Ch.56Chapter 56 – The Secret Hidden in the Imperial Palace

Following His Imperial Majesty through the vast interior of the imperial palace, we finally arrived at a destination where an enormous iron door displayed its imposing presence.

The interior of the palace had ceilings that appeared to be about 5 meters high from floor to ceiling.

And this massive iron door before my eyes now was equally tall, reaching all the way from the floor to the ceiling.

A door of this size must weigh considerably, making it impossible to open with ordinary strength.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed the door was secured with a massive lock connected to eight metal chains.

Additionally, very thick metal pillars were embedded in the doorframe, arranged vertically to block the iron door.

‘This seems ominous…’

A 5-meter-high iron door secured not only by a mechanical device that positioned metal pillars—each as thick as an adult man’s thigh—both horizontally and vertically, but also locked with eight chains.

‘What on earth could be inside?’

I was extremely curious about what lay beyond this door.

What were they protecting with such impenetrable security?

“Your Imperial Majesty, what could possibly be inside that requires such terrifying security measures?”

I asked His Imperial Majesty out of curiosity about what might be contained within.

If he brought me all this way, he must want me to use my abilities on whatever is inside.

“Ah, you mean all this? Well…”

Upon hearing my question, His Imperial Majesty’s expression turned rather troubled.

What? Did I ask something inappropriate?

“Bergen, is Patos someone we can trust?”

“Since we’re already employing his abilities, it’s only a matter of time before he discovers what’s inside. I believe we should satisfy his curiosity by telling him what’s in there, but ensure he maintains absolute secrecy.”

Eh? Secrecy? So you’re saying there’s something beyond this iron door that ordinary people shouldn’t know about?

Hearing the conversation between His Imperial Majesty and the Chancellor, I momentarily regretted asking the question.

However, the water was already spilled, so my priority now was to salvage the situation as best I could.

“Your Imperial Majesty, this humble one has seen and heard nothing here today.”

“Hmm?”

“Hmm?”

I hastily used self-deprecating language to convey that I would pretend to know nothing of what I had seen and heard here.

They say if you stay quiet, you’ll at least be safe in the middle. Why did I have to show interest and get myself into this situation?

“Well, I suppose there wouldn’t be any problem with someone like you knowing the secret beyond this door. Very well. You were curious about why this iron door has such thorough security?”

Fortunately, His Imperial Majesty seemed willing to answer my question.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I understand. Since you’re so curious, I shall tell you.”

His Imperial Majesty approached the iron door and placed his hand upon it.

“This door isn’t made of ordinary iron. Though it appears to be simple steel, it’s actually adamantium coated with a thin layer of orichalcum.”

“Pardon?”

What did he just say? Orichalcum and adamantium?

I was astonished to hear the words orichalcum and adamantium from the Emperor’s mouth.

This was because orichalcum and adamantium were terms that appeared exclusively in the descriptions of the highest-grade equipment in Erasto Chronicle.

The descriptions of the highest-grade equipment always mentioned that they were made of orichalcum or adamantium, or something of equivalent value.

In other words, this wasn’t an ordinary iron door made from refined iron ore.

A door made using divine metals like orichalcum and adamantium.

At this point, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what might be beyond it.

“To require the use of orichalcum and adamantium… I cannot fathom what might be sleeping beyond this door with my limited knowledge.”

“That’s quite alright. It’s natural that you wouldn’t know. What’s inside must never be revealed to the general public.”

“Then… what exactly is sleeping inside?”

“A key.”

“A key, you say?”

A key? They implemented such thorough security measures just to protect a single key?

To the extent of installing a door made from divine metals like orichalcum and adamantium?

“It seems my words don’t make much sense to you.”

“I-I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“No, no, it’s quite alright. It’s understandable if you don’t know. Let me explain again.”

I tensed as the Emperor began his explanation anew.

What exactly was this “key” stored beyond this door?

“This key is, literally, a key. It’s used to unlock something that is locked.”

But what exactly is this key meant to unlock?

“The key inside is the only one that can unlock the entrance to a facility that seals away a ‘forbidden existence.'”

“Forbidden existence…?”

The moment I uttered the words “forbidden existence” that had come from His Imperial Majesty’s lips, the atmosphere emanating from both the Emperor and the Chancellor changed instantly.

Though it was brief, a suffocating pressure weighed down on my entire body.

“Ah, my apologies. The matter of the forbidden existence is a highly sensitive issue for both Bergen and myself.”

“Perhaps we should provide additional explanations as we descend to the sealing site?”

“Let’s do that. For now, I’ll release the entrance seal, so please wait a moment.”

His Imperial Majesty approached the iron door and carefully raised his right hand.

A rainbow-colored wave began at the lock in the center of the door and spread throughout the entire door.

Then the lock and chains began to fade away, and with the sound of machinery turning, the metal pillars blocking the door retreated into the walls and floor.

Once all the locking mechanisms disappeared, the iron door began to open, surprisingly without any unpleasant sound of metal friction.

The door opened very smoothly, and I, His Imperial Majesty, and the Chancellor began descending the stairs that appeared beyond the iron door, leading underground.

As the three of us entered the stairway, the door automatically closed behind us.

“Huh? The door…”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s merely closing automatically for security purposes. It will open again when we return after our business is concluded, so there’s no need for concern.”

When I was startled by the suddenly closing door, the Chancellor spoke dismissively.

His Imperial Majesty also nodded in agreement with the Chancellor’s words, so I figured it was nothing to worry about and followed the two of them underground.

The staircase descending underground seemed to go on endlessly.

After walking down the stairs for quite some time, we were greeted by an enormous underground cavern.

It was roughly the size of a soccer field, with a height of about two stories.

The walls of the underground cavern were densely covered with unfamiliar magic circles, all of which were glowing with a soft blue light.

‘If what I learned in the Academy’s Introduction to Magic is correct, those magic circles are currently active.’

Even a rough count of the active magic circles exceeded 100.

A massive iron door made of orichalcum and adamantium, plus over 100 magic circles for additional protection.

I grew curious about just how dangerous this sealed existence must be to warrant such extreme security measures.

I wanted to ask questions, but since I would find out soon enough anyway, I kept my mouth shut and waited for His Imperial Majesty to speak.

“This place is located directly beneath the center of the imperial palace. The reason this facility was built so deep is so that, in case of emergency, the entire facility can be collapsed to ensure nothing ever leaves this place again.”

“Does that mean all those magic circles are related to that purpose, Your Majesty?”

“Indeed. The magic circles installed in this cavern not only prevent the collapse of this space but are also designed to cause a massive explosion in case of emergency, burying this cavern deep underground.”

“That’s how dangerous the key stored here is—it can unlock the seal of an extremely dangerous existence.”

Listening to the Chancellor and His Imperial Majesty, I began to think I might have entered a very dangerous place.

However, having come this far, there was no turning back.

I followed His Imperial Majesty to the altar located in the center of the cavern.

Was there some kind of perception-inhibiting magic at work?

From a distance, it seemed as though there was nothing on the altar, but as we approached, I could see something floating above it.

“This is the key that unlocks the seal of the forbidden existence. It is protected by approximately 128 layers of seals to prevent this terrible object from ever returning to the world.”

As I approached the altar, the Emperor’s explanation didn’t register in my ears.

Because I recognized the object placed on the altar.

‘The Corrupted Holy Sword Zevario? No, why is the Demon God’s weapon here?’

The primary weapon of the Demon God, who was the first raid boss in Erasto Chronicle and the embodiment of invincibility.

The Corrupted Holy Sword “Zevario.”