Ch.352Chapter 352 – Into the Sea (2)

As soon as I jumped into the water, I used the device Serra had given me.

Immediately, a barrier filled with air formed, blocking the water’s invasion and allowing me to breathe comfortably.

‘Wait, how do I move in this thing?’

I’d forgotten to ask before jumping in, and now I had no idea how to swim with this device activated.

Feeling a bit flustered inside, I looked around.

The barrier was transparent and filled with air, making it look like a person floating inside a water droplet. Inside her own barrier, I could see Sia looking slightly confused as well.

Then I saw her looking at me and moving her lips.

‘Can’t hear anything.’

From the shape of her mouth, she seemed to be asking, “Did you hear how to move this thing?”

I shook my head vigorously and repeatedly pointed to my mouth and ears to indicate that I couldn’t hear her. Sia and I communicated through gestures.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for Sia to realize that I didn’t know how to move either and that we couldn’t hear each other. She began looking around and making earnest attempts to communicate.

Perhaps unable to bear watching this somewhat pathetic situation, Serra began swimming past us as if to say “watch me.” She pointed enthusiastically at her legs and then began gently kicking as if pushing off a wall.

Though I couldn’t hear anything, I imagined if I could, it would make a cute “thump” sound.

The barrier vibrated slightly and began to move.

‘If it works like this, not knowing how to swim won’t be a problem.’

And I thought that if Eve were here, she’d immediately come up with ways to make money from this device.

In that state, I slightly changed direction to look down and saw Chris noticing my gaze and waving at me.

‘I should head down now.’

After nodding to express my intentions to the others in our group,

we all began descending together.

The sailor had said it would be dark down there, but we were still at a depth where light penetrated, so I could see the surrounding scenery.

Fish swam in schools or alone against the deep blue background, either avoiding us or approaching curiously.

At one point, a large fish with magnificent rainbow-colored scales approached Serra, then moved toward each member of our group in turn, gently bumping each barrier with its mouth before swimming upward.

‘What a beautiful fish.’

When I glanced at Eve, I could see her nodding as if thinking the same thing.

Then other fish began gathering around the colorful one.

As the faint sunlight touched their scales, each began to emit light, and soon the underwater world was sparkling with tiny lights like stars.

Everyone, including Chris and Sia who were ahead of us, had their gazes fixed on the spectacle.

‘So this is the kind of scenery you see underwater.’

Of course, this view would be unique to this place.

Still, it was mysterious and magnificent.

As if having given us this scene as a gift, the large fish we’d seen earlier twisted its body and began to swim away.

Then I noticed Beatrice licking her lips slightly.

[Helmet. That big one would taste delicious grilled with salt.]

“Read the room, you damn woman.”

I cursed lightly while looking at Beatrice.

I could hear her words because she was using magic to communicate, but my words wouldn’t be heard anyway, so there was no need to hold back.

[Something can be both beautiful and delicious, you know.]

Beatrice said with a smirk as she looked around.

[Sightseeing is nice, but let’s keep moving.]

Chris nodded at Beatrice’s words.

As we continued descending, at some point,

our movement speed suddenly began to slow.

‘No, it’s not actually slowing down.’

The sensation of kicking and the barrier moving forward felt normal.

We just couldn’t move straight ahead anymore.

Gradually but surely, our bodies were being swept sideways.

‘So this is what they meant by strong currents.’

I was certain this was the spot the sailors had mentioned.

Moreover, it was getting darker down here, as if light couldn’t penetrate this deep.

[Be careful, everyone.]

Beatrice’s voice echoed in my head.

[This doesn’t seem like a natural current. It’s not magical, but something else is making the current stronger.]

Being slightly behind the others, Beatrice had apparently assessed the situation by watching those ahead of her.

Wondering if she had a solution, I looked at her, and she pointed to the barrier as she spoke.

[For now, we have nothing better than these barriers. Just be careful not to lose your direction.]

‘So this is all we can rely on.’

I said, looking at Serra’s device.

Even if someone could somehow make it this far without equipment, it would be difficult to push through these currents.

But Serra’s barrier was, according to her, sturdy enough to withstand even a collision with a sea dragon once.

At the very least, it wouldn’t break from currents like these.

‘Now the remaining issue is…’

Entering the dark depths of the sea where no light penetrates.

But there was no need to worry about this either.

Chris, who had been pushing through the currents ahead of us, raised her staff.

Soon, light from her staff began illuminating our path.

The holy light from Chris’s staff filled the dark underwater world.

Though not bright enough to illuminate everything, it was sufficient to prevent us from getting lost.

I could feel light shining from behind us as well.

‘That must be Kara.’

Kara, who had been watching to ensure no one in our group strayed, had also raised her staff to provide light.

‘With this, we don’t need to worry about losing our way.’

Even if dangers arose, we’d be able to handle them somehow. I followed Chris’s lead.

Even when the current slightly altered our direction, Chris immediately corrected her course.

With movements that showed no hesitation or fear,

Chris was guiding us in the right direction.

We continued descending for quite some time.

Unlike what we’d seen above, we passed bizarrely shaped fish and occasionally spotted floating bones.

The difference now was that the current was no longer strong, allowing us to move forward without hindrance.

‘Perhaps we’ve passed through the entrance.’

Having descended for so long, I began to worry about something else.

‘Oxygen… will it be okay?’

According to Serra, if the air runs out, the barrier would deactivate.

Not being able to breathe would be the least of our problems; it was obvious what would happen to a person thrown into such deep waters unprotected.

As I continued worrying,

Chris suddenly stopped.

[Sister, what’s wrong? What is it?]

Beatrice urgently asked through magic.

Chris carefully scanned the surroundings,

then began moving in a different direction than before.

Soon, massive rocky mountains came into view.

Enormous bones were also visible, entwined around these mountains.

‘Sea dragons?’

Judging by their size, they seemed to be the bones of sea dragons and other massive aquatic creatures.

Perhaps this was their graveyard. Chris began moving toward these rocky mountains.

And soon, she reached a specific point.

It was the largest rocky mountain here.

‘Could it be?’

As I wondered, Chris extended her staff toward a seemingly featureless wall.

The light from her staff illuminated the wall.

-Rumble…

Soon, with a heavy sound, the wall transformed.

An artificial-looking hole appeared between the rocks, and Chris could be seen pointing at the hole while looking back at us.

Simultaneously, I could feel energy similar to Chris’s holy power emanating from the hole.

‘That’s the entrance.’

Everyone seemed to have the same thought.

One by one, starting with Sia, we entered the hole.

I could see Kara following from behind, with Chris entering last.

As soon as we entered, we noticed a stark difference from the outside.

‘It’s bright.’

Unlike the dark exterior where no light penetrated, the interior was illuminated.

A familiar golden light filled the space.

From behind, I heard the heavy sound of the stone door closing.

We wouldn’t be able to leave until it opened again.

Looking ahead, I could see a path leading upward.

[There are no traps. Let’s go.]

At Beatrice’s words, who seemed to have magically checked for traps, everyone began ascending without hesitation.

Soon, we were able to poke our heads above the water.

“Puha!!”

Sia made that sound as she emerged from the water, even though she hadn’t been swimming directly through it.

One by one, everyone walked out of the water.

“So there was such a space inside this rocky mountain.”

“Honestly, this is quite thrilling.”

Eve looked around in wonder, while Sia seemed ready to explore every corner if left alone.

Serra surveyed the surroundings and asked with genuine curiosity:

“…It’s remarkable that someone created a seal in such a place.”

“Unless whoever made this place anticipated unforeseen circumstances, I honestly can’t imagine how anyone would find this place.”

Beatrice replied in an incredulous tone.

“So even you find the difficulty level of getting here absurd.”

“Honestly, considering how we got here, I think anyone who finds this place without prior knowledge would be quite extraordinary.”

“Extraordinary, huh.”

When she puts it that way, it makes me wonder if there might be some extraordinary person who discovered this place before us.

It was somewhat concerning.

Then Beatrice, as if suddenly remembering something, spoke up:

“We might never encounter them here, but perhaps some merfolk vaguely knew of this place. Through legends or traditions, I mean.”

“I think even that species wouldn’t know about it.”

Serra interjected at Beatrice’s words.

“I vaguely recall reading that merfolk only live in coastal waters. They can’t survive in deep sea environments like this. And…”

“…Well, if you want to hide a place like this, the best way is to ensure no one knows about it.”

Beatrice nodded in agreement with Serra’s words.

“By the way, so merfolk do exist.”

“You didn’t know? Or are you interested, Helmet?”

Beatrice’s voice sharpened slightly.

Looking at her, I answered casually:

“Just curious. Honestly, I didn’t even know they existed.”

“…I just hope you’re not curious because you heard they’re full of beauties.”

Beatrice said, sounding a bit upset.

Strangely, her comment made me even more curious about whether they really were beautiful.

“Kay.”

“I’m really just curious, I swear.”

I quickly responded to Serra, who had placed her hand on my shoulder.

I had also noticed Eve and Chris approaching me, seemingly having caught our conversation.

“Forget about merfolk. Anyway, I think Evgenia made sure only her successor would know about this place.”

“Even I only realized it was in the deep sea after we arrived here.”

Chris quietly affirmed.

“I vaguely sensed the location, but I only gained certainty after entering the sea.”

“Truly, without you, we would never have found this place.”

I responded lightly to Chris’s words.

Then Kara walked over to us and said:

“By the way, do you guys always search for places like this?”

“Impressive, right?”

“Indeed.”

Kara looked around with a hint of joy.

“There are murals I’ve never seen before… honestly, it feels like we’re on a grand adventure. It’s exciting.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Kara.”

Chris smiled as she addressed Kara.

And Kara replied with a genuine smile:

“Now, if only there were treasures aplenty here.”

“Pardon?”

“Isn’t that the unspoken promise? A deep, undiscovered ruin, and the treasures slumbering within. Honestly, I think there should be some.”

“That’s quite a romantic notion.”

Sia immediately chimed in at Kara’s laughing remark.

It was a topic Sia would naturally be interested in.

Soon, the two ladies, who usually didn’t converse much, began a heated discussion about what kind of treasure would be best.

“Gold is the best, of course. Gems are good too.”

“I prefer magical artifacts. Money is important, but practicality…”

Kara seemed to favor precious metals, while Sia leaned toward magical artifacts. They were earnestly debating the merits of their preferences.

I smiled, thinking they were acting like children.

Meanwhile, I noticed Beatrice and Serra quietly slipping away to begin a proper investigation of the place.

“Given that we can breathe here, there must be some air passage or mechanism… this place is truly remarkable.”

“You think so?”

“How did Goddess Evgenia create such a place? If you find out later, will you tell me?”

“Would you like to join our order then?”

Beatrice immediately fled, and Chris chased after her with a smile.

Serra was seen venturing a bit further inside.

And Eve approached me with a smile.

“Everyone seems to have relaxed.”

“They were tense while descending through the deep sea. It’s good to take a short break.”

“I see. You mean they need to forget the pressure they experienced on the way here?”

As Eve gently grabbed my arm, I held her hand and replied:

“Then, shall I seek some help from Kay?”

“…You never change.”

I turned to Eve as she softly called my name.

Taking advantage of the commotion around us, Eve slowly raised her head toward me.

I too quietly pushed up my helmet and began to lean my head slowly toward Eve.

“Oh, my goodness! What on earth is this…!!”

Suddenly, Serra’s voice rang out.

She seemed to have gone further inside, as her voice came from deeper within.

Immediately, Eve and I stopped what we were doing and quickly turned toward the source of the sound.

The rest of our group also changed their expressions and rushed to where Serra was.

“Serra!”

“Are you alright, Miss Serra?”

Upon reaching Serra’s location, we found her sitting on the ground, seemingly shocked.

“Ah, there, that…!”

“That?”

Beyond where Serra was pointing was a large door that seemed to be guarding a seal.

At first glance, there didn’t seem to be anything special about it…

‘Huh?’

Looking closer, I understood.

There were a few sheets of paper lying on the ground where Serra was pointing.

“…What’s this?”

I carefully approached and picked up the papers.

And on those papers,

I discovered a familiar signature.

“…Maria Medimaker?”

It was the name of Serra’s grandmother.