Chapter 22 : The Simplest Way To Solve The Problem (Part-2)

He shook the Sun God’s emblem hanging around his neck.

“And I’m a believer of the Sun God too. You can’t demand I draw my sword just because I misspoke, that’s too extreme.”

It appeared as though he was articulating his thoughts with a strong sense of assurance, fully convinced in the steadfast Paladin who stood protectively behind Eden, a figure embodying strength and righteousness.

However, Eden remained unmoved, maintaining his hand outstretched in a gesture that conveyed both an invitation and a determination, unwavering in his stance.

“How exactly did I threaten you? I just asked for the sword.”

“…What the hell is wrong with you?”

Thinking that Eden wouldn’t be able to hear him, Cotton quietly muttered under his breath and then pulled out his sword, methodically handing it over to Eden.

The sword appeared to be well-oiled, suggesting it had been meticulously cared for on a daily basis.

Eden took a moment to examine the sharp longsword with careful attention.

There were no chipped parts, indicating that the weapon had not sustained any damage over time.

It seemed they hadn’t fought recently, suggesting a period of peace or inactivity.

He grabbed the tip of the longsword with his fingers and, without any hesitation or second thoughts, snapped it in half with a decisive motion.

“…Huh?”

The steel weapon shattered, splintering into numerous small fragments that scattered across the ground, revealing the fragility hidden within its seemingly robust exterior.

Eden’s expression remained remarkably calm, his face portrayed a serene tranquility that contrasted starkly with the shattered remnants of the weapon, resembling a person casually breaking a biscuit into manageable pieces.

Cotton’s jaw fell open, a clear indication of his disbelief and astonishment at the scene before him.

Had steel swords truly possessed such a brittle nature that they could break apart so easily under the slightest pressure?

Eden extended his hand, returning the fragmented sword back to Cotton, and then gestured toward the rat-like man who stood silently and watchfully behind him, drawing attention to his presence.

“You.”

“Hi, hick!! …Me?”

“You just looked at me like you were staring at a barbarian when I came in. Very insulting. You draw your sword too.”

The rat-like man found himself utterly speechless, completely at a loss for the right words to express the myriad of thoughts racing through his mind in that moment.

Undoubtedly, his gaze was one of disbelief and disdain, reminiscent of how one would regard a barbarian…!

Yet, he could not refute the overwhelming reality of the barbarian who had just exhibited incredible strength by breaking steel effortlessly with his unprotected hands.

Consequently, Eden took decisive action and successfully rendered all the mercenaries’ weapons inoperable and disabled, ensuring that they posed no further threat.

“Mm.”

Eden looked down at Cotton, observing the subtle rise and fall of his slight frame as he sat there.

Cotton’s bald head, which was typically a warm shade of flesh-toned pink, had turned pale blue, a color that hinted at an unusual and concerning change.

‘He looks like a blue octopus.’

Eden thought to himself, grabbing Cotton’s bald head.

“Now, let’s ask some questions.”

“Y-yes!!”

Cotton felt as though the scythe of death was perilously close to his throat, an ominous reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present shadow of mortality that lurked just beyond reach.

The sheer strength to crush steel with his unprotected hands was an unparalleled source of dread, more intimidating and fearsome than any conventional weapon could ever be, a raw power that sent chills down the spine.

Eden’s piercing black eyes locked onto Cotton’s with intense focus, an intensity that seemed to cut through the very air between them.

Cotton observed what looked like a searing flame flickering in Eden’s gaze, an inferno of emotion and determination that burned brightly, illuminating the depths of his soul.

In truth, Eden was thinking, “Would a blue octopus feel like this?” but he didn’t say it aloud.

“Where did you get the gemstone?”

“U-um… We found it at a nearby ruin!”

“Oh.” Eden nodded.

He smiled broadly, and his beast-like sharp teeth gleamed tantalizingly in the light, reflecting a menacing sheen that hinted at both danger and allure.

Just as Eden had suspected all along, the gemstone in question had not been obtained through the nefarious act of robbery, which she had initially feared.

It was an even more intriguing and multifaceted situation than she had anticipated, promising deeper layers of story and complexity.

“There’s a dungeon nearby?”

“What?”

“A dungeon.”

“Ruins.”

A player who used to play games would call it a dungeon.

“Well, about that.”

“That must be a very difficult situation. Let us help you.”

Eden casually nudged the steel fragments on the floor as he spoke.

“After all, you no longer have any weapons.”

…Cotton couldn’t refuse Eden’s offer.

Meanwhile, Fran and Neb, who had been watching Eden’s actions from behind, conversed between themselves.

“Is it really okay to just let him do that?”

“What do you mean?”

Contrary to Neb’s expectations, Fran looked at Eden with a satisfied expression.

“It’s a relief that the gemstones weren’t acquired through plunder. Moreover, that barbarian is actually stepping up to help others. It seems he has learned a lot from traveling with me these past few days.”

“…I don’t think that’s his intention, from the goddess’s perspective.”

It was a conversation between the pure paladin and the goddess tainted by the world.

Unexpectedly, Cotton willingly guided them to the ruins.

“So, you really won’t take the gemstones? Can I trust you on that?”

“Do I look like a bandit to you?”

“…You do seem like one.”

The rationale behind their decision to refrain from seizing the gemstones was rooted in their clear declaration that they simply would not engage in that activity.

In situations where the gemstones had not been obtained through any unlawful actions or criminal misconduct, there existed no valid justification for their confiscation.

The act of looting is traditionally reserved solely for instances involving adversaries or enemies.

“…We’ve arrived.”

Indeed, the ancient ruins were located in close proximity to the small village inhabited by the local people.

It required no more than just a couple of hours to traverse the distance on foot.

Eden came to realize that choosing to stay in the nearby village was far more logical than opting to set up camp in the vicinity of the ancient ruins.

Naturally, it struck Eden as peculiar that the remnants of such an old civilization could exist so near to a thriving village, but it was a notion that Eden had not anticipated encountering in a world that resembled a game.

“Really found it by chance.”

Cotton seemed to have relaxed, and started talking without anyone asking.

“A ruin behind a waterfall… That’s a place you’d expect to hear about in stories. Honestly, I felt good about it the first day. Well, not that it’s bad now.”

Behind the waterfall was a smooth natural cave.

There didn’t seem to be anything left nearby; the mercenaries had probably looted everything.

“If we had looted the gemstones here, it would’ve been a nice profit. But the thing I regret…”

At the end of the cave was a door with strange markings on it.

Cotton muttered while staring at the door.

“The locked door, we couldn’t open it.”

Eden didn’t point out that they hadn’t even managed to open the entrance to the ruins.

Fran, looking at the symbols on the door, mumbled quietly.

“Ancient script. ‘Heavier than iron, lighter than wind. After it passes, even its name will be forgotten. If you want to obtain it, speak its name.’”

“Oh.”

Cotton quietly admired Fran’s ability to decipher the script. It had taken them days to understand those symbols.

But knowing the riddle didn’t mean knowing the answer.

“But the problem is, I don’t know the answer to the riddle. I don’t even know how many months we’ve wasted here. So, when this gentleman asked us to guide him to the ruins, honestly, I thought it was a good thing. We’re just as curious about what’s inside.”

Fran stared at the door, deep in thought.

“Heavier than iron, lighter than wind… it must be referring to a person’s faith…”

His mind began to drift off, meandering through a labyrinth of peculiar and strange thoughts.

For reference, Neb quietly muttered, “It seems as if I’m gazing at a math assignment that has materialized from the depths of Eden’s memories.”

Eden remained fixated on the door.

The solid, imposing stone door appeared as if it were designed to withstand any attempts at being opened by mere human strength alone.

Eden contemplated to himself.

‘I can’t remember the strength requirement to bypass the locking magic in the game.’

Though he didn’t remember exactly, he was certain his strength was more than enough.

Eden grabbed the door.

“Haha, do you think that’ll work? No matter how strong you are…”

Cotton, who had been talking, began to tremble as he recalled that Eden could break steel with his bare hands, and he stared at the trembling door.

Boom…!!

It didn’t take long.

Eden pointed to the door that had swung open and said, emotionless,

“Everyone’s really slow-witted.”

When you’re strong, you don’t need to use your brain.