Ch.392Chapter 392 – The Emperor’s Request

After clearing out the monster horde that emerged from the mine entrance, we began our full-scale investigation.

Though monsters still remained scattered throughout the endless tunnels, hunting them wasn’t our objective.

“As you all know, remember that our goal isn’t monster hunting but investigating the anomaly.”

“Yes, understood.”

Of course, with the strength of our investigation team, including myself, we could easily engage with a couple more monster hordes if they appeared.

Moreover, if I use my ability, even someone who looks like they’re about to collapse and die can be completely restored.

It feels a bit awkward to use the term “restored” for people, but anyway, it means they become renewed.

That’s why our investigation team, including myself, could enter the mine without hesitation.

“The tunnel is quite spacious.”

“It’s the largest mine in the Endless Tunnels, so naturally its passages would be enormous.”

The monsters seemed to have gathered at the entrance, as we didn’t encounter any blocking our path inside.

“Kromus. Where is the portal from which the monsters are pouring out?”

“Yes, Your Grace. The portal is located at an intersection point if you follow the tunnel downward.”

“Intersection point?”

I asked Kromus to explain what the intersection point was.

“Yes. The intersection point is a space created to dig down along the mineral veins of the Endless Tunnels. Ore sorting takes place there, with final separation of rocks and minerals. The minerals are sent upward, while the rocks are crushed and used to create protective frames that support the tunnel interior.”

“Fascinating.”

It’s amazing that they don’t just transport the minerals whole but perform sorting operations. And that they can create such a large space.

“How long does it take to reach the intersection point?”

“About 10 minutes riding the mine cart. It’s almost the same as walking down. For safety reasons, the cart moves at about the same speed as a person walking. It takes about 2 hours to reach the deepest part, but the intersection point isn’t that far.”

As Kromus said, after walking for about 10 minutes, a brightly lit space came into view.

Inside a space similar in size to a public stadium where sports festivals are held, various types of machinery and conveyor belts for sorting minerals were chaotically installed.

And floating above the machinery was something round and ominously dark red.

Just as I learned in science class, a circle piercing through three-dimensional space forms a sphere, and that’s exactly what it looked like.

“That’s the portal. It doesn’t seem to be spewing monsters right now, but we don’t know when it might start again.”

“Understood. Everyone, maintain vigilance and advance toward the portal. Feel free to destroy any obstructing equipment.”

“You can destroy everything without worry. It’s all damaged by the monsters anyway and needs to be replaced.”

When Kromus said we could destroy everything, we proceeded forward, smashing all the equipment blocking our path.

If the person in charge says it’s okay to break things, there’s no reason to feel guilty!

After advancing about 200 meters, we finally reached the vicinity of the portal.

“Your Grace. I believe you’ll need to take the lead this time.”

I nodded at the intelligence agent’s words. The pocket watch used to suppress anomalies is classified as confidential.

Therefore, since I didn’t bring it down to the Endless Tunnels, I had to step forward myself.

Gripping the hammer made by Ironbeard, I slowly walked toward the portal.

The Knight Commander accompanied me in case of unexpected situations.

The dark red, spherical portal was pulsating like a heart.

A sphere of energy pulsating like a heart—what a bizarre sight.

Facing this grotesque phenomenon, I swung my hammer at the portal.

—Clang!

This anomaly needs to disappear quickly.

—Clang!

So that our children can live in a safe place.

—Clang!

Therefore, I wish for this portal to disappear.

Forever.

After the third strike, the dark red portal began to convulse as if screaming.

“Your Grace! Step back!”

The Knight Commander hid me behind him as the portal began to convulse.

But soon, after thrashing about for quite some time, the portal shrank like a deflated balloon and vanished.

“Did we succeed?”

“It seems so. As expected, I believed Your Grace’s ability would make this portal disappear.”

After confirming the portal at the intersection point had vanished, we spent some time conducting a final investigation to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

While the mages and intelligence agents moved around investigating, the Knight Commander, Kromus, and I gathered.

“Your Grace. Your skills are truly the best in the world. I understand why Emperor Ironbeard praises you so highly.”

“Request compensation from the Empire for the damaged equipment. His Majesty said he would compensate for any incidents during this journey.”

“Oh my, that’s not necessary. These were all old machines that we planned to replace anyway. So please don’t worry about compensation.”

Kromus laughed heartily and waved his hands at the mention of compensation.

“Besides, if I received additional compensation after getting help from a hero, my kinsmen might really come to kill me, calling me shameless.”

Ah, right. Come to think of it, I am a benefactor to the dwarf clan.

“Very well. If you’re satisfied with that, we won’t insist further.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Your Grace. The investigation is complete. The situation in this area appears to be resolved.”

As soon as our conversation ended, an intelligence agent approached and reported the investigation results.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Currently, there are no unusual signs in this space.”

That’s strange. They clearly said that forces causing anomalies were gathering in this area.

Was it really just the black mist and the monsters from the portal?

Leaving behind the lingering uneasiness from unresolved questions, my investigation team and I exited the Endless Tunnels.

“Thank you, Your Grace!”

“Travel safely!”

Receiving gratitude from the people whose lives we saved, we departed from the Endless Tunnels.

In normal circumstances, we might have stayed for a few days, but the monster attack had caused too many casualties in the Endless Tunnels.

In such a situation, if foreigners like us continued to stay, people would look at us strangely.

That’s why we left the Endless Tunnels hastily, as if being chased by something.

We weren’t shameless enough to accept hospitality from people busy dealing with the aftermath.

“Your Grace. Where shall we go now?”

“First, we return to the Imperial Palace. We need to have an audience with His Majesty and report what happened here.”

“Understood. Everyone! We’re returning to the Empire!”

“Yes!”

The investigation team members responded in unison to the Knight Commander’s order.

And so, we completed our investigation of the Endless Tunnels and returned to the Empire.

The journey back was the same as when we came.

Using my ability to completely eliminate fatigue, we continued riding toward the Empire without rest.

When we arrived at the Empire after about a month, it was the chilly winter season.

“Sigh, I don’t know how to face the Duchess.”

“It was His Majesty’s order. I believe the Duchess will understand.”

“I hope so.”

We should have spent the New Year together, but when we returned, January had passed and it was early February.

I had left my pregnant wife alone for two months.

‘I’ll have to endure Karen’s nagging, and rightfully so.’

Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, I had an audience with His Majesty.

“Welcome back, son-in-law. Did you resolve the matter well?”

“I would like to report on the events occurring in the southern continent.”

I reported to His Majesty about what had happened in the Endless Tunnels in the southern continent.

“Hmm.”

After hearing my full report, His Majesty stroked his beard.

“Indeed, I’ve heard that the forces gathering there disappeared after your arrival.”

“Is that so?”

Was it because I went there and destroyed the portal? It’s fortunate that the forces causing the anomaly have disappeared.

“However, as a counterbalance, forces causing anomalies are now gathering in the northern continent.”

His Majesty pulled out a map and pointed to a location.

The northern continent. A frigid land where almost no life exists due to year-round freezing temperatures.

A single point marked near the North Pole.

“Thirty intelligence agents had to sacrifice themselves to obtain this information. Something similar to the portal you mentioned is being created there.”

“What?”

A portal similar to the one created in the southern continent is being made in the north?

“I’m asking for your help. I have no one else I can trust with this. I’m terribly sorry to Karen, but there’s no one else on this continent who can resolve this matter except you.”

At His Majesty’s request, I pondered for a moment.

And after consideration, I gave His Majesty my decision.

“Your Majesty, I…”