Chapter 84

Chapter 84

The trembling subsided. The cave that revealed itself was as vast as any major gateway, with a ceiling dotted with stalactites and a staircase sprawling beneath it. The steps were wide and shallow, curving inwards, obscuring whatever lay below.

"...So there was a space hidden underground. The forest was just a means to filter intruders," Charlotte mused as she dismounted.

Ian quietly observed the darkness beyond the cave, feeling a vibration from his waist. As he glanced at the Sword of Judgement,

"It gets more ominous the further we go. An endless forest and now a cave leading underground."

"A demon scared of such things?"

"Seeing this and not thinking anything of it is something only a beast like you could manage. If a mage could cast such magic, they must be incredibly powerful."

"The strongest mage I know is Ian."

"Well, yes, but... still."

Thesaya and Charlotte entered the cave first, the horse obediently following Charlotte's lead despite its reluctance.

"Bold of you to enter without an invitation," Ian remarked as he dismounted.

Thesaya blinked in surprise, "True. I felt no resistance entering here. Maybe because this land is so tainted, all restrictions have been lifted."

An interesting point.

Just then, the sword at Ian's waist pulsed again. Narrowing his eyes, Ian finally drew the Sword of Judgement, its blade shimmering faintly with holy light. As if his action was a cue, the light coalesced more intensely along the edge.

"...?"

The brilliant blue glow eventually faded into the sword, filled with holy energy. Waving the sword slightly, Ian watched as the blue light dispersed in a dim trail.

Ah, so you've decided to learn.

A smirk crossed Ian's face, suspecting that Tir En had been watching. Perhaps sensing the loosening connection with its intended relic, the stern Goddess had taken notice, worried that her reach wouldn't extend into the underground. Otherwise, there would be no reason to imbue it with holiness in advance. With this amount of holy energy, he could execute at least one strike of judgment.

Well, the pleasure is mine.

Ian sheathed the sword. The light was completely obscured, and the holy energy was imperceptible. He planned not to draw it unless necessary, to avoid depleting the sacred power.

"Ian! Come quick! There's something written here too!" Thesaya's call came from a few steps down.

Ian, holding the horse's reins, entered the underground passage, which was taller and wider than it appeared from the outside and chillingly cold as if breathing could freeze your lungs. Ian joined them after descending the broad, shallow steps.

"Hmm...." A low exclamation escaped him.

As Thesaya had said, ancient Northern runes were engraved on the tall wall.

"What is it? Don't keep it to yourself, share with us." Thesaya's red eyes glowed as Ian stroked his chin before speaking.

"I still can't read the dragon's name. Below it, it says this underground palace, once my lair, is gifted to the sole covenantor and once-companion queen. So, this is... essentially a letter included with a gift."

"A letter...?"

Ian didn't reply but continued to absorb the inscriptions on the wall. Gradually, the fragmented information in his mind began to align. The ancient dragon whose name remained elusive. The queen of the ancient giant kingdom who studied the power of the void. The specter that called him a usurper.

"This place, the queen's study of the void's power, her summer palace," Ian blurted out.

Thesaya and Charlotte focused on him, "It remained undiscovered because it was hidden beneath the land of the dragon's domain. Perhaps..." Ian's gaze drifted beyond the stairs into the darkness.

"The queen might still be here."

"The queen...? The giant queen you're talking about?"

"The records of her end were vague. But what I don't understand is—"

Rumble—

Before Ian could finish his sentence, the entire cave began to vibrate again. As the group steadied themselves, the already dim interior darkened instantly.

The cave entrance was sinking back into the earth. Ian's eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness. Thankfully, there was no calamity of soil pouring in. Instead, a dark blue stone wall, similar in material to the cave itself, completely sealed the entrance.

The vibration subsided, leaving only the faint light emanating from deep within to barely illuminate the stairs. Fortunately, among the group, only the two horses struggled to see in the dimness.

After staring at the stone wall for a moment, Thesaya eventually spoke up.

"Are we... trapped?"

"It appears so," Ian responded calmly.

Even in the darkness, their glowing orange and red eyes turned to him.

"It changes nothing. We didn’t plan to leave empty-handed anyway."

Ian lit a torch and attached it to the saddle, leading the way forward. The staircase extended for quite a while, leading deeper underground and giving an increasingly peculiar sensation to their senses—a testament to ancient magic manipulating the space. As if to affirm the claim of it once being a dragon's lair, the ceiling rose higher. The sigil in Ian's grasp started pulsing again.

Don't rush me. I’m on my way.

—My power can only prevent the queen from using her spells... I cannot stop her from issuing orders, so you must overcome this challenge with your abilities...!

Long-winded way of saying to handle it myself. Ian scoffed silently when...

Boom—

One of the giant guardians stepped onto the pathway. Its movements were dull compared to the Gatekeeper, but its size was similar, enough to block the path. Ian, about to draw the Sword of Judgement, paused and reached into the pocket dimension instead. What he pulled out was Kyle's Scale Sword.

No need to waste the holy power. Thinking this, he dismounted.

"Ian! Don't slow down!" Charlotte's command came from behind, accompanied by a gust of wind as she, wrapped in wind, shot forward at incredible speed.

"Hey! What am I supposed to do alone?" Thesaya yelled in confusion.

Of course, Charlotte was in no state to respond, holding her twin swords like a wild beast and slamming directly into the giant guardian's torso.

Boom—!

A gale followed a beat later. Though it didn’t damage the guardian, the pressure was enough to throw off its balance. As the statue staggered, Charlotte, momentarily hovering, spun and kicked off the air again. Her magical gear glinted, and with a beastly roar, she plunged toward the guardian.

Crack—!

Her crossed swords struck the giant's head, creating fissures but not shattering it. Landing and crouching, she immediately raised her arms again. The blades, extending at the tips, slashed down repeatedly.

Crash! Crack!

Ice shards flew in all directions. Meanwhile, Ian vaulted over the guardian's fallen arm, racing forward.

Close call.

Ian scanned the pathway. Awakened guardians were lumbering toward it, dozens visible, with potentially hundreds more behind. While they weren't an insurmountable number, the issue lay with the grand doors closing by the second. Without an alternative route, being trapped inside was a looming threat.

“Keep running, Ian!” Charlotte’s cry followed.

Looking back, Charlotte stood on the horse driven by Thesaya. Thesaya held the reins, but it was the horse that galloped on its own accord. Despite the wild ride, Charlotte’s balance was unshaken. Exchanging glances, Ian realized Charlotte shared his sentiments.

“What the?! Don't just make eye contact! Tell me too!”

Amid Ian and Charlotte's silent communication, Thesaya yelled.

With a step on her shoulder, Charlotte responded, “Just be ready to fight.”

“What do you mean... Ah?!” Thesaya buckled momentarily as Charlotte, using her as a springboard, launched forward.

“I could've fallen, you beast!” Thesaya's protest faded as Charlotte, like a cannonball, plunged toward the guardians emerging onto the path.

Crash—!

Her crossed swords scattered the guardians in all directions, ice shards flying. Amidst this, Charlotte rolled to a safe landing, continuing her charge with a speed akin to horseback.

...I wonder if it's a good thing that she's enjoying this.

Ian noted Charlotte’s smirk, her recklessness bordering on folly, but now wasn’t the time for caution.

Rumble—

The grand doors were more than half shut. The magical barrier beyond silently rippled. Ian's eyes flickered gray, the wind swirling around him and the horse. With a mutual understanding with Charlotte, there was no need to wait for the others. Ian surged forward, Charlotte intercepting obstacles thrown their way. As time passed, the guardians' movements grew more fluid, and Charlotte spared no effort in utilizing her magical gear's full capabilities.

—Futile resistance, usurper...! You shall pay for succumbing to the devil's temptation...!

The queen’s voice continued. Ian's brow furrowed.

From what they're doing, it seems like they're one and the same. Did the queen capture the devil? And the devil called me?

Doing crazy things as a corrupted one is the same now as it was in ancient times.

Boom—

With a loud crash, Ian lifted his head. A giant guardian who had approached unnoticed was swinging a huge greatsword down. Charlotte was fighting with human guardians on the opposite side. The guardians had gotten so close that she couldn't handle them alone anymore.

Just as Ian was about to whip the reins,

Crack!

The greatsword tore through the Whirling Barrier in an instant, grazing the back of his head as it fell. The horse that had been split in two bounced up, scattering blood and innards from the severed surface. Ian, grinding his teeth on the ground, was engulfed in magical power.

Whoosh— Boom—!

Fireballs launched toward the guardian, exploding on impact. At that moment, Ian managed to regain his posture.

Whoosh—!

Charlotte burst through the blood mist, grabbing the back of Ian’s armor, and charged forward.

“I'll avenge your horse,” she declared, throwing him with all her might.