom, led her army across Elnox bay causing five tribal chiefs to surrender before her superior might.
It was the story about the Ionel kingdom, sounding no too different from the legends.
How Queen Iona had conquered the entire Ionel peninsula, and made a pact with the Dragons that lived in the surrounding mountain range.
As Joanna finished reading the old book, a man’s profound voice was heard.
“What purpose have you in coming here, heir to such a noble lineage?”
He asked the question as if he already knew who she was.
Joanna took her time to think, before responding.
“I want to know how my family line continued after the Blackburn massacre. Did they escape to another kingdom?”
“All those that had been gathered in Blackburn were killed, but it is as you said. Those that were fortunate enough to have been away, survived.
They then changed their family name and went into hiding, in order to avoid any pursuers.
Drakia had left the Royal dungeon under the palace for that very purpose. In case one day someone from the Clavis family line could return and regain their glory.
“But there are no surviving records of the Clavis line. How does it not know that I simply changed my own family name?”
“There is indeed a way to prove that your bloodline is authentic, but first you have to be qualified.”
In order to prove herself as Queen Iona’s true successor, she would have to pass several trials.
As Joanna acquiesced, the spirit of an old man appeared above the altar.