CH 78

“No doubt about it, it’s here. This is where many lines of magic elements merge.”

I say while stopping the pendulum that’s violently oscillating and putting it away.

Roa is still looking around cautiously, and Taula is looking at the spot I indicated with a curious expression.

We are standing a little far from the ruins. The ground below us is back to being just the same old wasteland, and I can see some stones here and there that must’ve been used as construction materials.

I’m thinking that maybe there were buildings here too, a long time ago.

“It’s clearly a door. Should we open it, Rust?”

Says Taula quietly. There is a normal sized metal door on the ground.

“There’s no way we can just leave after coming this far. Let’s be very careful, but we’re not leaving until we find out why there aren’t any monsters.”

I say as I approach the door on the ground. I grab the doorknob that looks as though it’s sprouting from the ground, and turn it.

Clack.

It’s not locked.

I open it outwards, like I’m pulling it up. It’s pretty heavy.

What I see after I open the door is a square hole with a ladder going down. I can see the bottom from here, so it doesn’t look like a very deep hole.

“Well then, I’ll…”

“I’m going first.”

Says Roa, talking over me. She skillfully holds her spear in one hand, and climbs down the ladder.

“I will go as well.”

Taula goes down next.

I’m kind of bothered, but I follow them.

“The light turns on normally, and there are signs that people have been here recently. There’s no doubt that someone is here.”

Roa says while I climb down.

Just as she says, the underground passage is faintly illuminated. It’s also wide enough that the three of us can traverse it side by side.

“There are no traps nearby.”

Says Roa while squinting. She’s using her power to see through things.

“Hm…”

Taula looks like she’s thinking.

“What is it Taula?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking that this doesn’t seem like the hiding place of a shaman.”

“Now that you mention it…”

“We aren’t going to find it so easily…”

“Someone’s coming! From the other side!”

Warns Roa, as Taula and I casually talk.

I immediately take out a scroll and prepare to activate it, and Taula draws her sword.

“Don’t move or I’ll roast you!”

We hear what sounds like an elderly man from a corner ahead of us in the passage.

This voice sounds very familiar.

“Could it be… Is that you, Master Halhammer!?”

I say, sounding very surprised.

“…Rust?”

The man turns the corner and shows himself. It’s the former president of the alchemist association and my mentor, Halhammer.