Chapter 56 (1/2)
(TL: This hasn't been edited. Do forgive me if you happen to spot any grammatical mistakes.)
Just as Samuel had suspected it, the tomb was not hidden. Actually, they almost ended up walking past what looked like a large hill, but the experienced eyes of the Pathfinder still managed to accurately grasp the parts added by the human hands.
A long time had pa.s.sed by and the tomb had almost become one with the nature. But, the four pa.s.sageways and rusted steel doors they eventually found hidden around this ‘hill' clearly proved that this was not a simple mound of dirt but an actual tomb.
”Now that I think about it, this whole area is rather strange.” (Ian)
As soon as Ian said those words, the attentions of everyone immediately fell on him.
As one of the main actors who enabled this expedition to the Forest of Denial, every word he said carried heavy weight. Also, when recalling the fact that he dissuaded Samuel when the younger man wished to continue on with the expedition just before the battle against the Lioners broke out, it was obvious that he wished to save as many lives as he could.
”Ahh. I wasn't saying that in a bad way, so relax yourselves.” (Ian)
Ian lightly waved his hand about, and the relief came was.h.i.+ng over the members of the expedition.
”Well, it's like…. Mm, what should I say here, I wonder. I can't be too sure, and that was why I haven't said anything until now, but….” (Ian)
Ian carefully reorganised his thoughts and only then did he speak up.
”Actually, I have been feeling more comfortable in my chest and my head starting from a short while ago. The closer we get to this tomb, the effects of this forest seems to soften more and more…. No. It feels as if the magic itself is surrounding the tomb, with it in the dead centre.” (Ian)
The Lost Paradise was a world where one's ‘gut feelings' held very little value. If there was an end result, then there should be the cause for it. So, people preferred truth formed from actual, tangible pieces of information rather than simple feelings and baseless a.s.sumptions. Especially so for Archers, as it was utterly forbidden for them speak up about their gut feelings at all.
However, Ian's Job was a Sorcerer. Of course, Sorcerers also tried to keep the att.i.tude of searching for the logical explanations in everything, but unlike Archers, they weren't really forbidden from speaking their minds most of the time.
Not to forget, Ian was an Earthling famed for his scope of knowledge. There would be a reason for him choosing to open his mouth here, even if it was an unimportant matter.
”After I discovered the existence of a tomb inside the Forest of Denial, I began theorising that this burial site could be the source of all the disasters taking place in this area. I thought that a powerful, horrifying resentment of the dead had become a curse enveloping this land.” (Ian)
”But, you said it's not a curse, but a magic spell?” (Samuel)
”That's right, Samuel. By any chance, do you know who is buried in this tomb?” (Ian)
Samuel shook his head.
”According to the written history found in the royal library, it's supposedly a beautiful last-born daughter of a n.o.ble family, who used to enjoy a great acclaim once upon a time before their influences waned a great deal. And she was even chosen as a saintess after her death, too.” (Ian)
”A saintess, you say?” (Samuel)
”Mm. Let me correct you on one thing first. The meaning of a saintess from that era is rather different from what we are familiar with. How should I say this…. It's more of a symbolic gesture than anything else.” (Ian)
Ian lightly coughed to clear his throat and slowly carried on with the tale.
”This is a tale from several centuries ago. The owner of this tomb suffered a tragic fate of being sacrificed in a politically arranged marriage. Of course, such marriages were a common practice back then, but the issue was with her husband-to-be.” (Ian)
”Did he hit her and abuse her or something?” (Hugo)
When Hugo asked, Ian shook his head.
”There was no record of him being violent. Only that, he was struck by a deadly illness and was on the brink of pa.s.sing on.” (Ian)
”Now, why would anyone send off their daughter to marry a guy like that?” (Hugo)
”Why? Because they had reached upon a mutual understanding, that was why. Isn't it rather obvious why a ruined n.o.ble household would marry off their last born daughter as if they were selling her off?” (Ian)
Hugo's expression showed how confused he was.
”On the flip side, the n.o.ble family of husband-to-be located in this remote backwoods would have schemed to earn big from this marriage as well. Even if they had been in decline, the past glories would still remain as glories, after all. And, also….” (Ian)
”By any chance, was that husband the only child?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Seol Ji-Hu asked after quietly listening to the tale. Ian's eyes opened up wider, before a smile formed on his lips.
”That's correct. When their only son was on the brink of death, they would've been in a great hurry for a new heir to appear. That would've been the only way to ensure that the bloodline would continue on.” (Ian)
”…………”
”And so, they bulldozed ahead with the wedding ceremony, but…” (Ian)
Ian seemed rather sorrowful as he spoke.
”Somewhat coincidentally, the husband did die as soon as the wedding ceremony had been concluded. Indeed, he died even before the important goal of continuing on the bloodline had been met.” (Ian)
”That's a bit cruel for a coincidence.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”That lady's fate had been unlucky, you could say. However, from there on, the tale diverges quite noticeably between the official records and the unofficial one.” (Ian)
Ian continued on.
”The official history is actually quite short. Even though they could not share their wedding night together, the lady volunteered to follow after her husband to the grave. And the Empire applauded her desire to keep her chast.i.ty and integrity, and thus made her saintess so that she could serve on as an ideal example to others.” (Ian)
Hugo's expression crumpled unsightly.
”W, what the h.e.l.l? Did they bury her alive?!” (Hugo)
”Technically speaking, indeed they have.” (Ian)
”What a bunch of crazy f*ckers! Why would they do something like that?” (Hugo)
”You shouldn't try to understand the culture of that era with our thought process. The t.i.tle of saintess must've been used in that kind of a meaning back then.” (Ian)
”Even then!” (Hugo)
”Hugo, I agree that such a thing was inhumane. However, our own history back on Earth is just as ripe with such cruelty, too. What would the people of Paradise think when they learn about the ancient Earth's custom of offering human sacrifices?”
When Ian spoke with a serious tone of voice, Hugo had no choice but to close his mouth shut.
”Hmm. Now, the tale found in the unofficial history is completely different. It's the exact opposite, actually. The lady refused to be entombed, but the n.o.ble family of the husband utilised oppressive means to bury her in here. Right until the moment she was placed in the casket, she violently resisted and hurled insults and all sorts of curses, her words filled with resentment and hatred.” (Ian)
Seol Ji-Hu frowned and asked.
”Did the woman's family not do anything?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Looks that way. Although it was nothing more than a symbolic gesture, having a saintess in your family would have been a huge honour back then.” (Ian)
Ian continued on, sounding more a.s.sured now.
”As I've said earlier, I a.s.sumed that the ill effects of this forest was due to that lady's curses. However, only the half of my thoughts proved to be correct. Without a doubt, the lady's resentment lingers, but the n.o.ble families also acted in a very careful manner as well.” (Ian)
”A careful manner, as in….?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”The official history doesn't have any more records concerning this event, but the unofficial one does have one more additional paragraph. Three months later, the Empire's renowned sage, who also happened to be a Sorcerer, came to visit the forest where the husband and wife were lying together, at the behest of the two n.o.ble families.” (Ian)
Seol Ji-Hu and his quick head figured it out right away and he leaked out a soft gasp.
”My tale has become drawn out somewhat, but I can finally give my answer. I now believe that the effects of the Forest of Denial is actually from the defensive magic that sage had come up with. An everlasting magic that would protect the two families from the resentment of the lady.” (Ian)
Ian shrugged his shoulders.
”If that sage was aiming to deny the lady's resentments and help her attain the state of nirvana, so to speak, then I have to acknowledge how well thought-out this magic is. Of course, I can't be 100% sure of it. It'll always remain as a theory until fully proven, after all. However….” (Ian)
Ian suddenly lowered his voice.
”Do not ever forget this. Even if half of my theory turns out to be spot on, then….” (Ian)
His expression turned grave as he stared at the tomb.
”The most dangerous place in the entire Forest of Denial should be inside of that tomb.” (Ian)
Seol Ji-Hu rubbed his arms after hearing that chilling announcement.
”I guess we should find out.” (Dylan)
Dylan opened his mouth after listening to the tale without saying a word.
”I'm not going to suppress my emotions here. If the effects of the forest don't manifest after a while, then one of your theories should be proven correct, Sir Ian.”(Dylan)
Ian nodded his head.
”Let us try it. However, be careful.” (Ian)
They spent some time near the tomb, but the effects of the Forest of Denial did not manifest. If it were only one person, sure, it could be chalked down to coincidence, but when several people also stopped suppressing their emotions and no strange thoughts entered their head, it ended up strengthening Ian's suppositions greatly.
Of course, the fact that the effects of the forest no longer threatening them was a good thing, but from what Ian said, it was not exactly something to celebrate yet, either.
If this expansive magic was indeed a protection, then just how strong could be the resentment gathering and festering inside that tomb?
‘Nothing's easy, huh.' (Seol Ji-Hu)
Seol Ji-Hu could only lament inwardly. He had been thinking that, even though it was called an expedition, it should not be too different from what he had experienced so far. He'd just go a bit further away, fighting some monsters, find some sort of historical ruins, achieve results and get the heck out of there. That's what he thought.
However, the gap between his thoughts and the actual reality proved to be enormous. Did this situation qualify to be called ‘a misfortune on top of another'? Right after they scaled the mountain called ‘Lioners', they had to face an even bigger danger. Of course, nothing had happened so far, but still….
Seol Ji-Hu activated his ‘Nine Eyes' and began chewing on his lips ferociously. Out of everything around him, only the tomb was in the shade of pitch-black. After he had regained his ability, this would be the second time seeing that colour - the immediate retreat warning.
”This can't be right.” (Samuel)
Samuel frowned slightly after walking around the entrance to the tomb. Cho Hong approached him.
”And what can't be right?” (Cho Hong)
”The entrance.” (Samuel)
”What about the entrance?” (Cho Hong)
”I see some traces.” (Samuel)
”Seriously now?? What kind of traces?!” (Cho Hong)
When Cho Hong expressed her irritation, Samuel smacked his lips. He seemed a bit dumbfounded at the moment.
”Looks like Kahn's team also discovered this tomb.” (Samuel)
”Eh?” (Cho Hong_
”I'm pretty sure of this. Matches the traces I've found while coming here.” (Samuel)
”Wait a second. Wait.” (Cho Hong)
Cho Hong quickly summoned the rest of the expedition over. As soon as everyone had gathered, Samuel began his explanation.
”The traces entering and leaving are still visible to the eye. But, there is a noticeable difference between the two, and that would be the ones leaving were in a great hurry. It's as if they were being chased out…. Looks like they escaped while risking their lives and split up to everywhere.” (Samuel)
”That is strange.” (Dylan)
Dylan reconfirmed as well, and the uncertainty was written large on his expression.
”If I haven't seen it wrong, the leader of the Lioners was carrying around Kahn's weapon, did it not?” (Dylan)